Physics Guy

ESPN's David Schoenfield posted trades for all 30 teams. He proposed the Twins trading Dozier straight up for Lucas Giolito. This is the type of trade the Twins need if they move Dozier. Giolito made a few starts for the Nats and is a potential #1. The Nats have shown a willingness to spend money on FA so they may be willing to part with their top pitching prospect. I think the Twins should make this trade if the Nats are willing. http://www.espn.com/blog/sweetspot/post/_/id/76381/a-trade-for-every-team

Thanks, I understand now. I thought he meant it would "block" their reconstruction efforts. Couldn't figure out why Gammons would say that.

Can somebody please explain Gammons' tweet? Am I supposed to take it that he thinks bringing those guys back into the organization is a problem? I would think all of those guys have pretty good reputations, outside of Hunter's political views.

Why is it not possible? They went 83-79 with a starting rotation of Gibson, Pelfrey, Hughes, Millone, Santana, Duffey and Nolasco making most of the starts. Nobody had what I would consider a "career" year, outside of maybe Gibson. I am guardedly optimistic that Santana, Gibson, Santiago, Berrios, May, Duffey and Maybe Hughes might be able equal that group. If they can get their ERA closer to 4, I like their chances of .500.

ZiPS projections for the 2017 season has the Twins at 81-81. http://www.espn.com/mlb/insider/story/_/id/17964821/zips-2017-standings-projections-cubs-odds-repeat-surprise-contenders-more-mlb Excerpt on the Twins: "Minnesota wasn't expected to be a juggernaut in 2016, but the Twins also weren't supposed to be this bad. They'll improve simply from the good ol' "Plexiglas principle," and some of their young players should continue to improve (especially Jose Berrios)." I would be very happy with that if the lineup continues to trend towards younger players and our pitching has a semblance of respectability and future upside. 81-81 without a focus on letting our younger players play would not impress me.

They don't have time to watch a Vikings game. GM meetings are this week. Watching the Vikings game would be an utter waste of time. At least that is how I felt about 3:30 this afternoon.

As I've been reading this thread and the one about the 2017 rotation, I keep thinking back to something that was discussed in one of the recent G&G podcasts. According to BR: AL Runs Allowed - 2016 #14 - Twins - 873 #13 - Rangers - 746 #1 - Blue Jays - 653 There is a bigger gap between #14 and #13 than there is between #13 and #1. The Rangers team ERA is 4.41. I don't think it is outrageous to think that five pitchers from this group can break that threshold next season: Santana, Gibson, Santiago, Duffey, May, Hughes, Berrios and Mejia. Last season the team ERA was 4.07. Just getting to #13 level gives the Twins a pythagorean record for the season of 76-86 for this season. I don't think .500 next year is out of the realm of possibility.

Vs RHP SS Polanco 1B/DH Mauer 2B Dozier DH/1B Vargas 3B Sano RF Kepler LF Rosario C Murphy CF Buxton vs. LHP Buxton Polanco Dozier Sano Vargas Kepler Plouffe Rosario Murphy Sprinkle Esco in occasionally. Play the kids!

I know it probably feels like 6 years, but Span was the CF just four seasons ago.

Game was televised on MLB Network.

Happens to pretty much every player.

Thanks Duffy. Took away a DP.

Last inning Dick says the Twins hope Sano turns into a batter that mashes LHP. He then goes on to say he hasn't become that yet. His evidence is hitting .273 vs LHP vs. .244 overall. He has 4 HR and 10RBI vs LHP and 16 HR and 40 RBI vs RHP. Surprisingly, he has over 4X the PA vs righties. vs. LHP: .273/.420/.527 vs RHP: .238/.317/.468 Seems to be hitting LHP pretty well to me. I know, how dare I use actual statistics to make a point.

Nice AB Rosario!

I think he is always going to be a high K guy, but hopefully more in the 150-200 range. I'll take it in a heartbeat if he keeps up the rest! I really hope he puts in the time that Gaetti and Koskie did to become high quality 3B as well. Both were considered to be mediocre when they first came up and turned into gold glove caliber. I'd take average defensively from Sano.

Sano is hitting .316/.435/.579 in his last ten games. Park sat because Joe Mauer has been our best hitter and there is no DH in National League parks. Kepler came up for a short time because Santana was on IR. Would I rather he be playing full-time? Of course I would, but it was a stop-gap while Santana was injured. It is not going to inhibit his development. He most likely would have played more, but Arcia showed a little life and took AB's away from Kepler.

Let's be honest here, a good chunk of the reason Nolasco "earned" his spot in the rotation is because he is "earning" $12M either way this year. At least he's actually earning it on the field for once.

Pretty generous by the scorekeeper there. Pretty sure that should be an E on Lawrie.

I want nothing to do with Dozier batting 3rd. At Spring Training I saw him come up twice in with a runner on third and nobody out when he was batting 3rd and struck out both times. All he had to do was hit a ground ball to the right side or a fly ball to get the runner in and he failed both times (as did the two guys after him). If they find somebody who can get on base better than him, move him out of the leadoff spot and put him at 5 or 6. He has a career .729 OPS with RISP and .639 hitting 3rd (although in only 89 PA). I just feel like he gives away too many AB to be a run producer. I'll reconsider when he starts using the whole field.

Once in awhile, but I pretty much stick with a Kramarczuk's Brat or Polish and a beer.

I saw the article on Star Trib first: http://www.startribune.com/minnesota-twins-serve-up-samples-of-new-food-for-upcoming-baseball-season/374594891/ I saw poutine and immediately thought of twinsnorth49.

I heard it was Mark Derosa.

Sitting at the game I was telling my friend that this is where Dozier needs to show he is better. Anything to the right side of the infield or to the outfield scores Buxton. Instead he takes a big cut for strike three. Quentin and Arcia follow with nothing. Pretty deflating to have 2nd and 3rd with no outs and get nothing. Dozier failed twice today. He can't be a middle of the order guy if he can't plate a run in these situations.

Don't get in until 11. We have tickets for Mon and Weds so far. Hoping to get there early both days to watch the minors side a bit.

Anybody going to be around this coming week? Bringing the family down on 3/20 for the first time. Two boys, 13 & 10. We're all pumped to see some Twins' games and some sun after the two inches of snow last night.