Minnesota Twins Talk

I thought I would post a thread with the stats (so far) of all current Twins in the WBC (not counting tonight's stats). Australia (eliminated): James Beresford-.182 BA (2-11), 0 HR, 1 BB, 1 K Canada (Pool play): Justin Morneau-.714 BA (5-7), 2 2B, 3 RBI's, 1 BB, 0 K Andrew Albers- 0-0, 3 IP, 6.00 ERA, 2 R, 2 ER, 3 K's Dominican Republic (Advancing to Rd. 2): Sam Deduno- 1-0, 4 IP, 0.00 ERA, 5 K's Italy (pool play): Drew Butera-.250 BA (2-8), 1 HR, 4 RBI's, 0 BB, 1 K Chris Colabello-.500 BA (5-10), 1 HR, 4 RBI's, 0 BB, 2 K Netherlands (2nd round): Shairon Martis-0-0, 3 1/3 IP, 0.00 ERA, 3 R, 0 ER, 2 K Tom Stuifbergen-0-1, 3 IP, 15.00 ERA, 5 R, 5 ER, 3 BB, 1 K P…

In the same game where Hicks was crazy good, Kyle Gibson was crazy bad. Gibson talked about how the only problem was that his fastball command was dismal, and that he had the same problem in the Arizona Fall League. For a guy coming back from elbow problems, this seems like something to keep an eye on. Gibson struggles with command against Phillies | twinsbaseball.com: News

Reality from Fort Myers: Angry Twins followers | 1500 ESPN Twin Cities ? Minnesota Sports News & Opinion (Twins, Vikings, Wolves, Wild, Gophers) | Sportswire: Minnesota Twins Patrick Reusse has been covering the Twins for a long time, but he's also been able to gauge the pulse of Twins fans through the years. He opines that there have always been angry fans and uses a 1970 Ron Perranoski story to illustrate that. He talks about how social media (specifically Twitter) can really bring it out too now. I'm with Mr. Reusse on this statement: I always wonder why some people choose to be so venomous in their hate and disgust as to lash out so strongly. What…

I thought this was an interesting take on Berrios from new Pi Press beat reporter Mike Berardino. And I love the sports analogy that Terry Ryan uses. It would be nice to see a Twins pitcher who had the ability to have a little swagger.... Twins prospects Eddie Rosario, J.O. Berrios lead Puerto Rico over Twins (w/ video) - TwinCities.com

Interesting article by Phil Mackey. It discusses how GMs often try to delay the start of a player's service time clock. He seems to be mistaken on how "Super 2" status is determined though. Mackey: Hicks Has Turned CF Competition into a blowout early

...and I'm not sure he's wrong. Christina De Nicola (who I'm assuming is the backup Twins beat reporter for MLB.com) covered today's game and got some quotes from Cole De Vries about his two perfect inning, two strikeout, no walk, outing today: De Vries didn't get the hype Deduno did last year, but his overall numbers might surprise you: 87.2 innings, 6 K/9, 1.8 BB/9, 4.11 ERA. What hurt him most were home runs (1.6/9). That seems fixable. He doesn't have the most upside, but I'll take a steady back of the rotation starter at this point. For instance, Hendrick numbers in the majors: 108.2 IP, 5.5 K/9, 2.7 BB/9. 5.71 ERA. De Vries vies for spot in rotation | twin…

Boy, talk about crummy timing. Just as Morneau leaves for the WBC, Parmelee hurts his groin and will be out will be out for a bit.... This naturally raises the question about who might go if Pamelee can't, though I would think he would be back in plenty of time (though groin injuries can linger). I would assume that would mean Hicks status in CF is cemented (If it hasn't been already) which means either starting Mastroianni (who is also hurt, I think) and having someone like Clete Thomas or Brandon Boggs on the bench OR bringing Joe Benson north for a little while. That seems a tad aggressive for a guy who was totally lost last year. http://www.twincities.com/sport…

Joe hit leadoff today, and now I have a number of questions. I admittedly haven't been paying close enough attention to see if he has in previous ST games, but regardless, does this make sense to anyone else? Do the Twins realistically expect Joe to hit leadoff? Is this just an attempt to get him extra ABs at the start of the game? In Benson, aren't we looking at more of a Torii Hunter (free swinger, bigger power threat, plus fielder) than a Denard Span? Are we just stuck in a world where speedy CF's who provide plus defense= leadoff hitter? Am I just anxious/confused/making-a-mountain-out-of-a-molehill because I'm looking at 6 inches of fresh powder (and more still fall…

I am on my way to Ft. Meyers. Anyone know the pitching matchups or lineup?

