Seth Stohs

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

My opinion is that 1.) he'll have to show he can stay healthy, and 2.) he will have to get off to a fast start in AA Chattanooga this year or he may get moved to the bullpen. he's got good stuff, and when healthy, he can dominate. Fastball/Slider combo is very good. Might fit in a bullpen even better.

I hear they put a lot of information on the Twins farm system and its players in it! http://www.lulu.com/spotlight/sethspeaks

Earlier, we discussed Kurt Suzuki and the rest of the AL Central catchers. Now, we take a look at Joe Mauer and the AL Central first basemen. Mauer had a tough season in 2014 and looks to rebound in 2015. There are some really good first basemen in the division as well. As we continue through this series, we’ll be taking a look at the Twins roster. We’ll make some projections and compare the Twins players to the rest of the American League Central. Image courtesy of Kim Klement, USA Today Earlier, we discussed Kurt Suzuki and the rest of the AL Central catchers. Now, we take a look at Joe Mauer and the AL Central first basemen. Mauer had a tough season in 2014 and looks to rebound in 2015. There are some really good first basemen in the division as well. As we continue through this series, we’ll be taking a look at the Twins roster. We’ll make some projections and compare the Twins players to the rest of the American League Central. MINNESOTA TWINS – JOE MAUER After ten years as a major league catcher, foul tips to the mask finally caught up to Mauer and he made the move to first base in 2014. Did the concussion(s) affect the beginning of Mauer’s 2014 season at the plate? I think it would be hard to argue that it didn’t, and Mauer had the most difficult offensive season of his career. (Admittedly, he had set the bar very high) He hit just .277/.361/.371 (.732) with 27 doubles and four home runs. One big question for the Minnesota Twins in 2015 has to do with the soon-to-be 32-year-old Mauer. Will he be able to get close to those remarkable offensive numbers he put up for most of his first decade in the big leagues, or did that decade behind the plate do him in and he’ll continue to “struggle” in 2015? That’s the question, and of course, there is no way to answer that question with any certainty. So what are we projecting from Joe Mauer in 2015? The projections of our Twins Daily writers: Seth – .296/.371/.428 (.799) with 37 doubles and 8 HR. Nick – .315/.410/.445 (.855) with 40 doubles and 10 HR. Parker – John – .300/.380/.400 (780 OPS) with 35 doubles, and 8 HR. AL CENTRAL FIRST BASEMEN Opponent – Player – 2015 Age – 2014 Statistics Chicago – Jose Abreu – 28 - .317/.383/.581 (.964) with 35 doubles, 36-HR Cleveland – Carlos Santana – 29 - .231/.365/.427 (.792) with 25 doubles, 27-HR Detroit – Miguel Cabrera – 32 - .313/.371/.524 (.895) with 52 doubles, 25-HR Kansas City – Eric Hosmer – 25 - .270/.318/.398 (.716) with 35 doubles, 9-HR AL CENTRAL FIRST BASEMAN RANKINGS #1 – Jose Abreu – Chicago #2 – Miguel Cabrera – Detroit #3 – Carlos Santana – Cleveland #4 – Joe Mauer – Minnesota #5 – Eric Hosmer – Kansas City NOW IT’S YOUR TURN Give it a little thought and then go to the comments section below and post two things. First, make your statistical projection for Joe Mauer in 2015. Second, how would you rank the AL Central first 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. View full article

When I saw Jones pitch 3 weeks ago in a game, he was throwing hard. Secondary pitches and control were always in question, but I was surprised. Catching is always interesting. They definitely have numbers. Even now (after Grimes retired, Koch and Knudson released), they have extra catchers and with possibly two of the Pinto/Herrmann/Fryer group heading to Rochester, there could be more casualties before this weekend.

The Twins handed out some hardware this weekend down in minor league camp. 2014's Ft. Myers team received their FSL Championship rings. They also handed out awards to the top defensive players in the minor leagues. They went to: Infielder - Engelb Vielma Outfielder - Eric Farris Catcher - Stuart Turner Pitcher - Tim Shibuya

Walker is DHing and batting 6th today for the Twins. It's normal for the Twins (and other teams) to bring minor leaguers to games to come in late innings, but Walker has now started twice in the last 3-4 games.

