Busy day today, but it’s nice to now sit back and see what has happened.
When it comes to deals with the Twins, the answer was… nothing happened. Absolutely nothing! I’m normally not one to advocate major changes, but the Twins needed to do something. Even a couple of minor deals. A solid middle infielder and a solid reliever and it would have been a successful day. I wasn’t advocating giving up the farm, but a couple of small deals could have really helped a lot.
But that isn’t to say that nothing will happen. Let’s remember that after this deadline, teams will put a bunch of players on waivers to see who clears. Some players will be claimed and either a trade will be worked out, the team will let the player go to the claiming team (see Jeff Cirillo to Arizona last year) or the player will be taken back from waivers. It is possible that some players that the Twins are interested may be available in the coming days.
But look at the couple of deals that were made… did anyone really win? The Dodgers got Manny Ramirez from the Red Sox. Will he make them better? Sure… But Andruw Jones is still on that roster. And Matt Kemp and Andre Ethier need to play, but Juan Pierre is in the picture too. The Red Sox got rid of a great hitter, and a headache, and they got back a very solid player in Jason Bay who will likely stick around for awhile. I think he’ll do well. But they also had to send a quality reliever in Craig Hansen and a decent young outfielder in Damion Moss, to the Pirates. Along with that, they will not receive the two first round draft picks they could have got by keeping Manny. The Pirates did alright. They have to rid some veterans from their roster, and they have done that. They got the two players from the Red Sox that are both ready to contribute at the big league level now. They also got Andy LaRoche and will team him with his brother, 1B Adam. Andy LaRoche is all about quality at bats and power. They also got a pitching prospect coming back from Tommy John surgery from the Dodgers. Will any of these deals put their team over the edge? Does going from Manny Ramirez to Jason Bay make the Red Sox better? I don’t think that’s a certainty. Is add Manny Ramirez a great improvement for the Dodgers? Maybe, but does it guarantee them anything? No. The Pirates probably came out ahead in this deal.
The White Sox added Ken Griffey Jr, which could help a little. I mean, this is 2008 Griffey, not 1997 Griffey, so it’s not as good as many want to think. I mean, he will play CF which means Nick Swisher won’t (which is good), but if Griffey really a good CF anymore? With Swisher likely playing mostly 1B, that means that Paul Konerko and Jim Thome will split DH at bats. I am sure there will be some sort of rotation involved, but I don’t think this significantly helps the White Sox.
In other words, it’s always a nice time to talk big and wish big, but in the end, most July 31 trade deadline deals aren’t as great as we want to believe. They just rarely make a big positive difference.
The key deadline deal that the Twins appear to be close to making is the recall of Francisco Liriano from AAA. I was shocked to read LaVelle’s blog column tonight called Has Livan Hernandez Made His Last Start for the Twins? As much as we all know that it would be the best move the Twins could make, I really don’t think any of us would actually expect them to do it. If they do, it is a good, bold move that will definitely help the Twins over the final two months of the season.
If you read the comments on the STrib blogs and some of the commenters here, you would think that the sky has fallen down, the roof has caved in and the world (or season) has come to an end. My favorite are those that say things like, “Sure, they’ll maybe make the playoffs, but they’ll be one and done again.” Again, with my belief that the playoffs are a crap shoot, I will certainly take a trip to the playoffs. You can’t guarantee a first-round defeat any more than you can predict a World Series championship (I know, you can, but my main point is that it’s a crap shoot and things happen. Get there and take your chances). So, relax… the Twins will be just fine.
