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Minnesota Twins Daily Clips

Tuesday, October 30, 2012

Baker keeps door open for Twins, says sides have made progress toward new deal. Star Tribune (Christensen) p. 1

Blackburn has elbow surgery; Twins re-sign Walters. Star Tribune (Christensen) p. 2

Twins decline Baker's $9.25 million option. Star Tribune (Christensen) p. 2

Twins decline option on Scott Baker; do minor league deal with P.J. Walters. Pioneer Press (Shipley) p. 4

Twins sign Walters to Minor League deal. MLB.com (Bollinger) p. 4

Twins on the lookout for starting pitching. MLB.com (Bollinger) p. 5

Twins decline Baker's option for 2013. MLB.com (Bollinger) p. 7

Twins decline to pick up option on Scott Baker’s contract for 2013. 1500ESPN.com (Zulgad) p. 7

How to fix the Twins, Part 1: Pitching staff is fundamentally flawed. 1500ESPN.com (Mackey) p. 8

Twins decline option on RHP Baker’s contract. FSNorth.com (Mason) p. 10

USS Minnesota will be christened Saturday. Star Tribune (Brunswick) p. 11

Future USS Minnesota Christened. Military.com (Staff) p. 12

Top Twitter Mentions. p. 13

Baker keeps door open for Twins, says sides have made progress toward new deal

By: Joe Christensen, Star Tribune- 10/29/12

Scott Baker said he had a good conversation with Twins General Manager Terry Ryan today, when Ryan called with news that the team was

declining Baker's $9.25 million option for 2013.

"I think we’ve kind of known it wasn’t going to get picked up," Baker said. "He was very nice letting me know they’d like to have me back."

Baker is now a free agent and will be able to receive offers from other teams by Friday night. But the Twins are still very much in the running

to re-sign him.

"We’re talking, and obviously I think there’s a mutual feeling that I want to be back, and they want me back," Baker said. "But it has to make

sense for both parties, and we’re just not there yet.

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"There’s a lot to consider. I’ll just say, we’re not close, but we’re definitely closer than when it started. I’m by no means discouraged by

anything that’s gone on so far. But at the same time, there are great teams and other possibilities out there."

General Manager Terry Ryan described Monday's decision on the option "a paper move."

"I don’t think anybody expected us to pick up that option," Ryan said. "We certainly have the ability to talk to Scott and his agent right

through the period. So whether we do today, tomorrow or the next day, we have the ability to."

Blackburn has elbow surgery; Twins re-sign Walters

By: Joe Christensen, Star Tribune- 10/29/12

Twins pitcher Nick Blackburn had arthroscopic surgery to remove a bone chip from his right elbow last Thursday but should be back to full

strength for spring training, General Manager Terry Ryan said today.

Also, the Twins announced that they have re-signed righthander P.J. Walters to a minor-league deal with an invitation to spring training.

Twins decline Baker's $9.25 million option

By: Joe Christensen, Star Tribune- 10/30/12

Scott Baker said he had a good conversation with Twins General Manager Terry Ryan on Monday, when he called with news that the team

was declining the righthander's $9.25 million option for 2013.

"I think we've kind of known [the option] wasn't going to get picked up," Baker said in a telephone interview. "He was very nice letting me

know they'd like to have me back."

Baker, who missed the 2012 season recovering from Tommy John elbow ligament replacement surgery, is now a free agent and will be able

to receive offers from other teams beginning at 11 p.m. Friday night. But the Twins are still very much in the running to re-sign him, with the

sides working on an incentive-based deal.

"We're talking, and obviously I think there's a mutual feeling that I want to be back, and they want me back," Baker said. "But it has to make

sense for both parties, and we're just not there yet.

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"There's a lot to consider. I'll just say, we're not close, but we're definitely closer than when it started. I'm by no means discouraged by

anything that's gone on so far. But at the same time, there are great teams and other possibilities out there."

Ryan called Monday's decision on Baker "a paper move."

