birddog

Hu's stats are much more dominant at Fort Myers than Kohl Stewart, and once again two players who are years away from having to be added to the 40 man. I join the list that don't like this trade.

Not to mention off the 40 man?

A month ago I was afraid of the Twins trading Arcia, but now it looks like he is for sure the odd man out with Hicks playing great offensively and defensively. He probably doesn't have much value right now, so would it be better to trade him in the off season after he hopefully has a great end to the season? Still young and a very potent bat.

I am one of the Mauer bashers who was pleasantly stunned when Hicks was intentionally walked to get to Mauer. And once again it gets down to the great prospects we have getting stonewalled for another 3+ years by the mediocrity wearing #7. He is in the midst of an 11-game hitting streak which looks impressive--but he has 2 hits in only one game during the stretch with 1 RBI. We are still waiting for a reason to stop the bashing. Sano looked more than adept at 3B with a cannon of an arm. What a shame it will be if he is forced to DH. And how disappointed we will be if we don't get to see prized prospects like ABW and Max Kepler at the ML level. If they are traded to bring in present-and-into-the-future pieces like Kimbrel or Chapman so be it, but if they go to get us a bandaid RP for this year only, Twins fans will have the same feeling in their gut that we get when we see David Ortiz hit and what we missed out on. Very tough job you have TR.

I agree that Escobar should become the regular SS and Santana has to go down for seasoning and confidence. Escobar has some pop and is young enough to become the SS of the future.

Sano's quote may sound like he's bragging, but it's actually a compliment to MLB pitchers. They are always around the plate so it's easier to dig in against them. In AA if a ball is coming at your head, you fear for your life; however, at the highest level it is more than likely going to tail away from you so you hang in there. I hope MLB pitchers look at it from that perspective rather than braggadocio. I love watching Sano hit. He's the real deal--disciplined yet ready and willing to hit any pitch. If he does strike out--and he will--he doesn't get cheated. If he's hitting in the last inning, I'm sticking around to watch.

I fully agree that Bryant has had a tremendous rookie season so far. My point is how many people think "he only has 10 HRs"? The expectations from too many people were that he'd hit 50+ HRs this year. He probably will hit that many at some point, just not his first year. And that was my point with Sano--let him learn to hit at the MLB level without unrealistic expectations.

After Kris Bryant's spring training impersonation of Ted Williams, many thought he would put up those same numbers against major league pitching. It just doesn't happen right away when pitchers adjust to hitters' strengths. I have been drooling over Sano's bat since I saw him in Beloit three years ago. He is the real deal, but temper expectations for this still-very-young man. Enjoy every at bat for what it could be--a 450 foot bomb--but don't expect it.

Twins bats are asleep and TR had to do something to help our pitching, which has been very good. May deserved a W today but you look up and down the lineup and wonder who can win a close game for us. Dozier and Torii have had all-star type seasons. I like the at bats that Rosario takes, but we need a Sano type of bat who can win a close game with one swing. I was hoping Vargas would resurrect his 2014 season after his latest promotion but the power wasn't there consistently enough. We have to be patient with Sano--just like all the young kids coming up--but if he can drive the ball like he's capable of, we can handle a lower batting average. We need to see some ropes to the gaps and down the lines, as well as the balls over the fence. Sano has been a run producer at every level and he scores a lot of runs. He is one of those players who should make everyone else around him better. Love seeing him up. If he's overmatched, at least he got a taste of what he's working for. I like what TR has done this season.

Twins are a very loyal organization, almost to a fault. If they don't move Mauer to catcher, I hope they at least think about moving him to the OF. I think Plouffe is anchored at 3B now that he has become a good defender and I don't see Sano patrolling the OF. At $23 million per, I don't see the Twins eating his salary--for a few months maybe, but not for 3 years. He is a good enough athlete where moving him to the least demanding offensive position is a win/win situation. Catcher is the least demanding, and although outfielders are expected to hit, more is expected of 1B so his low productivity screams for change. I loved watching Joe in his prime, but these past 4 years have taken its toll on fans. Keeping the status quo could turn mutinous. I'm sure the players love Joe, but if they really want to win they want the players who give them the best shot of winning at each position. Dozier is the new face of the Twins. At the very least, move him and Dozier in the order as this isn't Joe's team any more.

Dozier has become the new face of the Twins. Exciting young player. Not sure there is a better overall 2B. I feel so bad for Morneau and his family--and that is all of us Twins fans. I was so hoping he was over his concussion issues, but I am afraid he has to retire so he gets a full life of being a husband and dad. Mauer is the enigma. Good guy who was so easy to like when he produced, but in the business of baseball what have you done for me lately? And if you aren't doing much lately--to earn even a third of your salary--we have to do what is best for the team. I think that is moving him back to catcher, especially with Suzuki struggling and Pinto showing signs of being another AAAA player. If he gets concussed again, the Twins collect on their insurance for his salary and move in one of our young studs. If he stays healthy and continues with his current numbers, he is still grossly overpaid but not nearly as much as a 1B. I realize this may not happen until he has a spring training as a C, but for the good of the team I feel this is best. If Joe is worried about possible concussions, he has to consider summer fishing with Morneau listening to Twins games on the boat.

Even with the mediocre CF's we are sending out at Target Field, I agree 100% with the notion that the Twins do what is best for Buxton. Don't use him as the spark needed when we are not playing well or to boost attendance. Number 1 pitchers in AA become #5's in the majors so let him build his confidence in the minors until he is ready without a doubt. I hope it isn't going to be a money issue with Buxton, just a matter of how can we get Buxton ready to be our All-Star CF for the next 15 years. And for those of you who think we need to trade Arcia, maybe the Twins hindered his progress by bringing him up too quickly. At only 23 he is finally learning to hit the way he's capable of. He will never be a great OF, but if he continues to take the outside pitch to left and turn on everything else, he is going to put up some serious numbers.

Pelfrey is not an option beyond this year, but if he gives us a chance to win, run him out there as a starter until he reverts back to his ways. He appears to have decent movement on his pitches and missing a few bats which is novel in Twindom. Nolasco should go to the pen when healthy even though he is (unfortunately) a part of the future, since he has not proven a thing as a starter.

Baseball normally gets down to the SP and even though I was strongly hoping Meyer and May would be in the top 5, we are light years better than SP of the past 4 years. Not sure if Hughes can duplicate his performance of last year, but if he can be 5-8 games over .500 and the others can be near breaking even, Twins can be in contention if the Central Division underachieves. My prediction is 77 wins so I am not expecting to be in the race, but after Santana and Vargas were called up last year it got fun once again to watch Twins baseball. 2016 has been the rallying cry for a number of years, but if Buxton is Trout-like this year and Sano stays healthy and proves to be the run producer he has been, 2015 could be the start Twins fans have been praying for.

At his height, he has to come over the top to get as much movement on his pitches as possible, as well as a better handle on consistency of his release. I, too, thought I'd be disappointed if he was sent down to start the season, but these things always seem to work themselves out and the other 5th starters have been better--so far. Go down to the minors and get his release point and he'll be fun to watch when one of the starters falter or gets hurt. He is still our best shot for an ace on the 40 man so we have to continue our patience.

Some of you have to stop worrying how TR spends the Pohlad fortune and get excited because we got Torii back. No he's not the Torii in his prime, but I still think he's better than any alternative we had in our system both in the field and batter's box. And as this article pointed out, his leadership may turn out to be the biggest contribution. I do think Sano, Vargas and Arcia are the leaders of the future--and they get to learn their leadership skills from one of the best in Torii, just like Torii learned from a great one in Kirby. The Twins finally have a personality again. Twins baseball just seems better when you listen to a Torii interview. Even after a loss he is reassuring to all parties that things will get better and effort will improve, just what young players need to know in a 162-game season. These past 4 seasons have been pathetic. Losing was bad enough, but not having the charismatic Torii or Cuddyer interviews after the game left me thinking "when will this ever end?" Being a Twins fan these past 4 years was like dating the ugliest girl in school--but she was nice. The Twins are nice guys, but these nice guys have finished last for too long. Torii's leadership, charm and charisma will rub off and make every player--and management--more motivated and accountable. With Torii back in his leadership role, the Twins may not be the "prettiest girl on campus" but the ugly ducklings just got their braces off. They are going to work harder to impress. They get a new wardrobe and they will learn you get to smile because you win, not because you draw a huge salary.

