Seth Stohs

Prediction segment: With Mauer catching Diamond (instead of Butera), I expect Diamond to give up more than 4 runs in less than 4 innings.

Twins Lineup: Denard Span CF Brian Dozier SS Joe Mauer C Josh Willingham LF Justin Morneau 1B Trevor Plouffe RF Alexi Casilla 2B Jamey Carroll 3B Scott Diamond P

I know he's quirky and is the subject of several jokes at this point, but he's an interesting and fun part of the Twins story of success last decade.

Yeah, name misspelling bugs me too... but... as for Burnett... he's part of the future, probably with Guerra and Oliveros. the team does need 7 relievers. Remember, if Burnett doesn't get optioned this year, he'll still have the option for next year.

I'd fire Rick Anderson first... we keep hearing that saying "So-n-So can work under Rick Anderson." Honestly, the last time that I think Anderson helped turn someone's career around was LaTroy Hawkins... in 2002. That said, I don't know what he's been given to work with this year. Perkins and Burton have certainly been good. I really think Vavra is a good hitting coach. The Twins have been horrible situational hitters this season, but I think that's more of an organizational philosophy that's gone downhill since TK left. Tom Brunansky is the big name right now... and I can't help but wonder why. That New Britain team had some guys who give him a lot of credit... but what has he shown in AAA this year. the Red Wings offense is weak. Benson has been demoted. Dozier was hitting under .200 over his past 19 games when the Twins called him up. So, is he really the answer? Some want Molitor, but he's been a failed hitting coach. Rod Carew? Hall of Fame hitter, but failed hitting coach. I think some don't like Vavra because he isn't a former player, a name... And that's not necessarily a bad thing.

Thank you all... the best thing is that is's a way to let people know what's going on in the Twins system, starting learning some of the names, etc.

I think I'd give Mauer the Friday game off for several reasons. 1.) He's struggling really bad, 2.) he needs it, 3.) give credit to Butera for a good day yesterday, and 4.) let Diamond and Butera work together until proven then shouldn't. I'd give Morneau a day off either Saturday or Sunday as well. I get that we want these guys to play every day, but have to be smart with both of them. Playing Morneau every day early in the season is likely what affected the wrist.

You can view the page at http://www.twinsdaily.com/content.php?557-Thursday-Night-Lights

Go ahead. That's fine.

Thank you!!

Twins Lineup: Ben Revere CF Brian Dozier SS Joe Mauer 1B Josh Willingham LF Justin Morneau DH Trevor Plouffe RF Alexi Casilla 2B Drew Butera C Jamey Carroll 3B SP: PJ Walters Tigers SP: Doug Fister

Still hope for Doumit!!! Hopefully just a stretched out the calf and won't be more than a couple of days.

I'd be against Duensing starting, but I'm fine with Swarzak if they then go with Manship or Slama in the bullpen. I'd be fine with Manship starting. Bromberg could be moved up to Rochester anytime to start. Honestly, I don't care who gets a start if it's in place of Nick Blackburn. We have seen enough of him. (or at least I have)

You can view the page at http://twinsdaily.com/content.php?552-Factors-for-Frustration

