jokin

There's a reason every writer "writing stuff" forgets his name. Mediocrity. What is there about his MLB slash of (admittedly SSS) .189/.268/.297/.565 and AAA slash of .227/.297/.312/.609. that leads anyone to "remember" that he's "pretty darn good?" "Verssatile" mediocrity isn't all that valuable, but hey, it gives Gardy his beloved 3rd catcher, so I guess another roster spot has been determined. While this move is a wasted roster spot in my mind, on the bright side, it gives Pinto a chance to try out for the RH DH role. This move, plus Hermann playing some 1B in ST, has to cause some sleepless nights for both Colabello and Parmelee.

Opted out in Boston. This seems like one former Twin who would make an excellent candidate for a return to the club on a minor league deal. The LHP pitched in some bad luck last year- leading to a poor ERA, but he still had a FIP around 3.0 and a K/9 at nearly 10.0, with a low BB/9, which is a marked improvement from his last time in Minnesota. Why not sign him to a minor league deal with an opt-out date of June 1? This would give the club time to sort out what they intend to do with their current left-handed arms like Diamond, Duensing, etc. Probably at least as good a shot as signing Guerrier, as Mijares is still only 29.

Barring rainouts, they will need a 5th starter on April 6, April 20 and April 26. Gibson building up his frequent flyer miles?

12 pitchers you say? Scary times for Gardy. Scarier times still, for Pressly, Tonkin and T-Bar (maybe only 1 of 3 makes it, with Diamond as an RP?). Meanwhile, hope in the wind with 13 position players, for: Parmelee/Bartlett (both have now actually played some CF in ST, Gardy loves multiple utility guys), Hermann/Pinto, Hicks/Presley. 3 of 5 should make the bench joining Escobar, plus one of the two CF's being the starter. Did Bartlett's CF "Say Hey Kid" catch the other day cinch him the back-up role in CF? He's now played every non-battery position this spring except 1B and Groundscrewman. It's apparently still not known for sure if Bartlett has an opt-out on March 31. After trading Morneau to get Presley, it seems unlikely they would DFA him, no matter how uninspiring his play has been. I think they try to send Parmelee through waivers.

That lineup sounds about the best they could field to start out the season (but would they risk batting a rookie like Pinto so high in the order after last year's experience?). And speaking of last year, Hicks is apparently back in the doghouse for missing a sign (meaning Presley by default), Suzuki is already the starting C (in which case, does Pinto make the team playing only 2 days a week?) and Florimon is the starting SS, while Kubel is the DH (at least aganst RHSP), so I'm guessing they won't use your lineup much starting out, until something, or someone, gives.

Thanks for your honest reporting about Florimon. Was his game in the field against the Braves just a mirage? He looked out of synch in the field on those 2 botched plays to his left and of course, just brutal at the plate. (And correct me if I'm wrong, but it looked like Trevor Plouffe had been instructed to cover more ground to Florimon's right, as well, I don't think I've ever seen him go that far to his left before at 3B). In the meantime, Escobar hits a homer today and appears he's already got his hitting "going here" (.314 BA/.820 OPS). Why not just give Florimon a week of Extended ST if that's what it's going to take to "get him going here?"

I don't get the inpatience on Meyer. Most of his peripherals were at the top of the EL last year. His FIP ended up #3 for those over 70 innings, and that included some bad starts when he was throwing with the sore shoulder. He put up better or comparable numbers alongside some other highly rated guys like Tallon and Barnes. And on the question of his injury and durability, he successfully answered doubters with a strong performance in the AFL. Tall pitchers take longer to put their mechanics together. Randy Johnson debuted at age 24 with 4 games in September, but didn't fully establish himself until his 3rd year in MLB, and after the Expos had dumped him to the Mariners. I'm not saying he will be the next Randy Johnson or closely match his numbers, but he can throw it up to 100 MPH. How huge would it be to have our own big unit throwing 200 innings every year to age 40, even if he only starts doing it age 26? Assuming all goes well in Rochester and with a possible inning limitation, I hope the Twins give him an early look this year, either in the pen, or to replace a starter. May in my (still optimistic) mind, is no better than 50-50 to make it as a back-end starter. But his stuff and physical frame translates well if he can somehow get the control issues down. He has a better chance to be an effective RP- I think this year will be the fork in the road for his eventual career trajectory. Improving in Roc. on last year's meh numbers gives him an outside shot at the departed Correia's spot in 2015. But if he ends up in the pen, even as a valuable reliever, the trade has to be regarded as a miss. With that said, it's hard to fault the Twins for taking a shot at making a desperately needed pitching upgrade. (My only criticism of the Twins FO would be the "evaluation issues" from the other end of the deal- ie, despite his obvious track record suggesting difficult learning curve issues- in leaving poor Aaron Hicks to be embarassingly exposed last April as a real-time case study for the phrase: "They Shoot Horses Don't They?" ).

Hey, as often as we are both on the same page, I'm buying! (But not Manny's or Murray's or Ruth's Chris..... Best Steak House for the Lunch Special? Why not? Do they have a bus to Target Field?)

