As the rumor mill turns another Beasley possibility has popped up. The Mavs could be looking to move Shawn Marion because of his semi expensive 8.3 million dollar contract for next year so they can make a big run in free agency which would also be why they would want a player like Beasley on an expiring contract to dump at the end of the year. Marion wouldn't be the solid long range shooting 2 guard that really is ideal for this team but he is an elite defender that could really strengthen our already much improved defense and can penetrate and score some. Would his wing play and defense be a big enough improvement to warrant us spending that money on him next year or should we steer clear so we have more to potentially throw at a 2 guard in the off season? Ide add a poll because this really kind of warrants it but it freezes my browser everytime I try too so discuss below.

I am a baseball fan above all other sports but I do love following them all. I am kind of shocked hoopsrumors.com, the offspring of baseball giant mlbtraderumors.com isnt getting more attention. Maybe it is the fact that it is so new or the fact that basketball doesn't have as many trades, 25 man rosters, or the same extensive minor league programs but I would have thought a nba trade rumors site would be getting a lot of comments and such. Is there a big one already in place im missing, I admittedly haven't very closely followed the nba for long I pretty much stopped paying attention outside of sports center through the wolves recent dark years without them being decent there was no other team I really cared to watch. I have got way into the wolves this year though extremely fun team to watch when they are playing well Rubio, Love, and Pek are great and defiantly re invigorating my interest and attention is basketball. What are the must follows in the basketball world hoopshype is pretty much the one ive found. I keep waiting for that big twolves rumor to come across something saying we are looking at or close to picking up a competent 2 or 3 or does the nba just not flow the way the mlb does with the constant rumors swirling.

With the brunt on the twins opening day roster returning or not too far from returning it got me thinking about the best roster they could field and how to utilize it based on current incumbents struggles and rookies success.  This probably wont happen but im going to dream and play armchair manager for a moment.

The Lineup

Denard Span CF

Alexi Casilla 2B (this is assuming he continues to pay attention and produce)

Joe Mauer C

Jason Kubel DH (im batting him 4th until Morneau starts producing more towards the Morneau of old)

Micheal Cuddyer RF

Justin Morneau 1B

Danny Valencia 3B (this could very well be Luke Hughes if Valencia is really in Gardys doghouse bad as it appears)

Tsuyoshi Nishioka SS (until he hits well enough to claim the 2nd spot or Casilla stops producing)

Ben Revere (Im giving him the nod over Young until he starts producing or is traded)

This could be a very formidable lineup 8-2 has the potential to be a fearsome pack of pirhanas and 3-7 can drive them in and hopefully provide some much needed power,

The Bench

Jim Thome - mixed in at DH and pinch hitting going back to the amount of playing time he was originally signed for hopefully improving his durability

Rene Rivera - maybe I just have deep seeded issues after watching Butera for awhile but I like Rivera more he swings a slightly better bat (ya I know its a tooth pick vs 2 toothpicks taped together but at least he can pull a ball hard on rare occasions) and he handles the pitching staff pretty well especially it seems Liriano if we gave Pavano a personal catcher last year lets give Liriano one this year since he is much more valuable than Pavano.  This could very well be Buteras spot with Rivera DFA though.

Luke Hughes - This is assuming he isnt starting over Valencia he can backup the corners and 2nd and pinch hit while Casilla covers short if Nishioka needs a day off.  If he is starting Tolbert will be in this roster spot with Valencia in AAA.

Delmon Young - this is probably the most unlikely one but I think Delmon should be traded, ifs hes still here he could still get time in in left and right and DH and pinch hit but I would rather have Revere in left and actually field a good outfield defense in a park and for a pitching staff that screams the need for it.

