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Bill Smith's Mid-Season Grade |
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Written by CoreyEttinger
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Thursday, 17 July 2008 01:34 |
1) Lets Torii Hunter walk; I'd call this a good move as Hunter certainly doesn't justify the money he's making.
2) Lets Carlos Silva walk: Very good, very easy move.
3) Trades Jason Bartlett, Matt Garza, and Eduardo Morlan for Delmon Young, Brendan Harris, and Jason Pridie: Definitely looks like a loss so far. I didn't like the deal at the time, and I still don't like it too much now. That said, Young, for all of his struggles has hit very well since Mid-May and at 22 its FAR too early to give up on him. Certainly most peoples expectations were crazy for him, but thats on the fans for not doing their homework and realizing who he really was. But here's the thing - weren't the fans the ones begging for the FO to deal off some young pitching for a quality bat? Well, Smith took a big swing, and so far he and Delmon and have missed with this one. But there's another 5-8 years between any sort of definitiveness with this trade.
4) Trades Johan Santana for Carlos Gomez, Philip Humber, Kevin Mulvey, and Deolis Guerra: Johan leaving was pretty much a foregone conclusion, but this certainly could've been handled better. Had Smith acted quicker and taken a more firm line in his dealings, odds are there was a better offer to be had. That said, the haul from the Mets isn't THAT bad. Gomez has certainly shown flashes of what he might someday be. Of course the problem is that what he is right now is slightly below league average at center field, but I suppose league average for a 22 year old isn't too shabby.
Humber looks like a total dud and has gotten creamed at AAA whether in the bullpen or the rotation. But Mulvey looks very promising and could have a chance with the big-league club this September or next year. Guerra at 19 is struggling to make the adjustments the Twins coaches would like at High-A ball, but still has plenty of promise as a future middle/top-end guy.
In the meantime, the Twins clearly correctly graded their own young pitching and knew they'd be capable this season and that, for the most part, they could afford to suffer the loss of a Johan and Silva (400 very good IP last year). And for the most part, they've been right. Kevin Slowey, Scott Baker, and Nick Blackburn have all been very solid and Glen Perkins looks like he can be a capable back-end guy.
5) Signing Mike Lamb: Definite bust, and one that hurts even more with his contract being for two years with an option for a third. However I dont recall anyone complaining about the signing very much earlier this year. I think even those that didn't particularly like the deal still thought he'd be a solid option against righties. I for one still have confidence in Lamb given his track record, but with the way Brian Buscher has been playing, it'll be difficult for him to get much playing time again.
6) Signing Adam Everett: The Twins knew they had a hole at short stop coming in to 2008 having traded away Jason Bartlett. In Everett the team hoped to land a top-end defender at a critical position. The problem is that Everett never really looked quite right and has spent most of the year on the diabled list with a balky shoulder that hindered his ability to throw and hit. Thankfully to say this was just a one year deal with minimal negative consequences.
7) Trades for and signs Craig Monroe: The Twins needed a backup outfielder and wanted right-handed pop at the plate, Monroe filled both needs, albeit at a price that was probably a bit too high given that there were other available options.
8) Resigning Michael Cuddyer: Cuddyer had been a leader both on and off the field for the Twins for a number of years, though his offensive output from 2006 was clearly a fluke. He still provides a capable bat and solid defense in right field. He's nothing special, but he's a solid contributor and a necessary right-handed bat in the lineup.
9) Resigns Justin Morneau: Looks solid so far. The power is down, but in my eyes, he's the most complete hitter he's ever been.
10) Resigns Joe Nathan: I didn't like the move then and I dont really like it now. But Nathan has continued to be himself and is a HUGE part of why we are where we are competing) today. And when you compare his deal to the one that Brad Lidge just signed, heck, it looks like a steal.
11) Signs Livan Hernandez: I was hugely critical of the move this spring but its worked out very nicely all things considered. Livan certainly isn't an ace and he's seen some struggles, but he's also been a solid contributor to a rotation that had to slog through a number of early season injuries. He's certainly earned his paychecks, even if he wont likely earn any more of them after this season.
12) Calls up Alexi Casilla despite his poor hitting in the minors: Brilliant.
