Bark's Lounge

I am glad(den) you enjoyed your time putting these stats together. Why Danny Ainge? Why not Chuck Connors or Neon Deion? What is the point? I would much rather read a comprehensive article on how you think Dan Gladden should be immasculated, fired from his job and run out of town. At the very least, an article about his ****ty mullet from the late 80's would have sufficed, Danny Ainge is ho hum...

As baseball enthusiasts, most of us should be thrilled for a no-hitter. Cudos to you Madame for rejecting Weaver's accomplishment. Fortunately I did not watch this game, but I do have the unfortunate experience of watching Boomer Wells' perfect game against us. It haunts me to this day. I could give a rat's ass about baseball etiquette - bunt, bunt, bunt, bunt, bunt - Kill the No Hitter!!!

I have Mauer's back. Yeah, he'll most definitely hit into some GIDP's. I believe he will have a great season in the midst of a Twin's train wreck of a season. 15 HR's at best, but a batting title in play!

Oh by the way Mr. SirLoin. Nice play on words with your title.

I hope no one can actually feel righteous in blaming Bill Smith for all of the Twin's current woes. Although Bill Smith held the title of General Manager from 2007-2011, my feeling is he was more of a figure head than a voice. Being that Smith was more of a financial administrator than a field administrator, I believe that Terry Ryan had his hand in the drafting and trades post 2007. Free agency and contracts: This one is a bit confusing, but after TR resigned, Smith signed Morneau and Cuddyer to contracts that were of fare value or a little above... not much stink there, The Mauer contract is a bit more complicated, but he is coming off of an MVP season and he is a hometown hero (Looking from a PR stance, this needs to get done, especially in the Twin Cities). Bill Smith relies on his scouts, the same scouts that served under Terry Ryan to make trades or draft certain players. Under Smith's tenure I have no doubts that Ryan was head of scouting, whether that was his title or not and I believe the drafts were his dominion and his ultimate decision from 2008-2011 (under Smith's Tenure). The trades can be a little more confusing. I cannot see Ryan trading Garza for Delmon Young. I cannot see Ryan Trading Wilson Ramos for Matt Capps. I loved the Gomez for Hardy trade. Maybe Terry Ryan felt free of the pressure, and in turn pressured his puppet GM Bill Smith to make the trades he did. Ryan did not have to deal with the simpleton MN media anymore and felt he was clear of their scrutiny. He could act like an over sugared child in a toy shop. Reality: Terry Ryan's good friend, Bill Smith, payed the price for Ryan's futility and was fired. No one that is fired like Bill Smith comes back to an organization so quickly, taking a smaller role in administration, unless it was a smoke screen to protect Terry Ryan. Now Ryan is the White Knight working so fervently to correct all of the mistakes that Billy Smith made... how convenient.

I hope no one can actually feel righteous in blaming Bill Smith for all of the Twin's current woes. Although Bill Smith held the title of General Manager from 2007-2011, my feeling is he was more of a figure head than a voice. Being that Smith was more of a financial administrator than a field administrator, I believe that Terry Ryan had his hand in the drafting and trades post 2007. Free agency and contracts: This one is a bit confusing, but after TR resigned, Smith signed Morneau and Cuddyer to contracts that were of fare value or a little above... not much stink there, The Mauer contract is a bit more complicated, but he is coming off of an MVP season and he is a hometown hero (Looking from a PR stance, this needs to get done, especially in the Twin Cities). Bill Smith relies on his scouts, the same scouts that served under Terry Ryan to make trades or draft certain players. Under Smith's tenure I have no doubts that Ryan was head of scouting, whether that was his title or not and I believe the drafts were his dominion and his ultimate decision from 2008-2011 (under Smith's Tenure). The trades can be a little more confusing. I cannot see Ryan trading Garza for Delmon Young. I cannot see Ryan Trading Wilson Ramos for Matt Capps. I loved the Gomez for Hardy trade. Maybe Terry Ryan felt free of the pressure, and in turn pressured his puppet GM Bill Smith to make the trades he did. Ryan did not have to deal with the simpleton MN media anymore and felt he was clear of their scrutiny. He could act like an over sugared child in a toy shop. Reality: Terry Ryan's good friend, Bill Smith, payed the price for Ryan's futility and was fired. No one that is fired like Bill Smith comes back to an organization so quickly, taking a smaller role in administration, unless it was a smoke screen to protect Terry Ryan. Now Ryan is the White Knight working so fervently to correct all of the mistakes that Billy Smith made... how convenient.

