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Catch up on all things Minnesota Twins from an insider's perspective without the added slant.

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Trade Tea Leaves Telling for Twins

The Minnesota Twins are fully expected to be sellers at this point, and with just under a week until the July 31 trade deadline there's moves to be made. As a few teams have already started to swap assets, the hope would be that Derek Falvey and Thad Levine have taken notice. Specifically, there seems to be real value when dealing controllable pieces and the Twins have two of the best out there.   Today, the Tampa Bay Rays flipped Nathan Eovaldi to the Boston Red Sox for LHP Jalen Beeks. Beeks c
Ted Schwerzler

Ted Schwerzler

9

Trade Market Calling for the Twins

Today the Pittsburgh Pirates swapped Sterling Marte to the Arizona Diamondbacks for a pair of prospects. In completing that deal, it’s another reminder that the trade market has yet to truly take off, and it makes a good amount of sense that the Minnesota Twins be involved.   We still have yet to see any organizations move a big pitcher. Nolan Arenado looks to be on his way out of Colorado, and Mookie Betts could certainly be headed somewhere else if Boston is ready to deal. Going into the offse
Ted Schwerzler

Ted Schwerzler

11

Tracking The New Twins Way

Earlier I wrote about the Minnesota Twins new shift in thinking. After watching the Chicago Cubs and Houston Astros throw strikeout cares to the wind, it appears that's what Paul Molitor and Terry Ryan are deciding to give a go. Utilizing a lineup built with swing and miss hitters, it's going to be boom or bust many nights this season. What we have seen thus far, is way too much of the latter.   Rather than break down everything into much more minute detail, I'd urge you to peruse the linked art
Ted Schwerzler

Ted Schwerzler

1

Torii's Sunset Ride Has Begun

In the middle of the cold Minnesota winter, Terry Ryan made his first splash during the hot stove period in inking fan-favorite Torii Hunter to a one-year $10.5 million contract. At the time of the signing, I hated the move. While the personnel that influenced parts of that opinion has changed drastically since, bringing Torii back for 2016 should be met with the same amount of distaste.   At 40 years old coming into 2015, expectations needed to be admittedly muted for the former Gold Glove awar
Ted Schwerzler

Ted Schwerzler

4

Torii's Next Stop, The Mound

Last night, Torii Hunter decided to officially hang up his cleats after 19 seasons playing Major League Baseball. Having spent the majority of his career with the Twins, the fan favorite no doubt will go down as one of the most celebrated Minnesota sports figures ever. What he should not do though is see his number hung from the rafters (er above Barrio in left field). Instead, his next stop should be the mound for a ceremonial first pitch.   There's little denying that Torii Hunter gave both th
Ted Schwerzler

Ted Schwerzler

7

Torii Hunter's Departure Ushers In New Twins Outfield

Torii Hunter has officially announced his retirement from baseball. For fans around Twins Territory, this should come with mixed emotions. While Hunter was a player beloved by many, he was an aging player well past his prime. Now with the Twins set to move on, they can focus on crafting their outfield for the future. What exactly does that look like however?   In 2015, Hunter started 121 games in right field for the Twins. He contributed 1,035 innings, made 231 putouts, and added six outfield as
Ted Schwerzler

Ted Schwerzler

6

Topps with a 1970 Throwback

Although it’s Series 1 that kicks off a new year of baseball card collection each season, it’s the early year release of Heritage that is often seen as the first big product. Heritage carries a promise of being a throwback to yesteryear, this time 1970 specifically. Producing some of the most desired rookie cards, and short prints in all the collecting landscape, this product is one Topps knows you won’t want to miss.   Much like Series 1, Heritage isn’t designed as a massive hit factory. The bi
Ted Schwerzler

Ted Schwerzler

0

Topps Series 1 Kicks of Baseball Season

While we’re still a few days away from pitchers and catchers reporting to their respective Spring Training homes, baseball season gets underway with the release of 2020 Topps Series 1 on Wednesday. The first offering of the hobby for the 2020 season means baseball is around the corner.   Kicking things off in a big way this year, Topps is hosting the Million Card Rip Party today at Jerry World. As group breaks have become more prominent within the hobby, the card company sought out a handful of
Ted Schwerzler

