Twins

[HornedMessiah]

Well, the excitement from winning game 163 and making it to the playoffs was fun while it lasted...but I don't think many people expected us to play well against the friggin' Yankees. They're absolutely stacked.

Time to look ahead to next season and the new ballpark. They definitely have a few areas they need to improve on the roster, like the entire pitching staff. Slowey will be back, and so will Neshek (hopefully he can make a smooth recovery from Tommy John surgery). Nathan can take the whole offseason to lick his wounds from this Yankee series. Some people are ready to throw him to the wolves but that's just stupid, the guy is still one of the most dominant closers in the game.

They also need to eliminate those weak bats from the lineup. Guys barely hitting over .200 is just not acceptable, I don't care how good they are on defense.

[Minniman]

Time to look ahead to next season and the new ballpark. They definitely have a few areas they need to improve on the roster, like the entire pitching staff. Slowey will be back, and so will Neshek (hopefully he can make a smooth recovery from Tommy John surgery). Nathan can take the whole offseason to lick his wounds from this Yankee series. Some people are ready to throw him to the wolves but that's just stupid, the guy is still one of the most dominant closers in the game.

Nathan pitched too many innings. He should bounce back.

Pitchers often take an extra year before gaining full recovery from the Tommy John surgery. I have my doubts about Neshek being ready for major innings in 2010.

The Twins traded, in my opinion, their best AAA pitching prospect, Yohan Pino, to Cleveland for Carl Pavano. They traded their AAA strike out leader Kevin Mulvey to Arizona in a waiver/trade deal for Jon Rauch. It is a good bet to expect the Pino deal to come back and bite the Twins in 2011, but Pino would have had to be on the final Twins 40man roster to not be eligible for the rule 5 draft. In that, the Indians will have to roster him or face losing him.

They also need to eliminate those weak bats from the lineup. Guys barely hitting over .200 is just not acceptable, I don't care how good they are on defense.

The Twins have a bunch of weak bats, but they really don't have an option at third base in the system. Danny Valencia is supposed to be good, but he may be a couple seasons away, and .286 in the minors isn't .286 in the majors.

The free agents at third base are not that great either. Many of the big names have either been injured, had their big seasons prior to steroid testing, or both.

Would Glaus or Tejeda be options? Iwamura hits for average, but he doesn't have much pop. Figgins won't get Angels money in Minnesota. Huff had a down year, but he was moved around in the league. Polanco would be a major pick up, as he has a great eye at the plate and is a fantastic fielder, but I'm sure his price would be too high. He can play both second and third base.

I hope the Twins go after Polanco.

[HornedMessiah]

Pitchers often take an extra year before gaining full recovery from the Tommy John surgery. I have my doubts about Neshek being ready for major innings in 2010.

That's true, but we don't really need Neshek to pitch a ton of innings. He was usually used as the set-up man, so he works one or two innings tops per game, if even that. The recovery period from Tommy John for starting pitchers is always rough and drawn out, but for a reliever you gotta think it's an easier process.

Speaking of Tommy John recovery, here's to hoping that Liriano can return to the greatness of his rookie season. It's been like what, two or three years now since he had the procedure so he's gotta be fully healed. Maybe the procedure permanently altered his arm in a bad way?

[Minniman]

Speaking of Tommy John recovery, here's to hoping that Liriano can return to the greatness of his rookie season. It's been like what, two or three years now since he had the procedure so he's gotta be fully healed. Maybe the procedure permanently altered his arm in a bad way?

The slider is so bad for the arm, and Liriano had a wicked slider prior to the surgery. I don't believe it is anywhere near what it was. I don't know how his fastball has clocked since he's been back. A great slider or curveball can negate a less than stellar fastball, but a medium slider is a throw away pitch.

[purple guy]

Well, the excitement from winning game 163 and making it to the playoffs was fun while it lasted...but I don't think many people expected us to play well against the friggin' Yankees. They're absolutely stacked.

Time to look ahead to next season and the new ballpark. They definitely have a few areas they need to improve on the roster, like the entire pitching staff. Slowey will be back, and so will Neshek (hopefully he can make a smooth recovery from Tommy John surgery). Nathan can take the whole offseason to lick his wounds from this Yankee series. Some people are ready to throw him to the wolves but that's just stupid, the guy is still one of the most dominant closers in the game.

They also need to eliminate those weak bats from the lineup. Guys barely hitting over .200 is just not acceptable, I don't care how good they are on defense.

Exactly. A .200 batter who plays great D are likely a dime a dozen in the minors, thats why they are in the, you know, minors, because they dont have a complete game yet. And I think its OK to have A weak bat who plays great D, but not 2 or 3, it'll bite you. Add to the several weak bats, weak pitching, not a great combo.
The Twins have a couple complete studs, a couple of the entire leagues best IMO, but the drop off is dramatic and we have zero pitchers who are dominate. I agree Nathan had a terrible series against the Yanks, but he is one of the best, however, he might lack "clutch". I dont know.
I think game 163 was one of the best BB games Ive ever watched, they are a scrappy, fiesty bunch. But in the MLB, money trumps fiesty, usually in a sweep. The Twins dont need to spend like the Yanks, but, if they want to keep the excitement up and the new stadium full, they need to talk to Wilf. Wilf isnt Dan Snyder, but he isnt McCombs either, he puts his coach in the best position he can, the Twins cant say that IMO.