Mr. SirLoin. I agree with your "Young Guns" replacement theory of Sandberg, Martinez and Alomar Jr. - don't forget Tim Wallach. He's up there too.

I have long been a steadfast Gardenhire supporter. He has been a very good to great manager during his tenure. I realize a lot of fans are calling for his dismissal because of the last year of Twins baseball and some having been wanting his head on a platter for a much longer period of time. At this juncture, I now agree it is time for a change in coaching and managerial leadership. Ron Gardenhire: Gardy has lost his voice: No matter how hot around the collar or critical Gardy is about the play of his team, they do not seem to respond to his heated calls. Bad at bats, lapses of judgement in the field and non-execution of a strategic plan by the pitchers all fall on his head. (although it is impossible to blame him for the pitching as it is the worst in Twins History) His Staff: Rick Anderson: Rick has done a nice job in his tenure, but his advice and expertise are not paying off anymore. Maybe Liriano is his undoing, but whatever it is, it does not work here anymore. I commend him for his work with helping to develop Santana into the best starter in the AL and turning Nathan into one of the best closers of the late 2000's. That is now ancient history. Joe Vavra: This guy has over seen a few impressive offensive showings in his 6+ years as our hitting coach. Ranging from Mauer-Morneau-T. Hunt-Cuddyer-Span-Kubel. It should not be lost that these players have tremendous upside and it can be easy to coach very good talent. It is the stragglers that have brought concern to me (Valencia, Plouffe, Hughes, etc...). Vavra is a good hitting coach, but a change is needed. Weirdo Ullger: Scotty is a strange cat and I have to the utmost degree enjoyed his Q&A sessions as the manager after Gardy has been ejected or is on a leave of absence. What I have gathered he is most suited as a career AAA manager. Steve Liddle: Don't know to much, but he is a mediocre 3B coach and I cannot believe he is a very good bench coach Jerry White: Jerry has done a good job with the outfielders for the most part. He is in my opinion the guy that least deserves to lose his job. Maybe there is a scenario in which he stays, Final Analysis: I believe there needs to be a shake up. If it is to happen it will not happen until this upcoming offseason. Our only certain in-house candidate for a coaching hire is Brunansky as hitting coach. I would consider Ryne Sandberg or Tim Wallach as managerial candidates. I had good times as a MN Twins fan with the above mentioned Twins staff, but with it being how it is, being it Bill Smith's, Terry Ryan's or ownerships fault. A change of voice is needed and a change of culture is necessary to maybe reinvigorate some players or to have a completely new schematic change - hitting and pitching wise.

