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Those of you who liked this story might like https://www.baseball-reference.com/players/t/taylodu01.shtml the best of the deaf pitchers.http://sabr.org/bioproj/person/14fca2f4 "In large part, Taylor was an above-average pitcher, as his ERAs usually showed, and perhaps because of the challenges he faced, popular with teammates and fans. His teammates learned sign language, he was visible because he was with the Giants, and as the Saturday Evening Post said, "Wherever Taylor goes he will always be visited by scores of the silent fraternity among whom he is regarded as a prodigy."

I cannot see the improvement this spring. I can only hope that the people who matter see something I am missing. I have been hoping Garver was put on the team for a year, but my confidence is shaken. I hope he really takes off.

In the midst of all the talk about Sano and his weight, I got to thinking about the judgments that people make about other people – baseball players and their size – think Altuve or Randy Johnson, their weight, their various physical attributes – like my essay on Pete Gray who over came the fact that he lacked an arm or Jim Abbot and others judged to be handicapped. Perhaps it is the fact that my daughter is deaf that made me think about Dummy Hoy. “Dummy” Hoy – William Ellsworth Hoy – was known as Dummy because he contracted meningitis at age three and was deaf the rest of his life. And deafness denies the ability to mimic speech so he was also “dumb” or unable to speak. Born in 1862 – during the civil war, he grew up in the same era that baseball grew up. Sent to a school for the deaf in Ohio, he was trained as a cobbler and he had the initiative to go from working in the back of a shop to owning his own shoe shop. The school, like many others felt that a deaf and dumb person was not capable of doing much more than fixing shoes and even then, some people refused to have such a handicapped person fix their shoes. But he persevered, and he also took advantage of the fact that many people went shoeless in the summer and he followed his passion to play baseball. By age of 24, his love of baseball and his constant work on baseball skills attracted a scout and led him to professional baseball, first with a minor league team in Oshkosh, WI under HOF manager Frank Selee and then in 1888 with the Washington Senators. ! As a rookie he stole 82 bases and that record stood until the Ricky Henderson, Maury Will, Vince Coleman era. In his second-year major league season he had OBP of 376m scored 98 runs and stole 33 bases. His career was not a gimmick like the midget of Bill Veeck’s carnival promotions with the St Louis Browns. Dummy Hoy played major league baseball until 1902 and accumulated 32.5 WAR. He also demanded respect and turned down an offer from the Milwaukee Brewers (1880’s team) because the manager laughed at the idea of a deaf/mute thinking he could play baseball. In his career (14 years) he had 2048 hits, a .288 batting average, 596 stolen bases, and a .386 OBPAs a fielder he threw out three men at home in one game and had 45 assists for the White Stockings in 1901. In addition to being deaf and never hearing the roar of the crowd, the call of the umpire, or the sound of his teammates, he was also at a disadvantage as a player who was 5’ 4” and 150 pounds! Jose Altuve would love him. Lacking all the electronics of todays’ ballpark, Hoy was at a disadvantage, not being able to hear the umpire call balls and strikes. He asked his 3B coach to signal the ball and strike call to him and eventually got various signals to coordinate with teammates. Asking the umpires to use hand signals began the current system umpires use for outs, strikes, balls, fouls. But the HOF credits umpire Bill Klem for this even though Klem came after Dummy Hoy retired. The fans, appreciating his skill and determination did not yell and scream when he did something outstanding, instead they stood and waved their arms and hats in salute. He later replied, “It is not enough that the deaf candidate for baseball honors has the necessary ability, he assuredly must have the nerve and courage to even apply for a trial.” He finished his career with the minor league Los Angeles LooLoos of the Pacific Coast League with 156 runs, 46 stolen bses and 419 put outs. But in many ways his final play in his career was the most amazing of all professional players. A ball was hit deeply to the outfield and in those days, fans were allowed to stand in the outfield – often there was no fence. He was determined and charged into the fans in very deep centerfield and when he encountered a horse, he jumped on the horses back, and then he used the horse as a springboard to leap and catch the ball! With a deaf wife, they raised to very successful hearing children and he took on the raising of his nephew when he was orphaned at three. That nephew went on to establish the Helm’s bakery and become a millionaire who supported the Olympics. Hoy was put in the Cincinnati Reds HOF – in 1896 while playing for the Reds he led the league in homeruns with FOUR. He was also named in the Deaf Athletes HOF and should be in the MLB HOF. Former teammates – Honus Wagner, Connie Mack, Clark Griffith, and Sam Crawford – all in the HOF – tried unsuccessfully to get him in. In 1961 he tossed out the first pitch in the third game of the World Series and died in December of that year. The number of deaf players is very small but perseverance will mean that there will be more. http://www.infobarrel.com/Deaf_Baseball_Players_Who_Made_the_Major_Leagues

I am not impressed with either, nor do I believe in Pressley. However they go, they will continue to shake up the low end of the BP during the first half season.

this is a great minor league surplus - will they become Twins or trade chips? I want young guys on the team.

Nice write up on this complex position. I think the revolving door will continue because the ultimate long term solution is in Javier and Lewis and Polanco and Gordon should be demonstrating their talents for the FO to use them in some key trades. I have heard comments in the past that prospects are accumulated to trade, but for me it is a different process. Develop them, debut them as their times come up and trade them for more strategic value. We have some key young prospects and I like to see them move into the lineup. If their maturation follows their potential we will have Romero and Grandol in the rotation, Lewis and Javier in the infield with Rooker, and Kiriloff in the OF. It is a nice future and it might be starting in the infield since we have already speculated that Mauer and Dozier might be playing their last season in our uniforms.

The Twins front office has shown that it is not sentimental - ask Dozier - unless it is a front off cheer leading job - Cuddyer, Hunter, etc - so Joe will stay if they see him as a vital cog. I love the idea of Rooker forcing his way to mlb because that represents the future. It is a disappointing ending for a career that was a guaranteed HOF track before the concussion. Good luck Joe - have a great season. If Sano staying at 3B is a concern, we have more reasons for concern there - physically I can guarantee that metal parts do not make you bionic (personal experience) and he has some big challenges (maybe big was the wrong word there). He also has maturity issues off the field. I am confused by what is happening and cannot imagine the commissioner making a stand this late in the spring. The FO is setting a path that is fascinating and I cannot project their moves. They could trade Sano, they could convince Mauer to go to 3B. They could trade Mauer and convince him that a nice warm environment would be good for his aging Minnesota body. The real recipe for fans is to enjoy 2018 with Mauer and all the pieces on hand and know that Dozier, Mauer, Romero, Rooker, Sano, Pineda, Santana will provide a lot of fodder for next years TD commentators and fans.

As the unofficial fan of bringing in the young players I would love to see Romero displace Gibson. If it requires some BP first, fine, but this is our best arm, our best shot at the future.

It looks good, but the Rule V pick is my question. I do not see Kinley having a talent that exceeds what we already have so why does contending team block off one of its roster positions? Like you, I prefer Granite, I want a player with speed who can also give good defense. I think our outfield defense is one of our greatest assets and I do not want to see it compromised so Grossman can get a walk.

Weight is an issue for everyone. I fight it and so do the majority of people. Of course I am not in Sano's league, but it is a difficult problem to address - the decision requires a special commitment, discipline, and diet - more fun to eat a pizza and ice cream. For now he is okay, but as we age it gets more difficult and the impacts add up. His operation should have given him incentive. But I was curious about baseball players and their weight. Of course the NFL has the biggest players, but in baseball I found that Walter Young at 322 pounds is the largest recorded baseball player who played for the Orioles in Sept, 2005. Walter Jumbo Brown was a relief pitcher "He led the National League in saves in 1940-41. He also posted ERA’s of 3.42 and 3.32- the 2nd and 3rd best of his career." https://superbaseball2020blog.wordpress.com/2013/02/15/heaviest-baseball-player-of-all-time/ Of course CC Sabathia, before his recent weight loss might have pushed for this record if the teams really listed their actual weight. And Jonathon Broxton of the Reds - at 300 pounds on a 6' 4" frame. ​And then there is Pablo Sandoval who also plays 3B and Prince Fielder and his dad, who burned out young at 1B. Adam Dunn was another power biggy - at 287. He had a 14 year career which is nice for any player. And I did not realize that former Twin - Carlos Silva was 280 pounds. I do not remember any articles about him and his weight. https://www.sportingcharts.com/articles/mlb/top-10-heaviest-players-in-the-mlb.aspx Baseball can forgive fatness, but the heart and body eventually pay a price and that is the most important thing to remember.

I think a bullpen is stronger when it does have a "novelty" pitcher. A change of arm angle, a knuckleball, anything that throws off the opposition is good. Neshek is a good example and has created an excellent career.

I really enjoy these write ups. So much history and wonderful stories - thank you.

It is a nice off season - but I am even happier with the look of our minor league options. As an advocate for youth, I like the talent that we have and I need to see a philosophy that keeps us competing, while having a method for integrating the young prospects into the major league roster. I still want Romero and Gonsalves, and I am anxious to see Lewis and Rooker step up to the majors. Its nice to have so much talent, but it is also a challenge for the FO to establish a plan that keeps us both young and aggressive.

I am most happy that it is a one year deal. Next year it is Pineda's spot and I still want Romero and Gonsalves in the rotation. I also suspect that Santana will be gone after this year.

