Wednesday, May 28, 2008

I take it all back

He is worth every penny.

Wednesday, April 23, 2008

A Triple Short

Okay, fine, the Twins paid 3.8 million for a guy who can hit very, very well - but only when Joey Blanton is pitching.

3-4, a double, a homerun, 3 rbi (and a strikeout, of course).

A great night for C-Mo - a great night for the Twins.

Again, I will reiterate, I would love it if Monroe's signing turned out to be a good thing. I would love it if he won Comeback Player of the Year. Love. It.

This is just one game however. Talk to me in August when he is OPSing .213

For now, after last night, and considering he still has only had a handful of plate appearances and therefore one great night can really affect his stats, anyway after last night his stats are looking, well, Comeback Player of the Year-ish:

.300/.364/.533

4 RBI
13 Ks (back to earth stat).

Sidenote: I freaking hate west coast road trips. I had to turn the game off at 11 because I couldn't keep my eyes open. Lame.

Tuesday, April 22, 2008

Live Blog!

Two for two! Two rbi! Human sacrifice! Dogs and cats living together! Mass hysteria!

Not so daily after all

I should change the sidebar to "periodic" updates. Yes.

Game logs!

04/18, against Cleveland, 0-3 with a strike out. Nice!
04/19, against Cleveland, 2-3 with a double and a strike out. TWO FOR THREE!!! WOW!
04/20, against Cleveland, 0-1 in his first pinch hitting appearance in a Twins kit.

Year to date: .231/.310/.346

OPS+: 68

Peaking at Monroe's postseason stats, I notice that in the 2006 ALCS, he went 6-14 with 3 walks, a home run, and 4 rbi. .429/.529/.786. A small sample size, yes, but like all hitters, he can get hot in a short series. That does not make him worth 3.8 million dollars however.

Some players (Lew Ford, I am looking at you) can have one good half of a season and use that to keep them in the bigs much, much longer than they deserve to be. C-Mo had one good post season series and turned that into a 3.8 million dollar deal with the Twins. Awesome. Good for him.

Note: Lew Ford finished 24th in the 2004 AL MVP voting. 24th!!! Someone really needs to revoke La Velle's BWAA card.

Wednesday, April 16, 2008

Start!

Hey, for the first time since April the 9th, Craig Monroe actually got to use one of his many baseball bats! Hooray!

He even went 2-4 against his former team with an run batted in.

However the Twins' bullpen blew yet another late lead, and the Tigers went on to win 6-5.

Kind of frustrating that the one strength I thought the team had going into the season (bullpen) is the one facet of their game that is faultering right now.

Oh well. They are built to be a .500 baseball team, and they are playing like one.

Anyway: THE STATS:

C-Mo:

Six games, 19 at-bats, 4 hits (including 2 doubles), no dingers, 3 rbi, a couple runs scored, three walks, and SEVEN strike outs.

OBP: .318. A solid .15 higher than his career average. Yep, that's right, you think C-Mo sucks now, but he is usually a little bit worse.

It will be interesting to see what happens when Cuddyer comes back, considering the way Span is playing. (.300, .391, .300) Will Craig Monroe be riding the bus back to Rochester? Kubel now owns the DH spot, even against lefties, so unless the Twins front office would prefer Span start everyday, which he would in triple A, the fourth outfielder spot is definitely his.

Monday, April 14, 2008

3.8 million dollars

Monroe hasn't had an at-bat since April the ninth.

Remind me again why the Twins signed this dude?

Yes, I know it is early for this following, but humor me: if he continues at this current pace, C-Mo will get 243 plate appearances this season. Which means the Twins will be paying him $15,637 per plate appearance. That's Miguel Cabrera money.

Saturday, April 12, 2008

Phew

Craig Monroe sat, the Twins won.

I am very happy that particular trend is over.

Now back to our regularly scheduled C-Mo bashing.

Sobering thought of the day: Ramon Ortiz started out 3-0 last season. So let's lay off giving Livan the Cy Young for a little bit yet.

Friday, April 11, 2008

Rain out

Yesterday's game with the Sox was rained out. In fact, they called it at like 4:00, so there must have been some pretty serious precip down there.

