Comments on: A Little Hot Stove Talk http://blogs2.startribune.com/blogs/neal/2008/11/14/a-little-hot-stove-talk/ The latest on the Minnesota Twins Mon, 23 Nov 2009 16:06:49 +0000 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.3.3 By: John Jedda http://blogs2.startribune.com/blogs/neal/2008/11/14/a-little-hot-stove-talk/#comment-98995 John Jedda Sat, 22 Nov 2008 23:59:28 +0000 http://blogs2.startribune.com/blogs/neal/2008/11/14/a-little-hot-stove-talk/#comment-98995 Just returned from the AFL title game where the Phoenix Desert Dogs (Twins team) came from behind in a big way to beat Mesa 10-4. The dogs scored the last 9 runs of the game. Danny Valencia had a big game going 2-3 (he was intentionally walked Morneau style in his last at bat) with a triple and and a single. He was responsible for 2 runs and 2 RBI. Steve Tolleson struck out twice, but also had a stolen base and a run. He looked good in the field, nipping a Solar Sox runner at first with a very strong throw (I should know, I was sitting right behind the first baseman!!!). Dustin Martin played solidly in the outfield. He was 1-5 at the plate with a double, a run scored, and an RBI. Jeff Manship was inconsistent on the mound. Had a good first and third inning but an average second inning where he gave up a run and escaped a scoring situation with a double play. His fourth inning og work was terrible. The Solar Sox hitters really hit the ball hard all over the field (and on one occasion--out of the park). Rob Delaney looked okay. Seems to have a nice arm. Anthony Slama and Tim Lahey didn't make it into the game. All in all, Valencia looked very professional at the plate and in the field and Martin impressed me with his fielding. Something tells me that Valencia might not only get a real good look in spring training, but may have a good shot of making the team....even if Casey Blake is signed. Just returned from the AFL title game where the Phoenix Desert Dogs (Twins team) came from behind in a big way to beat Mesa 10-4. The dogs scored the last 9 runs of the game.

Danny Valencia had a big game going 2-3 (he was intentionally walked Morneau style in his last at bat) with a triple and and a single. He was responsible for 2 runs and 2 RBI.

Steve Tolleson struck out twice, but also had a stolen base and a run. He looked good in the field, nipping a Solar Sox runner at first with a very strong throw (I should know, I was sitting right behind the first baseman!!!).

Dustin Martin played solidly in the outfield. He was 1-5 at the plate with a double, a run scored, and an RBI.

Jeff Manship was inconsistent on the mound. Had a good first and third inning but an average second inning where he gave up a run and escaped a scoring situation with a double play. His fourth inning og work was terrible. The Solar Sox hitters really hit the ball hard all over the field (and on one occasion–out of the park).

Rob Delaney looked okay. Seems to have a nice arm.

Anthony Slama and Tim Lahey didn’t make it into the game.

All in all, Valencia looked very professional at the plate and in the field and Martin impressed me with his fielding.

Something tells me that Valencia might not only get a real good look in spring training, but may have a good shot of making the team….even if Casey Blake is signed.

]]> By: twinsFAN http://blogs2.startribune.com/blogs/neal/2008/11/14/a-little-hot-stove-talk/#comment-98406 twinsFAN Mon, 17 Nov 2008 03:02:34 +0000 http://blogs2.startribune.com/blogs/neal/2008/11/14/a-little-hot-stove-talk/#comment-98406 Can someone give me a link to update? Can someone give me a link to update?

]]> By: Roy http://blogs2.startribune.com/blogs/neal/2008/11/14/a-little-hot-stove-talk/#comment-98391 Roy Sun, 16 Nov 2008 17:06:15 +0000 http://blogs2.startribune.com/blogs/neal/2008/11/14/a-little-hot-stove-talk/#comment-98391 Dan I read that you say the Twins are winning on talent alone. With a couple of exceptions who on last years team would start for established teams. 2 Mauer granted would start for anyone 3 Morneau anyone but St Louis 4 Cassila great year but would only start for75% of AAA teams 5 The Platoon boys....don't get me started 6 The best guy was Punto who even you want to get rid of 7 Young the Twins did not win any games based on his "potential" 8 Gomez exciting and fast and a pretty solid with the glove but scary with the arm. Will be a good player but he won maybe a handful of games with his play alone. 9 Span great year which should be the start of a very good career. Still, he would be the extra outfielder for many playoff qauality teams. The twins won with quality (not great) pitching and timely hitting. Take away a dozen timely hits this past year and the Twins were nowhere near the playoffs. The Twins need more talent! Dan
I read that you say the Twins are winning on talent alone. With a couple of exceptions who on last years team would start for established teams.

2 Mauer granted would start for anyone
3 Morneau anyone but St Louis
4 Cassila great year but would only start for75% of AAA teams
5 The Platoon boys….don’t get me started
6 The best guy was Punto who even you want to get rid of
7 Young the Twins did not win any games based on his “potential”
8 Gomez exciting and fast and a pretty solid with the glove but scary with the arm. Will be a good player but he won maybe a handful of games with his play alone.
9 Span great year which should be the start of a very good career. Still, he would be the extra outfielder for many playoff qauality teams.

The twins won with quality (not great) pitching and timely hitting. Take away a dozen timely hits this past year and the Twins were nowhere near the playoffs.

The Twins need more talent!

]]> By: Roy http://blogs2.startribune.com/blogs/neal/2008/11/14/a-little-hot-stove-talk/#comment-98390 Roy Sun, 16 Nov 2008 16:51:24 +0000 http://blogs2.startribune.com/blogs/neal/2008/11/14/a-little-hot-stove-talk/#comment-98390 Dan How can you say that Gardy is a poor manager when all he does it take average overall talent and put them in the playoffs or serious contention year after year. Please tell me the name of one, just one, "baseball god" who is available out there that would do a better job than Gardy has done. If Gardy where given the talent that some of the big market teams get on a yearly basis, we would be talking dynasty. Oh, by the way Dan, you are an idiot! Dan
How can you say that Gardy is a poor manager when all he does it take average overall talent and put them in the playoffs or serious contention year after year. Please tell me the name of one, just one, “baseball god” who is available out there that would do a better job than Gardy has done. If Gardy where given the talent that some of the big market teams get on a yearly basis, we would be talking dynasty. Oh, by the way Dan, you are an idiot!

]]> By: popbelly http://blogs2.startribune.com/blogs/neal/2008/11/14/a-little-hot-stove-talk/#comment-98275 popbelly Sat, 15 Nov 2008 04:31:54 +0000 http://blogs2.startribune.com/blogs/neal/2008/11/14/a-little-hot-stove-talk/#comment-98275 BC, I belive that your the one who had the team projected at 67-74 wins,,I even think that you had them at ,,77, if I remember right, I think a lot of us had the team at 83-87 I know that I was one,,But for me it was just a lucky guess, A good feel or whatever, BC, I belive that your the one who had the team projected at 67-74 wins,,I even think that you had them at ,,77, if I remember right, I think a lot of us had the team at 83-87 I know that I was one,,But for me it was just a lucky guess, A good feel or whatever,

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