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December 16, 2004
OFF-SEASON UPDATE
I want to thank everyone that has e-mailed me about the loss of my dad for your sympathies. We all lose loved ones as time goes by and thank you for taking time to let me know you care.
The Baseball Winter Meetings just ending in Anaheim, California, and the Twins were very quiet as far as trades go. It's kind of been an annual thing for the Twins not to do much trading or signing of free agents at these meetings. We all know that the Twins can't afford some of the higher priced free agents, but they were able to re-sign Brad Radke, which was a key to the pitching staff.
Let’s look at some of the deals the Twins have made already this winter and some that they didn’t make.
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Brad Radke – His re-signing takes a lot of pressure off of the other starters, especially 2004 Cy Young Award winner Johan Santana. I say this because, with Brad back, Johan doesn’t have to feel like he has to be the ace of the staff. With Radke, Santana, Carlos Silva and a better Kyle Lohse, the starting staff looks pretty good going into Spring training. Let's also not forget about Joe Mays. Joe missed all of last season because of elbow surgery and if he can come into spring training at 80 or 90%, things will be looking good.
J.D. Durbin will be competing for a starting spot in the rotation and it will be an interesting Spring for left-handed starters Francisco Liriano and Ryan Rowland-Smith. Liriano came over to the Twins last Winter in the A.J. Pierzynski trade from the Giants and had a combined record of 9-9 between Fort Myers (A) and New Britain (AA). In 28 starts, he had 174 strikeouts in 157 innings pitched, with 60 walks.
Rowland-Smith, the guy with two last names, is a Rule-5 Draft pick from the Seattle Mariners organization who pitched Class-A ball last season. This Australian pitcher has to make the Twins' roster coming out of Spring training or be offered back to the Mariners for half of the $50,000 drafting fee. We all remember another left-handed Rule-5 pitcher the Twins drafted about five seasons ago...Johan Santana!
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Corey Koskie – Losing Corey, who signed a 3-year contract with the Toronto Blue Jays, to free agency will again test the Twins minor league system. Can Terry Tiffee win the third base job in Spring training? Will Michael Cuddyer see this as a chance to play everyday? Time will tell who wants the third base job. Koskie was a clubhouse personality and will be missed.
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Henry Blanco – Henry did a great job last season taking over for the injured Joe Mauer. But, after the season Blanco became a free agent and signed a 2-year contract with the Chicago Cubs. Not to worry Twins fans. Joe will be back and the Twins went out and signed Mike Redmond as his backup. Redmond signed a 2-year contract with the Twins after spending his whole career in the Florida Marlins organization. Mike is known for his defense and the way he handles a pitching staff. Redmond sounds like another Blanco with a better lifetime batting average.
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Cristian Guzman – Fans can put their "Goose" calls away for the summer. Guzie became a free agent and signed a 3-year contract with the Washington Nationals. I believe he will be missed the most of the guys who left the organization. Spring training will be like a tryout camp to see who plays short. Will Luis Rivas, who signed as a shortstop, be moved over from second?
The Twins went out and signed 32-year-old Juan Castro to a 2-year contract. Castro is known for his defense and has been at the Major League level since 1995. He has played for the Los Angeles Dodgers and the Cincinnati Reds. He has always been known as a utility player but might get the opportunity to be the new Twins' shortstop. And what about Jason Bartlett, Augie Ojeda and Nick Punto? Of the three, Bartlett might be the right guy for the job. Manager Ron Gardenhire and his staff will have their work cut out filling Guzman's shoes.
I'm sure the Twins are not done trading or maybe even signing free agents. It's not quite Christmas and there are about three months left for General Manager Terry Ryan to get his roster ready for Spring training.
Speaking of Terry Ryan, I have to congratulate him for being named by Baseball America as "Executive of the Year" again. Two out of the last three years shows that someone is watching how the Twins conduct their salary structure and their farm system.
Congratulations to the Twins Organization for again being named "Organization of the Year" by the same magazine. It's also the second time in the last three years this award went to the Twins. So many good people make up an organization and the Twins have those people in place.
Above, we talked mainly about the starting pitching and the infield. Next let's talk about the Twins' outfielders and the bullpen. If you have any comments about what your feelings are, please e-mail me and I'll get back to you as soon as possible.
I hope and pray that all of you have a very Merry Christmas. May the New Year be your best yet. Thank you for reading my columns and be safe during the Holiday Season.
You are all "Hereby Circled."
Your baseball friend,
Bert Blyleven
PS. Check out this site, www.All-Baseball.com and see that there is someone rooting for me to make the Baseball Hall of Fame and why.
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