Building Blocks: Minnesota Twins (Mogul 2k6)

[mattynokes]

May In Review
June 1, 2021





Around The League
5/4 - White Sox CF Delmon Young scores 1500th run
5/7 - Skyhawks SP Sean Burnett is out for 3 months (Broken Neck)
5/8 - Rangers CL John Giometti is out for 4 weeks (Wrist Stress Fracture)
5/10/ - Skyhawks release SP Sean Burnett
5/11 - Reds RF Wily Ballesteros hits 300th home run
5/14 - A's SP Jorge de la Rosa wins 250th game
5/14 - Giants SP Jeremy Mass pitches a No-Hitter
5/19 - Orioles SP Stew Agee pitches a No-Hitter
5/24 - Giants LF Tan Seki hits 300th home run

[OregonDuck1989]

De La Rosa!

[mattynokes]

OregonDuck1989: Yep and he's very studly on this file. Maybe even the best pitcher currently in baseball.
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40-Man Roster
2021 Transactions
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Minnesota Twins Baseball
June 1, 2021

Minnesota Twins May: Notes & Stats

• SS Sam Miller has continued his hot hitting, but has caught the error bug
  
  
• DH Eric Filler has been on fire as of late and has slid into the 3-hole
  
  
• RF James Norris seems to be responding well to the lineup shake up ... His average is now up to .171 and he hit
  
  
• C Joe Mauer is still homer-less and hit a dismal .149 in May
  
  
• Despite not hitting for much of an avergae Mark Kiger is still getting on-base to a fine tune (.356) and is playing terrific defense
  
  
• Steve West is starting to get a hang of center field ... He went error-less last month and still has a range factor of over 2.00
  
  
• SP Chris Cook is slowly, but surely starting to turn in productive starts
  
  
• SP Heath Cunicelli is still impressing ... He turned in another complete game shutout and nearly tallied a third
  
  
• SP Eric Williamson has been getting shelled in the rotation ... He could be getting his red ticket pretty soon
  
  
  
• Orlando Padilla has responded well to a trip to the bullpen ... He's only allowed one earned run in five and two thirds innings of work
  
  
• Ben Trollo has responded well to extra development in Triple-A ... He's posted a 2.64 ERA in 11 starts and owns a .221 OBA
  
  
  Minor League Movements
  1B Jack Tomchak: Promoted to Single-A Fort Myers
  RP Martin Ignatius: Promoted to Triple-A Rochester
  SP Marc Shelden: Promoted to Double-A New Britain
  SP Fred Kangas: Promoted to Double-A New Britain
  RP Sam Faraglia: Promoted to Double-A New Britain
  SP Derek Ward: Promoted to Single-A Fort Myers

[mattynokes]

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Minnesota Twins Baseball
June 7, 2021

Williamson Placed On Disabled List

Starting pitcher Eric Williamson has been placed on the 15-day DL with a stress fracture in his left index finger (throwing hand). This might prove to be the evidence of his recent rough stretch. In his past two starts he has given up twenty hits in just seven and two thirds innings of work. The placement is also retroactive to June 4th. In his place the Twins have called up Ben Trollo from the Rochester Red Wings. Trollo has dominated in his eleven starts so far in Triple-A. He has a 2.64 ERA with a .221 OBA, earning him a 5-1 record. It's likely that he could get a start while he's up, but for now he's headed to the bullpen while Ruben Monteiro has earned himself a chance for a start with his 3.65 ERA, 9.85 K/9, and 0.36 HR/9 so far this season.

[mattynokes]

June In Review
July 1, 2021





Around The League
6/2 - Reds CL David Schafer saves 300th game
6/5 - Rangers LF Paul Bess hits 300th home run
6/9 - Padres CL Joe Sussman saves 300th game
6/15 - Cardinals SP David Bay is out for four weeks with a broken finger
6/16 - A's RF Cameron Coughlan hits 300th home run
6/26 - Braves 3B Lance Lewis hits 300th home run

[mattynokes]

40-Man Roster
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Minnesota Twins Baseball
July 1, 2021

Minnesota Twins June: Notes & Stats

• 3B Greg Beville suffered a dislocated shoulder in late June ... Since it was his left shoulder we thought he could play through the injury, but eventually he had to be placed on the DL
  
  
• RF James Norris is heating up ... He hit .337 with 10 homers this month (Something we'll need with Beville out for awhile)
  
