Jeremy Nygaard

One of my favorite things to do in regards to this website - whether in conjunction with the Prospect Handbook or not - is to have an ongoing dialogue with scouts in the organization. My favorite article I've ever posted still remains the interview I did with West Coast Scouting Supervisor Sean Johnson. In the 2013 edition of the handbook, I had an interview with Jack Powell, who is the scout responsible for signing Byron Buxton. The full interview was available in the book, with a brief preview here. [PRBREAK][/PRBREAK] In an effort to make/keep the tradition of featuring a scout in each year's handbook, I reached out to one of the newest members of the Twins scouting fraternity: Freddie Thon. This picture of Freddie was during his minor-league All-Star days of 2006, but you get the point - he's a former baseballer and now his job is to locate the next generation of Twins prospects. Located primarily in southern Florida and Puerto Rico, Thon's job is especially important, given the success the Twins have had in that area. I'd love for you to read the whole interview, but that's only going to be available in the Handbook (which is available in both paperback and eBook versions). Some excerpts here: Freddie talks about his background, which is very baseball heavy and also his path from high school through college and into the minor leagues. Of course, I had to ask him about next year's draft class: Freddie spoke at length about many other things as well. Pick up the Handbook, you won't be disappointed.

The Winter Meetings have come to an end and with that, so will our special edition Google Hangouts. We do have one left, though, and you can watch it here, live at 9pm. <iframe width="420" height="315" src="http://www.youtube.com/embed/1v0aMRMDe-0" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen></iframe> [PRBREAK][/PRBREAK]Wednesday night we talked about potentially adding Pelfrey and/or Arroyo and what it could mean for the starting pitching staff. We also discussed Josmil Pinto's shoulder, the signing of a Indy League MVP, the return of former scouts and the future of Liam Hendriks. <iframe width="420" height="315" src="http://www.youtube.com/embed/cWMRlzaRW5E" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen></iframe> You can also use the links below to find it on iTunes and on YouTube. ------ Tuesday night's episode featuring John Bonnes can be seen below. MIKE PELFREY!! <iframe width="420" height="315" src="http://www.youtube.com/embed/Wm5xzNjE8q0" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen></iframe> While the Big Pelf took up a too-large segment of our show, it was very entertaining to visibly see John Bonnes's blood pressure go up at the idea of re-signing him. John also talked about TwinsDaily's Winter Meltdown and other current endeavors (not limited to TwinsDaily's re-upping with the Cedar Rapids Kernels). We addressed other news of the day - such as the rumored interest in Stephen Drew - and answered random questions. So once you get by the first three minutes of confusion, you're in for a real treat! You can view the video embed above, the link to or the audio-only version here on iTunes at https://itunes.apple.com/us/podcast/twinshangout-podcast/id776886965?mt=2.--------- Guestless on a Monday. Seth and I spent an hour talking about today's Twins news. Well, it was like 57 minutes of talking about the Twins and four minutes of utter confusion when Jeremy's volume stopped working. We were able to reconnect the old school way - telephone - to complete our discussion and even made some room for the day's newest news: Rajai Davis to the Twins? Oh, just another day in the life of a Twins fan. <iframe width="420" height="315" src="http://www.youtube.com/embed/d5Wc5BU3ZWc" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen></iframe> You can view the video embed above, the link to or the audio-only version here on iTunes at https://itunes.apple.com/us/podcast/twinshangout-podcast/id776886965?mt=2 (though that seems to be an episode behind).----------------------------- Sunday edition: Seth and Jeremy were joined by 1500 ESPN/Eyewitness News' Doogie Wolfson as we kicked off our Winter Meetings Edition. When it comes to local sports, no one knows it better than Doogie. Doogie suggested the Twins might be busy this week, what positions they may be targeting as well as a few players who the team might be targeting for extensions. He also mentioned one (surprise?) name that may be available in trade talks. Drink it all in. video or Audio-only?<iframe width="420" height="315" src="http://www.youtube.com/embed/kKpwZaCotQk" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen></iframe> --- Please leave your questions/comments below. If you're viewing live, you can ask questions during the show using the Q and A feature that we enable. These Hangouts are unlikely to last full hours each night, but this is great way to catch up on your Twins-related news of the day without having to pay close attention for the rest of the day.

