John Bonnes

Jesse's interview with Antony drove home the main problem. He's a good guy, he was hurt a little last year, but he didn't complain, he's not nearly this bad, yada, yada, yada. That's all true. But what fails to be recognized is the fundamental flaw both now, last year when they offered him arb and two years ago when they traded for him: HE'S JUST A SLIGHTLY ABOVE AVERAGE RELIEVER. That's really not debatable. It's been written about numerous times. And I think the organization mostly understands that. But somehow that gets lost in the analysis with this organization. Lord, but it's infuriating.

Mr. Ed raises a valid, albeit cynical, point. I wonder how the Twins do at developing a slugger type. Really, the only success story they've had recently on that front is Morneau, and even he is more all-around hitter than slugger.

I've been wondering that Roger. I had to look it up. It was 2005. I had to shut that down in October of 2005 and that's when I took a 5 month hiatus.

I'm bullish on Span. If it's ok with you guys, I'm going to try and add a survey to this, just to see how it works.

Reading Jesse Lund's well-done interview with Rob Antony, two things stood out regarding Nishi: 1) Antony says the $3M won't play into the decision on whether to keep him on the roster. 2) Everyone on this team seems to cling to his spring training performance last year. They view that as the player they were getting, and the busted leg ruined it. I gotta say, I think this is delusional. I remember he had a decent BA in ST last year, but even the week before he was hurt, he looked totally overmatched out there. It might take a crummy spring training for the organization to come to terms that he needs some minor league time.

I like your attitude Tony. Was there any apprehension about the surgery you talked about? It seems kind of goofy - not the sort of thing that any person who wasn't a pitcher would ever really need to deal with. Were there any other options? Did you ever seriously consider not doing it?

I think Baker's performance this year is going to be very important and also very interesting. A couple of notes... First, it's an important year for him financially. The Twins have a $9M option on him next year and he'll need to earn that. Second, it turns out tht pitch count has not been proved to necessarily be that important for reducing injuries. A lot of what that was based on is now been shown to be a myth. If you're interested, I did 3 stories talking about that research. They are at: http://twinsgeek.blogspot.com/2010/05/maybe-bert-is-right-part-1.html http://twinsgeek.blogspot.com/2010/05/maybe-bert-is-right-part-2.html http://twinsgeek.blogspot.com/2010/06/maybe-bert-is-right-part-3.html Finally, I'll give a gratuitous plug for our Gleeman and the Geek podcast where we talk quite a bit about Baker and Pavano and disagree pretty vehemently about who was more valuable last year and what to expect this year. It will be published on the 21st.

You can view the page at http://twinsdaily.com/content.php?222-Announcing-Twins-Daily

It isn’t just for reading. That’s the difference. When I first started blogging in January of 2002, I went something like six solid months with less than 20 people reading my thoughts on a daily basis. That’s the dirty secret about blogging that both supporters and critics don’t get: it’s easy to do, but very hard to get enough readers so that anybody notices. http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-EELQ71HPwVg/T0HFlP4lX9I/AAAAAAAAAgU/ztM4WbCpvv0/s320/TD%2BFront%2BPage.jpg When I find out that someone has blogged, they have instant credibility. Sure, anyone can write. But to do so consistently, and make it insightful and entertaining without payment or promise of payment or even any hope that what you’re doing is going anyplace beyond dissolving into the ether – I want to know these people. That is a story of faith. And passion. And dammit, nobility. Which is why it kills me that it may be harder to blog now than it was when I started. At least then it was new and fresh. Now it’s so loud out there, I don’t know how any new voice ever gets heard. And I’m as guilty of the deafness as anyone. I simply can’t keep up with all the Twins blogs that have sprouted up only to go silent. That’s why TwinsCentric is very proud to announce the launch of TwinsDaily.com. We’re each setting aside our independence to start a central site where you can find (for free, mind you) all our stories. But the site isn’t just for reading. There are two other very important pieces. First, in the hope of resurrecting the spirit of the old Dickie Thon Twins Board we’re including a forum where you can discuss all kinds of Twins topics. All we ask is that you register so we have some accountability for the discussions, and that you keep it civil. We’re all on the same team. Second, when you register, you get a blog. You can ignore it if you want, or you can try out your voice. If your post is good, we’ll find room for it on the front page. And if it’s bad? Well, then we won’t. But at the very least you’ll be trying to find your identity where thousands of Twins fans are stopping by each day. TwinsCentric has worked on several magazines, books and e-books over the last couple of years, but I think it’s safe to say that we’re more excited about this than any of them. This is a site we want to exist: a local place where Twins fans can gather, read, share and write. If that sounds great, then please swing by. And if it sounds too over the top, swing by anyway, because that’s exactly what we want it to be. Thanks, TwinsCentric P.S. If you’re looking for a good place to start, stop by the front page or check out our one-minute cheat sheet. Or you can check out my blog there, which is where TwinsGeek.com will be pointing to sometime this week.

