No Time Like The Present

IStock Photo 7870014 © Rob Friedman

I want to admit this first and foremost, if this is the Frankie that we are going to get all season, I want to take back every mean thing I have ever said about him. I know a lot of people were wondering if we would ever get the Frankie back from 2006 and from before he had his surgery and I think we have that pitcher and then some this season. I know at the beginning of the season he was the one starting pitcher I was the most concerned with after a few of his outings last season, but watching him this year, I apparently was worried about the wrong one!

I would have loved to have been a fly in the area of home plate tonight to either hear or see what Denard did to get thrown out of the game. I have never seen him get that mad before, he always seems so calm and collected even after a bad call, so I'm not sure what set him off tonight. Denard just doesn't strike me as the type of person that looses his cool easy, so it must of been something major during tonight's game. And of course since MLB is cracking down on the players tweeting, we'll probably never know the answer to that question.

With how well the team has been playing this season I know I shouldn't complain about a single thing, but after tonight's game, I need to complain. They left 12 runners on base tonight and were 1 for 10 with runners in scoring position. That's just horrible! All these games we lost by 1 or even 2 runs could have been won if the guys would have been able to capitalize on the guys left on base. Yeah a few guys need to be swinging the bat better I.E. Jason Kubel and even Denard, but when those guys to and get on base, everyone after them in the line up seems to freeze and forget how to bring everyone else home.

I think if they could get that worked out, this team could really be the team to beat this season. Not that I don't think they already are, but they are just stranding too many guys on base. Perfect example was Denard's triple tonight and they just leave him hanging there looking like a loser. I felt bad for him, after all that and then he just gets left there. Hopefully this is something they can get better at as the season goes on and if they do it's only going to get better from here.

On a final note, hopefully Justin's back isn't too bad and he'll be back after a day off and a little bit of R&R.

No Joey Brokenness

So the news came this morning that I think shocked a lot of fans in Twins Territory, there is a chance we could spend the season minus our closer. A whole season without Joe Nathan?! Please say it ain't so!


Many will say yes please, after his performance towards the end of last season. But those of us that are faithful to the players on our team were saddened this morning of the news on Joe. I personally was not expecting it to be this bad or that the dreaded Tommy Johns surgery would be mentioned.

But now that there is a chance that the Twins will be forced to spend the season without their closer. So the Twins are forced with the question: Who will fill Joe Nathan's shoes?

I put my money on Matt Guerrier but a lot of people are saying Pat Neshak and I've even heard a few votes for Jon Rauch (please no!). I think another strong candidate could be Frankie. He's strong for one or two innings which is all we would need out of him as the closer.

The Twins have a tough decision to make before the season starts in a few short weeks. Let's just hope whoever they pick can handle the pressure and not crack.

My thoughts....

I know this is a few weeks late, but it's been kinda busy so I had to put off doing this. Everyone has done their posts on who should stay and who should go this off season for the Twins. I, personally, thought a lot of this talk stemmed from an article from Patrick Reusse on the Star Tribune's website.

I think to start this off, the first item that I wanted to talk about was the article from Reusse. I think the Twins would be crazy to get rid of Nathan. He is by far the best closer in the Major Leagues and he was a great trade in order to get rid of AJ the ass. Sure he had a rough time during the playoffs, but we can't put the whole blame on him. The umps blew calls, the guys missed plays and in my mind you can't beat a team that uses steroids.

Trading Nathan would be the biggest mistake the Twins could ever make. In all honesty, I think the Twins need to bring back pretty much every single players we had this season. It worked from 2008 to this year forcing yet again another game 163, I think it could work again for 2010.

I even think they need to bring Joe Crede back. I love how I was against him being here to begin with, but he's grown on me and I think he's a real asset to the team. The doctors told the front office that the artificial turf was going to be tough on Crede's back, but I really think by being out on real grass next season, like he's used to playing on, we could really see Crede shine and help this team out all season.

