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You can download the new Talk to Contact (@TalkToContact) episode via iTunes or by clicking here, and if you want to add the show to your non-iTunes podcast player, this is the RSS Feed. http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-PENc1kXVo60/VABckrzKI2I/AAAAAAAAH7s/_8-Bi7FK-Uw/s1600/future%2Btwins.png The Twins scored a whole bunch of runs in the last week, and have one of the top five offenses in the American League, if only they had a pitching staff to match. This week we swoon over the future of the Twi
Welcome to life as a minor league manager. The Cedar Rapids Kernels have some of the best pitching in Class A baseball right now. So why isn't Jake Mauer smiling and confident heading in to the MWL playoffs next week? Jim Ecker's report (click to read) following Thursday night's loss to Kane County reflects one of the challenges Mauer and other minor league managers face at this time of year. One night, your team is popping chamgagne corks (or in this case, sparkling cider), celebrating earn
Most of the wise and trusted Twins blogs have noted that while the team's current offense, to put it politely, sucks harder than a Super Powered Hoover. Yet, they say, help is on the way from the prospect ranks--even if many of them are currently injured. http://cdn1.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/36315418/452114082.0_standard_352.0.jpg That's a big but... However, all that hope for the future comes with a caveat as big as Kenny Vargas' backside. To wit: most of the good hitters are not
The Minnesota Twins exploded for six runs in the top of the tenth inning after they squandered three early game runs and beat the Kansas City Royals. Jordan Schafer continues to hit the ball well for the Twins, and had three more hits on Thursday against Kansas City. Down in the Minor Leagues the season is entering the final weekend, let's take a look at the Affiliates. Red Wings Report Rochester 6, Syracuse 3 Box The Red Wings took the lead late (in the seventh) to defeat the Syracuse
http://i.imgur.com/2UicW5y.jpg According to the GameDay PitchF/x, Milone really changed up his offerings this time around. He didn't mix in his curveball until the later innings (didn't throw it until the 4th inning). According to PitchF/x, he threw a cutter, and threw it quite a bit (19 offerings), and it worked very well. While his command of his 4 seam was off (though some people I spoke to thought that the zone was getting pinched; any input into that would be greatly appreciated), his cut
As reported by Jackson Alexander of MLB.com, Ron Gardenhire was quoted Thursday as stating that "we've got to take some pressure off our starters." While it's clear that the Twins' 28th ranked rotation (dead last in August) could use some help, it seems shortsighted to call out the offense, which despite two quiet nights at the plate has led baseball in most major categories this month. The Twins' offense has been a force in August, leading baseball in runs scored, batting average, OBP, wOBA a
http://assets.podomatic.net/ts/19/ad/da/paulpleiss/1400x1400_9883397.jpg The Twins scored a whole bunch of runs in the last week, and have one of the top five offenses in the American League, if only they had a pitching staff to match. This week we swoon over the future of the Twins, talk a little bit about the young players on the Twins roster, and Jay tries to troll Eric into going on another Paul Molitor rant (and fails, sort of). Then the regular beer, baseball, and the news. Enjoy the sh
[Originally posted on twinsandlosses.com] It seems a little inappropriate to call Kennys Vargas “Little Papi”. According to Baseball Reference he is an inch taller (6’ 5”) and weights thirty-five pounds more (275) than Mr. Ortiz. One can assume that this comparison has more to do with their skills with a bat than their impressive physical stature. They may not be the fastest nor the best when it comes to flashing the leather but they do both possess an important skill, one that Jeremy Clarkson
http://i.imgur.com/GR7ItWI.jpg Same story, different night. A pitcher's duel that saw the Twins scratch a lone run across in the top of the 7th only to see the Royals score in their last at bat (last night the 9th, tonight the 8th) to snatch a victory away. Hughes pitched a marvelous game. He commanded of all his pitches, throwing only 20 balls all night and not walking a batter. He was efficient, entering the 8th having only thrown 70 pitches, before a couple of soft base hits, a stolen bas
Let's face it, every Twins fan is getting tired of watching the poor play of the past couple years. We know the future looks bright as we await the arrival of some of baseballs top prospects, but that does not help the situation on the field right now. The fact of it is, the Twins are lousy again this year and, like usual, it looks like the starting rotation is to blame. Everybody has their own theory on how the Twins can end the losing. A common theme I keep hearing is some version of "I thin
The Twins have been on the lower end of mediocre this year and at the roster has been a mess. Looking ahead to 2015 is currently the funnest thing to do as a Twins fan. After looking at the Twins options for bullpen and the starting rotations in my previous blogs, I will now offer my opinions on players the Twins have available to them on the position side of things. This area in my opinion is the most likely area the Twins have available to add improvements via free agency. Without further ado,
Everybody knows the Twins Starting five have not preformed up to standards this year. The biggest question facing the Twins this winter is what to do to improve the big club. Does it make sense to go out and sign a Max Scherzer, James Shields or John Lester? I will answer that question in a bit but first let's look at what the options are in house for 2015. LOCKS: Phil Hughes, Kyle Gibson, Ricky Nolassco. I think that Phil Hughes has probably been the best signing this off season while Nolassco
