Fanatic Jack

Twinswon1991, Nice accessment and very truthful. Why is everybody just happy with baseball season starting? What the front office did was really unacceptable and it's not on Ryan. This mess is completely on the shoulders of the Pohlad family and their complete refusal to spend even a fraction of money. They did nothing to improve the starting rotation or bullpen. Basically our biggest pitching acquisition was Jason Marquis. Yes, it it true this was their biggest signing. Why other writers/bloggers protect the front office after they cut $15 million from payroll is mind boggling.

I believe it's pretty much a lock that Chris Parmelee makes the roster now. He will play mostly 1B, some right field, and an occasional DH. This will ensure his bat is in the lineup everyday.

Actually giving up 10 RBI games, 9th inning HRs, and letting a slightly better than average player look like Willie Mays for the last 3 years is about as rediculous as it gets...How about the pitching staff try something different for a change...Zobrist is way too comfortable at the plate and that's an undisputed fact.. Looks like the bloggers are as Minnesota Nice as our fantastic starting rotation..

Sprtsgam3, I would love for Luke Hughes to be the starting second baseman on opening day for the Twins, but it won't happen. Hughes has struggled to stay healthy recently and you have to wonder how well he would hold up playing 140 games a year in the majors.

John, If Chris Parmelee makes the roster there is no way a third catcher does. Ryan Doumit would see much more time behind the plate to keep his bat in the lineup. So this makes the utilty infielder position open for Theriot.

Manager Ron Gardenhire announced 2/3 of his starting outfield this morning. There appears to be only a couple decisions left to be made regarding the bullpen and utilty infielder positions. Revere and Plouffe will platoon in right field with Doumit and possibly Parmelee sprinkled in, to put any questions about the outfield to rest. I believe Burton and Maloney are locks to make the roster and most likely Kyle Waldrop. I would be absolutely shocked if Manship or Burnett slid into the last bullpen spot. This leaves the infielder position as a big question mark. It was announced last week by Gardenhhire that Brian Dozier will start the season in Rochester to end any speculation of him being the starting shortstop on opening day. This leaves a huge hole for the club to fill at shortstop because nobody else can really play the position other than Carroll and Casilla. Pedro Floriman would be a perfect candidate but he has struggled so much at the plate he makes Nick Punto look like a batting champ. My guess is the Twins need to go out and trade for a utlity player or pick somebody up off waivers. A good player to look at might be Ryan Theriot. The Riot as he was referred to in Chicago, can play solid defense at both positions (SS and 2B) and can hit. Theriot hit .271/.321/.342 in 442 at bats with the Cardinals last year and is only 31 years old. He is also a good clubhouse guy and could provide veteran leadership to younger players. However, Theriot might be released this week by the Giants and the Twins could get him for next to nothing. Please tell me what you think the Twins should do.

Benson just struggles to make contact. Not a good sign.

Seth, Will Revere make the team?

Very interesting!!

Very Interesting!!

Seth, I agree Parmelee needs to play everyday. I would leave Morneau at DH after a performance like today. Don't mess with success.

Seth, Drew Butera has done nothing for two seasons now! Pick you poison. Remember when you said Butera was not a problem as a backup catcher because he would only get 50-75 at bats in a season. He tripled that last year and was terrible. Time for a change. Parmelee means no Butera!!

Mr. Ryan please release Jeff Gray. Pleeeeeeease!!!!!!!

Morneau hitting that HR is better than anything I can imagine this spring. The middle of the lineup of Mauer/Morneau/Willingham/Parmelee/Valencia/Doumit. That is some serious thump.

