Random Twins Thoughts: the First 2013 Series Edition (Twins beat the Tigers)

Last season, I started a Random Twins Thoughts series that included a post a week every Tuesday.  I was told that people actually liked those and missed them when I stopped, so I will continue them this season.  I decided to change it up a bit this season and do it a bit more randomly.  This first one is after the Twins competed their first series of their young 2013 season, hosting the Detroit Tigers who are the favorite to win (at least) the AL Central in the 2013 season.   I will try to coincide these thought posts with the end of Twins' series.   As previously, the content will be on the major league team, as well as the minor league team; I will also include additional factoid and links to Twins' stuff, like last season.   Here is the first installment:

•  After Wednesday's win, it was the first time the Twins were at .500 after the 2010 season.
• Good to see them winning the opening series 2-1 at home over the AL Central favorites.  If the Twins win at home, play close to .500 ball on the road, and win over the other AL Central teams, great things will happen.
• I think that a lot of fans were surprised by the strong showings of Vance Worley, Kevin Correia and Mike Pelfrey.  From what I saw and reported last week from Fort Myers, I was hopeful for both Correia and Pelfrey. This is in contrast to the 3 pitchers who opened the 2012 season in Baltimore: Carl Pavano allowed 4 runs (all earned) in 7 IP, Fransisco Liriano 6 (5 Earned) in 4 IP;  Anthony Swarzak did a good job with 1 run in 5 IP.
• Great to see the comeback by the Twins' bottom of the order last night against the Tigers' committee of closers.  Trevor Plouffe, Jamey Carroll, Wilkin Ramirez, Brian Dozier and Eduardo Escobar were the participants and it is clear that this comeback might had not happened if the Twins gave Drew Butera a position on the 2013 25-man roster.  Major kudos to Joe Vavra who aggressively (unlike his predecessors Steve Liddle and Scott Ullger) waved in Dozier for the winning run.  It great (and about time) to see the Twins play aggressively and fight hard on the diamond.
• Chris Parmelee and Aaron Hicks have both been struggling at the plate (and they both got their first base hits of the season in the Twins' 8th inning), but the season is still young.  The Twins do not have many other Centerfielder options, but I can see Ramirez taking some PAs from Parmelee, especially against LHPs
•  The Twins sold only 19,000 season tickets for 2013, down 3,000 from 2012, which was down 2,000 from 2011.   Not winning does not sell tickets, but the revenue loss due to loss of additional non-season ticket attendance is higher than that due to the loss of season tickets. Still the Twins have sold as many season tickets as the total average home attendance of three other MLB teams in 2012:  The Astros (19,848), Indians (19,797) and the Rays (19,255).  The latter are the poster boys of the exception of the aforementioned rule that winning sells tickets.  A team prime for moving to a more baseball-friendly place.
• Today is the opening day for all full season Twins' minor league affiliates (International League, AAA, Rochester Red Wings, Eastern League, AA, New Britain Rock Cats, Florida State League, high A, Fort Myers Miracle and the newest affiliate,  Midwest League, A, Cedar Rapids Kernels.)  
• Speaking of the Kernels, if you are interested in following them, you should bookmark the Knuckleballs Blog, where  Jim Crikket (a total Kernels' insider) will follow them from Cedar Rapids with great original content like this.  And even if you don't care about the Twins' minor league affiliates (shame on you), you should bookmark them, because the guys and gals of Knuckleballs offer some of the greatest independent blogging coverage of the Twins (including some great game time chats as well as awesome weekly podcasts.)
• Since we are talking about independent Twins' blogs,  make sure you follow The Twins' Fan from Afar, for New Britain Rock Cats coverage, k-bro's baseball blog for a kinder gentler side of Twins coverage and her trademark paper dolls, Peanuts from Heaven, for great lighter coverage of Twins and Twins Trivia, for an amazing historic perspective of the Twins.  Interesting to see how few independent blogs are left in the Twins' blogosphere these days, but content consolidation and aggregation by the big paying sites (like ESPN and SI) and more open access to bloggers by teams (which cuts down on independent and open views) has becoming more and more mainstream.  Will be interesting to see how this will end up.  And this is totally reflected on my blogroll on the left side here.  Interesting to see how few of those Twins blogs are now still standing alone.
• On the non-independent blog side,  Harold Sinker has returned with vengeance over at Section 219, the new kid on the block, Mike Berardino (who is a delight to read, btw,) has totally revived the Twins Now blog on the St Paul paper, and as always the super-bloggers and the dozens of contributors at the Twins Daily provide tons of current and original Twins' content and stimulating discussion.
• RF Oswaldo Arcia (age 21) is the youngest player to start on opening day for the Rochester Red Wings in the Twins' era of the team.  He celebrated the occasion with a long 2-run Home Run at dead Center Field in the top of 6th inning at Buffalo.
• This article on Miguel Sano by David Dorsey the veteran baseball writer of the Fort Myers News-Press, is an absolute must read for any Twins' fan.
• Food for thought:  Tomorrow (4/5) is the 60th birthday of the man, Andy Macphail, who build the twice World Champion Twins teams more than 21 seasons ago.  He was born in the same year as the current Twins General Manager, Terry Ryan who was promoted to the post in 1994.
• Former Twins' opening day starter, Carl Pavano, is facing further life-threatening complications due to his spleen injury.  Wishing him the best and a quick recovery.
• The Twins' product of the week is the brand new this season MLB Minnesota Twins 2013 Batting Practice 59Fifty Baseball Cap, 734, White/Red.  Arguably, it is much better looking  than the other new this year Batting Practice Cap, in Red, White & Navy that reminds me of Montreal Expos, but beauty is in the eye of the beholder.

Random Tuesday Twins Thoughts and Tidbits

Here is this week's installment:

• Kyle Gibson returned to Rochester about a year or so after he was injured there
• This is a really interesting article (and well researched too) about Baseball announcers favoring certain kind of players. Interesting to see whether there is a follow up about managers following suit. Great read.
• The New Britain Rock Cats (Twins' AA affiliate) will host the 2013 Eastern League All Star Game.
• Speaking of, current Rock Cats, Deibinson Romero, Aaron Hicks and Chris Collabelo were named as Eastern League All Stars
• Congratulations to Candido Pimentel of the Elizabethton Twins to be named player of the year for the Appalachian League. He and fellow E-Twins OF Max Kepler made the All Star team. In addition their trainer Ryan Hedwell was named League Trainer of the Year.
• SS Aderlin Mejia and OF Jeremias Pineda made it to the Gulf Coast League (rookie) All Start Team
• The ink on this piece by John Wagner indicating that Liam Hendriks is feeling at home at Rochester, did not dry and the righty was called up by the Twins. I am sure that he did not mind. Interestingly enough, this is how the official International League Home Page looked the day after Hendriks pitched for the Twins (last Thursday)
• This is an interesting article about what Twins' Jose Berrios and Astros' Carlos Correa are doing for the island of Puerto Rico.
• Because you probably did not see it here is video of Terry Ryan announcing the extension of the Twins Player Development Contract with Rochester, as well as commentary.
• And who said that you cannot have fun if you are Twins' minor leaguer in a pennant race?
• And from the you-cannot-make-it-up department: The NY Yankees acquired a player the Twins cut after Spring Training and changed a couple more franchises before he got there this season, and they added him to their 40-man roster
• And if you always always wanted to have a TK and Gardy and Ray Miller and Billy Martin Bobblehead, you gotta check this out.
• Looks like the Twins' owners are diversifying
• Twins' product of the week is the Minnesota Twins Dog Tag. The way this season has been going...