Here we are, once again playing meaningless games in August/September. I would not term this season as an abject disappoint as there have been some positives to take forward into next spring. Some of the positives are: 1. The apparent willingness to promote players on a quicker pace then before. 2. The emergence of several younger players: Vargas, Santana, Polanco, May, Meyer, Burdi, and Lester Oliveras to name a few. 3. The front office's willingness to cut bait when needed: Kubal, Guerrier, Wi
I am recalibrating some of my thoughts for 2015. I think (now) that something like this should happen: I would like the following to happen: the Twins refrain from spending big this offseason unless it is on one of the top 5 pitching free agents. So, no spending to replace LF. Wait and save. That means that money should be SAVED now in order to be spent when NEEDED when the team is competitive for real. Just finally, finally, go with the youth movement. 2015 opening day roster barring trades a
http://i.imgur.com/aOQ2S3b.jpg Well that turned quickly. Four pitches into the ninth and what looked like it could be a win on a night where he pitched fantasticly turned into a no decision. But since this is about the starting pitching let's focus on that fantastic part. Nolasco gave up 3 hits, 1 walk, 2 hit by pitch and had six strike outs over 7 innings on 97 pitches. With the exception of the two HBP, his command was strong. Both HBP were on Billy Butler, a man who clogs the base pat
It’s an honor when an MLB player is recognized as the best offensive or defensive player at his position by his league but it’s an even greater honor when he’s recognized as both. Greater, but not all that rare, it seems. Since the Silver Slugger award originated in 1980, the two awards have been given simultaneously to players a total of 172 times or about 5 times per season out of the 17 possible occurrences. The first players to be awarded the combo platter* were Keith Hernandez, Willie Wi
The Twins head to KC after an off-day to take on the first place Royals (!!?!) with the following matchups scheduled Ricky Nolasco v Danny Duffy (8-11, 2.53 ERA) Phil Hughes v Yordano Ventura (10-9, 3.40 ERA) Tommy Milone v Jeremy Guthrie (10-10, 4.32 ERA) Do the Twins have a chance to take the series? They face Duffy, Ventura and Guthrie for the 2nd time in the last 2 weeks, a combination that resulted in 2 wins and a loss for the Royals when they visited Minnesota. Nolasco has been a
Trevor Plouffe has been the Twins third baseman since the middle of 2012. He is the Twins' longest-serving starter at his current position on the team. That is a bit hard to believe, but every position has turned over since the Twins handed Plouffe third base out of desperation. Plouffe responded to his assignment by having a once-in-a-lifetime power surge. Most other parts of his game as a third baseman were substandard. Now, late in the 2014 season, we see a different player. Plouffe h
http://i.imgur.com/pNFEC5L.jpg?1 Gibson's start was really highlighted by some shaky command. He got a lot of swinging strikes (12.6%), but he seemed to be working from behind in the count often. His 2 seam command in particular really seemed to get the better of him. While his slider did do a good job of getting swinging strikes, it was put into play often and with fair success (4 hits on 6 balls in play). He did end the game with 5 strike outs in under 5 innings, which puts him above a 9
Let's face it, every Twins fan is getting tired of watching the poor play of the past couple years. We know the future looks bright as we await the arrival of some of baseballs top prospects, but that does not help the situation on the field right now. The fact of it is, the Twins are lousy again this year and, like usual, it looks like the starting rotation is to blame. Everybody has their own theory on how the Twins can end the losing. A common theme I keep hearing is some version of "I thin
http://i.imgur.com/s5JhYDc.jpg This was a mixed bag start for May. For the first time since coming up, he didn't walk a man, but he also gave up 11 hits in 5.1 innings. He leaned much more heavily on his curveball than he did in previous outings (9 in his previous outing, 24 this time through), and it had very good results. He got a good swing strike rate on the curve, as well as 8 balls put into play and only 2 hits. On the other hand, the Tigers racked up 9 hits on 13 balls put into play
http://i.imgur.com/7zIEyR5.jpg Sorry for being late with this. Was out of town on some family matters. I know these are available at other sites now, but posting for posterity's sake. Pino left the game and after being optioned down after the game was placed on the minor league DL. Since he's on the minor league DL, he won't accrue service time, or earn the league minimum like he would if he were on the major league DL. This is going to be a very interesting situation, because as the 26t
Weekend Wrap Up: Kernels Clinch, Pub Crawl, MLB BlackoutsA lot of stuff has happened over the past few days. Kernels are Playoff bound First, the Cedar Rapids Kernels clinched a Midwest League playoff spot. Whether they did this Saturday or Sunday is a bit hazy, but what's certain is that the Kernels will be playing baseball beyond the scheduled end of the regular season on Labor Day. This makes the Kernels a perfect 2 for 2 qualifying for playoff work since affiliating with the Minnesota
On Saturday, Tait went 2-for-4 with a walk and his 17th double. The 19-year-old is hitting .219 with 17 doubles and 15 home runs at High-A Cedar Rapids.
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