Fire Gardy

Craig Calcaterra links to Ken Rosenthal’s take on the Twins’ moves this week, explaining:

Rosenthal thinks that the Twins’ moves thus far — trading for Hardy; exercising Michael Cuddyer’s option — are all a part of the plan to get Mauer locked up long-term. They were probably the right moves independent of that, but I tend to agree that the Twins are doing what they can to make sure Mauer can’t play the only non-monetary get-out-of-Minnesota card at his disposal, and that’s claiming that the Twins aren’t committed to winning.

I agree completely with Calcaterra here, and this is part of what I’ve been trying to say about these moves the past few days.

While Calcaterra unabashedly hates the Twins,* his Twins-related analysis is, as usual, quite even-handed.

* He’s a Braves fan, and hasn’t forgiven us for winning in 1991. I’m pretty sure you can’t fault him for that. At least, I don’t.

Hopefully these Mauer-wooing moves successfully woo Mauer.