The Bullpen

Matt Capps - Closer (we can only hope he pulls it together or is traded)

Glen Perkins - Primary setup (hes earned it been deadly this year)

Joe Nathan - 7th inning secondary setup (needs time to find his old dominance again hopefully he does pretty much stuck with him very little trade value)

Jose Mijares - Loogy (why they keep pitching him against righties is beyond me lets hope he can at least get the lefties out continued struggles could lead to replacement but he should be at least a decent loogy)

Chuck James - Middle relief (he has pitched well given his former success with the Braves and his current results im happy to have him)

Anthony Swarzak - Long relief (hes done well in fill in starts and mop up situations)

??? - for the 7th pen spot I would like to see them test some guys out but it will probably be Alex Burnett.  I think Carlos Gutierrez should get a shot at the big leagues hes got a deadly sinker and big potential but maybe im rushing things and he needs some more time in the minors to work on his control, Anthony Slama also deserves a real test in the majors hes done all he can do in the minors and they have given him nothing in terms of an actual shot he probably wont be great but he could be good to decent, Jim Hoey makes me rip my hair out hes the kind of pitcher the pen needs but he has been such a can of gasoline thrown on the fire when put into big spots based on his potential I would be ok with giving him a shot in low pressure situations to see if he can find a way to succeed at the major league level because the stuff is there.

The Wildcard Brian Duensing - He has had his struggles starting this year and while he has had overall success in the role this could be closer to the mean on what to expect of him he really suffers from his platoon spit facing right handed batters multiple times.  Im ok with giving him a while longer to try and get back to his sucessful starting ways but with Slowey and Gibson in the wings and Swarzak having had some good outings he could be due for a return to the bullpen role that he was so successful at so if hes moved to the pen he would probably bump Mijares or James depending on which one has continued success.

We find ourselves in an unfamiliar situation this year of not having a clear all star selection on a twins roster that normally provides multiple.  Patrick Reusse seems to think that it should be Micheal Cuddyer thanks to his recent hot streak and the ever loved ability to play multiple positions.  I would disagree, while Cuddyer does provide value beyond his numbers in leadership and versatility there are more deserving players on the roster (not that deserving means anything in all star selections).  Cuddyer has turned things around of late and has a decent line but lets compare the could be selections.

Micheal Cuddyer - .271 avg 8 hr 9 2b 27 rbi .418 slg%

veteran leader filling in at multiple positions wherever needed hot of late after a very bad start

Jason Kubel -  .310 avg 5 hr 14 2b 30 rbi .465 slg%

biggest bat in the lineup all year single handedly was the offense until recently and now on dl for a few more days

Denard Span - .294 avg 2 hr 9 2b 3 3b 15 rbi 4 sb .361 obp%

arguably the best defensive center fielder so far this year and preforming his lead off role well and driving in some clutch rbis

Alexi Casilla - .256 avg 8 2b 3 3b 9 sb

started extremely slow but has been on fire of late and numbers could continue to climb if he keeps this new great brand of Casilla baseball

Scott Baker - 4-4 wl 3.55 era 83.2 ip 78/23 k/bb 1.22 whip

been very good for most of the year save a few hiccups Baker has been very fun to watch when hes on dominating hitters for the most part but still having to much of a tendency for the long ball

Nick Blackburn - 5-4 wl 3.47 era 83 ip 46/23 k/bb 1.35 whip

he has been the most reliable starter putting up many impressive performances he really seems to have it working this year

Glen Perkins - 0-1 wl 1.59 era 22 g 22.2 ip 22/9 k/bb 1.19 whip

great surprise to see him preforming this well he has been the lone bright spot in the pen and has really really shined adding velocity and strikeouts and getting both lefties and righties out

Down on the farm today at least there is something to be happy about the Red Wings played a close hard fought though somewhat sloppy and eventually disappointing game (sound familiar).  Top pitching prospect Kyle Gibson was the bright spot he threw a gem, he took a no hitter through 6 innings before having his night and no hit and shutout bid ended by the first batter to come up in the 7th.  An unceremonious exit to a very well pitched game but a very strong start none the less. 

