Thrylos

PJ Walters Sam Deduno Cole DeVries Darryl Tompson Maybe PJ Walters but I do not see any of the others. I do like Deduno & DeVriesbut not as starters

Who do I want to replace Scott Baker: Kevin Slowey Who will replace Scott Baker: Liam Hendriks and/or Anthony Swarzak

Because several people asked, I posted the answer to the question of what a Flexor Pronotor Tendon is and what it looks like and how it is related to the UCL. I was going to repost the whole thing here, but I decided to just link to it, because the picture on my post is graphic (i.e. open human elbow showing those things) and might not be suitable for dinner or weaker stomachs. So if you care and can stand anatomy, the post is here

I hope that: a. Terry Ryan fires the Twins' medical staff that misdiagnosed and mistreated Baker's elbow situation last summer (if fixed then, he would be back now) and b. Hendriks really watches what he eats for the rest of the season c. with the insurance $ he will be getting for Baker, he is trying to find at least one pen arm out there

Revere (LF) 6 games ago. (Game 161 of 2011 season).

I would always attribute any collective team issues or percieved issues (like 'lack of heart') to the manager. If there is an issue he is responsible to solve it as a leader. If he cannot solve it, some one else can.

If this team is about to win 74-78, they better have a huge "For SALE" sign out there and start listening to offers for pretty much everyone who is over the league minimum (and to some of them - Valencia) at this point and start rebuilding. Span might bring a nice haul back if he does not get exposed much this season...

This was originally published at The Tenth Inning Stretch --- Here is this week's installment: The opening day was a bummer but featured somewhat a comeback, for which I was thankful. Still the Twins lost, which is not good. My thoughts as I was watching that game are here. The second game debacle did not put me in a great mood and the third game was the cherry on top. At least there were a couple of bright points: Swarzak's performance on short notice, Jamey Carroll's defense, Frankie Liriano's first inning. Glen Perkins and Brian Duensing have done a remarkable job when called upon. The home opener yesterday afternoon was pretty interesting, until the manager of the millennium per habit, left Blackburn in a batter or 2 too many. After 4 games the Twins as a team are hitting a collective Buteraesque: .165/.252/.240 and only Josh Willingham (1.390/239 OPS+) and Justin Morneau (.829/149 OPS+) have OPS higher than league average The Twins are 14th in the AL in OPS and Runs Scored, 12th in ERA, 10th in WHIP and Runs allowed/game and 11th in Runs Allowed so far. But the Defense has improved: They are 8th (and above league average) for Defensive Efficiency and tied for 4th for Total Fielding Runs above average. I would not be surprised to see Mr Brunansky as the hitting coach soon Scary thought: Matt Maloney might be part of the Twins' rotation in 2013. Apparently with all the issues Scott Baker had in Spring Training, his first MRI was after his failed start with the Miracle last week. I hope that Terry Ryan who has been blowing hot air about accountability explains that Ken Rosenthal wrote this incredible story about the bike accident of Reese Marquis and her healing. A MUST read, especially if you have kids. You might understand what Jason Marquis was going through. Looks like the Twins jumped up a few spots on these and these pre-opening day power rankings From the cannot make it up department: Matt Capps' middle name is "Dicus" (No K). I swear. Look it up. Twins' middle infield prospect with the Beloit Snappers AJ Pettersen Is trying to explain the art of choosing a walkout song. R.A. Dickey's Wherever I Wind Up: My Quest for Truth, Authenticity and the Perfect Knuckleballhttp://www.assoc-amazon.com/e/ir?t=biowriters&l=as2&o=1&a=0399158154 is great. A must read feel good story from a former Twins' pitcher. The Twins' product of the week, is the MLB Men's Minnesota Twins Arch Classic Long Sleeve Full Zip Hooded Fleece, in Athletic Navyhttp://www.assoc-amazon.com/e/ir?t=biowriters&l=as2&o=1&a=B004YIY3N4. You cannot beat the price and I picked one for myself to wear at my local ballpark. The parting shot today is of Mr Nicholas Blackburn. He was alright in the home opener, until Gardenhire left him in a couple batters too long: http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7069/7064953867_71872c52f7_o.jpg