Join Seth and I tonight at 8:30 as we're joined by ESPN1500's Brandon Warne. We'll recap the flurry of activity we've seen since last Tuesday night as well as wrap up what's been going on in the catching market over the last couple of days. I'm sure we'll also talk about starting pitching and deviate from the plan that we have. [PRBREAK][/PRBREAK] If you have any questions you would like for us to answer, please feel free to leave them in the comments below, or ask them in the chat screen during the live show. <iframe width="420" height="315" src="http://www.youtube.com/embed/CKhkNsn8aNk" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen></iframe> If we have time, we'll talk about the Twins Hall of Fame ballot and maybe even MLB's ballot that was released early last week.

Technical difficulties backed up kickoff about 10 minutes, but we were able to speak with the Pioneer Press's Mike Berardino for about an hour on Tuesday night. You probably already know that he's a pretty knowledgeable dude and he'd make any stathead's night. <iframe width="420" height="315" src="http://www.youtube.com/embed/4Zbm6BoX-MU" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen></iframe> We also talked about the free agent market and a whole lot of other things Twins. Enjoy the Thanksgiving holiday and we'll see you again next Tuesday night! [PRBREAK][/PRBREAK] Please let us know what you thought about the show. If you'd rather watch on YouTube, you can view .

Seth and Jeremy will be hanging out again on Wednesday night, talking about Minnesota Twins 40 man roster decisions and more with guest and friend of Twins Daily AJ Pettersen. You'll want to join the conversation... You can ask us questions and we'll respond. <iframe width="420" height="315" src="http://www.youtube.com/embed/NEpV5dNQtsE" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen></iframe> Click Play to Listen Live! [PRBREAK][/PRBREAK]Seth and I discussed the local nine on Tuesday night. Some things we touched on were: The looming suspension of Eddie Rosario and what it means, the 40-man roster choices the teams needs to make today, the trade with the Pirates, free agent rumors, curious moves, winter league updates and questions from viewers. If you can stick it out til the end, you can also view an awkward exchange between "Neal Huntington" and "Terry Ryan". We'll also have a special edition show tonight discussing the moves the Twins make this afternoon. Featuring a special guest! <cue the intrigue, right?> As always, we'd love to get your feedback, so leave below. Click to view live at 8:30! <iframe width="420" height="315" src="http://www.youtube.com/embed/Uuad_vzHPzU" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen></iframe>

Join Seth and I as we talked about a wide variety of Twins topics.[PRBREAK][/PRBREAK] Watch and listen to Seth and I tackle a variety of topics. We cover the Joe Mauer move, off-season leagues, Byron Buxton and injuries, some free agents targets and answer your questions! Leave us your feedback. <!-- Place this tag in your head or just before your close body tag. --> <script type="text/javascript" src="https://apis.google.com/js/plusone.js"></script> <!-- Place this tag where you want the widget to render. --> <div class="g-post" data-href="https://plus.google.com/105223969215261032144/posts/GKKSiKVWa9Q"></div>

I’ve never told anyone this story… Mostly because I just made it up... And also because if I didn’t make it up, you still wouldn’t believe it… --- I had never been more excited to attend a baseball game than I was to attend Game 1 of the 2010 American League Division Series against the Yankees.[PRBREAK][/PRBREAK] It was the first playoff game to ever happen at Target Field and my seats were great. I remember that funny feeling – nothing like Game 163 – when things were happening, either good or bad, and the crowd just seemed disinterested. It was really weird… and part of me figured it was a lot of people that were there because it was the first playoff game, not because they really wanted to be there. Corporate big-wigs sitting in their over-priced padded seats for the first time since April, probably. As I took the walk back to my car, knowing that a three-game sweep was inevitable, I noticed a glimmer in the parking ramp stairwell. It was a lamp. Not a lamp that the Amish use to guide their buggies around my neighborhood; no, it was a lamp that looked a lot like the one in Aladdin. So I picked it up and rubbed it. And sure enough, out came a genie. It wasn’t the blue genie that you’re all picturing. It wasn’t like that at all. The genie was darker, pudgier and had a funny eye. “Holy smokes! You’re Kirby Puckett!” I was sure of it. The genie replied that he wasn’t, he was just a genie… but he talked real fast and laughed real deep and we both knew: he was Kirby