Forum Friday: Season Preview, Some Optimism, & Regime Change Reviews

[USAFChief]

Image courtesy of © Mitch Stringer-Imagn Images

Yet another season of Twins baseball is underway; the season may have started with a whimper, but there are 161 more to play. There are always lively conversations in the forums, and every week we'll highlight three of the best.

We don't know what to expect from the new head of Twins baseball operations, Jeremy Zoll. While he worked and was promoted under former president of baseball operations Derek Falvey, he also spent years in other organizations, including the Dodgers under Andrew Friedman. What flavor will he bring to the Twins?

OG Nick Nelson gets it started with his excellent season preview. Agree? Disagree? What say you?

Not feeling the optimism this spring? Perhaps you missed a few things? What else do you look forward to? Speak up!

There's been considerable change atop Twins leadership this winter. What effect might that have in the case of GM Jeremy Zoll? Twins fans weigh in...

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[Vanimal46]

Did Chief get a promotion? 

[USAFChief]

26 minutes ago, Vanimal46 said:

Did Chief get a promotion? 

Chief Master Sergeant is as high as it goes. 

Except, you have to salute a wet-behind-the-ears second lieutenant. 

[Jim H]

I read those articles, I am not sure they helped me be optimistic for the upcoming season or increased my confidence in Zoll. 

I watched the first game and enjoyed Ryan's performance. I was impressed with Baltimore's defense and wishing we might see some of that from the Twins this year. I was hoping that after Baldelli got fired we wouldn't have to see the backup catcher forced into the lineup, especially on the first game of the season. I was also hoping that the team would be strong enough that the manager wouldn't feel it necessary to pinch hit for whoever he chose to bat leadoff.

It also seems you can't just snap your fingers and have a quality bullpen. Otherwise I am looking forward to the upcoming season.

[Vanimal46]

4 hours ago, USAFChief said:

Chief Master Sergeant is as high as it goes. 

Except, you have to salute a wet-behind-the-ears second lieutenant. 

I’m impressed there’s no age discrimination happening at Diamond Centric. They’re taking a huge leap of faith hiring a 119 year old for the role! 

[Jack Pine]

20 hours ago, USAFChief said:

Chief Master Sergeant is as high as it goes. 

Except, you have to salute a wet-behind-the-ears second lieutenant. 

Which is worth a buck if it happens to be the 2lt's very first salute.

[USAFChief]

5 minutes ago, Jack Pine said:

Which is worth a buck if it happens to be the 2lt's very first salute.

Chief Jr paid me with a silver one.

Edited March 28 by USAFChief

[tony&rodney]

17 hours ago, Jim H said:

I read those articles, I am not sure they helped me be optimistic for the upcoming season or increased my confidence in Zoll. 

I watched the first game and enjoyed Ryan's performance. I was impressed with Baltimore's defense and wishing we might see some of that from the Twins this year. I was hoping that after Baldelli got fired we wouldn't have to see the backup catcher forced into the lineup, especially on the first game of the season. I was also hoping that the team would be strong enough that the manager wouldn't feel it necessary to pinch hit for whoever he chose to bat leadoff.

It also seems you can't just snap your fingers and have a quality bullpen. Otherwise I am looking forward to the upcoming season.

This (more or less) reflects my own views. It is pretty easy for me to focus on what is done well, even if the team might careen. Joe Ryan is a treat to watch. I thought Matt Wallner had some decent plate appearances early in the game. 

The Twins, for whatever reason, decided against major changes/trades. That is over. There are a number of AAA players working to push up by summer, which is reason enough to hold optimism. I'm not going to "lose it" because the current group playing in the field just cannot reach ground balls or track fly balls at an average level. They are doing their best. I will, however,  hope that the mental errors (throwing to the wrong base, hitting the cutoff, etc.) are drastically reduced this season. 

Go Twins.

[Linus]

18 minutes ago, tony&rodney said:

This (more or less) reflects my own views. It is pretty easy for me to focus on what is done well, even if the team might careen. Joe Ryan is a treat to watch. I thought Matt Wallner had some decent plate appearances early in the game. 

The Twins, for whatever reason, decided against major changes/trades. That is over. There are a number of AAA players working to push up by summer, which is reason enough to hold optimism. I'm not going to "lose it" because the current group playing in the field just cannot reach ground balls or track fly balls at an average level. They are doing their best. I will, however,  hope that the mental errors (throwing to the wrong base, hitting the cutoff, etc.) are drastically reduced this season. 

Go Twins.

And you reflect my views as well. The players are doing the best they can within their physical abilities. When Lee doesn’t get to a grounder that another SS might I’m not getting mad at him - he’s trying. If you want to be frustrated with someone make it the FO for not bringing in a better player. The mental mistakes are a different story. You don’t have to be an elite athlete to throw to the right base etc. This has been a consistent problem for this club. 

[tony&rodney]

1 hour ago, Linus said:

This has been a consistent problem for this club. 

They are going to clean that up this year (mental mistakes). 

[Linus]

1 hour ago, tony&rodney said:

They are going to clean that up this year (mental mistakes). 

I hope you are right but since the lineup is similar it’s going to be up to Shelton to bring some accountability to this situation.