Benchwarmerjim

3 of the top 5 scoring teams in the American League hail from the Central (Twins, Sox, Cleveland)

QUOTE (caulfield12 @ Apr 6, 2014 -> 10:21 PM) The pitching part was expected, even with the new additions. Nolasco should be a decent pitcher, but he's not going to anchor the rotation. And the jury's far from out on Hughes, he's still quite young, but don't get your hopes up too much, even with Rick Anderson still around. Collabello has been one of the pleasant surprises of the early season (of course, if the White Sox had a good RFer defensively, most of his RBI's would be gone). Gibson really needs to develop into a 1/2 type of guy for the Twins to build any type of forward momentum. Same with Hicks in the outfield being an impact bat and not just showing promise/glimpses. The White Sox and Twins both look to have terrible bullpens, but at least you guys have an experienced guy at the back end in Perkins. Matt Lindstrom is unlikely to be closing one month from now...maybe even one week from now. I would say the starters should be better than last year. Of course better is still awful compared to other teams. Im not worried about the bullpen yet, but its not been good. The start in Cleveland is what the Twins hope for Gibson. After a shaky second, he went on a run where everything was weak contact because of that heavy sinker. He just used up too many pitches early in the game. Colabello is not going to threaten Hack Wilson's RBI record, but its nice to have a big bat knocking in runs. Kubel has shown signs of life by hitting the ball hard when he makes contact. Im not expecting the Twins to score 6,7,8 runs a game like they have. but it sure is nice to watch after the futility of last year.

The Twins lead the AL in runs scored and runs allowed.

So, pitching (outside of Sale) is going to be a problem for your team this year?

QUOTE (caulfield12 @ Mar 30, 2014 -> 08:49 AM) http://www.bringmethenews.com/2014/03/17/twins-ticket-sales/ Despite hosting the All-Star game, Twins might have fewer tickets sold this year than in their final Metrodome season in 2009. three straight years of miserable baseball and ticket sales decline? shocked. at least the front office is honest about it.

Word is that Perkins came to the Twins and offered these numbers. What a nice guy.

The Twins and Glen Perkins agree to a contract extension

the Twins have roughly 30-40 million dollars waiting to be spent. Even with Mauer's big contract, money is not the issue, especially with the new national TV revenues coming in.

the booing of Pierzynski didnt start until he signed with the rival (at the time) White Sox ( are the Twins/Sox still rivals? or is that on the backburner until both teams are good again?) I think the booing of him is silly (especially in recent years because there is a whole generation of Twins fans that never saw him play in a Twins uniform. Same with the hand wringin over losing David Ortiz. ), but he seemed to love it. If he signs, there will be a ticker tape parade.

The Olympics built Turner Field, not the Braves.

QUOTE (Iwritecode @ Nov 12, 2013 -> 11:23 AM) I think the problem is that 1B is traditionally a power-hitter position and Mauer isn't one except for that fluke year in 2009. So they are going to have to get power numbers from another position. It's funny because since they've moved to their new park, they've really struggled because they aren't a homerun hitting team. The Twins have struggled because they have had no starting pitching for 3 years. Right handed pull hitters can go bombs away at Target Field (Cuddyer in 2011, Willingham 2 years ago, Brian Dozier and Trevor Plouffe last year).

QUOTE (caulfield12 @ Nov 11, 2013 -> 07:08 PM) 838 OPS, 8 homers per year and 54 RBI's per season (average) over the last 3 years. That's not worth $23 million per year. If he hits closer to this season's numbers, sure, but then you'd have to cancel out 2011 and 2012 as if they didn't happen. the RBI stat for Mauer is pretty useless. Last year, no one was getting on in front of him (Hicks took 3 weeks to get a hit) 3 years ago he played half a year.

probably. The Twins were moving into Target Field. They dumped Johan Santana and Torii Hunter in years previous because of penny pinching. Joe Mauer had all the leverage and the Twins were not going to look cheap. Joe Mauer's contract is not hamstringing the team, nor will it with the new TV contract money coming in. The lack of developing quality players is.

QUOTE (caulfield12 @ Nov 11, 2013 -> 01:57 PM) It's just that he is an elite defensive catcher and the best hitter at that position. Sticking him at 1B, he's no longer elite...not $23 million worth. maybe so, but how much is Mauer 'worth' playing first base full time? $18 mil? $20 mil? There is going to be a drop off because his worth as an elite catcher was such an advatange, but I dont think it'll be too much of a drop to call Mauer 'overpaid' There is nothing wrong in being the 3rd or 4th or 5th best firstbaseman in baseball

Also worth noting that Joe Mauer saying moving to first was his decision and not the teams. Obviously, the Twins are going to accommodate this request.

I think the Twins will grab a FA veteran catcher until Pinto is ready. he has a lot of mechanical issue on defense but the bat seems legit. Its a silly thing to say, but the sounds of the ball coming off the bat sounds different from him. I guess that was the bonus od watching an awful team play meaningless September games. The Twins also have Chris Herrmann, who played back up C and some OF. Doumit has a concussion last year and I think the Twins will stick him at DH and OF. I wondered this last year, but is the MLB and the manufacturers of catcher gear working on a way to reduce the impact of a batted ball hitting a catchers head? When was the last time catchers gear had a change...the mid/late 90s with the hockey style mask? People have made the argument that Mauer doesnt hit enough HR so he will be an overpaid 1st baseman (he was 'overpaid' at catcher too ), but he is an elite hitter and his bat will play at first. the Twins just got to find players who can get on base in front of his on a consistent basis.

QUOTE (danman31 @ Oct 27, 2013 -> 03:50 AM) . Why is the runner inside the base line anyway? because his foot first slide into third left him on the inside part of the base I have no rooting interest in this series (but still watch it because I like baseball) but the right call was made here. Its a no doubter.

the White Sox must have been truly terrible because the terrible Twins finished ahead of them in the standings beers for the 101 combined fans who watched the end days of the 2013 season

QUOTE (Jillian Michaels' Abs @ Sep 17, 2013 -> 03:30 PM) Anyone catch Nick Punto's head-first slide last night? Nothing new, you say?? Well, he did so on a single to center field. #grindy http://www.dodgersnation.com/gif-dodgers-n...ield/2013/09/17 have you read the Oral History of Nick Punto Sliding Into First? http://www.twinkietown.com/2013/1/4/383303...into-first-base

how is Joe Mauer's contract 'LOL bad'? by the end of the contract in 2018, paying him $23 mil to be a 1B/DH will be not good value, but so far Mauer's numbers have come close to his free agent value

check out the Twins bullpen during the Colabello HR

a night after the Twins had to use Jamey Carroll to eat up an inning, some guy named Andrew Albers (he played in the Can-Am league a couple years ago)almost pitched a shutout (kind ran out of gas in the 9th) baseball is a funny game.

QUOTE (southsider2k5 @ Jul 24, 2013 -> 10:31 AM) MLB Transactionist ‏@MLBTransactions 21m MINNESOTA TWINS: Placed catcher Joe Mauer on the paternity list; recalled catcher Drew Butera from Rochester (IL). funny enough, Mauer is now the father of twin girls.

Samuel Deduno may never be a star, but he is fun to watch. Here he is chewing on a necklace while pitching

QUOTE (greg775 @ Jul 20, 2013 -> 11:42 PM) Are the Royals contenders or pretenders? Win the first two vs. the Tigers. If they sweep and cut it to five do they have a chance? Or are they still the Royals? they are still 'the Royals' until they are playing meaningful games late in September