Twins Fans.......who do you want?

[FDWxMan]

Plus, I still highly doubt that Casilla is an everyday player on the offensive side anyway. He screams utility INF to me, so I'd like to have Hughes to be able to plug in at least a few times a week, just because...especially the days when Gardy is going with the JV squad

[Dryburn]

Can't believe how much Tolbert love there is, especially considering all the belly-aching that has been done over Punto all these years. Of course maybe that wasn't you guys but still...

How many years have the Twins given away 3 innings per game committing themselves to a 2b, ss, 3b that couldn't hit all in the name of "good defense"

Juan Castro, Nick Punto, Matt Tolbert, Brendan Harris, Alexi Casilla, Adam Everett, L-Rod, Terry Tiffee....

At least start with something that might possibly have the threat of an offensive pulse. We can always go back and pick up a .270 OPS from Rochester in May or June if it isn't working.

I have never been a fan of Tolbert, even with his glove. He is like an automatic out almost. Punto drove me nuts mainly because of the Gardy love for him. Seems like he just had to get him into the line-up every day somehow. That, and his head-first slides into first base.

Well, hopefully Valencia can continue what he started last year at 3rd. Nishi hit well in Japan, and has been hitting well this Spring. Supposedly, he is great defensively, so if he can hit at all, that will be a plus. I want to see Nishi and Casilla, and even Span for that matter not be afraid to bunt once in a while to get on base. I would love to see Casilla get back to his 2008 level, and maybe he will. That was also the season he played in the most games, and got by far the most at-bats. Maybe he needs that....to play every day and know that the job is his. It would be nice to see a good-fielding, and okay hitting middle infield that also has some speed on the bases.

[Iastfan112]

Can't believe how much Tolbert love there is, especially considering all the belly-aching that has been done over Punto all these years. Of course maybe that wasn't you guys but still...

How many years have the Twins given away 3 innings per game committing themselves to a 2b, ss, 3b that couldn't hit all in the name of "good defense"

Juan Castro, Nick Punto, Matt Tolbert, Brendan Harris, Alexi Casilla, Adam Everett, L-Rod, Terry Tiffee....

At least start with something that might possibly have the threat of an offensive pulse. We can always go back and pick up a .270 OPS from Rochester in May or June if it isn't working.

Neither Punto or Tolbert has had that bad of line(and Tolbert has better minor line than Punto fwiw). I think the biggest issue people had with Punto isn't that he was on the Twins, he was a very capable utility player. The issue was instead, the fact he ended up starting despite not having the bat to do so. Used correctly I fine with Punto/Tolbert, they just should not start barring injury.

[FDWxMan]

Neither Punto or Tolbert has had that bad of line(and Tolbert has better minor line than Punto fwiw). I think the biggest issue people had with Punto isn't that he was on the Twins, he was a very capable utility player. The issue was instead, the fact he ended up starting despite not having the bat to do so. Used correctly I fine with Punto/Tolbert, they just should not start barring injury.

Well, that's kind of my point. Punto never should have been anywhere near a starting job, yet he was handed one out of spring training what, two or three times. And the other years he wasn't still found his way into way too many lineups.

Casilla, having had the oppotunity to be a starter twice, came up with about a 1/2 or 2/3 of a season, fading quickly at the end of '08 which is his "banner" year.
Nishioka, unknown quantity, could be good, could be Kaz Matusi 2.0, or would it be 0.5? Maybe Kaz 1.9.9. Or Kaz beta?
Tolbert, as you said, is not a starter.
Repko, is not a starter.
Hughes, while also is completely unknown and unproven may be the most likely of the Twins re-treads to at least have a chance to maybe hit .260 with a hint of power, as opposed to an empty .260 straight singles, might be nice to at least give a chance

Since you're already married to Nishioka and Casilla (who Gardy inexplicably just gave the SS job to without so much as a day of competion in ST, despite the fact that he's already blown a couple chances) why carry another clone in Tolbert who is likely to give the exact same, likely below average production?

[Bipolarcy]

I'm concerned about the bullpen too, but the Twins usually manage to piece something pretty good together.

Starter spots apparently secure: Pavano, Liriano, Blackburn and Duensing. Then either Baker or Slowey, with other going to pen.

So that leaves 6 pen positions. Nathan, Capps, Mijares are assured.

Choose the remaining 3 from (apparently) Diamond, Hoey, Hughes, Manship, Slama, Perkins, Waldrop, and Gutierrez.

Gardy apparently really likes Gutierrez, and he has not allowed a run eight innings this Spring.

It will be fun (and a bit nerve-wracking) to watch the early part of the season.

Gutierrez has been really sharp this spring. I hope that carries over to the regular season. He was a high enough draft pick (Twins second first-round pick in 2008) and from a good enough baseball school (Miami) that I think he should be able to. I keep wondering, though, if the Twins have any plans to eventually turn him into a starter, since that's what he was in college. I remember Santana sitting in the bullpen for several years before the Twins made the move with him.

By the way, OF Aaron Hicks was the Twins first pick in the first round in 2008

[Iastfan112]

Gutierrez has been really sharp this spring. I hope that carries over to the regular season. He was a high enough draft pick (Twins second first-round pick in 2008) and from a good enough baseball school (Miami) that I think he should be able to. I keep wondering, though, if the Twins have any plans to eventually turn him into a starter, since that's what he was in college. I remember Santana sitting in the bullpen for several years before the Twins made the move with him.