Ted Schwerzler

6

Topps Says Party Like It’s 1971

The annual release of Topps Heritage is upon us. While fancy cards and chrome recreations are all the rage nowadays, there’s no great offering for set collectors than the yearly unveiling of Heritage. A throwback to the 1971 design this year, Topps has collectors looking to add the best new rookies in a nod to yesteryear.   Specifically, for the Twins, Topps Heritage is somewhat of a mixed bag to start 2020. There wasn’t much in the way of big-league debuts last season, and Luis Arraez is no lon
Ted Schwerzler

Ted Schwerzler

4

Topps Rolls Out the Carpet for Museum Collection

This week Topps will launch the latest entry to the Museum Collection line of baseball cards. The 2019 set continues along the path of previous offerings presenting a mid-high end offering composed of multiple packs and big hits. The box contains 20 cards and checks in right around $200. Split between base cards and hits, there’s a gamble that could pay off in a big way here.   Unlike the previous upper tier product, Definitive, Minnesota is well represented in Museum Collection. There’s a handf
Ted Schwerzler

Ted Schwerzler

0

Topps Joins Off The Baggy's Twins Offerings

When it comes to baseball cards, Topps remains the gold standard. With the 2017 Series 1 collection already released, Topps is hard at work readying plenty of new offerings to baseball fans throughout the upcoming season. The Topps Now program was a great addition to the card collecting scene a season ago, and what's in store for the season ahead should continue to be plenty exciting.   Earlier this offseason, Topps sent out thank you cards to customers that purchased Topps Now product a season
Ted Schwerzler

Ted Schwerzler

0

Topps High End Goes a Bit Light on Twins

One of the first premiere products of the 2019 season, Topps Definitive Collection releases at hobby stores May 29th. The one pack box, containing eight cards, will set you back just over $1,000. While the price tag is certainly steep, the contents inside can absolutely match that shock value. Unfortunately for Minnesota Twins fans the checklist leaves a bit to be desire.   There are no true base cards in this product. A base autograph relic set is where your “standard” cards fall, and it’s comp
Ted Schwerzler

Ted Schwerzler

0

Topps Does Photography Greatness in Stadium Club

Each year the Stadium Club line is one to circle in the Topps Baseball release calendar. A product with strong affordability and not driven by extraordinary chase cards, the allure here is the stunning visuals. There’s short prints and photo variations across a plethora of Topps products but it’s Stadium Club that showcases images on the most beautiful level.   Stadium Club is not a massive product and boxes include 128 total cards. The base checklist is 301 cards and there’s only a handful of i
Ted Schwerzler

Ted Schwerzler

0

Topps Continues On with Series 2

Baseball collectors of yesteryear remember when the full set of cards were offered in one large grouping. For years now, Topps has expanded the players covered by introducing their full yearly sets in three installments. January pumps out Series 1, with Series 2 coming in June, and Update covering the rookies near the end of the Major League season. Now Series 2 is upon us, and this could be one of the best releases in recent memory.   Vladimir Guerrero Jr. is getting his first flagship card in
Ted Schwerzler

Ted Schwerzler

0

Time For Twins To Let It Sano

The Minnesota Twins have played through their first third of the 2015 Major League Baseball season. As they came out of the gates slow, surprises started to take place throughout the month of May. After sitting alone atop the American League and AL Central, the calendar then turned to June. Since then, the summer has been anything but pleasant for the Twins. In June (as of this writing), the Twins are 4-11. In those 11 losses, the Twins have scored more than two runs just three times (with one o
Ted Schwerzler

Ted Schwerzler

4

Time for Sano to be Picky

Miguel Sano is one of the Minnesota Twins most prolific hitters, and right now, he's also one of their worst. Through 17 games in the 2018 season, he's had 75 plate appearances and owns a .191/.253/.426 slash line. What's positive is that there's a very clear path to righting the ship. The downside is that the path is one that doesn't come easily for players toting power bats.   Thus far, Sano has struck out 32 times while drawing just eight walks. Extrapolating those numbers over a full 162 gam
Ted Schwerzler

Ted Schwerzler

4

Tim Tebow Isn't The Problem, The Narrative Is

Today, the New York Mets became the team to sign former Florida Gators and NFL quarterback Tim Tebow to a minor league contract. The assumption is that he'll head to either the instructional league or the Arizona Fall League. From essentially the news of a Tebow tryout broke, there have been feelings on both sides of the fence. When considering my stance, I simply can't get over the ridiculousness of the message both the Mets and professional baseball is sending.   As of today, Tim Tebow is a 29
Ted Schwerzler

