stringer bell

I would say it is a long shot that Hicks will start 2014 with the Twins, winter ball or not. He will need to make his case for recall from Rochester. If he earns a recall, Presley fits nicely as a fourth outfielder and perhaps partial platoon partner for Hicks. Hicks is much younger and has a bunch more upside than Presley, but Presley is a far better placeholder than Clete Thomas.

I'd quibble with your designation of Diamond--he was 5-0 with a low 2 ERA, I think he earned his recall. De Vries earned a spot in the rotation this spring and after rehabbing, he has pitched very well. I'm hardly a fan, but De Vries was pretty effective last year and as stated, has pitched very well since his rehab.

Players who spent less that the whole season with the Twins. Here is where they stand going forward when looking at arbitration and free agency. Darin Mastroianni--Gets a full year of service time. He will have one year plus 149 days meaning he would be eligible to be a Super 2 after the 2014 season, but not eligible for free agency until 2018. Scott Diamond--With his option, he will have one year plus 161 days. Presuming he stays in the majors going forward, he will be in the same situation as Mastroianni. Caleb Thielbar & Oswaldo Arcia--both accumulated over 120 days. If they stay in the majors, they would be eligible for Super 2 in two years, but have six more years before free agency. Samuel Deduno & Chris Parmelee--Now have approximately 1 year + 100 days. Wouldn't be eligible for Super 2 next year and five more years to free agency. Clete Thomas--Now over two years service time. In the unlikely event he stays in the majors going forward, he'll be arb eligible in one year and eligible for free agency in four years. Pinto, Albers, Herrmann, Kyle Gibson, Tonkin, Colabello, Bernier, and Pedro Hernandez--None have accumulated enough time to get Super 2 status two years from now. So all would need three years of service to get arbitration and six more for free agency. Aaron Hicks--With his 124 days of service, if he spends no more time in the minors, he would be eligible for Super 2 in two years. However, just a week on option would put him below the threshold. Vance Worley--He is over 2 years, but won't be eligible for Super 2. Not eligible for free agency until 2017. Eduardo Escobar--He is at one year, 127 days. If he stays in the majors, he will most likely be eligible for Super 2 after 2014. If he spends three weeks in the minors, he would not be eligible for Super 2.

It was rehab, but I think Plouffe played a couple games with the Red Wings.

I am surprised they recalled so many guys. I guess you can't have too many catchers, but five? I know, I know, Mauer and Doumit won't catch much or at all the rest of the year. Martis? He was finishing games for the Red Wings, but with one of De Vries, Hernandez, and Diamond going to the bullpen (my pick is Hernandez), there's really no need to add anyone else besides Tonkin. Parmelee didn't hit much in Rochester and didn't start the last two playoff games. While he wasn't the biggest failure on the Twins this year, it looks to me like he blew his last clear opportunity--things happen and if you hang around you might get another shot--but I just don't think the Twins will clear a spot for him again. The Twins probably won't admit it, but Escobar will be under team control for another year--I'm sure that factored into their decision to send him down and keep him down. I have said this before and I'll keep saying it--I can't get excited to see players so lacking in power that outfields cheat in like the hitter is a Little Leaguer and Beresford fits that mold.

Good job posters! Over 125 posts on a Sunday in September!

Do I have this right, he had a 77 yard touchdown run but finished with less than 100 yards?

Hey, they should be partying all around Soldier Field after the da' Bares latest conquest.

No room on the 40-man for Richardson or Romero. BTW, neither Parm didn't start the last two games and Romero was the DH, so I don't think Glynn was regarding either too highly.

I'm starting to fear that Gardy won't get to 1000 wins.

Just got that one in. Way to go Burton!

I'll repeat the prediction that a lead off single will result eventually in breaking the scoreless tie.

The Toronto manager is giving Bert cover by saying he shouldn't have run. I want to know why the Twins weren't holding him. It was 7-1, not 14-3, and it was only the 7th (8th?) inning. Plenty of time for the Twins to rally, if they were so inclined.

With nobody out and a ball hit in front of Florimon, I wasn't going to second guess Vavra, but that may be the story of the game. Jeez, this club is terrible with runners in scoring position.

It cost a base there, but Florimon made the right play to come home. That was a sure DP otherwise and if Pedro doesn't come home, it is a runner on third and two outs.

Flori-moan! C'mon Dick, quit calling for the bunt. A hit is far better than a bunt. Yes! It happened!

Season over for the Red Wings. Shut out 3-0 by Pawtucket. We shall see who is recalled to help the Twins for the last three weeks.

He needs to improve contact to stay in the major leagues.

He's named Darcy, isn't that enough?

Nope. And with a GDP yet. BTW, there is the huge advantage of being a left handed pitcher. You can bet Goins would have stolen second after the leadoff hit against a righty.

Michael Bourn, Jose Reyes, Chone Figgins--how many more "speed" guys are good free agent signings? I also reference this in regards to signing Jacoby Ellsbury.

I fear the scoreless tie will not last through this half inning.

Tutorial for Twins' starters: It is permitted, even encouraged, to get a hitter to swing and miss with two strikes or to not swing and allow a pitch to be caught by the catcher that passed through the strike zone.

After watching the stuff that Albers is succeeding with, there has to be a very fine line between success and failure in major league baseball.

Mark De Rosa with two bloop singles, somewhere Vodka Dave is smiling.