http://www.sportsnipe.com Minnesota Twins, Team News, Updates, and Stats from all sports sources, updated continually. http://www.sportsnipe.com/main_sportsnews/1048028/twins-add-prospects-valencia-guerra-to-40man-wcco.html Twins Add Prospects Valencia, Guerra To 40-ManWCCORead more in our Privacy Policy Danny Valencia #79 of the Minnesota Twins poses during photo day at the Twins spring training complex on Feb. ...Twins add prospects Valencia, Guerra to 40-manNOLA.comall 7 news articles » Minnesota Twins - Sport Snipe - Team News - Stats - Updates http://www.sportsnipe.com/main_sportsnews/1048027/lincecum-greinke-shine-under-newage-stats-ampx2014-clemens-maddux-mightve-won-even-more-cy-youngs.html Minnesota Twins - Sport Snipe - Team News - Stats - Updates http://www.sportsnipe.com/main_sportsnews/1048026/lefthander-john-grabow-gets-75-million-2year-deal-from-cubs-first-free-agent-to-agree.html Minnesota Twins - Sport Snipe - Team News - Stats - Updates http://www.sportsnipe.com/main_sportsnews/1045280/footprints-in-snow-twins-fanhouse-blog.html Footprints in the Snow: TwinsFanHouse (blog)It's a winter of transition for the defending AL Central champion Minnesota Twins. The Twinkies are going back to their roots in every way. ...and more » Minnesota Twins - Sport Snipe - Team News - Stats - Updates http://www.sportsnipe.com/main_sportsnews/1045279/seth-stohs-on-40man-roster-additions.html Seth Stohs On 40-Man Roster Additions Head over and see Seth's thoughts on who the Twins added to the 40-man roster. Today was the deadline, and there were some interesting names excluded. But who made it? 3B--Danny Valencia P----Alex Burnett P----Deolis Guerra P----Rob Delaney P----Loek Van Mil SS--Estarlin de Los Santos Minnesota Twins - Sport Snipe - Team News - Stats - Updates http://www.sportsnipe.com/main_sportsnews/1043818/yankton-sertoma-youth-baseball-gets-5k-field-grant-from-twins-daily-press.html Yankton Sertoma Youth Baseball Gets $5K Field Grant From TwinsYankton Daily PressYankton Sertoma Youth Baseball recently received a $5000 grant from the Minnesota Twins to continue making improvements to the north ... Minnesota Twins - Sport Snipe - Team News - Stats - Updates http://www.sportsnipe.com/main_sportsnews/1043817/roberto-alomar-hoping-his-1st-time-on-ballot-leads-to-hall-fame-election.html Minnesota Twins - Sport Snipe - Team News - Stats - Updates http://www.sportsnipe.com/main_sportsnews/1042820/harris-expects-offer-from-twins-glens-falls-poststar.html Harris expects offer from TwinsGlens Falls Post-Star... reached arbitration for the first time in his career and has earned bargaining rights that will likely lead to a new contract with the Minnesota Twins. ... Minnesota Twins - Sport Snipe - Team News - Stats - Updates http://www.sportsnipe.com/main_sportsnews/1042819/for-now-twins-say-pitching-needs-be-met-from-within.html Pavano, Harden, Washburn top list of free-agent arms. Minnesota Twins - Sport Snipe - Team News - Stats - Updates http://www.sportsnipe.com/main_sportsnews/1042074/turnpike-series-falconaire.html A Turnpike SeriesThe FalconaireIt started with eight teams: the Minnesota Twins, New York Yankees, Boston Red Sox, Anaheim Angels, Philadelphia Phillies, Colorado Rockies, ...and more » Minnesota Twins - Sport Snipe - Team News - Stats - Updates http://www.sportsnipe.com/main_sportsnews/1042073/minnesota-twins-jason-kubels-long-road-back-leads-to-top-bleacher-report.html Bleacher ReportMinnesota Twins: Jason Kubel's Long Road Back Leads to the TopBleacher ReportIn 2004 he was named the Twins Minor League Player of the Year after posting an impressive .352/.414/.590 line with 22 home runs, 100 rbis, 42 doubles, ... Minnesota Twins - Sport Snipe - Team News - Stats - Updates http://www.sportsnipe.com/main_sportsnews/1042072/mets-finished-last-in-2009-draft-spending.html According to figures compiled by Baseball America, the Mets spent less money on the 2009 draft than any other team in baseball. Minnesota Twins - Sport Snipe - Team