Half of package for Santana now has been traded

The Twins have traded two of the four players they got from the Mets for Johan Santana.

By JOE CHRISTENSEN, Star Tribune

Last update: November 7, 2009 - 9:14 AM

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Friday's trade for Brewers shortstop J.J. Hardy altered the legacy of the Twins' 2008 trade of Johan Santana to the Mets.

The Santana deal originally brought center fielder Carlos Gomez and three starting pitching prospects: Phil Humber, Kevin Mulvey and Deolis Guerra.

The Twins shipped Gomez to the Brewers for Hardy after trading Mulvey to the Diamondbacks in August for reliever Jon Rauch, who is under contract for another season.

Humber spent most of the past two seasons in the minors, posting a 6.10 ERA in 13 appearances for the Twins. At age 20, Guerra remains more promising, as he went 6-3 with a 5.17 ERA after a midseason promotion to Class AA New Britain.

"I don't want to spend too much time evaluating [the Santana deal]," Twins General Manager Bill Smith said. "You can't look backwards, but we've got a young man in Guerra, who pitched in Double-A and pitched very well once we got him out of the Florida State League. We've got a key guy in our bullpen [Rauch], and we've got a regular shortstop [Hardy], so we're looking forward to 2010."

Young's role increases

By trading Gomez, the Twins signaled their intention to give Delmon Young more playing time in left field. Last season, Young often sat when Gomez played, as Denard Span moved to left field.

"I know we put Gardy in a tough spot this year, and all the players," Smith said.

Young batted .284 with 12 home runs and 60 RBI in 108 games. Before his late-season surge, there was some speculation the Twins might set him loose as a nontender.

"Absolutely, he's going to be tendered a contract," Smith said. "I know some of the numbers aren't where anyone -- especially Delmon Young -- wants them, he grew up a lot, he matured a lot, I think he became a good teammate. I know Ron Gardenhire's very high on him. I think people are optimistic Delmon has a chance to blossom, hopefully in 2010 and realize some of the great skills he has."

Lineup decision

Smith leaves all lineup decisions to Gardenhire, who couldn't be reached for comment, but it will be interesting to see where Hardy bats in the Twins lineup.

Hardy's career on-base percentage is .323, much like the .322 career OBP for outgoing No. 2 hitter Orlando Cabrera.

Hardy has made 55 percent of his 2,298 career plate appearances in the No. 2 spot, batting .272 with a .322 OBP and .467 slugging percentage. In the other eight spots in the lineup, he is batting .248 with a .325 OBP and .379 slugging.

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