stringer bell

Nice outing for Gibson through four. He's facing a pretty good lineup and holding them down pretty well.

They have more than that I think. I liked what I saw of Gilmartin and Johnson, particularly Johnson. They also have Darnell and Raley. I saw Darnell on the minor league side (no opinion) and didn't see Raley. In my book, some of these guys are better than De Vries, Walters, Vazquez etc. that they threw out last year. Yes, Worley is a goner for the rotation, but there are plenty of 5th starters to take his place.

Always liked Lexi. He still holds the Twins' record for stolen base percentage (single year) and he became a sure-handed, sometimes acrobatic 2B. Just couldn't hit enough.

Presley might get some starts at a corner with Arcia/Hamer then DHing. If Parmelee makes the club, he could be starting at a corner sometimes, relegating Osvaldo or Hammer to DH.

Position player fights are ongoing this spring. The Twins could carry a hit-first guy, a versatile third catcher, a veteran utility guy or an out-of-options 1b/OF as their last two or three position players. There are a lot of guys named Chris and Jason competing for these spots. Chris I (Colabello) has hit well this spring. He is a RH hitter with power limited basically to being a DH/PH/1B. Chris II (Parmelee) is a 1b/RF, who played surprisingly well in right last year. He is a #1 Draft Choice, who hit very well in a September call-up in 2011, but has disappointed since. Chris III (Herrmann) is a backup catcher candidate. He got a cup of coffee in 2012 and then added 180 plate appearances in the lost season of 2013. He hasn't hit much at the big league level (57 OPS+), but is having a nice spring and is a versatile player who hits left handed. On to the Jasons. Bartlett has had almost two years off with injury. He is a former All-Star, trying to hook on as a back-up. So far, he's had an 0-fer spring. Kubel, another ex-Twin, faded badly in the second half of 2012 and was terrible in 2013. So far he's been ineffective as a hitter for the Twins in spring training. I think that the Jasons lose these battle. Both are older ex-Twins who just don't look like their old selves. Sad to say, time marches on, right now it looks like the Chris guys make the team and the Jasons go home or to Rochester, NY.

Pinto's competition for a roster spot appears to be Chris Herrmann and only Chris Herrmann. Herrmann is a LH batting catcher who can capably cover a corner OF spot and he has worked out a bit at first base, as well. I mentioned Herrmann as a 25th man candidate and think he still figures in there, besides competing with Pinto for backup duties. IMHO, Herrmann hits like a backup catcher at best and as a receiver, he's nothing special. That skill set equates to "hanger on" at the MLB level, with little or no job security. However, Herrmann has had a nice spring, he hits lefty while Pinto and Suzuki are right handers, and there's that versatility. Would the Twins consider going with Herrmann as Suzuki's only backup? Should they?

This is the most veteran rotation the Twins have put together in some time Nolasco (31, 7.8 yrs), Correia (33, 9 yrs.), Phil Hughes (27, 6.7 yrs.) and Mike Pelfrey (30, 6.8 yrs.) are the locks for the rotation. Two other contenders are Diamond (27) and Deduno (30). I don't really see the need for a veteran catcher. That said, having Suzuki as a backup plan and mentor for Pinto makes sense. I, too, want Pinto to catch more games than Suzuki this year. I'll continue to support Gardy about not using his second catcher as a DH. Not so much because of the catastrophic scenario, but because it limits hitting and running for two guys who often should be hit or run for.

I was behind the screen when several guys threw. The velo was there for anyone to see. May looked terrific for two innings, but couldn't get through the third. Correia was consistently at 89 with his FB.

I have been in Fort Myers since last Tuesday. I have seen four Twins games and a large amount of minor league games plus a full allotment of drills and BP. Today was the first day when the weather was subpar, and coming from the frozen north, the sunshine and warmth were much appreciated. The major league talent held few surprises. The Twins will field a team of position players who, as a group, are weak-hitting, lack power and speed, and aren't that good defensively. The pitching staff would be classed as "hittable" and lacking in power arms. Sure there is hope, but in order for the game to contend, they'll have to roll a lot of sevens. On the minor league side, there is a lot of exciting talent in addition to top prospects Buxton and Sano. There is a multitude of hard-throwing pitchers. There are several big strong hitters like D. Hicks, Vargas and Walker and a lot of speed. Watching Danny Santana run out a triple today was exciting. Better days are ahead for the Twins. I met two members of the Twins Daily community. "Madre Dos" is the house mother for many of the Latino E-Town Twins. She provided my brother and I with some perspective of what those young men go through. I think every baseball fan should hear her stories and better understand the challenges these young men face in rookie ball. I also met moderator Chi-Town Twins Fan. Chi-Town and I are from the same area and roughly of the same generation, so it was good to compare notes. My brother and I will check out the minor leaguers tomorrow before we head back. He's the big guy with a scooter. We would enjoy meeting a couple more TD regulars and I know Halsey and Thrylos were near us today. Maybe you guys can convince me you're right about who to keep on the 25-man roster!