All of this in the trade deadline background and what do the Twins do… they come out and beat the White Sox again to move to within 1/2 game of the Sox. The Twins scored seven of their ten runs after Manager Ron Gardenhire was ejected in the bottom of the 7th. Now, I am in Florida, and obviously not able to see the game, but I heard it on the phone while it was happening, and later I did see the highlight on SportsCenter. Now, I think that Gardy is a great manager of people. I think he does a pretty good job of getting the most from his players. I do like that he backs up his players and is willing to get ejected. But wow… this is the most ridiculous Gardy rant/ejection yet, and he’s had some pretty ridiculous ones. Granted, Gardy was right. I have no clue what the ump was thinking on the strike call to Span. What Gardy did was horrible. Why does he have to get ejected for little things. When I later heard that it was only strike two, it made it even dumber. I’m sorry, but no need to rip off your hat and kick it. He just instigated the entire crowd, several of whom decided it somehow made sense for them to throw their hats on the field. Now, you will read elsewhere that Gardy’s rant rallied the Twins. Seriously? Maybe give Span a little credit for overcoming a tough call and putting together a great at bat for a walk despite being down 1-2 after the call. Maybe give a little credit to Joe Mauer for scoring him with a single. I don’t think Mauer needed Gardy’s rant to come up big. Do you think Jason Kubel was thinking about what Gardy did for the team when he unloaded on his three run homer? The guys were pretty pumped up when the beat him up back in the dugout, but maybe they are professional athletes and they understand the situation and knew it was a big homer. Give Gardy credit for a lot of the positive things he does to help the team win. But don’t give him credit for this one. I hope he is suspended for a game or two for this one, and the Delay of Game should earn him about a $50,000 fine.
3 Run homers are nice, huh? Justin Morneau hit one that made a four-run deficit a one-run deficit, and Jason Kubel hit one that made a tie game a three run lead for the Twins.
Joe Mauer is so good, so calm, and so clutch. When will people simply appreciate him for what he is!?
Now the Twins have three games against Cleveland starting Friday night… be sure to keep your eyes on the Twins starting rotation… is it time for the return of the Franchise?
Minor League Updates
Rochester 6, Pawtucket 7 – It was a bullpen game again for the Red Wings. Carmen Cali started and went the first three innings. He gave up four runs on seven hits and a walk. Danny Graves went the next three innings. He gave up only one hit. Mariano Gomez gave up a run in his inning, but Casey Daigle threw a scoreless eighth inning. But then Bobby Korecky went just 1/3 of an inning and gave up two runs in the bottom of the 9th to take the loss. Randy Ruiz went 3-4 with his 17th homer and three RBI. Howie Clark had two doubles in five at bats. Garrett Jones was 2-4 with a double. Luke Hughes made his first start, played 3B and went 1-5.
Was there anything to the rumors that the Rays were interested in Craig Monroe? Could the Twins have acquired anything, like a Low A pitcher or SS from the Rays to take Monroe? I have eaten a lot of crow when it comes to Randy Ruiz, and I actually think he would be a far better offensive bench option than Monroe. I’m not saying he should start ahead of Morneau or Kubel, of course, but as a right-handed bat off the bench, he deserves a shot. In fact, I would maybe call him up and then just take him off the 40 man roster at the end of the year.
New Britain 3, Bowie 2 – Brock Peterson hit two home runs and drove in all three runs in this game. Jeff Manship put together a very good start. He gave up just two runs (1 earned) on three hits and a walk in six innings. Armando Gabino threw two shutout innings despite giving up four hits and walking two. Ben Julianel threw a scoreless ninth for his 23rd save.
Ft. Myers 15, Clearwater 4 – The Miracle scored 15 runs on 20 hits in this one! Wilson Ramos went 4-5 with his 19th double and five RBI. Steve Singleton went 3-4 with a walk. Yancarlos Ortiz went 3-4. Danny Berg, Danny Santiesteban and Juan Portes each had two hits. Edward Ovalle went 1-2 with three walks. Oswaldo Sosa was able to last just four innings. He gave up three runs (2 earned) on three hits. He walked five and struck out five. Carlos Gutierrez gave up a run in his two innings to record his first professional win. Jose Lugo, Blair Erickson and Matt Williams each threw a scoreless inning.
Beloit 3, Great Lakes 2 (11 innings) – Estarlin de Los Santos tripled to lead off the bottom of the 11th and Yangervis Solarte singled him in for the winning run. The two other runs came on homers by Mark Dolenc and Greg Yersich. De Los Santos, Solarte, Dolenc and Chris Cates had two hits a piece. Both of Cates’s hits were doubles. Shooter Hunt started for the Snappers and went the first five innings. He gave up only an unearned run on two hits in the outing. He struck out nine. The one question mark with Hunt is his ability to consistently throw strikes, and his five walks in this game showed that. Michael Allen came in and gave up a run on three hits and a walk over the next two innings. Blake Martin gave up a hit and two walks in 2.2 innings. Charles Nolte got the final four outs unblemished to record the win.
