Minnesota Twins Archives - SportzBonanza SportzBonanza Tue, 30 Jan 2024 14:38:13 +0000 en-US hourly 1 https://wordpress.org/?v=6.5.2 Twins Trade All-Star INF Jorge Polanco to Mariners https://sportzbonanza.com/twins-trade-all-star-inf-jorge-polanco-to-mariners/ Tue, 30 Jan 2024 06:42:00 +0000 https://sportzbonanza.com/?p=23562 Minnesota Twins' Jorge Polanco in August 2023The Minnesota Twins are saying goodbye to their longest-tenured player, All-Star infielder Jorge Polanco. The franchise announced on Monday night that they are trading Polanco to the Seattle Mariners in a deal that will net them a package of four players. In exchange for Polanco, the Twins received starting pitcher Anthony DeSclafani, veteran reliever Justin […]

The post Twins Trade All-Star INF Jorge Polanco to Mariners appeared first on SportzBonanza.

]]>

The Minnesota Twins are saying goodbye to their longest-tenured player, All-Star infielder Jorge Polanco. The franchise announced on Monday night that they are trading Polanco to the Seattle Mariners in a deal that will net them a package of four players.

In exchange for Polanco, the Twins received starting pitcher Anthony DeSclafani, veteran reliever Justin Topa, Top 100 outfield prospect Gabriel Gonzalez, and minor-league pitcher Darren Bowen. As part of the trade, the Mariners are also sending $8 million in cash to Minnesota.

Polanco spent all of his eight years in the major league with the Twins. He had an All-Star campaign in 2019 and was an important part of Minnesota teams that won three AL Central titles and made the postseason four times in the past seven years.

However, Polanco had a challenging 2023 campaign that saw him play only 80 games while hitting .255 with 14 homers and 48 RBIs. This and the emergence of infield talent like Edouard Julien and Royce Lewis made the 30-year-old player expendable and it was only a matter of time before the Twins decided to move him.

“(He) really was a steady presence for us for a long time,” Twins President of Baseball Operations Derek Falvey said. “When I talked to him earlier, I said, ‘Listen, in many ways, you’ll always be a Twin, and you never know how this world comes back around in baseball.’ This was a difficult decision, not just from a baseball perspective for how we value him as a player, but even more so for who he is as a human being. And the type of teammate he is.”

The deal with the Mariners now allows the Twins to slash their payroll further and keep financial flexibility for further additions. They also receive several useful players that they hope can help them make a step forward and build on their 2023 campaign that saw them reach AL Divisional Series.

The post Twins Trade All-Star INF Jorge Polanco to Mariners appeared first on SportzBonanza.

]]>
Minnesota Twins Win Their First Postseason Game Since 2004 https://sportzbonanza.com/minnesota-twins-win-their-first-postseason-game-since-2004/ Wed, 04 Oct 2023 06:21:00 +0000 https://sportzbonanza.com/?p=22126 Minnesota Twins starting pitcher Pablo Lopez in April 2023The Minnesota Twins managed to win a postseason game for the first time since 2004. The Twins secured a 3-1 victory over the Toronto Blue Jays on Tuesday to open the American League Wild Card Series. Prior to the victory against the Blue Jays, the Twins were riding an 18-game losing streak in the postseason. […]

The post Minnesota Twins Win Their First Postseason Game Since 2004 appeared first on SportzBonanza.

]]>

The Minnesota Twins managed to win a postseason game for the first time since 2004. The Twins secured a 3-1 victory over the Toronto Blue Jays on Tuesday to open the American League Wild Card Series.

Prior to the victory against the Blue Jays, the Twins were riding an 18-game losing streak in the postseason. Their last win came in 2004 as part of a 3-1 loss in an American League Divisional Series matchup against the New York Yankees. Since then, the Twins made it to the postseason six times and got swept each time.

Third baseman Royce Lewis was the star of the show, hitting two home runs in his first two appearances on the plate. He was helped by right-hand pitcher Pablo Lopez, who finished the night with a 1.59 ERA and three strikeouts while allowing five hits.

“It means a lot, and it means a lot that the fans encouraged us,” Lewis said after the game. “They had that energy for us. They brought it, and we brought it for them.”

After this important win, the Minnesota Twins will now hope they can end some other uncomfortable traditions. For example, they can aim to get their first postseason round win since 2002 or their first World Series since 1991.

The post Minnesota Twins Win Their First Postseason Game Since 2004 appeared first on SportzBonanza.

]]>
Carlos Correa on Being Booed by Twins’ Fans: “I’d Boo Myself Too” https://sportzbonanza.com/carlos-correa-on-being-booed-by-twins-fans-id-boo-myself-too/ Thu, 11 May 2023 06:11:00 +0000 https://sportzbonanza.com/?p=21014 Carlos Correa with the Houston Astros in 2018The Minnesota Twins’ fans seemed to have lost patience with their struggling star Carlos Correa. During a 6-1 loss to the San Diego Padres, the spectators at Target Field treated Correa with a series of loud boos, making it clear that they were unhappy with his performances. Correa was considered a big coup for the […]

The post Carlos Correa on Being Booed by Twins’ Fans: “I’d Boo Myself Too” appeared first on SportzBonanza.

]]>

The Minnesota Twins’ fans seemed to have lost patience with their struggling star Carlos Correa. During a 6-1 loss to the San Diego Padres, the spectators at Target Field treated Correa with a series of loud boos, making it clear that they were unhappy with his performances.

