The signing of Torii Hunter might close a big hole for the Twins

On paper the Minnesota Twins' reunion with 39 year old Torii Hunter last night, seems a bit puzzling.  Rational thinking and looking at records and results of games, would suggest that a team coming back from seasons of 99, 96, 96 and 92 losses and hurting primarily in pitching and defense, would need an aging 39 year old outfielder with diminishing defensive skills being the marquee transaction of the season, as much as a painful communicable disease.  Not to mention that the particular outfield added injury (signing with a team withing the Twins division) two seasons ago, to the 2007 insult of leaving the Twins as a free agent for more money elsewhere.  But that is rational thinking. 

Any person who has followed the Twins should know that this is business as usual for Terry Ryan's front office.  There is no need to rationalize Hunter's signing.  It makes perfect sense, if you realize, that this is how Terry Ryan builds a team.  Here is the complete Terry Ryan transaction record from 
the 1995-2006 seasons and 2012.  I posted that before the last two off-seasons.  The Torii Hunter signing fits Ryan's modus operenti like a glove:  Ryan re-signed a 41 year old Paul Molitor in 1998, reunited the Twins with a 35 year old Mike Trombley in 2002 and washed out Matt LeCroy (the player who chose over David Ortiz after 2002) in 2007, re-signed Capps in 2012 and Carl Willing in 2005 (to release them later,) in addition to the last year's washed out trio of Bartlett, Kubel and Guerrier.  This is the same General Manager who brought old and washed out Tony Batista, Tim Raines, Rueben Sierra, Bob Tewksbury, Otis Nixon, Mike Morgan, Michael Jackson and Sidney Ponson (among others) as "solutions".  Old and washed out is Terry Ryan's specialty.  Nothing new here, nothing to rationalized.  Business. As. Usual. 

Back to non-rational thinking.  One of the biggest problems with the Twins the past 4 seasons (and beyond, as far as the post-season goes) is that they seemed to be ok with losing and they seemed not to give 100% all the time.  Last Spring Training, it became painfully obvious to me, and indicated that I just cannot see this team win, no matter what the improvements on paper (and there were a lot.)  Getting Gardenhire and most of his friends who, if not bred, they were at least ok with this attitude, is a step to the right direction, hoping that Molitor and his staff will install a winning attitude among the players.   Torii Hunter, punching short utility teammates while targeting rookie stars notwithstanding, has had the reputation of playing hard and giving it all.  And keep working.  And then work some more.  Hopefully, he will bring the right attitude to the team of so many young players with so much potential.  Hopefully he will be an example for hard work and never giving up.  And never stop working.  Not that I like that signing, rationally, but when it pours lemons...   On the other hand, Torii Hunter was a core member of the Gardenhire teams that went belly up in the post-season or when they were facing winning opponents.  I hope that 2015 is different.

The ball is on Terry Ryan's court: The aftermath of the firing of Ron Gardenhire by the Twins.

Today Terry Ryan held a press conference, in absentia Jim Pohlad & Dave St. Peter, who apparently had better things to do, to announce that Ron Gardenhire will not be returning as the Twins manager in 2015.   The news were so unusual that might be the reason that former Twins manager Tom Kelly suffered a minor stroke today (best wishes Tom.)  Ron Gardenhire's dismissal was long overdue.  It should had happened after the 2006 post-season.  And, as I indicated previously,  I felt that it was done deal at least a month ago.

There are a few strange things about this and I don't think that they are coincidental:

• The Twins' owner and president were not around in the press conference
• Gardenhire was and allegedly was offered a position within the organization (rumors that it is for the roving grouch instructor are not substantiated.)
• There was no word about his coaches, however their contacts are all expired and no renewals were announced and it looks like they are all gone, pending new manager's whim.
• When asked, Ryan said that he knows what type of manager he wants (and went to a great detail describing characteristics) but admitted that he has no list of candidates.
• The kicker is that Terry Ryan was adamant and on the record as late as 8/22 saying that Gardenhire will be back. 

This does not seem like a General Manager who a. wanted to do this and was ready to do it,  b. has the support of his bosses (who did not even bother attending) and c. is facing a serious health issue.  If Gardenhire's firing was demanded and imposed by Ryan's bosses recently, several things could be explained (especially his unpreparedness for a replacement.)  However,  no matter what, Ryan looks like a liar right now.  I would not be surprised if Terry Ryan resigns shortly, before he names a manager and this will probably be better for both him and the Twins. 

Where is Twins' General Manager Terry Ryan?

The 2014 non-waiver trading deadline passed and went.  There was minimal activity, namely the trade of Sam Fuld, and the only media statements were issued by the latest Twins' titular head, Rob Antony.    And those statements around the deadline were to offer (lame) excuses on why veterans have not moved in a rebuilding team.  Recently, Antony's statements have been of more substance, discussing Kennys Vargas' food and dietary situation, among other things.   Really high priority for a team that is on the way to a fourth season in a row on the bottom of the stands.

