Minnesota Twins Talk

When August 1, 2012 comes around which current Twins players do you see not being on the roster?

In 2010 and 2011, Target Field park factor for run scoring was .962 and .944. It is considered to be a pitcher's park. Through half of a season this year, park factor for run scoring is 1.053. Home runs are still down, but everything else is up. It takes more than two years to determine how a venue will impact run scoring. Look at data for Mall of America Field from 2007-2009 and you will see significant season to season variance even in a climate controlled venue. Our assumptions about Target Field being a pitcher's park may be incorrect. It hasn't been thus far this year. If you are interested, park factor data can be found at http://espn.go.com/mlb/stats/parkfac…

Jose Berrios record his 4th save tonight. In 5 appearances he has struck out 12 in 7 innings. It seems like a good start and hopefully more to come.

Ben Revere draws very few walks. His BB% is 4.4% compared to the league average of 8.3%. That is a fact demonstrated by the data. I have read a number of comments that he has poor plate discipline or is overly aggressive. Do the stats support this as well? Does he swing at too many pitches? 1. His o-Swing% (swings at pitches outside of strike zone) is very average. 29.6% compared to league average of 29.7%. 2. His z-Swing% (swings at pitches inside the strike zone) is pretty low. 51.6% compared to league average of 63.9%. 3. Overall, his Swing% is 39.9%. League average is 45.2%. Then why doesn't he draw walks? Because he hits the ball and puts it in play. …

Obviously at this point Trout is the favorite to win ROY, but I think Diamond should get some votes. In fact, if it wasn't for a historic year by Trout/Trumbo, Diamond could easily be a front runner. I really hope he gets a little national love for his season.

I'm watching the Blue Jays game and Buck Martinez just said, "There's speculation that the Angels are in talks with the Twins for Francisco Liriano... and Matt Capps." What would a possible trade with the Angels look like?

The Twins draft was once again an epic failure. Terry Ryan and the scouting department have failed ever since Mauer was drafted and nothing will change until they are fired. Sad to see they left 1 million on the table when their farm system is depleted of even servicable arms. Without lucking into Buxton I would guess Terry and his good old boys would've been fired by now. Here is what John Sickles has to say about the draft: "The Twins were left with the second largest total under their allotment but when adding in the 5% that a team could overspend, they left over a million dollars on the table. That number would be close to $900k without the Mazilli signing but…

It's time to make a deal after that great showing of 8 shutout innings for the Red Wings. So which playoff hopeful needs a SP?>

Pretty appropriate topic for my first thread. This is the first half of the last season. We get 8 episodes this fall an 8 more next year. I'm really excited to see which direct they take this season. I think it's safe to say Walt has completely transformed into Heisenberg.

per MLBtraderumors

If Span is traded (something I am not hoping for). Who will be the Twins starting Right Fielder? Would it be Mastroianni, some bum we acquire in the "Span Trade" like Roger Bernadina, Chris Parmelee or someone else? My preference would be Parmelee. If he plays everyday I believe he can be an offensive asset. It will definitely not be the ideal situation defensively, but what the hey - Benson and Hicks are not ready. It would be nice to see Parmelee play everyday to make a judgement on whether his offensive struggles were caused by a lack of playing time or simply being over matched at the MLB level. Parmelee can play RF and we are in the midst of a washed out sea…

The reference is here. He suggests that Capps and Liriano are fits. Whatever. The fact is that the Twins are scouting a particular Toronto affiliate. What severely bugs me, is that the Twins are scouting the Midwest League (A) Lansing Lugnuts. They need to have MLB-ready starting pitching ASAP as a return to any trade, and they are scouting single A. Nuts.

