Dear Santa
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!
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!
I'm almost to the point where I want anything but the more boring off season ever. :)
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