The parting shot today is one that is worth more that 1000 words, but also needs some to describe it: Last few days of 2012 Spring Training. Fort Myers, Florida. A workout drill with AAA pitchers, and most of them were cut from the major league club a while before this was taken. There are 6 gentlemen pictured here. All but Brad Thompson (who never recovered from injuries and was released - he is second from the left in the background, right behind the guy who is pitching, btw) made the Twins this season and have contributed in varying degrees. Do you recognize them? And this is somewhat of a lesson that perseverence and not getting disappointed by short term perceived failures is a good thing. The tide can and will change...

Random Tuesday Twins Thoughts and Tidbits

Here is this week's installment:

• The biggest recent news from the Minnesota Twins (other than the product on the field) is that they outrighted Nick Blackburn and Tsuyoshi Nishioka off the 40-man roster to Rochester. What does this mean for these two players for 2013 is still unknown, but it will be interesting to see.
• Speaking of waivers.... One little detail because the rules are somewhat complicated: Blackburn and Nishoka did not get Designated For Assignment, they got outrighted. There are four types of waivers in baseball, all explained really well here (this is a must read and bookmark link) : Trade Waivers, Waivers for the purpose of granting a player his unconditional release (DFA), Outright Waivers and Option Waivers. The first kind is revocable and happen only in August, the other 3 are irrevocable. The difference between DFA and Ouright waivers is that if a veteran (Blackburn is that and Nishioka is not) refuses, in both cases he becomes a free agent, but in a DFA situation the team in on the hook for his contract while in Outright Waivers, if he refuses assignment he loses what is owed to him.
• You can find all the transactions by the Twins' Minor League affiliates last week here
• Tom Powers of the Pioneer Press is on a personal quest to find the scout who gave the thumbs up to the Twins to sign Tsuyoshi Nishioka. He also proposed some resolution, but leaves out door number three, which is exactly what the Twins are doing right now: Having discussions with Japanese teams to assume his contract.
• This is a great interview of Liam Hendriks by Minor League Ball's John Sickels. Hendriks admits that he has changed his delivery mechanics "several times this season", talks about his pitches and ponders why he has been so effective in AAA and not quite so much in the Majors, yet.
• Miguel Sano was the first draft pick in the Dominican Winter Leagues. He will play for his hometown Esrellas Orientales.
• The wife of a Twins' player wrote a guest blog here and she keeps her own full time blog here.
• Lee County Commissioner Ray Judah was defeated in a primary vote (link to a Dave St. Peter tweet). Not certain what that means for the future of the Twins there, since the county approved improvements in the Twins' Spring Training facilities and Hammond Stadium, which made the Twins renew their lease for 30 more years. Not sure whether papers were signed (I suspect so) but this is an intereasting story line to follow...
• And apparently this article in the Fort Myers paper, indicates that indeed there might be issues because the winner in the primary is lobbying against baseball spending and breaking the lease
• Picture day for the Twins a week ago and a Matt Capps sighting. Top row to the left number 55. He looks like he gained a few because of the inactivity.
• Speaking of rehabing (or not) Twins' pitchers on the DL, Carl Pavano's fastball is sitting at mid 80s, which is not very good for the Twins' prospects to get something for him this August or for his prospects to continue playing baseball next season
• Here is an interesting article about the Twins' A level affiliate Beloit Snappers' pitching coach Gary Lukas.
• Meanwhile, Beloit is the worse Twins' affiliate as far as attendance goes
• Another killer article by Tyler Mason on food and major league vs the minors.
• Here is an interesting article that, among other things, lists what the Twins did when they moved from an air-conditioned environment to Target Field to battle hot and humid days
• With the Twins looking more and more likely to get another high pick in the 2013 MLB draft, apparently, according to Baseball America the draft is pretty deep in high school Left Hand Pitchers, which is always desirable.
• One particular Twins' outfielder would not only be happy to move to the infield, it is where he played mostly before he became a pro. Also he was exclusively an infielder his first professional season.
• It seems that the Twins are looking for help at high places
• This is great work looking at Twins contracts, projected payrolls, Options of minor league players, rule 5 draft exposure and related topics.
• Looks like Ron Gardenhire found his next shortstop
• If you wonder what some major leaguers do during rain delays, check this out.
• And a certain Twins' player has been claiming falsely that he was his High School's mascot. And, no, it was not Drew Butera who was a professional clown for a while.
• Twins' product of the week is the Minnesota Twins Therma Base Hoodie. Because Winter Is Coming

The parting shot today brings us to happier times in the Twins' land. Spring training. Last week of March. The team is ready to get up North hopeful for a new season with the slate wiped clean. Tabula Rasa. Rick Anderson is pitching batting practice to a group of Twins' infielders and catchers not in that days' lineup and he is using what it looks like a four-seamer, and not his signature two-seamer, grip. Happy days. This has been a long season. Spring training 2013 is (almost) around the corner. Hope Springs Eternal. Just about 190 days left until Spring Training 2013. Go Twins!

Random Tuesday Twins Thoughts and Tidbits

Here is this week's installment:

• Unfortunately Matt Capps' MRI did not show any improvement and he is not close to a rehab assingment yet. Probably threw his last pitch as a member of the Twins. And there might be some sugar coating but re-signing him and losing the 2 draft picks was one of the worst mistakes that Terry Ryan made. And there is no sugar coating for that.
• Congratulations to Oswaldo Arcia for named Eastern League player of the month for July and the Eastern League player of the week for the past week.
• Twins' RHP Scott Baker, who underwent Tommy John surgery earlier this season, is already playing catch. And he has been saying that he feels better than he felt for the last 2 years, which is really positive.
• Here are the most recent organization Transactions. Please notice the Carl Pavano shuttle. He is in the GCL and not in the FSL right now.
• Catcher Michael Quesada was suspended. He last played for the Elizabethton Twins (Rookie, Appalachian League.) He was suspended for 50 days because he tested positive for methylhexaneamine, a banned and dangerous diet supplement similar to ephedra
• Here is a great article on Cole De Vries.
• Lots of awards coming up, but Baseball America, named Twins' middle infielder Pedro Florimon, the "strongest infield arm" in the AAA International League.
• Former Twins' starting pitcher Jason Marquis took a no-hitter into the 7th and ended up with a two-hitter. Happy to see that Gardy and Andy helped him realize his full potential while with the Twins. In 13 starts with the Padres he has 3.66 ERA, 1.195 WHIP, 7.5 K/9 and 3.33 K/BB. Another success story for Andy and Gardy and Terry...
• The New Britain Rock Cats are celebrating their 30th year of existence in New Britain (after they moved from Bristol, CT) this season. Here is a great write up about the history of the Twins AA affiliate.
• Here is a great post by the Snappers' Director of Media relations, where she gets the Twins' A level players to give her the number one reason why they play baseball. Great stuff.
• Apparently the Minnesota Twins' ball cap, is preferred gear of a certrain hip hop artist
• Interim Twins' GM Terry Ryan, is related to the Republican Vice Presidential candidate
• In 5 games after his trade to the Twins, GCL Twins' Jeremias Pineda is hitting .273/.304/.273. He hit .421/.447/.534 before traded. Meanwhile, Danny Valencia, the other part of this trade was called up for Boston and has been hitless in 2 games.
• If you wonder what the Elizabethton Twins' players do in their days off, check this out. And the ones who are not doing that, are doing this
• Will a particular Twins' player have something going on that explains his offensive surge this season?
• Twins' product of the week is Minnesota Twins Throwback Gnome. The Twins need luck in any way possible, and this guy looks a bit like their manager as well...

