Welcome Home Mr. Jones!

The Twins welcomed back an old friend Tuesday as they announced the signing of outfielder Jacque Jones to a minor league contract.

Jones was with the Twins from 1999-2005 and was part of the group that catapulted the Twins back into playoff contention back in 2001. The 35-year old has posted a career .277 average with 165 homers in his 10 big league seasons. After playing Independent baseball all of 2009, Jones is looking for his chance to get back into Major League Baseball after approaching the club this past winter.

What do I think about this? I like it. Jones is a non-roster invitee to Spring Training and has already said he would be willing to start the year in Triple-A Rochester if the Twins decided to keep him aboard. Really you are getting a veteran player who knows what this organization is about and has been on playoff teams in the past. Sounds like a deal to me.

As it stands now, the Twins will most likely break camp with four outfielders - Denard Span, Michael Cuddyer, Jason Kubel (who will primarily DH) and Delmon Young - and most likely won't have the need to carry a fifth on their bench.

I really like the idea of having Jones available in Triple-A should the need arise for him. It's another low-risk, high-reward type scenarios. If nothing else he's a good leader to have teaching those kids who are on the cusp of joining the big leagues.

Putting aside his free-swinging ways, Jones was always a fun player to watch and a good club house guy. It's always nice to see guys get a chance like this to make one last impression especially when its with his former club.

So I say welcome home Jacque. Welcome home.

[Photo courtesy of MarkKelley/Flickr]

MLB10: The Show

Since I'm still giddy over the Orlando Hudson signing and there's really no other news to report tonight, I thought I'd share this video clip for the upcoming game MLB10: The Show which will be released in a few weeks.

The clip is of the Detroit Tigers vs. Minnesota Twins at the new Target Field. It's of a few plays including a home run that is under review. The reason I'm showing you is to see Target Field as well as to see how great this game looks. Check back tomorrow for a real update. Enjoy...

Video Games | MLB 10: The Show | Umpire Video Review Gameplay HD

XBox 360 | Playstation 3 | Nintendo Wii

[Video courtesy of Gametrailers.com]

Thome & O-Dog Solidify Lineup

How funny is it when an entire fan base (and the baseball world in general) gasps anytime you make a signing that actually makes it in the headlines section of sports websites?

Well the Twins have now done it twice over the past couple of weeks as they have added a future Hall of Famer in Jim Thome to beef up their bench and DH spot and now a Gold Glove winning All-Star second baseman in the O-Dog Orlando Hudson.

I have been begging the Twins to sign Hudson for weeks and even broke down their current roster options for second base and discussed how truly pathetic they were. But this changes everything. Here's a look at Minnesota's projected lineup...

1.) Denard Span, CF
2.) Orlando Hudson, 2B
3.) Joe Mauer, C
4.) Justin Morneau, 1B
5.) Michael Cuddyer, RF
6.) Jason Kubel, DH
7.) Delmon Young, LF
8.) JJ Hardy, SS
9.) Nick Punto, 3B

Bench: Jim Thome, Brendan Harris, Jose Morales, Matt Tolbert

Of course I have made it very clear I want to see Jim Thome in the lineup with Kubel in left at least three times a week including against any tough righties. But even with their normal projected lineup, that is pretty strong. The addition of Hudson clearly makes them the favorites in the AL Central over the weakened Tigers and punchless White Sox.

The bottom line is that we as Twins fans appreciate what the organization is trying to do. Not only are they trying to show our franchise player Joe Mauer that they are committed to winning, but they are also trying to show that to us. After all these years of our continued dedication to this club, after all the stupid attempts to fill holes on our roster with names like Tony Batista, Ramon Ortiz and Sidney Ponson, they are finally starting to put the pieces together to help us compete with the New York's and Boston's of the world.

2010 is going to be a fun year.

[Photo courtesy of Doug Wallick/Flickr]

Sources: Hudson, Twins on Verge of Contract

Well as if the Jim Thome signing wasn't enough excitement for one winter, now it appears as if the Twins may actually be about to add a legitimate second baseman to their roster for the first time since, um, Chuck Knoblauch?

