Paul Pleiss

Merry Christmas Cody, thanks for the song, I enjoyed it.

Unfortunately I think Florimon starts the season as the everyday SS, definitely not excited about it, but I think it's happening. Carroll and Dozier to split time at 2B/Utility, and I'm sure Carroll will also spell Florimon at SS, maybe Dozier too. I dont think Slama makes the club, he didn't get called up last September, and the organzation seems to have some serious bias against him getting things done at the big league level; I wish they'd give him a shot, but it's not happening.

Episode 18 of the Twins baseball podcast, Talk To Contact (@TalkToContact), is now available for download via iTunes or by clicking here. http://puckettspond.com/files/2012/12/Grinch-300x300.jpg Eric and Paul are joined this week by special guest Brandon Warne of Star Tribune Storts, Fangraphs and other places around the web to talk about the newest Twin, Mike Pelfrey and what that signing means for the team going into 2013 and beyond. After Brandon departs the twins discuss Rod Carew, whether or not Daniel Turpin will ever reach the big leagues and what the Mets/Blue Jays trade means for baseball in Canada. http://puckettspond.com/files/2012/12/IMAG0145-300x179.jpgThis is what it looks like when Eric records the podcast. If you enjoy our podcast, please take a couple extra minutes and rate and review us on iTunes (ratings and reviews have magical iTunes powers, which help us become warlocks.) You can follow Eric on Twitter (@ERolfPleiss) or read his writing at the Knuckleballs Blog.Once again thank you to Egon's Unicat for letting us use their music on the podcast. __________________ Follow me, @BaseballPirate, on Twitter Check out the Talk to Contact Podcast (@TalkToContact) or email the show: talktocontact@gmail.com

Episode 18 of the Twins baseball podcast, Talk To Contact (@TalkToContact), is now available for download via iTunes or by clicking here. http://puckettspond.com/files/2012/12/Grinch-300x300.jpg Eric and Paul are joined this week by special guest Brandon Warne of Star Tribune Storts, Fangraphs and other places around the web to talk about the newest Twin, Mike Pelfrey and what that signing means for the team going into 2013 and beyond. After Brandon departs the twins discuss Rod Carew, whether or not Daniel Turpin will ever reach the big leagues and what the Mets/Blue Jays trade means for baseball in Canada. http://puckettspond.com/files/2012/12/IMAG0145-300x179.jpgThis is what it looks like when Eric records the podcast. If you enjoy our podcast, please take a couple extra minutes and rate and review us on iTunes (ratings and reviews have magical iTunes powers, which help us become warlocks.) You can follow Eric on Twitter (@ERolfPleiss) or read his writing at the Knuckleballs Blog.Once again thank you to Egon's Unicat for letting us use their music on the podcast. __________________ Follow me, @BaseballPirate, on Twitter Check out the Talk to Contact Podcast (@TalkToContact) or email the show: talktocontact@gmail.com

Bad teams often have a lot of room for talented prospects to move quickly through the farm system and get a chance to play with the big league club. After losing 99 games in 2011 the Twins stunk it up again in 2012 and lost 96 games. Half-way through the off-season the Twins have traded away their two best center fielders and while they have gotten back three quality arms in return, two of those arms still have a ways to go before they make it up to the big league club. The Twins also added a veteran arm to the starting rotation, but by all accounts it looks like the Twins are building for the future at the expense of the 2013 season. Who are the young guns in the system to be on the lookout for? Follow me Down on the Pond and together we'll take a look at some of the top prospects in the Twins minor league system. This week we take a look at the prospects I have ranked 16th-20th. http://puckettspond.com/files/2012/05/down-on-the-pond.1.jpg 20. Adrian Salcedo. Salcedo was limited to just 9 games this past season after he suffered a broken nose when a line-drive came back and caught him in the face. In 2011 Salcedo posted a nice 2.93 ERA in low-A Beloit but only struck out 92 batters in 135 innings after having struck out 81 in 93 innings the year before. I look for Salcedo to return to the Miracle in 2013 where his K rate will hopefully return and his ability to keep the ball in the park will remain. 19. Daniel Santana. Santana is switch hitting short-stop who spent 2012 with the Miracle. After hitting .247/.298/.373 (AVG/OBP/SLG) in Beloit in 2011 he made the jump up to high-A and improved his slash line to .286/.329/.410 in 2012. Santana was the Miracle's primary SS, but also spent some time at second base. Santana committed 27 errors at SS in 2011 but reduced that to 16 in as many chances in 2012, unfortunately he committed another in limited duty at second base. Has Santana done enough to start the season in AA? _________________________ To read the rest of the article, please visit Puckett's Pond Follow me, @BaseballPirate, on Twitter Check out the Talk to Contact Podcast (@TalkToContact)

