silverslugger

I'll accept some blame for putting words in Gleeman's mouth that weren't there. He posted stats (w-l record) on his blog for the Twins versus other teams. I do believe I was correct in assuming he was implying that he Twins have stunk against everyone other than the pale hose and the Brewers. Obviously, they haven't. They definitely have stunk it up when playing the vaunted Marlins though. Just glad we're done with them! Good Riddance!

Fien is arguably our third best relief pitcher in both makeup and stuff. He is consistently in the game in the 7th or 8th inning in high leverage situations getting the job done. Simply put, he's not going anywhere anytime soon. Theilbar hasn't given up a run in his first 14.2 innings pitched. In all honesty, he's looking better than Brian Duensing at this point but isn't trusted yet by Gardy in those high-leverage situations. I'd be very surprised if he's going anywhere either.

Aaron Gleeman noted in his blog on Tuesday that the Twins basically stink against everyone other than the White Sox and Brewers. So, it may not be just a Marlins thing. Also, was it just me or were the Miami pitchers benefitting from an extended strike zone yesterday? Disclaimer: I rarely look to blame the umps, especially those behind the plate because it is truly a difficult job.

This same issue is discussed ad nauseum by NFL fans every December and January. Even in the NFL where drafted players have a much more immediate impact, the consensus is that you never intentionally lose a game just to improve your draft status. Let's leave this silly talk for the NBA.

Additionally, if your Morneau and the Twins don't move you at the deadline and don't sign you in the offseason, do you simply walk away from the game? Morneau has been on record as stating that he seriously considered not coming back and risking further concussions at one point in his recovery process. Could this be the end for Justin Morneau?

The Twins are in a bad situation with this one. Most if not all of us on here are hyper-serious fans and understand/analyze the game way beyond the typical/casual fan. The problem for Twins management and ownership with Morneau isn't so much that they may only get a marginal prospect for two months of Morneau. And that's certainly debatable. The problem is that the typical/casual fan doesn't pay to get into Target Field or tune into FSN or turn the dial on the radio to watch or listen to what Chris Colabello is doing for the Twins at First Base. Chris Colabello is not a prospect and we've argued plenty on this sight whether or not Parmelee still has prospect status. No, the problem for management and ownership is that they KNOW the casual fan will want to watch Justin Morneau play 1B and bat 4th in the Twins lineup in August and September regardless of our record.

Perhaps a 6 man rotation when Pelfrey comes back? I'll admit, I was thinking Pelf was working his way into trade bait status. He'll probably have to prove he's back with at least 2-3 good starts which will put him up against the trade deadline. Between his status and Gibson's inning limit, whatever that may be, perhaps a 6 man rotation is in order. Even if we keep Pelf for the season, they are both TJ survivors and could probably use the extra rest. Heck, even if they eventually shut down Gibson we would continue to benefit from the 6 man by giving Albers an opportunity or giving Worley another shot at the rotation in August and September.

Sarcasm Alert!!! The real tragedy here isn't who is being called up. The real tragedy is that Pelfrey will lose 2 or 3 more starts in which he could have proven himself so that we could've gotten a C- or D+ prospect at the end of July!

Couldn't agree more. The same posters who were on here full of vitriol when the Twins signed KC in the off-season due to his well-known track record now expect that the same GM who signed him can somehow pull off a miracle trade for a great return. And for anyone who honestly thinks he's been that great, well, refer to post #47. But let's not let facts get in the way of this great deal we're going to get.

Someone must smarter than me once stated that if your not PROgressing you're REgressing. I'm not advocating sending Parms down because I think he needs to continue to prove himself against AAA pitching. I'm advocating it because his bat and his bum are accumulating nothing but rust. In a sense, our worst fears are coming true. The Twins are just relevant enough that the manager who is fighting for his managerial existence is justified in playing the veterans over the youngsters at this point in the season.

Three Things: First, if you have two players and both of them have destroyed triple A pitching but only one of them has shown competence at the mlb level, then you send the one down who hasn't shown competence because he most likely still has things to work on. That would be Parmelee. I understand that Arcia's "competence" has been the result of a very small sample size so far. Second, the typical or average Twins fan who pays good money to be at Target Field or who tunes in to watch who Bert will circle next expects the most talented/best player to be on the Twins roster. Arcia has proven so far that he is that player over Parmelee. Third, I agree that Parmelee should be getting regular at-bats regardless of where he is, Minnesota or Rochester. If Gardy's not going to give him those at-bats and Ryan isn't going to affect the 25 man to force Gardy's hand, then Parmelee shouldn't be wasted on the bench waiting for a pinch hit opportunity every third game. He should be down in Rochester getting every-day at bats and not getting stale. I, for one, am not convinced Ryan is going to pull off the necessary trade that will open up at-bats for Parm after the deadline. I can easily see the Twins brass explaining their lack of involvement on August 1 by stating they just weren't offered anything of quality for Willingham, Morneau, or Doumit and they may just be telling us the truth at that point, unfortunately.

Seth, 35 player roster and 19 pitchers! Are there no limits in the Appy League? Is this normal for the Twins to place so many in Elizabethton? I understand that a couple of the pitchers are rehabbing, but still...where will these pitchers get their innings? Insight appreciated.

Of course, if he continues to take two years to master each level he will have mastered major league baseball by 2017. I'd say that's about the right time frame for this organization to revisit the World Series.

