Twins sign Morneau, Cuddyer to multiyear deals

CTTB78 · 01-27-2008, 06:01 PM

I think it is amazing that the Twins have been successful in convincing the fans that it just doesn't make sense for them to sign Santana. He is one of the top three pitchers in the game, why doesn't it make sense (if you want to win, that is)? Only one reason- Pohlad is too cheap to sign superstars. The fans should be asking- why not us??? Why can't we keep the best in a Twins uniform? Bottom line is-- Pohlad has the money, but he has us convinced .500 is good enough.

Iastfan112 · 01-27-2008, 06:41 PM

You do realize your claim is a bit off, under Polhads ownership the Twins have signed Kirby Puckett to a then record contract and Brad Radke when the Twins were heading absolutely terrible. Could Pohlad spend more money? Sure but I'm pretty sure for that family(its now the son who runs things) its still about making a profit which although frustrating isnt miserly. Currently the Twins are in the middle third in terms of payroll and with the stadium they have and market size, thats doing okay.

The question to signing Johan is several fold can the Twins afford to spend that much money and not hamstring their payroll in the future? My answer would be probably but it would force some other decisions, with the payroll expected to rise with the new stadium its doable but doesnt leave much room. Next is the value in return, is it enough to offset Johans talents with the help of knowing his payday will be huge? My vote is no on this one but it can swing both ways. Next is the length of the deal, Twins want shorter Johan wants longer, if you give him a 6 year extension as some have suggested he'll be 36 at the end of that contract. In the meantime there's certianly a risk of injury and how well he'll still be pitching at that age, some pitchers hold up quite well, others decline quickly.

tyrelrobert · 01-27-2008, 06:53 PM

As long as Santana has those change-ups he should be injury free for a long time

Steve · 01-27-2008, 06:56 PM

Originally Posted by tyrelrobert

As long as Santana has those change-ups he should be injury free for a long time

He also throws a lot of sliders. I worry about the dreaded elbow injury.

Ficklone02 · 01-27-2008, 07:04 PM

I guess I'm a little behind on news...I just found out they signed Lamb/Everett. Hopefully Lamb can complement Kubel as a good right-handed DH. The one thing I'm really hopeful for is our CF prospect can develop quickly. We don't have a true leadoff hitter at this point, and could use his speed at the top of the order.

CTTB78 · 01-27-2008, 07:08 PM

You win with pitching. Santana is the best left hander in the game. The Pohlads have the money. Show the fans that you want to win.
This would be comparable to the Patriots not resigning Brady because it would cost too much money. Please no small market stuff, the Pohlads are one of the richest families in baseball.

kurimski · 01-27-2008, 07:08 PM

I guess I'm a little behind on news...I just found out they signed Lamb/Everett. Hopefully Lamb can complement Kubel as a good right-handed DH. The one thing I'm really hopeful for is our CF prospect can develop quickly. We don't have a true leadoff hitter at this point, and could use his speed at the top of the order.

Lamb is going to be the starting 3b. Most likely the OF will look like Kubel, Young, Cuddyer, and Monroe with the extra being the DH for the day. 3 of the 4 have the ability to play CF. There is also a shot that Pridie will play CF. If Monroe can be the player he was 2 years ago and Mauer can stay of the disable list the offense could be awesome.

Ficklone02 · 01-27-2008, 07:33 PM

Originally Posted by CTTB78

You win with pitching. Santana is the best left hander in the game. The Pohlads have the money. Show the fans that you want to win.
This would be comparable to the Patriots not resigning Brady because it would cost too much money. Please no small market stuff, the Pohlads are one of the richest families in baseball.

I think this is a tough one for the new GM. He will get lambasted in the press if he doesn't cut a deal and they get nothing for Santana. On the other hand its going to be hard to keep him....Santana wants a long-term deal, and to be paid as the best lefty in the bigs. Also, Ryan sufficiently pissed off Santana last year by trading away Castillo in the middle of the penant race, when they still had a fighting chance at it. It appeared to me that Johan didn't want to really be there after that.....hopefully I'm wrong on that account though.

Jables22 · 01-27-2008, 07:36 PM

Originally Posted by Iastfan112

You do realize your claim is a bit off, under Polhads ownership the Twins have signed Kirby Puckett to a then record contract and Brad Radke when the Twins were heading absolutely terrible. Could Pohlad spend more money? Sure but I'm pretty sure for that family(its now the son who runs things) its still about making a profit which although frustrating isnt miserly. Currently the Twins are in the middle third in terms of payroll and with the stadium they have and market size, thats doing okay.

