Badsmerf

Sano is 21 and could probably hit 30 HR's with the Twins. Why not bring him up now instead of wasting 2+ more years in the minors? Player development is more than age and plug and play. Its fun to think prospects will produce at levels they are expected to, but its just not that simple. A lot goes into these decisions that we can't tell from box scores, scouting write-ups and blogs from beat writers. So if he starts in the minors (I'm guessing he will) his arm wont be going to waste. He still might have 10 years of good ball ahead of him, why compromise his development because he's going to get a late start on him MLB career? Had he not been injured he would have seen the Twins 2 years ago, this is what happens when you have a major surgery. Patience. There is no rush right now.

Why does this keep coming up? If Hicks starts with the Twins his service clock starts. By waiting 1 month... just 1... the Twins earn an extra year of control. If he starts with the Twins they will be idiots! It doesn't matter if he is the best CF in the league. It is a terrible business decision to bring him north right away and JR has to know it. fairweather, besides a year of control, the Twins also will get to see if Hicks can handle the next level. Hicks has struggled every level he's moved up, why is this (the absolute biggest jump in his career) going to be different? Why would Gibson start in the pen? What benefit does a guy coming off TJ have going to the pen to start the year after he's already thrown 100 innings? Answer: none. Gibson needs to start and will probably start in AAA to build into the season. Starting him with the Twins based on ST numbers is asinine. The Twins know better than that. Historically the Twins have been conservative with prospects and players and I expect nothing less this season.

I think there is a good chance the Cubs take Appel. I didn't even think about that.

Play CF bat lead-off duh.

Welcome to the board brother.

Why? I don't understand the TK love...

He can still come up in Sept and not be added to the 40 man. I think he has a few people to jump like Hermsen before he gets a shot. It all depends on how the year goes. If we have a repeat of 2012 it isn't too far fetched to see him get a call. I hope he doesn't, that would mean the Twins starters are doing what they are supposed to do.

Love Red-dog. I really hoped he'd come back to MN and join the staff in some way. I hope he does well in Miami. I will be pulling for him.

Those numbers are not fair to Parmelee. He saw sporadic playing time and played out of position for the first time in years. It was very much a topic of contention with how Gardy handled him while we was up. Another young player that Gardy mishandled IMO. Obviously he went on to succeed as a whole on the season and hopefully in the scheme of things it wont be a big deal. Just adds to my ire against Gardy.

Invalid. These are two completely different players other than the ability to play elite CF. Offensively, they are nothing alike. Torii has and always will be a free swinger. Hicks has much better plate discipline and SB potential. While Hunter developed into a pretty good basestealer, it is more a reflection of his baseball IQ and personality as a no-holds-barred type of player. I'm really not convinced about Hicks's power potential. Torii developed his as he grew into his frame, its yet to be seen if Hicks will do the same. I'm not convinced about Hicks hitting in the least. He is terrible against RHP and strikes out too much. Hunter wasn't a sure thing either, but he also reached the majors at 22 and didn't post his best numbers until he was 33 in Anaheim. Also, he OPS'd 1.130 in 209 AB's as a 24 yo in AAA. You can't predict or expect a player to develop from a career .751 OPS in the minors to a career .801 OPS in the majors. It just doesn't happen very often which is why Torii is so special. Hicks currently has a career .801 OPS in the minors (helped by his lucky 2012 season and BABIP of .379 which is waaaay high). If you'd like I'm sure people can throw out much more reasonable comparisons... except they will be ones that struggled to hit and OPS as well as they did in the minors. I am much more skeptical of Hicks than most, so I've found this thread fun to read.

With regards to this thread, I think it has been pretty civil. With as large as TD is, there is going to be quarrels. As long as it doesn't get too messy why interject? Discussions like this are how people learn the intricacies of this sport. I don't think anyone has purposefully tried to attack another with no tact. I realize that this site was not set-up to be rube-chat, but at the same time it is an internet forum and must be policed carefully.

