2009 Baseball Spring Training

02/12/2009 8:37 pm
Rate this Blog
Yours:

Rated 0 times.
Since pitchers and catchers are reporting for some teams, I'm starting the official Spring Training 2009 blog.
2887.gifAlex - Ignorance is bliss to those uneducated
02/15/2009 @ 07:05:09 PM
 Quote this comment
http://sports.espn.go.com/mlb/spring2009/news/story?id=3906479

Hall out 4-6 weeks, opening door for Gamel? When do the rest of the players report?
Rate this comment
Yours:

Rated 0 times.
newalex.jpgAlex - 3619 Posts
02/17/2009 @ 07:28:24 PM
 Quote this comment
Gagne to Brewers on minor league deal with possible performance incentives. I'm loving it. http://sports.espn.go.com/mlb/spring2009/news/story?id=3914137

Hart and Brewers split the difference and avoid arbitration. After going through the stats on that other thread I changed my mind about a multi-year deal at this point, he needs to prove he can make adjustments at the plate first instead of turning into the next Bill Hall. http://sports.espn.go.com/mlb/news/story?id=3914276
Rate this comment
Yours:

Rated 0 times.
hoochpage.JPGSarah - So's your face
02/20/2009 @ 08:38:09 PM
 Quote this comment
I'll start using Scott's blog arena here:
http://minnesota.twins.mlb.com/news/article.jsp?ymd=20090220&content_id=3858430&vkey=news_min&fext=.jsp&c_id=min
Poor Punto?
Rate this comment
Yours:

Rated 0 times.
jon.jpgJon - infinity + 1 posts
02/21/2009 @ 04:53:50 AM
 Quote this comment
I'm a buscher fan, but I like the idea of Crede. Sure, he may end up injured more often than on the field, but I like the move anyway for the potential. His avg/obp aren't that great but he makes up some of that with power. Plus, anecdotally, I feel like he's hurt the twins a lot playing against them. So I checked it out, because I didn't want to get proven wrong later, and I was right. He went 400/.429/1.050 (as the kids like to say) against us last year.
Then again, he kind of sucked the year before, but still.
The terms aren't out yet, but I doubt it'll break the Twins if he doesn't pan out. Plus, it's nearly spring and time to be optimistic.

P.S. Sarah, I think Punto is the starting shortstop. Which is a good thing. I think.
Rate this comment
Yours:

Rated 0 times.
reign_of_fire.jpgMicah - Shaken not stirred gets you cold water with a dash of gin and dry vermouth
02/21/2009 @ 08:55:40 AM
 Quote this comment
I like the Crede signing as well. I was a fan of the Buscher/Harris platoon, but more so because it was cheap than because it was going to be overly successful. I just didn't like the idea of signing one of the good offense/bad defense third basemen that were out there this year for $4-7 million. (Wiggington, etc.). But Crede plays outstanding defense which is a huge upgrade over the other corner guys available, and he provides great protection for Mauer and Morneau, which they didn't have last year. If he plays most of the season, then we got a bargain. If he gets hurt, then we were under budget this year anyway, and there's no way he's going to be as bad as Tony Batista or Mike Lamb.

I think it would actually be poor Matt Tolbert. Seems like he had a good chance of being the reserve infielder if everything stayed pat. Which is too bad, because I really liked him when I was at spring training last year. He was always in the batting cages working and signed a ton of autographs for kids. I hope he becomes Gardenhire's new "hard-working even though he's not really that good" man-crush after Punto eventually leaves.

