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Minnesota Twins Daily Dip: Aces, a decade later

By Benjamin Chase

FLUSHING, NY - FEBRUARY 06: New York Mets Pitcher Johan Santana speaks at a news conference introducing him on February 6, 2008 in the Flushing neighborhood of Queens, New York City. (Photo by Michael Cohen/Getty Images)
FLUSHING, NY - FEBRUARY 06: New York Mets Pitcher Johan Santana speaks at a news conference introducing him on February 6, 2008 in the Flushing neighborhood of Queens, New York City. (Photo by Michael Cohen/Getty Images) /
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Minnesota Twins Daily Dip, January 12th, 2018

Welcome to the January 12th 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!

Minnesota Twins Organizational Scores

Australian Baseball League Update
After nearly a month off, Aaron Whitefield returned to the Brisbane lineup on a good day to do such. Moved out of the leadoff spot to the middle of the lineup, Whitefield produced well, going 3-4 with a run scored and 2 RBI, pitching in a sacrifice fly. Mark Hamburger allowed 10 runs in 2 1/3 innings in his first start after his 16 strikeout performance as Brisbane won the game 23-6.

The Minnesota Twins’ other ABL participant didn’t fare so well on Thursday. Perth came back in the bottom of the 9th to send the game against Sydney to extra innings. Sydney scored one in the top of the 10th, and Todd Van Steensel was brought in to close things down, but he had no ability to control the ball.

In Australia’s rules, in extra innings, there are runners on first and second base to open the inning. Van Steensel came in with no control, walking the first hitter he faced, then hitting the next two hitters, allowing 2 runs, and giving Perth the 8-7 walk-off win.

Dominican Winter League Update
On Wednesday, Leones del Escogido was defeated by Aguilas Cibaenas 9-3. However, Fernando Rodney tossed an inning to close out the game, allowing a run on 2 hits.

Puerto Rican Winter League Update
On Wednesday, the game between Indios de Mayaguez and Cangrejeros de Santurce faced the lack of electricity issue on the island, with the game suspended in the 9th inning, tied 2-2. Kennys Vargas started at DH, going 0-3 with a walk and 2 strikeouts.

Vargas came off of the bench in Thursday’s game to attempt to help the Indios make a comeback over Criollos de Caguas, but the Criollos scored 2 runs in the bottom of the 9th to win 5-4. Vargas hig a pinch hit 3-run home run and walked in two plate appearances.

Venezuelan Winter League Update
On Tuesday, Leones del Caracas scored two in the bottom of the 8th to take down Tigres de Aragua to win 4-3. Gregorio Petit started at shortstop for Leones, going 0-3 with 2 strikeouts.

Leones del Caracas struck early and held on for a 4-3 victory over Caribes de Anzoategui. Willians Astudillo started in left field for Caribes, going 0-5. Gregorio Petit started at short for Leones, going 0-3 with a strikeout.

Minnesota Twins news and notes

Twins finalists for Darvish
As a report came out with a list of five finalists for Yu Darvish came out, the Minnesota Twins were mentioned in the report. Darvish responded on social media that a sixth team was also involved.

Twins avoid arbitration with Escobar
The Minnesota Twins agreed with Eduardo Escobar on arbitration before going to a hearing.

More from Puckett's Pond

Twins hope to have news on Sano by spring training

MLB is conducting an investigation into the allegations against

Miguel Sano

made by a local photographer. The team is hoping to have the investigation completed before the beginning of spring training.

Notes from around baseball

Next: Molitor's 2018 Resolutions

One Last Thing

In the 2007-2008, the Minnesota Twins had an offseason focused around an ace, much like the 2017-2018 offseason has been. However, the difference was that the Twins had the ace that everyone else wanted to trade for in Johan Santana.

The trade rumors were hot and heavy essentially the moment that in-season trading was done, and it was clear that the Twins would have a prime market for Santana, so when the calendar flipped to 2008, many felt the Twins had already blown their chance for the best deal.

Finally on February 2nd, 2008, the Minnesota Twins traded Johan to the Mets for Carlos Gomez, Deolis Guerra, Philip Humber, and Kevin Mulvey. Could the Twins be waiting that long to find out about their ace this offseason?

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