Minnesota Twins Franchise

[jconpoet]

I came into this year's edition of The Show wanting to return to franchise/dynasty reporting but did not know exactly how I wanted to go about it and with what team... alas Torii Hunter signs with the Angels and two of my favorite Mets prospects get traded to Minnesota for Johan Santana, also after playing 07 with the Devil Rays I became a fan of Delmon Young's...

...what does this all mean you ask...

it means that the Homer Dome and the Hefty Bag will be seeing lots of action this season as I embark on a journey to bring Minnesota back from the brink of obscurity following what has become of the T-Wolves and Vikings... even though Wild are representing the state proudly every one knows...

[jconpoet]

Spring Training

I simmed Spring Training on a day by day basis to check on the daily progress of the team, and I must say I'm pleased with the team that I decided to field.

I got my wish and inserted Philip Humber as my 5th starter, and Carlos Gomez as my starting CF despite his "nightmare" of a spring.

The team finished 15-15 even though spring training records hold little to no weight with a 162 game season looming.

25 Man Opening Day Roster
C J. Mauer / M. Redmond
1B J. Morneau
2B B. Harris / N. Punto / M. Tolbert (R)
3B M. Lamb
SS A. Everett
LF D. Young / J. Kubel / C. Monroe
CF C. Gomez
RF M. Cuddyer

SP F. Liriano / L. Hernandez / S. Baker / K. Slowey / P. Humber / B. Bonser
RP P. Neshek / M. Guerrier / J. Rincon / J. Crain / D. Reyes
CP J. Nathan

Projected Lineup
CF C. Gomez
2B B. Harris
C J. Mauer
1B J. Morneau
LF D. Young
RF M. Cuddyer
DH J. Kubel
3B M. Lamb
SS A. Everett

-Redmond will spell Mauer throughout the season when Mauer needs a rest from C (Mauer will rest some days but DH on most pending the DH situation at the time)

-Punto will be inserted in the lineup at almost every position, but mostly at SS (Everett is mainly there for defense far as I can tell from the game and baseball preview magazines) and spell Harris at 2B and Lamb at 3B when necessary

-Kubel could see time in the OF but will be the primary DH

-Monroe will also see time in the OF and will also DH

-Tolbert is pretty much on the team because of his suprising spring in my eyes and the fact that he was listed on the Opening Day roster in USA Today SportsWeekly an issue or two ago

Starting Rotation
Liriano
Hernandez
Baker
Slowey
Humber

-Bonser can subplant Baker, Slowey or Humber at any given time pending how they do in the rotation and how Bonser does in the pen

-Blackburn (in AAA) is also someone to keep an eye on for some spot starts if/when injuries occur

-Perkins (in AAA) could also receive a call up if/when the pen/rotation needs an arm

Bullpen
Nathan
Neshek
Guerrier
Rincon
Crain
Reyes
Bonser

[jconpoet]

25 Man Opening Day Roster


C Joe Mauer - .370 3 HR 15 RBI 9 SB / 2007 - .293 7 HR 60 RBI
C Mike Redmond - .266 2 RBI / 2007 - .294 1 HR 38 RBI

1B Justin Morneau - .273 8 HR 19 RBI / 2007 - .271 31 HR 111 RBI

2B Brendan Harris - .302 1 HR 11 RBI / 2007 - .285 12 HR 59 RBI
2B Nick Punto - .250 1 HR 6 RBI / 2007 - .209 1 HR 25 RBI
2B Matt Tolbert (R) - .333 5 RBI / 2007 (AAA) - .293 6 HR 53 RBI

3B Mike Lamb - .255 6 HR 19 RBI / 2007 - .289 11 HR 40 RBI

SS Adam Everett - .175 4 RBI 4 SB / 2007 - .231 2 HR 15 RBI

LF Delmon Young - .360 4 HR 13 RBI 4 SB / 2007 - .288 13 HR 93 RBI
LF Jason Kubel - .298 3 HR 6 RBI 2 SB / 2007 - .272 13 HR 65 RBI
LF Craig Monroe - .074 1 HR 2 RBI / 2007 - .219 12 HR 59 RBI