Also read that they might make a play for Juan Cruz from Arizona in a sign and trade. That would really jam the bullpen, unless Bonser starts the year on the DL. But its hard to turn down a 95-mph fastball if they can get him for a minor leaguer, although he walks a ton of guys as well.
Rate this comment
Yours:

Rated 0 times.
reign_of_fire.jpgMicah - 584 Posts
02/21/2009 @ 09:01:58 AM
 Quote this comment
Did anyone know the Twins drafted a kid names Shooter Hunt, who was nicknamed after the Hoosiers character. This kid better be a star, because I want a Shooter Hunt jersey, not to mention a Jimmy Chitwood jersey.
Shooter Hunt
Rate this comment
Yours:

Rated 0 times.
reign_of_fire_150.jpgMicah - We can do this easy, or we can do it real easy
02/21/2009 @ 11:00:55 AM
 Quote this comment
Looks like Crede's deal is $2.5M base with $7M in incentives based on plate appearances. Starts at 250PA and the $7M comes at 525.

I think this is an even better deal now. He originally wanted $7M base plus incentives to $11-12M. I think $9.5M for 525 PA's is fine, and its a small loss if he craps out.

Plus there's the added satisfaction of knowing the the Twins put the screws to Scott Boras and he gave in.

EDIT: The deal maxes out at $7M if he hits all his incentives, so even better than originally reported.
Rate this comment
Yours:

Rated 0 times.
Micah messed with this at 02/22/2009 3:29:31 am
hoochpage.JPGSarah - How do you use these things?
02/21/2009 @ 12:10:16 PM
 Quote this comment
Ok, so not to nag people, but can we kind of get a head count for this Milwaukee/St. Louis trip? Tickets go on sale Feb 28th I believe (I nominate Matt to buy the tickets since he's our unofficial ticket person). Or do we not care about good tickets and want to wait and see until it gets closer to game day(s)? This is like the only thing I have to look forward to so I want to have something concrete soon. emoticon
Rate this comment
Yours:

Rated 0 times.
newalex.jpgAlex - 3619 Posts
02/21/2009 @ 12:26:33 PM
 Quote this comment
Alex Wrote - 02/15/2009 @ 07:05:09 PM
http://sports.espn.go.com/mlb/spring2009/news/story?id=3906479

Hall out 4-6 weeks, opening door for Gamel? When do the rest of the players report?


Or not http://mlb.mlb.com/news/article.jsp?ymd=20090218&content_id=3844760&vkey=news_mil&fext=.jsp&c_id=mil
Rate this comment
Yours:

Rated 0 times.
IMG_3063[1].jpgjthompto - 209 Posts
02/21/2009 @ 02:16:07 PM
 Quote this comment
Can't argue with the deal. A potential everyday thirdbaseman and right handed power hitter is something the Twins really needed. A signifigant upgrade over the Buscher/Harris platoon if Crede stays healthy. If he doesn't the Twins have a plan b and don't waste a lot of money.
Rate this comment
Yours:

Rated 0 times.
matt.jpgMatt - Washington Bureau Chief
02/22/2009 @ 02:52:16 AM
 Quote this comment
Micah Wrote - Yesterday @ 09:01:58 AM
Did anyone know the Twins drafted a kid names Shooter Hunt, who was nicknamed after the Hoosiers character. This kid better be a star, because I want a Shooter Hunt jersey, not to mention a Jimmy Chitwood jersey.
Shooter Hunt


I remember following the draft last year and being happy with the pick. He was a rated as one of the better pitchers in the draft and, instead of reaching for a player like the Twins sometimes do, they actually went with the, perhaps, best player on the board at the time.

Anyway, Aaron Gleeman has him as the #5 prospect for the Twins this year, so hopefully we should be able to see him in the majors in a year or two.
Rate this comment
Yours:

Rated 0 times.
sarah.jpgSarah - 4635 Posts
02/22/2009 @ 09:10:49 AM
 Quote this comment
Twins preview on MLB network right now! Yay!
Rate this comment
Yours:

Rated 0 times.
reign_of_fire.jpgMicah - Bring me the finest muffins and bagels in all the land.
02/25/2009 @ 12:06:23 PM
 Quote this comment
Bonser is undergoing exploratory surgery. I've read anywhere from the 60-day DL to out for most of the season depending on what they find. This definitely makes the bullpen situation easier, although it sucks if it ends up meaning Bonser is done with the Twins without us getting to see if he could be a capable reliever. Hopefully it ends up being minor.

