Paul Pleiss

http://assets.podomatic.net/ts/19/ad/da/paulpleiss/1400x1400_9162796.jpg This week's episode is highlighted by a candid interview with Minnesota Twins pitching prospect Trevor May (@trevmay54, DJ MAZR). Aside from talking with Trevor, we have a lively discussion concerning who we think will be on the 25-man roster when the Twins break camp and leave Florida this spring (the first, of what will likely be many such discussions as the first game of the season approaches). Also discussed are the non-roster invites to big league camp, listeners from around the globe, and the usual banter and beer talk.Come for the Trevor May interview, stay for the beer. Or vice versa. Source

Ryan Doumit! except he won't break out for the Twins. I like Arcia and Gibson to rebound in 2014 and have strong performances. Does Joe Mauer count if I'm predicting him to mash 20+ bombs now that he's moved out from behind the plate?

I agree with Seth here, I don't think Mauer to third would be as beneficial as Mauer to first. At first he'll be able to use his size and ability to scoop and get balls in the dirt from errant throws coming his way from across the diamond. Also, with Sano coming up, why move Mauer to 3rd only to have Sano give up defensive ability so soon? I initially thought Mauer to 3rd was a good idea, but the more I looked at it, the more I thought about it, the more 1st base made sense. I wish he could have stayed behind the plate for another few seasons, but wishing and hoping don't get you too far.

Get your emails in soon, we'll be picking a winner before the weekend is through!

Danny Valencia, how quickly we forget you. 168, but it wasn't pretty. Woof.

The Talk to Contact podcast is giving away a chance to spend the day with the guys talking baseball and having some adult beverages. Included in the give away is a ticket to Twins Fest on Saturday (25 Jan) and a ticket to the Twins Daily winter meltdown that evening. How do you get your hands on this awesome free prize? That's easy folks! For your chance to win take a few moments and send the podcast an email, talktocontact@gmail.com"]talktocontact@gmail.com[/email] or leave a rating/review on iTunes (https://itunes.apple.com/us/podcast/talk-to-contact/id556784825) telling us why we should pick you. May the odds be ever in your favor.

Kepler's move to first base, if it indeed becomes his permanent home, is a little sad for me. I've been high on him for a couple years and will be a little bummed to see him limited positionally, especially with Baby Jesus holding down first base for the foreseeable future. Still a lot to like with Kepler, no matter where he plays.

This sounds like a dream vacation. Pure awesomeness.

The Good Ship Duensing, like the Good Manship have both sailed. Duensing can be effective out of the pen, but I don't see anyway he becomes anything more than an afterthought, even for a spot start.

If Mike Pelfrey comes to Twins Fest this year I would actually pay to have my picture taken with him. Last season I had him sign a random add from the Twins magazine, wasted opportunity. I'm smitten with Big Pelf and I don't know why. I'm considering making a legitimate post about why he'll have a sub 4 ERA this season and will lead the team in wins.

Dan Rohlfing, I love that name. Signing Jason Kubel to a minor league deal was a great idea, low risk with some upside, especially if Gardy platoons him a bit to take advantage of his splits. I can't say I'm excited about Kubel, but if he makes the team I'll be there with the rest of the crowd chanting "Kooooooooooooooooooooooooooooobs!" He would also be a significant improvement in the "bench bat" category over anyone the Twins have had for the past couple seasons.

Concerning Mike Pelfrey "We like his presence on this ball club." I'm trying to think of something that could have been less exciting than that quote. I like Mike Plefrey because he reminds me of a Sasquatch, his big and slow and lumbers around and I get to call him "Big Pelf." "You can't keep hoping. We've got to start producing." Exactly right Mr. Ryan. Let's hope we get more production in 2014

Episode 66 is out for your listening enjoyment. Happy Hall of Fame discussions to you and yours. You can download the new Talk to Contact (@TalkToContact) episode via iTunes or by clicking here. http://puckettspond.com/wp-content/blogs.dir/2/files/2014/01/7758646-300x384.jpgOct 17, 2013; Detroit, MI, USA; Detroit Tigers former pitcher Jack Morris throws out the ceremonial first pitch prior to game five of the American League Championship Series baseball game at Comerica Park. Mandatory Credit: Rick Osentoski-USA TODAY Sports We snuck in some hall of fame talk towards the end of the podcast, but for the most part we stayed away from the hall (Just like Jack Morris - ZING!). This week we feature Stuart Taylor, the Twins 2013 3rd round draft pick, we talk about what Eddie Rosario's 50 game suspension and Miguel Sano's possible Tommy John surgery could mean for their development and Twins debuts and argue over whether the Twins should sign a couple of the free agents who are still out on the market, most notably Johan Santana and Stephen Drew. We are also joined this week by special guest Graham Womack of Baseball Past and Present (@grahamdude) to talk about the 50 best players not in the HOF. Thanks for the download. You can follow Cody on Twitter (@NoDakTwinsFan) or read his writing at NoDakTwinsFan, and you can find Eric on Twitter (@ERolfPleiss) and read his writing at Knuckleballs! 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, that will help Liam Hendriks make the major league club in Baltimore and hopefully pitch against Danny Valencia and the Royals, beaning him in the middle of the back. __________________ Follow me, @BaseballPirate, on Twitter. Check out the Talk to Contact Podcast (@TalkToContact) or email the show: talktocontact@gmail.com