CF Carlos Gomez - .164 3 RBI 8 SB / 2007 - .231 2 HR 12 RBI

RF Michael Cuddyer - .211 11 RBI / 2007 - .276 16 HR 81 RBI

SP Francisco Liriano - 3.66 4-1 22 K / 2006 - 2.16 12-3 144 K
SP Livan Hernandez - 4.44 1-3 21 K / 2007 - 4.93 11-11 90 K
SP Scott Baker - 5.76 0-0 25 K / 2007 - 4.26 9-9 102 K
SP Kevin Slowey - 4.18 2-0 20 K / 2007 - 4.74 4-1 47 K
SP Philip Humber - 2.53 0-0 12 K / 2007 - 7.71 0-0 2 K
SP Boof Bonser - 8.65 1-4 19 K / 2007 - 5.09 8-12 136 K

RP Pat Neschek - 0.33 0-0 32 K / 2007 - 2.95 7-2 74 K
RP Matt Guerrier - 2.89 1-1 5 K / 2007 - 2.35 2-4 1 SV 68 K
RP Juan Rincon - 2.16 0-3 22 K / 2007 - 5.12 3-3 49 K
RP Jesse Crain - 4.56 2-1 1 SV 15 K / 2007 - 5.51 1-2 10 K
RP Dennys Reyes - 5.40 1-0 27 K / 2007 - 3.98 2-1 21 K

CP Joe Nathan - 3.37 1-2 8 SV 17 K / 2007 - 1.89 4-2 37 SV 77 K

[jconpoet]

Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim @Minnesota Twins [March 31-April 3]

HUNTER BECOMES THE HUNTED
Torii Hunter returns to Minnesota to make Angels debut

March 31st-April 3rd
Hubert H. Humphrey Metrodome
aka "The Homer Dome"


Hunter robbing HR King Barry Bonds of HR in 2002 All Star Game in Milwaukee... if he doesn't catch this the game doesn't end in a tie.

Former Minnesota Twins star Torii Hunter returns to Minnesota as a member of the Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim open their season on the road against the Minnesota Twins. Despite leaving through free agency most are quite sure that Hunter will be welcomed "home" with open arms, as long as his bat doesn't turn the fans against as he joins the likes of Chone Figgins, Vladimir Guerrero and Garrett Anderson in Anaheim's lineup.

Justin Morneau and Jim Mauer will look to carry the load for Minnesota while Delmon Young and Carlos Gomez look to fill the void left by Hunter both at the plate (Young) and in the field (Gomez).

Projected Lineups

Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim (2007 Stats)
3B Chone Figgins - .330 3 HR 58 RBI
2B Howie Kendrick - .322 5 HR 39 RBI
RF Vladimir Guerrero - .324 27 HR 125 RBI
DH Garrett Anderson - .297 16 HR 80 RBI
CF Torii Hunter - .286 28 HR 107 RBI
LF Gary Matthews Jr. - .251 18 HR 72 RBI
1B Casey Kotchman - .295 11 HR 68 RBI
C Mike Napoli - .246 10 HR 34 RBI
SS Maicer Izturis - .288 6 HR 51 RBI

Minnesota Twins (2007 Stats)
CF Carlos Gomez - .231 2 HR 12 RBI
2B Brendan Harris - .285 12 HR 59 RBI
C Joe Mauer - .293 7 HR 60 RBI
1B Justin Morneau - .271 31 HR 111 RBI
RF Michael Cuddyer - .276 16 HR 81 RBI
LF Delmon Young - .288 13 HR 93 RBI
DH Jason Kubel - .272 13 HR 65 RBI
3B Mike Lamb - .289 11 HR 40 RBI
SS Adam Everett - .231 2 HR 15 RBI

Probable Pitching Matchups (2007 Stats *2006 Stats)
Jered Weaver (13-7 3.91 115 K) vs. Francisco Liriano (12-3 2.16 144 K*)
Jon Garland (10-13 4.23 98 K) vs. Livan Hernandez (11-11 4.93 90 K)
Joe Saunders (8-5 4.45 69 K) vs. Scott Baker (9-9 4.26 102 K)
Ervin Santana (7-14 5.76 126 K) vs. Kevin Slowey (4-1 4.74 47 K)


Hunter side by side with fellow new Angel SP Jon Garland, who came over in a trade with the White Sox for SS Orlando Cabrera, goes in game two of this four game series.

[jconpoet]

Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim @Minnesota Twins [March 31-April 3] RESULTS

March 31
Twins 10 Angels 4



Twins break a 4-4 tie with a 5 run 7th, as Michael Cuddyer led the way with 2 home runs and 4 rbis. Francisco Liriano showed that he might not be as healthy as once led to belive giving up 4 runs on 9 hits in 6.2 innings despite striking out 6. Odd man out Boof Bonser picked up the win keeping the Angels bats quiet for the remainder of the game. Torii Hunter received a hand from the fans then proceeded to help his new team going 2 for 4 with a double, triple, run batted in and stolen base.