News - Stats - Updates http://www.sportsnipe.com/main_sportsnews/1041224/mets-watch-their-spending-despite-minor-league-concerns-new-york-times.html Mets Watch Their Spending, Despite Minor League ConcernsNew York TimesThat is how the Mets were able to acquire Johan Santana from Minnesota before the 2008 season, though the Minnesota Twins were more resigned to dealing ...and more » Minnesota Twins - Sport Snipe - Team News - Stats - Updates http://www.sportsnipe.com/main_sportsnews/1041223/vikings-upset-by-lease-offer-espn.html MinnPost.comVikings upset by lease offerESPNThe Minnesota Twins and the University of Minnesota football team have both moved out of the outdated building to shiny new facilities of their own. ...Vikings send terse letter to MSFCChicago Bear Report (subscription)Vikings turn up heat over stadiumMinneapolis Star TribuneExtending Dome lease doesn't interest VikingsViking Update (subscription)MinnPost.comall 104 news articles » Minnesota Twins - Sport Snipe - Team News - Stats - Updates http://www.sportsnipe.com/main_sportsnews/1041222/five-hours-counting.html Free agency looms.  Will any of the Twins five free agents return? It's been confirmed that the Twins have had opening talks with Carl Pavano's agent, but other than Ron Gardenhire saying he'd be interested in bringing back Orlando Cabrera as his second basemen there's been no news on the rest of Minnesota's remaining free agents. Mike Redmond #55 / Catcher / Minnesota Twins Height: 5-11 Weight: 200 Bats: R Throws: R Born: May 05, 1971   G AB R H 2B 3B HR RBI BB K SB CS AVG OBP SLG 2009 - Mike Redmond 45 135 9 32 5 1 0 7 11 19 0 0 .237 .299 .289 Redmond's had a distunguished career, and he's earned himself a reputation as a "gamer".  He plays hard, he's a leader and he's a mentor.  With Joe Mauer as the game's best catcher and Jose Morales getting his feet wet with some decent results, Redmond's time in Minnesota as a player is likely done.  He'll be 39 next May, and NBP has done the expected and said he'd like to remain with the Twins. During his five seasons in Minnesota Redmond hit .297/.339/.359 in 931 plate appearances, with 44 walks and 85 strikeouts.  I'll remember him for the "Smell 'Em" bit, for hitting .341 in '06 and for being pretty much the best backup a team could ask for. Odds for a return in 2010:  Improbable Ron Mahay #37 / Pitcher / Minnesota Twins Height: 6-2 Weight: 195 Bats: L Throws: L Born: Jun 28, 1971   W-L G GS CG SHO SV BS IP H R ER HR BB K ERA WHIP 2009 - Ron Mahay 1-0 16 0 0 0 0 0 9.0 7 3 2 1 3 8 2.00 1.11 The 38-year old southpaw pitched about as well as you could ask him to down the stretch for the Twins, and he helped to solidify the LOOGY role when Jose Mijares lost his mind and threw at Adam Everett.  Over the course of his career he's been a pretty decent relief pitcher, succeeding as a middle relief guy especially when used as that lefty-one-out-guy.  Mahay's struggled with his command for most of his career, and he's averaged 4.4 BB/9 across his last three years. With fewer positions available than there are arms already it doesn't make sense to bring in a LOOGY when it's going to take seven digits to get him to commit, especially when Mijaries can do the job for a fraction of the cost.  Thanks for the contributions sir, but I think it might be time to shake hands. Odds for a return in 2010:  Improbable Joe Crede #24 / Third Base / Minnesota Twins Height: 6-2 Weight: 230 Bats: R Throws: R Born: Apr 26, 1978   G AB R H 2B 3B HR RBI BB K SB CS AVG OBP SLG 2009 - Joe Crede 90 333 42 75 16 1 15 48 29 56 0 0 .225 .289 .414 He was excatly as advertised in 2009:  great with the glove, some pop in his bat, can't get on base and can't stay on the field.  At points over the last few weeks I've advocated the possibility of bringing Joe back on a similar contract to the one he signed last February, but the more I tihnk about it the worse of an idea it becomes.  If you're going to shell out for a free agent, make sure it's a guy who has a good chance of playing.  