Thrylos

Let's see: The Twins are 0-2. Manhandled by one of the 2 teams that was projected to finish below them in 2012There were about 3 attributed Errors in these 2 games and about 3-4 more unattributedI think that the team is hitting a collective Butera for 2012One of the most promising pitchers (or the most promising) will probably miss the season because of another mis-diagnosis and mis-treatmentHis replacement is out with "food poisoning"So, are you panicing? Is the sky falling (yet?) As far as my feelings go about our 2012 Minnesota Twins, it is something like this: - I am totally disappointed by the season 2 games in, but they are just 2 games in. (I can deal with 160-2 ) - That Baker thing (and the Hendriks too) is about the last straw for me with their med staff and front office. Ryan talked about "accountability". Walk the talk Terry or get the hey out of what you are doing now and go sell mac and cheese like St Peter does (or something.) Frankly this p*ssed me off more than the 2 loses. How do you all feel?

So Gardenhire burns his best pitcher in a blow out.... Why put Perkins in there? Let Burton's arm fall off

Does Ryan still have the "interim" title btw?

I think that the Fort Myers rotation is the best and has the most potential. I also like Beloit's. When Hendriks comes to Rochester Deduno will move to the pen. That was a surprise to see. I think that in a month and a half Aaron Thompson will probably replace someone in Rochester or New Britain as well.

Yeah and I bet that's borderline illegal (less pay for the same work). on the other hand, $300 a month is way much more than what a family of 4 lives on in the Dominican

ok. This actually has more information. Apparently there is a cap but only for the 1st year of a players MiLB career and that depends on the level he plays. Subsequent year salaries are subject to negotiation and AAA salaries (according to that write up with 2011 data) are around $35K for the 25th percentile to $68K for the 75th percentile. That excudes situations like Nishoka's, Lannon's, Marquis', Slowey's etc... so $50K or so median for a half year worth of work is not that bad is you look at the big picture of things

I think that it all is relative. Compared to MLB salaries (like Butera making $400+ K each of the last 2 seasons, why?) early MiLB salaries are indeed very low (close to minimum wage). On the other hand, compared to trade apprentices or even graduate school stipends, there are at the same level. Plus most of the MiLB teams do operate on a loss (usually off-set by the parent club) or barely make it even. Another thing to consider in the equation is the signing bonuses. Most minor leaguers got signing bonuses. Few other entry-level jobs that this happens out there. So I think compared to MLB, yes they are grossly underpaid (or rather players like Drew Butera are grossly overpaid) but compared to the rest of the jobs out there, they are just about right... plus way more fun to do as a job than many

the other point is that with Liriano starting the opposing team will have more RH batters so more balls would be at LF instead of RF

Just an observation: Despite the myth that Darin Mastroianni was going to be converted to a 2B (wonder who started that, and why), he has been playing the OF in games exclusively since he was cut from the MLB Spring Training Camp. So I think that we can lay that to rest about now...

I think that if you look back to quotes from Andy and Gardy around ST 2011 and throughout the 2011 season, you will remember them saying that they wanted Liriano to pitch to contact and generate quicker outs. Plus they asked him to start throwing the 2-seamer (which he did not throw before.) All in all I blame Andy and Gardy to a large degree for messing up Liriano's 2011...

I think that picking the mind of the Twins' staff and trainers is a futile exercise. That said, reading between the lines and knowing enough of that crap, "not enough" damage means some damage. And since we are talking about an MRI that can tell things like tears, fractures, punctures, foreign objects and tumors but not things like "tentonitis", "strain" or "inflammation" (at least orthopedic & tissue inflammation), we are talking for either bone, tendon, ligament or muscle damage. What is "enough" to do "what", is up in the Twins' medical and front office staff heads. Truth of the matter is that there is something wrong with Baker's elbow area. Hope we hear more about that. And another truth is that (as the Twins' said) this something wrong has been there since July of 2011 and they practically have been sitting on their collective rear ends. Enough about accountability.

Are you saying that the School is getting yet another free Stadium while the politicians don't care to keep the Pro team in town?