Angels
Figgins - 0 for 5, run, K, E
Kendrick - 2 for 5, RBI, 3B
Guerrero - 0 for 4, RBI, BB
Anderson - 0 for 4, 2 K
Hunter - 2 for 4, RBI, run, K, 2B, 3B, SB
Matthews Jr. - 1 for 4, K
Kotchman - 2 for 4, run
Napoli - 1 for 3, K, HBP
Izturis - 2 for 4, RBI, run, K, E

Twins
Gomez - 3 for 5, 4 runs, RBI, 2 SB
Harris - 2 for 4, RBI, sac
Mauer - 1 for 5, RBI, run, 2 K, SB, gidp
Morneau - 2 for 4, RBI, run, BB
Cuddyer - 2 for 4, 4 RBI, 2 runs, 2 HR (2)
Young - 1 for 3, BB, CS
Kubel - 0 for 4
Lamb - 1 for 4, run
Everett - 2 for 4, run, SB

Angels
Weaver (L,0-1) - 6 inn 9 h 5 r 5 er 1 BB 1 KSpeier - 0.1 inn 3 h 4 r 4 er 1 BB
Oliver - 1.2 inn 2 h 1 r 1 er 1 K

Twins
Liriano - 6.2 inn 9 h 4 r 4 er 1 BB 6 K
Bonser (W,1-0) - 2.1 inn 1 h 1 K

-

April 1
Twins 5 Angels 3



The Justin Morneau Show started in the bottom of the 1st with a 3-run home run that put the Twins up 3-0 and ended in the bottom of the 8th when he broke a 3-3 tie with a 2-run homer that would give Joe Nathan all the room he needed to close out the 9th for his 1st save of the season.



Angels
Figgins - 1 for 5, run, K, E
Kendrick - 1 for 4
Guerrero - 1 for 3, RBI, SF
Anderson - 0 for 4, run
Hunter - 0 for 4, K
Matthews Jr. - 1 for 4, RBI, run, K, 2B
Kotchman - 3 for 4, RBI, 2 3B
Napoli - 1 for 4, K
Izturis - 1 for 4

Twins
Gomez - 1 for 4, CS
Harris - 0 for 2, 2 runs, 2 BB
Mauer - 1 for 4, run
Morneau - 3 for 4, 5 RBI, 2 runs, 2 HR (2)
Cuddyer - 0 for 4Young - 0 for 4
Kubel - 0 for 3, K
Lamb - 2 for 3, E
Everett - 0 for 3

Angels
Garland - 7 inn 6 h 4 r 4 er 2 BB 1 K
Oliver (L,0-1) - 1 inn 1 h 1 r 1 er

Twins
Hernandez - 6 inn 8 h 3 r 1 er 4 K
Crain - 1 inn
Reyes (W, 1-0) - 1 inn
Nathan (S, 1) - 1 inn 1 h

-

April 2
Twins 2 Angels 1



After winning the first 2 games on the long ball, Scott Baker pitched masterful for 8 innings allowing 1 run on 6 hits while striking out 4 which allowed sacrifice flies off the bats of Craig Monroe in the 2nd and Mike Lamb in the 4th to hold up. A Torii Hunter RBI double in the 4th plated Garrett Anderson for the Angels only run.



Angels
Figgins - 0 for 4
Kendrick - 0 for 4, 2 K
Guerrero - 1 for 3, BB
Anderson - 1 for 3, run, BB, gidp
Hunter - 1 for 4, RBI, 2 K, 2B
Matthews Jr. - 0 for 4
Kotchman - 1 for 4
Napoli - 0 for 2, K
a-Willits - 1 for 1
1-Mathis - no plate appearances
Izturis - 1 for 3

a-batted for Napoli in the 8th
1-came in the play catcher for Willits in the 8th

Twins
Gomez - 1 for 4, SB, CS
Harris - 1 for 4
Mauer - 1 for 4
Morneau - 0 for 4
Cuddyer - 0 for 2, run, BBYoung - 3 for 3, run, 2B, SB, CS
Monroe - 1 for 2, RBI, SF, SB
Lamb - 0 for 1, RBI, BB, SF
Everett - 1 for 3, SB

