Blake

Honestly, I thought Suzuki would be pinch-hit for. I can defend not pinch-hitting for Buxton. Suzuki? Nope.

I wonder if the Twins, at home, will get an expanded strike zone when pitching while their opponent is squeezed? Twins seem to lack fire. Somnambulistic somnambulists shambling sleepily.

KC and SF meet again in the Series. KC wins back-to-back championships. (I will be in Laughlin next month and will put money on the Twins, KC and SF) I think the Twins take another step this year toward a 2017 Series win. Yeah, that's right, the Central owns the Series for three years running. (considering my abilities as a procrastinator are on par with Punxsutawney Phil, although considerably less entertaining, take it for what it's worth)

Could have been worse. Oh wait, 1 run, 10 runs still a loss. Never mind. However, having to wait an extra day for the next game is irritating.

Well, shoot.

Provides fodder.

Grist for the mill?

78-84--Nolasco is released as is Abad. Plouffe is traded for a big piece of the 2017 World Series team. Milone is traded to this years World Series team for a top prospect. Kepler debuts and remains. Duffy and JO Berrios come up to stay.

Yeah, but Hawk provides such good thread fodder. (silver lining, baby, silver lining)

Yes?

Admit it, you're into seeing baseballs abused.

I'm hoping we see the Sox repeat last year. Sox fielding was so dreadful last year it made for much merriment in game threads. Anyway, under.

Is it me or has Cespedes lost interest in Spring Training? I find it hard to believe Mr. Cespedes was serious about the whole thing. Cespedes being Cespedes?

Quentin certainly seems to be getting a long look this spring.

.285 batting average with 23 home runs. (starts going the other way more at the expense of power)

Thread ideas! Stolen!! probably should keep that to myself....

Did you read the rest of the statement at the link? According to LaRoche, it went from "Don't bring your kid around as much" to "don't bring him around at all." __________________________________________________ Here is what I'm referring to; "With all of this in mind, we move toward the current situation which arose after White Sox VP Ken Williams recently advised me to significantly scale back the time that my son spent in the clubhouse. Later, I was told not to bring him to the ballpark at all. Obviously, I expressed my displeasure toward this decision to alter the agreement we had reached before I signed with the White Sox." _________________________________________________ Again, before signing with the Sox, LaRoche did his due diligence. Then Williams changed the terms of the original agreement, twice. LaRoche's teammates are standing by him and being rather vocal about the situation. That, in and of itself, doesn't speak well of the way Kenny Williams handled things. Anyway, it doesn't appear that Adam is upset too much. Rather, it sounds like LaRoche realizes it's time to move on.

"Though I clearly indicated to both teams the importance of having my son with me, I also made clear that if there was ever a moment when a teammate, coach or manager was made to feel uncomfortable, then I would immediately address it. I realize that this is their office and their career, and it would not be fair to the team if anybody in the clubhouse was unhappy with the situation. Fortunately, that problem never developed. I'm not going to speak about my son Drake's behavior, his manners, and the quality of person that he is, because everyone knows that I am biased. All of the statements from my teammates, past and present, should say enough. Those comments from all of the people who have interacted with Drake are a testimony to how he carries himself."... _________________________________________________________________ Excerpt of statement by Adam LaRoche. Seems like a stand up guy. It also sounds like Kenny Williams pulled a bush-league move and went back on a prior agreement. The rest here: http://m.mlb.com/news/article/168042974/adam-laroche-makes-statement

Under. Too much age in their starting lineup.

Very interesting. I still find it amazing that Mr. Kelly spends that much time with minor league players.

I honestly don't get some of the barbs slung at Milone. Milone reminds me of a Mark Buerhle, in that he's someone who will take the ball every 5 days and, if given the chance, will pitch 200 innings a year with an ERA around 4. Is Milone a front line starter? No. However, it seems some people think the #4 or #5 pitcher should pitch like a #1 starter.* *Edited due to bad initial editing. Editing my editing, as it were.

Nice interview with Mr. Buxton. I see he's spent some time with Crash Davis working on his cliches and has them down pat.

I feel bad for the vp of the outlet mall. Must be hard to go on tv without having any personality to project. Seemed like a decent guy but not much presence.

Great. If Park keeps it up, he won't see a fastball at all during the regular season.

Have fun. I wish I could come up with some sort of brilliant question that would give us all enormous insight, but, unfortunately, the old brain (maybe not USAFchief old, but close) just cannot come up with anything.