The parting shot today is of Brian Dozier who has been lagging both on the field and with the stick lately. I hope that the Twins do not give up on him, but this has been a long season for him.

Random Tuesday Twins Thoughts and Tidbits

Here is this week's installment:

• The Danny Valencia trade to the Boston Red Sox last Sunday is old news, but if you have not checked it yet, here is a mini scouting report of Jeremias Pineda, the Dominican switch-hitting Center Fielder the Twins received in return.
• Speaking of the Danny Valencia trade, here. here are a couple of reactions on his trade by current Twins' players. Danny's reactions are here: part 1, part 2 and part 3.
• Here is an article by Tom Powels lamenting the Twins' inertia during the trade deadline and discussing Terry Ryan's stuck in the past methods.
• Can you believe that AJ Pierzunski did that and did not leave Target Field with a ball on the helmet? Reason is that he was too much of a coward to start in the Wednesday game. But the Twins are playing the White Sox again...
• The Twins have signed 18 year old Australian RHP Josh Guyer. He will join the team in Spring Training. This is what he looks like. Apparently he is pretty good with the bat also. This article is as close as it comes to talk about his skills. It is mentioned that he is throwing the ball at 150 kph (this is 93.2 mph), which is alright for a high school kid.
• On the organizational movement front: I decided that minor league transactions deserve their own space, so you can find them all here (most recent on top) on a weekly basis. I will be updating every Saturday.
• Listening to Bert Blyleven trying pronounce Samuel Deduno's last name, makes me think of this song
• If you wonder how glamorous team meals in the minors are, check this out
• RHP Lester Oliveros has been shut down and will have surgery to clear bone chips from his pitching elbow. And, speaking of MLB-ready relievers, Anthony Slama was assigned to the GCL yesterday for a rehab assignment.
• Chris Parmelee was named International League hitter of the week for last week. Here is an interesting article on him
• The Twins are about to be attacked (or at least some Twins' fans) by those of Leeds United a British Premier League Football (Soccer) Club
• Speaking of places that do not like the Twins, you might want to add Rochester, NY and Beloit, WI, which seem to have lost the priviledge to host a Twins' minor league affilate for 2013 and beyond. I expect announcements to this effect to come on September 1st (the first day franchises can announce new affiliations officially.) To add insult to injury, the Beloit Snappers were giving away bobbleheads of Price Fielder in a Milwaukee uniform. Last time I checked, the guy is playing for one of the major Twins' rivals. Not too good.
• Because I did not mention it before and I have not seen it mentioned widely: The Twins signed a 30-year committment to their Spring Training facilities at Lee County (Fort Myers) after the county voted to do the improments they required. On related news, Lee County is intensifying its efforts to get a third team in the area to occupy the old Red Sox' facilities.
• Another former Twins' player is reaching his potential. It is called entering his prime nad not giving up on players before their prime (something the Twins are not exactly great about.)
• Here is a contest where fans pick current AAA players who will have the most impact as September call ups. The Twins' AAA representative is Pedro Florimon. I think that speaks volumes
• The Twins' product of the week is the Minnesota Twins Slingback; hey it's back to school shopping time.

The parting shot today is of Tsuyoshi Nisioka (and his sidekick Ryo Shinkawa - never leaves home without it) who was recalled with the Twins Sunday, after Danny Valencia was traded to the Boston Red Sox and his made his MLB-debut for this season last night at Cleveland:

Random Tuesday Twins Thoughts and Tidbits

Here is this week's installment, heavily influenced by today's trade deadline:

• Fransisco Liriano to the White Sox is old news. Here are profiles of the players the Twins received in return. And this is a very sad sight.
• Luis Perdomo is the newest Twins' member. He was called up from Rochester (where he was a swing man who started a few games) to take Anthony Swarzak's spot who went to the 15 day DL with soulder issues that were called "mild rotator cuff strain", which is not too good.
• Apparently replay in MLB will be expanded to include trapped ball calls and balls hit down the line. When and how and other details remain to be worked out.
• On the organizational movement front: Danny Turpen promoted to AAA Rochester, Jose Gonzalez and Matt Hauser promoted to AA New Britain. Steve Liddle and Ryan O'Rourke promoted to high A Fort Myers. DJ Baxendale and Taylor Rogers promoted to A Beloit. Chris Mazza and Luke Bard promoted to Rk+ Elizabethton. Pedro Hernandez and Eduardo Escobar, whom the Twins received from the White Sox in the Liriano trade were optioned to AAA Rochester. Brian Compton was assigned to the Rk GCL Twins. LHP Steven Evans (A Beloit Snappers) and RHP Garrett Jewell (Rk+ Elizabethton Twins, but did not pitch in 2012) were released from the organization. 
• The Twins have signed free agent SP Eric Hurley (released by the Angels) and assigned him to AAA Rochester Redwings.
• Eddie Rosario is back from reconstructive face surgery after hit on the face with a ball and playing with the GCL Twins since last Wedensday, joining Alex Wimmers who was also rehabing there until he had a set-back the other day; he may require Tommy John surgery.
• Yesterday was Scott Diamond's 26th birthday
• This did not apparently deserve air time in any of the "major" press outlets, but there are a lot of hints that MLB team contraction might again be upon us
• Buy me some peanuts and cracker jacks? Not in a particular section of Target Field in particular games.
• Interesting to see few of the first articles in the local Twin Cities area correctly pointing fingers at the interim General Manager for the Twins' pitching issues. Previously, Terry Ryan and Ron Gardenhire and company have had teflon. Very refreshing to see a change in the local Minnesota press' attitudes. And as soon as I wrote that, here comes another this morning
• Interesting article about Rick Anderson's relationship with Fransisco Liriano.
• Also the "interim" tag remains for Terry Ryan, based on his words to Phil Mackey. Ryan realizes that he might lose his job and does not deserve to have the tag removed after this awful season
• If you were wondering what the Twins do in "all staff" meetings, here is your answer.
• If anything, this twitter profile picture change by a Twins' player (happened a while ago) speaks tons about how he feels about the organization and the way he has been treated, and I cannot say that I disagree much.
• Can anyone rationalize why something like this belongs to the official site of the Twins' AAA team and is anyone wondering why the Twins need to get the hey out of Rochester?
• Pelotero, the movie featuring Twins #1 prospect Miguel Sano and other Dominican players, was produced by current Boston Red Sox' skipper Bobby Valentine.
• Twins' tweet of the week is this one by Jake Proctor
• For the Kevin Slowey fans: His dad now is on twitter.
• Not Twins' related, but my home team, the Lehigh Valley IronPics wore this atrocity last week. Makes the blue custodian uniforms the Twins wore in Kansas City look "nice".
• The Twins' product of the week is the Minnesota Twins 1965 Cooperstown Legendary Victory Short Sleeve Tee Shirt, which is actually a killer deal at $14 at L and $13 at XL

The parting shot today is of the newest member of the Minnesota Twins Luis Perdomo who made his MLB Twins' debut last Saturday.

