Vladislav Tretiak
Footballguy
That's the way to do it Twins.
If you can't keep Hunter then go get the next best thing! Craig Monroe
If you can't keep Hunter then go get the next best thing! Craig Monroe
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Twins make trade (1 Viewer)
- Thread starter Vladislav Tretiak
- Start date
Gopher State
Footballguy
The Twins and Chicago Cubs have been discussing a trade that would send left fielder Craig Monroe to Minnesota for a player to be named, and an announcement could come as soon as today, the Star Tribune has learned.
UPDATE: It’s official. The Twins just e-mailed the announcement.
Monroe, 30, hit 28 home runs for the Detroit Tigers in 2006 and five more in the post season as they reached the World Series. But the Tigers designated him for assignment in August after he batted .222 with 11 home runs and 55 RBI.
After being traded to the Cubs, Monroe batted .204 with one home run in 23 games.
He made $4.8 million last season and is eligible for a raise through arbitration, so many in the industry viewed him as a non-tender candidate.
At that point, the Twins could bid on him as a free agent, but this move would be an aggressive push on their part to try and bolster their offense. Monroe and Jason Kubel could split time in left field, with the other serving as a DH.
Monroe has been a notorious Twins killer throughout his career, batting .322 against them with 13 home runs in 283 at-bats. He has batted .304 in 35 career games at the Metrodome.
Monroe is also close friends with free agent center fielder Torii Hunter, and the two work out together in the offseason at a facility outside Dallas.
Minneapolis Star and Tribune
UPDATE: It’s official. The Twins just e-mailed the announcement.
Monroe, 30, hit 28 home runs for the Detroit Tigers in 2006 and five more in the post season as they reached the World Series. But the Tigers designated him for assignment in August after he batted .222 with 11 home runs and 55 RBI.
After being traded to the Cubs, Monroe batted .204 with one home run in 23 games.
He made $4.8 million last season and is eligible for a raise through arbitration, so many in the industry viewed him as a non-tender candidate.
At that point, the Twins could bid on him as a free agent, but this move would be an aggressive push on their part to try and bolster their offense. Monroe and Jason Kubel could split time in left field, with the other serving as a DH.
Monroe has been a notorious Twins killer throughout his career, batting .322 against them with 13 home runs in 283 at-bats. He has batted .304 in 35 career games at the Metrodome.
Monroe is also close friends with free agent center fielder Torii Hunter, and the two work out together in the offseason at a facility outside Dallas.
Minneapolis Star and Tribune
Vladislav Tretiak
Footballguy
So he hit .219 with 12 HRs and he's eligible for a raise?
Gopher State
Footballguy
Twins have some leeway in talks with Monroe
The Twins say they are allowed to offer outfielder Craig Monroe a 2008 contract for as little as $2.865 million -- a 40 percent reduction from his 2007 salary of $4.775 million.
By La Velle E. Neal III, Star Tribune
Last update: November 15, 2007 – 12:36 AM
The Twins say they are allowed to offer outfielder Craig Monroe a 2008 contract for as little as $2.865 million -- a 40 percent reduction from his 2007 salary of $4.775 million.
Monroe, acquired by the Twins from the Cubs or a player to be named later on Tuesday, is arbitration eligible. However, the Twins will attempt to sign him for less than what he made last season or they will nontender him in December, making Monroe a free agent.
Teams previously were able to sign players for up to a 20 percent reduction, but both Twins General Manager Bill Smith and assistant GM Rob Antony said Wednesday that a 40 percent cut is allowed.
If the sides can't work out a deal, Monroe will be nontendered and become a free agent who could sign with any club for any salary.
Indications are that the Twins won't seek to reduce Monroe's salary the full 40 percent, but they will try to sign him to a one-year deal with incentives. That would reduce their risk while Monroe tries to bounce back from a 2007 season in which he batted .219 with 12 homers and 59 RBI between Detroit and the Cubs.
"I think he's a good fit," Smith said. "He makes us better. He's been a run producer. He had a bad year last year and we're optimistic he can turn that around and be a productive hitter."
If Monroe signs, the Twins will owe the Cubs an extremely low-level prospect.
Etc.
• The Twins are still looking to upgrade at third base, where Nick Punto played most of the season but batted only .210. Free agent Mike Lamb could interest the Twins if they can't swing a deal for help. Lamb, 32, hit .289 with 11 homers and 40 RBI with Houston last season. He doesn't hit for much power and didn't play against many lefties.
• The Twins will remain in contact with the Boston Red Sox over outfielder Coco Crisp in case Torii Hunter leaves via free agency.
