Known for his power, run production, and stardom in Minnesota, Nick Punto remains a Twin. Twins fans quivered in their snow boots at the THOUGHT of Nick leaving the Twins to play for anyone else.

*Sorry to all of those who specifially remember what you wore, where you were, and how you reacted, but it is necessary to relive the moment in order to add affect.*

To come back to reality for the remainder of the blog, the Twins DID resign Punto for 2 years, and an option in 2011, which could at least earn him 8.5 million. On top of that, Punto has already been named the starting shortstop for the 2009 Minnesota Twins.

In December.

That's correct folks, JJ Hardy, Yunel Escobar, or Jack Wilson is NOT the starting SS for the Twins, as I expected. But to get away from the rambling about how wrong and crushed we all are- let's evaluate the move.

The Twins get a shortstop in his early 30's, who can play anywhere and hit ... a little. Of course that's the problem we all have with Little Nicky Punto. After hitting for a homer, 22 RBI, and a .210 average, he rebounded pretty strongly (at least by his standards) by hitting 1 extra homer, 6 extra RBI, and 74 thousandths of a point added to his average. Pretty impressive huh? I guess it is to the Twins, those extra little dinks and dunks got him a couple extra mil in his pockets.

Gardy's favorite little guy got his stay, and I like the signing a lot actually. Yeah we had a couple of other options at that position: Tolbert was one, Harris being the other, but other than that the Twins couldn't do any better. The trade market was bare: the aforementioned JJ Hardy and Yunel Escobar were pretty much called safe and logically, the Pirates Jack Wilson wouldn't have been much better.

Nothing would've worked out better for us, and now we have the soft hitting, first-base-diving, "gamer" back on the roster.

Seems better suited in the offseason, does it not? 

 
 

Much documented in the past weeks by Twins fans has been the bulging zit on the teenage face of a preyearbook picture take, or the runt of the litter: otherwise known as, the 4 outfielders syndrome. Four guys, 3 spots, what can you say? Someone will have to go, someone will stay, and I can guarantee you, a bad choice will be made.

We're only days away from the Winter Meetings and a move has yet to be made by the Twins ... besides those scintillating 40-man roster moves. All I'm hearing from the front office is a replicate sound bite off of the Peanuts: wah wah wah wah wah. This offseason has been full of talk from Minnesota and action is yet to be taken. The opportunities are running out it seems and there is no better time then now then to go into Las Vegas with some idea what the heck you think you are doing.

So let's review shall we? 

Just one season after being traded to the Twins, Delmon Young is looking like a primary trading chip more and more everyday I look at his name. The fact of the matter is that he is a young budding star acquired for a role playing shortstop and a middle of the rotation pitcher and the Twins are supposedly willing to trade him already? Even the manager has said Young is not in the preferred OF, bad PR move ...  This really does make me wonder who we hired when we let Bill Smith take over the reigns. Terry Ryan was obviously a supreme talent evaluator for us, but now this just looks stupid. I know the outfield is crowded and all, but one year? The guy is only 23 years old and has only been in the Majors 2 full seasons, and for some reason I guess we're ready to give him up.

Though unloading Mr. Young isn't the only option, it seems to be the only one the Twins are even considering. This man has done and said everything right since that awful September day, but the Twins are seriously considering trading valuable right-handed power to fill other holes. I just don't understand.

Now if you were to ask me, I'd give you the normal Twins fan response- NO! But if the Twins get an offer they can't refuse for an elite productive shortstop, they might just have to make the deal. With Colorado and San Francisco being the primary suitors, I would be a big fan if we were to trade Young to Colorado for one of their young infielders- Barmes, Baker, Stewart. I'd honestly love to keep Young, but I think getting one of those guys could improve our team in so many ways by giving us another filled INF spot. But it's not up to me, and it's not up to any of us. All I ask is we keep it real and play the waiting game. Someone will be gone, we just have to find out who.

Baseball America released their version of each MLB teams Top 10 prospects this week and this year's picks don't seem to show many surprises. After a successful 88 win 2008 season, the Twins bank on just 2 prospects that might be able to help out at some point in 2009. I'm kinda shocked that the 2 fireballing relievers down in the High A/AA level Anthony Slama and Rob Delaney aren't on there however. Nonetheless, a solid list that displays the next wave of Twins prospects.

1. Aaron Hicks- The Twins' first selection of the 2008 MLB Draft had a solid season down in the rookie leagues and I expect solid seasons at every level. Hicks is a 5 tool stud athlete who has power to the gaps and is still developing physically. Coming out of Cali, Hicks was a part time pitcher who said he's committed to playing a full-time outfield in the minors. Hopefully in the majors as well ...

2. Ben Revere- Yet another speedy Twins outfielder. A lot of people questioned the pick of him in the first round in 2007, as he wasn't expected to be picked until several rounds later. At a generous 5'9", he hit a successful .379 (Yes, I made sure no typos) down in low A ball. He's rated as the Twins' fastest baserunner and the stats show it, with 1 more stolen base than RBI (44-43). He's a pesky, smart player, who still has a lot of growing and learning to do.

