Parker Hageman

Again, I preface all of this by saying we don't know the whole story. These are just the details that are provided: Baerga did not start three players in the playoffs including his best player -- for some unknown reason. Could it have been because he pulled a Mr. Burns and had Homer pinch hit for Daryl Strawberry? Maybe. Could it have been that the three players did something on-or-off-the-field that caused their benching? Maybe. Could it have been because he just wanted to give the three a day off? Maybe. I tried to find any report on why those three were not played in the game and there did not seem to have any information available on that. To me, that's the smoking gun.

At the end of December Vargas was quoted as saying he was trying to get the extra week from the Twins to help his team to the playoffs. Obviously with this case as in numerous cases in the clubhouse of the major leagues, there are things that will never be reported and the full story will never be revealed. These are simply the events reported by the local media. Baerga's comment about his players not ready to come play 100% was interesting. It's a jump to conclusion (mat) that it is possible that the three named players who were held out of the lineup may have not come ready to play -- for whatever that means. The curious thing about it is that it was essentially a "must win" game and Baerga held his and the league's best hitter out of the lineup. Again, I'm not winning to assign blame over this, just providing the information available.

Per Twitter, Arcia will return to the lineup on Saturday. He's been ready but has requested Thursday/Friday off because of a death in the family: https://twitter.com/Vigoto/status/553271486010908674

That is crazy. Would love to see some footage of those plate appearances.

Firing a manager in the middle of a postseason run seems like an unlikely scenario for a baseball organization however the Puerto Rican team, Indios de Mayaguez, have fired their manager and Minnesota Twins’ Kennys Vargas may have played a role.On January 5, after going 1-2 to start the round-robin postseason tournament, Indios de Mayaguez fired their manager Carlos Baerga. According to local rumblings in Puerto Rico, Vargas was one of three players who was cited as being a contributing factor in Baerga’s ousting. ElNuevoDia.com reported that Vargas, along with Luis Figueroa and Martin Maldonado, had issues with the team’s manager. Vargas was among three players held out of the lineup during this past Sunday’s game. In 37 games, Vargas was leading the Liga de Beisbol Profesional Roberto Clemente in on-base percentage (.430) thanks to a league-leading 33 walks, second in home runs (6) and third in OPS (.913). In addition to Vargas, Figueroa and Maldonado were withheld from the game against Gigantes de Carolina. Vargas and Figueroa entered the game in the eighth inning as pinch hitters while Maldonado entered as a defensive replacement. In his only at bat that game, Vargas drew a walk against former Twin and Gigantes reliever J.C. Romero and was immediately lifted for a pinch runner. Indios went on to beat the Gigantes, 3-2 after a walk-off double in the 11th. Reportedly, Vargas expressed displeasure in the manager’s decisions and threatened to leave the team. After Sunday's win, the front office called Baerga to inform him that he was let go. Following the news of Baerga’s dismissal, Vargas quickly clarified with the press that he did not have anything to do with Baerga’s firing and would indeed continue with the team. (Vargas was initially slated to return to the Twins after January 8 but his team lobbied for an extension through the playoffs, which the Twins granted.) Shortly after, Baerga took to his Facebook page to announce his termination and express his displeasure in the decision. He said that he would not accept players who did not come to play 100% every day or question his managing. Whether a parting shot or an attempt to clear the air with the three players by Baerga, he finished with “[a]nd above all, thanks to the three pillars of this [team]: Kennys Vargas, Wicho Figueroa Martin Maldonado and that your example and professionalism taught us all how you should do things.” On Wednesday, all three players returned to the starting lineup. For his part, Vargas went 1-for-4 with a home run and drove in two runs. This is the second of such charges against a member of the Twins organization in winter ball. In November, Aaron Hicks’ Venezuelan team released him amid reports that they were upset at his attitude. Vargas’ personality and/or attitude have not been issues with the Twins and he is well-respected in Puerto Rico where he recently was honored in December by the Sports Journalists Association of Puerto Rico as the best major league player from the island in 2014. Click here to view the article

Just to be clear, Jerry Bell was appointed president of Twins Sports Inc in 2002 after he stepped down as president of the Twins. His duties between then and 2011 revolved around getting Target Field funded and constructed (he was a part of the Metropolitan Sports Facilities Commission from 1977 to 1987). To you question regarding Ryan/LaRussa as team presidents, that's fair. Again, it wasn't clear to me what the question was. We will have a thread to place questions for Mr. St. Peter and Mr. Laudner and that seems like a good question to add. To the last point, yes, I answered them. You are definitely welcomed to submit them.

