“Keep that heater out of my back or we’re going to have a talk!”

That’s what Mike Redmond said to Matt Garza moments ago in the clubhouse. Pitchers will throw live batting practice today, and someone always gets hit on the first day. Every Twins hitter is hoping he’s NOT that guy….
A couple thoughts

 

My man Howard Sinker is wondering about Jason Bartlett becoming a No.2 hitter. I think Bartlett is destined to be a top of the order hitter, but Twins manager Ron Gardenhire told me that he won’t mess with the batting order. That could change once the season begins and stats accumulate.

Bartlett’s minor league numbers suggests he can be a top of the order guy, and I think you’ll see him up there in 2008 because I don’t expect the Twins to  bring Luis Castillo back.

 In fact, by 2009 Bartlett and Alexi Casilla could the tablesetters for Mauerapolis and Co…..

 

Gardy seems to be determined to have a backup shortstop. To me, it’s raises the question of if the Twins will trade for one  before the end of spring. They currently are banking on Alejandro Machado to stick as a Rule 5 pickup. What if he doesn’t? They may have to spin someone like Lew Ford off to get one…

 

Every spring I select two, `picks to click.’ for the season, a pitcher and hitter whom I think will step up and have a big year. I’ve been awful at these predictions. I think I had Kyle Lohse and Rondell White last year, Frankie Rodriguez one year, and one year I picked David Ortiz and he didn’t even break camp with the club.

I usually wait until the final spring training home game to make my predictions, which usually are ridiculed in the pressbox. Well, I’m coming out right now and saying that Jason Kubel will be my pick to click hitter. I think people have forotten that this kid can rake.

Your homework assignment for the weekend is to come up with a Twins hitter and pitcher to, `click,’ this year. Turn in your paper on Monday….

Ramon Ortiz pulled into camp this afternoon, so the search party can be called off. Twins pitching coach Rick Anderson has scheduled a bullpen session for him on Saturday.

Anderson said righthander J.D. Durbin looked very good during his bullpen session. That’s good for J.D. What’s bad is that the Twins’ bullpen is set unless Matt Guerrier falls apart or the club decides to go with 12 pitchers. Joe McIlvaine, one of GM Terry Ryan’s special assistants, also watched the workout and liked what he saw.

First baseman Garrett Jones has been moved to the outfield. Something about a Canadian in his way….

 As of this morning, the Twins were closing in on 100,000 spring training tickets sold. There’s still many seats available. After all, the Twins drew a record 121,574 last spring and they’ve expanded the capacity of Hammond Stadium for this spring.

In addition to Saturday’s workout, the Twins have arranged a media softball game on Field 5 at 3 p.m. EST. I’m kicking and screaming my way out to the field. The last thing we need to is go out and prove why we are baseball hacks and not players.

I don’t have a glove. I haven’t swung a bat in years. And we’re all wondering what the Twins’ motive is behind this mess. My request to view a roster was denied. Someone will be injured Saturday. If they want to arrange an activity, let’s go bowling.

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The Twins clubhouse was nearly full this morning. Luis Castillo and Alejandro Machado reported so all the position players, I think, have arrived.

Still no Ramon Ortiz as of this morning. His car has been here all week, waiting for him. Stay tuned….

Just one day before the first full squad workout.  

 My buddy Jim Souhan has arrived and already has stirred up controversy. He was in the corner of the clubhouse, talking with Torii Hunter about MY basketball game. I’ve routinely admitted to being the worst basketball player - ever - from Chicago, but I haven’t been on a court with Jim for about six years, and I don’t know why he’s bringing up my game at 8:45 a.m.

All I could do was confirm his story. “It’s true, Torii,” I said. “I’ve created a new position - power guard.” 

 

For your consumption: Check out this soft drink commercial Johan Santana filmed in his hometown during the offseason. He said he has another one coming out with his buddies in a couple of months.

 

Short workout. Short presser afterwards. The Twins have a charity golf tournament that starts in an hour, so everyone is bolting.

Not much news. Ramon Ortiz will report on Friday. I talked to Justin Morneau and Michael Cuddyer for tomorrow’s notebook. The Twins met with umpires to go over rules changes.

Watched Joe Mauer take b.p. Mauer’s stages of batting practice are more noticeable than anyone’s. If he hits a ground ball, it’s usually during the first turn through the cage, then there’s the line drive stage, then there’s the rocket-launcher stage. Quite impressive.

I figured I’d link to my story about Carlos Silva and open up the discussion. Where should we set the over/under on Silva’s wins this year? I’m going with 13. I think he’ll be a little better…

 

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After vowing to watch Sir Sid throw in the bullpen today, I got busy with other duties and failed to make it down in time. Tomorrow’s work schedule, however, should allow me to roam the complex more. I’ll check out some pitchers for awhile then head to the back field to watch a little batting practice.

Gardy just finished his presser. Look for Ponson, Ramon Ortiz, J.D. Durbin to be among names mentioned in Joe Christensen’s notebook tomorrow.

Matthew LeCroy was having a late hitting session with coach Joe Vavra as I headed up to blog.

Someone here asked about Ken Harvey. I hope to see him swing on Thursday. A Twins scout told me that Harvey, instead of holding his bat with both hands, actually hits with one hand closed over the other. I’ve got to check that out….

One thing that’s a must for us seamheads is to read other seamheads. Based on this story you get the sense that Reds think Kyle Lohse is Roy Oswalt. Oh boy…

And I’m going to link to this story about Chris Burke only because the Twins tried like crazy to get him in 2005. I heard about it and asked around, but nobody owned up to it. I was a little flustered…..

Had a brief conversation with Johan Santana about golf as he looked over the list of entrants in the Match Play Championship this week. He’s rooting hard for Phil Mickelson and Mike Weir. “I like the lefties,” Santana explained.

 

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