Puckett. He told me he was going to grant me three wishes, but he needed to warn me: No matter what I wished for, the next three seasons were going end with 90 or more losses. I immediately realized that prolonged losing might mean trading away Joe Mauer. So without thinking, I used my first wish. “I wish for Joe Mauer to spend his entire career with the Twins.” Kirby the Genie shook his head, “Alright.” I thought more about the upcoming seasons. How hard was it going to be to make it through the next three years? “I wish that the Twins will have a Top 3 farm system going into 2014.” I knew that couldn’t happen overnight and, even with three great drafts that alone wouldn’t lead to a contending team in 2014. So I used wish number three. “I wish the Twins would have the space and the willingness to spend big when they get back to the point where they can compete.” Kirby winked, laughed and told me he’d grant my wishes. And with that, he was gone. ___ Well, here we are. We’ve suffered through the three straight losing seasons. We’ve got Baby Jesus for life. We’ve got a Top 3 if not the Top 1 farm system. And we’ve got the means to spend now, adding pieces for 2014, but keeping our eyes on 2015 and 2016. I’m going to make five moves this offseason: 1) Sign Phil Hughes. While he’s not the #1 fans are hoping for (who is?), leaving Yankee Stadium and coming to Target Field is going to steer his career down a whole different path. Plus, he’s on the right side of 30. I’ll give him 3 years and up to $33 million. I’m going to give him $3 million just for signing, $9 million per year and have a buyout of $3 million on a fourth year at $13 million. I agree, it’s excessive… but it’s a willingness to spend, just like I wished. 2) Trade for Chad Billingsley. This is another move that comes with risk. Billingsley did, in fact, miss 2013 recovering from Tommy John surgery and there is no guarantee that he’ll even be ready when April rolls around. Oh, and he is the final year of a 3-yr/$35 million contract. But here’s the deal: The Twins have shown interest in Billingsley before and, even though they’re strapped with cash, Billingsley is on the outside-looking-in when it comes to L.A.’s rotation. And the kicker, there is some belief the Dodgers weren’t happy when Billingsley decided to try the rehab and PRP therapy in lieu of surgery, which happened anyway. I’ll offer a mid-level prospect (Matt Summers, maybe?) and in return the Dodgers pick up $6 million of this year’s contract, that leaves the Twins paying the other $6 million and the last $1 million installment of the buyout. They also get the chance to pay him $11 million for 2015 or cut him loose. (That’s the $14 million minus the $3 million of the buyout that was paid already.) A risky move for 2014 that could potentially be a huge steal for 2015. 3) Trade Oswaldo Arcia to the Rangers. With Nelson Cruz on his way out and David Murphy a free agent, there is a corner outfield spot available. The Rangers have also said they’ll explore moving Elvis Andrus or Ian Kinsler to make room for Jurickson Profar. If the Twins could package Arcia in a deal to get Andrus without giving up the farm, I’d do it… I just don’t see that happening. More likely, I see the Twins sending Arcia to the Rangers in exchange for a couple minor-league arms: RHP Luke Jackson, who would start in AA, and Victor Payano, a 6-6 lefty who was in high-A last year but is still very projectable. Jackson is a hard-thrower who misses bats but walks a bunch, too. There might have to be a little more going back to Texas, but that’s the price of business. So why trade Arcia, you wonder? Well, I’ll start the year with an outfield of Willingham-Presley-Parmelee/Doumit, which, admittedly, isn’t pretty. (Would it be that much prettier with Arcia out there?) But eventually Hicks comes back up and isn’t terrible. And after the All-Star break, Buxton comes up. I’d also move Eddie Rosario back to the OF and picture late 2014 with an outfield of Rosario-Buxton-Hicks. 4) Sign A.J. Pierzynski. I want to let Pinto get some more AAA at-bats under his belt. I don’t know what it will cost to get A.J., but if I could get him for a year at $8 million, I could handle that. 5) Get lucky on the scrap heap. I’m looking at you, Johan. Maybe it’s a $3 million, incentive-laiden deal with a team option of 2015. Even if Santana passes, there are a number of names that could be interesting as reclamation projects: Roberto Hernandez/Fausto Carmona, Ryan Vogelsong and Edinson Volquez are just a few names that could fit with small guarantees and big incentives. This puts the Opening Day payroll at a very manageable $92,805,000. It also puts the team in position to spend going into 2015 as well, with less than $37 million committed to Mauer, Perkins and Hughes, the only three guys under contract.