Don't pay millions for a guy who will require a contingency plan because he's almost a guarantee to miss stretches of time.  Nick Nelson spells it out much better than I have. Crede isn't opposed to returning, and I have to agree with Nick:  if the Twins wait this out and try to make something happen at third base but can't by February, then sure, give Crede another shot.  In reality, he might get another shot.  But I won't be upset if he signs elsewhere, and I'm hoping that I can remember him as the guy who hit the grand slam to put us over the White Sox early in the year. Odds for a return in 2010:  Possible Orlando Cabrera #18 / Short Stop / Minnesota Twins Height: 5-9 Weight: 185 Bats: R Throws: R Born: Nov 02, 1974   G AB R H 2B 3B HR RBI BB K SB CS AVG OBP SLG 2009 - Orlando Cabrera 59 242 42 70 13 3 5 36 11 32 2 0 .289 .313 .430 O-Cab was a high-energy guy who brought a buzz to the team when they needed it.  Like Crede he came up with some massive and memorable hits, but also like Crede his overall production doesn't warrant a whole lot of consideration for a return.  He's already showing decline, and at 35 he's not going to get better. Cabrera was great to have around and I'll remember him not just for his homer in game 163, but for his relationship with Carlos Gomez and Alexi Casilla, and for giving the club a shot of adrenaline.  Unfortunately second base isn't going to make his millions any more palatable, particularly when there are so many second base upgrades on the free agent market. Odds for a return in 2010:  Possible Carl Pavano #48 / Pitcher / Minnesota Twins Height: 6-5 Weight: 240 Bats: R Throws: R Born: Jan 08, 1976   W-L G GS CG SHO SV BS IP H R ER HR BB K ERA WHIP 2009 - Carl Pavano 5-4 12 12 0 0 0 0 73.2 85 39 38 7 16 59 4.64 1.37 This season was a bit of a revival for Pavano, and he proved himself to be a big game pitcher for the Twins down the stretch.  When he's healthy he's can strike a few guys out and has good command, and while he'll be 34 in January he's still young enough to have another good season or two to give. Pavano has stated he'd like to return to the Twins, and naturally the prospect of playing for a competetive team like Minnesota will have some draw.  Minnesota's interest is likely mutual, but Pavano's future here (unlike the rest of the guys on this list) will depend greatly on what kind of interest he draws from other clubs and how much they'll be willing to pay him next year. I expect Pavano to get an offer from the Twins within the next couple of weeks. Odds for a return in 2010:  Realistic Poll Which free agent are the Twins most likely to bring back? Mike Redmond Ron Mahay Joe Crede Orlando Cabrera Carl Pavano None of the above, actually   20 votes | Results Minnesota Twins - Sport Snipe - Team News - Stats - Updates http://www.sportsnipe.com/main_sportsnews/1041221/tampa-bay-rays-add-3-players-to-40man-roster-reinstate-pena-from-60day-dl.html Minnesota Twins - Sport Snipe - Team News - Stats - Updates http://www.sportsnipe.com/main_sportsnews/1040595/diamondbacks-acquire-rhp-aaron-heilman-from-cubs.html Minnesota Twins - Sport Snipe - Team News - Stats - Updates http://www.sportsnipe.com/main_sportsnews/1040594/diamondbacks-acquire-rhp-aaron-heilman-from-cubs.html Minnesota Twins - Sport Snipe - Team News - Stats - Updates http://www.sportsnipe.com/main_sportsnews/1039650/washburn-wants-to-be-brewer-newsradio-620.html Washburn Wants to Be a BrewerNewsradio 620FOX Sports is reporting that Washburn has interest in pitching for either the Crew or the Minnesota Twins, thereby allowing him to finish his career close ...Jarrod Washburn considering Twins and BrewersYahoo! SportsJarrod Washburn: Knee Feels GoodRotowireTwins, Washburn Continue to Make Eyes At Each OtherTwinkie Town (blog)MLB.com -SportingNews.com -Rotoworld.comall 10 news articles » Minnesota Twins - Sport Snipe - Team News - Stats - Updates http://www.sportsnipe.com/main_sportsnews/1039648/howard-sinker-fixes-twins.html