I have long been a steadfast Gardenhire supporter. He has been a very good to great manager during his tenure. I realize a lot of fans are calling for his dismissal because of the last year of Twins baseball and some having been wanting his head on a platter for a much longer period of time. At this juncture, I now agree it is time for a change in coaching and managerial leadership. Ron Gardenhire: Gardy has lost his voice: No matter how hot around the collar or critical Gardy is about the play of his team, they do not seem to respond to his heated calls. Bad at bats, lapses of judgement in the field and non-execution of a strategic plan by the pitchers all fall on his head. (although it is impossible to blame him for the pitching as it is the worst in Twins History) His Staff: Rick Anderson: Rick has done a nice job in his tenure, but his advice and expertise are not paying off anymore. Maybe Liriano is his undoing, but whatever it is, it does not work here anymore. I commend him for his work with helping to develop Santana into the best starter in the AL and turning Nathan into one of the best closers of the late 2000's. That is now ancient history. Joe Vavra: This guy has over seen a few impressive offensive showings in his 6+ years as our hitting coach. Ranging from Mauer-Morneau-T. Hunt-Cuddyer-Span-Kubel. It should not be lost that these players have tremendous upside and it can be easy to coach very good talent. It is the stragglers that have brought concern to me (Valencia, Plouffe, Hughes, etc...). Vavra is a good hitting coach, but a change is needed. Weirdo Ullger: Scotty is a strange cat and I have to the utmost degree enjoyed his Q&A sessions as the manager after Gardy has been ejected or is on a leave of absence. What I have gathered he is most suited as a career AAA manager. Steve Liddle: Don't know to much, but he is a mediocre 3B coach and I cannot believe he is a very good bench coach Jerry White: Jerry has done a good job with the outfielders for the most part. He is in my opinion the guy that least deserves to lose his job. Maybe there is a scenario in which he stays, Final Analysis: I believe there needs to be a shake up. If it is to happen it will not happen until this upcoming offseason. Our only certain in-house candidate for a coaching hire is Brunansky as hitting coach. I would consider Ryne Sandberg or Tim Wallach as managerial candidates. I had good times as a MN Twins fan with the above mentioned Twins staff, but with it being how it is, being it Bill Smith's, Terry Ryan's or ownerships fault. A change of voice is needed and a change of culture is necessary to maybe reinvigorate some players or to have a completely new schematic change - hitting and pitching wise.

I have long been a steadfast Gardenhire supporter. He has been a very good to great manager during his tenure. I realize a lot of fans are calling for his dismissal because of the last year of Twins baseball and some having been wanting his head on a platter for a much longer period of time. At this juncture, I now agree it is time for a change in coaching and managerial leadership. Ron Gardenhire: Gardy has lost his voice: No matter how hot around the collar or critical Gardy is about the play of his team, they do not seem to respond to his heated calls. Bad at bats, lapses of judgement in the field and non-execution of a strategic plan by the pitchers all fall on his head. (although it is impossible to blame him for the pitching as it is the worst in Twins History) His Staff: Rick Anderson: Rick has done a nice job in his tenure, but his advice and expertise are not paying off anymore. Maybe Liriano is his undoing, but whatever it is, it does not work here anymore. I commend him for his work with helping to develop Santana into the best starter in the AL and turning Nathan into one of the best closers of the late 2000's. That is now ancient history. Joe Vavra: This guy has over seen a few impressive offensive showings in his 6+ years as our hitting coach. Ranging from Mauer-Morneau-T. Hunt-Cuddyer-Span-Kubel. It should not be lost that these players have tremendous upside and it can be easy to coach very good talent. It is the stragglers that have brought concern to me (Valencia, Plouffe, Hughes, etc...). Vavra is a good hitting coach, but a change is needed. Weirdo Ullger: Scotty is a strange cat and I have to the utmost degree enjoyed his Q&A sessions as the manager after Gardy has been ejected or is on a leave of absence. What I have gathered he is most suited as a career AAA manager. Steve Liddle: Don't know to much, but he is a mediocre 3B coach and I cannot believe he is a very good bench coach Jerry White: Jerry has done a good job with the outfielders for the most part. He is in my opinion the guy that least deserves to lose his job. Maybe there is a scenario in which he stays, Final Analysis: I believe there needs to be a shake up. If it is to happen it will not happen until this upcoming offseason. Our only certain in-house candidate for a coaching hire is Brunansky as hitting coach. I would consider Ryne Sandberg or Tim Wallach as managerial candidates. I had good times as a MN Twins fan with the above mentioned Twins staff, but with it being how it is, being it Bill Smith's, Terry Ryan's or ownerships fault. A change of voice is needed and a change of culture is necessary to maybe reinvigorate some players or to have a completelt new schematic change - hitting and pitching wise.