You may have seen Cody’s update earlier today on how the Twins prospects have done while playing in Arizona so far this fall. There are some other leagues underway in the warmer parts of the world and here’s an update on those players. This only includes players that are under contract to the team. Expected minor-league free agents are not included. *Stats through 10/28, in order of #Impressiveness Dominican Winter League: Jorge Polanco: 7 G, 11-for-28, 7 R, 3 2B, HR, 5 BB, 3 K, 2 SB, .393/.438/.607 [PRBREAK][/PRBREAK] Jorge Polanco has had a very positive start to his winter. If Polanco follows the same development path as Eddie Rosario, we could see him competing for a spot sometime in 2014. While the debate has been if Rosario or Brian Dozier should be considered the 2B of the future, Polanco should definitely be a part of that discussion. www.sbnation.com Miguel Sano: 2 G, 1-for-5, R, 4 BB, 2 K, SB, .200/.556/.200 Miguel Sano had two throwing errors in two games before being shut down with elbow discomfort. Danny Santana: 5 G, 5-for-23, 4 R, 2B, RBI, BB, IBB, 7 K, 3 SB, .217/.280/.261 Deibinson Romero: 2 G, 1-for-6, R, HR, 2 RBI, BB, .167/.333/.667 Chris Herrmann: 6 G, 3-for-15, R, 2 2B, 3 RBI, 3 BB, 6 K, .200/.316/.333 Adrian Salcedo: G, 0.2 IP, H, 1.50 WHIP, .333 BAA Venezuelan Winter League: Eduardo Escobar: 11 G, 13-for42, 4 R, 2 2B, 2 3B, HR, 3 RBI, 3 BB, 9 K, .310/.356/.524 Jermaine Mitchell: 8 G, 6-for-31, 7 R, 2B, 2 RBI, 5 BB, 10 K, SB, CS, .194/.306/.226 Jairo Rodriguez: G Lester Oliveros: 4 G, 3 IP, 2 H, 3 R, 0 ER, BB, 3 K, 1.00 WHIP, .182 BAA Oliveros is trying to prove he belongs back on the 40-man roster after recovering from UCL surgery. Virgil Vasquez: 4 G, 4 GS (0-1), 18.2 IP, 21 H, 9 R, 8 ER (3.86 ERA), 4 HR, 2 BB, 17 K, 1.23 WHIP, .280 BAA Dakota Watts: 6 G (2-1), 7 IP, 7 H, 2 ER (2.57 ERA), 3 BB, 2 K, 1.43 WHIP, .259 BAA Cole DeVries: 3 G, 2 GS, 7.1 IP, 13 H, 7 ER (8.59 ERA), 4 BB, 8 K, 2.32 WHIP, .371 BAA

It was a very eventful day all through Twins Territory. Read on for jammed-pack excitement... or at least a recap of what happened while you enjoyed the "unofficial" last day of Summer. ROCHESTER RED WINGS 13, SCRANTON/WB RAILRIDERS 3 Box Score[PRBREAK][/PRBREAK] From today's pregame notes: The Red Wings made a total of 140 transactions this year, which included housing 60 different players over the course of the season. That is the highest number since 1995 (62). Only five players made it through the whole season on Rochester's roster: Shairon Martis, Eric Fryer, Jeff Clement, Brian Dinkelman and Ray Olmedo. Scott Diamond will take the mound at 1:05 pm at Frontier Field in hopes of securing a win. With a win, the Red Wings also need Norfolk to lose to clinch a playoff berth. That is the only way the Red Wings season doesn't end today. In an effort to keep you up-to-date, I posted live updates throughout the Norfolk and Rochester game. If you still don't know - isn't the anticipation killing you? - you can re-live the moment. Right now. UPDATE 12:25 CT Scott Diamond gave up a run in the top of the 1st, but the Red Wings answered back in the bottom of the inning scoring three runs. They currently have runners on first and third with nobody out. Durham and Norfolk are currently tied at 0 in the top of the 6th. Durham put a runner on base with a 2-out single. Update 12:30 CT Norfolk got out of the inning. Heading to the bottom of the 6th. Still scoreless. Ray Olmedo singled home Jeff Clement. 