Howard Sinker Fixes the Twins Check out Howard's blog from this morning where he names a trio of free agent additions that would help the Twins be a better team without totally busting the bank. 2B: Felipe Lopez 3B: Pedro Feliz SP: Ben Sheets Minnesota Twins - Sport Snipe - Team News - Stats - Updates http://www.sportsnipe.com/main_sportsnews/1039049/minnesota-twins-news-links-bleacher-report.html Bleacher ReportMinnesota Twins News LinksBleacher ReportThe Twins unveiled new uniforms, patches, hats, and logos on Monday. I personally like the changes and can't wait to buy a new away jersey. ... Minnesota Twins - Sport Snipe - Team News - Stats - Updates http://www.sportsnipe.com/main_sportsnews/1039048/selig-talks-playoffs-2010-draft-picks.html Selig Talks Playoffs 2010, Draft Picks Bud Selig is attempting to tighten up the 2010 playoff schedule so there aren't as many off days. He also discusses free agency and more equality in draft picks, while talking very briefly about instant replay (still not in favor). Minnesota Twins - Sport Snipe - Team News - Stats - Updates http://www.sportsnipe.com/main_sportsnews/1039047/baseball-commissioner-bud-selig-says-some-major-league-clubs-lost-money-during-2009.html Minnesota Twins - Sport Snipe - Team News - Stats - Updates http://www.sportsnipe.com/main_sportsnews/1039046/andy-pettitte-fernando-tatis-file-for-free-agency-on-final-day-raising-total-to-171.html Minnesota Twins - Sport Snipe - Team News - Stats - Updates http://www.sportsnipe.com/main_sportsnews/1039045/giants-ace-tim-lincecum-wins-second-consecutive-nl-cy-young-in-tight-vote.html Minnesota Twins - Sport Snipe - Team News - Stats - Updates http://www.sportsnipe.com/main_sportsnews/1038265/fixing-twins-without-spending-huge-money.html Minnesota Twins - Sport Snipe - Team News - Stats - Updates http://www.sportsnipe.com/main_sportsnews/1037438/joe-mauer-his-twins-future-albert-lea-tribune.html Joe Mauer and his Twins futureAlbert Lea TribuneOne of the pressing unknowns for the Minnesota Twins is whether Joe Mauer will sign a contract extending his time past 2010. That importance varies from ... Minnesota Twins - Sport Snipe - Team News - Stats - Updates http://www.sportsnipe.com/main_sportsnews/1035881/deland-column-sign-check-mauer-fill-in-st-cloud-times.html deland column: Sign the check: Mauer can fill it inSt. Cloud TimesJoe Mauer insists that talks between he and the Minnesota Twins about a contract extension haven't begun yet, and that sort of makes you wonder. ...and more » Minnesota Twins - Sport Snipe - Team News - Stats - Updates http://www.sportsnipe.com/main_sportsnews/1035880/al-manager-year-ron-gardenhire-chic-dish.html Chic DishAL Manager of the Year - Not Ron GardenhireChic DishGardenhire, who has helmed the Minnesota Twins for almost a decade, is a record five-time runner-up for the award. In that time span, he's accomplished much ...Is the Minnesota Twins' Ron Gardenhire AL Manager of the Year?Bleacher ReportGardenhire second in MOY Award ballotingMLB.comThe chopping blockAngels blog (blog)Bleacher Report -MLB.comall 13 news articles » Minnesota Twins - Sport Snipe - Team News - Stats - Updates http://www.sportsnipe.com/main_sportsnews/1034769/50th-year-baseball-along-being-back-outdoors-minnesota-twins-go-faniq-blog.html FanIQ (blog)50th Year of Baseball, along with being back outdoors, Minnesota Twins go back ...FanIQ (blog)The Minnesota Twins got a 'new' image for next season as they start their 50th season of MLB in the North Star State. However, it's the vintage look that ... Minnesota Twins - Sport Snipe - Team News - Stats - Updates http://www.sportsnipe.com/main_sportsnews/1034768/on-craps-shoots-era.html Pitching(1) is a craps shoot(2).That's the primary reason I haven't written about pitching. Getting an additional reliable starting pitcher is the biggest remaining issue facing the Twins this offseason. And part of the reason I haven't written about that issue is that the rest of the remarkable Twins