John Bonnes

My 10-year-old son once caught a t-shirt from a t-shirt gun at a spring training game in Florida. He was disappointed that it was a hot pink girl's shirt. Still ... VICTORY!

Ken Rosenthal of The Athletic is reporting that the Red Sox’ examination of Twins pitching prospect Brusdar Graterol may have raised concerns before the deal is finalized. The Red Sox “evidently agree that he is not suited for a 150- to 170-inning workload” and, the trade could require an adjustment before the deal can be completed. The new twist highlights how teams (and fans) value relievers versus starting pitchers. Image courtesy of © David Berding-USA TODAY Sports Ken Rosenthal of The Athletic is reporting that the Red Sox’ examination of Twins pitching prospect Brusdar Graterol may have raised concerns before the deal is finalized. The Red Sox “evidently agree that he is not suited for a 150- to 170-inning workload” and, the trade could require an adjustment before the deal can be completed. The new twist highlights how teams (and fans) value relievers versus starting pitchers. In the now-delayed deal, the Twins acquired starting pitcher Kenta Maeda from the Dodgers in exchange for sending Graterol to the Red Sox. The surprising trade was announced Tuesday night, and Twins fans’ evaluation of the deal tended to vary depending on this very question: just how much upside does Graterol have? The other side of the trade is easier to evaluate. Maeda’s talent is considerable, and his team-friendly contract makes him even more valuable. But as recently as a month ago, the assumption was that the 100-mph-throwing Graterol would begin the season in the minors as a starting pitcher, keeping him on the path of becoming a rotational ace. That narrative was reversed when Twins coach Wes Johnson revealed that Graterol was preparing for a bullpen role a few weeks ago. Graterol served in that role in September and in the postseason for the Twins, but had been a starting pitcher to begin the season, before a shoulder impingement shelved him for three months. If he started the season in a relief role, it was unlikely he would ever return to the starter role for two reasons. First, he was expected to have tremendous success as a late-inning reliever with a triple-digit fastball and a plus-plus slider. But he also had never made more than 19 starts as a pitcher in any year, or pitcher more than 102 innings. His arm had never shown it could withstand a starter’s workload. “Value” is a tricky term, as it can mean a lot of things. The value to a team of a fire-throwing reliever versus a top-of-the-rotation starter can be debated. Because relievers are used more often, and especially because they are inserted into games in critical moments, they can impact more games in more meaningful ways than a starting pitcher. But starting pitchers pitch more innings, thus suppressing more runs. Those two values are depicted differently by different statistics. Wins Over Replacement (WAR) values innings pitched, and starting pitchers lead relievers in it every year. But Win Probability Added (WPA) values how much a player increased the probability of their team winning a game. High-impact relievers often lead pitching staffs in that metric. However, there is another meaning of value: rarity. It is usually harder to find starting pitchers than relievers. This has been especially true for the Twins, as their top-tier bullpen includes lots of reclamation projects, while they spent their offseason futilely begging “impact” starting pitchers to take their six-figure deals. So when the Twins, who are hungry for impact pitching and flush with relief arms, decided to move potential ace Graterol to the bullpen, it probably should have told us something. It probably should have told the Red Sox something too. Apparently it is now, and it’s significant enough that it is jeopardizing their signature offseason deal, including shedding over $40M in payroll this year. View full article

New contract. New position. Another year of real-conditioning. Cruz around for another year to help him through the rough spots..... Gawd but I hope the second-half or 2019 is a preview of the next four years. He was so disciplined at the plate. This could be very exciting. (Or incredibly disappointing.)

Aaron and John talk about the pros, cons, and side effects of Brusdar Graterol shifting to the bullpen, trading Ryne Harper to make room for Josh Donaldson, Marwin Gonzalez's link to the 2017 Astros' cheating, feeling bad for Derek Shelton, and the value of being right in theory only. You can listen by downloading us from iTunes, Spotify, Stitcher, iHeartRadio or find it at GleemanAndTheGeek.com. Or just click this link. http://traffic.libsyn.com/gleemangeek/Ep_464_The_Brusdar_Graterol_Question.mp3 MORE FROM TWINS DAILY — Latest Twins coverage from our writers — Recent Twins discussion in our forums — Follow Twins Daily via Twitter, Facebook, or email View full article

