Minnesota Twins Secure Rights to Tsuyoshi Nishioka

The Minnesota Twins have won the right to negotiate with 26-year-old infielder Tsuyoshi Nishioka on a major league contract. Apparently the sum to earn the right to negotiate with the Japanese star costed around $5 million. Nishioka led Japan's Pacific League with a .346 batting average this season and had 206 hits, becoming the first Pacific League player to get 200 hits since Ichiro Suzuki. He led the Marines to this year's Japan Series championship. The Twins have 30 days to work out a deal with Nishioka. He could play either shortstop or 2nd base.

Ron Gardenhire Wins American League Manager of the Year

Ron Gardenhire is pretty familiar with the American League Manager of the Year. He was a 5-time runner-up until last week when he was named the American League Manager of the Year. Ron Washington of the Texas Rangers finished in 2nd place. Gardenhire led the Minnesota Twins to a 94-68 record and another American League Central Division Title. Even with injuries to Joe Nathan and Justin Morneau, Gardenhire found a way to get the 6th AL Central Title in 9 years. Congratulations to Ron Gardenhire!

Justin Morneau Upset About Target Field

Last week, Minnesota Twins 1st baseman Justin Morneau voiced his concerns and frustrations with Target Field's dimensions. It is a tough ballpark to hit home runs at. Morneau stated “Right-center to left-center is ridiculous." He then went on to state, “You start to develop bad habits as a hitter when you feel like you can only pull the ball to hit it over the fence. You take those habits on the road.’’

The Twins record at home last season was 53-28 in 2010, the best in the American League. The team decided to not change Target Field's dimensions. The Minnesota Twins president, Dave St. Peter, pointed to that fact in defending the decision to retain Target Field’s dimensions. The Twins hit 52 home runs at Target Field and hit 91 on the road.

Free Agent Splash?

The Free Agency Period has officially begun for Major League Baseball. High sought after free agents include Cliff Lee, Derek Jeter, Carl Crawford, Carlos Pena, Jason Werth, and Derek Lee. Are the Minnesota Twins expected to make a move on any of these players. Probably not and for right reasons. Keep an eye on where these players end up because all of them can still perform at a high level. Also, rumors around the league are saying that the Twins might make a move for Kansas City Royals pitcher Zach Greinke. It'd probably be a stretch, but something to pay attention to.

Minnesota Twins Pick Up Jason Kubel's Option

The Minnesota Twins reportedly picked up Jason Kubel's $5.25 million option for 2011 and turned down Nick Punto's $5 million option for 2011. After having a career year in 2009, Jason Kubel hit 21 home runs and batted .249 in 2010. The hope is that Jason Kubel can come back strong in 2011 and be that player he is capable of being. Also, I'd like to see thank you to Nick Punto for all the hustle he had as a Twins player. We will see where he goes this offseason.

World Series Notes

The Minnesota Twins are not in the World Series. However, I've still paid attention to playoff baseball as the Texas Rangers dismantled the New York Yankees and the San Francisco Giants took down the Philadelphia Phillies. The World Series features two teams that have NEVER won a World Series (by that, I mean the San Fransisco Giants have never won a World Series since they moved there in 1957). So, one team will win it's first World Championship. The Texas Rangers hadn't even won a playoff series before this postseason and have now won 2 in a row. I like both teams and just hope to see a fun series.

Minnesota Twins Top Prospects

The Minnesota Twins have a philosophy that stresses promoting from within. Many of the Twins players have come up through the Minnesota Twins minor league system. That being said, here is my rankings of the Minnesota Twins top prospects going into next season.

1- Kyle Gibson - starting pitcher that rose through the ranks to AAA in his first season.
2-Aaron Hicks - enormous potential, if he develops power he is a 5 tool prospect with speed, a good arm, good fielding, and good eye at the plate
3- Miguel Sano - very young but his upside is unlimited. could be the future shortstop for the Twins in 5 years (he's 16!)
4- Ben Revere - speedy outfielder has a knack for finding a way to get on base. unfortunately lacks power but he could play well at his niche - fielding, hitting for average, and stealing bases. tasted the big leagues this season for the Twins
5- Max Kepler-Rozycki - I'm really high on this kid. He's from Germany and has the look of a big league player. He's still very young and I hope someday can be a main contributor from the outfield. He held his own in rookie ball.

Who Will Be Back?

Here are the pending free agents for next year:

Nick Punto, JJ Hardy, Orlando Hudson, Jim Thome, Carl Pavano, Matt Guerrier, Brian Fuentes, Jesse Crain, Jon Rauch.