E-Town and Greeneville were rained out.
GCL Twins 3, GCL Reds 2 (10 innings) – Herbert Lara went 3-4 with a double. Aaron Hicks, Anderson Hidalgo and Juan Sanchez each had two hits. Hicks recorded his ninth stolen base. Miguel Munoz went the first six innings. He gave up two runs on six hits and no walks. He struck out six. Mauro Schiavoni went the final four innings for the win. He struck out five and did not allow a hit.
Plenty of topics to discuss… what are you thinking?
SethSpeaks.net 
Well… part of the deal with Gardy’s ejection was that it came after about 5 seconds of arguing. The ump MASSIVELY blew the call, he knew that he did, and he didn’t want to hear about it at all.
Doesn’t make the kick acceptable, but I can totally see Gardy’s frustration on this one, he’s had far more idiotic ejections than an obviously blown hit batter call down by one against our arch-enemies in a big game. Fantastic game, though. All aroundpleasure to watch.
One interesting note… Within (at most) 2 minutes of Gardy’s ejection, there was a video from a fan’s camera phone from the metrodome on YouTube.
Crazy.
I agree with you about Ruiz and i think he would be a better option than Monroe by far. BTW he is a right-handed batter not left. Which is all the more reason to call him up, we could use all the RH bats we can get!
I’m with Nibbish. Gardie didn’t even get a chance to argue before he was kicked out. Once he was run, he had to go nuts. He did say after the game though that he “wasn’t thinking.” And he was ejected for arguing ball and strikes, which he can’t do. To me, the ump hid behind that rule to eject him, because he wasn’t arguing balls and strikes anyway. Of course, he knows the fine is going to be huge, so I’m sure he spoke carefully.
Great game though.
After reading your comments about Gardy, I will never visit your site again. Gardy’s ejection fueled the Twins tonight….and it wasn’t “only strike 2”, it was the tying run on 1st base in the bottom of the 7th in a 1 run game….so no, not “only strike 2″…
Seth – I was at the game tonight and I totally disagree with your thoughts on Gardy. Come on now, really, this is the first time I have actually been upset at some of your thoughts and it looks as if a few others were as well. What Gardy did was what he needed to do to fuel his team, yes pro athletes need a little fire once in awhile. The people in that building are grown adults and you have to expect them to act like it and they didn’t. It wasn’t as bad as it was made out to be on ESPN etc. The hats were no big deal and there were a couple of balls thrown which is not good. This wasn’t Gardy’s fault though, he can’t be accountable for people in the stands. You don’t see people in Chicago throw things on the field when Lou throws a base or kicks dirt. It’s apart of the game and that ump blew that call and new it. Sorry but your just flat out wrong about Gardy being accountable for that, he is absolutely not. He did his job and helped his team win the game. You should have seen the atmosphere change in that place. People were sitting back on their heels and after that it was all Twins. I believe that played its part. Oh, and Mark, don’t stop reading this site because you disagree with one comment, that is what blogs are for, you stated your opinion and we move on.
Looks like Seth is getting killed on the Gardy comments. My take mirrors Andy’s I think. Gardy is famous for going out to defend his players and that’s what he started doing. However, after getting ejected right away he had to get his money’s worth. The game delay and things thrown on the field embarrases every Twins fan, but I don’t believe Gardy instigated anything. Afterall, it’s hard to keep emotions in check when you’re in a fight for first place and the Ump makes a terrible call.
BTW – it seems like we’ve had a rash of bad calls this year. There was the safe call at first when the Ump said Morneau didn’t touch the bag, the foul home run that almost counted and now this. What’s up with that?
Wow, I never thought I would read a comment on a Seth Speaks post “threatening” to never read the site again! I think that’s a little bit of an overreaction – blogs around about always agreeing after all.
