According to Batgirl's good friend Sid Hartman there's no imminent Dougie deal in the works, but things aren't so smurfy between Dougie and Gardy right now:
Twins General Manager Terry Ryan said he never told first baseman Doug Mientkiewicz he was going to be traded.But Mientkiewicz and Twins manager Ron Gardenhire are not getting along, and it was Gardenhire who told Mientkiewicz he was going to be traded, not Ryan.
But Ryan is the boss. "I know what I said to him. I don't know who else and what else was said," Ryan said. "I know when I talked to Doug it wasn't that I was going to trade him. I don't know what anybody else told him, and it's probably none of my business. But I certainly know what I said to him."
Ryan realizes the current situation is not good, and he would like to make a trade. But he says he isn't close to a deal.
Meanwhile, if you can believe what you read in the papers, the Benson Quest is over for the Twins. So says the Tribune-Review:
One thing became clearer yesterday as Benson spent what figured to be his final day in the home clubhouse at PNC Park: It looks like he won't be joining the Minnesota Twins.The Twins, who were considered the front-runners to trade for Benson, backed out yesterday afternoon when they decided not to part with any of their top prospects, particularly Class AAA outfielder Jason Kubel.
"We just couldn't bridge," Twins general manager Terry Ryan told KFAN.
Batgirl's pretty sure Ryan was totally willing to trade some top prospects (i.e. poor Michael "Let My People Go" Restovich) but just not the one the Pirates wanted. So the rumors now have him going to the Mets. According to Newsday:
In a deal that could be done as early as today, a source indicated last night that the Mets have refocused on Pirates righthander Kris Benson as their primary trade target, with Ty Wigginton and Double-A righthander Matt Peterson the bait. The Mets -- scrambling for pitching help as tomorrow's non-waivers trade deadline approaches -- have coveted Benson, 29, for the past month, but Pirates general manager Dave Littlefield had been trying to extract top prospects from at least three other teams, the Rangers, Twins and Angels.
Of course, other rumors have the Yanks looking at Benson, too, if Randy Johnson decides to break Geo. Steinbrenner's poor tender heart, and there's speculation that the Bitch Sox are going to help the Mets make this deal. Or so says ESPN (Thanks to loyal and generous reader FBM2K for the link):
ESPN's Peter Gammons reported Thursday night that the Mets and Pirates are in serious discussions about a deal that would send Benson to New York in exchange for third baseman Ty Wigginton, right-handed pitching prospect Matt Peterson and a minor leaguer, who likely would come from the White Sox, who apparently want to help the Mets beat the AL Central rival Twins to Benson.The only thing the Bitch Sox have to gain from such shenanigans is keeping Benson from the Twins, though Batgirl isn't convinced this would be as dastardly a deed as Kenny Williams seems to hope, and she encourages him to give up all the prospects he wants to. Or else it's merely out of the goodness of Williams' heart; New York seems to be a great place for the Bensons, what with all the sex clubs. Rumor has it that, if the deal goes through, he'll be sending former Illinois senatorial candidate Jack Ryan to New York to help show the Bensons the "sights." Posted by Batgirl at July 30, 2004 11:01 AMWhile nothing has been finalized, sources tell Gammons that there is a good chance the deal could be completed before Saturday's trade deadline.
Okay, so who leaked it to the papers? Was it Doug himself to drum up fan support for him? That would definitely be a reason why Doug would sit.
Hmm anyhow, haha thats right Whine Sox, gut whats left of you farm system. But I'll disappointed if we don't make a trade.
Posted by: Mimiru at July 30, 2004 11:48 AMElsewhere it's reported that that the Mets send Floyd to Chicago for that prospect they send to Pittsburgh. I read it on that great Pirates blog, I forget the name ...
Posted by: Rowdy at July 30, 2004 12:10 PMShenanigans! Confound it, when will the shenanigans ever cease?
Seriously, if Dougie is off the team by Saturday afternoon, I'll be shocked.
Posted by: Rob McMillin at July 30, 2004 12:52 PMI think the Twins need to move someone. It's almost sad to say, but the Twins have too much talent. I just hope its not Lew, I don't think I could ever forgive Ryan for trading Lew.
Posted by: The 7th Angel at July 30, 2004 01:04 PMIf Doug isn't here on Saturday, I'll be relieved :/
Not that I just don't like Doug, but really, how well do you think he'd fit in with the team if he had to stay the rest of the year?
Posted by: Mimiru at July 30, 2004 01:07 PMI can't remember the last time I heard someone use the word 'smurfy'.
If there is one thing I've learned lately it's this. Don't trust any trade info coming by way of Pater Gammons. Unless it's involving Bahston. Most of his rumours are usually waaayyy of the mark.
