Jeremy Nygaard

Early word says college pitcher. A couple interesting notes in KLaw's newest insider article: "Some rumors of team preferences are starting to leak out, although it's still fairly early. Some of the stronger rumors: Minnesota Twins with Kevin Gausman or Kyle Zimmer." "Teams seem to be operating as if the Astros are most likely to take Buxton, with only Houston, Seattle, Kansas City and the Baltimore Orioles scouting him at this point."

One of the BA guys was asked recently if the Gophers had any draftable guys and the response was Oakes is a 5th round guy. He went so late because he wasn't interested in signing, he was more interested in returning to school and pitching for his dad... if my memory serves me correctly.

With the NFL Draft tomorrow night, I'm in a draft kind of mood. So I sat down and, based on my own speculation, came up with a little something... My "NFL Draft is Tomorrow night, so here's my 'ideal?' Twins draft in 2 months" draft: 1st round, 2nd overall: Possible pick: Kyle Zimmer, P. With a little luck: Mike Zunino, C. (When it comes down to it, I think Houston takes Zunino first overall). With a little balls: Byron Buxton, HS OF or Marcus Stroman, P. (Buxton comes with some risk and he plays a position that is considered an organizational strength, but he may have the highest ceiling of all players in draft; If all the pitchers were compared and the only thing you didn't know was physical size, the 5-8 Stroman would probably be the top eligible pitcher.) Supplemental Rd, 32nd overall: Possible pick: Luke Sims, HS P (may be hard to sign out of Clemson commitment.) With a little luck: James Ramsey, OF/2B. (Ramsey was drafted by the Twins last year and turned down big money to return to FSU where he's having a great year.) With a little balls: Lucas Giolito, HS P (who knows how far he slides, could Twins be creative enough to get him signed?) Supplemental Rd, 42nd overall: Possible pick: Travis Jankowski, OF (leadoff/CF type who has had wood bat success). With a little balls: Lance McCullers, HS P. (McCullers has been dropping down boards as it seems he'll end up in the bullpen.) 2nd round, 61st overall: Possible pick: Tanner Rahier, HS SS. (Consider me still a little bitter that the Twins didn't draft Trevor Story last year. Rahier may be able to stick at SS.) With a little balls: Nick Williams, HS OF. (Williams has a lot to learn, but tons of physical tools. Would follow the Hunter/Span/Hicks model... only take longer to develop.) Supplemental Rd, 70th overall: Possible pick: Adam Brett Walker, 1B/OF. If Walker slips - or even if he doesn't - he makes perfect sense. He's a RH power hitter (hello, Target Field), is local (Wisconsin) and has ties to the Cities (Daddy played for the Vikings). 3rd round, 97th overall: Possible pick: Mitchell Brown, HS P. Probably the best MN prep pitcher since Brad Hand, who was taken by the Marlins in the 2nd round in 2008. He might be a reach, but he's a known commodity. 4th round, 130th overall: Possible pick: TJ Oakes, P. Another local pitcher. Again this is all based on my speculation and a lot will change in the next couple of months... or days...

Corey Williams closed out tonight's win for the Snappers. He faced 4 RH, striking out two, walking one and getting a fly out to RF, a common occurrence. It would seem that right-handed hitters aren't catching up to his fastball...? Tonight's performance brings his yearly stats to 0-1, 5.00 ERA, 12 K, 3 SV in 9 IP. [TABLE=width: 252] [/TD] RH bat LH bat [TD=align: center]OPP BA [TD=colspan: 2, align: center]0.229[/TD] [/TD] by RH/LH 0.208 0.273 [TD=align: center]OPP OBP [TD=colspan: 2, align: center]0.325[/TD] [/TD] by RH/LH 0.269 0.429 [TD=align: center]OPP SLG [TD=colspan: 2, align: center]0.429[/TD] [/TD] by RH/LH 0.333 0.636 [TD=align: center]OPP OPS [TD=colspan: 2, align: center]0.754[/TD] [/TD] by RH/LH 0.603 1.065 [TD=align: center]BABIP [TD=colspan: 2, align: center]0.318[/TD] [/TD] by RH/LH 0.294 0.400 [TD=align: center]WHIP [TD=colspan: 2, align: center]1.22[/TD] [/TD] by RH/LH 0.95 1.88 [TD=align: center]K/9 [TD=colspan: 2, align: center]12.00[/TD] [/TD] by RH/LH 9.95 16.88 [TD=align: center]DICE [TD=colspan: 2, align: center]3.44[/TD] [/TD] by RH/LH 1.74 7.50 [TD=align: center]GO/FO [TD=colspan: 2, align: center]2.00[/TD] [/TD] [TD] by RH/LH 1.40 3.00 <-no flyouts [/TABLE]

