July 15, 200322 yr Twincities.com Posted on Tue, Jul. 15, 2003 BOB SANSEVERE: Time nearing for Twins to sell, not buy BOB SANSEVERE Pioneer Press Columnist Monday was a rare day for the Twins because they didn't lose a game. Of course, it helped that they didn't play a game, either. Major League Baseball is taking a three-day break to play the All-Star Game in Chicago tonight. That means the Twins will do something they haven't done in more than a month. They will not lose a game for three consecutive days. The Twins have gotten so bad they no longer represent the Twin Cities. They represent the twin pities ? misery and suffering. For the record, which, by the way, is five games under .500, the Twins have lost eight in a row, 12 of 13 and 22 of 28. Those numbers are more frightening than the thought of Ted Kennedy in a Speedo. The Twins are so desperate they have gotten both silly and superstitious. Acknowledging they haven't been able to win with hitting, pitching and fielding, many of them pulled up their pants legs for Sunday's game. Instead of doing that, they should try pulling their heads out from wherever they're lodged. The next thing you know, the front office will be announcing voodoo doll night and a promotion where the first 3,000 fans to do an incantation get in free. If you're scoring, the pants-leg strategy didn't do the trick. The Twins lost 8-3 to Anaheim. Then again, if they hadn't hiked up their pants legs, maybe they would have lost 18-3. The Twins are getting to the point where they should make some trades. We're not talking about acquiring veterans. We're talking about dumping veterans. The window to trade for somebody who can make this team better has just about closed. The Twins are 7? games behind Kansas City in the AL Central and also trail the White Sox by one-half game. If the Twins continue their plunge into the abyss during an eight-game homestand that begins Thursday against Oakland, general manager Terry Ryan needs to go from buyer to seller. Several teams can use closers, and Eddie Guardado would generate interest. Guardado is valuable to the Twins if they're in a pennant race; if they're not, he's expendable because his contract is up after the season and there's no assurance he will be back next year. Pitchers Rick Reed and Kenny Rogers also could be trade fodder, assuming there are teams that feel either of them can resurrect before the season is over. Another Twin who might interest teams is Doug Mientkiewicz. He's eligible for arbitration after the season and the Twins aren't likely to want to pay him what he thinks he's worth. If you're a pennant-chasing team with plenty of power in your lineup but need a Gold Glove-caliber first baseman, Mientkiewicz is worth pursuing. Chances are, the Twins would listen to any offers that involved talented young prospects who pitch or play shortstop or second base. They need prospects at short and second to push and eventually replace the underachieving tandem playing those positions now, Cristian Guzman and Luis Rivas. Guzman and Rivas also could be available if Ryan went into sell mode, though there isn't a huge demand for middle infielders who would have a tough time getting fired up by a blowtorch. Manager Ron Gardenhire was so annoyed by Guzman's lazy play that he pulled him from the starting lineup this past weekend's three-game series against Anaheim. Gardenhire needed to send a stern message that Guzman can't slack off and expect to play. But when the Twins' healthy body count dwindled, Gardenhire used him off the bench Friday and Sunday. It weakened the message. When a team is in a tailspin, nothing works out the way it should. -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- I'd like to get Doug Mientkiewicz but he plays 1st base, so I don't know if it would be possible.
July 15, 200322 yr Get Douggy! Naw, he is in the same basic situation that Lee is in, we would lose him after the season.
July 15, 200322 yr Doug would be sweet - he's from Miami so he might be interested - also went to my school! (Alex Rodriguez was my teacher's aide in 1st grade...)
July 15, 200322 yr Doug only makes $1.75 million this year. He could see a raise through arbitration maybe up to $4 or 5 million.
July 15, 200322 yr I like him, only one drawback. He's a Nole :censored :censored :censored :censored :censored :guillotine
July 15, 200322 yr I know we tried to get Jaque Jones so i think the Marlins will go after him first then maybe Doug...
