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12/11/2006 10:00 AM ET
Mailbag: Are Twins being too quiet?
Beat reporter Kelly Thesier answers Twins fans' questions
By Kelly Thesier / MLB.com
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After a one week reprieve for the Winter Meetings, the mailbag returns, but unfortunately there isn't much news to actually discuss.
I often refer to the Winter Meetings as the ultimate gossip fest, but this year it was much more of a yawn than usual, especially for the Twins. Holding pat at these meetings was nothing new for the Twins, but considering that there are a few holes for the club to fill, it would seem that more might have gone on during the four-day event.
The Twins have been awfully quiet so far this offseason, and judging by the mail I
received this week, fans are certainly starting to get worried. So with lots of concerns on your minds, let's dig into this edition of the mailbag.
Why is general manager Terry Ryan waiting so long to fill in the Twins' needs? There are some good people out there to fill the spots, but we are letting them go to other teams. Why are we waiting?
-- Jason S., Willmar, Minn.
-- Jason S., Willmar, Minn.
It's hard to question a general manager who seems to always have his team in contention, but with the new year quickly approaching, it does appear that the Twins are being left behind in terms of picking up their needs.
Much of Ryan's decision to sit still for now seems to do with waiting until the market had established itself a little better, which did occur right at the end of the Winter Meetings. What it showed is not good news for the
Twins, as even teams like the Royals are willing to overpay for mediocre talent, as displayed by the five-year, roughly $55 million contract given to pitcher Gil Meche.
Ryan told the media that the Twins will find a way to fill their needs somehow, and considering his history of doing so, I can't question him -- at least for now. A lot more will be known by the start of Spring Training as to whether this club will have added the experience they need to the starting staff or if the holes are going to remain unfilled. For now, it seems like it's best to remain patient and see what Ryan can get done before the start of the season.
Would this be a logical rotation right now -- 1. Johan Santana, 2. Boof Bonser, 3. Carlos Silva, 4. Matt Garza, 5. Glen Perkins?
-- George R., Apple Valley, Minn.
-- George R., Apple Valley, Minn.
If the
season were to start today, that's a rotation I definitely could see for the Twins. And that's what is alarming. Looking at the group, you can see a lot of talent potential, but that's exactly what it is at the moment -- potential. Just one more experienced starter would give this rotation the security that it's desperately lacking.
The good news is that at the very least the Twins have two starters with a fair share of starting experience in Santana and Silva. Many people questioned the Twins decision to pick up Silva's $4.325 million option back in early November, but it's looking like a very smart idea now with the inflated prices for starters on the free-agent market.
I know we need a designated hitter desperately, but why would anybody want to bring back Rondell White for that role? He struggled as a DH last year, and he only produced at the plate when he
was in left field.
-- Patrick B., Woodbury, Minn.
-- Patrick B., Woodbury, Minn.
There seemed to be a large response from fans to the news that the Twins were interested in White again. Yes, he had a down year in 2006, as he will fully admit, but the fact remains that White has produced quality seasons for most of his career and he showed signs of regaining that form at the end of last season. White also realized that offensively he produced better when playing in the outfield.
So it seems the Twins are willing to give him a shot at the starting left-field spot. He also is getting in better shape this offseason. White has lost three pounds and plans on losing seven more before the start of Spring Training. So with a healthy White, 2007 could be a very different year for the outfielder than the one that Twins fans saw in '06.
I
heard a rumor that Jason Kubel could possibly have surgery on his other knee. Is this true? How much of a factor in the outfield can he be if he constantly has been hampered by knee injuries?
-- Eric D., Armour, S.D.
-- Eric D., Armour, S.D.
Kubel did undergo an arthroscopic scope on his right knee to fix a torn meniscus. It's a procedure that is not expected to make him miss any time in Spring Training. But it has changed the Twins' plan for the outfield a bit, knowing that Kubel might take a little more time than expected to fully get back to form. The club now instead is looking for Kubel to be a candidate for the DH spot while knowing they could have White to take over the left-field job.
The knee troubles are somewhat of a concern in that it hasn't allowed Kubel to be fully healthy and be the player that he was at the end of the 2004 season. Still, by no means have the Twins given up on
Kubel. A lot will be determined by how he can perform this season. The hope is that all of the knee troubles are starting to be behind him.
Has Brad Radke officially announced his retirement? I haven't heard anything about him, and I keep checking all the news sites.
-- Rob M., Yankton, S.D.
-- Rob M., Yankton, S.D.
Rob, you haven't missed any news flashes. Radke still has not officially announced his retirement, although it is considered a done deal. The consensus now seems to be that Radke will hold a press conference in Minnesota during the week before Christmas to make the official announcement. It's certainly been a wait for everyone to hear the news, but you can't blame Radke if he's delaying having to actually say the words "I'm retiring," as it is never easy for an athlete to do. There is no doubt in the mind of the Twins organization that Radke is done, and there is so
much respect for the pitcher that we're all just waiting until he's ready to say it.
If the Twins were unsuccessful in attempts to sign Joe Mauer and Justin Morneau to long-term deals, how much could they make in arbitration? Could Morneau get paid David Ortiz or Paul Konerko type money next season in this case?
-- Tim S., Edina, Minn.
-- Tim S., Edina, Minn.
Trying to judge how much the two could make is a difficult process considering they are both rare cases. I looked over a few players who had comparable service time to Mauer and Morneau, but none could exactly fit the profile of either of these breakout stars. Cleveland's Victor Martinez has roughly the same amount of time as Mauer, and he signed a deal that will have him make $3 million this coming year. But Mauer is a better catcher who also won a batting title.
Mark Teixeira
is another one to look at, considering the success he's had in his short career. The first baseman is going to be making $6 million next season in his first arbitration-eligible year as part of a two-year, $15.4 million deal. David Wright also is another young star like Mauer and Morneau, and he recently signed a six-year, $55 million deal. In 2008, his first arbitration-eligible year, he's set to make $5 million.
So though it's difficult to predict exactly what the two could make, looking at the numbers, there no doubt will be big paydays coming to both the Twins' M&M boys.
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Kelly Thesier is a reporter for MLB.com. This story was not subject to the approval of Major League Baseball or its clubs.
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