41 replies to this topic

[Seth Stohs]

It's just a 10-day DL,, so Phil Hughes could come off of it April 11th and still make that start.. In the meanwhile, he can stay back in Ft. Myers and work every fifth day to get to the 90-100 pitch count and building his strength and such. That may make more sense than having him be a long-reliever who pitches rarely, can't throw too big of bullpens in case he's needed and then isn''t ready to start on the 11th. 

[Carole Keller]

If Vargas cleared waivers, it’s pretty likely LaMarre will especially if he starts poorly (which would be why he would be sent down anyway).

He did clear waivers,yesterday, and was assigned to Rochester, so that 40-Man spot did go to LaMarre.

[DocBauer]

Really like the team overall, though it looks better with Santana on that roster.

Completely understand Martte and Grossman both on the roster. This will hopefully be Grossman's best overall season, or he could be moving on. Because of his RH bat I can get riding Martte and his hit spring, but I doubt he's here long term. If he keeps it up, he will earn his spot.

But I'm going to echo other comments I'm concerned about the lack of a second reserve infielder. Seem to have too many OF and guys who can fill in if push comes to shove. Hard to put an OF in the infield late in a game.

[Number3]

To me, this is a classic "lot of potential" team but also a lot of uncertainty. This team could definitely go up from last year but also could go the other way. I think Molitor's ability to keep the team fired up will be key and , so far, he hasn't been that type of manager. Tomorrow I will be looking for their attitude and determination as much as whether or not they win the game. I want to see some fire out of Molitor and I want to see some fire out of #7.This team has to start with a winning attitude and keep it for 162, and hopefully more, games. The 60-60-42 rule always works and its the team that plays every game like it is one of the 42 is the one that goes far.

Go Twins.

[Platoon]

It would be another change for the Twins. After years of putting IF in the OF, we now could see OF in the IF. But taking my tongue out of my cheek, it's really not that big a deal with the ability to get someone here in a half day. None of the players discussed are actually a big bat. They are all fairly mediocre with the stick. And since it seems the Jim Thome style PH is no longer in vogue, it's not a huge difference. I will say this. If I am keeping both LaMarre and Grossman, then it begs the question why isn't one of those two, likely RG, replaced by a big RH bat? RG and RL are fairly redundant. RG in the lineup may have value as an OB guy, but you don't send up a PH to work a walk as a rule.

[Steve Lein]

 

Congratulations to longshots Moya, Kinley and LaMarre. I doubt all three make it to May 1, but all three seized opportunities. I would agree that middle infield is short. Who comes up in the event of an injury, Gordon?

 

There's not another infielder on the 40-man who didn't break camp with the team, so I'd say those odds are pretty high.

[Rosterman]

 

To me, this is a classic "lot of potential" team but also a lot of uncertainty. This team could definitely go up from last year but also could go the other way. I think Molitor's ability to keep the team fired up will be key and , so far, he hasn't been that type of manager. Tomorrow I will be looking for their attitude and determination as much as whether or not they win the game. I want to see some fire out of Molitor and I want to see some fire out of #7.This team has to start with a winning attitude and keep it for 162, and hopefully more, games. The 60-60-42 rule always works and its the team that plays every game like it is one of the 42 is the one that goes far.

Go Twins.

Regarding uncertainity...there are a few players who will be playing like it is their last chance to score a big payday. Right away we have starters Lynn and Gibson (and Santana when he comes back). Joe Mauer and Brian Dozier can both walk at the end of the year. Morrison might want the option. As for the "youngsters" - this will be a tell on how much they can extend their life with the Twins, or see a quick trip out the door to be replaced, if not next year, by younger talent.

 

The bullpen is interesting. Six of the guys weren't here at this time last season.

 

And, yes, LaMarre and Grossman are redundant. One or the other, but not both.

[Puckett34]

 

I want to see some fire out of #7.

If we haven't seen any fire outta Joe yet, I don't think we will.  There's more than one way to be a leader.  Joe just isn't a rah-rah guy.  He is what he is in that department.  And that's fine.

[ashburyjohn]

If we haven't seen any fire outta Joe yet, I don't think we will.  There's more than one way to be a leader.  Joe just isn't a rah-rah guy.  He is what he is in that department.  And that's fine.

I want Joe to make a clubhouse speech that includes "was it over when the Germans bombed Pearl Harbor?... who's with me??? Let's go, come on! Ahhhhh!" That would surely accomplish something fantastic.

[Puckett34]

 

I want Joe to make a clubhouse speech that includes "was it over when the Germans bombed Pearl Harbor?... who's with me??? Let's go, come on! Ahhhhh!" That would surely accomplish something fantastic.

He should plan ahead and sell tickets to that.   

[tvagle]

In today's game a player's clock is more important than early season wins, I have to wonder if Nick Gordon isn't a victim of Clockitis

 

Starts yesterday's 9th with a single, not a Robbie Grossman work a walk, an actual bat on ball rally starter

 

Had a decent spring at the dish showing shades of Cristian Guzman (SSS and all that acknowledged)

 

Able to play SS and 2nd while also providing some help at 3B by freeing Escobar or Adrianza to play 3B if the big fella snaps his titanium tibia

 

Tip of the Hat to the "He's gotta play everyday" folks...i get it...but why couldn't he?