I guess when it all comes down to it, the only person I can think of that needs to go, far, far, far away; is Glen Perkins. To me the guy brought down our pitching staff. He brought down the team. His constant complaining about his elbow, when no one could find anything wrong with him. I personally think it was all in his head, he knew his pitching sucked so he made up every excuse possible to not have to pitch.

Sitting On Pins And Needles

So I've noticed this lately and Betsy has pointed it out too, the guys have a tendency so make us sit on pins and needles and then come out in the 6th or 7th innings, rally and win the game when it's all said and done. Which, I don't care how we win them as long as we win them so we still stand a chance of making it to October. As many times as I've said I've given up on this team, I just can't do it.

I think a lot can go back to last season when we were in the run for the title, yes Gardy did tell the team they needed to sweep Chicago, but at the same time they needed to take it game by game and that's what they did. I honestly believe they need to do that this season too. Yes we are further back this season than last, but we need to capitalize when we have runners in scoring position, etc.

We just need to take it one step at a time and this past weekend and tonight's game are steps in the right direction.

Span-man was on top of his game tonight in left field. That catch was amazing and while on one hand I think it's hilarious he ended up in the bull pen, I did not think it was funny that he literally ran into Jesse. LOL We have enough of our pitchers on the DL, we don't need to add to it. Although that could have made for a great article on the Twins site, "Crain on DL with concussion from Span"

For those that missed the play or just wanna see it again go here: Span runs it down

Tomorrow we get to see what the newbie can bring to the table... remember the only game that is accepted is your A game so you better bring it :-)

Grandma Was Slow...

My 100-year-old Great-Grandmother could pitch better then the crap we have for starters, she may have to sit in order to do it, but she could probably do a better job. It's enough to make you sick to your stomach when you sit down to watch a game and you wonder if your starting pitcher will make it 2 innings.

I wanna know what the fuck happened? I really didn't want to give up on this team, but I have because they aren't going to amount to shit with the pitching we have. We have one pitcher who whines because his shoulder is bugging him, yet was golfing yesterday. We have another one who gets nervous and "forgets" what he's supposed to do. We have a rookie that hasn't faced half of these teams and seems to forget what the strike zone is. Don't ask me what Nick's problem is and the same goes for Timmy.

I'm going to get them all walkers or Binky's or something and tell them to grow the fuck up.

I'm not even going to watch tomorrow nights game, considering who's pitching.

A Hodge Podge of Crap

Tonight's game was so bad even Gardy couldn't stand to watch it and got himself kicked out. Gardy, I think I should have joined you on that one!

Okay quick little beef with the game, these fucking Umps need glasses. That was the biggest bullshit call I have ever seen in my life. Do these umps have it out for the Twins or something? Do we have a big target over our heads that says "Pick on this team!"

So apparently someone from the front office is listening somewhere because we got the pitching help we needed, at least I think. Apparently he's going to start tomorrow night in place of Papa Perk, which kinda bums me out because it's like they are writing him off, but we've got to squeeze Carl Pavano in the rotation. I don't know much about him, I have to do some research, but we'll see how it does tomorrow night against Verlander. And with us getting a new starter apparently Frankie will finally make his way to the bullpen, at least that's the report that was given during the news. We'll see how accurate they are.

Oh and while I'm on the new pitcher, did they seriously have to give him #48? They couldn't come up with a different number? 48 will always be Torii's number just like 18 will always be Jason's number.

But with that move we had to say goodbye to a pitcher and who did they get rid of? R.A. Seriously? What the fuck are you doing getting rid of a guy that can pitch every game. What does that leave us with? Bobby Keppel who SUCKS! Why the hell couldn't they have sent him to Rochester? Everyone is saying they sent Dickey back because he apparently lost his ability to throw his knuckle ball. I don't think he lost it, I think it's tough for him to throw it because Mauer can't catch it and he's admitted he can't catch it.

