Seth Stohs

I think that Herrmann, assuming things go well in New Britain, should be the primary starter in Rochester by the middle of this year, although it doesn't hurt him at all to spend this full year at New Britain. He'll be fine, but he didn't dominate AA last year, so it's good for him to get another half-season there. Lehmann is already about 27, so I don't know if he's got any more development. Personally, he's so well respected by pitchers in the organization. He's been the Twins minor league catcher of the year the past three years. In my opinion, he's on par with the three in Rochester, but i want him working with better prospects.

Changed to 25 this year.

Chrissy Scaffidi recently became the new Director of Media and Community Relations for the Beloit Snappers. Here is a terrific article about her and the rest of the Snappers staff. Scaffidi will also be the first female PA announcer, which brings about some challenges that she talks about in the article. Check out the article, it's on Page 12, for more!

they have an 8-man bullpen. If they would have FIVE starters right now, Burnett wouldn't be on the roster. As soon as Baker or Marquis comes back, he'll likely be sent down to Rochester. Since one of those two should be back within the first week or so of the season, is it really worth adding Fien to the 40 man roster and then losing him when they move down to a 7-player bullpen. There is still plenty of hope for Burnett... I believe that his likelihood of meeting his potential wold be greatly improved by sending him to Rochester for awhile... Oliveros is starting the season in AA, so not sure he's a great option at this point either (and I believe he can be very solid too, but rightfully, they'll let him succeed and then move up). We all saw Gutierrez pitch, and he still doesn't have a second pitch. He also wasn't terribly good in AAA last year. I still think he could be good, but not yet.

You're right, Thrylos, the 27 man roster really means that 2 players will move down when Baker and Marquis move up. There is no "upside" with Burroughs. He's like 33 or something, no power, but does take good at bats. That's no a knock. He is what he is, which is a decent 25th man and pinch hitter. Gray won't be this year's Dusty Hughes at all. Hughes made the roster by putting up a great ERA and "fooling" people into thinking he was pitching well. Gray has pitched good most of the time, but he doesn't have the flashy numbers, so if he does fail and gets sent out, it won't be as disappointing to those who think spring numbers mean something. I agree with all of the comments about Burnett. I'll continue to support Burnett, but he should be the first reliever sent down.

http://thebiglead.com/index.php/2012/04/01/bert-blyleven-shot-a-minnesota-state-lottery-commercial-with-animal-puppets/ Pretty entertaining. Catchy jingle!

Pavano has allowed just one hit over the first three innings. Lone hit was a double by Dustin Pedroia.

Twins Lineup: Denard Span CF Jamey Carroll SS Chris Parmelee DH Ryan Doumit C Danny Valencia 3B Sean Burroughs 1B Luke Hughes 2B Trevor Plouffe RF Ben Revere LF SP: Carl Pavano Boston Lineup: Jacoby Ellsbury CF Dustin Pedroia 2B Adrian Gonzalez 1B Kevin Youklis 3B David Ortiz DH Cody Ross RF Jarrod Saltalamacchia C Ryan Sweeney LF Mike Aviles 2B SP: Vicente Padilla

My projection for Joe Mauer is: .318/.397/.496 with 40 doubles, 11 home runs and 84 RBI. Consider each of those numbers over/unders. What do you think? How do you think he will hit in 2012? Get your projections in here!

Burnett will (most likely) be sent down as soon as Marquis is back or Baker is off the DL.

Minn - I'm with you on the Burroughs/Dinkelman situation. Dinkelman played very well. He is more versatile defensively... just as much power (which is to say, not a lot). They're interchangeable, I think.

More: Drew Butera - talked about 3-catcher thing, but Drew just doesn't hit. Can't afford those that don't have the ability yet to hit. Want to have a chance 1-9 to hit. Have Joe and "Dooms." Drew needs to play, needs ABs. He'll do anything you ask. As good a catch-and-throw guy, calls a good game. He's well liked, well respected, there early, he's there. Chris Parmelee - liked what he did last year, and had a great spring. Last year, Tom Brunansky helped level his swing out. Gets the bat-head on the ball well. He has earned it. Torii Hunter (Souhan's guy) - Gardy has never had a hitter say he didn't want to hit... (he's had a pitcher, and they laughed and said that pitcher isn't here anymore). He wasn't going to pinch hit for Kubel. Baker - will leave him in Ft. Myers and let him get a couple more starts. Marquis - needs to take care of his daughter, very serious... we haven't come up with a plan because we don't know where he is baseball-wise. Going to go with Hendriks and a four-man rotation... then maybe Swarzak until we figure out what's going on with BAker and Marquis. Willingham is comfortable in left... Plouffe is better in right field. Gardy - did a lot of traveling... accept the fact that it was a bad year... we've moved past it. Once you're into January, the caravan and Twins Fest, he's ready to go. He's excited. THey feel good about spring training and the upcoming season.

