MN_ExPat

I’m not sure bites the dust is an entirely correct analogy. IMHO, Granite is almost a victim of the numbers game. I still really like him as a player and the skills he can bring to the game. I just don’t think he was really going to get a good opportunity here. It sucks to see him go, but in the end I’m happy for him and I wish him nothing but the best in his next chapter.

Not really. A good change up is really more about the movement. If you remember, Johan Santana’s change up just died in front of the plate. It’s all that movement plus the slight speed differential that makes it so effective (a good speed difference sits about 10 mph between the FB and CU). It’s also a HUGE “feel” pitch. This is what makes it so hard for so many pitchers to throw (think Tyler Duffy). If the pitcher can’t develop that “feel” for the change, all it is is just a BP fastball.

Excellent point. I'd fully agree that using him in the pen this year wouldn't be a bad idea and may actually be beneficial to him. We also saw this type of usage with Adam Wainwright when he first broke into the league. He worked out of the pen a lot initial and still went on to be a first rate starter.

Nice write up. Welcome aboard.

Then we have one heck of a team

You make a very good point, though I for one would be loath to give up a player like Kirilloff. Makes me very glad I don’t have to or get to make those decisions. So I’ll just go sit quietly in the corner eating my crayons (red are my personal favorite).

Well said Thrylos.

Grizzly Adams did have a beard

I, uh... well I got nothing on this one. I may not always agree with him, but Buster is usually pretty good about baseball stuff (despite the ESPN pay wall... curse you stupid ESPN). This however reeks of pure supposition and extrapolation at its wildest.

It's baseball, in a sense every single professional player is a lottery ticket (yes, some more so than others)1.23% - So you're saying that there's a chance?

1. Will the Twins add another bullpen arm, or two? Very possible. For some reason my hindbrain keeps coming back to Cody Allen being announced here before too long... but then I may have eaten too many paint chips as a kid. 2. Will the Twins add another starting pitcher? Free agent, or a possible trade option? Also for some reason I don't see this happening other than a possible bullpen piece (I.E. Allen), but we shall see I suppose. 3. What is the role for Fernando Romero? This one really intrigues me. Romero just has too much potential to leave in the wings waiting. I like the Adam Wainwright comparison to this one (just hear me out). When Adam broke into the league he pitched out of the pen mostly during his rookie year. The comparison? His stuff was too good not to use and the team had a need that he could fill. Yes, he was and had been a starter his whole career, but he was happy to fill the role to help the team. My feeling is that the pen is not the "death sentence" that some make it out to be. I feel that Romero's stuff could play well there and if he is needed to move back to the rotation, then he is slotted back there. 4. CJ Cron or Tyler Austin? Honestly, I don't prefer one over the other. I think they both have a lot of talent and potential (whether that is fully realized and maximized we shall see), and I for one am more than happy to let people far more intelligent than I in baseball matters make that decision.

I concur. Nice write up and welcome to the Twins Daily family. Looking forward to more.

He's a heck of an athelete. The tools are all there and I fully believe that he could play just about anywhere on the diamond. I might be a little ahead of myself, but I see a faster version of Cory Seager.

I have been known to be wrong (many times before ), but I believe Slegers was DFA'd not released.

Hmm? Well then. Welcome to the Twins I guess.

Nice write up Ted. Here's hoping that Boomstick is a piece that gives the other hitters in the lineup a little protection and thus helps improve overall production of the offense.

Not sure how I feel about that, but then again he is an established MLB pitcher with a good track record and really couldn't be any more inconsistent than say Duffy. He may very well still be a solid contributor. It's these things that make me glad I don't have any say in these matter... I'd most likely screw it up.

I have to wonder if he doesn't get bumped up some on many list considering the pro debut he had. Promising start so far for him.

Too me the funniest part of much of this discussion is our (and I say our, because I include myself in this) reactions when we feel that a player we really like or love to follow is disparaged. We become invested these guys and young men. Speaking for myself, I've felt this way since I was a little kid watching the games or listening on the radio, and then snagging the sports section the next day to pour over the baseball section and listed stat sheets and box scores. At one point I could tell you the active roster and the main stats for every team in the majors (stat geek!) Heck, I still do that today... although it's a lot more high tech and in real time , annnnd perhaps a little less obsessive about the numbers. So... at least for me, I get the "over love" for certain players. It's in our baseball DNA since we were kids. These were our heroes, our idols and while most of us really don't use those words to describe them anymore (at least not in public ), the emotional response lingers. I'll eventually get to a point... maybe. Kepler for example. I personally think he's a fantastic athlete, and has the mental makeup and physical tools to be an exceptional baseball player. Will he ever fully realize that potential??? I honestly don't know, and in many ways (IMHO) it isn't really that important. Baseball, like life, isn't about the destination. It's about the journey, the steps and stops you take along the way. So, if Kepler (or Cave, or any of the others don't meet great success, are "league average" or just "meh"), I'll be disappointed but ultimately ok with it. There will be other players who come along and other players to root for. We should all relax some, and enjoy the journey. Merry Christmas everyone !

OMG... Sigh. I just snorted when I read that.

I've seen him play a couple of times, and while he's not lights out amazing in the field... he does seem capable and dependable. In short he's got a good enough glove that he wouldn't be a liability at 2B (IMHO), especially if he keeps slapping the ball around the field like he does.

Oh, and the Twins need to steal Tim Hyers from Boston to be their Hitting Coach. He’s a fantastic coach (just look at the approach of Boston’s hitters, especially in the postseason) and he gets results from his guys. Yes I’m biased... he’s worked with my sons high school team (they all love him) .

I definitely won’t argue that point, but while a slick/solid defensive play may not win every game, the polar opposite will cost a team more games than they would like, and often at the worst times.

He may undoubtedly have some challenges at the pro level, but I fully believe that you can either coach or you cannot (much like leadership, you either have the ability or you do not). There is little in between. Good luck Coach Johnson, I bid you welcome to our little pond.

It could work I guess, but I'm not sure how I personally feel about it. I can't remember if Austin has any options left or not. If he does, it might not be a bad pickup as he could be stashed at AAA, ready to be called up if needed.