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Sunday Morning Baseball & Breakfast: Nathan, Slama, Liriano, Valencia, Hardy, Revere, Ramos & Butera

Which is more delicious:  breakfast or baseball?  They're both great any time of day.  Or night.  But unless it's my dad's breakfast, I think I have to go with baseball.

Players on the 40-man roster who did not finish the previous year in the majors need to be optioned before today (16 days before Opening Day), or, in the event of an injury, they must be kept on the major league DL.

Obviously that's not comforting to people who wanted Valencia to get the starting job at third, but it answers the question as to why the Twins moved so quickly in spite of a good last few days with the team.

I really don't have an issue with this.  Valencia will get his chances this season.

  • J.J. Hardy played in a minor league game yesterday and apparently feels fine.  He should be back with the Twins in fairly short order.
  • Ben Revere picked up five more at-bats yesterday and continues to be, far and away, the spring leader in playing time.  In 13 games and 38 at-bats, Revere is 12-for-38 (.316) with three doubles, a triple and a pair of stolen bases.  He's also struck out 11 times without taking a single walk, which is a rather large departure from his minor league track record.  But they'll come.  For a 21-year old kid getting his first taste, he's holding his own.
  • Nothing is becoming clear quite yet in the competition for Joe Mauer's April backup.  Wilson Ramos has played in fewer games but has picked up more at-bats than Drew Butera, and certainly seems to be the favorite of Ron Gardenhire.  I don't have much of a preference as for who goes north for a month, even though Ramos clearly is the better player; I can see both sides of the decision.

See you for the game this afternoon!

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Another note...

On the business side of things, the Twins have reportedly already sold more than 2.4 million tickets for the 2010 regular season — more than all of last year combined (and the season hasn’t started).

There is a feeling that much of the season could be sold out before the home opener at Target Field. 24 games are seemingly already gone, and as many as 15 others have only singles left (meaning you can’t but multiple seats next to each other).

That means nearly half of the season is already virtually sold out. Most of the games with a lot of tickets left seem to be in August and September.

by Twins Territory on Mar 21, 2010 7:34 AM EDT reply actions  

As for the other stuff:

  • Valencia will be up at some point in 2010, and I didn’t really expect him to make the team.
  • With two bullpen spots open and either Duensing or Perkins taking one spot, it’ll be interesting to see how the final spot works out. If Neshek starts in extended spring training or the minors, maybe Slama will have a shot (he could be added to the 40-man if Nathan goes to the 60-day DL).
  • It’s been really hard to read the backup catcher competition. It’s no question that Gardy favors Ramos and his bat. I do too. But, will the front office intervene and say he needs more seasoning in the minors? Afterall, whoever wins might only be up for a few weeks until Morales is healthy (unless they really impress in their stay).

by Twins Territory on Mar 21, 2010 7:41 AM EDT reply actions  

Ramos is better

but he will only play if Mauer, does’nt. He might get 15 at-bats in a month. Is it worth starting his clock, when he could end up back at AA? His problem is he’s behind Mauer and Kubel. I think he should see Rochester first and come-up in Sept. Can we find a place for him to play?

by b1 on Mar 21, 2010 8:46 AM EDT up reply actions  

options

If Duensing isn’t lighting it up in spring training, why have him sit in the pen as mop up man when he could be starting in AAA?

If Duensing or Perkins doesn’t look effective, I’d rather see Slama. Those strikeout numbers are unworldly. A funky delivery can go a long way. Maybe he’ll be the next Neshek.

Does anyone know if Perkins has options left?

by by jiminy on Mar 21, 2010 10:52 AM EDT up reply actions  

No surprise

Both Thesier and JoeC say Nathan confirmed that he had pain during his throwing session and will undergo Tommy John surgery.

by RandBall's Stu on Mar 21, 2010 9:31 AM EDT reply actions  

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