Jim Souhan of the Star Tribune posted a blog this afternoon rattling off some of his early thoughts from camp in Ft. Myers. You can read them all at the link below. Among the topics he touches on are Torii Hunter's already apparent leadership, Ervin Santana's outgoing personality, Mike Pelfrey's impressive bullpen sessions and the enthusiasm/drive being shown by Latin players, who have all arrived on time with no visa issues.

 

http://www.startribune.com/sports/twins/blogs/294078611.html

 

 

Spring is time for optimism, granted, but if Pelfrey can be that bridge guy from inning 6 to the backend of the bullpen, the Twins are a lot better team.

Good stuff from Souhan. I find the Strib writers to be good in spring training . . . .

 

I like seeing that about Santana. He is going to be a good pitcher for the Twins. Mark the words.

 

I get the impression that there is something totally different about how ST is going to play out this year and that this is where Molitor might really make a difference.

I'm close to getting tired of hearing about Hunter already, and it's day 2 of Spring Training.

I'm close to getting tired of hearing about Hunter already, and it's day 2 of Spring Training.

Have to sell the signing and Hollywood type stories sell :-)

Have to sell the signing and Hollywood type stories sell :-)

Souhan has to sell the signing?

 

Maybe it's just something noticeable when reporters show up.

Souhan has to sell the signing?

 

Maybe it's just something noticeable when reporters show up.

He's a local writer who is in good standing with the club.  The club pointed to that as a reason for signing Hunter so many writers are looking at that narrative to push.

Souhan has to sell the signing?

 

Maybe it's just something noticeable when reporters show up.

 

With Mauer all-but-abstaining, this is Hunter's team for now.

With Mauer all-but-abstaining, this is Hunter's team for now.

Hunter's team in the public eye for sure, which is too bad because I thought Dozier picked up Cuddyer's mantle pretty well.

Good piece.  Good to see Hunter back (and nice to read Souhan is a company man conspiracy posts already).  The Berrios nugget is nice.  Outside of his height/plane thing harped on by Klaw, I don't think I've read anything negative about that young man.  Really hope he has a great year.

Souhan has to sell the signing?

 

Maybe it's just something noticeable when reporters show up.

 

I'm waiting for the Berardino opinion .

 

But yeah,  it's not like Souhan isn't more than comforatable ripping the team.

 

I could really care less if Hunter's leadership skills are the real deal or if he's just a poser, so long as the young players appear to be gaining some benefit from him.  It doesn't bother me in the least if the spark that kicks off a new generation of winning attitudes is a placebo. 

He's a local writer who is in good standing with the club.

JIM Souhan??

Souhan has to sell the signing?

 

Maybe it's just something noticeable when reporters show up.

That's it.  I talked with Souhan a short time today and he mentioned the change in the clubhouse already.  He said the last 4 years it's been really dull.  I think any media person would be better off with a Torii type around. 

 

Oh, and I do know to space after a period, but something doesn't.

Edited February 25, 201511 yr by Halsey Hall

Is it a lot to ask waiting for a week or two before the complaining starts? Plenty of time for that when the season starts.

 

 

Oh, and I do know to space after a period, but something doesn't.

 

Paging Brock!

The spacing problem is a new bug courtesy of a FireFox update, folks. I haven't had time to dig into the issue yet.

I think Pelfrey has a big bounce back year for the Twins, becomes solid in the pen and even has a few solid spot starts for the team when needed.

That's it.  I talked with Souhan a short time today and he mentioned the change in the clubhouse already.  He said the last 4 years it's been really dull.  I think any media person would be better off with a Torii type around. 

 

Oh, and I do know to space after a period, but something doesn't.

 

What happened four years ago? Because Hunter has been gone six. The Twins won 2 years after Hunter, so it must be fun covering a winning team. It's also nice coving a guy like Hunter. He provides good quotes and easy to write about antidotes , Mauer does not, and Mauer has been Souhan favorite target for years.  I get 10 times the info and insight from you Halsey then I do from Souhan. 

http://www.startribune.com/sports/twins/293963751.html

 

'As Buxton pulled a shirt over his v-shaped torso, Hunter wagged a finger. “You got all you need physically,” Hunter says. “I’m going to give you everything else. I’m going to be in your ear and in your head. You can’t listen to everybody. That’s a mistake I made. But you better listen to me. We’re going to write out a contract, and you’re going to sign it, and we’re going to go to work.”'

 

So, HUNTER is going to give Buxton everything else he needs.  At least we know who to thank when/if Buxton works out.

 

And besides Hunter demanding the young man listen to him and sign a contract saying he will (oh brother) does Hunter tell him who he should and shouldn't listen to? Do we get to know who Hunter thinks it's okay to listen to and who isn't?  

 

Is this the leadership everyone is pointing to and saying is good?

Edited February 25, 201511 yr by jimmer

I'm going to go out on a long limb here and guess there really isn't a "contract." Sometimes, people exaggerate for effect.

“You got all you need physically,” Hunter says. “I’m going to give you everything else. I’m going to be in your ear and in your head. You can’t listen to everybody. That’s a mistake I made. But you better listen to me. We’re going to write out a contract, and you’re going to sign it, and we’re going to go to work.”'

 

I am hoping Torii at least lets Buxton talk to Molitor while he is there.  While Paul is no Torii Hunter, he might have something to offer.

Pelfrey got the dreaded "looks good in bullpen sessions" report... that never ends well.

A Poll:

 

What month does leadership become:  1) a hemorrhoid  2) an ulcer  3) cancer  ?

Hunter's team in the public eye for sure, which is too bad because I thought Dozier picked up Cuddyer's mantle pretty well.

 

Dozier will be fine. He's tremendous with the media and having Hunter around won't change that at all. 

I think Pelfrey has a big bounce back year for the Twins, becomes solid in the pen and even has a few solid spot starts for the team when needed.

 

I tend to agree with this.

I am fine with Hunter doing whatever. As long as that OPS stays north of .750.

 

Pelfrey can throw well all he wants. I don't understand any expectations about him. He's a good guy and we like to cheer for good guys. I get that. But what else, really, is there to say? The team added Santana and Stauffer, thus making it really hard for anyone to make it in the rotation or bullpen who wasn't already there at the end of last year.

Maybe Mike Pelfrey will be our Wade Davis

Maybe Mike Pelfrey will be our Wade Davis

 

Maybe the Twins will win the World Series.

Is this the leadership everyone is pointing to and saying is good?

 

C'mon, jimmer.  Give it a chance.  You're pretty skeptical on this, but most of the knocks I've seen on Torii are related to how he will (or won't) impact the 2015 W-L record.  There's a bigger picture beyond that, as you know. 

 

We'd have a hard time quantifying leadership, clubhouse dynamics, "winning attitudes", etc, but after four brutal seasons, changing dynamics can't be anything but a good thing.  We have far more evidence and reason to believe Torii can be a net positive influence here than not.

Pelfrey got the dreaded "looks good in bullpen sessions" report... that never ends well.

 

As long as it stays in the bullpen, I'm optimistic.