Minnesota Twins

[Heatonator]

That was the best Twins game I have ever seen, and I can't believe I was there. The Dome was absolutely electric! What an epic comeback by the Twins, finishing the season without Morneau and going 17-4! 2009 AL Central Champions!!!

[MNdible]

That game was flat out ridiculous. You're so lucky to have been there!

[talindsay]

Okay, so the big thing for the Twins was to win the division - anything else happening this year would just be gravy, and is unlikely of course. I refuse to predict the ALDS result (for obvious reasons), but I will say with complete confidence that the Yankees will win today, and the Twins will win on Sunday in the Dome. Friday's game is a tough call, and I think it'll be tough for the Twins to get the series back to New York.

All right, I guess I'll call it. I'm *hoping* for Twins in 5 - which would likely involve the Yankees winning both games in New York, the Twins winning both in the Dome, and the Twins pulling an upset in the fifth game. More likely though is Yankees in 4 - winning it in the Dome on Monday. In that scenario, the Twins win on Sunday but the Yankees take the rest. let's hope the Twins win it though!

[Dream'n]

My crystal ball is cloudy with a chance of snowglobe.

[UberMoose]

Be prepared for lengthy talk about the cold weather and snow during the game on Sunday. The network guys don't know enough about anything else here to make interesting banter during the game.
I hope they showcase Target Field a little bit. I didn't see anything during the tiebreaker on Tuesday and in fact they seemed to avoid getting the stadium in any helicopter shots that they had of the downtown area. Maybe I missed something when I ran out between a couple of innings.

[kessdawg]

I noticed that they seemed to be avoiding showing it as well. Lame.

[spectre000]

With the 100 hour lighting test going on right now, it would've been perfect to showcase it.

[Heatonator]

Hopefully TBS will showcase Target Field, or at least discuss it, during Game 3 on Sunday.

[Dream'n]

I was hoping they'd have shown it again and again.

[Heatonator]

www.startribune.com/sports/twins/69381532.html

Twins trade Gomez to Brewers for shortstop Hardy

Outfielder Carlos Gomez had been with the Twins since February 2008. Nicknamed "Go-Go," he brought excitement to the team with his blazing speed and defensive skills, but also frustrated coaches and fans with his lapses.

By JOE CHRISTENSEN, Star Tribune
Last update: November 6, 2009 - 12:10 PM

With one swift move, the Twins addressed two important needs today, trading center fielder Carlos Gomez to the Brewers for former All-Star shortstop J.J. Hardy.

The move gives the Twins a shortstop to replace free agent Orlando Cabrera and clears up an outfield logjam.

Last season, Gomez shared time in the Twins outfield with Delmon Young while rotating Denard Span among the three outfield spots. But now the Twins can keep Young in left field and Span in center -- his natural position.

Hardy, 27, was an All-Star in 2007 when he slugged 27 home runs, but he slumped to .228 with 11 home runs and 47 RBI in 115 games last season for the Brewers, and even got demoted to Class AAA Nashville for a spell.

The Brewers have Alcides Escobar to replace Hardy at shortstop and needed a center fielder, since Mike Cameron is a free agent.

Hardy made $4.65 million last season and could see that salary increase beyond $6 million through arbitration. But his time in Nashville last season will prevent him from becoming a free agent until after the 2011 season.

[Heatonator]

http://www.startribune.com/sports/twins/82732302.html

Twins add Thome's bat

The brawny slugger, 12th on the career home run list, agreed to a one-year contract with the club he has victimized so often.

By JOE CHRISTENSEN, Star Tribune
Last update: January 27, 2010 - 10:06 AM

Jim Thome has smashed 57 career home runs against the Twins, more than any other opponent, but now they finally have the burly slugger on their side.

Thome, 39, agreed Tuesday to a one-year, $1.5 million contract with the Twins that includes up to $750,000 in incentives, based on plate appearances.

When the White Sox passed on Thome, the Twins saw a chance to bolster their inexperienced bench, figuring they could find enough spots for his lefthanded bat, even with Jason Kubel entrenched at designated hitter.

[UberMoose]

I always thought he would end up here at some point. He and the Twins have had a bit a bit of a lovefest for years.
I think he will help them win a few games this year. It will be fun when they have Kubel in the outfield and Thome at DH. That's a little bit of power in the line up. He will definitely help in late inning matchups and will make the other managers think twice about pitching changes in certain situations.

[Heatonator]

http://www.startribune.com/sports/twins/blogs/87107167.html

Nathan has 'significant' tear of elbow ligament; season in doubt

Posted by La Velle E. Neal III
Last update: March 9, 2010 - 9:15 AM

Closer Joe Nathan has a significant tear of the Ulnar Collateral Ligament in his right elbow, a potentially devastating blow for the four-time All-Star - as well as to a team that's dreaming of a postseason run.

The Twins announced the injury during a quickly assembled press conference inside manager Ron Gardenhire's office that also included a nervous Nathan, GM Bill Smith and pitching coach Rick Anderson.

While surgery certainly looks to be imminent, Nathan will take two weeks to let the swelling in the area subside. He'll work with the trainers to strengthen the muscles around the elbow. And then he will try to pitch. He's prepared to pitch in pain - given the huge expectations placed on the 2010 Twins - and is prepared to tests the limits of his tolerance level.

If that doesn't go well, Nathan will have surgery that will end his season.

[Heatonator]

http://www.startribune.com/sports/twins/blogs/88775872.html

Twins sign Mauer to eight-year, $184 million deal

Posted by Joe Christensen
Last update: March 21, 2010 - 5:05 PM

FORT MYERS, FLA. -- The Twins announced that they have signed Joe Mauer to an eight-year, $184 million contract, which will keep the catcher under contract through 2018.

Mauer, 26, will make $23 million each year from 2011 to 2018. The deal includes a full no-trade clause.

He is under contract for $12.5 million this year in the final year of a four-year, $33 million deal. Mauer, a three-time batting champion and reigning American League Most Valuable Player, could have become a free agent after the season.

The team plans to make the signing official on Monday at a press conference in Fort Myers, starting at 6 p.m. The team and Mauer have also said they will have no further comment until the press conference.

[Heatonator]

The Twins currently lead the majors in at-bats with the bases loaded at 47, with the second-most being that Yankees at 33.

http://mlb.mlb.com/stats/sortable_team_stats.jsp?statType=1&timeFrame=1&Submit=Submit&c_id=mlb&groupByTeam=true&sitSplit=s123&baseballScope=mlb&timeSubFrame=2010&sortByStat=AB

But they are third from last in the majors in batting average with the bases loaded at .149 (7 for 47)

http://mlb.mlb.com/stats/sortable_team_stats.jsp?statType=1&timeFrame=1&Submit=Submit&c_id=mlb&groupByTeam=true&sitSplit=s123&baseballScope=mlb&timeSubFrame=2010&sortByStat=AVG