13) Claims Craig Breslow Off Waivers: Breslow has been very solid as another lefty option out of the bullpen.
14) Calls up Brian Buscher: Another solid call-up that has helped spark the team. Of course it also begs the question of why they bothered to sign Mike amb with Buscher available.
15) DFA's Juan Rincon: Thank God.
16) Used three first round picks to nab a toolsy high school switch hitting center fielder, a college reliever, and a high school starter.
Yeah, Smith has made his share of poor moves, but its been a long ways from a disaster, and there's a lot more upside in his moves (Young, Gomez, Guerra, Mulvey, Hunt, Gutierrez, Hicks) than downside (Johan, Hunter, Silva, Rincon, Bartlett, Garza, Morales) in the guys he lost.
Actually, looking over that list of guys we lost, I dont see anyone who could've helped this club a lot this year. Garza over Hernandez being one. Bartlett perhaps at short. Hunter could've helped in center, but rationally that was never a realistic possibility.
I wasn't impressed by his handling of the 40-man roster this winter though. We lost a lot of guys to the Rule V draft. Again. In general, this has been a problem for the last two GM's.
In the end however, a GM's job is always to make money for his owner. Pure and simple. It isn't about winning, though that does typically help make more money, and in that regard, Smith has been great in that he's been able to suffer three pretty big losses in Silva, Johan, and Hunter - shed payroll, get better for the future, and win more. Thats about as good as it gets. |
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Asdubal hits, Carmona checks the hip. |
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Written by CoreyEttinger
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Tuesday, 24 June 2008 23:12 |
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In his first game since being sent down to AAA, struggling second baseman Asdrubal Cabrera went 3-4 with a homerun. Cabrera is a very talented twenty two year old whos talent brought him quickly to the Major Leagues, and not surprisingly, his youth has also made him susceptible to the struggles that are so common for players rushed onto the scene. Cabrera reached AAA at the tender age of 19, and struggled there too. Sent down to AA he blossomed but to date, has yet to prove his bat above that level over a full season. Cabrera should be more than capable of handling AAA pitching so hopefully his stay will be a short one. In pitching related news, Fausto Carmona is getting his hip checked out after reporting soreness in his first rehab start. It shouldn't delay him too long, but its worth keeping an eye on. |
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Sheffield in, Larish out. |
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Written by CoreyEttinger
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Tuesday, 24 June 2008 21:12 |
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The Tigers have activated designated hitter Gary Sheffield from the disabled list and he will start and bat seventh tonight for the team. To make room for Sheffield, the Tigers optioned first baseman/outfielder Jeff Larish back to AAA. Larish is a powerful lefty bat who clubbed 28 homeruns in 454 AA at-bats last year and has 16 in just 191 AAA at-bats this season. At 26, Larish is a bit long in the tooth, but he certainly has plenty of time left and should get another opportunity this year. If not before roster expansion, then certainly once that occurs. While Larish does have good power, he'll need to work on both his eye and his contact to stick. |
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Royals Claim Robinson Tejada, Move John Bale to 60-Day DL |
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Written by CoreyEttinger
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Tuesday, 24 June 2008 20:58 |
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The Royals today claimed right handed pitcher Robinson Tejada off waivers from the Texas Rangers. Tejada was once a capable middle of the rotation starter during his time with the Phillies, but has seen his numbers slide across the board since coming to the American League in 2006. Last year he started 19 games for the Rangers while posting a garish 6.61 ERA. This season he has been limited in the Ranger bullpen, pitching just six innings while allowing six earned runs. Its not likely that he has much left to offer, but a pitching starved Royals team will give him a shot to see if he has anything left. Tejada could be used either in long-relief or as a 5th starter. To make room for Tejada, the Royals moved John Bale to the 60-day disabled list from the 15-day disabled list. According to an MLB.com article, Bale was originally on the disabled list for shoulder fatigue, but then punched a door and broke his hand, ending his season. Brilliant. |
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Written by CoreyEttinger
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Tuesday, 24 June 2008 16:47 |
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Joe Mauer has passed Boston Red Sox catcher Jason Varitek for the lead in voting for who will start the all-star game at catcher for the American League. Mauer is currently second in hitting in the AL, trailing both Milton Bradley and Alex Rodriguez by precisely 1 point. |
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