Squirrel

Just saw this. Not sure if an IG link comes through. Very sad for him and his wife. https://www.instagram.com/p/C4Q1WgpL8O0/?igsh=MWMybTdqcnBzd3pmMA==

I buy a new hat every spring. Need to mix it up 🙂 I have quite the collection …

I just bought one of those today 🙂

No, we don’t. Farmer and Castro are the back ups. Austin Martin will get a call this year, too. I bet Brooks will get a call up this year. But until there is a legit opening, and there isn’t, he won’t be up with the team when it breaks north.

Age has little to do with it. And for that matter, ready, too. He is one of our highest ranked players. Years of control matter. Unless there are injuries to Farmer, Castro, Julien and probably Martin, and the rest of the infield, Lee won’t be breaking north with the team. Ready or not. That’s the reality.

I would have liked to see ‘more’ from the Twins this off season. I don’t think what they’ve done is awful, but it also feels like they aren’t building on the success they had last year. I’m skeptical (but still hopeful) that this starting rotation can do as well as last year’s. One of the things that made the rotation so successful last year was that they were relatively healthy all season. The other was that they got a near-career year from Gray and others they called upon stepped up. It’s still possible that this year’s rotation can do as well, but I’m skeptical without a better addition. And we will need to stay as healthy and we will need some real steps forward from a couple of players and no regression. Again, skeptical but remaining hopeful. I wasn’t expecting them to spend on the FA market, but a Lopez-like trade would have been nice. But then we’d see a lot of consternation about losing a top player or prospect, like we did when Arraez was traded. However, I think we have one of the best bullpens I’ve seen in a while, something I’ve complained about for years. Maybe a really great BP can balance some of the weakness in the rotation. Something we didn’t have a couple of years ago when we also had a much, much weaker rotation. I also have little complaint about the infield or outfield, although, we will see if the bats come through. Thats where I’d rather they have spent in free agency and not on a pitcher. That said, some of these tropes thrown about every year gets old. I get where they come from … our emotions. I do doubt when you or others say that Joe Pohlad doesn’t care about winning. Just because they don’t do what we want them to do, doesn’t mean they don’t care, and it doesn’t mean they are just happy to win the Central. Frankly, we should all be happy they win the Central. That is step one toward a WS. Because I rejoice in winning the central doesn’t mean I don’t care if that’s all they ever do. But I’d rather win the Central than not. So let’s not proclaim others as just being happy to just win the Central. And as has been said by others, the title is a bit offensive for those experiencing real poverty. I get where it comes from … it’s emotional and trying to make a point … still, not great. But our payroll ranks at 19 out of 30 this year. While not great, and again, reread my first paragraph if you think I’m okay with it, it’s far from the worst. It’s truly easy to spend someone else’s money but I don’t truly know inside the Twins’ books, no one here does, because owners are not that transparent. We could be the top spender and still not win. While yes, it does give us a better chance, it’s not a guarantee. Doesn’t mean I don’t want them to spend, it just means it’s not a guarantee. I’m just hoping for good health and good games and we will see where it gets us. I’m glad Buxton is back (for however long), Correa is over his plantar fasciitis, we will (hopefully) have a full season of Royce, Ober is looking good, hope Lopez continues where he left off … there is still a lot to be happy about and cheer on even if it’s not everything we wanted. We could have it a LOT worse even if it doesn’t fulfill all our wishes. A healthy dose of context and perspective never hurts, but it certainly helps keep my blood pressure in check!

Then don’t do that. Doom another team’s pitchers

Ted, how does this work? The ‘big league’ game is played first, followed by this game, on the main field? Have a ticket to the game so I guess I’ll find out when I get there.

Yeah, Brooks Lee is not making the club yet. Wouldn’t be surprised if he were the first called up, though. Besides Vazquez, who else is on your bench? And Paddack will be a starter. Varland likely starts in AAA and is the first called up as injury replacement. Okert needs to be added to your relievers, plus one, as they are likely to take 13 pitchers north, especially this early in the season.

Then why bother with it? It’s one thing to bring critical thoughts to something, even in dislike, than to just complain about it ad nauseum. I think Blyleven had become the latter. That said, I’d like Cuddyer, too. But more Plouffe please would top that.

Wow, I lasted about half that

Wow … I wish him a speedy recovery!

Yeah, but I love coconut. If he had used buttercreams instead, then, yes

I was actually going to say you said it best

I think I get what you’re saying but I don’t agree with how you are saying it. I don’t think it’s a choice of max effort vs backing off a little for more money. I think whether a starter or reliever they are both giving max effort, but given the role of a starter vs the role of a reliever, there are different physical limitations and requirements. It’s not about max effort vs not max effort, it’s the difference between a marathon and a sprint. Some bodies are better suited to one vs the other. I think Duran can pitch how he does because his time on the mound is limited. He would need to be a different pitcher to pitch more innings. That said, yes, great starters get paid more. A lot more. Because I think their value is more because they pitch a lot more innings. But is a so-so starter paid more than a great reliever? I don’t have any figures on that but I wonder if that isn’t comparable. Just because one is great at one role doesn’t make them suited for the other role. A lot of posters here seem to think Duran can be as successful over many innings as he is in one. I think there were reasons he was converted to a shut-down reliever.

These threads were merged since stringer brought it all together in one

This was an outstanding post

I don’t think the Twins traded FOR DeSclafani. I think he was part of the deal, and I don’t think he was the primary part but did fill a need, sort of. We knew from the beginning they weren’t going to make a big free agent splash but do wish they could have made a Lopez-like trade. What’s left on the market at this point is a pass for me.

No, I don’t risk it.

This, spot on. Thanks, Mike. I might be frustrated with the payroll, the TV deal, things said, trades made or not made, signings made or not made, but the end of the season is when you grade. Like you said baseball is a funny game and requires patience to see it through.

I was going to answer, ‘young is not Craig’ 🙂

Last year the Twins posted a series of videos during ST following the team up to the start of the season. It was a lot of fun seeing a bit on the inside and hearing from the players as they got back into it. So, they are doing it again. Season 2 premiered tonight. If I remember, I’ll post links to all the episodes as they come out. This is an ‘up beat’ thread, building up excitement for the start of the baseball season. Leave your ‘trash talk’ at the door.

Nothing and no one is a sure thing in this business. So much can happen where you think you have it made and someone gets hurt. But I do get it. We had a successful year, I want to see building on that and it feels like a step backward. However, and I’m still frustrated, I don’t know what truly is what. I’m not a fly on that wall, so I am able to convince myself to temper my frustration, somewhat. But, the Twins could do everything I want, spend what I want, and be really happy going into the season, and still lose. That’s not an excuse not to, just saying nothing is a guarantee. My motto has always been hope for the best, prepare for the worst. It’s much better for my expectations and BP.

I've attended parts of ST every year (except 2021) since 2001. It's nice when parents give you a nice place to land. My Mom sold her place, too, after Ian, but she now lives in a very nice apartment, still in the area. I visit as often as I can and will be down next week for a few games :)