3. Wilson Ramos- Ramos is a solid defensive catcher who had a solid hitting season at Fort Myers this past season. He's not expected to do much in the majors and may be a stretch to say he'll make the majors with the Twins, unless something were to happen to Joe Mauer (I knocked on wood guys, it's OK). He's a solid guy behind the plate but not expected to hit much at all as he rises levels.

4. Jose Mijares- He made a solid september stint (say it 3 times fast) with the Twins this past season only allowing only 1 run in 10 appearances, good for a 0.87 ERA. All of this after a devastating January car crash. He's out of options for this coming season, but not to worry, he's also expected to be a key contributor in the Twins late inning relief next season.

5. Danny Valencia- The 3rd baseman of the future is what he's been called in the minors as he made a pretty successful jump from Fort Myers to New Britain halfway between the Florida State League season. He hit a .311, 15 HR, 76 RBI line combined at High A and AA ball this past season and he's expected to be ready in one year. He can hit for power and he can field his position very well, he's just gotta work on that strikeout rate!

6. Anthony Swarzak- The young, talented righty had a tough time early in the season at AA ball, but when he was moved up to AAA, he was seemingly dominant. In comparison to his 5.67 AA ERA, he lowered that ERA to 1.80 in the next half season in Rochester while winning all 5 of his decisions. If anything were to happen to one of the other Twins young starters, Swarzak looks like the guy who'd get a call to the bigs.

7. Shooter Hunt- Shooter's got some stuff. Like. Seriously. He dominated early in Elizabethton but struggled on the midseason transition to Beloit. But that's reasonable, he was picked in the 2nd round just last year. He had 34 strikeouts in 19 innings in the rookie leagues and 34 strikeouts in 31 innings in A ball, but with an ERA that increased by nearly 5 whole runs. He's got the stuff to be an ace and I expect him to be one day.

8. Kevin Mulvey- Another starter expected to contribute somehow to the Big Club next year. After coming over from the Mets in the Santana-Gomez trade, he had a solid year in Rochester with a 3.77 ERA. Nothing incredibly special about him, just a solid fastball-changeup-slider guy who gets outs.

9. Carlos Gutierrez- He was picked questionably by the Twins in the first round last year, and many people had to scratch their heads ... Well of course just another strange draft pick by the Twins ... or so it seems at first. Nobody ever said the guy wasn't good, but he was expected to be a 2nd or 3rd round pick, but I guess the Twins didn't want a power hitting infielder. He's got a good fastball and was very intimidating at the U coming out of the 'pen as a closer.

10. Angel Morales- Morales is just another toolsy Twins outfielder, but Angel brings a different aspect to the Twins system- power. In 183 rookie league AB's, he hit 15 homers out of his 55 hits. Pretty impressive, but it is just the rookie leagues. He's got power and a bit of speed to mix in his game. Let's hope the power can continue for him.

What does a loyal Twins fan want for the Holidays? A 2009 Twins' throwback jersey? What about a World Championship? Well of course those things are nice but let's slow it down a bit and get the offseason rolling first.

For those Twins fans who savor every little nugget, or who wonder in amazement over a potential 2009 Twin, let's think about what we're looking at.

My thoughts are simple. Sign Casey Blake and make some type of move for a shortstop. The trade market is looking damaged for a player such as JJ Hardy or Yunel Escobar. Why would the Brewers risk creating a hole at such an important position like shortstop? We all know they're waiting for Alcides Escobar to develop into a full-time Major League shortstop and it may take another year, so why would they rush him and trade a young, powerful shortstop such as Hardy? It doesn't make sense on the Brewers part. None at all. I don't see them doing it, and Doug Melvin already stated Hardy isn't even on the market yet.

As for Escobar, I don't get why the Braves would trade him either. He's young, talented, and under control for 4 more seasons and they have a lack of depth at that position all at the same time. The guy is a flat out stud and while I'd take Hardy or Yunel with open arms, I don't see either team trading for them, unless the Twins have Jake Peavy's 'twin' brother. And for those of you thinking about trading Michael Cuddyer, stop. Personally, I would like to trade him as well, but I guarentee you no one wants to take him on. Even though he could produce in this lineup, no one wants a seasoned, injured outfielder for his contract. Plain and simple. Gonna be tough to dump him off to anyone, but imagine what he could do hitting behind Mauer and Morneau again ... Just sayin'.

Casey Blake is almost a foregone conclusion it seems like. We all know he wants to sign here and we all know we want him to sign here. Every Twins fan is filling him in his lineup card for next year and expecting the Twins to sign him for 2 or 3 years. The guy just was meant to be a Twin, so let's get that deal done, we all know it was meant to be.

As for shortstop, the trade market is bare, so it looks like we will have to turn to the free agent market. Orlando Cabrera might be a nice fit- but only for the right price. The man is not worthy of 10 million a year in my book, but I think he'd do a solid job here. The one achilies of that potential signing is that the Twins might not be willing to sacrifice their first round draft pick. But hey, you must give to receive, but I'm not sure if I'm willing to give up a first rounder for an average shortstop either in a potential world series year ... Well it couldn't be worse than Nick Punto ...

Anyways, I believe this Twins team could be the frontrunner next season in the AL if they fill up the gaps. Engineering a championship will take some effort from the front office and our players, but I'm not praying every night to my Twins alter for nothing I hope!