Monthly Archives: January 2011

Twins Caravan has definitely changed

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I was asked yesterday whether or not I went to the Twins Caravan to report on it or to, well, just go to it this year when it made it’s Fargo stop a couple weeks ago. I was unable to go this time, since I had a desk shift that night.

But I’m not sure I would have gone this year. The lineup wasn’t overly impressive, with the Twins sending backup catcher Drew Butera and pitcher Jeff Manship – who quite possibly might not make the team this year – as player representatives.

It’s a pretty far cry from 2004, when I covered the Twins Caravan for The Forum for the first time. Player representatives that year in Fargo were first baseman/designated hitter Matthew LeCroy and a young pitcher about to enter the team’s rotation named Johan Santana. Little did I know at the time that Santana would go on to win the AL Cy Young Award that season, then win another one a couple years later.

But if you really want to go back, I remember the first time I ever went to a Twins Caravan stop. It was in January of 1988, just three months after the team won its first World Series. My family and I made the trek to the Thief River Falls Armory and were not disappointed, because the players that came all the way up to that small northwest Minnesota city were outfielders Kirby Puckett and Dan Gladden.

I was in first or second grade at the time, but I remember that day pretty well, getting to shake Kirby’s hand and get his autograph … it was quite a thrill. And that autographed 1987 Topps card of Puckett – you know the style of the card that year, the one with the wood grain borders – is a priceless piece of memorabilia as far as I’m concerned.

Plenty has changed since then. But there’s no doubt that you wouldn’t see those caliber of players making stops in TRF, or even a larger community like Fargo. With Santana, the F-M community got lucky because he exploded onto the scene that year. But I’m guessing a name like that wouldn’t have been put on the Fargo swing even one year later.

I’m sure it has something to do with agents or the players’ union or even the team itself not wanting to send its stars to the far reaches of Twins Territory. I understand it.

This isn’t mean to be a rip against Butera or Manship. To play in the major leagues at all takes a lot of hard work and a lot of talent. But let’s face it: They’re not Puckett or Joe Mauer or Justin Morneau.

I just remember the impression that was left on me after getting the chance to meet a star like Puckett in the prime of his career. Honestly, considering how big of a baseball fan I am, seeing Puckett in person like that was a significant, somewhat life-altering moment for me, one of those childhood moments that made me a baseball fan for life. It’s unfortunate that kids nowadays around here won’t get a moment like that.

What is on Berrian’s Blackberry?

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A couple reportedly tried to extort $30,000 from Minnesota Vikings wide receiver Bernard Berrian after finding Berrian’s Blackberry. Berrian has since gotten the Blackberry back, but I’m left wonder, “What was on that Blackberry that would make two people think they could get $30,000 from an NFL player?”

Obviously, you have to start with incriminating photos of Brett Favre. Or maybe there were some photos of another player. Who knows? Just seems like a lot of money to me.

Blyleven to get No. 28 retired, but why the wait?

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Found out late tonight that the Minnesota Twins will retire Bert Blyleven‘s No. 28 during a ceremony this season at Target Field. Blyleven, after 14 years of waiting, finally got elected into the Baseball Hall of Fame earlier this month.

It makes me wonder why the Twins decided to wait for Hall of Fame induction before retiring his number. To my knowledge, there’s been no policy implemented recently regarding a player’s Hall of Fame status being a requirement for his number being retired. I know the Boston Red Sox have rules like that. Kent Hrbek, of course, has his number retired by the team and isn’t in the Hall, but maybe there’s been a change since that decision.

I think it’s an honor Blyleven definitely deserves. It’s a lifetime achievement award as much as anything. He had two different stints with the team, which were both pretty successful. He’s going to the Hall of Fame. He’s been a popular announcer for many years. It’s a good call.

The Jay Cutler rules

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I’ve opted to do what so many in the media didn’t on Sunday, and that’s wait a day or two and gather information before saying or writing anything about the Jay Cutler injury.

I realize with Twitter and Facebook, many have a desire to get opinion out there as quickly as possible. But there is a lesson to be learned after watching ESPN analyst after ESPN analyst cover for themselves following critical statements about Chicago Bears QB Jay Cutler and the accusations that he quit on his team.

As I’m sure you’re well aware, Cutler went to the sideline early in the third quarter after what is now being diagnosed as a sprained MCL in his knee. The Chicago Sun-Times is reporting that it’s a Grade II tear. Those grades are on a scale of I, II and III.

I should start by saying that it is absolutely newsworthy when fellow NFL players like Darnell Dockett and Maurice Jones-Drew accuse him of quitting on his team or not giving his all. 

But I’m of the opinion that analysts and pundits should be more responsible. I expect those on ESPN and NFL Network to not act like they work for Fox News or MSNBC. I expect them to think rationally.

