2008 Minnesota Twins season

The 2008 Minnesota Twins season was the 48th season for the franchise in Minnesota, and the 108th overall in the American League. After tying the Chicago White Sox for first in the AL Central Division with an 88–74 record, the team lost a one game playoff to finish second and miss the league playoffs.

2008 Minnesota Twins
Major League affiliations
Location
Results
Record88–75 (.540)
Divisional place2nd
Other information
Owner(s)Carl Pohlad
General manager(s)Bill Smith
Manager(s)Ron Gardenhire
Local televisionFSN North
WFTC (My 29)
(Dick Bremer, Bert Blyleven)
Local radioAM 1500 KSTP
(John Gordon, Dan Gladden, Jack Morris, Kris Atteberry)
StatsESPN.com
BB-reference
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Offseason and spring training

Player and personnel moves

General Manager for the previous 13 years, Terry Ryan stepped down into the role of Senior Advisor in September 2007 and was replaced by Bill Smith, formerly the assistant general manager. Scouting director Mike Radcliff was named vice president of player personnel and director of baseball operations Rob Antony was named assistant GM.[1]

The offseason between the 2007 and 2008 seasons saw many rumors surrounding pitcher Johan Santana, but little action until shortly before the start of spring training. Typically standing still in the off-season, the Twins made some waves late November when they traded Matt Garza, Jason Bartlett and Eduardo Morlan to the Tampa Bay Rays for power-hitting outfielder Delmon Young, scrappy infielder Brendan Harris and former Twin Jason Pridie.

Prior to the Rays trade, the Twins traded for outfielder Craig Monroe of the Chicago Cubs. Monroe would later sign with the Twins and would be placed on the major league roster soon after. Monroe joined several others including Adam Everett and Mike Lamb as those new to the team who made the 2008 Opening Day roster.

On January 18, 2008, the Twins avoided arbitration with three current players: Jason Kubel, Justin Morneau and Juan Rincón. Rincón and Kubel were signed through 2008, while Morneau and Michael Cuddyer were signed to extended contracts.[2]

The Twins also saw several players depart via free agency, roster management and trade. The Twins also released players Jason Tyner, Chris Heintz, Lew Ford, Josh Rabe and Matthew LeCroy.

Minnesota lost Carlos Silva via free agency, Silva signing with the Seattle Mariners for a four-year contract. Silva was a starting pitcher for the Twins in recent years after coming over in the Eric Milton trade.

The Twins also lost perennial Gold Glove center fielder and fan favorite Torii Hunter in free agency, who signed with the Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim for five years and $90 million.

The Twins traded ace Johan Santana to the New York Mets for four prospects: outfielder Carlos Gómez and pitchers Kevin Mulvey, Philip Humber and Deolis Guerra.

Spring training

The Twins, as per long-standing tradition,[3] were the last team to begin spring training on February 17, 2008.

On March 27, the Twins announced they had finished signing their entire 40-man roster.[4]

Pitcher Francisco Liriano was unable to report to camp on time due to visa problems.[5] Shortly before the start of the season, Liriano was sent down to the minor leagues to continue his development.[6]

Gómez beat out center field prospects Denard Span and Jason Pridie for the starting job.[7]

The team re-signed closer Joe Nathan to a four-year contract on March 24.[8]

Regular season

Notable events

On May 7, 2008, Carlos Gómez hit for the cycle against the Chicago White Sox at U.S. Cellular Field in Chicago. He became the ninth major leaguer in history to hit for the reverse natural cycle.[9] He also became the third-youngest player to hit for the cycle in MLB history.[10] It had been a spell of 22 years since the last Twin hit for the cycle, Kirby Puckett in 1986.

On May 19, Bobby Korecky—with a single in the tenth inning—became the only Twins pitcher to get a hit in the Metrodome (1982–2009).