Another encouraging report on Brian Dozier's ability to play second base: Minnesota Twins: Brian Dozier looks slick at second base - TwinCities.com

Mike Berardino of the Pi Press writes a profile of Brandon Boggs, which is very complementary. A few things struck me, any of which would make a find topic for this thread. Take it whichever way you want gang.... 1. We've talked a lot about whether the Twins should/would offer Thome the major league deal he's looking for. I hadn't thought about Thome accepting a minor-league deal. The reason Thome wouldn't come to the Twins on a minor league deal: if he's going to accept a minor league deal, why not accept it from a team with a chance for a ring? But the reason he would is because having the manager publicly lobbying for you is almost as good as a major league dea…

From Pastapadre.com Evidently the game is as awful as it's predictions. Fodder for a slow day.

With Minor League Camp opening, the Twins plan to make their first round of cuts after the split squad game on Thursday. Typically the first round of cuts includes many on the 40 man that definitely won't make the 25-man to protect the team from wasting service time in case a player gets injured. I believe the following players will be amongst those first cut: Pitchers: Hermsen, Hernandez and Tonkin. Catchers: Pinto Infielders: Santana I believe they'll keep Thielbar and Robertson around a little longer to compete for the LH Middle Relief role. And Swarzak, Roenicke and Wood are all out of options so they'll keep them around for a while yet. They might keep Pin…

I asked a question to Phil Mackey on a recent Twins chat: Read the transcript from Phil Mackey's live Twins chat | 1500 ESPN Twin Cities ? Minnesota Sports News & Opinion (Twins, Vikings, Wolves, Wild, Gophers) | Sportswire: Minnesota Twins [TABLE=width: 100%] [TD=class: chatmsgtime]1:56 [/TD] [TD=class: chatmsgtext viewer_text][TABLE] [/TD] [Comment From GuestGuest: ] In 2007 when the Twins cut payroll to retool their club ($71 Million -> $57 million) they spent some of the difference on pre-paying guys via signing bonuses (Morneau $6 million, Cuddyer $3 million). How are the 2013 Twins putting their available payroll ($100 million -> $80 million) to wor…

According to MLB.com's twitter feed, the Team USA lineup in their pre-WBC exhibition match against the White Sox are going a little unconventional: Joe Mauer is batting cleanup. While that may not be noteworthy had Mauer been playing for Team Italy, however, America's team has such notable sluggers as the Marlins' Giancarlo Stanton (.553 career slugging%), Yankees' first baseman Mark Teixeira (.527) and Mets' third baseman David Wright (.503) hitting behind Mauer (.468). The Twins catcher has batted fourth just seven times in his career according to MLB.com's Rhett Bollinger and Aaron Gleeman adds that it has been since '06 when Mauer batted there last. But it's a…

Not a lot of new insights, but Duensing has been told that whatever role he has, he's going to have it all year: Reusse is very clear that he things Duensing should be in the 'pen. I think most would agree. As short-handed as the Twins might be in their starting rotation for left-handers, they might be even shorter in their bullpen. (That is, if you don't count the closer, Perkins. And I don't.) Duensing in bullpen isn't official ... yet | StarTribune.com

There have been lots of stories about players that might find their way onto Gardy's team as a bench bat: Phil Miller profiles Jeff Clement, who at one point profiled very similar to Joe Mauer... He hit his second home run of the spring today, one from each side of the plate. The interesting thing here is that all three should get some extra time over the next 10 days while Morneau is toiling away with Team Canada. Anyone got any preference here (assuming it's not Thome)?

Patrick Reusse profiles BJ Hermsen. He steers clear of the disappointing strikeout numbers and focuses on the results, his size and his future: It's a good profile that told me a lot more than I knew before, but doesn't really change the limited ceiling I see him having. Iowa pitching legend helped Hermsen's rise | StarTribune.com

So I have some free time this month and have been thinking about heading to Ft Myers to visit a friend and subsequently check out Spring Training. Was wondering if anyone who'd been in the past had an tips. I figured I would go to a game or two but I am kinda interested in hanging out and watching some of the young guys and check out kind of the behind the scenes stuff ie: bp, drills, etc...Any info would be helpful. Thanks guy.