"I don't think anybody expected us to pick up that option," Ryan said. "We certainly have the ability to talk to Scott and his agent right

through the [free agency] period."

The Twins did not have to pay a buyout to get out of the option, which was part of the four-year, $15.25 million deal Baker signed in March

2009.

Baker is 63-48 with a 4.15 ERA since first joining the Twins in 2005. In 2011, he appeared to turn a corner and ranked among the best pitchers

in the American League at 8-6 with a 2.86 ERA through the end of July, before coming down with arm trouble. He had Tommy John surgery

on April 17 and has been very encouraged with his rehab.

"I'm just as strong, if not stronger, as I've ever been," he said.

Besides Baker, two other Twins players officially became free agents Monday following the completion of the World Series: righthanders Carl

Pavano and Matt Capps.

Blackburn has surgery

Righthander Nick Blackburn had arthroscopic surgery to remove a bone chip from his right elbow last Thursday, but the team expects him to

be full strength for the start of spring training, Ryan said.

Blackburn, 30, was taken off the 40-man roster after going 4-9 with a 7.39 ERA in 19 starts this year. He will be in big league camp next spring

as a minor league invitee, as he is under contract for $5.5 million in 2013.

Walters re-signs

The Twins re-signed righthander P.J. Walters to a minor league deal with an invitation to spring training. Walters, 27, began his Twins career

with four quality starts in May but came down with a right shoulder injury that cost him nearly three months. He finished the season 2-5 with

a 5.69 ERA.

Gibson roughed up

Kyle Gibson went 3-0 with a 0.69 ERA in his first three Arizona Fall League starts, but Monday wasn't nearly as smooth. The righthander gave

up six runs on eight hits over two innings, with one walk and one strikeout, raising his ERA to 4.20. Gibson, who had Tommy John surgery on

Sept. 7, 2011, threw 28 of his 50 pitches for strikes.

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Twins decline option on Scott Baker; do minor league deal with P.J. Walters

By: John Shipley, Pioneer Press- 10/29/12

The Twins announced via Twitter on Monday, Oct. 29, that they have declined to pick up their 2013 option on Scott Baker, which would have

paid the right-hander $9.25 million.

The team also announced it has agreed to a minor league deal with right-hander P.J. Walters and invited him to major league camp.

Baker, 31, missed all of last season after undergoing Tommy John surgery to repair the ulnar collateral ligament in his right elbow in April. He was the Twins' best starter in 2011, going 8-6 with a 3.14 earned-run average before being sidelined by a forearm injury.

Walters, 27, signed with the Twins last December as a six-year minor league free agent, one of 35 pitchers invited to major league camp as the Twins tried to bolster a feeble bullpen. But because of injuries and ineffectiveness in the rotation, Walters was recalled as a starter and went 2-1 with a 2.96 earned-run average in his first four starts.

Shoulder problems, however, sidelined Walters in mid-June and he didn't pitch again until Sept. 5, going 0-3 with a 6.12 ERA. He was outrighted off the 40-man roster last week.

Right-hander Nick Blackburn, demoted to Class AAA Rochester in August and soon after released from the 40-man, had surgery to remove a bone chip from his elbow last week. The Twins expect him to be ready for spring training.

Twins sign Walters to Minor League deal

By: Rhett Bollinger, MLB.com- 10/29/12

MINNEAPOLIS -- The Twins agreed to terms with right-hander P.J. Walters on a Minor League deal with an invitation to Major League Spring

Training, the club announced Monday.

Walters, who was outrighted off the 40-man roster on Oct. 24, made 12 starts with the Twins in 2012, posting a 5.69 ERA with 42 strikeouts and 22 walks in 61 2/3 innings. He was signed before the season as a Minor League free agent.

The 27-year-old has a career 6.39 ERA over parts of four seasons with the Cardinals, Blue Jays and Twins. He has struck out 82 and walked 44 in 112 2/3 innings.

Walters figures to compete to be a starter next season, as left-hander Scott Diamond is the only pitcher who is guaranteed a spot in the rotation.