  
• C Joe Mauer is getting back to form ... He hit .293 and finally cracked a homer (five actually) this month
  
  
• Since Steve West isn't hitting up to par, we've started giving Edgar Cadena spot starts ... Cadena hit .231 in 26 ABs in June
  
  
• SP Chris Cook broke the 5.00 ERA plain and dazzled in his last start -- earning a complete game victory in a three hit shutout
  
  
• SP Heath Cunicelli's good fortunes continue as he now has his season ERA down to 3.66
  
  
• RP Kenny Bliss has been dominate this month ... He only allowed one earned run in fourteen innings and owns a .153 OBA overall on the season
  
  
  Minor League Movements - Made June 16th
  2B Phil Harwood: Promoted to Single-A Fort Myers
  3B Steve Richey: Promoted to Triple-A Rochester
  SP Martin Cavell: Promoted to Triple-A Rochester

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Editor's Note: I've discovered that trying to update the roster for everyone roster move is a bit too much and it probably isn't seen by many readers. I'll still keeping attaching the link to every post and will continue to update if someone is using an option or is placed on the 60-day DL. I'm also wondering your opinions on the game recaps for the big time milestones. Do you like them? Would you rather the boxscores of those games instead?

[mattynokes]

2021 All-Star Game
July 11, 2021

2021 All-Star Game Rosters

AMERICAN LEAGUE ALL STAR TEAM

       C : Julio Rivera (OAK)          1,685,261 votes
      1B : Brian Tanner (SEA)          1,608,026
      2B : Shane Nagy (OAK)            1,238,497
      3B : Mike Kipfer (DET)           1,377,437
      SS : Hanley Ramirez (BOS)        1,158,676
      OF : Mark West (OAK)             1,410,011
      OF : Cameron Coughlan (OAK)      1,237,600
      OF : Victor Bonilla (STL)        1,297,539
   Bench : Manny Sarsola (CAR)        
   Bench : Earl Cady (CHW)            
   Bench : Mark Kiger (MIN)           
   Bench : Moreno Salinas (NYY)       
   Bench : Jason Mezger (NYY)         
   Bench : Dwight Cherry (OAK)        
 Pitcher : Stew Agee (BAL)            
 Pitcher : Geronimo Mariani (LAA)     
 Pitcher : Reggie Lemieux (POR)       
 Pitcher : Macay McBride (OAK)        
 Pitcher : Robert Hoffman (OAK)       
 Pitcher : Jorge de la Rosa (OAK)     
 Pitcher : Daveed Queiro (BOS)        
 Pitcher : Oscar Villarreal (POR)     
 Pitcher : Huston Street (BAL)        
 Pitcher : Manny Delcarmen (CAR)      
 Pitcher : Phil Humber (DET)          

NATIONAL LEAGUE ALL STAR TEAM

       C : Chris Moody (CIN)           1,305,847 votes
      1B : Juan Oliva (SFG)            1,690,562
      2B : Rickie Weeks (PIT)          1,123,963
      3B : Albert Pujols (HOU)           995,211
      SS : Adam Francis (PIT)            874,139
      OF : Jay Bruce (CIN)               907,422
      OF : Barry Dawson (PIT)            937,379
      OF : Randy Perry (ATL)             951,313
   Bench : Alberto Toribio (LVA)      
   Bench : Chad Helbig (PHI)          
   Bench : Joseph Evans (SDP)         
   Bench : Paul Bess (TEX)            
   Bench : Eric Leominster (WAS)      
   Bench : Jeffery Prater (PIT)       
 Pitcher : Sean Turney (LAD)          
 Pitcher : Ricardo Romero (TOR)       
 Pitcher : Homer Bailey (CIN)         
 Pitcher : Manny Gallardo (PIT)       
 Pitcher : Gabriel Creta (PIT)        
 Pitcher : Brad Neuenhoff (PIT)       
 Pitcher : Leo Nunez (PHI)            
 Pitcher : David Schafer (CIN)        
 Pitcher : Joe Sussman (SDP)          
 Pitcher : Damian Gravellese (TOR)    
 Pitcher : John Foster (ATL)

[mattynokes]

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Deadline Trade Pieces
By Trent Cameron [July 11, 2021 at 12:05pm CST]

As the trade deadline approaches who could the Twins be looking at dealing away? They have a wealth of veterans who likely won't be back in 2022 and can help out a team in the playoff race. Here's a look at each of the possible shopping pieces...