Bad teams often have a lot of room for talented prospects to move quickly through the farm system and get a chance to play with the big league club. After losing 99 games in 2011 the Twins stunk it up again in 2012 and lost 96 games. Half-way through the off-season the Twins have traded away their two best center fielders and while they have gotten back three quality arms in return, two of those arms still have a ways to go before they make it up to the big league club. The Twins also added a veteran arm to the starting rotation, but by all accounts it looks like the Twins are building for the future at the expense of the 2013 season. Who are the young guns in the system to be on the lookout for? Follow me Down on the Pond and together we'll take a look at some of the top prospects in the Twins minor league system. This week we take a look at the prospects I have ranked 16th-20th. http://puckettspond.com/files/2012/05/down-on-the-pond.1.jpg 20. Adrian Salcedo. Salcedo was limited to just 9 games this past season after he suffered a broken nose when a line-drive came back and caught him in the face. In 2011 Salcedo posted a nice 2.93 ERA in low-A Beloit but only struck out 92 batters in 135 innings after having struck out 81 in 93 innings the year before. I look for Salcedo to return to the Miracle in 2013 where his K rate will hopefully return and his ability to keep the ball in the park will remain. 19. Daniel Santana. Santana is switch hitting short-stop who spent 2012 with the Miracle. After hitting .247/.298/.373 (AVG/OBP/SLG) in Beloit in 2011 he made the jump up to high-A and improved his slash line to .286/.329/.410 in 2012. Santana was the Miracle's primary SS, but also spent some time at second base. Santana committed 27 errors at SS in 2011 but reduced that to 16 in as many chances in 2012, unfortunately he committed another in limited duty at second base. Has Santana done enough to start the season in AA? _________________________ To read the rest of the article, please visit Puckett's Pond Follow me, @BaseballPirate, on Twitter Check out the Talk to Contact Podcast (@TalkToContact)

I think it's unlikely anyone changes leagues unless there is expansion, and even then I envision one team each added to AL and NL. More likely that the DH goes to both leagues than Twins go to the NL. But I like the idea. I'd like to see more geographicly shaped divisons/leagues.

Episode 17 of the Twins baseball podcast, Talk To Contact (@TalkToContact), is now available for download via iTunes or by clicking here. http://cdn.fansided.com/wp-content/blogs.dir/2/files/2012/12/edgar_martinez_autograph.jpg?4c1d59 Once again the Twins’ twins get together to talk Twins baseball. This week Eric and Paul discuss the Kevin Correia signing (yuck), a look at the 2013 starting pitching rotation and the outfield and the quick escalation of MLB player salaries. Later in the podcast they take a look atRick Aguilera‘s career in Minnesota, what the offseason moves so far mean to the balance of power in the AL Central and they go Down on the Pond to take a closer look at Niko Goodrum before finishing off with a debate about the places each of us would like to be season ticket holders. Arguably the best 90 minutes ever recorded. If you enjoy our podcast, please take a couple extra minutes and rate and review us on iTunes (ratings and reviews have magical iTunes powers, which help us become warlocks.) You can follow Eric on Twitter (@ERolfPleiss) or read his writing at the Knuckleballs Blog.Once again thank you to Egon’s Unicat for letting us use their music on the podcast. __________________ Follow me, @BaseballPirate, on Twitter Check out the Talk to Contact Podcast (@TalkToContact) or email the show: talktocontact@gmail.com