Until tomorrow then.

Thursday, April 10, 2008

C-Mo...Win Mo?

Monroe rides the pine Sunday & Monday: the Twins lose.
Monroe starts Wednesday night: the Twins win.

He had an okay night at the plate too: 1-4 with a double, a walk, an RBI, and a run scored. He also struck out twice.

Prove me wrong, Craig, prove me wrong. I would love it if you did.

The bad news is that Monroe's competition, Kubel, went 2-4 with a walk, a grand slam, and six RBI.

In other words, once Cuddyer comes back, Monroe will be lucky if he plays one game a week.

Which, considering the Twins record when he plays (4-1), isn't good news for Twins fan. It is, however, good news for people who write blogs about how bad a move his signing was.

Just a reminder: the dude is making 3.8 million this season.

Tuesday, April 8, 2008

The Cell

Twins lose. Yawn.

Day off today, first of the season.

Monroe rode the pine yesterday, so no stat updates.

See you Thursday morning.

Monday, April 7, 2008

Another Sunday Coming Down

Twins record when Craig Monroe plays: 3-1
Twins record when Craig Monroe doesn't play: 0-3.

Huh.

Sunday, April 6, 2008

Puttin' on the Hits

Ladies and gentlemen, we have ourselves a hit.

Monroe yesterday: 1-2 with an RBI and a walk. Bumping that batting average into the low .090s.

First hit, first extra base hit, first run batted in...but before we get too excited, let's take a look at a list of all the other MLB players with more hits than our 3.8 million dollar man.

Okay, not really.

Okay, really:

McLouth, Nate CF PIT
Kendrick, Howie 2B ANA
Jones, Chipper 3B ATL
Figgins, Chone 3B ANA
Pierzynski, A.J. C CHW
Nady, Xavier RF PIT
Keppinger, Jeff SS CIN
Lee, Derrek 1B CHC
Dye, Jermaine RF CHW
Furcal, Rafael SS LA
Gomez, Carlos OF MIN
Matthews, Gary CF ANA
Butler, Billy DH KC
Utley, Chase 2B PHI
Murphy, David RF TEX
Braun, Ryan J. 3B MIL
Zimmerman, Ryan 3B WAS
Francoeur, Jeff RF ATL
Crede, Joe 3B CHW
Phillips, Brandon 2B CIN
Anderson, Garret LF ANA
Guzman, Cristian SS WAS
Suzuki, Kurt C OAK
Iguchi, Tadahito 2B SD
Doumit, Ryan C PIT
Ankiel, Rick OF STL
Fukudome, Kosuke RF CHC
Burrell, Pat LF PHI
Helton, Todd 1B COL
Guillen, Carlos 1B DET
Sizemore, Grady CF CLE
Ramirez, Hanley SS FLA
Lee, Carlos N. LF HOU
Kouzmanoff, Kevin 3B SD
Church, Ryan CF NYM
Upton, Justin RF ARI
Hunter, Torii CF ANA
Fielder, Prince 1B MIL
Hill, Aaron 2B TOR
Milledge, Lastings LF WAS
Loney, James 1B LA
Grudzielanek, Mark 2B KC
Diaz, Matt LF ATL
Kinsler, Ian 2B TEX
Betancourt, Yuniesky SS SEA
Young, Delmon RF MIN
Greene, Khalil SS SD
Rios, Alex RF TOR
Lopez, Jose 2B SEA
Escobar, Yunel SS ATL
Kendall, Jason C MIL
Kapler, Gabe OF MIL
Hart, Corey C. RF MIL
Reynolds, Mark 3B ARI
Rollins, Jimmy SS PHI
Hairston, Scott LF SD
Millar, Kevin 1B BAL
Johnson, Nick 1B WAS
Hamilton, Josh CF TEX
Rodriguez, Alex 3B NYY
Gordon, Alex 3B KC
Hall, Bill CF MIL
Beltran, Carlos CF NYM
Kearns, Austin RF WAS
Garko, Ryan 1B CLE
Youkilis, Kevin 1B BOS
Kotsay, Mark CF ATL
Ramirez, Manny LF BOS
Mauer, Joe C MIN
Giles, Brian RF SD
Gonzalez, Adrian 1B SD
DeRosa, Mark 2B CHC
Crosby, Bobby SS OAK
Matsui, Hideki LF NYY
Delgado, Carlos 1B NYM
Kotchman, Casey 1B ANA
Scott, Luke RF BAL
Hudson, Orlando 2B ARI
Pedroia, Dustin 2B BOS
Abreu, Bobby RF NYY
Thomas, Clete OF DET
Guerrero, Vladimir RF ANA
Gload, Ross 1B KC
Atkins, Garrett 3B COL
Ordonez, Magglio RF DET
Wells, Vernon CF TOR
Wright, David 3B NYM
Inge, Brandon 3B DET
Weeks, Rickie 2B MIL
McCann, Brian C ATL
Tejada, Miguel SS HOU
Pujols, Albert 1B STL
Ludwick, Ryan OF STL
Molina, Yadier C STL
Belliard, Ronnie 2B WAS
Teahen, Mark RF KC
Markakis, Nick RF BAL
Ethier, Andre LF LA
Varitek, Jason C BOS
Beltre, Adrian 3B SEA
Drew, J.D. RF BOS
Ibanez, Raul LF SEA
Barton, Daric 1B OAK
Hafner, Travis DH CLE
Young, Michael SS TEX
Suzuki, Ichiro CF SEA
Schneider, Brian C NYM
Pence, Hunter CF HOU
Castillo, Jose 3B SF
Tolbert, Matt 2B MIN
Overbay, Lyle 1B TOR
Cantu, Jorge 1B FLA
Renteria, Edgar SS DET
Lowell, Mike 3B BOS
Young, Chris B. CF ARI
Thomas, Frank DH TOR
Laird, Gerald C TEX
Patterson, Corey CF CIN
Griffey, Ken RF CIN
Berkman, Lance 1B HOU
Floyd, Cliff LF TB
Morneau, Justin 1B MIN
Pagan, Angel LF NYM
Teixeira, Mark 1B ATL
Quentin, Carlos RF CHW
Jacobs, Mike 1B FLA
Swisher, Nick RF CHW
Bourn, Michael RF HOU
Napoli, Mike C ANA
Drew, Stephen SS ARI
Upton, B.J. CF TB
Brown, Emil LF OAK
Mora, Melvin 3B BAL
Eckstein, David SS TOR
Willingham, Josh LF FLA
Gomez, Chris 3B PIT
Dewitt, Blake 3B LA
Gonzalez, Luis E. LF FLA
Wigginton, Ty 3B HOU
Cabrera, Asdrubal 2B CLE
Reyes, Jose B. SS NYM
Blalock, Hank 3B TEX
Jackson, Conor 1B ARI
