John Bonnes

FORT MYERS - Emilio Pagan has a plan to bounce back, pitching coach Peter Maki's loves the longer camp and Jorge Polanco says his knee doesn't hurt, but .... Image courtesy of © Bruce Kluckhohn-USA TODAY Sports We're trying something new for Twins Daily's Caretakers: an audio report from John Bonnes on what he's seeing and hearing from players, coaches, and management inside Hammond Stadium. Today's report includes: News on Jorge Polanco's slow ramp up in spring training, and whether is knee is already a concern Emilio Pagan's offseason, and why his first bullpen session was so encouraging Thoughts from pitching coach Pater Maki on camp and how the Twins are adjusting to the new pitching clock. If you're a Caretaker, click here for your exclusive content! And if you're not, maybe consider becoming a Caaretaker? You likely visit regularly, and that's going to become even more likely as the season gears up. Supporting something you value feels good, especially when it's been here feeding your baseball habit for over 10 years for free, right? We're in spring training reporting because we love this stuff, and we want to share it as much as we can, so you can find lot of free content from Fort Myers other places on the site. But unfortunately, spring training is expensive, and that's especially true this year after Hurricane Ian damaged a lot of the lodging options. Plus, there are lot of other benefits, like a free Winter Meltdown ticket and early access for guest, special callouts on the site, and lots more inside or in-depth content like this. So please consider joining our little club. The money is going to a site you love, to support coverage you love, and writers you value. Thank you so much. Join Here to support Twins Daily and get your exclusive content! View full article

THANK YOU for supporting Twins Daily! Please enjoy this exclusive content for Caretakers' ears only. Today's spring training diary includes news on Jorge Polanco's slower start to spring training, Emilio Pagan's bounceback plan, and thought from Twins pitching coach Pete Maki. This article continues exclusively for Twins Daily caretakers. To become a caretaker and read the rest of the piece, you can subscribe here. View full article

Re: Mahle, Sorry, I haven't heard any talks of extensions, and I expect I won't at least until we get a better idea of what is going on with that shoulder. RE: Gurriel and Voit - I wouldn't be shocked if they revist them both, but I think they're optimistic about Kirilloff for now.

FORT MYERS - Aaron and John rank the Twins' most important spring training storylines and the biggest questions that need answering between now and Opening Day, including Alex Kirilloff, Tyler Mahle, Kenta Maeda, Byron Buxton, Jose Miranda, and MLB's rules changes. You can listen by downloading us from iTunes, Spotify, Stitcher, iHeartRadio or find it at GleemanAndTheGeek.com. Or just click this link. View full article

FORT MYERS - Tyler Mahle's shoulder mystery is still unsolved, but he has some theories on what happened. Image courtesy of © Jeffrey Becker-USA TODAY Sports We're trying something new for Twins Daily's Caretakers: a 25-minute audio report from John Bonnes on what he's seeing and hearing from players, coaches, and management inside Hammond Stadium. Today's report includes: Tyler Mahle discussed the shoulder fatigue that impacted his season, when it has happened before, and offseason adjustments that he made to return to top form. Why you should quit holding your breath for additional bullpen help. Joe Pohlad's interview with The Athletic's Dan Hayes, and why you should make sure you read to the end. Which pitchers we might see in the swing role for the MLB club, and who they'll keep as starters. Blayne Enlow discusses his struggles last year, and what he expects this year. If you're a Caretaker, click here for your exclusive content! And if you're not, maybe consider becoming a Caaretaker? You likely visit regularly, and that's going to become even more likely as the season gears up. Supporting something you value feels good, especially when it's been here feeding your baseball habit for over 10 years for free, right? We're in spring training reporting because we love this stuff, and we want to share it as much as we can, so you can find lot of free content from Fort Myers other places on the site. But unfortunately, spring training is expensive, and that's especially true this year after Hurricane Ian damaged a lot of the lodging options. Plus, there are lot of other benefits, like a free Winter Meltdown ticket and early access for guest, special callouts on the site, and lots more inside or in-depth content like this. So please consider joining our little club. The money is going to a site you love, to support coverage you love, and writers you value. Thank you so much. Join Here to support Twins Daily and get your exclusive content! View full article

THANK YOU for supporting Twins Daily! Please enjoy this exclusive content for Caretakers' ears only. Inside Notes 2023-02-16.mp3 View full article