blogosphere(3) has it covered. As does, of course, the TwinsCentric Offseason GM Handbook.But the bigger reason is that I have trouble being too opinionated about pitching. And that's because pitching is a craps shoot. My gut reaction is that the more passionate you are about predicting a pitcher's performance next year, the stupider you are. And I say this because I've been pretty passionate about predicting pitching in the past, and I've ended up feeling pretty stupid. Because all we really know is that pitching is a craps shoot.And this is something you can show statistically, and I'll do so in my typical half-as ... er ... back-of-the-napkin way. Let's take a look at starting pitchers from 2008 and starting pitchers from 2009 and see which of their stats from 2008 could've best predicted their ERA in 2009.(4)We'll do this by deriving something called a "correlation coefficient." Ooh, I lost a lot of you with those last two words, didn't I? Let's try again.We'll do this by giving each statistic a rating between 0 and 100. Zero means the 2008 statistic had almost no relation at all to the player's ERA in 2009 - you couldn't have predicted it at all. 100 means it would have been in lock step with the ERA in 2009, so you could have predicted the ERA exactly. (5) Here are the results: 2008 Stat Rating FIP 46 RAR 45 SO 45 K/9 40 ERA 38 RE24 36 WPA 36 HR/9 34 Strikes 32 LOB% 31 Pitches 31 IP 30 CG 28 Balls 26 K/BB 25 HR/FB 25 AVG 24 GS 22 W 21 BB 20 WHIP 20 LD% 20 HR 17 H 15 BABIP 15 L 2 BB/9 2 GB% 0 GB/FB 0 I could go on for awhile about this rating, and I still might, but let's talk about the top of the table a bit first.The best predictor is FIP, which is a fairly new pitching metric that stands for Fielding Independent Pitching. It measure a pitcher's effectiveness with something that looks like ERA, but is based only on plays that do not involve fielders: home runs allowed, strikeouts, hit batters, walks, and, more recently, fly ball percentage, ground ball percentage, and (to a lesser extent) line drive percentage. It's worth a longer entry later.(6)Anyway, FIP edges out a close race over RAR (Runs Above Replacement) and ... Strikeouts? Notice that it isn't strikeout rate. That's next on the list at 40. It's just plain strikeouts. I guess it's not shocking that for starting pitchers the total number of strikeouts is a better indicator of next year's ERA than a pitcher's strikeout rate, but I didn't anticipate that.Anyway, fell free to fill up the comments sections with questions/observations about the values in this list. I would love to dissect these values more in a later entry.But back to the craps shoot. What is most striking to me is that the highest number is just 46. Why? Because of this....Let's say you were taking a look at a list of all batters last year but your list of stats was missing the RBI column. You wanted to figure out about how many RBI a player had based on the other stats they had. Could you come close using home runs? How about hits?You probably could. HR would have a rating of 93 in predicting the number of RBI. And hits would have a rating of 94.But you wouldn't expect to be able to predict it very well with triples, right? We don't associate guys who hit triples with guys who put up big RBI numbers. The Twins leaders in triples this year were Denard Span, Michael Cuddyer and Carlos Gomez. Needless to say they didn't drive in the most RBI.Well, you would be right about that, too. Triples are a crappy indicator. They only have a rating of 51 in predicting the number of RBI. But that is five points higher than the best indicator we have for next year's ERA.Which makes our indicator a little worse than crappy. Because pitching is a craps shoot.