Where is this teams' General Manager?  And who is going to answer about the Twins' inactivity at the deadline?  Terry Ryan's last statement was on July 27th (that is 12 days ago), and that was to support Twins' manager Ron Gardenhire and say what a great job he has done (to lead his team to the last place again.)

I hope that there is nothing serious health-wise about Ryan, but his absence from the public eye in trying periods for his team is akin to that of certain late Soviet leaders.

Sounds like business as usual in the Twins' land, since there seem to be about 5 people or so who really care about the Twins and the shape they are in, any more, but something is really wrong and questions need to be asked...  

Is Twins' General Manager Terry Ryan preparing the ground for a second retirement and a successor after this season?

After a third 90-plus loss season, it seems that the Minnesota Twins will need to make some changes.  Terry Ryan, the current General Manager (who had the "interim" label removed in the beginning of the season) in plenty of occasions has been on the record defending the team's manager, Ron Gardenhire, placing the blame for the incompetence on the field on himself.

But is he ready to be accountable and step down?  Who might be the successor, if so?

There are signs that this might be the case and very recently an individual in the Twins' front office has been interacting with the press, giving daily updates in a pace that he has never done before.  More and more and more (and these are just three examples from the past couple of days,) Rob Anthony, assistant general manager, whose main job has been contract negotiations, is appearing front and center giving organizational updates suited to a GM position.

Will he assume the role of the Minnesota Twins General Manager this off-season?  Very difficult to tell, but the writing on the wall is starting to appear.  It will be an interesting situation for the Minnesota Twins' fans and the press to follow this late Summer into Fall...

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.

Why was Luke Hughes cut by the Twins? The plot thickens...

Yesterday, I have written why Luke Hughes got a rotten deal but the Twins, but I think I let another reason out: this was a great way for Twins' manager Ron Gardenhire to get his consanguine Drew Butera up to majors, claiming that he could use 3 catchers.

Interestingly enough, Stealing a page from Pontius Pilatus' book, Terry Ryan, the Twins' interim GM, washed his hands from accountability on player personnel decisions in the Twins' organization, especially the Luke Hughes release, attributing those decisions to Ron Gardenhire and proclaimed that his role is "just" that of a facilitator (last paragraph in the linked article.)

So Terry Ryan's role is to "facilitate" Ron Gardenhire's personnel decisions. Yesterday, within half day after I tweeted this, my fears about Gardenhire's true intentions were confirmed by Rhett Bollinger the Twins' MLB.com beat writer... Also in the last paragraph of this writeup by La Velle Neal and in the last paragraph of this one by Rhett Bollinger, albeit a bit subdued by quotes of Gardenhire not being sure of what he wants to do and that he wants "to do the right thing" (unfortunately, the time for the latter has passed...)

Here is the reason why Luke Hughes was released:


  
When that decision will be announced, expect to hear about how that will provide the club with versatility and about how much better Drew has been hitting this season in Rochester. Meanwhile, hints like the ones I mentioned previously about Butera's ascent to the major leagues will be coming slowly and steadily...

I hope that the Twins' fans and ownership have long enough memories and hold accountable the people who are responsible for losing...

The Terry Ryan Legacy

Twins' fans and the mainstream media were elated in early November when Bill Smith was fired and replaced by Terry Ryan as the Twins' General Manager. Memories of acquiring Johan Santana in Rule 5 draft and the AJ Pierszynki trade to the Giants for Bonser, Liriano and Nathan, had the Twins' faithful hopeful for a great off-season and "righting the ship" in 2012. The 2 latest transactions, re-signing Matt Capps for a year $4.75 Million with a second year option and losing a sandwich draft pick and trading Kevin Slowey to the Colorado Rockies for a player to be named later, started to bring back memories of the David Ortiz and Casey Blake releases and the Rondell White and Tony Batista signings. For the record, I do think that the Kevin Slowey trade could be worse than the David Ortiz release for the Twins. Here I am listing every transaction that Terry Ryan made as a Twins' GM. The worst decisions are in bold and the best in bold and underlined. The list is by season and from Baseball Reference.

1995:

Signed Bernardo Brito as a free agent.
Sold Tim McIntosh to Nippon Ham Fighters (Japan Pacific).
Selected Rich Robertson off waivers from the Pittsburgh Pirates.
Drafted Brian Kowitz from the Atlanta Braves in the 1994 rule 5 draft.
Signed Matt Merullo as a free agent.
Signed Kevin Maas as a free agent.
Signed Riccardo Ingram as a free agent.
Signed Tom Quinlan as a free agent.
Signed Jerald Clark as a free agent.
Signed Vince Horsman as a free agent.
Signed Carl Willis as a free agent.
Signed Greg Harris as a free agent.
Returned Brian Kowitz (earlier draft pick) to the Atlanta Braves.
Released Carl Willis.
Released Kevin Campbell.
Signed Scott Pose as a free agent.
Drafted Mark Redman in the 1st round (13th pick) of the 1995 amateur draft. Player signed July 10, 1995.
Drafted A.J. Hinch in the 3rd round of the 1995 amateur draft, but did not sign the player.
Drafted Doug Mientkiewicz in the 5th round of the 1995 amateur draft. Player signed July 8, 1995.
Drafted Mike Moriarty in the 7th round of the 1995 amateur draft. Player signed June 18, 1995.
Drafted Jeff Harris in the 28th round of the 1995 amateur draft. Player signed June 6, 1995.
Signed Fred Rath as an amateur free agent.
Traded Dave McCarty to the Cincinnati Reds. Received John Courtright.
Signed Scott Stewart as a free agent.
Released Bernardo Brito.
Kevin Maas granted Free Agency.
Traded Rick Aguilera to the Boston Red Sox. Received J.J. Johnson and Frankie Rodriguez.
Released Scott Stewart.
Signed Pat Lennon as a free agent.
Traded Mark Guthrie and Kevin Tapani to the Los Angeles Dodgers. Received Chris Latham, Ron Coomer, Greg Hansell and Jose Parra.
Released Greg Harris.
Released Vince Horsman.



