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While they differ in methodology, the major projection systems -- Marcel, OLIVER, PECOTA, Steamer, ZiPS et al. -- all abide by one central rule: Projections are not predictions. This mantra should be a source of comfort to Twins fans, since most experts are willing to predict that the team will be interesting and has at least some chance of making the playoff run they barely missed out on last year. The projections, however, are nowhere near as kind. The offense looks to be about league averag
There has been a lot of angst this offseason about the Twins not signing an experienced bullpen arm or two. I feel like January 2014 all over again. Everyone was saying we needed to sign some starting pitching. In back to back years we have signed Nolasco and Santana. If you go by salary our rotation would be Santana, Hughes, Nolasco, Milone and Gibson. If you went by actually trying to win you would probably go Hughes, Santana, Gibson, Duffy and Berrios. The 1st rotation would cost around
The Minnesota Twins announced the signing of outfielder Carlos Quentin to a minor league contract with an invitation to major league camp. The 33-year old last appeared in a game for Tacoma, the Triple-A affiliate of the Seattle Mariners. His last big league appearance was in 20014 with the San Diego Padres. The former two-time All-Star was first round pick of the Arizona Diamondbacks in 2003. He played parts of two seasons at the big league level in Arizona before being dealt to the Chicago W
In part, the question has a very simple answer. What's left for Ricky Nolasco is two years and $24 million (with at least a $1 million buyout in year three), at least on a contractual level. The question really is, what's left for Nolasco when it comes to performance going forward? That question is much more difficult to answer, but there are a few clues to consider. First and foremost, it's worth noting that Nolasco's role appears certain to change for the Twins in 2016. When looking at the s
I haven't published a "Twins Top 15 Prospects List" this offseason, yet. There are plenty of other writers who do and many of them probably have better insight into who the top names should be than I do. http://knuckleballsblog.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2016/02/BuxtonStage3-600x400.jpg This should be the last year that Byron Buxton's name shows up on any "Top Prospect" list. I didn't really make a conscious decision not to do a list this year. I just didn't get around to it, until now. (T
It's just February, but making predictions far after things play out isn't much of a leap. With Twins Fest now in the books, and the next big event for the club being Spring Training, it's time to take a look at what lies ahead. The Diamond Awards recently acknowledged the best of the organization for the year that was. This is a stab at who ends up being recognized for a great 2016 season. Bounce Back Pitcher Of The Year- Alex Meyer Few players had a more rough 2015 season than Meyer. After
When the Twins signed Joe Mauer to an 8-year, $184 million contract after the 2010 season, the team had high hopes for their hometown star as he started to age at one of baseball's toughest positions. Mauer was coming off an MVP season in 2009 and batting titles in 2006, 2008, and 2009. It looked like Mauer was on pace to be one of the best hitting catchers of all time. Things change and Mauer's career has taken a different turn in recent years. Twins fans are well aware that concussions cause
In the wake of MySpace founder Tom Anderson’s offer to pay for Tim Lincecum to return to the Giants, other celebrities have been similarly urging their hometown nines to make moves, and offering to foot the bill. We, at Twins Daily, have intercepted one such offer: Seems legit.
Jose Berrios has shot up the national "top prospect" rankings based on his performance the past couple of years in the Minnesota Twins organization and on Wednesday night, Berrios joined his former manager with the Cedar Rapids Kernels, Jake Mauer, and Twins farm director Brad Steil to participate in a “roundtable” discussion at the Kernels’ annual Hot Stove Banquet. http://knuckleballsblog.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2016/01/MauerSteilBerrios-600x400.jpg Jake Mauer, Brad Steil and Jose Berrios
Brandon does a one-hour soliloquy on his thought regarding the Twins and their payroll, with a little help from some of his friends on Twitter and Facebook. A Cold Omaha Podcast Network Production Direct Download: http://traffic.libsyn.com/midwestswing2/MWS_0004_-_Twins_Payroll_and_Twitter_Qs.mp3 iTunes: https://itunes.apple.com/us/podcast/midwest-swing-hosted-by-brandon/id1073026341?mt=2 Stitcher: http://www.stitcher.com/podcast/midwest-swing-hosted-by-brandon-warne-major-league-baseball
Has any one else been to these winter caravans? If so what was your take on the event. I brought my son to the Twins caravan last night in Marshall MN that hosted Brian Dozier, Eduardo Escobar and Dan Gladden. I found the question and answer session pretty humorous as it was mostly lighthearted and conversational. The one question that stood out was some kid asking Brian if Pete Rose deserved to be in the hall of fame, he looked around and asked if this was being recorded and someone told hi
