twins/mlb
Joe Christensen, the Star Tribune's national baseball reporter, has covered the big leagues since 1998. A Faribault native, he graduated from the University of Minnesota in 1996. Before working for the Star Tribune, he spent three years covering the Orioles for the Baltimore Sun. He also covered the Padres and Dodgers for newspapers in Southern California. He'll share his thoughts here on the Twins and all things baseball.
Twins add eight to 40-man roster, including Gibson and Hicks
Posted by: Joe Christensen under Twins offense, Twins pitching Updated: November 20, 2012 - 4:32 PM
The Twins added two former first-round draft picks to their 40-man roster Tuesday, in Kyle Gibson and Aaron Hicks, with plans to bring each to spring training next year.
Tuesday was the deadline for teams to add players to the 40-man, protecting those eligible from the Dec. 6 Rule 5 draft. Beyond Gibson and Hicks, the Twins added six others: catcher Josmil Pinto, shortstop Daniel Santana, starting pitcher B.J. Hermsen and relievers Michael Tonkin, Caleb Thielbar and Tim Wood.
The 40-man roster is now full.
Gibson, 25, the No. 22 overall pick in the 2009 draft, will be competing for a spot in the Opening Day rotation. He had Tommy John ligament-replacement surgery on his right elbow Sept. 7, 2011, but proved he was healthy by going 3-2 with a 5.40 ERA in the Arizona Fall League.
Hicks, 23, was the No. 14 overall pick in the 2008 draft. He probably won’t start next April with the big league club, but he’ll be a prime candidate for a mid-season promotion. He’s a well-polished center fielder and a switch-hitter, who batted .286 with 13 home runs, 32 stolen bases and an .844 OPS (on-base-plus-slugging percentage) last year at Class AA New Britain.
Santana, 22, batted .286 with eight home runs, 17 stolen bases and a .739 OPS at Class A Fort Myers.
Pinto, 23, batted .295 with 14 home runs and an .844 OPS in 105 games between Class A and Class AA.
Hermsen, 22, the team’s minor-league pitcher of the year, opened the season at Fort Myers and wound up going 11-6 with a 3.22 ERA in 22 starts for Class AA New Britain.
Tonkin, 23, who is the brother-in-law of former Twins outfielder Jason Kubel, racked up 97 strikeouts this year in 69 1/3 innings between Class A Beloit and Class A Fort Myers.
Thielbar, 25, a lefthander who pitched for the St. Paul Saints in 2011, climbed quickly through the Twins minor-league system this year and posted a 3.57 ERA in 25 appearances for Class AAA Rochester.
Wood, 30, who signed a minor-league deal with the Twins earlier this month, posted a 2.19 ERA with 21 saves for Class AAA Indianapolis (Pirates).
MINOR LEAGUE SIGNEES
The Twins also announced 10 players who’ve been signed to minor-league deals with invitations to big league camp: pitchers Samuel Deduno, Shairon Martis, Luis Perdomo, Esmerling Vasquez and P.J. Walters; outfielders Brian Dinkleman and Wilkin Ramirez; infielders James Beresford and Deibinson Romero and catcher Eric Fryer.
Twins first spring training game slated for Feb. 23
Posted by: Joe Christensen under Twins game coverage Updated: November 20, 2012 - 10:04 AMTwins pitchers and catchers will report to Fort Myers, Fla., on Feb. 12 with the first exhibition game slated for Feb. 23, the team announced today.
Those dates are earlier than most years, partly because the World Baseball Classic will be played during camp again next spring, and partly because the regular season opener comes April 1 against Detroit at Target Field.
The Twins will play 19 of their 34 spring training games at their home ballpark, Hammond Stadium, starting Feb. 24 against the Rays. Minnesota’s last Grapefruit League game will be played March 30 at Boston’s spring training site.
Here's a link to the Twins spring training schedule.
Baker agrees to sign with the Cubs; Twins wanted him back, but 2014 option was the sticking point
Posted by: Joe Christensen under Twins pitching Updated: November 13, 2012 - 11:50 AMThe Twins had interest in re-signing Scott Baker, and the righthander had interest in coming back to Minnesota, but negotiations reached a sticking point before Baker agreed to sign with the Cubs on Tuesday.
