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Kodai Senga for 5 years and $75M is a deal I would have taken. Although MLB Trade Rumors says he is "a potential 3rd or 4th starter" with a high 90s fastball, $15M is a fair deal for that.

An 80-game season starting in early July would have the expanded playoffs starting in early October. Seems like this proposal doesn't include the extended regular season and November playoffs that have been floated. Although with expanded playoffs, the World Series might still finish in November. I wonder if planners are concerned about a predicted 2nd wave of COVID in the fall, and believe extending the regular season through October makes it less likely the season is completed without interruption.

Seth, does Duffey have an option left? Can he be sent to AAA? How about May? For that matter, who else on the 40-man roster is out of options? I believe Tonkin, Polanco, and Danny Santana for starters.

Seth, what are the chances Stuart Turner gets returned from the Reds, and where would they play him? Maybe they work out a trade so he is sent the Reds minors?

I believe at one time the rosters expanding from 24 to 25. With most bullpens now 7 or 8 relievers, it probably makes sense to add another bench player. I'm ok with 26 man rosters, but I don't think I like 28. I hope expanded rosters wouldn't lead to more pitching changes. Forgive me a pace-of-game rant, but I really think baseball needs to add rules for catcher visits to the pitcher (3 per inning, 1 per batter), and mid-inning pitching changes (3 per game). I've been to some September games the last 2 years where managers are using 3 relievers in the 6th inning. I love to see a catcher visit the mound at the right time, but it drives me crazy when they go out 2 pitches after their last visit, and within the same batter.

I have a hunch the decision to keep Bartlett is related to the illness and reduced role of Terry Ryan. Can't prove it, just my gut feeling......if TR was completely in charge and engaged he would not allow Gardy to keep Bartlett. On the other hand, TR probably wouldn't cut bait on Presley and Parmalee either. I've thought Gardy had more say on roster construction during the Bill Smith era, and with Antony almost the interim GM we once again have a Manager with more tenure and clout than the GM. I don't think roster construction is one of Gardy's strengths.

Vargas is wearing 68 this spring, so that must be his autograph.

Agree with ppearson50, I'm more interested in Kendrys Morales than Cruz or Drew. He would be an improvement on Kubel/Parmelee/Colabello at DH. At 3 years/$12M, or 2 years/$9M I'd consider giving up the draft pick. Kendrys passed on 1 year $14M, so maybe he wouldn't bite on these offers. On the other hand, where else is he going to play?

A rule 5 note: fangraphs profiles 1 candidate, with detailed swing analysis: corner OF JD Martinez of the Astros. http://www.fangraphs.com/blogs/rule-5-dark-horse-j-d-martinez/ Maybe not a fit for the Twins needs, but perhaps worth a shot before Parmalee or Collabello.

Please no Pelfrey. Give Worley another chance first, then Gibson. If you want a veteran try Volquez, or maybe Johan or Halladay.

Adonis Pacheco.....great name. I hope he makes the bigs!

I agree, but I think a lot of the timing had to do with the fact that Plouffe was on the DL and they still wanted to give Nishi a shot. They didn't want to field an entirely new Middle infield. Now that Plouffe is back, Nishi's chance has come and gone they can get on with letting some of the other things play out. For me it comes down to "what do you want from your middle infielders"? Defense has to come first with this team. Let the other positions carry the offensive load. Granted we can't have a .190 hitter at short, but if we can get above average fielding at SS I can live with a .245 hitter with little power. I agree Plouffe's DL stint was probably a factor. I also think Florimon was on the DL recently, so there was perhaps a lack of options when thinking about a Dozier demotion.

It would be fun to see these guys get a look in September, but I think Parmelee has dibs on any available at bats even if they come in RF. On the other hand, Parmelee has played exactly zero games in the OF at Rochester.

With 2 open spots on the 40 man roster (plus Nishioka, who could be dropped), there is no harm in claiming him. The Twins can always change their mind and release him later. The Twins are still first in the waiver claim order, so I believe that unless the Rangers work out a trade for Hamburger, the Twins can get him.

