minn55441

Spring training tickets go on sale to season ticket holder on Tuesday the 10th of January. They go on sale to the general public on Saturday the 14th.

Jokin, my point was that the twins are funding all of the improvements inside Target field. No tax dollars involved. For claritiy, I could have then started a new paragraph and said that if additions to the plaza are in the works, these would be funded partially by tax dollars.

It's pretty short sighted to think that just because the team is not good now, that they won't be good ever? Only make improvements when things are going good? The Twins are spending the money on improvements. No new tax dollars are being contributed. By 2014, the central corridor light rail will have begun service, which may take additional fans to gate 6 and away from the congested areas around 34 and 29. The additions to the plaza would probably include covering more area which is currently open to 394 below. More space means more options for events and areas for fans to mingle before entering the gates. These changes outside TF would probably be funded at least partially by the city, county or state.

Just because you have a machete in your hand in you are waving it around, doesn't necessarily mean that you are attacking anyone. Perhaps the gas was spilled on the workers. From past experience the one with the most money usually wins court cases. Since he lost and had more money, I would conclude that he was guilty beyond reasonable doubt.

I'm not sure there are many teams willing to take a risk on a 38 year old relief pitcher. Sorry to say, but if he could hit 40 home runs or win 20 games as a starter, I'm sure someone could find a way to give a convicted felon another chance.

I finally had some time on my hands and looked it up. From a NY Times article last August "Morneau has switched to a gluten-free diet this year, eliminating pizza, among other foods. Once tempted by clubhouse candy, he now mixes pregame vegetable shakes. The idea was to feel better during the season and fight off minor injuries quicker. So far, it seems to be working." I couldn't find anything on him since the season ended, but I would be interested to see if he is any where close to his off season routine pre-concussion in 2010. As was mentioned earlier, he has always worked hard in the off season to prepare himself physically. I think the past two off seasons he has spent a majority of his time just trying to move past his concussion symptoms. I still say he is poised for a nice comeback year. I'm not saying back to his 2006 level or even the half season he put together in 2010 before the slide in Toronto, but if he can do some work prior to reporting to camp, enter the season healthy, I'm confident he will put up some nice numbers. If we can come up with some good options in front of them. Our lineup will look pretty good with Mauer, Willingham and Morneau hitting in the middle.

I agree. I think he will be much improved in 2013. He is still in his prime and is an MVP caliber player. I am expecting him to hit the All-star break with a .280 plus average and 15 plus dingers. How the team plays around him will really go a long way in shaping the argument for signing him or trading him. I expect us to be out of contention again by the break (mainly due to our pitching and defense) and it will se sad to see him leave as I think he still has a number of good years left. Didn't he really alter his diet last season and dropped a bunch of weight? I thought it was something to do with allergies or was that Span? Anyone know if he is till on the strict eating regimen?

I was hopping for 3 new starting pitchers, but what did I find? One starter I'm happy with in Vance Worely, although Santa made me trade in one of my favorite toys in order to get my new pitcher. It really doesn't really seem fair. Another new starter in Kevin Corriea. Not really excited about this one, kind of like wanting a PS3 and getting a Nitendo64 instead. It may allow me to play some video games for a couple of weeks but won't keep interested for another season. Finally Mike Pelfrey, again, it seems that Santa is just replacing a broken toy (Baker), with something maybe a littler newer and shinier, but not something I was going to use as an everyday option anyway. Granted, I didn't get a lump of coal, but was I really that bad? He must have checked his list and found my name at the very bottom, unlike those kids in the other major league cities. Is this the age when I find out that there really isn't a Santa Claus and that, mom and dad are just doing the best they can on a limited budget? Perhaps Santa was just having a little trouble with his reindeer and will show up a little late with some better options. Merry Christmas to all the Twin's fans.

