Last year I had em winning the division but this year I see a bit of a drop. \
2010 record 94 - 68
Key Additions
IF Tsuyoshi Nishioka
1B Justin Morneau
RP Joe Nathan
Key Losses
SS J.J. Hardy
2B Orlando Hudson
RP Jessie Crain
RP Matt Guerrier
IF Nick Punto :mj07:
If I am forgetting somebody please let me know.
OFFENSE:
Gardenhire was not happy that the team lacked speed last year but Nishioka and Casilla playing everyday will definitely help that. These two are big question marks because we do not know if Nishioka will translate to MLB and Casilla has an inconsistent bat especially when not in the utility role. He does have the potential to hit .280 - .290 with a good OBP but at the same time I would not be shocked if he hits .240.
Justin Morneau comes back but still a question mark. Says he is still nnot 100 percent and I would make him wear a helmet in the field just like Jon Olerud did. If Morneau stays in the line up then we are talking 40 HR potential but that is a big if with a marsh mellow head. Jim Thome had a big year last year and to expect a duplication of that would be impossible but at the same time I expect Span, Cuddyer, and Kubel to put up better numbers this year. With Joe Mauer the anchor of the offense and not many weak spots in the lineup, I expect the Twins to put up a bunch of runs this year.
Starting Pitching
Pavano had a great year for him. Liriano was lights out to start but struggled late. Slowey battled injuries. Blackburn sucked. Baker Sucked. Dunseung was stellar until playoffs.
This year's projections.
Pavano: Again I can't expect him to pitch as well as he did last year, it would be great but just can't see it.
Liriano has already pissed off the coaching staff because he did not follow his off season workouts to make his arm strong. Has tendinitis. Does anyone remember the thread I had a couple years ago when I talked to Gardenhire's friend and he told me that the Twins thought that Liraino was an underachieving POS but they had to keep him cause of potential and poor trade value. His work ethic and conditioning is the reason why this guy gets out of the strike zone causing walks and not allowing him to pitch past 6 innings. Look for him to be traded at some point. Rumor has it that they are sick of his shit.
Baker: Don't know if this guy is ever going to make an impact again. A highly touted prospect who had a couple good years and can look great but his problem is his fast ball lacks movement and he throws it right over the plate. His curveball was his best pitch but he hung a lot of breaking balls that landed in the left field bleachers.
Dunsueng.. Gives them another left handed pitching option. Had a solid year last year and lets hope it continues.
Blackburn: Couldn't of been much worse last year and was sent to the minors. Rumor has it is that he had more wrong with his elbow than ever. They cleaned out a bunch of spurs and parts out of elbow. Look for him to have a much better year and relying on that sinker. It will not take a whole to be better.
Slowey: This kid has a lot of potential but he will get into a groove of a few games and then an injury will screw up his season.
ACE IN THE HOLE
Kyle Gibson will start in the minors because of arbitration eligibility. Look for him to be up after July 1 when it wont hurt the Twins financially. He is without a doubt the top Twins pitching prospect and top 5 in MLB. He maybe the best pitcher on the team now.:shrug:
Bullpen
Joe Nathan is ahead of schedule but coming off of Tommy John surgery what do you expect. I expect nothing. If we get anything it is a big bonus.
Guerrier an Crain are lost and they were the anchors. Guerrier was used so much early in the season that he was out of gas by season's end. Crain was probably the best set up man in baseball from the All Star break on until the pitch to Texeira in extras in the playoffs.This bullpen is going to be interesting to watch. Somebody has to step up but I trust no one.
Bullpen
J. Nathan Coming back from injury.
M. Capps Don't trust him.
J. Mijares Good stuff but control problems
J. Manship UGH :facepalm:
P. Neshek If he is healthy he can be effective. Sidewinder style
J. Hoey WHO?:shrug:
G. Perkins UGH:facepalm:
I look for this team to be about a 81 - 85 win team. Although they do play the Royals and Indians a bunch. Just think the Sox and Tigers have improved more.
BETTING ANGLE::
I maybe taking the Twins over in most games this year and hoping for a 60 % over. They will score runs and I think they give up a bunch. Don't trust the starters and the bullpen. EEKS!! Plus the hitters bitched about the field last year. One extra year of being comfortable in the new field and the trees in cf have been removed. :mj07:
BET ON: I will take a stab to bet on em when Slowey, Blackburn, and Dunseung pitch. I think they will be undervalued. Watch out for Blackburn could be great value here. If Gibson comes up and starts, I would not hesitate to play em right away.
BET AGAINST: When Pavano and Liriano pitch. Over valued IMO but who knows with Pavano.
