Twins catch heat for trading Luis Arraez, and other sports news
Minnesota Twins' Luis Arraez watches his home run hit off Texas Rangers pitcher Martin Perez during the first inning of a baseball game on Aug. 19 in Minneapolis.
Craig Lassig | AP
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Audio transcript
CATHY WURZER: We're going to end the show on sports right now. Our sports guys, Wally Langfellow, Eric Nelson are here. Wally's the creator of Minnesota Score Magazine and the host of the 10,000 Takes sports talk show. And his co-host is Eric Nelson, who's also the Minnesota Vikings reporter for CBS Sports Eye on Football show. Lot going on today, you guys. Thanks for joining me.
WALLY AND ERIC: Thanks, Cathy.
ERIC NELSON: How are you?
CATHY WURZER: Good, thanks. Let's talk about the Twins, shall we? Wally Langfellow, they're going to finish up their four game-- actually, they're finishing up their four game series today, right?
WALLY LANGFELLOW: They're playing right now. And good news, they're up 4-0. Carlos Correa has hit a home run. Byron Buxton has hit a home run. Michael A. Taylor has a two-run double. So those Twins are up 4-0 as they head into the third inning against the Red Sox. And of course, this is coming off of a win last night where they snapped a three game losing streak. They beat Boston 5 to 4 in 10 innings last night when Kyle Farmer got the game winning hit in that game.
So the Twins trying to make it 2 in a row. By the way, last night, Rocco Baldelli, the manager of the Twins, and Joey Gallo, the left fielder, were ejected after they argued a called third strike on Gallo in the fourth inning, both of them ejected from the game. Minnesota Now with a one-game lead over Cleveland. Cleveland currently tied with Oakland this afternoon. So if the Twins can hang on, they could extend their lead over Cleveland, depending on how Cleveland does against Oakland.
The Twins will travel to Detroit this weekend for a series against the Tigers following this afternoon's game. But right now, they are up 4 to 0 that game in the third inning of play.
CATHY WURZER: All right, we'll see if they can hang on. So Eric, what is the situation here with the Twins getting skewered for trading away the reigning AL batting champ? Is that right?
ERIC NELSON: Yeah. Well, things right now not looking good, Cathy. And you're talking about Luis Arraez. The Twins are getting barbecued for dealing him away. Arraez won the AL batting title last season. And in the off season, Minnesota pedaled him to the Miami Marlins for Pablo Lopez. And right now, Arraez is batting 398. That's the top average in all of Major League Baseball.
The next closest hitter is Ronald Acuna Jr. of Atlanta, who was batting 327. Arraez has three 5-hit games this month, and we still have over a week left of June. He's a huge reason why the Marlins are 42 and 33 this season and in the NL playoff chase. And by the way, the last player to ever hit 400 or better in a season was Boston's Ted Williams, Teddy Ballgame, way back in 1941. Rod Carew with the Minnesota Twins flirted with 400 in 1977 but finished at 388. It's an incredibly difficult challenge, and we'll see if it rises up to it.
And if you're wondering about Pablo Lopez, he's 3 and 4 this season. He started fast, but he's dovetailed the last few weeks. And his ERA is 4.40. So at this point in time, it's a lopsided deal in favor of the Marlins. But things could change.
CATHY WURZER: Why do we keep trading away good players that play really, really well for others--
ERIC NELSON: Do you have a half hour?
CATHY WURZER: Why do we keep doing that? That's probably another whole show, right?
WALLY LANGFELLOW: It is. It's not a 10-minute break, it's a total show.
CATHY WURZER: Yeah, fine. OK, let's-- speaking of trading away good players, let's talk about the Timberwolves, shall we, Wally?
WALLY LANGFELLOW: Oh boy. Do we have to?
CATHY WURZER: Sure.
WALLY LANGFELLOW: Yeah. Well, of course, they do not have-- tonight's the NBA draft. And while folks in San Antonio are all giddy because they have the number one pick and they're probably going to take Victor Wembanyama from France, here in Minnesota, the Timberwolves don't have a pick until the 23rd pick of the second round. That, of course, is because they've traded away this year's pick and a bunch more for Rudy Gobert, last off season. A trade that really hasn't panned out thus far.