Correa was considered a big coup for the Twins when he signed a six-year, $200 million contract with the team in the offseason. But the two-time All-Star has been playing poorly so far in 2023, and his struggles were on full display against the Padres. He went 0-for-5 in the game and saw his season average drop to .185.

Speaking with reporters after the game, Correa said that he understands why the fans are unhappy with him.

“I’d boo myself too with the amount of money I’m making if I’m playing like that,” said Correa. “Fans want production, and fans want a team that’s going to compete out there and win games. It’s to be expected when you play poorly.”

Correa isn’t the only Twins player who underperformed at the start of the season, with Joey Gallo and Jose Miranda also failing to find their rhythm at-bats. However, with the salary he is receiving, Correa is the one receiving the majority of the criticism.

“I’m going to keep working and keep focusing on the things I can control, and the results will come,” he added.

Despite Correa’s struggles, the Twins are still keeping their heads above water. They have a 19-17 record and sit at the top of AL Central with two wins advantage over the second-placed Cleveland Guardians.

The post Carlos Correa on Being Booed by Twins’ Fans: “I’d Boo Myself Too” appeared first on SportzBonanza.

]]>
RHP Pablo Lopez and Twins Agree to 4-Year, $73.5 Million Extension https://sportzbonanza.com/rhp-pablo-lopez-and-twins-agree-to-4-year-73-5-million-extension/ Tue, 18 Apr 2023 06:55:00 +0000 https://sportzbonanza.com/?p=20838 Minnesota Twins starting pitcher Pablo Lopez in April 2023The Minnesota Twins have liked what they saw from right-hand pitcher Pablo Lopez since acquiring him in a trade with the Miami Marlins back in January. So much so that they have reportedly decided to lock him into a long-term extension. According to MLB Network’s Craig Mish, Lopez and the Twins are in agreement on […]

The post RHP Pablo Lopez and Twins Agree to 4-Year, $73.5 Million Extension appeared first on SportzBonanza.

]]>

The Minnesota Twins have liked what they saw from right-hand pitcher Pablo Lopez since acquiring him in a trade with the Miami Marlins back in January. So much so that they have reportedly decided to lock him into a long-term extension.

According to MLB Network’s Craig Mish, Lopez and the Twins are in agreement on a four-year, $73.5 million contract. The deal, which is pending for physical, is the largest franchise has given to a pitcher in its history

Lopez’s extension buys off one year of arbitration and three years of free agency, locking him with the Twins through the 2027 MLB season. He will receive $5.45 million in base salary this season as part of the agreement he made with the Marlins to avoid arbitration.

Despite sending All-Star infielder Luis Arráez to the Marlins in order to acquire Lopez, the Twins believed they were getting a star in the making. The 27-year-old player only solidified this since coming to Minnesota, impressing the team with his work ethic and talent. He is off to a great start, going 1-1 in four starts while compiling a 1.73 ERA with a league-leading 33 strikeouts.

Lopez initially signed with the Seattle Mariners as an international free agent in 2012 but ended up being traded to the Marlins in 2017. He received his majors debut a year later and went on to have a 28-31 record with a 3.94 ERA and 489 strikeouts in Miami.

The post RHP Pablo Lopez and Twins Agree to 4-Year, $73.5 Million Extension appeared first on SportzBonanza.

]]>
Marlins Acquire All-Star 2B Luis Arraez in a Trade With the Twins https://sportzbonanza.com/marlins-acquire-all-star-2b-luis-arraez-in-a-trade-with-the-twins/ Sun, 22 Jan 2023 06:40:00 +0000 https://sportzbonanza.com/?p=19838 Luis Arraez with Minnesota in August 2022The Miami Marlins are adding some badly needed batting to their clubhouse. The team just announced they acquired All-Star second baseman Luis Arraez in a trade with the Minnesota Twins. Arraez comes to Miami after his best individual season in his pro career. He hit .316 with career-high eight homers and 49 RBIs en route […]

The post Marlins Acquire All-Star 2B Luis Arraez in a Trade With the Twins appeared first on SportzBonanza.

]]>

The Miami Marlins are adding some badly needed batting to their clubhouse. The team just announced they acquired All-Star second baseman Luis Arraez in a trade with the Minnesota Twins.

Arraez comes to Miami after his best individual season in his pro career. He hit .316 with career-high eight homers and 49 RBIs en route to winning the 2022 American League batting champion title and making his first All-Star.

In order to get Arraez, the Marlins had to pay somewhat of a steep price. They gave up talented pitcher Pablo Lopez, who went 10-10 with a 3.75 ERA and 174 strikeouts in 2022, alongside two highly-regarded prospects in shortstop Jose Salas and outfielder Byron Chouri.

After the move was made official, the Marlins general manager Kim Ng said the team’s primary goal was to add offense this offseason and that Arraez checks that box. 

“We’ve talked about it quite often, wanting to add offense this offseason,” Ng said about the move. “We’re willing to trade some of our pitching to do it. What we get in Luis Arraez is a left-handed, very good hitter.”

For the Twins, trading Arraez was a way to boost their rotation. Lopez is expected to immediately become one of their top pitchers while they hope that at least one of Salas and Chouri will pan out. 

The post Marlins Acquire All-Star 2B Luis Arraez in a Trade With the Twins appeared first on SportzBonanza.