One question not addressed by most writers is if first baseman Chris Parmelee will make the big league roster. It has just been assumed by everybody including myself, that Parmelee starts the year at Rochester for more at bats and experience. Obviously there was no rush to get Parmelee in Minnesota because Justin Morneau occupies his position at first base. However, things have changed a lot in the last couple weeks at spring training in Fort Myers, Florida. Morneau has not played a game in the field since March 13 and continues to struggle at the plate. I'm not a conspiracy theorist but one has to wonder how the Twins could go into the regular season without an everyday first baseman. I would not be surprised to see Parmelee penciled in as the starting first baseman and Morneau as the regular DH. The one benefit of this happening is it brings a lot more thump into a lineup that really needs it. The Twins would not loose a lot defensively as Parmelee has worked hard on his defense and continues to improve. The one looming issue in all of this is where and how often would Ryan Doumit play. My guess is Doumit would be the regular backup catcher with Butera left in Rochester where he belongs. If the team does not carry three catchers they can bring Parmelee and a utility player north when camp breaks. Doumit could potentially also see time in the outfield as well. You really have to get excited about a lineup with the middle of the order Mauer/Morneau/Willingham/Parmelee/Doumit. Terry Ryan has praised Parmelee for his strong work ethic and his impressive spring training. In other spring training news the battle for the bullpen is starting to come into focus. The automatic locks in the bullpen are Capps, Perkins, Duensing, and Swarzak. My best guess is Matt Maloney, Jared Burton, and Kyle Waldrop are the other three that make the roster. Manship was in the running, but had a bad outing against the Yankees this afternoon where he surrenderd 4 runs. More concerning was the velocity of his pitches were down to 84-86 MPH. I have no idea who the Twins go with for the final bench spot. I would love to see them go with Michael Hollimon but not sure the coaching staff is thrilled with his overall defense. Please feel free to leave any comments and tell me whay you think.

One question not addressed by most writers is if first baseman Chris Parmelee will make the big league roster. It has just been assumed by everybody including myself, that Parmelee starts the year at Rochester for more at bats and experience. Obviously there was no rush to get Parmelee in Minnesota because Justin Morneau occupies his position at first base. However, things have changed a lot in the last couple weeks at spring training in Fort Myers, Florida. Morneau has not played a game in the field since March 13 and continues to struggle at the plate. I'm not a conspiracy theorist but one has to wonder how the Twins could go into the regular season without an everyday first baseman. I would not be surprised to see Parmelee penciled in as the starting first baseman and Morneau as the regular DH. The one benefit of this happening is it brings a lot more thump into a lineup that really needs it. The Twins would not loose a lot defensively as Parmelee has worked hard on his defense and continues to improve. The one looming issue in all of this is where and how often would Ryan Doumit play. My guess is Doumit would be the regular backup catcher with Butera left in Rochester where he belongs. If the team does not carry three catchers they can bring Parmelee and a utility player north when camp breaks. Doumit could potentially also see time in the outfield as well. You really have to get excited about a lineup with the middle of the order Mauer/Morneau/Willingham/Parmelee/Doumit. Terry Ryan has praised Parmelee for his strong work ethic and his impressive spring training. In other spring training news the battle for the bullpen is starting to come into focus. The automatic locks in the bullpen are Capps, Perkins, Duensing, and Swarzak. My best guess is Matt Maloney, Jared Burton, and Kyle Waldrop are the other three that make the roster. Manship was in the running, but had a bad outing against the Yankees this afternoon where he surrenderd 4 runs. More concerning was the velocity of his pitches were down to 84-86 MPH. I have no idea who the Twins go with for the final bench spot. I would love to see them go with Michael Hollimon but not sure the coaching staff is thrilled with his overall defense. Please feel free to leave any comments and tell me whay you think.

Nick, If Liriano has a good season will the Twins resign him or let him leave as a free agent? They could of course deal him at the deadline for some good prospects.

Wow look at what Josh Willingham can do when he is in his proper position. Looks like I was right about that as well. Willlingham needs to be the everyday LF.

Seth, See today's 6th inning for more on the great Jeff Manship. I give you credit your were right about Jared Burton.

The worst coaching staff in MLB with the king idiot (Gardenhire) leading the way.

The Twins can't beat the Yankees even in spring training.

Seth, Your love for Jeff Manship is really EMBARRASSING!!! Manship has options left and can be sent down. Just like Alex Burnett, Manship has been given every opportunity to be a full time reliever over the last two years and has fallen flat on his face. It's time for a change in the bullpen and Ryan knows this. Jared Burton makes the roster "Guaranteed."Before you comment on how I'm always wrong, I was right about Nishioka and Doyle. Two more guys you thought earlier in camp were the answer to this mess.

This is what happens when you have nothing but #3 starters in your organization.

I hope Michael Hollimon makes the roster as a bench player if Dozier won't. Why in the world has reliever Alex Burnett not been optioned back to Rochester yet. They can't seriously be considering him??

I will completely give up if Alex Burnett makes this team and is not optioned back to Rochester.