I think if Span hadn’t actually been hit by the pitch, then the rant would be excessive. But he was hit by the pitch, something that can actually cause an injury if the circumstances are wrong. To be hit and not get the base based on a really bad call is not good – I think it’s right to protect your player in that instance and get a little revenge in. If he didn’t get the base, and then later came out of the game due to an injury, I can see guys wondering why it wasn’t argued at the time.
Whether there was any connection between the rant and the results, it was a heck of a game! One of the season’s most exciting, for sure!
Oops: “blogs aren’t about always agreeing” not “around”
Has there been a case of unruly fans forcing a forfeit in a MLB game? I’m curious as to how imminant the threat was.
I wouldn’t say Gardy fired up the team, but Kubel said basically that in the post-game interview, so who knows?
I have to agree with Andy too, Seth. I was also at the game and thought that if there was ever a proper time for a manager to get ejected from a game and lay into an umpire, that was it. It was an awful call in a very important game. Even though it was only strike 2, it should have been “tying run on 1st base” with Mauer and Morneau looming.
The fan reaction to his ejection was terrible, but please note that it was really just a handful of fans. I saw a handful of hats thrown out on the field (shouldn’t be done, but harmless), and then 3-4 baseballs thrown out there. There were lots of boos and anger directed at the umpires for the call, and the atmosphere did change in there. People were fired up, and it was just a handful of goofballs who had to go too far by throwing baseballs on the field.
Whatever your opinion is, great game for the Twins!
“Trades?!? Trades?!? We don’t need no stinking trades!!”
Agree with what Gardy did or not (And again, it was horrible call and Gardy had to say something. I guess if he was arguing balls and strikes and got tossed, that’s fine. From the highlights, it looked like as soon as he took his hat off, he was ejected, which is also way too quick.)… I will stand by my comment that Span’s ability to get over the bad call and the 1-2 count to work a walk deserves a lot of credit. Joe Mauer wasn’t thinking about Gardy’s rant when he singled in the tying run. Kubel can say that Gardy’s rant fired up the team, but I guarantee he wasn’t thinking about it while he was at bat. My main point is that the players deserve the credit, not the manager for blowing his top.
Also, if Twins fans can’t get into a 4-3 game against the team directly ahead of them in the standings on July 31st, then the thoughts of players and fans from around the country are right.
Looks like you are in the minority Seth. Gardy was right on the money for arguing that call. Sure, he let himself get carried away after he was ejected, but if it were me I am sure I would have done the same thing.
Oh and by the way, Gardy and I have made up after that whole episode about Liriano. I Guess I was just a couple of weeks too soon.
Thinking back through the days’ trades, or non-trades, I have to say I’m mostly happy with how Twins management handled this one. Just from reading the article on the Strib tells me they weren’t worried about the cash, or the prospects, needed to get any one of the potential players (Beltre, Roberts, etc). But both teams wanted too much – specifically, one of our four young starters. None of our four young starters are worth maybe a year of service time from either of those two players.
I understand what you are saying about Gardy, Seth, but the replays from SportsCenter and Baseball Tonight didn’t portray it very well. Gardy walked up to the Ump and got ejected literally within 5 seconds. He just wanted to protect his player and make his case. The hat kick, while certainly over the top, wasn’t until well after he was ejected. And the fans reaction were embarrassing, but it certainly got them even more riled up than they already were.
But you are completely right – all credit is due to Span, who really put a great at bat together to come back from being hit. He could have easily swung away all pissed off like, but he kept his emotions in check and drew a walk. And then Mauer’s hit, Delmon’s walk, then the Kubel HR…wow. What a way to cap off a crazy inning.
Great playoff like atmosphere though all week. The final three games of the season at home against the White Sox is going to be crazy.
Gardy needed to get ejected to fire up the Twins so they could counterract how well the White Sox were playing because of Ozzie’s rants. 🙂
Maybe because you only saw highlights but getting tossed within a few seconds of a tight game between two division contenders is absurd. The umpire knew he blew it and probably his frustration with himself made it a worse problem. Getting tossed made Gardenhire go beserk.
Span deserves a lot of credit to recover and have a great at bat but there is something to say about getting some spark.
