Minnesota Twins Talk

The early season schedule is really weird maybe because of Target weather and last year's postponements. Bunch of games on the road and against Mets and Phillies early. Then a lot of games against Astros and looks like they are done with the Orioles after April. After being in FL for a month they might as well stay packed. If they can be around .500 after April, they can start the season in May in decent shape. It won't be easy.

Buxton with another dinger and a walk. How many of his dingers went out? I assume all, but that is a less safe assumption with him than with just about anyone else. And line ups in spring trainingis where we get used to Starters not finishing games... Has minor league Spring Training started? And what else do people care about? I saw Mnozil Brass earlier this month.

http://www.startribune.com/the-time-is-now-for-twins-miguel-sano-byron-buxton/506277202/ It's been a topic all offseason. Often Thad Levine and Derek Falvey, media and bloggers have really emphasized how important 2019 is for Miguel Sano and Byron Buxton. Statements like "We'll go as far as Byron Buxton and Miguel Sano take us" and similar have been uttered frequently. Phil Miller from the Star-Tribune penned the article on that topic. There is a lot about the trips to Georgie and the Dominican which left both players excited and motivated:

Without much notice Ervin Santana and Jose Iglesias signed minor league deals. I think white Sox and reds might really benefit and with zero risk to them In fact my off season plan was to sign Iglesias to play short and move Polanco to second to really improve our fielding as I think Polanco would shine at second

http://www.startribune.com/twins-finally-joining-in-on-push-for-power/506529222/ Phil Miller (STrib) wrote up an article about how the Twins have clearly put a focus on adding power to their lineup. The acquisitions of Nelson Cruz, CJ Cron, Jonathan Schoop and Marwin Gonzalez speak to that. Add those guys to a lineup that includes Miguel Sano, Eddie Rosario and Max Kepler who have all had 20 homers in a season.

https://www.mlb.com/news/matt-magill-curveball-key-to-bullpen-spot Do-Hyoung Park wrote about Matt Magill and his quest for a spot in the Twins bullpen. Not only has he been hitting 96 mph with his fastball, but the Twins coaching staff (and analytic group) really like his "Unique" curveball. His key to success might be using that pitch more often. There is little doubt that Magill has the physical stuff, but he spent a lot of time this offseason working on the mental side of the game.

I am from St. Louis and we are having trouble dropping people from the 40 man roster if we don't DL someone for 60 days. We will have to do that when we put a backup catcher on the 25 man team. If we sign another reliever, another will have to go which may mean eating Cecil's contract. You guys don't have any troublesome longterm contracts after getting rid of Hughes's. Since mid-season last year we have had to trade players for minor leaguers that didn't need to be places on the 40 man roster, left off a few players from Rule V draft and disabled a few. Are you guys looking for whom may get caught in a roster crunch? The Cards like have 11 or so starters …

Someone finally got Buxton out! (gotta start game threading gently...)

The Athletic (subscription required and very much endorsed) just published an outstanding article from Dan Hayes, who got some additional help from Eno Sarris. Here's the link. It's an incredibly deep piece with insights from Mitch Garver, Ben Rortvedt, Jason Castro, minor league catching coordinator Tanner Swanson that focuses on the skill of receiving and how the Twins are working to improve this area they've long trailed behind other teams.

Was looking for a thread because I'm listening to the game and I've wanted to share thoughts, and I didn't see one, so now I created one. Because I'm a go-getter. Highlights thus far (through 5) in no-particular-order: - Polanco is 2 for 3 leading off with a double, RBI, and run scored; - Rosario has two doubles; - Buxton has 5 RBI AGAIN with two homers and a double; - Cave stole a base; - Astudillo hit the ball hard and has played a decent third; - Berrios pitched two good innings, giving up a wind-aided homerun to right; - Both Rogers and Romero pitched a scoreless inning in relief. Just happy in general that spring baseball is back during the weekday so I can li…

https://www.mlb.com/news/twins-putting-premium-on-catcher-framing Do-Hyoung Park wrote an article tonight on the role that Tanner Swanson, the Twins minor league catching coordinator, is having in big league camp. The Twins are putting a large emphasis on pitching framing and receiving. There are quotes from Jason Castro and Ben Rortvedt on the value that they have found, not only from emphasizing the value, but from having data to validate or verify where they are.