In 2015, the Minnesota Twins had to know that their pitching staff was going to need some help. Considering that Ervin Santana was going to miss half of the season, and an expected contribution from Ricky Nolasco wasn't realistic, a different arm had to emerge. While Trevor May and Alex Meyer both served as prospect types that could fit the bill, it was another guy who stepped up; Kyle Gibson. During his second full season at the big league level, the former first-round pick and Missouri Tiger
Brandon is joined by Luke Widbin, who works in admissions for University of Northwestern in St. Paul. Widbin is a rabid collector of autographs and sports memorabilia, and operates a blog called Autographs Anonymous. http://hwcdn.libsyn.com/p/0/0/b/00b3385dc899568f/MWS_003_-_Luke_Widbin_-_January_27_2016.mp3?c_id=10789846&expiration=1453940344&hwt=119739a608a1d72db474bb2e4c1454cd
This offseason, few areas had more of an emphasis on them than that of the Minnesota Twins bullpen. While the situation as a whole needed addressing, it was the left handed contingent that no doubt left the most to be desired. Having significant deficiencies in late innings a season ago cost the Twins, and there appears to be two strategies at play when it comes to fixing things moving forward. On the left-handed side of the relief picture, the Twins have moved on from roster staple Brian Duen
When you have a farm system as stacked as the Minnesota Twins boast, you're bound to have a handful of prospects vying for recognition. 2015 was Miguel Sano's time to shine, and 2016 will see the spotlight cast on names such as Byron Buxton and Jose Berrios. Not lost in the shuffle however, there's a German born prospect that's ready for the bright lights. Enter Max Kepler. After making his debut in September for the Twins last season, Kepler is focused on getting to the next level for good. N
http://www.clevescene.com/images/blogimages/2009/04/29/1241034084-tiant.jpg 1968 was a pinnacle of pitching in the Major Leagues. Denny McLain won 31 games for the Tigers and Bob Gibson compiled a legendary 1.12 ERA for the Cardinals while throwing 13 shutouts. Easy to miss when browsing through the performances from that year was a Cleveland pitcher who went 21-9 with a 1.60 ERA, 264 strikeouts and only 152 hits allowed in 258 innings. When seen today, those numbers could easily be mistake
Brandon, Cole and Tom discuss more of the Twins' offseason, life in the Minor Leagues, and some of their favorite clubhouse pranks. https://www.spreaker.com/user/sbarnard4/the-breakdown-ep-20-the-pranksmen_1
I'm recording a special episode of Midwest Swing on Thursday, and I will answer EVERY question submitted in good faith about the team and their payroll situation. It's a hot-button issue, so please, don't be shy. Leave your question or comment below.
At this point, January is essentially in the books and February brings the realization that spring training is just around the corner. Pitchers and catchers will begin to report, and meaningful baseball will soon be here. After competing at a higher level than expected in 2015, the Twins have heightened expectations for the season ahead. The question is, how did they position themselves to compete this offseason. Going into the winter, the most notable area of need for the Twins was in the bul
When you have arguably Major League Baseball's best farm system, your bound to have an abundance of exciting young prospects. The Twins saw one of the best rookie classes in recent history embark upon Target Field during 2015, and there's still some big names yet to come. While Jose Berrios, Max Kepler, and Alex Meyer could all get significant time in 2016, there's another name that carries a whole level of mystery all his own. Enter Adam Brett Walker. Walker's name is one that has started to
Even with prospects like Miguel Sano and Eddie Rosario graduating off this list, there are still plenty of things to be excited about in 2016. Byron Buxton fell just short of meeting the rookie eligibility so he will get one more year to be considered the Twins top prospect. Other players like Jose Berrios and Max Kepler could use up their rookie eligibility this season as well. If all of these players graduate off this list, next year's top 10 will have a very different feel to it. However, t
We are quickly coming to a close on the month of January, and that can only mean one thing, pitchers and catchers begin to report to spring training soon. For the Twins many of those players will funnel down to Fort Myers following the conclusion of Twins Fest. With a handful of exciting non-roster invitees this season, Minnesota should have plenty of competition for the active roster. The question is, who makes it come Opening Day? We've taken a look at the lay of the land in the AL Central,
Miguel Sano got a lot of the praise following his breakout rookie performance in 2015. He finished in third place in the American League Rookie of the Year voting and he was named the Twins Most Valuable Player even though he played in less than half of the team's games. He made a tremendous impact but he wasn't the only rookie leaving his mark at the big league level. Eddie Rosario made his debut on May 6, 2015 and spent the rest of the season in the Twins outfield. The former fourth round pi
Houston reached base 3 times on Thursday. He's hitting .308/.398/.440 (.838) since joining the Surge and stole his 14th AA base. His 38 total SB is tied with Yasser Mercedes for organizational lead.
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Winning the Cedar Rapids Kernel prize from TD is far better than winning the FIFA World Peace Prize. Thanks.· 0 replies