Blackburn has bone chips removed from elbow

MINNEAPOLIS -- Right-hander Nick Blackburn had bone chips removed from his right elbow late last week but is expected to be ready in time for Spring Training, the Twins announced Monday.

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Blackburn, 30, struggled in 2012, posting a 7.39 ERA in 19 starts. The sinkerballer also struck out 42 and walked 26 in 98 2/3 innings.

He was eventually outrighted off the 40-man roster on Aug. 20 and sent to Triple-A Rochester, where he finished the season.

Blackburn is owed $5.5 million next season in the final year of a four-year, $14 million deal signed before the 2010 season. The Twins also hold an $8 million option for 2014.

Blackburn has a career 4.85 ERA in 818 2/3 innings over six years with the Twins. He's struggled over the last three years, logging a 5.56 ERA after posting a combined 4.04 ERA over the previous two seasons.

Twins on the lookout for starting pitching

By: Rhett Bollinger, MLB.com- 10/29/12

MINNEAPOLIS -- After finishing with the worst record in the American League for a second straight year, general manager Terry Ryan knows

he has plenty of work to do to try to turn around the Twins in 2013.

The Twins lack starting pitching -- left-hander Scott Diamond is the lone pitcher guaranteed a spot in the rotation -- and Ryan said acquiring pitching help will be his No. 1 priority even if he has to trade to get it.

"There are not too many untouchables on this ballclub, if any," said Ryan, who shed the interim label off his role as GM after the season.

"We've got to do some things to get some pitching in this organization. That is our main objective going into the winter months, fall months."

Top trade candidates -- if Ryan is willing to go that route -- are center fielder Denard Span, first baseman Justin Morneau and left fielder Josh Willingham.

Players can start signing with other clubs after 11 p.m. CT on Friday.

The Twins will also look at free agency, but it doesn't appear likely they're willing to spend top dollar to sign an ace such as Zack Greinke. Potential free agents this offseason include Greinke, Dan Haren, Anibal Sanchez, Ryan Dempster, Jake Peavy, Kyle Lohse, Edwin Jackson, Joe Saunders, Joe Blanton and Paul Maholm.

"Anybody that's available, we'll at least look at," Ryan said.

Right-hander Carl Pavano is the club's lone impending free agent, although Ryan announced the club will not pick up reliever Matt Capps' $6 million option for next season and will instead pay his $250,000 buyout.

The Twins also hold a $9.25 million option on right-hander Scott Baker that is likely to be declined, but both sides have expressed interest in a new deal, as Baker is coming off Tommy John surgery.

Ryan has indicated that payroll will not be a barrier to the club's success, as he pointed out that Minnesota had a higher Opening Day payroll than postseason teams such as the A's, Orioles, Nationals, Reds and Braves.

The Twins haven't set a firm number for the payroll, but it's expected to be around $100 million, which was where they were in '12.

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"I think we can quit fooling ourselves that money is the answer," Ryan said. "We're going to have to make good decisions to create a pitching staff that's going to give us a chance."

Contract issues

Free agents: Pavano, RHP

Eligible for arbitration: Brian Duensing, LHP; Jared Burton, RHP; Alexi Casilla, INF; Drew Butera, C

Player options: None

Club options: Baker, RHP, $9.25 million; Capps, RHP, $6 million ($250,000 buyout)

Non-tender possibilities: Casilla, Butera

Areas of need

Starting rotation: The Twins ideally would like to acquire three starting pitchers to plug into next year's rotation. Diamond is the only pitcher guaranteed a spot in the rotation, but the club does have prospects such as Kyle Gibson and Liam Hendricks in the mix for a spot, and it looks like there's a chance they also bring back Baker. Gibson and Baker are both coming off Tommy John surgery, so Minnesota would like to add a few durable starting pitchers. The Twins could also look to trade for a front-line starter, as they don't appear inclined to sign a high-priced starter such as Greinke.

