Twins

For the past several years, my parents have been part of a season ticket group, buying 10 games from a full 81-game package along with several other parties.

The couple running the group has been season ticket holders for a long, long time, and they had worked their way into some pretty prime seats on the lower deck, directly behind home plate and just beneath the overhang.

I enjoyed this arrangement because invariably I would be invited to use one or both tickets several times per year. But a couple weeks ago my dad called me with a message that didn't come as a total surprise: "They're not renewing the tickets."

When I heard that news, I immediately thought to myself, "This team is in trouble."

"They've made a real statement with what they're doing," said an anonymous AL Central official.

"It's apparent they're better. They're a good club," said Tigers GM Dave Dombrowski.

"Rarely has a team so successfully and systematically answered so many of its major questions" in an offseason, wrote Jon Heyman of CBS Sports.

With the possible exception of the crosstown Cubs, no team has drawn more attention and praise for its offseason moves than the Chicago White Sox. General manager Rick Hahn's pick-ups included a front-line starter, an elite closer, an All-Star caliber outfielder and more.

How big of a leap can the revamped Sox make after finishing fourth in 2014?

During his brief time in a big-league uniform, Byron Buxton has shown all the things that turned him into the nation's most heralded prospect. He has tracked down tough fly balls, unleashed rocket throws, and motored around the bases like Sonic the Hedgehog – legs a blur, arms askew.

The intensity and speed that define Buxton's game make him an absolute joy to watch. They are also proving to be his biggest downfall.

With the winter months dominating the calendar at the present time, one of the highlights of the offseason has been the Hall of Fame voting. With Ken Griffey Jr. being a guaranteed lock heading into the reveal (even despite three clueless voters), it was a question of who would join him during enshrinement in Cooperstown this summer. After the dust settled, we now know that honor will go to Mike Piazza.

Byung Ho Park has only played seven games at Target Field, his new home stadium. In that short time, he's made quite a mark.

The Minnesota Twins top the Philadelphia Phillies 4-3 on Friday behind solid pitching performances and a pair of home runs from middle infielders.

Trevor May and Jose Berrios, both battling for a rotation spot, limited the Phillies to just one run, while Jake Reed, Aaron Slegers, Stephen Gonsalves, and JT Chargois turned in zeros in their appearances. Only Buddy Boshers was roughed up in his lone inning of work. Offensively, the Twins were lifted by home runs for two infielders, Danny Santana and Tommy Field. Outfielder Zack Granite drove home two on a single in the seventh inning to put the Twins ahead for good.

The Twins are back home at Hammond Stadium on Saturday. Ervin Santana will take on the Toronto Blue Jays in his second start of the spring.

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