]]>
Carlos Correa to Sign With the Twins in Another Surprising Free Agency Twist https://sportzbonanza.com/carlos-correa-to-sign-with-the-twins-in-another-surprising-free-agency-twist/ Tue, 10 Jan 2023 21:10:00 +0000 https://sportzbonanza.com/?p=19754 Carlos Correa with the Houston Astros in 2018Carlos Correa’s free agency has just got another surprising twist. After his moves to the San Francisco Giants and the New York Mets didn’t materialize, the All-Star shortstop now decided to return to the Minnesota Twins. According to ESPN’s Jeff Passan, Correa and the Twins have agreed to a six-year, $200 million deal. The contract, […]

The post Carlos Correa to Sign With the Twins in Another Surprising Free Agency Twist appeared first on SportzBonanza.

]]>

Carlos Correa’s free agency has just got another surprising twist. After his moves to the San Francisco Giants and the New York Mets didn’t materialize, the All-Star shortstop now decided to return to the Minnesota Twins.

According to ESPN’s Jeff Passan, Correa and the Twins have agreed to a six-year, $200 million deal. The contract, which is pending a physical review, includes a vesting option for additional four years and $70 million.

After a strong 2022 campaign with the Twins, which saw him bat .291 with 22 home runs, Correa opted out of the final two years of his contract to hit the free agency. The 28-year-old immediately became one of the biggest names on the market and ended up landing a 13-year, $350 million contract with the Giants.

However, the deal with the Giants came to a halt hours before Correa was set to be officially introduced as the franchise expressed concerns about his surgically repaired left ankle. The San Francisco team wanted more time to reconsider their commitment, but the player’s agent Scott Boras quickly pivoted and got a 12-year, $315 million offer from the Mets.

The Mets ended up pulling the plug as well since they discovered the same issues with Correa’s ankle the Giants did and wanted to renegotiate. The two sides spent a couple of weeks trying to settle their differences, but the talks went nowhere.

At that point, Boras circled back to the Twins, who were more comfortable with offering a longer deal to Correa since they already had him in the building for one year. As a result, they are getting one of the best shortstops in the game on a deal that could easily turn out to be a bargain.

The post Carlos Correa to Sign With the Twins in Another Surprising Free Agency Twist appeared first on SportzBonanza.

]]>
Minnesota Twins Batting Leader Arraez Exits Game Early Due to Injury https://sportzbonanza.com/minnesota-twins-batting-leader-arraez-exits-game-early-due-to-injury/ Thu, 15 Sep 2022 06:45:00 +0000 https://sportzbonanza.com/?p=19157 The Minnesota Twins second baseman Luis Arraes in 2021The Minnesota Twins and American League batting leader Luis Arraez exited the field early during his team’s 4-0 victory over the Kansas City Royals after he began experiencing left hamstring tightness. While a subsequent MRI did not show any signs of significant damage, Arraez came off the field so as not to aggravate the potential […]

The post Minnesota Twins Batting Leader Arraez Exits Game Early Due to Injury appeared first on SportzBonanza.

]]>

The Minnesota Twins and American League batting leader Luis Arraez exited the field early during his team’s 4-0 victory over the Kansas City Royals after he began experiencing left hamstring tightness. While a subsequent MRI did not show any signs of significant damage, Arraez came off the field so as not to aggravate the potential injury further.

Manager Rocco Baldelli assured the public that the player’s injury does not appear to be serious. “My guess is we are going to, with the lefty tomorrow that we’re facing, probably let him come in, get some treatment and see how he responds, see what he’s going to be available for. I wouldn’t see him being out or anything like that,” Baldelli stated.

Prior to his early departure, Arraez emerged as the standout player for the Twins, scoring an infield hit that raised his average to .320 while also scoring in the first innings. Should Arraez sit out of Minnesota’s next game, he will be the latest addition to a growing injury list that includes center fielder Byron Buxton who has been unavailable since August 23 due to a right hip strain, and second baseman Jorge Polanco who has been ruled out of action with left knee inflammation since September 3.

The Twins are currently five games behind AL Central leaders Chicago Guardians with 21 games remaining.

The post Minnesota Twins Batting Leader Arraez Exits Game Early Due to Injury appeared first on SportzBonanza.

]]>
Twins’ Right-Hander Kenta Maeda Undergoes Tommy John Surgery https://sportzbonanza.com/twins-right-hander-kenta-maeda-undergoes-tommy-john-surgery/ Fri, 03 Sep 2021 07:05:00 +0000 https://sportzbonanza.com/?p=16418 Kenta Maeda with the Dodgers in 2019The Minnesota Twins announced that their pitcher Kenta Maeda underwent successful Tommy John surgery on Wednesday. The team expects Maeda, last year’s AL Cy Young Award runner-up, will spend nine to 12 months recovering from the procedure. Maeda made 21 starts for the Twins in 2021, going 6-5 with 4.66 ERA and 113 strikeouts. The […]

The post Twins’ Right-Hander Kenta Maeda Undergoes Tommy John Surgery appeared first on SportzBonanza.

]]>

The Minnesota Twins announced that their pitcher Kenta Maeda underwent successful Tommy John surgery on Wednesday. The team expects Maeda, last year’s AL Cy Young Award runner-up, will spend nine to 12 months recovering from the procedure.

