LATEST STORIES FROM TWINKIE TALK
Voting Time: All-Division World Series
After several weeks of discussion and a week long voting period for each of the two leagues, the FanSided All-Division World Series is finally set. It’s like Spy vs. Spy only we’re talking about East vs. East instead.
Source: techcrunch.com
In the American League, the East also won comfortably landing 49.5% of the vote. The Central came in 2nd with 29% and the West wound up bringing...
Via Twinkie Talk
|
March 11, 2011
Discuss
The Pond Plays a Little Pepper
Friend, colleague and BBA Founder Daniel Shoptaw recently extended me an invitation to participate in his yearly team-by-team series Playing Pepper. I gladly jumped at the chance to answer some questions for him as that’s what friends do. Of course I love writing – and talking baseball with anyone who will listen – so he didn’t exactly have to twist my arm.
I was joined by...
Via Twinkie Talk
|
March 10, 2011
Storylines After 11 Spring Games: Injuries, Rumors and Luke Hughes
On the heels of a loss at the hands of a split-squad Baltimore Orioles team, the Minnesota Twins sit in the middle of the Grapefruit League pack at 6-5. Of course spring training records mean even less than spring training stats but nevertheless I still am encouraged by their record thus far.
If you were making a random pie chart of the storylines in Twins camp thus far, injuries...
Via Twinkie Talk
|
March 09, 2011
International Spending: One of These Things is not Like the Others
On March 2nd, Baseball America published a breakdown of international spending by team for 2010. The Mariners ($6.47 million) and Yankees ($5.27 million) finished 1 and 2 in spending which shouldn’t come as much of a surprise. The Astros were 3rd ($5.13 million) which certainly got a rise out of my eyebrows if nothing else.
When it comes to the teams in the AL Central, I can only...
Via Twinkie Talk
|
March 08, 2011
Puddle Jumping: Clint Robinson, Nick Johnson, Thornton and Penny
Last week was a struggle for me plain and simple, but there was a silver lining. By casting more attention to other aspects of my life, I had to step back from my writing and that allowed me to recharge my batteries a bit. It was a needed respite, though I wish it hadn’t come as a result of one of my kids being sick.
Yesterday I got back on the writing horse by knocking out an...
Via Twinkie Talk
|
March 08, 2011
A Tangent Born from Bullpen Thoughts
The 4th and final component of the Five Questions from Travis miniseries dealt with the questions surrounding the Twins bullpen. As I was thinking about that topic – and wondering whether or not Pat Neshek can stay healthy and recapture his 2006-2007 form – my mind started to wander.
So many have assumed the Twins bullpen will be a weakness because of the turnover, but well...
Via Twinkie Talk
|
March 07, 2011
Blackburn, Baker, Slowey, Who Will Move to the Pen?
Ron Gardenhire recently announced that Brian Duensing will be in the starting rotation this season, which leaves just two spots open behind he, Francisco Liriano, and Carl Pavano. For the record, I don’t think the decision to make Duensing a starter was a bad one at all, though I would be very surprised if the lefty posts an ERA below 3.00 again this year. He doesn’t miss...
Via Twinkie Talk
|
March 04, 2011
Pardon Me
You may have noticed that I have not published anything in the last two days. Further, it is entirely possible that I may not get anything published until Monday or so as my other “life responsibilities” have taken priority.
Image courtesy of all-free-download.com
Tuesday we were having some work done on the house which cut into my work hours for SLHS. Then last night my 3...
Via Twinkie Talk
|
March 04, 2011
Who Is The Real Denard Span?
Denard Span burst onto the scene in 2008 and really came out of nowhere to post very good numbers in his first major league season. They were especially heartening given his career .716 OPS in the minors. The next year he continued and posted strong numbers, and it looked like he was not only the Twins leadoff hitter for the next few years, but one of the best leadoff hitters in...
Via Twinkie Talk
|
March 02, 2011
Notes After Three Spring Games
This afternoon the Minnesota finished up their 3rd game of the spring training season, all of which involved the Boston Red Sox. So far the Twins are 1-2 in Grapefruit League action but as you all know, the W-L records in these games are beyond irrelevant. The spring stats for individual players are also to be taken with a grain of salt, but there is some value in them none-the...
Via Twinkie Talk
|
March 01, 2011
Joe Nathan Returns
Joe Nathan returned to the mound for the first time since undergoing Tommy John surgery in 2010
FORT MYERS — There are smiles, and then there is the smile that was adorned by Joe Nathan upon his return to the Twin’s dugout Tuesday.
He was returning from the mound.
For the first time in a year.
It was one of the only times where a loss isn’t the story coming out of the game...
Via Twinkie Talk
|
March 01, 2011
Underdog Position Familiar for AL Central All-Division Team
It’s time to take a break from the Fransisco Liriano trade rumor hysteria.
A couple of weeks ago, the six All-Division teams were set. Last week the NL East had an nice, leisurely stroll through its competition, easily winning the right to represent “that other league” in the AL-NL divisional showdown next week.
This week however, we all have a very important task on our hands...
Via Twinkie Talk
|
March 01, 2011
Source: Liriano Could Be Traded Within Two Weeks
NEW YORK — The thought was laughable at best a few weeks ago, but now the possibility that Twin’s ace Francisco Liriano gets traded just became very real. It has been reported by multiple sources that the New York Yankees have given the Twin’s a call about Liriano, who is eligible for free agency in 2012. Despite the fact Liriano is considered the Twin’s ace, Minnesota is...