Baker's new deal with the Cubs will pay him $5.5 million guaranteed, with an additional $1.5 million in incentives, a person familiar with the contract confirmed.
Baker missed all of last season while recovering from Tommy John ligament-replacement surgery in his right elbow. The Twins declined a $9.25 million option for next year, letting him become a free agent.
Two weeks ago, Baker said the sides were making progress toward a new deal. But, according to the person familiar with his new contract, the Twins insisted on the deal including an option for 2014. Baker, 31, wanted a deal that would let him re-establish his value and then test the market again next fall.
In the end, the Twins weren't really that close, so Baker is heading to the Cubs. He went 63-48 with a 4.15 ERA in seven years with Minnesota.
The Twins are moving forward with Scott Diamond as the only starter penciled into their 2013 starting rotation.
Twins agree to terms with standout International League reliever
Posted by: Joe Christensen under Farm System, Twins pitching Updated: November 10, 2012 - 8:52 PMThe Twins signed Jared Burton and Casey Fien to minor-league deals last offseason and watched them turn into key members of this year’s bullpen. Maybe Tim Wood will do the same.
The Twins announced Saturday night that they’ve agreed to terms on a minor-league deal for Wood, who was named the International League’s best reliever this year by Baseball America.
Wood, who turns 30 next week, posted a 2.19 ERA and notched 21 saves in 54 appearances for Class AAA Indianapolis (Pirates), averaging 8.2 strikeouts and 3.0 walks per nine innings.
Two years ago, Baseball America’s scouting report on Wood said, “Despite his slender frame and unassuming appearance, Wood can run his fastball up to 94-95 mph with sink.”
He’s battled elbow and shoulder issues in his career but has shown promise when healthy. In 2009, he had a 2.82 ERA in 18 appearances for the Marlins, but over the next two years, he posted a 5.55 ERA in 39 combined appearances for the Marlins and Pirates.
The Twins also agreed to terms on a minor-league deal with catcher Eric Fryer, who batted .204 in 65 games for Class AAA Indianapolis.
Fryer, 27, has batted .267 in 16 career big league games, all with the Pirates. The Twins likely signed him to provide depth at Class AAA Rochester.
Willingham wins Silver Slugger Award
Posted by: Joe Christensen under MLB, Twins offense Updated: November 8, 2012 - 6:39 PMTwins left fielder Josh Willingham won his first career Silver Slugger Award on Thursday, an honor that goes to the best offensive players at each position.
Managers and coaches voted Willingham, Josh Hamilton and Mike Trout as the three top offensive performers among American League outfielders. In his first year with the Twins, Willingham batted .260 with 35 home runs, 110 RBI and an .890 OPS (on-base-plus slugging percentage).
Other AL Silver Slugger Awards went to A.J. Pierzynski (catcher), Prince Fielder (first base), Robinson Cano (second base), Miguel Cabrera (third base), Derek Jeter (shortstop) and Billy Butler (DH).
Early Election Day treat for Twins; spring training renovations approved
Posted by: Joe Christensen under Farm System Updated: November 6, 2012 - 11:55 AM
The Twins got the vote they wanted Tuesday morning, as the Lee County Board of Commissioners approved their renovation plans for their spring training facility in Fort Myers, Fla.
The Commissioners voted 3-1, with one abstaining, in favor of a plan that will give Hammond Stadium and the surrounding facilities a $42.5 million facelift. Under the agreement, the Twins have agreed to a new 30-year lease that would keep them in Fort Myers through 2045.
Hammond Stadium’s seating capacity will increase from 8,000 to 9,300, with wider concourses, renovated concession stands and restrooms, a 360-degree walkway for fans around the field, and more shaded areas. The outfield wall will be re-designed with the same dimensions the Twins have at Target Field.
The Twins are paying $3.9 million to build an on-site dormitory that will include 55 sleeping rooms for players and staff. The Lee County Sports Complex will feature an additional practice field, a new weight room on the major league side of the complex and add a hydrotherapy area. Besides being used for spring training, the 55 dorm rooms will house the Twins' Class A Florida State League affiliate and rookie-level Gulf Coast League affiliate, both based in Fort Myers.
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