Bullpen: The bullpen wasn't much of an issue for Minnesota, as it was the starting pitching that plagued the Twins in 2012. But the Twins are always on the lookout to add quality bullpen arms to go along with relievers Glen Perkins, Jared Burton, Duensing, Casey Fien and Alex Burnett. But the club will not be in the market for a closer, as Perkins took over that role in the second half of the season with Capps out due to a rotator cuff injury.

Infield: The Twins have plenty of options in their infield with versatile players such as Jamey Carroll, Pedro Florimon, Brian Dozier and Eduardo Escobar on their roster. But Carroll is the only experienced infielder in that group and is expected to serve in a utility role. Trevor Plouffe should be the favorite for the third-base job after hitting 24 homers in 2012, but he needs to work on his defense if he wants to stick there. The Twins could look to add another veteran to bolster their infield depth, as outfield depth is not an organizational concern.

2013 payroll

Ryan likes to say the payroll situation is fluid and doesn't give a firm number on where it'll be in 2013. But it's expected to be right around the $100-million area, which Ryan said is more than enough to field a competitive team. Owner Jim Pohlad said it'll be Ryan's decision on what exactly the payroll figure will be.

"We've never told anybody they have to spend 'X' dollars or that they can't spend whatever they are recommending," Pohlad said. "So it could go up, it could go down. It's whatever Terry tells us."

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Twins decline Baker's option for 2013

By: Rhett Bollinger, MLB.com- 10/29/12

MINNEAPOLIS -- The Twins have declined Scott Baker's $9.25 million option for the 2013 season, the club announced on Monday.

The move doesn't come as a surprise, as the right-hander missed the entire 2012 season after undergoing Tommy John surgery on his elbow in April. He's set to become a free agent on Friday night at 11 CT.

General manager Terry Ryan has stated an interest in bringing back Baker on a new deal, however, as left-hander Scott Diamond is the only pitcher with a guaranteed spot in the rotation next season.

Baker indicated at the end of the season that he'd be interested in returning and that he's hopeful he'll be healthy and ready to go in time for Spring Training.

Baker, 31, has spent his entire career with the Twins, posting a 4.15 ERA with 770 strikeouts and 224 walks in 958 innings. He had his best season in '11, with a 3.14 ERA, but threw just 134 2/3 innings while dealing with elbow issues in the second half of the season.

The Twins now have three impending free agents, as Carl Pavano is also a free agent and the club declined Matt Capps' $6 million option on Wednesday.

Twins decline to pick up option on Scott Baker’s contract for 2013

By: Judd Zulgad, 1500ESPN.com- 10/29/12

Minnesota Twins general manager Terry Ryan has expressed an interest in retaining the services of righthanded pitcher Scott Baker but it won't be under his current contract.

The Twins announced Monday evening that they will not pick up their $9.25 million option on Baker's contract for 2013, meaning he will hit the open market when free agency begins at 11 p.m. (Cental time) on Friday.

The 31-year-old Baker did not pitch in 2012 after undergoing Tommy John surgery on his right elbow.

In seven years with the Twins, Baker has a 63-48 record with a 4.15 earned-run average. He posted double-digit victories from 2008 through 2010, winning a career-high 15 games in 2009.

The Twins signed him to a $15.25 million, four-year contract before that season. The deal included the option for 2013 that came with no buyout.

The Twins also announced they have agreed to terms with righthanded pitcher P.J. Walters on a minor league deal with an invitation to the big-league spring training camp. Walters went 2-5 in 12 starts with a 5.69 ERA for the Twins this season.

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Walters missed substantial time on the disabled list this summer because of inflammation in his pitching shoulder.

How to fix the Twins, Part 1: Pitching staff is fundamentally flawed

By: Phil Mackey, 1500ESPN.com- 10/29/12

Part 1: Outlining key issues and payroll obligations Part 2: Identifying potential free agents and trade candidates Part 3: How a last-place team can get back to relevancy

The Minnesota Twins have lost 195 games over the past two seasons. Since the franchise arrived to Minnesota in 1961, at no point have the Twins lost more games over a two-year stretch.

