• The Twins acquired Eddie Guardado from the Texas Rangers yesterday afternoon in exchange for relief prospect Mark Hamburger. To make room for Guardado the Twins designated Mike Lamb for assignment. Guardado is set to become the new setup man for the Twins while Matt Guerrier has been inconsistent this season. Guardado was 3-3 with a 3.65 ERA with 4 saves and a 1.11 WHIP for the Rangers this season. Last night he stepped into the game with a 2-1 lead in the 8th inning and set the Mariners down 1-2-3 to preserve the lead. This is a great pickup for the Twins as they're giving up a reliever in Rookie ball for a solid setup man who will help us down the stretch. Hamburger can light up the radar gun, but I think it was still a perfect pickup for the Twins. Great move!
• Alexi Casilla returned to the Twins lineup on Thursday and although he hasn't been outstanding at the plate, his defense has been a big help. To make room for him, the Twins outrighted Brian Bass to Triple-A Rochester where he accepted his outright. Casilla missed nearly a month with a thumb injury that was originally thought to be season-ending. So it's great to see Casilla back in the lineup and back out on the field.• Reliever Pat Neshek doubts that he'll be able to return before the end of the season, and although the Twins are not ready to agree, I wish they would. There is no need to try and rush him back from a terrible arm injury like he has and to rush him back to just pitch a month or so of the season is irresponsible. The Twins don't even know if he'll be able to contribute and unless it was a guarantee, there's no need in rushing him back. The Twins need Neshek for the next few years to be an anchor in their bullpen and they cannot afford another year without him, which is what they're risking by rushing him back.
• I can (almost) say the same about Michael Cuddyer as well. He has been injured all season and is still trying to come back before the end of the season. I don't mind that, but I don't want to see the Twins bring him back unless he's absolutely 100% which it didn't look like before. The Twins would love to have his bat in the post season, but we need him ready for next season. Although it's slightly different between a pitcher and hitter in terms of rushing them back, I doubt he'll be able to contribute at all this season. I see no problem with him attempting to come back, but he needs to be able to prove he's 100% and can contribute. And I certainly have my doubts he'll be able to do that before the end of the season.
• Game Ball (8/25)
Delmon Young - Left Field
Line: 2-4, RBI, Walk, Stolen Base
Twins lose to Mariners, 4-2.
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