Jim Crikket

Nice to see someone at least hitting the baseball with some authority

Casilla's one of the few Twins making decent contact this spring

The Snappers will be in Cedar Rapids 3 times this summer and we're about 90 minutes less road time than the Quad Cities from the Twin Cities. Of course, if someone else is driving, it's not such a big deal I guess.

Yes, thanks. This is much better!

People in Rochester would probably tell you that the Twins haven't fielded a AAA team in at least a couple of years.

The geography just doesn't add up for putting another AAA team in the center of the country. Des Moines and Omaha are already isolated from the rest of the PCL and the IL doesn't extend west of Michigan and Indianapolis. Travel costs are a huge part of the expense of maintaining a AAA team. IF the Twins really wanted to investigate a move of their AAA team closer to Minnesota, though, there would be options. Setting aside the fact that moving to a community that doesn't already have a AAA team means a community that currently does will lose their team (and the politics of such an event), putting a team in Dayton OH might be worth considering. Their Midwest League team drew over 8,000 fans per game last year... which is better than most IL teams did. I'm not sure how Columbus would feel about sharing their state with another AAA team, but they obviously don't compete much for the same fans at this point anyway. All of that said, I really don't have a problem with Rochester selling Yankee merchandise. Running a minor league baseball team is usually a break-even proposition, at best. The Twins haven't done Rochester any favors lately in terms of the talent (or lack thereof) they've sent there to play. The result has been abysmal attendance, which means low ticket and merchandise sales revenue. They've got an opportunity this year, because of SWB's stadium situation, to make a few extra bucks and there's absolutely no reason, in my mind, why they shouldn't do it. The agreement between the Twins and Rochester ends after this season. I'm sure both organizations are looking at other options and they'll both make whatever decisions are in their best interests. Neither of them owe the other any more than that.

Great article by Phil Mackey of 1500ESPN re: Perkins. Goes to show how things can change in a year when people on all sides can be adult and communicate with one another. http://www.1500espn.com/sportswire/Mackey_A_cometoJesus_meeting_last_spring_led_to_Perkins_extension030812

The Twins are going to need more than one Perkins-like turnaround. I'm in the camp that believes Capps will be better and I've got high (if not altogether realistic) expectations for Duensing, Swarzak and, to a lesser degree, Gutierrez. In Gutierrez's case, it may not quite be an "expectation" as a "hope."

I think that's a valid question because you don't see many "projected" top of the rotation guys available toward the end of the first round, where the Twins have largely drafted because of their relative success the past decade. That said, the Twins aren't the only team with extended success lately. So, since I don't have the lists in front of me, I would ask how many pitchers the Yankees, Red Sox, and Phillies have on the lists. Those teams (and perhaps others) haven't likely been picking anywhere near the top of the draft for a while, either.

Neither Twins nor Orioles broadcasters working this game, apparently.

On the other hand, Blackburn apparently survived a couple innings in the "B" game unscathed.

In the "Game threads" section?

Metropolitan Stadium, Metrodome and Target Field -Minn Wrigley and US Cellular -Chicago Kauffman -KC New Busch - StL Old Ballpark and new Ballpark at Arlington Turner - Atl Tropicana -StPete Skydome -Toronto Fenway -Boston Camden Yds -Balt Big A -Anaheim Dodger -LA Coliseum -Oakland AT&T -SanFran

I don't think it's being hyper-critical of Revere to point out that RIGHT NOW he is not deserving of being given a starting OF position. If and when he figures out how to get on base regularly and thus contribute offensively, then by all means, let's talk about whether he's earned a starting spot. Until then, we're just debating a potential he hasn't realized yet. It's just that people are suggesting he should supplant a presumed healthy Span in CF right now that seems premature, at best. And if he isn't going to be the primary CF, then it's fair to consider whether his lack of arm and lack of power at the plate make him the best option at a starting corner OF position to start this season.

I like the idea of having at least two OFs that can cover some ground because it will make your pitchers "better" and save runs. That said, it dumbfounds me that so many people are ready to hand Ben Revere a starting spot... much less the CF starting spot... based on what we saw of him last season. His speed on the basebpaths means nothing if he (a) doesn't get on base, and ( screws up when he does get on base. He's a nice guy to have for games when you want to give Span a day off and perhaps as a late inning replacement as a PR or for defense. But if Plouffe can cover some ground in the OF and contribute offensively, as well, he's got far more potential to improve the Twins than Revere does.

Everyone for the Tigers went deep today. I think Al Kaline might have gone yard.

I agree with Seth that throwing strikes will be key. His pitches had a lot of movement, which is great. But if he cant make sure they move within the zone when he needs them to, it's wasted movement.

When you have tons of pitchers in camp and coaches looking for any way possible to separate guys, you really don't want to start out with an inning like Bulger had. Ouch.

Wow Bulger can't find the plate.

Bulger walks the first 2 Red Sox he faces

Towles 2 R HR puts the Twins ahead of the Rays in the other game.

Yeah, I'm glad Zumaya is going ahead with the surgery. If it doesn't work, he's no worse off and he can live with it knowing he didn't walk away too soon. Nice inning for Waldrop there.

Yeah Vasquez's numbers won't look great and they were kinder than they could have been.

Oh and in my spare time, I'm browsing BIG news/stats... prepping for a podcast Im doing a guest spot on tomorrow night to talk about Big Ten basketball heading in to the conf tourney

Sorry... Ive got a Big Ten basketball game on TV, the Twins on MLB.tv, following the Twins/Rays on Gameday, and this form thread... a second forum thread is a bridge too far for me