Minnesota Twins Talk

Turns out, he still went through with it with a (I think) Philly girl: Boy, I might have taken that as a free pass to delay things a bit. I'm just saying.... http://mlb.mlb.com/news/article.jsp?ymd=20130219&content_id=41791208

http://www.1500espn.com/gallery/minnesota_twinsphoto_day_021913/pID48838 That spleen surgery really did a number on him.

Saw a note on mlbtraderumors.com that apparently the Twins have interest in Mike Carp. Why? He's a left-handed bat who can play 1b and OF. I'm pretty sure we've got that covered, between Morneau, Parmelee, Doumit, and Mauer. I could MAYBE see a role for him on the bench if he was a right handed batter, or he could also play 3B. But not quite sure what purpose he could serve as is, unless they want Parmelee to spend more time at Rochester.

I can't believe that Gardenhire meant things this way, but it almost sounds like he would consider adding some of the young power arms to the roster.... On second read, I don't see any Gardenhire quotes about the roster, specifically. Maybe he's just taking a special interest in the prospect. God knows, the rest of us are.... http://mlb.mlb.com/news/article.jsp?ymd=20130219&content_id=41792872&notebook_id=41792882

Anthony Catrovince tries to be gentle, but isn't optimistic about the Twins 2013 season: http://mlb.mlb.com/news/article.jsp?ymd=20130217&content_id=41735008

La Velle E Neal busts out his writing chops with a story on how the team is viewing Trevor Plouffe this year: FWIW, I think we can add Twins fans to the list of people that would like Plouffe to stay at a position. What has stopped him has been fielding competently at any one (infield) position. So make it happen, Trevor. Settled at one position, Twins' Plouffe hopes he sticks | StarTribune.com

Where can we find the transcript for last night's Twins Chat? At least on my PC, it isn't popping up on the page where it was originally posted.

I'll admit it: I was rooting for the Netherlands in the last WBC. I did not know this little tidbit about the WBC: I wonder what Blyleven would be like as a pitching coach. http://www.twincities.com/twins/ci_22624138/charley-walters-bert-blyleven-doesnt-see-his-wbc

Nice to see Gardenhire's quote on Kyle Gibson's pitching BP: Also http://www.twincities.com/sports/ci_22623436/minnesota-twins-grooming-young-pitchers-alex-meyer-kyle

Herrmann looks to break camp as third catcher | twinsbaseball.com: News

Phil Miller gives some raw impressions from watching a bunch of Twins pitchers throw, including Luis Perdomo, Trevor May and Sam Deduno.... I thought Delmon signed with someone else..... http://www.startribune.com/sports/twins/191722591.html Late addition: - La Velle also had some notes. - MIller and Neal did a video diary of what they saw, too.

Tom Powers has a full length story on Eddie Rosario. Turns out it was supposed to be done last June, but that was the day Rosario was hit by the BP line drive in the kisser. http://www.twincities.com/sports/ci_22622345/tom-powers-twins-prospect-eddie-rosario-back-track

Per Mike Beradino, Sam Deduno will be pitching for the Dominican Republic team (though it doesn't say in what role). And Jamey Carroll has been added to Team USA's reserve list.

Mauer feels great. And he wants to catch more. Fortunately, I think Gardy is maintaining his cool... http://www.startribune.com/sports/twins/191756651.html

Pi Press columnist Bob Sansevere takes issue with the Twins decision to target pitchers coming off of injuries: I guess I'd be OK with signing injured pitchers if there were some upside, but in most cases there really isn't. http://www.twincities.com/sports/ci_22615468/bob-sansevere-memo-twins-hope-isnt-strategy

Pi Press reporter Brian Murphy interviews Kevin Correia and gets his side of the story, but also isn't afraid to interject Twins fans concerns: http://www.twincities.com/sports/ci_22610767/minnesota-twins-kevin-correia-focused-wins-not-style

Put them in, Coach: These Twins are ready to play center field | StarTribune.com

Strib has a one-minute video talking to Aaron Hicks. He looks a lot older than in some of the previous pictures I've seen. I'm not a fan of the moustache, but I'll be interested to get to know this guy. Meet Aaron Hicks | StarTribune.com

Listening to Gleeman and the Geek and their preference for Casey Fien motivated me to learn a little more about him. How much weight will the Twins put in Casey Fien's performance in a small sample in the majors? Reasons for concern... His numbers in AAA were mediocre for a reliever. His small sample in the majors was aided by an unsustainable .229 BABIP. His ground ball rate was 24.7% in the majors and 29.4% over the previous 2 years in the minors. Already 29, his age gives him no hope for upside. Do you share their confidence in Fien? Will he be an asset in the bullpen this year?