Random Tuesday Twins Thoughts and Tidbits

Here is this week's installment, heavily influenced by the upcoming trade deadline:

• I decided to give daily trade talk updates for the Twins, up until the deadline. You can find them all from newer to older here. Look for today's version to be up soon.
• One of the most intriguing names that were thrown around as a possible return for Fransisco Liriano is Garrett Richards, of the Angels. He did not break through yet, but he has Verlander-like stuff, and he is 24. Verlander was an average pitcher (look at WHIP not Wins) before his age 26 season or so.
• Danny Lehmann and Shairon Martis were promoted to Rochester from New Britain, Matt Summers, Jonathan Goncalves and Clint Dempster promoted from Beloit to Ft. Myers. Mason Melotakis and Zack Jones promoted from Elizabethton to Beloit. Kennys Vargas after serving his 50 day suspension, started the season in Beloit (and promptly hit a home run at his first plate appearance.) Andrew Ferreira was assigned to Elizabethton while Rene Tosoni went to New Britain through a rehab with the Miracle after starting the season in Rochester.
• The Twins' released AA RHP Brad Jacobson last Wednesday from New Britain
• When Ryan Doumit started at LF in a day game last Thursday against the Orioles, it mark the first time he ever played the position in an official game in professional baseball. He had never played a game in the LF in the Majors or the Minors.
• The Twins have spend $6.7 million more for bonuses for 2012 rule 4 draftees than they did in 2011. A total of $12.6 million
• Congratulations to Samuel Deduno for his first MLB win on Sunday against the Kansas City Royals
• Jeff Manship was named International League Pitcher of the Week for last week. He was 2-0 in 2 starts (12 IP) and had a 2.25 ERA. He will be out of options next season and the Twins need to make a decision on him, since he has not pitched well in 3 bried stints in the majors. I would not be surprised if he is added to a trade this coming week.
• Don't look, but very quietly Darrin Mastroianni is putting better numbers than both Ben Revere and Denard Span. He is hitting .276/.353/.421 with 2 HRs and 9 SB (as many as Span) in just 86 PAs. He should be part of the discussion for a starting job as Span's replacement when traded and possibly a part of the Twins' future OF. He is just 26 (same age as Trevor Plouffe.) At least he earned a bit more playing time. Would be interesting to see more Revere/Span/Mastroianni lineups, with Willingham at DH, Doumit at C and Mauer at 1B (at least until Span gets traded.)
• I would not be surprised if Carl Pavano hangs his cleats, revealing that he would need surgery on his injured shoulder, some time soon
• Not Twins' related, but, darn, this is a darn good article about Mike Lynn (and if you don't know who Mike Lynn is, you better read)
• The Twins' product of the week is the Minnesota Twins Sportula. A perfect accessory for the grilling season. Big Twins' logo grill spatula with an integrated bottle opener on the handle... A must have.

The parting shot today is of the guy in the Kansas City game. Yeah in the game when the Twins were wearing blue Dickies overalls for uniforms. Which guy? That guy:

Random Tuesday Twins Thoughts and Tidbits

Here is this week's installment (back from the hiatus of the All Star Break) :

• The newest promotions in the Twins' system: RHP Dan Sattler and OF Evan Bigley to Rochester, RHP Marty Popham to New Britain, RHP Dallas Gallant, LHP Steven Evans, SS Stephen Wickens to Beloit. On the other hand, Steven Hirschfeld and David Bromberg returned to New Britain from Rochester.
• Joe Benson started his rehab with the GCL Twins a couple weeks ago, moved to Miracle last week and today he is back at AA New Britain Rock Cats
• 1B Matt Rizzotti (AA), LHP Bart Carter (A) and Venezuelan 3B Jairo Pérez (A+) were released by the Twins' organization. Pérez' release is a mystery because he has been performing well lately, and all indications point that it was not preformance-based.
• Newly drafted Twin Jake Proctor was transfered to the GCL 60-day DL because of a concussion
• Speaking of the draft, the Twins have signed 27 of their 43 picks. A complete list with known bonuses is here.
• Lots of trade scenarios for the Twins are coming out of thin air right now and the interim GM said that there will be no untouchables. Wheeling and dealing Ryan?
• Speaking of trades, Gardenhire is decreasing Matt Capps' trade value by deciding to keep him in a set-up role "for now"
• This is a great article on Trevor Plouffe.
• Kind of old news, but since it has never been mentioned, here it is: The Twins' players who made the jump from the Dominican Summer League to the Gulf Coast League this season are: Jose Ramirez, Melciades De La Cruz, Randy Rosario, Yoman Landa and Felix Jorge.
• A certain Twins' reliever has been hanging with music celebrities
• The documentary on Miguel Sano, Pelotero (Ballplayer), is now available on itunes.
• Apparently Gardenhire is holding a certain baseball hostage
• The Twins' product of the week is Minnesota Twins: The Complete Illustrated History. A must read for Twins' fans covering the franchise history from the 1961 move on...

The parting shot today is of the one and only BOSS:

Random Tuesday Twins Thoughts and Tidbits

Here is this week's installment:

• Here is an interesting article about the Twins getting stuck in the nineteenth century. This suggest to me that wholesale philosophy (and personnel) changes might be necessary to make them competitive in this century.
• The Twins have signed Ryan Doumit to a 2 year $7 million extension late last week. I think that it is a great deal esp. for that kind of money.
• Also, as I suggested last week when it was pretty much a done deal, the Twins have announced yesterday that they have signed 6'2" 190 lbs, 16 year old Dominican switch hitting SS Amaurys Minier to a $1.4 Million bonus, their second highest bonus to an international player after Miguel Sano. He is expected to develop power as well.
• After last season ended I gave evidence that Nick Blackburn does not belong to a major league rotation (and that Carl Pavano is a 4th or 5th starter at best), but maybe I misjudged (I hope so) Scott Diamond, because of the small sample size. But I have been showing that Blackburn (and Glen Perkins then) did not belong to a major league rotation since 2009, well before that ill-advised extension.
• Former Twins' pitcher Tony Davis signed a contract with the independent league Fargo-Moorhead RedHawks of the American Association. Former Twins' CF Rich Becker also played for a bit with the RedHawks.
• Congratulations to New Britain Rock Cats LHP Andrew Albers, RHP B.J Hermsen and C Chris Herrmann who were selected to the Class AA Eastern League All-Star team
• Good news about Kyle Gibson: He is on schedule to pitch in games in August and possibly in the Arizona Fall League, after the season is over.
• I have intentionally been delaying the next versions of who is hot and who is not in the Twins' minors lists in order to get players from the rookie leagues. Expect them any time now.
• Nice article on Beloit's Drew Leachman by the Beloit Daily News. There we learn that his favorite baseball player is not a Minnesota Twins' player but a current Atlanta Braves' player. That's like drinking Pepsi Seven Up, while working for Coke.
• The Twins' product of the week is the 2012 Minnesota Twins Stars And Stripes cap. Much better than what they wore last season, this one is a keeper
• Happy and Safe 4th of July to all!

