Bodie

Nice results for Julien in the WBC. He looked like a true pro! And unlike normal spring training games, he was in games that all 18 men on the field cared about. I'd say he should be the first position player to get the call, assuming he looks at least competent at AAA. Anyone who has read my posts can guess accurately whose roster spot he should have by mid-month. (Hint: it is the guy, who when not scared to swing, looks like he doesn't know how to use the axe in his hands.)

An absolute butcher who seems to be in terminal decline? All for $11M? Skeptical? No. Torqued? Yep. Worse than the combined signings of Archer and Bundy the previous off-season. If Rocco ever hands the umps a lineup card with him at leadoff, he should be fired on the spot - not after the game!

Sergio signed w/ San Fran, pitched to 3 batters in the final ST game (in SF) and was pulled - to a standing ovation - by Buster Posey. All done to allow him to retire as a Giant. Nice send off for quite a fun and unique dude! Wish him well!

"The Proven Closer: Emilio Pagan" I was baffled when I saw saw his name mentioned at the beginning of the article, but when I saw the above subheading I just quit...

You are apparently new to the Twins scene! It can get much worse than Paddack pitching in the rotation. I sure as he// hope not, but... 1 day 6 hours til the happiest time of the year for grumpy old men!

You had me a "free beer", but add in a meat raffle? I'm there, 3 hour drive or not!

Sad, but too likely true... 2 days, 4 hours to go - Light 'em up Twins!

I think the most important numbers in ST are "10 and 14.2". Walks and innings for Maeda. Kenta Maeda looks like he is going to take a while to regain his control (and apparently velocity). My opinion is that he is the key to not the rotation, or even the pitching staff, but to the Twins season. As much as many people are psyched about the rotation, its actual history is pretty thin (at best). Gray and Maeda have enough history that a realistic estimate of their performance can be expected - except Maeda is coming off a major surgery (that isn't wholy unexpected at his age and due to his much more onerous workload when still in Japan) that regularly requires a full season pitching (after rehabbing) to get back the control and "feel" they had pre-surgery. Lopez has an established track record, but changing teams can mess with a player's mojo. I don't expect it to be a big deal, but you just can't tell until he pitches... I understand being excited about Mahle and Ryan (especially Ryan!) but neither has much of a major league track record. A very nice season is far from a guarantee of a repeat the next year (especially for pitchers), let alone for a career. Add in Minnesota's atrocious record in developing pitching, and I am not yet sold on either Ryan or Mahle. Excited? You bet! But it will take a season or so more of quality pitching by either (or preferably both!) for me to become a true believer. Circling back to Maeda, his track record says that (ignoring his TJ surgery for second) he is not only the Twins number one starter, but the best bet to be an actual ace. He may (now taking into account his TJ surgery) still be, but his seeming lack of control (and the numbers could be misleading as they are a small sample size in ST, and he may be trying something new/different with a fully healed arm) and, reportedly, velocity is a cause for concern. Due to his age this concert is both short and long-term. "Ace" as I use the term is sort of nebulous, but to paraphrase an an old Supreme Court ruling, I know one when I see one. He is your stopper. He is unquestionably the guy you send out to start game one of a playoff series and pray is available for game seven. Not just your number one guy, but something even better. Johan Santana was an ace, Radke was a a number one (if only by default some years). Viola at his best was an ace, Scott Erickson (no-hitter and all) never was. An ace not only solidifies a rotation (and a whole pitching staff) but usually it's personality is a reflection of him. He is a leader by default, if not otherwise. He eats innings. He doesn"t get pulled because his opponents are seeing him a third time in a game. An ace is necessary for a great staff. He is special!!! As I said above, Meada is the only one with that track record that says he can be that guy. That is not to say that the 3 young guys (including Lopez as he is new to us and still about 25/6 years old, and a 4th guy if you are to count Ober) can't or won't develop into an ace, but it takes a world of talent, the ability to adapt and learn, and to an extent time to have that reputation that makes your opponent think that today is a good day to take off. Maeda, if fully recovered, is the best bet to anchor a special, if not great rotation. Just my opinion(s) take it for what it is worth..

Sorry but I completely disagree. Buxton's average season line sits at .244 12 32 Yep, a .244 batting average, 12 homeruns and 32(!) RBIs per season. A pretty pathetic output for any position, let alone for a DH. These aren't numbers picked from his poorest/ most injury plagued seasons but career averages (now covering 8 seasons). He now seldom steals bases, and I don't see that changing (nor do many close observers) taking away one of his two best demonstrated skills. If he isn't regularly playing elite CF defense (his other demonstrated skill), he simply isn't isn't the guy that all Twins fans want to see and the Twins need to be competitive. There is an old saying about _____ on my leg and telling me it is raining. I really want to see it rain, but his history has shown that we're much more likely to end up with a fetid yellow puddle than than anything else. Here is to hoping that he is up for 140 games (most in CF) looking like one of the best all-around players in the game. I just won't hold my breath...

