Thegrin

If Hicks doesn't hit well in AAA, there is no reason to bring him back to the Twins. Thomas is doing fine (for now).

Until Thomas stops hitting and/or Hicks starts hitting, I suggest that the Twins keep Hicks in AAA and keep Thomas in CF. [TABLE] [TD=class: TSN2]Batters[/TD] [TD=class: TSN2, width: 5%, align: center]BA[/TD] [TD=class: TSN2, width: 5%, align: center]SLG[/TD] [TD=class: TSN2, width: 5%, align: center]G[/TD] [TD=class: TSN2, width: 5%, align: center]AB[/TD] [TD=class: TSN2, width: 5%, align: center]R[/TD] [TD=class: TSN2, width: 5%, align: center]H[/TD] [TD=class: TSN2, width: 5%, align: center]TB[/TD] [TD=class: TSN2, width: 5%, align: center]2B[/TD] [TD=class: TSN2, width: 5%, align: center]3B[/TD] [TD=class: TSN2, width: 5%, align: center]HR[/TD] [TD=class: TSN2, width: 5%, align: center]RBI[/TD] [TD=class: TSN2, width: 5%, align: center]BB[/TD] [TD=class: TSN2, width: 5%, align: center]SO[/TD] [TD=class: TSN2, width: 5%, align: center]SB[/TD] [TD=class: TSN2, width: 5%, align: center]CS[/TD] [TD=class: TSN2, width: 5%, align: center]E[/TD] [/TABLE] [TABLE] [TD=class: TSN1][TABLE] [TD=class: TSN1][TABLE] [TD=class: TSN1]C.Thomas[/TD] [TD=class: TSN1, width: 5%, align: center].278[/TD] [TD=class: TSN1, width: 5%, align: center].389[/TD] [TD=class: TSN1, width: 5%, align: center]16[/TD] [TD=class: TSN1, width: 5%, align: center]54[/TD] [TD=class: TSN1, width: 5%, align: center]9[/TD] [TD=class: TSN1, width: 5%, align: center]15[/TD] [TD=class: TSN1, width: 5%, align: center]21[/TD] [TD=class: TSN1, width: 5%, align: center]3[/TD] [TD=class: TSN1, width: 5%, align: center]0[/TD] [TD=class: TSN1, width: 5%, align: center]1[/TD] [TD=class: TSN1, width: 5%, align: center]4[/TD] [TD=class: TSN1, width: 5%, align: center]4[/TD] [TD=class: TSN1, width: 5%, align: center]14[/TD] [TD=class: TSN1, width: 5%, align: center]0[/TD] [TD=class: TSN1, width: 5%, align: center]1[/TD] [TD=class: TSN1, width: 5%, align: center]1[/TD] [/TABLE] I am not suggesting that Thomas is a long term solution, but Thomas is playing adequately and Hicks needs to post some solid numbers before he returns to the Twins. [/TD] [TD=class: TSN1, width: 5%, align: center][/TD] [TD=class: TSN1, width: 5%, align: center][/TD] [TD=class: TSN1, width: 5%, align: center][/TD] [TD=class: TSN1, width: 5%, align: center][/TD] [TD=class: TSN1, width: 5%, align: center][/TD] [TD=class: TSN1, width: 5%, align: center][/TD] [TD=class: TSN1, width: 5%, align: center][/TD] [TD=class: TSN1, width: 5%, align: center][/TD] [TD=class: TSN1, width: 5%, align: center][/TD] [TD=class: TSN1, width: 5%, align: center][/TD] [TD=class: TSN1, width: 5%, align: center][/TD] [TD=class: TSN1, width: 5%, align: center][/TD] [TD=class: TSN1, width: 5%, align: center][/TD] [TD=class: TSN1, width: 5%, align: center][/TD] [TD=class: TSN1, width: 5%, align: center][/TD] [TD=class: TSN1, width: 5%, align: center][/TD] [/TABLE] [/TD] [TD=class: TSN1, width: 5%, align: center][/TD] [TD=class: TSN1, width: 5%, align: center][/TD] [TD=class: TSN1, width: 5%, align: center][/TD] [TD=class: TSN1, width: 5%, align: center][/TD] [TD=class: TSN1, width: 5%, align: center][/TD] [TD=class: TSN1, width: 5%, align: center][/TD] [TD=class: TSN1, width: 5%, align: center][/TD] [TD=class: TSN1, width: 5%, align: center][/TD] [TD=class: TSN1, width: 5%, align: center][/TD] [TD=class: TSN1, width: 5%, align: center][/TD] [TD=class: TSN1, width: 5%, align: center][/TD] [TD=class: TSN1, width: 5%, align: center][/TD] [TD=class: TSN1, width: 5%, align: center][/TD] [TD=class: TSN1, width: 5%, align: center][/TD] [TD=class: TSN1, width: 5%, align: center][/TD] [TD=class: TSN1, width: 5%, align: center][/TD] [/TABLE] [TABLE] [TD=class: TSN1][/TD] [TD=class: TSN1, width: 5%, align: center][/TD] [TD=class: TSN1, width: 5%, align: center][/TD] [TD=class: TSN1, width: 5%, align: center][/TD] [TD=class: TSN1, width: 5%, align: center][/TD] [TD=class: TSN1, width: 5%, align: center][/TD] [TD=class: TSN1, width: 5%, align: center][/TD] [TD=class: TSN1, width: 5%, align: center][/TD] [TD=class: TSN1, width: 5%, align: center][/TD] [TD=class: TSN1, width: 5%, align: center][/TD] [TD=class: TSN1, width: 5%, align: center][/TD] [TD=class: TSN1, width: 5%, align: center][/TD] [TD=class: TSN1, width: 5%, align: center][/TD] [TD=class: TSN1, width: 5%, align: center][/TD] [TD=class: TSN1, width: 5%, align: center][/TD] [TD=class: TSN1, width: 5%, align: center][/TD] [TD=class: TSN1, width: 5%, align: center][/TD] [/TABLE]

