Sporting News staff reports
Although the Twins should get a financial boost from the new Target Field, the Star Tribune of Minneapolis-St. Paul reported the team won’t dramatically ramp up its spending. The Twins still have needs at second base and third base, but the newspaper noted they also have to sign catcher Joe Mauer to a long-term extension.
In addition, first baseman Justin Morneau, closer Joe Nathan and right fielder Michael Cuddyer all will make more than $10 million this season. A handful of other Twins also will get substantial raises from 2009. Thus, the team has been conservative this offseason.
In other Twins news, the St. Paul Pioneer Press reported left-hander Francisco Liriano has been impressive in winter ball. "I just got a report that he’s throwing the living fire out of the ball down in the Dominican (Republic)," Twins manager Ron Gardenhire told the newspaper.
After going 12-3 with a 2.16 ERA as a rookie in 2006, Liriano missed all of 2007 season because of Tommy John surgery. In his first full season back in the majors in 2009, he went 5-13 with a 5.80 ERA.
The newspaper reported Liriano will compete with Brian Duensing and Glen Perkins for the fifth spot in the Twins’ rotation this season.
Sporting News staff reports
Although the Twins should get a financial boost from the new Target Field, the Star Tribune of Minneapolis-St. Paul reported the team won’t dramatically ramp up its spending. The Twins still have needs at second base and third base, but the newspaper noted they also have to sign catcher Joe Mauer to a long-term extension.
In addition, first baseman Justin Morneau, closer Joe Nathan and right fielder Michael Cuddyer all will make more than $10 million this season. A handful of other Twins also will get substantial raises from 2009. Thus, the team has been conservative this offseason.
In other Twins news, the St. Paul Pioneer Press reported left-hander Francisco Liriano has been impressive in winter ball. "I just got a report that he’s throwing the living fire out of the ball down in the Dominican (Republic)," Twins manager Ron Gardenhire told the newspaper.
After going 12-3 with a 2.16 ERA as a rookie in 2006, Liriano missed all of 2007 season because of Tommy John surgery. In his first full season back in the majors in 2009, he went 5-13 with a 5.80 ERA.
The newspaper reported Liriano will compete with Brian Duensing and Glen Perkins for the fifth spot in the Twins’ rotation this season.