Don't Feed the Greed Guy

Lighten up, Francis. My boys love this stuff! Watching Looie, Wanda, Skeeta, Babe and Bullseye race may be the highlight of competition this spring at Target Field. It's one of those silly things that appeal to 7 year old, and makes him want to go to the ballpark with his old man, where he learns how to keep score, and the finer points of the game. I point out how the infielders spring into a crouch as the pitcher begins his wind-up. Next week, at Rookie Ball, he's still up on the balls of his feet, while the outfielders are picking daisies, and the rest of the infielders are playing in the dirt. I love that. And, c'mon Dave, didn't you tear up, just a little, when Skeeta finally broke her board? It was a beautiful moment...

It's probably too late in this thread for this question to get much notice, especially with all the sniping about "whipping boys" and Gardys lineups last year, but here it goes: Could the Twins pick up a proven bat/pinch hitter between now and opening day? It seems a waste to put Wilkin Ramirez on the bench, rather than giving him a chance to play and add polish with Rochester. He's already 27, so maybe he's beyond the prospect phase. All the same, if there's a 2013 version of Clete Thomas lurking out there, I'd like to see the Twins snatch him up and let Ramirez play everyday at AAA. Any ideas of who might be released/available as other teams trim their rosters and head out for opening day?

Good. This allows Benson and Hicks to play in centerfield every day--with Rochester and Minnesota. Both players can develop their talents within the Twins organization.

Sample size... Deduno 0.69 ERA (13 innings, WBC) Devries 0.90 Hendricks 6.00 Worley 6.00 Correia 6.46 Pelfrey 7.45 Gibson 9.00 Pitch-to-Contact vs. Effectively Wild? Give me Wild Thing!!

In AAA.

ASchieb, I purchased the "Spring Training Handbook" by Joshua Pahigian, and "Florida Spring Training" by Alan Byrd. Both books are dated, but offer some good advice, especially if you plan on travelling beyond Ft. Myers. I've been to several parks, and encourage you to check out Bright House Networks Field (Phillies) in Clearwater, although all of the parks are fun. If you are travelling with kids, bring a ball, or get one at the game--signatures are common, from the prospects to the legends. Drink plenty of water, take stock in sunscreen, and have a ball. I would excho what everyone else has been saying, go early, and move around the minor league fields. And post your experiences while you are down there, and when you get back. It's always fun to read other perspectives on the talent, and what happens during the games. Take care, No Greed Guy

If the Gardenhire Twins sign Lohse, there should be a clause/restraining order in his contract: "Mr. Lohse is not allowed within 50 feet of the bat rack. Certain allowances will be allowed when playing interleague play, but only when Mr. Lohse is in the starting lineup." Lohse's future in doubt after damaging door, self - MLB - ESPN

Hey friends, I am willing to admit that it's way too early to get our hopes up regarding Eddie Rosario and his 5 for 8 outburst against AA to AAA level pitchers. Some of the heavy hitters on this site have commented that it's absurd to believe that we could hear--once again--chants of "Eddie, Eddie" as early as this spring in Minnie. I get it. But don't tell me it can never happen. http://www.baseball-reference.com/minors/player.cgi?id=carew-001rod Calvin Griffith took a flyer on a kid named Rodney Cline Carew, who jumped from Singe A ball, in 1966, all the way to Met Stadium, in 1967. The Denver Bears (AAA) and Charlotte Hornets (AA) never knew Carew. So, how did he do in his first season in a Twins uniform? How about an All Star invitation, and Rookie of the Year? Carew had more experience at second than Rosario. That's a major reason why Eddie will stay on pace to join the parent club in late 2014, with a chance to be in the starting lineup on Opening Day, 2015. The other reason? Delaying the start of Rosario's MLB "Years of Service" clock. All I'm saying, Seth and Co, is that stranger things have happened. That is all.

Hey friends, I am willing to admit that it's way too early to get our hopes up regarding Eddie Rosario and his 5 for 8 outburst against AA to AAA level pitchers. Some of the heavy hitters on this site have commented that it's absurd to believe that we could hear--once again--chants of "Eddie, Eddie" as early as this spring in Minnie. I get it. But don't tell me it can never happen. http://www.baseball-reference.com/minors/player.cgi?id=carew-001rod Calvin Griffith took a flyer on a kid named Rodney Cline Carew, who jumped from Singe A ball, in 1966, all the way to Met Stadium, in 1967. The Denver Bears (AAA) and Charlotte Hornets (AA) never knew Carew. So, how did he do in his first season in a Twins uniform? How about an All Star invitation, and Rookie of the Year? Carew had more experience at second than Rosario. That's a major reason why Eddie will stay on pace to join the parent club in late 2014, with a chance to be in the starting lineup on Opening Day, 2015. The other reason? Delaying the start of Rosario's MLB "Years of Service" clock. All I'm saying, Seth and Co, is that stranger things have happened. That is all.

The last time a Twins Second Baseman jumped all the way from Single A to the Big Show? 1967, when an obscure fellow named Rodney Cline Carew debuted with parent club and played 134 games at 2b. We all know how much of a disaster that was (All Star & Rookie of the Year). Eddie Rosario wouldn't have a chance... Rod Carew Minor League Statistics & History - Baseball-Reference.com

Bring your own peanuts, and $4 beers? Take me out to the ballgame!

You can't make this up. Possible names? I vote for Paul and Babe--Molly and Ruth if they are girls.

Nice article. This is why I love to read Twins Daily. Well-written, well-researched, and a little wit. Fun.

