stringer bell

If only looking at offense, I would agree. I saw Santana play a couple of times and he was really bad, dropping balls, booting balls etc. What I saw wasn't major league defense, but I think it was closer to Gulf Coast League defense than Triple A defense. Santana hasn't been an outstanding hitter either, but it looks like he could make a big jump in that category. I will continue to be concerned about his defense until he proves otherwise.

It is a small point, but isn't Colabello only an emergency OF? I'd rather see Escobar or Bartlett out there than see Colabello try to play RF. CC has played a lot of 1B this spring and has made quite a few nice plays, but my memories of his "D" in RF from last year would be categorized as "Doumitlike".

As Hughes tired a bit, the O hitters were elevating more balls, but he was definitely too tough for most of their hitters. Hughes throws hard, the curveball looked good yesterday, and he even threw a few cut fastballs. I listened to the minor league players not in uniform watching and they were impressed with Hughes stuff and his contract.

Nice outing for Gibson through four. He's facing a pretty good lineup and holding them down pretty well.

They have more than that I think. I liked what I saw of Gilmartin and Johnson, particularly Johnson. They also have Darnell and Raley. I saw Darnell on the minor league side (no opinion) and didn't see Raley. In my book, some of these guys are better than De Vries, Walters, Vazquez etc. that they threw out last year. Yes, Worley is a goner for the rotation, but there are plenty of 5th starters to take his place.

Always liked Lexi. He still holds the Twins' record for stolen base percentage (single year) and he became a sure-handed, sometimes acrobatic 2B. Just couldn't hit enough.

Presley might get some starts at a corner with Arcia/Hamer then DHing. If Parmelee makes the club, he could be starting at a corner sometimes, relegating Osvaldo or Hammer to DH.

Position player fights are ongoing this spring. The Twins could carry a hit-first guy, a versatile third catcher, a veteran utility guy or an out-of-options 1b/OF as their last two or three position players. There are a lot of guys named Chris and Jason competing for these spots. Chris I (Colabello) has hit well this spring. He is a RH hitter with power limited basically to being a DH/PH/1B. Chris II (Parmelee) is a 1b/RF, who played surprisingly well in right last year. He is a #1 Draft Choice, who hit very well in a September call-up in 2011, but has disappointed since. Chris III (Herrmann) is a backup catcher candidate. He got a cup of coffee in 2012 and then added 180 plate appearances in the lost season of 2013. He hasn't hit much at the big league level (57 OPS+), but is having a nice spring and is a versatile player who hits left handed. On to the Jasons. Bartlett has had almost two years off with injury. He is a former All-Star, trying to hook on as a back-up. So far, he's had an 0-fer spring. Kubel, another ex-Twin, faded badly in the second half of 2012 and was terrible in 2013. So far he's been ineffective as a hitter for the Twins in spring training. I think that the Jasons lose these battle. Both are older ex-Twins who just don't look like their old selves. Sad to say, time marches on, right now it looks like the Chris guys make the team and the Jasons go home or to Rochester, NY.

Pinto's competition for a roster spot appears to be Chris Herrmann and only Chris Herrmann. Herrmann is a LH batting catcher who can capably cover a corner OF spot and he has worked out a bit at first base, as well. I mentioned Herrmann as a 25th man candidate and think he still figures in there, besides competing with Pinto for backup duties. IMHO, Herrmann hits like a backup catcher at best and as a receiver, he's nothing special. That skill set equates to "hanger on" at the MLB level, with little or no job security. However, Herrmann has had a nice spring, he hits lefty while Pinto and Suzuki are right handers, and there's that versatility. Would the Twins consider going with Herrmann as Suzuki's only backup? Should they?

This is the most veteran rotation the Twins have put together in some time Nolasco (31, 7.8 yrs), Correia (33, 9 yrs.), Phil Hughes (27, 6.7 yrs.) and Mike Pelfrey (30, 6.8 yrs.) are the locks for the rotation. Two other contenders are Diamond (27) and Deduno (30). I don't really see the need for a veteran catcher. That said, having Suzuki as a backup plan and mentor for Pinto makes sense. I, too, want Pinto to catch more games than Suzuki this year. I'll continue to support Gardy about not using his second catcher as a DH. Not so much because of the catastrophic scenario, but because it limits hitting and running for two guys who often should be hit or run for.

I was behind the screen when several guys threw. The velo was there for anyone to see. May looked terrific for two innings, but couldn't get through the third. Correia was consistently at 89 with his FB.

