Building Blocks: Minnesota Twins (Mogul 2k6)

[mattynokes]

Is Minnesota For Real?
By Trent Cameron [June 1, 2022 at 8:31 CST]

It's hard to think that the Twins could actually be competing after they've been so bad for so long. Minnesota hasn't had a winning season since 2013 and they haven't tasted the post-season since 2008. Five out of the last six season the Twins have endured at least 100 losses. But with a third of the season complete Minnesota finds itself atop the AL Central by two games.

The Detroit Tigers led the Central after April with a great 17-9 record, but fell to fourth place with a 8-21 record in May. The Tigers have some good bats and some high quality pitchers, but not likely enough to sustain a climb back to the top of the division.

Current second place team, Chicago, could be a competitor. Their lineup is pretty good and they just signed long time Giant left fielder Tan Seki who has 332 career home runs. The Achilles Heel for the White Sox lies in their starting pitching. Beyond ace Craig Italiano, the rotation is a real question mark. However, their bullpen is quite reliable.

The St. Louis Cardinals started out slow in April, but turned in a solid 18-12 record in May. Now this could be the team to truly contend with the Twins. Top to bottom their lineup is superb and their pitching staff is full of quality arms as well.

Minnesota has holes in their lineup, a couple of iffy starters, and inexperience in the bullpen. It's doubtful that Joe Mauer can keep up his pace and center fielder Edgar Cadena surely can't be counted on for quality success. Rookies Aaron Weaver and Steve Richey are struggling and if they don't get it together those two additional holes in the lineup could hold the Twins back. They'll likely need to add another starter for a stretch run and while the middle relief of Brian Kovanda, Kenny Bliss, and Tim Raymond has been effective, one has to wonder how long they'll keep it up.

The Twins will undoubtedly have to add some veterans to sustain their lead. The question will be if they make the moves early enough and if the current placeholders can keep the division lead alive. Though betting money would be on St. Louis starting to pull away with the lead.

[mattynokes]

Twins Acquire Reliever
By Trent Cameron [June 6, 2022 at 11:21pm CST]

MLB's Kelly Thesier reports the Twins picked up a reliever from the Atlanta Braves. Ben Jarrad moves up north, while Justin Sepulveda and James Caplinger head to Hotlanta. Jarrad hasn't seen the majors since 2017, but he showed a powerful arm by striking out 66 batters in 49 innings.

TRADE RECAP






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Editor's Note: This trade was an easy call on fairness. While rating wise I probably get the better end of the deal, Atlanta wasn't using him and Sepulveda can spend more time developing in the minors.

[mattynokes]

June In Review
July 1, 2022





Around The League
Coming Soon...

[mattynokes]

Off of a long hiatus I'm digging this dynasty back up.
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40-Man Roster
2022 Transactions
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Minnesota Twins Baseball
July 1, 2022

Minnesota Twins June: Notes & Stats

• With a 10-18 record for the month of June the Twins fell from first place to fourth place in just a matter of 30 days.
  
  
• On the bright side, Joe Mauer collected his 3,000th hit on June 7th!
  
  
• With defensive struggles, Noah Turmell will move back to left field, while James Norris will move back to right field.
  
  
  Minor League Movements
  None

[mattynokes]

2021 All-Star Game
July 11, 2022

2022 All-Star Game Rosters

AMERICAN LEAGUE ALL STAR TEAM

       C : Julio Rivera (OAK)          2,702,871 votes
      1B : Earl Lassiter (STL)         1,687,376
      2B : Shane Nagy (OAK)            2,041,939
      3B : Mike Kipfer (DET)           1,587,824
      SS : Hanley Ramirez (BOS)          816,132
      OF : Brant DuBay (BOS)             967,220
      OF : Travis Buck (OAK)             931,099
      OF : Victor Bonilla (STL)          903,000
   Bench : Aaron Yearling (BAL)       
   Bench : Kenny Hill (CAR)           
   Bench : Kyle Wood (CHW)            
   Bench : Garret DiGiacomo (LAA)     
   Bench : Richard Kovalew (NYY)      
   Bench : Brian Tanner (SEA)         
 Pitcher : Joe Drew (MIN)             
 Pitcher : Ervin Santana (POR)        
 Pitcher : David Bay (STL)            
 Pitcher : Jon Devries (DET)          
 Pitcher : Will Lowell (OAK)          
 Pitcher : Aaron Wolinski (DET)       
 Pitcher : Eric Sabel (DET)           
 Pitcher : John Giometti (CAR)        
 Pitcher : Buster Poindexter (CAR)    
 Pitcher : Justin Siepler (POR)       
 Pitcher : Jon Barratt (CHW)          