Pretty interesting. Q&A: Glen Perkins, Stud Reliever & Stat Geek Here's a follow-up audio interview on Fangraphs where Perkins answers the fan questions. FanGraphs Audio: Glen Perkins Answers Reader Qs

http://twinsdaily.com/entry.php?1454-Defending-Joe-Mauer-s-value-for-23M-per-year It is super popular to rip Mauer and his contract, more specifically his "output/dollar spent ratio" but let's be honest - it is 100% not his fault the Twins are so bad this season. Yes, even when you factor in how his $23m/yr ties up so much payroll. My argument: 1) Mauer is the best offensive catcher in the AL. He is also paid the most. 2) Everyone wants to make the argument that he ties up $23m/year for his "pedestrian production". The guy is leading MLB in OBP. He is 4th in AL BA - he has an OPS of .865 and an OPS+ of 140. 3) This: .326/.416/.449 .304./357/.500 .251/.346/…

Clear a spot in the outfield for a hitter The Twins currently start two outfielders, Span and Revere, who have good batting averages but slugging percentages under .400 and very low power numbers. It is my belief that they can't be serious about contending with two such starters in the outfield. Also, they have substandard to nonexistent power at other positions--2nd base and SS--so that too high a percentage of their home runs comes from two players--Plouffe and Willingham. They need extra base power from both corner OF spots and they won't get it with Revere. Span is a prototypical leadoff hitter, a speedy runner, and a good center fielder. He hits lefties v…

In the first half of Jason Kendall's Career as a MLB catcher he was an offensive force. Injuries plagued this All-Star and after his year 30 season he seemingly started to crumble into that of a punch and judy hitter without any pop in his bat. Was it injuries that changed this once potent bat into that of a weak singles hitter? Before I delve into this anymore, I want everyone to know that I think Mauer is a better player than what Jason Kendall was in his prime. Although Mauer is great as a catcher, did the amount of time allotted to him to play this position destroy his greatest asset... his offense and extra base hitting ability?

According to this article (an Interview with Chris Perez), Danny Valencia isn't happy in the minors. He doesn't go as far as to say that he should be in the majors though. http://www.twincities.com/twins/ci_21038078/minnesota-twins-danny-valencia-not-happy-minors-friend?source=rss Enjoy!

One of the things Aaron and I talked about on the podcast last winter was how Twins fans were going to be treated to an experiment of sorts in the outfield this season. Ben Revere has outstanding range but a pretty awful arm - the two extremes. The Twins kicked the experiment up a notch by putting him in right field, where range counts for less and the arm for more. So I've been watching - how many times to I lament Revere's arm vs praise Revere's range? So far, it's absolutely no contest. I'll take the range every time. There have been times that I've grimaced over the occasional extra base, but they don't compare in quantity or in impact to how many times I think…

So there has been a lot of talk lately of payroll. Max payroll etc etc.... What I came across is a few discrepancies in Revenue vs Payroll. Using these two references listed below to produce our revenue and payroll figures (and profit). The two teams I used are the twins and the phillies. 2011 Revenue and profit Twins: 213 million (26.5 million in profit/income) Phillies: 239 million (8.9 million in profit/income) 2012 Payroll figures Twins: 94 million Phillies: 173 million How is it with only 20 million more in revenue the phillies can achieve a payroll $79 million higher and still turn a 9 million dollar profit? To calculate operating expenses I used the follo…

As we have debated the trading of Liriano, part of the discussion is always possible compensation. Amongst us the terms of the new CBA are not clear. Do we get one or two picks if we offer Liriano around 12.5 million for 1 year? Does the signing team lose a pick? Would we likely lose a pick if we chose to go after a top pitcher on the market? Should we trade Liriano, can the new team get compensation if he leaves in free agency? I thought the answers were 2, yes, yes and no based on http://mlb.sbnation.com/2011/11/23/2581637/major-league-baseball-cba-labor-agreement The Elias free-agent rankings system is dead. Free-agent compensation is not. In order for a t…