FORT MYERS - It's time to get to work, but gathering inevitably leads to celebrations of baseball. Yesterday, we poetically delved into the romanticism and joy that accompanies the first few days of spring training. That is appropriate; optimism is the primary characteristic of the first phase of spring training. Talking with folks on Day 1, the participants make that clear. The Players It’s time to shake off the rust. That starts with pitchers because they take more time to build up their arm strength. Catchers join them because nobody wants to chase the ball to the backstop after every throw. Four days later, the rest of the position players join camp, because they need less than a week to find their groove. Except this year, most guys are way early. It’s not totally clear why. Factors include the World Baseball Classic, optimism about the team, make-or-break years, the lack of COVID, or the fact that last year's lockdown-shortened camp. Whatever it is, most can’t wait. This is funny because this first part of the year has a very first-week-back-to-school feel. Players are excited to see each other again. The new kids are making friends; finding a lunch table at which to sit. There’s excitement in the air. Goals are fresh in mind. Some are eager to show they’re healthy. Some are eager to test whether or not their offseason workouts will pay dividends on the field. At the very least, those workouts are over. Baseball is the fun part of the season. Coaches The first week of school comparison also applies to coaches, trainers, management, etc. Yes, they are also excited to reconnect with each other and players. But the teachers are also sizing up their students' potential - both for greatness and for trouble. They also get a chance to see younger players whom they have only heard about in the minors. Glimpsing the future in those newcomers fires up everyone who loves the game. By definition, the coaches love the game; they wouldn’t have chosen their career if they didn’t. So if you think the players are excited, you can only imagine the spring in the coaching staff’s step. Reporters For reporters, this is the best part of camp, too. Players are ready to talk, partly because they’re excited, but also because we haven’t worn them down with the same questions repeatedly. So this is an opportunity to interview players, transcribe the interviews, and then tuck them away to be referenced in a future story. The Love of the Game exhilaration applies here, too. Being a beat writer for baseball is a grind, even compared to other sports beats that grind. It’s basically every day or night, for eight months, and the opportunities often require relocating. Again, nobody who isn’t obsessed with baseball subjects themselves to that, especially for what they are paid. Plus - I won’t lie - the days are shorter in this phase of spring training. No afternoon games, and no trips across the state. It’s easily the best and most productive time to attend as a reporter. Fans It’s the best time to attend as a fan, too, at least if your goal is to have more interaction with the players than you’re likely to ever have again. There is a path to the practice field where the players walk early each morning and back late each morning. It has barriers to separate them from fans, but the barriers are waist high, and, as mentioned, the players are generally excited. They will often stop for selfies, autographs, high 5s, etc., especially on the way back. Plus, batting cages and the bullpens are both somewhat viewable as well. Want to see Jhoan Duran’s velocity up close? Or see Nick Gordon working with Torii Hunter in the batting cage? There are no guarantees but you’ll see something if you peer long enough through the fences and screens. There is one day in particular when excitement is at its peak, and the Twins announced that today. The day after position players report, the Twins have an open house, where they open up Hammond Stadium (including concessions), have some special events (especially for kids), and provide even more chances to interact with players. This year, it’s Monday, the 20th. But mostly any day before games start, you’ll have access you can’t quite believe - provided you show up in the morning. Timing is the biggest obstacle to all these experiences - they happen in the morning. This is by design: Florida can get pretty hot in the afternoons. Players are often in the fields By 9 AM. (Some much earlier.) they’re often back by 11 or 12. The camp can be a ghost town in the afternoon. You’ve been warned. Am I trying to convince you to come to spring training? Yes. Yes, I am. If you care enough to seek out Twins news on Day 1, you probably care enough to enjoy yourself. And if you are reading this because you’re excited about watching grown men play catch, then you’re going to fit right in, right here, right now. View full article

OK, so this one was sent to me by famed local poet RT Rybak.: In Florida, with oranges and aligata We ponder the health of Kenta Mazda We wonder will fate again try to screw us By slowing the recovery of our Royce Lewis Twins have the talent, I will insist But, then, again, about Kirilloff’s wrist Predict division champs, or maybe even bolder But not before checking on Mahle’s shoulder Paddack’s elbow,and Alcala’s too And can Buxton play a whole season through? When it comes to Twins I’m an optimistic sap But please protect this team in bubble wrap!!

Dammit. Perfect. I was trying to use "tears" but gave up.

This shortest of phrases makes our hearts soar Pitchers and catchers report With driveways unshoveled and lower backs sore Pitchers and catchers report Still bitter that this year the Astros are kings We yearn for the vengeance a new season brings Like Hornsby we stare out the window for spring Pitchers and catchers report Four tiny words mean last season's over Pitchers and catchers report A tough year to watch, or remain sober Pitchers and catchers report A winter spent refreshing MLB rumors Praying that Falvey makes a big move or re-signs Correa? LOL! That’s good humor! Pitchers and catchers report A crowded rotation? No chance that’s true. Pitchers and catchers report No bad backs or elbows or bubonic flu? Pitchers and catchers report We’ll finally see pitching, for which we’ve waited Mahle & Lopez, Sonny, Maeda, Ryan & Ober (though he could get Sainted) Pitchers and catchers report Pico de Gallo adds power that pleases Pitchers and catchers report Plus K-rriffic swings that add cooling breezes Pitchers and catchers report We added a Farmer who fields everywhere Also a Taylor (for when Buxton’s not there) A new framing Christian will answer our prayers. Pitchers and catchers report. Finally you take your turn as poet Pitchers and catchers report Channel your winter frustration and show it Pitchers and catchers report The comments below are a great place to bleat Two tens and three ‘levens provide you the beat (But add words wherever, if like me you cheat). Pitchers and catchers report View full article

Aaron and John talk about the Twins' offseason coming to an end and spring training being right around the corner, ranking the Twins' top prospects, which Twins will and won't be playing in the World Baseball Classic, and why covering the NBA must be weird. You can listen by downloading us from iTunes, Spotify, Stitcher, iHeartRadio or find it at GleemanAndTheGeek.com. Or just click this link. View full article

Aaron and John talk about the Twins' trade for Michael Taylor, the decision to not trade Max Kepler (so far), why more moves for a bat or a reliever might be unlikely, and what the future holds for Bally Sports North.You can listen by downloading us from iTunes, Spotify, Stitcher, iHeartRadio or find it at GleemanAndTheGeek.com. Or just click this link. View full article

Thank you SO MUCH to everyone who joined us.

Aaron and John are joined by special guests Patrick Reusse and Glen Perkins at Twins Daily's 2023 Winter Meltdown. You can listen by downloading us from iTunes, Spotify, Stitcher, iHeartRadio or find it at GleemanAndTheGeek.com. Or just click this link. View full article