stringer bell

The PP article on Morales' signing says that he will go directly to the major league team: http://www.twincities.com/sports/ci_25919702/twins-agree-terms-switch-hitting-kendrys-morales-report Here's the part about heading directly to the majors: According to a person with direct knowledge, the Twins indeed have a deal in place with the switch-hitting Morales and his agent, Scott Boras. That deal would likely bring the Cuban defector straight to the majors, skipping a minor league rehab assignment, despite the fact that he hasn't played since the end of last season.

This year he can't hit enough to stay in the majors. Next year, if he does figure it out somewhat as a hitter, he will be supplanted by Buxton and then will have no role with the Twins.

Once upon a time, when I was young, the Twins were a team that had a lot of Cuban players. In 1961, six Cuban natives saw time on the Twins' roster, including All-Star Camilo Pascual and future MVP Zoilo Versalles. In 1962, two more Cubanos played for the Twins, one of them being Twins Hall-of-Famer Tony Oliva. All of these players left Cuba before Cuba was closed off to the US by Castro. In recent years, the Twins have had only one Cuban-born player, Livan Hernandez, who lasted less than a year as a member of the Twins' rotation. Here is a list of all Cuban-born (169) major league ballplayers: http://www.baseball-almanac.com/players/birthplace.php?loc=Cuba Here is my unofficial list of Cuban-born Twins: Julio Becquer, Leo Cardenas, Bert Cueto, Livan Hernandez, Hank Izquierdo, Marty Martinez, Tony Oliva, Camilo Pascual, Pedro Ramos, Jose Valdivielso, Sandy Valdespino, and Zoilo Versalles. All of this brings us to the Twins' newest acquisition, Kendrys Morales. He had been in the US long enough that I had forgotten that he was a Cuban defector. He would be the first position player from Cuba to play for the Twins in almost 40 years.

I was going to say exactly the same thing. Unless there is a posting before Cruz was signed by the OP saying how good a signing Cruz would be, I think that is a fair critique.

Paul, you've got it in three separate threads that Hicks is going to figure it out. He hasn't driven the ball at all for the two weeks he has been an exclusive RH batter. I don't think he will ever figure it out to a degree that his bat will play as a corner outfielder.

I think Hicks (who has an option remaining) goes down when Morales is ready. Fuld should be ready in a week, and I would guess Morales will take a little longer. Kubel serves no real purpose with Morales on the horizon and Parmelee a better defender and also able to play first base. When Fuld comes back, Kubel goes, creating a 40-man spot for Morales.

Not the most graceful inning, but no damage done.

C'mon Kyle. Need a couple more Ks.

Let's not criticize my second favorite AL team until the game is over. I remember Milwaukee down four and winning by three earlier this week.

Mauer can't get a hit when he singles!

I think it will be Morales for Kubel eventually. However, I'm sure Fuld will be ready first and he'll possibly replace Kubel because that would clear a 40-man spot for Morales. Then when Morales is ready, he'll replace Hicks.

With Arcia, Hammer and Morales, the corners are covered and so is DH. The only thing that scares me is will this mean that the Twins hold on to all their veterans all season?

Mauer is overdue for a big hit.

Wow, Wild Card here we come!

I appreciate that Dozier is trying to bring in the 3B, but he's been a lousy bunter so far this year.

At least the no-no is intact!

Looks like an April rally--HBP, E, BB--now a couple of wild pitches and a blooper...... BTW, poster Gibby, a beautiful athletic daughter. Keep the fellas away.

Two predictions on Gibson before the game gets too far along: 1) He will set a career high in strikeouts. 2) He will yield at least one home run. These Astros swing from the heels!

Get out of the first, Gibby!

Started on time I see. I predict more rain during the game than for last night's rain delay.

A lineup with Walker and Vargas would really mash, but there would be a lot of strikeouts. Add in Sano and, oh my! The would miss a lot of baseballs at the plate, but when they hit 'em!

I know there is a thread about Drew vs. Nick Burdi, but we now are presented with a choice at shortstop. Pedro Florimon is gone, banished to Rochester and Eduardo Escobar has been the Twins regular shortstop. All he has done is be capable in the field while continuing to sting the ball from both sides of the plate. Eduardo is hitting .315 with an OPS of .806, which would put him third offensively at his position, if he had enough plate appearances. Meanwhile, Danny Santana is making a case to stay in the major leagues. He hammered his first homer last night and now has an .830 OPS in 67 plate appearances. Sanatna has always been thought to be a shortstop, but has logged most of his time for the Twins in center field. Escobar has shown he is a decent defensive shortstop. His range doesn't astound anyone, but he has good hands and a strong arm. He seems to be fundamentally sound. I have to remind myself that he is still young--25--despite having logged almost two full seasons as a bench and utility player in the majors. I had always pegged Esco as a utility player, with his ability to play all over the infield, but he has definitely earned a shot to show he is an everyday player. Santana has undeniable tools. He's probably the fastest player on the team and he has a strong arm, although I'm not convinced about it's accuracy. He has, so far, looked like he belongs as a hitter. After watching him in spring training, I thought he had a long way to go to be a competent defender at short. I still believe that to be true, although he's only played 50-some innings there for the Twins. For the rest of the season, I think Escobar should have the job until he shows he can't sustain his above-average hitting. What about Santana? As long as he hits, he should not be sent down. Gardy needs to get him at-bats somehow. I wonder if he could become a real 10th regular--playing several positions and perhaps batting on the top of the order. Reusse likened Santana to Cesar Tovar and I also hearken back to Tony Phillips, who played many years without really having a position to call his own. The irony here is that the more versatile player is Escobar, but he is also IMHO the guy who deserves regular play at shortstop.

I agree on Kubel, but Parm has done himself no favors. It has been a succession of 350 foot fly balls and strikeouts. If he can't hit at this level, he doesn't belong in the majors.

I'm running for the shelter of Mother's little helper.

BTW, both of Plouffe's drives to left-center seemed to slice towards center.