Angels
Saunders (L, 0-1) - 6 inn 7 h 2 r 2 er 1 BB
Speier - 1.2 inn 1 h 1 BB
O'Day - 0.1 inn

Twins
Baker (W, 1-0) - 8 inn 6 h 1 r 1 er 4 K
Nathan (S, 2) - 1 inn 2 BB 1 K

-

April 3
Angels 3 Twins 0



Ervin Santana outpitched Kevin Slowey as the Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim avoided the sweep shutting out the Twins 3-0. Sacrifice flies off the bats of Mike Napoli, Torii Hunter and Gary Matthews Jr. supplied all the run support Santana would need as he went 6 innings giving up 5 hits and striking out 6 for the win. Slowey took the loss despite pitching 7 strong innings of his own giving up a run on 5 hits and also k'ing 6.

Angels
Figgins - 1 for 4, run, E
Kendrick - 2 for 4, K
Guerrero - 2 for 4, run, K
Napoli - 1 for 3, RBI, run, 2B, SF
Hunter - 0 for 3, RBI, K, SF
Matthews Jr. - 0 for 3, RBI, 2 K, SF
Izturis - 0 for 4, K
Anderson - 1 for 3
Kotchman - 0 for 3, K

Twins
Gomez - 0 for 4, 2 K
Harris - 1 for 4, 2 K, CS
Mauer - 3 for 4, K, 2B, 2 SB
Morneau - 1 for 3, CS
Cuddyer - 1 for 3, K, 2B
Young - 0 for 3, K
Kubel - 0 for 3
Lamb - 0 for 3
Everett - 0 for 3, K, CS

Angels
Santana (W, 1-0) - 6 inn 5 h 6 K
O'Day (H, 1) - 1 inn
Oliver (H, 1) - 1 inn
Rodriguez (S, 1) - 1 inn 1 h 2 K



Twins
Slowey (L, 0-1) - 7 inn 5 h 1 r 1 er 6 K
Reyes - 0.1 inn 1 K
Bonser - 1.2 inn 2 h 2 r 2 er

[jconpoet]

Series Stats

Twins
C Joe Mauer - 6 for 17, RBI, 2 runs, 3 K, 2B, 3 SB, gidp
1B Justin Morneau - 6 for 15, 6 RBI, 3 runs, BB, 2 HR (2), CS
2B Brendan Harris - 4 for 14, RBI, 2 runs, 2 BB, 2 K, sac, CS
3B Mike Lamb - 3 for 11, RBI, run, BB, SF, E
SS Adam Everett - 3 for 13, run, K, 2 SB, CS
LF Delmon Young - 4 for 13, run, BB, K, 2B, SB, 2 CS
LF Jason Kubel - 0 for 10, K
CF Carlos Gomez - 5 for 17, 4 runs, RBI, 2 K, 3 SB, 2 CS
CF Craig Monroe - 1 for 2, RBI, SF, SB
RF Michael Cuddyer - 3 for 13, 4 RBI, 3 runs, BB, K, 2B, 2 HR (2)

SP Francisco Liriano - 6.2 inn 9 h 4 r 4 er 1 BB 6 K
SP Livan Hernandez - 6 inn 8 h 3 r 1 er 4 K
SP Scott Baker - 1-0 8 inn 6 h 1 r 1 er 4 K
SP Kevin Slowey - 0-1 7 inn 5 h 1 r 1 er 6 K
SP Boof Bonser - 1-0 4 inn 2 h 2 r 2 er 1 K
RP Jesse Crain - 1 inn
RP Dennys Reyes - 1-0 1.1 inn 1 K
CP Joe Nathan - 2 SV 2 inn 1 h 2 BB 1 K

Angels
C Mike Napoli - 3 for 12, RBI, run, 3 K, 2B, SF, HBP
C Jeff Mathis - appeared in one game as defensive substitution
1B Casey Kotchman - 6 for 15, RBI, run, K, 2 3B
2B Howie Kendrick - 5 for 17, RBI, 3 K, 3B
3B Chone Figgins - 2 for 18, 3 runs, 2 K, 3 E
SS Maicer Izturis - 4 for 15, RBI, run, 2 K, E
LF Garrett Anderson - 2 for 14, 2 runs, BB, 2 K, gidp
CF Torii Hunter - 3 for 15, 3 RBI, run, 5 K, 2 2B, 3B, SF, SB
CF Gary Matthews Jr. - 2 for 15, 2 RBI, run, 4 K, 2B, SF
RF Vladimir Guerrero - 4 for 14, 2 RBI, run, 2 BB, K, SF
OF Reggie Willits - 1 for 1