Just when you think maybe, maybe the front office is getting shit figured out someone fucks up and screws us over again. I realize that in a month we get extra roster spots, but by that time it's going to be too late to do anything. At this point the guys on the team are already turning against each other and when that happens you might as well forget any chance of making it anywhere for the rest of the season. You've got one player blaming another, one blaming the ump and a coach blaming two of the players (for those that read the article on the Star Trib this morning you know who I'm talking about).

We can't afford anymore injuries. We're already down 3 of our better pitchers, we've got a third basemen that will miss the entire series. Don't get me wrong, I love Crede and think he's a good addition to the team when he can actually play. As much as I would love to see him here next season I think Danny Valencia will be getting the start next season at third base.

Seriously, why is this team always getting fucked over?

How Can We Screw it Up More?

Pretty sure Orlando Cabrera isn't going to be the hero that Billy Smith thinks he's going to be. I don't think one guy can win a ball game and after tonight's piss poor performance, I feel bad that Cabrera has to come here and deal with this. If I am not mistaken, I thought we had a pretty good set up with Nick Punto at 2nd and Brendan Harris at short, but apparently someone didn't like that so we'll just say f*ck you both and bring in the new guy.

After watching Bobby Keppels performance tonight (if that's what you wanna call it) it's pretty clear what the Twins needed and I'm pretty sure the fans have been asking for it all season and that's pitchers. Whether it be relief or starters, we need better pitching. Plain and simple.

Here's a suggestion for next years trading season, can we trade for different GM's? I'd really like a new one. It was funny cause while at the game Wednesday night, we actually saw Bill Smith walking out from somewhere trying to make his way to his area where he watches the games and I really wanted to yell something at him, but didn't.

I'd like to have a little conversation with our favorite center fielder, GoGo. How many times does Gardy have to yell at you before you understand you have to hit the cut off man?! You don't have a bionic arm that can throw that far without it being off somewhere along the line. Blackie was ready for it... next time hit the cut off and we might stand a chance, got it?

The only positives I found in tonight's game were the diving catches by Punto and Morneau. Otherwise it was just a sucky baseball game all around.

Now the guessing game begins until they announce who is getting sent back to Rochester. My money is on Casilla, but after reading an article before the game started, they hinted towards Buscher. Young was also brought up in the talk, but with Cuddy leaving the game in the 10th inning, does that secure Young's spot on the 25-man roster? We almost need him here for cases like that.

But now after watching Twins Live, apparently Cuddy has a strained lower back, so who knows what's going to happen. Do they put him on the DL if it's bad enough and leave the roster alone or do they still send someone down? It was originally said that the roster move would happen tonight if someone didn't get hurt, coincidence? I'd like to hope not. Or are they buying time to figure out who to kick out?

This game was way too similar to the games played in the series in LA, shape up boys... cause this crap doesn't cut it.

So Long, Farewell and a battle at .500

I think a lot of Twins fans weren't surprised with the news yesterday that the Twins front office, once again, screwed up. What everyone was surprised with, was who the Twins front office cut loose this time. Last time was Jesse Crain, this time Luis Ayala.

I figured for sure when I started hearing reports yesterday that Bill Smith (who I didn't think knew how to work) was making a trip to Rochester to look at the pitching staff out there, that we would be saying so long to Sean Henn, but apparently I don't know this team as well as I thought.

Instead we're DFAing a guy that was experience to bring in a guy that doesn't really have the experience.

What exactly is the game plan if Keppel comes in and sucks more then Ayala or Henn? Oh that's right, the front office probably doesn't have a game plan. Apparently they don't seem to really care what's going on. Way to go!

And while I'm on the topic of stuff I've been reading online. I have been reading a lot of stuff about how this club won't be anything more then a .500 club this season. Last season when the club rolled into Milwaukee for our boarder battle, we were 32-35, this season rolling in we are 35-36.

I strongly think this series could be the turn around this club needs. With the All-Star break right around the corner, they will find the momentum they need to be more than a .500 team.

We need a pitcher...

At least I'm not coming here going "And there went another losing series on the road." I was ready to be all excited over a winning series on the road, but alas, no such luck.