• 2B Mark Kiger - His All-Star selection has puzzled many and while he isn't a coveted piece, he is making above the league minimum and isn't likely to be back next season. He could be solid veteran presence off the bench.
  
  
• 3B Greg Beville - He's on the DL right now and will be for about another two weeks. He should be activated right before July 31. He's got 15 homers in 273 at-bats and if he comes back strong for a few games someone might be interested in adding his bat.
  
  
• OF Steve West - His speed alone could make him wanted by teams around the majors. He's now also shown quality skill in center field. The prospects of him making $1.5M could make the Twins decide to shop him. Joe Christensen of the Star Tribune notes that trading him would nullify his mutual option clause.
  
  
• CF Edgar Cadena - As West will be shopped, so will Cadena. To Minnesota he's more valuable. He's younger and will make just $2M through 2023. They would prefer to keep Cadena, but if West can't draw interest, then Cadena could be a candidate to be traded. He hasn't hit well this season, but does still posses quality defense.
  
  
• SP Eric Williamson - He's makes just a cool league minimum and he's won his last two starts, going 15 2/3 innings with a 2.30 ERA in those two ball games. He is a bit of a health concern, but the Twins are likely to ask very much for him, so it could be a low risk, high reward type of situation for one of the other 23 teams.
  
  
• RP Paul Tignor - He too, is also making the league minimum. There's no big injury concerns with him, but his production has been lacking this season. So far his 4.97 ERA is the highest since 2016 and his .262 OBA is the highest he's seen, period. If a team buys on him, they're buying on his past success and hoping that he can turn 2021 around for the good.

[mattynokes]

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Twins Complete Four Player Trade
By Trent Cameron [July 27, 2021 at 1:20pm CST]

The initial story was broke by MLB Network's Gavin Nokes earlier this morning. Nokes informed us that the Twins have found a trade partner for the designated Richard Vibulatad. The Cincinnati Reds lack bench depth and they're currently carrying three catchers - on their bench! Vibulatd should prove to be the utility infielder they're looking for. In return the Twins receive RP James Robbins, who was undrafted this past January. Scouts suggest he has quality pitches, he just can't locate them with any consistency.

SI's Jon Heyman followed with saying that the trade had grown. The Reds were also looking for some inexpensive pitching options and naturally Eric Williamson's name came up. He's had success out of the 'pen and rotation during his career and the minimum salary had to interest the Reds as well. He'll likely be headed to the bullpen once again, but could see the occasional spot start. The total trade stacks up to the Reds getting Vibulatd and Williamson for Robbins and 3B prospect Lucas Stevens. Stevens features good power with solid defense. With Steve Richey as the future at third, Stevens won't have high expectations here, but he can surely be a nice bench bat down the road. Ben Trollo will be called up in place of Williamson.

TRADE RECAP







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Editor's Note On Trade Fairness: As you can tell by the screenshots the Reds lack of depth was forcing them to carry a player like Stevens on the MLB roster. They also have some pitching depth issues in which they have a top prospect, SP Ephraim Daluz (63/90) as the Alt. Starter. The trade just makes total sense for Cincy as they aren't giving up any huge talent and they plug two holes.

[mattynokes]

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Twins Surprise, Deal Padilla
By Trent Cameron [July 30, 2021 at 8:39pm CST]

Reports are that there's absolutely zero interest in either Mark Kiger or Steve West and that must've had the Twins resorting to shopping Orlando Padilla. Surprisingly there was a lot of interest in Padilla and Minnesota comes away with a solid prospect in Marcus Watts. He's a speedy guy who plays good defense and should turn into a good hitter for average. The one big knock on him is that he rarely walks. He'll need work there for sure and the good news is that he knows the strike zone well, just doesn't let the count get to "ball four" very often.

Fox Sports' Ken Rosenthal wonders why the Angels would be going after a pitcher with a 7.85 ERA period, let alone that they're out of the playoff race. MLB.com's Lyle Spencer suggests that the Angels are looking beyond 2021 for Padilla and notes how deep they are at short stop. Taking Padilla's spot on the 25-man roster will be Brian Kovanda, who has a 3.76 ERA with a .246 OBA in Triple-A.