Maeda made 21 starts for the Twins in 2021, going 6-5 with 4.66 ERA and 113 strikeouts. The 33-year-old pitcher initially landed on the injured list in late August after he felt tightness in his right forearm. After several tests, it was determined that he has torn ulnar collateral ligaments.

Speaking with reporters after the news was announced, the Twins manager Rocco Baldelli said that Maeda’s surgery didn’t only repair the UCL injury. According to Baldelli, the doctors also dealt with several other issues that might have been affecting the player’s performances in a negative way in the past years.

“He’s been pitching with some of this stuff for a while now. This gives him an opportunity to be at full strength going forward,” said Baldelli.

Maeda’s absence shouldn’t hurt Twins much as they already have slim chances to reach the postseason. They currently own a 58-75 record and are 19.5 games behind the leading the Chicago White Sox in AL Central.

Kenta Maeda spent his early career playing in Nippon Professional Baseball with Hiroshima Toyo Carp before joining the Los Angeles Dodgers in 2016. After four years in LA, Maeda was traded to the Twins ahead of 2020 and ended up having his best outing since arriving in the MLB. He posted a 6-1 record with 2.70 ERA and finished second in American League Cy Young Award voting while also picking up the All-MLB Second Team nod.

The post Twins’ Right-Hander Kenta Maeda Undergoes Tommy John Surgery appeared first on SportzBonanza.

]]>
Nelson Cruz Agrees to Return to Twins on 1-Year, $13 Million Contract https://sportzbonanza.com/nelson-cruz-agrees-to-return-to-twins-on-1-year-13-million-contract/ Thu, 04 Feb 2021 07:41:55 +0000 https://sportzbonanza.com/?p=15622 Nelson Cruz with the Seattle Mariners in 2018Veteran designated hitter Nelson Cruz will return to Minnesota Twins for the 2021 MLB season, according to ESPN’s Jeff Passan. Passan reported on Wednesday that Cruz and Twins agreed to a new one-year contract, with the 40-year-old player receiving $13 million to play next season. The deal is expected to be official once the player […]

The post Nelson Cruz Agrees to Return to Twins on 1-Year, $13 Million Contract appeared first on SportzBonanza.

]]>

Veteran designated hitter Nelson Cruz will return to Minnesota Twins for the 2021 MLB season, according to ESPN’s Jeff Passan.

Passan reported on Wednesday that Cruz and Twins agreed to a new one-year contract, with the 40-year-old player receiving $13 million to play next season. The deal is expected to be official once the player undergoes a physical.

Cruz enjoyed a productive campaign in 2020, playing in 53 games and batting .303 with 16 home runs and 33 RBIs. He earned an All-MLB Second-team nod while also finishing sixth in MVP voting.

It was widely expected that Cruz would remain in Minnesota in 2021 as well, considering both sides expressed interest in a reunion. The player reportedly felt comfortable with the organization and being part of the contending team, while the Twins didn’t want to lose their most productive batter in recent years.

Another reason why Cruz opted to extend his stay is the fact that the players’ association rejected the league’s proposal to include a designated hitter in National League next season. This narrowed Cruz’s market and made staying put is his best move.

Nelson Cruz made his MLB debut in 2005 with the Milwaukee Brewers. He also played with the Texas Rangers, Baltimore Orioles, and Seattle Mariners over the course of his career in the majors.

Cruz has six All-Star honors to his name while also collecting several other individual accolades, including the ALCS MVP award in 2011 and four Silver Slugger Awards.

Cruz’s career-records include a .278 batting average, 1,777 hits, 417 homers, and 1,152 RBIs.

The post Nelson Cruz Agrees to Return to Twins on 1-Year, $13 Million Contract appeared first on SportzBonanza.

]]>
Twins Sign SP J.A. Happ for 2021 Campaign https://sportzbonanza.com/twins-sign-sp-j-a-happ-for-2021-campaign/ Fri, 22 Jan 2021 07:25:18 +0000 https://sportzbonanza.com/?p=15505 The Minnesota Twins and free agent starting pitcher J.A. Happ agreed to a one-year, $8 million deal that will bring a long-time American League rotation staple to Minneapolis. Happ became a free agent in November after spending the past three seasons with the New York Yankees, where he compiled a 21-10 record with a 4.13 […]

The post Twins Sign SP J.A. Happ for 2021 Campaign appeared first on SportzBonanza.

]]>

The Minnesota Twins and free agent starting pitcher J.A. Happ agreed to a one-year, $8 million deal that will bring a long-time American League rotation staple to Minneapolis.

Happ became a free agent in November after spending the past three seasons with the New York Yankees, where he compiled a 21-10 record with a 4.13 ERA in 50 starts.

The 38-year-old pitcher will now embark on a new quest to win a World Series trophy for the first time since 2008 with the Philadelphia Phillies in his rookie season.

The Illinois native is expected to play a big part in a Twins rotation who needed another piece to fill out its fifth slot. Happ’s goal will be simple: try to limit opposing offenses enough to let the Twins’ dynamic offense do the heavy lifting.

The Twins needed another rotation presence like Happ’s if they want to compete in the AL Central this season. Their main rival, the Chicago White Sox, has one of the Big Leagues’ best offenses and feasted against rival pitching last season.

Expect a fully healthy Happ to report to Twins camp in Fort Myers, Florida, next month as he begins preparations with his new team for the upcoming season.

The post Twins Sign SP J.A. Happ for 2021 Campaign appeared first on SportzBonanza.

