Squirrel

I don’t disagree that if you have that one person who can fill that role, they can be a primary DH. (I clarified that in a later post than the one you quoted.) We don’t have a Cruz, Thome or Davis on the roster, and Miranda is too young yet to put him there. So, because we don’t have that role player, I like the idea of a rotating DH for the flexibility it brings … for how this team is currently constructed, I think it makes the most sense. But I don’t like the idea of having one person DH who NEVER plays the field. I do think it’s a wasted roster space.

He spent a lot of time this offseason doing his homework, getting to know our pitching staff. I think he will be a big upgrade and will help our pitchers succeed. There’s a reason the Twins gave him one of the corner lockers in the clubhouse. “I think he’s, hands down, one of the best catchers in the game,” manager Rocco Baldelli said. “He’s a leader. He’s a player that understands what goes into winning games and playing at a high level and he knows the types of things he can do to help our pitching staff.” https://www.twincities.com/2023/02/24/new-twins-catcher-christian-vazquez-here-to-help-everybody-especially-pitchers/

I was there, and yes it was.

The Rocco comment gets an eyeroll from me, but I get that he’s the scapegoat for everything like not stealing is his philosophy or something. I think you’ll see more base stealing this year in MLB as a whole because of the larger bases. It’s one of the reasons (I think) the Twins signed Vázquez and I think why Molitor is in camp to work on that and why there is more speed on the team.

I’ll add that both pitchers had minor leaguers behind them and especially with Sands, there were some costly misplays in the outfield. But I honestly do not take this as anything. And Alcala missed a lot of time last year so is likely finding a groove again

Sigh …

11-yr, $350m extension, with no opt outs

Gordon was playing at a different game. It was a split squad day. Correa was not scheduled to play in either. Farmer started at SS at the game in Fort Myers. I think our depth is fine.

Ah! That’s what happened … without an announcer to say what was happening, it was a bit confusing

Lol … the first was a solid line drive to right field. The second was a high pop to LF that was misplayed

Lol. I think they just put a bunch of guys at the top of the order to get them at bats

I think it’s a good plan given the roster so far as it looks this year. Maybe they are onto something when they don’t have that specific of a role player like Cruz. I think it’s a good way to utilize the bench so no one gets too cold. Not sure how far into the season we go to see if it’s working or not. Thanks for the SSS research. Interesting.

Well, definitely a minor league game now with errors in the outfield

Well … do I say they scored zero after loading the bases and no outs? A K (Lee) followed by a dp (White)

Let’s see how they handle bases loaded no outs …

Nice dp to get out of the inning

Moran having some difficulties but eh, ST, blah blah blah

Up to 6 runs now

And the Twins just scored 2!

Let’s stay on topic here … Building the Pitching Staff

My guess is because it’s a split squad game so will have lots of minor leaguers in the game. And at this stage of the game even if we had regular starters they’d only be in for an inning or two. Probably makes for better television when people see who they expect to see? But totally a guess. And players and pitchers a like will only be in for a short time. Pitchers only 1 or 2 innings, players will get a couple at bats then substituted

Is this one televised? Anyone watching? Beautiful day here. Lineups don’t matter as they’ll be changing every few innings so won’t post them. Maeda starts for probably one inning.

I spent the last three days over at Lee County Sport Complex wandering, watching, taking in my fill. While I don’t have many specifics to add, I thought I’d just do one big photo and video dump. I tried to get variety and as many different players that I could. These were all taken on my phone, and yeah, I’m not a photographer or videographer, which will become obvious. And I don’t apologize for it one iota. I tried to label what I could and what I remembered. 🙂 Field adjacent to the stadium, waiting for players to start their day. Autograph hounds waiting to get players to sign all the stuff they brought with them. Set up ready for warm ups. The infield only field, named for TK. The stadium, looking toward the infield. The main stadium, looking towards the outfield. Joey Gallo taking some practice at 1st base IMG_3131.MOV IMG_3132.MOV Kepler in the cages Can’t remember who all this is. Tony O is the one on the left Pitchers getting ready for warm ups IMG_3139.MOV Chris Paddack throwing Position players warming up IMG_3144.MOV I think this is Eduard Julien? Austin Martin @chpettit19 IMG_3153.MOV Can you spot Randy Dobnak? I think this is Jorge López IMG_3160.MOV Randy Dobnak I think that’s Nick Gordon tagging the base, with Correa looking on Jovani Moran A bunch of guys coming off the field IMG_3165.MOV IMG_3166.MOV IMG_3167.MOV IMG_3168.MOV IMG_3176.MOV IMG_3177.MOV IMG_3178.MOV IMG_3181.MOV Miranda taking swings, with Gordon looking on Don’t remember who this is and I can’t tell from this photo