Logan Morrison News - MinnesotaSportsFan https://www.minnesotasportsfan.com/tag/logan-morrison/ Minnesota sports, but different Tue, 30 Oct 2018 19:55:29 +0000 en-US hourly 1 https://wordpress.org/?v=6.9 https://www.minnesotasportsfan.com/cdn-cgi/image/width=32,height=32,fit=crop,quality=80,format=auto,onerror=redirect,metadata=none/wp-content/uploads/2024/01/cropped-cropped-MSF-favicon-1.jpg Logan Morrison News - MinnesotaSportsFan https://www.minnesotasportsfan.com/tag/logan-morrison/ 32 32 Ervin Santana Bought Out; Twins Make Other Housecleaning Moves https://www.minnesotasportsfan.com/minnesota-twins/ervin-santana-bought-out-twins-make-other-housecleaning-moves/ https://www.minnesotasportsfan.com/minnesota-twins/ervin-santana-bought-out-twins-make-other-housecleaning-moves/#respond Tue, 30 Oct 2018 19:55:29 +0000 https://www.minnesotasportsfan.com/?p=11378

The Twins made some expected changes today as they start to mold their roster for the 2019 season.

The moves open up another $22 Million as we enter the offseason. According to spotrac.com, that leaves them with only $24.5 Million in active payroll (That doesn’t include most of the team who are due arbitration negotiations before their 2019 $$$ become finalized.)

I’ve talked and written about this before, like many others, but the Falvine train is really going to have the opportunity this offseason to make their bed going forward.

They’ve been able to hire their manager and now they’ll be able to fill in a roster that currently has only pennies invested into its future.

They need pitching help in both the starting rotation and out of the bullpen. Will they go big? Or will it be the same old Twins? A power DH would go a long way too, not to mention a 1st baseman, depending on what Mauer does with his life.

Keep in mind that the Twins’ new manager, Rocco Baldelli, has already reached out to Joe Mauer to let him know that he’s wanted on this roster for 2019. We’ll find out how far that goes…

In more news releasing by the minute today, the Twins have let 3 coaches go while also allowing Derek Shelton to interview for a different head coaching job.

Keep your eyes and ears open the rest of the day…

Eric Strack
Minnesota Sports Fan @RealMNSportsFan

]]> https://www.minnesotasportsfan.com/minnesota-twins/ervin-santana-bought-out-twins-make-other-housecleaning-moves/feed/ 0 Tue, 30 Oct 2018 14:55:29 +0000 Minnesota Twins Phil Hughes Designated for Assignment; Twins Likely to Write Him $22M Exit Check https://www.minnesotasportsfan.com/minnesota-twins/phil-hughes-designated-for-assignment-twins-likely-to-write-him-22m-exit-check/ https://www.minnesotasportsfan.com/minnesota-twins/phil-hughes-designated-for-assignment-twins-likely-to-write-him-22m-exit-check/#respond Tue, 22 May 2018 12:58:43 +0000 https://www.minnesotasportsfan.com/?p=9809

Unlike most businesses, the Minnesota Twins had themselves a productive Monday.

The professional baseball organization kicked off the work week by (literally) welcoming the Detroit Tigers to Target Field. Apparently, some Land of 10K Lakes-residents are familiar with the division rival’s new manager:

Sidebar: Small world, am I right?

Once the nostalgic chitchat eventually ceased, the two teams took to the diamond.

After trailing 2-0 in the bottom of the fifth, a two-out/two-run Max Kepler double tied it up at deuces. That’s where the score would remain until the bottom of the eighth, when Logan Morrison watched ball 4 to earn a rare RBI walk that gave the Twins the lead. One batter later, some slick Eddie Rosario baserunning provided the always-appreciated insurance run.

Speaking of appreciated, a light needs to be shined on Rosario’s walk-off catch:

In the aftermath of another José Berríos’ gem (8 IP, 3 H, 2 ER), Minnesota kept their Monday grind going by announcing a roster move. The noteworthy transaction immediately diverted attention away from the team’s 4-2 victory.

