Seth Stohs

Well, it is a business, and they do need to sell hope and optimism in spring training. Even if there are those that choose to be negative regardless of the situation, not matter what. I think they do have a lot more talent. I predicted 73 wins for the Twins a couple of nights ago, and I think 76-77 is realistic. But I do think the division is tough.

I would agree. I think that Molitor and Ryan would agree. I think Milone was the decision coming into camp (and that was who I had in pre-spring and during-spring roster projections), and May would have had to have been perfect this spring. His missed time is probably a bigger factor than anything else. Also, relax, man!

I could probably answer each individual question. I do agree with John in his comment that the Twins still believe in Aaron Hicks enough to think he can get better and learn in AAA. May's MLB performance last year didn't scream promotion.Meyer's BB/9 rate and tough spring don't scream promotion. Both of them have a chance to be solid in time, but do have things to work on. Guys like Schafer and Robinson are short-term stopgaps allowing those other guys (including Buxton) to continue to develop. Rosario didn't hit last year. He didn't hit this spring. I don't think anyone should make an argument that he should have made the team. What he did last year was FAR less than what Aaron Hicks did at AA before he got promoted. What can Pelfrey do that Meyer can't at this point? Throw strikes. These moves are short-term. They're about the bigger picture.

Where I agree more with Aaron is that spring training stats shouldn't come in to play... however, spring training performance should... In other words, it's not about the numbers, it's about the process and some other things that are more visual than the randomness of 40 at bats or 8-12 innings.

I think people can say that May should be up, thought I don't think that's an easy, obviously choice. The rest of the moves just make sense. If there are 2-5 of the young guys up by the end of June, then I'll be annoyed.

FSN's Tyler Mason wrote a great article on the Twins Latin American players and the adjustments that they make coming to the States to play. He also notes the great impact that they have and will continue to make to the team. here's an interesting quote from Kennys Vargas: According to Mason, "The Twins have many players from the Dominican Republic (55 in the organization last year), some from Venezuela (33 in 2014), and a few (10 total last season) from Puerto Rico." The Twins mentioned that their front office will be taking Spanish classes, which will help, but this is all very interesting.

After discussing Kurt Suzuki, Joe Mauer and Brian Dozier on Tuesday, today we’ll consider Trevor Plouffe and the other third basemen in the American League Central. Be sure to check back later when we finish up the infield with the shortstops. As the week goes on, we will continue through this series. Next up will be the outfielders We’ll continue to make projections and compare the Twins players to the rest of the American League Central.MINNESOTA TWINS – TREVOR PLOUFFE 2014 was a big season for Trevor Plouffe. With uber-prospect Miguel Sano looming, Plouffe put together his most productive season. He set career highs in most offensive categories. As important to Plouffe and the Twins, his defense at the hot corner was markedly improved. Plouffe considers his job with the Twins to be a run producer, and his 80 RBIs led the team in that category. Unfortunately his season ended a couple of games early with a fractured left forearm. Sano is healthy again and still seems to be part of the Twins future, but unlike a year ago, it does feel as though there is a good chance that Plouffe will remain in the Twins plans as well. What kind of numbers can be expected from Plouffe in 2015? One key for him is, and has been, his health. 2015 is a big year for Trevor Plouffe on the field, but also off the field. He and his wife are excited to welcome their first child this summer. Here are the projections of our Twins Daily writers: Seth – .267/.337/.443 (.780) with 37 doubles and 19 HR. Nick – .250/.335/.410 (.745) with 25 doubles and 15 HR Parker – .260/.330/.420 (.750) with 20 doubles and 20 HR John – AL CENTRAL THIRD BASEMEN Opponent – Player – 2015 Age – 2014 Statistics Chicago – Conor Gillaspie – 27 - .282/.336/.416 (.752) with 31 doubles, 7 HR Cleveland – Lonnie Chisenhall – 26 - .280/.343/.427 (.770) with 29 doubles, 13 HR Detroit – Nick Castellanos – 23 - .259/.306/.394 (.700) with 31 doubles, 11 HR Kansas City – Mike Moustakas – 26 - .212/.271/.361 (.632) with 21 doubles, 15 HR AL CENTRAL THIRD BASEMAN RANKINGS #1 – Trevor Plouffe - Minnesota #2 – Conor Gillaspie - Chicago #3 – Lonnie Chisenhall – Cleveland #4 – Mike Moustakas – Kansas City #5 – Nick Castellanos - Detroit NOW IT’S YOUR TURN Give it some thought and then go to the comments section below and post two things. First, make your statistical projection for Trevor Plouffe in 2015. Second, how would you rank the AL Central third basemen? Of course, then discuss with the rest of the Twins Daily community. Finally, check back throughout this next week as we’ll do these same things for each of the positions. Click here to view the article

It wouldn't surprise me if he went into coaching at some level.

This morning, the Twins announced that LHP Caleb Thielbar has been optioned to Rochester. The decision sets the Twins Opening Day bullpen. Glen Perkins is the closer. The others: Casey Fien Brian Duensing Mike Pelfrey Brian Boyer Tim Stauffer JR Graham In the past two seasons with the Twins, Thielbar posted an ERA of 2.59 and a WHIP of just 1.12 over 93.2 innings in 103 appearances. Over that time, left-handed hitters posted a .638 OPS against him while right-handed hitters posted a .647 OPS against him.

They need to fill all the rosters with 24 active players and then have DL players. There really isn't a limit in Extended Spring Training.

Might be the best (only?) reason to continue to bat Dozier 2nd and Mauer 3rd... Mauer's patience at the plate allows Santana and Dozier to steal more bases.

