DocBauer

EXACTLY! The move to 1B was never about Mauer suddenly becoming a big time power hitter. It was about moving one of the best pure hitters of his generation to a position where he could be more healthy and play 150 games. Less wear and tear physically might also produce a bit more power, just based on fresher health, but really, overall, it was just about getting production over 150 games instead of 120. Despite bumps, bruises, a decade of squatting and foul ball ticks and the one plus year of concussion issue, Mauer is and always has been a very good athlete. From his own reports, he feels the best he's felt in a couple of years. Can you doubt that? He is not old. He is not washed up. He is looking very good at 1b. He is healthy again. He's working hard and making smart adjustments. And he will hit high .290's at worst, and I say .300-.310. OB will be .395-.405. He will hit 12-16 HR's which will affect his doubles....36-44. I don't know to figure the slugging % there, and I don't care. Because I think Mauer will be Mauer again...a little high here...a little lower here...and people will wonder why they doubted him.

I like Suzuki better than most because I put more value on just running things over more modern stats, while providing some solid offense. But any projections for Suzuki confound me. I've heard his early career offensive numbers slipped due to overuse, but his rebound last season with our Twins, at least the first half, was due to to playing every day.What? Guess? Figure last season repeated very close. Hunch? Despite the recent concussion-ish situation of Pinto....and come on! How can you hit a guy THREE TIMES IN THE HEAD IN A SINGLE AB without facing some kind of penalty? In the real world, that is assault. Think I'm kidding? Anyway, my hunch is that a healthy and non-brain damaged Pinto will not only out-hit Suzuki overall, but will really mature between last year's demotion and this year, and begin to overtake the primary catching job by the second half of the season.

Christiensen is also one of my favorite Twins prospects because, after all, he is a former Husker. (GBR!) But after last season in particular, I'm wondering if the Twins didn't find themselves a real steal here. I'm not projecting stardom here, but I don't think he is any sort of throw away mid round prospect either. He can hit, he's got gapper and some HR and potential HR power, as well as speed. And he has the ability to fit in at multiple positions. As stated here, he is playing all three OF spots, and played a lot of 1B last season for the Kernals. He's also seen action at 3B previously and was an All Big 10 SS while in college. Now I know to some, being all Big 10 at SS is akin to being a beauty queen for Miss Isolation Wyoming, population 865, but the point is, while a step down overall from the likes of the southern baseball hotbeds, it's nothing to sneeze at either. And it shows the overall talent level of the young man. My concern would be that the Twins would ignore his versatility and not continue to work him in the infield defensively. He could be a useful, versatile offensive player with the potential to play 5-6 positions, possibly even an emergency SS.

Gonsalves is one of the Twins prospects I've been following the most closely, and with the most interest, ever since he was drafted, probably as m as Sano or Buxton, or anyone else. I've always felt they got a real steal in him. And I mean a potential top of the rotation type of steal. Tall, long LH's that come out of high school throwing low 90's with a couple of solid secondary offerings just don't grow on trees. Sounds like his attitude and work ethic are very good. I hate to say it for fear of placing a curse on the kid, but he could be this year's Berrios. That is, blow away Cedar Rapid, move to high A FTM and pretty much do the same an eye to a taste of AA.

I am NOT OK with th CF situation in the least. But I can almost understand the end result...for now...considering the players involved; Buxton & Rosario simply not ready and Hicks doing nothing to grab the job and hopefully/probably in need of some AAA time/experience/success. I am far, far less OK with the Milone decision. I get May will flash inconsistency at times. And I get that he unfortunately missed time early on during ST. But don't argue SSS with me on May this spring. There is still time for another start for everyone before opening day, a decision didn't have to be made yet, May showed real improvement last season, and a SSS this spring might not prove May is ready, but it also shouldn't be used to prove Milone is somehow a changed man from last season either.

