stringer bell

I think everyone agrees that doing what is best for Buxton long-term is what is best for the Twins. There is no need to rush him back. However, there is no agreement on what is best for their top prospect. I was in the camp that believed he could have benefited from starting the season in AAA, but he was basically handed the starting job in Spring Training. Without a doubt, Buxton was thriving at Rochester, hitting for extra bases, reducing his strikeouts and playing every day. Should he have stayed in upstate New York with a lesser talent promoted? No one really knows for sure. I hope he starts almost every day for the Twins and thrives. I don't have a problem with Buxton getting an occasional day off, but wherever he's playing, he should be the principle center fielder. As for hitting him ninth, I don't think such baby steps are an issue. Batting at the top of the order adds just a bit of pressure IMHO and there is no need to subject Buck to that. It is also interesting that the Twins didn't recall Eddie Rosario. After a slow start in Rochester, he's been hitting better than Buxton. Interestingly, when Buxton left the Rochester game early yesterday (presumably to catch a plane to the west coast), Rosario moved from left to right field while Max Kepler took over center. Do the Twins not consider Rosario a center fielder at all?

Not quite fair to include Rosario and Santana in this discussion. Santana has played center out of need at the big league level and Rosario was an outfielder who the Twins experimented with as a second baseman. The young talents present make the Sano experiment tougher to understand.

OK, speaking of marginal players, I understand the love for Beresford, but he is at best a utility guy. On a team that thought it had a chance, he wouldn't be worth losing a 40-man spot to give him a shot in the majors. The Twins have 12 wins on Memorial Day weekend, so the scenario is different and maybe it is a chance to reward Beresford with some big league pay and meal money. Robby Grossman is interesting to me. How many left handed throwing switch hitters are there? I can think of a couple, but not many.

No, it is not June yet.

I think Brian Dozier is a better player now than Jorge Polanco and I think that it is pretty likely that Dozier will always be a better player than Polanco, but for the first time since Dozier emerged (three years ago), I believe that it may be time to move Dozier for a better fit on the team (Polanco). The assumption for a long time has been that soon the best two players on the team will be RH hitting youngsters Miguel Sano and Byron Buxton. I hope that day arrives some time in the second half of the year. Of the next five most established players on the Twins, four of them hit right handed (Dozier, Plouffe, Suzuki, and Park). Dozier, Plouffe and Park are all players whose power is a big portion of their value. I want to see more guys who make contact, provide speed and defense, who maybe can hit at the top of the order. The projection for Polanco fills that bill better than today's Dozier. As for playing Arcia for now and optioning Rosario, I get it. Right now Rosario is rolling a little better and Arcia is having a tough time. A week ago, the situation was reversed. Ideally, Rosario could be optioned, but until Buxton is ready, there really isn't anyone to replace Rosario, so I leave them alone for now and get both Arcia and Rosario enough at-bats. I don't think it would be a terrible idea to give Santana a day off or two, but I'm satisfied with his play in center and hitting ninth.

Buck had another good game yesterday (2-5, walk, leadoff homer and no Ks). I think he leads Rochester in BA and OPS, although he only has about 50 PAs. A month at AAA would be good for him. Buxton's development is crucial to the Twins in so many ways. If staying in AAA is the way for him to be as good as almost everyone has predicted, so be it.

Who's with me? The season turned on the fourth inning reversal of an out call at first base. The Twins will roll from here.

I do have a special sense of anticipation for Berrios to make his debut. I met him and spoke a few minutes with him in Cedar Rapids three years ago, I think. Nice young man. I also shook his hand in ST the following year. Anyway, he is the last of the golden group of prospects to make it to Minnesota. I'm sure there will be some early struggles, but the kid has a lot going for him. Best of luck to JO!

If Santana can't go, for his next start, then Duffey can stay and Polanco can return for him. I suppose the Twins could disable Duffey if he has more than a bit of soreness. Santana hasn't pitched since last Tuesday, so he would only have to miss one more start. I'd do that unless he's absolutely 100%. I still think the 40th roster spot should go to Juan Centeno, who has hit OK for Rochester and is a LH hitter. He should replace Murphy on the active roster.

Centano for Murphy? Or maybe they reach down to AA. At least whatshisname is a good receiver.

Stellar at-bat for Plouffe!

I've said it before, I'll say it again. Maybe this guy can turn into a 21st century version of the late Toni Phillips. Play a lot of positions, switch hit, steal some bases and play acceptable defense. Phillips was more of a lead off hitter than DanSan likely ever would be, because of his patience and ability to draw walks, but Danny is faster and has the arm to play shortstop.

Regarding the bullpen, my biggest gripe was keeping Fien for a role that would be better suited to a young developing reliever or (as it turns out) a guy who can on occasion go three or four innings. I have liked having May in the 'pen and think Tonkin deserves a legit shot. Pressly won a spot and Abad might be OK as a lefty arm there.

OK, where and when is Kepler going to get his chance? Comparing his situation to Rosario's is instructive, because there was a 39 and a half year old starter in right and a waiver claim starting in center. The possibilities for Rosario to get a shot were all over the place. This year, Kepler is looking at three guys--nine years out of ten Rosario's stats would have netted a team ROY, the team MVP is on the other corner, and a top five prospect in baseball is starting in center. The oldest of these guys is 24. Besides this, there are two young guys who already have experienced some success in the majors who probably would get a chance before Kepler--Santana and Arcia.

Small sample size, but Arcia is moving better and fielding his position(s) better than in seasons past amiright? Certainly, from what I've seen, Oswaldo is in better shape.

I never thought Quentin was a good good fit with the Twins. It seems like there is something left, but I don't think he'll get an opportunity with the Twins.

I'm asking those of you who have been in Fort Myers--has Centano been as impressive as I have seen? I don't know about his defense either, but he's had good ABs and hits lefty. He's gone from off the radar to the last cut,so he certainly has upped his profile.

Cuddy is 49? No wonder he retired. Actual DOB-3/27/79.

Santana played a lot of second in Winter Ball.. I don't know how much he has played the outfield corners.

This is my biggest complaint about the Sano to RF experiment. If Kepler is as good a prospect as most believe here, it doesn't make much sense to have 24-year old Eddie Rosario and 22-year old Buxton and Sano manning the outfield. First base and DH aren't optimum for Kepler and the Twins have two guys committed for the next three years at those positions anyway.

I dub this phonomena "Pelfrey'd" as in, "will the Twins be Pelfrey'd by Nolasco?"

Bullpen depth is important, who goes north in 10 days isn't that important.

It should be noted that Nolasco was facing 100% minor leaguers because the Rays' plane from Havana was delayed. In my book, the real competition begins now, in the last couple weeks of spring training. Milone has solidified his position in the rotation, while Duffey has forfeited his edge (IMHO). Duffey certainly has a chance to claim the spot while Nolasco needs to sustain good performances. The decision was made to move May and they are not going to undo that because Duffey got knocked around by some minor leaguers.

Don't count Nolasco out of the rotation. Today: 6 IP 3 H 0 R 0 ER 2 BB 7 K. The battle has been joined.

I heard Reusse discussing Quentin with Rob Antony--he has an opt-out but it isn't until something like June. Quentin can be assigned to Rochester. I believe the opt-out for Sweeney is earlier, perhaps as early as April 1, meaning he couldn't be sent to AAA without agreeing to go. I don't think it is out of the realm to suggest that Sweeney might see a chance for a recall fairly quickly if a) Buxton starts slow or Santana can't handle a utility role. I still expect the Twins to keep their out-of-options position players, but it would help them if they started to hit a little bit.