the line 6+ IP 1 H 0 BB 6 K 83/56 Pitches/Strikes

via cmsimg.democratandchronicle.com

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Sorry to waste peoples time on a personal matter but I need some advice.  I live in California and get back to my home state of Minnesota rarely but in July I am going, for a long overdue much anticipated, visit to spend 2 weeks with my Dad, step Mom, and step Brother.  We have tickets to the Twins vs Indians right behind homeplate (which is awesome ive been to a lot of twins games at the dome spent over the baggy in the cheap seats) and tickets to the next night as well

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First off I would like to say that I am very thankful for what Carl Pavano provided us is 2010, do you really think we would have made the playoffs without his innings and success.  The contract that he ends up signing, no matter the team, is going to be an overpayment but the 2011 off season has made that a reality.  

Everyone likes to bring up his Yankee days, but have we seen that Pavano from anything but his Yankee days?  Last year and somewhat the year before he was a innings eater, even when losing, which saved the bp a ton of work, which was sorely needed thanks to constant short outings from Slowey/Blackburn/Baker.  Those are the big three that are liable to replace Pavs should the twins not resign him.  A rotation of Liriano, Baker, Duensing, Slowey, Blackburn or add a innings eater number 2 who has the potential to dominate an opponent, which would you prefer. 

Yes Pavano will be an overpayment unless he accepts a organizational discount, which he shouldn't, due to the market, but he is the best opportunity we have to solidify the rotation.   

Gibson is going to be a starter soon, but not a the beginning of 2011.  It would be down right stupid of the Twins to push him to a starting 175+ inning role a year out of his signing that only happened because he had a major injury in college.  If we devote the 2 or even 3 year deal to Pavano what does that leave us with, a number 2 or 3 starter that eats innings, that would seem to work pretty damn well with Liriano and eventually Gibson as the the other 2. 

Maybe im wrong, but I can see past his Yankee days and expect that with his skill set and stuff he is a reclamation project that worked and is worth spending some money on to solidify the rotation of what is at least supposed to be be a contending team.

There are no other moves to make, save a ridiculous overpayment for Grienke or the likes.  I think if we want to contend in 2011 we need to have a solid starting staff and it is questionable if we have that without the success and innings Pavano provided in 2010.

Everything was constantly Pavstache until it came time to sign him, would you rather he had sucked and we had spent the time with no one to eat innings.  There was no place last year and there is no place this year to really replace what he brought to the table.

This article was a long read and posted over a month ago however I just found it and had not seen posted on this site so thought it would be a good one to share for those who are at least semi saber inclined.  It took me a couple beers and a bowl (haha legal for me thank you California) to fully digest but this is a great read on upcoming technology that could drastically change the way players are evaluated and trained from the earliest levels.  Pitch F/X was introduced in 07 iand it provided a really interesting and informative look into the science behind pitches and the actual break and velocity.  Now it appears the minds behind Pitch F/X are working to improve the system and also creating the Field F/X version.  This system of cameras plots the positions of fielders at all times and is able to track their every move down to the way they are leaning before a ball is hit.  It was tested in San Fransisco this year and will expand to more ballparks in 2011 it looks to provide hard data on every move a defensive player makes giving ample opportunity to evaluate, grade, scout, and repair a players skills and tendencies.

truly entertaining to view the suffer of white sox fans as the twins step on their teams proverbial neck.  Maybe im an asshole for it but for all their Minnesotan do gooder stereo types have fun with your season white sox keep clinging on to that 1 world series as your only success in the modern era. Heres to a sweep and taking the best record in the AL.

south side sox

sun times

csn chicago

csn 2

sun times 2

espn chicago

With 3 weeks to go in the season and the AL playoff contenders all but locked up the last 2 remaining uncertainties are the first round match ups and the best record for home field until the world series.  

Barring a serious slump we should be finishing with a better record than Texas therefore slotting us to play the wild card winner out of the Yankees and Rays.

