woolywoolhouse

I mean, I'd tell the Twins' batting coaches to leave me alone, too, after getting tinkered with for years but also watching my predecessor in Aaron Hicks struggle with the Twins, go to NY, flourish under them, and just sign a 7 year/$70 million contract.

Was looking for a thread because I'm listening to the game and I've wanted to share thoughts, and I didn't see one, so now I created one. Because I'm a go-getter. Highlights thus far (through 5) in no-particular-order: - Polanco is 2 for 3 leading off with a double, RBI, and run scored; - Rosario has two doubles; - Buxton has 5 RBI AGAIN with two homers and a double; - Cave stole a base; - Astudillo hit the ball hard and has played a decent third; - Berrios pitched two good innings, giving up a wind-aided homerun to right; - Both Rogers and Romero pitched a scoreless inning in relief. Just happy in general that spring baseball is back during the weekday so I can listen at work!

Universal DH has been a long-time coming, particularly with the move to three five-team divisions within each league, necessitating in at least one inter-league series at all times. I'm not sure how often this scenario has played itself out, but imagine a contending team - say, the Twins - is in the hunt for another Wild Card slot, and their last series of the year is an away series against an NL team. That would mean they'd either have to bat without their DH in the line-up (for argument's sake, let's say it's still Nelson Cruz, and that he's had an amazing, MVP-caliber year) or they'd have to pull Max Kepler (again, argument's sake: he's played Gold Glove defense all year) to get Cruz's bat in the line-up, leaving a huge hole in the outfield. Not even mentioning that then the AL team is relying on getting some offense from pitchers who swing the bat 5-10 times a year at most. Some will argue that's where a manager's strengths in strategy come into play; I argue that it's handcuffing a team by taking away potentially the most important pieces that got them to this point in the season. You don't have that in any other sport. Peyton Manning doesn't get to the post-season only to be told "Over here quarterbacks have to kick their own extra points." Lebron James never has to adjust his approach because 1/5 of the season free throws must be made from half-court. And, because I believe in the comedy Rule of Threes, Zach Parise has never had to make the switch from hockey stick to cricket bat during a crucial late-season run. (For the record, this scenario won't happen to the Twins this year, as their last road-series again an NL team is vs. Milwaukee August 13-14.)

Can't bat either Castro nor Garver in front of Buxton, unless you want to see some triples turning into doubles, or some runs from first base having to be held up at third.

Maybe the Twins new blue jerseys could have bubble wrap in them for Buxton's wall-colliding adventures?

I'll ask the obvious question everyone is wondering: does Mitch Garver give up #23 for Cruz?

Not that history can always repeat itself... but the last time the Twins signed an older power-hitter to be their primary DH, it worked out pretty well, as Jim Thome helped power the Twins to their last AL Central Title in 2010.

Last year with Mauer set to start at first the Twins signed a left-handed bat from Tampa Bay after he had a career year at the plate. This upcoming season, they have Austin ready to take over and start at first and they sign a right-handed bat from Tampa Bay after he had a career year... Is there a glitch in the Matrix?

My avatar? All seriousness, there are a lot of statues around Target Field of the all-time greats swinging. Why not one of his batting stance that didn't change one bit from 2004-2018? Or in his catcher's position, for the kids to pose next to without being dwarfed?

Tom Kelly. Let him smoke a cigar and wear Zubaz in the booth.

The Fogo in Phoenix must be amazing.

I've said it before: all the Twins need to do to knock some sense into a player on their team with all the talent in the world to succeed is have Torii Hunter punch Nick Punto.

Hope a new manager is named relatively soon. Twins have to look at free agency for Starting Pitchers, Relief Pitchers (closer?), and probably an infielder or two: it's going to be tough signing any top-end free agent to Minnesota anyway, let alone without a manager (and coaching staff) to help sell a team philosophy.

Even though I'm quite certain his mind is already made up... if it wasn't, will this be a final nail in the coffin of "Will Mauer come back?" (Unless someone he really, really wants to play for his hired as manager very soon.)

I'd swap the first two words and switch the pronoun, so it reads: "Is this how you baseball?"

Can you imagine how wonderful this 2018 pitching staff would be with 2017's offense?

The Twins know they are allowed to hit the ball after the first inning, right? That isn't like Detroit Rules is it?

Opposing teams' management should impose fines on their pitchers: $500 for every pitch they throw Sano in the strikezone.

Dating back to 2016, the Twins have not lost any game my daughter has attended. (That includes a dozen last year and two so far this year.) If they'd like to provide her two season tickets next to Rosario's family, I think we'd have the pennant wrapped up this year.

If the Twins wants to fix Sano's attitude, there's only one proven way to do it: Have Torii Hunter punch Nick Punto.

Tonight is also Star Wars Night at Target Field! That is all I have to add.

"Ewww... it almost touched me!"

And if they don't exist: someone invent toe-guards!

Get Buxton some toe-guards!

Dozier: hit the ball! Go with the pitch! Don't just try and pull it into the left field bleachers!