It’s hard to imagine but in less than one week the 2015 season will begin. It was a long offseason. There were quite a few changes. There have been some interesting decisions. But for baseball fans, opening day is – or SHOULD be – something to be excited about. In this series, we’ll be taking a look at the Twins roster. We’ll make some projections and we’ll compare the Twins players to the rest of the American League Central. Image courtesy of Seth Stohs It’s hard to imagine but in less than one week the 2015 season will begin. It was a long offseason. There were quite a few changes. There have been some interesting decisions. But for baseball fans, opening day is – or SHOULD be – something to be excited about. In this series, we’ll be taking a look at the Twins roster. We’ll make some projections and we’ll compare the Twins players to the rest of the American League Central. Today we start by looking at the starting catchers. MINNESOTA TWINS – KURT SUZUKI The 31-year-old catcher is coming off of his first All-Star season. He came to the Twins with an assumption (by many fans) that he would tutor Josmil Pinto. However, he had his best season in about five years and was rewarded with a two-year contract extension. In 131 games in 2014, he hit .288/.345/.383 (.727) with 34 doubles and three home runs. So what can we expect to see from Suzuki in 2015? Our Twins Daily writers: Seth – .255/.305/.345 (.650) with 23 doubles and 2 HR. Nick – .255/.315/.360 (.675) with 23 doubles and 4 HR. Parker – John – AL CENTRAL CATCHERS Opponent – Player – 2015 Age – 2014 Statistics Chicago – Tyler Flowers – 29 - .241/.297/.396 (.693) with 16 doubles, 15-HR Cleveland – Yan Gomes – 27 - .278/.313/.472 (.785) with 25 doubles, 21-HR Detroit – Alex Avila— 28 - .218/.327/.359 (.686) with 22 doubles, 11-HR Kansas City – Salvador Perez – 25 - .260/.289/.403 (.692) with 28 doubles, 17-HR AL CENTRAL CATCHER RANKINGS #1 – Yan Gomes – Cleveland #2 – Salvador Perez – Kansas City #3 – Alex Avila – Detroit #4 – Kurt Suzuki – Minnesota #5 – Tyler Flowers – Chicago NOW IT’S YOUR TURN Give it a little thought and then go to the comments section below and post two things. First, make your statistical projection for Kurt Suzuki in 2015. Second, how would you rank the AL Central catchers? 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. View full article

Graham is pretty safe. Stauffer is safe. Thielbar is a question mark. Boyer's opt-out was today, so that's why they had to announce it today. Shane Robinson's opt-out is on Thursday, so they'll need to add him then.

I was waiting to HEAR some punches of something. And as you know, in baseball, there is only one right way to think...

The question about Aaron Hicks making the Opening Day roster a couple of years ago wasn't about whether or not he was ready... it was whether it would be more wise for them to give him a month in AAA so that they would get another year before free agency.

It's always tough at this time of year to see guys who have put in their time and their hearts and so much into the game and into working their way up the Twins organization get released. It's the unfortunate, ugly, not-at-all fun side of the game. It's necessary, but it isn't something I would enjoy. The twins journey has ended for some Twins minor leaguers the last few days. Tyler Jones - RH RP Matt Koch - C Will Hurt - MI Josue Montanez - LH RP And on Monday, they have also released a couple of former Gophers; C Kyle Knudson and OF Mike Kvasnicka. I think I'd speak for everyone in wishing them all well in whatever is next, be it baseball or the real world.

Rosario can play CF, but Hicks would be a better CF. There's no concern about Rosario playing CF, he just doesn't have quite the range that Hicks does. That said, I would expect both to play LF and CF, though I'd expect Rosario to play more LF.

Why? I'm a huge Joe Benson fan, and I thought they DFAd him too soon, but I don't know that it was a bad decision in the end. If he makes the Braves opening day roster (or gets a spot with him sometime this year), I will be thrilled. But, he would have been out of options and a minor league free agent a couple of years ago and would have signed elsewhere. So, it's really irrelevant.

I really like Eric Fryer and he's played well, but if Pinto is deemed available within a week or two of the start of the season, it doesn't make sense to add him to the 40 man roster for that short time. Or, more accurately, potentially losing someone else to bring him up for two weeks. Regardless of what is said, I have to think that gives Herrmann a huge advantage. Herrmann has also had a pretty strong camp.

Not directly,because Graham is already on the 40-man roster right now, but I think there's a good chance. And, as Thrylos said, it's more an indication that they will only have one lefty, non-closer reliever in the bullpen... which is probably fine.

I can't imagine that any real time or energy was given to this idea. I enjoyed listening to his reaction to your question, Parker.

I like this... I think that's a good range for Walker's potential... In either case, he's a guy that they will want to protect after this season. He's got work to do, no question, but there is a lot of potential.

Per the Twins, Grimes decided to retire. Best wishes to him in whatever is next.

No question about this. He's about as classy as it gets. And I never mind when a player is honest when asked questions. I'd rather he be truthful than just say nothing. I think Pelfrey's disappointment is that he was told during the offseason and before spring training that itw ould truly be an open competition for the 5th starter job. If it truly was an open competition, he probably earned the job. Of course, like many here, I don't believe in having spring training performance be the determining factor in roster decisions, so I'm good with this. Milone was the favorite all along, and he pitched fairly well too. As for the trade, I have no problem with him requesting it. I'd have no problem with the Twins trading him, and I would have no problem with them keeping him and seeing how the bullpen job treats him. I think he can be good.

This is very true.

The Twins announced following this afternoon's game that RH RP Lester Oliveros has been outrighted from the Twins roster. That puts the 40-man roster at 39. That clearly means that someone will be added to the 40-man roster to make the ball club. The obvious choice would be Blaine Boyer who has an opt-out on Monday. The same is true of Shane Robinson. Mark Hambuger is another reliever still in camp that is not currently on the 40 man roster. According to Twins Daily's Twitter account, Paul Molitor has said that he will announce the 5th starter and possibly other roster decisions tomorrow (Saturday).

Must be fully torn, not partially. The Twins have many instances where they have had the surgery right away (Randy Rosario, Tyler Stirewalt, Corey Williams, Fernando Romero in the last couple years).