Brian Murphy dives into the new roles that Joe Vavra (the old hitting coach) and Tom Brunansky (the new hitting coach) have, and how that will work. I gotta say, I respect the hell out of Vavra's attitude: That's impressive. There will likely be some issues here, but it sounds like they're all prepared to tackle them. Minnesota Twins: Tom Brunansky in a tricky spot as new hitting instructor - TwinCities.com

I am actually gonna bet the farm on the Twins if I can get that line in Vegas in a couple weeks. 65 wins shouldn't be THAT hard, right? Courtesy of Atlantis Casino Resort: Detroit Tigers: 90 Los Angeles Dodgers: 90 Washington Nationals: 90 Los Angeles Angels: 89½ Cincinnati Reds: 88½ Texas Rangers: 87 Toronto Blue Jays: 86½ New York Yankees: 86½ San Francisco Giants: 86 Atlanta Braves: 86 Tampa Bay Rays: 86 St. Louis Cardinals: 85½ Oakland Athletics: 83 Philadelphia Phillies: 81½ Arizona Diamondbacks: 81½ Chicago White Sox: 80½ Milwaukee Brewers: 79½ Boston Red Sox: 79½ Kansas City Royals: 79 Pittsburgh Pirates: 79 Cleveland Indians: 77½ Baltimore Orioles: 76½ Seattle…

Rhett Bollinger reports had a full squad meeting and stressed that the Twins should turn the page on the last two seasons. I wonder how long managers plan that. I bet it's on their mind quite a bit during the offseason. I also wonder what mine would be, especially if I was in Gardy's shoes. Off the top of my head, I'll go with something like: "You each have a chance to be part of the next winning Twins team. Maybe it'll be this year. Maybe it won't. But your actions and focus, on and off the field, are going to determine your future, one way or the other." Gardy addresses team as full-squad work starts | twinsbaseball.com: News

Kind of a fun video of the Twins golfing in tournament for a cancer center. You've likely seen Butera's and Duensing's outfits, but you haven't lived until you've seen Gardenhire swing with a cigar in his mouth: Twins tee it up in Florida | StarTribune.com

Notebook:Trevor Plouffe 'earns right' to get chance to take third base job - Minnesota Twins news | 1500 ESPN

Zulgad: After a tough year, Brian Dozier has a plan and a new position

Brian Murphy at Pi Press talks about Josh Willingham's goals this offseason. Josh doesn't take the bait: http://www.twincities.com/twins/ci_22597486/minnesota-twins-josh-willinghams-numbers-goal-is-zero That sounds like a fine goal to me. Oswaldo Arcia might privately not agree.

Recovered Hendriks hopes to reclaim starting job | twinsbaseball.com: News A year ago, Liam Hendriks made the starting rotation but was sent down a month later where he continued to put up incredible statistics as he had the two previous seasons. He struggled in the big leagues, so he's hoping to show that he can succeed. I definitely continue to believe that he can be a solid big league mid-rotation starter.

Morneau's forecast with the Twins: Cloudy | StarTribune.com Star-Tribune's Phil Miller writes about the cloudy Twins future.

Zulgad: Healthy Kyle Gibson looking to earn spot in starting rotation - Minnesota Twins news | 1500 ESPN Twin Cities ? Minnesota Sports News & Opinion (Twins, Vikings, Wolves, Wild, Gophers) | Sportswire: Minnesota Twins Gibson know he has a lot to prove this spring and throughout the season, but he is anxious to be back on the field and pitch for the Twins. He just has to try to not do too much.

Judd Zulgad of 1500 ESPN give us an overview of starting pitcher Scott Diamond's recovery efforts. Diamond felt good on Friday, not so good on Saturday. Scott Diamond remains optimistic but knows he can't rush recovery - Minnesota Twins news | 1500 ESPN Twin Cities ? Minnesota Sports News & Opinion (Twins, Vikings, Wolves, Wild, Gophers) | Sportswire: Minnesota Twins