Physics Guy

Thielbar only because he pitched in more crucial situations, at least to my recollection. Pressly gave them more innings, but often in a mop-up role. According to BR, Thielbar faced many more batters in "late and close" situations than Pressly (50PA vs 39 PA), especially considering Pressly's higher number of innings.

Plouffe maybe, no way you stick Sano at 1B yet.

I'd like to see a way to keep Colabello and Parmelee as a platoon 1B, part-time RF (Parms), part-time DH combo. It would give us added pop off the bench. I'm not sure this can happen unless they don't keep 3 catchers or don't keep a backup OF who can play CF. This would also assume that Escobar is the lone utility IF. The chances would be better if they deal Willingham or Doumitt.

Very bummed out. Please don't let me down Terry Ryan.

Similar sentiments on this thread as we are seeing on Nick Nelson's article. Many WANT to see one from the top 5, one from the next 15 and another flier. Sadly, after last year, I think you may have nailed what actually happens. I hope Nick is right and the financial situation has changed from last year and Ryan opens the purse strings. I keep dreaming that somehow Ryan will pull off a trade and go after somebody else who is already signed for a few years that is better than what is out there. Names like Price, Lee, Hamels, ... who have contracts that teams may want to get out of. And then I wake up and realize it won't happen. Is there a non-zero chance of this happening? The Twins certainly could afford to take on such a contract.

Why not Hicks next year? They did the same with Dozier last year and it worked out fine. I can't say I necessarily agreed with it at the time, but it worked for Dozier.

I love the idea and agree it would be an optimal way to grind out some wins with a subpar pitching staff. Here's how I could see it working: Starters: Correia Diamond Gibson Pellfrey/Worley/Deduno Swingmen (6th and 7th inning): Swarzak Devries Pressley Late Inning Guys: Lefties - Duensing and Thielbar Righties - Burton and Fein Closer - Perkins I think you can get by with a 12 man staff with this arrangement. The swingmen are used for 2 innings ionce every three days. If the starters go five, everything works great. If we get a short start, we still have five guys backing up the swingmen that can fill in innings.

I don't disagree that ulitimately Escobar is better than Bernier. I just would rather have Bernier ride the pine if Florimon and Dozier play most of the games. Escobar is young enough that I want him playing every day in AAA instead of once or twice a week for the Twins.

I am disappointed in how Hicks turned out this year, but not terribly surprised considering how he handled previous promotions. I think by mid-season next year he has earned a spot, but wouldn't be surprised to see him starting for the Twins in spring training. I have to think he needs to play winter ball this year. At least Pressley and Thomas (and maybe Mastro) give us a stopgap until he proves himself. He had better not wait too long as somebody is breathing down his neck in CF. Although I doubt Gardy would incorporate this, I'd like to see a Parmelee/Colabello platoon at 1B. Parmelee could fill in in RF on occasion. Plouffe might be in that discussion as well fairly quickly, depending on Sano. I think Escobar is the utility player of the future, with the chance to replace Florimon if he falls down. I wouldn't mind having Bernier be the backup for the start of the year. He done reasonably well in at all three spots and isn't a liability at the plate. Long term Escobar probably takes that spot.

He is Kubel from a couple years ago. Plays in RF/LF occasionally, destined to be a DH more often.

Anybody else think he's safe if he slide to the back side of the base? It looked to me like the throw was going to be late. Pointless.

The next 4 days offer Chris Herrmann a clear opportunity increase his chances of a spot for next year. Hopefully he is in the lineup every day while Mauer is on the DL. Three catchers (Mauer, Doumitt and Herrmann) with the ability to play elsewhere (if you give Doumitt credit for OF) is a nice luxury. His minor league OBP numbers suggest he might slot in well at the #2 spot when he fills in for Mauer. A third catcher who can actually hit is also a nice luxury.

Maybe it was good they didn't televise this one. I might have to find a way to catch the AA game tonight.

Haven't been listening to the game, but catching up as I saw the game progress. I was curious as to what others had to say about Gibson. My thought when I saw the ticker on ESPN was that it's time to shut him down. His confidence will be shot if they give him a few more outings like this. 12 baserunners and 11 outs is not a good ratio.

That was not a productive PA. I hung my head as soon a he got out. I assumed Arcia would K. I'm glad he proved me wrong.

I'd have pitched to Mauer. Nice rips by Thomas and Dozier.

Free tix at least.

Was he as painful to watch on tv as he was from the stands?

I like the idea of Wong, but I think Dozier will be fine as a stop-gap until Rosario arrives. I'd rather see SP in return. Here's what KLaw had to say in his chat today: Paul (DC) Kolton Wong...not enough upside for top-50? Klaw (1:51 PM) No, not close. Average to above-average regular ceiling. Yet, Rosario made the list. Here's the last part of KLaw's post in his Top 50 about Rosario: The former center fielder may never be above average at second, but his bat will be. Rosario's ceiling is a .290-.310 hitter with 30-35 doubles, 10 homers and 50-60 walks a year, which would make him one of the best at that position in the game.

I agree with this completely. I keep pulling for him to get hot and start driving the ball, but I just don't see it happening.

Glad to see this thread up. I was actually contemplating a blog regarding this but dragged my feet. Lee and Gallardo were the first two pitchers that came up as I started to look. I would endorse a deal for either of these guys, but would prefer Lee. I think if the Twins were willing to eat the salary, they might be able to get him reasonably. Despite his age, he seems more of a true ace that Gallardo. I think he has a decent chance of aging well as he doesn't rely on above average velocity. The reason I was thinking of blogging on this is that I think it is the only way the Twins pick up a top end starter. I don't see them competing for the big names on the free agent market. I think Ryan would be much more likely to trade for a 2-3 year contract that is already signed. The Twins have the money to do this. That being said, I agree with Brock that it isn't very likely.

If Parmalee can't beat him out? Morneau currently has a .725 OPS and Parmelee a .703 with very sporadic playing time of late. Let's remember that Parmalee has been learning a new position and has played more than acceptable defense out in RF. I'm honestly not sure we would have a drop off in production if they just inserted Parmalee as the full-time 1B. Here's a Fangraphs article regarding Morneau: Dumping Justin Morneau | FanGraphs Fantasy Baseball

Arcia appears to be the next coming of Jason Kubel. His minor league numbers look very similar. Hopefully he can become the player we hoped Kubel would be prior to his injury. Kubel gave us several very good years, but never produced quite to the level I hoped for.

Oh well, I guess I'll be gone for awhile again.

Boy, I've been off the game threads for awhile. They're doling out "super moderator" titles like yardsticks at the State Fair.