stringer bell

And Pelfrey could come off the bench at 6'7".

May, Meyer, Gibson--the start of a good, young rotation, or the frontline of a pretty good amateur basketball team. Trevor needs to back up his nice start with another, then another, and perhaps he will get to move up to Rochester.

I posted on the article that the author failed to list Rich Becker, who came to the majors as a lefthanded throwing switch hitter. He was pretty brutal as a righthanded hitter and abandoned switch hitting after a few years. Becker had his best years as a Twin and a switch hitter.

If Pelfrey is a "horse", he's a Percheron, or Clydesdale, or Belgian. Big and slow and not that fun to watch. The recovery year for Tommy John patients varies a bit but the CW is that their numbers won't be pretty. Pelfrey is competing, but it hasn't been pretty. I would hope that he would go to Rochester if he continues to be ineffective--he isn't a relief pitcher. He needs to be starting to be on the club.

It is early. However, Morneau doesn't look like any better hitter than he was in 2012. He swings hard, but he doesn't make much solid contact. Early this season, he wasn't striking out much and many were encouraged that the hard-hit balls would come. They really haven't--5 extra base hits including a couple of bloop or misplayed doubles--so I don't think Justin has made himself more attractive on the trade market. Further, I don't think Morneau has even shown enough so far to merit a qualifying offer from the Twins. Justin seems to be popular on TD, but I think it's time for him to find himself somewhere else.

Justin Morneau is not the player he was before the disabling concussion.

It sure looks like the Marlins have earned their record so far.

Dozier playing a nice second base. I will add that I thought my man Alexi played a very good second base last year, but was the epitome of frustrating while holding the lumber.

Looked like a strike.

They'll start to fall in Parm.

Comedy of errors. Ball to left should have been caught (dare I saw Delmonesque defense), then the Red Wings errr Marlins can only muster three ground balls, Doumit (or is it no-mitt) allows a passed ball but the runner for no apparent reason doesn't score.

Twins need a rally capped off by a long ball to get back in the game.

Well, Swarzak is rested, so is Pressly.

C'mon Pelf!

Rich Becker came up as a switch hitting lefthanded throwing outfielder. He was bad a a righthanded hitter and converted to being lefty-only at some point. I checked Baseball Reference and he quit hitting righthanded in 1996.

Interesting lineup. Plouffe gets his first time off, "Willie" gets the second game off and Ramirez is the only guy not to get a start in either game. Maybe Wilkin is only on the team to translate. It is nice to have a guy like Willingham on the bench if a big swing is needed to win a game.

"almost like a ....."

Yes, I've been defending Dozier at another site and also in middle infield discussion here. He certainly seems to have found his comfort zone in the field and perhaps in the lineup. It would be interesting if the Twins found their leadoff hitter by accident.

I am glad I didn't have to ask for the "celebration one", it's probably against the law or one of the commandments.

Not Capps-like!

wiff!

Where's the sunshine Ashbury?

Doumit is a slightly better version of Brendan Harris and Matthew LeCroy--two guys who didn't have the skills to hold down key defensive positions but didn't have the bats to be regulars at less demanding positions. I don't think a lot of teams wanted Doumit as a starting catcher and the teams that would have him probably don't want to pay what he should be making. That Doumit can get some at-bats as an outfielder and DH increases his value. No, he is not a great defensive catcher and he's not a good defensive outfielder either, but he can perform those duties well enough to be more than an emergency backup.

Doumit is fine in his role. He is not ideal, but as Pig has pointed out, he is worth the money spent on him. That said, I'm in favor of trading Doumit if a) they get a decent return and somebody with the ability to hit at or above the replacement level replaces Doumit.

Fien has an option remaining. That is why he is being considered. It is either option Fien or risk losing another reliever. I am a Fien fan and so I vote for DFA of Wood. If he's claimed, he's lost, if not the Twins outright him and either way have a spot of the 40-man.