Episode 17 of the Twins baseball podcast, Talk To Contact (@TalkToContact), is now available for download via iTunes or by clicking here. http://cdn.fansided.com/wp-content/blogs.dir/2/files/2012/12/edgar_martinez_autograph.jpg?4c1d59 Once again the Twins’ twins get together to talk Twins baseball. This week Eric and Paul discuss the Kevin Correia signing (yuck), a look at the 2013 starting pitching rotation and the outfield and the quick escalation of MLB player salaries. Later in the podcast they take a look atRick Aguilera‘s career in Minnesota, what the offseason moves so far mean to the balance of power in the AL Central and they go Down on the Pond to take a closer look at Niko Goodrum before finishing off with a debate about the places each of us would like to be season ticket holders. Arguably the best 90 minutes ever recorded. If you enjoy our podcast, please take a couple extra minutes and rate and review us on iTunes (ratings and reviews have magical iTunes powers, which help us become warlocks.) You can follow Eric on Twitter (@ERolfPleiss) or read his writing at the Knuckleballs Blog.Once again thank you to Egon’s Unicat for letting us use their music on the podcast. __________________ Follow me, @BaseballPirate, on Twitter Check out the Talk to Contact Podcast (@TalkToContact) or email the show: talktocontact@gmail.com

Interesting read, lots of names I wasn't previously familiar with. In my head I suspected Harper to be the #1 but was surprised to see Tovar with that designation; a quick look at WAR and it's clear I need to become more familiar with Twins from before my time.

I agree completely, if Hicks is up, he's going to be the everyday CF, no chance he splits time with Parm in RF. It becomes even more interesting if the Twins move Morneau before Spring training. I also think there's a good probability, 60%, that Benson goes north with the team out of ST, and he may split time with Mastro and Parm as guys get their days off, etc. -P

Episode 16 of the Twins baseball podcast, Talk To Contact (@TalkToContact), is now available for download via iTunes or by clicking here. http://cdn.fansided.com/wp-content/blogs.dir/2/files/2012/12/6a0120a6dde087970b017c3457cc88970b.png This week the Pleiss Twins discuss happenings from the winter meetings and are joined by Alex Kienholz of http://www.BeyondTheBoxscore.com to discuss the Twins/Phillies trade that sent Ben Revere to Philly in exchange for Vance Worely and prospect Trevor May, the Rule 5 draft and about his interested in sabermetrics. After Alex departs Eric and Paul get into the Jared Burton extension, Tom Kelly’s Twins career, beer, prospects and a whole bunch of questions from the interwebs. If you enjoy our podcast, please take a couple extra minutes and rate and review us on iTunes (ratings and reviews have magical iTunes powers, which help us become warlocks.) You can follow Eric on Twitter (@ERolfPleiss) or read his writing at the Knuckleballs Blog. Once again thank you to Egon’s Unicat for letting us use their music on the podcast. __________________ Follow me, @BaseballPirate, on Twitter

Episode 16 of the Twins baseball podcast, Talk To Contact (@TalkToContact), is now available for download via iTunes or by clicking here. http://cdn.fansided.com/wp-content/blogs.dir/2/files/2012/12/6a0120a6dde087970b017c3457cc88970b.png This week the Pleiss Twins discuss happenings from the winter meetings and are joined by Alex Kienholz of http://www.BeyondTheBoxscore.com to discuss the Twins/Phillies trade that sent Ben Revere to Philly in exchange for Vance Worely and prospect Trevor May, the Rule 5 draft and about his interested in sabermetrics. After Alex departs Eric and Paul get into the Jared Burton extension, Tom Kelly’s Twins career, beer, prospects and a whole bunch of questions from the interwebs. If you enjoy our podcast, please take a couple extra minutes and rate and review us on iTunes (ratings and reviews have magical iTunes powers, which help us become warlocks.) You can follow Eric on Twitter (@ERolfPleiss) or read his writing at the Knuckleballs Blog. Once again thank you to Egon’s Unicat for letting us use their music on the podcast. __________________ Follow me, @BaseballPirate, on Twitter

I like Revere, but I don't know that he should be the lead off man in the lineup, but looking at the roster it's hard to find anyone else that fits the description either. I look forward to seeing BR roving CF in 2013, as he's my favorite player on the team (Glen Perkins a close 2nd). I'm not sure how much it matters, I expect 2013 to be a rebuilding year as the front office continues to build for 2014 and beyond.

I like the trade, absolutely love it. I think it will be difficult for the Twins to compete in the AL central or the playoffs in 2013 and probably in 2014, but this moves helps the Twins in 2015 and beyond and I for one am optomisitc that there will be a lot of victres for the Twins in the last half of this decade. -P

I would also like to see Koskie enshried in the twins HOF, and not just because I have a Koskie jesey that I enjoy wearing on occasion. I agree that Knoblauch deserves to be in the Twins HOF, but definitely has a long road ahead of him before the fans would vote him in. Knoblauch is an interesting story, I think I'm going to do some digging into that myself.

