Esoteric Ball Guy

I can't see Gardy letting any team go North without a competent backup SS which makes me think they'll need somebody besides Burroughs and Hughes. If they are serious about Dozier I could see them giving him the starting job and keeping Casilla as the backup SS/2B. If they decide to give Dozier more seasoning I like Florimon, Chang or some other all glove type getting that last spot over Burroughs.

He's 38 years old and has never been an everyday SS. How'd Nicky Punto do when he was pulled from super utility and thrust into an everyday role? He was hurt and ineffective, all while he was about 8 years younger. When you're used to bouncing around the infield it's not an easy adjustment to take over the most important of those positions on an everyday basis. Nishi has been an elite player in a league with a talent level near AAA, nobody else on roster has produced at that level.

Hopefully this gets his head right and he's able to get his confidence back at a lower level for now. I'm very skeptical of Carroll's ability to be an everyday shortstop, and just maybe this can turn Nishi around in time for him to take over mid season.

I've always thought that Rochester was too far away geographically, and would love to see them move closer. I'd bet Duluth could handle a AAA team. This summer I'll be heading to Rochester for the first time so I'll reserve my judgement on the city til then, but it's a shame the closest minor league affiliate we have now is a 7-8 hour drive away.

Well that sucks... If Appel goes first does this mean the Twins will focus on one of the highly touted position players? Even if the Astros don't take Appel I'd rather the Twins focus on Zunino the catcher out of Florida orCarlos Correa the Puerto Rican SS.

20 game pack (plan D) in section 130, absolutely love my seats.

Metrodome 84-09 Safeco (tour only) 2007 US Cell, Fenway, Yankee, Shea, Nationals,PNC, Comerica 2008 Miller Park, New Busch, Kaufman 2009 Target Field, Wrigley 2010 Coors, AT&T, O.Co, Dodger, Petco, Anaheim 2011 +Rogers Centre, Progressive, GABP June of 2012+

From everything I've read I like Giolito more than Appel. That said if the Twins decide to go with a position player I hope they give a long look to Mike Zunino from Florida. Even if Buxton profile a bit higher I'd rather go after a premium position instead of grabbing another toolsy outfielder.

We're not allowed time machines right? If we are I'm going to Ebbets Field, but assuming this is a reality based question I'll go with Camden.

Thanks for the heads up! I'm might have to try to talk the buddy I'm going with into rerouting and heading to Cedar Rapids. We're only going to the Friday game in Cinci so we might be able to hit see both games.

I'll be road tripping out there starting on Fathers Day Friday and will be going to Beloit, Detroit, Toronto, Rochester, Pittsburgh, Cleveland, Cincinnati, and Des Moines. I've been to Detroit and Pittsburgh and excited to get a second look at those stadiums, and I'm really looking forward to my second trip to Beloit with the rumors that Sano, Mitchell and Rosario will be locking down the infield there. With this being the last year of predictable Interleague scheduling I'm curious to see how well Twins fans will travel.

I've been to 20 MLB parks and my top 3 are Wrigley, Coors, and Kaufman. I also adore Comerica, the giant Tigers everywhere are insanely cool and the statues with the retired numbers are incredible. I'm heading back to Comerica this summer and I fully intend to purchase whatever ticket gains me access to the cigar bar, if only cause it sounds like a totally unique ballpark experience.

The Sandlot might be the best movie of all time, but I'm giving Major League the title of best baseball movie of all time.

I like one of Burton, Bulger or Oliveros to take Zumaya's spot. My gut tells Oliveros is the guy, but the "experts in the locker room" types like LaVelle seem to love Bulger. Should be fun to watch it all play out.

I picked the Twins for 2nd so naturally they get my vote.

I took the Twins. KC still too young and their rotation is unimpressive, CHW isn't trying to win, and CLE isn't quite there. Overall division looks improved so spots 2-5 are wide open.

Lineup: Span CF Carroll SS Mauer C Morneau 1B Willingham RF Doumit DH Valencia 3B Casilla 2B Revere LF Bench: Plouff, Nishi, Butera, Hughes (Burroughs if Hughes starts on DL) Rotation: Pavano-Liriano-Marquis-Baker-Blackburn Bullpen: Capps-Perk-Zumaya-Duensing-Swarzak-Burnett-Doyle I'd love to see Oliveros, Gray or Vazquez in the bullpen as a power arm to compliment Zumaya, but that seems unlikely. With Swarzak out of options, and Doyle a rule 5 guy (hard to see the Chi Sox being a willing trade partner) Burnett's spot probably is the only one that can be lost, and for whatever reason the Twins still seem to love him. Of course Morneau could be unable to play, and if he's ruled out during ST I think Parmalee breaks camp with the club and hits 6th with Willingham and Doumit moving up to the 4 and 5 spots.

Willingham represents a big power upgrade over Cuddyer as he is a pure pull guy which plays much better at Target Field than gap to gap power types (Mauer, Morneau, Cuddy, Kubel, etc). Not saying the rest of the lineup isn't lacking in the power dept but it's possible the Twins are slowly purging themselves of guys who were bettered adapted to hit at the Dome and replacing with guys they think will play better at TF.

KC's hitting prospects are starting to show up, but their pitchers are still probably a year away. As long as Luke Hochaevor is KC opening day starter they probably aren't winning anything.

I also went with the Tigers, but I don't think they'll run away with anything. The defense in Detroit might get real ugly real fast, and if Verlander gets hurt for anything more than a few starts their rotation will be pedestrian at best. In the end assuming relative good health I think the Tigers finish with 87-92 wins and everybody else between 75-85.