TFelton

I thought this was intriguing a few weeks ago...today, not interested...TFelton

I wouldn't sleep on Kepler in September. TFelton

Pitching I suppose, but I am not connected to any sources yet it just doesn't seem like there are any sparks. I'd like to ride this out in 2017, as I don't think we have the horsepower to be a serious contender to win it, while I am recently enjoying the surge. Hey, if they make the playoffs, awesome. Gosh, the last couple innings are painful to experience right now without Kinzler (seriously, he was somewhat 9th inning sane). If they miss down the stretch in September, then I look to 2018. I am OK with it, considering my 2017 expectations were a lot lower than it appears we are looking. TFelton

Assume with 15 hours to discuss this, Twins know Enlow parameters to sign.. A more traditional pick.

Back on topic... TFelton would be surprised if Dozier isn't traded somewhere before Spring Training. It needs to happen.

Appropriate. Carew was a Dude.

Nunez is kinda playing well. Just saying.

Glad you said it. As athletic as he is, it doesn't look athletic.

close, me say. Nice call.

#sano #berrios that is all.

Absolutely. I only saw Murphy in a couple of games so wasn't under-selling him, as his arm was very noticeable and great to see. JR got a great applause in Bradenton as he is a hometown boy from there. It seemed the games I saw normally had Hicks there and usually on the upper dugout step or warming up the pitcher, and engaged. Again, early, but I like what I saw at Catcher.

Unfortunately, I am flying home tonight as need to get back to work... My family was there for first 3 games then home since kids in school and don't think they would have enjoyed 7 games but 2-3 was fine for them.

Saw Ricky's first game in ST and it was a lot of nibbling and missing spots. It felt eerily familiar. I heard he was better in 2nd game but I was with the other split squad.

Started at opening night at Hammond and ended in Hammond with stops in Bradenton, Port Charlotte, and Dunedin. Was at every game but 1 before gates opened to let my eyes and ears absorb and process. (No particular order) 1.). Kepler - he'll push a decision soon. Like how he carries himself. He has grown up and looks and plays like he belongs. 2.) Hicks - Catcher from Seattle. He's pretty good and commands a presence with his size and seems to really fit in and throws pretty good. JR Murphy seems quieter but watched him throw rockets to second we haven't seen here in a while. 3.) Polanco - didn't have most successful in-game at bats but solid up the middle in BP and games. Really want him to be a 2017 MLB asset and appears an able 2016 fill in, and Veilma is little but he is learning to hit to go along with a nice glove..not ready but like what I saw all around. 4.) Buxton - glove and arm yes plus. Even in BP, was more disappointed in the bat than I hoped. Not sure what to say. 5.) Park - he can catch up to 92-93 mph w a homer and hard single..early yes while against mlb pitchers early in the games. Fingers crossed. 6.) Sano - made routine catches. Know it is early in Spring while watched him play a couple liners into base hits. Tulo tried to stretch one of them in a double and Sano gunned him, then Nunez bowed and waved his cap to him while laughing so not sure if it was the fielding or throw he was referencing. 7.) Sweeney - he surprised me to the good. Quentin is working hard just don't see it. 8.) Starters - Berrios was clearly nervous only time I saw him home opener night, he'll be fine. Was hoping he'd push in Spring. Milone looked sharp, Duffey had a couple bad pitches in the Dunedin wind otherwise looks confident and belongs. May needs to start (see relievers). Kid Rosario was more impressive than I expected him to be while Dean has good stuff for soft tossing lefty I just don't see it long term. 9.) Relievers - a lot of lefties in the grab bag.. I guess chose one from 2-4 of them others not so much. Reed, Burdi, and Chargios have velo. Watched Chargois throw all off speed to a Philly named Stalli (?) to start JT's inning today. Was feeling worried about an injury until saw some smiles after the ab between hitter and pitcher (that was cool to see) then the gas returned for next couple hitters. Melotakis looked ok while don't know why expected more so soon. Reed and Burdi soon in mlb me thinks. 10.) Said a 30 second hello to TR and St Peter on different days and didn't want to linger but they wanted to know where I was from, how many games I was going to, what I thought...i just wanted to wish them good luck and thank them for Twins baseball. TFelton

On my way to Fort Myers today for home opener. Will be there 7 days watching the Twins. I've met Seth at a Target Field game but no one else yet. 13 yr old daughter along tonight and wife and 15 yr old boy join us tomorrow for Pirates game. Couple flights from home to get there and it has been 5-6 years so real excited. I will be the middle aged, out of shape, greying guy, wearing Twins apparel, like many others I guess... TFelton

Honestly, I like TR. Yes, he is conservative, yes I wish he did more, but I still like our prospects, and I struggle to trade them for short-term gain. Yes, I lament it when he stalls immediate change, while I admire him for patience. IF we had someone else, I may like 'him' a lot while I can't help but liking keeping these kids, too. I like our Twins team. I like being able to pull for them.

