Tom Froemming

I was as excited as anybody for Target Field to open, but I only got to one game that first season, and sat literally in the last row of the upper deck. Ticket prices have been on the decline in recent years, but the Twins are breaking new ground (in the Target Field era, at least) with their newest ticket package: the Twins Spring Ballpark Pass. What you get A ticket to 30 games from the start of the season to the end of May. That covers five weekend series, so half of those tickets are for games either on Friday night or over the weekend. Memorial Day Monday (May 29) is also included. Probably the highest-profile series is when Boston comes to town over the weekend of May 5-7. There are seven weekday day games in the package, not ideal for those of us who work 9-to-5, but sometimes it's fun take a day off to spend at the ballpark. Along with the games, you're entitled to all the promotional items over that span as long as you show up early enough. That include a trapper hat, baseball cap, bobblehead (of a comic book movie character ... don't get me started), batting practice pullover and Brian Dozier T-Shirt (which will be really awkward if he gets traded by then). What you don't get Well, you don't technically get a ticket, in the traditional sense. You have to download the MLB Ballpark App and pull up your eTicket on your smartphone or tablet when you enter the stadium. I'm kinda old school, so I prefer a physical ticket, but I have used the Ballpark app at Target Field in the past, it's very slick and easy. Typically the one thing a ticket to a sporting event entitles you to a seat in the stadium. This deal does not, it's a "standing room only" deal. There are plenty of great places to stand and watch a game, or plenty of bars inside the stadium where you can sit, but coming off a 103-loss season means there should also be plenty of empty seats you can occupy. The ushers, especially in the top deck, are very lenient when the stadium is half empty. Another huge exclusion from this package is the home opener, which is Monday, April 3 against the Royals. So, is it a good deal? Yes, I think so, but the commenters (trolls) over at Michael Rand's article for the Star Tribune would disagree. Each ticket is going to cost you on average $3.30 per game. Sure, it's possible on some of those weekday games in particular you could score a ticket at that price on the secondary market, but I doubt that will be the case on the weekends. To look at it another way, here's the cheapest face value ticket you can get for these three higher-profile games: Sun., April 16 (first Sunday home game): $11 Sat. May 6 (hosting the Red Sox): $19 Mon. May 29 (Memorial Day): $15 So just those three games already gets you up to $45, nearly half of what you're paying for 30 games. Again, you'll likely be able to score tickets for those games cheaper than face value on Stub Hub, but I doubt they'll plummet to under $4. To put things further into perspective, here's a list of the cheapest packages on some of the Twins' other ticket offers: Pick 10 Plan: $220 Flex 20 Plan: $440 Saturday Plan: $383 (13 games) Sunday Plan: $306 (13 games) Those packages do also get you the season ticket holder perks (the 10% discount on concessions is really nice) and get you into better seats, but it's not like they're right behind home plate or anything. Yes, the Spring Ballpark Pass is a great deal, even if you aren't able to go to each and every game. If it's such a great deal, why would the team offer it? Well ... there's the whole 103-losses thing ... and April and May aren't always the best weather months in Minnesota. I'm not sure if this actually went in to the thought process behind the package, but there's also the fact that Minnesota sports fans may be too wrapped up in the Wild's playoff run this spring to be bothered about baseball. It's worth noting, however, that both the White Sox and Pirates are offering similar deals. The White Sox have their deal only for April, $39 for 11 games. While the Pirates deal also covers both April and May, it's more expensive ($159) and covers fewer games (26). So, what do you think of this package? Great deal, or silly marketing ploy?