La Velle E. Neal III • lneal@startribune.com
The Twins say they are allowed to offer outfielder Craig Monroe a 2008 contract for as little as $2.865 million -- a 40 percent reduction from his 2007 salary of $4.775 million.
By La Velle E. Neal III, Star Tribune
Last update: November 15, 2007 – 12:36 AM
The Twins say they are allowed to offer outfielder Craig Monroe a 2008 contract for as little as $2.865 million -- a 40 percent reduction from his 2007 salary of $4.775 million.
Monroe, acquired by the Twins from the Cubs or a player to be named later on Tuesday, is arbitration eligible. However, the Twins will attempt to sign him for less than what he made last season or they will nontender him in December, making Monroe a free agent.
Teams previously were able to sign players for up to a 20 percent reduction, but both Twins General Manager Bill Smith and assistant GM Rob Antony said Wednesday that a 40 percent cut is allowed.
If the sides can't work out a deal, Monroe will be nontendered and become a free agent who could sign with any club for any salary.
Indications are that the Twins won't seek to reduce Monroe's salary the full 40 percent, but they will try to sign him to a one-year deal with incentives. That would reduce their risk while Monroe tries to bounce back from a 2007 season in which he batted .219 with 12 homers and 59 RBI between Detroit and the Cubs.
"I think he's a good fit," Smith said. "He makes us better. He's been a run producer. He had a bad year last year and we're optimistic he can turn that around and be a productive hitter."
If Monroe signs, the Twins will owe the Cubs an extremely low-level prospect.
Etc.
• The Twins are still looking to upgrade at third base, where Nick Punto played most of the season but batted only .210. Free agent Mike Lamb could interest the Twins if they can't swing a deal for help. Lamb, 32, hit .289 with 11 homers and 40 RBI with Houston last season. He doesn't hit for much power and didn't play against many lefties.
• The Twins will remain in contact with the Boston Red Sox over outfielder Coco Crisp in case Torii Hunter leaves via free agency.
La Velle E. Neal III • lneal@startribune.com
pigskin pimp
Footballguy
Craig Monroe = Rondell White Lite
As Twins fans know already, Rondell was a whole lot of fat without much substance.
Are they still employing Mathew LeCroy, or is he the new hitting coach?
Was Craig Wilson not available for a million dollars less?
Where's Tyner going to play? CF?
Ugh.
<halfjoking>
As Twins fans know already, Rondell was a whole lot of fat without much substance.
Are they still employing Mathew LeCroy, or is he the new hitting coach?
Was Craig Wilson not available for a million dollars less?
Where's Tyner going to play? CF?
Ugh.
<halfjoking>
Gopher State
Footballguy
Twins get Hunter's pal Monroe from Cubs
Despite Tuesday's trade, it appears the outfielder would have to take a cut in salary to stay with the team.
By La Velle E. Neal III, Star Tribune
Last update: November 14, 2007 – 4:26 PM
Monroe played 99 games for Detroit last season before being traded to the Cubs.
Outfielder Craig Monroe was traded to the Twins for a player to be named later on Tuesday, but indications are that the only way he can go to spring training with the team is if he agrees to a contract worth less than the $4.775 million he made last season.
The Twins will try to sign Monroe, who batted .219 with 12 homers and 59 RBI last season in stints with the Tigers and Cubs, to a contract to avoid arbitration. But a Twins source said Tuesday that the team intends to sign him for less than he made last season or non-tender him by the Dec. 1 deadline.
Terms of the deal require the Twins to send the Cubs a minor leaguer only if Monroe remains with the team. The Twins traded for Monroe because they think he can bounce back from a horrible 2007 season and provide power to a lineup that sorely needs it.
Before learning that strings were attached to him joining the team, Monroe said returning to the AL Central should help him rebound after a 2007 season in which he said he didn't get enough at-bats to get his game going.
"I went through a tough period," he said. "All players go through it. I need to go out and prove to myself and everyone in baseball what Craig Monroe can do."
Monroe played 99 games with Detroit and 23 with the Cubs last season. He's a high-strikeout, low-walk hitter who needs to make more contact. He's a solid outfielder who will share left field with Jason Kubel and be the designated hitter.
It's an odd development because Monroe and Torii Hunter are friends. They both live in Texas and work out together in the offseason.
"We're built the same way," Monroe said. "We have the same love [for the game] and the passion and the desire to be good."
Monroe is aware of the irony of him becoming a Twin when Hunter appears to be leaving as a free agent.
"I've talked to Torii about that," Monroe said. "We've always talked about playing together. Now I have a chance to be Twin and there's a chance [Hunter] is leaving. I'm tugging at him [to stay] but I wish the best for him and his family."
