For this week's issue of Twins Tuesday I thought it would be fun to take a look at some former Twins players and see where they're playing and how they are doing. There are tons of players to choose from, and if I were to choose every player this column would be way too long. So, if you like the idea, we can definitely continue the idea and do more Twins Tuesdays checking in on former Twins players. For the inaugural "Where Are They Now?" post I will focus on 2 Twins players who are having exceptional seasons with their new clubs. So without further ado let's get started...
Carlos Gomez - Remember Carlos Gomez? The speedy, young gun who was the main piece the Twins received when they traded away Johan Santana? Gomez played for the Twins for two season in 2008 and 2009. He was regarded by many as being the fastest player in the MLB and was actually clocked with a 4.29 40-yard dash time (for perspective, the fastest 40-time ever recorded in the NFL combine was a 4.24 by Chris Johnson, so Gomez wasn't far off). Gomez started off his tenure as a Twins with a boom going 2-for-3 with two stolen bases and two runs. Gomez became the third-youngest player to hit for the cycle when he did so on May 7, 2008. In his two seasons with the Twins Gomez hit .258 with 10 home runs and 47 stolen bases. Gomez didn't end up being the player the Twins thought he could become and ended up trading him to the Milwaukee Brewers on November 6, 2009 in exchange for J.J. Hardy and $250,000 in cash.
After three continued seasons of struggles for Gomez in 2010, 2011, and 2012 Gomez is having an outstanding season for the Brewers and is looking like the team MVP thus far. Through 63 games Gomez is hitting .316 with 11 home runs, 31 RBI, and 12 stolen bases. He is finally developing into the 5-tool player that the Twins thought he could become and it is a shame that he isn't giving this same productions to the Twins that he is giving to the Brewers.
Francisco Liriano - The story of Francisco Liriano is somewhat gut-wrentching for Twins fans everywhere. After being acquired from the Minnesota Twins in addition to Joe Nathan and Boof Bonser in exchange for A.J. Pierzynski, Liriano was a highly touted prospect in the Minnesota Twins organization. And in his rookie season, Liriano exceeded any possible expectations that could have been put before him. Midway through his rookie year of 2006 Liriano had a 12-3 record with a Major League leading 2.19 ERA. The comparisons to Johan Santana were inevitable; a hard-throwing lefty who could anchor a rotation and get any guy out with any number of pitches. The 1-2 punch of Liriano and Santana was unstoppable and the Twins looked primed to make a deep playoff run. Everything changed on August 1, 2006 when Liriano's elbow problems first began. Liriano didn't pitch again in 2006, and missed the entire 2007 season while recovering from Tommy John surgery. After the surgery, Lirano was never the same pitcher. He showed some bright spots (a 15 strikeout game against Oakland, a no hitter against the White Sox), but overall Liriano wasn't the same pitcher after elbow surgery. After his brilliant 2006 season, Liriano posted an ERA over 5 in 3 of the next 5 seasons and Minnesota quickly ran out of patience with Liriano.
After being traded to the White Sox in 2012 and having similar struggles (5.40 ERA in 11 starts), Liriano was acquired by the Pittsburgh Pirates. To say that Liriano is having a good season with the Pirates would be selling him extremely short. What Liriano has done through 6 starts this season has been nothing short of spectacular. Liriano currently has a 1.75 ERA, 1.17 WHIP, and a career best 11.75 K/9. Liriano has 5 quality starts out of his six appearances and has yet to allow a home run this season. He has been a pleasant surprise for a Pirates team that is only 4 games back of the NL division lead. It should be fun to see if Liriano can keep up this insane pace that he is on. For what it's worth, I'll be pulling for him as he is now the ace of my fantasy baseball pitching staff.
That's all I have for you today. Even though they aren't on the team anymore, I always like to see former Twins players do well. Thanks for reading.
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