By the way, OF Aaron Hicks was the Twins first pick in the first round in 2008

Actually he was a closer for the Hurricanes, Twins converted him to a starter for awhile so he'd work more on his offspeed pitches, and then they brought him back to the bullpen halfway thru last year. I highly doubt he ends up a starter.

[clone52]

Well, that's kind of my point. Punto never should have been anywhere near a starting job, yet he was handed one out of spring training what, two or three times. And the other years he wasn't still found his way into way too many lineups.

Casilla, having had the oppotunity to be a starter twice, came up with about a 1/2 or 2/3 of a season, fading quickly at the end of '08 which is his "banner" year.
Nishioka, unknown quantity, could be good, could be Kaz Matusi 2.0, or would it be 0.5? Maybe Kaz 1.9.9. Or Kaz beta?
Tolbert, as you said, is not a starter.
Repko, is not a starter.
Hughes, while also is completely unknown and unproven may be the most likely of the Twins re-treads to at least have a chance to maybe hit .260 with a hint of power, as opposed to an empty .260 straight singles, might be nice to at least give a chance

Since you're already married to Nishioka and Casilla (who Gardy inexplicably just gave the SS job to without so much as a day of competion in ST, despite the fact that he's already blown a couple chances) why carry another clone in Tolbert who is likely to give the exact same, likely below average production?

If you think Hughes has a future as a regular everyday player, then you also have to weigh whether you want to waste him as a utility player or give him everyday play in AAA.

[Iastfan112]

Hughes = poor man's Danny Valencia, worse minor league hitter, worse defense. Not a regular, but could be decent righthanded pop off the bench.

[FDWxMan]

If you think Hughes has a future as a regular everyday player, then you also have to weigh whether you want to waste him as a utility player or give him everyday play in AAA.

Well, actually I don't really think he has much of a future as an everyday player, but I feel like he may be more of a threat than Tolbert or whoever that's already been hanging around for 2 or 3 seasons with very little to indicate this time might be different.

As for not wanting to waste guys on the bench and just leave them in AAA, ever heard of Michael Restovich? I could come up with probably 10 names over the past ten years the Twins FO has said will be the next big thing but have to stay at Rochester so they stay sharp, only to stunt their growth and trade em for 10 cents on the dollar or just release...

Hughes = poor man's Danny Valencia, worse minor league hitter, worse defense. Not a regular, but could be decent righthanded pop off the bench.

Which is mostly the spot I'm arguing for Hughes. I wouldn't be totally opposed to him seeing a shot at starting, considering Casilla is on shot number 3, but I would rather have that bench spot go to someone who maybe, just maybe, might have a shot a driving a fastball.

[FDWxMan]

Hughes = poor man's Danny Valencia, worse minor league hitter, worse defense. Not a regular, but could be decent righthanded pop off the bench.

Although Valencia (so far), is an example on why leaning on minor league stats isn't necessarily an exact science. Yeah, usually you can take the minors and knock off a fair share of points to project what their MLB stats may look like, but remember, Valencia never hit over .290 after A-ball, yet spent a good chunk of last year ~.330, which is another one of my concerns.

[J-Diggy]

I would go with Hughes until he cools off.

Really think one of the other posters hit it on the head with hope that Valencia can keep it going. If not, the left side of the infield could be scary with Casilla not a sure thing offensively either.

Less worried about pitching. Competition should motivate the 3-5 spots in the rotation and whoever is the odd man out. At least you would hope so if they have any guts at all.

[Iastfan112]

Although Valencia (so far), is an example on why leaning on minor league stats isn't necessarily an exact science. Yeah, usually you can take the minors and knock off a fair share of points to project what their MLB stats may look like, but remember, Valencia never hit over .290 after A-ball, yet spent a good chunk of last year ~.330, which is another one of my concerns.

Valencia will regress, it seems like every ball he hit in crucial situtions managed to find the hole between SS and 3B or fall in front of the outfielders. Not saying he won't be a solid regular but I don't think he'll hit above .300 again

[clone52]

Well, actually I don't really think he has much of a future as an everyday player, but I feel like he may be more of a threat than Tolbert or whoever that's already been hanging around for 2 or 3 seasons with very little to indicate this time might be different.

As for not wanting to waste guys on the bench and just leave them in AAA, ever heard of Michael Restovich? I could come up with probably 10 names over the past ten years the Twins FO has said will be the next big thing but have to stay at Rochester so they stay sharp, only to stunt their growth and trade em for 10 cents on the dollar or just release...



Which is mostly the spot I'm arguing for Hughes. I wouldn't be totally opposed to him seeing a shot at starting, considering Casilla is on shot number 3, but I would rather have that bench spot go to someone who maybe, just maybe, might have a shot a driving a fastball.

You really think Restovich was stunted by staying in AAA. He was never going to be a major leaguer.

I would be thrilled if Hughes' defense was improved enough to take Tolbert's spot.

I'd imagine if we had injuries at 2B or 3B, he'd be the first one up to get the starting spot.

[clone52]

Another thing to factor in is how fast and how good a baserunner Hughes is. We're probably not going to be looking at pinch hitting from that spot, but rather a pinch runner for Kubel or a pinch runner/defensive replacement for Thome when he pinch hits for someone (Casilla).

[capitalcityguy]

I just want to win a playoff series....for starters!

I must confess that I grew up thinking when we won the division, we ended up in the World Series...and won that too while we were at it. i.e....'87 and '91.

Kinda got spoiled as a youngin'.