VodkaDave

Hughes also has issues staying healthy which is another reason why he has never really been viewed as a starter. He certainly has some raw power, but to be honest he seems to strike out quite a bit when he faces good major league pitching. He's not exactly a AAAA type guy, just more or less a guy who is nice to have in the organization because he won't kill you if you have to start him for a week or two. In August and Sept last year Hughes played nearly every day. (35 of the final 39 games, 29 of those games he started) [TABLE=class: sortable stats_table] [TR=class: hl] [TD=align: right][TABLE=class: sortable stats_table] [TR=class: hl] [TD=align: right]He put up a rather unimpressive line of [/TD] [TD=align: right][/TD] [TD=align: right][/TD] [TD=align: right].206/.277/.374 but did have 4 HR, Hughes struck out way to much though (over 25%) I just don't see him ever being an every day guy for this organization. [/TD] [/TR] [/TABLE] [/TD] [TD=align: right][/TD] [TD=align: right].[/TD] [/TR] [/TABLE]

Plouffe is a better player and has a much higher upside/chance to be a contributor on the major league team then Hughes. I don't understand why people are so shocked? I think Hughes has a chance to be a decent bench player for a couple years, but for whatever reason he seems to be one of the more over-rated players Twins amongst fans.

False (apparently I have to use at least 10 letters for a post, so this is what this is)

That is the worst thing I have ever seen on the internet. And I have visited Lemonparty numerous times.

As mediocre as Willingham may be, he will look like Willie Mays compared to Delmon. Revere will get plenty of starts as well, and will most likely play the 7th/8th/9th in the OF when the Twins have the lead. However, Doumit is not a good Right Fielder, you bring up his career UZR/150 but if you look year by year all the positive numbers came from 2007 (5 seasons ago) Doumit is now on the wrong side of 30, and UZR was very unkind to him the last time he played RF back in 2010. At this point him and Cuddyer are probably a wash. He also isn't very good at first base, which means 95% of Doumits value this year will have to come from his bat and his ability to play catcher. OF defense will more or less be close to the same as last year (unless Revere and/or Benson become the regular starter), that is not a good thing. Everyone is going to need to pick it up a bit defensively this year or else this contact staff will suffer again. I have more faith in Plouffe and Parmelee holding down a decent RF if it came down to it. We should know within the first 2-3 weeks which guy looks "the best" out there.

Best of luck man, tickets are going fast and have been increasing in price, been monitoring for the past couple weeks and finally snagged a couple today that were put up somewhat cheap ($99 each for section 17)

Exactly what "Quality" did they not include in the bullpen this year? They basically brought north 7 of the best "ML Ready" arms they had currently. Gray sucks, but will be sent down as soon as Baker/Marquis is back. If Hendrix produces he will be given a spot pretty quickly.

Real fans goto the actual game. Posers

I would be interested to see the data on the pitches, if it was the split finger he is trying to develop I wouldn't be super concerned, if it was a 89 MPH fastball down the middle of the plate, it could be a looonnng year.

There is no possible way that is really you.

95 games at catcher 25 at 1st base 5 at 3rd base 15 at DH

I'm not sure who is full of **** more: Hunter or Heyman, both are blowhards. Hunter likes to take shots at anyone whenever he can. Lest he forgets he was a huge reason why we lost the 1. 2002 ALCS and the 2006 ALDS with that super sweet dive against the A's.

I think any trade conversation begins at a minimum with Profar and an arm (top 3-6 in org) for Morneau.

As Seth hinted in his post earlier today, it's HIGHLY likely that one of Baker/Marquis won't be on the team opening day due to outside circumstances. Hendriks is a clear choice to be called up, but I doubt the Twins want to bring him north just for a single spot start. Looking over the waiver wire for professional veterans one name jumps out as a potential spot starter and someone who could actually stick as a very solid #5, even better: Gardy and company are familiar with him as he posted a 23-16 record and a 3.84 in a two year stretch for this team before, the man I am speaking about of course is Carlos Silva who is primed for a legitimate comeback at the still somewhat young age of 32. Silva was misguidedly let go by the Red Sox recently, and was unfairly viewed as a scape goat in Seattle and Chicago, a trip back to Minnesota I believe would do the trick. At the very least you have a solid #4/#5 who can fill in for the first few weeks, at best perhaps he could get back to his old Twins self and post a sub 3.90 ERA and become a 200 IP #3 type pitcher, this would allow the Twins to have the flexibility to trade either Pavano or Baker at the deadline. In addition,Silva would bring a little fire to the team and a different attitude which could help out the clubhouse which recently has been viewed as complacent. Also, last year there were reports were that Mauer was 40 lbs under his playing weight, a silver lining in bringing back Carlos is that Silva could bring back "Taco Bell Tuesday" in the club house and make sure our #1 catcher eats plenty of Nachos Bell Grandes to keep his playing weight where it should be. He can be had for the minimum, why not take a chance on Silva? These are the type of Low Risk, High Reward signings that Bill Smith basically avoided which led to his downfall.

Morneau- .285/.340/.485 22 HR 90 RBI 135 Games Played- Will over achieve bc nobody expects much of anything out of the Canadian Blackburn- 190 IP 3.90 ERA- Will turn into a decent 4th pitcher for them this year.

I heard Al Newman is looking for work as well. Also, Gates played 2nd GENIUS.

Carroll best signing of the off season in all of baseball? Wow. Just. Wow.

He's due, and check out his spring line, the guy would do fantastic in this lineup, and once again look at the people he'd be replacing. Plus the veteran leadership could help the malcontents on the team like Valencia, Alexi and Span.

In addition I think DeRosa would provide some excellent veteran presence and could even see him taking over coaching duties from Gardy when it was all said and done. Still think he has plenty of years left of playing though, Ideally you give him 80 games at SS 20 at 3B 30 at 2B 15 in the OF and 15 or so at DH .900 or so OPS with 20-25 HR would do wonders for this lineup, plus he could help get Valencia to actually mature a bit and not be such a clubhouse issue.

[TABLE=class: stats_table data_grid] [TR=class: odd] [TD=class: dg-avg active].385[/TD] [TD=class: dg-obp].556[/TD] [TD=class: dg-slg].538[/TD] [TD=class: dg-ops]thus far in Spring Training, I'd prefer to just bring him in and cut Carroll altogether. [/TD] [/TR] [/TABLE]

DeRosa would be a significantly better option for SS

Why not take a chance on DeRosa this year? Could provide solid stability as a back up 3rd baseman and possible starting SS/2B if one of Carroll or Alexi fail. I'm thinking a trade of Towles and Guerra for him would get it done?