Twins let Tyner go

[Outdoors Junkie]

Outfield-crowded Twins let reliable reserve Jason Tyner go at contract tender deadline
By DAVE CAMPBELL Thursday, December 13, 2007


MINNEAPOLIS - The Minnesota Twins declined Wednesday to tender a contract to outfielder Jason Tyner, a reliable reserve who became expendable after two recent acquisitions.

Tyner, who hit .286 in 304 at-bats in 2007, becomes a free agent after making $400,000 last year. Tyner is eligible for arbitration, and based on service time he could command a raise.

The Twins added Craig Monroe (Chicago Cubs) and Delmon Young (Tampa Bay Rays) in trades last month, leaving them with four players for the two corner outfield positions.

Michael Cuddyer and Jason Kubel were regulars last season in right and left. On Tuesday, Minnesota signed Monroe to a one-year contract after negotiating a 20-percent cut of his salary to $3.82 million.

Though the Twins are still sorely lacking a center fielder in light of Torii Hunter's departure through free agency, Tyner was not viewed as a fallback option there.

He's a dependable contact hitter with good speed and a .275 lifetime average in 1,356 at-bats with the New York Mets, Rays and Twins, but his arm isn't strong. More glaringly, he didn't hit his first major league home run until last season _ more than 1,000 at-bats into his career.

General manager Bill Smith called it a difficult decision, nonetheless. Tyner did a decent job over the past three years filling in while others were hurt, mostly in left field.

"Jason Tyner is a first-class person, and he's been a solid player in this organization," Smith said. "We just weren't going to have the at-bats for him."

Aaron Rowand's signing with the San Francisco Giants for $60 million over five years took another accomplished center fielder off the market Wednesday, but the Twins were more likely to acquire someone through a trade. Red Sox prospect Jacoby Ellsbury remains an option, as a key piece in talks between Minnesota and Boston involving ace Johan Santana.

"We're trying to upgrade several positions," Smith said.

Wednesday was the deadline for offering contracts to unsigned players, and the Twins did that to 28 others _ including five who are eligible for arbitration. Those players are Cuddyer, Kubel, first baseman Justin Morneau, and right-handed relievers Matt Guerrier and Juan Rincon.

Minnesota has nine players already signed, a list that dubiously includes Santana.

The talk of baseball last week during the winter meetings that came and went without a trade, Santana could be dealt at any time _ though he could also still be on the roster for opening day.

Smith said he's been just as busy this week talking with other teams.

"The only thing that's quieted down is the media," he said.

A service of the Associated Press(AP)

[Spinach]

  yay!

[RavenDog]

It's about time,  Rondell White left just in time!  Cause his name is on the Mitchell Report!  So was Chuck Knoblauch.  How disapointing!