This isn't the futile stretch many people imagined after the Twins sold out their new ballpark nearly every night in 2010 during a 94-win season.

As a result, three coaches were dismissed, two were reassigned, the head trainer was let go, and marketing people have been fired.

Things are bad.

Can the Twins build a contender before April 1, 2013?

Didn't you try 'fixing the Twins' last year?

Well, yes.

And in truth, the Twins made several similar moves to the ones suggested in this series last offseason. They also failed to address certain areas.

• One of the main messages written here last October was "It's time to stop messing around with Trevor Plouffe and Tsuyoshi Nishioka and put a reliable glove at the most important position in the infield (shortstop)." The suggested free agent was Clint Barmes, but the Twins went with Jamey Carroll. Both men fielded extremely well, but Carroll was actually a better hitter last season.

• If the Twins weren't able to re-sign Michael Cuddyer for $8 million per year, which they didn't, "the only other reasonably-priced right-handed outfield bat on the market is Josh Willingham." That signing turned out quite well.

• Of course, improvements to the defense and offense were rendered almost entirely irrelevant because of how bad the Twins' starting pitching was. It was pointed out in this space last year, "Twins pitchers allow more contact (83.4%) than any staff in baseball. ... The philosophy shouldn't be 'pitch to contact.' It should be 'induce more groundballs and mix in a few more strikeouts.'" Instead, however, Twins pitchers once again allowed more contact than any staff in baseball (82.4%) while also striking out the fewest hitters. Combine that with injuries to Scott Baker and Carl Pavano, and a Jason Marquis meltdown, and the Twins never stood a chance with that pitching staff.

Key issues

Contact: No pitching staff has allowed more contact over the past two seasons than the Twins, and it's a recipe for disaster.

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Groundballs are good, but just any old kind of contact is a recipe for disaster, as evidenced by MLB hitters batting .335 with a .534 slugging percentage on balls hit into fair territory last season.

Think about that -- .335 with a .534 slugging percentage on contact. That's no different than facing Buster Posey for every single at-bat.

Tigers pitchers allowed the least amount of contact last season. It's no coincidence they went to the World Series. The Rays' and Nationals' staffs weren't far behind.

Punch(out)-less pitchers: Twins pitchers, collectively, struck out only 5.9 batters per nine innings, which was nearly three strikeouts per nine innings worse than MLB-leading Milwaukee (8.7) and almost a full strikeout worse than the next team on the ladder, Cleveland (6.8).

Too much contact combined with not enough strikeouts usually mean bombs away for opposing hitters, which is exactly what happened. The Twins have gotten away with low strikeout totals in previous years mostly due to their pitchers collectively having elite control. Rick Anderson-led pitching staffs walked fewer batters between 2002 and 2010 than any staff in baseball.

The Twins ranked 12th in walk rate in 2012, issuing 2.9 free passes per nine innings. The Phillies led the majors (2.5) with the Cubs bringing up the rear (3.6).

Four open starter slots: Scott Diamond is a lock.

Beyond that, everything is up in the air with the Twins' rotation.

Kyle Gibson looks strong in the Arizona Fall League, but he is likely to be capped at 130 or 140 innings next season, and it sounds as if the Twins could ease him through April and May.

Liam Hendriks has dominated every level of the minor leagues, but he hardly proved himself as a viable starter last year. Samuel Deduno is a 29-year-old journeyman who has never figured out how to control his fastball over long stretches. Who should be used as trade bait? The Twins seem to have a surplus of outfielders, first basemen and designated hitters on the major league roster and high up in the minor league system. Justin Morneau, Chris Parmelee, Joe Mauer, Ryan Doumit, Josh Willingham, Denard Span and Ben Revere all deserve starting roles. Outfielders Oswaldo Arcia and Aaron Hicks tore up Double-A last season and figure to knock on the door in 2013.

The Twins should be looking to trade from this crop of players to bolster the starting rotation.