It will be interesting to see who gets brought back and who goes. Stay Tuned. My gut feeling is that Thome and maybe 1 from the bullpen are back.

Michael Cuddyer to Get Knee Surgery

Michael Cuddyer will need surgery on his right knee. Apparently it bugged him since the beginning of the season but stated it did not affect his playing ability. The outfielder has only played for the Minnesota Twins and has been a warrior in terms of ability to play different positions and play nearly all season long. Here's to hoping for a fast recovery for Michael Cuddyer.

That's a Wrap: Twins Swept Out of ALDS

It's hard to even write this, as I'm a lifelong Twins fan. The season is officially over and ended abruptly. Twelve postseason losses in a row is hard to fathom right now. Being the first team in and now the first team out is hard to stomach. I'll have more analysis during the week, but for now I'll just leave it at this. It was a good ride winning the AL Central and 94 games, but it feels like a lot was left to be desired.

The Sting Continues: Yankees Up 2 Games to None

It hurts. The New York Yankees have defeated the Minnesota Twins 6-4 and 5-2 in the first 2 games of the ALDS playoffs. Both games were at Target Field, which mean the Minnesota Twins are traveling once again to New York. Down 2-0 in a best of 5 game series makes it a really tall order. CC Sabathia and Andy Pettite have shut down the Twins offense essentially in both games. New York simply has had our number. We need to take game 3 or the series is over. It may seem like an insurmountable deficit but hey, that's why they play the game.

I leave this picture because of the overwhelming Twins fans that may be down and out. The chances may be stacked against us but let's not quit. Why can't it be us that takes down the New York Yankees?

Why Not Us?

TWINS-YANKEES, ROUND 4

It's official: The Minnesota Twins will take on the New York Yankees in the first round of the ALDS playoffs. Every Twins fan would love nothing more than to beat the Bombers this year. Do I even need to mention that this is the 4th time since 2003 that the Minnesota Twins are playing the New York Yankees in the AL playoffs? In 2003, we were defeated 3 games to 1 in the ALDS. In 2004, we were again defeated 3 games to 1 in the ALDS. In 2009, we were swept 3 to 0.

This is the first time we will have homefield advantage. This is the best lineup with our 1-9 hitters we have had since the World Series Teams of 1987 and 1991. The first game is Wednesday at 7:37 followed by Thursday at 5:07, both Central Time at Target Field. More analysis later this week.

Minnesota Twins Swept in Detroit

The Minnesota Twins were swept by the Detroit Tigers over the weekend. It was a weekend to forget and hopefully it will not carry into Cleveland or back at Target Field. Some high notes though included Danny Valencia's two home run day on Saturday, including a grand slam to bring his season total to 7. The lineups the team was using was a little different this weekend, as manager Ron Gardenhire wants to give adequate rest to the primary starters. Fortunately for us, we have already clinched and this series should not be pivotal for going into October.

Pick Your Poison: New York Yankees or Tampa Bay Rays

The Minnesota Twins will play either the New York Yankees or Tampa Bay Rays (barring a crazy collapse and Boston Red Sox streak) in the first round of the AL playoffs. They will most likely face the Wild Card Winner, or, whoever finishes 2nd in the AL East. So, as a Twins fan, who would you rather face? The Bombers have dominated the Twins in the past (last 2 playoff exits came from them and we are 3-16 in our last 19 against them) and the Rays have a Cy Young candidate and speedy line up. Both teams are talented and experienced. As Twins fans, we just have to see how it plays out since we can't control who will finish where. However, I like our chances just as much as anyone else's, whether we play the Bombers or the Rays. e

MINNESOTA TWINS SWEEP CLEVELAND INDIANS, WIN AL CENTRAL DIVISION

There will be no Game 163 this year. The Minnesota Twins have won the American League Central Divison. Again. That makes it back-to-back and now 6 times in the last 9 years. They swept the Cleveland Indians by scores of 9-3, 6-4, and 5-1. The 6-4 clinching game came on a rally from a 4-1 deficit started in the 6th inning. Heroes were all across the board as everyone contributed to this sweep. After the Twins rallied, the players stayed in the clubhouse and waited to see if the Oakland Athletics would hang on to defeat the Chicago White Sox. They did just that and then the celebration ensued. Champagne was sprayed all over the clubhouse. A few hundred fans waited in the stands. Congratulations to the Minnesota Twins!

PS- check out this Sports Illustrated with Jim Thome on the cover!