In the newest Ask BA installment there was a discussion about the top of the draft and Jim Callis's response was: "At this point—though much can change in the next six weeks—I'd expect Georgia high school outfielder Byron Buxton, Florida catcher Mike Zunino and four college righthanders (Stanford's Mark Appel, Louisiana State's Kevin Gausman, Texas A&M's Michael Wacha and San Francisco's Kyle Zimmer) to go" in the top 6. Although it's dangerous to assume these are the top 6 on the Twins board - and really only the top 2 matter - how do you rank these 6? Right now, if I was running the show and all things were equal, I'd go Buxton, Zimmer, Zunino, Appel, Gausman, Wacha. I make my selection (hopefully) knowing exactly what my guy is going to cost (yes, I might take Appel over Zimmer if I knew the price tag was half a million less) and also being well aware of the fact that there is a really good chance I can get a high end pitcher in next year's draft. (A healthy Karsten Whitson, Florida, potentially...)

Clete Thomas joined a long list of guys that the Twins drafted at one point, didn't/couldn't sign and joined the organization later. Some other names that are on this list are Steve Pearce, who was cut in Spring Training, and Michael Holliman, who made a push to be on the opening day roster and is now in Rochester. There are other players who left the state of Minnesota at some point, only to come back later, like Cole Nelson, who left the state to attend Auburn, but was acquired by the Twins from the Tigers in the Delmon Young trade. There are also countless of examples of guys who the Twins drafted twice, some of them never signing, most of them fizzling out before making a name for themselves. All of this got me wondering, "Who are the guys out there right now that the Twins once had their eye on?" There are some very interesting names on the following list: [TABLE=width: 851] ARIZONA DIAMONDBACKS Hi A (2011) Chris Odegaard RHP Minnesota State-Mankato MN [/TD] ARIZONA DIAMONDBACKS AA Dan Kaczrowski SS Hamline (Minn.) MN ARIZONA DIAMONDBACKS Hi A Jonathan Griffin 1B Lakewood Ranch HS, Bradenton, Fla. FL 2011 21st Rd ATLANTA BRAVES Hi A Cody Martin RHP Gonzaga WA 2011 7th Rd ATLANTA BRAVES Rk (2011) Evan Danieli RHP Seton Hall Prep, West Orange, N.J. NJ 2010 24th Rd ATLANTA BRAVES A Joe Lucas RHP Dakota County Tech (Minn.) JC MN ATLANTA BRAVES A (2011) Tony Mueller OF Winona State (Minn.) MN BALTIMORE ORIOLES Hi A Aaron Baker C Denton (Texas) HS TX 2009 11th Rd CHICAGO WHITE SOX AAA Charles Leesman LHP Elder HS, Cincinnati OH 2008 11th Rd CHICAGO WHITE SOX Hi A Jake Petricka RHP Faribault (Minn.) HS MN CHICAGO WHITE SOX AA Jared Mitchell OF Westgate HS, New Iberia, La. LA 2009 1st Rd CHICAGO CUBS AA Elliot Soto SS Dundee-Crown HS, Carpentersville, Ill. IL 2010 15th Rd CHICAGO CUBS AAA (2011) Marquez Smith 