I saw Rosario play 2B in Beloit a couple of weeks ago. I thought he got some poor jumps/reads.....like he is still learning the position. I also could see the athleticism; he made an awesome relay throw to 3B, quick and very strong. I hope the conversion to 2B is successful. The night I was in Beloit Sano got the night off, then popped out as a pinch hitter. Lots of fans were disappointed he wasn't in the lineup, me included.

If changes like this are on the horizon, they'll wait until Gardy is back with the team. He is attending his daughter's college graduation and missing the Seattle series.

I agree, I've wondered if 3B might be his best infield position. It's less complex than the middle infield, at least mentally.

When I moved back to Minnesota in '03 I thought Gladden was unpolished, but for several years he has been my favorite Twins broadcaster. I like that he speaks his mind a little and how he gives an inside-the-clubhouse perspective on team relationships, player approach, etc. Provus has been a good addition. I have always liked the radio guys better than Dick & Bert, and the Dazzle man is light years better than Bert. I think the TV guys appeal more to the casual fan, while the radio guys go more in depth. In fairness to Dick & Bert, the team needs them to appeal to the casual fan, and I'm probably sick of them (years ago) because I hear them more. I agree with those who enjoy when TK or Jack Morris are in the booth. I think they are good, but part of their appeal is that they are fresh/different.

DFA Nishioka and Mastroianni to make room on the 40 man. 1 will never get claimed, and the other is redundant with Clete Thomas.

Thinking about how relievers often alternate good and bad years, I've wondered if there is a better way to use relievers. Phrasing it differently, I've wondered if bullpen construction/usage is a future market inefficiency. I liked this quote from the story: "Imagine if every team in the NFL used the same 3-4 defense. That's essentially what is happening in baseball. Everybody runs their bullpen and their pitch count policies the same way." I found the stats in the article interesting, but they didn't suggest what should be changed. Getting away from the defined role of 8th inning/setup man and closer-only-in-save-situations is only part of the issue, in my opinion. I'd like to see a team make fewer pitching changes, and allow more relievers to work 2 or 3 innings at a time - because I believe warming up for only 1 or 2 batters, and making 70+ appearances a year causes too much physical wear and tear. What if a team had 2 of relievers who threw 2-3 innings at a time, twice a week. Averaging 5 innings a week would equal 130 for the season. With 2 relievers on this schedule a team could... ...get through a game using 1 reliever more often, giving the rest of the 'pen an entire night off. ...develop future starters in the majors, since they'd probably use 3 or 4 different pitches rather than 2 like many relievers. ...carry fewer pitchers on the active roster (11?), which benefits the offense/defense with a deeper bench. Going back a few years, I think this type of usage might be ideal for a guy like Rich Harden, who could dominate but was not durable. Scott Baker may have been another possibility. </rant>

Did you notice on the replay of Hunter's 9th inning hustle double that Denard was looking up for a flyball, with his arms out saying "where is it"? That explains why it took so long for him to get to the ball. Span may have been fooled by the wood chip flying of Hunter's bat.

My predictions: I predict Plouffe starts in RF Saturday, Doumit returns to the lineup at catcher Sunday with Mauer at 1B. Not sure when Hughes and Revere get their first starts. Burroughs will wait a bit. An interesting prediction question: what percentage of games will Doumit start in RF? I predict its less that 33%, and hope I'm right due to his defense. I think he started today because he was signed to be a starter, and Gardy wanted to at least honor that on opening day.

So Casilla is the backup shortstop. Has he played any shortstop this spring? I don't remember seeing it in the boxscores. I still wonder if they're looking for a utility infielder on the waiver wire, who would replace Burroughs.

I agree removing Nishioka is good option, but they don't need to do it yet, so they will at least wait until they need the spot. If they want to to make a waiver claim or sign Roy Oswalt they can just move Zumaya to the 60-day DL.

FYI - Beloit Snappers single game tickets went on sale this morning at 10:00. Katie said I was the first caller at 10:15, so I don't think there is a rush. Box seats are $7.50, and there was no mention of a processing fee. Gotta love the minors. I'm going on May 18, then watching the Twins-Brewers in Milwaukee the next 2 nights. I think I'm most looking forward to the Snappers game.