AGRI Biz

Chien-Ming Wang is a member of the World Champion New York Yankees, for now. á The 29-year-old right-handed starter is eligible for arbitration this winter and the Yankees have until the December 12 deadline to offer him a contract for next season, something that doesnÆt appear likely. á Wang, who is recovering from shoulder surgery, made $5 million last season after signing a one-year deal to avoid arbitration and is under team control for ...

The Minnesota Twins announced today that the club has exercised Michael CuddyerÆs 2011 option valued at $10.5 million. á The option is part of the four-year deal Cuddyer signed in 2008. The right fielder will make $8.5 million in 2010, the third year of the $33.5 million pact. á "Obviously, I was excited," Cuddyer said. "This is where I want to be, I've made no secret about that. To know that I'm going to ...

That didnÆt take long at all. á Just days after missing out on a potential deal for infielder Akinori Iwamura, the Twins made a huge splash by acquiring All-Star shortstop J.J. Hardy from the Milwaukee Brewers in exchange for outfielder Carlos Gomez. á Hardy, 27, will immediately take over as MinnesotaÆs starting shortstop and figures to improve the infield defense exponentially and add some right-handed pop to the lineup. á Twins fansùmyself included ùhave been clamoring ...

The Minnesota Twins may be on the verge of completing a major deal to improve the infield for 2010 and beyond. á Mark Topkin of the St. Petersburg Times is reporting that the Rays are close to dealing second baseman Akinori Iwamura to an undisclosed team. á Recent speculation has the Chicago Cubs and Los Angeles Dodgers as the two front-runners to acquire IwamuraÆs services, but TopkinÆs source has stated that it is a ...

The Minnesota Twins figure to be quite busy in the coming months. á The primary focus of this offseason will be inking the clubÆs franchise playerùand future American League MVPùJoe Mauer to a long-term deal. á Additionally, the front office will be looking to improve the infield and bolster the rotation for the inaugural season at Target Field. á It is the final objective, improving the rotation, which could prove to be the most daunting. á This yearÆs ...

Boof Bonser is out of options, both literally and figuratively. á Just two years removed from serving as the number two starter in MinnesotaÆs rotation, Bonser, 28,áis in the uncomfortable position of not knowing what his future with the organization may hold or if he even has a future with the organization. á The Twins currently have half a dozen pitchers under contract for 2010 that started twelve games or more last season. á Bonser, who ...

Delmon Young is at a crossroads. It may seem strange to read that line about Young, as usually you read about aging veterans reaching a crossroads, not 24-year olds who seemingly have their entire career in front of them. Young is at a crossroads, because at just 24-years old he is on his last legs with his second big league organization. A far cry from the future Young had no doubt envisioned ...

The Minnesota Twins cannot afford to trade Joe Nathan. á Period. á Not now. Not later this offseason. Not at any point before next yearÆs trade deadline, if at all. á Despite the battalion of pitch-fork wielding commentators storming Bill SmithÆs gate (read: email account) with calls for Nathan to be jettisoned , it just canÆt happen and hereÆs why. á First and foremost, heÆs the only closer weÆve got. á If the Twins let Nathan go elsewhere, who finishes ...

Despite what the media would have you believe, the New York Yankees havenÆt won their 40th pennant yet. In fact, after Thursday nightÆs amazing comeback victory, the Los Angeles Angels are very much alive and kicking in the American League Championship Series. The Yankees may still be the favoriteùespecially as the series shifts back to Gothamùbut the Angels arenÆt done yet. They do, however, have an uphill battle in front ...

Scott Sizemore, a top prospect for the Detroit Tigers and heir apparent at second base, fractured a bone in his left ankle during Thursday's game in the Arizona Fall League. á As a result, Sizemore will miss the rest of the AFL season, but should be fully recovered by spring training. á The fracture took place when a base-runner took a hard slide into SizemoreÆs left leg while his foot was planted to turn ...