Minnesota Twins Talk

10. Additional drink rails added in RF allowing fans to drown greater number of sorrows 9. The only MLB team premium-pricing Twins games on a 2013 schedule is the Twins. 8. Doctors seeking additional 2013 rehab opportunities for Minny’s and Paul’s atrophying elbow joints. 7. Most popular member of 2013 Twins caravan is driver, Lou, who does tricks with false teeth. 6. Mauer’s once Sampson-like sideburns continue to mysteriously recede. 5. Daffodils atop of outfield fences are removed after Twins batters complain they are interfering with potential homeruns. 4. In a season-long promotion, Twins honor 40th anniversary of 1973 team that went 81-81. …

Dariel Alvarez, Aledmis Diaz officially free agents - MLB Daily Dish The recent Cuban free agents Chapman and Cespedes have done very well. Alexei Rameriz, a former Cuban shorstop has been decent for the White Sox. The Twins shortsop problem has no end in sight. We have not spent that much on our free agent acquisitions so we have money. The Cuban defectors generally get long term deals. I think so they can negotiate the salaries in the team controlled years. A longer term deal would fit well with the addition of our younger pitchers and outfield prospects.If they have favorable scouting reports I would like to see the Twins make an effort to sign him.

I am currently blogging about this and other things and should be done by tomorrow, but here is some of that: Given how Terry Ryan has gone on to approach the starting rotation for next year, it is apparent that there is no need whatsoever to rush prospects like Hicks and Arcia at all before June 1st, for control reasons, and perhaps later for development reasons. This means an OF of Willingham-Mastroianni-Parmelee. There is an obvious question surrounding who the 4th OF is in this situation. While I think Chris Herrmann should be on the roster as a backup catcher and 5th OF, I also think that the Twins need not look outside the organization to find their 4th outfielder…

ESPN's Jim Bowden names some top prospects that could be dealt in the near future to fill holes at the MLB level. He specifically names SPs Danny Hultzen from the Mariners, Julio Teheran from the Braves, Jameson Taillon from the Pirates, and Zach Lee from the Dodgers. About Hultzen, "Hultzen has middle-of-the-rotation stuff with his changeup being his best secondary pitch and his command and control the difference-maker. Hultzen should be enough to garner a 20-home run, 80 RBI-type bat in return." The next top prospects to be traded - The GM's Office by Jim Bowden Blog - ESPN (Insider required) I think we could certainly match up with Mariners and Braves. Would Wil…

Harden: Minor League contract. Super Bowl, homeboy!

According to the Star Tribune's LaVelle Neal, the Twins have been in talks with representatives from pitcher Rich Harden. Harden has not pitched since 2011 -- at which point he threw just 82.2 innings after working just 92.2 innings the previous season. When healthy, he's missed a whole lot of bats but his health has never been a friend to him and those days may be long gone. Still, he represents a deviation away from the pitch-to-contact methods used by the two more recent signings in Kevin Correia and Mike Pelfrey. For a minor league deal, it is a perfect gamble - even if it winds up just like Joel Zumaya.

Can someone explain to me why I have not heard his name brought up at all this offseason?

What Twins pitcher to make 30 or more starts in a season surrendered the most hits per 9 innings? Clue: It’s not Carlos Silva

According to the Twins website, the Twins now have 40 players on their 40-man roster. If they add another player, who is most likely to get dropped from their present roster?

There aren't enough Edwin Jackson threads. Reports are that the Padres are in negotiations with him and a three year deal, per MLBTR. Doesn't sound like they are really close to a deal.. but if he gets those years for anything around the 13ish a year he's looking for..let the erupting from everyone commence.

I was not able to find the exact dates of the surgeries, but I believe Baker had Tommy John in Mid April of 2012 and Pelfrey had Surgery in May of 2012. In an article posted at the end of April this is what was said about Baker. "His recent surgery requires a total twelve or more months of rest as the team doctors also agree that he should not be hurrying to play again instead take complete rest and try to prolong his career with the Twins and in the MLB." This is what lead me and many to believe that Baker would not be ready for opening day 2013. Why do I keep hearing that Pelfrey is expected to be ready for us on Opening day 2013 when his surgery took place aft…

They wanted to know if I had a good time at Target Field this year. At first, I thought they were going to ask me if I knew of any cheap starting pitchers.

I think a lot of people seem to be overlooking him. I think he could still be a big part of our rotation. I know his time in the Majors last year didn't really impress anyone, but he had some good starts (including shutting out Detroit for 7 innings) and he had an outstanding year in Rochester. You would think some of the success could easily carry over to the majors eventually. He has a little more experience this year maybe he can surprise us. Liam Hendriks Stats, Bio, Photos, Highlights | MiLB.com Stats | The Official Site of Minor League Baseball Liam Hendriks Stats, Video Highlights, Photos, Bio | twinsbaseball.com: Team

Thanks Aaron for pointing this out: Ranking the sexiest GMs in baseball 1-30 | Big League Stew - Yahoo! Sports Not bad for an old guy!