Play Casilla more and/or recall Florimon The Twins have divided up the middle infield between Casilla, Carroll, and Dozier. Casilla and Carroll were the regulars until Dozier was recalled, at which time he became the regular SS, moving Carroll mostly to second and Casilla to the bench. At the break, you can throw a blanket over the three offensively--Dozier's OPS is .599, Carroll's is .597 and Casilla's is .577, all substandard. Defensively, Dozier has been poor--13 errors in 53 games--Carroll has been good, and Casilla probably a bit better than good. Carroll has played second, short and third, while Casilla has played almost solely at second and Dozier has played…

Determine Brian Duensing's role Brian Duensing has been with the Twins since 2009. He has been mostly healthy and pitched both in relief and as a starter in each year, starting 50 game and relieving in 59 coming into this year. Duensing started this year in the bullpen and was effective, pitching mostly in middle innings and showing good ability to get LH hitters out. With the implosion of the starting rotation, Duensing was given the opportunity to start and he has posted three starts before the All-Star break. Duensing had good success moving into the rotation in the division championship years of '09 and '10. Last year, he was in the rotation for almost all of…

Over the last few years professional sports in Minnesota has been terrible with the obvious exception being the Lynx. If you listen to KFAN (100.3FM) on the radio you probably heard this state being referred to as “Loserville USA” by host Paul Allen. There are several reasons to be optimistic about 2012 and the future. The Vikings had a great draft in April and signed some quality free agents that should help in the rebuilding mode. The Timberwolves improved and were legitimate playoff contenders until point guard Ricky Rubio tore his ACL in March. They recently just signed Brandon Roy and offered forward Nicolas Batum a large 4-year deal. The Wild shocked the world…

I'm just curious what everyone thinks he will fetch at the deadline. In my pipe dream scenario, we swap him for Michael Pineda, but I'm guessing NY wouldn't go for that.

Like it had been hinted, Scot Diamond will be slotted into Monday with the reasoning that Scot has already pitched 113.2 combined IP with a career high of last yrs 162 IP . Fine Cole DeVries and Samuel Deduno are scheduled for game 2 following Liriano on FRI. Assuming its DeVries, after his gem tonight, does the organization have any idea that Cole's 100 combined IP are already more than he threw in either of the past 2 years...90 last yr 90.1 in 2010 as he was a fulltime reliever. That's ok tho??? PJ Walters, who is out of options & must return from his rehab, is scheduled for a Thur ROC start & then Tue with the Twins, as his rehab time will be done--or…

Two part question, really: What are the odds the Twins are unable to orchestrate any trades before the end of the month?If that happens (and understanding there’s still the possibility of the waiver trade deadline), will it be regarded as a large failure of Terry Ryan?

Considering the Twins past wishing they would sign an ace pitcher is at best wishful thinking. In the past they have reclaimed a couple of starting pitchers who had a few down years. Morris had a couple bad years before the Twins took him on. Pavano and Blyleven fit this mode, too. Are there any pitchers out there that the Twins can trade spare parts for that fit this mode. The Twins have traded spare parts and received Mayes and Loshe. Valencia, Carrol and Casilla fit the parts that the Twins in the past have turned into viable starters. One could hope that Ryan turns his eye again. There really are no Twins in their fifth year of service that the Twins can trade for…

As per Joe C on twitter. https://twitter.com/JoeCStrib/status/220591904562229248 What's the word on Fien? Blackburn had to go.

I missed most of the game tonight and would like a report on how Samuel Deduno looked tonight against a tough Rangers lineup. What does he throw for pitches and what was his fasball clocked at?

The transactions of the last few days boil down to Blackburn being replaced by Deduno, and Parmelee being replaced by... Fien? So, we're back to a roster of 13 pitchers and 3 catchers. Very little scope for pinch-hitting and pinch-running. I guess this has been hashed to death, but it still seems weird to me. Wasn't so long ago that 11 pitchers were enough for a staff. And I think it detracts from the enjoyment of the tactical game - instead of managers having to anticipate opposing moves and countering them, it's just a matter of running wave after wave of fresh arms out there to throw heat for an inning.