How do you not get excited about Sano when he has the potential to create more excitement than Vargas did? It seems as if Joe Mauer is creating a logjam at 1B for some of our future stars. If he hits like the Mauer who earnedhis contract, 1B is his no questions asked; however, if he continues to hit like Nick Punto, move him back to catcher at least part time if Suzuki regresses or if Pinto is not adequate. If (when) he gets hurt again, we have Sano and Vargas to tandem at 1B/DH. I agree we have to be patient with Sano and make sure he is ready before he is promoted to the majors, especially with Plouffe becoming a decent 3B. If Sano is in beast mode to start the season at AA, it will be tough to convince Twins fans it is best to keep his bat out of our lineup, especially if Mauer or our catchers are not up to par. The future looks so very exciting. I hope Mauer is a major part of it, but if he is not living up to his contract, management has to do what is best for the team and fans.

Seth, do you think Gordon starts out in Cedar Rapids and if so do you think he may be moved up to Fort Myers if he puts up good numbers? In a couple of years, shortstop could be a position of wealth for the Twins.

Yes, indeed, JO. Stay healthy, and do lots of stretching as you bulk up. You have to love the dedication and drive he has to excel at every level in life. If his success on the mound is indicative of his preparation, he will own the hearts of Twins fans for many years. Let's hope that if he shows the ability to dominate in the minors this season, the Twins are not hesitant to bring him up if current starters are struggling.

Great to read a teammate's perspective. Nice to hear he not only has the qualities it takes to become a star, but also a well liked and respected teammate. Let's hope that TR and Molitor will be "commanding" him to hit home runs at the big league level real soon. Having him and Vargas hitting back to back should be lots of fun.

This is so much more than bringing back an aging OF to the Twins, who have been without a real team leader since Morneau left. Before then it was Cuddy--who did a good job--but not since Torii left have we had that charismatic leader to fire up the troops, take the pressure off the young kids, and flash the smile that let Twins fans know things will be all right. Maybe he will help Molitor light a fire under Mauer. Torii is such a class act that, even if he is beyond his prime, it is a great deal for us fans. After watching Willingham and Delmon attempt to play LF, I look forward to watching Torii once again. Great move.

Tough to get too excited about any of those guys taking us to the promised land unless we can somehow keep their glass bodies from breaking. I foresee a trade with the Reds for Tony Cingrani or Mariners for Taijan Walker. (Well, maybe I'm just having a great dream.) I know it would take a lot to pry these young arms from their teams, but I'm hoping TR can turn some of his trade magic into moves that give us instant credibility--and prevent Molitor from aging like Gardy did these past 4 years. I like the rehiring of Bruno as hitting coach, but his pitching coach will undoubtedly determine how long the 90+ loss seasons continue.

Escobar had a nice season and at 26 has not reached his prime yet, so let him develop. We expected nothing of him last year and he rewarded us with a more-than-adequate bat and glove. Even if he starts out as the UI, injuries will undoubtedly provide him the opportunity to get plenty of at bats. If he is traded, it should not be for a prospect but for a pitcher who will help us this year. The future has to become the present at some point. I really like the idea of Mauer in left. He's athletic enough and I like opening up 1B for the Vargas/Pinto/Sano types who may not have enough glove to play anywhere else. I look forward to seeing what Molitor will bring out in Mauer.

As always, I also agree with Seth. After four years of futility, the worst thing we can do is panic and pull an "Aaron Hicks". Look at the young Astros and Cubs who were brought up, had initial success, and then looked very feeble. Danny Santana and Kenys Vargas, two good-but-not-great prospects, got all Twins fans salivating that if they can do what they did, how good will Buxton and Sano be? Like a 6 year old waiting to open presents, I can't wait to see how good they'll be--but we have to. Will Hicks ever become the player he was two springs ago? No one is sure, but if not he is replaced. What player could possibly replace the legacy we have created for these two uber prospects? Can't-miss prospects in baseball too often miss. The Twins can't afford to let that happen here.

We finally have some solid options to choose from in the minors, but Meyer has to be the #1 option. Consistency is his drawback, but as soon as the date passes which prevents him from being a Super 3, the Twins need to call him up and work under the tutelage of our top pitching coaches in the system and learn at the major league level. Has anyone noticed all the empty seats at Target this year? I like the influx of the youngsters like Pinto and Santana this year and good to see Gibson staying with the big boys. But a ground ball pitcher like Gibson won't draw the fans like a true #1 who will get double digit Ks (if he can keep his pitch count down) like Meyer is capable of.