They just posted an article on the Twins website saying Carlos Gomez has been traded for J.J. Hardy. All I have to say at the moment, is wow. Good move for the Twins, but not so good for the Brewers.

The article claims Gomez may hit leadoff for the Brewers, which would be surprising, but he does have good speed. I like the move for the Twins, since it clears up the otufield mess and means we can finally have a regular outfield rotation. That the Twins have givne up so early on Gomez shows that maybe they admitted to themselves they made a mistake when they traded for him and worsened the mistake by trying to develope him in the bigs.

I think the Twins got a solid Short Stop in J.J. Hardy, though the Twins philosophy of "hit it the other way" will no doubt lower is power hitting a little and make him less of a home run threat should his offense rebound.

minnesota.twins.mlb.com/news/article.jsp?ymd=20091106&content_id=7631070&vkey=news_min&fext=.jsp&c_id=min

Lastly, I am glad it was Gomez that got the boot, and not Delmon Young. Now we will most likely see one of the many HS outfielders we drafted fill Gomez's spot on the roster.

haha you beat my post by less than a minute.

Anyway, if Hardy can get back to his 07 and 08 numbers, our team just got much better. It isn't as though we have been using Gomez as anything but a pinch runner and defensive replacement anyway.

Everyone's entitled to an off year...the question is "will he return to 2007-2008 form?" If he does this will be a great trade.

IF Hardy returns to 07 or 08 form then thats 7 possible players that could hit 20 plus Homeruns next season if things go well.

Mauer 30+
Morneau 30+
Kubel 25+
Cuddyer 25+
Hardy 20+
Crede 20+ (if he's back)
Young 20+ (maybe)

I'd like to see Crede resigned. Assuming its an incentive based contract and he understands that he's going to split time with Valencia at third, while mentoring him, I'm okay with bringing Joe back. It seems like a prudent move.
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Young hitting 20+ HR's? Well....maybe it could happen. I think right around 15-20 would be realistic, but who knows with Gomez gone and Young playing everyday now he could have a breakout season in 2010. I think the playing time will help him A LOT. Once Gardy decided that Gomez was nothing more then a backup outfielder and pinch runner, and started Young everyday in the outfield in late August / September he was much better.
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So yeah, your right. We could have 7 guys with 20+ homeruns next season. Thats great as far as offensive production goes.

It looks good but don't count on Mauer hitting 30+ HRs...he started hot in May and really cooled off HR wise. 11 HRs in May...17 in the final 4 months.

Young will probably be in the 15-20 range...more towards 15.

I too would like to see Crede back. But, if that happens don't expect Valencia to be in a major league uniform for at least the first half of the year. He needs defensive work at 3B and he'll get that playing everyday in Rochester not sitting on the bench in Minneapolis.

You do realize that even the "cooled off" 17 in 4 months is 4.5/month.. or 26 for the year right? still pretty close to 30...

Yes, I am...but, I do not expect 30 HRs at all. I would be happy with 20-25 HRs annually from Mauer.

Another subject for you...

Neshek is antsy for ST. He wants to see how his arm will respond.

Well we dont know what to expect from anyone with how the ballpark goes, but I think he could well hit 25-30, I'll go with 27 as an early estimate

im ready to see more of Neshek too.

We're going to have a deep pen next year.

I'll stay conservative 20-25...I would rather he get on base to make the other HRs hurt (multi run HRs). The Twins seem to get a lot of one run HRs.

Actually, the new stadium I think is shorter than the Dome in left center...so we will see.

Right, but you never know where there are some swirls, etc. a couple of things I've seen shown ribbons out in left field and they were blowing in... but then there could be a channel like in Arlington.. which is why i dont think we have any idea at this time

or like Yankee stadium...

I would like to see Mahay back...he has filed for FA.

The bullpen competition for 2010:

Nathan
Guerrier
Rauch
Crain
Mijares
Neshek
Liriano
Keppel
Bonser

and Mahay if he resigns.

That's still 10 men for a 7 man pen.. unless they expand the rosters here.. (I think that may happen in the next few years)

Nathan's not going to be traded IMO, he's safe
Guerrier and Rauch aren't going anywhere
I think crain's staying
Mijares is safe
Neshek i think will come north

6...
so my 7th... not keppel, I wouldn't mind Mahay, Bonser intrigues me, Liriano... Yeah I dont really care for him anymore, which of those 3?

I'd say Bonser which leaves Mahay, Keppel and Liriano out.. in my world.

I prefer Mahay...

If the Twins sign Pavano...(Baker, Slowey, Pavano and Blackburn in the rotation) that leaves a need for a #5 starter...Duensing most likely...

Liriano and Bonser could be trade bait...two #4 or 5 starters...who knows somebody would want them. Sorry, I wouldn't miss either one.

Keppel looks like he is turning things around...I think I would miss him to come up from AAA if needed.