oldguy10

I'd like to touch on the Solarte shenanigans once more. Why would the Twins not resign him during his free agency period years ago and instead go through machinations to sign Florimon instead? How many other MLB franchises would do such a series of moves?

Historically there has been much criticism of how the franchise handles its players over the years, I am sure you can find stories about it on the Strib site as well as other places. Is it justified? How do the Twin stack up in this area as compared to other franchises?

I grew up in Winona way, way back when and just about the whole town followed the Cubs, that is until the Braves moved from Boston to Milwaukee, the games were broadcast on a La Crosse station and everyone switched their allegiance to the Braves simply because the Cubs' games were no longer available on the La Crosse station because of the Braves taking over that entire market. It only made sense and I am sure many baseball fans in Minnesota simply kept following the Brewers instead of switching to the Twins. On the other hand many Wisconsin baseball fans that live East of the Twin Cities attend the Twins' games instead of driving to Milwaukee and I am sure they listen to their broadcasts as well.

Who hopefully has time to put something together incorporating both the old Washington teams and the Twins, PLEASE! I grew up with the old Minneapolis Lakers but once they moved to L.A. I switched my allegiance to the Celtics, it just seemed to be the right thing to do. Where on the board can any of us discuss this?

Why is May apparently only being considered as a starter? Perhaps he would best be used as a reliever and to me there is nothing wrong with that. All teams need decent relief pitchers so if any prospect fails as a starter but can pitche well in relief why not go that route?

Why does no one bring up the fact that the Twins once also owned Solarte but let him go into free agency so they could acquire Florimon? Wouldn't he be a better option than any of Nunez, Escobar and Bernier? It sure would appear so unless he cannot play shortstop but only third or second base.

After realizing some of the Twins' batting numbers (3rd in total runs scored in MLB for instance) I think it is time I reconsider on Florimon - any team that can score like that can surely carry a fielding whiz at shortstop regardless of how he hits. Colabello for A.L. MVP so far also!

Reference my earlier comment about pinch hitting for Florimon in the late innings - I said that is virtually impossible with thirteen pitchers on the roster. I think that is a misuse of the entire roster and I asked if any other MLB teams operates in such a manner, does anyone know and, if so, why do they do so?

To me it is whether or not the Twins will score enough runs down the road to justify having such a weak hitter as Florimon in the lineup everyday. And we'll not know that definitively until many more games are played, will we? Ideally it would be good to be able to pinch hit for Florimon in later innings of games. But that is damn near impossible now with thirteen pitchers active on the roster. What other MLB team is carrying thirteen pitchers anyway?

Wouldn't the Twins have been far better off signing Solarte even as a six year free agent than casting their lot with Florimon? I sure think so and I find it hard to disagree with my statement when one looks at Florimon's hitting stats.

A few years ago the Twins had the Yankees Solarte and somehow gave him up to acquire Florimon, it is all documented at www.baseball-reference.com if anyone cares to look. Why would they have done that? I believe Solarte is Jeter's heir apparent and Florimon is, well, not likely to be in MLB in about two years.

howeda7 - Do you mean to say Eduardo Nunez is nothing, please advise.

Apparently just about everyone assumes Santana will be the next regular shortstop and I wonder if that is truly the case. How about Polanco and Goodrum? Do not both of those players fit into the equation somehow? Or has management already decided that neither of those two is up to it at the MLB level?

I am amazed that no one else has picked up on this soap opera shuffling of mediocre shortstops, it is so bizarre that the entire situation is too ridiculous to even make it all up. Just check out www.baseballreference.com to get the history of the three shortstops we are talking about here.

Would not Polanco and Goodrum be possible shortstop solutions if Santana is not? After all the two of them are both quite young and could develop into fine players or, of course, they could both also be busts.

I heartily disagree that one week's play constitutes "turning the corner", let's wait a bit before we rush to judgment, please.

spycake questions hitters having sustained success in going the other way, a good question, what is the answer? And how does one research that? I would think many MLB hitters over the years have had success in doing so but of course do not know for sure.

Many posters are saying the Twins outfield alignment should be Willingham, Hicks and Arcia to start the season - that is fine hitting-wise but it would be a disaster defensively to have both Willingham and Arcia in the outfield together. If they are to be in the lineup at the same time one of them absolutely has to be the designated hitter.

In just what alternate universe do Kubel and Bartlett have more upside than Colabello/Parmelee and Escorbar/Florimon? Perhaps if it was for spots on the Rochester roster, certainly does not shake out in Target Field now, does it?

Having any combination of Kubel, Parmelee and Colabello on the final opening day roster is a sure recipe for another 90+ loss season. NONE of the likes of them belong any place close to a MLB roster. Name me one more MLB team that would even be considering such ludicrous roster moves, ONE!

If Goodrum has a GREAT glove and I am talking Belanger great then there is no doubt in my mind that he should be the regular shortstop for years to come. How does Goodrum compare to Simmons also?

The shortstop of the future will not necessarily be Santana, could be Polanco, Goodrum or Trea Turner. Colabello is what you state - a AAA hitter, no proof that he will hit in the American League.

Halsey Hall - you apparently like 90+ loss seasons also then as that is what will continue to be the norm with players like Florimon in the everyday lineup. He simply cannot hit, just look at his career numbers.

I doubt that there is anyone that posts here that thinks either Kubel or Bartlett should make the trip North unless it is to Rochester, N.Y. and not the Twin Cities. I never did get management's thinking on the decisions to sign those two..................Oh wait, I think they are doing it as a favor to the Saint Paul Saints in helping with their expenses, that is the league the two of them belong in anyway. And now Colabello will probably make the team, another move I am not crazy about either. Sorry to be so critical but...................

Wilkin Ramirez in my opinion should step us and claim his rightful spot in Rochester's outfield, he does not belong in the Twins starting lineup. But of course Alex Presley should accompany him on the trip to Rochester as well.