J.R. Towles signs minor league deal with Twins

This isn't a surprise, really. But, given Towles' history as a touted prospect, it's worth a fanshot. A change of scenery might help Towles. The new GM, Jeff Luhnow, is concerned by Jason Castro's injury and may look for more major league catching depth, according to this article.

5 months ago clack 42 comments 0 recs |

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Sad to see him go

He had such great potential at one point. I think he’ll do better in a new org.

by Its Gonna Happen on Dec 16, 2011 7:35 AM CST via mobile reply actions

I agree, but

Not necessarily an organization that’s already got Joe Mauer.

56 wins. Not 54, not 55. 56.

by KillerBee23 on Dec 16, 2011 10:04 AM CST up reply actions

There are questions about how much Mauer can play at the catcher position, given his past injuries. He probably will get a lot of semi-days off where he is at DH or 1st base.

by clack on Dec 16, 2011 10:13 AM CST up reply actions

True.

Hopefully JR will get a shot at some point. He’s a good guy—wish he’d worked out better for the ’Stros.

56 wins. Not 54, not 55. 56.

by KillerBee23 on Dec 16, 2011 12:02 PM CST up reply actions

agreed

Kid absolutely mashed in the minors. Just wish it could’ve carried over to hou.

by HTown80 on Dec 16, 2011 3:04 PM CST via mobile up reply actions

Ba-bum

OUR LONG NATIONAL NIGHTMARE IS OVER RT @eddymk: Nationals sign 35-year-old reserve OF Jason Michaels to minor league deal
2 minutes ago Favorite Retweet Reply

Thinking is the hardest work there is, which is probably the reason why so few engage in it. - Henry Ford

by BustaPozee on Dec 16, 2011 3:30 PM CST reply actions

It figures that as soon as Wade was shown the door, Michaels would be gone as well. Addition by subtraction…

The bird is struggling out of the egg. The egg is the world. Whoever wants to be born, must first destroy a world.

by Stupendous Man on Dec 16, 2011 4:24 PM CST via mobile up reply actions

YES!

by mike_o on Dec 16, 2011 4:46 PM CST up reply actions

Ohhh man, Nats don't know what goings on im this world.

I LOVE THE ASTROS. Now lets win something!

by ccislanders on Dec 16, 2011 5:15 PM CST via mobile up reply actions

They must not have Jeff Luhnow for their GM

Thinking is the hardest work there is, which is probably the reason why so few engage in it. - Henry Ford

by BustaPozee on Dec 16, 2011 5:15 PM CST up reply actions

They also signed Jeff Fulchino.

Hmm…

by mike_o on Dec 16, 2011 5:47 PM CST up reply actions

Geoff Blum next?

by Its Gonna Happen on Dec 16, 2011 5:53 PM CST via mobile up reply actions 1 recs

I believe Blum signed a 2-year deal with Arizona last year.

by jmike on Dec 18, 2011 10:27 AM CST up reply actions

Sarcasm works better in person

I was kidding that they’ll sign him next, pretty much the same player but an OF version and an IF version

by Its Gonna Happen on Dec 19, 2011 9:55 PM CST via mobile up reply actions

Uh-oh.

Ed Wade?

I LOVE THE ASTROS. Now lets win something!

by ccislanders on Dec 16, 2011 6:07 PM CST via mobile up reply actions 2 recs

I'm hearing reports that they're dangling Strasburg and Harper for Angel Sanchez

Check out The Dream Shake.

by Patrick Harrel on Dec 17, 2011 9:59 AM CST up reply actions

OH MY. This is crazy!

Link? (JKJK)

I LOVE THE ASTROS. Now lets win something!

by ccislanders on Dec 17, 2011 10:45 AM CST via mobile up reply actions

Other News: Astros sign another AAAA utility infielder who bats lefthanded

Scott Moore, 27, who plays 2d, 3d, and 1st. He posted a .295, .380, .444, .823 slash line for the Iowa Cubs (AAA). He has a little bit of ML experience, not very distinguished, but it looks like a few repeated cups of coffee. At the minor league level, he has shown the ability to take a walk (10.9% BB rate for Iowa).

Though he has a spring invite, I think it’s more likely that he helps fill out the OKC roster.

by clack on Dec 16, 2011 4:15 PM CST reply actions

Given that Stavinoah was let go so that he could pursue a slot in Japan, I think Moore may be a replacement for him.

by clack on Dec 16, 2011 4:16 PM CST up reply actions

I like his numbers

We’ll have some competition for a LHB off the bench at least…

by Its Gonna Happen on Dec 16, 2011 4:43 PM CST via mobile up reply actions

This is fairly old news

We’ve known about this since Nov 15.