Wow. Ok. I recall you trying to ask a similar question in the DSP Q&A thread but you did not clarify the question upon my request... http://twinsdaily.com/topic/15671-want-to-ask-twins-president-dave-st-peter-a-question/?p=288420 I'm not sure what constitutes a "baseball person" to you. And judging from the re-post here, I'm now seeing that you meant Dave St. Peter as the "top of the organization". Should I just list them? Larry Lucchino, president and CEO of the Red Sox, was never a "baseball person". Randy Lavine, president of the Yankees, was never a "baseball person".Stan Kasten, president of the Dodgers, was never a "baseball person".Brian Auld, president of the Rays, was never a "baseball person."Paul Beeston, president/CEO of Blue Jays, was never a "baseball person".I could continue this but there seems to be a trend. If you wish to continue this list, Google is free. What I will say is that there are plenty of teams that have "non-baseball people" that run the organization that delegate the work out to other "baseball people" to make "baseball" decisions. Dave St. Peter took over the president role in 2002. The team won the Central in 2002, 2003, 2004, 2006, 2009 and 2010. Not seeing the correlation. I think everyone knows the answer to this question. You just want this asked for what reason? Again, if you listen to the podcast interview we did with him in October, I know you will find that these two are not mutually exclusive. Winning creates interest. Interest leads to ticket sales. Ticket sales leads to higher revenue. No secret there. http://twinsdaily.com/_/minnesota-twins-news/podcasts/no-juice-podcast-27-dave-st-peter-r3169

Yes, we will definitely allow Twins Daily members to submit questions for Mr. St. Peter and the two other guests.

The questions to Dave St. Peter have definitely not been asked softball questions. Between last year's Winter Meltdown interview and this year's No Juice Podcast interview I'd say he's received some tough questions.

Right, the hand drop is just one of the things the Twins were trying to correct during the season. He was unable to get to anything up in the zone because of this. I would also direct your attention to the head movement between the two swings. With the Twins, his head changes planes in a significant way. Hard to stay on the ball like that.

Those might be factored in somewhat but, ultimately, his swing from the minors to the major is different: http://i.imgur.com/AoaBdR0.gif http://i.imgur.com/4IOzAsG.gif As such, the results are going to be different. Maybe I'm taking exception to the label of "great" considering Arcia is in the lineup with Joe Mauer and if Arcia has a "great" swing, where are we classifying Mauer's? Bottom line is I agree that Arcia has the ability to put a charge into the ball. The swing/mechanics need polishing. The Twins were hip to that last year and he made strides. Once those adjustments are made Arcia will find plenty of success.

I don't know if it is a "great" swing but it has power. This past September when everyone stopped caring about Twins baseball, I looked at his swing and the changes he's been trying to make: http://twinsdaily.com/_/minnesota-twins-news/minnesota-twins/twins-trying-to-make-oswaldo-arcia-a-complete-hitter-r3045 But there's more: http://twinsdaily.com/_/minnesota-twins-news/minnesota-twins/oswaldo-arcia-and-crushing-in-august-r3001 I'm hoping he develops to his potential but there are flaws in his mechanics that have hindered him.

Yes. The outfield defense definitely needs work. I like what Molitor said about his defense during the winter meeting:

Certainly not a lot of players who have multi-year contracts. I don't know what constitutes "established" but players like the Cubs' Junior Lake (580 MLB PA over last two seasons) go to play -- those that may need to work on a couple of things.

I'm surprised the Twins haven't stepped in. That's my feelings on this. I get that he needs to improve in areas and that's probably the benefit of additional time but, man, he's someone you want at 100% for next season.