TRADE RECAP



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Editor's Note On Trade Fairness: Even though the Angels aren't in the race and they give up a pretty good prospect for a pitcher who isn't performing well this season, I have some good reasons. Many teams were offering good prospects, some in the 90+ peak range (which I thought was WAY too much). I think them giving up a good prospects comes with the competition for Padilla. It also makes sense that they could have interest in him for the future as he's only 28. In addition they are LAAA-OOOO-DDD-EEEDDD with quality and quality SS prospects. Another note. How do you guys like the info posted in-season? Anything you'd like to see added? Removed? Replaced with something else? I just noticed that many aren't checking out the team stats or the game scores on the milestones. If there's interest in seeing something different I'd consider molding my posting in such a manner.

[mattynokes]

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No Surprise Today, Beville Dealt
By Trent Cameron [July 31, 2021 at 9:24am CST]

• MLB's Kelly Thesier broke the story this morning and it's no surprise that with Steve Richey putting up good numbers in Rochester that Beville would be shopped. Many teams were interested, but most wanted to wait as long as possible to see how he responded, coming back form his shoulder injury. Most also weren't a match with the Twins. In return for Beville they receive prospect Mike Schultz. He can play second base and center field. He'll likely be labeled as the Twins' future center fielder right off the bat. In 99 games at Single-A Delmarva the 20 year old has only hit .252 with a .678 OPS, but it's the potential that scouts suggest that has Minnesota thinking of what the future can hold for Schultz. Only time will tell if they're right.
  
  9:46am The Star Tribune's Joe Christensen reports that the Twins have acquired 27 year old catcher Chris Darusmont from the Red Sox. It appears as if Joe Mauer is now going to move to DH. Who's to play third base is anyone's guess. Eric Filler has played the hot corner in the lower minor league levels, but moved to first because of subpar defense. Minnesota dealt away prospect 2B Chris Mareth to get Darusmont.

ORIOLES TRADE RECAP



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Editor's Note On Trade Fairness: Another team that's out of it, but Beville is signed for another two years after 2023 and their current 3B just isn't up to par, hitting .184 on the season. I also feel that Schultz' peak makes him a bit overrated. He should become a very good player, but I see him settling into the 88-92 range even with him developing normally.

[mattynokes]

July In Review
August 1, 2021





Around The League
7/11 - Yankees trade 3B Garrett DiGiacomo to the Angels
7/13 - White Sox CF Kyle Wood collects 2000th hit
7/19 - Reds trade SP Homer Bailey and CL David Schafer to the Aces
7/25 - Giants 1B Juan Oliva collects 2000th hit
7/27 - Orioles SP Stew Agee pitches a No-Hitter

[mattynokes]

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Minnesota Twins Baseball
August 1, 2021

Minnesota Twins July: Notes & Stats

• SS Sam Miller is starting to develop into more of an on-base threat
  
  
• 1B Chris McNess is in a full blown sophomore slump ... His average is down to .204 and he hit just two home runs last month
  
  
• C Joe Mauer is likely to move to DH with the acquisition of Chris Darusmont
  
  
• 2B Mark Kiger is really showing the affects of his age, but stands just eight hits away from 3,000
  
  
• SP Heath Cunicelli has come back down to Earth, but has still been the Twins best starter
  
  
• Making great strides is SP Derek Ward ... He's dominated Single-A in his 12 starts, going 8-0 with a 2.39 ERA and an impressive 1.59 BB/9
  
  
  Minor League Movements
  3B Lucas Stevens: Promoted to Double-A New Britain
  SP Derek Ward: Promoted to Double-A New Britain
  SP Josh Murphey: Promoted to Single-A Fort Myers

[mattynokes]

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Minnesota Twins Baseball
August 8, 2021

Mauer Sidelined With Ankle Injury, Placed On DL

While just 69 hits away from 3,000 and now having been moved to DH to preserve his body, ironically, he's now injured and has been placed on the 15-day Disabled List. While rounding first on a fly out to center field in the sixth he "tweaked" his ankle, but remained in the game. The right ankle injury kept him from feeling comfortable during his eighth inning at-bat, in which he struck quickly. Team doctor's are diagnosing as a stretched Calcaneofibular ligament (Sprained Ankle). It's nothing too serious and after ten to fifteen days he should be able to return to baseball activities and continue his march towards that 3,000th hit. In the meantime, Marc Near will be called up for Triple-A Rochester to take his spot.

[futuremarlinsgm]

Just had a question. With all the quality pieces you're trading, who are you planning on building your franchise around for the years to come? Not exactly certain based on the moves you've done. But I will admit that you've gotten really good value in the deals.