July 15, 200322 yr I like him, only one drawback. He's a Nole :censored :censored :censored :censored :censored :guillotine Get over it :lol He was on the 2000 Olympic Team I believe, or was that the 1996 team?
July 15, 200322 yr I know we tried to get Jaque Jones so i think the Marlins will go after him first then maybe Doug... when did we try to get JJ? I love the guy but I must have missed that article.
July 15, 200322 yr Author Yeah I wouldn't get rid of lee to get Mientkiewicz. The only upside to Mientkiewicz is he hits for better average. Anyone know if he's ever played outfield?
July 15, 200322 yr when did we try to get JJ? I love the guy but I must have missed that article. It was this past off season but i dont think they posted an article....
July 15, 200322 yr Doug only makes $1.75 million this year. He could see a raise through arbitration maybe up to $4 or 5 million. very true we can offer him y dont the Marlins make this trade... TRADE : Twins get : Derrek Lee , Brad Penny , and player to be name later Marlins get : Doug Mientkiewicz , and cash or this one TRADE : Twins get : Brad Penny , and Prospect Marlins get : Jaque Jones
July 15, 200322 yr We won't have Lee next year, who are the possible replacements? We need to gets some names.
July 15, 200322 yr very true we can offer him y dont the Marlins make this trade... TRADE : Twins get : Derrek Lee , Brad Penny , and player to be name later Marlins get : Doug Mientkiewicz , and cash or this one TRADE : Twins get : Brad Penny , and Prospect Marlins get : Jaque Jones Neither is happening during the regular season.
July 15, 200322 yr No one said during this season. We could trade in the offseason. DLee wouldn't go to the twins.
July 15, 200322 yr We won't have Lee next year, who are the possible replacements? We need to gets some names. Perhaps, Kevin Young he isnt playing much or the pirates will Randall Simon there, i cant think of any names right now.
July 15, 200322 yr I know we tried to get Jaque Jones so i think the Marlins will go after him first then maybe Doug... Jacque Jones is trash...Id take Pierre over him.
July 15, 200322 yr when did we try to get JJ? I love the guy but I must have missed that article. Think that was mostly wishful thinking by Ramp. Never read anything serious about the Marlins looking to get him.
July 15, 200322 yr Perhaps, Kevin Young he isnt playing much or the pirates will Randall Simon there, i cant think of any names right now. Kevin Young stinks. I take it no one thinks Jason Stokes will be ready, right?
July 15, 200322 yr Kevin Young stinks. I take it no one thinks Jason Stokes will be ready, right? Hes two years away....Hopefully they promote him to AA soon...this Tom Merkle kid is tearing up Greensboro. I want to see what he can do in the pitching heavy FSL.
July 15, 200322 yr very true we can offer him y dont the Marlins make this trade... TRADE : Twins get : Derrek Lee , Brad Penny , and player to be name later Marlins get : Doug Mientkiewicz , and cash or this one TRADE : Twins get : Brad Penny , and Prospect Marlins get : Jaque Jones Pude07, where the hell do you get these CRAZY trades that make NO sense? Since when did the Twins have the Money to take on Lee and Penny's salaries, plus give us cash? Plus, we could get Jones for just Brad Penny. The most realistic trade wouldn't include any Marlin major leaguers, and if it did, they would be low key that didn't really help the team.
July 15, 200322 yr very true we can offer him y dont the Marlins make this trade... TRADE : Twins get : Derrek Lee , Brad Penny , and player to be name later Marlins get : Doug Mientkiewicz , and cash or this one TRADE : Twins get : Brad Penny , and Prospect Marlins get : Jaque Jones Pude07, where the hell do you get these CRAZY trades that make NO sense? Since when did the Twins have the Money to take on Lee and Penny's salaries, plus give us cash? Plus, we could get Jones for just Brad Penny. The most realistic trade wouldn't include any Marlin major leaguers, and if it did, they would be low key that didn't really help the team. a second this....besides dont trade lee, the guy is money now
Join the conversation
You can post now and register later. If you have an account, sign in now to post with your account.
Note: Your post will require moderator approval before it will be visible.