]]>
ersion="1.0" encoding="UTF-8"?> Minnesota Twins Archives - SportzBonanza SportzBonanza Tue, 30 Jan 2024 14:38:13 +0000 en-US hourly 1 https://wordpress.org/?v=6.5.2 Twins Trade All-Star INF Jorge Polanco to Mariners https://sportzbonanza.com/twins-trade-all-star-inf-jorge-polanco-to-mariners/ Tue, 30 Jan 2024 06:42:00 +0000 https://sportzbonanza.com/?p=23562 Minnesota Twins' Jorge Polanco in August 2023The Minnesota Twins are saying goodbye to their longest-tenured player, All-Star infielder Jorge Polanco. The franchise announced on Monday night that they are trading Polanco to the Seattle Mariners in a deal that will net them a package of four players. In exchange for Polanco, the Twins received starting pitcher Anthony DeSclafani, veteran reliever Justin […]

The post Twins Trade All-Star INF Jorge Polanco to Mariners appeared first on SportzBonanza.

]]>

The Minnesota Twins are saying goodbye to their longest-tenured player, All-Star infielder Jorge Polanco. The franchise announced on Monday night that they are trading Polanco to the Seattle Mariners in a deal that will net them a package of four players.

In exchange for Polanco, the Twins received starting pitcher Anthony DeSclafani, veteran reliever Justin Topa, Top 100 outfield prospect Gabriel Gonzalez, and minor-league pitcher Darren Bowen. As part of the trade, the Mariners are also sending $8 million in cash to Minnesota.

Polanco spent all of his eight years in the major league with the Twins. He had an All-Star campaign in 2019 and was an important part of Minnesota teams that won three AL Central titles and made the postseason four times in the past seven years.

However, Polanco had a challenging 2023 campaign that saw him play only 80 games while hitting .255 with 14 homers and 48 RBIs. This and the emergence of infield talent like Edouard Julien and Royce Lewis made the 30-year-old player expendable and it was only a matter of time before the Twins decided to move him.

“(He) really was a steady presence for us for a long time,” Twins President of Baseball Operations Derek Falvey said. “When I talked to him earlier, I said, ‘Listen, in many ways, you’ll always be a Twin, and you never know how this world comes back around in baseball.’ This was a difficult decision, not just from a baseball perspective for how we value him as a player, but even more so for who he is as a human being. And the type of teammate he is.”

The deal with the Mariners now allows the Twins to slash their payroll further and keep financial flexibility for further additions. They also receive several useful players that they hope can help them make a step forward and build on their 2023 campaign that saw them reach AL Divisional Series.

The post Twins Trade All-Star INF Jorge Polanco to Mariners appeared first on SportzBonanza.

]]>
Minnesota Twins Win Their First Postseason Game Since 2004 https://sportzbonanza.com/minnesota-twins-win-their-first-postseason-game-since-2004/ Wed, 04 Oct 2023 06:21:00 +0000 https://sportzbonanza.com/?p=22126 Minnesota Twins starting pitcher Pablo Lopez in April 2023The Minnesota Twins managed to win a postseason game for the first time since 2004. The Twins secured a 3-1 victory over the Toronto Blue Jays on Tuesday to open the American League Wild Card Series. Prior to the victory against the Blue Jays, the Twins were riding an 18-game losing streak in the postseason. […]

The post Minnesota Twins Win Their First Postseason Game Since 2004 appeared first on SportzBonanza.

]]>

The Minnesota Twins managed to win a postseason game for the first time since 2004. The Twins secured a 3-1 victory over the Toronto Blue Jays on Tuesday to open the American League Wild Card Series.

Prior to the victory against the Blue Jays, the Twins were riding an 18-game losing streak in the postseason. Their last win came in 2004 as part of a 3-1 loss in an American League Divisional Series matchup against the New York Yankees. Since then, the Twins made it to the postseason six times and got swept each time.

Third baseman Royce Lewis was the star of the show, hitting two home runs in his first two appearances on the plate. He was helped by right-hand pitcher Pablo Lopez, who finished the night with a 1.59 ERA and three strikeouts while allowing five hits.

“It means a lot, and it means a lot that the fans encouraged us,” Lewis said after the game. “They had that energy for us. They brought it, and we brought it for them.”

After this important win, the Minnesota Twins will now hope they can end some other uncomfortable traditions. For example, they can aim to get their first postseason round win since 2002 or their first World Series since 1991.

The post Minnesota Twins Win Their First Postseason Game Since 2004 appeared first on SportzBonanza.

]]>
Carlos Correa on Being Booed by Twins’ Fans: “I’d Boo Myself Too” https://sportzbonanza.com/carlos-correa-on-being-booed-by-twins-fans-id-boo-myself-too/ Thu, 11 May 2023 06:11:00 +0000 https://sportzbonanza.com/?p=21014 Carlos Correa with the Houston Astros in 2018The Minnesota Twins’ fans seemed to have lost patience with their struggling star Carlos Correa. During a 6-1 loss to the San Diego Padres, the spectators at Target Field treated Correa with a series of loud boos, making it clear that they were unhappy with his performances. Correa was considered a big coup for the […]

The post Carlos Correa on Being Booed by Twins’ Fans: “I’d Boo Myself Too” appeared first on SportzBonanza.

]]>

The Minnesota Twins’ fans seemed to have lost patience with their struggling star Carlos Correa. During a 6-1 loss to the San Diego Padres, the spectators at Target Field treated Correa with a series of loud boos, making it clear that they were unhappy with his performances.

