Minnesota Twins

[Nick@Night]

Twins announced new red home alternate jerseys to be worn on Fridays. I'm going to Twinsfest tomorrow, hoping to get a closer look at them.

[AJF_41]

i think this could be the move we need to slide into playoffs next year

[UNLTrpt]

Originally Posted by AJF_41

i think this could be the move we need to slide into playoffs next year

I'll cheer for neon green uniforms if it gets us a WS ring.

[Nick@Night]

I think they need to find a new place to have Twinsfest. I know part of the draw is to have it at the stadium, but since it needs to be confined to the insides of the building, the navigation really sucks for such a small space with that many people and levels. In any case, got Sano's autograph, so that was cool. Rode the elevator with Gene Larkin, watched Torii Hunter and Kent Hrbek playing Jeopardy trivia against a younger kid, and took a tour of the club house.

[bustedstuff88]

Reportedly, the Twins tasked Miguel Sano with dropping 20 lbs this offseason.

He lost 5, then promptly made the excuse he didn't want to lose power.

Ruh roh. I think the large issue here could be an severe attitude/work ethic problem. Hopefully he doesn't become the next "uncoachable" and get traded for a 6 pack of beer and a bag of chips like Ortiz was.

[bustedstuff88]

Less than a week to the first ST game.

WAKE UP PEOPLE

[AJF_41]

seems like the expectation is 78-82 wins this year?

so flattish versus last year

sound right?

[bustedstuff88]

Originally Posted by AJF_41

seems like the expectation is 78-82 wins this year?

so flattish versus last year

sound right?

Twins are pegged to finish last place in the AL central, but only like 5-10 games behind the division winner, so I think everybody's expectation is its going to be extremely tight.

I think we finish 82-80 for a 3rd place finish.

[bustedstuff88]

Anyone else getting a bit chapped that almost none of the games to this point have been televised?

[UNLTrpt]

I'm gonna be a little bit more optimistic this year. Thinking 85 wins.

[Nick@Night]

Park hit is third home run of the spring. As Lou Brown says in Major League II after Willy Mays Hayes comes to spring training hitting for power, "Off a guy who will be bagging groceries in a couple of weeks", it's still a good sign. I bet he pops 20-25 this year and builds from there.

Put me down for 80 wins.

[Benny003]

Seriously, what is the thinking that the Twins won't be better than they were last year? This year shows a ton of promise. What component of the team is worse this year than it was last year? A full year from Buxton and Sano. The rotation is healthy with some depth, plus some minor leaguers that look promising. Park has the potential to be a serious threat in the middle of the lineup (still to be seen, has to be at least as good as someone like Vargas, can possibly be MUCH better). Last year was Mauer's worst batting average year ever, but he was still productive. It should be easy for him to be better this year. Again, I'm just comparing it to last year and looking at what they accomplished. It seems to me that everything this year should be as good or better than it was last year and last year was a good year.

[bustedstuff88]

Originally Posted by Benny003

Seriously, what is the thinking that the Twins won't be better than they were last year? This year shows a ton of promise. What component of the team is worse this year than it was last year? A full year from Buxton and Sano. The rotation is healthy with some depth, plus some minor leaguers that look promising. Park has the potential to be a serious threat in the middle of the lineup (still to be seen, has to be at least as good as someone like Vargas, can possibly be MUCH better). Last year was Mauer's worst batting average year ever, but he was still productive. It should be easy for him to be better this year. Again, I'm just comparing it to last year and looking at what they accomplished. It seems to me that everything this year should be as good or better than it was last year and last year was a good year.

Because we are perpetual underdogs

[Nick@Night]

Buster Olney ‏@Buster_ESPN:

The quirkiest schedule might belong to the Twins: only 18 games vs. KC, DET, CLE in 1st half; 39 of 73 second-half games are vs. KC, DET,CLE.

[bustedstuff88]

Originally Posted by Nick@Night

Buster Olney ‏@Buster_ESPN:

If we can keep pace with KC early, this could make for an edge-of-your-seat second half!

[Nick@Night]

Nolasco gets first crack at a rotation spot over Duffey. Not sure how I feel about that.

[Benny003]

Originally Posted by Nick@Night

Nolasco gets first crack at a rotation spot over Duffey. Not sure how I feel about that.

According to rival scouts interviewed by Sports Illustrated:

"If Ricky Nolasco is in their rotation, then their rotation stinks..."

https://www.instagram.com/p/BDf7BSbh...racehemmelgarn

Nolasco won't last long. Make way for Berrios on June.

[Nick@Night]

Originally Posted by Benny003

According to rival scouts interviewed by Sports Illustrated:

"If Ricky Nolasco is in their rotation, then their rotation stinks..."

https://www.instagram.com/p/BDf7BSbh...racehemmelgarn

Nolasco won't last long. Make way for Berrios on June.

Hard to argue with the bolded statement. At least they get Ervin at the top of the rotation from day 1 to calm any dumpster fires caused by Nolasco at the bottom.

Think Hughes bounces back with a good year?

[Nick@Night]

Nolasco gave up four home runs today in his last start of the spring. Seems like he's already in mid-season form.

[bustedstuff88]

Anybody else notice how Ricky usually got to start against minor league rosters and Duffy faced MLB lineups in spring training?

Just sayin.

[Benny003]

The Twins haven't won an opening day game since 2008 and the streak continues. Buxton had the chance to put the Twins in the lead late and couldn't do it. The bullpen did alright, especially considering the rain delays only allowed Santana to pitch 2 innings.

[bustedstuff88]

Great outing by Jepsen

[Nick@Night]

What's the story with there being an opening game to the season, then an off day right after? Built-in weather buffer since it's the beginning of April?

[bustedstuff88]

Holy strikeouts....Take a pitch or two guys.

[Nick@Night]

Really tough to limp out of the gates again, then head to KC for a series with the champs. At least they aren't the Padres.

[AJF_41]

looks like we are off and running!

[Nick@Night]

Ok, now jealous of the Padres. They've won a game. Worst start in team history. Woo!

Edit: And it's Nolasco on the hill tomorrow. Hello, 0-6.

[bustedstuff88]

Danny Santana injures hamstring, Max Kepler called up.

Lets hope he becomes the spark this team needs to get the fire going.

[Nick@Night]

Near 40 degrees and windy should make for an interesting home opener this afternoon. Anyone going?

[Nick@Night]

Perkins to the 15-day DL. No team in history has begun 0-7 and made the playoffs. Only two have ever come back to achieve a winning record. The hill is already steep and we've only been at this over a week.

At least the weather over the next couple days and through the weekend will be perfect for baseball.