In the third inning of the June 15 game against the Milwaukee Brewers, Scott Baker became the first Minnesota Twin to strike out four men in a single inning. After Ryan Braun struck out, Prince Fielder struck out swinging at a wild pitch and made it to first base. Baker then struck out Russell Branyan and Mike Cameron to end the inning. Baker is the eighth American League pitcher to strike out the four consecutively. In 2012, Francisco Liriano will become the second Twin to accomplish the feat.[11]

During the 2008 campaign, the Twins sent three representatives to the 2008 MLB All Star game: Joe Mauer, Justin Morneau and Joe Nathan. Morneau went on to win the home run derby[12] and score the winning run in the 15th inning of the All-Star game.[13]

Joe Mauer won his second American League Batting Title with a .328 average. Justin Morneau set a new club record with 47 doubles, and led the major leagues playing in 163 games. Carlos Gómez topped Rod Carew's 1974 team record with 30 bunt singles (Carew had 29), a total which led the majors.

Joe Mauer and Justin Morneau both won Silver Slugger Awards; Mauer added a Gold Glove Award as well.

Season standings
AL Central W L Pct. GB Home Road
Chicago White Sox 8974 0.546 — 54–28 35–46
Minnesota Twins 8875 0.540 1 53–28 35–47
Cleveland Indians 8181 0.500 7½ 45–36 36–45
Kansas City Royals 7587 0.463 13½ 38–43 37–44
Detroit Tigers 7488 0.457 14½ 40–41 34–47

Record vs. opponents
Team BAL BOS CWS CLE DET KC LAA MIN NYY OAK SEA TB TEX TOR NL
Baltimore–6–124–54–44–35–33–63–37–110–58–23–154–56–1211–7
Boston12–6–4–35–15–26–11–84–39–96–46–38–109–19–911–7
Chicago5–43–4–11–712–612–65–59–102–55–45–14–63–31–712–6
Cleveland4–41–57–11–11–710–84–58–104–35–44–55–26–46–16–12
Detroit3–42–56–127–11–7–113–67–114–23–67–33–46–33–513–5
Kansas City3–51–66–128–1011–7–2–36–125–56–37–23–52–72–513–5
Los Angeles6–38–15–55–46–33–2–5–37–310–914–53–612–76–310–8
Minnesota3–33–410–910–811–712–63–5–4–65–55–43–35–50–614–4
New York11–79–95–23–42–45–53–76–4–5–17–211–73–49–910–8
Oakland5–04–64–54–56–33–69–105–51–5-10–93–67–124–610–8
Seattle2–83–61–55–43–72–75–144–52–79–10–3–48–115–49–9
Tampa Bay15–310–86–42–54–35–36–33–37–116–34–3–6–311–712–6
Texas5–41–93–34–63–67–27–125–54–312–711–83–6–4–410–8
Toronto12–69–97–11–65–35–23–66–09–96–44–57–114–4–8–10

Game log
2008 game log

Roster
2008 Minnesota Twins
Roster
Pitchers Catchers

Infielders

 Outfielders

Other batters

 Manager

Coaches

Regular season transactions

April 5, 2008: Placed outfielder Michael Cuddyer on the 15-day disabled list; recalled outfielder Denard Span from Rochester of the International League (AAA).

April 11, 2008: Placed pitcher Kevin Slowey on the 15-day disabled list, retroactive to April 4.

April 12, 2008: Recalled pitcher Francisco Liriano from Rochester.

April 19, 2008: Placed shortstop Adam Everett on the 15-day disabled list, retroactive to April 15; recalled third baseman Brian Buscher from Rochester.

April 24, 2008: Optioned outfielder Denard Span to Rochester of the International League (AAA).

April 25, 2008: Activated outfielder Michael Cuddyer from the 15-day disabled list.

April 26, 2008: Optioned pitcher Francisco Liriano to Rochester of the International League (AAA); recalled pitcher Bobby Korecky from Rochester.

April 30, 2008: Optioned third baseman Brian Buscher to Rochester of the International League (AAA).

May 2, 2008: Activated infielder Adam Everett from the 15-day disabled list.

May 8, 2008: Placed pitcher Scott Baker on the 15-day disabled list, retroactive to May 4; activated pitcher Kevin Slowey from the 15-day disabled list.

May 9, 2008: Placed pitcher Pat Neshek on the 15-day disabled list; recalled pitcher Glen Perkins from Rochester.

May 11, 2008: Placed infielder Nick Punto on the 15-day disabled list; recalled infielder Alexi Casilla from Rochester.

May 17, 2008: Placed infielder Matt Tolbert on the 15-day disabled list; purchased the contract of infielder Howie Clark from Rochester.