We saw some really good pitching by our starters on this series, Swarzy tried, again he's only 23 it has to be tough, Scottie was amazing, Frankie had some rocky moments but pulled through, and Blackie was hanging tough until the 8th inning (but he can't be perfect all the time, what fun would that be?)

Yet we went 2 for 4 in the series, it wasn't lack of runs (we had some homers, singles, just good base running), it was mostly the bullpen and a player, who shall remain nameless, but just got sent back to Rochester this afternoon to make way for LNP.

It would be nice if we could get some help from the pen and not have to rely on the same people every time we go to there.

Now it's on to Wrigley Field, I don't think I've ever been more excited for a series then I have been for this one, just because it's Wrigley Field.

Keep swinging the bats boys and the rest will fall into place.

I smell a draft...

I started working on this last night before that mess that was the 9th inning, so I'll finish what I started now and add a little to it :-)

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

So seeing how this is the first year I've really tried to keep up with the draft (as much as a crazy day at work will let me), I decided tonight to sit down and do some research on some of the top guys that we drafted in the first two days.

~ 1st round: Kyle Gibson - RHP

I think he could make a good addition to a starting rotation. I heard so much about this guy when the draft talks first started and I was surprised to see that he was still available when we had our 22nd pick. Once his stress fracture heals and if he signs with the team, I think he could make a really good addition to our pitching staff. I've been reading good things about his fastball.

~ 4th round: Ben Tootle - RHP

I think Ben would make a good addition to our bullpen (which we all know needs some work) Everything that I have read has said his slider is probably one of his better pitches against right handed hitters. Now this the bug he had for a month has passed and he's getting back into his rhythm, he has a lot to show.

~ 5th round: Derek McCallum - 2nd base

A home grown guy coming out of the U of M and hometown of Shoreview. It's always a good feeling to see the Twins pick up some of Minnesota's talent. He was drafted by the Twins as a last round pick in 2006 I believe. He had a batting average of .291 in 2008 and 32 RBI and 3 home runs. He can play either shortstop or 2nd (as the Twins drafted him for)

~ 27th round: Eric Decker - OF

Yet another homegrown ball player out of the U, Eric comes from Cold Spring. In 2008 he had a .329 batting average, 28 RBI, 3 home runs, 9 stolen bases and an on base percentage of .439. He was also drafted before to the Milwaukee Brewers as a 38th round pick in 2008. He has decided though that he wants to play football at the U this coming school year before he makes his decision concerning his professional career.

Overall I love the number of pitchers the Twins are trying to pick up, as we all know our bullpen needs some work. Obviously most of these guys will probably never see the Majors, but it's nice to see the Twins trying to make something happen.

Tonight's what the heck moment brought to you by...

I was going to wait and do a post after this series, but after tonight's...interesting...performance, it's getting it's own post.

I was all excited and ready to come and do a "Yay Scottie Baker with the shut out" post, but oh no...we let it come down to a save situation with a 10-0 lead in the 9th *head desk* If my parents weren't already asleep I'd be going on a one women rampage. Thank God for Natey.

There were positives during the game today, yes it wasn't all so odd, it was nice to see some magic from the bottom of the lineup. We can’t rely on the M&M boys all the time to get the runs for this team, two people can’t support this entire organization, and we have some really good hitters that just need to find their rhythm. Example, Harris was really good tonight, it was nice to see Delmon get back into it as well.

I liked seeing some homeruns in there too…I thought for awhile we forgot how to hit those. Justin and Jason reminded me what those were again. Thanks for that boys :)

I end tonight's post with a question, with Little Nicky Punto coming off the DL Friday, what are your thoughts on what will happen with the lineup and the roster? Who will go back to Rochester and where will everyone play?

I have my thoughts on that question, but I'll save that for my post on Thursday.

Say goodbye to Tampa Bay...

At least this road series wasn't a sweep, which I was expecting. But I did think that with Tampa having 9 players on the DL we would have stood a better chance of winning more then one game. But hey, that's the Twinkie way right?