The bad: Flip flopping a bit on my earlier statement...why wouldn't you let Milone and May each start one more game before making a decision. Is someone holding a loaded pitching machine to Molitor or Ryan's head? What if Milone was "meh" and May was something close to lights out? On the surface, at first glance, I am not upset in the slightest that Hicks and Rosario are sent down. Rosario is a potential stud, but had only half of a disappointing season last year. A strong AFL and good start in ST does not necessitate a rush to a ML job that a month or two or three in the minors will probably make him better prepared for. Do we want another repeat of the Hicks situation? And speaking of Hicks, I'd say at least half the community, if not closer to 75%, have been in favor of, or not disliked, the idea of Hicks getting some AAA time to hone his game, build confidence,and get back on track before his career goes totally off rail. No, I'm not surprised, disappointed or angry about those demotions at all. BUT, I am pretty PO'ed that the final result is Schafer and...what's his name again?...oh yeah, Robinson in CF. What was Robinson for the Cardinals last season, their 5th OF? 6th? Seriously, I'm not even sure. And now he's the Twins semi-platoon CF/4th OF option. After the debacles of the past 2 off seasons/seasons this is the best we can come up with? I have hope for this team, and don't dislike most of it. But I am hoping and crossing just about anything I can that there is a very smart plan happening here where the Twins cook and percolate May, Meyer, Rosario, Buxton, Sano and others for a little while before moving Nolasco, Milone, Pelfrey and a couple others. If Robinson and a couple of these guys really are just place holders, then OK, I get it. If not.....shame on the Twins.

The good: Milone has some track record of success and didn't stink during ST. Now, that's not a ringing endorsement, but it is factual. Personally, I thought May was the guy to beat, but he was slowed by his early illness. It would seem there is time for everyone to get one more start in. Why make the announcement/decision now when all parties could audition that one more time? But three years ago, two year ago, possibly even last year, a guy like Milone as our 5th starter would have made us feel pretty good. And honestly, I don't feel that this is going to be anything remotely permanent. For the most part, I'm not upset about no Rosario, no Buxton, no Sano and no Polanco. Did anyone really think they were going to...more or less...bypass AA ball and jump to the Twins lineup during ST? The offense was much improved last season. There is a real possibility it could be even better this season with Dozier and Santana possibly even better, a whole season from Vargas, a return to form (or near it) from Mauer, etc. Santana is a quality pitcher. Healthy, he's 200 IP and 13-14 wins that you can almost write down in ink. His track record also shows very clearly that with a team playing solid all around baseball, he has the ability to rise and be a 15-17 game winner. He's done it before. And the kicker is, Gibson might just be the Twins second best starter when all is said and done. Don't hate Nolasco. Be happy he's back healthy and looking OK. One reason is he really is a solid career ML starter who is our #4 guy for goodness sake. We used to sign guys like him, or lesser, to lead this staff. (Correia anyone?) Secondly, the better he does, the greater value for trade bait later in the season. Be disappointed, if you will, that 6 or 7 rookies didn't make the Twins out of ST. Or realize that we just might score some runs, and have the best rotation we've had in YEARS, with a large group of talented youngsters oh so very close.

John...I'm no expert...but I think that might be the same finger flashed for the "throw it straight" ball.

Very nice John! And some beautiful photos! Heck of a camera and zoom you have there! I haven't been around enough, or seen enough, to know if this is really true or not...but...can there be a more beautiful milb ballpark than Hammond in Ft Meyers? Absolutely gorgeous! My father was there two years ago, had a blast making friends in the crowd, talking to Watkins and Kepler and others. Sitting around, having a couple beers, and telling me about his trip, he was giddy as a schoolboy. LOL This was supposed to be the year we talked about going together. Didn't work out that way, but here's hoping next year is indeed the year. Color me Target Field outfield green for all of you who have made the trek this season.

Two words: "Love Boat Photos" OK...I guess that's really THREE words. Despite sharing a building, despite being a similarly popular Minnesota/Minneapolis based professional sports franchise, ever notice how there was never a single report of a single Twins baseball player being involved in the sordid "love boat" scandal? Of course, it's possible NFL players refuse to hang out with ML players. And it's possible the Twins and all key front office personnel were out of town at the time....but I find those arguements to be circumstantial. Love Boat Pictures of various Twins personnel. Hey....I'm just saying.

