Seth,

 

I agree Parmelee needs to play everyday. I would leave Morneau at DH after a performance like today. Don't mess with success.

Uggh, why would they put Benson in LF and Revere in RF?!!? (except that maybe Willingham is now a LF and Revere is now a 4th OF?)

Parmelee continues to make Ryan's and Gardy's decision to keep him around tougher... or easier? HR off a tough lefty in Jake McGee...

 

Now Luke Hughes hits another one.

Speaking of making decisions easier for Ryan/Gardenhire... see Burnett, Alex.

Great day for Morneau. Nicely done Towles/Parmlelee, Hughes.

 

It would mean a lot to the bullpen to have a couple of bodies that can give them 2 innings in a game. Looks like Maloney may be one of those.

 

Cannot imagine them breaking camp w/o that guy.

Yeah, I think that Maloney has earned the long relief job. It'd be nice to find another 2-3 inning guy out of the bullpen.

Maloney

 

11.1IP 5H/2BB/14 Ks

 

No way guys like Burnett/Manship make it ahead of him.

Luke Hughes just hit a ground-rule double... he's now 5-5 with 2-doubles, a home run and five RBI. I think he's going to be on the roster.

Maloney

 

11.1IP 5H/2BB/14 Ks

 

No way guys like Burnett/Manship make it ahead of him.

They won't... Maloney's already a given. It's Burnett, Manship, Burton and Waldrop for the final two spots.

Sure is hard to judge these pitchers like Fein who only pitch in the late innings of ST games where everybody swings at the first pitch to get it over with.....

Aaron Thompson suspended 50 games.

Aaron Thompson suspended 50 games.

Yup, for a recreational drug. Smart! There was another thread on that topic started this morning.

Twins 19, Rays 4... Fun game for the good guys!

Sure is hard to judge these pitchers like Fein who only pitch in the late innings of ST games where everybody swings at the first pitch to get it over with.....

Agreed! He's pitched well enough to get in against big league hitters and see what you've got.

I would agree that a backup catcher should have less than 100 at bats, as Butera did in 2010. When he got 400 plate appearances, obviously his offense matters. But I'll stand by my thoughts that if a backup catcher gets less than 100 at bats, the effect is pretty minimal. And, the hope for 2012 would be the Butera, Towles, Rivera, whoever the THIRD catcher is would also get less than 100 plate appearances in the season... which is why of course I agree (and have written, mind you) that I think the idea of the third catcher is ridiculous. My point on Parmelee is that I'm fine with him being up as long as he's playing pretty much every day.

You do realize both your approximations are off. Butera had 142 terrible AB's in 2010 and significantly less than 234 even worse ones last year(though, it did indeed feel more like 400). He just flat out hasn't hit at any level. Give me Towles and the outside possibility of competency with the bat.