The parting shot today is of the Twins' sole representative in the 2012 All Star game. Go get them Joe.

Random Tuesday Twins Thoughts and Tidbits

Here is this week's installment:

• A first in Minnesota Twins' press coverage: A beat writer questions one of Gardy's decisions last Saturday, and Gardy lashes back at him “We’ll do the managing, and you should write.” Unfortunately for the ones who are doing the managing, pretty much everyone can manage a team to the worst record in the AL two seasons in a row.
• Congratulations to: Bobby Lanigan, Luis Perdomo and Caleb Thielbar who were promoted to AAA Rochester Red Wings from AA New Britain Rock Cats; to Dan Sattler, Dakota Watts and Edgar Ibarra who were promoted to the Rock Cats from the high A Fort Myers Miracle; and to Michael Tonkin and AJ Achter who were promoted to the Miracle from the A Beloit Snappers.
• Congratulations to Oswaldo Arcia of the AA New Britain Rock Cats for being the only Twins' representative in the 2012 Futures Game.
• 1B/OF Mark Dolenc (AA), C/RHP Tobias Streich (EST), C Billy Killian (EST), 2B Julio Torres (EST) and OF Erick Gonzalez (DSL) were released by the Twins
• The Twins have now signed 23 of their 40 2012 draft picks. Updated list with the bonus money is here
• The Twins unveiled their throw back uniforms that they will wear against the Kansas City Royals on June 30th. Unfortunately, they will be masquerading as a New York Giants' minor league affiliate, instead of wearing the proud colors of their franchise founding member of the AL, the Senators.
• I bet you did not know (I didn't) that a current Twins' player had background acting roles in TV shows like Knots Landing, Dallas and Saved by the Bell. Can you guess who? Here is an article on this player.
• Looks like other teams, in addition to the Twins, have problems spelling their players' names.
• Here is an interesting article on Twins' 1st round draft pick Byron Buxton and his life.
• Here is a great article about one of the long time Twins' minor league coaches.
• The Twins' product of the week is the Minnesota Twins Multi Magnet Sheet. Comes really handy.

The parting shot today is of one of the greater guys in the Twins' minors, LHP Tyler Robertston who will make his MLB debut for the Twins one of these days, after he was recalled from AAA Rochester Red Wingsyesterday to replace Matt Capps on the 25-man roster. He was the Twins' 3rd round pick in the 2006 draft. Chris Parmelee (1st round) and Joe Benson (2nd round) are the other players the Twins drafted in 2006 from High School, signed, and made it to the MLB with the Twins. Brian Dinkelman (8th), Jeff Manship (14th), Danny Valencia (19th) and Anthony Slama (29th) were also drafted by the Twins in 2006 and made it to the majors with the Twins but they were drafted out of college. A little known fact is that Tyler's dad, Jay Robertson, was also a professional pitcher in the Jays' organization in the late 70s, but never made it to the show. He was also a Twins' scout for a moon. I bet he is a proud dad these days. Robertson is wearing uniform number 64, last worn by Chris Parmelee last season and previously by September call up coaches Bill Springman in 2000 and Eric Rasmussen in 2009.

Random Tuesday Twins Thoughts and Tidbits

Here is this week's installment:

• Congratulations to Beloit Snappers for making the 1st half playoffs. Here are Snappers' AJ Pettersen's thoughts about Beloit's first half.
• Congratulations to Oswarlo Arcia for being promoted to New Britain. He is on the 40 man roster, so it very well be that he would be called up to the Twins in September from AA, pretty much like Parmelee and Benson did last season.
• Here is a great story about the Twins' 2012 40th round draft pick, Brad Schreiber, how he is recovering from Tommy John surgery and his thoughts about getting drafted and potentially signing.
• Twins' legend and MLB Hall of Fame member Rod Carew was working with Little Leaguers.
• Thinking about baseball names, wonder what Dick Such's doing these days. Haven't seen him around the Twins since he left after TK retired.
• A former Twins' organization player reached a baseball milestone last week.
• Here is another article about another former Twin who will face the Twins this week
• Here is Byron Buxton playing catch with the big boys before a Twins' game against the Phillies last week. He will report to the Elizabethton Twins (Rookie, Appalachian League)
• Really interesting article from the Ottawa Citizen about Canadian baseball alliances here. Well worth the read.
• The Twins' product of the week is the Minnesota Twins Game Day Pouch. Big enough to carry your water to the ballpark now that it is getting hot out there.

The parting shot today is of Lester Oliveros, the newest member of the Twins. He did not last long with the big club, after he was optioned to make room for Liam Hendriks, but he will be up again shortly.

Random Tuesday Twins Thoughts and Tidbits

Here is this week's installment:

• Who would have thought that at this point this season, Trevor Plouffe would have higher OPS+ (110 vs 107) and more HRs (9 vs 7) than Michael Cuddyer.  Yet, again, the similarities were too good to ignore last November


• It is fairly astonishing, but every Twins' position player now, other than the middle infielders, has an OPS+ higher than 100.


• The only 3 pitchers with more than a strikeout an inning are Fransisco Liriano, Glen Perkins and Jared Burton.  The only Twins' relief pitcher to have allowed more than a hit per inning pitched is Anthony Swarzak, but a bunch of those came when he was starting


• I have created a list of the 2012 Twins draft signees and will update as new information comes.  You can find the list here.  You can find useful information like High School or College player or College Senior.  Also the bonuses are included. As of this post, 18 draftees have signed, including 9 of the Twins' 10 top picks.  I am editing the list when new information, including bonus amounts comes and will continue to do so until July 13th, the signing deadline


• After following closely the 2012 Draft, the biggest difference (and was expected) from previous drafts was the amount of College and JC players selected.  Lots and lots.  Guess that helps high school kids go to College and will probably improve College Baseball.  Now if they got rid of the aluminum bats there...


• This is a great article describing some of the new nuances of the MLB Draft


• The Director of Media and Community Relationships of the Beloit Snappers has a blog.


• Nick Lockwood, the Twins' 9th round pick of the 2009 MLB Draft who was released has been playing with the Washington (PA) Wild Things of the Independent Frontier League.  Other notable 2009 Twins' draft picks making their debuts in the independent leagues: Ben Tootle (3rd Round) with Abilene (TX) Prairie Dogs of the North American Baseball League, Brad Stillings (7th Round) with the River City (MO) Rascals of the Frontier League, and Kane Holbrooks (21st Round) with the Fort Worth (TX) Cats of the North American Baseball League.


• Oswaldo Arcia made the Florida State League (A+) All Star team


• And former Twin Luke Hughes was assigned to the A's AA team, Midland Rockhounds of the Texas League.