1996:

Released Steve Dunn.
Oscar Munoz selected by the Baltimore Orioles off waivers.
Kimera Bartee drafted by the Baltimore Orioles in the 1995 rule 5 draft.
Signed Erik Bennett as a free agent.
Signed Paul Molitor as a free agent.
Signed Mike Milchin as a free agent.
Signed Greg Myers as a free agent.
Signed Rick Aguilera as a free agent.
Signed Dave Hollins as a free agent.
Signed Mike Misuraca as a free agent.
Signed Tom Quinlan as a free agent.
Signed Peter Moylan as an amateur free agent.
Signed Roberto Kelly as a free agent.
Released Aaron Fultz.
Released Brandon Puffer.
Selected Scott Aldred off waivers from the Detroit Tigers.
Sent Mike Misuraca to the Milwaukee Brewers as part of a conditional deal.
Drafted Travis Lee in the 1st round (2nd pick) of the 1996 amateur draft. Player signed October 15, 1996.
Drafted Jacque Jones in the 2nd round of the 1996 amateur draft. Player signed August 6, 1996.
Drafted Chad Allen in the 4th round of the 1996 amateur draft. Player signed August 7, 1996.
Drafted Mike Ryan in the 5th round of the 1996 amateur draft. Player signed June 7, 1996.
Drafted Chad Moeller in the 7th round of the 1996 amateur draft. Player signed June 8, 1996.
Drafted Mike Lincoln in the 13th round of the 1996 amateur draft. Player signed June 9, 1996.
Drafted Matt Kata in the 20th round of the 1996 amateur draft, but did not sign the player.
Drafted Mike Lamb in the 31st round of the 1996 amateur draft, but did not sign the player.
Drafted Josh Bard in the 35th round of the 1996 amateur draft, but did not sign the player.
Botched the signing of 1st Draft Pick Travis Lee, by not making an offer within the right time limit, rendering him a free agent
Mike Milchin selected by the Baltimore Orioles off waivers.
Traded Pat Mahomes to the Boston Red Sox. Received a player to be named later. The Boston Red Sox sent Brian Looney (December 17, 1996) to the Minnesota Twins to complete the trade.
Traded Dave Hollins to the Seattle Mariners. Received a player to be named later. The Seattle Mariners sent David Ortiz (September 13, 1996) to the Minnesota Twins to complete the trade.



1997:

Greg Hansell selected by the Boston Red Sox off waivers.
Signed Juan Rincon as an amateur free agent.
Signed Jon Shave as a free agent.
Released Brian Raabe.
Signed Terry Steinbach as a free agent.
Drafted Travis Baptist from the Toronto Blue Jays in the 1996 rule 5 draft.
Traded Matt Walbeck to the Detroit Tigers. Received Brent Stentz
Signed Bob Tewksbury as a free agent.
Signed Greg Swindell as a free agent.
Signed Eric Anthony as a free agent.
Signed Gregg Olson as a free agent.
Signed Grant Balfour as an amateur free agent.
Signed Kevin Baez as a free agent.
Signed Greg Colbrunn as a free agent.
Released Eric Anthony.
Sent Scott Klingenbeck to the Cincinnati Reds as part of a conditional deal.
Signed Darrin Jackson as a free agent.
Selected Kevin Jarvis off waivers from the Detroit Tigers.
Signed Brad Thomas as a free agent.
Released Gregg Olson.
Signed Luis Rodriguez as an amateur free agent.
Drafted Michael Cuddyer in the 1st round (9th pick) of the 1997 amateur draft. Player signed August 19, 1997.
Drafted Matt LeCroy in the 1st round (50th pick) of the 1997 amateur draft. Player signed August 6, 1997.
Drafted Michael Restovich in the 2nd round of the 1997 amateur draft. Player signed August 15, 1997.
Drafted Kevin Frederick in the 17th round of the 1997 amateur draft, but did not sign the player.
Drafted J.C. Romero in the 21st round of the 1997 amateur draft. Player signed June 8, 1997.
Drafted Nick Punto in the 33rd round of the 1997 amateur draft, but did not sign the player.
Kevin Jarvis selected by the Detroit Tigers off waivers.
Dave Stevens selected by the Chicago Cubs off waivers.
Traded Greg Colbrunn to the Atlanta Braves. Received a player to be named later. The Atlanta Braves sent Mark Lewis (minors) (October 1, 1997) to the Minnesota Twins to complete the trade.
Traded Roberto Kelly to the Seattle Mariners. Received players to be named later. The Seattle Mariners sent Joe Mays (October 9, 1997) and Jeromy Palki (minors) (October 9, 1997) to the Minnesota Twins to complete the trade.
Traded Darrin Jackson to the Milwaukee Brewers. Received a player to be named later. The Milwaukee Brewers sent Mick Fieldbinder (minors) (September 4, 1997) to the Minnesota Twins to complete the trade.
Traded Greg Myers to the Atlanta Braves. Received a player to be named later. The Atlanta Braves sent Steve Hacker (minors) (December 18, 1997) to the Minnesota Twins to complete the trade.