Via Twinkie Talk
|
March 01, 2011
I Can’t Believe I Have To Talk About It, But Francisco Liriano’s Trade Value
Well crap. According to USA Today’s Bob Nightengale, the Twins are keeping an eye on Yankees prospects and could be trading Francisco Liriano. While my message for Bill Smith is a simple “don’t effing trade him,” it couldn’t hurt to take a look at his trade value should Bill Smith pull the plug on the 2011 season.
Per usual, these values come from Sky Kalkman at Beyond...
Via Twinkie Talk
|
February 28, 2011
Five Questions From Travis: The Bullpen Bridge
Tonight as the Twins are wrapping up their first spring training game of the year, it’s time to address the 5th and final question from my esteemed colleague and Southside Showdown lead writer, Travis Miller.
Question #5:
To the bullpen, Nathan looks healthy, but should he go down again, who can bridge to Matt Capps without Jon Rauch around?
I’ve said it once, I’ll say it...
Via Twinkie Talk
|
February 27, 2011
Play (Spring Training) Ball!
The Minnesota Twins open their 2011 spring training schedule tonight against the Boston Red Sox at 6:05 pm CST. I know it’s just a ST game and I know it really doesn’t mean much in the grand scheme of the 2011 season, but I’m excited anyway. Tonight’s game is just another sign that winter will mercifully soon be coming to an end.
Minnesota’s lineup will be a shell of what...
Via Twinkie Talk
|
February 27, 2011
Pond Trifecta: Joe Nathan, Prospects, and the Dirty C Word
As my Saturday night is drawing to a close, I wanted to briefly touch on three different topics. Included here you will find some notes on Joe Nathan’s Twins career, some prospect rankings and a recent article from Ken Rosenthal that brings up the “C” word for some unknown reason.
Reliever #s:
Phil Mackey shared this tidbit yesterday afternoon:
1.87: Joe Nathan‘s ERA in...
Via Twinkie Talk
|
February 26, 2011
Two for the Ages: Joe Mauer and Buddy Lewis
Butch Wynegar had the best season of any 20-year old position player in franchise history. Adding to the significance of his achievement is that he did it while playing catcher. As we turn our attention to the best seasons turned in by 22-year olds for the Twins and Senators respectively, we come across another catcher who just so happens to be the “cover boy” for MLB 11 The...
Via Twinkie Talk
|
February 26, 2011
Carl Pavano, Opening Day Starter
It wasn’t all that long ago that I got all worked up into a semi-frothing lather because the Royals named Gil Meche and not Zack Greinke the Opening Day starter prior to the 2009 season. That decision still bothers me, not only because I felt Greinke deserved to start the first game of the season but there were also schedule based reasons. What really put me over the edge however...
Via Twinkie Talk
|
February 25, 2011
Puddle Jumping: Hail Minnesota
Puckett’s Pond isn’t the only Minnesota team site on the FanSided.com Sports Network and most people I know are at least casual fans of one – or more sports – beyond baseball. While I obviously eat, sleep and breathe baseball I keep tabs on the NFL as well as college basketball. I also enjoy watching college football, at least during the regular season. Once the bowls and...
Via Twinkie Talk
|
February 25, 2011
Five Questions From Travis: Justin Morneau, Cuddyer and Kubel
I’m back as I promised this morning to tackle question #3. As an added bonus I’m going to cover question #4 since the former leads into the latter. If you missed the background and my responses to the first two questions you can catch up by clicking here and here.
Here in Kansas City is it still snowing and schools have started closing. I fear my Friday will become another snow...
Via Twinkie Talk
|
February 24, 2011
Five Questions From Travis: Delmon Young
This morning as a disgustingly depressing mix of snow and sleet falls on the Kansas City metro area, we take a look at the second of five question posed to me by Southside Showdown Lead Writer Travis Miller.
My original plan was to get this published last night, but a nasty headache and two uncooperative children forced me to spend the bulk of my night on the couch playing Dragon...
Via Twinkie Talk
|
February 24, 2011
Twins Sign DPL All-Star Darfi Ortiz
Today the Minnesota Twins signed Darfi Ortiz, a 19-year old middle infielder, for $30,000. Ortiz was an All-Star in the Dominican Prospect League.
Clipped from: www.dplbaseball.com (share this clip)
Beyond the above, there isn’t much out on the web about him yet. From reading the DPL press release Ortiz sounds like a speed first infielder with good plate discipline and above...
Via Twinkie Talk
|
February 23, 2011
A Quartet of Twins on Baseball America’s Top-100
Baseball America’s long-awaited and much anticipated Top-100 prospect list was unveiled this morning. The top fell as most expected with the Nationals Bryce Harper, Angels Mike Trout and Yankees Jesus Montero occupying the top three slots.
The litany of Royals farmhands to make the list also did not come as a surprise. Our divisional friends from Kansas City placed a healthy...
Via Twinkie Talk
|
February 23, 2011
Five Questions from Travis: Carl Pavano
Travis Miller, our White Sox Lead Writer, left a comment on yesterday’s edition of Puddle Jumping. In his comment he listed five questions surrounding the Twins that will play a role in whether they can win the division yet again. I thought his questions each merited a column of their own instead of a mashed-up, brief response in the comments section of one of yesterday’s articles...
Via Twinkie Talk
|
February 22, 2011
Related Yards
|
|
|
|
|
Today's Best Stuff |
For BloggersJoin the Yardbarker Network (YBN) for more promotion, traffic, and money. |
Company Info |
Help |
What is Yardbarker?Yardbarker is the largest network of sports blogs and pro athlete blogs on the web. This site is the hub of the Yardbarker Network, where our editors and algorithms curate the best sports content from our network and beyond. |