Span ($4.75 million in 2013, $6.5 million in 2014) has an extremely team-friendly contract. Morneau is set to earn $14 million in the last year of his deal, but his injury history has teams wary. Willingham was the Twins' best power hitter last season, but he'll be 34 years old next season. This could be a good time to sell high and capitalize on Willingham's value. Find a way to shorten DL stints and keep pitchers healthier: Injuries were not as big of a problem in 2012 as they were in 2011, but things were bad enough for head athletic trainer Rick McWane to lose his job.

Maybe injuries are 90% bad luck. Maybe not. Maybe Twins doctors and trainers can do more to help. Maybe they can't. But Twins pitchers have missed nearly 1,000 days (in-season) due to arm, back and oblique issues since the beginning of the 2010 season, and that doesn't include Kyle Gibson, Joel Zumaya or Alex Wimmers.

That's too many days. Too many black holes in lineup: Between Danny Valencia, Alexi Casilla, Brian Dozier and Pedro Florimon, the Twins gave 950 plate appearances (15% of team total) to rolled up, wet newspapers.

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Dozier and Florimon figure to be in the mix for starting jobs next spring. Gardenhire praised Florimon profusely after a late-September win, saying, "Our shortstop was outstanding. That was really, really fun to watch. ... He's got that reach and that wing span where he can reach out and catch balls, and it makes it look effortless. It's fun to watch him out there. He's a very fluid kid."

Florimon was rated as one of the best defensive shortstops in baseball according to plus/minus data, but he hit just .219/.272/.307, and his minor league track record doesn't suggest a breakout is on the horizon.

The defense was much better: Thanks in large part to Florimon, Carroll, Ben Revere and Denard Span, the Twins rated as 29 runs above average defensively last season, which is a huge improvement from their -61 rating last season (per BillJamesOnline.com).

The biggest weaknesses defensively were left field (mostly Willingham) and third base (mostly Plouffe).

The Toronto Blue Jays led the American League with a +59 rating.

Payroll obligations

After filling in the open 25-man roster slots with minimum-salaried players ($500,000), the Twins are tied up for approximately $74.5 million heading into the offseason.

That figure includes $5.5 million to Nick Blackburn, who is not currently on the 40-man roster, and a $250,000 buyout for Matt Capps, who won't be brought back.

The list of departures includes Pavano ($8.5 million), Marquis ($3 million), Nishioka ($3.25 million), and possibly arbitration-eligible Casilla ($1.38 million). Capps ($4.5 million) and Baker ($6.5 million) also became free agents. In Part 2 we'll identify potential free agents and trade candidates.

Twins decline option on RHP Baker’s contract

By: Tyler Mason, FSNorth.com- 10/29/12

MINNEAPOLIS — Not surprisingly, the Minnesota Twins announced Monday that they have declined the $9.25 million option on right-hander Scott Baker's contract for the 2013 season. Baker missed all of 2012 after having Tommy John surgery on his right elbow. He began experiencing elbow discomfort during spring training and was later shut down for the season before it even began. During the Twins' 99-loss season in 2011, Baker was the team's best starting pitcher. He went 8-6 with a 3.14 ERA in 21 starts -- including 7-5 with a 3.01 ERA before the All-Star break. But he missed time with a right flexor strain that landed him on the disabled list twice. Even with his injury concerns last year, the Twins had hoped that Baker could help solidify an otherwise unstable starting rotation in 2012. But the 31-year-old right-hander never threw a pitch this season, and Minnesota's rotation was shaky from Opening Day to the last game of the year.

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Last week, the Twins also declined a $6 million option on reliever Matt Capps' contract for 2013. Both Capps and Baker are free agents, and both players knew it was likely that their options would not get picked up. Still, Baker expressed interest at the end of the season in remaining in Minnesota if the club were to have interest in bringing him back for less money. "I'd like to be back (in Minnesota)," Baker said late last month. "I mean, I know there's other great organizations out there, but this is all I know. I've been here, and I've enjoyed my time here, my family likes it here. There haven't been any talks yet, but I've let them know that I'm definitely open to hearing what they have to say."

