Notes from Inside Twins (with Cory Provus and Terry Ryan)

[Seth Stohs]

Kris Attebury is currently on and they're trying to get Cory and Terry. Be sure to tune in to 1500espn.com to listen.

[Seth Stohs]

Ryan - playing decent baseball, but not enough for the win. Couldn't get a bases-loaded hit. Doumit hit it hard, but that's how it goes.

 

Road Trip - Splitting nice, but wanted to get 3 of 4. Shields is the best pitcher we've seen all year. Want to win today and have a good road trip.

 

Schedule in April - GMs have some say. For instance, fishing opener, we try to be away.

 

2013 schedule considering 15 games in each league, inter-league play every day - There are drafts and they're working on it.

 

Rays - Exploring stadium. Issue is constant with Oakland and Tampa. They've made improvements to Tropicana, but they still struggle to get attendance.

 

13 pitchers - Wouldn't be there if there wasn't so much in flux with Marquis, Blackburn and Perkins. Allowed to forgo DLing Blackburn or Perkins. Once we settle down, get past Boston series, may get back to 12.

 

Hughes - Tough decision. Nobody wants to lost Hughes. Has ability. Has pop. Wish him well. He can do some things with the bat. Flexibility defensively.

 

DFA - immediate decision. He's off 40 man roster. Have 10 days to trade or outright to Rochester.

 

Question: Many teams say Best Player Available, but are Twins focusing on pitching?

Answer: We will take best player available. Everyone wants the ideal fit, but we'll take best available.

 

Only want to get compensation is to offer about $12 million

 

Question: Luke French.

Answer: Veteran, some major league time, pitched well in NB (Struggled some in last start). Suspect he'll pitch his way up.

 

Aware of minor leagues, get all reports. Rantz is in New Britain. Read game reports nightly. Stay away, but be informed. When it comes to development

 

Nishioka has a high-ankle sprain, sliding into 3B. High ankle means high pain, could be a bit. He's been playing more 2B, but flipping he and Dozier.

 

Wimmers down with sore elbow. Gutierrez and Dinkelman in Ft. Myers.

 

Question: Gardy was ejected. Any further consequences?

Answer: He'll get a call from the commmissioner's office. They'll explain their side. Gardy explain his side. This one was more cordial.

 

Ejections: Players can file a report as well. Ability to get their say. Ultimately, they will get fined, likely will... not serious.

 

Ump/Player relations - thinks there is some improvement.

[Seth Stohs]

Continued:

 

Philip Humber - Heck of a guy. We couldn't get him over the hump. He was impressive, especially his composure. He's had a tough road. Gratifying to see his success. Seen him pitch a lot in big leagues and Rochester. Unfortunately he's doing it for someone in our division. Also was with KC and OAK in between.

 

Liriano - It's been a struggle, and we need him to give us a chance to win. Just needs to throw it over the plate. Strikeout pitches with any of his pitches. Stuff is fine. Health is fine. Mechanics are OK.

 

Willingham - Just what we were hoping for. He's been everything we hoped for. Sandwiched between Mauer and Morneau which is ideal from Gardy. Doesn't show emotion.

 

Lineup - Gardy doesn't ask for lineup thoughts... if he does, I'm all ears. Doesn't want to look like he's second-guessing the manager.

 

Tony Oliva - throwing out 1st pitch today. Inducted into Ted Williams Hitters HOF yesterday. It's for guys that can hit, Tony can hit! If you ever hear a bad word about Tony, come and get me. Has a huge following. Caravan - will see spike in attendance. People love him.

[Seth Stohs]

If you're listening to the pregame show, can some please post here any comments made by Jim Rantz, including the Player of the Week (gotta assume Chris Colabello).

[four6three]

Something that caught me off guard was a quote from Terry Ryan regarding Luke Hughes. When discussing the process and how Luke is sitting in the TC's waiting for the plane ticket on where to go he mentioned he'd like to talk to Luke "sooner rather than later". IMO that means he's hoping to be able to trade him. Makes me assume he was dangled on the waivers as a way to test his market value and not seem overly rushed into making roster moves (like Boston). By keeping Burroughs around is Valencia's leash is getting tighter or is it that Burroughs (I'm assuming) has limited to no value on the trade market?

 

Based on the "sooner rather than later" and the emphasis on defense this team should be getting back to, I expect a lot of projects to be moved quietly this year. Also, has there been any word on the compensation for Luke?

[James]

Something that caught me off guard was a quote from Terry Ryan regarding Luke Hughes. When discussing the process and how Luke is sitting in the TC's waiting for the plane ticket on where to go he mentioned he'd like to talk to Luke "sooner rather than later". IMO that means he's hoping to be able to trade him. Makes me assume he was dangled on the waivers as a way to test his market value and not seem overly rushed into making roster moves (like Boston). By keeping Burroughs around is Valencia's leash is getting tighter or is it that Burroughs (I'm assuming) has limited to no value on the trade market?

 

Based on the "sooner rather than later" and the emphasis on defense this team should be getting back to, I expect a lot of projects to be moved quietly this year. Also, has there been any word on the compensation for Luke?

Luke Hughes was claimed by Oakland. There hasn't been any word if the Twins will pull him back, which I believe they still can. I'm not sure about that part. It's looking more and more likely that Luke will be somewhere in Oakland's system and we will get nothing for him.