Yes I admit it, in all things...Life...or more important things like the Twins...i tend to be an optimist. But I've been through enough and seen enough in life...and the Twins...to also be a realist. I'm also a highly intelligent person. (You will just have to take my word on that last point). I've been described as crazy a few times in my life, by people who know me very well, so any of you who wish to characterize me as such for my opinion here, feel free to do so. But my contention here is that the Twins offseason has been a successful one. Now, I am not saying it's perfect, or exactly to my preference or liking. Nor am I guaranteeing contention for the Central or…

Starting a bit late, but Max Kepler led off with a homer and later LaMonte Wade doubled in Mitch Garver. Brent Rooker also got him by a pitch. Right now, Martin Perez is on the mound to face a very representative Red Sox lineup. Feel free to discuss here. You may be able to watch it here... http://www.sportsstats.me/2018/06/boston-red-sox.html?m=1 or on mlb.tv.

Max Kepler hit a leadoff home run this afternoon and followed it up with another tater in his second plate appearance. Here's the first: And here's the second:

Per Dan Hayes on the Athletic they have been discussing the parameters of a 3 year deal. Let's get this done. There's ample room on this roster for him to start 100+ games all over the diamond. He's a significant upgrade offensively over Adrianza... And the team definitely needs a spark plug who can start for a long stretch of time in case of injury. Much like fan favorite Eduardo Escobar did last year.

I threw this out on Twitter today.... Eddie Rosario could bring back some much needed pitching. Could Gonzalez hold down LF until both Kirilloff and Kepler are manning the corner outfield spots? Maybe as early as later this season? In '20, if Jonathon Schoop is gone, could Gonzalez move to the middle infield (with Polanco) until Royce Lewis is ready? Thoughts?

I have really enjoyed seeing Eric Perkins' KARE-TV stories from Ft. Myers. They're equal parts fun and interesting and informative. If these links tdon't work... go here: https://www.kare11.com/twins Missing Joe Mauer - https://www.kare11.com/article/sports/perk-looks-for-joe-mauer-at-twins-spring-training/89-2474979c-0e21-4ac1-9e6c-e2aaaf7cef88 Beach Workout with Jose Berrios - https://www.kare11.com/article/sports/perk-hits-the-beach-for-workout-with-berrios/89-e30b5cc8-521a-47d5-ae9e-5aad83a9c92e Trevor Hildenberger on the closer role and more: https://www.kare11.com/article/sports/mlb/twins/hildenberger-in-the-mix-for-twins-closer/89-ba0d327e-4539-4be1-82b1-3ef0…

Quick update from Fort Myers... Stopped by the ballpark today around 9AM and watched a number of players taking batting practice under Hammond Stadium. If you've been here before you probably know the spot. You can stand right behind the chain link fence only a few feet away from the players while they hammer the ball in the batting cages. Stood directly behind Buxton for about 10 minutes. A couple of take aways: He does look stronger and bigger and he is not employing a leg kick...Also, Cuddyer walked up to Buxton and asked him how his hand was doing, Buxton replied just fine. I spoke a little bit with Dick Bremer too. I asked him why MLB insists on having …

http://www.startribune.com/willians-astudillo-had-fame-flamboyance-in-venezuelan-league/506034802/ Today, Patrick Reusse wrote about Willians Astudillo's winter. Specifically, hhe wrote about The Home Run... and taking a knee and the celebrating... Stu Cliburn, long-time Twins minor league pitching coach, was the pitching coach on the other team so his thoughts are in this too.

