Twins Trade Talk 2012: July 30

This continues the dialy trade talk updates for the Twins and of action around the league that influences the Twins trade moves, up until the deadline. You can find all the older updates here, in reverse chronological order. Here is the Twins Trade Talk the past 24 hours or so:

• Fransisco Liriano to the Chicago White Sox is old news. Here are profiles of the players the Twins received in return. Apparently the Twins did not even talk about an extension at this point. and the Boston Red Sox were finalists up to the trade time. I wonder what their offer was to make the Twins' interim GM, Terry Ryan, trade within the division...
• The last trade between the Twins and the White Sox was on September 3, 1986 when the Minnesota Twins traded Pete Filson to the Chicago White Sox for Kurt Walker. The last trade between the two teams that involved a decent player was on February 19, 1985 when the Twins traded Roch Scheer and Randy Johnson (Not THAT Randy Jonhson) to the White Sox for current TV analyst Roy Smalley. And both of those times, the White Sox were in a different division (AL East vs AL West.) The first ever trade between the two franchises was in June 13, 1903 when Ducky Holmes was traded by the Senators to the White Sox for a player to be named later and became Davey DUnkle a week afterwards.
• Meanwhile, Twins' players were disappointed by the Liriano trade and White Sox GM Kenny Williams apparently thinks that they see some flaws they can fix to improve Liriano. Here are some additional reactions of Twins' players and coaches. Liriano himself was surprised by the trade.
• On the Ron Gardenhire show on ESPN 1500 yesterday morning, Gardenhire said that there have been discussion about Justin Morneau and he really does not want Josh Willingham to leave the Twins.
• Bob Nightengale indicates that the Twins are talking to other teams about Denard Span, but unlike what Terry Ryan said (ie. that he is after single A prospects,) he is looking for an MLB-ready pitcher in return.
• This is a strange one (but very true) : The Seattle Mariners are interested in Josh Willingham. A package of Héctor Noesí and/or Erasmo Ramírez and maybe even Taijuan Walker could be in the works
• Justin Morneau, Matt Capps, Carl Pavano and Nick Blackburn all make Jon Heyman's list of players who can get traded via waiver trades after tomorrow's deadline. Nick Blackburn? That is hopeful.

Twins Trade Talk 2012: July 28

This continues the dialy trade talk updates for the Twins and of action around the league that influences the Twins trade moves, up until the deadline. You can find all the older updates here, in reverse chronological order. Here is the Twins Trade Talk the past 24 hours or so:

• Ben Goessling of the Pioneer Press reports that Twins' interim General Manager, Terry Ryan, "is making and taking calls". This is the first time that it was reported that Ryan is making calls, i.e. actively shopping Twins' players. In the same piece the names of the usual suspects (Justin Morneau, Fransisco Liriano, Josh Willingham and Denard Span) are mentioned without being linked to suitors. Also mentioned is that the Twins will be looking to get "hard-throwing arms" with a "high-upside" in return.
• Interesting article here in the Chicago Tribune from the Cubs' perspective, but suggests that it might starting to be a buyers' market for Starting Pitchers, which does not bode well for the Minnesota Twins and Fransisco Liriano. On the other hand, Chigaco's own Matt Garza is shut down with a triceps situation, which might take one pitcher off the market at the deadline.
• Phil Mackey connects the Atlanta Braves, who were shun by Ryan Dempster, with Fransisco Liriano. Over at the ESPN rumor central, they have Liriano linked to: St. Louis Cardinals, Los Angeles Angels, Los Angeles Dodgers, Washington Nationals, Texas Rangers, Cincinnati Reds and Baltimore Orioles. In other words, half the league is after Liriano.
• Jim Bowden indicates that the Cincinnati Reds are "chasing" Denard Span, among others.
• Here is a name not mentioned before: Glen Perkins. John Morosi tweets that there have been "heavy interest" and that the Twins' price is "very high"
• Jason Start reiterates that Justin Morneau is available

Any of these guys will be still be wearing Twins' uniforms for the 7:10 PM CDT game on July 31st?

