Jul/092
Twins After Sanchez And Capps
Jon Paul Morosi (Fox Sports) is reporting the Minnesota Twins are in discussions with the Pittsburgh Pirates about acquiring second baseman Freddy Sanchez and relievers Matt Capps and John Grabow. The Twins may not be able to land all three players, but would like Sanchez and at least one of the two relievers.
The Twins are having late-inning relief problems and have a hole at second base, so it makes sense they are targeting Sanchez and Capps. Alexi Casilla failed to keep his job at second base this season by playing poorly, and was sent down to AAA Rochester — twice this year. Nick Punto and Matt Tolbert are currently splitting time at second base, but are both hitting around .200.
Sanchez is batting .316 this year and would be an ideal hitter for the number 2 spot in the Twin’s batting order in front of Denard Span and behind Joe Mauer. Sanchez’s contract includes a $8 million option for next year that vests after 635 plate appearances or 600 plate appearances plus an All-Star appearance. If the club declines its option, he’ll receive a $600,000 buyout.
Capps has an ERA of 4.88, as the closer for the Pirates, but can be a hard throwing late-inning relief pitcher for the Twins. He will provide much needed help for Matt Guerrier and Jose Mijares.
Grabow would be their next target for late-inning relief if they are not able to acquire Capps in some sort of deal. Gabrow is currently the Pirates’ set-up man, with 14 holds and an ERA of 3.75. It is possible that the Twins could acquire both pitchers.
No names have been mentioned from the Twins as trade candidates to acquire such players from the Pirates. The Pirates presumably would like young prospects in return that are either ready or soon-to-be-ready. We would expect that infielders Casilla and Matt Tolleson are being considered.
The Twins are not the only team interested in Sanchez. At least Boston, Seattle, Cincinnati and San Francisco could be looking at acquiring the versatile Sanchez to play third base.
Jul/090
The Percy Harvin Song
Youtube: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=X5hl23d0Ygw
Minnesota Sports Zone’s Nam Huynh raps about Percy Harvin to the beat of “Crank Dat by Soulja Boy”. The lyrics can be found in the video description in the video link provided.
Jul/090
Twins Interested In 16-Year-Old Shortstop
Charley Walters (Pioneer Press) and his little birdie is reporting that the Minnesota Twins are interested in 16-year-old Dominican Republic prospect shortstop Miguel Sano. Today is the first day signings are allowed for free-agent international players, and he is considered the top international prospect available this year. Sano is not yet eligible until he gets approved by Major League Baseball and has his age confirmed.
Apparently, the Twins, who are considered a final suitor, have been working out and evaluating Sano at their Dominican Republic baseball academy for the last seven months and have a good relationship with him and his family. Walters says the Twins project Sano as a third baseman, because he has size and hits for power.
Update (4/3): According to La Velle E. Neal III (Star Tribune), the Twins made an offer to the shortstop — pending an age verification from Major League Baseball. If Sano lied about his age, he would be ineligible to sign with any team for a year. Any person 18 or under can be considered a prospect.
Jul/090
Twins Demote Henn And Recall Duensing
The Twins demoted pitcher Sean Henn to Triple-A Rochester and will recall left-hander Brian Duensing. Duensing is expected to be ready for the series opener verses the Detroit Tigers.
Henn struggled after earning his promotion last month with an ERA of 7.15 in 14 appearances with the Twins.
Duensing, 26, was 4-6 with an ERA of 4.66 in 13 starts for Rochester. He made his major league debut with the Twins on April 10, when he pitched three innings and allowed two runs on two hits in his only appearance versus the White Sox. He was then optioned to Rochester on April 13.
Jul/090
Timberwolves To Interview Monty Williams
Trail Blazers assistant coach Monty Williams told the Oregonian today, that will interview for the Minnesota Timberwolves head coaching position, perhaps as early as this weekend. It is confirmed that the Timberwolves have received permission to interview Williams.
“I’m flattered,” Williams said. “I’m someone who wants to be a part of a rebuilding process. But at the same time, I’m still a Blazer. So, there’s initial excitement, but in reality, nothing has changed. I’m looking forward to the process.”
Williams, 37, has been an assistant in Portland for the past four seasons after spending one year as an intern at San Antonio. Williams had played 10 seasons in the NBA before knee problems forced him to retire in 2003.
Jul/090
Rubio Could Re-Enter Draft
Henry Abbott (ESPN) is reporting Ricky Rubio can sit out a year, and re-enter next year’s draft.
According to the collective bargaining agreement, the Timberwolves hold Rubio’s NBA rights as long as they make him an offer, and he plays professional ball in some FIBA-sanctioned league, which is just about all of the leagues he’d consider playing in.
Now all of that would not matter if Rubio pays the $6.6 million buyout from his Spanish club’s contract and sit out a full year. By not playing in a full year of any FIBA-sanctioned league, the Timberwolves’ rights to Rubio is nullified.