Tom Pelissero and Jim Souhan are hosting the first Ron Gardenhire Show of the year on 1500espn (www.1500espn.com). Here are some notes: Likes having veterans like Sean Burroughs, Ryan Doumit, etc., to put together good at bats.Luke Hughes' swing is shorter and the plane is better. He's been pretty good.Alexi can play SS. Carroll can play 2B. Trevor Plouffe will back up in the infield and outfield. He's been in control on the field this spring.Wanted to add depth to win ball games. We went with some specialty people who can swing the bat.Morneau - leaning toward full-time DH, but still subject to change. He doesn't have to worry about diving, etc. Will have to play some 1B, especially for National League ball games.Mauer is ready to go. He's caught back-to-back days. He's strong. He feels good. Not even talking about 'other stuff." That's good. Will play plenty of 1BDoumit - he's "game on." He's catching Liriano next. But he's worked with everyone else. Has done well, better than they were thinking he would be. He's decent in RF.No doubt there is much more depth. Sent down some very good players. That may be a difference from last year. It's been tough, "We sent some pretty good players down. We sent some good pitchers down."First commercial... check out 1500espn.com... more comments to come.

That said, now that the Twins roster appears set, we could hear that minor league rosters announced as early as today. Those players are leaving Ft. Myers on Monday.

You can view the page at http://www.twinsdaily.com/content.php?383-Twins-Cut-Four-More-Roster-Set

On Sunday morning, Brian Dozier, JR Towles, Brian Dinkelman and Casey Fien were all re-assigned to minor league camp. The moves have mean that the Twins roster is essentially set. Dozier came into camp hoping to make a strong impression and it would be an understatement to say he did. He displayed strong defense that appears to give the Twins coaches and front office confidence that he can be an every day shortstop. He hit well, including three spring home runs. It's safe to say that he'll head to Rochester knowing that if needed, the Twins will not hesitate to bring him up. JR Towles appears to have won the 3rd catcher job... on a team that will start that season with two catchers. He had a nice showing in the spring, hitting two home runs. Brian Dinkelman had a rough season in Rochester a year ago, but he hit .301 in his time with the Twins and again showed well for himself with the bat in spring training. His ability to play 2B and the corner outfield spots defensively likely mean that the Twins wouldn't hesitate to promote him if needed. Casey Fien was another of the big surprises of spring training. The former Tigers' reliever put up very good numbers and made a case to be on the opening day roster. Again, the bullpen could be a revolving door in 2012, and Fien may find himself with the team at some point. The moves essentially have set the final Opening Day roster for the Twins. C: Joe Mauer, Ryan Doumit INF: Justin Morneau, Chris Parmelee, Alexi Casilla, Luke Hughes, Jamey Carroll, Danny Valencia and Sean Burroughs. OF: Denard Span, Josh Willingham, Trevor Plouffe, Ben Revere SP: Carl Pavano, Francisco Liriano, Liam Hendriks, Nick Blackburn, Scott Baker (DL), Jason Marquis (BL) BP: Matt Capps, Glen Perkins, Brian Duensing, Anthony Swarzak, Matt Maloney, Jared Burton, Jeff Gray, Alex Burnett Any thoughts? I'm ready for Friday against Baltimore!! Let's get this season started!!