The Twins are hoping Monroe will produce closer to his 2006 season, when he batted .255 with 28 homers and 92 RBI with Detroit.
"That's my boy," Hunter said. "I can't believe they picked him up."'
The business side of baseball, however, supersedes friendships. Hunter hasn't had any contract discussions with the Twins since late in the regular season.
Hunter said Tuesday that six to 10 teams are interested in him. And his decision to remain with the Twins also depends on which direction the club is headed.
"Trading for Craig is not going to get me back there." Hunter said. "[The trade] looks good, I can tell you that. But that's not all of it. Can you guarantee that Johan [santana] is going to be back? Joe Nathan? There's other stuff right now.
"But it's open. It's time to talk."
Twins General Manager Bill Smith's ambitious offseason plans are to improve the Twins' offense while resigning Hunter and free agent pitcher Carlos Silva and extending Santana's contract. The Twins have offered Silva a three-year contract for less than $20 million.
The Twins got only 10 homers out of the DH position last season, second lowest in the AL, and obviously need help.
It remains to be seen whether Monroe can bounce back with or without Hunter in the same lineup -- or if he even makes it to Fort Myers, Fla., in February.
"Without Craig Monroe we would like to have Torii back and with or without Torii we're glad to have Craig Monroe," Smith said. "If it's a package, great."
Despite Tuesday's trade, it appears the outfielder would have to take a cut in salary to stay with the team.
By La Velle E. Neal III, Star Tribune
Last update: November 14, 2007 – 4:26 PM
Monroe played 99 games for Detroit last season before being traded to the Cubs.
Outfielder Craig Monroe was traded to the Twins for a player to be named later on Tuesday, but indications are that the only way he can go to spring training with the team is if he agrees to a contract worth less than the $4.775 million he made last season.
The Twins will try to sign Monroe, who batted .219 with 12 homers and 59 RBI last season in stints with the Tigers and Cubs, to a contract to avoid arbitration. But a Twins source said Tuesday that the team intends to sign him for less than he made last season or non-tender him by the Dec. 1 deadline.
Terms of the deal require the Twins to send the Cubs a minor leaguer only if Monroe remains with the team. The Twins traded for Monroe because they think he can bounce back from a horrible 2007 season and provide power to a lineup that sorely needs it.
Before learning that strings were attached to him joining the team, Monroe said returning to the AL Central should help him rebound after a 2007 season in which he said he didn't get enough at-bats to get his game going.
"I went through a tough period," he said. "All players go through it. I need to go out and prove to myself and everyone in baseball what Craig Monroe can do."
Monroe played 99 games with Detroit and 23 with the Cubs last season. He's a high-strikeout, low-walk hitter who needs to make more contact. He's a solid outfielder who will share left field with Jason Kubel and be the designated hitter.
It's an odd development because Monroe and Torii Hunter are friends. They both live in Texas and work out together in the offseason.
"We're built the same way," Monroe said. "We have the same love [for the game] and the passion and the desire to be good."
Monroe is aware of the irony of him becoming a Twin when Hunter appears to be leaving as a free agent.
"I've talked to Torii about that," Monroe said. "We've always talked about playing together. Now I have a chance to be Twin and there's a chance [Hunter] is leaving. I'm tugging at him [to stay] but I wish the best for him and his family."
The Twins are hoping Monroe will produce closer to his 2006 season, when he batted .255 with 28 homers and 92 RBI with Detroit.
"That's my boy," Hunter said. "I can't believe they picked him up."'
The business side of baseball, however, supersedes friendships. Hunter hasn't had any contract discussions with the Twins since late in the regular season.
Hunter said Tuesday that six to 10 teams are interested in him. And his decision to remain with the Twins also depends on which direction the club is headed.
"Trading for Craig is not going to get me back there." Hunter said. "[The trade] looks good, I can tell you that. But that's not all of it. Can you guarantee that Johan [santana] is going to be back? Joe Nathan? There's other stuff right now.
"But it's open. It's time to talk."
Twins General Manager Bill Smith's ambitious offseason plans are to improve the Twins' offense while resigning Hunter and free agent pitcher Carlos Silva and extending Santana's contract. The Twins have offered Silva a three-year contract for less than $20 million.
The Twins got only 10 homers out of the DH position last season, second lowest in the AL, and obviously need help.
It remains to be seen whether Monroe can bounce back with or without Hunter in the same lineup -- or if he even makes it to Fort Myers, Fla., in February.
"Without Craig Monroe we would like to have Torii back and with or without Torii we're glad to have Craig Monroe," Smith said. "If it's a package, great."
Craig_MiamiFL
Footballguy
It's good to see the Cubs getting rid of their trash.
