Minnesota Twins Talk

The lineup that most people expect to start the season (and Gardenhire has even hinted at) includes the following players: Jamey Carroll Alexi Casilla Joe Mauer Denard Span Ben Revere Is it a bit concerning to anyone else that more than half the lineup will not hit the ball out of the ballpark (I do think Mauer will hit 10 or so)? I dont know what the market would be for Span coming off his injuries, and don't endorse trading him for a relief pitcher, but is having a lineup with such little power really viable? If Plouffe looks ready to hit and play right field, do you look into moving Span or Revere? Do you wait for the inevitable Casilla injury and hope…

Lately there has been lots of talk about wether or not Mauer will play decently, wether or not Morneau will play at all, what do we do with Nishi, will any of our Pitchers not suck, and do we really not have a better SS option than Grandpa Carroll? What I haven't heard though, is much about Span. He went down with a concussion last year too, and only played in 70 games. Over those 70 games, he amassed a decidedly mediocre line that looks similar to the numbers he put up in 2010. I personally am a bit concerned. He's only played 4 years at the major league level. 2009 was the first year he actually started the season with the club and he did fantastic. He also sp…

As an addition to the discussion about pitchers in the Gleeman & the Geek's recent podcast, I wonder ... who's the first pitcher out of the bullpen and into the rotation *when* one of the starters gets hurt or struggles? I imagine Gardy will pick Duensing because he was a starter last year. But is he the best choice? Who should it be?

Just thought this might be a good forum for finding out who all is heading to Ft Myers and when. Looks like I'm going down late. March 28-Apr 3. Anyone else?

http://www.freep.com/article/20120115/SPORTS02/201150528/1050/sports02?utm_source=feedburner&utm_medium=twitter&utm_campaign=Feed%3A+FreepDetroitTigers+%28freep.com+%7C+Detroit+Tigers%29 That's the title of an article in the Detroit Free Press. In the article which includes several quotes from Twins GM Terry Ryan, they talk about the incoming free agents (Willingham, Carroll, Doumit and Marquis) and what each does for the team. THe term "high character" is uttered. Ryan also says that the process that has made the team successful in the past decade didn't need a complete overhaul. And the key of the article is the health of Mauer and Morneau, which we've been s…

Hello all! I am looking for pictures of a few of the Twins top prospects to post on the Beloit Snappers twitter/facebook to share with fans. Since I am not heading to Spring Training, I was wondering if anyone would be able to pass along any pictures. Specifically, I am looking for ones of Miguel Sano, Levi Michael, and Eddie Rosario. Would like to bring spring training to our fans that cannot be there in person, thought a few pictures would be a great way to introduce the possible stars of the Beloit Snappers this year! Please email me at cscaffidi@snappersbaseball.com if you think you are able to help! Thanks a bunch! Chrissy

So we lost Kubel and Cuddyer. Be we gained Willingham. If Joe and Justin can be/stay healthy. Zumaya, Perkins, and a healthy Capps holding down the bullpen, and name a single starter who you think won't do better than they did last year? Valencia should rebound from his sophomore slump, Span is reporting with good health. I see a team this year that should be much much better than last if we can stay reasonably healthy. Who knows, if we are within striking distance of the Tigers in July maybe Terry Ryan will fill a need or two at the deadline and we can make a run at the division! I prefer to look at things a bit more optimistically. I dunno maybe…

I'd put the chances of the Twins breaking camp with 3 catchers at 99%. Between Gardenhire's predilection towards a 3rd catcher, his inability to stomach Doumit's defense and the fact that there isn't another really desirable option (like a good bench bat), I don't see anyway that this team doesn't have a 3rd catcher. Oh, and it'll be Butera. OK, I'll throw in one caveat. If Doumit gets hurt and put on the DL, then I can see them going without a 3rd catcher. Which isn't all that unlikely, actually. Make that 80%.

About trading away Jason Bartlett in '07 and not re-signing Nick Punto last year, so says MLB.com reporter and suave Californian Rhett Bollinger: Knowing Gardy's M.O., that sounds about right.