Until Thomas stops hitting and/or Hicks starts hitting, I suggest that the Twins keep Hicks in AAA and keep Thomas in CF. [TABLE] [TD=class: TSN2]Batters[/TD] [TD=class: TSN2, width: 5%, align: center]BA[/TD] [TD=class: TSN2, width: 5%, align: center]SLG[/TD] [TD=class: TSN2, width: 5%, align: center]G[/TD] [TD=class: TSN2, width: 5%, align: center]AB[/TD] [TD=class: TSN2, width: 5%, align: center]R[/TD] [TD=class: TSN2, width: 5%, align: center]H[/TD] [TD=class: TSN2, width: 5%, align: center]TB[/TD] [TD=class: TSN2, width: 5%, align: center]2B[/TD] [TD=class: TSN2, width: 5%, align: center]3B[/TD] [TD=class: TSN2, width: 5%, align: center]HR[/TD] [TD=class: TSN2, width: 5%, align: center]RBI[/TD] [TD=class: TSN2, width: 5%, align: center]BB[/TD] [TD=class: TSN2, width: 5%, align: center]SO[/TD] [TD=class: TSN2, width: 5%, align: center]SB[/TD] [TD=class: TSN2, width: 5%, align: center]CS[/TD] [TD=class: TSN2, width: 5%, align: center]E[/TD] [/TABLE] [TABLE] [TD=class: TSN1][TABLE] [TD=class: TSN1][TABLE] [TD=class: TSN1]C.Thomas[/TD] [TD=class: TSN1, width: 5%, align: center].278[/TD] [TD=class: TSN1, width: 5%, align: center].389[/TD] [TD=class: TSN1, width: 5%, align: center]16[/TD] [TD=class: TSN1, width: 5%, align: center]54[/TD] [TD=class: TSN1, width: 5%, align: center]9[/TD] [TD=class: TSN1, width: 5%, align: center]15[/TD] [TD=class: TSN1, width: 5%, align: center]21[/TD] [TD=class: TSN1, width: 5%, align: center]3[/TD] [TD=class: TSN1, width: 5%, align: center]0[/TD] [TD=class: TSN1, width: 5%, align: center]1[/TD] [TD=class: TSN1, width: 5%, align: center]4[/TD] [TD=class: TSN1, width: 5%, align: center]4[/TD] [TD=class: TSN1, width: 5%, align: center]14[/TD] [TD=class: TSN1, width: 5%, align: center]0[/TD] [TD=class: TSN1, width: 5%, align: center]1[/TD] [TD=class: TSN1, width: 5%, align: center]1[/TD] [/TABLE] I am not suggesting that Thomas is a long term solution, but Thomas is playing adequately and Hicks needs to post some solid numbers before he returns to the Twins. [/TD] [TD=class: TSN1, width: 5%, align: center][/TD] [TD=class: TSN1, width: 5%, align: center][/TD] [TD=class: TSN1, width: 5%, align: center][/TD] [TD=class: TSN1, width: 5%, align: center][/TD] [TD=class: TSN1, width: 5%, align: center][/TD] [TD=class: TSN1, width: 5%, align: center][/TD] [TD=class: TSN1, width: 5%, align: center][/TD] [TD=class: TSN1, width: 5%, align: center][/TD] [TD=class: TSN1, width: 5%, align: center][/TD] [TD=class: TSN1, width: 5%, align: center][/TD] [TD=class: TSN1, width: 5%, align: center][/TD] [TD=class: TSN1, width: 5%, align: center][/TD] [TD=class: TSN1, width: 5%, align: center][/TD] [TD=class: TSN1, width: 5%, align: center][/TD] [TD=class: TSN1, width: 5%, align: center][/TD] [TD=class: TSN1, width: 5%, align: center][/TD] [/TABLE] [/TD] [TD=class: TSN1, width: 5%, align: center][/TD] [TD=class: TSN1, width: 5%, align: center][/TD] [TD=class: TSN1, width: 5%, align: center][/TD] [TD=class: TSN1, width: 5%, align: center][/TD] [TD=class: TSN1, width: 5%, align: center][/TD] [TD=class: TSN1, width: 5%, align: center][/TD] [TD=class: TSN1, width: 5%, align: center][/TD] [TD=class: TSN1, width: 5%, align: center][/TD] [TD=class: TSN1, width: 5%, align: center][/TD] [TD=class: TSN1, width: 5%, align: center][/TD] [TD=class: TSN1, width: 5%, align: center][/TD] [TD=class: TSN1, width: 5%, align: center][/TD] [TD=class: TSN1, width: 5%, align: center][/TD] [TD=class: TSN1, width: 5%, align: center][/TD] [TD=class: TSN1, width: 5%, align: center][/TD] [TD=class: TSN1, width: 5%, align: center][/TD] [/TABLE] [TABLE] [TD=class: TSN1][/TD] [TD=class: TSN1, width: 5%, align: center][/TD] [TD=class: TSN1, width: 5%, align: center][/TD] [TD=class: TSN1, width: 5%, align: center][/TD] [TD=class: TSN1, width: 5%, align: center][/TD] [TD=class: TSN1, width: 5%, align: center][/TD] [TD=class: TSN1, width: 5%, align: center][/TD] [TD=class: TSN1, width: 5%, align: center][/TD] [TD=class: TSN1, width: 5%, align: center][/TD] [TD=class: TSN1, width: 5%, align: center][/TD] [TD=class: TSN1, width: 5%, align: center][/TD] [TD=class: TSN1, width: 5%, align: center][/TD] [TD=class: TSN1, width: 5%, align: center][/TD] [TD=class: TSN1, width: 5%, align: center][/TD] [TD=class: TSN1, width: 5%, align: center][/TD] [TD=class: TSN1, width: 5%, align: center][/TD] [TD=class: TSN1, width: 5%, align: center][/TD] [/TABLE]

