Hello

[longstrangetrip [enjin:6600564]]

Congrats on the engagement, jester...hopefully your betrothed knows that Mauer isn't a #3 hitter.

Great stuff on your conversation with Ryan. The guy is such a good baseball mind and generally very open with fans about his thoughts. I agree with his takes, or at least accept them as inevitable (Berrios in AAA).

Ryan is a realist, and that's reflected in his strong opinion that May needs to be in the bullpen. He's been more effective there than starting, and it's an area of need...to me it's a no brainer that he is in the bullpen. I also agree with his assessment of Sano...of course a young, athletic guy who can play shortstop can be taught to be a plus outfielder. Doesn't hurt to have Torii working with him everyday this spring either.

I have my eye on Melotakis too. He missed all of 2015 after TJ surgery, so it will be interesting to see if he can be effective this year. I know they would love him to be another lefty out of the bullpen...not too many lefties in the minors who can both reach 97MPH and spin the ball with some command.

I'm really worried about Perkins. He has had two consecutive seasons of being dog meat after the All Star break, and there's a lot of evidence that he can't pitch an entire season. And it may be even worse than that. My son pointed out to me last year that Glen was actually quite lucky when he was effective before the break, and I had to agree as I watched him more closely. I think we need someone to step up and be the closer if Perkins struggles again. There's nothing more frustrating than having a closer you can't count on.

[khans2k5 [enjin:6608728]]

2 things. I don't doubt Sano can learn to play in the outfield. I doubt whether a 260lb man has enough range to not be a problem when balls are hit in his general area. Line drives to the right field corner with a slow outfielder are how doubles become triples. It won't be a huge problem at home, but it could be on the road. The second thing is regarding Perk. He hasn't been able to go the distance for 2 straight years now. I think you have to split the load between him and someone else to preserve his arm for the home stretch. That way if he does get hurt we have another option who's well practiced in the role and if he doesn't get hurt he should be good to go for the home stretch if we are making a possible run at the playoffs because he'll have less pitches on his arm.

[Monster]

I would think May could be a backup plan to Perkins. It's a real shame Perkins hasn't been able to stay healthy. He is a good pitcher and seems to have grown into a bit of a leadership role which is needed. I think the idea of trying to limit him somewhat is a good idea hopefully the pen has enough arms to do that. It's been a problem for a while although since TR took over the pen has been better.

[longstrangetrip [enjin:6600564]]

2 things. I don't doubt Sano can learn to play in the outfield. I doubt whether a 260lb man has enough range to not be a problem when balls are hit in his general area. Line drives to the right field corner with a slow outfielder are how doubles become triples. It won't be a huge problem at home, but it could be on the road. The second thing is regarding Perk. He hasn't been able to go the distance for 2 straight years now. I think you have to split the load between him and someone else to preserve his arm for the home stretch. That way if he does get hurt we have another option who's well practiced in the role and if he doesn't get hurt he should be good to go for the home stretch if we are making a possible run at the playoffs because he'll have less pitches on his arm.

I definitely agree with your take on Perkins, khans.

I don't agree with your take on Sano though. While I agree that line drives to RF with a slow outfielder turn into triples, I don't agree with your description of Sano as "slow". Sano describes himself as fast, and his 11 SBs in 14 attempts in his last full year in the minors supports this assessment. Last summer, my son and I were at a game where Miguel legged a clear single into a double, and he was flying around 1b...we looked at each other in disbelief and laughed. The guy can run! Now, staying healthy playing defense at 260+ pounds could turn out to be an issue later in his career, but I think he will be a full-time DH by the time he is 30. Meanwhile, I see him as a good choice as one of our corner outfielders, and certainly faster than some other corner outfielders we have put out there recently (Willingham, Arcia). And he's much faster than two other options that were considered (Mauer and Plouffe). At 6-4 and 260, Miguel certainly seems suited to only play 1b at first glance. But with Mauer and Park (and maybe Vargas) already crowding that position, the Twins had to find another way to keep him in the lineup. I think he is going to be a pleasant surprise in the OF.

[Monster]

Congrats on the engagement!

[Jester1534]

Congrats on the engagement!