As a rule, I like/"love" all the guys on the team, but after his performance yesterday, I am not very happy with Frankie. I realize he really hasn't been himself since he had the Tommy John's surgery a couple years ago, but to openly admit that you don't know what you are doing, that you don't know what pitches to throw, to me that say's you've lost it and to Triple A you should go. It's the catchers job to call the game, don't shake off the pitches he signals. I'm pretty sure Joe and Mike know what they are doing.

But Gardy and Andy both think he can still handle it, so here is where he stays. I think he needs to go back to Triple A and Swarzy should stay in as a starter. He has been so impressive his first two starts and at only 23, he has a lot of potential in the big leagues :) Today's performance by Blackie made up for the lack luster performance last night so that's a plus.

I would love it if we could make it through a game without someone getting dinged up! Today was Cuddy, out with a sprained right index finger, yesterday was Crede, and I guess you could also say was Mauer after the beating he took behind the plate. Apparently he has bruises all up and down the inside of his thighs, one on his rib cage and one on his right leg where he fouled a pitch off it. How that man manges to win batting titles after getting beat up really says something about his performance.

And to end today on a lighter note. Kevin Slowey during yesterdays game and Denard Span's mom had to be the highlights of the weekend. Listening to Kevin yesterday while talking to Perkins was the best thing during the game. "I feel like I'm at a rave, not a baseball game." Denard's mom, she's so cute! You can tell she's so proud of her boy.

Now come on home guys, the "dome magic" is waiting for you.

Beating Boston...Finally

First off, because I'll admit I'm bias, congrats to Joe Mauer on being honored with the A.L. Player of the week. With a batting average of .458 and 4 home runs in the last week, it's hard to not honor him with something. The power he is putting up is amazing.

Now I'm not saying this to be cruel because it's not nice to wish anyone end up hurt, but Ryan Braun was pulled from Milwaukee's game tonight after being hit by a pitch. Now doesn't that sound familiar? I guess what goes around comes around, yes?

It was nice to see the Twins get back to the small ball tonight (with a little long ball thrown in for good measure, thank you Justin). Stealing bases, bunting, etc. LNP amazing performance tonight as well. I think this team has surprised quite a few people this year with the number of home runs they have been hitting, so it was a nice reminder that we can play small ball too.

Blackie. His performance tonight was a beautiful thing, or perhaps it was just him that was beautiful, anyway. It's nice to see our starting pitchers start to find their way again and make it 7 or 8 innings before we have to make the call to the bull pen.

Now for the real reason of tonight's post, Delmon Young. He is a young man with tremendous talent, I'm just beginning to wonder where that talent has gone this year offensive-wise. He made an incredible defensive play tonight so I'm not knocking him there and I know he's had a lot going on with the death of his mother. I know in time it will all come rushing back and he'll be hitting that ball like there is no tomorrow. Part of me just hopes it comes sooner rather then later.

First off, Happy Birthday Jason Kubel.

Secondly, I might be bias since Joe Mauer is what all my friends consider to be my baseball boyfriend, but is it just me or does this team seem to have a different attitude to it when Mauer's in the line up? Long ball, after long ball, after long ball and today it just seemed like we hit a all. Leaving too many RISP.

Prime example... 2-run homer as a pinch hitter. This goes to prove we need Mauer in the lineup. I know Gardy wants to give him a day off, but let him DH. He doesn't have to catch every single game, just like Justin doesn't have to play first every game, but at least let him DH.

Thirdly, I've been thinking about our pitching situation for when Papa Perk comes off the DL. With the way Swarzy pitched Saturday night, he's proved he's ready for the majors. Sean Henn has done really well since being called up, so has Dickey. Now really that only leaves Crain, Matty, and Ayala left to get rid of. Crain knows what to do and Matty has been amazing this season. My thought is, Ayala's got to go back to Triple A. He hasn't proven much this season.

That's my take, it may not mean much, but then again, this blog is just my thoughts.