Twins Trade Talk 2012: July 27

This continues the dialy trade talk updates for the Twins and of action around the league that influences the Twins trade moves, up until the deadline. You can find all the older updates here, in reverse chronological order. Here is the Twins Trade Talk the past 24 hours or so:

• Jon Heyman reports that the Baltimore Orioles are looking into Fransisco Liriano. Meanwhile Jason Stark reports that the Orioles are "all but out of the rent a picher business, unless the price is too cheap to turn down", which does not make it a match for Liriano. Welcome to trade deadline conflicting talk.
• Apparently a week after the interim GM Terry Ryan said that the Twins are listening on anybody, an "annoyed Twins' person", as Jon Heyman tweets contradicts his interim GM as far as trading Josh Willingham goes.
• David O'Brien at the Altanta Journal and Costitution writes that the Atlanta Braves have not pursued Fransisco Liriano
• Joel Sherman suggests that the Twins hope that Carl Pavano and Matt Capps are healthy enough to move them this August in a waiver deal.

Twins Trade Talk 2012: July 26

This continues the dialy trade talk updates for the Twins and of action around the league that influences the TWins trade moves, up until the deadline. You can find all the older updates here, in reverse chronological order. Here is the Twins Trade Talk the past 24 hours or so:

• Add another team to the list of teams interested in Franscisco Liriano: the Arizona Diamondbacks. LEN3 writes that the scouted Liriano along with the New York Yankees, Chicago Cubs, Detroit Tigers, Cincinnati Reds and Toronto Blue Jays last Tuesday. Cubs? Maybe they were scouting someone else.
• Some interesting bits from Jason Stark's latest. He says that the Twins are looking for "a young ready to go" starter for everyone they trade. Also he indicates that Fransisco Liriano is "guaranteed" to be traded, probably after his next start. He also ranks what the Twins want in return for their position players as: a. Josh Willingham ("so expensive, it made me laugh"), b. Denard Span ("more pricey") c. Justin Morneau ("pricey"). Also indicates that the Twins do not want to pay for any of the $19 Million Morneau is owed, in a trade. In the same piece, he indicates that the Los Angeles Dodgers have talked to the Twins about Morneau. Meanwhile, Bob Nightengale says that the Dodgers will add a bat and a starter.
• Ken Rosenthal mentions that the Cincinnati Reds have been looking at Denard Span, but the price seems to be high and they might have to look at rentals instead.

Twins Trade Talk 2012: July 25

This continues the dialy trade talk updates for the Twins and of action around the league that influences the TWins, up until the deadline. You can find all the older updates here, in reverse chronological order. Here is the Twins Trade Talk the past 24 hours or so:

• According to Adam Kilgore of the Washington Post, the Washington Nationals had internal discussions about Jamey Carroll and other middle infielders. It seems that they will be making a move soon.
• From the is Josh Willingham available front: Ken Rosenthal tweets that a General Manager says that he is available but the Twins really want a lot for him (which is a good thing).
• Take another team off the Fransisco Liriano sweepstakes. The Pittsburgh Pirates are close to closing a deal with the Astros for Wandy Rodriguez. The Astros get Rudy Owens, a 24 year old LHP who is repeating AAA this season and is 8-5 with 3.14 ERA and 1.168 WHIP, 6.5 K/9 and 3.4 K/BB)Robbie Grossman a 22 year old toolsy CF who is hitting .262/.374/.403 with 7 HRs in AA and Colton Cain a 21 year old LHP who is pitching in high A with 4.20 ERA, 1.240 WHIP, 6.1 K/9 and 2.04 K/BB. Not top 100 prospects and only Grossman was on BA's list of the Pirates' top 10 prospects at number 8.
• The extension agreement of the Philadelphia Phillies with Cole Hamels this morning takes another LHSP off the market, thus increasing Fransisco Liriano's value both to the Twins as a trade chip and to himself as a free agent this off-season.

