John Bonnes

We’re still waiting on the Twins big story of the week even as a smaller story played out. The Twins introduced Erick Aybar to the press today and he said all the right things. That was expected. The modus operandi of this front office is already well known when it comes to signing veterans: they need to be team leaders, they need to be competent, and they need to fill a need.It’s that last criteria that is the only question. In theory, moving Eduardo Escobar to full time duty at third base opens up a utility infielder spot that Aybar could fill and it sounds like that’s his focus. “I’ll be here for everything. Play second, third, short, outfield, whatever,” said Aybar. “I’m here to play baseball.” Depending on injuries and possible suspensions, that might make sense for him. If not, and he’s willing to spend a month in Rochester, injuries happen. But the bigger story is that he signed a minor league deal, which means he does not need to be added to the 40-man roster, which means the Twins minted a newly open roster spot which was not for Aybar and for which there is no explanation. That open spot is still the biggest story of the week, even if we don’t know what the story is yet. Game Notes And Baseless Speculation The Twins tied the Orioles last night 1-1. If you’re interested in who did what, here is a link to the box score and recap. I’m determined to ignore all individual results this early in spring training, my theory being that no data is better than noisy misleading data. We’ll see how long I can maintain that stance, because LORD but I miss talking about real baseball games. But it’s a fairly easy resolution to keep for this game due to the lineup the Twins provided. This was a road game, and it was sandwiched by the season opener (which featured a lot of Opening Day starters) and tomorrow’s home opener (which will likely feature a lot of Opening Day starters). So the best known players in the lineup were Robbie Grossman, Ehire Adrianza, Kennys Vargas & Zach Granite. The only pitchers likely to make the club were starting pitcher Adalberto Mejia and reliever Taylor Rogers. It did give manager Paul Molitor a chance to talk pregame about Mejia and his impressions of him last year. “I think we saw things at times that were able to get your attention, in terms of his ability to compete against some pretty good lineups,” replied Molitor when asked about Mejia. He also mentioned that Mejia needs to work on his consistency, command and pitch count issues. Mejia certainly appears to have worked during the offseason. He looks considerably thinner, and says he lost 13 pounds training, including flipping tractor tires. He also lost a lot of weight back in 2016, which was his breakout year in the Giants’ minor league organization. Mejia had a good outing, but perhaps more telling is that Mejia wasn’t “piggy-backing” with anyone in today’s start. Early in camp, since starting pitchers are only throwing a few innings, it’s not uncommon to have two starting pitchers pitch in the same game. This is especially true if a couple of guys are competing for a single spot in the rotation, since it makes it slightly easier to have them both slot into that same spot in the rotation. That’s piggy-backing. Mejia wasn’t piggybacking with anyone Saturday night. By most objective observers, he was already fairly safe to win a spot, especially with Ervin Santana out for a few weeks (and provided that 40-man roster spot isn't used for a big name pitcher). This is yet another data point that suggests going into spring training, that it is his spot to lose. The Rotation Sets Up Kyle Gibson will be pitching the home opener on Sunday afternoon.Phil Hughes will start Monday at home versus the Cardinals.Jose Berrios will be starting Tuesday night when the Red Sox drive across town to Hammond Stadium.Still no word on when we’ll first see Jake Odorizzi, but he would line up for one of the split squad games (probably the home game versus the Rays) on Wednesday afternoon.Anibal Sanchez will be piggy-backing with someone. Hughes would make sense, since they're seemingly competing for the same spot. But it might also be Jose Berrios, as Sanchez is viewed as mentor to younger pitchers. Click here to view the article

The footwork thing....we'll see. I tend to give guys with a really good arm a lot more leash at SS than others. A strong arm can make up for a lot of ... awkwardness. It can even make up for range if the shortstop plays back further in the field, and that's especially true at the major league level where the ground balls are hit harder and the fields are smoother. And by the accounts I've heard, Gordon has a lot of arm. The struggles last year against left-handers scares me more. That's the second year he's done posted about a 530 OPS against LH pitchers. On the other hand, I don't think he has even 500 AB against them in his entire minor league career, and he was just 21 years old. It could also only mean he won't be a star, not that he won't be a regular. If a LHed shortstop can hit right-handers at a good clip, he's good enough overall to be an everyday player.