Edit: Bonser has torn labrum and torn rotator cuff...out for season

Is there a fantasy league yet?
Rate this comment
Yours:

Rated 0 times.
Micah messed with this at 02/25/2009 2:06:16 pm
matt.jpgMatt - Nutcan.com's MBL
02/25/2009 @ 05:13:02 PM
 Quote this comment
Micah Wrote - Today @ 12:06:23 PM
Is there a fantasy league yet?


Now there is. Info/link/discussion here.
Rate this comment
Yours:

Rated 0 times.
face.bmpCarlos44ec - Since 1980!
02/26/2009 @ 02:28:41 PM
 Quote this comment
I'm at home watching the Houston/Atlanta game- they keep talking about how awesome the Twins young pitching staff is- even without Boof (laff) and especially with a healthy Liriano.

They've made a lot of nice remarks about the Twins; happy day!
Rate this comment
Yours:

Rated 0 times.
scott.jpgScott - Resident Tech Support
02/26/2009 @ 08:12:53 PM
 Quote this comment
Corey Hart homered in the first spring training game.
Rate this comment
Yours:

Rated 0 times.
hoochpage.JPGSarah - So's your face
03/01/2009 @ 12:47:26 PM
 Quote this comment
That's cool. I missed the Twins, it's nice to watch them on TV for spring training.
Rate this comment
Yours:

Rated 0 times.
hoochpage.JPGSarah - 4635 Posts
03/01/2009 @ 01:09:18 PM
 Quote this comment
Ok, so tickets have been on sale for a whole day... What's everyone status on going to games? 1, 2 to Milwaukee, 1,2,3 to St Louis, 1 to KC? Just throwing this out there...
Rate this comment
Yours:

Rated 0 times.
avatar2345.jpgPackOne - 1528 Posts
03/01/2009 @ 08:44:01 PM
 Quote this comment
I am going to one game at Miller Park, or were you looking for more than that?
Rate this comment
Yours:

Rated 0 times.
scott.jpgScott - 6225 Posts
03/02/2009 @ 08:02:46 AM
 Quote this comment
Anyone want to go to the Trop down in St. Pete?
Rate this comment
Yours:

Rated 0 times.
vignette.bmpCarlos44ec - 2079 Posts
03/02/2009 @ 08:12:58 AM
 Quote this comment
I wish. Drove by it last January though
Rate this comment
Yours:

Rated 0 times.
scott.jpgScott - On your mark...get set...Terrible!
03/02/2009 @ 02:37:06 PM
 Quote this comment
I enjoy watching baseball anyway, but the Trop has the unique distinction of being an even worse place to watch a game than the Metrodome.
Rate this comment
Yours:

Rated 0 times.
scott.jpgScott - Get Up! Get outta here! Gone!
03/03/2009 @ 02:48:34 PM
 Quote this comment
Hart is batting .700 so far.
Rate this comment
Yours:

Rated 0 times.
reign_of_fire.jpgMicah - Bring me the finest muffins and bagels in all the land.
03/03/2009 @ 03:47:56 PM
 Quote this comment
Delmon Young is batting .857, although I think he still does a complete 360 every time a ball is hit to left field.

I won't know about STL until April, so I will get tickets then if I can go and just sneak down to wherever you guys are.
Rate this comment
Yours:

Total:

Rated 1 times.
IMG_3063[1].jpgjthompto - 209 Posts
03/03/2009 @ 08:01:41 PM
 Quote this comment
I will probably go to at least 2 possibly 3 of the Twins games vs STL. I usually wait till a little closer to the event to buy tickets. If anyone needs a place to stay I have one spare bedroom in my house.
Rate this comment
Yours:

Rated 0 times.
hoochpage.JPGSarah - How do you use these things?
03/06/2009 @ 07:12:36 PM
 Quote this comment
Twins tickets go on sale tomorrow!
Rate this comment
Yours:

Rated 0 times.
face.bmpCarlos44ec - 2079 Posts
03/06/2009 @ 08:27:24 PM
 Quote this comment
what kind of tickets are you all getting? we'll probably opt for resrved spots.

