Does Nishi make this team?

[Shane Wahl]

Casilla's ability to move over to SS (where he is just fine) should not be overlooked by Gardenhire as that can mean the difference between having a legitimate bench bat and having Nishioka to start the season. Leaving aside who constitutes a "legitimate bench bat" amongst the minor league acquisitions this offseason (why no Derrek Lee?), the Twins have Plouffe as an emergency in-game SS if Carroll and Casilla are hurt/out in the same game. Maybe Burroughs (L), Bates ®, Pearce ®, or even Ramirez ® could be used off the bench. In fact, if Hughes is injured to begin the season, and they do what they should with Nishioka and start him at Rochester, the Twins would have two empty roster spots.

[Thrylos]

Maybe Burroughs (L), Bates ®, Pearce ®, or even Ramirez ® could be used off the bench. In fact, if Hughes is injured to begin the season, and they do what they should with Nishioka and start him at Rochester, the Twins would have two empty roster spots.

I really like Bates. He can make contact, get on base, hit for gap power and occasionally hit more than one out. As a matter of fact, if there are any issues with Morneau, I think that Bates and not Parmelee will get the first cut at 1B. But having his bat over let's say... Butera's on the bench, will be a plus for the Twins.

[Teflon]

I found a Japanese sporting website talking about Tsuyoshi Nishioka's offseason workout regimen in Japan. Unfortunately it was in Japanese. Bing's fine web-page translation is below:

"Repeated dash Sprint and training strengthen the trunk, Japan ham, Nakata infielder sho Osaka toIn high Juniors Spivak. "Wow power （ US baseball ）. 2010'S, took the leading hitter of the PA League ）. Focus on progress (like a year), wants to forge a lower body "and vigorously digested the menu.

 

Based on the experience of the first year was too eager, Nishioka was "maybe too flew last year. Increased tone in open warfare. Stout and more, and actively want to continue playing "and stressed. (Joint)"

 

Saw another article on that site talking about the breakup of his marriage to model Naoko Tokuzawa . It appears he arranged for a hook-up with another model around spring training time last season while his wife was five months pregnant. Guessing the family drama may have factored into his crappy season, too. At least now with a divorce pending we know where most of that $9 million contract will end up.

 

One note on translations - Nishioka knows there's no spot on the team for a "Futility Infielder," right?

[Bogey Guy]

Did Nishi's injury early last year set the stage for his horrible year or is he overmatched by real major league baseball?

[Mike Sixel]

It's not been in Ryan's MO in the past to cut bait quickly on mistakes. I don't know why we think this round will be any different. Nishi will be on this roster at the start of the year, imo.