Aaron and John talk about the Minnesota Twins signing Jake Odorizzi and Anibal Sanchez, not signing Yu Darvish, Jermaine Palacios' scouting report, the value of reverse splits, old friends Trevor Plouffe and Hector Santiago finding new MLB homes, projected payroll levels, the impact of Josh Kalk, and the state of the Twins' starting rotation. Sponsored by Pick and Shovel Wear and Casper Matresses. You can listen by downloading us from iTunes, Stitcher or find it at GleemanAndTheGeek.com. Or just click this link.http://traffic.libsy...3?dest-id=74590 Click here to view the article

I'm interested to see how Mauer reacts to a contract year. That's never happened before. (Unless you want to count his first three years on the team, when, I suppose, the Twins could have cut him if they wanted to. But that would've been ludicrous.) Once he finished his "serf" years, he signed a four-year deal that bought out his first free agent year. Then he signed his big deal with a year left on that deal (and right after his MVP season). So this year is unique to his career. One of the underlying knocks against Mauer by his critics is that he's resistant to change. A free agent year certainly encourage a player to raise their level and show some new skills. If Mauer is able to do some of the things his critics say he should be able to do (pull the ball, swing at the first pitch, hit with power, lead in the clubhouse), one would thing the incentive to do so would be raised a bit this year.

It's continuing a tradition now, I think. They started doing that, I think, two years ago, and it definitely helped with selling out the home opener even after several years of crummy teams. They're continuing, I think, because it worked. But if they have a few good years in a row, I can see them going back to something like they used to do - fridge magnets or posters - and saving sweatshirts for another game.

Aaron and John talk about Ervin Santana's finger surgery, Trevor May, Tyler Duffey, and the Twins' other in-house options for replacing Santana in the rotation, the price tag to acquire Chris Archer, how to look good, PECOTA comps for Miguel Sano and other prominent Twins, drinking beer at Modist Brewing, how to make Valentine's Day plans, the Twin Cities' best restaurants, and mailbag questions from listeners. You can listen by downloading us from iTunes, Stitcher or find it at GleemanAndTheGeek.com. Or just click this link.http://traffic.libsy...3?dest-id=74590 Click here to view the article

Aaron and John review Super Bowl week in Minneapolis, debate the slow offseason's causes, recap the Minneanalytics Sportcon event, and reveal Baseball Prospectus' PECOTA predictions for Minnesota Twins players and the overall team. You can listen by downloading us from iTunes, Stitcher or find it at GleemanAndTheGeek.com. Or just click this link. Sponsored by Harry's Razors. http://traffic.libsy...3?dest-id=74590 Click here to view the article

Aaron and John talk about the latest Yu Darvish rumors, Glen Perkins' retirement, Joe Nathan's appearance at the Winter Meltdown, returning to KFAN for another season, exploding tires and ruined lunches, Super Bowl festivities, the Brewers' big push, and $36 guacamole. You can listen by downloading us from iTunes, Stitcher or find it at GleemanAndTheGeek.com. Or just click this link. Sponsored by Bombfell and Simply Contacts. Click here to view the article

Aaron, John and the Twins Daily crew interview Joe Nathan and Twins official scorekeeper Stew Thornley at Twins Daily's Winter Meltdown and answer questions submitted by the 500 attendees. Sponsored by Sota Stick. You can listen by downloading us from iTunes, Stitcher or find it at GleemanAndTheGeek.com. Or just click this link. Click here to view the article

The Diamond Awards were held last night at The Depot in Minneapolis, including dinner, a silent auction, and an award ceremony and a big night of fund-raising for the University of Minnesota’s battles with neurological diseases. The centerpiece of the event is the award ceremony. Hosted by Dick Bremer, the Baseball Writer’s Association of America presents awards to Twins players, coaches and Midwest supporters. This year that included Brian Dozier, Ervin Santana and Joe Mauer. It also included Byron Buxton, who couldn’t be there to accept the award due to weather-related travel problems, which provided one of the more amusing moments of the night.We had heard prior to the ceremony that Buxton would probably not be able to make the event to due difficulties traveling, but during the presentation of the award, we heard that they were holding out hope he might be able to make it on time. He did not, so they did what they usually do when a player cannot make the award ceremony: they record a short video, usually from their home or with a nice background, thanking everyone for the award. Buxton’s video came up, and there were immediate chuckles because the background was a window at a gate in an airport, overlooking a walkway to a plane that was absolutely not there. There were more poignant moments as well. A video detailed a military veteran’s battles with ataxia, Kent Hrbek talked a little about his father’s battles with ALS, and there was an award to Rick “Stelly” Stelmaszek where the Twins announced that Field 5 in Fort Myers would now be named after him. There was also a ton of money raised for the University of Minnesota, including a silent auction item that included a pair of Super Bowl tickets that went for $13,000. Twins Daily had two tables at the event, including Seth, Nick, John and their families, and hopes to continue to support the event even more next year. Look for details next year on how you can join us and put it on your calendar right now. If it holds true to its traditional date, it will be tentatively scheduled for January 24th, 2019. Click here to view the article