Phil Miller of the Strib passed along some interesting quotes from Twins pitchers regarding the pitch clock. The overall vibe is this will annoy the hitters much more than pitchers. MLB will be testing the pitch clock this spring, though nothing has been decided about its future during the regular season.

http://www.startribune.com/new-twins-pitching-coach-wes-johnson-is-cut-from-a-different-cloth/505947812/ Eyes were raised when the Twins hired Wes Johnson, a college pitching coach, as their new big league pitching coach. Johnson has a ton of energy, gives nicknames to his pitchers and enjoys his job. But, he also is into the very technical side of being a pitching coach these days. Lots of information on his history with analytics and the equipment and technology now used in pro baseball.

According MLB.com Romero will be in the pen this year. I hope they use him as more of a super reliever, going multiple innings if needed, at crucial times, instead of a set role like closer. http://mlb.com/r/article?ymd=20190216&content_id=304051742&vkey=news_min&c_id=min

http://www.startribune.com/twins-install-high-speed-cameras-at-spring-training-to-capture-instant-analytics/505811372/ Phil Miller wrote about the new technology being used in big-league camp this spring. They have installed Rapsodo machines and Edgerton cameras. The idea is to learn as much as they can about their pitchers,, to see the release points and so much data. It can be to improve form, find flaws, add spin or other things.

It's nice to see the Twins starting to lock up some of the young players but would have really liked it if they could have started signing Jose Berrios first, then Eddie Rosario, then Kepler, and Polanco. It doesn't mean they can't get deals done with them next. Just hate setting a bar before your best young players are signed to extensions. Simple thought would be Rosario's agent will look at Kepler's deal and want $10-20M more for the same length if he is willing to give up his Arbitration years. As for Buxton & Sano they both need to prove they can stay healthy for an entire season and somewhat return to their earlier productive selves.

http://www.startribune.com/twins-pitcher-kyle-gibson-battles-his-toughest-foe-e-coli/505811352/#15 LaVelle Neal wrote about Kyle Gibson's bout with e. coli. Gibson went to the Dominican Republic on a mission trip ,and that is where he contracted the illness. He missed Twins Fest. He reported to spring training on Wednesday down about 20 pounds. His hope for camp is to regain his strength and some weight.

Betsy Helfand from the Pioneer Press wrote about lefty Martin Perez. The southpaw had a rough 2018 season which started two months late because of an arm injury caused by a bull. https://www.twincities.com/2019/02/15/martin-perez-ready-to-move-forward-with-twins/ He has fit in with his teammates already and the Twins have worked with him on a few things already that he thinks can help. He ended last season strong, in part pitching out of the bullpen, something he doesn't think he is old enough for yet. But he's willing to work in whatever role he is given.

http://www.startribune.com/twins-day-at-camp-zack-granite-puts-misery-of-2018-behind-him/505921542/?fbclid=IwAR231k1n6t9BEq41Vc4gwdBIiiaMnlcG4ZrgysvnOt0lcMMjzb60hrUtji4 Zack Granite had a miserable 2017 season. He got hurt late in spring training and was sent to Rochester. His right shoulder (non-throwing) was in pain... He went on the DL early in the season. He came back later, but in July, he was shut down and they found that he had a torn rotator cuff. Granite and Buxton are so similar types of players, hard-nosed, play real hard... they are also really close friends. I'm a big Zack Granite fan. I think he's a great leadoff-type hitter with great speed and re…

When will Rivas get his due and be elected to the Baseball Hall of Fame? Yes, I know what you are thinking. His -1.5 career WAR makes that impossible. However, we all know that advanced baseball algorithms never lie. Take a look at this snapshot from statistical powerhouse Baseball-Reference: That's right. Rivas was as good as Paul Molitor and Rod Carew, who are both in the HOF. When will this injustice be rectified?

Looking to send a couple cards for TTM and wondering which former players will be at ST. I've looked around the web and on here for an answer, but couldn't find exact information. Mods, feel free to move this to the correct thread. Thanks!

With teams "colluding" since they finally woke up to the fact nobody should be getting 10 years deals when they are 25+ anymore. I don't expect the Twins to sign top notch players but they should be signing players to minor league deals with invites to Spring Training (what Martin Perez should have got instead of $4M guaranteed.) They also should have signed players that could easily be flipped for prospects at the trade deadline. So much talent out there still that would be better than players projected to make the 25 man roster.