From ESPN.com:

Orlando Hudson is on the verge of a one-year, $5 million deal with the Minnesota Twins, sources told ESPN.

There are details to be worked out on the contract, but Hudson has chosen the Twins over the Indians and Nationals.

First we trade for an everyday offensive shortstop in JJ Hardy. Then we sign a powerful future Hall of Famer to DH and pinch hit for us in Jim Thome. And now it appears we are about to add a real second baseman to the mix and all of this on the brink of opening our brand-spankin' new stadium this April (oh and we're on the verge of signing one of the top players in baseball to a contract for around $200 million).

Is this all real? Can someone pinch me? Are you sure these are our Minnesota Twins? Because I'm pretty sure this is not how we have done business for the past couple decades.

I really don't know what to do with myself. I can't remember the last time the Twins were rumored as suitors for impact type free agents and then actually got them. And we've done it twice in the past couple weeks!

As with the Thome signing, I will wait until this becomes official before digging into any Hudson impacts again. But what I will say is that this is a helluva time to be a Twins fan!

[Photo courtesy of Malingering]

Source: Mauer, Twins Agree To 10-Year Contract

Well it looks as if it may finally become a reality...

A source tells WCCO-TV's Mark Rosen that American League MVP Joe Mauer has come to a preliminary agreement with the Minnesota Twins for a 10-year contract extension.

I will wait until things are official and we see dollar amounts before going into complete analysis mode. Needless to say I am more giddy than a teenage girl at a Jonas Brothers concert.

What's on Second and I Don't Know's on Third

Heading into the epic (I use the word epic due to the opening of a new stadium and a payroll that has skyrocketed...plus it's more dramatic) 2010 season the Minnesota Twins have two positions in which we really have no idea who will be manning them.

Both second base and, of course for the umpteenth time, third base are up for grabs heading into the spring. The unfortunate thing for the Twins is that they really don't have any good options to fill the spots. Well at least that's my humble opinion.

The other problem is that the candidates for one position are essentially the exact same for the other open spot. Here's a look at who is available for each of the positions:

Alexi Casilla | Position Battle: 2B
2009 Stats: 256 PA | .202 AVG | .280 OBP | .259 SLG | 25 R | 11 SB
Casilla is out of options so the Twins either have to keep him on the active 25 man roster or part ways with the second baseman. I personally am pretty indifferent as I don't see him as a starter nor as a very valuable player off the bench. I think with his struggles at the plate and lapses in judgment in the field and on the bases that the Twins would be best to just cut ties. A fresh start may be all he needs.

Brendan Harris | Position Battle: 2B/3B
2009 Stats: 453 PA | .261 AVG | .310 OBP | .362 SLG | 44 R | 37 RBI
Harris is by far the player I like most of this bunch (and that's not saying much) and is the guy I'd want up the most in a pressure situation. While he doesn't bring much pop, he does have more than the others (again that's not saying much) and is fairly steady in the field. I know that's not a glowing recommendation but it's all I've got.

Nick Punto | Position Battle: 2B/3B
2009 Stats: 440 PA | .228 AVG | .337 OBP | .284 SLG | 56 R | 16 SB
For those of you who don't know me, I have to state for the record that I hate Nick Punto. Not as a human being, but as a major league baseball player. It just seems that every time Punto is in a pressure situation he fails miserably. I have cursed his name more than any other MLB player in history (although Delmon Young is getting closer). He is by far the best defensive player of the group as well as the fastest.

Matt Tolbert | Position Battle: 2B/3B
2009 Stats: 231 PA | .232 AVG | .303 OBP | .308 SLG | 28 R | 6 SB
Other than Tolbert's big hit in game 163 against the Tigers last year I have nothing really good to say about him. He's a liability at the plate and his defense isn't good enough to warrant having him in the lineup. I honestly don't like having him as a bench player either as he just doesn't bring enough to the plate.

