meister

Mastroiani & A.Pressley really do seem to fit. I'm down for Danny Santana getting a look since he is swinging so well. How about Xavier Avery? Probably too much of a prospect. How about Justin Ruggiano?

Those are my exact sentiments from watching him play. I know the analysis of his past performance metrics coupled with his age "indicate" that he is very unlikely to improve significantly. However, watching him play, off and on since 2010 in Bowie, I see a slower development pace with this talented SS than with most players. His current defense makes him an adequate everyday #9 hitting SS now, while I believe that Florimon has additional defensive savvy/merit in his future, as well as modest+ gains to be had in power and approach.

The Twins have always over-valued batting AVG and often return players to their previous level to start a season if that number was low. Because of that, I see Sano starting in AA. How soon he gets to Minnesota will be dependent on more factors than just how Sano plays, such as, Plouffe, Super 2 projection dates.

Sano has not dropped on the BP list (except slightly from 2012). In 2011 he was #31, 2012 he was #12 and in 2013 he was #21. In the last season he has jumped this list 7 places and by my count there were 6 that graduated from the 2013 list. Perhaps it's partly semantics here, but his placement on the BP list has been pretty consistent and the comparative differences between the lists speaks more about BP's higher valuing of up-the-middle defense and pitching versus power bats at a corner infield position. The difference between Pinto's grade here versus MLB & BA is most striking for me.

Agreed, but only to a level similar to what Capps might bring. Those two, currently, would only fetch mid-level guys. Span really is our only chip. And if we're talking mid-level, Carroll is a mention as well... perhaps Lombardozzi is added to Rendon & Rosenabaum, while we add Carroll to Span? Just a thought.

A. No, not for what we need, which is quality ballplayers for 2013 and beyond. Capps could probably bring a low/medium level prospect or two, but packaging those mentioned just wouldn't be in anyone's interest. It would be great to keep Span, but being our top chip, you can't keep him AND get value coming back to us.

Couple thoughts... The Nations would love Denard Span to be their table-setting CF. Bernadina and Nady would be expendable to them if they had Span and they'd have no problem letting go of those strings. The Werth injury could spurn the Nat's to move more quickly, but there interest has to be very high regardless. The Nat's are adequate without Span, as Ankiel is decent enough and they are ok with Tyler Moore to get reps in place of Werth, but they would be far happier with Span. Jordan Zimmerman is off the table... just forget about that. The Nat's have not and will not give up quality young pitching that is extremely useful in their current pennent drive... has any team ever done such a thing? One problem with the Nat's is the Gio Gonzalez trade... the A's took most of what the Twins would have wanted for Span, so there is not much left to pick from and like another poster mentioned, what is left may not be trade elligible until after this year's draft (although that 1 year rule has been known to be waived with a simple request). Having said all that, I could see: Span for Daniel Rosenabum & future considerations (Anthony Rendon) Not the type of deal I'd usually see from the Nat's, but their M.O. has changed now that they think they can win now. IMO.

He's a real dude that drives a real Range Rover... he scalps for all the DC/Balt sporting events. His name happens to be Robert.

Carroll is 37 and never been a full-time player, least not at SS. I figure that at least 20% of the SS innings will have to be filled by someone else. Casilla didn't play there in ST and Dozer is obviously not there. Who will be the back up SS... Hughes and Plouffe?

I'll be at Pickle's in Baltimore just after noon and then Camden Yards for the event. I don't have tickets yet for any of the games, but 'scalper Bob' always hooks me up

I'd expect Doumit to be in there opening day against the righthander Arrieta on opening day. For the Season: 50% Doumit 40% Plouffe 10% Parmalee

I live in Hampton, VA and will be making the MLB opening in Camden yards to watch the Twins... Camden Yards is an exceptional stadium. I like to stay at the Hampton Inn right accross from the stadium. Nationals Park is new and has nice sight lines, so it might be better than most... Twins don't play there in 2012 as far as I know. Yorktown is less than an hour from Harbour Park in Norfolk. This is an exceptional AAA park that hosts the Red Wings twice a year. You're also just over an hour from the Diamond in Richmond and those AA Giants host the New Britain Rock Cats at least once per year. Maybe 3 hours away is AA Bowie and that Orioles franchise hosts the Rock Cats once or twice a year. Besides that, you may be able to travel 2-4 hours to a couple Appalacian League games to watch the E-Twins... that's something I still have not done, but hope to do this year. Richmond and Bowie stadiums are pretty bland, but I certainly enjoy the AA games.