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2008 Minnesota Twins season

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2008 Minnesota Twins
File:TwinsLogo.png
DivisionCentral Division
BallparkHubert H. Humphrey Metrodome
CityMinneapolis, Minnesota
OwnersCarl Pohlad
ManagersRon Gardenhire
TelevisionFSN North
WFTC (My 29)
RadioAM 1500 KSTP
StatsESPN.com
Baseball Reference
← 2007 Seasons 2009 →

The 2008 Minnesota Twins season is the 48th season for the franchise in Minnesota, and the 108th overall in the American League.

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 Devil 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 Rincon. Rincon 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, 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: OF Carlos Gomez 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 17th, 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]

Gomez 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 fourth major leaguer and second in Twins history to hit for the reverse natural cycle. He also became the third-youngest player to hit for the cycle in MLB history.[9]

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[10] and score the winning run in the 15th inning of the All-Star game.[11]

Season standings

AL Central
Team W L Pct. GB Home Road
Chicago White Sox 89 74 .546 54‍–‍28 35‍–‍46
Minnesota Twins 88 75 .540 1 53‍–‍28 35‍–‍47
Cleveland Indians 81 81 .500 45‍–‍36 36‍–‍45
Kansas City Royals 75 87 .463 13½ 38‍–‍43 37‍–‍44
Detroit Tigers 74 88 .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 6–12 4–5 4–4 4–3 5–3 3–6 3–3 7–11 0–5 8–2 3–15 4–5 6–12 11–7
Boston 12–6 4–3 5–1 5–2 6–1 1–8 4–3 9–9 6–4 6–3 8–10 9–1 9–9 11–7
Chicago 5–4 3–4 11–7 12–6 12–6 5–5 9–10 2–5 5–4 5–1 4–6 3–3 1–7 12–6
Cleveland 4–4 1–5 7–11 11–7 10–8 4–5 8–10 4–3 5–4 4–5 5–2 6–4 6–1 6–12
Detroit 3–4 2–5 6–12 7–11 7–11 3–6 7–11 4–2 3–6 7–3 3–4 6–3 3–5 13–5
Kansas City 3–5 1–6 6–12 8–10 11–7 2–3 6–12 5–5 6–3 7–2 3–5 2–7 2–5 13–5
Los Angeles 6–3 8–1 5–5 5–4 6–3 3–2 5–3 7–3 10–9 14–5 3–6 12–7 6–3 10–8
Minnesota 3–3 3–4 10–9 10–8 11–7 12–6 3–5 4–6 5–5 5–4 3–3 5–5 0–6 14–4
New York 11–7 9–9 5–2 3–4 2–4 5–5 3–7 6–4 5–1 7–2 11–7 3–4 9–9 10–8
Oakland 5–0 4–6 4–5 4–5 6–3 3–6 9–10 5–5 1–5 - 10–9 3–6 7–12 4–6 10–8
Seattle 2–8 3–6 1–5 5–4 3–7 2–7 5–14 4–5 2–7 9–10 3–4 8–11 5–4 9–9
Tampa Bay 15–3 10–8 6–4 2–5 4–3 5–3 6–3 3–3 7–11 6–3 4–3 6–3 11–7 12–6
Texas 5–4 1–9 3–3 4–6 3–6 7–2 7–12 5–5 4–3 12–7 11–8 3–6 4–4 10–8
Toronto 12–6 9–9 7–1 1–6 5–3 5–2 3–6 6–0 9–9 6–4 4–5 7–11 4–4 8–10

Game log

2008 Game Log

Current roster

40-man roster Non-roster invitees Coaches/Other

Pitchers


Catchers

Infielders

Outfielders







Manager

Coaches



38 active, 0 inactive, 0 non-roster invitees

7-, 10-, or 15-day injured list
* Not on active roster
Suspended list
Roster, coaches, and NRIs updated December 11, 2024
Transactions Depth chart
All MLB rosters

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.

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 Rincon designated for assignment; recalled infielder Brian Buscher from Rochester.

June 18, 2008: Released pitcher Juan Rincon.

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 Livan Hernandez 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
2
2
1
1
0
0
0
0
.500
0
Brian Bass
4
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
.000
0
Nick Blackburn
1
3
0
1
0
0
0
0
.333
0
Boof Bonser
2
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
.000
0
Craig Breslow
3
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
.000
0
Brian Buscher
46
156
24
48
6
0
4
38
.308
0
Alexi Casilla
62
243
38
76
15
0
4
39
.313
4
Howie Clark
4
8
0
2
2
0
0
1
.250
0
Jesse Crain
5
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
.000
0
Michael Cuddyer
62
234
30
59
12
4
3
35
.252
5
Adam Everett
38
109
14
23
5
1
2
16
.274
0
Carlos Gomez
118
463
63
116
17
4
6
37
.251
25
Matt Guerrier
5
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
.000
0
Brendan Harris
109
377
50
100
26
2
6
43
.265
1
Liván Hernández
1
2
0
1
0
0
0
1
.500
0
Bobby Korecky
2
1
0
1
0
0
0
0
1.000
0
Jason Kubel
107
361
64
100
14
4
17
64
.277
0
Mike Lamb
78
233
20
55
12
3
1
32
.236
0
Matt Macri
14
30
3
11
1
0
1
4
.367
1
Joe Mauer
110
398
78
129
25
2
8
60
.324
1
Craig Monroe
58
163
22
33
9
0
8
29
.202
0
Justin Morneau
126
472
77
146
32
3
19
98
.309
0
Joe Nathan
5
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
.000
0
Glen Perkins
2
3
0
0
0
0
0
0
.000
0
Nick Punto
63
211
27
59
14
3
2
23
.280
8
Mike Redmond
32
105
10
30
5
0
0
8
.286
0
Dennys Reyes
6
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
.000
0
Juan Rincon
3
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
.000
0
Randy Ruiz
10
31
7
11
2
0
0
5
.355
0
Kevin Slowey
4
8
1
2
1
0
0
2
.250
0
Denard Span
56
194
37
61
11
5
2
21
.314
10
Matt Tolbert
30
83
13
22
6
0
0
3
.265
4
Delmon Young
117
448
62
128
21
4
7
53
.286
13
Totals
126
4338
641
1215
236
35
90
612
.280
72

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
3.91
20
20
0
119.2
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 Rincon
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

References

  1. ^ Twins: Ryan steps down, Smith will take over
  2. ^ La Velle E. Neal III (2007-01-26). "Morneau, Cuddyer sign up". Minneapolist Star Tribune. Retrieved 2008-04-30.
  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
  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
  7. ^ The Official Site of The Minnesota Twins: News: Gomez wins center-field job
  8. ^ The Official Site of The Minnesota Twins: News: Nathan staying put in Twin Cities
  9. ^ Willis, Ken. Hey Willie! Best Style is Winning. news-journalonline.com. 20 April 2008.
  10. ^ http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2008/07/15/AR2008071500875.html
  11. ^ Morneau scores AL game winner