Around the Majors

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Around the Majors is hosted by Joe Christensen, the national baseball writer for the Star Tribune. He provides a steady stream of updates throughout the season and offseason, in addition to his regular duties with the paper.

Latest Content from Around the Majors

This blog has a new home: via Around the Majors January 22, 2010 at 11:41 AM; Dear loyal readers, Around the Majors has moved to a new server, joining the list of Star Tribune blogs that have made this switch in recent months. You’ll find the same content there, though you’ll be asked to register with StarTribune.com before commenting. So to continue getting breaking Twins news (injuries, lineups, contracts, etc.), insider analysis, along [...]
A closer look at the new deals for Liriano, Harris: via Around the Majors January 20, 2010 at 10:17 AM; Some notes from the fine print of the contracts the Twins handed out Tuesday, avoiding arbitration: (*) Francisco Liriano’s one-year, $1.6 million deal includes up to $100,000 in incentives. He can reach those incentives two ways — as a starter or as a reliever. He’ll receive $25,000 payments when he hits the following thresholds: Games started [...]
Twins agree with Hardy, whittle arbitration list: via Around the Majors January 19, 2010 at 12:05 PM; With eight players eligible for arbitration, the Twins appear to be paring down that list. They reached agreement on a one-year, deal with shortstop J.J. Hardy worth about $5 million, with incentives for plate appearances, a person familiar with the negotiations told our La Velle Neal today. Other players eligible for arbitration include Carl Pavano, Matt Guerrier, [...]
Game 163 — a chance to live it all over again: via Around the Majors December 20, 2009 at 06:41 PM; Shortly after the Twins’ season ended, Star Tribune sports editor Glen Crevier came up with the idea for an in-depth story reflecting on Game 163. It all happened in such a blur, that 12-inning, see-saw epic to determine the AL Central title. The Twins won 6-5, in one of the most exciting games most of us [...]
Holiday gift ideas for the baseball fan in your life: via Around the Majors December 17, 2009 at 10:11 AM; Before the Twins’ annual holiday party Wednesday, the team’s employees received another surprise from Santa Morneau. Last year, Justin Morneau and his wife, Krista, gave scarves to each Twins employee. Teammates teased Morneau for making the rest of them look bad for not giving their own gifts, but the Morneaus were undeterred. This year, they gave winter hats and autographed cards. I
Tuesday update: Chapman, Twins 3B options, White Sox move: via Around the Majors December 16, 2009 at 08:23 PM; I had concerns about overplaying the Twins’ interest in Cuban LHP Aroldis Chapman with this story after hearing they’d have two scouts in Houston today for Chapman’s highly publicized workout. No, I don’t think the Twins will sign Chapman because that would mean outbidding the big boys (Red Sox, Yankees, Angels, etc.), but the Twins surprised us earlier in [...]
Did Toronto do better with Halladay than Twins did with Johan?: via Around the Majors December 16, 2009 at 08:23 PM; If your head is spinning, trying to determine winners and losers in this week’s blockbuster deal between Toronto, Philadelphia, Seattle (and Oakland), ESPN’s Jayson Stark gives a good team-by-team breakdown here. I’m most impressed by Mariners GM Jack Zduriencik’s ability to get involved and give his team a 1-2 punch of Felix Hernandez/Cliff Lee at a time when [...]
Pushing 90: A new Twins payroll glance: via Around the Majors December 08, 2009 at 09:59 AM; When Carl Pavano accepted the Twins’ salary arbitration offer Monday, it pushed the team’s 2010 projected Opening Day payroll close to $90 million, based on salary estimates for those players currently in the fold. Last year’s Opening Day payroll (for the 25-man active roster) was about $65 million, and there have been indications the payroll could [...]
Ninety-one days until pitchers and catchers report: via Around the Majors November 25, 2009 at 09:35 AM; The Twins announced their 2010 spring training schedule today. Some highlights: Feb. 21 — Pitchers and catchers report to Fort Myers, Fla. Feb. 27 — First full-squad workout March 4 — Grapefruit League opener @ Red Sox (in Fort Myers) March 5 — Grapefruit League home opener vs. Red Sox (Hammond Stadium) March 7 — vs. Yankees at Hammond Stadium March [...]
