Metrodome Memories

The Twins made what was probably the biggest deal to date this offseason when they traded Matt Garza, Jason Bartlett and Eduardo Morlan for Delmon Young, Brendan Harris and Jason Pridie.  The best analysis of the deal was over at Aaron Gleeman’s blog.  I tend to agree with him in that the deal works out only if Delmon Young becomes the superstar he’s capable of being.  Still you have to be a little worried about the problems Young has had as well as the fact that we gave up a some pretty big pieces.  Garza and Bartlett are both big league starters and Morlan probably would have had a shot at a bullpen spot.

Still, it gives the Twins another superstar caliber player to join Justin Morneau and Joe Mauer.  It weakens the team’s depth a bit, but you’d hope they could take care of that when they finally trade Johan Santana.

Kevin Goldstein released his list of top Twins prospects and the downer is, he has just one guy rated four stars or above.  The Twins have had a premiere prospect list, they’ve just all made it to the bigs.  This is indicated by the list at the bottom with the Twins having five guys on the Twins that are younger then 25.

Ben Revere tops the list and while the Twins have an open spot in centerfield, he’s still a few years off.  Still, he tore up the Gulf Coast League so hopefully we’ll get to see what he can do in his first full season in the minors next year.

After that, you have six pitchers.  Anthony Swarzak tops that list and Jeff Manship, a fourteenth round pick, comes in at number three.  This list could change dramatically though if the Twins deal Johan Santana.  You hope they’d hold out for a package of at least three solid prospects and that would be one quick way to replenish the farm system.

John Sickels recently unveiled his list of top 20 Twins prospects and topping the list is Tyler Robertson.  The top five is pitching heavy with four pitchers amongst the top spots and the only position player in the top five is outfielder Ben Revere.  Those five players grabbed a B rating or better with Tyler Robertson getting the only B+.

Also, the Twins picked up outfielder Craig Monroe from the Cubs for a player to be named later.  Monroe is one of those weird players who hacks away yet manages to drive in runs because he’s good for 20-25 homers a season.  His name should sound familiar because he played with in the division and while he put up some solid seasons in Detroit, they gave up on him last year during their playoff run.