Episode 15 of the Twins baseball podcast, Talk To Contact (@TalkToContact), is now available for download via iTunes or by clicking here. http://puckettspond.com/files/2012/12/285_7527020.jpg This week Eric and Paul are joined by Twins prospect guru, Seth Stohs (@SethTweets), of TwinsDaily.com to discuss the Twins trade with the Nationals, his blogging career and Travis Harrison. After Seth departs we take a quick look at the Rule 5 draft, Twins HOFer Brad Radke and a lengthy discussion on the 2013 Baseball Hall of Fame ballot, specifically Barry Bonds and the steroids era. We also talk about beer, of which it becomes evident that Eric has had several, along with a few other Twins news items and notes. If you enjoy our podcast, please take a couple extra minutes and rate and review us on iTunes (ratings and reviews have magical iTunes powers, which help us become warlocks.) You can follow Eric on Twitter (@ERolfPleiss) or read his writing at the Knuckleballs Blog.Once again thank you to Egon's Unicat for letting us use their music on the podcast. __________________ Follow me, @BaseballPirate, on Twitter

Episode 15 of the Twins baseball podcast, Talk To Contact (@TalkToContact), is now available for download via iTunes or by clicking here. http://puckettspond.com/files/2012/12/285_7527020.jpg This week Eric and Paul are joined by Twins prospect guru, Seth Stohs (@SethTweets), of TwinsDaily.com to discuss the Twins trade with the Nationals, his blogging career and Travis Harrison. After Seth departs we take a quick look at the Rule 5 draft, Twins HOFer Brad Radke and a lengthy discussion on the 2013 Baseball Hall of Fame ballot, specifically Barry Bonds and the steroids era. We also talk about beer, of which it becomes evident that Eric has had several, along with a few other Twins news items and notes. If you enjoy our podcast, please take a couple extra minutes and rate and review us on iTunes (ratings and reviews have magical iTunes powers, which help us become warlocks.) You can follow Eric on Twitter (@ERolfPleiss) or read his writing at the Knuckleballs Blog.Once again thank you to Egon's Unicat for letting us use their music on the podcast. __________________ Follow me, @BaseballPirate, on Twitter

Episode 13 of the Twins baseball podcast, Talk To Contact (@TalkToContact), is now available for download via iTunes or by clicking here. http://puckettspond.com/files/2012/11/285_7460922-207x300.jpg(This woman allegedly wants to give us 7.5 million. Listen to the podcast for the details! Woot!) This week Paul and I take a look at Twins prospect (?) Daniel Ortiz and Hall of Famer Harmon Killebrew. We again field a bunch of questions from the interwebs. Among the topics discussed form the mail bag: Joe Benson and his mullet, the Miami/Toronto trade, and regular season wins versus playoff success. We also have an update on the email from Larien who wanted to have a relationship and a business proposal. Tune in for Minnesota Twins banter and a whole lot more. If you enjoy our podcast, please take a couple extra minutes and rate and review us on iTunes (ratings and reviews have magical iTunes powers, which help us become warlocks.) You can follow Eric on Twitter (@ERolfPleiss) or read his writing at the Knuckleballs Blog.Once again thank you to Egon's Unicat for letting us use their music on the podcast. __________________ Follow me, @BaseballPirate, on Twitter

Episode 13 of the Twins baseball podcast, Talk To Contact (@TalkToContact), is now available for download via iTunes or by clicking here. http://puckettspond.com/files/2012/11/285_7460922-207x300.jpg(This woman allegedly wants to give us 7.5 million. Listen to the podcast for the details! Woot!) This week Paul and I take a look at Twins prospect (?) Daniel Ortiz and Hall of Famer Harmon Killebrew. We again field a bunch of questions from the interwebs. Among the topics discussed form the mail bag: Joe Benson and his mullet, the Miami/Toronto trade, and regular season wins versus playoff success. We also have an update on the email from Larien who wanted to have a relationship and a business proposal. Tune in for Minnesota Twins banter and a whole lot more. If you enjoy our podcast, please take a couple extra minutes and rate and review us on iTunes (ratings and reviews have magical iTunes powers, which help us become warlocks.) You can follow Eric on Twitter (@ERolfPleiss) or read his writing at the Knuckleballs Blog.Once again thank you to Egon's Unicat for letting us use their music on the podcast. __________________ Follow me, @BaseballPirate, on Twitter