I have long been a steadfast Gardenhire supporter. He has been a very good to great manager during his tenure. I realize a lot of fans are calling for his dismissal because of the last year of Twins baseball and some having been wanting his head on a platter for a much longer period of time. At this juncture, I now agree it is time for a change in coaching and managerial leadership. Ron Gardenhire: Gardy has lost his voice: No matter how hot around the collar or critical Gardy is about the play of his team, they do not seem to respond to his heated calls. Bad at bats, lapses of judgement in the field and non-execution of a strategic plan by the pitchers all fall on his head. (although it is impossible to blame him for the pitching as it is the worst in Twins History) His Staff: Rick Anderson: Rick has done a nice job in his tenure, but his advice and expertise are not paying off anymore. Maybe Liriano is his undoing, but whatever it is, it does not work here anymore. I commend him for his work with helping to develop Santana into the best starter in the AL and turning Nathan into one of the best closers of the late 2000's. That is now ancient history. Joe Vavra: This guy has over seen a few impressive offensive showings in his 6+ years as our hitting coach. Ranging from Mauer-Morneau-T. Hunt-Cuddyer-Span-Kubel. It should not be lost that these players have tremendous upside and it can be easy to coach very good talent. It is the stragglers that have brought concern to me (Valencia, Plouffe, Hughes, etc...). Vavra is a good hitting coach, but a change is needed. Weirdo Ullger: Scotty is a strange cat and I have to the utmost degree enjoyed his Q&A sessions as the manager after Gardy has been ejected or is on a leave of absence. What I have gathered he is most suited as a career AAA manager. Steve Liddle: Don't know to much, but he is a mediocre 3B coach and I cannot believe he is a very good bench coach Jerry White: Jerry has done a good job with the outfielders for the most part. He is in my opinion the guy that least deserves to lose his job. Maybe there is a scenario in which he stays, Final Analysis: I believe there needs to be a shake up. If it is to happen it will not happen until this upcoming offseason. Our only certain in-house candidate for a coaching hire is Brunansky as hitting coach. I would consider Ryne Sandberg or Tim Wallach as managerial candidates. I had good times as a MN Twins fan with the above mentioned Twins staff, but with it being how it is, being it Bill Smith's, Terry Ryan's or ownerships fault. A change of voice is needed and a change of culture is necessary to maybe reinvigorate some players or to have a completelt new schematic change - hitting and pitching wise.

I must declare from the onset of this article that I am a Twins fan tried and true. from 1997-2000 I was a victim to their horrible performances, In 1998 a burgeoning slugger made the team following spring training. His name was David Ortiz, he didn't do too much offensively to warrant any negativity and he was sent down. From what I can remember, he was not doing things the way they wanted them to be done. The Twins that year had a horrible offense and if my memory serves me right, Molitor was our best hitter at a .285ish kind of clip, It was his last year... good job. 1999 was even worse. Mientkiewicz hit around .220, Chad Allen was our LF, T-Hunt was lack luster and our pitching sucked. Jacque Jones and Corey Koskie were the ones to provide future hope from that year. Although 1998-1999 were bad seasons, I did not mention 1997 or 2000. There is no need to open unhealed wounds as far as I am concerned. It seems to me that was the beginning of the new phase of Twins baseball that lasted until 2010. After another Yanks Playoff series loss and the impending Free Agency of some of our best relief pitchers, I knew they would not be resigned as the money they would warrant would be not worth their salt. We certainly did miss them, but that would have been all for not. Dateline 2012: We have no pitching, nothing at all. We have a couple of Franchise type position players who are doing alright, but have some work to do. My point is that we all know this 2012 team is going to suck and suck to an extensive degree. The success of a franchise is based upon wins and sustainability. This lull we are in might not last much more than 3 years and I cannot be kept captive again. Minnesota Twins take this to heart, feel it, realize it, take it for truth. There are a few of us who will walk away because we are disengaged. Win us back with a call to arms. Drafting effectively and using the free agent market to put us back in the fore front. God Damn it, we are your fans!