NATIONAL LEAGUE ALL STAR TEAM

       C : Chris Moody (CIN)           1,032,779 votes
      1B : Dan Hebert (CIN)            1,171,099
      2B : Rickie Weeks (PIT)          1,241,106
      3B : José Cordova (CIN)          1,009,213
      SS : Adam Francis (PIT)            998,361
      OF : Jay Bruce (CIN)             1,806,609
      OF : Fernando Mejino (TOR)       1,065,354
      OF : Nate Espy (PHI)             1,053,242
   Bench : Matthew Hechtman (ATL)     
   Bench : Albert Pujols (HOU)        
   Bench : Kyle Shiman (LVA)          
   Bench : Brad Green (LAD)           
   Bench : Joseph Evans (SDP)         
   Bench : Juan Oliva (SFG)           
   Bench : Keith Friel (TEX)          
 Pitcher : Robert Hoffman (WAS)       
 Pitcher : Nomar Diaz (CIN)           
 Pitcher : Rafael Gonzalez (CIN)      
 Pitcher : Brian Voitle (CIN)         
 Pitcher : Homer Bailey (LVA)         
 Pitcher : Darby Huck (TEX)           
 Pitcher : Eric Steffens (PHI)        
 Pitcher : Joseph Walton (LVA)        
 Pitcher : David Schafer (LVA)        
 Pitcher : Chris Elsworth (ATL)       
 Pitcher : Justin John (PIT)

[mattynokes]

Rumor Round-Up: Minnesota Twins
By Trent Cameron [July 23, 2022 at 4:05pm CT]

During Spring Training the expectations weren't very high for Minnesota. But during the opening two months the Twins notched a 30-25 record. Then came the month of June, which ended in a 10-18 record. It looked like it was back to reality for the Twinkies, but they came surging in the heat of July, currently standing at 50-47 after a 10-4 run with just finishing up a series sweep of Portland.

The big question is, "will the be buyers at the deadline?" They open a three game set with AL-worst Baltimore on the road before then heading to face the 46-52 White Sox to wrap up the month of July. With standing just 3.0 games behind Wild Card leading Boston, Minnesota just may toss their hats in the ring.

• Fox Sports' Ken Rosenthal doesn't expect any moves to be made until after the Orioles series.
  
  
• MLB's Rhett Bolinger suggests they go after a reliever or two and a pair of bats.
  
  
• Joe Christensen of the Star Tribune believes third base, designated hitter, or center field are the positions Minnesota will look to upgrade.

[mattynokes]

Twins Pull Off Trifecta
By Trent Cameron [July 28, 2022 at 6:30pm CT]

Now Ken Rosenthal may have predicted it correctly that the Twins would hold off on trades until after the Baltimore series, but could he have predicted that they would pull off three different deals on their off days following the series? Well that's exactly what just happened. Minnesota has reeled in a fine assortment of players.

• Fox Sports' Ken Rosenthal broke the initial trade that occurred just after midnight, saying, "Huston Street won't be making the trip to Washington, he'll be leaving Baltimore as a Twin."
  
  
• MLB's Rhett Bolinger was surprised to see that Minnesota gave up as much cash as they did for Atlanta's Jeff Haluska. He also felt they gave up a little too much for reliever David Pickle. The Twins gave up two solid prospects plus veteran corner infielder Mike Jameson.
  
  
• Joe Christensen of the Star Tribune thinks the Twins aren't done dealing. He expects them to make a July 31st deal for a starter.

