Tyner is Teamless

Update 12/12 6:42 PM: It's official, according to Joe C.

Things are beginning to happen in Twin-land even though no Santana deal has been completed as of yet. Seth Stohs is reporting that Jason Tyner was non-tendered on Tuesday. He was probably set to make around $1M in 2008. This moves comes as somewhat surprising, but after the signing of Craig Monroe, it makes some sense. The Twins already had Jason Kubel, Michael Cuddyer, and Delmon Young in the outfield, with recently-acquired Jason Pridie in AAA. To me, this means something is in the works for a centerfielder, as I don't see Pridie or Monroe starting there. Then again, I didn't really see Tyner starting there either, but I guess it was more likely than Pridie, who should start the year in AAA, or Monroe, whose defense is much better suited for a corner spot.

It's weird for me to think about, but I'm actually somewhat sad to see Tyner go. I liked his effort and hustle on every play. Even on routine groundouts, he would go all out down the first-base line. I guess he's basically like Nick Punto, except without the aggravation because I'm not subjected to watching him get 536 plate appearances (and Tyner's numbers were much better in 2007)..

Twins Flail'n'Fail Yet Again

It looks like my prayer from the last entry worked, but other than that it was a bad game for the Twins and another loss, this one 4-2 to the Tigers. Justin Morneau hit his 30th home run in the losing effort and Torii Hunter hit his team-leading 42nd double, but that was about it for the Twins' offense. On the pitching side, Matt Garza was solid for 5 innings, but fell apart in the 6th, issuing three walks and not making it out of the frame.


And yet again Ron Gardenhire, a.k.a. I only argue when I'm sure the umpire was right and I will make a fool of myself, was ejected, along with Hunter. Also among the minutia of the game, Lew Ford came in to pinch run and got caught stealing, and Jason Tyner came in to pinch hit-- yes, JASON TYNER is now a pinch hitter-- and the worst part is, he is better than the man he hit for (the one and only Rondell White). So there you have it: more questionable managing, Nick Punto still in the lineup, batting .199, and the relievers combine to throw 3.1 very good, scoreless innings to no avail.


But never fear, Johan Santana (15-11, 3.09) toes the rubber tomorrow against Yorman Barzado (1-1, 3.00) in a 7:10 EST start. Let's hope this favorable pitching matchup, as it always is when Johan starts, turns out better than yesterday's.