Truthfully I think it is difficult to gauge when not following the team on a regular basis. I don't know if the Twins have contacts following the team and providing updates [that's a good question for JACK GOIN] but if I am the front office, I might be more inclined to encourage Arcia sit out the rest of the year. Again, if it is mild and he's 90-to-100% when he returns to play, great. But I do wonder if the urge to play in the postseason in front of his family/friends/countrymen would make him try to play again at less than that.

With the round robin postseason set to begin for the Liga Venezuela Beisbol Profesional, Minnesota Twins outfielder Oswaldo Arcia remains sidelined with a back injury. Should one of the organization's best power threats continue to play out the winter season?UPDATE [1/12]: Oswaldo Arcia, who was expected to return to action this past Saturday, has not reported back to his team and will sit out the remainder of the postseason. Last week Arcia had informed his team that he was ready to play but requested Thursday and Friday off due to "family commitments". Arcia however did not connect with the team on Saturday nor Sunday. Arcia's manager in Venezuela speculated that his unexpected absence was likely related to his lingering back injury. **** Yesterday, ElEmergente.com speculated that Arcia could be out for the team's 14-game postseason. Today, Pedro Mena, the general manager of Arica's team, Caribes de Anzoategui, told ElEmergente.com that the team is waiting to see how Arcia's back responds before considering him out for the postseason. "The idea is to rest but I think in a couple of days at least [he] could be with the team," said Mena. This is the second injury that has plagued Arcia this winter. In December, he encountered a tendon issue in his right hand which kept him out of the lineup for several days. In January, it was reported that a back injury had kept him out of the lineup and would be out for "five or six days". The Twins have a history of injuries in the winter leagues, most notably Miguel Sano in 2013 who strained his UCL while playing in the Dominican. This season, the Twins denied pitcher Jose Berrios the opportunity to pitch in Puerto Rico. Obviously, pitchers are handled differently than position players. Overall, if Arcia sits out the rest of the season, he will miss 14 to 20 games. In 33 games this winter, he has hit .270/.377/.539 with 7 home runs and gained some experience in left field -- the position the Twins have slated him for 2015. What do you think? Should Arcia attempt to play in the offseason or remain on the bench to ensure he is healthy for spring training? Click here to view the article

On this week's No Juice Podcast, without much in the way of baseball activity, Dan Anderson and Parker Hageman remember the career of cult fan favorite Boof Bonser, who reportedly retired this week, and everything he and the AJ Pierzynski trade meant for the Minnesota Twins. Click to listen below.The guys also realize that their show is the opposite of the Bill Swarzki's Superfans. But if they did model their show after the SNL bit, they chose a Minnesota sports power animal equivalent to Hurricane Ditka. Download attachment: Mauer.jpg Other topics include the Gophers bowl game, how to party on New Years and more. Listen below, on iTunes or on Stitcher: NO JUICE PODCAST, EPISODE #37: TORNADO MAUER Click here to view the article

Yep. Sorry -- 11 pitchers faced. Nine official at-bats. (In 2013, he was a long reliever so he wound up in the game early a lot. Was called upon in the first inning twice and the second inning once.)

Good question. I would have assumed so too. I wish we had a JACK GOIN bat signal to have him comment on that.

Well aware. Just playing his game when he cited FIP. As for the adjusted FIP, I'm not a huge proponent when gauging relievers. It clearly attempts to factor in the park (which is good) but in terms of the league adjustments with the pitcher batting in the National League, you rarely face a pitcher as a reliever (Stauffer faced a pitcher nine times last year which I would be would have been in his starts). Thus, he receives a demerit in FIP- while never really facing a pitcher. To me, this stat is better reserved for starters when gauging across leagues.

On this week's No Juice Podcast, Dan Anderson and Parker Hageman wrap up their first year by discussing the Phil Hughes extension and the Tim Stauffer addition. Click to listen below.Other topics include #SugarDaddysParkingLotUpdate, holiday festivities, and the best and worst in local sports in 2014. Have a Happy New Year everyone! Listen below, on iTunes or on Stitcher: NO JUICE PODCAST, EPISODE #36: 2014 YEAR IN REVIEW Click here to view the article