Velez, Eugenio 2B SF
Rivas, Luis 2B PIT
Hannahan, Jack 3B OAK
Barton, Brian OF STL
Sanchez, Freddy 2B PIT
Winn, Randy RF SF
Iwamura, Akinori 3B TB
Bard, Josh C SD
Jeter, Derek SS NYY
Theriot, Ryan SS CHC
Tulowitzki, Troy SS COL
Rowand, Aaron CF SF
Lugo, Julio SS BOS
McAnulty, Paul LF SD
Peralta, Jhonny SS CLE
Cuddyer, Michael RF MIN
Jenkins, Geoff RF PHI
Sweeney, Ryan CF OAK
Broussard, Ben 1B TEX
Roberts, Brian 2B BAL
Prado, Martin 2B ATL
Thome, Jim DH CHW
Pena, Carlos 1B TB
Konerko, Paul 1B CHW
Huff, Aubrey 1B BAL
Byrnes, Eric CF ARI
Crawford, Carl LF TB
Cabrera, Orlando SS CHW
Ramirez, Aramis 3B CHC
Johnson, Kelly 2B ATL
Hinske, Eric 1B TB
Sexson, Richie 1B SEA
Flores, Jesus C WAS
Izturis, Cesar SS STL
Hawpe, Brad RF COL
Howard, Ryan 1B PHI
Gathright, Joey CF KC
Kubel, Jason LF MIN
Bautista, Jose A. 3B PIT
Sweeney, Mike DH OAK
Guillen, Jose RF KC
Bocock, Brian SS SF
Gwynn, Tony K. CF MIL
Uribe, Juan SS CHW
Amezaga, Alfredo CF FLA
Cabrera, Melky CF NYY
Castillo, Luis 2B NYM
Holliday, Matt LF COL
Loretta, Mark SS HOU
Molina, Bengie C SF
Kennedy, Adam 2B STL
Glaus, Troy 3B STL
Rodriguez, Ivan C DET
Shoppach, Kelly C CLE
Buck, John C KC
Bako, Paul C CIN
Feliz, Pedro 3B PHI
Harris, Brendan SS MIN
Bartlett, Jason SS TB
Aurilia, Rich 1B SF
Crisp, Coco CF BOS
Cano, Robinson 2B NYY
Ellis, Mark 2B OAK
Vidro, Jose DH SEA
Scutaro, Marco SS TOR
Soto, Geovany C CHC
Ortiz, David DH BOS
Cust, Jack LF OAK
Bay, Jason LF PIT
Gutierrez, Franklin RF CLE
Hernandez, Ramon C BAL
Durham, Ray 2B SF
Dunn, Adam LF CIN
Towles, J.R. C HOU
Victorino, Shane CF PHI
Kent, Jeff 2B LA
Bradley, Milton OF TEX
Lo Duca, Paul C WAS
Jones, Adam CF BAL
Damon, Johnny CF NYY
Vazquez, Ramon 3B TEX
Payton, Jay LF BAL
Uggla, Dan 2B FLA
Aybar, Willy 3B TB
Callaspo, Alberto 3B KC
Fontenot, Mike 2B CHC
Ellsbury, Jacoby CF BOS
Blum, Geoff 2B HOU
Riggans, Shawn C TB
Ruiz, Carlos C PHI
Rivera, Mike C MIL
Erstad, Darin CF HOU
Stewart, Shannon LF TOR
Navarro, Dioner C TB
Johnson, Reed LF CHC
Molina, Jose C NYY
Miles, Aaron 2B STL
Jones, Jacque RF DET
Jones, Andruw CF LA
Hoover, Paul C FLA
Zaun, Gregg C TOR
Valentin, Javier C CIN
Pie, Felix CF CHC
Lopez, Felipe SS WAS
Torrealba, Yorvit C COL
Encarnacion, Edwin 3B CIN
Martin, Russell C LA
Soriano, Alfonso LF CHC
Gomes, Jonny LF TB
Coste, Chris C PHI
Cabrera, Miguel 3B DET
Sheffield, Gary DH DET
Morgan, Nyjer OF PIT
Hu, Chin-lung SS LA
Andino, Robert SS FLA
Taveras, Willy CF COL
Moss, Brandon OF BOS
Izturis, Maicer 2B ANA
Burke, Chris 2B ARI
Blake, Casey 3B CLE
Lamb, Mike 3B MIN
Haynes, Nathan OF TB
Johjima, Kenji C SEA
Barrett, Michael C SD
Counsell, Craig 3B MIL
Hardy, J.J. SS MIL
Stairs, Matt LF TOR
Everett, Adam SS MIN
Podsednik, Scott LF COL
Paulino, Ronny C PIT
Treanor, Matt C FLA
Martinez, Victor C CLE
Santiago, Ramon SS DET
Mientkiewicz, Doug 1B PIT
Cora, Alex 2B BOS
Ross, Cody LF FLA
Posada, Jorge C NYY
Iannetta, Chris C COL
LaRoche, Adam A. 1B PIT
Edmonds, Jim CF SD
Barajas, Rod C TOR
Votto, Joey 1B CIN
Polanco, Placido 2B DET
Mathis, Jeff C ANA
Snyder, Chris C ARI
Kemp, Matt CF LA
Roberts, Dave LF SF