http://assets.podomatic.net/ts/19/ad/da/paulpleiss/1400x1400_9143281.jpg We snuck in some hall of fame talk towards the end of the podcast, but for the most part we stayed away from the hall (Just like Jack Morris - ZING!). This week we feature Stuart Taylor, the Twins 2013 3rd round draft pick, we talk about what Eddie Rosario's 50 game suspension and Miguel Sano's possible Tommy John surgery could mean for their development and Twins debuts and argue over whether the Twins should sign a couple of the free agents who are still out on the market, most notably Johan Santana and Stephen Drew.We are also joined this week by special guest Graham Womack of Baseball Past and Present (@grahamdude) to talk about the 50 best players not in the HOF. Source

You have my support.#Eddie400

The BBWAA is adding electronic media writers, but it's going to be another decade before we see any number of those guys voting for the HOF. Be patient. The BBWAA is getting smarter, it's just going slow.

I really enjoy that Thrylos almost always seems to post the stats I am most curious about after reading an article. Great work.

If Dozier continues to produce offensively in 2014 I'll be okay with his shorter hair. If he struggles he should grow back his beautiful mane.

I wish J.J. Hardy and Garza had never been traded. A curse upon you Bill Smith. I wonder if the Garza trade talk had started prior to TR stepping down or if it was all of Bill Smith's creation.

Sign Johan. Sign Drew. Sign either Tanaka or Garza. That's what I want. What will we get? Maybe Johan on a minor league deal with an invite to ST. Drew? unlikely. Tanaka/Garza? keep dreaming. back to reality.

It makes me happy that I'm not the only who who keeps mistakenly thinking/saying/typing J.D. Drew instead of Stephen Drew. I've made no secret that I think signing Drew would be a good more for the organization, and an immediate substantial upgrade (offensively). 3 years and 30 million, I'd make that deal if the Twins legitimately think they can contend within the division this season. If they are still just throwing guys against the wall and waiting for the talent to move through the system then move along, the only trouble is that unless Danny Santana has a great season in 2014 he's not going to be ready until 2015, and probably 2016 and there don't appear to be any great SS options coming available next season either. I wont be surprised if the Twins pass on Drew, but I sure would be tickled pink if they could ink him to a deal.

Throwing in my response to the article here, joining the masses. I'm not worried about Gibson being blocked. If he pitches well enough the Twins will find starts for him. I think it's likely (read as ALMOST ASSURED) that someone will get hurt and there will be a need for a guy like Gibson/Diamond/Worley to come in and make starts. Obviously with Diamond and Worley out of options, where they start the season will be a big question (especially if they get put on waivers and claimed). As far as Hicks goes, I like what Mayo had to say. I still like Hicks, and at 24, there's no reason to give up yet. I know we are all counting on Byron Buxton to come and be the answer at CF for a long time, but Hicks could provide considerable value as a corner OF guy, bench bat/4OF, and ideally would be a great guy to have roaming CF until Buxton is ready to assume those duties. Of course, I was a huge proponent of Joe Benson, and we all know how that ended. Pour JB, just couldn't seem to put his immense potential and talent together at the higher levels, and that beautiful hair. (author sheds a tear and takes a moment of silence...) There is a lot to be excited about as far as prospects go for this organization, and while there may rightly be some hesitation over both Gibson and Hicks, neither should fall by the wayside. Don't give up on them, at least not yet.

Just counting down the minutes until the hangout returns. 28 minutes to go. Let's do this!

How about those guys on the Talk to Contact podcast. I hear one of them lives out in Seattle and is roundly considered to be the most handsome man in the greater Seattle area, surgically attached two cheetahs to a kid's legs, a cannon to his arm, and webbed the fingers of his left hand. The super prospect is being raised in his basement which is a super-facility. If A.T. Grade turns out to be a true 80 grade prospect, I suspect we'll be hearing about more than just Twins baseball on the Talk to Contact podcast. As for GatG, they bring solid talk when they get to the baseball. I liked them more in the early days, but I don't listen any less now. As a Twins fan living in Seattle, it's nice just to hear a couple guys having a conversation loosely centered around Twins baseball. Next time you get annoyed with their non-baseball talk, crack a beer yourself, put your legs up on the coffee table and hit fast forwarded on your audio device. There is goodness to be found.

Brad, True or False: The Twins should sign J.D. Drew to play SS, give him 3 years and somewhere aroudn $10mil/year. EDIT: Stephen Drew