Posted by: Dash at July 30, 2004 01:33 PMIMHO no matter what the Twins need to deal Doug before the deadline. He is unhappy with the idea of playing second fiddle to Dr Morneau and will not help the twins in the second half. If he could get over himself and be a bench player I would love to have him but all I can see happening is him pouting about playing time for the rest of the season/contract. Why is it that there is so little talk about trading Jones? He would seem like a good canidate for trad bait and it would free up a spot in the overcrowed outfield. Everything Ive read seems to point to the twins not resigning him this offseason, why not try and get something for him? All things aside, I wont be all that upset if the Twins miss out on Benson, this guy has a 10 game strech where he pitches well and people are treating him like the second comming of Roger Clemens. Why is a #3 starter that big of an item? Lets hope we can move Doug and maybe get a decent pitching prospect for him (atlanta maybe?) Just my .02 what do I know anyways?
Posted by: bsnone at July 30, 2004 01:44 PMNo way in heck would Ryan trade Lew...he's the future of the Twins!
Posted by: Stacy at July 30, 2004 01:55 PMI agree bsnone, as much as I like Doug, he needs to be dealt to someone. Not only will he be unhappy here, he will certainly have a negative impact on the team at this point.
As far as Jones, I have been half expecting to see a combo deal with him and Doug going somewhere. His value is certainly high right now so it certainly would not be surprising to see him go too. If Kubel is so great why not bring him up to fill in once and awhile?
All I know is I wish SOME kind of deal would get done so I can take one eye off the internet and get some work done.
Dave
Posted by: SDave at July 30, 2004 02:00 PMAccording to his wife Jodi, neither she nor Doug leaked it to the media. Doug confirmed the rumor when Lavelle E. Neal brought the question to him. He got it from two sources, still unnamed, within the organization.
If we don't make a trade, I'll be glad.
If he and Gardy can work out their differences, he will be an asset to this organization during the rest of this season.
I am puzzled.
Is this the same Douglas M. that was heralded as an unselfish team player? The very same one that realized that for Minnesota to keep him on the field they were giving away something at the plate? His reputation for team-play has preceded him, and apparantly was unjustified (or is outdated).
The Doug I know would relish an opportunity to be part of his team, even as a bench player -- more time to chew bubblegum in the lucky spot.
I am disappointed in what I thought was one of the rare sightings in baseball - a team player.
YankeeFan
Posted by: YankeeFan at July 30, 2004 02:24 PMDear YankeeFan,
Doug IS a team player. That's what's so peculiar about all this. In my recent memory, Doug has volunteered to play right field, second base, third base and catcher (he is the emergency catcher). Last year, he actually played a couple games in right so Gardy could get first-baseman Todd Sears' bat into the lineup. As I recalI, this was Doug's idea. He is the best team player we have and I can guarantee you (unless he's irreparably cross-wise with Gardy) that he will be an outstanding bench player if that's what it takes for the team to win.
And I'm NOT just saying that because he's my boyfriend.
With trade-related sadness,
Goober
Posted by: Goober at July 30, 2004 02:31 PMTrade thoughts:
If we are, in fact, looking for help on the pitching staff, why don't we just sign Scott Erickson and give him another shot?
How about trading Jones to Oakland for Ricardo Rincon? They could use another former Twins outfielder and we could use a left hander Rincon to compliment our right handed one?
Send Koskie and Mientkiewicz to the Pirates for Benson and a prospect and then trade Jones to the Mets for Ty Wigginton and Pitcher Matt Peterson.
or better yet:
Send Koskie and Mientkiewicz to the Red Sox for Derek Lowe (since he is already in town) and then trade Jones to the Mets for Ty Wigginton and Pitcher Matt Peterson.
Either way, I really wish something would happen. The suspense is killing me (not to mention my productivity)
Dave
Posted by: SDave at July 30, 2004 02:33 PMIm with Dave, the twins need to do something here, this has been so drawn out, I dont think ive gotten any work done after say around noon Monday. Lowe might be a good fit for the twins, he needs a change of location and with the sinker-ball style that he throws, we'd be looking at lots of ground balls. Why not move Koskie and Doug for him? Put Cuddyer in at third and Dr Morneau at first? sounds good to me.
If Doug can play second, why not put him there? Does he not have the range? I wouldnt mind having him in the every day lineup playing second, in fact provided he can turn the DP Id love to see him there and push some of these blown out of proportion trade talks out of the air. He and Gardy can patch things up, right?
Posted by: bsnone at July 30, 2004 02:42 PMAs more topics zoom through my head while thinking about all these trade talks, it came to me. Why in the world do the Mets want Benson? Do they really think they can win the NL East this year? If memory serves me right we wiped up the floor with them back in June, I really cant see them finishing ahead of the braves or philles or even florida for that matter. I guess they think they can sign him but that is a bit of a risky proposition in my book. If the Mets or the Rangers or whoever really want to give up all that talent for the rental of a #3 starter by all means, let them.
Posted by: bsnone at July 30, 2004 02:47 PMDear readers,
Batgirl agrees that it does seem that Dougie has not been himself. Batgirl has always greatly admired Mr. M. for his selflessness. Perhaps his slump has gotten to him in other ways.
Thoughtfully,
Batgirl
Doug did an interview with Dark Star last night on WCCO.