In a tweet minutes ago by the Pioneer Press's Charley Walters, he wrote: I don't know if this is Minnesota Twins news completely, but it is Twins news on a couple of counts... Remind me of when former Twins utility infielder Denny Hocking's wife had twins. He was said to have said, "I'm really glad I don't play for the 76ers!"

With the Twins facing the Marlins today, Phil Miller talked with Mike Redmond about what he learned from Gardenhire, and with Gardenhire about how Redmond prepared to become a coach. Redmond praised Gardenhire's loyalty to his players: I like Redmond a lot, and feel like he could be a very good coach. But I gotta say, I don't think this Marlins gig is going to go too well for him. It isn't just the cutbacks. It's also that the front office and ownership seem to be fairly miserable. Redmond's routine as Miami manager has a Gardy baseline | StarTribune.com

A few new things: 1: "Stand 141", which I mentioned in my previous thread as being the new home for most of the local brews, is the stand located just inside Gate 34 which also has windows that open onto the Plaza 2: I spoke with some folks from Summit yesterday and while there is no official word as of yet, the Summit Townball Tavern deal may have fallen through due to problems with the Anheuser-Busch Inbev contract for the stadium. Clauses in that contract may be preventing the Twins from selling sponsorship rights to any other beer vendor without their approval. I really really hope this is just a false rumor, but it wouldn't surprise me if it were true. I still…

Mackey: Don't sleep on Eduardo Escobar as a regular in Twins lineup | 1500 ESPN Twin Cities ? Minnesota Sports News & Opinion (Twins, Vikings, Wolves, Wild, Gophers) | Sportswire: Minnesota Twins I've written several times throughout the offseason that I believe that Eduardo Escobar will/can be the Twins next long-term utility infielder. He may not hit a ton, though I think he'll be fine, but he is very good defensively at all three infield spots. I think he's a given to make the roster, but it may not be quite 100%, maybe like 60%

La Velle E Neal has referenced a "B" game in which Alex Meyer and JO Berrios were impressive. He expounds a little on how people reacted to Meyer: I'll be shocked if the Twins see him at any point this year, but I'll be paying attention to how he's doing in High A or Double A this year. Twins center field battle, Morneau, Thome, Meyer, Berrios, Gibson | StarTribune.com

I defy you to read this Pioneer Press story about Darin Mastroianni and not end up rooting for the guy. First, because he's just a spiteful SOB: But also, because he's our best chance to see a Minnesota Twins with a straight steal of home. He stole three his senior year in college, two of which were in critical games. But the majors.... I want this to happen so bad. And then I want a Parker Hageman gif fest breaking it down. Minnesota Twins: Speedy Darin Mastroianni keeps proving doubters wrong - TwinCities.com

Ok. Just for my sanity because I did not see the Perez thing reported before this by Rhett Bollinger, which practically says that they are both off bullpen sessions and just allowed to play catch. (Knew that about Harden, just not about Perez) Which means at least EST for both and that "late March" alleged availability for Harden is more like May. Same with Perez. It is what it is. On other former Twins' news looks like both Baker and Garza will not be ready till at least April.

Aaron Hicks CF Brian Dozier 2B Josh Willingham DH Ryan Doumit C Trevor Plouffe 3B Joe Benson RF Wilkin Ramirez LF Jeff Clement 1B Ray Olmedo SS Mike Pelfrey SP

But everyone swears it's temporary. They just need someone to fill in there since Morneau, Mauer and Colabello are all in the WBC for the next 10 games. In fact, it's all hands on deck to find warm bodies.... FWIW, Parmelee doesn't seem to mind. Shortage sends Parmelee back to first, for a bit | StarTribune.com

Mackey: Once critical, Tom Kelly has changed his tune on Brian Dozier - Minnesota Twins news | 1500 ESPN Twin Cities ? Minnesota Sports News & Opinion (Twins, Vikings, Wolves, Wild, Gophers) | Sportswire: Minnesota Twins In a Friday interview with Phil Mackey and Patrick Reusse on 1500espn, Tom Kelly had a lot to say about a lot of players and prospects. The Twins Hall of Fame manager is not one to hold back any punches. He also can admit to changing his opinion on players, and that is the case with Brian Dozier: In the Twins organization, Tom Kelly's voice and his words are still as important as anyone's, so this is not just a minor thing.

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