SP Jered Weaver - 0-1 6 inn 9 h 5 r 5 er 1 BB 1 K
SP Jon Garland - 7 inn 6 h 4 r 4 er 2 BB 1 K
SP Joe Saunders - 0-1 6 inn 7 h 2 r 2 er 1 BB
SP Ervin Santana - 1-0 6 inn 5 h 6 K
RP Justin Speier - 2 inn 4 h 4 r 4 er 2 BB
RP Darren Oliver - 0-1 3.2 inn 3 h 2 r 2 er 1 K
RP Darren O'Day - 1.1 inn
CP Francisco Rodriguez - 1 SV inn 1 h 2 K

[jconpoet]

Season To Date

American League Central
Indians 3-0 -
*Twins 3-1 0.5
Tigers 2-1 1.0
Royals 1-2 2.0
White Sox 0-3 3.0

American League Wild Card
Twins 3-1 -
Red Sox 3-1 -
Tigers 2-1 0.5
Rays 2-1 0.5
Royals 1-2 1.5
Orioles 1-2 1.5
Athletics 1-3 2.0
Angels 1-3 2.0
Rangers 0-3 2.5
White Sox 0-3 2.5
Blue Jays 0-3 2.5

Twins Season Stats (All-Star Votes In Parenthesis)
Monroe - .500 1/2 1 RBI 1 SB (8K)
Morneau - .400 6/15 3 runs 2 HR 6 RBI 1 BB (43K)
Mauer - .352 6/17 2 runs 1 2B 1 RBI 3 SB 3 K (28K)
Young - .307 4/13 1 run 1 2B 1 SB 1 BB 1 K (9K)
Gomez - .294 5/17 4 runs 1 RBI 3 SB 2 K (20K)
Harris - .285 4/14 2 runs 1 RBI 2 BB 2 K (8K)
Lamb - .272 3/11 1 run 1 RBI 1 BB 1 E (7K)
Cuddyer - .230 3/13 3 runs 1 2B 2 HR 4 RBI 1 BB 1 K (39K)
Everett - .230 3/13 1 run 2 SB 1 K (10K)
Kubel - .000 0/10 1 K

Reyes - 1-0 0.00 2 games 1.1 inn 1 k (7K)
Crain - 0-0 0.00 1 game 1 inn (5K)
Nathan - 0-0 0.00 2 games 2 SV 2 inn 2 BB 1 K (39K)
Baker - 1-0 1.12 1 game 1 start 1 quality 8 inn 4 K (42K)
Slowey - 0-1 1.28 1 game 1 start 1 quality 7 inn 6 K (19K)
Hernandez - 0-0 1.50 1 game 1 start 1 quality 6 inn 4 K (21K)
Bonser - 1-0 4.50 2 games 4 inn 1 k (11K)
Liriano - 0-0 5.40 1 game 1 start 6.2 inn 1 BB 6 K

On The Farm
AAA
Blackburn - 0-0 3.85 1 game 1 start 2.1 inn 1 h 1 r 1 er 1 BB 3 K
Clark - .666 2/3 1 BB 1 K
Knott - .500 2/4 1 run 1 2B
Buscher - .333 1/3 1 run HBP
Jones - .250 1/4 1 run 1 HR 4 RBI 1 K
Casilla - .250 1/4 1 run 1 HR 1 RBI
Morales - .250 1/4 1 run 2 K
McDonald - .000 0/3 1 BB
Rabe - .000 0/4 1 K

AA
Watkins - .250 1/4 1 K

Franchise Goals Update (Year 1 of 6)
Win 450 Games (avg. 75 per season) - 3/450

Next Series
vs. Kansas City Royals (1-2, 2 games out of 1st, 1.5 out of WC)

[stefani91]

Re: Season To Date

Great franchise so far man..following for sure

[RAZRr1275]

Re: Minnesota Twins Franchise

I'm following!!

[jconpoet]

Re: Minnesota Twins Franchise

My apologizes to anyone who was following this, but I kinda lost track of this chise when GTA IV barged into my PS3, but I will definitely be posting a new one shortly... not sure if I'll use the Twins but I'm leaning towards continuing with them... the next post from me will be the new chise... hopefully I can execute what I have planned for it and you all will enjoy, as I get more acclimated with some of you guys chises as well...

NEW CHISE COMING SOON!!!

JCON