Ted Schwerzler

3
Minnesota Twins

Tide Turning for Twins Pair

It always had to be this way. This was the only plausible outcome. As the Twins look towards a resurgence, the talent had to rise to the occasion. For a pair of Minnesota mashers, it’s starting to happen. Coming into the 2021 season Rocco Baldelli’s club had won two straight AL Central division titles while also having heightened expectations for the year ahead. There wasn’t supposed to be a slide, and the roster as constructed should’ve been among the best in baseball. The results haven’t

Thorpe Thrusting into the Rotation

Not all developmental paths are the same, and not all prospects move on a linear path to the major leagues. After being signed as a teenager and briefly generating buzz throughout the system things came to a halt in 2015. Now ready to kick down the door at the major league level, he may be the biggest breakout candidate in 2020.   If you don’t know the story, it’s one of stunted development. Tommy John surgery followed by a crazy case of mononucleosis robbed Thorpe of two full seasons. After pit
Ted Schwerzler

Ted Schwerzler

8

These 62 Twins Seem More Realistic

Through the beginning of the 2016 Major League Baseball season, the Minnesota Twins were the worst team in baseball. Paul Molitor's club lost their first nine games, and they were competing on a nightly basis with the Atlanta Braves to see who could pile up losses at a faster pace. Over the past 62 games though, the Twins have looked like a much better representation of what should have happened this season.   Out of the gates, things were bad for the Twins. Through the end of June, Minnesota ow
Ted Schwerzler

Ted Schwerzler

2

The Vargas Carousel Revolves Again

As the Minnesota Twins are faced with another roster shuffle, it appears Kennys Vargas is in fact on his way back to the big leagues. After Adalberto Mejia went down, Paul Molitor was faced with an open roster spot. Needing another starter in the coming days, the Twins could turn to already rostered Dillon Gee. With an opportunity to bring up another bat, it's Vargas who gets his seventh transaction, and fourth recall, of the year.   While there's plenty of reason to be excited about a player th
Ted Schwerzler

Ted Schwerzler

4

The Unfortunate Half Of It- Dozier and Perk Do It Again

By all respective measures, the Minnesota Twins 2015 season has come to an end. Despite a very exciting month of September, and a Wild Card playoff chase that gave Twins Territorians something to tune into, Paul Molitor's squad has reached the end. While 2015 is no doubt a resounding success given the expectations, it remains 2016 that is Minnesota's goal. Unfortunately, two massive question marks remain.   Going into 2016, the Twins roster will prominently feature a handful of high ceiling and
Ted Schwerzler

Ted Schwerzler

5

The Un(expected) Twins Asset

Just a handful of games into the season long journey, the Minnesota twins no doubt got off to a rocky start. Losing their first nine games, and being swept in three consecutive series, the hometown nine had very little to hang their hats on early. What's worth noting though is that the Twins problems have been relatively one-sided, and a past problem area has actually been a place of strength. Going into this season, I suggested that the Minnesota pitching staff would be better than you think. O
Ted Schwerzler

Ted Schwerzler

0

The Twins, Then And Now

The Twins are in the midst of a heated race for the final AL Wild Card spot, and while they are running out of games, getting to this point has been a heck of a journey. Having suffered through four straight 90 loss campaigns, being back on the positive side of things is a nice change. Winning isn't new to this franchise however, and the most interesting aspect may be just how the winning takes place.   2010 saw the Twins compile a 94-68 record under Ron Gardenhire, good enough for first in the
Ted Schwerzler

Ted Schwerzler

1

The Twins Want a New Shortstop?

Over the past couple of weeks, it has been rumored that the Twins are acting as a shark circling blood in the water. Waiting for an opportunity to make a big move like they did last offseason, it’s been anyone’s guess as to what that may be. Today it was reported that the move could come up the middle.   Trevor Bauer is the premier free agent this winter, but shortstop talent is aplenty as well. Andrelton Simmons is a perennial Gold Glove type, while both Didi Gregorious and Marcus Semien bring
Ted Schwerzler

Ted Schwerzler

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