There are rumors, however, that the Timberwolves are potentially going to get a first round pick so they would have to make a trade between now and tonight's draft. We'll see if that happens. Potentially maybe Karl-Anthony Towns. That's a rumor that has been swirling. I doubt it. I think they'll hang on to Kat and just roll the dice and see what happens next year with both Karl-Anthony Towns and Rudy Gobert in the lineup.
Oh, by the way, the Timberwolves, again, the next draft pick they have in the first round is next year. So you could celebrate. They do have a pick in 2024 in the first round as of right now. Unless they trade it away today.
CATHY WURZER: I'll put that on my calendar, for sure, for next year. Oh god. All right, so Eric, let me see here. I'm not exactly sure what to make of this. So what's the deal with the security fence?
ERIC NELSON: Yeah, build that fence. That's the cry of the Minnesota Vikings. Their new mantra. US Bank Stadium is getting a new security fence. And it's coming in phases, Cathy. The first phase of the project will cost $15.7 million. The barrier will be completed by 2024. It's going to be a black fence that surrounds 3/4 of the venue. And the experts say this barricade can't be climbed over. Now the tab for the next phase of the fence that's protecting the main entrance, $48 million. I'm not sure--
CATHY WURZER: So they're not going to Menards for this, then, obviously. OK, good.
ERIC NELSON: No, no. This is not Town and Country Fence or anything. But the bad news is it still does not protect birds from slamming into US Bank Stadium, the glass house, or prevent zinc panels from falling off. But it reportedly will be able to keep liquored up Green Bay Packer fans from getting into US Bank Stadium without a ticket. We certainly don't want them--
CATHY WURZER: Is that--
ERIC NELSON: --scaling the wall and getting into the premises.
CATHY WURZER: Wow, $48 million-- well actually, more than 48 Wow, OK. For a fence.
ERIC NELSON: 63?
CATHY WURZER: Ow wow, that's a lot of money. OK. And by the way, the Aurora Women's Soccer Team, they won last night. They're still undefeated.
ERIC NELSON: They're on a roll.
CATHY WURZER: I know. Thanks, you guys. I appreciate it. Hope you have a good weekend.
ERIC NELSON: See you, Cathy.
CATHY WURZER: Thanks. That is Wally and Eric, our sports guys. And that is it. It's been a busy week here for Minnesota Now. Our senior producer is Emily Bright. Producers Alana Elder, Ellen Finn, Gretchen Brown, Alex Simpson. Thank you for being our technical director today. And thank you for listening to the program. Have a good rest of the day.
WALLY AND ERIC: Thanks, Cathy.
ERIC NELSON: How are you?
CATHY WURZER: Good, thanks. Let's talk about the Twins, shall we? Wally Langfellow, they're going to finish up their four game-- actually, they're finishing up their four game series today, right?
WALLY LANGFELLOW: They're playing right now. And good news, they're up 4-0. Carlos Correa has hit a home run. Byron Buxton has hit a home run. Michael A. Taylor has a two-run double. So those Twins are up 4-0 as they head into the third inning against the Red Sox. And of course, this is coming off of a win last night where they snapped a three game losing streak. They beat Boston 5 to 4 in 10 innings last night when Kyle Farmer got the game winning hit in that game.
So the Twins trying to make it 2 in a row. By the way, last night, Rocco Baldelli, the manager of the Twins, and Joey Gallo, the left fielder, were ejected after they argued a called third strike on Gallo in the fourth inning, both of them ejected from the game. Minnesota Now with a one-game lead over Cleveland. Cleveland currently tied with Oakland this afternoon. So if the Twins can hang on, they could extend their lead over Cleveland, depending on how Cleveland does against Oakland.
The Twins will travel to Detroit this weekend for a series against the Tigers following this afternoon's game. But right now, they are up 4 to 0 that game in the third inning of play.
CATHY WURZER: All right, we'll see if they can hang on. So Eric, what is the situation here with the Twins getting skewered for trading away the reigning AL batting champ? Is that right?
ERIC NELSON: Yeah. Well, things right now not looking good, Cathy. And you're talking about Luis Arraez. The Twins are getting barbecued for dealing him away. Arraez won the AL batting title last season. And in the off season, Minnesota pedaled him to the Miami Marlins for Pablo Lopez. And right now, Arraez is batting 398. That's the top average in all of Major League Baseball.
