Blog Comments

I bet a cardboard cutout of Jim Pohlad in the clubhouse would provide the proper motivation.

Nice post, JimCrikket. Sadly, I don't think you'll get what you, and all of us, are looking for. The Twins have a clear, no-punch-back policy. While they all care, and they're all professionals, this organization doesn't foster a fighting attitude or spirit. In fact, any attitude at all is usually frowned upon. The face of the Twins isn't nicknamed "vanilla" for nothin'. They'll play a safe season, with low expectations, and moderately improved play over 2011 and 2012. Yawn.

Originally Posted by mnfanforlife

Hey JC - how does your list compare to my Top 10?

As you'd expect, we largely agree on some guys and disagree on others. We both do have Buxton at #1, however. You can see mine here (I posted it in TD as well, but it's easier for me to find old posts at my own blog).

Yes TC Bear!

Yes, keep starters on a strict pitch count while the weather is cold in Iowa. I am impressed with the number of high-ceiling pitchers we have in A+ and below. Could be a very solid Twins staff by 2015.

Yes! DJ Baxendale! Cant wait to see what he can do with a full season as a starter.

Thanks for catching that, Justin. I thought I caught all of the offseason releases, but obviously I missed Kimes. Correction made.

I understand the Twins wanting to have guys like Baxendale and Bard start, but I just have some trouble figuring out how they're going to fit all these "starters" in to the limited number of rotations they have in April. Maybe you just have two different "starters" work 3-4 innings each during April games and let it all shake out by performance.

Kimes got cut.
Baxendale will be used as a starter, he was limited to the Bullpen last year because of how much he was used at Arkansas

Hey JC - how does your list compare to my Top 10?

Baxendale is a starter, just used as a Bullpen guy last year because he reached his innings limit

Buxton may not start the season in Cedar Rapids but he will be up there before July. Probably in mid-May.

Do not think Buxton will start in Cedar Rapids. Expect outfield to be Walker in right, Kepler in center and Jimenez in Left. JD Williams will be the 4th outfielder/DH in Cedar Rapids until Buxton moves up in July. Then the best one of them will be sent to Fort Myers. Or they could move Jimenez to Fort Myers to start the season.

I think that's as good a projection as any. There's going to be one or two infielders to mix in to the DH rotation, as well, though.

As a Kernels fan, I'm really hopeful that we'll have this group in CR for almost all season.

Excellent outfielders in Cedar Rapids. Crowed too. What is day one OF line up?

I say - Kepler in LF - Buxton in CF - Walker in RF - Jimenez as DH

Williams will be in High A - Your thoughts

Rory's numbers do not get me excited...But Hicks and Harrison could be the real deal. I am hoping that C.Pimentel and Polanco can stay at middle infield for Cedar Rapids. Niko too. Will read what you have on those guys. Thanks!

I don't think he played any 1B at all for Elizabethton last summer. That said, almost every corner IF and corner OF seems to find themselves playing a few innings at 1B here or there in the minor leagues. A guy Walker's size would certainly seem to be a likely candidate to get over there eventually, but I'm going to cover him with the outfielders in this series.

Is Adam Walker done at 1B?

Another good post (I'm already looking forward to next year's ballot for more of your posts--and chances to debate the merits of candidates).

Now that the ballot's been finalized and the 0-fer confirmed, I'm sure that we will hear those cries. And while I was first tempted to join them (because I am dumbfounded at Biggio's non-inclusion),I can agree that a no-inductee weekend won't end the world and could reestablish some waning lustre of the Hall of Fame.

That said, as someone who would gladly vote for more than 10 players next year, I'm also confident that increasing the votes won't lead to a flood of honorees. It seems as though most writers decide who to vote for based on whether or not they meet the "Hall of Fame" standard in their own mind. Some say that 15 people make it, some say 10 others (as Rosterman) points out see 5 and others (ESPN's Howard Bryant) see 0. I don't know as a 15 vote option would hurt the hall's integrity--a 15 vote requirement DEFINITELY would.

The three fellows who voted form The Sporting News...one voted for ten, the other two only found five folks to vote for.

Hosken Powell, Willie Norwood and Bombo Rivera doesn't get any better than that!!