jokin

Is it too early to take credit for Pedro-domination?

Antoan Richardson starting for Rochester in CF and leading off tonight. Missed the announcement?

Let me help here, RB. "Know when you see him, Nothing can free him. Step aside, open wide, It's the loner."

Just quoting his current ERA. I like him too, particularly as a lefty option- most likely in a relief role, but his last 2 starts have ballooned his numbers.

You're playing chess on a checkers thread, Chief.

And think about how much more interesting they'd be if they had gone after pitchers one or two levels below Grienke and Sanchez and not 5 levels, bargain basement, lower.

Sickels is a believer, but is tempered enough to be willing to wait another month or so for a promotion to Fort Myers. Sounds like he is pleased with the Twins coaching staff in the adjustments they've made to his power swing, but that Buxton still has some work to do with pitch selection and bat speed. I am still very optimistic that he can get an extended call-up in 2014 and ready to go in 2015. Excerpt Prospect Report: Byron Buxton, OF, Minnesota Twins - Minor League Ball : "I knew he was fast, with at least 70-speed, but he still took me by surprise. In the first inning, he hit a routine ground ball to the third baseman. It was a normal play, the third baseman made a normal scoop and made a normal, on-time, on target throw to first base. Buxton beat the throw for a single; I literally said "holy ****" out loud. There are reports that he's been timed at 3.70 down the first base line and I completely believe it. He's almost as fast as Cincinnati Reds prospect Billy Hamilton." Money quote: "There is a lot of speculation about when the Twins should move Buxton up to High-A. Based on what I saw Wednesday, he still has a few things to learn in the Midwest League. The Twins usually don't rush their prospects, and I don't see the harm in leaving him in Cedar Rapids for another month or so. Overall, although it wasn't one of his best games, I came away from the Quad Cities very impressed with Buxton. He's the real deal and clearly one of the best prospects in the game. I was a bit cautious with his ranking on my initial Top 150 Prospects for 2013 back in March, ranking him 37th. I'd jump him up at least 25 spots right now and probably more, into the Top 10. As other players graduate off the list, Buxton will likely be in the Top Five."

1) Who says you can't keep trotting out plus 5+ ERA starters? Did you forget about 2011 and 2012? 2) Oh ye of little faith, RB! I think you neglected to take into account the "team that traded you effect." Look for Pedro to put in a decent performance tonight!

With the high (soon to be prohibitive???) cost of quality Starting Pitching, it seems inevitable that schemes such as this will become more commonplace.

Is Schmoe an innings eater and do the Twins scouts say he's better than his numbers?

Putting things in perspective on how bad things are going for the 2 reverse batting champs: Adam Dunn 2013 BA: .137 Aaron Hicks 2013 BA: .137 All Pitchers 2013 BA: .121

Move Arcia (or the hottest bat) behind Morneau, should help alleviate the protection problem. The #4 and #5 spots in the order have been awful for the Twins. #'s 6, 7 and 9 batting positions for the Twins are among league best. I hope Gardy consults his "Cybermetric Master" on this topic and see what he "spits out." To be fair, Plouffe's current OPS is .737 and it's zoomed up to .833 in May. The MLB average for OPS for 3B is only .724. He's the perfect hot-streak/cold-streak type of hitter that is a candidate for bouncing around in the batting order dependent on how he's currently swinging.

Dickey would not have gone to the Jays if they hadn't had the extended contract worked out in advance, that's what was meant by "de facto FA". $16M was exactly what I was referring to as a losing team willing to take a chance at getting better. Some might argue that the number was even excessive. But of course, that wasn't the point. I did flag your post, well done, sir.

The puffs of smoke actually were coming from 1 Twins Way--- Since they did virtually nothing else in January and February but defend their offseason December signings. Oh wait, they did make one more move, they signed the proven "fully healthy and ready to start" Perez in February behind the scenes.

Player in question was leading the league in batting in 2012 before suspension, bats leadoff for Jays, the other also starts and given long-term commitment. And you ignored RA Dickey, who was a de facto Free Agent who they extended 3 years for $41M. Flagged for unnecessary rudeness.

...Cola on Line 3...

We're # 4:jump:! We're # 4:s-instagib:! (.........From the bottom, and Milwaukee and Toronto will soon pass us at this rate, thank goodness for the Astros:s-bluecap:)

You are spot on concerning Morneau. I dream of the days sometime in 2013-14 when the Twins sign either McCann (The Braves are catcher-rich with good, cheap players, Gattis/Laird) or Buck, move Mauer to 3rd/PT C and call up Sano to play 1st. I know, I know, only a dream...

Interesting comments. Is Polanco beginning to also change perceptions by eclipsing Harrison? I'd certainly like to envision Walker as a RHB Big Papi. He's still got a ways to go, hope the Twins stay with him and push him to stay in good physical shape and hit better against the breaking ball. I have a feeling those are going to be his primary impediments as he moves up in the system.

He'll be 19.5 on the same day as the Midwest All-Star game in June. Good point, his frame will definitely fill out nicely. Given all the skills in his tool box, I'll be more than happy to trade some of that raw speed for even more raw power.

LEN3 stated this evening, citing Tom Kelly, the old curmudgeon himself, not one to throw idle compliments about, who said that Byron Buxton is the fastest player he's ever seen. When asked to qualify, that characterization included faster than Revere, Guzman and Wilson. Confirms what Sickels recently had to say about Buxton's Plate-to-First speed being "unreal".

Would be another great "story" player for Rochester. The guy's a character, a native Bahamian drafted 4 different times since 2001. Sadly, at his small size, and with multiple guys vying for CF time in Rochester, he seems destined to being not a AAAA player, but a AAAAA one.

Hate to say it, but he's due for some regression. The curious slump and the K rate are a bit alarming and his BABIP is totally unsustainable at around .435, some 85+ points higher than his career BABIP and 70 points higher than in 2012. On a positive note, his more frequent doubles are coming on fly balls and line drives and not ground balls. LD% and FB% are at career highs and his GB% is at a career low. He will need to improve his BB% and K% numbers or he will see a drop off in his BA and OBP at some point- perhaps his SLG will not drop and he can end up around .500, second only to his 2009 year in that category.

Is the Josh Burris experimental promotion going to be put back on hold?