(1) There's lots of reasons to write. Sometimes it's because you're inspired. Sometimes it's because you have a passion about something. Sometimes it's to stretch.And sometimes it's just because you have a blockage. That's today. I don't know exactly where this will go, but I'm pretty sure it's been blocking all other writing for the last few days. (2) And, by the way, that's how I'm going with "craps shoot." As opposed to "crapshoot" or, god forbid, "crap chute." I'm pretty sure the term is supposed to refer to throwing dice in a game of craps. If it is something closer to the latter spelling, please, don't tell me.(3) And while we're interrupting this entry half a dozen times before it finds its legs, let's talk about that remarkable Twins blogosphere. Does everyone know about MNGameDay.com? Where you can find a feed of the latest entries from something like 50 Minnesota Twins blogs? No? That's because I don't think I've mentioned it here in something like two years. Because I'm an idiot. (4) Some specifics are in order for those geeks playing along at home. I'm limiting the study to those pitchers with more than 15 starts in 2008 and in 2009. That gets me (by my computations) 94 pitchers, which isn't a huge sample size, but not half bad either.(5) Again, for the geeks: I'm computing a correlation coefficient between the arrays, taking the absolute value of it (since I'm just as interested in negative correlations) and multiplying it by 100.(6) Especially because Carl Pavano's FIP last year was just 4.00, compared to his ERA of 5.10.He's a Twins fan. He's a geek. It's kinda sad, really. More at TwinsGeek.com. Minnesota Twins - Sport Snipe - Team News - Stats - Updates http://www.sportsnipe.com/main_sportsnews/1034767/tom-hicks-putting-together-local-investors-in-bid-to-maintain-majority-ownership-rangers.html Minnesota Twins - Sport Snipe - Team News - Stats - Updates http://www.sportsnipe.com/main_sportsnews/1033068/harris-wows-local-students-glens-falls-poststar.html Harris wows local studentsGlens Falls Post-Star... Queensbury native and Minnesota Twins utility man Brendan Harris found himself facing off not against Mariano Rivera or CC Sabathia, but rather a group ... Minnesota Twins - Sport Snipe - Team News - Stats - Updates http://www.sportsnipe.com/main_sportsnews/1033067/manager-year.html Manager of the Year Scioscia, Tracy Named Managers Of The Year and Rich keep getting richer? Red Sox and Yankees both looking to get Halladay: http://www.mlbtraderumors.com/2009/11/heyman-yankees-red-sox-have-shot-at-halladay.html Update: Add another link, linking Washburn and the Twins: http://www.mlbtraderumors.com/2009/11/twins-and-brewers-on-washburns-radar.html Minnesota Twins - Sport Snipe - Team News - Stats - Updates http://www.sportsnipe.com/main_sportsnews/1033066/twins-washburn-continue-to-make-eyes-at-each-other.html More photos » by Ann Heisenfelt - AP Browse more photos » Does anyone else feel like this one is inevitable? The Twins had interest at the trade deadline this year.  There were trade rumors involving the Twins and Washburn back in February.  Back in August of '08, the Twins placed a waiver claim on Washburn and actually won it, but the Mariners in another moment of moron-mania screwed it up by asking Minnesota for one of their young starters instead of just taking the salary dump.  This is a romance that's been brewing for an awful long time, and with the Twins seemingly on the verge of becoming a premier team in baseball with one or two more quality additions I have little doubt that Washburn will do whatever he can to don a Twins uniform. Bill Smith has already dropped hints that the front office will be taking a look at the starting pitcher options on the free agent market.  Washburn, apparently, fits the bill.  He wants to be here, he qualifies as a veteran (he turned 35 in August), and he's been a lock for averaging six innings a start over the course of his career.  Those are some pretty basic qualifications, but that doesn't mean they're bad ones. As long as they're not the only ones. I haven't made a secret of my reservations about having Washburn in a Twins uniform.  