 

Polanco played when he wasn't fully prepared, turned out ok...maybe

 

Escobar goes back to keeping everyone loosey goosey on the bench while playing somewhere 3 outta 5 games

 

Any acceleration of Gordon's clock would be offset by the $1.5M saved in the corresponding roster move of releasing Grossman (I'd say trade but IMO we'd find out that the league has moved on from "a walk is as good as a hit" mode, unless there's added value to that type of player with the glove or speed or prodigious pop). Let's face it...in today's game RG is like that guy in softball that comes to the plate looking for a walk

 

Hindsight and all that considered this was another exercise in shoulda-coulda-woulda...I'll be there on the 5th freezing and cheering what looks to be a team with promise and potential, just like me trying to fit a 3XL body into an XL Twins Hoodie

 

[Craig Arko]

 

He should plan ahead and sell tickets to that.   

And all the milk you can drink.

 

 

So, has Garver played 3rd at all? I'm just thinking of the emergency situation.

[yarnivek1972]

In today's game a player's clock is more important than early season wins, I have to wonder if Nick Gordon isn't a victim of Clockitis

Starts yesterday's 9th with a single, not a Robbie Grossman work a walk, an actual bat on ball rally starter

Had a decent spring at the dish showing shades of Cristian Guzman (SSS and all that acknowledged)

Able to play SS and 2nd while also providing some help at 3B by freeing Escobar or Adrianza to play 3B if the big fella snaps his titanium tibia

Tip of the Hat to the "He's gotta play everyday" folks...i get it...but why couldn't he?

Polanco played when he wasn't fully prepared, turned out ok...maybe

Escobar goes back to keeping everyone loosey goosey on the bench while playing somewhere 3 outta 5 games

Any acceleration of Gordon's clock would be offset by the $1.5M saved in the corresponding roster move of releasing Grossman (I'd say trade but IMO we'd find out that the league has moved on from "a walk is as good as a hit" mode, unless there's added value to that type of player with the glove or speed or prodigious pop). Let's face it...in today's game RG is like that guy in softball that comes to the plate looking for a walk

Hindsight and all that considered this was another exercise in shoulda-coulda-woulda...I'll be there on the 5th freezing and cheering what looks to be a team with promise and potential, just like me trying to fit a 3XL body into an XL Twins Hoodie

Except that Grossman’s contract was guaranteed as soon as the Twins tendered him in like November.

[bdodge22]

I'm happy that LaMarre made the roster, if ever there was a case for playing your way onto the roster in Spring Training this was it! I'm not expecting that he will be some sort of revelation or take someones starting job, just that I'm happy for him and its a fun story.

[SweetOne69]

 

Except that Grossman’s contract was guaranteed as soon as the Twins tendered him in like November.

 

This is not exactly true, as an arbitration eligible player his contract doesn't become guaranteed until Opening Day.There are 2dates available during spring training where they can release an arbitration eligible player and only pay a portion of his salary (I believe if you release by the 1st date it is 45 days pay and the 2nd date is 90 days).

[Mike Sixel]

One of the better rosters we've seen in some time. Good luck to the team!

[JLease]

I'm a little nervous about the lack of INF depth on the 25-man, but otherwise looks like a solid enough roster. The regular lineup is strong and pitching staff looks much more reliable. There's real upside in the bullpen, but I wonder who gets pushed out when we need that 5th starter/Erv comes back. because if we need to carry 13 goddamn pitchers all year...we're still doing it wrong.

 

 

[nicksaviking]

 

It's just a 10-day DL,, so Phil Hughes could come off of it April 11th and still make that start.. In the meanwhile, he can stay back in Ft. Myers and work every fifth day to get to the 90-100 pitch count and building his strength and such. That may make more sense than having him be a long-reliever who pitches rarely, can't throw too big of bullpens in case he's needed and then isn''t ready to start on the 11th. 

 

 If Hughes comes back and is ready to pitch ASAP after his 10-day DL stint, I'm going to be a bit suspicious. I've never known a pitcher to recover from an oblique injury that quickly. Those tend to be the injuries that always seem to be quite innocuous but then end up costing a guy a quarter of a season.

 

I mean if the Twins front office is being "innovative" by shelving their #5 guy because they don't need him and clearing a 25-man spot in the meantime, that's fine by me! I'd think other teams might call foul on that though. Or else it will become the new norm and MLB will have to cover its eyes and pretend it's not happening.

[caninatl04]

 

There's no way I would have sent LaMarre down. If he's at all for real, or even if he's on a hot streak, you have to ride it out. The downside of adding LaMarre now could be having to cut him from the 40, depending on whether the Twins need the spot, so his fate might ride on whether he starts out hot. Had he gone to AAA and shown that he's truly turned a corner, he might have ended up with a better opportunity, especially if Grossman regresses more. Now, if he starts out cold, he might be searching for work, though I'm sure the Twins would love him back at AAA.

 

But from the Twins point of view, ride the hot hand. I hope they give him time and opportunity.

When do the Twins first face a lefty SP?

[Mr. Brooks]

When do the Twins first face a lefty SP?

If everything holds, it looks like it would be James Paxton, next Saturday.