The next closest hitter is Ronald Acuna Jr. of Atlanta, who was batting 327. Arraez has three 5-hit games this month, and we still have over a week left of June. He's a huge reason why the Marlins are 42 and 33 this season and in the NL playoff chase. And by the way, the last player to ever hit 400 or better in a season was Boston's Ted Williams, Teddy Ballgame, way back in 1941. Rod Carew with the Minnesota Twins flirted with 400 in 1977 but finished at 388. It's an incredibly difficult challenge, and we'll see if it rises up to it.
And if you're wondering about Pablo Lopez, he's 3 and 4 this season. He started fast, but he's dovetailed the last few weeks. And his ERA is 4.40. So at this point in time, it's a lopsided deal in favor of the Marlins. But things could change.
CATHY WURZER: Why do we keep trading away good players that play really, really well for others--
ERIC NELSON: Do you have a half hour?
CATHY WURZER: Why do we keep doing that? That's probably another whole show, right?
WALLY LANGFELLOW: It is. It's not a 10-minute break, it's a total show.
CATHY WURZER: Yeah, fine. OK, let's-- speaking of trading away good players, let's talk about the Timberwolves, shall we, Wally?
WALLY LANGFELLOW: Oh boy. Do we have to?
CATHY WURZER: Sure.
WALLY LANGFELLOW: Yeah. Well, of course, they do not have-- tonight's the NBA draft. And while folks in San Antonio are all giddy because they have the number one pick and they're probably going to take Victor Wembanyama from France, here in Minnesota, the Timberwolves don't have a pick until the 23rd pick of the second round. That, of course, is because they've traded away this year's pick and a bunch more for Rudy Gobert, last off season. A trade that really hasn't panned out thus far.
There are rumors, however, that the Timberwolves are potentially going to get a first round pick so they would have to make a trade between now and tonight's draft. We'll see if that happens. Potentially maybe Karl-Anthony Towns. That's a rumor that has been swirling. I doubt it. I think they'll hang on to Kat and just roll the dice and see what happens next year with both Karl-Anthony Towns and Rudy Gobert in the lineup.
Oh, by the way, the Timberwolves, again, the next draft pick they have in the first round is next year. So you could celebrate. They do have a pick in 2024 in the first round as of right now. Unless they trade it away today.
CATHY WURZER: I'll put that on my calendar, for sure, for next year. Oh god. All right, so Eric, let me see here. I'm not exactly sure what to make of this. So what's the deal with the security fence?
ERIC NELSON: Yeah, build that fence. That's the cry of the Minnesota Vikings. Their new mantra. US Bank Stadium is getting a new security fence. And it's coming in phases, Cathy. The first phase of the project will cost $15.7 million. The barrier will be completed by 2024. It's going to be a black fence that surrounds 3/4 of the venue. And the experts say this barricade can't be climbed over. Now the tab for the next phase of the fence that's protecting the main entrance, $48 million. I'm not sure--
CATHY WURZER: So they're not going to Menards for this, then, obviously. OK, good.
ERIC NELSON: No, no. This is not Town and Country Fence or anything. But the bad news is it still does not protect birds from slamming into US Bank Stadium, the glass house, or prevent zinc panels from falling off. But it reportedly will be able to keep liquored up Green Bay Packer fans from getting into US Bank Stadium without a ticket. We certainly don't want them--
CATHY WURZER: Is that--
ERIC NELSON: --scaling the wall and getting into the premises.
CATHY WURZER: Wow, $48 million-- well actually, more than 48 Wow, OK. For a fence.
ERIC NELSON: 63?
CATHY WURZER: Ow wow, that's a lot of money. OK. And by the way, the Aurora Women's Soccer Team, they won last night. They're still undefeated.
ERIC NELSON: They're on a roll.
CATHY WURZER: I know. Thanks, you guys. I appreciate it. Hope you have a good weekend.
ERIC NELSON: See you, Cathy.
CATHY WURZER: Thanks. That is Wally and Eric, our sports guys. And that is it. It's been a busy week here for Minnesota Now. Our senior producer is Emily Bright. Producers Alana Elder, Ellen Finn, Gretchen Brown, Alex Simpson. Thank you for being our technical director today. And thank you for listening to the program. Have a good rest of the day.
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