Is there any website or standard statistic around that ties a pitcher's performance to his contract? With all the various praises and critiques of our (and really, everyone's) FA signings and trades this winter, I'd really like to be able to track just how much "bang for the buck" we're getting compared to the contracts we didn't sign as the season progresses. Not being a hardcore sabremetric guy, I have no idea where to even start making such calculations

Can anyone tell me why the Twins haven't signed Jon Rauch? I think I was off-island most of 2010, so I don't know if he was for real, clubhouse poison, a general pain-in-the-'okole or what. From the looks of things, the Twins had him close for 21 games, made a terrible trade for Matt Capps, and let Rauch just walk away. His contracts since have been $3.5 mil., his numbers haven't been either very good or very bad (eh, he pitched for the Mets last year and seems to have survived) and I've seen no indication of who the Twins think will be their closer in 2013. Yeah, he's 34, but he's relatively inexpensive and was, statistically at least, a good closer. It looks like a no-b…

ESPN's SweetSpot's Bill Baer wrote a nice article about Joe Mauer. Their comments are funny too. Time to appreciate Joe Mauer - SweetSpot Blog - ESPN

MLB traderumours mentioned the Twins and Rockies are interested in Freddie Garcia... Twins, Rockies, Reds Interested In Freddy Garcia: MLB Rumors - MLBTradeRumors.com Hope the Twins are outbid... 1-8 with the Yankees.. Not good at all!

[h=4]If any of you wonder what 2012 would have been like with our current 2013 staff(plus Marcum). This won't accomplish that for you... Even if that was what I attempted. The Great 2012 Mulligan Do-Over[/h] Warning... VERY LONG BLOG!!! The Entire 2012 season replayed... That Makes it a very long blog!!!

We've all talked alot about how we want to Twins to sign a big name starting pitcher. But the more I've thought about it, I can't think of the last time we signed a good starting pitcher! Carl Pavano does not count since we got him in a trade. Can anyone think of the last new starting pitcher the Twins signed that actually made a difference? And with that why should we think this year will be any different.

Would have liked to see them move on Mickey Storey (Ryan asleep at the wheel again), but here's a possible consolation prize. Saux just DFAd him to make room for Ryan Dempster. Beato is 26YO, 6'4"/220#s. RHRP with low 90s FB/90 MPH sinker, up to 96 MPH speed on the FB. Arb eligible 2015, Former Rule 5 pick. Team control until 2017, likely available barely above the minimum. High K rate and decent WHIP. Gotta be better in the BP than some of the current options such as Waldrop or Swarzak or another Gray-like signing like last year, and insurance if Roenicke/Fien/Burton falter. And this team is going to need plenty of BP depth given the precarious SP situation with the …

The Twins Winter Caravan will take place in areas all around Twins Territory starting January 14 and going through January 24, leading up to Twins Fest. Today, they announced the schedule. Venues are not listed, but those will certainly come out shortly. Players and media are listed, but subject to change. Minnesota Twins Announce Plans for 2013 Twins Winter Caravan | twinsbaseball.com: News I always enjoy the caravan. It's a nice thing that the Twins do, getting the personalities out in the community and letting fans "get to know 'em" a little bit. I think it's actually really good for the players as well to see how far away from the metro area there are fans. I've …

Hey guys, I am a long time reader, first time poster. I hope this isn't inappropriate, but I just wanted to share some paintings my friend did of Target Field. I commissioned one of the paintings, but love them both. I am pretty biased, but I think it is some of the best stuff out there of Target Field. Leslie is made some prints to sell over the holidays so if you are looking for something for your favorite Twins fan, take a look below. Leslie Barlow ART - Prints What do you guys think? Seen any other great Twins art out there?

Boom. Do it.

Say what you will about the Twins' pitcher signings this winter, but remember this, it can always be worse. The Blue Jays just signed 40-year-old pitcher Ramon Ortiz to a minor league contract. Yikes.... I apologize if mention of the name sparks any PTSD among readers....

If Toronto Trades for RA Dickey, they will have at least 7 starting pitchers for 2013 at over $50 million. RA Dickey $5 million (at least) Josh Johnson ~$14 million Mark Buehrle $12 million Brandon Morrow $8 million Ricky Romero $8 million JA Happ ~$4 million Dustin McGowan $1.5 million (Kyle Drabek) I realize the Blue Jays get $9 million in salary relief for Johnson/Buehrle/Reyes, but that is still a lot of salary. Would you be excited or mortified if Terry Ryan's plan all along was to trade for Buehle?

Perhaps our other starter? Per twitter... @ajkfan Getting some steam that the #Twins might be closing in on former Mets pitcher Mike Pelfrey. Stay tuned sports fans...

Mickey Storey is the type of pitcher that Terry Ryan should be adding for depth. He was just DFA by the Astros today. Storey made 26 relief appearances for the Astros this past season. The 26-year-old posted a 3.86 ERA with 10.1 K/9 and 3.0 BB/9 in 30 1/3 innings at the MLB level. He also spent considerable time at Triple-A in 2012, posting a 3.05 ERA with 10.0 K/9 and 1.9 BB/9 in 65 innings.

Has it really come to this? (I hear TR is secretly bringing in Roy Hobbs on a minor league deal to inevitably play RF, too). It's Doogie, so take it FWIW The Scoops: Wolves may be interested as Cavs shop Anderson Varejao | 1500 ESPN Twin Cities ? Minnesota Sports News & Opinion (Twins, Vikings, Wolves, Wild, Gophers) | Sportswire: Minnesota Timberwolves: • The Twins will be among the teams at free agent pitcher Brandon Webb's throwing session after the holidays. A former Cy Young winner, he hasn't thrown a major league pitch since 2009 because of shoulder issues. Technically, he hasn't pitched ML-ball since 2008, so at least he's had little arm wear- over the la…

I really can't think of anything that I would consider on par with some of the Vikings losses in recent memory. To me Game 163 in 2008 was a great game, but not heart breaking. The closest I can think of Game 2 in 2004. Maybe in retrospect the Eric Fox game? What does everyone else think?