D Romero could replace Colabello if CC flounders (and makes the team).

Costello and Parmelee are not mirror images in one respect--Parmelee is an acceptable outfielder, Colabello is not.

Damon auto correct! It should be MAUER and JASONS

My projections for the roster have changed. I had Mastro and Fryer on the team and neither made it. Unless the Twins pick up an outfielder capable of playing center, Hicks has again won the job in spring training. Colabello is perhaps the only guy who has played his way onto the team, and I am quite skeptical of him having success when the games count. Kubel, Bartlett and Presley seem to have blown opportunities here. I have Presley as the fourth OF and the Jason's off the team. Parmelee seems to be a redundant piece, probably getting some starts against RH pitching, but having no real role. Do the Twins want the versatile LH batting Herrmann or do they go with Pinto? I'm going with Herrmann, even though I want Pinto. On the pitching side, there are many settled jobs--the first four in the rotation and Swarzak and the back of the bullpen are set. I think Deduno has earned a trip north. The easiest answer would be to make Deduno the fifth starter and stash Diamond and Worley in the 'pen at the expense of Tonkin, Thielbar and Pressly. I think Gibson is the key. I think he pushes Deduno to the bullpen and Diamond to DFAland. Here's my new Roster 3.0--Pitchers (12) Nolasco, Correia, Hughes, Pelfry, Gibson, Deduno, Swarzak, Worley, Fien, Duensing, Burton, Perkins. Catchers (2) Suzuki, Herrmann. Infield (6) Maher, Dozier, Florimon, Plouffe, Escobar, Colabello. Outfield (5) Willingham, Hicks, Arcia, Presley, Parmelee.

I've said it before and I'll say it again, I have real doubt that Hicks has enough bat to be a regular corner outfielder. If Buxton progresses as expected, Hicks becomes a high-value trade chip, assuming that he proves to be a capable starting center fielder.

OK, OK haven't we had this debate? According to WAR, P-Flo (had to use that nickname) was a positive player fueled by really good defense. While I doubt he will be part of the long-term future, he will be fine on a rebuilding team.

Winnah! Nice to meet Chitown at the game. Pretty good pitching and a sharper performance in the field. The sun is also great for middle-aged aches and pains.

I disagree a bit. I think this is about Hicks' development. What is best for Hicks' development is best for the Twins long-term. I think a short time in Rochester will benefit Hicks and the Twins.

Great stuff Thrylos! I saw quite a bit of the action. I will echo the comment about Berrios. He looked too good for the opponents. I didn't realize how hard he was throwing.

Spring training numbers mean very little. Hicks' 2013 spring should be a good example of that. Presley performed adequately last September and that pretty much provides him a roster spot and the inside track to starting the season as the starter in center. He hasn't closed the deal, but no one else has either.

While I do agree with your assessment of Hicks, it isn't fair to say that he was overmatched at AAA. He was injured and then didn't get that many plate appearances. If memory serves, he played well in the playoffs, as well.

I think Deduno has all but earned a spot, but that Gibson can force him to the 'pen.

I think Hammer and Plouffe should be the principle DHs against lefties. If Colabello makes the team, he's the logical choice.

I would assume the Twins will be behind a run or two and will want to hit for Suzuki quite as a few times. I would assume they would tie or go ahead somewhere between a few and a dozen times and if Pinto is DH, they would lose the DH. They would be locked in with Pinto at DH, unable to run or hit for him, except in the most desperate situations. I don't see Pinto as such a superior hitter that it would justify limiting bench moves on a regular basis.

DocBauer--I mostly agree with your comments about SS. Not in total agreement about your roster analysis. Here goes: Despite a "blah" ST, Presley has a spot. The battle is between Hicks and Mastro. If Hicks prevails, Presley slides to 4th OF and Mastro goes to Rochester. Two of three of Kubel, Colabello, and Parmelee will make the club. The loser of this grouping would compete for last man with Wilken Ramirez, Herrmann, Bartlett and a 13th pitcher. The Twins have to decide what is best for Pinto. If staying in the majors is the answer, he and Suzuki are the catchers. If going to Rochester is the answer, then Herrmann and Fryer compete to be Suzuki's backup. I don't think either Pressly or Thielbar make the club because two out-of-options pitchers will be pushed to the bullpen. Gibson could win the fifth starter derby, which would force Deduno to the 'pen and Worley or Diamond to DFA.

If a team uses their second catcher as the DH there is a real loss of flexibility. If Pinto were the DH, then Gardy couldn't run or hit for Suzuki without losing the DH. Hitting or running for Pinto would leave no backup for Suzuki for the balance of the game. It is different than when Maher was involved, since there was never a strategic reason to remove him from the game. Although Doumit was a slow runner, he was a switch hitter and a better hitter than any bench alternative, so flexibility was seldom an issue.