Yet immediately after Sunday’s game was over, ex-players now working for ESPN and NFL Network were critical of Cutler, saying that he should play through the pain and not pout on the sidelines without any news whatsoever regarding the severity of the injury or without acknowledging at all that head coach Lovie Smith himself pulled Cutler from that game.

The big reason why these accusations are being floated around was because Cutler isn’t a popular guy. In fact, he might be the least popular player in the NFL. There’s a perception he’s pouts and whines, though despite being the most-sacked QB in the NFL, I don’t recall much whining this year. So when ex-players see an opportunity to pounce on Cutler, they do so.

But after everything that’s happened over the last 48 hours, it feels like Cutler has become a sympathetic figure. Who would have ever thought that?

Many of these analysts backed off their statements on Monday, saying they didn’t “accuse him of faking injury.” ESPN’s Tom Jackson said the Bears should have given him an ice bag or crutches so in the injury looked more obvious, essentially blaming the Bears for what his colleagues were saying. Yeah, he really did say that. Check the link above.

Another former player – ESPN’s Derrick Brooks – criticized Cutler on Sunday for not being tough enough on TV and tweeted this (among others):

HEY there is no medicine for a guy with no guts and heart

He also backed off on Monday, as you’ll see in this video. Now he’s saying he didn’t quit on his team, but he could be a better cheerleader.

So let’s chronicle the Cutler criticisms over the last couple of years:

  • He throws too many interceptions.
  • In 2010, he cuts down on INTs but leaves playoff game with injury, so he’s a quitter.
  • Well, he was really injured. But shouldn’t he be more rah-rah when he is injured? And he looks like he pouts on the sidelines. We’d rather see him giggling and laughing with teammates, despite having been knocked out of the biggest game of his life.

If the next step in the progression is, “We don’t like his hair,” then the Bears might have hope that he can be the next Tom Brady.

Gophers guard Nolen could miss rest of season

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This from the “What more can go wrong?” department at the University of Minnesota, via the Star Tribune’s Myron Medcalf:

The Gophers’ worst fears were confirmed Sunday, when the team learned that starting point guard Al Nolen broke his right foot in Saturday’s win at Michigan.

During Monday’s Big Ten media teleconference, Tubby Smith said Nolen will have surgery Wednesday. The timetable for his return has not been determined. Smith said there’s no guarantee he will return this season.

“That’s a real blow to us,” Smith said.

Tubby has got that right. With Devoe Joseph transferring to Oregon, that leaves Chip Armelin and Maverick Ahanmisi running the point for the Gophers men’s basketball team.

Nolen – a senior – is as solid as they come. He’s considered a good manager and point man for the offense. He’s not flashy, but he’s just a solid, reliable player. Other than Trevor Mbakwe, he’s the toughest guy to replace on the team.

And for some Monday late morning links:

Want to get your picture taken with a cooked bear?

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The Bears-Packers rivalry might have gone too far. Or maybe it hasn’t gone far enough.

A St. Paul bar owner is going to roast a bear to show his support for the Green Bay Packers in today’s NFC championship game against the Chicago Bears.

That’s a pretty interesting story. But what’s even more unusual is that the bear can’t be served to the public because it didn’t meet standards. So all anyone can do is get their picture taken with it. Could make for some good Christmas cards, right?

Defense – not offense – rules the day in NFL

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For all of the talk about the NFL being all too kind to offenses, a quick glance at the remaining playoffs teams reveals the contrary.

All four teams left in the NFL postseason are ranked in the top six in scoring defense. And while they might not have the high-powered offenses that draw the biggest ratings, it’s probably no surprise that defensive-minded teams are the ones left standings.

The popular theory is that offense is everywhere. Receivers can get away with everything. You can’t hit the quarterback anymore. All that jazz.

Point being it’s easy for teams to generate offense now. But the teams that stand out are the ones that despite – all of the rules that favor offense – are still able to be sound defensive teams. And I think that applies to the Chicago Bears, Green Bay Packers, New York Jets and Pittsburgh Steelers.

As for my predictions, you’ll find them on D3 of Sunday’s Forum. But in case you missed it, here they are:

Four storied franchises hook up in what should be a couple of pretty good conference championship games.
The New York Jets have been world beaters so far this postseason. After all, when you beat a team like the Jets did last week, there’s no other term that can be used. The New England Patriots had dominated throughout the final eight weeks of the regular season, yet the Jets took down the Super Bowl favorites. However, this is familiar territory for the Pittsburgh Steelers, and I’ll take experience.
And for just the second time in NFL history, the Bears and Packers meet in a playoff game. These two teams split the regular-season series, though the Bears weren’t playing for anything when they met in Week 17 loss to GB.
Bears 27, Packers 21
Steelers 23, Jets 13 

Pavano addition makes Twins roster situation more clear

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Ladies and gentlemen … they got the ‘stache.

The Minnesota Twins agreed to a two-year, $16.5 million contract with startng pitcher Carl Pavano on Wednesday. His return gives the Twins a stable, veteran starting pitcher on a rotation that has quite a bit of instability and youth.

