also available at www.SethSpeaks.net –
If you my interview with Paul Allen this morning at 9:20 on KFAN listen to the podcast (Fan on Demand) now.
The Twins were swept by the Brewers. That’s never a good thing. Yovani Gallardo is really good. How come Ubaldo, Halladay and Gallardo have been the Twins Get-Away opponent’s pitcher the last three series?
Cliff Lee rumors persist. If you believe The Bleacher Report, the Twins and Mariners nearly had a deal in place that would have sent Wilson Ramos, Brian Duensing and a ‘low-level outfielder’ to Seattle. However, when Ramos was injured last week, the deal was put off or delayed. I’m not buying that a deal was imminent. I do believe that they have talked, and I actually believe that the Twins will land the talented lefty in a few more weeks.
Following today’s game, the Twins announced that Brendan Harris had been outrighted to AAA Rochester. Outrighted means that he was placed on waivers and no one claimed him Jason Repko, the centerfielder who signed with the Twins just days before the season started, was called up. Repko has been Rochester’s best player this year. He’s good defensively. I’m told that his defense in CF is comparable to that of Jason Pridie, which says a lot. He’s been up in the big leagues various times over the last four years with the Dodgers, so he is no stranger to the big leagues. What is scary is that the Twins now have an extra outfielder. Does that mean more Michael Cuddyer at 3B? Yikes!
Finally, I wrote a blog entry for Minor League Ball and sent it to the great John Sickels to post as he has time. Keep checking back there to see if it is there.
Sorry about the brevity, but I am heading out of town now and don’t know when I’ll post next. Any thoughts on the Twins, minor leaguers, the Brendan Harris decision (which makes the D’Angelo Jimenez signing confusing), or anything else? Feel free to leave your questions and comments here.
SethSpeaks.net 
Harris isn’t hitting, he is only adequate in the field and no speedster on the basepaths. I am not sure he had any role where he would be used. Maybe he will find his bat playing every day. He was also about the only player they could move to open up a roster spot.
Repko can pinch run and be used as a late inning defensive substitute for Kubel. And he provides a legitimate backup for Span, who probably needs a day off now and then.
If the Twins really offered that package for a 3 month rental of Lee, I think they are making a mistake.
Harris needs to play. He can come back. That no one claimed him means no one wanted to pick up his salary. He was still young in arbitration, so he basically ahs to remain a Twin to collect his millions.
Interesting offer for Lee. Considering the Twins haven’t been interested in swapping out Butera for whatever the minors offer, looks like the Twins would be willing to dangle Ramos. The Twins might actually believe that his AAA numbers this year are a sign of his future. But, who knows.
Duensing and any of the multitude of outfielders would be interesting. Duensing has the ability to be a journeyman long relief guy. He’s a lefty. He would probably egt starting opportunities for a non-contender.
The next question is: if the Twins add, say, Lee…who goes and what can they do with he-wh-goes? Right now, wish they could bury Blackburn in the backend of the bullpen. With Slowey and Baker not far behind.
I still believe that the minute Blackburn, Slowey or Baker show some signs of real life, the Twins should take trade offers. Middle-of-the-order relief guys with contracts that may not be worth their weight in the future.
Did you see the paper today 9St. Paul). Now we know why Santana hasn’t been hitting his stride in New York. Sadly, court case settled just in time for him to face the Twins.
Three million dollars, over two years, down the drain (ok, $2.2MM net). Signing him to a two year deal was a terrible decision. Terrible. You don’t need to pay utility players real money, and you should never have three on your MLB roster in the first place.
I argued it should be Harris for Repko 2-3 weeks ago. Span needs some time off. They need a better OF defense late in games when they are ahead. He can pinch run if needed. It’s the right short term choice.
Blackburn to the bullpen if they get Lee. I agree with joel, if you could get a legit ss, 2B or 3B or prospect at that position for Slowey or blackie, I’d do that in a minute (Lawrie maybe – the Brewers have one MLB pitcher, and none in AAA). They are middle to back end of the rotation starters.
If they really had Lee for Ramos, Duensing and a low level OF, ugh. That’s a good deal for MN down the drain. TT and I don’t agree on that, obviously. I just don’t see them winning it all with this pitching staff, but I do think they could have the offense to get there. Of course, I have a belief bias that the present is more valuable than an unknown future.
I like the trade, as it shows that the Twins are willing to ‘go for it’. I think that’s fun. I rather hate losing Duensing. I believe he has more potential than some. That said, I noticed they never let him into the starting rotation. They brought up Manship to pitch a game instead. Apparently better baseball minds than mine are not too keen on him starting.
Awfully good numbers out of the ‘pen, though.
I think I prefer more Cuddyer at 3B to more Cuddyer in CF. And if Repko can do even one thing well, he’s an upgrade over Harris right now. So, good news all around.
Hopefully Harris can find his stroke in AAA. Ramos, Duensing, and a low level outfielder for Cliff Lee, seems about right. To get legit quality, you have to give up legit quality.
Harris doesn’t platoon well, but when he plays every day he finds his swing to the tune of about .280. Unfortunately, he’s not going to get regular playing time on a team that needs exceptional infielders to support a staff that pitches to contact.
The upshot is that Harris would do better on a team with power pitchers, like…Detroit. Or an NL team far from here. Heck, he’d probably do well on the Phillies or Colorado!
If Harris gets regular playing time and starts hitting at AAA he may be dealt away in the off season. He has a guaranteed contract, but not at outrageous dollars.
And until Cuddyer proves that he is just bad at 3B I like this experiment. Now back to playing in the AL, I’d like to see Thome get full games in as DH.
Harris? Blacky? Punto? The Twins have made some strange contract extensions.
Now that Cuddy is at 3b maybe we can make thome the everyday SS. Cuddys already proven he cant make plays on balls hit right at him hard. He is without a doubt the worst defensive 3b in baseball, and playing him there makes a mockery out of defense.
Happy Birthday, Seth! Enjoy the long weekend!!