That's funny. Seth, I have a few other guys for you to talk to... joking of course.

All seriousness, what was the purpose? Both fringe 40 man. Basically mirror images of each other. Splitting hairs, could argue Darnell bit better. Why waste the paperwork?

At Bismarck ND stop Monday. 1st - Trevor May was explaining being in the Big Leagues for the first time, and learning how players go about their work, yet said there were little things you don't think about: He was asking other players 'where do you go to pick up your luggage when getting off the plane in a new city?' He opined 'Bags just show up in your room, .....evidently (smile).' May got a big laugh out of the crowd. 2nd - Tyler Duffey said Miguel Cabrera drove a 3-1 outside fastball to the RF wall where Torii caught it with his back to the wall. Duffey said his heart was pounding knowing he survived while Miggy trotted by him, winked and patted him on the back. Tyler got a copy of the pict (patting Tyler on the back) and had Miggy sign it. Life-long memory of one of the greatest hitters of the generation. I was impressed that Tyler thought about capturing the moment, and really cool Miggy was more than happy to sign the picture. 3rd - May followed that up with a story throwing a 3-2 changeup to Miggy which he got out in front of and drove to the wall where Hicks caught it. Trevor said the next day during a Tiger pitching change, with Miggy playing first, and Torii on first, that Miggy looked to the dugout where May was standing and signaled to him, smiled and said 'Hey May, nice change-up.' May thought, what is that supposed to mean, you got out, to the warning track (he smiled that wry smile). May then explained a few days later he homered off him on a good slider, so 'not making that mistake throwing a good changeup (smile).' 4th - asked about tough hitters to face, Duffey told the Miggy story, while May told a Chris Davis story. Started talking about giving up a homerun to him, then thought, wait, 'I gave up 2 to him in Spring Training too. That's a lot of HR's I give up.' Olivia was good for a number of great stories about Nolan Ryan, Catfish Hunter, and how he 'always hit good against Yankee pitching.' The older attendees really related to him. Dave St Peter's parents were there in the crowd, and was great that Provus pointed them out. They were sitting pretty close to us, and wow was that a great proud moment for Bismarck Twins fans...standing ovation. May was clearly the star of the show with his self-deprecating humor, which you don't see that personality on the field and the kids loved it, and he earned two new fans in my house with the kids. Duffey was the real deal with his insightful stories and clearly cares about the game and matter of fact approach...he earned my pulling for him to be successful. This is the second caravan I've attended and first since David McCarty was on the trip.... As a mid-40's life-long Twins fan, it was awesome to see the kids and older folks, and the smiles. Bring on Spring Training. TFelton

Some other threads reference Levi Michael. At a surface level, he reminds me of Pat Meares. Not a good or bad thing, while at what point does he get a chance or not.

Thanks for the post. I tell my wife nightly that there is no one better.

I really enjoyed this article. Thank you. When Morneau was ready, room was made at first. When the White Sox decided Paul Konerko was near the end, they moved on Abreu, were overt about it, and provided him a soft landing and celebrated his years of service. I'm not saying the Twins would, but moving Mauer to a part-time player down the stretch of his contract makes a lot of sense. I understand the financial side while I've heard that even the merchandise sales and other financial benefits more than covered the contract, so why not phase him out on a reunion tour Konerko kind of way or if he isn't happy with that, then would probably approve a trade (eat money with it) or flat out release, while hopefully doesn't come to that. I understand the love hate relationship with Joe, more specifically the contract. I have been lucky to see him play and appreciate his talent and overall performance. I don't want to cast him aside as he means a lot to this franchise while it seems there are other options than sitting out 3 more years. I struggle to accept the fact that we have 3 more years of Maurer at first, blocking a number of 'potential' replacements with high upside for next 10 years. I don't want to turn this thread into a Mauer bash as I am not in that camp, but IF Kepler keeps up this growth and performance into mid-2016, he deserves a chance and the marketing associated with a German (Global) could be very lucrative to the financially minded Twins, not to mention where Sano finds a position. Maybe Kepler is an outfielder I'd just hate to play him out of position as he is appearing to be an elite future, IF he keeps developing at this pace.

Someone gets hurt or bows out of All-Star Game and #voteDozier gets in right? Baseball Gods, anyone.

Wasn't Doug M to Fort Myers somehow family related as I remember? What was the story there and assuming he moves, I assume that situation has changed?

My speculation - why would Maddon leave Tampa, as sure the salary issue is one, but wonder if like Leeland, he wants a shot with a high payroll team.