Although Colorado has been the hottest team in baseball, Twins president Dave St. Peter is picking Boston to win the World Series that opens tonight in Boston. “It’s hard to pick against Colorado (but) I am an American League guy at heart,” he said. “Boston in six. …”
St. Peter said the “Red Sox have more pitching depth and the bullpen is stronger.” He pointed out the Red Sox won 96 games (tied with Cleveland for the most in the majors). Also, many observers think the American League is better than the National League where the Rockies won 90 games. The Rockies closed the regular season winning three straight, then won seven in a row in the National League playoffs.
Enthusiasm is mile high in Denver, an outstanding sports town participating in its first World Series. St. Peter likened the scene to that of the 1987 Twins who were a surprise World Series team just like the Rockies and captivated this area after the World Series hadn’t been played here since 1965.
Although St. Peter wouldn’t talk about specific dates, he said the Twins have had discussions and will continue to regarding signing outfielder Torii Hunter to a new contract. “The Twins are in regular communications” concerning the Hunter negotiations, he added.
There’s been speculation that future free agent pitchers can’t command the same record amount of Barry Zito’s deal with San Francisco last off-season (reportedly has the potential of over $140 million). St. Peter said “pitching is in such short supply” and so valuable that free agents will continue to be well compensated, even if the dollars are less than Zito.
Johan Santana will be a free agent after the 2008 season. Some suggest that the Twins are better served spending their limited budget on quality everyday players rather than a pitcher, even a great one like Santana who has won two Cy Young awards. St. Peter said the Twins evaluate “each situation” differently and don’t have a philosophy of preferring position players over pitchers, or vice versa.
Next Tuesday, October 30, the Twins will update the Hennepin County Board with progress on the downtown ballpark and show new images of the facility that opens in 2010.