3B Forest HS, Ocala, Fla. FL 2007 8th Rd CINCINNATI REDS A Nick O'Shea 1B Minnesota MN CLEVELAND INDIANS A Jordan Smith 3B St. Cloud State (Minn.) MN CLEVELAND INDIANS A (2011) Nathan Striz RHP Santa Fe Catholic HS, Lakeland, Fla. FL 2010 22nd Rd COLORADO ROCKIES Rk (2011) Ben Hughes RHP St. Olaf (Minn.) MN 2011 10th Rd COLORADO ROCKIES Tyler Anderson LHP Valley HS, Las Vegas Nev. 2011 1st Rd DETROIT TIGERS MLB Andy Oliver LHP Vermillion (Ohio) HS OH 2009 2nd Rd DETROIT TIGERS Rk (2011) Scott Matyas RHP Minnesota MN HOUSTON ASTROS Hi A George Springer OF Old Farms HS, Avon, Conn. CO 2011 1st Rd HOUSTON ASTROS A Justin Gominsky OF Minnesota MN HOUSTON ASTROS AAA Mickey Storey RHP Florida Atlantic FL 2008 31st Rd HOUSTON ASTROS A Mike Kvasnicka 3B/C North HS, Lakeville, Minn. MN 2010 1st Rd KANSAS CITY ROYALS A Mike Giovenco RHP North Park (Ill.) IL 2010 4th Rd LOS ANGELES ANGELS AA (2011) Dillon Baird 3B Prescott (Ariz.) HS AZ 2009 11th Rd LOS ANGELES DODGERS A (2011) Blake Dean OF Louisiana State LA 2010 8th Rd MIAMI MARLINS A Aaron Senne OF Missouri (drafted rd 13 out of HS) MO 2010 10th Rd MIAMI MARLINS A Adam Conley LHP Olympia (Wash.) HS WA 2011 2nd Rd MIAMI MARLINS Rk (2011) Beau Wright LHP Los Alamitos (Calif.) HS CA 2010 48th Rd MIAMI MARLINS MLB Brad Hand LHP Chaska (Minn.) HS MN MIAMI MARLINS A Josh Adams SS Eagle's View Academy, Jacksonville, Fla. FL 2011 13th Rd MILWAUKEE BREWERS A Tommy Toledo RHP Florida Fla. 2011 11th Rd NEW YORK METS Hi A Brant Rustich RHP Grossmont HS, San Diego CA 2007 2nd Rd NEW YORK METS Lo A (2011) Bret Mitchell RHP Minnesota State-Mankato MN OAKLAND A'S AA Mike Spina 1B Cincinnati OH 2009 11th Rd OAKLAND A'S Rk (2011) Thomas Girdwood RHP Elon N.C. 2011 28th Rd PHILADELPHIA PHILLIES MLB Ken Herndon RHP Gulf Coast (Fla.) CC FL 2006 5th Rd PHILADELPHIA PHILLIES A Mario Hollands LHP UC Santa Barbara CA 2010 10th Rd SAN DIEGO PADRES Hi A Adam Schrader RHP Southwest Minnesota State MN SAN DIEGO PADRES Hi A (2011) Robert Lara C Nova HS, Davie, Fla. FL 2008 19th Rd SAN DIEGO PADRES MLB Yonder Alonso 1B Coral Gables HS, Miami FL 2008 1st Rd SAN FRANCISCO GIANTS AA Chris Heston RHP Seminole (Fla.) CC FL 2009 12th Rd SAN FRANCISCO GIANTS Hi A Seth Rosin RHP Mounds View HS MN 2010 4th Rd SEATTLE MARINERS Hi A Steve Proscia 3B /1B Don Bosco Prep, Ramsey, N.J. N.J. 2011 7th Rd ST LOUIS CARDINALS AA Kolten Wong 2B Kamehameha HS, Hilo, Hawaii HA 2011 1st Rd TAMPA BAY RAYS AAA John Gaub LHP Minnesota MN [TD]TORONTO BLUE JAYS Hi A John Stilson RHP Texarkana (Texas) CC TX 2011 3rd Rd TORONTO BLUE JAYS AAA (2011) Randy Boone RHP Texas TX 2007 7th Rd WASHINGTON NATIONALS A Aaron Barrett RHP Wabash Valley (Ill.) CC IL 2010 10th Rd WASHINGTON NATIONALS AA Mike Ballard LHP U. of Virginia VA 2006 14th Rd WASHINGTON NATIONALS AA Pat Lehman RHP George Washington D.C. 2009 13th Rd [/TABLE]

