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[h=1]Even with all the holes you discussed, that team has improved. Considerably more that the 2012 Twins first month. While the top end of the rotation is suspect, they are pitching deeper into games…and there is always the possibility that one (or more) of the four or five candidates you mentioned might fill in as nicely as Diamond did last year. My disappointment in the hitters isn’t Hicks, it’s still too early to make that call. For me it’s Plouffe and Parmelee (the P &P duo). With batting averages of .226 & .217, I’m getting discouraged…it’s not like their defensive strengths are securing their spots in the batting order.[/h]

I agree that both Plouffe and Parmelee have been less than stellar with the bat. However, batting average is a poor measure of their productivity. Certainly with Plouffe and perhaps with Parmelee, the answer to their effectiveness will be in the power numbers.

This 10-game roadie is a good measuring stick for Twins potential this season: Get 6 wins and we're looking like we might do something this season, but 5 wins or less reaffirms the fear that this team will eventually head toward mediocrity. My feeling is the bats have got to start shaking and raking (see above comments on Parmelee and Plooooof) because it just hard to believe Twins starting pitching can hold up against Tigers.

I think this team has pretty high ceiling options at nearly every position. The fact that their record is decent with only 3 or 4 guys really playing well should be a good sign. Time will tell.

I think because Arcia was originally optioned on March 16th, his 20-day option counts and his service time doesn't kick in until he was called up. That should delay his service clock enough to put him shy of the 172 days to get him a full service year.

 

(I may be wrong... depending on when the "optional assignment" technically begins... is it the date of assignment, the day the major leagues begin or the day the minor leagues begin... I've seen it explained a few different ways.)

Edited April 29, 201313 yr by Jeremy Nygaard