• The Twins' product of the week is the MLB Minnesota Twins Authentic On Field Alternate 59Fifty Fitted Cap, Navy AKA, the Twins'lucky "M" Cap

The parting shot today is of one of the best-kept secrets in the Twins' organization as far as prospects go,  Beloit Snapper's catcher Matthew Koch.  He is having an incredible season and is flying totally under the radar.  As of yesterday he was hitting .291/.413/.544 for a .956 OPS.  This OPS is at least 100 points higher than that of his very well celebrated teammates Miguel Sano and Eddie Rosario.  As a matter of fact, his OPS is the highest of any Twins' Catcher in any step of the organization including MLB.  He also threw out 48% of the would be stealers this season. Koch was the Twins' 12th round pick in the 2011 Draft out of Loyala Marymount University and played 12 games with the Elizabethton Twins after he signed last season.  I would not be surprised if he gets called up to Fort Myers soon.  And as I was writing this last night, this scouting report on the Snappers came out...

Random Tuesday Twins Thoughts and Tidbits

Here is this week's installment; and it is going to be slight, because of the Draft today and tomorrow:

• The Twins selected Byron Buxton (OF, HS), Jose Berrios (RHP, HS) and Luke Bard (RHB, College) in the 1st and supplemental rounds of the 2012 Rule 4 Draft. Today will be the second day of live-blogging the Twins Draft. You can find all coverage, including mini-profiles of the draftees here
• The Twins are now 13-7 in their last 20 games. This is good news.
• Former Twins' OF Lew Ford, 35, is hitting .397/.441/.619 with 3 HRs in 68 PAs with Baltimore's AAA club Norfolk Tides
• A few Minor league transaction notes: Daryl Thompson and Brad Thompson (AAA and AA) have been released. Bruce Pugh was promoted to AA New Britain from Fort Myers and newly signed St Paul Saints' closer Dan Sattler has been assigned to Fort Myers.
• The Twins' Dominican Summer League team saw action last Saturday. So this gives a fifth Twins' minor league team to pay attention to. Also, I updated the the Twins organization birthday list with the newest Twins who are playing the the DSL.
• Beloit's AJ Achter, Jhon Goncalves, Tyler Grimes, Eddie Rosario, Miguel Sano, Michael Tonkin and Jason Wheeler made the Midwest League All Star game
• Ben Badler of Baseball America is writing of high profile arrests in Dominican because of trafficing of Baseball players
• Tom Veducci wrote this very interesting article on steroid use by Fort Myers Miracle players in the mid 90s, when current Twins' third base coach, Steve Liddle was the manager there.
• The Twins' product of the week is the Minnesota Twins Beach Towel

The parting shot today is of Twins' number one draft pick of the 2012 MLB Draft, Byron Buxton:

Random Tuesday Twins Thoughts and Tidbits

Here is this week's installment; and it is heavily influenced by the upcoming MLB Amateur Draft:

• This is great evidence to reinforce my position to a. not believe in "mock drafts" and b. not attempt one. That mock draft had the Twins not taking a P until their 6th pick (3rd round) and taking 3 catchers with their first 4 picks. The chance of this happening is smaller than me winning the lottery (and I do not play the lottery.)
• This year, like I did in 2010 and 2009, I will live-blog the Twins' draft.  More details about the coverage of the Twins' 2012 Draft at The Tenth Inning Stretch will be coming later this week, but it will be a lot like the 2010 coverage.
• Speaking of the Twins' draft, unless they feel strongly about a particular pitcher (Appel?, Gausman? Zimmer? Wacha? - yes, Wacha, he is a "Twins' kind of a pitcher") for the number 2 spot and Houston does not pick him before them, I think that they might go with highest upside healthy guy (and I mean healthy, because I think that Lucas Giolito has the highest upside of everyone in the draft) for his position, and this would probably be Carlos Correa, the 17 year old High School Senior SS from Puerto Rico. Since they have plenty of picks in the supplemental round, they could use those to pick good arms who might fall there like Matt Smoral (because of injury) or Chris Stratton or Pat Light or Rochester's Mitch Brown. A future infield of Sano, Rosario and Correa sounds pretty interesting; but let's not put the carriage in front of the horse... Lots of possible things the Twins can do with that second pick and I can see them take any of seven players.
• Speaking of him, he did not make my top 22 pitchers of the MLB draft list, but this is a great story on Rochester's (MN) Mitch Brown, by Tyler Mason. And his father is a former Korean power-lifter. Good blood lines.
• It appears that the player who the Twins will pick at #2, will be a Boras client. No word about who that might be yet.  Appel is a Boras client.
• And if someone does not realize why the Twins should promote the best people from the minors and should be fair about it, here is a reminder
• Speaking off promoting the best players and being fair, sad to read about the miss-trust that Ron Gardenhire and this organization shows to Anthony Slama. And when the Twins promoted another pitcher for their pen last Sunday, it was Jeff Manship who has been OK, but not exactly as good as Slama.
• The online voting for the 2012 AAA All-Star Game is open. Maybe voting early and often for Anthony Slama might open the Twins' eyes.
• I was not surprised with the practical release of Erik Komatsu. He was overmatched in the majors and the presense of Ben Revere lessened the need for another lighter hitting and slower lefty outfielder. Mastroianni bats right-handed. And I do not foresee the Twins making a deal with Washington to keep him (if he passes waivers.) They just have too many outfielders in the minors at this point.
• Also, to fill Manship's spot in the Rochester rotation, David Bromberg has been promoted from New Britain to Rochester. I suspect Aaron Thomspon who is to be able to return from his suspension today or tomorrow, will take Bromberg's spot for the Rock Cats.
• I wouldn't be surprised if Levi Michael, the Twins' 2011 1st round draft pick, gets demoted to Beloit one of these days. Unfortunately, I think that the Twins pushed him too high for his first pro season by assigning him to Fort Myers. The problem was that Tyler Grimes (who is not playing at Beloit-level also) was assigned to Beloit and they both need playing time.
• The Twins' product of the week is one of the best books about the Twins and fairly appropriate these dark times: We're Gonna Win, Twins!

The parting shot today is of Jeff Manship, the latest player to join the Twins from AAA Rochester:

Random Tuesday Twins Thoughts and Tidbits

Here is this week's installment:

• Still continuing the presentation of the top 22 arms for the 2012 MLB draft. You can find them all here. For a couple years (2009 and 2010) I live-blogged the Twins' draft, providing profiles and information for each pick, and it looks like I might resume doing it this season again. More information on the MLB draft coverage at The Tenth Inning Stretch next week, as it is getting closer to the draft.
• No matter what, one has to find humor (and maybe hope, if one is sarcastic enough) in Drew Butera's pitching appearance last Sunday at Milwaukee. He was not half way bad, either. As a matter of fact, his fastball was the fastest of any other Twins' pitcher that day not named Brian.
• Looks like the Twins want to give Carl Pavano an extra day of rest so they are looking for a spot starter this coming Thursday versus the White Sox at Chicago. I suspect that Anthony Swarzak will be it. Still the Twins need to figure out who Marquis' replacement might be (if you did not hear, he was Designated For Assignment) so this might muddy the waters.  Edit: Was just announced that Cole DeVries (rhymes with "Reese" and not with"fries")was recalled and will be making his debut in the majors against the White Sox on Thursday. Congratulations!
• Congratulations to Tsuyoki Nishioka for hitting his first Professional Home Run in the US last Saturday with the Rochester Red Wings.
• Here is a first year Twins' player (ok, second, if you count 12 games with Elizabethton after he signed last season) who is not a household name, but has the potential to break the top ten Twins' prospect lists one of these years: 23 year old C Matthew Koch who is hitting .265/.412/.471 in Beloit. This is higher OPS than Eddie Rosario and second only to Miguel Sano (who, btw, leads the Twins' organization with 11 home runs) in that team
• Speaking of HRs, Justin Morneau is 10 away from career 200 and Josh Willingham 10 away from career 150 HRs
• Alexi Casilla led the Twins in pretty much any defensive metric, but the manager of the millennium benched him in favor of a 38 year old and a bad fielding, cold hitting Plouffe.
• Hopefully, this latest accident does not sideline a well-performing Twins' pitcher
• A couple of Rochester Red Wings players (Anthony Slama and Mike Hollimon) and a whole bunch of Rochester executives (including a woman - don't ask) are growing mustaches for charity.
• Former Twins' First Baseman Aaron Bates has signed a contract with the Cardinals' organization
• If you are wondering why the Twins want out of Beloit, these disgraceful numbers might help you understand. The Red Wings are towards the bottom of the International League(but thankfully better than the venue-sharing Yankees) as far as attendance goes, and both the the Rock Cats and Miracle are middle high in their leagues.
• The aluminum bat "boink" sound will not escape Target Field. It will host the 2013 Big Ten Baseball Tournament
• Allegedly, a former Twins' player is cruising the NYC subway in his pajamas and harrasing young women. Not sure that I am buying the story (he lives in TX.) but who knows?
• The Twins' product of the week is perfect for the warm and humid nights at the ballpark:Nike Minnesota Twins Perfect Game Dri-FIT T Shirt

The parting shot today is in honor of Brian Dozier and all the buzz he generated in his rookie season as a Twin. He is not the only Dozier in the organization. Buzz Dozier pitched for 2 games for the Washington Senators in 1947 and for 2 more in 1949. He was born in Waco, TX on August 31, 1928, played in the Senators' organization (from Charlotte Hornets to Chattanooga Lookouts to Augusta Tigers) until 1950 and had a year with 3 Independent League Teams in 1951 (Port Arthur Seahaws, Sherman-Denison Twins and Texarcana Bears.) Afterwards he went to school at Baylor University in Waco TX, lived all his life in Waco, TX and died in Waco, TX on November 24, 2005 at age 77. Here is Buzz Dozier as an 18 year old rookie RHP for the Washington Senators.









And here is a bonus video of Ben Revere singing a popular song:









As always you can find all the Random Tuesday Twins Thoughts and Tidbits Posts here, in reverse chronological order.

Random Tuesday Twins Thoughts and Tidbits

Here is this week's installment:

• While Brian Duensing is stretched out to be a starter, I think that the Twins should fill at least one or maybe two rotation spots on an "internship"-like way: Promote a new pitcher from the minors every week to make a start. That might work pretty well, based on the recent first starts by Scott Diamond and P.J. Walters.
• One of the things I am doing these days and will finish before the draft, is to publish profiles of the top 22 pitchers available in the draft (given that the Twins will likely select pitching early and often.) I am doing this is alphabetical order, and you can find them all here in reverse alphabetical order, so check often. I am planning on doing those daily for the rest of May.
• On a sad note, Aaron Bates was released from Rochester (along with Joe Thurston) to make room for Lester Oliveros and Wilken Ramirez who were promoted to Rochester from New Britain.  Aaron was one of the last Twins' cuts this Spring Training and I always thought that he could be up with the Twins this season some time.
• Apparently the Twins cannot spell their own player's names even in the official lineup cards...
• It sounds like Ben Revere is growing.
• Kyle Gibson's rehab is going according the schedule
• On the other hand, here is another first hand testimony on the Twins' medical staff.
• Here isa great article about Miguel Sano by Jesse Temple of FSNorth.
• A Really interesting article about Twins' prospect AJ Pettersen is here. (Also form FSNorth)
• And here is a really great article about Brian Dozier and his early years in baseball. (From the St. Paul Newspaper)
• Alex Wimmers got a second opinion on his elbow and rest and rehab is the prescription.
• 23 year old Gopher Senior RP Dustin Klabunde has been opening some eyes and might be drafted in the later rounds next month.
• Apparently, the Rochester Yankees Red Wings are too poor to add nameplates on Pedro Florimon's, Clete Thomas' and Danny Valencia's jerseys as witnessed in the MLB Network nationally televised game of the Red Wings in Syracuse.  Very embarrassing.  Little League.
• Speaking of Rochester, the local Democrat & Chronicle Red Wings' Yankees' beat writer, decided to take a break from covering the Yankees on his blog and wrote this inflammatory nonsense, practically threatening the Twins, if they take the best players from Rochester to help their club. Alright... Memo to Rochester: Affiliated minor league clubs exist to serve the major league club they are affiliated with. If you do not like it, the independent leagues are just around the block.  See if that fits you all better.
• The Twins' product of the week is the Minnesota Twins Blade Sunglasses

The parting shot today is of Ryan Doumit, who has turned it up big time the last week or so:







As always you can find all the Random Tuesday Twins Thoughts and Tidbits Posts here, in reverse chronological order.

Random Tuesday Twins Thoughts and Tidbits

Here is this week's installment:

• With Jayson Werth out at least 3 months, the Twins have a perfect opportunity to see what they can get from the contending Nationals for Denard Span.
• Alexi Casilla did turn the corner (Big time) with the glove. He has been by far the Twins' best fielder, using a couple of different measurements: Defensive Runs Saved above average with 8 (second best is Span with 5) and UZR with 5 (second best, Span, has 1.8). It is too early, but if he keeps it up (and hits a bit better so he can justify keep playing) he is a gold glove dark horse.
• And speaking of Alexi Casilla, the Manager of the Millennium, decided to bench him for Jamey Carroll (a lesser player this season both with the bat and on the field) and delayed the the appearance of the Twins' future middleinfield. Apparently Alexi Casilla is day to day with a sore throwing shoulder
• Jared Burton leads the Twins with a crazy 0.455 WHIP. Do not expect it to last because his BABIP is an equally crazy 0.045.
• Speaking of BABIP, of the Twins' starters not named Pavano, Jason Marquis has the lowest BABIP with .320, which indicated that luck has a role in the Twins' SP woes. Now it better turn around fast.
• Sean Burroughs was Designated for Assignment a week ago to make room for Drew Butera. Here is a picture of Sean's traveling buddy.
• Twins' middle infield (and OF recently) prospect AJ Petersen is writing about a minor leaguer's off day
• Former Twins' pitching prospect Dan Osterbrock is having surgery today to fix what was not fixed in his shoulder in his previous operation.
• Looks like either Jim Pohlad is a huge Brian Dozier fan or a statement is about to be made based on this
• Fun factoid: Eight out of the twelve pitchers on the Beloit Snappers' roster are throwing left-handed while all fourteen position players (including Nate Robers who is on the 7-day Disabled List) are throwing right-handed (including the 3 who are batting left-handed and the single switch-hitter JaDamion Williams.)
• Good to see the average age in the Twins' minor league teams (esp. in Rochester where that was not true recently) is right about League Average. Here are the numbers. Rochester: Hitters: 27.1, Pitchers: 26.5 (International League: Hitters: 27.4 Pitchers: 27.5) New Britain: Hitters: Pitchers: 25.3 (Eastern League: 24.5 Hitters: Pitchers: 25) Fort Myers: Hitters: 22.5 Pitchers: 23.2 (Florida State League: Hitters: 22.7Pitchers: 22.9) Beloit: Hitters: 21.7 Pitchers: 22.3 (Midwest League: Hitters: 21.5 Pitchers: 21.9)
• The Twins' product of the week, is the Ron Gardenhire Bobblehead that was given to the Minnesota Twins' season ticket holders in 2009.

