Your 2013 Minnesota Twins Season Thread: Spoiler Time........ (66-92) vs Indians

[jpzx]

[COLOR=#red]2013 Minnesota Twins Season Thread.
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Additions
Vance Worley
Mike Pelfrey
Kevin Correia
Rich Harden
Jeff Clement
Josh Roenicke

Departures
Ben Revere
Denard Span
Scott Baker
Matt Capps
Alexi Casilla

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Just glad to have baseball back man.

Reports out of camp say Justin Morneau looks more like the guy he was in 2010 than 2012... so that's great news.

Hicks locking up the starting CF job.

Excited to see how Worley and Pelfrey perform.

Lets just lay the groundwork for 2014. Lots of minors will be coming up this year, many of which were first round picks. It's been a while since we were a "PROMISING, young and up-and-coming team", so a different type of excitement could be budding. Glad we kept on to Gardenhire, give him a chance to develop the youth that'll end up rising ot the majors that we have in Double-A, Triple-A and beyond.

Conversation starter... since I want this thread to be more than 2 pages (like 2012, mainly my fault )...

Over/Under 72 wins?




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[jpzx]

Holy **** that was my 20,000 post.

If that's not a good omen for the season I don't know what is.

 

[kevin cleveland]

Have to say under.

Mauer and Morneau stayed generally healthy, Willingham had a career year that he couldn't possibly repeat and Plouffe probably played over his head, yet they still only won 66. The staff is vastly improved, but it should still be pretty rough. And losing Span and Revere changes a lot.

 

[jpzx]

I agree. I put it right on 70.

The buzz on Span had sort of died, but I'd be lying if I said I wasn't bumming about losing Ben Revere.

Either way, a big part of the win total only being 66 was the staff as well as the bullpen and there was somewhat of a surplus in the outfield. They added Worley from the Revere/Phillies trade, and he'll probably be the Opening Day starter. And after adding Correia (even though he sucked last season), and Pelfrey who's sort of an unknown commodity that pitched almost 200 innings in BOTH 2010 and 2011 before getting hurt early on in 2012, they're staff received a facelift. Pitching contributed significantly to the Twins struggles last year.

 

[kevin cleveland]

If there's one thing I learned last year (from the Indians), it's that you can't have an awful defense behind an awful staff. So, Span and Revere will be missed in that way. And even Casilla.

Curious to see how Deduno fares after a great World Baseball Classic. He was fun to watch.

 

[jpzx]

Deduno was such an off-the-wall bright spot from last year's season. He looked dominant at points, and then erratic and wild during many others. He's more like the latter, but there's optimism and yeah his showing in the WBC was impressive.

I've been fooled by Liriano's performances in the Dominican League in the past, so we'll see. That fifth starter spot should be his if he wants it. Hoping he can develop a better change.

 

[kevin cleveland]

Anddd he didn't make the team.

 

[651akathepaul]

Morneau's showing in the WBC was very encouraging (Deduno as well). Contract year for Justin, so I have to expect a big season from him. I'd hate to see him go, but if the likely scenario of Minnesota being out of the race in July, then I wouldn't be surprised if he gets traded.

I really like the patchwork Minnesota did with their rotation. Nothing spectacular of course, but it definitely looks better than last year.

They won't be horrible, at least and if Mauer stays healthy then they should be somewhat competitive. I just look at this season as who will perform to earn a spot for the future of this team? 2013 will be all about finding the future direction of the Twins.

 

[jpzx]

Anddd he didn't make the team.

The ****.

Probably because of his groin injury though?

I really wish every year we didn't have to start out by saying, "Well, IF Mauer is healthy this year... (speculation on how the season could go)". Really blows that we have to say that about a guy getting paid $184 million dollars.

Liam Hendriks left today's game after getting hit in the hand.

 

[dland24]

Im gonna go against the grain and say over.....albeit ever so slightly.