Clete Thomas joined a long list of guys that the Twins drafted at one point, didn't/couldn't sign and joined the organization later. Some other names that are on this list are Steve Pearce, who was cut in Spring Training, and Michael Holliman, who made a push to be on the opening day roster and is now in Rochester. There are other players who left the state of Minnesota at some point, only to come back later, like Cole Nelson, who left the state to attend Auburn, but was acquired by the Twins from the Tigers in the Delmon Young trade. There are also countless of examples of guys who the Twins drafted twice, some of them never signing, most of them fizzling out before making a name for themselves. All of this got me wondering, "Who are the guys out there right now that the Twins once had their eye on?" There are some very interesting names on the following list: [TABLE=width: 851] ARIZONA DIAMONDBACKS Hi A (2011) Chris Odegaard RHP Minnesota State-Mankato MN [/TD] ARIZONA DIAMONDBACKS AA Dan Kaczrowski SS Hamline (Minn.) MN ARIZONA DIAMONDBACKS Hi A Jonathan Griffin 1B Lakewood Ranch HS, Bradenton, Fla. FL 2011 21st Rd ATLANTA BRAVES Hi A Cody Martin RHP Gonzaga WA 2011 7th Rd ATLANTA BRAVES Rk (2011) Evan Danieli RHP Seton Hall Prep, West Orange, N.J. NJ 2010 24th Rd ATLANTA BRAVES A Joe Lucas RHP Dakota County Tech (Minn.) JC MN ATLANTA BRAVES A (2011) Tony Mueller OF Winona State (Minn.) MN BALTIMORE ORIOLES Hi A Aaron Baker C Denton (Texas) HS TX 2009 11th Rd CHICAGO WHITE SOX AAA Charles Leesman LHP Elder HS, Cincinnati OH 2008 11th Rd CHICAGO WHITE SOX Hi A Jake Petricka RHP Faribault (Minn.) HS MN CHICAGO WHITE SOX AA Jared Mitchell OF Westgate HS, New Iberia, La. LA 2009 1st Rd CHICAGO CUBS AA Elliot Soto SS Dundee-Crown HS, Carpentersville, Ill. IL 2010 15th Rd CHICAGO CUBS AAA (2011) Marquez Smith 3B Forest HS, Ocala, Fla. FL 2007 8th Rd CINCINNATI REDS A Nick O'Shea 1B Minnesota MN CLEVELAND INDIANS A Jordan Smith 3B St. Cloud State (Minn.) MN CLEVELAND INDIANS A (2011) Nathan Striz RHP Santa Fe Catholic HS, Lakeland, Fla. FL 2010 22nd Rd COLORADO ROCKIES Rk (2011) Ben Hughes RHP St. Olaf (Minn.) MN 2011 10th Rd COLORADO ROCKIES Tyler Anderson LHP Valley HS, Las Vegas Nev. 2011 1st Rd DETROIT TIGERS MLB Andy Oliver LHP Vermillion (Ohio) HS OH 2009 2nd Rd DETROIT TIGERS Rk (2011) Scott Matyas RHP Minnesota MN HOUSTON ASTROS Hi A George Springer OF Old Farms HS, Avon, Conn. CO 2011 1st Rd HOUSTON ASTROS A Justin Gominsky OF Minnesota MN HOUSTON ASTROS AAA Mickey Storey RHP Florida Atlantic FL 2008 31st Rd HOUSTON ASTROS A Mike Kvasnicka 3B/C North HS, Lakeville, Minn. MN 2010 1st Rd KANSAS CITY ROYALS A Mike Giovenco RHP North Park (Ill.) IL 2010 4th Rd LOS ANGELES ANGELS AA (2011) Dillon Baird 3B Prescott (Ariz.) HS AZ 2009 11th Rd LOS ANGELES DODGERS A (2011) Blake Dean OF Louisiana State LA 2010 8th Rd MIAMI MARLINS A Aaron Senne OF Missouri (drafted rd 13 out of HS) MO 2010 10th Rd MIAMI MARLINS A Adam Conley LHP Olympia (Wash.) HS WA 2011 2nd Rd MIAMI MARLINS Rk (2011) Beau Wright LHP Los Alamitos (Calif.) HS CA 2010 48th Rd MIAMI MARLINS MLB Brad Hand LHP Chaska (Minn.) HS MN MIAMI MARLINS A Josh Adams SS Eagle's View Academy, Jacksonville, Fla. FL 2011 13th Rd MILWAUKEE BREWERS A Tommy Toledo RHP Florida Fla. 2011 11th Rd NEW YORK METS Hi A Brant Rustich RHP Grossmont HS, San Diego CA 2007 2nd Rd NEW YORK METS Lo A (2011) Bret Mitchell RHP Minnesota State-Mankato MN OAKLAND A'S AA Mike Spina 1B Cincinnati OH 2009 11th Rd OAKLAND A'S Rk (2011) Thomas Girdwood RHP Elon N.C. 2011 28th Rd PHILADELPHIA PHILLIES MLB Ken Herndon RHP Gulf Coast (Fla.) CC FL 2006 5th Rd PHILADELPHIA PHILLIES A Mario Hollands LHP UC Santa Barbara CA 2010 10th Rd SAN DIEGO PADRES Hi A Adam Schrader RHP Southwest Minnesota State MN SAN DIEGO PADRES Hi A (2011) Robert Lara C Nova HS, Davie, Fla. FL 2008 19th Rd SAN DIEGO PADRES MLB Yonder Alonso 1B Coral Gables HS, Miami FL 2008 1st Rd SAN FRANCISCO GIANTS AA Chris Heston RHP Seminole (Fla.) CC FL 2009 12th Rd SAN FRANCISCO GIANTS Hi A Seth Rosin RHP Mounds View HS MN 2010 4th Rd SEATTLE MARINERS Hi A Steve Proscia 3B /1B Don Bosco Prep, Ramsey, N.J. N.J. 2011 7th Rd ST LOUIS CARDINALS AA Kolten Wong 2B Kamehameha HS, Hilo, Hawaii HA 2011 1st Rd TAMPA BAY RAYS AAA John Gaub LHP Minnesota MN [TD]TORONTO BLUE JAYS Hi A John Stilson RHP Texarkana (Texas) CC TX 2011 3rd Rd TORONTO BLUE JAYS AAA (2011) Randy Boone RHP Texas TX 2007 7th Rd WASHINGTON NATIONALS A Aaron Barrett RHP Wabash Valley (Ill.) CC IL 2010 10th Rd WASHINGTON NATIONALS AA Mike Ballard LHP U. of Virginia VA 2006 14th Rd WASHINGTON NATIONALS AA Pat Lehman RHP George Washington D.C. 2009 13th Rd [/TABLE]

