Twins 4, Marlins 1
by Nick Nelson on Mar 24, 2010 5:46 PM EDT
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PrintThe Twins got five scoreless innings from starter Kevin Slowey today in a 4-1 exhibition victory over the Marlins at Hammond Stadium. After the strong outing, Slowey is now 3-0 with a 0.56 ERA a 15-to-3 strikeout-to-walk ratio in 16 innings this spring, which is raising a lot of excitement given the sizable impact that the right-hander can have on the Twins' rotation if he is at the top of his game this season.
Of course, spring training results are always to be taken with a grain of salt. Nevertheless, it's difficult not to feel some measure of giddiness over Slowey's success, given his circumstances. He had his 2009 season cut short by a longstanding wrist injury, which required a rather serious surgical procedure. Slowey came to spring with two screws in his wrist this year, leaving some to wonder whether his signature elite command would pick up where it left off. So far, it seems that it has.
On the opposite end of the spectrum, reliever Clay Condrey coughed up a run on three hits in his one-inning appearance today. The newly acquired right-hander has now allowed at least one run in six consecutive outings this spring and has yet to notch a single strikeout in eight innings. The poor performance has many questioning whether Condrey will make the team, but I must again stress the insignificance of spring numbers. Condrey has posted a 3.16 ERA while pitching for a contending club over the past two seasons, so a handful of ugly exhibition innings shouldn't be raising huge alarms. I still consider him a lock to make the club, though it's possible that his struggles thus far will prevent Ron Gardenhire from using him any high-leverage situations early in the season.
The final player worth commenting on today is Jacque Jones, who went 2-for-3 with a home run and a pair of RBI. I considered Jones an extreme long-shot to make the club out of spring training, but he's now hitting .360 this spring and he seems like the only viable option to back up Denard Span in center field. There still might not be room on the bench for Jones when the team heads north, but at the very least he's making a good impression on the coaching staff and putting himself in line for a call-up should a space become available.
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Agreed.
If this rotation performs anywhere near the way they have to this point in spring training, we’re in for a fun season.
by Twins Territory on Mar 24, 2010 7:06 PM EDT up reply actions
Really, we haven't had a bad start in a while
I guess Perkins’ lone start is the only one since Pavano’s second start of spring. Otherwise, these guys are throwing bullets.
"You're thinking too much. Just have fun." -- Bennie "The Jet" Rodriguez in Sandlot
Honestly I don't think Perkins is going to be with this team much longer
I predict he’ll be gone by June.
maybe in June
But the way he’s been playing makes me doubt we trade him any time soon – this would be the ultimate in selling low. My guess is we send him to AAA, wait until he gets himself back to decent form, then trade him. Maybe that will happen by June?
by what_would_gil_thorp_do on Mar 24, 2010 10:45 PM EDT up reply actions
I'm feeling very, very good about our guys.
Top to bottom, this is the best I’ve felt about our rotation since ’06.
http://www.realityfish.com
I am too, but March numbers don't always translate into solid April performances
Remember Kyle Lohse? Notorious for making people believe he had turned the corner in March, then reminding everyone when the regular season started that he was still just an average pitcher. Also Span had a terrible spring last year, then was awesome when the games counted. And I’m sure everyone remembers how Rondell White was hitting home runs all over the place in Grapefruit League action a few years ago, then could only get Texas-league singles when the real games started. So my point is that everyone should just relax and wait for the real games to start before they start analyzing anything.
Agreed completely
I’m also liking the rotation, but we can’t forget that spring training doesn’t translate to the regular season. Spring training is too early, too small a number of games, and against too many different talent levels.
As much as I remind myself of that, I still catch myself analyzing spring training performances. They might not mean anything, but what else does a baseball fan have to do before the season starts besides look at spring training?
by what_would_gil_thorp_do on Mar 24, 2010 10:50 PM EDT up reply actions
Even In Spring...
Does that hold true. During the last telivised game vs Boston, the 9th inning pitcher was getting rave reviews for his strikeout streak by Dick Bremer and even got two to start the inning. He then gave up some singles, a walk and a run before retiring the last batter for the win. Translation, it is just the way the game is played. Some teams may look hot to start the season, but they trail off. Even the 1998 Yankees hit a few rough patches.
Jones
Does anyone know if Jones is still fast enough to be a pinch runner?