I must declare from the onset of this article that I am a Twins fan tried and true. from 1997-2000 I was a victim to their horrible performances, In 1998 a burgeoning slugger made the team following spring training. His name was David Ortiz, he didn't do too much offensively to warrant any negativity and he was sent down. From what I can remember, he was not doing things the way they wanted them to be done. The Twins that year had a horrible offense and if my memory serves me right, Molitor was our best hitter at a .285ish kind of clip, It was his last year... good job. 1999 was even worse. Mientkiewicz hit around .220, Chad Allen was our LF, T-Hunt was lack luster and our pitching sucked. Jacque Jones and Corey Koskie were the ones to provide future hope from that year. Although 1998-1999 were bad seasons, I did not mention 1997 or 2000. There is no need to open unhealed wounds as far as I am concerned. It seems to me that was the beginning of the new phase of Twins baseball that lasted until 2010. After another Yanks Playoff series loss and the impending Free Agency of some of our best relief pitchers, I knew they would not be resigned as the money they would warrant would be not worth their salt. We certainly did miss them, but that would have been all for not. Dateline 2012: We have no pitching, nothing at all. We have a couple of Franchise type position players who are doing alright, but have some work to do. My point is that we all know this 2012 team is going to suck and suck to an extensive degree. The success of a franchise is based upon wins and sustainability. This lull we are in might not last much more than 3 years and I cannot be kept captive again. Minnesota Twins take this to heart, feel it, realize it, take it for truth. There are a few of us who will walk away because we are disengaged. Win us back with a call to arms. Drafting effectively and using the free agent market to put us back in the fore front. God Damn it, we are your fans!

It is somewhat hard for me to recollect Liriano's performance at the end of the 2005 season and for the most part the 2006 season in which he was Koufaxian in his performance at times. Since 2008 in his return from Tommy John surgery he has struck me as being mentally weak to the utmost degree. Except for 2010 he has ultimately sucked. My hope was he would have a good start to the season this year and we would trade him for something of better than little value. That optimism was fool hardy and bit me in the ass. Maybe he can be good in the bullpen, but I hold out no hope for him. Great arm, great stuff, mentally weak and a lost cause.

If the Dominoes continue to fall like they are on April 22, 2012 in Mid-Late June. What will the Twins Brass do? Will they ride it out or will they gut the roster - trading veterans and cutting middling players, bringing up the young fellas to test their engines? Pros for Gutting the Roster: Getting a little value for the veteran starting pitchers and position players we have through trades. Maybe Span, Willingham or Morneau could bring something of exquisite value. All of the other veteran players - Pavano, Liriano, Marquis, Doumit, etc. won't fetch much, but something can be better than nothing. It gives the Twins a chance to see what they have in a Joe Benson, Ben Revere, Brian Dozier, Deolis Guerra, etc. and get them important MLB game experience. Pros for Riding it out: The offense looks like it could be fun. We will still lose, but a 10-7 loss is better than a 10-2 loss. Trading Span, Willingham and especially Morneau could be a P.R. disaster. We don't have any depth in the minors to replace the theoretical starting pitchers we could trade. I certainly would not consider the brigade of starting pitchers we have at AAA or AA a treasure chest of Riches by any measure. Scott Diamond and Luke French are probably the cream of that crop. (Blah!) It is only April and anything is possible, but if the dominoes continue to tumble over and it is appearing that might be this years trend something will have to be done to veer the course of this franchise in a direction that brings some kind of promise in the next 3 years.

If the Dominoes continue to fall like they are on April 22, 2012 in Mid-Late June. What will the Twins Brass do? Will they ride it out or will they gut the roster - trading veterans and cutting middling players, bringing up the young fellas to test their engines? Pros for Gutting the Roster: Getting a little value for the veteran starting pitchers and position players we have through trades. Maybe Span, Willingham or Morneau could bring something of exquisite value. All of the other veteran players - Pavano, Liriano, Marquis, Doumit, etc. won't fetch much, but something can be better than nothing. It gives the Twins a chance to see what they have in a Joe Benson, Ben Revere, Brian Dozier, Deolis Guerra, etc. and get them important MLB game experience. Pros for Riding it out: The offense looks like it could be fun. We will still lose, but a 10-7 loss is better than a 10-2 loss. Trading Span, Willingham and especially Morneau could be a P.R. disaster. We don't have any depth in the minors to replace the theoretical starting pitchers we could trade. I certainly would not consider the brigade of starting pitchers we have at AAA or AA a treasure chest of Riches by any measure. Scott Diamond and Luke French are probably the cream of that crop. (Blah!) It is only April and anything is possible, but if the dominoes continue to tumble over and it is appearing that might be this years trend something will have to be done to veer the course of this franchise in a direction that brings some kind of promise in the next 3 years.