Anyone else notice griffey was left and not center? I don't know that I've paid attention to him during his Reds years, but I imagne since he's 40 he can't cover like he used to.
Rate this comment
Yours:

Rated 0 times.
fry6beeu9.jpgJeremy - 9506 Posts
03/07/2009 @ 07:50:37 PM
 Quote this comment
All we could get was gen ad tickets for Opening Day. We got seats in 226 for the last game at the dome.
Rate this comment
Yours:

Rated 0 times.
vignette.bmpCarlos44ec - 2079 Posts
03/08/2009 @ 04:50:59 PM
 Quote this comment
I think we have freebees for 136 or 137 or something for game one. I'm not positive, they're through a friend of Meagen's.
Rate this comment
Yours:

Rated 0 times.
scott.jpgScott - 6225 Posts
03/09/2009 @ 10:50:00 AM
 Quote this comment
I went to a Reds-Blue Jays spring training game on saturday. It wasn't much of a game, but it was still a good time. Dusty Baker took time after BP to sign a bunch of autographs; so that was pretty cool. I got pretty close to him, close enough to shake his hand if I wanted to.
Rate this comment
Yours:

Rated 0 times.
2887.gifAlex - Ignorance is bliss to those uneducated
03/09/2009 @ 12:46:42 PM
 Quote this comment
Quit fraternizing with the enemy!
Rate this comment
Yours:

Rated 0 times.
jon.jpgJon - 1000000 posts (and counting!)
03/14/2009 @ 12:09:46 AM
 Quote this comment
Scott Wrote - 03/09/2009 @ 10:50:00 AM
I went to a Reds-Blue Jays spring training game on saturday.

Alex Wrote - 03/09/2009 @ 12:46:42 PM
Quit fraternizing with the enemy!


Yeah! I agree with Alex. Those Blue Jays are Canadians you know.
Rate this comment
Yours:

Rated 0 times.
hoochpage.JPGSarah - How do you use these things?
03/16/2009 @ 08:29:52 PM
 Quote this comment
We're getting the Twins game on the TV this year!!emoticon DirectTV had better not be the sux.
Rate this comment
Yours:

Rated 0 times.
fry6beeu9.jpgJeremy - I believe virtually everything I read.
03/16/2009 @ 10:38:17 PM
 Quote this comment
Yeah, we'll have to start charging admission. emoticon
Rate this comment
Yours:

Rated 0 times.
Jeremy edited this at 03/16/2009 10:38:28 pm
vignette.bmpCarlos44ec - 2079 Posts
03/17/2009 @ 08:52:27 AM
 Quote this comment
Sarah Wrote - Yesterday @ 08:29:52 PM
We're getting the Twins game on the TV this year!!emoticon DirectTV had better not be the sux.


I know a dude who installs DTV in EC. You do too, none other than William Tubbs.
Rate this comment
Yours:

Rated 0 times.
fry6beeu9.jpgJeremy - I believe virtually everything I read.
03/17/2009 @ 09:31:03 AM
 Quote this comment
No kidding. Well, hopefully I see him Saturday between noon and 4.
Rate this comment
Yours:

Rated 0 times.
IMG_3063[1].jpgjthompto - 209 Posts
03/17/2009 @ 12:23:43 PM
 Quote this comment
Sarah Wrote - 12/31/1969 @ 06:00:00 PM
We're getting the Twins game on the TV this year!!emoticon DirectTV had better not be the sux.


