Blake

I know this is the perception I have and I cannot believe we're the only ones.

Great picture, thanks!

Well, that tweet along with the recent nonsense regarding a move to the bullpen isn't endearing to MN fans. I tend to think MN fans are much more forgiving of a players failings than a lot of MLB fans. However, it is a two way street, in that a player also has to show he is willing to put forth the effort to earn the respect of the fans. Beyond a certain point, a player needs to have success in order to maintain the respect of the fan base. I suggest that as of right now, Mr. Nolasco is on probation, at best.

Tweet, foul, undue celebration..rubbing in the fact you're at spring training while the rest of us slave away..

You would bring coffee to a game thread? Heathen. Beer. Still a rookie, I see.

Guys, I thought the insults were reserved for insulting the White Sox in game threads. Or is this the warm up for the real thing?

This is the year Ortiz finally shows his age!! (Ortiz retiring counts. Nothing says "I'm too old for this game" like retiring)

I think it would be fairer to say that "With people like Mike Redmond to guide them.." I thought it interesting that Jose Fernandez was pulled aside by Redmond and set straight and that's when his attitude changed. Sounds like Mr. Harper could use a bit of the same.

Cool, once we get more self-expression we can also look forward to "Excessive Celebration" rules. Now I'll read the article and see if the article supports my conclusion. Now that I've read the article, I didn't like the article, thought it was a lousy read and does a disservice to baseball. Considering the bad press regarding Puig, I'm not sure he should be held up as an example of fun. That's just one of many things I didn't care for.

I have to wonder at the thought process of the agent and Nolasco, putting out this kind of information. It's not like Nolasco has pitched so well that teams will be falling all over themselves to sign him to his next contract. And I cannot think this will help down the road, should Mr. Nolasco manage to do a better job this year. Frankly, the whole things seems rather bizarre.

Excellent writeup. Always great to see something like this. Very cool about TK and St Peter taking the time to ask a couple of questions.

Eh, strikeouts are fascist.

If memory serves, Pelfrey was at first upset, got over it and started anticipating working as a reliever.

I thought my rookie season went well. Now to see if I can avoid the dreaded sophomore slump.

Hey, for whatever reason, the Twins have owned Chris Sale. Maybe the Jays are Duffey's kryptonite. Baseball is funny that way.

Can anyone explain to me the utility of the split squad format? Is it merely to make sure people get in the game work or is it also a useful tool for player evaluation?

Seth, thank you for taking the time to respond. I appreciate it.

I'm going to stipulate that Arcia proves that he is a plus outfielder and can really run. Wasn't the knock against him a perceived (or very real) lack of success against left-handed pitching? Also, what do you think of the possibility of a right field platoon in order to bring Sano along slowly? To be honest with you I did not expect Arcia to emerge like this. It makes for a fun Spring Training, does it not?

You and me both.

Well, considering kidnapping is considered a vocation in Venezuela, staying in Ft Meyers might have been prudent to begin with. Anyway, it makes one wonder who the odd man out might be in the outfield. I think some skepticism was warranted, because how many times have we heard about someone "working out diligently" and "in the best shape of their life" only to see the same old same old?

Is Arcia on a mission? I've long thought Arcia could be a good outfielder but speed and Arcia in the same sentence? Is the Florida sun getting to you, Mr. Bonnes? Are you feeling well? Remembering to hydrate?

You're more in tune with these things than I am. I'll take your word for it.

I get that. Let's hope Nolasco turns things around. And, let's hope the Twins dump him if he doesn't.

Seth, my problem with the Nolasco outing is the abject failure of the last two season. I sort of expected he would show up ready to prove he wants to pitch in a Twins uniform. Nolasco was not exactly facing Boston's "A" lineup, either. I am more than willing to cut Rogers some slack, due to age and inexperience. Nolasco, no.

Funny, I was thinking along the same lines. If Nolasco has a horrendous spring and still makes the team, I won't be happy. I think Nolasco should be let go if he shows he's still the same pitcher the Twins had last year. The Twins can lose just as easily with younger better yet untested arms.