This was originally published at The Tenth Inning Stretch --- Here is this week's installment: The opening day was a bummer but featured somewhat a comeback, for which I was thankful. Still the Twins lost, which is not good. My thoughts as I was watching that game are here. The second game debacle did not put me in a great mood and the third game was the cherry on top. At least there were a couple of bright points: Swarzak's performance on short notice, Jamey Carroll's defense, Frankie Liriano's first inning. Glen Perkins and Brian Duensing have done a remarkable job when called upon. The home opener yesterday afternoon was pretty interesting, until the manager of the millennium per habit, left Blackburn in a batter or 2 too many. After 4 games the Twins as a team are hitting a collective Buteraesque: .165/.252/.240 and only Josh Willingham (1.390/239 OPS+) and Justin Morneau (.829/149 OPS+) have OPS higher than league average The Twins are 14th in the AL in OPS and Runs Scored, 12th in ERA, 10th in WHIP and Runs allowed/game and 11th in Runs Allowed so far. But the Defense has improved: They are 8th (and above league average) for Defensive Efficiency and tied for 4th for Total Fielding Runs above average. I would not be surprised to see Mr Brunansky as the hitting coach soon Scary thought: Matt Maloney might be part of the Twins' rotation in 2013. Apparently with all the issues Scott Baker had in Spring Training, his first MRI was after his failed start with the Miracle last week. I hope that Terry Ryan who has been blowing hot air about accountability explains that Ken Rosenthal wrote this incredible story about the bike accident of Reese Marquis and her healing. A MUST read, especially if you have kids. You might understand what Jason Marquis was going through. Looks like the Twins jumped up a few spots on these and these pre-opening day power rankings From the cannot make it up department: Matt Capps' middle name is "Dicus" (No K). I swear. Look it up. Twins' middle infield prospect with the Beloit Snappers AJ Pettersen Is trying to explain the art of choosing a walkout song. R.A. Dickey's Wherever I Wind Up: My Quest for Truth, Authenticity and the Perfect Knuckleballhttp://www.assoc-amazon.com/e/ir?t=biowriters&l=as2&o=1&a=0399158154 is great. A must read feel good story from a former Twins' pitcher. The Twins' product of the week, is the MLB Men's Minnesota Twins Arch Classic Long Sleeve Full Zip Hooded Fleece, in Athletic Navyhttp://www.assoc-amazon.com/e/ir?t=biowriters&l=as2&o=1&a=B004YIY3N4. You cannot beat the price and I picked one for myself to wear at my local ballpark. The parting shot today is of Mr Nicholas Blackburn. He was alright in the home opener, until Gardenhire left him in a couple batters too long: http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7069/7064953867_71872c52f7_o.jpg

I want to Twins to win. Also when they don't I want them to look and analyse the reasons why they didn't win and make changes that will allow them to win. If they do not do that (or if they have low expectations/complacency i.e. it is ok to win the division every other year or so and be blown out at the post-season) I criticize. I just want them to win.

A little food for thought for the ones who are mentioning Dozier's Spring Training performance: Alexi Casilla (and Luke Hughes) out-played him this spring.

I think that at this point it is more likely for the AAA hitting coach to come North than Dozier.

I think that data helps always. Look here first: Look at 2005 and 2006 vs the rest (not 2012 which is just few innings). The major differences are in the %contact (Frankie v1 missed more bats than Frankie v2) and Swinging Strike %. Frankie V1 had more swinging strikes than Frankie v2. Second piece of data here: Frankie V1 averaged a 94-95 mph FB and an 87-88 mph slider. Frankie v2 does not have that velocity. Will he regain it? We will see. But I think that there is enough data to show why Frankie was successful in 2005/6 and why less succesful later

Let's not forget, that the Royals took 2 out of 3 at the Angels' home. The Twins should at least keep up pace there

Cliff Lee, Prince Fielder, Everyone with a Detroit, White Sox, Cleveland or KC uniform. Take your pick

VodkaDave meet roger

I know Seth will probably have one of those up soon in a lot of detail but if you wonder: Rochester lost to Buffalo 3-5. (Nishioka still has to get a hit btw) with a Casey Fien meltdown. Manship pitched 3+ good innings and Rene Rivera hit a HR All other leagues were idle because of the Holiday

The one reason I heard was that they could not pay both LeCroy and Ortiz and they decided to go with LeCroy. On the other hand (and I am opening a can of worms) LeCroy is White and Ortiz Black Latino. Not sure how much that had to do with it, but the (post-MacPhail) Twins do not have (let's say) a great record of signing and extending many minorities or going above and beyond to keep them...

Thas has not been the 10-best years of the franchise. The years between 87-and the strike would be it. (if we are talking about the Twins' part of the Franchise because the Senators had some pretty incredible runs in the late teens and in the 30s)

For fairness' sake it was Kelly and Ryan who got rid of Papi. Ryan was quoted to say that he did not have the $ to keep both LeCroy and Ortiz and he chose LeCroy.

It's these 3 games that they looked really really bad, plus the whole last season, plus the GM (who built this 2012 squad) openly saying that he is concerned about the 'pen... The Red Sox did their changes last off-season for much less reasons.

I gave the figures of AAA pay and the reference that had it. Median is around $50K. Not that your neighbour's kid could not be making $2200 a month, esp if that $2200 a month are net pay after taxes, insurance etc. and he just got promoted and has only 2-3 years in pro ball.

I had very similar thoughts as well... I saw Martin pitch at Fort Meyers last week and he was just, for a luck of better word to describe, goofy. Both his pitching and his demeanor. I think that he is a nice kid and stuff, but I just don't see him stick long (on the other hand players like Gardenhire and Cates were around for long, so...)

$25 was $20 till a few years ago. Plus free hotel (shared) room

Positive and realistic sometimes are not the same, unfortunately. As far as the original question goes: I think that Gardy is already on the hot seat and if the Twins do not make the post-season (given the dismal performance the last few seasons) I think he (and Ryan) are goners.