On Sunday morning, Brian Dozier, JR Towles, Brian Dinkelman and Casey Fien were all re-assigned to minor league camp. The moves have mean that the Twins roster is essentially set. Dozier came into camp hoping to make a strong impression and it would be an understatement to say he did. He displayed strong defense that appears to give the Twins coaches and front office confidence that he can be an every day shortstop. He hit well, including three spring home runs. It's safe to say that he'll head to Rochester knowing that if needed, the Twins will not hesitate to bring him up. JR Towles appears to have won the 3rd catcher job... on a team that will start that season with two catchers. He had a nice showing in the spring, hitting two home runs. Brian Dinkelman had a rough season in Rochester a year ago, but he hit .301 in his time with the Twins and again showed well for himself with the bat in spring training. His ability to play 2B and the corner outfield spots defensively likely mean that the Twins wouldn't hesitate to promote him if needed. Casey Fien was another of the big surprises of spring training. The former Tigers' reliever put up very good numbers and made a case to be on the opening day roster. Again, the bullpen could be a revolving door in 2012, and Fien may find himself with the team at some point. The moves essentially have set the final Opening Day roster for the Twins. C: Joe Mauer, Ryan Doumit INF: Justin Morneau, Chris Parmelee, Alexi Casilla, Luke Hughes, Jamey Carroll, Danny Valencia and Sean Burroughs. OF: Denard Span, Josh Willingham, Trevor Plouffe, Ben Revere SP: Carl Pavano, Francisco Liriano, Liam Hendriks, Nick Blackburn, Scott Baker (DL), Jason Marquis (BL) BP: Matt Capps, Glen Perkins, Brian Duensing, Anthony Swarzak, Matt Maloney, Jared Burton, Jeff Gray, Alex Burnett Any thoughts? I'm ready for Friday against Baltimore!! Let's get this season started!!

Yeah, this is a great way to look at this... Of course, some of this is based on these guys meeting the levels of play we think they can, but I can't really argue with anything you've got up above.

You can view the page at http://www.twinsdaily.com/content.php?382-Spring-Training-Comes-to-an-End-by-Tim-Shibuya

This blog was written by Twins minor league pitcher Tim Shibuya. The right-hander was the Appalachian League Pitcher of the Year last year, and he will be starting for the Beloit Snappers as the 2012 season begins. Here are his thoughts as spring training comes to an end: As the end of Spring Training nears, the positives and negatives that you only think about at the start of camp start to become a reality. Friends you have played with for a while might get moved to a higher level as they have earned a job and showed they can play at the next level. Others get bumped down by either poor play, a player being reassigned from big league camp, or a combination of the two. Then there is the worst news a player can get, that they have been released and it is time to part ways. The usually quiet morning atmosphere in the clubhouse is always more sullen when teammates are cut. It is tough to see your friends, acquaintances, and teammates pack their bags and head for the airport for the trip home. Your only hope for them is that they are able to get picked up by another team and continue to follow their dream on the windy road to the Big Leagues. However, like many events down at Spring Training, you must take the information, digest it, and move on and get yourself ready for the day. You are never safe, so you must refocus and make yourself a better player that day. The coaches have emphasized focus and mental toughness this Spring and these days are perfect to be able to apply those skills to situations. As soon as you start worrying about if you are going to make a team, get cut or anything like that, doubt creeps into the mind and you cannot perform your best. Each day that I have a uniform on my back is a good day, and an opportunity to wear that uniform one more day. On the other side of things, a nice aspect about Spring Training coming to a close is that your team starts to become more defined and you get to play a few games with the guys who will be with you for most of your season. The number of players getting shuffled from different levels decreases and you are able to start building team chemistry and understanding how each infielder and outfielder does certain plays. Despite all of the time playing on different teams, we are starting to come together already and are having a good time doing it too. And now for the interesting Spring Training event of the week. On Tuesday of this week we were informed that if we are going to play for the Rochester, New Britain, or Beloit teams, we needed to pack up most of our stuff and put it in a duffel bag so a moving truck could take the bags to their respective locations. The truck left on Wednesday so we didn’t have much time to decide what we needed to keep in Ft. Myers, and what we could send off and be without for a week. I spent a fair bit of Tuesday night flipping a coin to see what I should send up to Beloit. And as is customary with my brain, I second, third, and fourth guessed myself packing and unpacking a variety of items, until I made an executive decision to just pack everything I could into one bag and just deal with it. I wish I had made this decision earlier in the night, but oh well, I guess it was a good way to pass the time. [ATTACH=CONFIG]468[/ATTACH]

Yup. Same format. It's the work groups, although as I understand it, players were informed today of where they're going...