stringer bell

is there any chance that the Twins would go with Rohlfing as the 25th guy? He has hit well, played C, 1B and OF and is not Drew Butera.

No more of an authority on Sano than Terry Ryan said he is "too big". I think the team would like him to play about 20 lbs. lighter. He isn't a statue or a stiff, but he is close to growing out of being a third baseman.

I think that by the time Delmon wore out his welcome in MN, his value was not much. Witness his free agent contract after an outstanding postseason in 2012. I remember one sportswriter (Souhan) lobbying for a Delmon trade after his big year, but the CW at that point was that he had turned a corner and was a potential All-Star. I don't know what the problem was with Hardy. Publicly he wasn't a problem, but he didn't hit much and suffered with nagging injuries. Why the team decided to trade him at that point is mystery to me, unless it was purely a contract issue.

TR said something to the effect that they were waiting for him to develop big power (Harrison that is) and he emphasized that Harrison was a high draft choice (fr standing between the fields last week, standing next to the Twins' GM).

If Hicks struggles and Benson thrives, they might switch places at some time. That is no sure thing. I hope Benson rakes in AAA and forces a recall. Too much talent to give up on Joe.

So the consensus is that Plouffe is Mark Reynolds 2.0? I go over in BA (.270), under in power, but with a decent OPs 20 HRs, slash line .340/.455/.795. The defense will be satisfactory.

I took note of Rams last week at spring training. He is a good sized guy and he took some good BP swings, but I think the die was cast when he no longer was considered a catcher.

I thought those who said Hernandez should be in the bullpen had miscast him. He has been a starter through his career, correct? On a club with only one lefty starter (who will start the season on the DL) Hernandez offers some hope for a bit of balance. On Benson, he has the tools, but any OF has to hit and Joe didn't hit in spring training. I hope he makes it back this summer.

In looking at Escobar and glancing at his stats, I get the feeling that while he has good hands and a strong arm, that he isn't fast--"average" but not much more--and I think this is why he is looked at as only a utility guy.

The area where I'm expecting improvement in the Twins this year is defense. I think that either Florimon or Escobar will provide plus defense at the crucial position of SS. While I don't expect either guy to hit much, I would hope the aggregate at short could hit .230 with 5+ homers. Too optimistic, I suppose.

After sleeping on it, I have changed my bullpen projection. I think Roenicke makes the club at the expense of Fien. Roenicke is more suited to long relief and Fien has that option remaining. I like Fien and expect he will be back with the Twins before April is over, but without having a true long man it probably makes sense to keep Roenicke.

The bullpen is still shaking out IMHO. I think the Twins want a third lefty in the 'pen and I think Robertson has pitched himself into contention. Ryan told me he liked what he saw a week ago when he faced Tampa. He has had one outing since and pitched two scoreless innings. I think Burnett is now on the outside looking in and that one bullpen spot will be going to someone who is not making the starting rotation. Right now I see Diamond and Swarzak DLed, Worley, Correia, Pelfrey, De Vrieze, and Deduno starting, with Walters, going to the bullpen. The rest of the bullpen: Perkins, Burton, Duensing, Robertson, Fien, and Pressley. That would necessitate making space for Walters and Deduno. Wood and Roenicke could both be outrighted, I guess.

I haven't checked mlbtraderumors.com much lately, but I saw several tidbits that would/should be of interest to the Twins and their fans: 1) San Francisco is looking for backup infielders (can we say Jamey Carroll?) and Baltimore is looking for a defense-first backup catcher (Sweet Drew?). 2) Pitchers Chris Young and Matt Capps look to be available for little or nothing. Chone Figgins was released and is also available. 3) Chien-Mingh Wang is also drawing interest from several major league clubs. I suppose that the Twins won't be players in any of the situations I mentioned, but given their status in the bottom of the league they should have the opportunity to pick up someone useful as teams cut down to 25 to head into the regular season. Thoughts?

Actually I believe the elbow flared up in November/December, but I don't know where I read that. He felt discomfort when lifting weights and some small chips and the "start of a spur" were removed.

Here is the comment I made last night right after I read this: Quite the optimistic write up. I think health is a big issue as Plouffe has suffered injuries almost every year. I do believe it will help him to prepare to play just one position. I think that by the end of the season he will be regarded as a better ballplayer and more valuable that his buddy Delmon.

If the Twins trade only Morneau at the deadline and don't get back a major league position player, it could be that both Benson and Arcia would be recalled to platoon in right, with Butera or a utility infielder being sent down. That is a long way out and a lot will happen in between, but giving both a chance to succeed is going to be the goal and a modified platoon would probably give them that chance.

No point in obligating a contract for Carroll for 2014 when I believe the club will improve with players who are not on the roster right now. I appreciate what Carroll offers and he is a great example to every ballplayer on the roster, but he shouldn't be on the roster in 2014.

After I asked about him, I did check and found when he was drafted and what he did last year. Looks promising.

Born in July of '83, so he'll be 30 this year.

I'll throw a little lukewarm water on the heat over Deduno. It's too early to judge much of anything, but his performance at the WBC was encouraging. Samuel will be 30 this season, so the time is now for him. Let's see what he does in his appearances with the Twins as soon as he returns. Players and teams will be serious from now 'til Opening Days.

Both Parmelee and Plouffe found their power stroke in the high minors and have shown flashes in the big leagues. The path is clear for both of them but they won't have unlimited time to establish themselves. I am relatively confident that both will succeed, but I'll not be shocked if either or both fail. Both guys were #1 choices so it shouldn't be a surprise if they succeed.

Quite the optimistic write up. I think health is a big issue as Plouffe has suffered injuries almost every year. I do believe it will help him to prepare to play just one position. I think that by the end of the season he will be regarded as a better ballplayer and more valuable that his buddy Delmon.

Vargas at first? No one is listed. The Twins have impressive size at first base as well as on the mound. The outfield could have three all-league players. I think the infielders all have something to prove--hopefully some of them will provide positive answers. CR pitching could be pretty good. I think Berrios is on the fast track and will be the Twins' first under-21 player since Mauer. I liked what Melotakis had to offer and I hope he can stick as a starter. I didn't see Bard throw at all. I believe that Buxton will make Hicks either irrelevant or a corner outfielder. Kepler can really sting the ball and looks like a good athlete.

So Plouffe survived the day without further injury? That is progress. I am not worried about results from Plouffe against minor leaguers, I am worried about health. Who is Z Jones?

I saw Kepler in FtM and liked his swing. The ball sounds different when he hits it compared to most of the others (except Sano) and he is both good-sized and athletic. It looks like he has good speed. I hope to make it to Cedar Rapids at least once this summer as there are a lot of good prospects there.