Seth – on a different note.
Please change back to a black text on white background. Maybe it’s just me but I have a really hard time reading your blog with its new format. Maybe the font is an issue or maybe I just need reading glasses but I find your site really hard to read now. I do like your content a lot.
Don’t back to a white background. This grey is much better for the eyes. I’d say it is the font that needs to change. I’m sure once Seth starts using code to put more breaks, bolds, and italics in there (and finds a “thicker” font), we’ll all be happier.
Heh, I don’t know if some of that was aimed at me, but let me be clear. I don’t think the season is over. Just the opposite. I think they are legit contenders. I think when you are a legit contender, you should go all in. Cleveland thought they’d be great this year because they have young guys that would surely be improved this year. It didn’t happen. You just don’t know if you you’ll be in it the following year. But, they know they are in it this year. Go for it. This year looks a lot like earlier in the decade, when it was clear to everyone that they were a player or two short of having as much talent as the other contenders, but refused to mortgage the future. Well, they won exactly zero WS titles, despite having some very, very good players. I don’t want a bunch of playoff appearances, but no WS titles. I want my kids to experience a WS while they are kids….
The team was lifeless before the ejection, on fire after. I know you don’t think much of Gardy but he was fine. Ozzie added to the chaos by bringing his players off the field.
Wasn’t it 4-3, and hadn’t the Twins taken the momentum, before the ejection? I don’t think they were lifeless at all. Just the opposite.
ESPN didn’t do the ejection justice. Also, take a look at Gardy’s post game interview.
On a different note I have a question for you. What is the best scenario for Liriano? I say dump Livan and let the kids go. If another one of our pitchers were pitching like him they would be cut, sent down, or in the bullpen (Bonser). Also, why does the mngmnt think it is a good idea to keep Lamb, Monroe, Everett (who is still horrible)? It makes no sense to have players on the bench who they won’t use.
I need a mulligan, I know they used Everett last night but it is more from a lack of options than wanting to. Drop him like they had planned and bring up the best option at AAA. whoever they bring up can’t do much worse
Seth,
If you weren’t actually watching the game live it’s hard to understand but Gardy was not in the wrong. I am usually one of the last people to defend Gardy but last nights ejection was absolutely ridiculous. I have a feeling he might have gotten ejected anyway but he was ejected before he got two words in. After any ejection the manager is going to get his money worth especially if the ejection happens in the first 5 seconds of a disagreement. Gardy has had some of the dumbest ejections I have ever seen but I actually approved of this one. I do not approve of the fans behavior afterwards though.
On a side note was it just me or did Ozzie go a little overboard about taking his guys off the field?
I don’t know if Ozzie was necessarily in the wrong taking his guys off the field. He was a little animated while doing it, and his shouting match with the fan above the dugout didn’t help anything, but I would hope that Gardy would our guys off the field if baseballs were being lobbed out there.
Also, I wasn’t trying to say that Gardy actually fired them up, and I’m pretty certain no one was thinking about their beloved manager while they were at bat, I was just relaying what Kubel had said in his post-game interview. I’ll agree with Seth, if you can’t be motivated BEFORE the ejection, given the game’s circumstances, perhaps a career in Major League Baseball is ill-advised.
Seth – I don’t disagree with your thougths that the players are thinking about what Gardy did when they are up at the plate I highly doubt that. You can’t tell me that it doesn’t get your heart pumping a little bit more and put a little more fire into you. You’ve played the game and I know you can think of certain circumstances in big games when something just fires you up and gives you that little bit extra. My main problem with your comment was that you said that Gardy instigated the fans and that was his fault. Completely disagree with that, as a manager you can’t worry about managing your bullclub and controlling the fans. Not his problem and I have no problem with what he did. That was my biggest disagreement, whether he fired up the ballclub or not, who knows but whatever happened worked.
My view wasn’t great for seeing the hit by pitch and the argument (the Cheap Seats rarely are), but I will say this: after Gardy kicked his hat, the first few hats on the field were amusing. But after three or four it got old and nothing else should’ve been thrown on the field. The baseballs, which could injure (hence Gardy’s argument), were completely unacceptable. I was disappointed in the fans.
