Couple off season moves

[henks]

Twins pick up Kubel's option for 2011, decline Punto's.

Twins exercise Kubel's 2011 option - MLB - Yahoo! Sports

[mntwinsfan]

hopefully they trade Kubel and add a much needed starting pitcher!

[love_that_reefer]

Why trade Kubel after a down year when his value is low? I think he can do much better than he did this year and be a real asset to this offense.

[catman]

Kubel was dinged up a bit most of the year and could have a very productive season next year for the Twins. I don't see the team trading him this winter. Nick Punto's option was declined, to no one's surprise. He was slated to earn $5M next year. As everyone knows, he is a favorite of Ron Gardenhire, so I would expect him to come back at a lower salary.

[mntwinsfan]

Major issue for the Twins is starting pitching. We need to deal at least one good hitter to land a top of the rotation sp. We lost to the yankees because our pitching was terrible.

With Nathan and Morneau both healthy in 2011 we could be better. If not were going to continue to struggle.

[love_that_reefer]

The Twins signed right-hander Kyle Waldrop, catcher Jair Fernandez and outfielder Juan Portes to minor league deals, according to Joe Christensen of the Minneapolis Star-Tribune (Twitter links). Twins minor leaguers Jacque Jones, Brock Peterson, Matt Macri, Tim Lahey, Mike Maroth and D'Angelo Jimenez hit free agency.

I had no idea Maroth and Jacque were still around.

[catman]

Maroth and Jacque were in AAA last season. Possibly the last year for both, although they both had decent seasons.

[catman]

Macri and Peterson could land somewhere. They have some baseball left in them. The others might be done.

[love_that_reefer]

According to ESPN.com's Jerry Crasnick, the Twins have signed right-hander Eric Hacker to a major league contract.
Hacker won 16 games for the Giants' Triple-A Fresno affiliate this year despite posting an ERA of 4.51 and a WHIP of 1.47. The 27-year-old righty has registered only three career big-league appearances and has only an outside shot at landing a bullpen spot on the Twins' 2011 roster.

He's just a warm body to have as organizational depth.

[mntwinsfan]

Kind of a wasted move here? If a guy only has an "outside shot" at making the team, was this a smart move?

[mntwinsfan]

Load up Twins manangement and go after Cliff Lee. I mean come on and lets do something BIG this offseason!

[love_that_reefer]

I wouldn't say its a wasted move. Every team needs depth and who knows, he could have his career year with you guys.

[catman]

The Twins have done pretty well with Giants' "swing-pitchers".
His stats in the minors look decent. He could be a good pickup.

[catman]

The Twins need a lefty reliever -- how about JC Romero? He could be willing to sign with the Twins for a decent salary.

[love_that_reefer]

Romero's walk rate is what scares me.