It isn’t just for reading. That’s the difference. When I first started blogging in January of 2002, I went something like six solid months with less than 20 people reading my thoughts on a daily basis. That’s the dirty secret about blogging that both supporters and critics don’t get: it’s easy to do, but very hard to get enough readers so that anybody notices. http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-EELQ71HPwVg/T0HFlP4lX9I/AAAAAAAAAgU/ztM4WbCpvv0/s320/TD%2BFront%2BPage.jpg When I find out that someone has blogged, they have instant credibility. Sure, anyone can write. But to do so consistently, and make it insightful and entertaining without payment or promise of payment or even any hope that what you’re doing is going anyplace beyond dissolving into the ether – I want to know these people. That is a story of faith. And passion. And dammit, nobility. Which is why it kills me that it may be harder to blog now than it was when I started. At least then it was new and fresh. Now it’s so loud out there, I don’t know how any new voice ever gets heard. And I’m as guilty of the deafness as anyone. I simply can’t keep up with all the Twins blogs that have sprouted up only to go silent. That’s why TwinsCentric is very proud to announce the launch of TwinsDaily.com. We’re each setting aside our independence to start a central site where you can find (for free, mind you) all our stories. But the site isn’t just for reading. There are two other very important pieces. First, in the hope of resurrecting the spirit of the old Dickie Thon Twins Board we’re including a forum where you can discuss all kinds of Twins topics. All we ask is that you register so we have some accountability for the discussions, and that you keep it civil. We’re all on the same team. Second, when you register, you get a blog. You can ignore it if you want, or you can try out your voice. If your post is good, we’ll find room for it on the front page. And if it’s bad? Well, then we won’t. But at the very least you’ll be trying to find your identity where thousands of Twins fans are stopping by each day. TwinsCentric has worked on several magazines, books and e-books over the last couple of years, but I think it’s safe to say that we’re more excited about this than any of them. This is a site we want to exist: a local place where Twins fans can gather, read, share and write. If that sounds great, then please swing by. And if it sounds too over the top, swing by anyway, because that’s exactly what we want it to be. Thanks, TwinsCentric P.S. If you’re looking for a good place to start, stop by the front page or check out our one-minute cheat sheet. Or you can check out my blog there, which is where TwinsGeek.com will be pointing to sometime this week.

Or, for that matter, Plouffe could fill in if necessary. So if they wanted to bring north another infielder or outfieldr (or even a bat for the bench), they certainly could do it.

Well, I think it's completely valid to worry about Mauer's health this upcoming year. I'd love to see him have a healthy year, but he's worn down in previous years, ended 2010 hurt, and 2011 was a complete meltdown, much of which was unexplainable just because he "didn't have time to recover." Maybe that narrative is correct - maybe things just snowballed. But stuff happens during a season, bodies wear down, and I'm just not sure Mauer's body can take the wear and tear of catching even 100 games/year any more.

I loved this comment by LaVelle: My thoughts exactly. But the question raised on the last podcast was: then who is the utility infielder? It isn't going to be Dozier; he'll play everyday. Florimon? Do they really have another shortstop on the roster?

I would think that would especially be the case for a talented writer. Besides all the contacts they have with media, I would think they would have a ton of contacts with marketing departments, who are often looking for writing skills.

I love it Kirsten.

AJ, does the Twins organization help with offseason employment at all? It seems like with their corporate relationships, they might be able to open some doors.