Bundy and Archer will likely make at least cameo appearances in the majors as "you can never have too much pitching" according to the old baseball adage. Both (if healthy) will sign minor league contracts and after a couple of decent starts will get a call-up to see if a) they are for real again or b) can be traded for something/someone before they regress back to their 2022 versions of themselves. Sano has probably burned his last boat. Independent league, Korea or Caribbean/Latin American league is likely all he has to look forward to. He does have the "tools" to shine (at least as a power hitter) in any of those, but the question with him will always be that ten cent mind of his! (as in quarterbacks with "a million dollar arm and a ten cent mind" i.e. Ryan Leaf)

Not to be "that guy", but the Twins are definitely NOT a team noted for adding velocity. Wes Johnson was known for it, but is now doing his voodoo for the Bayou Bengals. If the Twins are historically known for anything doing with velocity it is the polar opposite - convincing guys to take a bit off to improve control. That being said, a 90 mph fastball can and has worked in the majors since day one.

in re Pagan: The idea is for them to get cuts against MLB-caliber pitching...

At least the ants are reportedly under control...

How can you NOT compete with possibly the two best everyday players - one of whom is also a legit ace starter???

It's hard not to enjoy Arraez. The joy he plays with every day is literally infectious to both his teammates and to the fans. Plus, he is a pretty good bat... going to miss him!

The WBC just might be on my list of things to do before I die. The atmosphere alone makes it just about irresistible, and that it centers around high quality baseball pretty much cinches it. From a distance it reminds me when I was in Amsterdam and had friends (various Europeans) who drug me to a Netherlands vs. France game. Crazier atmosphere than Minneapolis before game 7 of the 1997 WS, and on par with AFTER the game. The WBC games look like the same sort excitement for the people in attendance. Count me a believer!!! GO 'MERICA!!!

Yeah, but it beats the alternative... 😉

Tik Tok?!?! Would never go there. Maybe I am getting old... As far as an improved "social media" presence goes, big deal. Pictures and videos of s#&t with a Twins logo are still just images of $hi!. I have feedlots and hog confinement buildings all around my home full of just that, except I can put that on my fields and improve yields. The Twins manure can't even do that! Give me a competitive team and you can keep your tiktok dumpster 🔥 !!! That said, I'm glad you are psyched for the season Adam and hope to see you at Target Field!!! (Old man rant over)

Every time I've seen the Twins home uniforms I instantly think they must be playing the Orioles. That is NOT a compliment!!! Add in what looks like a Marlins cap and I just shake my head...

And the fact that you can't stream local radio broadcasts of games at all.. How can my favorite sport and entertainment keep making not just the wrong decisions to improve its popularity, but be 180 degrees off time after time? And don't get me started on 9pm starts for team USA in the WBC...

I favor a Pagan for Pagan trade, Emilio for Angel. I remember watching a teenage Angel playing for the Cedar Rapids Kernels when I lived there. It was ONLY a little over 30 years ago and he was very young...

Maybe even CJ himself. The Rockies have him now (saw him in a game vs. The Cubs). They seem to have already given up on the '23 season, so...

28 years old. Just a normal career arc (the upward curve of production before normal wear and tear, and simple slowing due to age, before the inevitable falloff- not specific stats) point to him having some of his best years of his career. He hasn't a history of injury that would knock him off that typical career arc. I can see 2-3 years where he plays as well as anytime in his career!

I like Max, for several reasons. He seems to be a decent guy. He is usually available to play, and I think he has a beautiful swing. His defense is top-notch in RF, and acceptable (short-term in CF). None of this makes him a quality bat at a position that is traditionally a big-bat spot. I REALLY hope he shows enough that the Twins feel good about extending his contract. My biggest fears is he signs with the Spiders and he brings that beautiful swing to Target Field several times a year to terrorize his former team...

To answer your final question, NO! No one has (and possibly no one has ever had) a bullpen that can stand up to Rocco's bullpen use (or abuse). The way to use that "6th starter" is to put him in the bullpen and use him 2-3 (even4+ on occasion) regularly. Keep an eye on the days you use him, as I can see (especially early on) Kenta Maeda needing a day or two extra between starts,if not actually skipping a start as he makes his return from his Tommy John+ surgery(s). Ober can help the Twins this way (as opposed to the Saints) and still get significant innings to build up his arm strength for future as a starter.