I like this move from the Twins perspective. Makes a lot more financial sense than giving Matt Capps a deal that pays him more than $7 million to pitch 60 or 70 innings when they could have afforded to keep both Matt Guerrier and Jesse Crain with that money, but we’ll leave it there.

Let’s take a look at the roster:

  • Starting pitching: Carl Pavano, Francisco Liriano, Scott Baker, Brian Duensing are probably in. Kevin Slowey and Nick Blackburn battle for final spot, with loser probably ending up as Twins long reliever. Kyle Gibson will be waiting in the minors if anyone fails.
  • Bullpen: Joe Nathan will close if he’s healthy, with Matt Capps and Jose Mijares serving as primary set-up men. Loser of Blackburn/Slowey rotation battle will end up in bullpen. Eric Hacker was given a surprising big league contract and could make the team. Pat Neshek is still in the fold. Scott Diamond – a lefty – is a Rule 5 pick. Alex Burnett, Jeff Manship, Anthony Slama … hard to predict who will all end up here. Did I forget anyone? Eddie Guardado, anyone? I have to believe the Twins will sign a cheap veteran or two to add to this group. Makes my stomach turn just typing the relievers’ names.
  • Everyday lineup: My prediction is CF Denard Span, 2B Tsuyoshi Nishioka, C Joe Mauer, 1B Justin Morneau (assuming he’s ready to go, which is a bit of an assumption), LF Delmon Young, DH Jim Thome, RF Michael Cuddyer, 3B Danny Valencia and SS Alexi Casilla. I really think the Twins are better off bumping Nishioka to the 8 spot and sliding everyone – including Mauer – up a spot. But plenty of studies have shown batting order doesn’t matter much, so it’s not a huge deal.
  • Bench: Jason Kubel ends up here, although he’ll get plenty of playing time. Drew Butera is also a lock to back up Mauer. Jason Repko would also appear to be a safe bet as a defensive replacement in the outfield for the slow-footed Young and Cuddyer. Trevor Plouffe and Matt Tolbert should get good looks as backup infielders, though there’s a good chance there will be only four bench players if the Twins opt to carry 12 relievers. I have to assume they will. Twins manager Ron Gardenhire generally prefers that, and considering the uncertainty in the bullpen, they could probably use the extra arm.

Interesting offseason in the Bronx

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Ran across a couple of pretty good stories on ESPN.com regarding the New York Yankees.

The first one is that GM Brian Cashman discouraged the Steinbrenners from signing Rafael Soriano to big bucks to be a set-up man, yet the ownership group did it anyway. The second one is about how the Yankees actually made a contract offer to free-agent pitcher Carl Pavano.

Let’s start with the Soriano deal. The dynamite reliever agreed to a three-year, $35 million contract with the Yankees within the last week. It includes opt-out clauses after each season, which seem unlikely to be exercised by him since he probably isn’t going to get a deal where he would get paid more than that.

Soriano saved 45 games with a 1.73 ERA last season for the Tampa Bay Rays.

The Pavano story is a little more surprising, though I think we can all agree that there’s no way Pavano would have accepted a one-year contract offer like the story says. I’m not sure why the Yankees even bothered with an offer like that, unless they felt Pavano wanted to come back to the Bronx and try and make things right. He was signed to a four-year lucrative offer by the Yankees earlier in his career, but those four injury-plagued years led to the Pavano contract being considered one of the worst in recent history. But he’s bounced back the last year-plus with the Minnesota Twins.

The Twins are expected to have an agreement in place with Pavano by Wednesday.

It’s been a pretty quiet offseason for the Yankees until the Soriano signing. And considering the Boston Red Sox added outfielder Carl Crawford and first baseman Adrian Gonzalez, the AL East seems to have swung in the direction of Beantown.

Twins pay big bucks for bullpen

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For a team that has lost Jon Rauch, Matt Guerrier, Jesse Crain and Brian Fuentes this offseason, the Minnesota Twins will still have one expensive bullpen in 2011.

Minnesota avoided arbitration with reliever Matt Capps, agreeing to a one-year, $7.15 million deal. Combine that with the $12 million that Joe Nathan will make in the final year of his deal, and the Twins will spend nearly $20 million on just two relievers.

I’ve never been a big fan of spending that kind of money on relievers. I have my reasoning for it. 1) I don’t think small- or mid-market teams can afford to do it and should spend money elsewhere. 2) You can build a great bullpen on the cheap.

And look at it this way: Capps and Nathan – best-case scenario – will pitch about 140 innings this season. That’s just not much bang for your buck. The Twins balked at giving Johan Santana a little more than $20 million/season when he’s averaged about 200 innings per year since the contract he received from the Mets for seven years and $151 million.

On the bright side for the organization, the contracts of both players will expire after this season.