Decisions: Ugh. After comparing stats and laying everything out, the thought of these four makes me throw up in my mouth. The fact that two will likely start and one of the other two will make up our bench does not bode well. If the Twins don't sign a free agent and stick with this crop (which I am guessing is what will happen) and you made me pick with a gun to my head and an open flame to my season tickets, I would have to chose Punto to play second and Harris to man third. I feel so dirty...

Other Options: There are a few other options out there if the Twins are willing to stretch their pocket books a little further. I wanted to see the Twins bring Orlando Cabrera back to play second base which he too wanted. In fact, the Reds just signed Cabrera for only $3 million which would have not been a big hit to the payroll. Since that door is closed, I'd like to see the Twins go after Orlando Hudson whose price is dropping fast as we continue to get closer to the start of spring. He's got a good glove and is a perfect fit in the two spot in the order which the Twins are in desperate need of. But again I don't see this happening.

Bottom Line: The bottom line is that the Twins need to look at either bringing in a new second baseman or new third baseman (in the Joe Crede mold) until Danny Valencia is ready to take over third as this impacts the versatility of their bench. If they can have Punto at third or second and bring in some new blood, then they could have Harris come off the bench as a super utility player making them even stronger. Dare to dream.

Now I know all of this may have sounded a bit negative, but I assure you it only comes out of passion for this club. I have gotten frustrated over the years with this club's inability to fill a gaping hole at third and the continued forcing of players down our throats that have no business in the major leagues. That and how they let inexpensive options go by the wayside seemingly because they weren't home grown talent.

This is a key area that will help them take the step from AL Central Division Champions to becoming a force in October. Because not one of those four players from above would be a starter on any other playoff team from 2009. Think about it.

[Photos courtesy of Keith Allison]

Scott Baker Scouting Report

Name: Scott Baker
Number: 30
Position: Pitcher
Born: 9/19/1981
Bats: Right
Throws: Right
Height: 6'4"
Weight: 220
Debut: 5/7/2005

The man nicknamed "Big Spot Scott" has shown stretches of brilliance over his young career and has even served as the Twins ace on occasion. At times it has been difficult to figure out exactly what spot in the rotation Baker would be best fit for, but what is certain is that he has a very good idea how to pitch.

Baker has a sound delivery including a three-quarter arm slot that is very repeatable. Baker's fastball sits between 86-92 on average (at low and high peaks) but is deceptively sneaky as it seems to jump on hitters as it approaches the plate. He has the ability to work both sides of the plate effectively with his fastball making it all the more useful. Baker's secondary pitches include a good slider, a big curve and a fading change that is particularly nasty to lefties. The nice thing about his breaking pitches is that he can throw them for strikes at any point in the count.

When Baker is on, he is dominant and keeps hitters off balance. When he's off he struggles locating his fastball and can have problems leaving it up in the zone. He seems to have caught on to this and at the end of last season did a very nice job at keeping the ball low in the zone allowing him to have a long stretch of dominance that the Twins needed to capture the American League Central. I expect him to carry this over into the 2010 season and help head up the Twins rotation.

[Photo courtesy of twinscards.com]

More Mauer News About Nothing

ESPN ran a story today about Ron Gardenhire's optimism about re-signing catching mega-star Joe Mauer (click here for Mauer scouting report) to a new contract. Basically the story told us nothing about anything as it was just another way to keep the name "Joe Mauer" in the headlines.

With TwinsFest starting today, there will be a lot of Mauer discussions including the rumor that has been circulating that the Twins were planning to announce Mauer's signing at the event this weekend. While this could still happen I would think it would have happened by now.

I for one am not worried about it. I know it's just a matter of time until they come to an agreement as the Twins can't afford not to sign the reigning MVP. With his local ties, all his success and the opening of a new stadium, the Twins would take the biggest public relations hit imaginable if they were to let Mauer walk and sign with Boston or New York.

So everyone just relax and it will happen. And if it doesn't you can route for the new Las Vegas Twins.