I have been in Fort Myers since last Tuesday. I have seen four Twins games and a large amount of minor league games plus a full allotment of drills and BP. Today was the first day when the weather was subpar, and coming from the frozen north, the sunshine and warmth were much appreciated. The major league talent held few surprises. The Twins will field a team of position players who, as a group, are weak-hitting, lack power and speed, and aren't that good defensively. The pitching staff would be classed as "hittable" and lacking in power arms. Sure there is hope, but in order for the game to contend, they'll have to roll a lot of sevens. On the minor league side, there is a lot of exciting talent in addition to top prospects Buxton and Sano. There is a multitude of hard-throwing pitchers. There are several big strong hitters like D. Hicks, Vargas and Walker and a lot of speed. Watching Danny Santana run out a triple today was exciting. Better days are ahead for the Twins. I met two members of the Twins Daily community. "Madre Dos" is the house mother for many of the Latino E-Town Twins. She provided my brother and I with some perspective of what those young men go through. I think every baseball fan should hear her stories and better understand the challenges these young men face in rookie ball. I also met moderator Chi-Town Twins Fan. Chi-Town and I are from the same area and roughly of the same generation, so it was good to compare notes. My brother and I will check out the minor leaguers tomorrow before we head back. He's the big guy with a scooter. We would enjoy meeting a couple more TD regulars and I know Halsey and Thrylos were near us today. Maybe you guys can convince me you're right about who to keep on the 25-man roster!

D Romero could replace Colabello if CC flounders (and makes the team).

Costello and Parmelee are not mirror images in one respect--Parmelee is an acceptable outfielder, Colabello is not.

Damon auto correct! It should be MAUER and JASONS

My projections for the roster have changed. I had Mastro and Fryer on the team and neither made it. Unless the Twins pick up an outfielder capable of playing center, Hicks has again won the job in spring training. Colabello is perhaps the only guy who has played his way onto the team, and I am quite skeptical of him having success when the games count. Kubel, Bartlett and Presley seem to have blown opportunities here. I have Presley as the fourth OF and the Jason's off the team. Parmelee seems to be a redundant piece, probably getting some starts against RH pitching, but having no real role. Do the Twins want the versatile LH batting Herrmann or do they go with Pinto? I'm going with Herrmann, even though I want Pinto. On the pitching side, there are many settled jobs--the first four in the rotation and Swarzak and the back of the bullpen are set. I think Deduno has earned a trip north. The easiest answer would be to make Deduno the fifth starter and stash Diamond and Worley in the 'pen at the expense of Tonkin, Thielbar and Pressly. I think Gibson is the key. I think he pushes Deduno to the bullpen and Diamond to DFAland. Here's my new Roster 3.0--Pitchers (12) Nolasco, Correia, Hughes, Pelfry, Gibson, Deduno, Swarzak, Worley, Fien, Duensing, Burton, Perkins. Catchers (2) Suzuki, Herrmann. Infield (6) Maher, Dozier, Florimon, Plouffe, Escobar, Colabello. Outfield (5) Willingham, Hicks, Arcia, Presley, Parmelee.

I've said it before and I'll say it again, I have real doubt that Hicks has enough bat to be a regular corner outfielder. If Buxton progresses as expected, Hicks becomes a high-value trade chip, assuming that he proves to be a capable starting center fielder.

OK, OK haven't we had this debate? According to WAR, P-Flo (had to use that nickname) was a positive player fueled by really good defense. While I doubt he will be part of the long-term future, he will be fine on a rebuilding team.

Winnah! Nice to meet Chitown at the game. Pretty good pitching and a sharper performance in the field. The sun is also great for middle-aged aches and pains.

I disagree a bit. I think this is about Hicks' development. What is best for Hicks' development is best for the Twins long-term. I think a short time in Rochester will benefit Hicks and the Twins.

Great stuff Thrylos! I saw quite a bit of the action. I will echo the comment about Berrios. He looked too good for the opponents. I didn't realize how hard he was throwing.

Spring training numbers mean very little. Hicks' 2013 spring should be a good example of that. Presley performed adequately last September and that pretty much provides him a roster spot and the inside track to starting the season as the starter in center. He hasn't closed the deal, but no one else has either.

While I do agree with your assessment of Hicks, it isn't fair to say that he was overmatched at AAA. He was injured and then didn't get that many plate appearances. If memory serves, he played well in the playoffs, as well.

I think Deduno has all but earned a spot, but that Gibson can force him to the 'pen.

I think Hammer and Plouffe should be the principle DHs against lefties. If Colabello makes the team, he's the logical choice.