Teflon, thanks for your comment. For some reason I am optimistic the Twins will resign Morneau when that time comes. I think he will take less years and a little less money. My gut feeling is he will become a DH type as his concussion symptoms will continue to get better, but will still hang around enough to warrant being a full-time DH - not that I think this the right thing or wrong thing... just my gut feeling. As for the pitching staff... I would not touch that topic with a 10 foot pole. That would take way too much time and I have a life I need to lead.

Hey Ho Silver Slugger. Thomas is just filler, but he could be a decent 4th OFer. Benson will definitely get his shot, not now, but soon. Parmelee needs no more seasoning. He is ready to hit, hit, and hit and will be a a proficient Outfielder. If Thomas pushes Parmelee to Rochester, there should be outrage, but I think Parm has become one of Gardy and Ryan's favorites. Unless he falls flat on his face, Parm is in the bigs to stay.

Wooooo... how do I even start this thread/blog/or whatever. It seems that most think Parmelee should be in AAA or they think he is a butcher on defense. How did this happen? Parmelee for the most part, if my memory is correct was projected to be a good defensive 1B from the time he was drafted and he has done nothing to prove that statement any different, Parmelee must now prove himself to be an efficient outfielder, he might not have wheels, but he seems to have a proficient arm, not much different than SS drafted Cuddyer or Plouffe. 1. Cuddyer is slow like Parmelee. What Cuddyer gained with experience was base running savvy. Cuddyer runs the bases well and can read situations better than most to take a bag. Molitor should be commended for that development. Cuddyer is slow, but a smart baserunner, who is to say Parmelee cannot be the same with some experience? 2. It took Cuddy 4 years before he was able to show some offensive fortitude. Plouffe has been over matched in his 2 years in the bigs. Parmelee looks comfortable and has NOT shown a propensity towards being an offensive burden. This guy hits and he hits with authority. 3. Parmelee is going to have to become comfortable with playing RF or even LF. Morneau is on the books for this year and next and Morneau definitely falls into the category of a player to resign based upon his popularity and production. If he clears his ailments off the dockett, to me this is a given and Parmelee will not play 1B, unless Morneau becomes a David Ortiz type. Parmelee is a very good ballplayer and can make the OF adjustment as he has played as much OF in the minor as he has played 1B. The moral of this post is to let Twins Fans and analyst know that: A. Parm is Ready for the Big Time, does not need anymore seasoning in the minors B. Parm is a good defensive player and will execute where he is dictated to play C. He adds a fearful bat to a line-up that has looked pretty good but would welcome it because of our horribly atrocious pitching staff - horrible, horrible, horrible!!! Parm is MLB ready. Jump on board or be left behind.

