Twins opt to cut ties with Boone

MINNEAPOLIS – The Minnesota Twins released struggling second baseman Bret Boone on Monday, ending a failed experiment to jump-start the team’s stagnant offense.

The Twins acquired Boone in a trade with Seattle on July 11, hoping the Gold Glove winner would be able to regain the form that made him an MVP candidate in 2001.

But like the rest of Minnesota’s offense, Boone struggled mightily in his 14 games with the Twins, hitting just .170 (9 for 53) with three RBIs.

“Of course I’m disappointed,” Boone said as he exchanged hugs with several teammates in the clubhouse before Monday night’s game against Oakland. “I feel bad with the expectations coming in, and I didn’t play well.”

Not only was Boone ineffective on offense, but he also struggled in the field, committing costly errors in several games during the Twins’ recent slide. The team had lost four in a row and eight of 10, falling four games behind Oakland in the A.L. wild-card race.

Minnesota recalled infielder Jason Bartlett from Triple-A Rochester to replace Boone.