Team Overview:
The Twins have hit the skids of late. In their last 14 games they are 5-9. They were 1-6 on their most recent road trip to Baltimore and Boston. They did finally beat Pedro Martinez on Monday 5-0. Even though the Twins bats haven’t been producing of late, they still hold a 13 ½ game lead on the Chicago White Sox. The only thing that stands in the way of post-season way is a possible strike. Don’t even get me started on that!!
Local Perspective:
With the Twin Cities holding the PGA Championship, the Twins have been relegated to the back page. Plus, with the Twins holding such a large lead, everyone is resigned to the fact that they will be in the post-season, and really is no drama in the divisional race. One development has to do with stadium talk. There has been at least 1 candidate for Governor who has said if there is a strike, the Twins can forget about getting any public help in a new stadium. And to tell you the truth, I agree. As much as the Twins need a new stadium, I don’t want to help out two groups of people (players and owners) who have no shortage of cash.
Player Reports:
C AJ Pierzynski- Pierzynski has really been struggling since the All-Star Break. His average has dipped almost 20 points. He also hasn’t been hitting for power. He still is worthy of being a starting fantasy C, since the position is so slim. He also has some value in keeper leagues, as he will be the Twins main catcher till Joe Mauer is ready.
1B Doug Mientkiewicz- Mientkiewicz’s average has not been up to his standards all year. He has been in the mid .250’s all year. His power has improved the last 2 weeks as he has now doubled his HR total to 10. Mientkiewicz has been a pretty good clutch hitter, despite his more average. Mientkiewicz is not worthy of being a fantasy starter, and also has limited value in keeper leagues as well.
2B Luis Rivas- Rivas missed the first 2 months of the year with a broken wrist, and Twins manager Ron Gardenhire tries to give him a day or two off each week. However, Rivas puts up respectable numbers and will only improve with age. Rivas may not be a fantasy starter this year, but has tremendous value in keeper leagues, as his best years are still ahead.
SS Cristian Guzman- Guzman is currently on an 18 game hitting streak. Guzman has really picked up his play since Rivas returned from the DL. One area of concern is Guzman gets caught stealing way to much for a guy with blinding speed. Once he learns to read pitches and get better jumps, Guzman has the potential to steal 50 bases. Which would make him attractive as a fantasy player.
3B Corey Koskie- Koskie isn’t putting up the kind of numbers he did last year. His numbers are still solid, and one must consider he has missed time with various injuries. Koskie seems to have a bit of bad luck this year. As soon as he gets hot, some freak injury happens to him. Koskie is a fantasy starter and has good value in keeper leagues.
OF Jacque Jones- Jones has been the biggest surprise of the year. He has hit 21 HR’s and driven in over 70 runs batting leadoff. It seems that Jones can really get the team fired up by starting the game off with a bang. Jones also is a young guy, with the potential to get better. However, that may not be with the Twins. The Twins have so many good young OF’s that eventually some may go. Since Jones will be looking for a nice pay raise in a year or two, he may price himself out of the Twins budget. Jones does have nice fantasy value now, and in keeper leagues.
OF Torii Hunter- Hunter has taken over as “The Man” on the Twins team. The Twins have been lacking a superstar since Kirby Puckett’s retirement. But by the look of things Hunter has now stepped up and taken over a leadership roll on the team. Hunter is a definite fantasy starter, and has tremendous value in keeper leagues.
OF Bobby Kielty- Kielty is a rookie splitting time with fellow rookie Dustan Mohr in RF. Kielty is batting over .300 and plays very good defense. Kietly has no fantasy value now, but is one to watch in the years to come.
OF Dustan Mohr- Mohr’s average has been going down lately, but is defense is still outstanding. Mohr and Kielty have split time in RF and have made a potential weakness on the team into a strength.
DH David Ortiz- Ortiz has been on fire the past month and a half. Ortiz seems to finally be living up to the potential the Twins have predicted. Ortiz carried the club offensively in July.
P Joe Mays- Mays shutout the Red Sox, and beat Pedro Martinez, his last start. Mays said he has been trying to over throw since his return, and has now settled down and let his natural ball movement take over. Mays has good upside in terms of fantasy value this year, and in keeper leagues.
P Rick Reed- Reed has been pitching much better as of late. He has been nicked up with various small injuries, but continues to take his turn on the mound. Once the Twins clinch the division, Reed may be given extra days off, so his fantasy value isn’t as great as Mays.
P Eric Milton- Milton has recently had knee surgery, and will out till mid September. The Twins are hoping he gets a couple starts before post-season play begins. Milton has no fantasy value the rest of this year.
P Brad Radke- Radke got his first win since May, by beating the White Sox 7-3 on August 19. Radke has struggled all year. Granted he has been hurt, but had been struggling before that as well. He may have some fantasy value for this season, as he hasn’t pitched many innings and will need to build up arm strength for the post-season.
P Kyle Lohse- Lohse has been the biggest surprise of the year. Lohse has been the one starter who has taken the ball each time his turn has come up. He leads the Twins in innings pitched and has also reached double figures in wins. Lohse’s greatest fantasy value is in keeper leagues.
P Johan Santana- Santana has been a reliever and starter this year. With so many injuries to the Twins rotation, Santana has played a huge roll in the Twins success. Santana is one to watch if you are in keeper leagues.
P Eddie Guardado- Guardado leads the AL in saves and is a fantasy starter. But he may not have much value in keeper leagues, as JC Romero has the potential to be a closer.
P JC Romero- Romero is the Twins closer in waiting. Thus, he is one to keep track off if you are in a keeper league.
Roster Moves:
OF Michael Cuddyer was optioned to Triple A Edmonton and C Matthew LeCroy was recalled. Cuddyer just couldn’t get enough at bats to stay sharp, and this isn’t really a demotion, but an opportunity for Cuddyer to play every day. Cuddyer knows this and he will be back.