There's a pretty good synopsis of it on the Twins MLB board. I think it shows that Doug is conflicted of course, but that he would be willing to work things out and do what he can to help the team.
http://www.forums.mlb.com/n/mb/message.asp?webtag=ml-twins&msg=10322.1&ctx=0
I agree with all of you. Something needs to be done now, I'm going crazy. There is way too much trade talk and way too little trade action. And why is everyone starting to get in problems with Gardy? Kyle, Doug, who knows what's next. I'm just so confused right now. I wish something would happen and everyone would know everything.
Posted by: rods59 at July 30, 2004 03:03 PMDear Batgirl and Batcommunity,
Thank you for responding to my previous post -- and it is "Mr." Steel. Mrs. Steel, while sports-savvy, does not share my passion for all things baseball.
I am a bit disappointed that things have broken down between the Pirates and Twins. While many have pooh-poohed Benson here and in other media forums, he remains a solid pitcher on the upswing -- he was a #1 overall pick and he has become more consistent in the past 2 1/2 months than he has been at any other time in his career. While the Twins may not need him to win the division, they will certainly need him (or a like commodity) to succeed in the playoffs. If Mr. Ryan desires a championship, he should be willing to part with Jason Kubel, especially considering the Twins' wealth of prospects. He certainly cannot play them all.
My latest search for information revealed that the most likely scenario pre-deadline is Benson to the Atlanta Braves for their sparkling 3B prospect Andy Marte and a minor league pitcher.
As I mentioned before, I wish your Twins good luck for the remainder of the year.
J_C_Steel
Posted by: J_C_Steel at July 30, 2004 03:09 PMHas anyone considered that possibility that Gardy might just be going nuts?
Posted by: Tim at July 30, 2004 04:32 PMWell he's been doing better in other aspects of managing this year. I don't know.
Maybe he's finally becoming less of a "player's manager" and more of a "what has the best chance of getting me a win!" manager. You need both. Too much of ruthless managing and you get a team that can't communicate, too much of a players manager, contributors get benched because the manager's "guys" need to be out there.
We need Benson because you need 2 miracle arms and one near-miracle arm to win in the playoffs. We have Radke and Santana and need one more. Silva is not good enough. I thought Lohse could be but he has taken a huge step back this year and how much do you want to bet that Mulholland's run continues? I'm not willing to stake a playoff berth on it. Benson could be that 3rd starter we throw out there to give Santana the extra day of rest he needs to pitch us a win.
Last year, Florida had Beckett, Pavano, and Penny (Redman sucked, which is why I wondered why Oakland wanted him.) The Angels had Washburn, Ortiz and Appier.
Posted by: Mimiru at July 30, 2004 05:08 PMWhat to do? If Doug IS traded by tomorrow (I'd give it a 35% chance), that means tonight is his last game as a Twin. Will Gardenhire let him play a home finale? Either way, it might be a good time to go down to the game, although tomorrow isn't televised (and it's Fuji Photo Night) and Sunday is Santana/Martinez. (I have a pair behind the plate for Aug. 6 that I can't use; anyone have a similar pair to trade?)
If you go tonight, give Doug a big cheer.
Posted by: Silo at July 30, 2004 05:21 PMJC,
I like Benson. I think he's a good pitcher. He's also a FA at the end of the season. If the Twins traded for someone like Kip Wells, who IS signed next year, I think they would seriously consider sending Kubel.
I still believe that Littlefield is trying to increase the value of Benson, but nobody is biting. And that's too bad, because I like the Bucs. It's hard not to like a team that "stole" Pat Meares away from us. I just think that you are going to be disappointed at the end of the day tomorrow by having too high of expectations today... Good luck.
Posted by: Drake33 at July 30, 2004 05:29 PMBenson just went to the Mets
Posted by: SDave at July 30, 2004 05:42 PMThey picked up Victor Zambrano from Tampa Bay, too... Interesting moves for a team that's almost out of the race.
The Toronto GM says that he isn't talking to anyone about deals, so Miguel Batista is probably out. The Reds are holding on to Paul Wilson. It looks like we're standing pat, except for maybe a trade of Mientkiewicz to Atlanta for prospects....
Posted by: Chris at July 30, 2004 05:44 PMWhy do the Mets think they are in this?
Posted by: Mimiru at July 30, 2004 09:52 PMHate to burst your bubble about your "good" friend Sid Hartman, but he's really quite the ******* (am I allowed to curse here?)
I got to do stats in the press boothat a twins game a few years ago (sat behind LaVelle E Neal III), and Hartman spent the ENTIRE game complaining about how "We (my dad and I) aren't part of the journalists association" and "We're taking advantage of the free food" (they get free hotdogs, popcorn, and drinks. We had one each, nobody else cared). Meanwhile, LaVelle didn't mind me asking him questions, and let me catch an early glimpse of his column for the next day.
To close:
Hartman = ass
Lavelle = awesome
Dear Mr./Ms Phoenix,
Batgirl is, of course, being silly about Sid Hartman being her good friend. She has never met the man.
Sincerely,
Batgirl