Twins Trade Talk 2012: July 24

Here is the Twins Trade Talk the past 24 hours or so:

• Ken Rosenthal suggests that the Carlos Quentin and Edwin Encarnacion contract extensions (for 3 years at about $10 million per with all incentives), make Josh Willingham more desirable (he still has 2+ years at just $7 million per) but he suggest that Twins will have a high price and "would want a major return". Jon Heyman reiterrates that the Twins are not in a hurry to trade him but also says that if they change their mind, there will be a "mile long" line of suitors. Jon Morosi also indicates that the "Twins have yet to put" him on the trade market
• With Ryan Dempster to the Atlanta Braves trade (which is still pending Dempster's approval), 3 things are happening that involve the Twins: a. The Atlanta Braves are no longer a suiter for Fransisco Liriano b. Fransisco Liriano will likely be the next Domino to fall in the SP market (according to Ken Davidoff who correctly reported before it happend that Dempster will be the first.) Given that one of the Braves' top pitching prospects, 22 year old Panamanian Randall Delgado, who pitched in the majors this season and last and was rated 46th top prospect in baseball this year and 35th last year by Baseball America, involved in the return package to the Cubs, expect a similar or better return for Liriano. And c. The Washington Nationals that are 3.5 games ahead of the Braves would like to improve also. The have been associated with Denard Span and Fransisco Liriano in the past.
• Speaking of returns on pitchers, the Miami Marlins trade Anibal Sanchez and Omar Infante to the Detroit Tigers for 22 year old Jacob Turner RHSP #22 BA prospect, 22 year old C Rob Brantly with a .311/.359/.461 line in AA and now in AAA, and 22 year old LHSP Brian Flynn who just went to AA. They also swapped compensatory picks (a first in MLB). Sanchez and Infante is pretty much the equivalent of Fransisco Liriano and Alexi Cassila... Pretty good return.
• Heyman reports that the New York Yankees have talked to the Twins about Denard Span, but "did not like the price in prospects", so they went the Ichiro Suzuki way, which cost them the equivalent of Jeff Manship (D.J. Mitchell) and a guy they picked off waivers a couple weeks ago (Danny Farquhar; now try to pronounce that last name with a New York accent...)
• Jon Morosi reports that the Los Angeles Angels like Liriano and he is quoting former Twins' Centerfielder Torii Hunter, in support. Also lists Texas Rangers, Detroit Tigers, Baltimore Orioles, Washington Nationals and Atlanta Braves as teams looking for SP, without knowing whether they are interested in Liriano. You can cross the Braves off the list now.
• The Justin Morneau to the Los Angeles Dodgers rumours that started yesterday in LA, are rehashed in the Twin Cities today. Tim Brown writes that the Twins are having discussion about Morneau but they are asking the other teams for an existing major leaguer in return plus to take his full contract. Hard to believe that they would want a major leaguer in return, based on what Terry Ryan has been saying publicly.

Twins Trade Talk 2012: July 23

With the non-waiver trade deadline just 8 days or so away, I decided to have a pretty much daily look at the talk surrounding the Minnesota Twins' activity in the trade market.  To do this, I need to do establish a "baseline" of what is already been reported.  So I am listing (with public sources) the players who have been mentioned in trade talks and the teams linked to them.  From tomorrow on, the news will be posted as they come on a daily or so basis.  I am excluding players currently in the DL, even though they have been mentioned in trade talks, like Carl Pavano and Matt Capps.  Here is the list:

Denard Span: New York Yankees (apparently the Yankees have asked and think that the "Twins are asking too much" for Span. Also, in the same piece is listed that the Twins would rather trade Span than Willingham), Washington Nationals, Florida Marlins (mainly due to previous interest.) Cincinnati Reds (also the Nationals are mentioned in this Twins Cities' reference.) Also this Cincinnati reference mentions the Reds as suitors.

Fransisco Liriano: Cleveland Indians, Los Angeles Angels, Toronto Blue Jays, Washington Nationals, Boston Red Sox, New York Yankees (scouted him), New York Mets, Atlanta Braves, San Diego Padres, Cincinnati Reds. Several of these teams listed here as "believed to have interest in him and here. Here says that there are "8-10" teams interested in him, without naming names.


Josh Willingham: Los Angeles Dodgers (reported that they "checked" on him)

Justin Morneau: Los Angeles Dodgers, Toronto Blue Jays (most recently in this piece that also lists the Boston Red Sox and Cincinnati Reds. 

