Ringolsby: Twins pay to ensure bright future

Friday, November 3, 2006

Minnesota general manager Terry Ryan has never wavered in his commitment to the Twins. Now, he has to find out if the players share his commitment in what could be the biggest offseason in franchise history.

The Twins were swept by Oakland in an American League Division Series this year and feel confident they will be better in 2007. That means the Twins are going to make decisions that push the franchise close to $70 million for the first time in its history.

That means Ryan already has exercised the $12 million option on center fielder Torii Hunter and the $4,325,000 option on right-handed pitcher Carlos Silva. That means -Ryan is going to make overtures to catcher Joe Mauer, first baseman -Justin Morneau and right fielder Michael Cuddyer on long-term deals that will provide the players security but give the Twins cost certainty through arbitration and into a year or two of free agency.

"Both sides have to be realistic, and sometimes (players) don't have any interest," Ryan has said. "They'd rather go a year at a time. Some would take the security."

Security has never been an issue with Ryan, but loyalty has.

It never was more evident than after the 2001 season. There was talk of contraction and the Twins were at the top of the list. Ryan asked the employees to stay the course, then he backed up his words.

Toronto wanted to hire him to be its general manager. Ryan refused to interview for the job. There was no way he could even offer a hint he might be ready to jump ship after asking others to stick with the Twins until the contraction issue was settled.

Ryan's loyalty is being repaid.

In the five seasons since Ryan made the decision, the Twins have had five winning records, and they have won the AL Central four of the past five years. What's more, the Minnesota public has finally rallied around the Twins and approved funding for a new stadium, which will only enhance the franchise's financial situation.

It will be outdoors, and the Twins will get to share in parking and concession revenue, something they have been denied after former owner Calvin Griffith basically was blackmailed by politicians into agreeing to support the white elephant known as the Metrodome.

Overheard

• Los Angeles Angels pitching coach Bud Black, who attended San Diego State and resides in northern San Diego County, is considered to be at the top of the managerial candidates list in San Diego.

• Philadelphia and the New York Mets are lining up to battle it out over free-agent outfielder Alfonso Soriano, who was a target Phillies general manager Pat Gillick has had in his sights since Gillick was the Seattle general manager and couldn't work a trade to acquire Soriano.

• The Cubs, looking to add pitching depth, are interested in acquiring right-hander Aaron Heilman. The Cubs' only definites for next year's rotation are Carlos Zambrano and Rich Hill.

It's a fact

Not only has baseball had seven champions in the past seven years, but in the past six years, one team from each division has won the championship: 2006, St. Louis, National League Central; 2005, Chicago White Sox, American League Central; 2004, Boston, AL East; 2003 Florida, NL East; 2002, Angels, AL West; 2001, Arizona, NL West.

Two cents' worth

The worldwide draft is getting closer.

The most recent push is being created by the decision of right-hander Daisuke Matsuzaka to leave his native Japan. Seibu, for whom Matsuzaka pitched in Japan, first has to be satisfied in a bidding process to give up his contract, and that is expected to cost a major league team $30 million. Then, the major league team is going to have to sign Matsuzaka, which will cost more than $10 million a year for three years, minimum.

History shows one significant action can lead to a major draft adjustment. When left-hander Juan Nieves, a native of Puerto Rico, decided to attend a prep school in Connecticut, then enjoyed a bidding war, won by Milwaukee, baseball decided any foreign player attending school in the United States would be draft eligible.

When Atlanta signed outfielder Melvin Nieves out of Puerto Rico for $180,000, baseball decided any player living in an American territory or Canada must go through the draft.

And when Pete Incaviglia, Montreal's first-round draft choice in 1985, refused to sign with the Expos and was dealt to Texas, for whom he hit cleanup on Opening Day in 1986, baseball decided that no draft choice could be traded until one year after he signs his first pro contract.

MILE-HIGH WATCH

• The Rockies are looking to upgrade their center-field situation.

They have to be careful, though.

They can't make short-term moves that will cause long-term nightmares.

Call it the Denny Neagle factor.

The Rockies nearly doubled what they expected to pay Neagle when they signed him, but found solace because the five-year, $51 million deal actually was less than the Mets and Dodgers offered. No need to go into what eventually happened.

It was a costly education, but the Rockies learned their lesson.

If there were a Torii Hunter or Vernon Wells or Andruw Jones on the free-agent market this year, it would be one thing. Those still are relatively young impact players. A long-term deal with them is not as big a gamble.

But for marginal improvement over what the Rockies already have, they know they can't afford to get involved in high-priced or long-term commitments, which is why the only way they would get interested in a trade for Coco Crisp is if Boston eats the bulk of the three-year, $15.5 million he has coming.

It's why the Rockies have touched base with the agents for Dave Roberts and Gary Matthews Jr., but at this time, there's no sense they are going to get involved in serious talks. Both players are looking at deals of three years or longer.

More likely, the Rockies will look toward a Darin Erstad, who has battled injuries, or Steve Finley, who will play at 42 next season, knowing that highly touted Rockies prospect Dexter Fowler is maybe two years removed from being ready to step in.

• Jack Corrigan and Jeff Kingery, the Rockies' radio broadcast team, and television analyst George Frazier are among the nominees for the Ford C. Frick Award, given annually to a broadcaster for his achievements in baseball. A broadcaster must have 10 years of major league experience to be eligible.

Corrigan has 21 years of experience, 17 with Cleveland and the past four with the Rockies. Kingery has been a part of the Rockies radio team for all 14 years of the franchise's existence. Frazier, a former major league pitcher, has a 19-year broadcasting résumé that includes nine seasons on the Rockies' television teams.

ringolsbyt@RockyMountainNews.com or 303-954-2844