Thome is more likely to pinch hit for the 3rd baseman than any other position, but you’ve already got the other half of Punto and Harris to go in afterward. And though you’d probably never pinch hit for Cuddyer or Span, suppose you wanted to pinch hit for Young? If you had Jones on the bench, you could.
Just wondering if they’d keep Jones instead of Casilla or Tolbert. Casilla still has a leg up, because he’s faster, and could go in for Hardy, if he’s hitting so poorly he needs to be pinch hit for. Hudson you probably just let bat though. If you’ve got both Punto and Harris, do you really need another IF?
We always used to carry a 4th OF. Is Jones a realistic option?
Kubel's the 4th OF-er
I know he’s also the DH, but Mauer figures to DH quite a bit when he’s not catching. Thome should get some starts there as well. And then there are rest days for Morneau where he might DH. It doesn’t help that Jones is a lefty. It’d be easier to rationalize a spot for him if he batted right-handed.
I think it all comes down to roster math. How many pitchers do we need? Thome limits our flexibility here.
I think we have to start filling out mock rosters to see who’s fighting for the final slots. Casilla vs Jones is really an apple vs. an orange. It could be that we have too many oranges already and need an apple.
I don't think he is.
The Twins always carry 12 pitchers, and Nickdan Harrunto / Thome/ Catcher take up three of those spots. Because the Twins don’t have to force any moves with Jones, I think they’ll go with Casilla. He’s out of options, I think it’s really that simple at this point.
Jones, if he hangs on and continues to play well, should get a shot. But I really doubt it will be right away.
Nickdan Harrunto.
That has a nice ring to it.
RonGarde: Target Field is going to be exactly like Progressive Field, except you'll have a chance to die of frostbite in the middle of July
that sounds like a porn star name
by what_would_gil_thorp_do on Mar 24, 2010 8:28 PM EDT up reply actions
That's actually *my* porn star name...
Brendick was the name of our dog growing up in the yellow house on Puntis Lane.
How about Lincyluis
Hint: the two played for a lovable losing baseball team.
Why can't Jones
platoon with Young. Leftty/Righty combo, like Punto/Harris. It’s not like Young is so good he need to start every day. Jones looks like a starter to me.
by b1 on Mar 24, 2010 9:43 PM EDT up reply actions
Kubel is lefthanded
Kubel might have to play in the field occasionally because Thome is left-handed. Morneau and Mauer who will occupy the occasional DH slot are also left-handed. Even if Jones could give Span a rest in CF (which he hasn’t shown he could do yet) well Span is left-handed.
Its not a good roster for a LHB corner role player to break into platoon-wise.
Do you think being out of options is enough to justify keeping Casilla?
I’m just curious as to your opinion because I know this probably will play a factor in the decision, but I honestly think the Twins know what they have in Casilla, and that is a player who is very replaceable. I really don’t think he is going to revert to the form he showed in his first couple months in the big leagues and be a .300 hitter. I just really don’t think he has a role on this team and believe the Twins would be better-served with someone off the bench who could reasonably be expected to play well in the outfield if needed.
We won't miss Casilla in 2012
You are right that he’s replaceable, but the problem is that we don’t have any decent replacements waiting in the wings in AA and AAA. The high minors are pretty bare except for Ramos and I guess Revere but he hasn’t played his first game in AA yet. No middle infield options. There was hope at one point for Plouffe, but he needs to pull a Denard Span and unexpectedly click.
Who knows… maybe Casilla will click this year… sometimes its a crapshoot with these guys.
Plus
If Casilla pans out this year, then we trade him at the end of the season or we hang on to him to see if he can click again at 2B. However, this year, Casilla is the ultimate utility man. I have seen him all over the field this spring – LF, CF, SS, 2B – Gardy is not afraid to use him as a pinch hitter, and who knows, as a defensive replacement for Young, in the late innings, if need be.
I think Casilla could be a marvelous defensive outfielder…of course that is just my gut instinct, but I think he could be close to a Span or maybe between Span and Gomez in terms of defensive ability in the outfield.
"Don't take life for granted, because tomorrow isn't promised to any of us." - Kirby Puckett
Pinch hitter?!
I hope you mean runner.
"Pinch-bunters don't have a ton of value, even with the Twins"
by Steven Ellingson on Mar 24, 2010 11:56 PM EDT up reply actions
People may scoff at this
But I didn’t think Delmon was nearly as bad in the field last year as in 2008, and I actually trust him more in left field than a guy who has never played outfield before in a meaningful game. I’m not saying Casilla can’t play outfield, but I just don’t think it’s as easy of a transition from infielder to outfielder as some people think.
