Minnesota Twins Talk

MLB.com's Twins beat writer Rhett Bollinger reports that Glen Perkins will not travel with the team to New York as he remained in the Twin Cities to receive an MRI for left forearm inflammation. Perkins was coming off two outings in which his command of his fastball and slider were seriously lacking despite fairly good velocity -- a common sign that there may be issues within the elbow. The Twins bullpen is already gruel thin as it is however now they may be without one of baseball's best relief arms in 2011. If Perkins is placed on the DL, what moves do you think the Twins should make?

Everyone should go read this. He brings up so many points that we have all been talking about for the last few months. Most of us should be able to agree with it. http://www.startribune.com/sports/twins/blogs/147744405.html

MLB.com's Twins beat writer Rhett Bollinger reports that Glen Perkins will not travel with the team to New York as he remained in the Twin Cities to receive an MRI for left forearm inflammation. Perkins was coming off two outings in which his command of his fastball and slider were seriously lacking despite fairly good velocity -- a common sign that there may be issues within the elbow. The Twins bullpen is already gruel thin as it is however now they may be without one of baseball's best relief arms in 2011. If Perkins is placed on the DL, what moves do you think the Twins should make?

As of now, the Twins are tied with the Padres for the worse record in baseball. Familiar territory from 2011 (and the late 90s), but something that a lot of us cannot stomach...

Hughes has had a couple of big errors recently at second base, particularly with respect to turning double plays. I remember quite a few people on this forum telling me that Hughes D at second base was comparable if not better to Casilla's when Hughes was lighting it up in spring training. So I have a couple of questions... 1) Still feel that way? 2) Is his roster spot (for position players) the most in jeopardy, even though he doesn't have options? I pointed out after the first game that it looked like Plouffe was the first guy off the bench for an infield need, and Plouffe is also right-handed. If something happens, like Doumit or Mauer or Carroll is dinged up a bit…

I like the Clete Thomas signing. Not because he hit the ball hard twice on his first game, but because he has the potential to hit 12-20 home runs if he plays 120 games. One thing that has been consistent with the Twins teams for the past ten years, is they have ~3-4 guys in the lineup that are quick but have no power threat. This was okay (not great) when the team had pitching, defense, and a couple of offensive horses. I would argue that the front office and Gardy focus on playing players with power potential if at all possible. Maybe this is too obvious or ...

Assuming Scott Baker's surgery and recovery goes well, which choice should the Twins make regarding his contract in 2013? [*=1]Pick up his option ($9.25 million) [*=1]Decline his option, attempt to sign him to a smaller 1-year deal [*=1]Decline his option, let him sign elsewhere

A guy really cant start the season any hotter and hes not showing any sign of slowing down, so why are we not putting him at cleanup and Mourneau down lower? With span and carroll together averaging over .375 OBP how many more runs would we have scored thus far if Willingam was able to knock them in? Maybe we would have one another game or two?

has turned him into an impatient wild-swinging hacker. Career before the injury, he had 415/595 BB/K which is excellent for a power threat with MVP type numbers. Since the injury, he has 20/51 BB/K(1/7 this season is ridiculous even for a small sample size). He has become a easy out and rally killer by absolutely swinging out of his shoes at nearly every pitch. Opposing pitchers need not throw him a strike, because Justin will definitely extend the strike zone. He fortunately connected once this year, but I am ready for the return of the old Justin any time he wants to knock this crap off.

as most of us expected and speculated, Ben Revere has been sent to triple a. he needs to play every day, wheras Clete Thomas is fine playing once or twice a week.

I see the Angels just DFA'd RHRP Rich Thompson. I am curious about the possibility of the Twins putting in a waiver claim for three reasons: 1) He was effective in 2011 and could potentially help in the bullpen. 2) The Twins have had a pretty big run of signing guys named "Thompson" in the last six months. 3) The Twins love mates from Down Under. In all seriousness though, do the Twins give Swarzak a shot to keep the 5th spot in the rotation and let Hendriks build his strength back up in AAA? That opens a spot for RHRP, which is already a thin-spot in a bullpen that isn't exactly strong. Thompson is on the hook for $495K and out of options. He could be had f…

This past offseason, Baseball America rated Target Field as one of the worst venues for left handed power hitters. The Pioneer Press's Ben Goessling sat down with MPR's chief meteorologist, Paul Huttner, who provided some interesting nuggets and offered some scientific insight as to why Joe Mauer can't hit home runs anymore (in a roundabout way): This is much more plausible than the previous "concrete drying" theory that Bert Blyleven offered in 2010.

Inside Pitch is beginning and I will make some notes from the show. (listen on your Twins Radio Network station or at www.1500espn.com). Faced some pretty good competition, but not excuses. We had a chance to put up some runs and we didn't do it.Defense - We have had a chance to turn a lot of DPs and haven't got it done. Some have been routine. Extends innings.Played decent defense in the OF. Obviously Span needs to cover ground.Valencia makes good plays going forward, struggles side to side, but he's improved of late.Might take offensive struggles to the defensive side, needs concentration and to be ready. No quesiton that he's capable of being good defensively.

I guess he takes Baker's 40-man spot. Either Revere to AAA or Burroughs waived

Who we taking?, Do we get Appel? If not do we take Buxton or go for Giolito? Do we take the pitching or go for the best available player, if that is not the same thing. Gausman, Fried? Who, who, thoughts, opinions???