Correa was considered a big coup for the Twins when he signed a six-year, $200 million contract with the team in the offseason. But the two-time All-Star has been playing poorly so far in 2023, and his struggles were on full display against the Padres. He went 0-for-5 in the game and saw his season average drop to .185.

Speaking with reporters after the game, Correa said that he understands why the fans are unhappy with him.

“I’d boo myself too with the amount of money I’m making if I’m playing like that,” said Correa. “Fans want production, and fans want a team that’s going to compete out there and win games. It’s to be expected when you play poorly.”

Correa isn’t the only Twins player who underperformed at the start of the season, with Joey Gallo and Jose Miranda also failing to find their rhythm at-bats. However, with the salary he is receiving, Correa is the one receiving the majority of the criticism.

“I’m going to keep working and keep focusing on the things I can control, and the results will come,” he added.

Despite Correa’s struggles, the Twins are still keeping their heads above water. They have a 19-17 record and sit at the top of AL Central with two wins advantage over the second-placed Cleveland Guardians.

The post Carlos Correa on Being Booed by Twins’ Fans: “I’d Boo Myself Too” appeared first on SportzBonanza.

]]>
RHP Pablo Lopez and Twins Agree to 4-Year, $73.5 Million Extension https://sportzbonanza.com/rhp-pablo-lopez-and-twins-agree-to-4-year-73-5-million-extension/ Tue, 18 Apr 2023 06:55:00 +0000 https://sportzbonanza.com/?p=20838 Minnesota Twins starting pitcher Pablo Lopez in April 2023The Minnesota Twins have liked what they saw from right-hand pitcher Pablo Lopez since acquiring him in a trade with the Miami Marlins back in January. So much so that they have reportedly decided to lock him into a long-term extension. According to MLB Network’s Craig Mish, Lopez and the Twins are in agreement on […]

The post RHP Pablo Lopez and Twins Agree to 4-Year, $73.5 Million Extension appeared first on SportzBonanza.

]]>

The Minnesota Twins have liked what they saw from right-hand pitcher Pablo Lopez since acquiring him in a trade with the Miami Marlins back in January. So much so that they have reportedly decided to lock him into a long-term extension.

According to MLB Network’s Craig Mish, Lopez and the Twins are in agreement on a four-year, $73.5 million contract. The deal, which is pending for physical, is the largest franchise has given to a pitcher in its history

Lopez’s extension buys off one year of arbitration and three years of free agency, locking him with the Twins through the 2027 MLB season. He will receive $5.45 million in base salary this season as part of the agreement he made with the Marlins to avoid arbitration.

Despite sending All-Star infielder Luis Arráez to the Marlins in order to acquire Lopez, the Twins believed they were getting a star in the making. The 27-year-old player only solidified this since coming to Minnesota, impressing the team with his work ethic and talent. He is off to a great start, going 1-1 in four starts while compiling a 1.73 ERA with a league-leading 33 strikeouts.

Lopez initially signed with the Seattle Mariners as an international free agent in 2012 but ended up being traded to the Marlins in 2017. He received his majors debut a year later and went on to have a 28-31 record with a 3.94 ERA and 489 strikeouts in Miami.

The post RHP Pablo Lopez and Twins Agree to 4-Year, $73.5 Million Extension appeared first on SportzBonanza.

]]>
Marlins Acquire All-Star 2B Luis Arraez in a Trade With the Twins https://sportzbonanza.com/marlins-acquire-all-star-2b-luis-arraez-in-a-trade-with-the-twins/ Sun, 22 Jan 2023 06:40:00 +0000 https://sportzbonanza.com/?p=19838 Luis Arraez with Minnesota in August 2022The Miami Marlins are adding some badly needed batting to their clubhouse. The team just announced they acquired All-Star second baseman Luis Arraez in a trade with the Minnesota Twins. Arraez comes to Miami after his best individual season in his pro career. He hit .316 with career-high eight homers and 49 RBIs en route […]

The post Marlins Acquire All-Star 2B Luis Arraez in a Trade With the Twins appeared first on SportzBonanza.

]]>

The Miami Marlins are adding some badly needed batting to their clubhouse. The team just announced they acquired All-Star second baseman Luis Arraez in a trade with the Minnesota Twins.

Arraez comes to Miami after his best individual season in his pro career. He hit .316 with career-high eight homers and 49 RBIs en route to winning the 2022 American League batting champion title and making his first All-Star.

In order to get Arraez, the Marlins had to pay somewhat of a steep price. They gave up talented pitcher Pablo Lopez, who went 10-10 with a 3.75 ERA and 174 strikeouts in 2022, alongside two highly-regarded prospects in shortstop Jose Salas and outfielder Byron Chouri.

After the move was made official, the Marlins general manager Kim Ng said the team’s primary goal was to add offense this offseason and that Arraez checks that box. 

“We’ve talked about it quite often, wanting to add offense this offseason,” Ng said about the move. “We’re willing to trade some of our pitching to do it. What we get in Luis Arraez is a left-handed, very good hitter.”

For the Twins, trading Arraez was a way to boost their rotation. Lopez is expected to immediately become one of their top pitchers while they hope that at least one of Salas and Chouri will pan out. 

The post Marlins Acquire All-Star 2B Luis Arraez in a Trade With the Twins appeared first on SportzBonanza.