Yes, it's possible the Twins could try to work out a trade with the Red Sox (they traded for Rule 5 pick Scott Diamond in 2010 in order to be able to send him down to Rochester), but I don't see that as very likely in this case. I doubt Boston would be interested in cash considerations or lower level minor leaguers; they're flush with cash and trying to compete. Sure, they exposed Haley to the Rule 5 Draft, but that doesn't mean they wouldn't like to have him back if given the opportunity. Beyond anything else, the biggest reason I feel it would be wise for the Twins to make room on the roster for Haley is he can provide valuable insurance to the rotation and protection for the bullpen. Here's how I imagine the pitching staff shaking out right now: Rotation Ervin Santana Kyle Gibson Hector Santiago Trevor May Phil Hughes Bullpen (assuming Glen Perkins starts on the DL) Brandon Kintzler Ryan Pressly J.T. Chargois Matt Belisle Taylor Rogers Justin Haley Buddy Boshers Neither Gibson nor Santiago are known for pitching deep into games, and both Hughes (recovering from injuries) and May (transitioning from he bullpen) aren't exactly guys you want to count on to eat innings out of the gate. This staff needs a reliever who can be called upon to throw multiple innings early in games, and I'd rather not see another promising young starter moved to the pen (like May was) or a reliever miscast into a role he's not suited for (like Michael Tonkin was). Basically what I'm saying is Haley should be this year's version of J.R. Graham, the Twins Rule 5 pick in 2015. It's tough to point to a guy who had a 4.95 ERA and 1.48 WHIP and say he was a valuable member of a pitching staff, but Graham throwing 63 2/3 innings was essential to keeping the rest of the bullpen fresh that season. He even made one emergency spot start. Over his 38 relief appearances, Graham entered a game prior to the fifth inning 12 times, he pitched in multiple innings 25 times and in 20 of his appearances there was at least a five-run difference in the score (one way or the other) when he entered the game. He was basically the definition of a mop-up man. Another big thing to remember concerning the Opening Day roster is it can change the next week, the next series, hell, the next day if need be. Bringing Haley north with the big club doesn't necessarily mean committing a roster spot to him for the entire season. If he doesn't pan out, no big loss. You basically rented him from Boston in order to gobble up a bunch of low-leverage innings early in the season and you send him back once you're convinced he's nothing special. No harm done. Some people may take issue with Jose Berrios not being included on the Opening Day roster. While he has nothing left to prove in the minors in terms of performance -- he's dominated every level -- he does have plenty to work on. At this point I'd rather he work out the kinks in Rochester, where guys like he, Tyler Duffy and Mejia would stay stretched out to serve as rotation insurance. Berrios was the youngest AL pitcher to start a game last season, so it's important to keep in mind he's still way ahead of the curve. Leaving Tonkin off the roster would mean exposing him to waivers, but I think there's more of a chance that Tonkin would clear waivers than there's a chance the Twins could work out a suitable trade for Haley with Boston. But I do not view Haley and Tonkin as being in direct competition for the same spot. There needs to be a long man behind this rotation, and we saw last season, Tonkin cannot thrive in that role. Haley making the 25-man roster wouldn't be "blocking" any of the higher upside relievers. Would you rather see a guy like Jake Reed, Mason Melotakis, Trevor Hildenberger, Nick Burdi or (insert your favorite of the Twins 46 relief prospects here) getting abused in a mop-up role in the majors or pitching in the back end of the bullpen in the minors? To me, Haley's primary competition is against the guys like Ryan Vogelsong and Nick Tepesch, not any of the traditional one-inning relief guys. Is Justin Haley one of the Twins' best dozen or so pitchers? No, probably not. Is he an excellent fit to be the last man in the bullpen? Absolutely.

Indeed, it seemed the more things change the more they stay the same, as the field shares some striking similarities to the Metrodome. It's got the baggy out in right field, the awkwardly folded up football seats in center, foul "poles" ascending down from the roof -- it's almost like they've created an homage to the old dome sweet dome. And while there will always be something unnatural about baseball being played indoors (let alone in a stadium designed for football), it's still February baseball in Minnesota. A few of the things that looked out of place ranged from the visually unpleasing (industrial looking temporary dugouts, lack of dirt around the bases) to legit safety concerns: an awkward mound that's part turf and part dirt, no warning tracks, and not as much netting to protect fans as you'd see at an MLB stadium. And there's also the issue that the tickets ($10, all are general admission) and concessions all cost about the same as what I typically paid at Target Field last season. This was my first time inside U.S. Bank Stadium, and while I enjoyed exploring around some, it was a bit disappointing that seating was limited to the sections along the first base line and behind home plate. But even with those negatives I just listed, I'd go back to another game. Again, this is baseball being forced indoors, so it's never going to be perfect. But the most important thing is this configuration works, and it's going to give hundreds of Minnesota kids a chance to play real games in a pretty cool venue during late winter/early spring. As far as the game went, things didn't get off to a great start for the Gophers, as they fell behind 3-0. But once the bats got rolling it was big inning after big inning, as they scored 13 unanswered runs. Senior catcher Matt Stemper hit the first home run in the stadium's history, and finished the game 3-for-5 with two RBIs and three runs. Toby Hanson was another bright spot, going 3-for-4 with three RBIs and three runs scored. Lucas Gilbreath, who is trying to transition from the bullpen to the starting rotation this season, showed some positive signs, striking out five batters, but he also walked six over his three innings of work. Tyler Hanson came out of the pen to provide the Gophers 3 2/3 shutout innings. Friday' Gopher victory was the opener of a three-game series against Seattle U. The two teams square off again Saturday at 6 p.m., then close things out Sunday at 1 p.m.. Between now and late April around 140 baseball games will be played at the Metrodo ... er, U.S. Bank Stadium. Along with the Gophers, some other local college team's from the NSIC and MIAC will make appearances, as well as a number of high schools. Entry to non-Gopher games will be $5. Here is a full list of baseball games scheduled form the stadium's official website.