I don't scoff at that
I was saying that all last year around here in the game threads. He had a few lolbad moments last year, but he wasn’t as terrible as everyone thinks he is.
by ajmargarine on Mar 25, 2010 11:41 AM EDT up reply actions
I wouldn't put Casilla out there except in an emergency
Why is Cuddyer getting starts in center and neither Jones nor Casilla are?
Just trying to think through the scenarios in which you would use Casilla in the outfield. Lets say you pinch hit Thome for Delmon. Unless you move Kubel to left and thereby lose your DH, you would need Casilla in left. I would infinitely prefer Jones if that’s the scenario.
The scenario for Casilla is if you wanted to pinch hit Thome for Punto, Hudson or Hardy. Considering the relatvive strength of the hitters, that seems the more likely scenario.
Add in the fact that Jones has said he will play in AAA and Casilla is out of options and the decision is clear. We’re not keeping Casilla to play the outfield. We’re keeping him to play infield because Harris is nobody’s idea of a defensive replacement in the infield. If Harris were a better infielder, we could afford to keep Jones and not Casilla.
"You're thinking too much. Just have fun." -- Bennie "The Jet" Rodriguez in Sandlot
So why is Harris on the team?
If he can’t play backup infielder in your second scenario where one of the other infielders gets pinch-hit for (and by the way, I think the only infielder Thome would pinch-hit for is the third baseman [Punto or Harris]), why are we carrying him? He and Punto are supposed to platoon at third with the non-starter as the utility infielder for a late-game situation.
Right now, it seems that your first scenario (Thome pinch-hitting for Young) is very realistic. You don’t want to put Gardy in a situation where he feels like he can’t ever pinch-hit for Young without putting a non-outfielder in the outfield in late-game situations. The decision seems clear to me that the Twins should keep Jones over Casilla to have a reliable backup outfielder, but I seem to be in the minority.
Quantity over quality
We’re keeping him to play infield because Harris is nobody’s idea of a defensive replacement in the infield. If Harris were a better infielder, we could afford to keep Jones and not Casilla.
I agree that they will (and probably should) keep Casilla over Jones, but not quite for the same reason. If Punto is pinch hit for, they’ll still bring in Harris to play third, not Casilla (as far as I know, Casilla’s never played there), and Harris got enough starts at short the last couple years that Gardy’s obviously comfortable enough with him in the unlikely event that they pinch hit for Hudson or Hardy.
My thought is that the depth is more important in the infield than the outfield. Pretty much any major leaguer could play corner outfield in a pinch – not a gold glover or anything, but probably competent, considering that left and right field are generally the refuge of guys who aren’t quite as useless defensively as the first baseman. If two outfielders get dinged up in a game, Casilla or Punto or even Harris can probably go into left or right without making too big a scene. If two infielders get dinged up, you’re left with Cuddyer as the only one who even has recent experience playing positions where correct footwork and timing are very important.
I think outfield is a much more “natural” position for an experienced baseball player – you need to be able to read fly balls, but that’s a fairly elementary baseball skill, and it doesn’t require as much practice as stuff like turning double plays and handling tag plays.
"There are only two things that are infinite, the universe and human stupidity, and I'm not sure about the former." - Albert Einstein
so we carry Casilla in case 2 infielders get hurt in the same game?
by b1 on Mar 25, 2010 3:49 PM EDT up reply actions
Not exactly
More like “if one infielder is pinch hit for and another infielder gets hurt”, but something like that, yes. The 25th guy on the roster doesn’t generally add a lot of value.
"There are only two things that are infinite, the universe and human stupidity, and I'm not sure about the former." - Albert Einstein
This is a tough one
We won’t miss what we’ve seen of Casilla in 2012. If he puts it together though, that’s a different story.
I do agree that this team needs to win now, and I’m not sure Casilla is the best option for that. We already have one of Harris/Punto on the bench every day, so adding a second middle infielder doesnt’ make a ton of sense, especially with no out fielder capable of backing up center field. That said, I do think that if Hughes can play passable defense at 2nd and stay healthy, he may be a far better option to man second for a year or two than Casilla (unless he turns the corner)… that would give us time to get a good look at some of our lower minors second basemen, or a chance to trade Ramos for a much better 2B prospect.
by diehardtwinsfan on Mar 25, 2010 8:25 AM EDT up reply actions
I think Singleton will surpass
Casilla at 2B this year. Look for a late season call-up.
by b1 on Mar 25, 2010 9:30 AM EDT up reply actions
I second that
Singleton is a lot better than his numbers. He had a pretty serious shoulder injury (I believe in a car accident) after his first year with the organization. He’s played through it, moving to full-time second base to relieve some of the strain. He said in a Q&A with Seth that he is finally 100% and can play short again. Look for a breakout year from him.