Corey pitched the bottom of the 8th of a 6-1 loss tonight. He didn't have a great outing, although he retired all three batters he faced by strikeout (including a called 3rd strike against former college teammate Aaron Westlake, who argued the call and was promptly ejected). He was tagged for two extra base hits (his first two of the season against LH hitters) and we witness what happens when our sample size is so small, he has been otherwise dominant against LH hitters. [TABLE=width: 225] [/TD] RH bat LH bat [TD=align: center]BA [TD=colspan: 2, align: center]0.250 [/TD] [/TD] by RH/LH 0.238 0.273 OBP [TD=colspan: 2, align: center]0.333 [/TD] by RH/LH 0.273 0.429 [TD=align: center]SLG [TD=colspan: 2, align: center]0.469[/TD] [/TD] by RH/LH 0.381 0.636 [TD=align: center]OPS [TD=colspan: 2, align: center]0.802[/TD] [/TD] by RH/LH 0.654 1.065 [TD=align: center]BABIP [TD=colspan: 2, align: center]0.333[/TD] [/TD] by RH/LH 0.313 0.400 [TD=align: center]WHIP [TD=colspan: 2, align: center]1.25[/TD] [/TD] by RH/LH 0.94 1.88 [TD=align: center]K/9 [TD=colspan: 2, align: center]11.25[/TD] [/TD] by RH/LH 8.44 16.88 [TD=align: center]DICE [TD=colspan: 2, align: center]3.63[/TD] [/TD] by RH/LH 1.69 7.50 [TD=align: center]GO/FO [TD=colspan: 2, align: center]2.50[/TD] [/TD] by RH/LH 1.75 3.00 <-no flyouts [TD=align: center]ERA [TD=colspan: 2, align: center]5.63[/TD] [TD][/TD] [/TABLE]