Wooooo... how do I even start this thread/blog/or whatever. It seems that most think Parmelee should be in AAA or they think he is a butcher on defense. How did this happen? Parmelee for the most part, if my memory is correct was projected to be a good defensive 1B from the time he was drafted and he has done nothing to prove that statement any different, Parmelee must now prove himself to be an efficient outfielder, he might not have wheels, but he seems to have a proficient arm, not much different than SS drafted Cuddyer or Plouffe. 1. Cuddyer is slow like Parmelee. What Cuddyer gained with experience was base running savvy. Cuddyer runs the bases well and can read situations better than most to take a bag. Molitor should be commended for that development. Cuddyer is slow, but a smart baserunner, who is to say Parmelee cannot be the same with some experience? 2. It took Cuddy 4 years before he was able to show some offensive fortitude. Plouffe has been over matched in his 2 years in the bigs. Parmelee looks comfortable and has NOT shown a propensity towards being an offensive burden. This guy hits and he hits with authority. 3. Parmelee is going to have to become comfortable with playing RF or even LF. Morneau is on the books for this year and next and Morneau definitely falls into the category of a player to resign based upon his popularity and production. If he clears his ailments off the dockett, to me this is a given and Parmelee will not play 1B, unless Morneau becomes a David Ortiz type. Parmelee is a very good ballplayer and can make the OF adjustment as he has played as much OF in the minor as he has played 1B. The moral of this post is to let Twins Fans and analyst know that: A. Parm is Ready for the Big Time, does not need anymore seasoning in the minors B. Parm is a good defensive player and will execute where he is dictated to play C. He adds a fearful bat to a line-up that has looked pretty good but would welcome it because of our horribly atrocious pitching staff - horrible, horrible, horrible!!! Parm is MLB ready. Jump on board or be left behind.

This just may be a waste of everyone's time, but what the hell - it could be fun, boring or whatever... Let's Do It! Opening day Line-Up 2015 (I will include a closer): C - Chris Herrmann 1B - Chris Parmelee 2B - Eddie Rosario SS - Brian Dozier 3B - Miguel Sano LF - Joe Mauer CF - Aaron Hicks RF - Joe Benson DH - Justin Morneau SP - Mark Appel C - Glen Perkins Let the games begin!

This just may be a waste of everyone's time, but what the hell - it could be fun, boring or whatever... Let's Do It! Opening day Line-Up 2015 (I will include a closer): C - Chris Herrmann 1B - Chris Parmelee 2B - Eddie Rosario SS - Brian Dozier 3B - Miguel Sano LF - Joe Mauer CF - Aaron Hicks RF - Joe Benson DH - Justin Morneau SP - Mark Appel C - Glen Perkins Let the games begin!

5 games in and this road trip has already surpassed mine and I am sure most Twins fan's expectations. Without the jacks, Liam looked pretty good tonight. His control was somewhat off, but he attacks it. He pitches fearlessly and intelligently. I like what I see and I hope to see some more with better results. Hendricks, as we all know will not miss a lot of bats, but he has something we have not had in a few years - a pitch to contact pitcher who is not afraid to attack the strike zone and for the most part he has been damn effective, more so without the long balls. Not lost in this shuffle is the fact that he has the best stuff on our current starting staff this side of Liriano. Cudos to Beef Willingham and his game winning 3 run double and 14 game hitting streak. We know, in the long run, you won't hit .300, but here is to hoping for 30HR's and 100 RBI's. This road trip is already a victory, if we can win one more, it can be a THRILLING victory, but that's it. The offense is gaining momentum and that will win some games or at least make them interesting. Our pitching is our achilles heel and that won't change. 75+ wins... Maybe. 81+ wins... unlikely, but it could be fun to watch!

5 games in and this road trip has already surpassed mine and I am sure most Twins fan's expectations. Without the jacks, Liam looked pretty good tonight. His control was somewhat off, but he attacks it. He pitches fearlessly and intelligently. I like what I see and I hope to see some more with better results. Hendricks, as we all know will not miss a lot of bats, but he has something we have not had in a few years - a pitch to contact pitcher who is not afraid to attack the strike zone and for the most part he has been damn effective, more so without the long balls. Not lost in this shuffle is the fact that he has the best stuff on our current starting staff this side of Liriano. Cudos to Beef Willingham and his game winning 3 run double and 14 game hitting streak. We know, in the long run, you won't hit .300, but here is to hoping for 30HR's and 100 RBI's. This road trip is already a victory, if we can win one more, it can be a THRILLING victory, but that's it. The offense is gaining momentum and that will win some games or at least make them interesting. Our pitching is our achilles heel and that won't change. 75+ wins... Maybe. 81+ wins... unlikely, but it could be fun to watch!

Hey Twins Fan from Afar. Deolis Guerra's stats look good so far this season although it is a very, very small sample size. What is your over/under on him being called up to the big club before September? Not that September is a guarantee for him.