[Photo courtesy of Keith Allison]

Top Twins Prospect #10: Chris Parmelee

Name: Chris Parmelee | Position: 1B/OF | Born: 2/24/1988
Bats: Left | Throws: Left | Height: 6'1" | Weight: 223

+----+-----+-----+-----+-----------+----+-----+
| YR | AGE | LVL | PA  |  AVG/OPS  | HR | RBI |
+----+-----+-----+-----+-----------+----+-----+
| 07 | 19  |  A  | 501 | .239/.727 | 15 |  70 |
| 08 | 20  |  A  | 289 | .239/.881 | 14 |  49 |
| 09 | 21  |  A+ | 501 | .258/.800 | 16 |  73 |
+----+-----+-----+-----+-----------+----+-----+

Scouting Report: When Chris Parmelee was drafted in 2006 the Twins had high hopes of him becoming a future force in the middle of their lineup. While this still may be a possibility, Parmelee is giving the Twins more questions than answers.

It feels as if I have been hearing about Parmelee and his power for a long time now which disappoints me a little considering he still hasn't risen above A+ ball. On the bright side of Parmelee, he has shown that he has power potential by consistently hitting in the mid-teens in homers each of the past three seasons. If he can continue to build on this he can make himself a valuable asset to the Twins someday. The problem is this may be his only shot.

Unlike most players that the Twins bring into their organization, Parmelee doesn't possess the ability to hit for average and/or play strong defense. He doesn't look to ever be a guy that you can count on to hit for a very high average, maybe .260 if he's lucky, and he definitely isn't going to win any gold gloves at first or the outfield. If Parmelee wants to make it to the big leagues someday he's going to have to become a big masher.

I used to be a lot higher on this kid but I haven't see the progression I would have liked after almost 1500 plate appearances in the low minors. Hopefully he can increase the power outputs and make it to the bigs someday potentially as a DH.

[Photo courtesy of mwlguide/Flickr]

Are the Twins Still Shopping?

After yesterday's surprising signing of Jim Thome (not surprising because I didn't see it coming, it was surprising to see the Twins add a name that means something in baseball), now it seems the Twins are being linked with a couple more names that are rather intriguing.

According to Foxsports.com, the Twins may be linked alongside the Washington Nationals and Tampa Bay Rays to second baseman Orlando Hudson. His defense and ability to slide into the two-hole between Denard Span and Joe Mauer would be perfect for the Twins. The only question is whether he would consider coming here.

The way I see it, it all comes down to what is more important to Hudson - money or winning. If he wants the most money, I'm guessing the Nationals will be willing to dish out the most dough to get him as they have to since no one wants to go there. As for the Rays, they have an outstanding ball club but currently have both the Red Sox and Yankees ahead of them in the pecking order in the AL East. That leaves the Twins who would be his absolute best shot at making the postseason.

For me I would like to see the Twins make an effort to sign Hudson to play second base next season over offering another contract to the broken down Joe Crede. Sure it will be less money but you will also get what you pay for. In fact Hudson's .283/.357/.417 line with 74 runs, 64 RBI and strong defense would be much more valuable than Crede's sub-.300 OBP through 80 or so games until he's hurt again. But that's just this guy's opinion.

The bottom line is if the Twins are serious about adding another player, why not go the O-Hud way and have the Punto/Harris two-headed monster play third base rather than second?

They're already tickling $100 million so what's a few more tacked on?

[Photo courtesy of Malingering/Flickr]

Young is Getting Old

I don’t care what Bill Smith says, it’s time to start cutting into Delmon Young’s playing time. And I think he’ll eventually see that too.

Young is horrible in the field with almost non-existent range. Then at the plate he is inconsistent and doesn’t really provide any value that warrants keeping his sub-par defense in the lineup (.284/.308/.425 line). Basically what I’m saying is he should either be a part-time player or used off the bench.

Now I’m sure part of why the Twins want to state he’s still their guy is to try to validate the lopsided trade they made with Tampa Bay which sent two eventual All-Stars, Matt Garza and Jason Bartlett, packing to the sunshine state for what has become a major bust in Young and a bench player in Brendan Harris.