I decided to do some in-depth research and put my Excel wizardry to the test. What follows is a lot of pitching stats broken down. I will update this after Williams pitches. (Small sample size warning.) I'm a little brain-fried right now to make too much out of this, but one thing I did notice (that doesn't show up) is the abundance of 1-3 putouts: 3. That's out of 14 total, non-strikeout outs. I'm also going to add G0/FO to my spreadsheet and that will be reflected on the next update. So with that... enjoy! (And hopefully you find more enjoyment than most left-handed hitters find against Williams.) [TABLE=width: 225] [/TD] RH bat LH bat [TD=align: center]OPP BA [TD=colspan: 2, align: center]0.222[/TD] [/TD] by RH/LH 0.263 0.125 [TD=align: center]OPP OBP [TD=colspan: 2, align: center]0.276[/TD] [/TD] by RH/LH 0.263 0.300 [TD=align: center]OPP SLG [TD=colspan: 2, align: center]0.333[/TD] [/TD] by RH/LH 0.421 0.125 [TD=align: center]OPP OPS [TD=colspan: 2, align: center]0.609[/TD] [/TD] by RH/LH 0.684 0.425 [TD=align: center]BABIP [TD=colspan: 2, align: center]0.300[/TD] [/TD] by RH/LH 0.313 0.250 [TD=align: center]WHIP [TD=colspan: 2, align: center]1.00[/TD] [/TD] by RH/LH 1.07 0.86 [TD=align: center]K/9 [TD=colspan: 2, align: center]9.00[/TD] [/TD] by RH/LH 5.79 15.43 [TD=align: center]DICE [TD=colspan: 2, align: center]1.86[/TD] [/TD] by RH/LH 1.71 2.14 [TD=align: center]ERA [TD=colspan: 2, align: center]3.86[/TD] [/TD] RH bat LH bat TOTAL AT BATS 19 8[TD=align: right]27 [/TD] HITS Total Hits 5 1[TD=align: right]6 INF 1B 1 0[TD=align: right]1[/TD] 1B 2 1[TD=align: right]3[/TD] 2B 1 0[TD=align: right]1[/TD] 3B 1 0[TD=align: right]1[/TD] HR 0 0[TD=align: right]0[/TD] [/TD] BB 0 1[TD=align: right]1 HBP 0 1[TD=align: right]1[/TD] IBB 0 0[TD=align: right]0[/TD] SAC 0 0[TD=align: right]0[/TD] [/TD] OUTS 14 7[TD=align: right]21 STRIKEOUTS 3 4[TD=align: right]7[/TD] [/TABLE]

Corey Williams, 6-1, 208, LHP, was the Twins 3rd round (117th overall) selection in the 2011 draft. Born on Independence Day, 1990, he signed (which was somewhat surprising to me) on July 27, 2011 for an above-slot 575K and was assigned to Elizabethton. As a redshirt-sophomore, Corey had leverage against the Twins and parlayed that into high 2nd-round money. Although his numbers weren't great in 2011, he was the most-trusted arm in Vanderbilt's College World Series team bullpen. You might ask, "How did he do in 2010?" Watch this (like half a million others have) and you'll find out how 2010 went. . You'll also see why myself (and many others) believe he has a special toughness that makes him a special player. His 2011 stat line in the Appy league: 1-1, 3.86 ERA, 7 games, 11.2 IP, 12 H, 5 BB, 5 ER and 11 K. He's currently holding up the back-end of the Snappers bullpen with a low 90's fastball, a hard slider, a curveball and a change-up that is in its early stages. While starting isn't out of the realm of possibilities, I see him with a Glen Perkins-type of duty in the future. I'm extremely excited to get the opportunity to watch Corey pitch this weekend (hopefully!) as I make my annual trip to Beloit.