May 22, 2008: Placed shortstop Adam Everett on the 15-day disabled list; recalled infielder Matt Macri from Rochester.

Craig Breslow

May 29, 2008: Claimed pitcher Craig Breslow off waivers from the Cleveland Indians; transferred pitcher Pat Neshek to the 60-day disabled list; optioned pitcher Bobby Korecky to Rochester.

May 31, 2008: Activated infielder Nick Punto from the 15-day disabled list; designated infielder Howie Clark for assignment.

June 2, 2008: Outrighted infielder Howie Clark to the minor leagues.

June 5, 2008: Optioned infielder Matt Macri to Rochester of the International League (AAA).

June 6, 2008: Activated pitcher Scott Baker from the 15-day disabled list; placed infielder Nick Punto on the 15-day disabled list; recalled infielder Matt Macri from Rochester.

June 13, 2008: Pitcher Juan Rincón designated for assignment; recalled infielder Brian Buscher from Rochester.

June 18, 2008: Released pitcher Juan Rincón.

June 24, 2008: Activated infielder Nick Punto from the 15-day disabled list: optioned infielder Howie Clark to Rochester.

June 29, 2008: Placed outfielder Michael Cuddyer on the 15-day disabled list, retroactive to June 28; recalled outfielder Denard Span from Rochester of the International League (AAA).

July 31, 2008: Placed infielder Alexi Casilla on the 15-day disabled list; activated infielder Adam Everett from the 15-day disabled list.

August 1, 2008: Designated pitcher Liván Hernández and outfielder Craig Monroe for assignment; recalled pitcher Francisco Liriano from Rochester; purchased the contract of infielder Randy Ruiz from Rochester.

August 11, 2008: Signed former Twin Bobby Kielty to a minor league contract.

August 21, 2008: Activated infielder Alexi Casilla from the 15-day disabled list; assigned pitcher Brian Bass to Rochester of the International League (AAA).

Player stats

Batting

Note: G = Games played; AB = At bats; R = Runs scored; H = Hits; 2B = Doubles; 3B = Triples; HR = Home runs; RBI = Runs batted in; AVG = Batting average; SB = Stolen bases

Player G AB R H 2B 3B HR RBI AVG SB
Scott Baker
28
2
1
1
0
0
0
0
.500
0
Brian Bass
44
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
.000
0
Nick Blackburn
33
3
0
1
0
0
0
0
.333
0
Boof Bonser
47
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
.000
0
Craig Breslow
42
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
.000
0
Brian Buscher
70
218
29
64
9
0
4
47
.294
0
Alexi Casilla
98
385
58
108
15
0
7
50
.281
7
Howie Clark
4
8
0
2
2
0
0
1
.250
0
Jesse Crain
66
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
.000
0
Michael Cuddyer
71
249
30
62
13
4
3
36
.249
5
Adam Everett
48
127
19
27
6
1
2
20
.213
0
Carlos Gómez
153
577
79
149
24
7
7
59
.258
33
Matt Guerrier
76
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
.000
0
Brendan Harris
130
434
57
115
29
3
7
49
.265
1
Liván Hernández
23
2
0
1
0
0
0
1
.500
0
Bobby Korecky
16
1
0
1
0
0
0
0
1.000
0
Jason Kubel
141
463
74
126
22
5
20
78
.272
0
Mike Lamb
81
236
20
55
12
3
1
32
.233
0
Matt Macri
18
34
3
11
1
0
1
4
.324
1
Joe Mauer
146
536
98
176
31
4
9
85
.328
1
Craig Monroe
58
163
22
33
9
0
8
29
.202
0
Justin Morneau
163
623
97
187
47
4
23
129
.300
0
Joe Nathan
68
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
.000
0
Glen Perkins
26
3
0
0
0
0
0
0
.000
0
Nick Punto
99
338
43
96
19
4
2
28
.284
15
Mike Redmond
38
129
14
37
6
0
0
12
.287
0
Dennys Reyes
75
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
.000
0
Juan Rincón
24
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
.000
0
Randy Ruiz
22
62
13
17
2
0
1
7
.274
0
Kevin Slowey
28
8
1
2
1
0
0
2
.250
0
Denard Span
93
347
70
102
16
7
6
47
.294
18
Matt Tolbert
41
113
18
32
6
3
0
6
.285
7
Delmon Young
152
575
80
167
28
4
10
69
.290
14
Totals
163
5641
829
1572
298
49
111
791
.279
102