Over at Baseball Nation, Grant Brisbee examined the Twins odd infatuation with Matt Capps which led to forgoing the free draft pick and, ultimately, his re-signing. One thing that I've noticed when reading "outsider" opinions on the Capps signing is that they fail to recognize why the Twins are so attracted to Capps. Clearly, to those who spend time following the Twins more intimately, it's his ability to "pound the strike zone" (54.3% zone% from 09-11, 2nd highest in MLB) and "get ahead of hitters" (66.3% first-pitch strike% from 09-11, 6th highest). I'm certainly not defending the merits of spending more to sign because of those attributes but to answer Brisbee's …

Just put together a post about the debate over collisions at the plate: http://twinsdaily.com/entry.php?130-To-block-the-plate-or-not-to-block-the-plate Make sure to check it out and then I was wondering where everyone stood on the issue. Should Mauer be standing in the way at home plate? The Twins have a lot of money invested in him for the greater part of the next decade. It still seems there are precautions a catcher can take when preparing for a hit. Thoughts???

Anybody know where I could see Kelly's reax to Twins HOF announcement. I don't have access to FS North and have checked their page and Youtube. Thanks in advance

To have a chance at 81 wins in 2012, the Twins have to improve their run differential by 200 runs. (They scored 619 last year and allowed 804) I'm interested in your opinions on how many runs you think the various player changes and returns to health can account for. I'll start by saying that I think having Ben Revere in left field instead of Delmon Young accounts for 10 fewer runs allowed simply based on the number of additional fly balls that Revere will get to. I think it will be more than that but am accounting for some of the exta bases Young's arm may have limited that Revere's will not. 190 runs to go...

I'm going to Ft. Myers for the first time, any suggestions for where to eat? I know La Velle E. Neal III posted his, but I was curious if anyone else had some other suggestions.

There have been a number of Justin Morneau related articles lately outlining his health maladies and his ongoing recovery from post concussion syndrome. How has reading these articles affected your outlook on Morneau's 2012 season and his career? Please refrain from posting any of the "Morneau is faking it" types of comments.

Francisco Liriano is going into a big contract year this year. In the last year of team control Liriano has a ton to prove as he is somewhat of an enegmatic figure. Before last year many myself included thought the Twins should offer Liriano a 4 year extension in the 40 million range like teams gave Zack Grienke and Josh Johnson. How Liriano went through a difficult 2011 season where he walked over 5 guys per 9 innings which was way too many. When he didnt walk hitters he gave up hits. However, he is the only power pitcher the Twins have in their rotation and really in their system right now so he is special. So my question for everyone is what should the Twins do w…

According to Phil Mackey, the Twins and Alexi Casilla have reached a one-year agreement worth $1.38 million. Because of injuries, Casilla played in only 97 games last year and hit .260/.322/.368 with 15 stolen bases while scoring 52 runs. In doses he has proven that he is capable of holding down a starting position and it appears that he will be the team's starting second baseman at the beginning of the year.

Accoring to MLBTR, here are the Twins without options this spring: Jeff Gray, Matt Maloney, Glen Perkins, Anthony Swarzak, Alexi Casilla, Luke Hughes, Trevor Plouffe The surprises here are Gray and Maloney, since I think we expected each of the others to be on the 25 man roster. Gray and maloney were picked up by Bill Smith before Ryan took over, have taken a spot on the 40-man all offseason (leading to the loss of Jim Hoey) and a pretty mediocre pitchers who are unlikely to make the 25-man. That just doesn't make sense. So are we undervaluing these guys? They seemingly would have the inside track over other fringe candidates (or even established guys with options,…

Each spring fans are entertained by non-news news from the southern camps in Florida relating to how great of shape a player is in, how re-dedicated they are, etc, etc. Early February brings a lot of "I feel great" moments from players who were injured the previous season and, of course, wealthy catcher Joe Mauer is one such player who draws this kind of attention from the media. In January, right around TwinsFest when Mauer made a quick circuit of local appearances, reports spread that the catcher had put on nearly 30 pounds - some of which was weight that needed to be replaced after supposedly losing so much over the course of the 2011 season. Mauer, who has a home in…

The Twins claimed speedy outfielder Darin Mastroianni off of waivers from the Toronto Blue Jays (who made room on their 40 man roster for Francisco Cordero). The Twins previous were at 40 on their roster, so someone will need to be DFAd to make room for Mastroianni. There are certainly several options. The 26 year old went 0-2 with a sacrifice bunt in his one game with the Blue Jays in 2011. He was a 16th round pick of the Jays in 2007 out of the University of Southern Indiana, a Division II school. He had spent the 2005 season at Winthrop where he was a teammate of former Twins pitcher Kevin Slowey. Because he has options, Mastroianni likely will play in Rocheste…