Aaron and John are live from Twins Daily's seventh annual Winter Meltdown event, with special guests Kent Hrbek, Trevor Plouffe, and 400 of our closest friends. You can listen by downloading us from iTunes, Spotify, Stitcher, iHeartRadio or find it at GleemanAndTheGeek.com. Or just click this link. http://traffic.libsyn.com/gleemangeek/Ep_463_Winter_Meltdown_Hrbek_Plouffe.mp3?dest-id=74590 View full article

The Twins, the local Baseball Writers’ Association of America and the University of Minnesota’s hosted the Diamond Awards last night. The semi-formal event, hosted at The Depot, presented 2019 year-end awards to Twins players and community members and raised money to fight neurological diseases like ALS, ataxia, and muscular dystrophy. Twins Daily was right in the middle of it all, hosting a table, volunteering and contributing to the organization of a great event. The Twins, the local Baseball Writers’ Association of America and the University of Minnesota’s hosted the Diamond Awards last night. The semi-formal event, hosted at The Depot, presented 2019 year-end awards to Twins players and community members and raised money to fight neurological diseases like ALS, ataxia, and muscular dystrophy. Twins Daily was right in the middle of it all, hosting a table, volunteering and contributing to the organization of a great event. Proceeds from the Diamond Awards fund innovative research fighting brain, nerve and muscle disorders at the University of Minnesota. The event honors Minnesota Twins Bob Allison, who battled ataxia, and was featured in a video shown at the beginning of the presentation. Twins Daily hosted a table, but also had readers, followers and members involved in several volunteer positions to help make the event go smoothly. Over 20 Twins Daily members attended. The staged awards ceremony featured Dick Bremer and Marney Gellner plus several award presenters such as Derek Falvey, Thad Levine, Kent Hrbek and even Terry Ryan presenting awards to players like Luiz Arraez, Mitch Garver and Taylor Rogers. The event broke records for attendance and money raised, and has become a staple of Twins Fest week. View full article

It’s hard to feel historic in Minnesota in January. It’s gray. It’s cold. It tends to sleet all over you. It’s the opposite of a sunny day at Target Field, and perhaps the price we must pay. That’s the contract that all Minnesotans have signed to live – fans, reporters, Twins staff– and now Josh Donaldson, Impact™ third baseman. But yesterday was a historic day, and one a long time coming, both for Donaldson and the Twins. It’s hard to feel historic in Minnesota in January. It’s gray. It’s cold. It tends to sleet all over you. It’s the opposite of a sunny day at Target Field, and perhaps the price we must pay. That’s the contract that all Minnesotans have signed to live – fans, reporters, Twins staff– and now Josh Donaldson, Impact™ third baseman. But yesterday was a historic day, and one a long time coming, both for Donaldson and the Twins. Donaldson made clear that he viewed yesterday’s press conference at Target Field as a moment. The 34-year-old had worked his whole life to choose the franchise where he was spending the rest of his professional career. “This is what I've worked my entire life for since I was five years old. There's a lot of sacrifices that I have made and that I'm continuing to make to this day,” shared Donaldson. ”It doesn't stop." Twins fans certainly hope it doesn’t stop, because they are in the same boat. It’s been a LONG time – as in forever. Never have the Twins signed a free agent to this much money. Never have they signed a free agent of Donaldson’s caliber. We’re talking about an offensive and defensive difference-maker who garnered MVP votes in six of the last seven seasons. “You want to [make a big move] when you really, really have a needle mover that is that impactful,” emphasized Twins CBO Derek Falvey. We’re still in waiting mode a little bit. We’ll all have to wait to see where Donaldson bats in the Twins lineup; manager Rocco Baldelli doesn’t seem to know. We’ll have to wait to see what number Donaldson is wearing on his back; he hedged a bit on whether the #24 he wore yesterday will be his everyday number. And we’ll have to wait to see how a four (or maybe five) year contract plays out for a 34-year-old player. But we don’t have to wait to see the commitment each side was ready to show. “There was never a moment where I felt like, hey, [Donaldson] doesn’t really want the Twins to be in,” said Falvey. “It felt like he wanted the Twins to be in throughout the conversation.” Certainly, when Donaldson was ready, the Twins were. They had been on board all offseason. “I believe that there’s a really small subset of the truly impactful guys in any cycle in an offseason, said Falvey. “Josh is one of them.” Thus, we witnessed a juncture in the basement of Target Field yesterday, on a gray, sleeting day, sides came together and history was made. Donaldson got the contract he has been waiting for. The Twins got the impact player they were waiting for. Maybe most importantly, Twins fans got the move they were waiting for. View full article