Episode 12 of the Twins baseball podcast, Talk To Contact (@TalkToContact), is now available for download via iTunes or by clicking here. http://puckettspond.com/files/2012/11/mail-call-300x168.jpg This week on the podcast Eric and I discuss Jim Kaat's place in the Twins Hall of Fame, we take a look at the high-A ShortStop prospect Daniel Santana and we dive into a dozen or so questions we received from listeners covering a wide variety of topics from the best Patrick Swayze movie, to a romantic business proposal and a whole slough of Twins topics. We also take a look at the Twins radio and TV broadcast teams and give them a ranking on the 20-80 scale. A special thanks to @Jessicann713, @BransonWerner, @Nimi_badger, @youcancallmeAde, @mntwinsforever, @mntwinsisters, @mikeywaldo and @sideburg for submitting questions to this week's podcast. You can follow Eric on Twitter (@ERolfPleiss) or read his writing at the Knuckleballs Blog. Once again thank you to Egon's Unicat for letting us use their music on the podcast.__________________ Follow me, @BaseballPirate, on Twitter

Episode 12 of the Twins baseball podcast, Talk To Contact (@TalkToContact), is now available for download via iTunes or by clicking here. http://puckettspond.com/files/2012/11/mail-call-300x168.jpg This week on the podcast Eric and I discuss Jim Kaat's place in the Twins Hall of Fame, we take a look at the high-A ShortStop prospect Daniel Santana and we dive into a dozen or so questions we received from listeners covering a wide variety of topics from the best Patrick Swayze movie, to a romantic business proposal and a whole slough of Twins topics. We also take a look at the Twins radio and TV broadcast teams and give them a ranking on the 20-80 scale. A special thanks to @Jessicann713, @BransonWerner, @Nimi_badger, @youcancallmeAde, @mntwinsforever, @mntwinsisters, @mikeywaldo and @sideburg for submitting questions to this week's podcast. You can follow Eric on Twitter (@ERolfPleiss) or read his writing at the Knuckleballs Blog. Once again thank you to Egon's Unicat for letting us use their music on the podcast.__________________ Follow me, @BaseballPirate, on Twitter

Episode 11 of the Twins baseball podcast, Talk To Contact (@TalkToContact), is now available for download via iTunes or by clicking here. http://puckettspond.com/files/2012/11/56042_10100367579036021_1162141622_o-768x1024.jpg (This post originally appeared at www.PuckettsPond.com, pictured above is my friend Mondo and his spawn all dressed up for Halloween) This week the brothers Pleiss discuss the Gold Gloves and any perceived snubs, the Twins Diamond Awards and my feelings on photos of peoples children clogging up my Facebook/Twitter timeline. We also spend a few moments looking at Twins prospect J.O. Berrios, Twins Hall of Famer Kirby Puckett and some early happenings in the off-season before getting into a few other topics including a traveling stuffed banana. You can follow Eric on Twitter (@ERolfPleiss) or read his writing at the Knuckleballs Blog. __________________ Follow @BaseballPirate on Twitter

Episode 11 of the Twins baseball podcast, Talk To Contact (@TalkToContact), is now available for download via iTunes or by clicking here. http://puckettspond.com/files/2012/11/56042_10100367579036021_1162141622_o-768x1024.jpg (This post originally appeared at www.PuckettsPond.com, pictured above is my friend Mondo and his spawn all dressed up for Halloween) This week the brothers Pleiss discuss the Gold Gloves and any perceived snubs, the Twins Diamond Awards and my feelings on photos of peoples children clogging up my Facebook/Twitter timeline. We also spend a few moments looking at Twins prospect J.O. Berrios, Twins Hall of Famer Kirby Puckett and some early happenings in the off-season before getting into a few other topics including a traveling stuffed banana. You can follow Eric on Twitter (@ERolfPleiss) or read his writing at the Knuckleballs Blog. __________________ Follow @BaseballPirate on Twitter