He'll be able to pitch again on Friday. I hope it is for the Twins. Scoreboard | Rochester Red Wings Scoreboard

He'll be able to pitch again on Friday. I hope it is for the Twins. Scoreboard | Rochester Red Wings Scoreboard

Rochester Red Wings 2013 Thurs April 4 Player IP H R ER BB SO HR ERA P.J. Walters (L, 0-1) 4.0 9 5 5 1 1 0 11.25 Caleb Thielbar 1.0 3 2 2 1 1 1 18.00 Bruce Pugh 2.0 4 2 2 1 1 0 9.00 Daniel Turpen 0.2 0 3 3 2 1 0 40.50 Luis Perdomo 0.1 1 0 0 0 0 0 0.00 Totals 8.0 17 12 12 5 4 1 13.50 Pitches-strikes: Walters 68-44, Thielbar 30-17, Pugh 34-18, Turpen 22-8, Perdomo 3-2 Fri April 5 Player IP H R ER BB SO HR ERA Kyle Gibson 5.0 4 1 1 0 4 0 1.80 Michael O'Connor(BS, 1) 2.0 3 1 1 0 1 0 4.50 Anthony Slama (L, 0-1) 1.0 1 1 1 0 0 1 9.00 Totals 8.0 8 3 3 0 5 1 8.44 Pitches-strikes: Gibson 78-46, O'Connor 31-22, Slama 15-9 Sat April 6 Player IP H R ER BB SO HR ERA Shairon Martis (L, 0-1) 3.0 4 2 2 4 1 1 6.00 Bruce Pugh 0.1 3 2 2 0 0 0 15.43 Caleb Thielbar 2.2 3 2 2 0 4 0 9.82 Luis Perdomo 1.1 4 2 2 2 0 0 10.80 Daniel Turpen 1.2 2 1 1 2 2 0 15.43 Totals 9.0 16 9 9 8 7 1 8.64 Pitches-strikes: Martis 69-29, Pugh 17-12, Thielbar 39-26, Perdomo 36-19, Turpen 34-19. Sun April 7 Player IP H R ER BB SO HR ERA Virgil Vasquez(W, 1-0) 6.0 8 4 4 0 0 4 6.00 Michael O'Connor 2.0 2 1 1 1 3 0 4.50 Anthony Slama 1.0 0 0 0 1 1 0 4.50 Totals 9.0 10 5 5 2 4 4 7.68 Pitches-strikes: Vasquez, V 84-56, O'Connor 40-26, Slama 15-10. Team W L ERA G CG SHO SV IP H R ER HR HB BB SO WHIP HLD GF Rochester 1 3 7.68 4 0 0 0 34.0 51 29 29 7 1 15 20 1.94 0 4 - - - - -

Rochester Red Wings 2013 Thurs April 4 Player IP H R ER BB SO HR ERA P.J. Walters (L, 0-1) 4.0 9 5 5 1 1 0 11.25 Caleb Thielbar 1.0 3 2 2 1 1 1 18.00 Bruce Pugh 2.0 4 2 2 1 1 0 9.00 Daniel Turpen 0.2 0 3 3 2 1 0 40.50 Luis Perdomo 0.1 1 0 0 0 0 0 0.00 Totals 8.0 17 12 12 5 4 1 13.50 Pitches-strikes: Walters 68-44, Thielbar 30-17, Pugh 34-18, Turpen 22-8, Perdomo 3-2 Fri April 5 Player IP H R ER BB SO HR ERA Kyle Gibson 5.0 4 1 1 0 4 0 1.80 Michael O'Connor(BS, 1) 2.0 3 1 1 0 1 0 4.50 Anthony Slama (L, 0-1) 1.0 1 1 1 0 0 1 9.00 Totals 8.0 8 3 3 0 5 1 8.44 Pitches-strikes: Gibson 78-46, O'Connor 31-22, Slama 15-9 Sat April 6 Player IP H R ER BB SO HR ERA Shairon Martis (L, 0-1) 3.0 4 2 2 4 1 1 6.00 Bruce Pugh 0.1 3 2 2 0 0 0 15.43 Caleb Thielbar 2.2 3 2 2 0 4 0 9.82 Luis Perdomo 1.1 4 2 2 2 0 0 10.80 Daniel Turpen 1.2 2 1 1 2 2 0 15.43 Totals 9.0 16 9 9 8 7 1 8.64 Pitches-strikes: Martis 69-29, Pugh 17-12, Thielbar 39-26, Perdomo 36-19, Turpen 34-19. Sun April 7 Player IP H R ER BB SO HR ERA Virgil Vasquez(W, 1-0) 6.0 8 4 4 0 0 4 6.00 Michael O'Connor 2.0 2 1 1 1 3 0 4.50 Anthony Slama 1.0 0 0 0 1 1 0 4.50 Totals 9.0 10 5 5 2 4 4 7.68 Pitches-strikes: Vasquez, V 84-56, O'Connor 40-26, Slama 15-10. Team W L ERA G CG SHO SV IP H R ER HR HB BB SO WHIP HLD GF Rochester 1 3 7.68 4 0 0 0 34.0 51 29 29 7 1 15 20 1.94 0 4 - - - - -