When spring training opened up in late February, I posted an article called Twins Two-Way Planning in which I said that the Twins 2011 roster was probably built perfectly to go one of two directions. In essence, if things went poorly, they had enough one-year, veteran contracts of guys that other teams might have interest in at the trade deadline. The Twins could get prospects to help push forward the rebuilding process. However, the other scenario was, “IF seven or eight of the factors listed above are going positively, AND the Twins are getting positive performances from their minor leaguers and these new players, AND the team is in contention in mid-July, THEN they will have plenty of payroll flexibility to add a significant piece or two at the deadline, if they choose.” So, what were the “factors listed above” and how are the Twins doing in those categories… you know, since they barely have double-digit wins on the season. FACTORS The health of Joe Mauer The health of Justin Morneau The health of Denard Span The elbow of Scott Baker The durability of Carl Pavano The mindset and performance of Francisco Liriano The improvements of Danny Valencia, Ben Revere and other young players Matt Capps ability to get outs in the 9th 2-5 bullpen arms need to step up and contribute consistently well. Minor Leaguers coming up and contributing when needed throughout the season (Hendriks, Diamond, Gutierrez, Guerra, Waldrop, Oliveros, Benson, Parmelee, Dozier, etc.) Each one of those ten Factors was a factor whether or not the Twins brought in any free agents. If seven or eight of those factors wind up positive for the Twins, they have a chance to compete. Let’s review: Joe Mauer has been healthy, or at least he has been in the lineup all but one game this year. (1) Justin Morneau just came off of the 15 day disabled list. If there are positives from this, they are that 1.) he just missed the 15 days, and 2.) it was for wrist pain, not concussion symptoms. The health of Denard Span has been good all season, until the last couple of days when he has been out of the lineup with a hamstring injury. Hopefully this is just another day at most, and he’ll be back at the top of the lineup where he has been quite good. (2) The elbow of Scott Baker certainly was a big story in spring as Baker tried so hard to get back while also trying so hard to make people understand that he really was in pain. He went in for elbow surgery that turned into Tommy John surgery too. The durability of Carl Pavano probably can’t be questioned yet as he has not yet missed a start. However, concerns about his velocity have led to an MRI. He will make his next start this weekend, but this factor certainly is in flux at this point. (2.5) The mindset of Francisco Liriano is always a question, and despite very good performance throughout spring training, his performance since Opening Day has been nothing short of immensely disappointing. He was finally moved to the bullpen a week ago. The improvements of Danny Valencia, Ben Revere and otbher young players. I would assume that I meant players like Trevor Plouffe, Alexi Casilla and Luke Hughes in the “other” players grouping. Well, Valencia is in Rochester after a really horrible start to his season. Revere has spent most of the season in AAA as well. Plouffe is hitting below .150. Hughes was lost to the A’s when he was Designated for Assignment, and Casilla has a sub-.600 OPS. Matt Capps is 7-7 save opportunities and despite two losses, he has been pitching fairly well. (3.5) Two to five bullpen arms needed to step up. I would say that Glen Perkins, Matt Capps, Brian Duensing and Jared Burton have been really good in their roles this season. Anthony Swarzak has played multiple roles, but he has been solid for the most part. Jeff Gray has walked too many, but he has been better than expected. The bullpen was a huge concern coming into the season, and to this point, they have been alright. (4.5) It’s always good to get help from the minor league roster, and this will or can happen throughout the season. Scott Diamond and PJ Walters have come up from Rochester and been very good in limited duty so far. Brian Dozier made his much-anticipated 2012 debut and has been very solid defensively and with the bat in his ten days with the club. Hendriks and Parmelee struggled after making the Opening Day roster and are back in Rochester but likely will contribute later in the. Waldrop should be healthy soon. Deolis Guerra is doing very well. (5) As for the new guys, Willingham has carried the offense most of the season. Carroll has been a stabilizing force in the infield. Doumit started slow, but he has been great with the bat the last three weeks. (and now he may be hurt) However, Marquis has been quite bad, and Zumaya didn’t throw even twenty bullpen pitches before needing Tommy John surgery. (6) Add to these factors that the Twins starting pitchers’ have all performed to a nightmarish, worst-case-scenario, and although no one could have predicted 11-25, it shouldn’t be surprising that this team is struggling already in the season.

Following the game, Manager Ron Gardenhire mentioned that RHP Nick Blackburn had an injury in his thigh? I translate that to meaning... we need an excuse to get him out of this rotation because he is really bad. Need an injury to get him to the DL. But, if Blackburn would go on the DL, who would start? My assumption: Anthony Swarzak would move to rotation with Jeff Manship taking Swarzak's long relief job. Could also be: Brian Duensing or Cole DeVries. (DeVries would need a 40 man roster spot to open up)

Ryan Doumit has been placed on the 15-day Disabled List with a calf injury. Ben Revere was promoted and is expected to be in Detroit on Thursday.

Erik Komatsu in CF and leading off tonight. Span scratched with the hammy.

Twins Lineup: Erik Komatsu CF (Denard Span scratched with hammy) Brian Dozier SS Joe Mauer DH Josh Willingham LF Justin Morneau 1B Ryan Doumit C Trevor Plouffe RF Alexi Casilla 2B Jamey Carroll 3B SP: Nick Blackburn

I think that MLB throws the book at him and they should. He threw the helmet at a downward angle in the direction of the ump. That's pretty ridiculous. Maybe not 50, but if he gets lets that 25-30 games, I'll be disappointed.

http://toronto.bluejays.mlb.com/news/article.jsp?ymd=20120515&content_id=31385244&vkey=news_tor&c_id=tor Brett Lawrie got tossed last night for arguing balls and strikes (actually arguing balls that were called strikes). Instead of just arguing professionally, Lawrie decided to take his helmet off and throw it to the ground in the general vicinity of the umpire. The helmet bounced up and hit the umpire... If you haven't seen the video, be sure to check it out (I'm trying to link it here). What do you think? How long should the suspension be?

It's not like Boer pitched well when he went to Beloit last year... and it's not like Summers figured out the Midwest League instantly this year... I mean, if they're not pitching well over something a little longer than a small sample, whats' the rush? That's my only point. It's not about getting them to the big leagues faster... it's about them being ready when they get there... or at least it should be.

I think that prospect rankings (myself included) do not give enough credit to four-year college guys. Guys like Shibuya and Dozier who went all four years and then got drafted. They come out already 1 year older than most of the college guys drafted and get put in the low levels. The Twins and Brian Dozier remedied that by him being promoted pretty quickly. After signing they play for E-town, and that's fine, just an adjustment to pro ball. Dozier didn't spend more than 8-10 weeks in Beloit before moving up to Ft. Myers. Suddenly his age isn't quite as big of an issue, but it wasn't until he got to AA last year that he was where he "should" have been by prospect rankers. I'd keep Shibuya in Beloit until the all-star break, as they typically do and then move him up if he's still pitching this well.