The question to signing Johan is several fold can the Twins afford to spend that much money and not hamstring their payroll in the future? My answer would be probably but it would force some other decisions, with the payroll expected to rise with the new stadium its doable but doesnt leave much room. Next is the value in return, is it enough to offset Johans talents with the help of knowing his payday will be huge? My vote is no on this one but it can swing both ways. Next is the length of the deal, Twins want shorter Johan wants longer, if you give him a 6 year extension as some have suggested he'll be 36 at the end of that contract. In the meantime there's certianly a risk of injury and how well he'll still be pitching at that age, some pitchers hold up quite well, others decline quickly.

I think a lot of Twins fans feel that the Pohlad family could possibly dip into their personal finances to keep Santana. This "gift" money would be a "thank you" to the people in Hennepin county for the public stadium financing. The money from outside of the typical team revenue would negate the risk of signing a pitcher for so many years to such ridiculous $$$.

It probably doesn't make much business sense, but it would be another good PR move (like the Cuddy and Morneau signings) for the team and family. I'm not sure Mr. Burns (Carl) cares too much about the PR.

Iastfan112 · 01-27-2008, 07:37 PM

Originally Posted by CTTB78

You win with pitching. Santana is the best left hander in the game. The Pohlads have the money. Show the fans that you want to win.
This would be comparable to the Patriots not resigning Brady because it would cost too much money. Please no small market stuff, the Pohlads are one of the richest families in baseball.

Its not as if they haven't even made an offer a 4 yr 80 million dollar extension was offered and while I would hope more attempts would be made towards signing him thats still 20 million a year to go out and make 32 starts for those of you doing the math at home thats about 2/3s of a million per start. Its a ton of money and adding the few more years and likely few million more per year to sign Santana might not be viewed worth the risk.

Bewilderme · 01-27-2008, 07:37 PM

Too bad we lost Terry Ryan...man he was a great GM.

Jables22 · 01-27-2008, 07:39 PM

Originally Posted by Bewilderme

Too bad we lost Terry Ryan...man he was a great GM.

He's still in the Twins organization. He's just a "special adviser" or something like that. I'm sure he's there to help Billy Smith if he needs advice.

Iastfan112 · 01-27-2008, 07:42 PM

Originally Posted by kurimski

Lamb is going to be the starting 3b. Most likely the OF will look like Kubel, Young, Cuddyer, and Monroe with the extra being the DH for the day. 3 of the 4 have the ability to play CF. There is also a shot that Pridie will play CF. If Monroe can be the player he was 2 years ago and Mauer can stay of the disable list the offense could be awesome.

My bet is its Pridie or whoever we trade Santana for(notice how all the deals have a CF in them Crisp, Cabera and Gomez) Kubel and Cuddyer while nice arms and decent in the field I doubt could cover CF. Young has been in CF before but the Rays fans I've read about say it was pretty bad. More likely Lf Young CF Pirdie/Santana compensation) RF Cuddyer and DH Kubel. Monroe will probably fill in the 4th outfielder/pinch hitter role.

Iastfan112 · 01-27-2008, 07:46 PM

Originally Posted by Jables22

I think a lot of Twins fans feel that the Pohlad family could possibly dip into their personal finances to keep Santana. This "gift" money would be a "thank you" to the people in Hennepin county for the public stadium financing. The money from outside of the typical team revenue would negate the risk of signing a pitcher for so many years to such ridiculous $$$.

It probably doesn't make much business sense, but it would be another good PR move (like the Cuddy and Morneau signings) for the team and family. I'm not sure Mr. Burns (Carl) cares too much about the PR.

Yes and the the Pohlad's have continued to raise the amount the team spends during the time too. In 2000 it was 30 million, now its 70 some and probably by the opening of the new stadium its 85 or 90. In Carl's mind its probably pretty generous of him tripling the money spent on the team in a 10 year span.

Dormeezy · 01-27-2008, 07:47 PM

Originally Posted by Bewilderme

Too bad we lost Terry Ryan...man he was a great GM.

I was disappointed to hear of his retirement as well, however I've been impressed with Bill Smith so far. I'm a huge fan of the trade for Delmon Young.

A side-note, one of my roommates is from the twin cities area and is neighbors with the Ryan's.