Bumping this back up. If you're 21+ years old, they would really love to hear from you. Again, just go to: https://umf.formstack.com/forms/da20volunteers

The Winter Meltdown is sold out, but Fan HQ can still set you up and for FREE! Just enter the Fan HQ Giveaway here. These tickets were $40 each, and include Kent Hrbek as our special guest, two free 612 Brew craft beers, a free pint glass, drink specials and tasting tables from Proper Twelve Irish Whiskey and Gray Duck Vodka, an autographed Kent Hrbek raffle prize and yet more. This is going to be the best Winter Meltdown yet. The Winter Meltdown is sold out, but Fan HQ can still set you up and for FREE! Just enter the Fan HQ Giveaway here. These tickets were $40 each, and include Kent Hrbek as our special guest, two free 612 Brew craft beers, a free pint glass, drink specials and tasting tables from Proper Twelve Irish Whiskey and Gray Duck Vodka, an autographed Kent Hrbek raffle prize and yet more. This is going to be the best Winter Meltdown yet. You can't get in unless you enter. The event is completely sold out! So enter here to get your four free $40 tickets. View full article

Aaron and John revel in Josh Donaldson joining the Twins, search for the best Twins lineup order, and marvel at the sign-stealing scandal. You can listen by downloading us from iTunes, Spotify, Stitcher, iHeartRadio or find it at GleemanAndTheGeek.com. Or just click this link. http://traffic.libsyn.com/gleemangeek/Ep_462_Donaldson_and_Lineup.mp3 View full article

I'm offering this only to visitors of the forums, but if you would like to attend the Diamond Awards and don't mind helping out, they're looking for high-quality volunteers. If you're interested (and free the night of the 23rd), you can fill out a form here: https://umf.formstack.com/forms/da20volunteers It's a great event, and it's for a great cause. If you're interested, I bet you love it.

We're sorry, but the Winter Meltdown is SOLD OUT. Follow us on Twitter and Facebook and we'll let you know if any additional tickets become available. Otherwise, we look forward to seeing you Saturday. We're sorry, but the Winter Meltdown is SOLD OUT. Follow us on Twitter and Facebook and we'll let you know if any additional tickets become available. Otherwise, we look forward to seeing you Saturday. Kent Hrbek. 612 Brew craft beer. Hot stove talk. Gray Duck Vodka. A free pint glass. Proper Twelve Irish Whisky. Food stations. 400+ Twins fans. More Guests. Raffle prizes. You can get it all now until the tickets sell out. Just click here. Again – these tickets will sell out. And then it will be next Saturday night and you’ll be all mopey, and whine “Why am I not drinking craft beer with Kent Hrbek and Seth Stohs?” And you’ll make the mistake of saying that out loud and someone will point and laugh at you. Nobody wants that. So here are the details, and below are the tickets. Saturday, January 25th 4:30 to 7:30 PM Lumber Exchange Event Center (above The Pourhouse), just three blocks from Target Field and Twins Fest A Twins Daily Winter Meltdown Pint Glass. Two complimentary local craft pints from 612 Brew Drink specials and tasting tables from Gray Duck Vodka and Proper Twelve Irish Whiskey. Raffle prizes, including a signed picture of Hrbek from FanHQ Food stations, Interviews with Kent Hrbek and other guests and It’s only $40 (if you can get tickets). Plus, we are not done making announcements. However, the tickets may not last that long. So grab a friend. Or come by yourself. This is your tribe and they’re going to take care of you. Get Your Tickets View full article

I'll add one more new Twins to this list: Josh Donaldson. Didn't play his first full year in the majors until he was 27, which explains how's he's 34 years old despite just hitting free agency last offseason.

