stringer bell

Agree. GMs see both the plus and minus in Suzuki. There are more positives than negatives in Zuke. If a club feels they make the postseason with him and don't without him, they will overpay.

Phil Hughes regressing.

Nice AB Trevor.

Hey, the game is on. Hello. (Crickets).

Longoria with a chance to set a Rays record.

Should be a quick game tonight. Nice play by Nunez to hold Zobrith to a single.

Nunez is a utility guy. He is swinging better than Hammer and certainly covers more ground than Willingham.

The Twins sent Chris Herrmann back to Rochester in order to make room for Danny Santana. Three players who have spent time in Rochester but weren't considered to be demoted were Chris Parmelee, Eduardo Nuñez, and Eduardo Escobar. None of the three has a locked in regular position, but all appear to have graduated to "major leaguer". Let's consider the ups and downs of all three: Parmelee was given a chance to be a regular the last two years after a nice September in 2011. He showed he could handle himself in the field, at first base in 2012 and right field last year, but he didn't hit enough to merit a position in the major leagues. Parmelee was DFAed this spring, cleared and was sent to Rochester. Chris hit well in AAA and earned a promotion in May. Parm started hot, cooled dramatically, and then had a resurgence. His numbers so far in 2014--.271 BA .304/.400./.704 triple slash. Parmelee has added left field to his resumé. He is a capable fielder in left, right and at first base. Nuñez was acquired from the Yankees when he was beaten out by ex-Twins farmhand Yangervis Solarte. He was sent to Rochester to sharpen up and stayed there when he encountered a minor injury. Nuñez is hitting .287 with an OPS of .730 in just over 100 plate appearances. He has played left, right, third and short and his glovework hasn't been toxic. Escobar was acquired from the White Sox as part of the package for Francisco Liriano. He spent almost all of 2012 in the majors, but was sent down late and again in 2013, he was sent down late in the summer and participated in the playoffs for the Red Wings. Esco has played more short than any other Twin this year. He filled in at third when Plouffe was injured and subbed for Dozier at second for about 30 innings. Escobar earned his playing time by hitting well over .300 in April and May. He slumped for about a month, but has started hitting again with four straight multiple hit games in the past week. Escobar's triple slash is .319/.407/.726 in nearly 300 plate appearances. I think all three of these players can help a good team. If the Twins augment some positions in the off-season, these three guys could be part of a very good and versatile bench. Any of the three could step in for regular duty for some time at multiple positions, they, as a group, would be capable hitters and at least acceptable fielders (more than that in Escobar's case) and their salaries wouldn't be high.

The Miracle won their division in the first half. They are in the playoffs at the end of the year. I don't think it matters much at all what kind of record they have in the second half. By all accounts, Buxton was slated to start the season in New Britain. He is playing below the level he was supposed to play. The Twins waited until he was 100% before he saw the field, so yes, he is healthy. Most of all the kid needs to play and play at the highest level against which he can succeed. He's not some guy who might be a good player. He is the number one prospect in baseball.

I think he's in NB before the month is over, if he continues to rake and has no further injuries.

Is Giancarlo Stanton "tainted" because he plays for the Marlins? My goodness, the Twins could have had ultimate winners Jeter and Rivera in place of Dozier and Perkins and it wouldn't make them a winning team. Good players are good players. Two Twins who would look much better on a winning team IMHO are Dozier and Joe Mauer, because of their more than one-dimensional games. Batting average is such a misleading statistic, especially when BB% can vary so much. Brian Dozier had a good case to be an All-Star despite his .242 average. JJ Hardy had much less of a case despite a .284 BA (.313 OBP).

Are you kidding? Purple Rain, 1999, Raspberry Beret--those are hits!

Prince could play short.

I think Terry had better pick up the phone and make some calls.

I thought he was safe. My eyes didn't deceive me.

Walk off grand slam in the ninth.

Time for a big hit.

Samsung person-male or female?

I am thinking broken finger.

Enjoyed the meet up in Mpls. Started missing games by Wednesday night.

Hiya Chief. How was your All-Star break?

Suzuki second half = regression.

I'll accept a "one bad inning" performance by Gibson.

I thought Arcia made a respectable effort for Longoria's drive. IMHO, some right fielders catch that ball, but most don't.

I thought they would review that homer.