minn55441

I agree, I really hope that we hang onto Span but I think the writing is on the wall. If he goes, I hope they give Parmelee some everyday AB's. Just like Revere and Plouffe, once they get some consistent playing time we will see the real player we have.

If not a Catcher, what would you suggest we call him? He has 145 of his 283 AB's while catching. If you are curious, he has 88 while DHing and another 50 while playing first base.

Do you really think the Nationals will shut down Strasburg in the midst of a pennant race? I'll believe it when I see it. Every time I have heard Strasburg himself questioned about an innings limit this year he has responded that no one has spoken to him about it. In the long run it would probably be better for him, but that is sometimes a difficult decision to make. What is best for the long term development of the player vs what the team needs in the game today, tomorrow and the rest of the season.

Thanks for the link Snepp. Lots of good info. Nice closing statement. We’ve got pretty good people here and we’ve struggled, so now you start to look at it like, “OK, what are we doing wrong? What should we change?” We’ll make some changes as we go through this thing, but I don’t believe there are many shortcuts in getting to the point here of getting back to a winning club. You get good people, and you get decent players. You teach them and point them in the right direction, and you’ve probably got a pretty good chance to get it right. It’s fairly simple. Terry is down to earth. It's pretty simple. If you do your job, you win games. If you lose games, something has failed along the way. His job is to find out where that failure is. The problem is that we won't see the impact of those changes at the major league level for some time. Drafting, player development all take time to see the results.

Yeah but I think he did go mountain climbing with RA Dickey.

thanks for the update Nick, Very promising that he has adjusted to pro ball so quickly. Any word on how his fielding has made the trasition?

Thanks for keeping us updated Seth. Good to hear he is on the road to recovery.

glanzer, Thanks for your comments on your games in Texas. My son and I made the trip to Pittsburgh and Cincinnati in June and had a great time. I was thinking of making another trip next year to see the Twins play the Rangers and Astros since they will be in the American league in 2013. I thought the 90's were too much for me in both Pittsburgh and Cincy, I guess I will just have to hope MLB sends the twins down there in April or September.

Does this enter into the decision that must be made on Span? If Hicks had not developed this year or even regressed would that have changed the organizations view of what to do with Span? Personally I will always take the proven commodity over the unproven. At this point we hope that Hicks will turn into a younger version of Span. I would not trade Span unless we get a deal for a pitcher or two that we just can't turn down. I can understand if he is traded, but that is not a route I would take.

I hate the yankee's as much as the next guy, but it is hard to watch Cano being booed. Not all the Yankee's are equally hated.

They will have to sign one if not Two FA starting pitchers. Hopefully they won't be of the Jason Marquis caliber. Terry Ryan wants to win, he knows he needs pitching to win. The Pohlands know that without a winner, revenues will continue to drop. I don't think that we will see a drop in payroll. It may not top 100 million, but it will be above 85 million.

I agree. Our lineup is currently competitive and as Plouffe, Dozier and Revere improve with more big league playing time this could be an above average every day lineup in 2013. The real question is how long will it take to improve our pitching. With Diamond as our only reliable starter, where do the other 4 come from? (2)Resign Liriano or trade him for another legitimate starter? (3)Come up with one other starter from PJ Walters, Cole Devires, Kyle Gibson,Liam Hendricks, throw in anyone else currently in our minor league system that has a shot into the mix. That leaves two open starting spots. I really believe that Terry Ryan will come up with enough spare parts to trade for a potential 4th or 5th starter. Whether it happens at the trade deadline or in the off season it really doesn't matter. He needs to find a 170 to 200 innings per year guy with an under 5 ERA. The last spot will have to be a FA signing. I am a firm believer that this is the the new Twins, with a new economic system that they are working within. The Pohlads have seen what can happen when you have a winner in a new park (2010) and the revenue it can generate. they have also seen what can happen when the team starts to lose and remain uncompetitive for a year or more. Season ticket renewal notices are going out in August of this year. The drop off in the season ticket base was nothing last year compared to what will happen when they send them out in August of 2012. The team will be in last place or close to it and for the most part Target Field will be half full for the remainder of the season. This will send a message. With the money freed up from Baker, Pavano, Marquis and maybe Liriano if he is traded, the Twins can pick up one Major free agent pitcher. It may not be Hammels, Greinke or Shields, but I do expect a $15 plus starter to be signed. If this happens, I think the Twins could be competitive in 2013. Will they win the central division? They will have a shot if Terry picks up enough pitching to compliment this everyday lineup.

You win some, you lose some. We got a good start out of Deduno. Play another one tomorrow.

Kinsler is having a tough night, in the field and at the plate.

I don't mind him as a commentator on the MLB network, but I'm not a fan of his color commentary during a game broadcast.

Could have been worse. He could have thrown him a strike and it could have gone a long way. Not sure if I like Burnett against Beltre any better.

Robertson against Hamilton? Then again, I don't like anyone against Hamilton except for Perkins and he took Perkins deep earlier this year at Target Field. Throw a good pitch and hope for the best, I guess.

Big difference between AAA hitters and major league hitters. Hopefully he will eventually be able to make the adjustments needed to get them out consistently.

I agree, he only gave up 3 runs. Compared to what we have seen so far in 2012, that could be one of the top 20 performances by any of our starters this year.

Ok, I jinxed him. Wow did Beltre get a hold of that one.

I've been impressed with Deduno. Started two DP's and making a play at the plate. Only giving up two runs through 5 innings against the rangers, that is a minnesota quality start.

Who says the Hammer is a liability in the field? Nice running catch at the wall.

I played for a manager that would pull you out of the game if you made an error like that. maybe we should have carroll slide over to SS and put Lexi in at 2b. think maybe Dozier and the rest of the guys would pay attention while running the bases the rest of the game? It is the players job to perform on the field. It is the mangers job to motivate that performance. Players will perform at the level that is expected of them. I've always been in Gardy's corner, but after last year I am looking more critically of what is happening and who is being held accountable.

giving away outs. signs of a "not well coached" team.

maybe we were all a little too quick to jump off the morneau bandwagon. Another hit off of a lefty. solid base knock.