You didn't see it cuz you weren't at that CR game and I was. Byron was actually eating a hot dog and sippin' on a coke out in CF right as that lazer was hit. He proceeded to very carefully put both down in the grass before sprinting, then flying, then extending, then grabbing, and finally landing.......now get this, with ball in glove, the dog, well, gone and gingerly returning to his coke in shallow centerfield.

This...just this.

Last 30 days stats for Twins starters: P.J. Walters 3.23. ERA, 1.60 WHIP, 18 K's in 30.2 innings Sam Deduno 3.26 ERA, 1.35 WHIP, 15 k's in 30.1 innings Kevin Correia 5.14 ERA, 1.57 WHIP, 20 k's in 28 innings Mike Pelfrey 5.47 ERA, 1.41 WHIP, 17 k's in 26.1 innings Scott Diamond 6.68 ERA, 1.71 WHIP, 15 k's in 31 innings Well, at least their consistent???!!!

There you go again Parker! Letting good old fashioned facts get in the way of opinions and scouting, or shall we say, bias. Free KG!!!

Agree. The question is, just how high is that trade value and is it worth keeping Doumit on the roster as the backup catcher if he's going to constantly take at bats away from Parmelee. This is one area where Ryan can certainly dictate how Gardy fills out his everyday lineup. We definitely seem to have a backup Doumit waiting in the wings in Herrmann.

The obvious and biggest issue with this suggestion is that Gardy has probably fallen in love with Dozier's defense at 2b. I have to admit, it's been admirable. Problem is, at the plate he's beyond atrocious! I'm just not sure Plouffe could get it done at 2b to please either Gardy or Ryan. He looks like a statue at third!

Didn't Barreiro accuse the Twins of as much when they broadcast the Cedar Rapids Kernels/Byron Buxton show game on FSN last Monday? I really enjoyed the broadcast, was at the game, and think the Twins need to do more of this. Let's see a Fort Myers game or New Britain game on FSN soon! However, let's not do it at the risk of becoming the Royals. Or, are we already there. Say it ain't so Joe!

Parmelee should be getting every at bat possible versus right handed pitching. I can see sitting him some against tough lefies or pinch-hitting for him against a lefty late in the game. Trouble is, who is right-handed on the bench that you would pinch-hit for him. Doumit, if you trust his glove in right in late innings and IF you still had someone else to trot out to right in the VERY unlikely event that he had to replace Mauer behind the plate. Doumits trade value is what it is. He's an established major leaguer. The 150 or so at bats he'll get this year in May and June prior to the deadline really won't really change his trade value at all.

Kane County observations. Rock Shoulders, what a name! He'll have to really impress to live up to that name. The Kane County pitcher looked good toward the beginning, Pierce Johnson. The program said he was a 1st round pick last year and listed him at 6'3". My brother and I were both surprised thinking he was one of the smaller players between the two teams. Melotakis certainly looked larger on the mound. Dan Vogelbach, the #3 batter for Kane County can certainly rake. However, he's listed at 6'0" and 250 and already slotted as the DH. That's certainly not a future in the National League. Finally, Albert Almora was the Kane County centerfielder and another 2012 1st rounder according to the program. He was a nice player with some tools and some pop in his bat but still didn't look anything like the talent Buxton shows. Of course, I'm not prejudiced at all:p

Observations from the game today: I was at the game and sitting front row right behind the Kernels dugout. I used to live in CR but have now lived in Des Moines for the past 5 years. Sure wish this affiliation would've started much sooner. The Kernels do televise some of their home games on a local cable outlet, I've watched bits and pieces of another one against Kane County about three weeks ago. The presentation is brutal compared to what we're used to from the MLB feeds. There were cameras today behind home plate, in center field, and up both baselines. Players: Buxton is in a league by himself talent-wise, nuff said. I think Polanco could be a heck of a 2b for us in about 3 or 4 years. So, what to do with Rosario? Does Polanco play SS well enough to stick? Melotakis was dealing today, very nice. Was this his best start of the season so far? I always read the boxes for the minor league affiliates on Milb, but haven't see any other Kernels games other than the aforementioned. Dalton Hicks is a REALLY big boy, listed at 6'5 and 250. I'd say Adam Brett Walker is our third most likely position player behind Buck and Polanco to make the show. Finally, the Kernels built a new park about 10 years ago and it's a very nice upgrade. Not a bad seat in the house. You can really get up close and personal compared to the average seat at a MLB game. Plenty of good/standard ballpark food to be had at the park as well. Tickets at the gate anywhere from $8 to $12 bucks. In short, go if you have a chance. You won't regret it.

Warning: You are about to read the opinions of a lifelong baseball/Twins fan with absolutely no statistical evidence to back up those opinions. Proceed at your own risk. To me, Joe seems to have made a conscious effort this year to drive the ball more by increasing his swing speed. In other words, he's trying to crush the ball. Bad result; the swing is not as compact this year which is leading to more strike outs. Good result; the weak grounders we saw so much of last year have been considerably fewer.

I think it's important to note that the Kyle Allen "signing" is not a signing at all but rather a verbal commitment. No player is allowed to "sign" with a college until the first Wednesday in February. Until then there have been and will be many verbals that will change often. Verballing in college football is getting crazy, some guys verbal to 3 and 4 schools before actually signing on signing day. Plus, great schools usually get a 4 or 5 star qb in every class.