]]>
Carlos Correa to Sign With the Twins in Another Surprising Free Agency Twist https://sportzbonanza.com/carlos-correa-to-sign-with-the-twins-in-another-surprising-free-agency-twist/ Tue, 10 Jan 2023 21:10:00 +0000 https://sportzbonanza.com/?p=19754 Carlos Correa with the Houston Astros in 2018Carlos Correa’s free agency has just got another surprising twist. After his moves to the San Francisco Giants and the New York Mets didn’t materialize, the All-Star shortstop now decided to return to the Minnesota Twins. According to ESPN’s Jeff Passan, Correa and the Twins have agreed to a six-year, $200 million deal. The contract, […]

The post Carlos Correa to Sign With the Twins in Another Surprising Free Agency Twist appeared first on SportzBonanza.

]]>

Carlos Correa’s free agency has just got another surprising twist. After his moves to the San Francisco Giants and the New York Mets didn’t materialize, the All-Star shortstop now decided to return to the Minnesota Twins.

According to ESPN’s Jeff Passan, Correa and the Twins have agreed to a six-year, $200 million deal. The contract, which is pending a physical review, includes a vesting option for additional four years and $70 million.

After a strong 2022 campaign with the Twins, which saw him bat .291 with 22 home runs, Correa opted out of the final two years of his contract to hit the free agency. The 28-year-old immediately became one of the biggest names on the market and ended up landing a 13-year, $350 million contract with the Giants.

However, the deal with the Giants came to a halt hours before Correa was set to be officially introduced as the franchise expressed concerns about his surgically repaired left ankle. The San Francisco team wanted more time to reconsider their commitment, but the player’s agent Scott Boras quickly pivoted and got a 12-year, $315 million offer from the Mets.

The Mets ended up pulling the plug as well since they discovered the same issues with Correa’s ankle the Giants did and wanted to renegotiate. The two sides spent a couple of weeks trying to settle their differences, but the talks went nowhere.

At that point, Boras circled back to the Twins, who were more comfortable with offering a longer deal to Correa since they already had him in the building for one year. As a result, they are getting one of the best shortstops in the game on a deal that could easily turn out to be a bargain.

The post Carlos Correa to Sign With the Twins in Another Surprising Free Agency Twist appeared first on SportzBonanza.

]]>
Minnesota Twins Batting Leader Arraez Exits Game Early Due to Injury https://sportzbonanza.com/minnesota-twins-batting-leader-arraez-exits-game-early-due-to-injury/ Thu, 15 Sep 2022 06:45:00 +0000 https://sportzbonanza.com/?p=19157 The Minnesota Twins second baseman Luis Arraes in 2021The Minnesota Twins and American League batting leader Luis Arraez exited the field early during his team’s 4-0 victory over the Kansas City Royals after he began experiencing left hamstring tightness. While a subsequent MRI did not show any signs of significant damage, Arraez came off the field so as not to aggravate the potential […]

The post Minnesota Twins Batting Leader Arraez Exits Game Early Due to Injury appeared first on SportzBonanza.

]]>

The Minnesota Twins and American League batting leader Luis Arraez exited the field early during his team’s 4-0 victory over the Kansas City Royals after he began experiencing left hamstring tightness. While a subsequent MRI did not show any signs of significant damage, Arraez came off the field so as not to aggravate the potential injury further.

Manager Rocco Baldelli assured the public that the player’s injury does not appear to be serious. “My guess is we are going to, with the lefty tomorrow that we’re facing, probably let him come in, get some treatment and see how he responds, see what he’s going to be available for. I wouldn’t see him being out or anything like that,” Baldelli stated.

Prior to his early departure, Arraez emerged as the standout player for the Twins, scoring an infield hit that raised his average to .320 while also scoring in the first innings. Should Arraez sit out of Minnesota’s next game, he will be the latest addition to a growing injury list that includes center fielder Byron Buxton who has been unavailable since August 23 due to a right hip strain, and second baseman Jorge Polanco who has been ruled out of action with left knee inflammation since September 3.

The Twins are currently five games behind AL Central leaders Chicago Guardians with 21 games remaining.

The post Minnesota Twins Batting Leader Arraez Exits Game Early Due to Injury appeared first on SportzBonanza.

]]>
Twins’ Right-Hander Kenta Maeda Undergoes Tommy John Surgery https://sportzbonanza.com/twins-right-hander-kenta-maeda-undergoes-tommy-john-surgery/ Fri, 03 Sep 2021 07:05:00 +0000 https://sportzbonanza.com/?p=16418 Kenta Maeda with the Dodgers in 2019The Minnesota Twins announced that their pitcher Kenta Maeda underwent successful Tommy John surgery on Wednesday. The team expects Maeda, last year’s AL Cy Young Award runner-up, will spend nine to 12 months recovering from the procedure. Maeda made 21 starts for the Twins in 2021, going 6-5 with 4.66 ERA and 113 strikeouts. The […]

The post Twins’ Right-Hander Kenta Maeda Undergoes Tommy John Surgery appeared first on SportzBonanza.

]]>

The Minnesota Twins announced that their pitcher Kenta Maeda underwent successful Tommy John surgery on Wednesday. The team expects Maeda, last year’s AL Cy Young Award runner-up, will spend nine to 12 months recovering from the procedure.