USS Minnesota will be christened Saturday

By: Mark Brunswick, Star Tribune- 10/26/12

The USS Minnesota, the Navy's newest attack submarine, will be christened on Saturday in Newport News, Va.

A crew of 134 officers and enlisted personnel will operate the $2 billion, 7,800-ton, 377-foot-long Virginia-class submarine. It is capable of

diving deeper than 800 feet and operating at speeds in excess of 25 knots when submerged. The Minnesota is designed with a nuclear

reactor that will not require refueling during the planned life of the ship. It is expected to officially become part of the Navy fleet when it is

commissioned next summer.

Ellen Roughead, wife of former Chief of Naval Operations Adm. Gary Roughead and a Minnesota native, will serve as ship's sponsor and break

a champagne bottle against a plate welded to the hull in the christening on Saturday.

Last year, a Roseville teenager, Jakob Bartels, was awarded a $1,500 college scholarship and an all-expense-paid trip to the USS Minnesota

commissioning ceremony for designing the logo for the ship. It prominently features a Viking whose helmet has a glistening North Star, a

walleye on the hull of the submarine and the Latin inscription, "From the North, Strength."

The last naval ship named after Minnesota was decommissioned in 1921. But there were other ships in the fleet with Minnesota connections.

The USS Minneapolis-St. Paul submarine was decommissioned in August 2008.

The Minnesota is built to excel in anti-submarine warfare, anti-ship warfare, strike warfare, special operations, surveillance, irregular warfare

and mine warfare missions. The Navy said it is capable of operating in both shallow regions and deep waters.

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Future USS Minnesota Christened

By: Staff, Military.com- 10/29/12

NEWPORT NEWS, VA. -- The Navy christened its newest submarine, the future USS Minnesota (SSN 783), Oct. 27, at Huntington Ingalls

Industries - Newport News in Newport News, Va.

Minnesota's sponsor, Ellen Roughead, broke a ceremonial bottle of sparkling wine against the submarine's hull, officially naming the ship.

Roughead, the wife of former Chief of Naval Operations Adm. (Ret.) Gary Roughead, has been a tireless supporter of military families and

continuing education initiatives for Navy spouses.

"We were honored to have Mrs. Roughead participate in such an important milestone for PCU (pre-commissioning unit) Minnesota," said

Capt. David Goggins, Virginia class program manager. "The Virginia class is an outstanding platform and Minnesota builds on the stellar

reputation of quality and success that the class is known for."

Minnesota is the 10th ship of the Virginia class and the last under the second, or block II, contract. The submarine is on track to deliver to the

Navy in late spring 2013, ahead of its April 2014 contract delivery date. The ship will be commissioned shortly thereafter.

"When Minnesota delivers next year, every block II boat will have delivered early to its contract delivery date," said Rear Adm. Dave Johnson,

program executive officer for submarines. "Added together, the shipbuilders delivered these submarines 42 months early and Minnesota is

well on track to push that number into the 50s."

Minnesota's christening marks the final major milestone for the Virginia class in 2012. In May, the Navy took delivery of USS Mississippi (SSN

782) nearly a year early to its contract delivery date. Mississippi was commissioned on June 2. The Navy also began construction on PCU

Colorado (SSN 788) and PCU Indiana (SSN 789) on March 2 and Sept. 2 respectively. Additionally, the Navy released the request for proposals

for the block IV construction contract on Sept. 5.

Virginia class submarines are designed to dominate the world's littoral and deep waters while conducting anti-submarine warfare; anti-

surface ship warfare; strike warfare; special operation forces support; intelligence, surveillance, and reconnaissance; irregular warfare; and

mine warfare missions. Their inherent stealth, endurance, mobility, and firepower directly enable them to support five of the six maritime

strategy core capabilities - sea control, power projection, forward presence, maritime security, and deterrence.

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