I did a little shazaming at Wednesday night's game. Here's what it came up with. If anyone has any others that they can get (or corrections), I'd love to hear them: Denard Span – Round of Applause by Drake featuring Waka Flocka Flame Jamey Carroll – Dirt Road Anthem by Jason Aldean Joe Mauer – What You Know by TI Justin Morneau – AC/DC – Rock & Roll Ain’t Noise Pollution Josh Willingham alternates: Your Love by The Outfield and Sweet Home Alabama by Lynyrd Skynyrd Updated: Ryan Doumit – Mother by Danzig Updated: Danny Valencia – alternates: Ready or Not by the Fugees and MMG Untouchable by Rick Ross Alex Casilla - Si No Le Caontesto – Plan B featuring Tony Dize and …

LINK to article. So the long list of injuries begin. Baker, now Blackburn. Who do you got next? Edit: The first article was removed from the Startrib's site, so here's a new one.

Just checking to see if I can get some responses from TwinsDaily members that have accessed the Metropolitan club during the game... Been meaning to check it out and grab something to eat there, especially since we have tickets for Sunday and the weather doesn't appear it's going to cooperate. Is the food worth the $? Is the experience worth it? Curious to hear others' experiences and thoughts about the club. Thanks in advance. Go Twins!

First, I'll say to our community, this is a sensitive topic, so please be sure to follow the forum guidelines: 1. Keep it civil and stay on topic. 2. No profanity, vulgarity, racial slurs or personal attacks. 3. People who harass others or joke about tragedies will be blocked. ~~~~ Over on the local sports blog The Sport Hole, there was a story a couple of weeks ago that I stumbled upon: Why Don't the Twins Re-sign Minority Players? The author, Jesse Mandell-McClinon, concludes that it isn't a classic "white vs. others" racism. Rather, it is an organization catering to the players with which the majority of their fans identify. And that the Twins aren't the only organ…

Tonight's performance by Swarzak is critical to another member of the Twins' 25 man roster:If Swarzak repeats his performance in Baltimore and pitches well in this start, when Marquis is activated next week, it is likely that Hendriks will be sent to Rochester (and one of their starters - DeVries?) to the Rochester pen. If Swarzak falters and Hendriks pitches well on Sunday (that's when he is scheduled), then Swarzak will be in the Twins' pen and another member of the pen will be sent to Rochester. Currently the only Twins' pen members with options are Burnett and Duesning (if I am correct - Not sure about Capps or Perkins but they stay.) Duensing stays also. So it i…

Saw the bar/restaurant thread and thought I'd ask: Where do you park when you go to Twins' games and how much do you pay?

What happened to Frankie Franchise from 2006 that had a 2.16 ERA, 12 Wins, 4.1 WAR, and "Wowed" us with his 93-95 mph fastball and 88 mph slider? Did his injury or Tommy John Surgery change his motion, delivery, arm speed, mental makeup, or something else that has left him varying between effective and very hittable? Or did the Twins trying to smooth out his violent pitching motion after surgery change one of the aforementioned components of pitcher's motion. Either way, something has changed with Francisco, and I don't believe he will ever come close to 2006 again. Can Liriano "WOW" us again like 2006? Can he throw that upper 80's slider again that made even the best …

Dustin Morse (from the Twins PR department) just tweeted that Terry Ryan and Scott Baker will have a press conference at Target Field at 4:00 today. Can't be good, right? Let the speculation begin, but as we hear what the situation is, we'll be sure to report it here so you can continue to discuss.

What establishments near Target Field do you frequent before or after Twins games? Please feel free to comment on the food, drinks, ambiance, service, etc!

I'm so super excited for the hrbek statue on Saturday! Any guesses about the pose? Or better yet, any insider info on what it is?

It does compared to the 2002 squad says MinnPost.com's Pat Borzi. In efforts to remind fans of the recent glory days, the Twins organization had brought several members of the '02 squad - aka "The Get To Know 'Em Boys" - into the home opener to throw out the ceremonial first pitch. In reminiscing about that era, Borzi accuses the current Twins of lacking the same hustle, grit, intensity, etc, etc, as the previous model. Borzi does give an in-game example of what he means by lacking hustle on the Twins part: The slow-footed Albert Pujols, rarely known for hustling as a Cardinal, lumbered from first to third in the first inning because center fielder Denard Span – …

Interesting ESPN Insider piece by Jim Bowden discussing the (lack of) tradability of Justin Morneau. Long story short, he says no GMs would take on Morneau, but come the end of July, the Yanks or Rangers may be interested... For now, I'm just happy 33 hit one on the screws today.

According the presser, it sounds like the Twins will go forward with either Liam Hendriks or Anthony Swarzak as internal options. Likely no moves to be made from outside of the organization. Nevertheless, who would you replace Baker with going forward this season? Stay put or spend money or prospects on bringing someone in?

is that we finally have a hitter who will hit homers into the Home Run Porch

If we are in what I believe is rebuilding mode, I would like to see what we could get for Denard Span (AA or AAA pitching prospect maybe). Span has decent at bats, but I would like to see someone in CF with a better arm. Last night Denard had 3 misplays (not backing up Willingham, and letting Hunter gain 2nd base twice). Your thoughts?