ORIOLES TRADE RECAP






BRAVES TRADE RECAP
x Ten



YANKEES TRADE RECAP







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Editor's Note On Trade Fairness: BALTIMORE - The have one of the worst records in baseball. Ingatius gives them a solid prospect to one day fill Street's void and Kovanda will be the short-term replacement. ATLANTA - They're in debt, over budget, and oddly enough signed an 83 rated third baseman for five years to sit the bench. This gets them out of debt and they still have a solid option to replace Haluska. YANKEES - I felt just the two prospects was enough, especially since they were going to accept a peaked 77 rated player in Watts' place. The throw-in really won't hurt too much.

[mattynokes]

July In Review
August 1, 2022





Around The League
7/6 - Dodgers 1B Stefan Bailie collects his 3000th hit
7/7 - Nationals sign CF Trevor Marley on a one year contract
7/12 - Pilots SP Ervin Santana wins 300th game
7/15 - Red Sox acquire C Pablo Unzues from the Reds
7/16 - Cardinals acquire SP Manny Fontes from the Pilots
7/18 - Reds SP Brian Viotle throws a No-Hitter

[mattynokes]

40-Man Roster
2022 Transactions
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Minnesota Twins Baseball
August 1, 2022

Minnesota Twins July: Notes & Stats

• With a 13-7 July record the Twins are back in the playoff hunt.
  
  
• Starters Joe Drew and Chris Cook are still pitching great with sub-3.00 ERAs through the month of July.
  
  
• 1B Chris McNees has already set a career high with 27 homers.
  
  
  Minor League Movements
  CF Mike Schultz: Promoted to Single-A Ft. Myers
  RP Sam Faraglia: Promoted to Triple-A Rochester
  RP Matthew Hacker: Promoted to Single-A Ft. Myers
  RP Cristian Garcia: Promoted to Single-A Ft. Myers

[twinsfan1127]

keep 'em coming!

[BINGLEBOP]

Always loved this format and your great writing style (especially with the trade rumors). It's refreshing to see. Great to see you started it back up! Seems like most people just abandon their dynasty if they don't post in it for even a week or something.

[mattynokes]

twinsfan1127: For sure!

BINGLEBOP: Thanks. I enjoy the simplicities of 2k6 and from time to time I find myself looking over files from old leagues and such. I never thought I'd actually get this one back up and running, but we'll see where this leads.
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August In Review
September 1, 2022







Around The League
8/13 - TOR CF Fernando Mejino hits for the cycle
8/16 - LAD SP Lane Tanner strikes out 3000th batter
8/20 - PIT 2B Rickie Weeks hits for the cycle
8/25 - LAA LF Rob Gillette is out for 5 weeks (Torn Knee Ligaments)
8/26 - LVA SP Samuel Ramos throws a no-hitter
8/28 - SFG 1B Juan Oliva hits 600th home run

[mattynokes]

40-Man Roster
2022 Transactions
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Minnesota Twins Baseball
September 1, 2022

Minnesota Twins August: Notes & Stats

• Jeff Haluska isn't hitting for a lot of power, but is hitting .292 and playing great defense.
  
  
• With another home run from Sam Miller and Aaron Weaver apiece, the Twins will have seven 15+ home run guys in their lineup.
  
  
• Starters Joe Drew and Chris Cook have both seen their ERAs rise above 3.00.
  
  Minor League Movements
  None

[mattynokes]

Minnesota Signs Ricardo Romero
By Trent Cameron [September 10, 2022 at 10:22pm CT]

Amidst a 2-4 start to September the Twins have reached out and signed veteran Ricardo Romero for the remainder of the season. Romero will not be eligible for post-season play (if the Twins end up winning the Wild Card), but will provide another quality arm in the rotation over the final four weeks of the season.

Romero wasn't signed until mid-season by Seattle, but after an injury Romero was released after just two starts. The Minnesota medical staff have cleared him of his previous wrist injury. The 40 year old veteran will make $546,000 for the rest of the season.

[mattynokes]

2022 Season In Review
October 12, 2022









Around The League
No Significant Milestones or Injuries