Rubio’s only chance of playing in the NBA this year, is if he puts on a Timberwolf uniform or hopes Timberwolves President David Kahn receives an amazing trade offer he cannot refuse. Rubio cannot threaten to stay and play in Europe, because he Kahn said from the beginning that he will be patient and wait a year or two for Rubio, if necessary.
So yes, Rubio could technically re-enter next year, but Abbott said it right, “Clearly, this is an illogical move. To leave his Spanish team, he’d still have a buyout, only now coupled with almost no income at all.”
Jul/090
Three Twins Leave Game With Injuries
The Minnesota Twins left the final game of the Kansas City series with injuries to catcher Mike Redmond, first baseman Justin Morneau and infielder Nick Punto. Redmond left in the 5th inning when he was struck in the right forearm, and was replaced by Jose Morales. Redmond’s x-ray was negative and was listed as day-to-day following the game.
Morneau and Punto’s injuries were seemingly minor and were pulled more for precautionary measures, with already a 3 to 1 lead. In the seventh inning, Morneau was replaced by Brian Buscher and Punto was replaced by Brendon Harris. Morneau left with tightness in the left groin, while Punto left with tightness in his lower back. Punto’s injury does not seem to be unrelated to his rib injury he got last week while sliding to first base.
The Twins have a day off tomorrow, so Morneau and Punto will have a day to rest their injuries.
Jul/090
No Big Moves Expected In Free-Agency
The Minnesota Timberwolves are expected to have at least $8 million under the $58.7 million salary cap for the beginning of free-agency, but are not expected to make any big signings. The Wolves have Rodney Carney, Jason Collins, Kevin Ollie and Shelden Williams as unrestricted free-agents who can sign anywhere. Most, if not all of their unrestricted free-agents are not expected to return to the club. Carney may draw at least some internal discussion, after having a career year as the Wolves sixth-man in their rotation last year.
The Timberwolves could look to sign guard Ben Gordon, 26, since they have a gaping hole at the 2 position on their roster. But Gordon is expected to command a very big contract, and would likely sign with a team that could win a championship now.
The general consensus is that teams are looking at saving money for the 2010 free-agency, with the summer of Dwyane Wade, Chris Bosh, Amare Stoudemire, Paul Pierce, Ray Allen, Tyson Chandler, Manu Ginobili, Richard Jefferson, Joe Johnson, Tracy McGrady, Yao Ming, Steve Nash, Dirk Nowitzki and Michael Redd, each of whom can become an unrestricted free agent in 2010.
The Timberwolves’ buyer status in the summer of 2010 will be based upon how well they progress in the 2009 season. If they can show promise or even make a strong run at a play-off appearance, I would not be surprised if they look at players such as a Dwayne Wade.
Jul/090
Barkley: Wolves Should Hire Harris
Charles Barkley posted on his website (sircharlesincharge.com), pitching for the Timberwolves to hire the 72 year old Del Harris as head coach. Barkley believes that since the Timberwolves have such a young team, they need experience and leadership in their head coach hmmm — sounds familiar.
Barkley: “Harris just turned 72. Let him work with these young cats for the next two seasons while he grooms one of his assistants to take over for him.”
Marc Stein (ESPN) reports Wolves President David Kahn is assembling a very long list of candidatesfor the head coaching job. Candidates who are presumed to be on the list are Mark Jackson, Sam Mitchell, Bill Laimbeer, Kurt Rambis and Brian Shaw.
Jul/090
Timberwolves Summer-League Roster
Jerry Zgoda (Star Tribune) posted the Timberwolves Summer-League roster in the Star’s Wolves blog. You’ll see Charlotte’s 12th round-pick Gerald Henderson on the roster, but only because Charlotte will not have a Summer-League team this year.
22 Corey Brewer, F (6-9 188), Florida, 2nd year
1 Bobby Brown, G (6-2 175), Cal State Fullerton, 1
23 Pat Carroll, G/F (6-5 190), St. Joseph’s R
19 Wayne Ellington, G (6-4 200), North Carolina R
11 Jonny Flynn, G (6-0 185), Syracuse R
17 Devin Green, G (6-7 212), Hampton 1
12 Paul Harris, G/F, (6-4 230) Syracuse R
15 Gerald Henderson, G (6-4 215), Duke R
51 Steven Hill, C (7-0 248) Arkansas 1
31 Rob Kurz, F (6-9 232) Notre Dame 1
4 Oleksiy Pecherov, F (7-0 234) Ukraine 2
20 Garrett Siler, C (6-11 305) Augusta State R
7 Ben Woodside, G (5-11 185) North Dakota State R
It was Brewer’s decision to play on the Summer-League team this year. It’s a good decision, considering he missed most of last season due to an injury.
Minnesota Sports Zone Blog
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