Meaningful?? Meaningful, in my estimation, is defined as a chance to win the Central Division, or at least a Wild Card. The MN Walleye Opener is May 11th this year. My idea of fun is trolling for walleyes and listening to a "meaningful" Twins game on the radio. That hasn't happened since May 2010.

Good link. That means Rosario went 5 for 8 against AA to AAA level pitchers. A good sign. Hope Springs Eternal.

How about this for a preposterous prediction? Who was thelast Twins two-bagger to win a World Championship and a Rookie of the Year? In2015 we will see, in Edie Rosario, the Second Coming of Chuck Knoblauch!

Caring? Are you saying that those of us with patience to wait out a rebuild don't care? I find the title of this thread insulting. I'm sure that there are those who would like the Twins to emulate the Marlins, or other francises that microwave teams through signing multiple free agents. I think the Twins care about the final product. I remember the "Terrible Twins" headline in Sports Illustrated, back in 1983, when the Twins were rebuilding into a World Series Champion. I remember the 90's when the Twins traded Knoblauch and eventually build a team that competed through the 2000's. Do you remember this? This organization cares. They are taking the right steps to rebuild, and the addition of Terry Steinbach, and the retention of Butera are signs that the organization cares about catching. I agree with others. This is a silly post. If you wanted a reaction, you got it.

Thanks again, Seth, and thanks righty8383 for prompting me to push "play". You made my day.

Oops. Thanks for the correction, Madre. I'd still like to know why he's playing in the outfield, though.

Over the years, I've wondered about Mauer's relationship with the pitchers. He gets a pass for the early years, as the rookie, young guy. Now, he's one of the elder statesmen in the clubhouse. Mauer is the captain of the team, especially if/when Morneau goes. Will Mauer live up to a leadership role with young men like Meyer, May and Gibson on the rise? The Captain has six more years to do so. My hunch, from 30,000 feet, is that this is why Drew Butera is still with the team--because he calls a better game than Mauer and Doumit. Butera does his job when he puts the right signs down, calls time when he sees frustration building on the mound, and builds trust with young pitchers. Steinbach also brings the soul of a pitcher-catcher relationship into the Twins clubhouse. It's a chemistry move. From the quotes above, it seems like Gardy can't imagine dressing down Mauer if he calls a bad game, just so long as he goes 5 for 5. That's the difference between a good manager, and a great one. For Mauer, it may be the difference between being remembered as a great catcher, or a legend. If Steinbach can help build the chemistry between Mauer and these young stud pitchers, we will be witnesses to something very special in the years to come.

Fine work, Parker. I look forward to more breakdowns of Sano, and other minor leaguers. May I suggest a breakdown of Rosario's shift from outfield to second, and how he's progressing? The Dominican team will be playing him in the outfield for the WBC, I believe. Thanks for making us all better students of the game.

I would encourage anyone who makes the trip to take in one or two of the other parks in Central Fla. I've seen games at seven of the parks, and would rank Bright House Field (Phillies) in Clearwater at the top, and Space Coast Stadium (Nationals) at the bottom--although the location is great if you are sightseeing Cape Canaveral. Arrive early, and stick around late if you have kids that would like to get some autographs. My boys filled up their baseballs with signatures, and many pictures were taken with players and coaches, especially after the game by the locker rooms. Security controls the crowds, and the players are more than accomodating. Great fun for your little leaguer, and Dad too.

Good post, Nick. Your list quantifies what we've been reading, feeling, hearing. The competition in the Central Division have all improved their stable of starting pitchers. The Twin's cellar dwelling staff roster lags behind. The $30 million payroll savings is the other piece. Thanks for connecting the dots.

I posted this playoff (World Series?) prediction a few weeks ago. It was written in the context of Joe Mauer's career potential--HOF, or not. I think it fits better with this thread: The Twins go 74-88 in 2013, and Morneau and Willingham are dealt just before the trade deadline for talent. Ron Gardenhire's contract is not renewed. Paul Molitor is named the new manager and introduces a hustling, up-tempo offense that jells with his young core of talented position players, bolstered by one more good draft. Buxton and Hicks exceed Span and Revere as outfielders, and Rosario, Michael, and Santana solidify the middle infield, Sano's glove catches up to his bat and his arm at 3rd base, and Chris Hermann spells Mauer as a fine defensive catcher. Arcia, or a gloveless Sano becomes a memorable Twins designated hitter... (Who was the last memorable designated hitter?? A New but Old Problem: Who Is the Twins' Designated Hitter? - Twinkie Town C'mon, we're due here!) Mauer develops into a catcher/coach of promising young pitchers (a talent that he hasn't displayed, to me...), and Terry Ryan is named Sweet Genius for trading to get Alex Myer and Trevor May. (Gibson, Berrios, Bard, Hendricks, Diamond? Pick three and they round out a very solid rotation.) The bullpen doesn't crash, and Glen Perkins emerges as a top-five closer. Mauer produces with a batting average that gradually decreases from .320 to .280 over the next six years. He stays healthy as the Twins go deep into the playoffs from 2015-2018, and take home some hardware. Six years of catching roughly 90-100 games a season takes its toll. Mauer retires when he's 35, and his contract expires after the 2018 season. He ends up coaching alongside his big brother, Jake, for many more years in the Twins organization. Twenty years from now Mauer, Bench and Berra are mentioned in the same breath. This is not just wishful thinking. Stranger things have happened, we just don't believe in them. After all, we are Minnesotans. Happy New Year!