4-1, still none out in the bottom of the first. Update 12:40 CT Norfolk started off the bottom of 6 with a double and a walk. Durham followed that with a strikeout and double-play. On to the 7th... Meanwhile, Rochester is still batting in the 1st. Eduardo Escobar has doubled twice and has four RBI so far in a 9-1 game. Scranton/WB has made a pitching move already. (These Red Wings must really not want to re-join the Twins. #jajaja) Update 1:30 CT Durham just stranded a runner on second base. He singled and later stole second. But with one out, they went strikeout/weak groundout to end the inning. Norfolk comes to bat in the bottom of the 9th. Rochester, on the other hand, continues to pull away... Update 1:34 CT Strikeout, groundout... we're one out from extra innings. Update 1:40 CT Durham is now batting in the top of the 10th. Eduardo Escobar is killing it, by the way. Two doubles and home run, so far. Update 1:45 CT Durham has a runner on first and third with one out in the top of the 10th. Update 1:47 CT A single scores the game's first runner. 1st and 2nd, one out. Red Wings gotta love this... Update 1:49 CT Inning over on double-play. Three outs from a Durham win. Update 1:55 CT Of course, Norfolk singles to lead off bottom of 10th. Former Twin Jason Pridie can't get him over to second. One out. Update 1:57 CT That's two swinging strikeouts in the bottom of 9 for closer Kirby Yates. One out to go... Update 2:00 CT It's an epic battle between Yates and Buck Britton... and it ends in another swinging strikeout. It's all on the Red Wings now... a win and they're in. Update 2:04 CT I gotta take a break from all of this excitement. Top of the 6th. 12 outs away. FINAL UPDATE They did it. They won and, by tiebreaker, are the International League Wild Card. Scott Diamond gave up three runs over seven innings and Virgil Vasquez tossed the final two frames. Diamond got a Olmedo-Beresford-Parmelee triple play behind him as well. Escobar finished with three doubles, a home run and 5 RBI. Ray Olmedo and Antoan Richardson each finished with three hits. The Red Wings will host the PawSox on Wednesday (Cole De Vries) and Thursday (P.J. Walters) before heading to Pawtucket for games Friday through Sunday, as necessary. NEW BRITAIN ROCK CATS 2, READING PHILLIES 3 Box Score Miguel Sano was getting the season finale off, until Evan Bigley was ejected. Sano finished the year with 2 Ks and a line-out to third. Brad Boyer and Kyle Knudson ended their seasons with 2-hit games. Danny Santana and Eddie Rosario each had a hit and a stolen base. D.J. Baxendale struck out nine over 7.1 innings. He gave up 12 hits and 3 runs. Ryan O'Rourke recorded the final five outs, with 1 K. FORT MYERS MIRACLE The Miracle are off today and will kick off a three-game set tomorrow with Charlotte at 6:30 ET. Game 1 is on the road with Games 2 and 3 scheduled for Fort Myers. CEDAR RAPIDS KERNELS 15, CLINTON LUMBERKINGS 6 Box Score Miguel Sulbaran improved to 9-4 on the season with a win today. He pitched five innings and allowed two runs. He struck out only one. The bullpen handled the rest of the game in small pieces and most of them threw successfully. Hudson Boyd (H, K, IP), Josue Montanez (.2 IP, 2 H), Brandon Bixler (.1 IP, K) and Brian Gilbert (IP, H) all had scoreless efforts in relief. Dallas Gallant was had a bit of a hiccup. Gallant got three outs, but also gave up back-to-back home runs and a walk for four total runs. He struck out two. The offense was pretty explosive today. They scored 15 runs on 14 hits. Adam Brett Walker (27) and Jonathan Murphy (2) both homered. Niko Goodrum, Jorge Polanco, Walker, Tyler Grimes and Michael Quesada all had doubles. Quesada actually reached base in all five of his plate appearances (two hits, three walks). The 88-50 record that Cedar Rapids finished with ties a franchise record and, to my knowledge, was the most wins in baseball this year. The Kernels will travel to Quad Cities for Game 1 on Wednesday night. Brett Lee is on the mound. The Kernels will return home for games Thursday and Friday night. Tim Shibuya and Tim Atherton (if necessary) are the scheduled starters. Leave your questions and/or comments below.