What are Mauer’s long-term thoughts? Morneau offers clues: via Around the Majors November 24, 2009 at 10:59 AM; One thing that struck me Monday at Joe Mauer’s press conference was the deepness of his friendship with Justin Morneau. We’ve written volumes about the M&M Boys’ friendship, but this was cool because they’d barely seen each other since the season ended and this was one celebratory reunion. It’s hard to say who was more [...]
Mauer looking like a lock for MVP: via Around the Majors November 23, 2009 at 07:59 AM; I think Joe Mauer’s a lock for MVP today. The official announcement comes at 1 p.m., but we could hold the press conference now. The BBWAA strongly encourages voters not to reveal their choices before the announcement gets made, but to get a feel, note that Mauer received 20 of 22 first-place votes in ESPN’s in-house poll, with Mark [...]
Tracking the Twins payroll, depth chart: via Around the Majors November 20, 2009 at 08:29 AM; Today’s story on the free agent market opening includes a payroll update, now that J.J. Hardy is in the mix. After spending $65 million on last year’s Opening Day 25-man roster, the Twins are currently projected to spend $83 million, just with the players in-house. I did this at season’s end, trying to give readers a look at what [...]
Report: Telling war of words between Boras and Manfred: via Around the Majors November 19, 2009 at 09:47 AM; With the free agent market set to open tonight at 11 p.m. (Central), there’s an important piece by Ken Rosenthal on FoxSports.com today, about the growing tension between players and owners. Yes, the C-word gets mentioned again. Collusion. Prominent agent Scott Boras basically says follow the money. Though his estimates are disputed by MLB officials, he [...]
Gardenhire finishes 2nd; Washburn update: via Around the Majors November 18, 2009 at 01:29 PM; (*) Twins manager Ron Gardenhire finished second to the Angels’ Mike Scioscia in AL Manager of the Year voting. Here’s how the voting went, according to the BBWAA web site: Manager (1st-2nd-3rd-Points) Mike Scioscia (15-10-1-106) Ron Gardenhire (6-12-6-72) Joe Girardi (4-3-5-34) Ron Washington (1-1-11-19) Jim Leyland (0-0-2-2) (*) Also, FoxSports.com quotes free agent pitcher Jarrod Wa
Wednesday update: Gardenhire, DeRosa, Moses: via Around the Majors November 18, 2009 at 08:47 AM; (*) The AL Manager of the Year announcement comes today at 2 p.m., and though Twins manager Ron Gardenhire will be in the mix again, the leading candidate is Angels manager Mike Scioscia. Gardenhire has finished second for this award so many times, I’m losing track. The NL Manager award will be announced at 2:30. (*) The [...]
Twins to unveil new road uniforms, 1961 throwbacks: via Around the Majors November 16, 2009 at 09:59 AM; Today at noon, the Twins will unveil a major redesign of their road uniforms, and introduce a new alternate home uniform — 1961 throwbacks, commemorating their 50th season in Minnesota. Scott Baker and Denard Span will be on hand at the IDS Crystal Court, as the team also unveils a subtle tweak to the home uniform, a slight [...]
Twins update: Valencia, Hughes, Buscher, Huber: via Around the Majors November 13, 2009 at 10:29 AM; Today’s Twins notebook has updates on Joe Crede’s latest back surgery, Jarrod Washburn’s knee surgery, Joe Mauer’s latest Silver Slugger Award (no surprise), David Winfree’s free agent status, and word that the team will be unveiling new-look road uniforms on Monday, over the noon hour at IDS Crystal Court. Hat tip to SethSpeaks.net on the Winfree item. He was [...]
Catching up with Joe Mauer: via Around the Majors November 12, 2009 at 07:23 AM; Spoke to Joe Mauer on Wednesday night. I know everyone’s biggest question is about his next contract, and he did address that, saying talks haven’t really started. But he was responding to a request made Tuesday, after he’d won his second Gold Glove. Turns out, Mauer was in Chicago while we were there for the GM Meetings. I [...]
Tuesday update: Mauer wins second Gold Glove Award: via Around the Majors November 10, 2009 at 03:17 PM; CHICAGO — An update from Day 2 of the GM Meetings: (*) Twins catcher Joe Mauer won his second consecutive Gold Glove Award today. Other AL winners included 1B Mark Teixeira, 2B Placido Polanco, 3B Evan Longoria, SS Derek Jeter, OF Adam Jones, OF Ichiro Suzuki, OF Torii Hunter, P Mark Buehrle. (*) The GMs went about [...]
Monday update: Orioles claim Gabino, Morillo added to 40-man, Huber clears waivers: via Around the Majors November 09, 2009 at 01:35 PM; CHICAGO — A few bits of Twins news today from the GM Meetings: (*) The Orioles claimed righthanded pitcher Armando Gabino on waivers. Gabino made one start for the Twins this season and one relief appearance, posting a 17.18 ERA. He went 6-4 with a 2.94 ERA in 38 games for Class AAA Rochester. (*) The Twins have [...]