Corey Williams

According to LEN, Hughes was claimed off waivers by Oakland.

That's tough, though, when players are changing teams. I'll make it to Beloit a couple of times this year, but once a player leaves Beloit there is no chance I see them until they make it to Minneapolis. Maybe we give Seth five names we're interested in and he randomly selects our names and assigns us the top guy left on our list...?

The news on DFA'd Michael Bowden has been pretty quiet lately, so I'm linking a couple of stories and doing some math. http://www.chicagonow.com/cubs-den/2012/04/fixing-the-cubs-bullpen-trade-or-internal-options/ http://espn.go.com/chicago/mlb/story/_/id/7839563/source-chicago-cubs-trade-marlon-byrd-boston-red-sox It's been written lately that the Cubs are in need of bullpen help. I think that's where Bowden fits into the equation. The one thing that gives me pause is that the ESPN article suggests the Cubs will get a left-handed reliever. (Bowden is righthanded.) Regardless, Bowden's future will have to be determined in the next couple of days.

I'm in... although I'm not sure who the "perfect prospect" is...

I would have have banked on a few other guys getting DFA'd off the big-league roster before Hughes, so this move was a little surprising. Is it giving too much credit to the front office to think that maybe - knowing they were facing a move - they called some teams and found a trade partner for Luke Hughes? My first reaction upon hearing the news was that some NL team would love to have a (solid?) RH bat that can play 1B, 2B and 3B to utilize during double-switches. That team (or teams) might also feel he doesn't make it that far in the waiver process. I'm not suggesting that the Twins are going to be able to pull a top-prospect (or even a good prospect) for Hughes, but there are a lot of formerly-drafted-by-the-Twins players out there... and we all know how the Twins love getting those guys eventually. Is it possible? Who knows...

I think the Liriano to Rochester hope is a pipedream. For one, I would highly doubt that Liriano would sign off on the move. For another, I'm pretty sure he'd have to pass through some sort of "optional waivers" process that some desperate team might try and claim him. The Twins could pull him back, but his final destination wouldn't be Rochester. Personally, right call or not, I think we'll see Burnett sent to Rochester. That would buy them a couple days to decide if either Perk or Blackburn need to be DL'd. If either do, then Burnett will be recalled immediately. Just opinions.

I would guess the option has to be picked up (or declined) shortly after the World Series. So unless he's proven to be at or near 100% by that time, I would have a hard time making a $9m commitment. I'm not opposed to bringing him back, however, in 2013 for $5-6m (w/ incentives that could push it towards $9m) with a mutual option for 2014 for around $9m. At the end of the day, I would think there is a very good chance that Baker pitches for the Twins in 2013.

It should come as no surprise that the Angels are going to try and trade him. Apparently there is some concern about a slight loss in velocity. I say put in the claim and see if thats the case. If it is, put him back on waivers and maybe he'll get a chance to regain his velo in Rochester.

That's a great question. I hadn't heard of an injury, but not playing for a handful of days seems a little odd. Better let Seth handle it!!

Verified. Bowden was known to have very good command and a great changeup and curve. I would love to see the Twins get Bowden and let him stretch back out. At the very least it would give the Twins another guy that could make the rotation next year. We're talking about a guy that has never really had a chance in the big leagues (less than a year of service time) who had been considered one of Boston's top prospects from 2008-2010. Although - and it's been mentioned here - he doesn't fit the mold of guys typically claimed by the Twins (young and still projectable), his scouting report does say some things that loosely translate to him being a "pitch to contact" type guy, that's the Twins way!