JD Hammer: Can't catch this

In honor of the 12 game hitting streak of Joshua David (Josh) Willingham and his league-leading 5 home runs, with the Minnesota Twins.

a. Click to play the music in the video below:



b. Read the lyrics below while it's playing:


Can't catch this
Can't catch this
Can't catch this
Can't catch this
Can't catch this
Can't catch this
Can't catch this

My, my, my bat just hits so hard
Makes me say "Oh my Lord"
Thank you for blessing me
With an arm to hit and two strong feet
It feels good, when you know it's out
A super dope homeboy from the Oaktown
And I'm known as such
And this is a home run, uh, you can't catch

I told you homeboy ( can't catch this)
Yeah, that's how we hitting and you know (can't catch this)
Look at my eyes, man (You can't catch this)
Yo, let me bust the long home runs (can't catch this)

Fresh new hits, advance
You gotta like that, now you know you wanna run
So move, outta your seat
Let me get a long fly ball and catch up to this heat
While it's rolling, hold on
Pump a little bit and let 'em know it's gone
Like that, like that
Cold on a mission so rake them all
Let 'em know, that you're too much
And this is a ball, uh, you can't catch

Yo, I told you (can't catch this)
Why you standing there, man? (can't catch this)
Yo, smash the ball, runs are in, sucka (can't catch this)
Give me a curve or a fast ball
Make 'em sweat, that's what I'm giving 'em all
Now, they know
You talking about the Hammer you talking about a show
That's high, and tight
Pitchers are sweating so pass them a wipe
Or a tape, to learn
What's it gonna take in the 10's to burn
The charts? Legit
Either work hard or you might as well quit

That's word because you know...

Can't catch this
Can't catch this
Hit it out! Runs, Hammer time!

Go with the pitch, it is said
That if you can't groove to this then you probably are dead
So wave your hands in the air
Bust a few moves, pump your fist through the air
This is it, for a winner
Hit to this and you're gonna get meaner
Move, slide your rump
Just for a minute let's all do the bump, bump, bump

Yeah... (can't catch this)
Look, man (can't catch this)
You better get hype, boy, because you know (can't catch this)
Smash the ball, runs are in (can't catch this)

Hit it out! Runs, Hammer time!
Can't catch this
Can't catch this
Can't catch this
Can't catch this
Can't catch this
Can't catch this

Hit it out! Runs, Hammer time!

Every time you see me
The Hammer's just so brave
I'm dope with a curve and I'm magic with a change
Now why would I ever stop doing this?
With others making records they just don't hit
I've played around the world, from Miami to the Bay
It's "Hammer, go Hammer, JD Hammer, yo Hammer"
And the rest can go and play

Can't catch this
Can't catch this
Can't catch this
Can't catch this
Can't catch this
Can't catch this
Can't catch this
Can't catch this
Can't catch this

Twins Players of the Week

The Twins are 2-4 in this early season, after being swept in their first series at Baltimore and winning the series against one of the AL darlings, the LA Angels at the home opener at Target Field, 2-1. This series win is very hopeful, because if they Twins win 60-70% of their series, they will be in the post-season. They stand at 50% right now and winning the Rangers' series, will put them at 66%, which is right on course.

A position player and a pitcher stood above and beyond the Twins' peers this week and they are the Twins' players of the week.

Position player: Josh Willingham:



.409/.458/1.000 4 HR, 7 RBI, 1 2B, 1 BB, 5 K, (24 PA)

Pitcher: Glen Perkins:



.000 ERA, 0.545 WHIP, 2 H, 0 BB, 6 K (3.2 IP)

Six Little known facts about Twins Josh Willingham

here has been a lot of virtual ink spent talking about the signing of Josh (Joshua David, btw) Willingham by the Twins, about what the signing might mean for Cuddyer, Span and others in the team, and about the pros and cons of the signing. I will not try to replicate that here. Or add stats. Lots of those around too. So I am doing something different. I am presenting a list of several little known facts about Josh Willingham:

• He went to Bible School for High School (Mars Hill Bible School in Florence Alabama.)


• His mother, Denise, has taught elementary school there for 26 years and his father, David, serves as vice president.


• He is married to his high school sweetheart, Ginger Jaynes Willingham (@gjwillingham) , and they have two sons, Rhett and Ryder, which are Twins' fans


• Josh and (mainly) Ginger run The Josh Willingham Foundation that has been very active in humanitarian relief and children's causes in his native Alabama (video follows) and they are both devoted Church of Christ members


• Josh's youngest brother, Jon, died tragically on June 13, 2009 (at 27), in a car accident when he tried to evade police


• Josh wore the numbers 14 and 16 in his career. 14 is retired by the Twins (Kent Hrbek) and 16 is Jason Kubel's number