Pitching

Note: W = Wins; L = Losses; ERA = Earned run average; G = Games pitched; GS = Games started; SV = Saves; IP = Innings pitched; R = Runs allowed; ER = Earned runs allowed; BB = Walks allowed; K = Strikeouts

Player W L ERA G GS SV IP R ER BB K
Scott Baker
7
3
3.45
20
20
0
172.1
52
52
26
101
Brian Bass
3
4
4.87
44
0
1
68.1
42
37
22
32
Nick Blackburn
9
7
3.71
25
25
0
152.2
74
63
26
78
Boof Bonser
3
6
6.29
33
12
0
98.2
77
69
31
78
Craig Breslow
0
1
2.41
32
0
0
33.2
9
9
14
27
Jesse Crain
4
2
3.53
53
0
0
51.0
24
20
19
39
Matt Guerrier
6
6
4.94
59
0
1
62.0
37
34
27
49
Liván Hernández
10
8
5.48
23
23
0
139.2
93
85
29
54
Bobby Korecky
1
0
3.48
9
0
0
10.1
4
4
4
6
Francisco Liriano
4
3
4.24
7
7
0
34.0
19
16
23
27
Joe Nathan
0
0
1.00
54
0
34
54.0
6
6
13
59
Pat Neshek
0
1
4.73
15
0
0
13.1
7
7
4
15
Glen Perkins
10
3
4.17
19
19
0
116.2
56
54
29
57
Dennys Reyes
3
0
2.31
58
0
0
35.0
9
9
10
26
Juan Rincón
2
2
6.11
24
0
0
28.0
21
19
16
20
Kevin Slowey
10
8
3.78
20
20
0
121.1
52
51
17
91
Totals
72
54
4.22
126
126
36
1130.0
579
530
305
752

Other post-season awards

Farm system
See also: Minor League Baseball
Level Team League Manager
AAA Rochester Red Wings International League Stan Cliburn
AA New Britain Rock Cats Eastern League Bobby Cuellar
A Fort Myers Miracle Florida State League Jeff Smith
A Beloit Snappers Midwest League Nelson Prada
Rookie Elizabethton Twins Appalachian League Ray Smith
Rookie GCL Twins Gulf Coast League Jake Mauer

LEAGUE CHAMPIONS: Elizabethton

References
  1. Twins: Ryan steps down, Smith will take over Archived February 2, 2008, at the Wayback Machine
  2. La Velle E. Neal III (January 26, 2007). "Morneau, Cuddyer sign up". Minneapolist Star Tribune. Archived from the original on January 28, 2008. Retrieved April 30, 2008.
  3. The Official Site of Major League Baseball: News: New faces mark start of Twins camp
  4. "The Official Site of The Minnesota Twins: Official Info: Twins sign 16 players to 2008 contracts". Archived from the original on December 15, 2014. Retrieved December 11, 2014.
  5. The Official Site of Major League Baseball: News: Notes: Liriano to be late to camp
  6. "The Official Site of The Minnesota Twins: News: Liriano won't break camp with Twins". Archived from the original on March 31, 2008. Retrieved March 30, 2008.
  7. "The Official Site of The Minnesota Twins: News: Gómez wins center-field job". Archived from the original on May 18, 2011. Retrieved March 30, 2008.
  8. "The Official Site of The Minnesota Twins: News: Nathan staying put in Twin Cities". Archived from the original on March 27, 2008. Retrieved March 30, 2008.
  9. Huber, Mike. "May 7, 2008: Minnesota's Carlos Gomez hits for reverse natural cycle". SABR. Retrieved December 2, 2020.
  10. Willis, Ken. Hey Willie! Best Style is Winning. news-journalonline.com. April 20, 2008. Archived May 17, 2008, at the Wayback Machine
  11. "Four Strikeouts in One Inning". Baseball-Almanac.com. Retrieved February 13, 2016.
  12. "Morneau overcomes Hamilton's stellar show". MLB.com. Retrieved August 14, 2013.
  13. Morneau scores AL game winner
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