Enjoy the game today.

Saturday, April 5, 2008

Can You Fall Out of a Basement?

Apparently, you can:

Craig Monroe last night: 0-4 with three strikeouts.

But, hey, the Twins won - rather impressive considering they started the game with eight players and a three million dollar hole in their lineup.

The unfortunate news is that Cuddyer dislocated a finger on his throwing hand, which means disabled list, which means more starts for C-Mo, I assume. Not good news.

Stats:

Nine at-bats, 5 strikeouts, one walk, no hits. Dude is OPS-plussing a staggering negative 68.

Solid.

Also, as a sidebar, as many of you know, baseball-reference.com relies on user support to stay afloat - this is done mostly through player-page sponsorship.

C-Mo's page is (still) sponsored by a "Detroit Tigers Blogs" called (unfortunately) "D-Town Baseball". For the first time (not sure why it took me so long), I paid "D-Town Baseball" a visit, expecting to have a nice Saturday afternoon laugh at their expense.

But the site is actually well laid out and well written, professional even. Keep it up "D-Town Baseball".

Link.


**UPDATE**

Kubel replaced Cuddyer last night, went 0-1 with a strikeout, a walk, and a run scored. Kube's 2008 OPS+: 193.

Friday, April 4, 2008

Better not Best

Once again, our three million dollar man sat on the bench yesterday as the Twins lost to the Angels 5-4. It was a winnable game, but the Angels are a playoff team, and playoff teams win the close ones.

The bright spot was Jason Kubel, C-Mo's main competition for the DH spot, hit the first home run for the team.

A few more of those, and our man Monroe will be riding the bus to Rochester.

Thursday, April 3, 2008

Wildest Pitch, Doublest plays

Last night C-Mo went oh fer two with a walk and a strikeout. Great start to the season.

The Twins also lost another game, on an unfortunate "wild" pitch from Nick Blackburn, tainting an otherwise stellar performance against the Angels vaunted lineup. The ball must have hit a rock or a pebble or something to careen off like it did.

However, the Twins did not deserve to win that game, as they hit into at least 17 double plays last night. Painful.

Monroe's "stats":

OBP: .167
SLG: .000
AVG: .000
Ks: 2
Walks: 1
Hits: 0

Wednesday, April 2, 2008

Kerplump

Craig Monroe didn't play last night, Jason Kubel started at DH instead.

Kubes went 1 for 4.

He also had a pinch hit double on Monday night.

Also, last night was the most dismal baseball game I have ever watched. Ladies and Gentlemen, your 2008 Minnesota Twins.

(Final score I believe was 9-1 in favor of the halos.)

(The Angels, by the way, look scary good, they get their pitching back and the pundits could be right for once, as they have a legitimate shot at the pennant).

Tuesday, April 1, 2008

C-Mo!

Opening night, Twins win 3-2, Gomez steals the show, Livan is steady Eddie, Nathan blows fastballs by Hunter. Hooray. 81 wins, here we come.

Now onto the important part: Craig Monroe's night.

He started at DH over Kubel, smart move there Gardy, as C-Mo went oh-fer-three with a strikeout.

OBP: .000
AVG: .000
SLG: .000
Strikeouts: 1

Wednesday, February 13, 2008

Hope Springs

What is that old Honus Wagner quote? Something like, "People ask me what I do during the winter when there is no baseball. I'll tell ya what I do: I stare out the window and wait for spring."

Well, Honus, the waiting is over, spring is here, at least it is in Arizona & Florida, as pitchers and catchers report today.

Thank the Lord. Hard ball, soft mitt. All is right again.

I am not sure what the subject of this blog will be now that the Twins have officially completed the Monroe trade. A run-of-the-mill Twins blog is out of the question - too many of those out there already. I was thinking a firejoemorgan.com style of baseball blog, but those guys have perfected things already. So maybe just a blow by blow of Craig Monroe's misery this season.

For starters: Craig Monroe WILL strike out in his first plate appearance in his first spring training game with the Twins. He will also strike out in his first place appearance in a regular season game. These are guarantees. And I am taking bets.