AlwaysinModeration

It seems to me it is a trend, and the trend is being driven by the hitting side of the equation. Teams don't care if a player strikes out a lot, if he is swinging for the fences and taking more pitches.

Were you really struck by lightning four times?

Lefty-leaning line-ups will also gain a bigger platoon advantage. Switch hitters get 100% platoon advantage, lefties get 70%, righties get 30%. So the Twins gain advantage by batting lefties and switch hitters, although we know that they never platoon.

Nice work. I agree that is he can reduce his walks a bit, that will be Deduno's best shot at being useful, with expected regression in his other numbers. Also interesting that the focus of this winds up on Jake Westbrook, jwestbrock.

You have to imagine the players love this and a bunch eagerly volunteer. Easily the most entertaining thing to happen with the big club in the past month. (Or past three years?)

I was just lamenting the uprooted firs the other day. Great piece. Haven't they play 105 games, though?

That's the line I am setting for the number of Twins who are traded away before the next 24 hours elapse. I was going to set it at 1.5, but I think this line is more, well, in line. What have you got? Over, or under?

That's the line I am setting for the number of Twins who are traded away before the next 24 hours elapse. I was going to set it at 1.5, but I think this line is more, well, in line. What have you got? Over, or under?

I'd happily call it a knuckleball, if that is what it is. Here is a dumb question...how in the hell does pitchFX figure out how many RPMs a ball makes? I get the break calculations...

I think the Twins are hitting their stride; in 8th place for the top draft pick, and falling out of contention enough to know that they should be trading away veterans this month. A couple of good months and then can position themselves even better for 2014-2015-2016.

Great piece. The data you have presented, while barely over the threshold of small sample size, show two things: 1)Mauer is swinging at more pitches, and 2)Mauer has shifted where he hits the ball up in the spectrum; more fly balls/line-drives at the expense of ground balls. The question is whether he is changing his swing path to more of an uppercut, or swinging at more higher pitches? (Or another explanation?) One note...this is the first year he would have had the opportunity to work with Brunansky....maybe he's changed his approach slightly due to that?

He gets my vote. I don't have one, however.

I don't know. How many starts before Correia is over 5 for the season?

Great thought piece. Let's start by ruling out Mauer. He's an up-the-middle guy, but his catching days are dwindling and he'll be 30 in a few weeks. While I expect several more MVP-level years, he isn't going to be here long enough to build a franchise around. Next, let's rule out Berrios, Gibson, and Meyer. Berrios looks like a great young man, potential ace and face of the franchise. But he's 18, and a pitcher--too much risk. Similarly, Gibsonmay be very good, but he has yet to even pitch at the majors, or fully prove he is back from TJ. Meyer looks the part of an ace, and I am eager to see his progress, but as a pitcher who hasn't pitched above AA, I can't roll the dice there. Arcia is next out. Bat looks great, and he continues to surprise at each higher level. But as a corner OF, I can't count on him to build my franchise around, however high my hopes are for him. That leaves me with Hicks, Rosario, Buxton, and Sano. I like Rosario, and I love the move to an up-the-middle position. I would have liked to see his season last year without the broken face mixed in. This year will be huge for the guy who out-homered Sano two years ago. But he's not my guy. Between the last three, I hate to do it, but I have to rule out Buxton. He's just too far away, despot having all the tools and an up-the-middle profile. Mauer was the #2 guy the Twins drafted #1 (Prior), while Buxton is the #1 guy the Twins drafted #2 (Correa). I like that His future is bright, but I want more certainty--and immediacy for my franchise. So, Hicks or Sano? Both low-average, good on-base guys. One with premiere power, and one with premiere speed and defense. Both have flaws...Hicks struggles against lefties and doesn't hit for high average or huge power. Sano also hits for lower average, and struggles defensively. I love the Miggy Cabrera comps, but Sano is never going to win a batting crown. In the end, I think I am going with the guy who plays an up-the-middle position with exceptional defense, who is on the cusp of winning the starting CF job after skipping AA for the first time since Joe Mauer, with the on-base chops to lead off for the team for the next decade, and the potential for developing power. Aaron Hicks.

When you get to Morneau, I'd focus on Texas, which has three good SSs aged 25 or under.

Carlos Rodon. That's a pro for trading Willingham you are missing. The sooner the Twins trade Willingham, the better they position themselves for the top pick in 2014.

Benson, Colabello, and Slama would get my votes.

OMW--the Hall already has cheaters in it, and we don't really know who the cheaters are. I agree with JimCrikket. If you don't want a Hall of Fame with Barry Bonds and Roger Clemens in it, why bother having a hall of fame?