So with yesterday’s signing of Jim Thome to a one-year deal, this gives the Twins a great option to help faze Young out of the everyday lineup. They now have the ability to plug Jason Kubel into left field giving Thome a chance to DH. Sure Kubel isn’t a huge defensive upgrade in left over Young, but at least his offense more than makes up for it.

Now to prevent the arguments that I got into yesterday with people from happening again, I’m not saying Thome is an everyday DH at this stage in his career. I’m sure even he’d admit that. But I would like seeing him DH 3-4 times a week and especially when we face tough righties. This would stack our lineup as well as give him plenty of rest to keep him healthy over a long season.

I just don't have the patience to put up with Young's bat and glove for another full year on an everyday basis. Let's hope Smith's patience with Young becomes worn as thin as mine has and can accept that his deal with Tampa was a failure.

While I give him credit for trying, it's time to move on.

[Photo courtesy of Keith Allison]

Twins Land Thome

As it stands heading into today, the players that would essentially make up the Twins bench heading into 2010 is absolutely atrocious. Jose Morales, Matt Tolbert, Jason Pridie and someone else isn't exactly given manager Ron Gardenhire much flexibility nor is it striking much fear into opposing pitchers.

That's why the reported one-year deal between Jim Thome and the Twins makes me positively giddy.

Hopefully the Twins don't use him strictly off the bench or on rare occasion. I personally would like to see this mean that Delmon Young's playing time will get chopped off and we see Jason Kubel out in left field a lot more allowing Thome to be inserted into the DH spot.

He's a veteran, he's powerful and he makes our lineup even that much scarier.

Welcome to Minnesota Mr. Thome!

[Photo courtesy of Keith Allison]

Thome Slugging in Target Field?

I’ve seen numerous reports over the weekend popping up around the Internet that the Minnesota Twins may be close to signing the veteran slugger Jim Thome.

Not only would this type of a signing be uncharacteristic of the normally frugal Twins, but it would also make a very left handed heavy lineup even heavier. The Twins currently have an abundance of lefties including Denard Span, Joe Mauer, Justin Morneau and Justin Kubel in their starting lineup.

It’s unclear whether Thome would slide into their DH role (which would surely bump Delmon Young to the bench) or if he would simply play a major role off their bench.

The Twins have most likely jumped in on Thome due to the declining dollar amounts in the free agent market and possibly the fact that Thome has been a Twin killer over the years. In only 662 career at-bats against the Twins, Thome has posted a .311/.410/.628 line with 57 HR and 142 RBI. Now that’s a vicious thrashing he’s given them over the years.

The bottom line is as a lifetime die hard Twins fan, a Jim Thome signing would shock me only to follow that up with a big smile.

Joe Mauer Scouting Report

Name: Joe Mauer
Number: 7
Position: Catcher
Born: 4/19/1983
Bats: Right
Throws: Right
Height: 6'5"
Weight: 225
Debut: 4/5/2004

Scouting Report: Joe Mauer has evolved into arguably the best hitter in baseball which is quite a statement. Mauer has always been a line drive hitter who has finally developed his power that so many scouts thought he would eventually develop. He has incredible hand-eye coordination with very fast wrists. This in combination with his understanding of the strike zone and recognition of pitches very quickly after their release make him a very dangerous two strike hitter. Mauer stays inside the ball well and drives the ball extremely well to left and left center. Not only has he developed power but he has miraculously done so without sacraficing average or plate discipline. One of the toughest outs in baseball for a pitcher to record.

While everyone knows Mauer is an offensive dynamo, what many forget is what a great receiver he is behind the plate. Mauer has won back-to-back Gold Gloves and is a top notch catcher. He moves with ease behind the plate from side-to-side and blocks balls in the dirt very well especially for someone as tall as he is (6-foot-5). Mauer also has a solid arm which helps keep runners honest and takes pressure off his pitchers ont he mound. He is a very intelligent player who calls a solid game and handles his staff very well.

All in all Joe Mauer has not only become the best player in baseball at his position, but one of the best overall players in the game today. The future is very bright for this young Minnesota native.

[Photo courtesy of twinscards.com]