We’re SO excited to announce that this year’s special Twins guest at Twins Daily’s Winter Meltdown will be Kent Hrbek, who needs absolutely no introduction. (But we’ll do one anyways, right after we tell you how…) To buy tickets, make sure you come back to Twins Daily tomorrow morning at 8 AM, or sign up for our event email list, to get a shot at them Thursday night. We’re SO excited to announce that this year’s special Twins guest at Twins Daily’s Winter Meltdown will be Kent Hrbek, who needs absolutely no introduction. (But we’ll do one anyways, right after we tell you how…) To buy tickets, make sure you come back to Twins Daily tomorrow morning at 8 AM, or sign up for our event email list, to get a shot at them Thursday night. If you grew up in a cave, Hrbek was the first baseman for the Minnesota Twins for both of their World Series championships in 1987 and 1991. Originally from Bloomington, he played his entire 14-year career for the Twins and finished among the top 10 in several categories including second overall in home runs. His number 14 was retired by the Twins in 1995. Target Field has both an entrance gate and a bar dedicated to him. His 1987 World Series even graced our pint glass back in 2014. And now he’s coming to our party. If you want to learn even more about him, just come to the Meltdown. He’ll be one of our first guests on stage Saturday, January 25th from 4:30 to 7:30 at the Lumber Exchange Event Center (above The Pouhouse), just three blocks from Target Field and Twins Fest. You’ll be joined by 400+ Twins fans, media members, Twins execs and many more to celebrate the upcoming season. Your ticket to the party includes LOTS of goodies: A Twins Daily Winter Meltdown Pint Glass. Two complimentary local craft pints from 612 Brew Drink specials and tasting tables from Gray Duck Vodka and Proper Twelve Irish Whiskey. Food stations, Interviews with Kent Hrbek and other guests and It’s only $40 (if you can get tickets). It also includes raffle prizes, and we’re excited to announce the first. In conjunction with Hrbek’s visit, Fan HQ is providing an autographed picture of Hrbek free for one of the lucky attendees. As you might expect, getting tickets can be tough. It’s even tougher this year, as over 300 of the tickets were sold in a presale. The rest will go on sale to the public right here (TwinsDaily.com) tomorrow (Friday) at 8:00 in the morning. HOWEVER, you can snag them early provided you sign up for Twins Daily’s Events Email List. We’ll be sending out a link to the tickets tonight (Thursday) to those on our list. You can sign up here. This event sells out EVERY YEAR, and I don’t want you to miss out, so do this Friday, blizzard or no. Also, stay tuned. We still have more to announce about the event, so follow us on Twitter and Facebook and you won’t miss any of the news. View full article

Some like it hot and some like it cold. We’re happy to announce that Gray Duck, knows a thing or two about cold – as the name suggests, it’s Minnesotan through and through. And this year we’ll have a tasting table and a specially-priced drink at the Winter Meltdown, so you can try it yourself. Some like it hot and some like it cold. We’re happy to announce that Gray Duck, knows a thing or two about cold – as the name suggests, it’s Minnesotan through and through. And this year we’ll have a tasting table and a specially-priced drink at the Winter Meltdown, so you can try it yourself. This is the Meltdown’s seventh year, and the recipe has been the same. Make it easy to get to by making it near Twins Fest. Include a great Twins guest. Rally several hundred Twins fans to celebrate the end of the offseason. This year it still be just three blocks from Twins Fest on Saturday, January 25th at the Lumber Exchange Event Center (above The Pourhouse) from 4:30 to 7:30. We’re joined by a Twins player (who we’re announcing tomorrow) and 400+ Twins fans, media members, Twins execs and many more to celebrate the upcoming season. Not only will you get to gather with Twins Daily writers and members and talk hot stove, but we’ll include: A Twins Daily Winter Meltdown Pint Glass (picture above). Two complimentary local craft pints from 612 Brew Raffle prizes, Drink specials, like Gray Duck, Tasting tables, Food stations, Interviews with special Twins guests and It’s only $40 (if you can get tickets). Getting tickets can be tricky; we’ve sold this out every year. They will go on sale to the public on Friday morning on Twins Daily at 8:00 AM. You can snag them early provided you sign up for Twins Daily’s Events Email List. We’ll be sending out a link to the tickets Thursday to those on our list. You can sign up here. Otherwise, a special pre-Christmas sale took care of most of our inventory, so I HIGHLY RECOMMEND that you find a way to stop by TwinsDaily.com this Friday morning (1/17) and get your tickets while you still can. We still have lot more to announce, including some great raffle prizes and who our special guest (or guests?) will be. Follow us on Twitter and Facebook so you don’t miss any of the news. View full article