Punto Punts Rivas

[Down to Earth]

Some Twins info I ran across today. Now if we could just find someone to take over for Cuddeyer.

Twins: Punto could take second base gig

THE NEWS

Twins' infielder Nick Punto has started the last three games, including Thursday's game at second base, and has gone 6-for-12 with four runs. Yesterday's start landed Luis Rivas on the bench, and if the two keep playing the way they have been, the switch could become permanent. "He's out there and has played well the last couple of days," Gardenhire told the Minneapolis Star Tribune of Punto. "I see no reason to change that. Luis has not played well on this road trip. He has struggled at the plate. And when a guy goes out there and has played as well as he has the last couple of days, I think he deserves to be out there."

[Jarrod32]

Gardy really likes Punto...the word was that Gardy wanted Punto to win the SS job this spring. If he keeps outplaying Rivas - and there is no reason to think that he can't - this could be a good change for the Twins. Rivas could bring some value at the trade deadline...

[bigbucks]

I wouldn't be opposed to trading him, but what trade value would he have?

[GullGuide]

Someone to take CRUDyer's spot?

TIFFEE!!!!!!

Pretty simple, but Crud is Gardy's boy, so it won't happen.

[Willy]

I don't think you'd see us get a whole lot for Rivas. If we did trade him, that would leave us hardly any room for error and without many middle infield prospects ready, it'd bite us in the butt I'm afraid.

I think he's worth more to us than he is to a lot of other teams, but who knows I guess.

As far as Punto replacing him in the starting lineup....

I'm all for it.

[8-Ball]

I second your thoughts on Punto, Willy. Maybe sit Cuddy a few games in favor of Castro? I know, Castro blew the catch/tag at third the other day, but right now Cuddyer doesn't have a clue at the plate. I like Cuddyer, and think he will eventually contribute. But, right now, I think leaving him in there is hurting his confidence, and doing more harm than good. I know.. Lohse at 3B! He can field and throw the ball hard-you just don't know where it will end up.. I think we should hold on to Rivas, in case Punto gets banged up-which he is prone to do. You're right-we would not get much for him either, I'm afraid... Does Mays pitch tonight? Or is it Silva?

[bigbucks]

Silva, Mays pitched on Wednesday.

[8-Ball]

10-4 BB.

[Stratosman]

A week ago Punto was barely batting .200 if that, but he has come on strong lately, and I have seen some great plays from him defensively. Rivas has always been bad behind the plate but I say keep him around and ride the Punto wave for a while. As for Cuddyer, who knows, he is struggling but everyone has slumps, he will pull through, he has a great arm for 3rd base, the offense will come, I hope!

[pikehunter]

Cuddyer had a big base hit the other night, fellas. Sometimes that's all it takes to get a guy going. My prediction: We'll all be swallowing our bad words about him by week's end. He's been pushing pretty hard, it will be interesting to see if he can calm down a little.

[bigbucks]

Cuddyer just looks like he's trying too hard, but I agree I think it will come. Rivas doesn't look like he even cares, but it seems like that may be a body language thing with some of the Latin American players, no knock on them, but they group up in a totally different culture, they're bound to react to things a little differently. Remember Guzman & Ortiz never looked liked they were trying very hard either, but that doesn't mean they weren't. We all just tend to be more satisfied if a guy looks like he's really trying hard & is all bent out of shape if he's not doing well. In reality that isn't necessarily what will help a guy get out of slump.

[The Grebe]

Cuddyer is probably in a slump, just like Ford was, just like all of them at one time or another!

The young guys/new guys, always shine at first, Punto and Tiffe included (I like both those players)but once the scouts figure out their tendencies, figure out their weakness, then they don't seem to look so hot!

It's the players that can keep producing AFTER they have been scouted, players that can produce no matter what you throw at them, I guess Cuddyer has proven himself capable of that, but Rivas, man, he sure has alot of off days at the plate? I don't know about getting rid of him though, tough call?

[Jarrod32]

Cuddyer had a pretty good game tonight...and Punto did all right, too...sometimes it just takes regular playing time to get going (that may be what is going on with Punto...more PT = better at the plate).

[8-Ball]

Yeah, I was glad to see Cuddyer get a few rips. Maybe this will bust him out of his funk. Punto is a gamer. Leave Rivas where he belongs-on the bench. He could learn a lesson or two from Punto on how to play the game, and the way Gardy expects him to play it, if he wants back in the line-up... until he does, ride the pine Rivas.

[The Grebe]

Roger that Jarrod..!

[riverrat56]

No way should they trade Rivas, sure he can't hit worth a lick, but he plays great D, and seems to have a good attitude and want to play. Although i do agree, Punto should be playing second for awhile, they can rotate in Rivas a few games a week for awhile maybe. He seems to get behind in the count to much, so does Cuddyer, and the rest of the Twins for that matter, but i think if he would improve his hitting he is a better option than Punto and 2B.

[8-Ball]

No-one said anything about trading him. But at this point, he does not deserve to be in the starting line-up. Punto has clearly outplayed Rivas- in the field and at the plate, and right now it is Puntos job to lose. I agree w/ how Gardy is handling this situation 100%.

[Mitty]

Lets face it guys Cuddyer is DIRT!He never was a everyday player we thought he was productive because he played every third day he is not a everyday player should have went after Randa in the off season.

[8-Ball]

Your decision on Cuddyer not being an everyday player is based on...what..20 games give or take? This is his first chance to be an everyday guy. He deserves more games under his belt before that decision is made, IMHO. 8-Ball.

[Mitty]

What I meant was he has never played everyday so we dont know how good he was when he was playing every third day,I think we are finding out now.Still say we should have went after Randa would have been a good relationship.IMO.

[bigbucks]

I don't see Randa doing anymore that what Cuddyer will do. You make him sound like this proven big time Major League hitter. He batted middle or lower for KC, the worst team in the league. His career avg. is .286, which is decent, but career averages are about 10 homers, 65 RBI's, I certainly think Cuddyer can do that. He had 12 & 45 in 115 games last year. Where's the stretch in that? He's 26, Randa's 35. Cuddyer's at a price of just under 350k, Randa's salary is 2.125 million, do the math. The Twins made the right move.

[bigbucks]

8-Ball,

As a point of correction, yes Jarrod32 brought up the possibility of trading Rivas, & a few of us commented on it. Look back half a dozen entries or so from yours.

[8-Ball]

I stand corrected...

[Willy]

I agree with you BB. Cuddy will be just fine and hasn't had a chance to prove himself yet this year. Let him play for a while. Randa would be fine, but for the money, he looks like the same player Cuddyer is. I do think that Tiffe should be around though to pinch hit and to give Cuddy and Morneausy a blow at 1st and 3rd.

[bigbucks]

I agree with you there, but with 3 catchers & LeCroy there's not a spot. I think they'll have to do something about that by the break.