You can view the page at http://twinsdaily.com/content.php?218-Baseball-s-Happy-Lexicon

This shortest of phrases makes our hearts soar Pitchers and catchers report We limped through last year but come back for more Pitchers and catchers report 99 losses taught the boys things We yearn for the clean slate a new season brings Like Hornsby we stared out the window for spring Pitchers and catchers report Four tiny words and hope’s candle’s lit Pitchers and catchers report Gardy will make sure they get after it Pitchers and catchers report Smith was relieved and Ryan’s the man He let Cuddy go but got Josh Willingham We’ll hope that Capps moon shots don’t ruin his plan Pitchers and catchers report We love when they hustle and slide in the dirt Pitchers and catchers report But please Lord don’t let the boys end up hurt Pitcher and catchers report We’ll watch through our fingers when Frankie throws Obsess on the nogginof Justin Morneau And the Bilat’ral legs of our catcher Joe 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 With apologies to Franklin Pierce Adams

This shortest of phrases makes our hearts soar Pitchers and catchers report We limped through last year but come back for more Pitchers and catchers report 99 losses taught the boys things We yearn for the clean slate a new season brings Like Hornsby we stared out the window for spring Pitchers and catchers report Four tiny words and hope’s candle’s lit Pitchers and catchers report Gardy will make sure they get after it Pitchers and catchers report Smith was relieved and Ryan’s the man He let Cuddy go but got Josh Willingham We’ll hope that Capps moon shots don’t ruin his plan Pitchers and catchers report We love when they hustle and slide in the dirt Pitchers and catchers report But please Lord don’t let the boys end up hurt Pitcher and catchers report We’ll watch through our fingers when Frankie throws Obsess on the nogginof Justin Morneau And the Bilat’ral legs of our catcher Joe 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 With apologies to Franklin Pierce Adams

The odd part about the ball just no flying the same way is that after it was built the Metrodome was modified to make the ball travel less far than it did. That's one of the reasons the air-conditioning was added (and why the "Homerdome" tag became a misnomer.) The concern with Target Field is that is would be too homer-happy without that pumped in atmosphere. That couldn't have been more wrong. I'll throw this out there....Colorado adjusted their extreme park by putting the baseballs in a humidor to make them less likely to fly out of the park. Conceivably the Twins could do the reverse, I suppose - put the game balls in a humidor that dries them up a bit? That seems a little silly, but the HR numbers don't lie.

I've heard work ethic is also a question mark in the organization's mind.

My bad. For the record, you're allowed to add pictures yourselves.

I think I'm destined to be the Revere-bobo in this group. I might as well get started. I'm not going to take issue with too much you say here. In particular I agree that he's going to need to hit for a pretty high average to be valuable. But I think sabrmetric scriptures miss the point on Revere because he's a unique kind of player. Yes, he has a low walk rate like Delmon Young - but that really doesn't tell us anything because he has that lower walk rate for a completely different reason. Young couldn't tell where the ball was going and didn't really care. Revere just plain puts the ball in play because pitchers (as you note) are not afraid to challenge him. That difference is obvious in strikeout rate which sabrists tend to downplay because it doesn't matter how an out is made. But it does indicate what type of player a guy is, and in Revere's case, that nearly 1:1 K:BB ratio he had in the minors bodes fairly well for hitting for a high average in the majors. It certainly did for Juan Pierre, who had an eerily similar skill set in the minors - high BA, low walks, low Ks, lots of SB. It's become fashionable to mock Pierre because of the size of the contract the Dodgers handed him, but it misses the point that he had a damn fine career: 11 seasons, 7500 plate appearances, a .296 career BA and some decent WAR and WPA while playing somewhere between average and exceptional defense. (He's also made $55M, so tip of the cap to that.) The counter argument is Joey Gathright, who also fits this mold. But he hit .263 in the majors and that difference was enough to make him a fourth outfielder. So I agree, the BA is going to be the important trait. Revere looks like he's between them, but his minor league numbers are a bit closer to Pierre than Gathright, and his defense is more promising, too. He still has his hurdles to overcome, but I'm more optimistic that he'll reach the finish line.