Big Move by Twins

Twins general manager Bill Smith made his first big move (of many I am sure) on Wednesday. The Twins dealt the Tampa Bay Devil Rays right-handed pitcher Matt Garza, shortstop Jason Bartlett and minor league pitcher Eduardo Morlan in exchange for outfielder Delmon Young, shortstop Brendan Harris and minor league outfielder Jason Pridie.

"Coming into the offseason it was critical that we improve our offense. We certainly lost a piece last week with Torii (Hunter) going to Anaheim," Smith said. "For the last month we've been discussing this deal, and (Young) was the bat out there that we felt was the best for this club.

This Twins fan hopes Young turns out to better than Torii so all of the whining Twins fans that thought Torii hung the moon will shut up and move on. Young finished second in the American League rookie of the year voting after appearing in all 162 games. He batted .288 with 13 home runs, 38 doubles, 93 runs batted in, a .316 on-base percentage. Young will be under the Twins' contractual control through 2012.

Twins start Wacky Season

I have to admit I am a huge NASCAR fan – I should probably start a Nascar blog! Anyway in Nascar we have something called Wacky Season where drivers switch teams and owners and sponsors and you never know who is going where and after the dust settles even the sharpest of Nascar fans have to buy a press guide in order to figure who went where. I feel like MLB has entered their wacky season and the Twins are in the thick of it. Trading players, thinking about trading players, planning on trading players you name it, but mark my words Torii Hunter was just the beginning of the Twins Wacky Season. Stay tuned Twins fans!

Torii at the Metrodome

I was just looking at the 2008 Minnesota Twins Schedule and realized that Torii Hunter will be on the Metrodome turf on opening day of the Twins season. Granted he will be in an Angels uniform and will be sitting in the visitors dug out, but Twins fans wanted Torii there on opening day and they will get him. I wonder what the reaction will be? I am pretty sure I am in the minority of Twins fans when I say that I don’t think Torii is all that and I certainly won’t be giving the greedy outfielder a standing ovation.

11/23 Torrii Hunter signs with the Angels

Minnesota Twins centerfielder Torii Hunter signed a five year deal with the Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim. The Associated Press reported that the deal is worth $90 million.

"These guys shocked me," Hunter said of the Angels deal that came quickly together. I wanted to play with these guys. For me, they were one of the teams I was looking at, but I didn't know if they were looking at me. We shocked the world. Now I'm an Angel. I'm going to hopefully finish my career as a Halo, and hopefully get about three [World Series] rings out of this thing."

I have to admit I thought Hunter was destined for Chicago or Texas, not the sunny beaches of California. Hunter will be missed by Minnesota Twins fans. He was definitely one of the reasons to buy a Twins Ticket.

Happy Thanksgiving

Happy Thanksgiving Minnesota Twins fans! Things to be thankful for this year?? My family, my friends, my work and the fact that Justin Morneau will be back at the Metrodome next season.

Twins receive Craig Morgan

The Minnesota Twins acquired outfielder Craig Monroe from the Chicago Cubs for a player to be named. Monroe is coming off a disappointing season, during which he batted .219, hit 12 home runs and drove in 58 runs one season after batting .255, with 28 homers and 92 RBIs. New Twins GM Bill Smith thinks Monroe will bounce back and thinks Monroe will help the Twins lacking offense. The deal seems a little odd to me since Monroe was paid over 4 million last year and baseball rules only allow a 20 percent pay cut. I see the Twins redoing the contract or perhaps just releasing him if they can snag someone better. Perhaps Monroe is just the “safety net” for the Minnesota Twins once they kiss Hunter good-bye.

Torii Bidding War

Centerfielder Torii Hunter is sure to bring home a nice wage the next few years as several MLB teams are bidding for his commitment. The Chicago White Sox remain serious about acquiring the center fielder with a free-agent contract that could reach $80 million over five years. The New York Yankees, Texas Rangers and Kansas City Royals also are expected to be bidders. Hmmmm…I hope the release of Hunter and doesn’t turn out like the release of Kevin Garnett. The Boston Celtics are undefeated and the Timberwolves haven’t won a game yet. Ouch.

Mets looking at Carlos Silva

The Twins pitchers seem to be at the forefront of all Twins rumors (now that Torii is basically gone). It is rumored that the New York Mets are looking at Twins Pitcher Carlos Silva. The Twins probably won’t be able to afford him and it is rumored Silva could end up with a $40 million, four-year deal from the New York Mets or even the Chicago Cubs.

Twins Rumor Mill – Johan Santana

Word around the Twins baseball rumor mill is that the Twins will be forced to trade pitcher Johan Santana this winter because they can't afford the $140 million he would be expected to command over seven years as a free agent after next season. Johan has been the Twins “Ace” and has led the team in wins and strikeouts for several years – he will be irreplaceable for sure. I think I will have to scratch off the number 57 Twins jersey that’s on my Christmas list.