I don't have to look at stats to know that I cringe, whenever a ball is hit toward 3rd base. I don't have to belong to SABR to know that Florimon did not field like an elite shortstop. I do not have to be an elitest to fear for Aaron Hick's mental health after a month of facing major league pitching. I am old enough to remember Willie Mays in his rookie year. I know that players do not always produce as advertised...but sometimes they do. That is called hope.

We all have seen pitchers that seemed to have difficulty in Spring Training, find their stuff once the season starts. We've see players hit for high average and then can't hit above .200 in real games. If we go by Spring Training results so far, the starting rotation would be: Sam Deduno Cole DeVries PJ Walters Liam Hendriks ahead of Worley, Pelfrey & Correia. Wouldn't that be a wonderment.

We all have seen pitchers that seemed to have difficulty in Spring Training, find their stuff once the season starts. We've see players hit for high average and then can't hit above .200 in real games. If we go by Spring Training results so far, the starting rotation would be: Sam Deduno Cole DeVries PJ Walters Liam Hendriks ahead of Worley, Pelfrey & Correia. Wouldn't that be a wonderment.

2013 Twins Starters Predictions These predictions are based only on my gut feelings. I post these here now Worley - Will be fighting to recover from surgery. will largely be ineffective Pelfrey - Will be fighting to recover from surgery. will largely be ineffective Correia - A waste of money and time Diamond - Will be fighting to recover from surgery. will largely be ineffective. May be a 1 year wonder Diduno - The ace of the staff. May win 15+ games Devries - Solid and unspectacular Hendriks- Surprises and improves as the season progresses. Gibson - Has an inconsistent year in AAA. Walters - Forced into the rotation and gives a steady performance. Perez - Surprisingly effective when pressed into the rotation. Swarzak - Sometimes effective. Sometimes not. Duensing- Forced into the rotation. Becomes a left handed force. Final starting 5 Diduno Devries Duensing Walters Perez

2013 Twins Starters Predictions These predictions are based only on my gut feelings. I post these here now Worley - Will be fighting to recover from surgery. will largely be ineffective Pelfrey - Will be fighting to recover from surgery. will largely be ineffective Correia - A waste of money and time Diamond - Will be fighting to recover from surgery. will largely be ineffective. May be a 1 year wonder Diduno - The ace of the staff. May win 15+ games Devries - Solid and unspectacular Hendriks- Surprises and improves as the season progresses. Gibson - Has an inconsistent year in AAA. Walters - Forced into the rotation and gives a steady performance. Perez - Surprisingly effective when pressed into the rotation. Swarzak - Sometimes effective. Sometimes not. Duensing- Forced into the rotation. Becomes a left handed force. Final starting 5 Diduno Devries Duensing Walters Perez

You must be Youking ! adding Youkilis means we are going to give up on Plouffe. That is not the way to make long term improvements to the Twins. What if Plouffe had not hurt his hand ? What kind of hitter would he be ? That is what the Twins must find out. You propose to spend a lot of money on an iffy proposition, without giving Plouffe the chance to prove his value. Are you related to Bill Smith ?

This is the story by Joe Christensen: http://www.startribune.com/sports/twins/blogs/170887251.html

This is the story by Joe Christensen: http://www.startribune.com/sports/twins/blogs/170887251.html

IF Liriano had pitched like we know he can ... IF Baker had not been hurt and pitched like the Baker we know ... IF Pavano had not been hurt and was the innings eater he was in 2010 ... IF Blackburn had recovered his touch ... IF Slowey had been the pitcher we thought he was ... We would win the pennant this year and maybe even last year, Instead we have 5 minor league starting pitchers and only one came up though the Twins organization. (not counting De Vries) Gardenhire Anderson & Terry Ryan have done a great job keeping things interesting. Thanks to the Twins organization and don't listen to the boo birds.