Thank you guys

I'm back from my trip and got to spend a little time in Fort Myers. I got to tell you I'm really excited for this team this year.

1. I'm going on he record right now that Byung Ho Park will his 25+ home runs this year, this guy has some great hands at the plate and has some scary power, watching him take batting practice was so fun, him and Sano were having a home run off which Sano won but damn it was fun to watch.

2.Byron Buxton has put on at least 10-15 pounds of muscle and I can't wait to see what he does this season. They were really trying to make his swing shorter to the ball instead of that big looping swing he has.

3. Jose Berrios is the real deal he's got 3 plus pitches and movement on his fastball he reminds of young right handed Johan. It's gonna be really hard to leave him down in Triple A to start the season.

4. You guys know I'm not the biggest Max Kepler guy, but this guy has a future with this team. I think he's actually a really good fielding 1st baseman and if Mauer has troubles this year or injury problems I think Max should play first for this team.

5. Ricky Nolasco still sucks and looks fat as hell

[longstrangetrip [enjin:6600564]]

Thanks for the live report, jester...I'm excited about the upcoming season too. Your comments about Park are timely as he hit a grand slam into a 25 MPH wind today, and he hit it off Jake Odorizzi who regularly hits the mid-90s on his fastball.

I agree that Park will easily hit 25+ HRs if he plays a lot this year. He put up terrific stats in Korea, and his former teammate Kang didn't experience much drop off in stats in his first year with the Pirates. These guys see a lot of funky junk in Korea, so Park will have to get used to 95 MPH fast balls. But I think adjusting to greater speed is easier than adjusting to the slop he has been seeing in Korea. He's going to strike out a lot, but his power is legit.

[Monster]

Congrats on the engagement!

Thank you guys

I'm back from my trip and got to spend a little time in Fort Myers. I got to tell you I'm really excited for this team this year.

1. I'm going on he record right now that Byung Ho Park will his 25+ home runs this year, this guy has some great hands at the plate and has some scary power, watching him take batting practice was so fun, him and Sano were having a home run off which Sano won but damn it was fun to watch.

2.Byron Buxton has put on at least 10-15 pounds of muscle and I can't wait to see what he does this season. They were really trying to make his swing shorter to the ball instead of that big looping swing he has.

3. Jose Berrios is the real deal he's got 3 plus pitches and movement on his fastball he reminds of young right handed Johan. It's gonna be really hard to leave him down in Triple A to start the season.

4. You guys know I'm not the biggest Max Kepler guy, but this guy has a future with this team. I think he's actually a really good fielding 1st baseman and if Mauer has troubles this year or injury problems I think Max should play first for this team.

5. Ricky Nolasco still sucks and looks fat as hell

Thanks for the report. I only remember Nolosco being stocky but not fat. What's up with that?

[Jester1534]

Congrats on the engagement!

Thank you guys

I'm back from my trip and got to spend a little time in Fort Myers. I got to tell you I'm really excited for this team this year.

1. I'm going on he record right now that Byung Ho Park will his 25+ home runs this year, this guy has some great hands at the plate and has some scary power, watching him take batting practice was so fun, him and Sano were having a home run off which Sano won but damn it was fun to watch.

2.Byron Buxton has put on at least 10-15 pounds of muscle and I can't wait to see what he does this season. They were really trying to make his swing shorter to the ball instead of that big looping swing he has.

3. Jose Berrios is the real deal he's got 3 plus pitches and movement on his fastball he reminds of young right handed Johan. It's gonna be really hard to leave him down in Triple A to start the season.

4. You guys know I'm not the biggest Max Kepler guy, but this guy has a future with this team. I think he's actually a really good fielding 1st baseman and if Mauer has troubles this year or injury problems I think Max should play first for this team.

5. Ricky Nolasco still sucks and looks fat as hell

Thanks for the report. I only remember Nolosco being stocky but not fat. What's up with that?

He looked out of shape to me, almost like he didn't give a crap. I was at the game where he got shelled and I swear I could get hit off of him. If he is our 5th starter leaving camp I'll cry.

[bleedspeed]

Still don't get why you take your best bat that plays 3B and move him to the OF. Is Ploufee that much better fielder?

I was worried about the log jam that Parks caused, but jesters comments are good to hear.