Dave T

I am surprised you had no words to say about Fryer. I thought he was the Twins' best catcher in spring training. Hermann is more versatile, but Fryer is the better catcher.

I think Rosario will be sent down when Arcia comes back. IMO the Twins want Rosario to come to understand that he can play at this level, like they did with Polanco last year. And I love Rosario on defense, except for that dropped fly ball.

I've been bitching about Nolasco since the Twins signed him, but Wednesday's outing was a lot of fun to watch. If he can build on that performance, instead of the 100 previous ones, the Twins could actually be a threat this year.

I thought the Twins signed Wander Javier. I would be surprised if they signed another SS as their #1 pick in the draft.

If you are concerned about Gibson's strikeout rate, I hope you watched yesterday's game. Gibson struck out 5 guys in his last two innings. Very fine off-speed stuff. There is no doubt that Gibson is the Twins ace this year.

This team has exceeded our expectations, but you can see the seeds of a second half flameout already. Twins starters are not going deep enough into games. The bullpen has been amazing! However, if they have to pitch 4 innings per game, they're done by the end of August.

That chart is hilarous. The best place to pitch Plouffe? Right down the middle of the plate.

The best part of the season so far is, we are now talking about how the Twins have been beating lesser opponents. Remember the preseason assessments of the American League teams? Chicago, Cleveland, and Oakland were supposed to be good teams! Not the Twins.

It seems like there is more substance to the Twins this season. The pitching is better. The hitting in the past 10 games or so is back to last season's high-scoring levels. With all due respect to Santana's many errors, the defense is better! I think the hitting will continue to improve -- Vargas and Arcia can do better than they've been doing. I don't see any reason why this team can't play at .500 or a little better for the rest of the season. With all due respect to Buxton, it is starting pitching that will keep this team out of the playoffs. Twins really don't have an ace. In order to beat Detroit, you need two.

Pelfrey's ERA is 2.65, which is mind-boggling to me even though I though he earned a starter's job out of spring training. He is often in trouble, but doesn't give up many runs. I think what helps him is, he's a sinker-ball pitcher, and the best part of the Twins' feeble defense is the infielders. I think they should move Nolasco to the pen. Pelfrey earned a starting job a second time. Nolasco hasn't done ****.

I think 79 wins is about right. If Vargas or Arcia reach their power potential this year (30-40 HR), I think the Twins will go 83-79. I don't think that will happen until next year. The team seems tighter this year. I can't quite put my finger on it, but above-average starting pitching has something to do with it. The Twins will be in every game, through the first 5-6 innings.

Last year Hicks hit well in Spring training and won the CF job. This year he sucked in Spring training. I doubt we'll see him again. It seems pretty clear to me; I don't know why Ted thought the Twins FO reduced clarity. Robinson and Schafer have been the best center fielders in camp. Why would the Twins pick anyone else? As for Pelfrey, his first relief appearance was a walk-over. It turns out he can get ready in 10 pitches. He is the guy Ryan thought he was getting in Stauffer. I am a lot less worried about the bullpen than I was a week ago. The AL Central is a tough division, and one of the reasons is the Twins. This is a good ball club.

A very well-done series, Thyrlos. How does Rosario compare to Hicks as a CF? And how about that bullpen!! <barfs>

Milone looks good to me so far this spring. If he keeps pitching like this, he will win the 5th spot on merit. I would still like to see the Twins put Nolasco in this group, and have an open competition for the fourth AND fifth starting spots. I don't care what Nolasco's excuse was last year, he shouldn't get a guaranteed spot.

Nunez is a bad outfielder. Not as bad as Willingham, but should only make the team as utility infielder. There's no way he beats out Escobar for that role.