Allow me to illustrate why using the simplicity of the numbers, in case you remain unconvinced. Year AGE IP GS FIP tRA K/9 BB/9 2006 30 187.0 31 4.78 4.88 4.96 2.65 2007 31 193.2 32 4.77 4.81 5.30 3.11 2008 32 153.2 26 4.72 5.59 5.10 2.93 2009 33 176.0 28 4.58 5.21 5.11 2.51   To make sure we're on the same page:  Washburn isn't getting any better as he gets older.  Which should surprise absolutely nobody.  In fact he's been on a steady decline for a couple of years, and his rebound in Seattle this summer (which I'll take a pit stop at in a moment) seems more like a blip on the radar than a sign of a late-career revival. The best thing Washburn has going for him, apart from the fact that he should (note:  should) cost less than some of the other free agent starters on the market this winter, would be his durability (at least 28 starts seven of the last nine years).  But that should probably be a slight concern considering the problems with his knee at the end of the season, in spite of the arthroscopic surgery.  It's just another red flag for a guy who: Has averaged a strikeout-to-walk ratio of less than 2:1 over the course of his career. Can lose control at any time; first of the strike zone, then of his emotions. Is a flyball pitcher (bad for next year's outfield defense) who is going to give up more than his share of bombs. Isn't likely to out-play Minnesota's current top starters (Scott Baker, Kevin Slowey, possibly Nick Blackburn) Washburn had a bit of a revival in 2009.  Before his injury in Detroit he made 20 starts for Seattle and averaged 6.7 innings a go.  His fastball was legitimately a good pitch for the first time since 2002, and his slider was better than it ever had been.  He was stranding 80% of his base runners and opponents were managing a meager .249 BABIP.  None of that is sustainable. Conclusions Where this gets tricky for me is when I know the answer to this question:  does Jarrod Washburn make next year's rotation better?  Because as long as he's healthy, he probably does.  On paper, giving him 200 innings instead of Anthony Swarzak or Brian Duensing or Glen Perkins just might actually yield better results.  And in that sense, he could make the Twins better by stengthening the back end of the rotation.  We all know how the Twins like their depth. Would it be a bad signing?  Depending on the contract, probably not.  I'm just hoping for something more. I'll leave you with a conversation I had with a friend over Facebook. Jesse wishes the Twins would stop flirting with Jarrod Washburn.  STOP IT.Ben:  Dodgers are flirting with Smotz... Have you ever been at a bar, and your friend is SOOOOO wasted drunk that he's chatting up the ugliest chick in the bar? Do you see them touch hands? Maybe even noses? You try to stop him but he's too drunk to believe you? At least the twins are chatting up a hottie. Who cares if they are let down, at least they're trying. All my teams gonna get is a hang over, crabs, and a rude awakening come tomorrow.Jesse:  yeah but at least your friend is going after a cougar. i mean, at least she USED to be hot, right? the twins are just going after the girl because she's there...she's only a hottie because the twins just drank all the way through happy hour.Ben:  Point taken. Minnesota Twins - Sport Snipe - Team News - Stats - Updates http://www.sportsnipe.com/main_sportsnews/1033065/baseball-commissioner-bud-selig-says-2010-playoff-schedule-will-have-fewer-off-days.html Minnesota Twins - Sport Snipe - Team News - Stats - Updates http://www.sportsnipe.com/main_sportsnews/1032160/rockies-give-jim-tracy-3year-contract-announce-deal-right-after-he-wins-nl-manager-award.html Minnesota Twins - Sport Snipe - Team News - Stats - Updates http://www.sportsnipe.com/main_sportsnews/1032159/nationals-hire-davey-johnson-as-senior-adviser-to-gm.html Minnesota Twins - Sport Snipe - Team News - Stats - Updates http://www.sportsnipe.com/main_sportsnews/1031108/colorados-jim-tracy-angels-mike-scioscia-win-manager-year-awards.html Minnesota Twins - Sport Snipe - Team News - Stats - Updates