Your opening caught me - I am one who is tired of launch angle, not because it is bad, but because we are caught up in a trend and seeing one fix all for every batter. You mixed in comments about shifts - which continue to grow because teams refuse to use strategy to beat them. ​In football if either defense or offense changes, there is a compensatory alteration on the other side of the ball. If batters get more control on their swing they can go to the wide open side of the diamond. If they learn to bunt better they can drive the defense and the pitcher crazy. There needs to be a strategy - for example if I was playing against Jon Lester I would have every fast player bunt and see how his bounce pass to first base plays out inning after inning. Joe Mauer takes pride in his bat control, but he has an amazing amount of DPs in his career. He should adjust launch angle with players on first. Think about hit and run against a shift if the player can put the ball on the side of the one infielder. Bring back strategy, create worry about a stolen base. I want more than just pitch and catch.

I understand that these three teams are poor, but I hesitate to underestimate them. KC is plugging holes and might have a chip on its collective shoulder. They have never been a team of superstars, just players to worked really well together - remember that even in their best years projections underestimated their win totals. Maybe Ned Yost is more of a genius than everyone gives him credit for. Detroit has Gardy - what else do they need? The White Sox could be the big surprise. Let their young players catch fire and they may not realize that they are supposed to be bad! I like young players. Our surge from the dregs to playoffs came when we let our young prospects step up. My hope for the Twins is that we stop the FA follies and bring up our young arms and let youth lead us to a better record.

I just do not see those pitchers doing what we all dream. I want Romero and Gonsalves and hopefully more from the minors - soon. Develop our own arms - put them in and get them the seasoning they need. If we keep signing okay guys we block potential and I like potential much more. Remember we have Pineda coming next year so the rotation gets more congested.

This was a good recap, but without Royce Lewis in the conversation it misses a key component of the plan. Polanco and Gordon better shine because I see Royce rising quickly and he has the potential to reach the WAR numbers of Dozier. The real question is between Polanco and Gordon - which do we really expect to stick and shine? There are more changes ahead.

It seems as if Rodney lives on the edge and the question that comes to mind is his age and what impact that will have on the edge. A small change can be a catastrophe. I hope they are watching closely.

Well, if you have followed my posts you know my response - don't do it. Why is a player from another team always better than what you already have? Lynn would have been great a few years ago - now he is not a true upgrade and we continue to pile up contracts that present more obstacles than are needed for the young arms. Hughes is back next year, Pineda is supposed to be ready next year. Add Lynn and there are three big contracts behind Berrios. I liked adding one arm this year from outside and one from inside. I want to see Berrios and Santana on the top and either Gibson or Mejia filling out the rotation. Thrylos covered the details and makes a great argument why we should have run the other way when Lynn turned down their offer. If they really want him - one year is all I would offer and tell him to pitch so well that he can clean up as a FA next year.

Berrios and Odorizzi are locks - Santana will be back by June. Mejia and Gibson seem to be given spots, but I still hold out hope that Gonsalves and Romero move into the rotation and we build rather than plugging in Lynn and others who at the moment would be fillers. We would hope that Lynn will improve from his TJ - well I hope Gonsalves and Romero improve with opportunity and move to a higher level that they are capable of.

It really is not about what Mauer wants. Nice story, glad he is back from his concussion, wish him well, but - the Twins FO has to assess the team not the player. Do we have the next 1B ready to step in? If not extend Mauer for 2 years, if we do, extend one year??? The FO does not have the old Twins angst about moving players. And this has to extend to Joe - the business of baseball has to prevail, just as players are learning in FA this year. I hope we see an amazing Joe this year, I will enjoy and appreciate it, and I will set that aside from watching the FO work. Based on their non-talks with Dozier who is our most productive hitter, I think we can begin to understand how the Twins approach is changing - not necessarily better, but different.

I remember when Tom Kelly was here there was a general belief that AA was the key and AAA was not necessary. A good prospect can make the leap from AA to the majors and I am ready to push the envelop and go for the really good arm. Keep Romero until he proves he does not belong. Since it is not my team and not my dollars I am ready to drop any of those who have less talent and block his way. Can anyone tell me Mejia has a higher ceiling than Romero? This quote - "The top prospects generally jump from AA to the majors and skip over AAA completely. It seems like the once a guys masters AA baseball, teams deem them ready to play in the majors if they have a long term opening. They don't want to move this top prospect to AAA because they have their former major leaguer there in his position. They don't want to release the former major league player from their system in case they need him. Teams also want guys playing everyday, so that they are ready to come up when needed." describes what I think about the AAA promotion. http://baseballguru.com/bunko/analysisbunko22.html

I am always about moving pitchers quickly, using their young arms in the majors before they blow out. I would love to see Romero and Gonsalves pitch with the Twins this year. If it needs to be June, fine, but get the young arms in.

I would hope that Sano's next position (if he cannot play 3B) is DH and that we get a more athletic first baseman who can also hit - Rooker.