I don't know whether you are wrong or not but the Twins: a. Tried to make strikeout pitchers pitch to contact pitchers at every level of the organization (for recent examples look at Liriano at the MLB level and Slowey -check his k/9 before he met Andy) and prey to the devine 2-seamer that supposely induces ground balls (I do not know a single pitcher in the organization who does not throw it...) Problem with the 2-seamer is that often it low and away and it takes a while to command. Now I am thinking about it, I wonder whether the yips that several prospects have exhibited are because of the 2-seamer... And if you don't have above average IF defense, that is a problem. b. They get rid of their strikeout pitchers even when they don't have to, while sign pitch to contact guys long term. Compare and contrast the treatment of Liriano and Garza with that of Blackburn and Pavano. Pitch to contact guys are ok for your 3rd starters down, but you got to have at least a couple starters on your staff who miss bats, unless you want to live in mediocrity like the Twins have since after 1991. Also, pitching to contact in the pen is a fairly deleterious recipe (esp if contact is made on straight mid 80s FBs down the middle). And the Twins have been poisoned last season with it... This season? We'll see...

Agreed. But to stop doing that, this team has to a. hire new front office people from outside and b. get rid of all the existing FO and Field management staff (at least at the MLB level). This is something that they are not willing to do even after 99 loss season. The replacement of Smith by Ryan is like spilling food on your shirt and putting it on inside out to hide the fact...

That comment was not about pointing fingers. It was as a response to Seth who said that "Pavano had a solid performance"... My point is that he did not.

Actually I am kinda old school in that other than when someone enters from the pen (because there is time) a walkout song is not necessary for a hitter who is on the on deck circle to go to the batter's box. A nice loud announcement of his name followed by fan cheering is better. Would be interesting to find out who was the first team that had walkout songs for hitters and the history of the hitter walkout songs. I suspect that it is post ('94) strike

If they are facing a RH, Casilla and Doumit should be there. Would he sit Valencia? I hope not. He was good today while Burroughs popped on the first pitch he saw (that was a stupid PH, since the pitcher could not find the strike zone and Casilla is fine in drawing walks) I do not see many changes other than maybe (gulp) Revere at RF, Doumit C and Mauer at 1B.

the problem with that is that Jim Palmer has seen maybe a handful of games of Cuddyer at RF. The rest of us know that Cuddyer (and Kubel) did not have that ball either... Cuddyer missed many similar balls in the past. Span overplayed too and if he did not break but was where he was supposed to be that wouldn't have been a triple either.

Looks like the results are out. Joe C said that the MRI looked just like the one he had about a year ago (and nothing else). Rhett Bollinger confirms and adds "no NEW injury" (emphasis mine). He will seek a second opinion. So something must be going on since last summer and a. they did not say much and b. they did not fix it. I guess we'll find out

7 IP 1K, all balls in play. Add a couple of walks (both scored) add a gopherball, add a slow FB and that's the problem. Not horrible, just mediocre. And yes that Doumit/Span play could had been made. On the other hand, Pavano could have gotten a K or 4.

Solid? 7 IP, 5H, 4 ER, 2 BB, 1K, 95 pitches, 55 strikes (5.14 ERA). Fastball averaging 83-85 and occasional 86 and one 87. From your opening day starter. I'd say a pretty mediocre start, like usual for Pavano. Very Carl Pavano-ish start indeed. Solid not that much. Duensing was solid, on the other hand