Interesting breakdown! Just curious, but does the catcher give a thumbs up sign to indicate the pitch should be belt high or above? Or is that simply a given for Pelfrey? And exactly what and how many fingers are flashed by the catcher to indicate that the ball should be thrown straight?

Absolutely true. And I didn't mean to intimate that careers were suddenly over. I just find it frustrating that Oliveros wasn't 100%, and that some of the other kids could be inconsistent, but not necessarily bad, and a veteran would seem to have a job locked up while pitching just aweful...to this point. I guess this eternal optomist is just frustrated. But I've said for some time now that the pitching staff, starters and relievers alike, that starts the season is not necessarily the staff that ends the season. Or even is the staff in the second half of the season.

And right now, Boyer interests me more than Stauffer who has exactly ONE solid appearance. I hope the Stauffer signing pays off. And if it does I'll root like crazy for him. But I have to say I'm disappointed that the younger prospects have fallen by the wayside, even though they mostly outperformed him to this point.

A battle is exactly what we want and need isn't it? Like last season, when just about everyone figured Gibson would begin the season in Rochester, there was a battle and the right guy, the young guy, made the club. No offense to Milone or Pelfrey, but they are not a part of the future of the club. May is.

PS...I can understand the sentiment to move Santana back to CF. And I still believe he may see some time out there. But I have a really hard time taking a really talented SS, putting him back in to CF again, for what will still be a temporary move, and then...then do what with him a year for now? NOW try to make him your full time SS? Now put him in LF or RF where Arcia will be and probably Rosario?

The problem is not Escobar. The problem, and it's a good one, is Santana. I like Escobar a lot. I was part of the "Free Escobar" campaign. I still like him a lot. And if this was just about any time in the last 10 years, the Twins would...and us...would be ever so grateful for him and he'd be written in ink, carved in stone for the starting SS spot. But it's not the past, it's now. Santana has as much pop if not more. Santana has more range, a stronger arm (so it seems), and more overall athleticism. Santana has more speed. Santana appears to have as good or better bat and as good or better discipline. So, no offense to Escobar, but he should start at SS over Santana why? Again, not a knock on Escobar, just a reality on Santana.

No energy to continue fighting for Nunez as an ok player for the end of the bench. So while Polanco will probably make him obsolete by next season, for now, if my choice is throw Nunez to the wolves, or embrace him as a solid/decent 25th man option..."Yaa Nunez!"

NEVER thought Rosario was in the mix for a day one spot. And yet...I'm starting to believe he has a shot. THAT would be a huge surprise. And not an unpleasant one. Pinto is almost assuredly the backup at catcher barring just bad play, IMO. I like Herrmann, always have. Always felt there was potential there as a solid bad and OK versatile position player. It's between he and Nunez for the final spot. Nothing against Milone, but I want May or Meyer and the other to come up when Nolasco proves himself and gets traded. Right now, I think Milone is the man. I don't think Stauffer is a given at all at this point. But Graham might be. So might be Pelfrey. That could leave Tonkin or someone taking Stauffer's spot. Kind of strange to feel the roster is almost set already. Is that good or bad?

Back to Nunez, he and Herrmann are clearly fighting for the 25th spot on the roster. And honestly, they each potentially bring something useful to the club, and I wish there was room for both. I don't understand all the vitriol about Nunez, never haven never will, and we will just agree to disagree. Personally, if you're asking me what I want for the last player on my bench; a hot glove who can't hit a lick and has no power..OR..a so-so to OK glove at multiple positions who can hit and run some with a bit of pop, I guarantee you Im taking the flexible guy who can hit a little and help out here and there. He's not a starter. He's not even the top utility guy. He's a fill-in role player.