The designation for assignment means that Minnesota has a week’s time to either trade or send Phil Hughes through waivers. Due to the aggressive amount of money ($22.57M through 2019) remaining on the RHP’s contract, he will most certainly be hitting the wire. Once the other 29 teams pass on that raw deal, the 31 year-old will officially be released.

After spending his first seven MLB seasons with the Yankees Evil Empire, Hughes agreed to a three-year, $24 million deal with the Twins, during the 2013-14 offseason. Upon completion of an impressive 16-10 (3.52 ERA, 209.2 IP) 2014 campaign, Minnesota restructured and extended the starting pitcher’s contract.

Unfortunately, since then, the California native has been unable to return to that 7th place Cy Young voting form.

When you look at how much he got bit by the damn injury bug, that would seem to make sense:

To address all the money remaining on Hughes’ deal, the Pohlad owned franchise is going to end up footing that ($22.57 million) bill. While that’s a tough proverbial pill to swallow, the right-handed hurler’s plethora of bad breaks make it equally difficult to hold anything against him.

Paul Molitor summed up the situation as follows:

Due to the imminent returns of Ervin Santana and Trevor May, the writing relating to this move was on covered the wall. In regards to Hughes’ immediate roster replacement, that information is expected to be announced on Tuesday.

In closing, once the veteran pitcher is officially released, he’ll be considered a free agent. As you can see, there’s a decent chance he remains in the AL Central:

Sidebar: Small world, am I right?

Johnny Minnesota (@TheJohnnyMN)
MinnesotaSportsFan.com

]]> https://www.minnesotasportsfan.com/minnesota-twins/phil-hughes-designated-for-assignment-twins-likely-to-write-him-22m-exit-check/feed/ 0 Tue, 22 May 2018 08:00:13 +0000 Minnesota Twins The “Twins Way” is Out the Window; New Front Office Signs (SP) Lance Lynn https://www.minnesotasportsfan.com/minnesota-twins/the-twins-way-is-out-the-window-new-front-office-signs-sp-lance-lynn/ https://www.minnesotasportsfan.com/minnesota-twins/the-twins-way-is-out-the-window-new-front-office-signs-sp-lance-lynn/#respond Sun, 11 Mar 2018 01:42:48 +0000 https://www.minnesotasportsfan.com/?p=8757

2018, am I right? What a time to be alive! Literally, though:

Aye!!! I’d give Minnesota Sports Fan founder, Eric Strack, kudos for the above accomplishment, but let’s give credit where credit is due. A HUGE shout-out to the mother, baby boy, big sister, Thad Levine, and Derek Falvey.

While Eric and his family welcome their new addition, the rest of us will address the newest member of the Minnesota Twins family:

With the signing of 30 year-old Lance Lynn, Minnesota has put the proverbial bow on an outstanding offseason. The notable acquisitions, which were most recently highlighted by Logan Morrison, now hand the spotlight over to the former St. Louis Cardinal.

Lynn’s Career Stats:


After missing the entire 2016 season (Tommy John), the right-hander bounced back last season with an impressive 3.43 ERA over 186.1 innings. For comparison purposes, Ervin Santana completed his 2017 campaign with a 3.28 ERA over 211.1 innings. While, most recently, the tenured Twin outperformed (barely) the new guy, Lynn’s career ERA (3.38) is better than that of Santana’s (4.02).

Indications are that Minnesota will begin their 2018 campaign using a four-man rotation. If that’s the case, with Santana out until late April/early May, Lynn will join Jake Odorizzi, José Berríos, and Kyle Gibson as the club’s initial starters.

via GIPHY

Per Mike Berandino of the Pioneer Press, the Twins could offset some of Lynn’s $12 million contract “by cutting ties with veteran right-hander Anibal Sanchez.” Nothing personal, Anibal. Business is business.