[PurpleMustReign]

Exactly. A .200 batter who plays great D are likely a dime a dozen in the minors, thats why they are in the, you know, minors, because they dont have a complete game yet. And I think its OK to have A weak bat who plays great D, but not 2 or 3, it'll bite you. Add to the several weak bats, weak pitching, not a great combo.
The Twins have a couple complete studs, a couple of the entire leagues best IMO, but the drop off is dramatic and we have zero pitchers who are dominate. I agree Nathan had a terrible series against the Yanks, but he is one of the best, however, he might lack "clutch". I dont know.
I think game 163 was one of the best BB games Ive ever watched, they are a scrappy, fiesty bunch. But in the MLB, money trumps fiesty, usually in a sweep. The Twins dont need to spend like the Yanks, but, if they want to keep the excitement up and the new stadium full, they need to talk to Wilf. Wilf isnt Dan Snyder, but he isnt McCombs either, he puts his coach in the best position he can, the Twins cant say that IMO.

Morneau, Mauer, Kubel, Span, Gurierre, Blackburn, and Nathan should be untouchable, other than that, any of them can go. Punto needs to go. Gomez needs to go. I will give Young one more year, because he really turned it on in the last couple months. I think he may have finally figured it out. Cuddyer either hits a HR, 2B, or strikes out. I liked him in RF with the baggie, but that isn't needed anymore, although he did backup Morneau very well. If he is back next season, I won't cry. Liriano should stay in the bullpen. Keppel is worthless. I think they should sign Pavano. He was a good pickup. I also liked John Rauch. Buscher, Tolbert, Redmond, Crede, Harris, and Mahay can all go. Morales should be the backup catcher next season. I, like Minni, would like to see them go after Polanco. Or Beltre in a trade.

[HornedMessiah]

Time to move this thread back to the top of the heap. I'm getting excited for the season to start! New ball park, new players, should be a great year.

I like the Jim Thome signing. Ya the guy is getting old and he's only going to be used as a pinch-hitter and occasional DH, but he adds some much needed power to our offense. I see Gardy getting a lot of use out of him.

They also just signed Orlando Hudson today, which is great because he's a definite upgrade. The guy can play defense AND hit.

Here's what our batting order is gonna probably look like this year:

Span - OF
Hudson - 2B
Mauer - C
Morneau - 1B
Cuddyer - OF
Kubel - DH
Hardy - SS
Young - OF
Punto/Harris - 3B

That looks pretty damn solid to me! And of course we'll have Thome's power bat coming off the bench whenever we need it.

I also read some positive reports on Liriano's progress over the winter in the Dominican Winter League or wherever it is that he plays. Supposedly he's got his slider back.

Lots to look forward to this season!

[Allenfreak69]

Time to move this thread back to the top of the heap. I'm getting excited for the season to start! New ball park, new players, should be a great year.

I like the Jim Thome signing. Ya the guy is getting old and he's only going to be used as a pinch-hitter and occasional DH, but he adds some much needed power to our offense. I see Gardy getting a lot of use out of him.

They also just signed Orlando Hudson today, which is great because he's a definite upgrade. The guy can play defense AND hit.

Here's what our batting order is gonna probably look like this year:

Span - OF
Hudson - 2B
Mauer - C
Morneau - 1B
Cuddyer - OF
Kubel - DH
Hardy - SS
Young - OF
Punto/Harris - 3B

That looks pretty #### solid to me! And of course we'll have Thome's power bat coming off the bench whenever we need it.

I also read some positive reports on Liriano's progress over the winter in the Dominican Winter League or wherever it is that he plays. Supposedly he's got his slider back.

Lots to look forward to this season!

I too am quite excited for the season to begin. We have made some very good moves so far this offseason, and should be a definite contender.

I was unaware of Liriano's progress, but that is great news! This should be an awesome season!

[PurpleMustReign]

I got 20 game season tix, too! I can't wait!
If they can get a Mauer deal done, it could go down as the most productive offseason ever. I never thought I'd see a Twins team with a close to $100 million payroll.

[PurpleMustReign]

Twins lock up Span for five years

I like this. Span is my favorite Twin since back when Puckett and Hrbek played. He reminds me of myself (except of course he's black in tha Major Leagues...) when I played baseball. Now, if we could just get our catcher locked up...

[Greg]

I got 20 game season tix, too! I can't wait!
If they can get a Mauer deal done, it could go down as the most productive offseason ever. I never thought I'd see a Twins team with a close to $100 million payroll.

so did I
(and they WILL get a Mauer deal done)

[PurpleMustReign]

After the four game series in Anaheim, all I can say is "WOW". The Twins have power, pitching, and defense. I know it is only 4 games, but anytime you can go into Anaheim and win 3 of 4, you know you are doing something right. I think it is going to be a fun season for our Twinkies!

[DeeEss57]

After the four game series in Anaheim, all I can say is "WOW". The Twins have power, pitching, and defense. I know it is only 4 games, but anytime you can go into Anaheim and win 3 of 4, you know you are doing something right. I think it is going to be a fun season for our Twinkies!

Yup!




Dawn

[Now its our time]

I am excited for this season to progress!!! We start 4-1! Our team looks rock solid and if the pitching staff keeps it up...Book tickets to the playoffs!

[HornedMessiah]

Make that 5-1 after today's win against the ChiSox.

It's looking like J.J. Hardy is the real deal. The guy can do it all it seems. Is this the first ever Twins SS that also has a power bat?

I think Gardy made a good decision to go with Rauch as the closer instead of a "whoever is available" approach. The latter would just mess things up and be inconsistent, whereas picking one guy makes sure that he knows it's HIS job and his alone and he can focus on it. Plus, Rauch is huge and looks intimidating. 6 games into the season and he already has 4 saves. Good start.