also available at www.SethSpeaks.net –
When I was doing my Live Chat last night, someone asked me about available relievers still on the market, and if I thought the Twins should be interested in any of them. Here is one part of my response to that question, “Russ Springer had a great year, but he’s over 40 and would cost a draft pick, so that makes no sense…”
A couple of things… found with very minimal research, I found that he turned 40 in November, so he will be 40 throughout the 2009 season. And more important, I found that although he is a Type A free agent, the St. Louis Cardinals chose not to offer him arbitration, so it would not cost the team that signs him a draft pick.
That completely changes my thoughts on this topic. You see, rumors indicate that because of his age, Springer will likely have to sign a one year contract. Secondly, the value of that contract could be between $2 and $3.5 million. If that is the case, he may be the perfect guy for the Twins for 2009!
Springer made his major league debut way back in 1992 with the Yankees, and since then, he has also pitched for the Angels, the Phillies, Astros, Braves, Diamondbacks, Cardinals, Astros (again) and Cardinals (again). In 2007, he threw 66 innings in 76 appearances and was 8-1 with a 2.18 ERA and a 0.909 WHIP. In 2008, he pitched in 50.3 innings over 70 games. He went 2-1 with a 2.32 ERA and a 1.13 WHIP. Those are some very impressive numbers. He has pitched in 70 or more games the last three years, and 62 games in 2005.
Again, since we are likely talking about a one year deal, his age is not a tremendous concern. He has been working with acclaimed pitching coach Dave Duncan the last two years in St. Louis, and the Twins are known for taking care of their pitching staff pretty well under Rick Anderson’s eye. Springer has somehow found some durability in his late 30s. There still could be incentives included in such a deal, and if it would take adding a team option for a second year, with a reasonable buy out, it could be done as well.
I could fully support the Twins signing Russ Springer, and if what I am hearing is at all accurate, he is the guy that the Twins are actually targeting right now. Any thoughts? Leave your comments here.
MORE ON SPRINGER
After posting the above Russ Springer article, I got an e-mail from our friends at Over the Baggy pointing to an article from TheTownTalk.com, in Louisiana. It contains some quotes from Springer that are rather interesting.
This is obviously regarding teams he is talking to:
“Some are far enough away, I’m kind of surprised we’re actually considering them,” he said. “Kelly and the kids have decided to come with me for bigger parts of the season after spending hardly any time with me last season,” he said. “So that’s kind of allowed me to spread my area that I’m considering.
“But I’ve had interest from teams on the West Coast, as far north about as you can imagine, and Florida,” he went on. “At this point in my career, I want to go somewhere where they have a chance to win. That’s a big part, and certainly where my family would be comfortable, and the financial part comes in third probably.”
Well, Minnesota is pretty far north, right? The Twins provide a chance to win. The Twin Cities are known to be family-friendly. And the financial part could be good from the Twins perspective!
Also from the article:
“I don’t think I’ll sign a multi-year contract,” he said. “I’ll definitely take it year by year, and I’m not 100 percent playing this year. But I’m leaning definitely toward playing this year, and I’m not saying that it will be my last. I’ll probably decide something by the end of the week.”
Right in time for Twins Fest!! Remember a year ago, the Twins signed Justin Morneau and Michael Cuddyer to long-term contracts to start Twins Fest. Maybe this year, the big news will be the signing of a new Relief Pitcher.
Any thoughts? Please leave your comments here.
SethSpeaks.net 
Russ Springer is an interesting story. His success the past 2 years is directly related to what Duncan did for him. Before that he was a 4-seamer/slider pitcher. Duncan taught him a cutter and made him use a curve instead of a slider as a change type pitch (he does not have neither uses a decent change). His fastball is averaging 82, cutter 86 and curve 76 mph. Decent stuff, the cutter is his out pitch, but the guy joined the majors a year after the Twins won their last world series; also he hasn’t faced AL competition this millennium. He was fine in low leverage and medium leverage situations (opp OPS .397 and .608) but just about average in high leverage situations (poo OPS .752). Not sure that he is a set up material guy but probably better than what the Twins had last year and definitely better than Gagne or Lyon at this point.
But, again, if they sign a reliever Humber (and Jones) are done as Twins. One would effectively trade Humber + Jones + cash for a reliever. Good deal? Who knows…
that was supposed to be .608 (parenthesis… not smiley up there)
“about average in high leverage situations (poo OPS .752). ”
You said poo – lol
Gange, or Lyon would be better choices and longer term. If Humber gets traded packaged for a player to be named later.
Jones will be optioned to the minors if doesn”t make the staff.
Intrigued with Crede still.
Win Twins!
Jones is a Rule 5 pick. He either makes the team or goes away.
“Jones is a Rule 5 pick. He either makes the team or goes away.”
Unless the Twins decide he’s worth keeping around and are able to work out a deal with the Yankees.
Again, nothing is written in stone. The Twins will be able to showcase Boof, Humber in spring training. Teams know they have to keep them or lose them, but if either shines…they could draw some mid-level prospect in trade. Humber needs to show that he belonds in the Twins bullpen. The Twins pretty much know what Boof is capable of, and Boof needs to show something. He’s approaching arbitration, so I would almost rather see Boof move on (depending on spring training impressions) and take a two-season ride with Humber, just for the dollars and sense.
The Twins will probably be able to keep Jones from the Yankees. They don’t need him at AA or AAA.
We have to remember that Mijares could start the season at Rochester. Breslow, Crain, Guerrier…all could be expandable.
My question is: if something happens to Nathan, who IS the back-up closer. In the apst, the discussion ahd been towards Neshek. But now…
Rincon signs with Detroit!
If something happens to Nathan it won’t matter who the backup closer is. The bullpen wasn’t strong enough to overcome the loss of Neshek, it certainly isn’t strong enough to overcome the loss of Nathan.
This ought to get the fans stirring at Twins Fest.
he had 2 good years in Houston from 05-06 before coming over to St. Louis, so to say his success is only due to Dave Duncan is a little far fetched. if he only costs 2 or 3 million, then yes i’d be all for it. he’s not as much of an injury risk as gagne and wouldn’t cost a multiyear deal like lyon. but judging by his numbers the last 4 years, springer may be the best option.
I saw they broke your rumor on MLBTradeRumors.com. Wanted to give you props for the shout out. Good work. I wrote about Crede today on my blog. I think he is a risk worth taking!
WOW! Great site, very informative. I really beleive we will see Crede and Springer in a Twins uni this year after reading news out of Chicago and St. Louis.
Springer is a great player and there is no doubt in it. You have done quite a lot of research about facts and figures before writing this up. Nice job! Keep posting stuff like this in the future as well.