1998:

Signed Jon Shave as a free agent.
Brent Brede selected by the Arizona Diamondbacks as the 25th pick in the 1997 expansion draft.
Damian Miller selected by the Arizona Diamondbacks as the 47th pick in the 1997 expansion draft.
Signed Esteban Beltre as a free agent.
Signed Chris Turner as a free agent.
Signed Paul Molitor as a free agent. 41 years old
Signed Otis Nixon as a free agent.
Traded Rich Becker to the New York Mets. Received Alex Ochoa.
Signed Mike Morgan as a free agent.
Signed Brent Gates as a free agent.
Signed Micheal Nakamura as an amateur free agent.
Signed Ricky Bones as a free agent.
Signed Orlando Merced as a free agent.
Traded Chuck Knoblauch to the New York Yankees. Received Brian Buchanan, Cristian Guzman, Eric Milton, Danny Mota and cash.
Ryan Radmanovich selected by the Seattle Mariners off waivers.
Released Peter Moylan. (Current Altanta Braves Reliever)
Selected Hector Carrasco off waivers from the Arizona Diamondbacks.
Released Chris Turner.
Released Ricky Bones.
Signed Doug Linton as a free agent.
Drafted Saul Rivera in the 9th round of the 1998 amateur draft. Player signed June 11, 1998.
Drafted Mike Gosling in the 14th round of the 1998 amateur draft, but did not sign the player.
Drafted J.J. Putz in the 17th round of the 1998 amateur draft, but did not sign the player.
Drafted Kevin Thompson in the 18th round of the 1998 amateur draft, but did not sign the player.
Drafted Juan Padilla in the 24th round of the 1998 amateur draft. Player signed July 8, 1998.
Drafted Kevin Frederick in the 34th round of the 1998 amateur draft. Player signed June 3, 1998.
Drafted Tommy Watkins in the 38th round of the 1998 amateur draft. Player signed June 7, 1998.
Fred Rath selected by the Colorado Rockies off waivers.
Traded Orlando Merced and Greg Swindell to the Boston Red Sox. Received Joe Thomas (minors), John Barnes and Matt Kinney.

1999:

Traded Mike Morgan to the Chicago Cubs. Received a player to be named later and cash. The Chicago Cubs sent Scott Downs (November 3, 1998) to the Minnesota Twins to complete the trade.
Selected Fred Rath off waivers from the Colorado Rockies
Released Todd Ritchie.
Traded Dan Naulty to the New York Yankees. Received Allen Butler (minors).
Jon Shave selected by the Texas Rangers off waivers.
Traded Alex Ochoa to the Milwaukee Brewers. Received a player to be named later. The Milwaukee Brewers sent Darrell Nicholas (minors) (December 15, 1998) to the Minnesota Twins to complete the trade.
Signed Brent Gates as a free agent.
Signed Melvin Nieves as a free agent.
Signed Eddie Williams as a free agent.
Signed Gary Rath as a free agent.
Pat Meares granted Free Agency - non-tendered
Signed George Williams as a free agent.
Signed Terry Steinbach as a free agent.
Signed Bob Wells as a free agent.
Signed Bobby Kielty as an amateur free agent.
Sold Melvin Nieves to Fukuoka Daiei Hawks (Japan Pacific).
Sold Dan Serafini to the Chicago Cubs.
Signed Gus Gandarillas as a free agent.
Selected Jack Cressend off waivers from the Boston Red Sox.
Signed Midre Cummings as a free agent.
Traded Rick Aguilera and Scott Downs to the Chicago Cubs. Received Kyle Lohse and Jason Ryan.
Frankie Rodriguez selected by the Seattle Mariners off waivers.
Drafted Rob Bowen in the 2nd round of the 1999 amateur draft. Player signed July 10, 1999.
Drafted Justin Morneau in the 3rd round of the 1999 amateur draft. Player signed June 17, 1999.
Drafted Brian Wolfe in the 6th round of the 1999 amateur draft. Player signed June 15, 1999.
Drafted Brian Slocum in the 14th round of the 1999 amateur draft, but did not sign the player.
Drafted Travis Bowyer in the 20th round of the 1999 amateur draft. Player signed June 9, 1999.
Drafted Willie Eyre in the 23rd round of the 1999 amateur draft. Player signed June 11, 1999.
Drafted Terry Tiffee in the 26th round of the 1999 amateur draft. Player signed August 17, 1999.
Drafted Pat Neshek in the 45th round of the 1999 amateur draft, but did not sign the player.
Signed Tony Fiore as a free agent.
Signed Julio DePaula as an amateur free agent.
Traded George Williams to the Houston Astros. Received Josh Dimmick (minors).
Selected Mario Valdez off waivers from the Chicago White Sox.