Not to sound bad, but he's pretty much nothing like Radke. He's shorter, throws a slider instead of a changeup, doesn't have as good of control, stuff like that.

Thursday they have to make the call on Shane Robinson. He's a given to be added, unless there is a trade. They'll wait to feel certain on Pinto. Once he's deemed healthy, Herrmann and Fryer go down. If he goes to the DL, one of them goes down. Bernier probably sticks to the end.

He's very good behind the plate, and I do think he'll hit alright too, maybe a .700+ OPS, up to .750 in time.

Jay, I 100% understand where you're coming from... There really are two pretty equal sides to it. #1, and it's probably at the crux of the issue, there has been a lot of losing the last four years so it doesn't matter what the team does, there are a lot of people who will complain. It's frustrating for some of us that just enjoy the game and the team and like to have hope. It's definitely a dueling situation. At Twins Daily, we (and the moderators specifically) are fine with negativity if it is reasoned and well thought out. Negativity for the sake of negativity is where things get frustrating. Sometimes we do have to take a step back. For me, Opening Day and Spring Training are a time for hope and optimism. I have hope and optimism that this team will continue to improve and be more competitive throughout the season. I have hope that the roster will be in a state of change throughout the year and that the prospects we want to see, we will see later in the year when they are ready. My hope is for 2016 in terms of actually competing, and I think that would be a good, optimistic view... I can hope and dream for something more in 2015, but I won't be disappointed if they don't. I just want to see improvement. There are some people, in life, in baseball and in the real world, who choose to look at a person or a team and find the things that they don't do well. The Twins have had many of these in recent years. There are other people who choose to find the positives amongst all the negatives. What can Player A do well, and What could he possibly become. Those two people and those two viewpoints may can co-exist, and those two people can predict or project the same things for that same player, but may come across in a different way. I guess each individual or fan needs to decide what kind of fan they are for themselves.

The Twins do have 5 starters right now that have a chance to complete 6 or even 7 innings most times out. That will help. If they can get to Duensing and Fien before Perkins, that would be helpful. Then of Boyer, Pelfrey and Stauffer, they just need one of them to become kind of a lock-down type. Maybe wishful thinking, but as mentioned above, the starters can really help the bullpen.

I'd definitely take that! The Twins would likely be thrilled with it too!

I would venture to say that Jason Kanzler is a better defensive outfielder, but Farris did a nice job at a new position that last couple of years.

That would be great!! The Twins do have a strong history of finding successful role players with minor league signings.

We’ve discussed Kurt Suzuki, Joe Mauer and the AL Central catchers and first basemen. Today, we continue to work our way around the infield with a look at Brian Dozier and the AL Central second basemen. As the week goes on, we continue through this series, reviewing the Twins roster. We’ll make some projections and compare the Twins players to the rest of the American League Central.MINNESOTA TWINS – BRIAN DOZIER Brian Dozier had a breakout season in 2014. After a frustrating debut in 2012, he struggled early in 2013 before a strong second half. In 2014, he became a more patient hitter and continued to show power. In fact, he was selected by Jose Bautista to represent the Twins and the American League in the All-Star Home Run Derby at Target Field in July. His ability to get on base, hit for power, steal bases and play very good defense - as well as his development as a team leader - made him a candidate for a contract extension. Last week, he was rewarded with a four year, $20 million contract. It will be interesting to see if Dozier is able to increase his batting average in 2015 without it affecting his on-base skills or slugging percentage. Can he take another step forward in 2015? What do you think? What are we projecting from Brian Dozier’s 2015 season? The projections of our Twins Daily writers: Seth – .277/.365/.457 (.822) with 43 doubles and 20 HR Nick – .260/.350/.420 (.770) with 35 doubles and 15 HR Parker – John – .260/.330/.410 (740) with 35 doubles and 20 HR AL CENTRAL SECOND BASEMEN Opponent – Player – 2015 Age – 2014 Statistics Chicago – Micah Johnson – 24 - .294/.351/.403 (.754) with 19 doubles, 5-HR (AA/AAA) Cleveland – Jason Kipnis – 28 - .240/.310/.330 (.640) with 25 doubles, 6-HR Detroit – Ian Kinsler – 33 - .275/.307/.420 (.727) with 40 doubles, 17-HR Kansas City – Omar Infante – 33 - .252/.295/.337 (.632) with 21 doubles, 6-HR AL CENTRAL SECOND BASEMAN RANKINGS #1 – Ian Kinsler - Detroit #2 – Brian Dozier - Minnesota #3 – Jason Kipnis – Cleveland #4 – Omar Infante – Kansas City #5 – Micah Johnson - Chicago NOW IT’S YOUR TURN Give it some thought and then go to the comments section below and post two things. First, make your statistical projection for Brian Dozier in 2015. Second, how would you rank the AL Central second basemen? Of course, then discuss with the rest of the Twins Daily community. Finally, check back throughout this next week as we’ll do these same things for each of the positions. Click here to view the article

I've always thought that the changeup was the most important pitch a pitcher could throw. Velocity is nice, but if you can have a changeup that is 9-12 mph slower than your fastball, with the same arm motion, it doesn't matter if you top out at 99 or 89. Obviously control of that pitch and the fastball are also important. I like the philosophy! I would disagree that it's an easy pitch to master though. There are different grips and different movements created. It can take time.

Seems like a great guy. I listened to him tell his story at a postgame FCA picnic at Hammond Stadium when I was down there. His wife and two kids were there, and he definitely has his priorities in place, which is great to see. The other speakers at the event were Brian Dozier, Brian Duensing, Rod Carew and Tony Oliva.

So, based on OPS, you'd agree most then with my .799 OPS prediction?