Maeda made 21 starts for the Twins in 2021, going 6-5 with 4.66 ERA and 113 strikeouts. The 33-year-old pitcher initially landed on the injured list in late August after he felt tightness in his right forearm. After several tests, it was determined that he has torn ulnar collateral ligaments.

Speaking with reporters after the news was announced, the Twins manager Rocco Baldelli said that Maeda’s surgery didn’t only repair the UCL injury. According to Baldelli, the doctors also dealt with several other issues that might have been affecting the player’s performances in a negative way in the past years.

“He’s been pitching with some of this stuff for a while now. This gives him an opportunity to be at full strength going forward,” said Baldelli.

Maeda’s absence shouldn’t hurt Twins much as they already have slim chances to reach the postseason. They currently own a 58-75 record and are 19.5 games behind the leading the Chicago White Sox in AL Central.

Kenta Maeda spent his early career playing in Nippon Professional Baseball with Hiroshima Toyo Carp before joining the Los Angeles Dodgers in 2016. After four years in LA, Maeda was traded to the Twins ahead of 2020 and ended up having his best outing since arriving in the MLB. He posted a 6-1 record with 2.70 ERA and finished second in American League Cy Young Award voting while also picking up the All-MLB Second Team nod.

The post Twins’ Right-Hander Kenta Maeda Undergoes Tommy John Surgery appeared first on SportzBonanza.

]]>
Nelson Cruz Agrees to Return to Twins on 1-Year, $13 Million Contract https://sportzbonanza.com/nelson-cruz-agrees-to-return-to-twins-on-1-year-13-million-contract/ Thu, 04 Feb 2021 07:41:55 +0000 https://sportzbonanza.com/?p=15622 Nelson Cruz with the Seattle Mariners in 2018Veteran designated hitter Nelson Cruz will return to Minnesota Twins for the 2021 MLB season, according to ESPN’s Jeff Passan. Passan reported on Wednesday that Cruz and Twins agreed to a new one-year contract, with the 40-year-old player receiving $13 million to play next season. The deal is expected to be official once the player […]

The post Nelson Cruz Agrees to Return to Twins on 1-Year, $13 Million Contract appeared first on SportzBonanza.

]]>

Veteran designated hitter Nelson Cruz will return to Minnesota Twins for the 2021 MLB season, according to ESPN’s Jeff Passan.

Passan reported on Wednesday that Cruz and Twins agreed to a new one-year contract, with the 40-year-old player receiving $13 million to play next season. The deal is expected to be official once the player undergoes a physical.

Cruz enjoyed a productive campaign in 2020, playing in 53 games and batting .303 with 16 home runs and 33 RBIs. He earned an All-MLB Second-team nod while also finishing sixth in MVP voting.

It was widely expected that Cruz would remain in Minnesota in 2021 as well, considering both sides expressed interest in a reunion. The player reportedly felt comfortable with the organization and being part of the contending team, while the Twins didn’t want to lose their most productive batter in recent years.

Another reason why Cruz opted to extend his stay is the fact that the players’ association rejected the league’s proposal to include a designated hitter in National League next season. This narrowed Cruz’s market and made staying put is his best move.

Nelson Cruz made his MLB debut in 2005 with the Milwaukee Brewers. He also played with the Texas Rangers, Baltimore Orioles, and Seattle Mariners over the course of his career in the majors.

Cruz has six All-Star honors to his name while also collecting several other individual accolades, including the ALCS MVP award in 2011 and four Silver Slugger Awards.

Cruz’s career-records include a .278 batting average, 1,777 hits, 417 homers, and 1,152 RBIs.

The post Nelson Cruz Agrees to Return to Twins on 1-Year, $13 Million Contract appeared first on SportzBonanza.

]]>
Twins Sign SP J.A. Happ for 2021 Campaign https://sportzbonanza.com/twins-sign-sp-j-a-happ-for-2021-campaign/ Fri, 22 Jan 2021 07:25:18 +0000 https://sportzbonanza.com/?p=15505 The Minnesota Twins and free agent starting pitcher J.A. Happ agreed to a one-year, $8 million deal that will bring a long-time American League rotation staple to Minneapolis. Happ became a free agent in November after spending the past three seasons with the New York Yankees, where he compiled a 21-10 record with a 4.13 […]

The post Twins Sign SP J.A. Happ for 2021 Campaign appeared first on SportzBonanza.

]]>

The Minnesota Twins and free agent starting pitcher J.A. Happ agreed to a one-year, $8 million deal that will bring a long-time American League rotation staple to Minneapolis.

Happ became a free agent in November after spending the past three seasons with the New York Yankees, where he compiled a 21-10 record with a 4.13 ERA in 50 starts.

The 38-year-old pitcher will now embark on a new quest to win a World Series trophy for the first time since 2008 with the Philadelphia Phillies in his rookie season.

The Illinois native is expected to play a big part in a Twins rotation who needed another piece to fill out its fifth slot. Happ’s goal will be simple: try to limit opposing offenses enough to let the Twins’ dynamic offense do the heavy lifting.

The Twins needed another rotation presence like Happ’s if they want to compete in the AL Central this season. Their main rival, the Chicago White Sox, has one of the Big Leagues’ best offenses and feasted against rival pitching last season.

Expect a fully healthy Happ to report to Twins camp in Fort Myers, Florida, next month as he begins preparations with his new team for the upcoming season.

The post Twins Sign SP J.A. Happ for 2021 Campaign appeared first on SportzBonanza.

]]>