Back on original topic, I understand regression and there are various reasons to doubt Santana both offensively and defensively. Two things though: 1) Every single thing he did last year he was not supposed to do. And yet...he kept doing them. Then he gets hurt a little, comes back, and just about all of us, including me, figures the mojo dream is gone now, and Cinderfella will leave his cleat at the ball park and the Cadillac will turn back in to an old fungo ball. Instead, he just keeps keeping on. 2) Never forget the guy didn't walk in off the street. He's a very talented athlete whom a lot of people said very good things about in the past. And thus far, still early, he's done nothin ing in ST but hit and play good to great defense. The "I just knew it was too good to be true" part of me remains wary. But honestly, I no longer bet against this guy.

Neat story. Sometimes you almost forget there are real lives behind the names in the boxscores. Thanks Seth!

A really great article Thry. And I can't really put finger to keyboard here and disagree with you. And yet...we have disagreed a bit on this topic over the last couple of years. I absolutely agree that THIS is the year where the bullpen gets a revamp. It's time. And I'm not so sure that the bullpen that begins the season is the bullpen that ends it. I think Burdi, amongst a couple others, could make things really interesting. But I think where we disagree is that the bullpen wasn't always as bad as advertised the past couple of seasons. Were I not too busy, tired and lazy, LOL, I would bet real money I could prove the Twins pen the past few seasons was much better May thru July/August than the final numbers suggest. A worn out bullpen will begin to shatter at some point. I agree the bullpen needs to be addressed. I think we have a lot of really talented arms that need, and are worthy, of opportunity. I also think by mid season there will be another 1-3+ bullpen arms ready to audition. The question is, will Molitor and Ryan and staff make room? Even before that, will they make room for the guys they already have on roster? Because while I feel the entire Twins organization wants to move forward, Im still worried they might stick with veteran/contract pitchers for the reason of.........? Go ahead and give Graham a shot if you think he's for real. Give Stauffer his $2M shot. But to me, don't you dare ignore Tonkin, Oliveros and others just because.

I am on board with this. But I'm also high on Turner as well. It's hard enough to acurately predict just how good a top pick will be in the majors...if he makes it at all...much less try to decide right now how good Garver and Turner will be as ML'ers after a full season of A ball. But I think there's something here. Turner won the Johnny Bench award for the top college defensive catcher. I believe Garver finished second. We've heard raves about Turner behind the plate, but I've also heard nothing but positives about Garver defensively. I was surprised Garver was selected as late as he was considering his second place finish and big college bat at a premium position, despite worries his league inflated his numbers. Thus far, it doesn't appear his production had too much helium. Turner, meanwhile, still has potential offensively, and hit what, .280+?, after a rough first month or so? Catcher is a pretty unique position. It's hard to find a really good all-around one. Right now, the Twins seem to have a couple pretty good ones to watch. (And potentially another 1 or 2 younger and lower in the system) I don't get too wrapped up in the ages of catchers. There is a difference, to me, of a 24-25 yo OF putting up quality numbers in A ball vs a similar age catcher. (I believe this may still apply to Pinto as well)

Wish I felt better about Robinson. All I see is a AAA player, or 7 day call up. Or am I missing something? Is he that good defensively? Definitely not the option I wanted. Maybe I'm just an optimist, but I've been feeling better and better about Hunter.

Around 250, or whatever his "normal" weight is, he stays at 3B. And with time and work...along with a little more maturity, and that's reality, not a knock...he might be very good at third with his arm and overall athleticism. But he'll be average at best when he first comes up. And that's ok. Gaetti and Koskie were both average at best when they first arrived. Same with current 3B Plouffe. Same with just about any good ML 3B. Bat comes first, defense arrives a little later. But even if/when he moves, 1B is the obvious move. It's a mirror to 3B defensively, more or less, and thus easier to transition to vs the OF. Additionally, with Arcia and Buxton scheduled for 2 of 3 OF spots, and Rosario and others on the way, keeping Sano in the infield seems to make more sense.