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07:30 AM ET 07.30 | Make no mistake, Matt Capps will take over for Jon Rauch, and he may also be a backup plan at closer in 2011. Twins manager Ron Gardenhire, reached at his home on the team's off day, said he talked to Rauch to let him know that, effective immediately, Capps is the Twins' closer. ... He throws a straight fastball, a sinker, and a fastball that begins inside to left-handed hitters and breaks back over the plate at the last moment. It's a pitch that left David Ortiz tied up in a called strikeout to end the sixth inning in this year's All-Star Game. Capps also mixes in a hard slider with a sharp break. Capps is an aggressive righty and more of a prototypical closer than Rauch. He also gives the Twins a backup plan for 2011 if Joe Nathan doesn't return to the mound the way he left it before Tommy John surgery.

Matt Capps (left), AP

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July 30, 2010 08:21 AM ET

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Solid pick up for the Twins. Twins always seem to make the right moves. I just hope the Nats asked for the right couple of prospects in return.

Chong Cornelius

Richmond, VA

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July 30, 2010 10:50 AM ET

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QUOTE:

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it is a nice move b/c who knows where Nathan is in rehab...i think the prospect they gave up is a catcher...highly rated but felt he had no where to go b/c of mauer...which is intersting b/c mauer should learn to play OF.

Agreed 100%. If they want Mauer to be able to play effectively throughout the entirety of that contract, he's going to need to switch positions.

OSUBucksFAN1

Dublin , OH

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July 30, 2010 12:06 PM ET

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andy capp is a fine actor!

Geeechiman

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July 30, 2010 05:39 PM ET

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QUOTE(#1):

Originally posted 08:21 AM ET 07.30 by Chong Cornelius

Solid pick up for the Twins. Twins always seem to make the right moves. I just hope the Nats asked for the right couple of prospects in return.

I agree.

Geeechiman

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July 30, 2010 05:41 PM ET

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QUOTE(#3):

Originally posted 10:50 AM ET 07.30 by OSUBucksFAN1

Agreed 100%. If they want Mauer to be able to play effectively throughout the entirety of that contract, he's going to need to switch positions.

I try to switch positions with the wife every now and then. It keeps things fresh. I recently installed some hand grips on the headboard for better leverage. The wife loves it.

Piltdown Rabbit

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July 31, 2010 08:15 AM ET

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>i think the prospect they gave up is a catcher...highly rated but felt he had no where to go b/c of mauer...which is intersting b/c mauer should learn to play OF.<

He already knows how to run after the little ball, catch it, and throw it back. What makes you think he doesn't?

martraco

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July 31, 2010 10:23 PM ET

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The addition of capps will be big for the twins both this year and next. it will help this year because they now have someone reliable at the end of the game. to talk more sports follow me on twitter @TheSportKid

TwinsFan27

Prior Lake , MN

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August 1, 2010 12:32 AM ET

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QUOTE(#1):

Originally posted 08:21 AM ET 07.30 by Chong Cornelius

Solid pick up for the Twins. Twins always seem to make the right moves. I just hope the Nats asked for the right couple of prospects in return.

Wilson Ramos who is a catcher and John (or Joe) Testa who is a pitcher.

Scruffy

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August 1, 2010 01:45 PM ET

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The nice thing about the Twins is that, while they don't usually make flashy moves, they do make ones that help the squad. Also, the fact that they actually traded a solid prospect for a proven player marks their transition from the low mid-market team that looks solely at the bottom financial line to an upper mid-market team that has the tools to improve the team when warranted.