Originally posted at The Tenth Inning Stretch ---- Not necessarily in any order. Just notes I was making while watching the game: Luke Hughes was the emergency backup Catcher? Say what? I thought that it would had been Josh Willingham who actually caught before. And (I did double check) Luke has played in every position of the field in pro ball(including P) but C. Mauer and GIDP are not a good combination. So are Pavano and his 86 mph "fast"ball, esp when it ends up at the seats. The early innings reminded me a bit of last season when the Twins were making heroes out of no-name opposing pitchers. Arrieta's curveball is pretty nasty though. Helps opposing pitchers having perfect games through the first time in the order. Nice play by Carroll in the middle of the 3rd. Nice and steady. I don't think that Nishioka makes that play. And then he makes another one Memo to Denard Span: Please please do not get picked off first again. Paying attention helps Good to see Morneau get a hit at the 4th after Mauer hit a rocket to the Centerfielder I think that Pavano's pitching to contact with those soft-tosses will get too old too soon Great diving play by Parmelee on the bottom of the 5th. He is learning Pavano's breaking junk is working better than his (not so) fastball. Got to throw more of that. And nice D play by Valencia. I just hope they come back with a few runs. That sounds like a broken record from last season, I know... Surprise: Pavano does not irritate me any less than he did last season. And that Doumit and Span play was vintage Mike Cuddyer; Carroll is ok with the glove Nice catch and throw out at the plate by Willingham. Revere does not do that (the throwing out part) The Twins look like they are picking up from where they left last season. Not. Too. Good. Burroughs in to PH for Casilla. Lazy fly on the first pitch he saw. Not. Too. Good. Especially with a guy who cannot find the zone. Big mistake to not let Casilla draw a walk there. Even more interesting to see Plouffe instead of Luke Hughes as the Defensive replacement at second. That "close" play at 1st was not even close. Davis was off the bag. Way off the bag. When he caught the ball Jeff Gray reminds me of Dusty Hughes. A lot. Only he is right handed. And Gardy burns yet another pitcher in a meaningless game. And a good one (Duensing.) Good to see that Josh Willingham HR on top of the 9th! Made things interesting. Questionable called strike 3 against Doumit, Parmelee comes through and Plouffe up. Also interesting to see Revere PR for Parmelee. Unfortunately Plouffe hits a double play ball. At little better than it could be. Still disappointing to lose, but let's get the next ones. Tomorrow is another day.

Originally posted at The Tenth Inning Stretch ---- Not necessarily in any order. Just notes I was making while watching the game: Luke Hughes was the emergency backup Catcher? Say what? I thought that it would had been Josh Willingham who actually caught before. And (I did double check) Luke has played in every position of the field in pro ball(including P) but C. Mauer and GIDP are not a good combination. So are Pavano and his 86 mph "fast"ball, esp when it ends up at the seats. The early innings reminded me a bit of last season when the Twins were making heroes out of no-name opposing pitchers. Arrieta's curveball is pretty nasty though. Helps opposing pitchers having perfect games through the first time in the order. Nice play by Carroll in the middle of the 3rd. Nice and steady. I don't think that Nishioka makes that play. And then he makes another one Memo to Denard Span: Please please do not get picked off first again. Paying attention helps Good to see Morneau get a hit at the 4th after Mauer hit a rocket to the Centerfielder I think that Pavano's pitching to contact with those soft-tosses will get too old too soon Great diving play by Parmelee on the bottom of the 5th. He is learning Pavano's breaking junk is working better than his (not so) fastball. Got to throw more of that. And nice D play by Valencia. I just hope they come back with a few runs. That sounds like a broken record from last season, I know... Surprise: Pavano does not irritate me any less than he did last season. And that Doumit and Span play was vintage Mike Cuddyer; Carroll is ok with the glove Nice catch and throw out at the plate by Willingham. Revere does not do that (the throwing out part) The Twins look like they are picking up from where they left last season. Not. Too. Good. Burroughs in to PH for Casilla. Lazy fly on the first pitch he saw. Not. Too. Good. Especially with a guy who cannot find the zone. Big mistake to not let Casilla draw a walk there. Even more interesting to see Plouffe instead of Luke Hughes as the Defensive replacement at second. That "close" play at 1st was not even close. Davis was off the bag. Way off the bag. When he caught the ball Jeff Gray reminds me of Dusty Hughes. A lot. Only he is right handed. And Gardy burns yet another pitcher in a meaningless game. And a good one (Duensing.) Good to see that Josh Willingham HR on top of the 9th! Made things interesting. Questionable called strike 3 against Doumit, Parmelee comes through and Plouffe up. Also interesting to see Revere PR for Parmelee. Unfortunately Plouffe hits a double play ball. At little better than it could be. Still disappointing to lose, but let's get the next ones. Tomorrow is another day.

Ok. That Doumit (and Span btw) play was ugly, but Cuddyer and Kubel have done the same thing many times...

Went up to 87 with that last looking strike... I think last season he was 89ish so he is getting there.