I'm excited to see his results this season. I think we will really get a picture of what we got with him. Its near impossible to throw out stat lines since the jump in levels is pretty significant. I'm hoping for a .900 OPS with 20 SB lol. That would be fun.

3 wheels on the bus

Ben, I don't hate against all country music. Zac Brown is pretty good. Problem is with what they play on the stations. I'd listen to it a lot more if they played better music.

I laughed at little at that.

No need. He doesn't hit well enough to justify it. Twins already have Mastro in that role.

I'm so glad we got Mays back! He was awesome when he played for us before! Staff Ace for sure! !! !!!

Define..... meaningful.

The problem isn't just strike-outs, he has a contact and plate discipline issue. You also have to take BABIP into account. The higher the strike-outs the lower his average is going to go. He isn't really a ground ball hitter so whenever you elevate the ball your BABIP is going to be lower. He has to strike-out less and take better AB's to make it, there is no way around it. His floor is going to be a 4th OF since his defense is excellent, but we're all hoping he is more. I would take a .270 AVG from him with 20+ HR's at LF or RF any day.

Lot of 90's myself. I can't get over Rolling Stone when they rolled out the best songs ever by decade how low the 90's were. It must be a generation thing. I also like new Dupstep, new alternative rock like Chevelle, Lil Wayne, Drake is alright... I am a fan of new artists that actually put something into their work. I've trended away... far away from country music. I just can't listen to the garbage they play. Some new stuff is good, but I think I've just become too high strung to enjoy *someone complaining about their life*. *disclaimer- not intended to discriminate or offend against country music or anyone that listens to country music

I'm on the Benson train. I just hope he can find a resemblance of plate discipline. That is his biggest obstacle. He will always be somewhat of a free swinger... Torii Hunter comes to mind with less defense and more power. That would be pretty nice in LF or RF for the future of this team.

In my opinion, the Twins are in a pretty good situation to at least compete in 2014 and maybe flirt with .500 with some breaks this season. They don't have any horrible contracts, they have talent spread through the minor leagues, they have talent on the MLB roster, they have money to spend on a FA.... they can win again in 2014. I'm pissed about JR not even making an attempt at the MI, but you couldn't ask for a much better place to rebuild... now. I'm saying this with the additions of Maysie and Myersie. Without them the future is less clear. They still need to hit on #4 in June, but at least there is hope for the near future now. Yes, the MI is in distress right now. Yes, something has to be done to fix it. And yes, the Twins can win despite this. Luckily, the Twins have guys that can at least field the position now, which is more than they could say a few years back. I expect Santana to be close by the end of the year and maybe sooner with injuries/ineptitude. I feel like many are writing Dozier off right now. I only expect him to be a stop-gap until (crosses fingers) Rosario comes up and takes it over. Even then he should still have value as a utility guy that can hit a little bit. Never thought seeing Punto on the roster would be an upgrade... man I hated that guy. Point is, its one thing to be pissed about the Twins not caring enough to sign quality guys for the 2013 team, but its another to suggest they are 3-4 years away from contending. One last thing for the blow-it-up crowd. This rarely works. Even the best prospects fail. When you look at trades like the Santana trade... just makes you sick. Standing pat is sometimes the best option. I almost guarantee JR wouldn't have made that trade and just let Santana walk. Prospects are a gamble, regardless of how highly touted they are... you just never know.

I disagree. With one of the high profile college pitchers being drafted at #4, they could potential climb the ladder very quickly and see the Twins by the end of the year. Remember, with the new rules players have to sign earlier. For example, if the Twins get Appel he might be sent to A+ or AA right away. So the Twins could potentially have a legit starting rotation in 2014... They still need a SS and 2b (maybe 3b too, jury is still out) so its not like there isn't question marks. Just sayin I wouldn't be so quick to write them off for that long.

I hope that wasn't in some of the parts I glazed over. Sorry, just can't read about the ineptitude of the Cubs and Astros. The Twins are doing fine. You can't blow a team up that should be around a 100 m payroll and expect to keep your fan base. I can live with them cutting payroll for a few years if they go over when they expect to contend.