NewsTwins excited after bittersweet trade
Recent move makes room for Span, Cuddyer and Young
By Tyler Mason / MLB.com
11/16/09 4:57 PM EST
MINNEAPOLIS -- When Twins center fielder Denard Span heard the news that teammate and fellow outfielder Carlos Gomez had been traded to Milwaukee for shortstop J.J. Hardy, it was a bittersweet feeling. Bitter in the sense that Span and the rest of the Twins were seeing a teammate move across the border to play for the Brewers. But sweet in that Span, who rotated between all three outfield positions in 2009, now had a permanent home in center field. "It's definitely a good feeling, just knowing that I get to play my position that I was drafted to play," Span said Monday at an event in Minneapolis to unveil new Twins uniforms. "I'm definitely looking forward to the opportunity. I've been waiting a long time to play center field. My dream was always to play center field after Torii Hunter. I'm finally getting that opportunity, and I'll try to make the best of it." Span was drafted in the first round by Minnesota in 2002, but in his first two seasons in the Majors, he and Gomez battled for playing time in center field. Span's versatility allowed him to move around in the outfield, playing just 81 of his 145 games in 2009 in center field. The trade that sent Gomez to Milwaukee cleared a logjam in the Twins' outfield, as Minnesota can now play Delmon Young every day in left field and Michael Cuddyer in right. "You kind of figured something was going to happen," Span said of the trade. "Everybody knew the outfield situation. Everybody kind of knew our shortstop situation. I think it was a good trade for both teams. We're going to miss Carlos, but he's getting the chance to go over there and be the starting center fielder and play every day." While Span's spot in center field may now be secure, he admitted that won't affect how he approaches things leading up to the 2010 season. "My role and my mentality doesn't change," Span said. "I'm still going to come ready to go for Spring Training. I'm still going to work hard." In Hardy, the Twins get a shortstop just a few years removed from an All-Star season with the Brewers. In 2007, Hardy hit .277 while belting a career-high 26 homers and driving in 80 runs. But 2009 was a different story for Hardy, who hit just .229 with 11 home runs for Milwaukee and even spent part of the season in the Minors. "I know he had kind of a down year, not necessarily the type of year he's used to having," said Twins pitcher Scott Baker, who was also on hand at Monday's unveiling ceremony. "I think at some point, everybody in their career goes through a little funk. He's definitely a very talented individual. I don't think they would have made the trade if they didn't think that he could produce the way he has in the past." In nine at-bats against Baker in his career, Hardy went 2-for-9, with one of those two hits going for a solo home run. "He's got a lot of pop," Baker said. "I think it's good for both teams. Obviously I think there was a need for each team, and I think each team filled that need. I wish Carlos the very best, but we're very happy to get a quality player in J.J. Hardy." The Gomez-for-Hardy trade came very early in the offseason, and it remains to be seen if Minnesota will make any more deals before everything is all said and done. One of the biggest question marks is whether the Twins will re-sign pitcher Carl Pavano, who was traded to Minnesota in early August and filed for free agency earlier this month. Baker admitted he would like to see Pavano back in a Twins uniform for the 2010 season. "I know he liked it here," Baker said. "When you're a free agent, there's a ton of things to consider. We hope he enjoyed his time here and he would consider coming back and being a part of this team. We'd be thankful to have him." Pavano went 5-4 with a 4.64 ERA in 12 regular-season starts for Minnesota, and allowed just two runs against the New York Yankees in Game 3 of the ALDS. "He fit in really well," Baker said. "He was that veteran presence that I think they were looking for towards the end. I think as all the starters continue to gain experience, it's still nice to have those types of players in the rotation."Tyler Mason is an associate reporter for MLB.com. This story was not subject to the approval of Major League Baseball or its clubs.
