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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.

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 Miquel 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.

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.

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.

Tolleson’s Majors Debut Could Be Near

Todd Shansey (Go Upstate) is reporting the Twins may have considered calling up Steve Tolleson over the past week.  Tolleson was recently promoted from the AA club to AAA Rochester and can play second, short and third base.

“Minnesota Twins utility player Nick Punto, battling a rib injury, had missed several days in a row. Rumors were flying that they were thinking about bringing up Spartanburg native Tolleson, batting .320 in triple-A, to take that roster spot.”

This is rumor I can believe.  Tolleson is doing great in the minors and can play multiple positions.

Alexi Casilla (who some may consider the first option) batted a measly .180 in 34 games (111 at-bats) while with the Twins this year. During his two stints this year, Casilla made many bone-headed plays on defense and seems unfocused to deserve another promotion in the near future.

Click here to check out his minor league stats.

Senne Likely To Turn Down Offer

Twins 32nd round pick Aaron Senne is likely to turn down the Twins’ current contract offer, and return to Missouri for his senior year. Apparently, the Twins offer is lower than he expected.  The door is not completely shut, and his final decision can obviously change if the Twins can up the ante on their current offer.

Senne had also turned down the Twins three years ago, when he was taken out of high school but chose to play college baseball.

Twins Add $4 Million To Debt Account For Stadium

Aaron Kuriloff (Bloomberg) reports the Minnesota Twins transferred $4 million to a debt-service fund for Target Field after high interest drained an account devoted to paying off bonds.  The account originally had enough to pay for debt service all the way until the stadium was scheduled to open in April 2010.  Because of the credit market in 2008 and with 60 percent of the team’s debt carrying variable rates, the interest is exposed to rising interest costs.

This latest update should resolve the problem up until when the new ballpark opens.

After the transfer, the account “will likely be sufficient to pay debt service approximately until the projected opening date,” the report said. The rating service affirmed BBB- ratings on $40 million in bonds due in 2021 and $20 million in bonds due 2023, one level above high-yield, high-risk junk bond status.

This stadium update will not affect the transition to the new ballpark.  The team still has 20% of their stadium’s luxury seats available for the season and are still looking for more corporate sponsorships that will be put towards the remaining bonds.

AL Central Updates

Cleveland Indians
- The Indians traded Mark DeRosa to the Cardinals, and activated Asdrubal Cabrera from the 15-day DL.  Indians could be trading more, as they are in selling mode with the worst record in the American League this season.
- Manager Eric Wedge is not on the hot seat, according to the team GM.  Nonetheless, we still feel his job is on the line.
- Apparently fans are losing interest in the Indians.

Chicago White Sox
- The White Sox are contemplating on closer Bobby Jenks’ future with the club. They need to decide whether they should lock the 28-year-old to a long term deal or trade him at peak value to teams such as the Angels, Yankees, Rangers, Cardinals, Phillies, Metsand Brewers.  Jenks converted 135 saves in 153 opportunities thus far while with the White Sox. 
- Jose Contreras is pitching fine as of late, and could be dealt before the trade deadline.  This is not surprising, because the White Sox have been putting him on and off the trade block for the past three years.
- Looks like phenom shortstop prospect Gordon Beckham has overtaken Josh Fields for the everyday job at third base.  Fields has been used in a utility role lately, playing at third, second and first.

Detroit Tigers
- The Tigers put Nate Robinson in the DL, calling his injury a “mass in his pitching elbow”.  They called up left-handed reliever Fu-Te Ni to take his roster spot.
- Pitcher Alfredo Figaro has been sent down and called up left-hander Luke French.  Figaro, who pitched his first major league game on June 20, gave up 10 hits and seven runs in the Tigers’ 8-1 loss to the Houston Astros on Friday night.  French will start Friday against the Twins.
- Magglio Ordoñez cut his hair, and will put it up on eBay, where he will give proceeds to a charity for kids.  Looks like he is looking for a fresh new start.  Ordoñez is batting .242 for the month of June.

Kansas City Royals
- Sidney Ponson is banned from international competition for using a banned stimulant while playing for the Dutch squad.  The stimulant he used is a weight loss drug, but a banned substance nonetheless.
- Kyle Farnsworth has been placed in the DL with a right goin strain.  They recall lefty starter Bruce Chen to take his place.
- Joakim Soria has launched a personal website.  http://www.joakimsoria48.com.  Speaking of Sora, Jon Heyman (SI.com) reported the Florida Marlins had inquired about the Royals Closer.  Royals are saying the reliever is not available.

Little Interest For Ayala

After the Twins demoted Luis Ayala and called up Bobby Keppel, Twins Manager Ron Gardenhire ranted about Ayala and his demand to be traded.  Ayala wanted to get more set-up opportunities, but after posting an 4.18 ERA in 28 appearances, Gardenhire wasn’t going to give in.

Reports had the Pirates interested in trading for the right-hander, but did not want to pay the rest of his salary ($700,000) for the season.  The Angels, in great need for relief help, have been linked to Ayala, but have indicated they were not interested.

Ayala will most likely fall through the waiver wire, and could sign with any team (cashing all of the $1.3 million check from the Twins).  It is hard to say if any team would want to sign him, especially after what Gardenhire had to say about him.  The Ayala market is definitely quiet right now, and it would not be surprising if he doesn’t land another MLB contract this year.  Teams with multiple injuries and desperate for relief help could be his only hope.

Keppel had a solid first outing for the Twins.  He pitched four scoreless innings and gave up just two hits.

Crede Was A Bargain

The Star Tribune posted an interesting article, comparing potential third basemans we could have acquired, to the signing of Joe Crede.  The article compared the salaries and stats of Adrian Beltre, Casey Blake, Mark DeRosa and Crede.  Besides the lower batting average, Crede has been just as productive as the other third basemen, especially with his golden-glove type defense.

JOE CREDE TWINS
Stats: .232-11-35
Salary: One-year, $2.5 million with incentives that could make it $7 million.
How it’s working out: It’s not surprising that Crede has missed a few games. What’s surprising is that most of his days off haven’t been related to his twice-surgically-repaired back. FieldTurf at the Dome hasn’t been kind to his body. His power bat helps deepen the lineup. The more he stays on the field, the more chances he can put a swing on the ball like he did Thursday in Milwaukee, when he homered. DeRosa and his power would have been a nice fit, but Crede was a good bargain and the best thing the Twins have had at third since Corey Koskie.

The article makes an interesting point about DeRosa, stating DeRosa could have filled in for the slumping Alexi Casilla, had they been able to acquire him.  Well, the past is the past and there is no point dwelling over it.  But speaking of DeRosa, he was traded to St. Louis for a right-handed reliever Chris Perez and a player to be named.  He is expected to be in uniform Sunday for the Cardinals against the Twins, and will wear #7.

Note: The Twins have agreed to terms with their 14th-round pick from this year’s draft, lefthander Matt Tone from Cal State-Stanislaus.