I'll take "something called" Samuel Deduno to pick up those here and there spot starts over the likes of who they trotted out last year, Pedro Hernandez, or this year's other likely emergency guys, Swarzak or Duensing, until of course, Deduno sustains his annual injury. By which time, I am hoping that Meyer is more than ready to claim a rotation spot.

A certain manager is still experimenting and has Suzuki hitting #2 just in front of Mauer in the lineup today against the Yankees, again:confused:. I actually wouldn't mind seeing a lineup with Mauer leading off, with Hicks and Santana (when they're finally deemed "ready') hitting just in front of him at 8 and 9.

This is Trevor's Super 2 year, as he has just a little over 2 years of service time. BR is correct, he has 3 more years past 2014 of team control.

I'm with you and Halsey on this one, and have been since Hicks flopped in the leadoff role last April. In answer to your second question, see the response to Halsey's inquiry for further guidance. At this point in time of Spring Training, who offers better protection behind Mauer- Dozier or Willingham? Close to a Hobson's Choice- but I'd lean towards Dozier. And who hasn't had a demo yet this spring for the spot in front of Mauer? They've even given some recent reps to Kurt Suzuki, Jason Kubel, and today, Jason Bartlett in the 2-spot. Kind of a cluster any which way you look at it. And as much as one would be tempted to give Hicks another shot at leading off, it would seem prudent to slow-play that thought, given what happened a year ago. The "safe" choice (prediction, not my personal choice) for opening day is the likely order of Presley, Dozier, Mauer, Willingham, Kubel/Arcia, Plouffe, Kubel/Arcia, Suzuki, Florimon. If Hicks makes it, I think everyone moves up one spot in the order and they insert Hicks in the 8-spot.

True that. But then again, that's the point of having him already stretched out and ready to grab the reins of a SP role when/if the inevitable happens. As much as the SP's have been upgraded overall, it's still probably a fairly reasonable shot that one of the 5 sustains an injury or falters with a couple of consecutive clinkers between now and Meyer time. It would be comforting to know that someone capable, when fully healthy, of dominating in the short-term is less than a phone call away, already throwing to major leaguers.

Possible answer to the dilemma? Randy Johnson was coming back from a season-long injury back in the late 90s with the Mariners. It was only 6 games or so (one against the Twins), but Johnson was a game-changer in a role coming in in relief and dominating 3-4 middle innings in close games. Deduno is definitely a very good pitcher his first time or so through a lineup- no reason he couldn't try out that role for potentially up to twice a week or so. Most of Swarzak's long relief innings are in low-leverage situations. I think Deduno might be able to handle a slightly heavier load than that.

And new problems created?

So says the master of pithy schadenfreude:s-bluecap: (Hurts so good, Snepp)

Good one, Halsey.

What do you make of this? Is LEN3 now on the naughty list, or just his source for bad timing? I have long thought that Diamond ends up in the pen, it sounds like you're hearing the same type of thing down there, too?

I was against trading Revere without a decent backup plan for Hicks. Having said that, the trade was fairly logical, getting a cost-controlled guy with some proven SP chops, on a potential bounce-back year. One year later, with the benefit of hinsdight, it's difficult to fathom that Vanimal was the opening day starter and started 3 of the first 10 games last year. And good point about the meat of the argument. Revere for RP May is not a good trade. But I am still very optimistic that Gene Glynn and AAA coaching staff turns the light on for May- as he has for many of his starters under his tenure- to elevate his peripheral stat-game to major-league-ready SP. And May's stuff is well ahead of what Glynn has had to work with in the recent past. (Don't know if Glynn can do anything to salvage Worley).

Yep. He needs to be "less than a phone call away".

I think you nailed it. Barring some unlikely trade for RPs like Burton and Duensing, guys with options like Pressly and T-Bar are likely to get sent in favor of Deduno, and maybe even Diamond.

I fully agree that it would be awesome to see Meyer kick the doors down. But what about trading Correia before the deadline? Doesn't a move to the pen diminish what ever (any?) value he might get in return?

Whither "old dimension" Burton? Trade bait, as well?

How did Mr. Everywhere look in RF for his late-inning appearance? (Had to be better than Arcia, who misplayed yet another fly ball early on- I can understand why you wanted to keep your article to "four thoughts" only, Nick. It's going to suck to be a fly ball pitcher with both Willy and Arcia out there at the same time.) Sounds like Diamond is looking to hang on as the second lefty RP on the major league roster? They haven't even given Deduno a chance to go beyond 3 innings. Worley is obviously turned himself into a non-factor for consideration. Is it Gibson by default? To this point, no one has seen that one coming.

Supe-UTIL "Bart-ie" gets another hit and another new position (RF) to play tonight. Further building Gardy's case for getting some say-so? Here are his most recent comments on Bartlett after his spectacular center-field catch Tuesday night: Anyone still betting against Bartlett and some "Gardy say-so" going his way by March 31?