http://www.sportsnipe.com/main_sportsnews/1029436/wakeup-call-09-saints-are-latest-juggernaut-to-visit-bucs-tampa-tribune.html Tampa TribuneWake-Up Call: '09 Saints are latest juggernaut to visit BucsTampa TribuneMinnesota Twins center fielder Denard Span (Tampa Catholic) was one of the models on Monday when the organization unveiled its new uniforms and logo, ...and more » Minnesota Twins - Sport Snipe - Team News - Stats - Updates http://www.sportsnipe.com/main_sportsnews/1029009/twins-unveil-new-look-pioneer-press.html Chippewa HeraldTwins unveil new lookPioneer PressMinnesota Twins outfielder Denard Span models the team's new opening day and Saturday home games uniform Monday, Nov. 16, 2009 in Minneapolis. ...Twins alter uniforms, add throwback optionHouston ChronicleTwins unveil new unis for 2010MLB.comAnother team unveils new look to get fans to buyWalletPopBizjournals.com -KARE -Minnesota Public Radioall 51 news articles » Minnesota Twins - Sport Snipe - Team News - Stats - Updates http://www.sportsnipe.com/main_sportsnews/1028332/venezuelan-outfielder-alex-ramirez-pitcher-yu-darvish-named-mvps-japanese-baseball.html Minnesota Twins - Sport Snipe - Team News - Stats - Updates http://www.sportsnipe.com/main_sportsnews/1027177/minnesota-twins-ron-gardenhire-he-al-manager-year-bleacher-report.html Bleacher ReportMinnesota Twins' Ron Gardenhire, is he the AL Manager of the Year?Bleacher ReportIn 2009, he proved his mettle once again by leading the Minnesota Twins to yet another division title in the American League Central. ...Late run could net Gardenhire MOYTwinsbaseball.comall 4 news articles » Minnesota Twins - Sport Snipe - Team News - Stats - Updates http://www.sportsnipe.com/main_sportsnews/1027176/twins-new-uniforms-step-up.html Nothing gets a town talking more than new uniforms. Minnesota Twins - Sport Snipe - Team News - Stats - Updates http://www.sportsnipe.com/main_sportsnews/1026798/ny-promotes-teufel-to-manager-bmets-in-2010-bmetscom.html Go-Ems.comNY Promotes Teufel to Manager B-Mets in 2010BMets.comAfter a stellar college career with Clemson University, Teufel was drafted in the second round by the Minnesota Twins in the 1980 amateur draft. ...NY Mets promote Tim Teufel to manage Double-A Binghamton affliateThe Star-Ledger - NJ.comall 5 news articles » Minnesota Twins - Sport Snipe - Team News - Stats - Updates http://www.sportsnipe.com/main_sportsnews/1026177/homecoming-indians-add-sandy-alomar-jr-to-coaching-staff-was-allstar-catcher-club.html Minnesota Twins - Sport Snipe - Team News - Stats - Updates http://www.sportsnipe.com/main_sportsnews/1025395/exmet-wally-backman-starting-over-brooklyn-farm-team-still-hopes-to-manage-in-majors.html Minnesota Twins - Sport Snipe - Team News - Stats - Updates http://www.sportsnipe.com/main_sportsnews/1025394/some-boston-red-sox-tickets-to-rise-up-5-next-season-at-fenway-park.html Minnesota Twins - Sport Snipe - Team News - Stats - Updates http://www.sportsnipe.com/main_sportsnews/1024387/disadvantaged-workers-businesses-lend-hand-on-stadium-projects-finance-commerce.html FOX 9 NewsDisadvantaged workers, businesses lend a hand on stadium projectsFinance and CommerceA diverse work force was a priority for the Minnesota Twins, Hennepin County, the University of Minnesota and other project partners, according to Sorensen. ...Minnesota Twins: Team marks move with new uniform stylesIn-Forumall 649 news articles » Minnesota Twins - Sport Snipe - Team News - Stats - Updates http://www.sportsnipe.com/main_sportsnews/1024386/twins-alter-uniforms-add-throwback-option-houston-chronicle.html KELOLAND TVTwins alter uniforms, add throwback optionHouston ChronicleMINNEAPOLIS ? The Minnesota Twins unveiled their biggest uniform change since 1987 on Monday, with a whole new look for the road sans ...Twins unveil new unis for 2010MLB.comAnother team unveils new look to get fans to buyWalletPopTwins unveil new uniforms, logoBizjournals.comPioneer Press -KARE -Minnesota Public Radioall 48 news articles » Minnesota Twins - Sport Snipe - Team News - Stats - Updates