Thinking is the hardest work there is, which is probably the reason why so few engage in it. - Henry Ford

by BustaPozee on Dec 16, 2011 4:56 PM CST up reply actions

Now that I check Astros.com, you’re right. A 12-16-11 Rotoworld report referenced this, and I assumed it was new.

by clack on Dec 16, 2011 6:13 PM CST up reply actions

I didnt remember any talk about Moore

Seems to have good numbers but how is he defensively?

by Its Gonna Happen on Dec 16, 2011 6:16 PM CST via mobile up reply actions

Given that he played more games at 1b than either 3d or 2d base last year, I would guess that he isn’t a defensive whiz.

by clack on Dec 16, 2011 6:46 PM CST up reply actions

the nationals just signed Jason Michaels :(

by Woodlands'stro on Dec 16, 2011 7:21 PM CST via mobile reply actions

We weren’t going to sign him anyway

Thinking is the hardest work there is, which is probably the reason why so few engage in it. - Henry Ford

by BustaPozee on Dec 16, 2011 8:44 PM CST up reply actions

…..I was kidding

by Woodlands'stro on Dec 16, 2011 10:32 PM CST via mobile up reply actions

Hope Towles has some success. A little off topic, but with Castro going down would anyone have some interest in Jesus Flores? The Nationals have interest in a veteran starter that can eat innings and Myers fits the bill.

by Stoiber on Dec 17, 2011 12:57 AM CST reply actions

Reds trade for Mat Latos

http://www.mlbtraderumors.com/2011/12/reds-acquire-mat-latos-for-alonso-others.html

I guess since the central appears to be weaker the Reds are going to try and make a run at it.

by conroestro on Dec 17, 2011 1:36 PM CST via mobile reply actions

Latos may help the Reds win the division, but I like the Padres' side of the trade best.....

That’s a huge haul for the Padres. Latos is very good, but my recollection is that he is an injury risk. There is always the possibility Volquez will rebound and become something similar to what he was pre-injury. And, if that happens, this trade will look like bank robbery for the Padres. Even if Volquez doesn’t return to form, the Padres are still getting a young first baseman who profiles similar to Adrian Gonzalez at the time he was traded to the Padres, and one of the best catcher prospects in baseball.

by clack on Dec 17, 2011 2:05 PM CST up reply actions

I agree, I like the trade more from a Padres standpoint. The Reds definitely took a risk by including Volquez.

by conroestro on Dec 17, 2011 2:26 PM CST via mobile up reply actions

Boxberger could also be a closer down the road

He has really good stuff

http://www.crawfishboxes.com

by OremLK on Dec 17, 2011 9:09 PM CST up reply actions

Just think what the Reds could do with a REAL 1B

They should give us a huge haul for Carlos eh? ;)

by Its Gonna Happen on Dec 17, 2011 9:28 PM CST via mobile up reply actions

Makes me wonder what we can get for Wandy

Thinking is the hardest work there is, which is probably the reason why so few engage in it. - Henry Ford

by BustaPozee on Dec 17, 2011 11:42 PM CST up reply actions

I think Latos has more value than Wandy, given his age. Latos is viewed by many as a true no. 1, and that’s awfully valuable when you combine that potential with his age. So, I would be suprised if Wandy could bring this type of return.

by clack on Dec 18, 2011 7:53 AM CST up reply actions

yeah, I almost mentioned Boxberger, too, but I tried for too much brevity.

by clack on Dec 18, 2011 7:55 AM CST up reply actions

Padres ripped of the Reds, no idea what Walt Jocketty was thinking. How's theredreporter doing?

I LOVE THE ASTROS. Now lets win something!

by ccislanders on Dec 17, 2011 11:32 PM CST up reply actions

He was thinking this is my shot.

I agree completely that the reds gave up too much. I think long term they could end up completely fleeced.

But the reds know they’ll have trouble keeping some of the current team together. Mainly keeping Votto. They looked at the division with the Cards facing a season without Pujols, the Brewer’s about to lose Fielder & Braun likely to miss 50 games, pirates & Astros ….I don’t even want to type it. I think the Reds correctly view this as their best window.

I don’t know if Latos was a big enough move. They’ll definitely need bullpen help. But I think it’s clear they are making their move.

by man07 on Dec 18, 2011 3:09 PM CST via mobile up reply actions

Joey Votto?

by Uncle Chris on Dec 17, 2011 10:42 PM CST reply actions

I think he was joking there.

by conroestro on Dec 17, 2011 10:48 PM CST via mobile up reply actions

Yea, i figured so

I just cant completely tell sometimes. I guess ive gotten to used to reading the comments on MLBTR. Those guys have no clue what they are talking about.

by Uncle Chris on Dec 17, 2011 10:55 PM CST reply actions

I've been reading the Texans blog the last 3-ish years

Those guys are anything but serious and it gets to be a lot of fun.

I wonder/anticipate what the Wandy trade will bring back….and when.

by Its Gonna Happen on Dec 18, 2011 1:31 AM CST via mobile up reply actions

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