Article: Upward Trends for the Twins

[Nick Nelson]

You can view the page at http://www.twinsdaily.com/content.php/2806-Upward-Trends-for-the-Minnesota-Twins

[diehardtwinsfan]

I'd have added Hicks and Arcia in there too (and possibly Dozier)... All 3 of these guys could be significantly better than last season.

[tjsyam921]

I think Pelfrey should be better this year. Nolasco from what I've read is prone to starts like Mondays, but should have plenty of good ones. I think its only a matter of time before Colabello takes over the clean up spot. I like Willingham but he looks like the oldest 35 year old I've ever seen.

[stringer bell]

I can't get on the Colabello bandwagon. He's too old to be considered a prospect and too limited. He had a nice double on Opening Day, but again he seems to only be able to drive the ball to right and right-center. I'll also wait to be convinced on Escobar. Otherwise, I like the upward trends for the other players.

[savvyspy]

I think Hicks is definitely a key player to watch. I think if he can get off to a decent start he should solidify himself as our best outfielder. Pinto and Arcia are in the same boat. The young guys are really the only source of hope.

 

The veterans like Plouffe, Mauer, Willingham, and Dozier aren't bad pieces but they have already proven they aren't going to move the needle.

[Nick Nelson]

I'd have added Hicks and Arcia in there too (and possibly Dozier)... All 3 of these guys could be significantly better than last season.

 

I'm hoping for good things from all those guys but with Hicks and Arcia there weren't really any upward trends to illuminate. Hicks never got it going in the majors last year, then went tor Triple-A and struggled. Arcia fizzled out some after a strong start with the Twins, which wasn't surprising.

 

Dozier could have been listed of course, since he really turned it around after the first couple months last year, but he almost seemed too obvious.

[halfchest]

What's with all the positivity. The Twins suck so quit trying to put lipstick on a pig!

 

Actually I'm hopeful this year is what I wanted from last year. I wanted to see some youth show up and really progress. Arcia had some nice stretches and overall was encouraging, Dozier turned it around and showed he could be a nice role player at the least, then we got the fun Pinto run in September.

 

I was really hoping for more out of Gibson and Hicks as well as a glimpse of Meyer and/or May in the big leagues. Hopeful this year we get to see some improvement from these guys that figure to be a part of the long term future.

 

The other guy I really want to see just be average is Plouffe. He's young enough and now with Sano's injury 3B might be a bigger need than we had previously thought. At the least Plouffe will be manning the hot corner for the next two years. I'm doubtful that Sano starts above AA next year after missing a year of competition.

[Shane Wahl]

I think a good old platoon of Kubel and Colabello might work out fairly well.

 

You might have added Duensing here, too.

[nicksaviking]

I also think Colabello may have a better grasp of the MLB strikezone. I'm guessing the front office belives so. Let's not forget they tried to sell him to Korea three months ago, now he made the opening day roster (and lineup).

 

I think Swarzak is also turning into an asset. I know some still don't like Duensing, but he really turned the corner in the second half last year gaining MPH and really improving his K%. Watching game one, it looked like Swarzak might be on the same path hitting 95-96 MPH Monday. That's pretty encouraging.

[TheLeviathan]

I think Swarzak is also turning into an asset. I know some still don't like Duensing, but he really turned the corner in the second half last year gaining MPH and really improving his K%. Watching game one, it looked like Swarzak might be on the same path hitting 95-96 MPH Monday. That's pretty encouraging.

 

Agreed, I'm eager to see what Swarzak can do in high leverage situations this year. He could really turn into a valuable piece for the team.

[Nick Nelson]

Agreed, I'm eager to see what Swarzak can do in high leverage situations this year. He could really turn into a valuable piece for the team.

 

He already has. I'd argue that he was one of the most valuable players on the roster last year (not saying a ton). He was always ready to go, always ready to pitch multiple innings, and almost always effective. That was pretty crucial with all the short starts.

[troyhobbs]

I think Hicks is definitely a key player to watch. I think if he can get off to a decent start he should solidify himself as our best outfielder. Pinto and Arcia are in the same boat. The young guys are really the only source of hope.

 

The veterans like Plouffe, Mauer, Willingham, and Dozier aren't bad pieces but they have already proven they aren't going to move the needle.

 

Lumping Mauer in w/ those other bums is a bit blasphemous. I really hope they don't use Deduno in Swarzek's role last year, pitching in blowout loses, his stuff is too good to waste in those situations I think.

[Steven Buhr]

Actually I'm hopeful this year is what I wanted from last year.

 

I kind of think this is largely what I feel, too, though I would say "hopeful" would be a bit strong to describe my feelings.

 

But the part about this year being somewhat what I was hoping for last year isn't far off.

 

Last year, I wanted the FO to go get more starting pitching. They were a year late honoring my request.

 

Last year, I wanted to see Gibson, Hicks and Arcia really step up and turn their potential in to results. That didn't happen to the degree I had hoped, but maybe this year the results will be better.

 

I'm not ready to say I'm hopeful, but I'm open to being convinced.

[TheLeviathan]

He already has. I'd argue that he was one of the most valuable players on the roster last year (not saying a ton). He was always ready to go, always ready to pitch multiple innings, and almost always effective. That was pretty crucial with all the short starts.

 

Yeah, I didn't mean to imply he wasn't already valuable, but I think pitching in higher leverage situations and translating his success there will further elevate him. I think he'll be able to do that as well.

 

The boon is that it would open up some trade possibilities if any of Fien/Burton/etc. can put together a nice season.

[Reider]

I agree that an upward trend falls into the hands of the young guys. It will be guys like Hicks, Arcia, Gibson, Meyer, Buxton, Sano etc.. that turn this team into a contender again.

 

I know the Twins have only played 2 games this year, but Hicks is already off to a better start than last year. That's a positive.

 

Willingham and Plouffe need to hit this year or they both need to go. Their defense is not that good and if they can't hit there's no point keeping them around.