IF Liriano had pitched like we know he can ... IF Baker had not been hurt and pitched like the Baker we know ... IF Pavano had not been hurt and was the innings eater he was in 2010 ... IF Blackburn had recovered his touch ... IF Slowey had been the pitcher we thought he was ... We would win the pennant this year and maybe even last year, Instead we have 5 minor league starting pitchers and only one came up though the Twins organization. (not counting De Vries) Gardenhire Anderson & Terry Ryan have done a great job keeping things interesting. Thanks to the Twins organization and don't listen to the boo birds.

How about Doumit LF, Hammer CF and Parm RF ?? wouldn't that be fun on a windy sunny day.

With the emergence of Chris Parmelee as a Major League quality hitter, someone recently commented that the Twins could easily fit 7 players into 6 positions. So I tested the theory. If nobody is traded, the Twins have 7 players to use in 6 positions. Mauer C, 1b, DH Doumit C, LF RF DH Morneau 1b, DH Willingham LF,RF,DH Span CF,RF,LF Revere LF, CF, RF Parmelee LF, RF DH -------- Lineup 1 Maurer C Doumit DH Morneau 1b Willingham LF Span CF Revere RF Bench - Parmelee ============== Lineup 2 Doumit C Mauer 1b Willingham DH Span CF Revere RF or LF Parmelee LF or RF Bench Morneau ============= Lineup 3 Mauer C Morneau 1b Willingham DH Span CF Revere RF or LF Parmelee LF or RF Bench Doumit ============ Lineup 4 Doumit C Morneau 1b Mauer DH Span CF Revere RF or LF Parmelee LF or RF Bench Willingham ============= Lineup 5 Doumit C Morneau 1b Willingham DH Span CF Revere RF or LF Parmelee LF or RF Bench Mauer ============= Lineup 6 Mauer C Morneau 1b Doumit DH Willingham LF Span CF Parmelee RF Bench Revere ============== Lineup 7 Mauer C Morneau 1b Doumit DH Willingham LF Revere CF Parmelee RF Bench Span =============== Also Parmelee can play 1b while Morneau plays DH while Willingham, Span, Revere play the outfield. There are other ways to do this, but it is easy enough to give all 7 players regular playing time. Given the fact that strains, twists, bumps, bruises and outright injuries will occur thoughout the year, Twins fans should not worry about giving all 7 players enough at bats.

With the emergence of Chris Parmelee as a Major League quality hitter, someone recently commented that the Twins could easily fit 7 players into 6 positions. So I tested the theory. If nobody is traded, the Twins have 7 players to use in 6 positions. Mauer C, 1b, DH Doumit C, LF RF DH Morneau 1b, DH Willingham LF,RF,DH Span CF,RF,LF Revere LF, CF, RF Parmelee LF, RF DH -------- Lineup 1 Maurer C Doumit DH Morneau 1b Willingham LF Span CF Revere RF Bench - Parmelee ============== Lineup 2 Doumit C Mauer 1b Willingham DH Span CF Revere RF or LF Parmelee LF or RF Bench Morneau ============= Lineup 3 Mauer C Morneau 1b Willingham DH Span CF Revere RF or LF Parmelee LF or RF Bench Doumit ============ Lineup 4 Doumit C Morneau 1b Mauer DH Span CF Revere RF or LF Parmelee LF or RF Bench Willingham ============= Lineup 5 Doumit C Morneau 1b Willingham DH Span CF Revere RF or LF Parmelee LF or RF Bench Mauer ============= Lineup 6 Mauer C Morneau 1b Doumit DH Willingham LF Span CF Parmelee RF Bench Revere ============== Lineup 7 Mauer C Morneau 1b Doumit DH Willingham LF Revere CF Parmelee RF Bench Span =============== Also Parmelee can play 1b while Morneau plays DH while Willingham, Span, Revere play the outfield. There are other ways to do this, but it is easy enough to give all 7 players regular playing time. Given the fact that strains, twists, bumps, bruises and outright injuries will occur thoughout the year, Twins fans should not worry about giving all 7 players enough at bats.