Did you get through all of this??:mj07:
2010 record 94 - 68
Key Additions
IF Tsuyoshi Nishioka
1B Justin Morneau
RP Joe Nathan
Key Losses
SS J.J. Hardy
2B Orlando Hudson
RP Jessie Crain
RP Matt Guerrier
IF Nick Punto :mj07:
If I am forgetting somebody please let me know.
OFFENSE:
Gardenhire was not happy that the team lacked speed last year but Nishioka and Casilla playing everyday will definitely help that. These two are big question marks because we do not know if Nishioka will translate to MLB and Casilla has an inconsistent bat especially when not in the utility role. He does have the potential to hit .280 - .290 with a good OBP but at the same time I would not be shocked if he hits .240.
Justin Morneau comes back but still a question mark. Says he is still nnot 100 percent and I would make him wear a helmet in the field just like Jon Olerud did. If Morneau stays in the line up then we are talking 40 HR potential but that is a big if with a marsh mellow head. Jim Thome had a big year last year and to expect a duplication of that would be impossible but at the same time I expect Span, Cuddyer, and Kubel to put up better numbers this year. With Joe Mauer the anchor of the offense and not many weak spots in the lineup, I expect the Twins to put up a bunch of runs this year.
Starting Pitching
Pavano had a great year for him. Liriano was lights out to start but struggled late. Slowey battled injuries. Blackburn sucked. Baker Sucked. Dunseung was stellar until playoffs.
This year's projections.
Pavano: Again I can't expect him to pitch as well as he did last year, it would be great but just can't see it.
Liriano has already pissed off the coaching staff because he did not follow his off season workouts to make his arm strong. Has tendinitis. Does anyone remember the thread I had a couple years ago when I talked to Gardenhire's friend and he told me that the Twins thought that Liraino was an underachieving POS but they had to keep him cause of potential and poor trade value. His work ethic and conditioning is the reason why this guy gets out of the strike zone causing walks and not allowing him to pitch past 6 innings. Look for him to be traded at some point. Rumor has it that they are sick of his shit.
Baker: Don't know if this guy is ever going to make an impact again. A highly touted prospect who had a couple good years and can look great but his problem is his fast ball lacks movement and he throws it right over the plate. His curveball was his best pitch but he hung a lot of breaking balls that landed in the left field bleachers.
Dunsueng.. Gives them another left handed pitching option. Had a solid year last year and lets hope it continues.
Blackburn: Couldn't of been much worse last year and was sent to the minors. Rumor has it is that he had more wrong with his elbow than ever. They cleaned out a bunch of spurs and parts out of elbow. Look for him to have a much better year and relying on that sinker. It will not take a whole to be better.
Slowey: This kid has a lot of potential but he will get into a groove of a few games and then an injury will screw up his season.
ACE IN THE HOLE
Kyle Gibson will start in the minors because of arbitration eligibility. Look for him to be up after July 1 when it wont hurt the Twins financially. He is without a doubt the top Twins pitching prospect and top 5 in MLB. He maybe the best pitcher on the team now.:shrug:
Bullpen
Joe Nathan is ahead of schedule but coming off of Tommy John surgery what do you expect. I expect nothing. If we get anything it is a big bonus.
Guerrier an Crain are lost and they were the anchors. Guerrier was used so much early in the season that he was out of gas by season's end. Crain was probably the best set up man in baseball from the All Star break on until the pitch to Texeira in extras in the playoffs.This bullpen is going to be interesting to watch. Somebody has to step up but I trust no one.
Bullpen
J. Nathan Coming back from injury.
M. Capps Don't trust him.
J. Mijares Good stuff but control problems
J. Manship UGH :facepalm:
P. Neshek If he is healthy he can be effective. Sidewinder style
J. Hoey WHO?:shrug:
G. Perkins UGH:facepalm:
I look for this team to be about a 81 - 85 win team. Although they do play the Royals and Indians a bunch. Just think the Sox and Tigers have improved more.
BETTING ANGLE::
I maybe taking the Twins over in most games this year and hoping for a 60 % over. They will score runs and I think they give up a bunch. Don't trust the starters and the bullpen. EEKS!! Plus the hitters bitched about the field last year. One extra year of being comfortable in the new field and the trees in cf have been removed. :mj07:
BET ON: I will take a stab to bet on em when Slowey, Blackburn, and Dunseung pitch. I think they will be undervalued. Watch out for Blackburn could be great value here. If Gibson comes up and starts, I would not hesitate to play em right away.
BET AGAINST: When Pavano and Liriano pitch. Over valued IMO but who knows with Pavano.
Did you get through all of this??:mj07:
