tarheeltwinsfan

This tells me that Emma was never going to make the Twins opening day roster. He had a good spring training. It's OK. He'll be up soon.

Did I read this correctly: fWAR ranking for the Twins left fielders last year was 6? Can someone explain this to me please.

I agree Doc. Not much difference in 8th and 12th in these rankings. I'm pretty optimistic about the prospects we have.

Today against the Phillies first baseman, Josh Bell, make a nice stop of a hard hit ball right at him with a runner on first. Bell stepped on first base and then "looped/lobbed" to ball to the covering second baseman too late to get the runner advancing from first base. I was disappointed to see what I perceived to be a lack of effort on Bell's part.

I contend that Kopech has a better chance contending if he signs some where, rather than staying at home this season. That's just my contention.

Congratulations to all our winners. I look forward to more posts from each of you. This afternoon I will be leaving North Carolina to drive to Ft. Myers, where I will spend all next week. I will be attending 3 Twins home games, several early morning Twins practices, ( my favorite time) walk along the boardwalk in beautiful Six Mile Cypress Slough (my wife's favorite) and eat a lot of seafood at Salty Papa's Restaurant. If any of you TD writers and posters are there this week, contact me by text at 704-402-2613. I'd like to meet you for a Killebrew Root Beer or another libation of your choice. The first one is one me. Sincerely, David Benbow, aka Tarheeltwinsfan.

How long would it take to ramp up a long reliever to a starter? What are the considerations in the length of time it may take? If it is 3-4 weeks, can it be done by pitching in a progression of longer and longer relief roles? Why not start the season with Zebby or Bradley in a long relief role and put the other at St. Paul as a starter and use Abel in the 5th starter's role? What are the cons against doing this?

Add Roden. DFA Outman. Add Klein to the bullpen. Demote Zak Kent. Add Able to SP and add Mathews to BP. Demote Funderburk.

The Twins desperately need a top of the line fielder at SS. Would a .240 BA with 50 walks and 10 HR per year to go with his top of the line fielding, get the job done?

I agree Chief. Lots of thought went into this article. It is a tough one to write.

Hopefully the cream will rise to the top quickly. What would be a good catalyst to speed up this process? I submit, play them all a lot in spring training. Then play the younger ones a lot at St. Paul. Don't keep the ones with the best future potential in the majors, just to have them sit on the bench. Reevaluate the OF situation frequently. If some of the more experienced guys ( Wallner, Larnach, Outman) are doing well, trade them while their value is high for prospects (catchers and first basemen and flame throwing pitchers)). This would be my plan.

Well said.

When Culpepper and/or slick fielding Houston are/is ready, put Lee at 1B, if he can hit with more power. "When" and "if"...two key words.

Amen. Spring training is here. Spring and warm weather are just around the bend. The game of baseball...the game...the game.

In response to this gloomy prediction, I feel I must disagree and quote that great philosopher, Yogi Berra and say: "When you come to a fork in the road, take it."

Gloom, despair and agony on me...Deep dark depression, excessive misery.

I wonder if the Lopez injury will put moving Festa to the pen on hold?

Nick, I agree whole heartedly. Pablo is worth the risk. He is a special talent and an even more special man.

I must say that I feel terrible for Pablo. I imagine he is worried about the political situation in his native country of Venezuela. I feel sure he has family and friends living there. And now this. Mathew mentioned "Jobe's Harvest", referring to Dr. Jobe of TJ surgery fame. However another man named "Job" also was tested by misfortunes in his life, which were much worse than what Pablo is experiencing. Hopefully Pablo Lopez will be able to remain grateful for what he does have, even in the midst of his time of disappointment and anxiety. Hang in there Pablo.

I wish Joe well. He's a cool guy. The Joe Ryan Experience is something special in a good way.

Melissa, These valentine baseball cards are the Topps.

Hello John and Twins fans. I am loading my baseball glove, my autographed Tony O tee shirt, my sun screen and my wife and coming to spring training March 7 through the 14th. We look forward to this trip every year. We will call my former infantry platoon leader and have lunch with LT and Anne at their country club. We 4 will talk about our children and grand children, our health and about long ago days and nights in the Korean DMZ, when we were soldiers once, and young. On other days my wife and I will eat seafood at Salty Papa's (fried seafood platter with shrimp, flounder and scallops, coleslaw and hush puppies, with a cold brew and another meal at Mission BBQ, where an olive drab duce and a half, sits in front of the restaurant and where I will get pork ribs slathered in tangy BBQ sauce plus collard greens and some sweet potato casserole. My wife, Jeannie and I will visit the Six Mile Cypress Slough Preserve, which is a 1.2 mile boardwalk through a swamp where, when we walk slowly and look closely, we will see and hear alligators, snakes, owls, herons, frogs, and many birds. We will also go to Ding Darling Wildlife Preserve at sunset to watch the water birds (Roseate Spoonbills,, giant pelicans, cranes, plus eagles, ospreys, etc.) flying in to prepare for the night. Large fish frequently leap from the water into the air, leaving huge splashes behind. We will see 3 Twins' baseball games. Fun stuff. Nachos, covered with runny cheese and jalapenos, washed down with Killebrew Root Beer. We will cheer especially loudly for our fellow North Carolinians. But my favorite part of the trip is watching morning Twins' practices. Pitchers practicing fielding drills of throwing the ball to first base. Pitchers running to first base to catch a throw while running. The cracks of the bats at various batting cages. The sharp smacks of 3 fastballs, one after the other, as they land almost simultaneously into in three catchers' waiting gloves, from 3 pitchers 60 feet 6 inches away, lined up 12 feet apart on 3 side by side practice pitchers' mounds. The players are boys again, working, laughing and learning. Some are intent. Most are relaxed. As they walk from the different practice fields, they talk with the fans. One of my favorite memories was being able to ask Rod Carew the secret of bunting. He said: "Listen to the sound the ball makes as it hits the bat." I thanked him and walked away feeling like I had discovered the secret of life. Hurry spring.

Thomas Wolfe, the great North Carolinian author, was wrong. You can go home again. Welcome home, Liam. I wish you well and hope you are successful.

Hopefully that problem can be fixed with some confidence, some success and more maturity. The Twins need to figure out whether Able responds to praise or to a kick in the pants as motivation. And Able needs to either channel his frustration into positive results, or lower his levels of frustration. In fact, we could all benefit from some long, quiet, solo walks in the woods. Hang in there Minnesota. We are with you.

" That horse is cooked"? Must be an Illinois saying. LOL