I understand your point, but I would rather TR sign a bunch of "give me a shot at my former glory" guys for 2013, than a bunch of mid-level starters to 4 and 5 year deals. If given the choice at this point of having Marcum, E. Jackson and Blanton all signed and in the fold on 4 to 5 year deals, I would much rather be where we are at now. We won't be able to even see the division lead after the all-star break, so why jeopardize our future on long term deals just to put a competitive team on the field for 2013? Our defense and offense won't be much better than our starting pitching in 2013, however we have a chance to put together a real nice team in all phases of the game in 2014 and beyond as long as we don't sign any stupid contracts now, that would extend into those seasons. Sure, Blanton, Marcum and Jackson would look a lot better on the field in 2013 than what we will end up seeing. However if you sign those guys through 2016 and 2017, we have destroyed our future. Do you really want those guys to be the core of your rotation in 2016? Let the Myers, Mays, Berrios, Diamonds progress and I'm sure we will have more options for starting pitching FA after the 2015 and 2016 seasons. We will be looking at one, maybe two guys at that point to really solidify our pitching staff. In my mind that will be money well spent. I may be wrong, if Blanton, Marcum and Jackson are vying for the Cy Young award in 2016, I will admit you were right, I was wrong. I strongly believe that locking up league average starting pitchers long term as they head into the downside of their careers is the wrong approach.

I like this signing a lot. I would like him to get 4 more of these guys. Talent, motivated to prove themselves, no long term financial committment. what's not to like? If he gets three or four of these type of comeback attempts, perhaps one will pay dividends, but you never win the lottery without buying a ticket.

If we are looking at him long term, we should have gone two years or at least had options put into the contract. If we are only looking for a stopgap starter to fill out the rotation until our future get here, then we should have signed someone that was ready on opening day, like Corriea. I know he doesn't have any upside, but at least he will be able to eat 200 plus innings for us and bridge the gap to 2015. The only way the Pelfrey signing makes sense is that we get him healthy and build his demand, so that we can flip him at the tread deadline. Some how I can't see Terry making the signing with that as the game plan.

I was not able to find the exact dates of the surgeries, but I believe Baker had Tommy John in Mid April of 2012 and Pelfrey had Surgery in May of 2012. In an article posted at the end of April this is what was said about Baker. "His recent surgery requires a total twelve or more months of rest as the team doctors also agree that he should not be hurrying to play again instead take complete rest and try to prolong his career with the Twins and in the MLB." This is what lead me and many to believe that Baker would not be ready for opening day 2013. Why do I keep hearing that Pelfrey is expected to be ready for us on Opening day 2013 when his surgery took place after Bakers? Everyone responds differently to surgery, but just about everywhere I have read that Baker will not be ready whereas Pelfrey will be ready, where is this coming from? It always seems that guys take almost a full year to recover and then another year to become close to where they were at prior to surgery. This would lead to Pelfrey being a real contributor in 2014. He is on a one year contract for us. Am I wrong in thinking that Gibson will be in a better position to contribute than Pelfrey this season?

I read some where that the Cubs are the only ones left, because the contract talks are now at 4 or 5 years. He is a league average guy now, but where will he be at 4 or 5 years down the road. I would view him just as a placeholder for our rotation. We would need him for only a couple of years, then he wouldn't fit into our long term plans. Hopefully, someone of his ability wouldn't make our top 5 in 2015 and beyond. I may be overly optimistic, but I can't see going 4 or 5 years on Jackson as a good signing. Although we can all find fault with Correia and Pelfrey, that are only 1 and 2 year deals that will have any impact on 2015 and beyond, when hopefully we will be competitive again.

Interesting, I wonder what happened to the demand for 30 or more starts. From the quote above, He'll be used primarily out of the rotation. I thought he would be worth a flyer, but I didn't like the thought of having to guarantee starts. I'm not sure the 2 years for 10 million is reliever money.

From MLB trade rumors 5:44pm: The Cubs have agreed to sign Carlos Villanueva, reports Jon Heyman of CBSSports.com. Terms of the deal are unknown. 6:36pm: Ken Rosenthal of FOX Sports and MLB.com's Carrie Muskat report that the two sides are close to a deal but it is not done yet.

