boylan

That's super interesting data on his release point. The vertical change would imply he's not got the same downward trajectory on the ball and would make his stuff more hittable. I'm not sure the Twins would know this either. I get the sense they aren't that big into numbers - Gardy definitely isn't. And it's about a 4 inch vertical change which is an average number and won't appear on every pitch. So, his arm is little tired and he's not not releasing as high as he was before and it's making him just a little bit more hittable with less downward action. Great find on that data.

I'd go for another try with Swarzak starting although you can tell the Twins aren't real hot on that idea. I'm not sure he has the pitches to make it through the batting order 3 times. Diamond is no top of the rotation guy but I think he has the stuff to be a 3-4 starter. The possible problems are some regression (he's slipped a little bit this year which happens to most players at some point and they usually come back), arm strength (unilateral arm weakness) due to his training schedule being messed up or loss of mental focus/mental fatigue later in the game. I think Diamond has an option left but I'm not sure. Looking back I think the twins and Braves burned options in 2011 and 2012 which would leave him with one. I have not seen him listed on players without options on mlbrumors.com but that's not definitive obviously.

Yes to some regression. 2011 AAA he averaged about 5 1/3 ip, whip of 1.5+, 11+ H/9 although 6.6 so/9 and that's about what he's doing this year. Maybe Albers can go 6+ but I don't see any other help at AAA that would be any better. Accept he can only go 5ip this year? Use him as a 5th and pair his starts with a long relief stint?

Scott Diamond has unilateral arm weakness. Seriously. He had just barely started his conditioning program to prepare for spring training when his bone chip problem cropped up. This was reported at the time. He has been behind the curve since winter. Just recently Ryan or Gardy was quoted saying his velocity is down a mile or two this year vs. last year. I don't think we'll see him fix this until next year and I think it's the same situation as Joe Mauer's bilateral leg weakness season - can condition or play but not both.

Agree. No disrespect to the player but this team is a better team without him.

Without question. I'd do a riff on his accent but somehow that just doesn't translate well to a forum does it?

RBI's are all about where you bat and Doumit is getting at bats higher in the order than Arcia or Parmelee. Someone will (undoubtedly) correct me if I'm wrong but I don't think Parmelee has an at-bat in the 3 spot this year. Willingham trade value question someone else brought up is really an interesting one. Last year all the talk was that he had a team friendly contract, batting .270ish and would be worth a lot in trade. This year, he's under performing his career numbers and he's pretty obviously hurt. His trade value has cratered. I'm sure the Twins are hoping he gets it turned around before the trade deadline, and the sooner the better, so they can move him for value. I just checked and apparently his BA has dropped to .216 (!?!) but his career slash line is 266/351/477 and he should hit 25 HRs so he should have value - if he's not limping to the plate. He has a $1M salary step-up based on 525PA that he will surely earn unless he spends major time on the DL. Honestly, I don't see a solution unless Willingham does a 180 real soon or the Twins change course on Doumit and I just don't see that happening.

I don't look at their site at all but I have to say this is really cool. Think about how seldom a team has THE prospect. "There can be only one."

Sort of true. Thing about Arcia is that he is hitting - he's the Twins best hitting OF at the moment. His hitting is also clearly improving. Gardy obviously loves his bat and wants him in the line-up essentially every day. Ignoring Arcia for the moment and ignoring CF altogether because it's unrelated, bigger issue is that they have too many every day corner outfielders. Guys who need to play everyday to get their heads in the game and their bat working. Hammer, Doumit and Parmelee. They are all batting .230ish. Hammer's obviously hurt and isn't making any adjustments at the plate - must not be on speaking terms with Brunansky if you ask me. I don't get why Doumit is getting so many at-bats at the expense of Parmelee - particularly against RHP but whatever. In my view Twins really want to get Willingham cooking so they can trade him and free up playing time for the younger players but that's just not working out at the moment. I don't see the Twins trading Doumit as they just signed him to an extension. Not really their MO to sign a journeyman player like that and then trade him.

1. I think this thread should be closed. I just read 8 pages of posts - the vast majority of which were NOT about baseball. 2. I'd like a credit for 7 of those pages. 3. Scott Baker had a +ERA of about 130 in 2011 (and a WAR of +4 for WAR likers) so he's definitely a respectable pitcher and would have been great to have on the staff if he was healthy. If Gibson outs out a few years of comparable service we should be happy. 4. The innings limit is getting way too much play. The Twins have been loosey-goosey about this since spring training. Rob Anthony backed away from this further on 1500espn today. 5. Don't flip out if Gibson has a few crap outings. 6. Remember Eddie Bane.

Clete Thomas is leading off. Tonight's line up almost looks better if you read it bottom up.

Ugh. Weird move. If these wasn't the Twins I'd say that this was a one week try-out and he wouldn't last the week. Have to believe there are better minor league FA at this point in the season.

Kind of an odd move on paper. They must see something they like beyond the stats. Slama has been awful this year and didn't do much when he was up 2 years ago. Eppley doesn't look much better on the stat sheet.

I don't get the Fien bit. He hasn't had a bad outing since we played at Detroit and he's been consistently nasty. WHIP of .99 and second only to Perkins in K/9. He's better against L batters than Duensing. I agree with Nick Nelson's post that it's Herrmann but if you are looking for a surprise candidate I think Thielbar (new guy) or Escobar (extra infielder) goes. And, honestly neither are really much of a possibility. If the starters start going 7+ that's a different story but Fien I don't see.

Carroll has been called an informal infield coach for the Twins. He's super reliable in the field, plays multiple positions well and while the reduced number of at bats has hurt his numbers he is a career .275 hitter who gets on base a lot. By the season ends his numbers will have improved although I doubt by as much as they did last year. Old guys should actually play winter ball to keep their skills up. This is his last contract year and I'm sure they are committed to him through the rest of the year. Would not be surprised if he didn't immediately wind up with a Twins minor league coaching position after this year.