I do think Ozzie was a bit overdramatic in calling his players off the field for one reason: his bullpen stayed in the bullpen. Dotel, who was warming up, stayed on the bullpen mound, and the bullpen catcher stayed by the plate in the visitng bullpen. Those guys are more vulnerable than the shortstop, who’s standing much further from the crowd.
That said, we were mostly impressed with Span’s ability to work a walk out of the situation. (And go on to score the tying run.)
Everyone that has commented that was at the game have painted a perfect picture of the situation. I think Beth stated it perfectly, this was exactly my opinion too. The first couple hats were funny and then people got stupid about it. It really was not that big of a deal though and Ozzie did react although I can’t say I had a huge problem with him pulling his guys off the field. That may have acually benefited the Twins with Danks going in and then coming out having a few warmup pitches and issuing the walk.
Ozzie looked like a clown out there when he pulled his team off. I am not saying he shouldn’t have done it, but he made more of a spectacle than Gardy did.
Free Randy Ruiz
the fans were throwing hats, not cans or bottles. Not much of a change for an injury getting hit by a hat. One single baseball was thrown in, but Thome’s HR ball was thrown in too and Guillen did not move the team out. What a clown.
I too disagree with you on the Gardy ejection. When an ump totally blows a call like that, what recourse does Gardy have? Is he expected to just sit there while the other pitcher can take free shots at his players and get bean balls called strikes by incompetent umpires? I was watching the game and my wife said I used more F-bombs in the span of five minutes than I have in 23 years of marriage. First I was ticked about the call. It was one of the worst calls I’ve ever seen. But then he ejected Gardy before he even had a chance to state his case. Arguing balls and strikes? Yeah, right. He was arguing about a bean ball being called a strike. I can tell you, if I were in Gardy’s shoes, I might have done worse. That was totally bogus.
And then the hats come flying on the field. I might have thrown mine too. In hockey, hats come flying all the time but nobody pulls their team off the ice. That’s just Ozzie trying to get a forfeit because he didn’t want to try and win fair and square.
One more thing. All the White Sox hitters argued about balls and strikes all night. I haven’t seen this much whining since I filled in as a first grade playground monitor. None of them got ejected. Gardy walks out of the dugout and he gets ejected. That was more disturbing than the horrible call.
Gardy absolutely had to do what he did. Of course the crowd should already be in a one run game against a division rival, but if nobody gets on base, it is really tough for any crowd to go too crazy. Gardy was able to get the crowd in the game without anybody getting on base. Also, I feel that it could’ve played a huge part in Span being able to regroup and work that walk. I think Span would’ve been quite upset if Gardy didn’t come out, and could’ve flailed away angrily at the next few pitches both because he would’ve been angry at the ump for the bad call and Gardy for not backing him. The delay allowed Span to take a deep breath and left Chicago’s starting pitcher with a fairly long delay which could also effect his control somewhat. I believe the walk to Span was his last hitter, and Mauer and Kubel may not have been thinking about what Gardy did when they were hitting, but the sure could feel the energy in the crowd after he was done as that even came through on the TV. 100% support Gardy for the ejection and feel it very well could’ve played a big part in Span drawing that walk which sparked the entire inning.
rumor has it Hernandez and Monroe were DFA and Liriano and Ruiz were added trying to confirm it but if true i think they are good moves
6 month analysis of Bill Smith:
Santana trade – too early to call. Gomez has met expectations but the prospects haven’t yet.
Garza trade – even. Young has met expectations. Twins need RH batters more than another starting pitcher. Plus he’s two years younger than Garza and Span (he should mature & improve).
Signed Monroe – bad. Made bench better but too expensive.
Signed Everett – bad. Too expensive considering his injuries and weak bat.
Signed Lamb – bad. Made bench better but too expensive.
Signed Hernandez – good. Even though it’s time to part ways, he was needed for the first three months.
Casilla – good. He brought up Casilla when he was hitting .216 in AAA. It paid off big time.
Perkins – good. He started Perkins in AAA as a starter instead of as a reliever in the majors this year. Another good move.