The parting shot today is of Brian Dozier in honor of his MLB debut yesterday







As always you can find all the Random Tuesday Twins Thoughts and Tidbits Posts here, in reverse chronological order.

Random Tuesday Twins Thoughts and Tidbits

Here is this week's installment:

• Tonight Fransisco Liriano will make his next start after he has been skipped in the rotation. I hope the gods of Fastball grand him command, control and deceitfulness
• Luke Hughes was designated for assignment by the Athletics yesterday to make room for Brandon Inge. The Twins have the opportunity to re-sign him and right a wrong
• Interesting to see Jason Marquis being the Twins' most reliable starter so far in this young season and that he only has walked 2 (and struck out 18) in 31.3 IP. If this continues, the Twins will be in for a pleasant surprise.
• One of the newest Twins because the newest daddy in the Twins six days ago.
• Today is the deadline for potential international free agents to declare with MLB their intention to potentially sign with a team, per the new collaborative agreement. These are players like Miguel Sano, who can sign anytime after July 2nd when they turn 16 years old. The declaration of intend with MLB is new, it creates a more even playing field and gets the "handlers" out of the equation. At some point there will be a list of players who declared, so there will be better profiles and presentations before July 2nd.
• Few interesting pieces of trivia about the current Twins' broadcaster (and former SS) Roy Smalley: a. he was drafted 4 times but did not singed until he was drafted first overall by the Texas Rangers. b. He was traded to the Twins from the Rangers for the man who he replaced on the booth (Bert Blyleven). c. he was traded from the Twins to the Yankees for Ron Davis and Greg Gagne.
• A great writeup about Danny Valencia in his home town paper
• Meanwhile, a Twins' player was engaged last Sunday, and Twins' prospect RHP Ryan O'Rourke writes about Minor Leaguers and housing.
• Wonder whether that stuffed animal in a particular Twins' player's locker has any significance.
• Add another misguided release of a minor leaguer to those of Danny Osterbrock and Pedro Guerra: The Twins released Tony Davis last Friday, while they keep signing up 30-something never had beens and assigning them to Rochester. In fact, the Twins' organization has been so class-less in the treatment of its minor leaguers that released Davis while having a broken thumb and stopped his medical insurance. I hope that they do the right thing, because I am not sure that I am liking the new Twins' way... And apparently he is not the only Twins' minor leaguer who was released while injured and the only unhappy one.
• Speaking of Minor League transactions, there were several promotions this week, the 2 most notable with Twins MLB implications: Deolis Guerra (of Johan Santana trade fame) was promoted from New Britain to Rochester and BJ Hermsen was promoted from Fort Myers to New Britain. Why would those promotions have MLB implications? Guerra and Hermsen have been the best relief and strating pitcher respectively in the organization so far in 2012. Guerra will be out of options in 2013, so he will have to be in the TWins' pen or gone in 2013. He is on the 40-man roster, so it is almost certain that sometime this season he will play in Minnesota. BJ Hermsen, 23, is a starter whose career development path resembles that of Liam Hendriks. If he continues well in New Britain this season he likely would be in the conversation for one of the many openings in the Twins' rotation in 2013.
• Speaking of Rochester, May has been proclaimed Baseball Month in Rochester. There are some cool things going on there and this involves the Red Wings and not the Empire State Yankees, so it should be fun if you are a local Twins' or Wings' fan.
• It is amazing that even some or the biggest Ron Gardenhire supporters and Minnesota Twins' traditionalists out there are started to look at the Manager situation similar to me. Sample number 1 and Sample number 2.
• Twins who had birthdays the last week: Adrian Salcedo (21st), Ryan O'Rourke (24th) and Luis Perdomo (28th)
• The Twins are ranked as the worse team in the majors by the big sports web site this week.
• The Twins' product of the week, is a really cool book. A bucket list: 100 Things Twins Fans Should Know and Do Before They Die

The parting shot today is of BJ Hermsen who was promoted to AA New Britain Rock Cats a couple days ago






As always you can find all the Random Tuesday Twins Thoughts and Tidbits Posts here, in reverse chronological order.

Random Tuesday Twins Thoughts and Tidbits

Here is this week's installment:

• Very disappointing loss to the Red Sox last night, but some highlight reel plays and lots of near misses. Unfortunately that left the Twins with a 5-12 record, seven games under .500 and 5.5 games behind the Tigers.
• The official rule 4 MLB draft order has been announced and the Twins have 6 picks in the top 100, including the second overall pick
• Phillip Humber, another player discarded by the Twins, pitched a perfect game last Saturday. Add that to his performance for the White Sox in 2011 and the Johan Santana package looks better for the Twins. They just did not know what to do with what they got...
• If you wonder about some of the activities of some of the Twins' top prospects, you got to see this
• And if you wonder how life on the road is for minor leagues, make your you read this blog by AJ Petterson who is playing for the Beloit Snappers
• This is a great writeup for another Ballpark that has an anniversary this year, albeit closer to the Twins' home
• Next Saturday at Target Field is "Ben Revere Bat Giveaway Day". Great planning.
• Twins' fans, if you are into running or even thought about getting into running (there is plenty of time), make sure that you register for the Fiteens5K this August. A great charity, run by Glen Perkins and his wife Alisha and a great downtown Minneapolis race which includes a free ticket to a Twins game in the Rays' series and lots of Twins giveaway goodies. And to sweeten the deal the race ends at Target Field, every finisher will receive a medal and Twins' players will be hanging out those medals. Just do it! I might even consider flying to the Cities for this race.
• This is very sad: A particular former Twins' prospect (was released before the season begun) started with this tweet and then started digging himself deeper... his timeline is here. Amazing. Not what you do when you look for a job, kiddo. An apology came later but still...
• The Twins' product of the week, is the MLB Men's Minnesota Twins 3/4 Sleeve Crew Neck Featherweight Tech Fleece Pullover by Majestic I saw a couple of players were those in Fort Myers and are a killer look.

The parting shot today is of Josh Burris. The Folks over at Twins' Daily have started an "adopt a prospect" theme and Josh Burris its the Twins' prospect I adopted. You can read all about it here (and adopt your own prospect) and can follow my Josh Burris updates here.

   As always you can find all the Random Tuesday Twins Thoughts and Tidbits Posts here, in reverse chronological order.