We are only 2 games behind the Yankees 1 behind the Rays for the best record in baseball now and home field is well within our reach both east teams have though games remaining including 6 between the 2

If things stand put as they are now and the Yankees win the division we would host the Rays in round 1 and obviously if the Rays win the division we would host the Yankees.  Who would you rather face in the first round both are dangerous teams.  The Yankees have been our playoff match up for the last couple runs and we have not faired well against them so it might be nice to get a series vs some other team and maybe avoid that "oh no its the Yankees" thing that we have suffered from in the past.  On the other hand it is shaping up to be a different set of circumstances coming in we shouldn't have to be pressing till the last day this year giving us the ability to get some players rest and set up our rotation along with the fact that we would have home field against them and would possibly only need to take 1 game in Yankee Stadium.  

The question is which of these 2 teams would you rather face in the first round both will be though opponents

While making the far to long daily drive from school to work today I found myself thinking about what the twins playoff rotation will consist of this year.  Barring a unforeseen season ending injury its easy to assume we are looking at 5 candidates for 4 spots Liriano, Pavano, Baker are pretty well guaranteed to be in there then comes the battle between Slowey who has had many struggles this year and some injury problems vs Duensing who has pitched very well all year in diffrent roles.  Though Duensing was the last man in replacing Blackburn I have to assume the nod goes to him over Slowey he has been our best starter for the last month or so and was our best reliever.

The more intriguing question is what order do we send them out in.  Is your game 1 starter "ace" Liriano or Pavano and is your number 3 man Baker or Duensing. 

Liriano vs Pavano is a battle of opposites, on the one hand Liriano has the more dominate ace like stuff if hes on, which is at least a bit questionable start to start, but he is going to get a lot of strike outs and rack up a high pitch count knocking him out earlier in the game.  Then theres Pavano who has been an absolute workhorse innings eater and proven himself almost a guaranteed thing for a quality start+ but lacks the absolute dominate pitches to fully lock a game down.  Which one do you want starting game 1 vs CC Sabathia or David Price personally I think it depends on the team we draw.  Price is basically a harder throwing Liriano who wastes way more pitches and normally dosent go past 6 I would match Liriano against him and bet on him being able to dominate the game for a few innings longer.  However Sabathia is basically a harder throwing more dominate Pavano innings eater ide match Pavano up against him and see who can win the war.  Also to be taken into account somewhat is Lirianos mental questions they haven't reared their ugly head this year yet but game 1 in Yankee stadium might do that but despite his obviously terrible years in New York Pavano has pitched there before.

Baker vs Duensing is less of a question of what will happen I don't see the management hurting their beginning of the year de facto "ace" feelings by slotting the new add to the rotation over him.  I personally think Duensing should start game 3 he has been better than Baker this year and maybe its just me being prejudiced on past performances but every time I watch Baker pitch I cringe waiting for the meltdown inning out of no where.

Our rotation has the ability to contend with any of these teams if they can all manage to get going at the same time.  That feat has been a struggle this year its seems we have only really had 2 or 3 pistons firing at once this year and for playoff success that is gonna have to change.

While randomly surfing through the baseball blog world I happened upon a article I find to be an atrocity.  The article in question sought to find the "grittiest" players in baseball.  Now as a twins fan I am witness to such an obscene amount of grit from Nick Punto that sometimes I have to go outside between innings and jump in the neighbors sandbox.  However Mr. Grit himself is excluded from the list!  Now if I have to put up with watching Nick Punto bat I at least want recognition about his grit!  Heads should roll for this oversight. To accurately appreciate the end grit product Punto provides you must understand the process he goes through and the way he does it.  To harness the grit you have to be obsessed with it.

Step 1 create the grit

via 2.bp.blogspot.com

step 2 revel in the grit

via minnesota.twins.mlb.com

step 3 like a moth to a flame be drawn to the grit

via minnesota.twins.mlb.com