I know the picture doesn't fit, but for what might be the last time, let's give #33 another cover photo. This from a happier time. Let's hope there is more champagne in Morneau's near future... and also that none of the corks hit him in the head. If you want to weigh in on the trade and it's reactions. Go here. Tonight was a very significant night for the Rochester Red Wings. It's also a big night for Josmil Pinto, as he is with the Twins and will make his big-league debut soon.[PRBREAK][/PRBREAK] Let's look at how the four minor league teams did tonight: ROCHESTER RED WINGS 6, BUFFALO BISONS 5 Box Score The Red Wings did nearly everything possible to blow this game late, but instead held on to win (and eliminate Buffalo from Wild Card contention). The Red Wings currently find themselves a half-game behind Norfolk, who is playing here. If Norfolk loses, the Red Wings pull into a tie for the Wild Card, but have the tiebreaker. If Norfolk wins, the Red Wings will have to make that one-game disadvantage up in the next two days. P.J. Walters gave up two runs early, but settled down and made it six innings. Aaron Thompson gave up an unearned run and Shairon Martis allowed the Bisons to battle back (and get the go-ahead run in scoring position with two outs) before Michael Tonking recorded the final out. Aaron Hicks was 3-for-4 with two doubles and a stolen base. Eric Fryer homered and Eduardo Escobar, Chris Parmelee and James Beresford all added doubles. Pat Dean looks to keep the Red Wings in the hunt tomorrow night at 6:05 ET. NEW BRITAIN ROCK CATS 4, READING PHILLIES 5 Box Score Reading scored a 9th inning run to win a game that no one actually knew was going on. So you better read about it here... Trevor May pitched and was solid. He struck out 10 in seven innings, scattering four runs on six hits and a walk. Matt Hauser gave up the run to pick up the loss. Miguel Sano was busy. He tripled, was hit by a pitch, grounded into a double play and committed an error. Eddie Rosario got two hits, including a double. Angel Morales hit his 5th AA home run. Stuart Turner made his AA debut and collected two singles. Kyle Davies pitches tomorrow at 6:35 ET. FORT MYERS MIRACLE 2, BRADENTON MARAUDERS 3 Box Score The Miracle's bullpen blew a save, allowing three runs in the bottom of the eighth inning. David Hurlbut scattered nine hits over 7.1 innings, but only allowed two runners (inherited by Tyler Jones) to score. He struck out six. Tyler Jones finished the inning, but not before allowing a run of his own to score as well. he took the loss. Byron Buxton had a hit and scored a run out of the 3-hole. Kennys Vargas had the only extra base hit for the team (his 33rd double). Tomorrow afternoon (12:05 ET) is the Miracle's regular-season finale. Their playoffs start Tuesday. CEDAR RAPIDS KERNELS 5, CLINTON LUMBERKINGS 0 Box Score Lots of offense from the Kernels tonight, led by leadoff hitter Jonathan Murphy. Murphy had two hits, including a triple and scored two runs. Tyler Grimes, Mike Gonzales and Bo Altobelli all had two-hit games and an RBI as well. Gonzaelez hit a long home run. After returning to the lineup with a bang last night, Niko Goodrum took today's game off. Tim Shibuya went the distance today. He struck out six. He allowed four hits and only walked one. The Kernels have set their playoff rotation and it looks like this: Brett Lee in Game 1, Tim Shibuya in Game 2, and Tim Atherton in Game 3. It was believed that Jose Berrios would be one of the guys in the rotation, but it was reported earlier today that he wouldn't be included. Nothing specific to report, as it appears that Berrios is completely healthy, but has worn down later in the year. The Kernels have two more games at Clinton before starting their playoffs. Tim Atherton starts tomorrow at 2:00 CT. If you have any questions or comments, please leave them below.