I've never been that high on Jackson. His numbers don't jump off the page at you and the thing that really sticks out to me is that he has played for 6 teams in the last 5 seasons. I still remember him as a Tiger and was really shocked when they traded him to the Diamondbacks. I remember wondering why they would trade a young starter with so much talent. He then threw the no hitter in Arizona and I thought again, they will hang onto this guy. There has to be a reason that teams move him after only one season. The talent is there. For me that explains why everyone keeps trading for him, but what is it that causes everyone to be in such a hurry to move him off their roster? Will Gardy and Rick Anderson be the ones that finally create a home for the guy? I don't have the answer, I've never read anything that says they guy is a bad team mate. Perhaps someone else can shed a little light on his character. Don't get me wrong. I understand why he has moved each step of the way, it just seems strange that teams wouldn't be more concerned with locking up the guy long term.

I would be disappointed if they didn't go watch him pitch. At this point, we need to still be active in every available avenue to acquire arms. Talk to every agent, scout every international prospect and talk with anyone that may want to make a trade. I was hoping that TR would sign four quality arms this offseason, it appears that he traded for one, still holding out hope that he will sign one more. After that, I think he is just relying on numbers. As he mentioned in an article earlier this week, bring in enough guys to compete and hopefully one or two take advantage of the opportunity. Webb didn't forget how to pitch in the last four years, it's just a matter if he still have any life in his arm. Why not invest the time to find out?

I heard it was a 24 year old, that went into his mom's classroom. Killed her and then started killing the kids in her class. How bad would someone life has to be to resort to something like this?

thanks for linking the article jcp. I have a feeling that TR was afraid that like musical chairs, the music was eventually going to stop and he wouldn't have a chair. He wanted to make sure he got at least one pitcher. Probably not his first choice, but someone to fill a need. Still hope we have better signings to come.

Just saw this on CBS sports Unlike Josh Hamilton, Anibal Sanchez is giving his old team the last shot at his services. After being offered a reported $75 million over five years by the Cubs, Sanchez gave the Tigers one more chance to match the offer, CBSSports.com's Jon Heyman reports. Detroit had been offering a four-year deal to Sanchez, but in reaction to the offer from the Cubs, the team will likely have to offer five years in order to keep him. I wonder if he is giving anyone else a shot still?

It's not my money, so yes make him an offer he can't turn down. We will be overpaying, but that is what the market is dictating the price is for a quality starting pitcher. Kind of like paying $3 a gallon for gas the first time, it seemed like we were being robbed every time we filled up. Now it looks like a bargain. This is a very disappointing off season if we don't add anyone better than Correia.

My thoughts exactly. We not only need help in 2013 but in the years to follow. With Demsters age, he isn't going to be around when we need him. Not only in terms of the contract, but also with his age he won't be pitching at the level we need in 2015 and beyond. Buy quality or youth and hopefully both in the same contract.

He struck out almost 9 batters per 9 last year. Doesn't fit our pitch to contact philosophy. Seriously, I haven't heard much of anything about him, not only in regards to the Twins but among anything national as well. I agree if we are going after lower tier pitches, I would look closely at him instead of Corriea. He has pitched and survived in the AL east for the last two years. Although his drawbacks would include the fact that he has never thrown more than 125 innings in a season, he walks more than 3 per 9 innings, his career whip is almost 1.3, but he has given up less than one hit per inning over the last three years. Two of them pitching in the AL east. I too would consider him a better candidate than Correia.

The royals just got a lot better. They have acquired some pitching this off season, without spending a ton of money. They believe in their core group of position players, so no is the time to add pitching that can preform immediately. They are giving up a lot in both Meyers and Orodozzi, but if they win and make the playoffs...

I agree with everything you said, the problem is that I was saying the same thing about Oakland last off season. When they traded Gio and Baily, I thought that they were only going to field a AAA team. Then they went out and signed a Cuban guy late in the off season and he supplied just enough offense to win a division. Not just any division, but the division included the teams that spent the most last off season. I'm a season ticket holder. I vented my frustration with the pitching last year and the lack of money spent on what everyone knew was a problem heading into the season. I've already paid for 2013, so I just have to have some faith that TR is going to make a competitive run this year. If he doesn't bring anyone in from the outside to start, he should be relieved of his duties. As far as who he brings in let the performance on the field be the judge. I sure didn't give Oakland or Baltimore a chance last year. Maybe TR can pull a few rabbits out of his hat like Billy Beane did last year.