Aaron and John talk about the Minnesota Twins signing free agent reliever Addison Reed and what it means for the rest of the offseason, all while pre-gaming at Iron Door Pub. You can listen by downloading us from iTunes, Stitcher or find it at GleemanAndTheGeek.com. Or just click this link. Sponsored by RxBar and Casper Mattresses. http://traffic.libsy...3?dest-id=74590 Click here to view the article

Twins Daily's Winter Meltdown is down to the last 20 tickets, and today is your last day to get them. Besides special guest Joe Nathan and 612 Brews, we’ll be joined by Twins Official Scorekeeper Stew Thornley who will tell you why you’re wrong to ever question his decisions. And we’ll have some FANTASTIC raffle prizes:Sota Stick Snap Back Gift Pack Over $100 of Sota Stick Co. merchandise that makes sure you have all the bases covered for all your favorite Minnesota sports teams, with designs that other MN sports fans will appreciate. Autographed Brad Radke Baseball You won’t be able to see Brad Radke at TwinsFest, but you can get an autographed Brad Radke baseball at the Winter Meltdown, courtesy of Fan HQ. Download attachment: Brad_Radke Ball.jpg 1991 Replica World Series Ring This will be available for you to try and on and take pictures with, and one lucky guest will be going home with it. Brother’s Bar & Grill Special Gift Pack If you’re brave enough to talk to other Twins fans, you’ll have a chance to win special prizes and gift cards from Brother’s Bar & Grill. Bushmills Basket This next one, you’ll need to be 21 to win, but win you will. It’s a basket of your favorite Bushmills Irish Whiskey and merchandise. Download attachment: Bushmills-Blend-Family---Bottle-Shot_900.png There will also be a photo booth, activities, contests and more, but you need to Not only will the 500 guests at the Winter Meltdown get to see Joe Nathan and have a few tasty 612 Brews, but they'll also get this fantastic pint glass on the right, designed by Brock Beauchamp. And if you attended last year, you'll see how well it complements last year's glass on the left. Download attachment: pint-glass-2017-2018.jpg There will also be lots of hot stove league talk, lots of Twins talk, special guests and some unbelievable raffle prizes that we'll detail tomorrow. But you need to grab the tickets because you CANNOT attend without buying a ticket early, there are no tickets sold at the door. (Not to mention the possibility of a sellout.) So... Grab Your Tickets Now. We just watched the second best moment in Minnesota sports history. Also I completely lost my mind. Fortunately, so did 612 Brew, because they have sponsored an additional 65 tickets available to the Winter Meltdown. Also: Joe Nathan. Download attachment: nathan_joe_wMauer_US_900.jpg I don't know what else to say. The greatest reliever in Twins history is going to be joining us this Saturday at Brothers Bar & Grill (a two block walk from TwinsFest) and you COULD be there if you act super fast. Almost 500 tickets for this were sold prior to Christmas, and we thought we were sold out, but Brothers and 612 made another 65 tickets available for $30 apiece. I seriously expect them gone by noon today, so if you can't commit, I get it, but we'll see you next year. If you CAN commit - grab your tickets here. Now. When: January 20th, 4:30-7:30 Where: Brother's Bar & Grill Who: 500+ Twins fans and special guest Joe Nathan What: Hot Stove talk, great raffle prizes, two free 612 craft beers and a free Winter Meltdown Pint Glass. Click here to view the article

I don’t want to rain on this parade, but this has to mean theyre out of the running for Darvish. This team isn’t going to have a $135M payroll.

Aaron and John answer questions from listeners about Kennys Vargas, Joe Mauer, Wikipedia pages, A.J. Pierzynski, superhero movies, The Last Jedi, traveling to Brazil, underrated moves, Stephen Gonsalves, Fernando Romero, and the Jorge Polanco of 2018. You can listen by downloading us from iTunes, Stitcher or find it at GleemanAndTheGeek.com. Or just click this link. Sponsored by Pick and Shovel and by RxBar.http://traffic.libsy...3?dest-id=74590 Click here to view the article