Signed Morneau to long contract – great. His value has kept going up.
Signed Nathan to long contract – great. He would get 50% more if he was a free agent at the end of the season.
Picked up Breslow – good. Not a big impact but still good.
Drafting Hicks & Hunt – too early but the early results are good.
Summary – He probably saved more money on Morneau and Nathan than he spent on Monroe/Everett/Lamb. They did strengthen the bench (no more Tyner or LRod) and you need some veterans on the team. No one knew Casilla and Span would play so well this year. Maybe most importantly he didn’t panic and make a bad trade involving the four young starters & Liriano.
Overall I think he’s done fine (not great but not bad).
Joe C is reporting the Rumor Travis has posted.
Liriano/Ruiz coming, Livan/Monroe gone.
Hi Seth, just found the new site. Have a great weekend. Roger
A this point, Liriano is a no brainer.
I like giving Ruiz a chance. I watched him in late Spring Training and he pounded the ball. Though he runs only slightly faster than Cecil Fielder. Besides a RH DH, he could spell Morneau at 1B once a month (defense is not his strongest skill).
I guess this is the answer to not making a trade. I think it makes the team better but how much better is yet to be determined. I don’t expect Ruiz to get many at bats but Liriano would have to try to be worse than Livan was over the last 2 weeks.
Glory, Glory, Hallelujah. At least they’re doing the internal shit best. As pissed as I was after they did nothing by the deadline, I figured for all the arguments I and many others posted here, on aarongleeman, on nick’s thing, on twinkietown and elsewhere re: the value of DFAing Livan, there was just too much organizational consensus on the veteran value BS and that Bass or Boof would be the one to go. And now not only do they get this one right, they (ahem) listen to my harping (what?) and call up Randy Ruiz. To adapt another poster’s line, let the errors at DH commence!
Seriously, as happy as I was with the huge win yesterday, how foreboding was it to see Kubel starting against a left-hander? He simply can’t hit them, period. I’m all for using him in meaningless situations to try to inch him towards “everyday player” status (spring training = Kubel hits against every lefthander there is), but he currently has very little business anywhere near a batter’s box when a southpaw is on the mound.
Ruiz is gonna strikeout a bunch, but if he can just post an OPS of .800 against lefties that’s gotta be worth a win or two down the stretch vs. what they were running out there. I’d bat him in front of Morneau, too: give him pitches in the zone and he will do damage.
I vote white background, I think. Or at least bigger/bolder font. I also like being able to “preview” comments before posting, for what that’s worth.
I miss the sub heads most of all. It makes it easier to navigate the site. Also, the web links to other baseball blogs needs to be included if possible!
“Even though he had not arrived at the Metrodome by 4 p.m., Ruiz was scheduled to be the starting DH tonight against Cleveland.”
Good just got better — they’re not just gonna stick him at the end of the bench!
Wow, do I totally disagree with you on your Gardenhire analysis. Obviosly, you didn’t see the game. Span was hit by the pitch and had pulled the bat back. We’re one run down and the 3rd baseman calls it a strike! At AJ’s urging no less. Gardy did what he had to. It was a bush league call at a very important time. Luckily for the ump, he was let off the hook when Span walked and later scored. You usually hit it on the nose Seth. But you blew this analysis.
wow, no comments about Liriano and Ruiz?
I sure am happy made this suprising (but utterly necessary) decision of removing Livan from the rotation. But what I don’t understand is why Livan was DFA’d rather than Brian Bass. Neither is very good, but at least Livan is a starter and could step in if one of the other starters gets injured or something. Yes, he’s been awful, but so has Bass, and I don’t know who we’ll turn to if one of the five starters gets injured now. Any ideas?
I’m nitpicking at this point, though. I am definitely ecstatic that they made this decision– I am completely surprised, I really thought they would hang on to Livan for the whole season.
The $5 million in Livan’s contract covers the first 160 innings. Every inning after that costs money. So one reason to DFA Livan now is to ensure that he doesn’t go over the 160 inning plateau. The reason not to DFA Bass is pretty simple: He’s a rookie who could develop into a useful bullpen guy if used the right way. Livan has no future in this organization. Bass does.