Minnesota Twins Daily Dip – Twins on the field!
Minnesota Twins Daily Dip, October 10th, 2017
Welcome to the October 10th edition of the Daily Dip, your daily piece of news and notes here on Puckett’s Pond, offseason edition. You’ll find the most recent news of the Minnesota Twins organization, stories from around the game, and links to any information you may want to know about the Minnesota Twins or baseball as we work our way through the hot stove season!
News and Notes
The Arizona Fall League got started on Tuesday. Four Minnesota Twins players got time in the first game for Surprise against Salt River, as Salt River defeated the Saguaros 4-3. Chris Paul played first base and went 3-4 with a pair of RBI. LaMonte Wade went 1-3 with a double and a hit by pitch. Tyler Jay threw a perfect inning, striking out 2. Andrew Vasquez had an inning of scoreless relief, allowing one hit and striking out 2. Surprise’s next game is today at 8:35PM.
MLB beat reporter Rhett Bollinger looks at 2017-2018 offseason needs
Bollinger makes some good observations. I would say that the bullpen would be the top priority, but those areas are definitely the top areas that need to be addressed. I personally see money most likely being spent on bullpen and other areas likely focused on using internal options primarily.
Molitor speaks of a good relationship with front office
The decision on whether to keep or let go of Molitor was nearly none about wins and losses in 2017, but it was entirely about a new front office being comfortable with a manager that would follow/adhere to their philosophies as they rebuilt the organization. Molitor, being from the previous administration, was considered a possible firing even with a good season, but he was instead retained. That description of a good relationship with the front office could be a big reason why.
More from Puckett's Pond
- Minnesota Twins: Making the Case for the Current 2023 Rotation
- Minnesota Twins: Does the MLB or the Twins have a Spending Problem?
- Minnesota Twins: 2 Possible Free Agent Reunions for 2023
- Minnesota Twins: Holiday Wish List for the rest of the Offseason
- Minnesota Twins: After signing with the Mets, Correa spurns Twins again
Playoff games today
Washington Nationals @ Chicago Cubs, 3:00PM CT
Starting Pitchers: Stephen Strasburg vs. Jake Arrieta
Television: TBS
Series Standing: Cubs lead 2-1
New York Yankees @ Cleveland Indians, 7:00PM CT
Starting Pitchers: CC Sabathia vs. Corey Kluber
Television: FS1
Series Standing: Tied 2-2
Notes from around baseball
- Red Sox fire Farrell after five seasons as manager
- Ohtani headed for ankle surgery
- Astros set ALCS rotation
- Red Sox fan watching in class goes viral
Next: Twins keep Molitor, let go Allen
One Last Thing
Today is the anniversary of the passing of a player who really is under appreciated in the 1960s Twins history, Dean Chance. Chance was acquired in the offseason before the 1967 season for a trio of players, including outfielder Jimmie Hall. He would have three excellent seasons with the Twins in 1967-1969 before the Twins traded him to the Cleveland Indians in the offseason before the 1970 season in a 5-player deal that brought Luis Tiant to the Twins and sent Graig Nettles to the Indians. However, Tiant would get hurt, throw just 90 innings in 1970, and the Twins released him at the end of spring training. He bounced around to the Braves and was released there before signing with the Red Sox, where he’d have a career revival.
Chance went 41-34 with the Twins in his three seasons, throwing 664 innings between 93 starts and 11 relief appearances, even picking up a pair of saves. He had a 2.67 ERA over those seasons, with a 1.07 WHIP and a 166/504 BB/K ratio. He was an All-Star in 1967 and finished 2nd in the American League that season in bWAR for pitchers while throwing a no-hitter as well.
RIP, Dean.