theJemmer

I just hope the new arm angle doesn't eventually lead to arm problems. Remembering Kyle Gibson working on the revised arm motion....

This is elite analysis here :^ )

I used to have exactly your opinion on this - but mine has evolved over time to "I would need more information in order to pass judgement". The reason for this is simply that each country has their own set of protocols and government agencies (could be > 1) involved in these processes that can greatly impact the situation. The variability between countries and agencies within countries likely varies immensely. I'm guessing that the efficiency of certain government agencies in the small Caribean nations isn't always best in class. Don't forget that someone may need to "grease the wheels" as well with the right people... My daughter got a job working in an advanced European country working as a teacher. The school told her not to worry about getting a work visa - just come on over and we'll get it when you are here - no big deal. She was there 2 years and never got it. And believe me, it was not for lack of trying. "We need your college transcript" - ok - got it - emailed it over. "No, we need a stamped, certified one from the college" - ok - got one, took several weeks "Well, now we need a letter signed by the head of the college department" - ok - more weeks We relied on people that knew the process - and it was one headache and delay after another. Moral of my story is - if a government agency is involved - it may be far from straightforward. But these situations are always SO frustrating.

If he's gonna slide headfirst into second, I'd prefer he never steal. Shoulder, wrists, ... just not worth the injury risk.

100% agree Ted. Many people were ready to declare Jeffers the #1 and trade Garver in the early offseason. I predict he will have a great year and the more likely candidate for regression is Jeffers. Hope it doesn't happen, but not uncommon in the 2nd year in the league.

First - it's unforgiveable that MLB still hasn't stated definitively whether the DH will exist in both leagues this year. Second - if it goes as expected, DH only in the AL, it doesn't seem like there are other serious suitors for Cruz. I'd like to see the Twins have the 2nd year as a team option. Yes he's been great - but there were plenty of times last year where it looked like guys were starting to throw fastballs by him. And then sign him as hitting coach when his playing days are behind him.

The knuckle-alignment thing reminds me of teaching 8 year old girls how to grip the bat in fastpitch - gets the handle more in the fingers than the palm - which is more like a golf grip as well. As far as the hand movement goes I've always advocated for quiet hands prior to the swing. Get your hands where you want the swing to start from - and then relax until you launch. Pretty much the opposite of Gary Sheffield - there's always exceptions!

I don't understand the concept of the hands moving while the pitcher is in the windup. Hitting is hard enough. Get your hands in the ready position at the load point when the pitcher starts - then have quiet hands and just explode through the ball. Gary Sheffield be damned!!!

Looks like Scott Erickson if you don't look too close

If he throws 5mph faster than Gonsalves, then he is is on a significantly different path.

Gosh I hope this doesn't portend the endd of those WONDERFUL, HILARIOUS Grand Casino commercials that we see 8,000,000 times a season.

I'd love to read that Max reworked his swing during the off-season to elevate more.

If only Duffy had Hilgenberger's change...

Speaking of arm slot, when I watch Chagois I see a shorter Tonkin. Hope he is better.

Jesse Crain-wreck was like that early in his time with the Twins - they changed him to pitch backwards, lead with breaking stuff and finish off with fastballs, and he blossomed

"What if Joe Mauer didn't shred up his knee meniscus in his second major-league game" What if the cheap builders of the dome had installed a dirt track around the field instead of rubber. RUBBER!!! Name another ballpark that ever had this as part of the playing surface (pitching mound excluded). So when Joe ran to the backstop to get the wild pitch, instead of tearing up his knee when reflexively going down to get the ball, his shin guards slide across the dirt. No injury.

I'm very happy that Joe had a great year. It was nice to see him return to the .300 club. Many years ago I sat in a packed, humid gym for a taping of an ESPN special focusing on Joe - just as contract negotiations were heating up. He had just won the MVP, his second consecutive gold glove, and became the first catcher to lead the league in average, obp, and slugging. When I looked up the details of his contract I noticed that there are bonuses of $25k for each Gold Glove or All-Star Selection. So perhaps his twins will after all get new shoes for Christmas. Anyhoo, I recently ran across a Letterman-style top ten list I created in 2009 for his demands in the big contract. Enjoy: Top Ten Joe Mauer Contract Requirements 10. Any written mention of “M&m boys” must consist of one lower case “m” to denote justin morneau 9. At every home game, must be met at his car by Jerry Bell, Howard Fox, Bill Smith and Dave St. Peter and carried in a Cleopatra-like palanquin into Target Field 8. Opposing fielders must say “one mvp, two mvp, three mvp” prior to moving in any direction in an attempt to field a ball put into play by Mr. Mauer 7. Ten bucks added to bi-weekly payroll every time Gardy says “…and we’ll go from there” 6. Umpires must inquire of Mr. Mauer regarding his opinion as to whether the immediately preceding pitch did indeed cross into the strike zone prior to signaling strike or ball. Said requirement is optional during play in which Mr. Mauer is neither catcher nor batter nor a game in which the Minnesota Baseball Club (nor any future Yankee Baseball Clubs for which Mr. Mauer may play) is not participating. 5. Searchlight added to top of hitting and catching helmets that projects letters “MVP” onto clouds on overcast nights 4. Bud Selig must, at his own expense, fly in and host weekly gala luncheon for all mlb catchers that have won batting titles (no descendants, please) 3. In any situation likely requiring him to slide, Nick Punto must belly-slide immediately under Mr. Mauer to reduce possibility of injury 2. Opposing players stealing second must run laterally so as never to show their back to Mr. Mauer and repeatedly bow during their attempt 1. Two words: Sideburn insurance

Be aggressive. Play with joy.

If our hitters react to the pressure and jump out, swinging at everything, we'll have a battle. If we can be patient we'll have a chance. All the expectations are on them. Someone tell Sano to expect a breaking pitch, every time....

In response to my impatient nephew during the dark days a few years ago, I simply said "2016". I was off by a year.

If he doesn't screw up the WC game I'm betting he's back. I could see Falvine bringing in a new bench coach to help with in-game strategy. It will come down to how they view his willingness to change.

Gotta go with your best on the hill in a 1 game winner take all. Give the pill to Giminez.

Mariners lost!!

Bruce Bialka, Brainerd class of ’82 and St Cloud St class of ’87. Pitched for the Huskies in college. Been a Twins fan since my brother had me memorize the Twins batting order as a 3 year old. Best Twins memories – was in the house for games 1,2, and 7 in 1987. Spent game 6 studying for the CPA exam and yelling at the TV for Tom Kelly to pinch hit for Hrbie because he was hitting so poorly – right before he hit his grand slam and the rest is history. Remember the bedlam on 7 corners right after the game. We’d clear the intersection when the lights were green, then when they turned red, swarms of people would run into the intersection and high-five, etc. My buddy said “HELL-OWWW!!” to an attractive girl walking by during the craziness and she stopped and kissed him full on the lips while I stood to the side with my mouth agape. After watching the Vikes get crushed in 3 Super Bowls during my elementary school years – well, the release of getting over the “loserville” tag was awesome. Was in the stands for the famous “RD Standing O” – the much maligned reliever was called in from the bullpen and some guys started an impromptu standing ovation. Soon, the entire stadium was standing and cheering all the way through his save. Also awesome. Was at every home playoff and WS game in 1991. Sat in Left field and got a high-five from Jarvis Brown as the players circled the field postgame. Also awesome. Was at the Twins first interleague game in Houston, we lost but Mollie hit a homer. Found Twins Daily through Twitter originally after I wanted more content than is provided by the fish wraps. Started following mostly when I heard that the Twins had, amazingly, given over $3m to some 16 yr old kid by the name of Sano, then followed that up with Kepler. Greatly enjoy the site and the banter though I don’t post much. Thanks for all you do…. The Jemmer (@theRealJemmer)