2000:

Signed Jason Maxwell as a free agent.
Signed Robin Jennings as a free agent.
Traded Chris Latham to the Colorado Rockies. Received Scott Randall.
Traded Jared Camp (minors) to the Florida Marlins. Received Johan Santana and cash.
Signed Rick Greene as a free agent.
Signed Todd Rizzo as a free agent.
Signed Marcus Jensen as a free agent.
Signed Bobby Ayala as a free agent.
Signed Butch Huskey as a free agent.
Signed Dustan Mohr as a free agent.
Signed Jay Canizaro as a free agent.
Selected Casey Blake off waivers from the Toronto Blue Jays.
Drafted Adam Johnson in the 1st round (2nd pick) of the 2000 amateur draft. Player signed June 19, 2000.
Drafted Aaron Heilman in the 1st round (31st pick) of the 2000 amateur draft, but did not sign the player.
Drafted J.D. Durbin in the 2nd round of the 2000 amateur draft. Player signed July 18, 2000.
Drafted Jason Miller in the 4th round of the 2000 amateur draft. Player signed July 4, 2000.
Drafted Josh Rabe in the 11th round of the 2000 amateur draft. Player signed June 15, 2000.
Drafted Jason Kubel in the 12th round of the 2000 amateur draft. Player signed June 13, 2000.
Traded Francisco Alvarez (minors) to the Toronto Blue Jays. Received Mike Romano.
Scott Randall selected by the Texas Rangers off waivers.
Released Sean Bergman.
Traded Butch Huskey and Todd Walker to the Colorado Rockies. Received Todd Sears and cash.
Released Robin Jennings.
Traded Mario Valdez to the Oakland Athletics. Received Danny Ardoin.
Traded Midre Cummings to the Boston Red Sox. Received Hector De Los Santos (minors).
Traded Hector Carrasco to the Boston Red Sox. Received Lew Ford.
Signed Jason Simontacchi as a free agent.

2001:

Selected Willie Martinez off waivers from the Cleveland Indians.
Signed Jason Maxwell as a free agent.
Released Jason Ryan.
Drafted Brandon Knight from the New York Yankees in the 2000 rule 5 draft.
Signed Tom Prince as a free agent.
Ron Coomer granted Free Agency. - non-tendered
Released Mike Lincoln.
Released Jeff Harris.
Signed Trent Oeltjen as an amateur free agent.
Signed Mike Oquist as a free agent.
Signed Damon Hollins as a free agent.
Signed Mike Duvall as a free agent.
Returned Brandon Knight (earlier draft pick) to the New York Yankees.
Traded Chad Moeller to the Arizona Diamondbacks. Received Hanley Frias.
Signed Hector Carrasco as a free agent.
Signed Quinton McCracken as a free agent.
Signed Tony Fiore as a free agent.
Drafted Joe Mauer in the 1st round (1st pick) of the 2001 amateur draft. Player signed July 17, 2001.
Drafted Jose Morales in the 3rd round of the 2001 amateur draft. Player signed June 30, 2001.
Drafted Kevin Cameron in the 13th round of the 2001 amateur draft. Player signed June 9, 2001.
Drafted Matt Macri in the 17th round of the 2001 amateur draft, but did not sign the player.
Drafted Nick Blackburn in the 29th round of the 2001 amateur draft. Player signed May 21, 2002.
Traded Hanley Frias to the St. Louis Cardinals. Received Larry Sutton.
Sent Damon Hollins to the Atlanta Braves as part of a conditional deal.
Traded Mark Redman to the Detroit Tigers. Received Todd Jones.
Traded Matt Lawton to the New York Mets. Received Rick Reed.
John Barnes selected by the Colorado Rockies off waivers.
Casey Blake selected by the Baltimore Orioles off waivers.

2002:

Selected Casey Blake off waivers from the Baltimore Orioles.
Signed David Lamb as a free agent.
Saul Rivera selected by the New York Mets off waivers.
Drafted Joe Dillon from the Kansas City Royals in the 2001 minor league draft.
Signed Kurt Abbott as a free agent.
Signed Brian Meadows as a free agent.
Signed Michael Jackson as a free agent.
Signed Alex Prieto as a free agent.
Signed David Lee as a free agent.
Signed Scott Randall as a free agent.
Signed Jose Mijares as an amateur free agent.
Signed Warren Morris as a free agent.
Released Brian Meadows.
Signed Mike Trombley as a free agent.
Signed Frank Mata as an amateur free agent.
Signed Garrett Jones as a free agent.
Released Mike Trombley.
Drafted Denard Span in the 1st round (20th pick) of the 2002 amateur draft. Player signed August 15, 2002.
Drafted Jesse Crain in the 2nd round of the 2002 amateur draft. Player signed July 13, 2002.
Drafted Pat Neshek in the 6th round of the 2002 amateur draft. Player signed June 20, 2002.
Drafted Adam Lind in the 8th round of the 2002 amateur draft, but did not sign the player.
Drafted Kyle Phillips in the 10th round of the 2002 amateur draft. Player signed June 24, 2002.
Drafted Evan Meek in the 11th round of the 2002 amateur draft. Player signed May 27, 2003.
Drafted Jeff Clement in the 12th round of the 2002 amateur draft, but did not sign the player.
Drafted Garrett Mock in the 14th round of the 2002 amateur draft, but did not sign the player.
Traded Warren Morris to the St. Louis Cardinals. Received a player to be named later. The St. Louis Cardinals sent Seth Davidson (minors) (June 20, 2002) to the Minnesota Twins to complete the trade.
Signed Jose Rodriguez as a free agent.
Signed Alex Romero as an amateur free agent.
Signed David Manning as a free agent.
Traded Brian Buchanan to the San Diego Padres. Received Jason Bartlett.
Signed Luke Hughes as an amateur free agent.



2003:

Released Casey Blake.
Jack Cressend selected by the Cleveland Indians off waivers.
Released Jose Rodriguez.
Signed Ben Ford as a free agent.
Traded Matt Kinney and Javier Valentin to the Milwaukee Brewers. Received Gerry Oakes (minors) and Matt Yeatman (minors).
Signed Carlos Pulido as a free agent.
David Manning drafted by the Milwaukee Brewers in the 2002 rule 5 draft.
Drafted Jose Morban from the Texas Rangers in the 2002 rule 5 draft.
Released David Ortiz.
Signed Chris Gomez as a free agent.
Signed Jose Rodriguez as a free agent.
Signed Mike Fetters as a free agent.
Signed Kenny Rogers as a free agent.
Released Joe Dillon.
Released Ben Ford.
Kevin Frederick selected by the Toronto Blue Jays off waivers.
Jose Morban selected by the Baltimore Orioles off waivers
Signed Todd Erdos as a free agent.
Released Jose Rodriguez.
Drafted Scott Baker in the 2nd round of the 2003 amateur draft. Player signed June 20, 2003.
Drafted Levale Speigner in the 14th round of the 2003 amateur draft. Player signed June 6, 2003.
Drafted John Gaub in the 25th round of the 2003 amateur draft, but did not sign the player.
Drafted Travis Metcalf in the 38th round of the 2003 amateur draft, but did not sign the player.
Drafted Mike Hollimon in the 49th round of the 2003 amateur draft, but did not sign the player.
Signed James Baldwin as a free agent.
Signed Horacio Estrada as a free agent.
Released Tom Prince.
Traded Bobby Kielty to the Toronto Blue Jays. Received a player to be named later and Shannon Stewart. The Toronto Blue Jays sent Dave Gassner (December 15, 2003) to the Minnesota Twins to complete the trade.
James Baldwin granted Free Agency.
Traded a player to be named later to the New York Yankees. Received Jesse Orosco. The Minnesota Twins sent Juan Padilla (September 2, 2003) to the New York Yankees to complete the trade.
Traded Todd Sears to the San Diego Padres. Received Alex Garcia (minors).



2004:

Selected Sean Douglass off waivers from the Baltimore Orioles.
Released Horacio Estrada.
Signed Seth Greisinger as a free agent.
Traded A.J. Pierzynski and cash to the San Francisco Giants. Received Boof Bonser, Francisco Liriano and Joe Nathan.
Selected Matt Guerrier off waivers from the Pittsburgh Pirates.
Signed Chris Heintz as a free agent.
Signed Greg Halman as an amateur free agent.
Selected Augie Ojeda off waivers from the Chicago Cubs.
Signed Peter Munro as a free agent.
Signed Joe Roa as a free agent.
Traded Eric Milton to the Philadelphia Phillies. Received a player to be named later, Nick Punto and Carlos Silva. The Philadelphia Phillies sent Bobby Korecky (December 17, 2003) to the Minnesota Twins to complete the trade.
Signed Shannon Stewart as a free agent.
Traded Dustan Mohr to the San Francisco Giants. Received a player to be named later. The San Francisco Giants sent J.T. Thomas (minors) (December 17, 2003) to the Minnesota Twins to complete the trade.
Signed Henry Blanco as a free agent.
Augie Ojeda granted Free Agency. - non-tendered
Signed Augie Ojeda as a free agent.
Rick Reed granted Free Agency. non-tendered
Signed Kevin Tolar as a free agent.
Signed Aaron Fultz as a free agent.
Signed Juan Diaz as a free agent.
Signed Rick Helling as a free agent.
Signed Brian Simmons as a free agent.
Signed Jose Offerman as a free agent.
Signed Andrew Lorraine as a free agent.
Sean Douglass selected by the Toronto Blue Jays off waivers.
Released Andrew Lorraine.
Sent Kevin Tolar to the Chicago Cubs as part of a conditional deal.
Free agent signing of Greg Halman voided
Purchased Terry Mulholland from the Seattle Mariners.
Micheal Nakamura selected by the Toronto Blue Jays off waivers.
Signed Joe Beimel as a free agent.
Sold Brad Thomas to the Boston Red Sox.
Sold Todd Erdos to the Milwaukee Brewers.
Signed Todd Dunwoody as a free agent.
Released Peter Munro.
Released Rick Helling.
Signed Gary Glover as a free agent.
Drafted Trevor Plouffe in the 1st round (20th pick) of the 2004 amateur draft. Player signed June 16, 2004.
Drafted Glen Perkins in the 1st round (22nd pick) of the 2004 amateur draft. Player signed June 30, 2004.
Drafted Kyle Waldrop in the 1st round (25th pick) of the 2004 amateur draft. Player signed June 16, 2004.
Drafted Matt Fox in the 1st round (35th pick) of the 2004 amateur draft. Player signed June 21, 2004.
Drafted Anthony Swarzak in the 2nd round of the 2004 amateur draft. Player signed June 21, 2004.
Drafted Matt Tolbert in the 16th round of the 2004 amateur draft. Player signed June 16, 2004.
Drafted Rene Tosoni in the 34th round of the 2004 amateur draft, but did not sign the player.
Released Gary Glover.
Signed Wilson Ramos as an amateur free agent.
Released Brian Simmons.
As part of a 4-team trade, traded Doug Mientkiewicz to the Boston Red Sox. Received Justin Jones (minors) from the Chicago Cubs. In addition, the Boston Red Sox sent Nomar Garciaparra and Matt Murton to the Chicago Cubs; the Montreal Expos sent Orlando Cabrera to the Boston Red Sox; ; and the Chicago Cubs sent Francis Beltran, Alex Gonzalez and Brendan Harris to the Montreal Expos.
Traded B.J. Garbe (minors) to the Seattle Mariners. Received Pat Borders.
Selected Corky Miller off waivers from the Cincinnati Reds.


2005:

Aaron Fultz selected by the Philadelphia Phillies off waivers.
Released Seth Greisinger.
Signed Jason Tyner as a free agent.
Signed Gil Velazquez as a free agent.
Signed Juan Castro as a free agent.
Signed Mike Redmond as a free agent.
Signed Brad Radke as a free agent.
Drafted Ryan Rowland-Smith from the Seattle Mariners in the 2004 rule 5 draft.
Drafted Armando Gabino from the Cleveland Indians in the 2004 minor league draft.
Signed Bud Smith as a free agent.
Signed Glenn Williams as a free agent.
Signed Terry Mulholland as a free agent.
Signed Trey Hodges as a free agent.
Signed Pat Strange as a free agent.
Signed Brent Abernathy as a free agent.
Signed Andy Fox as a free agent.
Signed Eric Munson as a free agent.
Released Adam Johnson.
Signed C.J. Nitkowski as a free agent.
Signed Armando Rios as a free agent.
Returned Ryan Rowland-Smith (earlier draft pick) to the Seattle Mariners.
Released Andy Fox.
Released Eric Munson.
Released C.J. Nitkowski.
Michael Restovich selected by the Tampa Bay Devil Rays off waivers.
Signed Jimmy Anderson as a free agent.
Released Trey Hodges.
Released Brian Wolfe.
Drafted Matt Garza in the 1st round (25th pick) of the 2005 amateur draft. Player signed June 13, 2005.
Drafted Kevin Slowey in the 2nd round of the 2005 amateur draft. Player signed June 13, 2005.
Drafted Brian Duensing in the 3rd round of the 2005 amateur draft. Player signed June 26, 2005.
Drafted Steven Tolleson in the 5th round of the 2005 amateur draft. Player signed July 3, 2005.
Drafted Alex Burnett in the 12th round of the 2005 amateur draft. Player signed June 15, 2005.
Drafted Yonder Alonso in the 16th round of the 2005 amateur draft, but did not sign the player.
Drafted Rene Tosoni in the 36th round of the 2005 amateur draft. Player signed May 25, 2006.
Released Jimmy Anderson.
Released Evan Meek.
Received Bret Boone from the Seattle Mariners as part of a conditional deal.
Released Bret Boone.
Signed Brian Buchanan as a free agent.


2006:

Signed Jason Tyner as a free agent.
Terry Mulholland granted Free Agency.
Jacque Jones granted Free Agency. - non tendered
Signed Mike Smith as a free agent.
Signed Glenn Williams as a free agent.
Traded Scott Tyler (minors) and Travis Bowyer to the Florida Marlins. Received Luis Castillo.
Drafted Jason Pridie from the Tampa Bay Devil Rays in the 2005 rule 5 draft.
Traded J.C. Romero to the Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim. Received Alexi Casilla.
Signed Jason Hart as a free agent.
Signed Tony Batista as a free agent.
Signed Andres Torres as a free agent.
Grant Balfour granted Free Agency. - non tendered
Signed Shawn Wooten as a free agent.
Signed Matt Ford as a free agent.
Signed Rondell White as a free agent.
Signed Darrell May as a free agent.
Signed Ryan Glynn as a free agent.
Signed Peter Munro as a free agent.
Signed Tim Raines as a free agent.
Signed Ruben Sierra as a free agent.
Signed Dennys Reyes as a free agent.
Signed Steve Lomasney as a free agent.
Released Ryan Glynn.
Released Tim Raines.
Released Darrell May.
Rob Bowen selected by the Detroit Tigers off waivers.
Returned Jason Pridie (earlier draft pick) to the Tampa Bay Devil Rays.
Released Kyle Phillips.
Sent Jason Hart to the Texas Rangers as part of a conditional deal.
Drafted Chris Parmelee in the 1st round (20th pick) of the 2006 amateur draft. Player signed June 22, 2006.
Drafted Joe Benson in the 2nd round of the 2006 amateur draft. Player signed June 10, 2006.
Drafted Brian Dinkelman in the 8th round of the 2006 amateur draft. Player signed June 8, 2006.
Drafted Jeff Manship in the 14th round of the 2006 amateur draft. Player signed August 8, 2006.
Drafted Andrew Oliver in the 17th round of the 2006 amateur draft, but did not sign the player.
Drafted Danny Valencia in the 19th round of the 2006 amateur draft. Player signed July 9, 2006.
Drafted J.D. Martinez in the 36th round of the 2006 amateur draft, but did not sign the player.
Drafted Anthony Slama in the 39th round of the 2006 amateur draft. Player signed June 4, 2007.
Released Tony Batista.
Traded Juan Castro to the Cincinnati Reds. Received Brandon Roberts (minors).
Signed Rob Delaney as an amateur free agent.
Purchased Donaldo Mendez from Newark (Atlantic).
Released Ruben Sierra.
Signed Erubiel Durazo as a free agent.
Signed Quinton McCracken as a free agent.
Traded Kyle Lohse to the Cincinnati Reds. Received Zach Ward (minors).
Released Steve Lomasney.
Released Erubiel Durazo.
Traded a player to be named later to the Chicago Cubs. Received Phil Nevin and cash. The Minnesota Twins sent Adam Harben (minors) (September 5, 2006) to the Chicago Cubs to complete the trade.

2007:

Signed Carmen Cali as a free agent.
Drafted Brian Buscher from the San Francisco Giants in the 2006 rule 5 draft.
Kevin Cameron drafted by the San Diego Padres in the 2006 rule 5 draft.
Drafted Alejandro Machado from the Washington Nationals in the 2006 rule 5 draft.
Levale Speigner drafted by the Washington Nationals in the 2006 rule 5 draft.
Willie Eyre granted Free Agency. -non-tendered
Luis Rodriguez granted Free Agency. -non-tendered
Signed Mike Venafro as a free agent.
Signed Jeff Cirillo as a free agent.
Signed Luis Rodriguez as a free agent.
Signed Ken Harvey as a free agent.
Signed Brad Voyles as a free agent.
Signed Randy Choate as a free agent.
Signed Sidney Ponson as a free agent.
Signed Matt LeCroy as a free agent.
Alex Romero selected by the Arizona Diamondbacks off waivers.
Signed Ramon Ortiz as a free agent.
Signed Luis Ugueto as a free agent.
Signed Brian Bass as a free agent.
Signed Liam Hendriks as an amateur free agent.
Released Randy Choate.
J.D. Durbin selected by the Arizona Diamondbacks off waivers.
Sold Mike Venafro to the Toronto Blue Jays.
Released Sidney Ponson.
Drafted Ben Revere in the 1st round (28th pick) of the 2007 amateur draft. Player signed June 11, 2007.
Signed Mark Hamburger as an amateur free agent.
The Washington Nationals returned Levale Speigner (earlier draft pick).
Traded Levale Speigner to the Washington Nationals. Received Darnell McDonald.
Traded Luis Castillo to the New York Mets. Received Dustin Martin (minors) and Drew Butera.
Jeff Cirillo selected by the Arizona Diamondbacks off waivers.
Signed Jerome Williams as a free agent.
Traded Ramon Ortiz to the Colorado Rockies. Received Matt Macri.
Selected Chris Basak off waivers from the New York Yankees.


2012:

Signed Brian Dinkelman as a free agent.
Signed Jared Burton as a free agent.
Signed Jamey Carroll as a free agent.
Signed Samuel Deduno as a free agent.
Signed Wilkin Ramirez as a free agent.
Signed Matt Carson as a free agent.
Signed Jason Bulger as a free agent.
Signed Phil Dumatrait as a free agent.
Signed Luis Perdomo as a free agent.
Signed Daryl Thompson as a free agent.
Signed Ryan Doumit as a free agent.
Selected Pedro Florimon off waivers from the Baltimore Orioles.
Signed Matt Capps as a free agent.
Traded Kevin Slowey to the Colorado Rockies for a player to be named later.


So overall, a lot of moves, some good, more bad and ever more inconsequential. Terry Ryan is not the magic wand a lot of people believe and, at this point, probably not the correct person to lead the Twins' organization. What do you think?