For a random Saturday in April, there sure was an awful lot that seemed to happen. Most of these topics have been touched on at Twins Daily, but I'm just going to (briefly) condense them. This morning we learned that OF Darin Mastroianni was promoted from New Britain to Rochester. Not exactly headline news, but Twins news nonetheless. Before today's game against Rangers P Yu Darvish (news in itself), the Twins unveiled a statue outside of Gate 14 of Kent Hrbek. During today's game, in which the Twins left what seem like a hundred runners on base, we learned that the Twins were awarded a waiver claim on former Tiger OF Clete Thomas. To make room for Thomas on the 40-man, Scott Baker was transferred to the 60-day DL. Speculation then began on how room would be created on the 25-man roster. (I also started a forum thread about the potential addition of RHRP Rich Thompson. I would claim him. DFA Nishi - who will clear waivers - and option Burnett. Easy calls.) Starting P Nick Blackburn left his start in the 6th inning due to a shoulder injury. He had been pitching pretty well and it seems that his shoulder is going to be okay after preliminary reports are that there is "no structural damage". Ben Revere was optioned to Rochester to make room for Clete Thomas and now we wonder how Rochester makes room on their roster for Revere. (Assuming that Revere and Benson play LF and CF, and Matt Carson continues to play RF, that squeezes time for Brian Dinkelman and the aforementioned Darin Mastroianni. Both can also play 2B, so maybe Nishi's time gets squeezed too... who knows?) Potential Twin Draftee Kyle Zimmer (P, San Francisco) pitched against Loyola Marymount in front of Twins scouts and wasn't great (7 IP, 8 H, 2 R, 5 K... or something like that). Whew. Did I miss anything? Let's hope tomorrow's news instead goes something like this: Twins win.

For a random Saturday in April, there sure was an awful lot that seemed to happen. Most of these topics have been touched on at Twins Daily, but I'm just going to (briefly) condense them. This morning we learned that OF Darin Mastroianni was promoted from New Britain to Rochester. Not exactly headline news, but Twins news nonetheless. Before today's game against Rangers P Yu Darvish (news in itself), the Twins unveiled a statue outside of Gate 14 of Kent Hrbek. During today's game, in which the Twins left what seem like a hundred runners on base, we learned that the Twins were awarded a waiver claim on former Tiger OF Clete Thomas. To make room for Thomas on the 40-man, Scott Baker was transferred to the 60-day DL. Speculation then began on how room would be created on the 25-man roster. (I also started a forum thread about the potential addition of RHRP Rich Thompson. I would claim him. DFA Nishi - who will clear waivers - and option Burnett. Easy calls.) Starting P Nick Blackburn left his start in the 6th inning due to a shoulder injury. He had been pitching pretty well and it seems that his shoulder is going to be okay after preliminary reports are that there is "no structural damage". Ben Revere was optioned to Rochester to make room for Clete Thomas and now we wonder how Rochester makes room on their roster for Revere. (Assuming that Revere and Benson play LF and CF, and Matt Carson continues to play RF, that squeezes time for Brian Dinkelman and the aforementioned Darin Mastroianni. Both can also play 2B, so maybe Nishi's time gets squeezed too... who knows?) Potential Twin Draftee Kyle Zimmer (P, San Francisco) pitched against Loyola Marymount in front of Twins scouts and wasn't great (7 IP, 8 H, 2 R, 5 K... or something like that). Whew. Did I miss anything? Let's hope tomorrow's news instead goes something like this: Twins win.

After the "claw" and the "antlers" there was a "sitting duck" (looked like a snake) and now apparently something called "ducks on the pond" signified by interlocking fingers. No one really knows what's going on. But I'll tell you one thing, it's a good thing this isn't the NFL or Roger Goodell would have done away with all of them.

If I were TR and asked that question, my response would sound something like this: We only have two guys on our roster that can play CF. What's best for Ben Revere is to play every day. As long as Denard is healthy, Revere won't be playing every day up here. Thomas gives us a guy that can play all three positions solidly and allow us to send Revere down to further his development. ...or something like that.