The Official 2006 Minnesota Twins Season Thread®

[MorseMoose]

If Torii Hunter is back next year, Torii Hunter will be back until 2010. If the Twins keep his contract, they'll renegotiate it. It won't be a one year thing. I can just about guarantee that.

[phenom]

Originally Posted by MorseMoose

If Torii Hunter is back next year, Torii Hunter will be back until 2010. If the Twins keep his contract, they'll renegotiate it. It won't be a one year thing. I can just about guarantee that.

So you can't guarantee it?

[molarmite]

Originally Posted by MorseMoose

If Torii Hunter is back next year, Torii Hunter will be back until 2010. If the Twins keep his contract, they'll renegotiate it. It won't be a one year thing. I can just about guarantee that.

Just like your guarantee that the Bills will beat the Bears?

[Skipaway]

Originally Posted by Jonzard

Its about the 4th source I have seen say that. Others from the MN papers included. I have yet to see a shred of evidence that this is a mislead report.

It probably paints a good picture of what people feel now. However, if some team somehow think Hunter is someone they should spend on, all bets are off.

[MorseMoose]

Originally Posted by phenom

So you can't guarantee it?

Right.

[MorseMoose]

Originally Posted by molarmite

Just like your guarantee that the Bills will beat the Bears?

A guy can be wrong, right?

[MorseMoose]

http://www.startribune.com/509/story/728439.html

Originally Posted by StarTrib

1 Pick up Torii Hunter's option

Look for the Twins to pick up Hunter's $12 million option for 2007, rather than exercise his $2 million buyout, which would make him a free agent. Also, it seems unlikely that the two sides would work out a long-term extension.

I don't see the point. To have Hunter around for one year would, imo, waste valuable time to get a different center fielder acclamated. Either sign him longterm (through the new stadium) or let someone else take the spot.

Originally Posted by StarTrib

2 Sign the M&M Boys to long-term deals

Because Joe Mauer and Justin Morneau are eligible for arbitration, the Twins are already staring at big raises for both. It's time to dig deep for long-term extensions for both players, locking up the team's core for years to come.

Yes. The problem comes with the longterm extensions. A guy in New York by the name of Wright got a $55million, six (I think it was six) year contract. Can the Twins really afford something similar for Morneau and Mauer? Think on top of that Santana's contract and Liriano's looming contract.

Originally Posted by StarTrib

3 Keep fingers crossed for 'The Franchise'

The Twins are holding their breath, hoping Francisco Liriano won't need surgery to repair his injured left elbow. He'll try to resume throwing in coming weeks, and the decision likely will come in December.

They sent him to Florida (http://www.startribune.com/509/story/731707.html) which is a step in the right direction. The Twins know how to work these young pitchers and I see Liriano coming back full strength next year...at least I hope!

Originally Posted by StarTrib

4 Pick a left fielder

The Twins likely will let Shannon Stewart and Rondell White leave via free agency, but they have to address left field somehow. Jason Kubel, left, showed no signs of being ready to play there, so this position will be the team's biggest question mark.

Kubel could be a great addition, but I doubt his knees. Stewart won't be back (at least I hope not) which leaves a gapping hole in LF. FA or minors, the Twins need someone...I don't see this coming from FA though .

Originally Posted by StarTrib

5 Arbitration mania

Other arbitration-eligible players include Michael Cuddyer, above, Nick Punto, Juan Rincon, Jason Tyner, Lew Ford and Carlos Silva, unless the Twins decide to pick up Silva's $4.3 million option.

Silva's buyout is $100,000. So essentially, they free up enough to get a potentially decent 3-4 starter which I think they really need - especially if Liriano can't hack it. I'd rather have $3-5 million in a 4th pitcher than risk having Santana-Bonser-Garza-Baker-??????? if Liriano is hurt.


http://www.startribune.com/509/story/731707.html

Originally Posted by StarTribe

The Twins made some minor moves Monday, removing left-handers Dave Gassner and Justin Jones and corner infielder Terry Tiffee from the 40-man roster — making them eligible to sign with other teams.

I liked Gassner, but I suppose removing him from the 40 man opens a lot for Rule V guys. Justin Jones is a disappointing removal because we got him in return of Mientkiewicz. Dougie wasn't gonna do much for the Twins at that point; but it's still disappointing to see us basically gain nothing in that trade when his value was fairly high at that point.

[MorseMoose]

• The Twins have until Wednesday to pick up the 2007 option on Torii Hunter's contract, valued at $12 million, or pay him a $2 million buyout. Indications are that the Twins will pick up the option. Hunter prefers to negotiate a long-term deal. The Twins could pick up the option now and explore a long-term deal later.

We'll know by tomorrow! There's no rules against picking up the option then trading him, is there?

[MorseMoose]

HOLY ****!!

Originally Posted by MorseMoose

Some starting pitching free agents:
Jason Schmidt - Yes. 1) Trade rumors for past several years 2) $9-$11mill alright
Cory Lidle - Yes. 1) Older, but decent. 2) $3.5-$5mill alright
Ted Lilly - Yes. 1) Early 30s, decent. 2) $5-$6mill pushing it, but alright

These are the three guys that I liked...Kelly Theiser (a mntwins.com columnist) had this to say about starting pitching:

Originally Posted by Kelly Theiser

http://minnesota.twins.mlb.com/NASAp...=.jsp&c_id=min
Biggest need: The Twins will have plenty of young arms to fill in the starting staff, but with Brad Radke likely to announce his retirement, the Twins need another veteran arm to help anchor the rotation. The free agent market looks to have some strong prospects in Jason Schmidt, Cory Lidle and Ted Lilly. It will come down to who the Twins can fit in the budget.

I'm goode! Although she says that Silva will be coming back.

[molarmite]

I wouldn't mind adding Jason Schmidt to our staff.

[Jonzard]

http://sports.espn.go.com/mlb/news/story?id=2620341

Twins picked up the option

[molarmite]

Yes, that's great news.

[MorseMoose]

Originally Posted by Jonzard

http://sports.espn.go.com/mlb/news/story?id=2620341

Twins picked up the option

Damn. I still have hopes they can trade him.

[eriqjaffe]

Originally Posted by Kelly Theiser

http://minnesota.twins.mlb.com/NASAp...=.jsp&c_id=min
Biggest need: The Twins will have plenty of young arms to fill in the starting staff, but with Brad Radke likely to announce his retirement, the Twins need another veteran arm to help anchor the rotation. The free agent market looks to have some strong prospects in Jason Schmidt, Cory Lidle and Ted Lilly. It will come down to who the Yankees don't give $20 million a year to.

Fixed that for her.

[MorseMoose]

Originally Posted by eriqjaffe

Fixed that for her.

LOL. Good fix.

[MorseMoose]

Originally Posted by MorseMoose

...Cory Lidle...

Ummm...spooky .

[molarmite]

Should we keep this as our offseason thread too so we can build this thread to greatness?

[MorseMoose]

I say we keep it until Jan. 1, 2007 when we start our thread that leads us to the World Series championship.

[molarmite]

Ok that sounds good, in the mean time, let's get this thread close to the top.

[Jonzard]

So am I the only one thinking it is rushing it to get contracts on Mauer and Morneau? It will really take a cut from our current available funds for this year's free agents.