 

[jpzx]

Im gonna go against the grain and say over.....albeit ever so slightly.

Optimism? What.

Vance Worley named Opening Day Starter a few days ago.

Speaking of Opening Day... Just purchased my tickets on StubHub. I will be one of the crazies out there on Monday ... high of 34 :x I get to go see Justin Verlander throw a no-hitter to set the tone for the season!

Projected Opening Day Lineup...

1. CF: Aaron Hicks
2. 2B: Brian Dozier
3. C: Joe Mauer
4. LF: Josh Willingham
5. 1B: Justin Morneau
6. DH: Ryan Doumit
7. RF: Chris Parmelee
8. 3B: Trevor Plouffe
9. SS: Pedro Florimon
SP: Vance Worley

 

[651akathepaul]

Rough first opening game for Hicks. He looked lost. Hopefully he settles.

@ the RISP that they couldn't drive in.

 

[RyGuy45]

Hey at least Gardenhire's Twins started the season right on cue Verlander (or any high end pitcher) on the mound? Don't even show up, we'll get em tomorrow.

Detroit's now won 9 straight with Verlander on the mound against Minnesota

Ah well bring on Wednesday

 

[jpzx]

Thought Verlander only going five and change gave the Twins a legitimate chance to get away with a W if they had just put together a rally, especially since the Tigers offense went stale after the first two innings.

But, oh well.

Florimon had some nice plays in the field, but a couple of mistakes as well. His range was impressive, but we learned that last season.

Correia versus Sanchez tomorrow.

 

[jpzx]

*Sees your Mariners avatar*

View media item 344562

 

[651akathepaul]

Yeah. I hear ya..It's embarassing enough.

|I

 

[jpzx]

What a win today... Eduardo Escobar. Cheers.

 

[jpzx]

How in god's name, Mauer.

 

[jpzx]

Correia pitching STRONG. Just letting them hit it and rely on the defense, I like it when it's working and it is.

Aaron Hicks looks lost, man.

 

[jpzx]

What a bad close out for such a terrific beginning.

Hate losses like that.

Pelfrey versus Guthrie tomorrow. Gotta deliver a counter blow.

 

[jpzx]

5-7... definitely an early season rut, but a good performance today by Correia after that VERY early homerun to the Bourjos.

Oswaldo Arcia went 1-3 in his debut today, looked good at times especially in that first at-bat. Sent back down though since Wilkin was just on "paternity leave".

Mauer 4-5 today ... A triple short of a cycle.

 

[jpzx]

Well

These postponements have to stop! We were just starting to get the ball rolling too For whatever a ball rolling for a mediocre team like this can do.

Worley vs. Peavy today. Lets get it.

 

[jpzx]

Willingham!

 

[jpzx]

Feels weird to have the baseball team I cheer for have winning record after 3 games into the season. 2010 is a distant memory.

Diamond was brilliant today. Nice little 2-gamer against Miami coming up here in Minnesota... good chance to be 10-7 if they play like they've been playing. Can't take the Marlins lightly... Ricky Nolasco and Jose Fernandez both have ERAs under 3.90. Yeah it's early, but ERAs similar to those on other teams have garnered wins, also. Nolasco and Fernandez don't have that luxury.

 

[jpzx]

Good outing by Correia... but a disappointing appearance by Mike Pelfrey. He hasn't pitched well since the opening series versus Detroit, and if he doesn't get out of this rut soon he might just get Jason Marquis'd. :x

Disappointed by the lack of power shown thus far. Seems like every season it's like this, when will the surge of power come? I realize with the dimensions of Target Field it's difficult, but is 2012 really the closest we're going to get?

Parmelee is pissing me off, but Willingham is playing JUST AS BAD. Only thing better is RBI.

^ Seriously look what I've typed out. Maybe a Twins season thread on Niketalk just isn't necessary at all. My replies have been the last 8. In fact, the only replies since the season started. Disappointed in the rest of you.