I looked at the Twins April schedule for the first time and wow is it challenging. After 3 in Baltimore, Go home for 6 against 2 playoff favorites in the Angels and Rangers. Then go on the road for murders row road trip with 4 in NY and three in Tampa against the Rays. Thats follwed with 3 at home against the Red Sox and end with 3 at home against the Royals. My question ifor everyone is this the toughest early season schedule for the Twins in recent years. I can't remember a more challenging April in a long time. Also what kind of record can the Twins expect to have coming out of April, if they can get to .500 I think it is a good month considering the schedule. W…

Twins Manager Ron Gardenhire was on a Twins Caravan stop in Mason City, Iowa. When asked who his starting lineup would be, he answered. According to Twins new radio voice Cory Provus, the lineup would be Denard Span LF, Jamey Carroll SS, Joe Mauer C, Justin Morneau 1B, Josh Willingham RF, Ryan Doumit DH, Danny Valencia 3B, Alexi Casilla 2B, Ben Revere LF Obviously injuries have the potential to alter this lineup, but if this is the Twins primary lineup, I'll take my chances! What do you think?

According to the PerthNow.com, Luke Hughes, who injured his shoulder last weekend during the Australian League playoffs, has been shutdown by the Minnesota Twins. The move is likely precautionary as most tests showed no significant damage to his shoulder. Hughes, 27, is out of options and will be battling for a utility role with the team this spring.

Both for under a million bucks. Brad Lidge goes to the Nationals on a one-year, $1M deal while the Indians sign Dan Wheeler to a minor league deal. Unless the Twins have secret plans for someone like Todd Coffey, today is a big miss in my eyes.

Lindsay Guentzel reported via Twitter today that Roy Oswalt would like to sign with either the St. Louis Cardinals or the Texas Rangers. If he were to sign with the Rangers, they may be interested in trading LHP Matt Harrison in exchange for an outfield prospect at least at the AA level. The screams Joe Benson to me, although I guess it could also mean Ben Revere. In terms of salaries, a better match would be Denard Span who is locked up for a couple more years. He will make $3 million in 2012. In his first year of arbitration, Harrison will be making $2.95 million. What say you of these rumors, and which OF would you be willing to trade for Harrison?

I was at Twins Fest on Friday night and all day on Saturday. It was a great opportunity to introduce myself to several players I hadn't met previously. It was also fun to talk to others including many fans. It's always fun at Twins Fest because now Spring Training will start in three weeks. I think it was the first time I was in the Metrodome since Twins Fest two years ago. Listening to interviews on the radio from the bleachers is always fun. Anyway, what are your best memories and stories from Twins Fest 2012? Share your stories.

According to Joe C's Star Tribune article, Justin Morneau says he did not hurt his wrist punching inanimate objects in the clubhouse - described as a "internet rumor" by the scribe: The good news is, Morneau may actually be close to swinging the bat. Baby steps towards the door...

I like the signing, but this is absolutely a high-risk/high reward signing, regardless of the contract. The risk isn't financial; that signing him cripples the Twins financially if he comes up lame (like he has the last FIVE consecutive years, by the way.) The risk is that there currently isn't a backup plan for him. So there is at least a 50/50 chance that this signing means nothing, which Twins fans would obviously (and justifiably) be irate about. ON the other hand, there is a chance that Zumaya is a dominant late-inning reliever. I like the signing - but I would like it a LOT more if another arm was added to mitigate the risk.

A cursory glance at the statistics of the Dominican Winter League shows that Alexi Casilla finished second in the regular season with a .336 batting average in 119 at-bats. In 68 more at-bats in the league's playoffs, Casilla has hit .397. Combined, he's hit .358, by far the best average in the league. It is hard to get too excited over his production given the league and the sample-size, but as of right now, is Alexi Casilla be the Twins starting second baseman in 2012 and, more importantly, will he be there when the season ends?

According to Jon Heyman, the Twins and Glen Perkins have reached an arbitration settlement of $1.55 million. Perkins was easily the Twins best reliever, working 61.2 innings while striking out 65 and walking 21. He held a 2.48 ERA while holding opponents to a .238 average. By Fangraphs.com's WAR standard, Perkins's 1.7 WAR was the 11th best among all relievers in baseball in 2011. His $1.55 million salary was slightly below the one projected in the TwinsCentric Offseason GM Handbook of $1.8 million - a decent savings for the team given his performance.