While we enthusiastically put on our Paul Molitor hats and salivate over this Minnesota roster, not all fan bases are experiencing the same euphoria:

I like that. While the Vikings got smacked around by a Philadelphia franchise, it’s good to see the Twins (albeit slightly) aggravate the “City of Brotherly Love.” And, what Philly fans will do when upset is scary to think about, given how they celebrate when things go well…

Johnny Minnesota @TheJohnnyMN
Minnesota Sports Fan MinnesotaSportsFan.com

]]> https://www.minnesotasportsfan.com/minnesota-twins/the-twins-way-is-out-the-window-new-front-office-signs-sp-lance-lynn/feed/ 0 Sat, 10 Mar 2018 19:42:48 +0000 Minnesota Twins Twins Continue Genius Offseason with (DH/1B) Logan Morrison Signing https://www.minnesotasportsfan.com/minnesota-twins/twins-continue-genius-offseason-dh-1b-logan-morrison-signing/ https://www.minnesotasportsfan.com/minnesota-twins/twins-continue-genius-offseason-dh-1b-logan-morrison-signing/#respond Mon, 26 Feb 2018 01:42:33 +0000 https://www.minnesotasportsfan.com/?p=8369

Snow storms are reminiscent of a hungover day at work. First and foremost, both are huge character builders. Second of all, once you are done with the bullshit, there’s a euphoria associated with surviving the entire mess.

With mother nature punching us in the kisser on Saturday, that excitement is what Minnesotans (including myself) were experiencing on Sunday. Once that feeling was parlayed with this announcement, regarding the Minnesota Twins, I was about to come out of my skin:

Let’s go! While Twins’ Nation plays checkers over possible signings of Yu Darvish, Mike Napoli, and others, Falvey and Levine are on some Bobby Fischer chess-champion shit.

What is Minnesota getting with Logan Morrison?

The 30 year-old, whose nickname is LoMo, will start the season as Minnesota’s primary DH. However, on days where Paul Molitor decides to DH or rest Joe Mauer, he can pencil Morrison in at 1B.

As for his bat, the 6’3″ 245 pound, left-handed slugger finished the 2017 season with a .246 batting average (.353 OBP), while hitting 38 home runs and driving in 85 runs. For comparison purposes, both Brian Dozier’s 34 bombs and 93 RBIs lead last year’s Twins squad.

Male readers: If your significant other seems oddly interested in LoMo, stay woke. Last time I checked, chicks dig the long ball.

It should be noted that Morrison’s 2017 HR and RBI total were both career highs.

Logan Morrison MLB Statistics:

Obviously, if he can get anywhere near last season’s numbers, the $6.5 million is straight out of the beloved bargain bin. 

Despite the Miguel Sano injury, your Twins finished the post-All-Star stretch with the second most run in the majors, in 2017. The way I saw it; with all due respect to Robbie Grossman, Kenny Vargas, and others, the DH slot was painful to watch, at times. In his 1,380 big league at bats, Grossman has hit 31 home runs. Vargas’ size is Big Papi-esque, but that’s about all he and David Ortiz have in common.

 

That’s why I liked the Mike Napoli (in GIF w/Ortiz) rumors from earlier this offseason. That’s why I love this Logan Morrison signing.

Now what? On to the next one?

Lance Lynn and Alex Cobb are both our there for the taking. Per our article from Saturday, I see those two as a horse a piece. Let’s grab one of them to join us for this 162 game dance. If the master recruiter that is P.J. Fleck the recently acquired Jake Odorizzi has anything to say about it, Cobb will be joining the rotation.

Johnny Minnesota @TheJohnnyMN
Minnesota Sports Fan MinnesotaSportsFan.com

]]> https://www.minnesotasportsfan.com/minnesota-twins/twins-continue-genius-offseason-dh-1b-logan-morrison-signing/feed/ 0 Sun, 25 Feb 2018 20:10:49 +0000 Minnesota Twins