Other breakouts:
Wilson Ramos
Carlos Gutierrez
Joe Benson
Derek MacCullum
"You're thinking too much. Just have fun." -- Bennie "The Jet" Rodriguez in Sandlot
If Jones
has the speed and range to play centerfield than he could really help this team, if not now, down the stretch.
Ah, doesn't anyone remember Jones in the field?
Hardly what I would call a stellar fielder by any stretch of the imagination and is noodle-armed to boot. From my perspective, I have seen enough of Mr. Jacque Jones for one lifetime, but send him to AAA and let’s see how he does over a couple of months. I would hope this would be the thinking.
"I don't think it's nice, you laughin'. See, my mule don't like people laughing. He gets the crazy idea you're laughing at him. Now if you apologize, like I know you're going to, I might convince him that you really didn't mean it . . ."
by Skippy tastes better than Jiff on Mar 25, 2010 12:09 AM EDT reply actions
Not noodle armed
He had no idea where the ball was going, but it was going to get there fast.
Unless he threw it right into the ground.
Then it took a while
"Pinch-bunters don't have a ton of value, even with the Twins"
by Steven Ellingson on Mar 25, 2010 1:52 AM EDT up reply actions
I have to think that Jones at this point is still a much better fielder than Delmon
But who knows.
"Pinch-bunters don't have a ton of value, even with the Twins"
by Steven Ellingson on Mar 25, 2010 1:53 AM EDT up reply actions
I was glad to see Jones go
but now he’s back and the Question is who would you want on the Bench? A vet like jones or Casilla. I think at this point I’d want Jones on the Plane, at the Hotel and on the field for pre-game and bench during the game.
by b1 on Mar 25, 2010 9:35 AM EDT up reply actions
If Harris was a better fielder or base runner, it would be the choice
"You're thinking too much. Just have fun." -- Bennie "The Jet" Rodriguez in Sandlot
Jones turns 35 next month
and had a sub .500 OPS in 2008. He has no upside. I wouldn’t have a problem with him on the team if it’s a good fit, but it’s not.
We are not remembering the same guy
Yeah, he had kind of a scattershot arm, but he was solid in the outfield, including at center – he was only moved from there because Torii Hunter showed up. His UZR (albeit in only about a full season’s sample size) is solid in center, and I always thought he looked fine there, although I’ll certainly admit that I didn’t watch a ton of games. Obviously, you worry about his wheels at 35, but even a dropoff from what he had is better than putting Cuddyer out there.
If Gardy is cool with Casilla as the backup centerfielder, he’s probably a better fit for the roster spot than Jones. But if Span gets dinged up to the point that it requires a roster move, I’d be fine with Jones as the regular out there for a couple weeks, assuming that what he’s done in the spring signals that he’s back to some semblance of what he was three years ago.
"There are only two things that are infinite, the universe and human stupidity, and I'm not sure about the former." - Albert Einstein
Condrey
I am not too concerned about Condrey. From what I understand, he is working on some of his mechanics with Rick Anderson, and so, this might be why he is giving up runs. Condrey pitched two consecutive years for the Phillies (4 years total) and pitched really quite well: 189.2 IP, 3.65 ERA, 118 ERA+, 58 BB, 102 SO, 12.4 SO%, 7.0 BB%, 1.06 GB/FB, 2.1 HR%, 6.0 HR/FB.
So, obviously, Condrey has just struck some bad luck this spring or else, as I said before, with the work he is doing with Anderson, he might just be working on that rather than trying to get guys out. That is what spring training is for, to work out the bugs…spring stats don’t matter and I would rather Condrey worked the bugs out in spring than trying to work them out during the season.
"Don't take life for granted, because tomorrow isn't promised to any of us." - Kirby Puckett
Here's one likely scenario
—Casilla makes the team as the last bench player
—Thome plays a ton of games at DH and mashes it early on
—which means Kubel plays a ton of games in LF
—which means Delmon gets moody
—April to July, Span gets one day off when Cuddy makes a start in CF
—both Kubel and Span are empty shells of themselves in August
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