I have direct TV and I think it is awesome. Just make sure your house isn't located in a forest. And be ready to deal with minor signal problems during bad weather and knock the snow off the dish during the winter.
Rate this comment
Yours:

Rated 0 times.
fry6beeu9.jpgJeremy - Pie Racist
03/17/2009 @ 12:41:30 PM
 Quote this comment
Well the on demand stuff comes in over the internet, and we download a lot of shows anyway, so I think we'll be ok. The call to cancel Charter took like 2 seconds, I couldn't believe it. No hard sell, no games, no "well, why don't try [something we don't want]." I think it was because I had a reason there's no getting around. Charter doesn't offer the Twins games, there's no switch she can flip for that. Anyway, then she looked at internet only plans and found that we could get a year long trial of the 20mbps service for the cost of the 5mbps we had, so now we have that. Also, we're getting an HD-DVR, so we'll finally be able to pause our shows to let Hooch out every 45 seconds.

I've called Charter for other issues and the call was a nightmare, I guess they save the best service for when you're leaving.
Rate this comment
Yours:

Rated 0 times.
face.bmpCarlos44ec - A Vote for me is a Vote against Terrorism! ...or atleast just wasted.
03/17/2009 @ 02:24:48 PM
 Quote this comment
or when your bill is 4x what it's supposed to be- that was the easiest customer service call ever.
Rate this comment
Yours:

Rated 0 times.
sarah.jpgSarah - So's your face
03/30/2009 @ 08:38:58 PM
 Quote this comment
http://sports.espn.go.com/mlb/spring2009/news/story?id=4028070
is this a big deal? seems like the brewers never have a closer.
Rate this comment
Yours:

Rated 0 times.
2887.gifAlex - 3619 Posts
03/30/2009 @ 11:49:59 PM
 Quote this comment
I'm not too worried, sounds like as long as he doesn't try to rush it right now it shouldn't be a lingering problem.
Rate this comment
Yours:

Rated 0 times.
scott.jpgScott - You're going to have to call your hardware guy. It's not a software issue.
03/31/2009 @ 07:35:18 AM
 Quote this comment
Just for the record, except for last year, the Brewers have had a number of good closers. Dan Kolb--All Star, Francisco Cordero--All Star, Derrick Turnbow--All Star. They haven't all lasted that long, but to say the Brewers never have a closer is not accurate. I hope Hoffman pans out this year, because in all reality, it was indeed the lack of a solid closer that I think was the difference in their season last year. Your entire pitching staff is just more at ease when you know you can rely on the 9th inning guy.
Rate this comment
Yours:

Rated 0 times.
vignette.bmpCarlos44ec - 2079 Posts
03/31/2009 @ 11:03:44 AM
 Quote this comment
Micah- we need an update. What do you have to report?
Rate this comment
Yours:

Rated 0 times.
hoochpage.JPGSarah - 4635 Posts
03/31/2009 @ 06:46:58 PM
 Quote this comment
Yea, I haven't seen you at the two games I watched, are you sitting in the clubhouse or something?
Rate this comment
Yours:

Rated 0 times.
face.bmpCarlos44ec - 2079 Posts
03/31/2009 @ 08:37:44 PM
 Quote this comment
I watched yesterday's hoping for a sighting. Nothing!
Rate this comment
Yours:

Rated 0 times.
hoochpage.JPGSarah - How do you use these things?
04/02/2009 @ 08:19:58 PM
 Quote this comment
http://minnesota.twins.mlb.com/news/article.jsp?ymd=20090402&content_id=4108752&vkey=news_min&fext=.jsp&c_id=min

I'm not sure if our chances for winning just increased or decreased, based off of Liriano's last start.
Rate this comment
Yours:

Rated 0 times.
thumbnailCAW1I0O3.gifMatt - Washington Bureau Chief
04/02/2009 @ 09:50:14 PM
 Quote this comment
One upside to this is that knuckleballer R. A. Dickey will open as the 5th starter and pitch on the 10th.
Rate this comment
Yours:

Rated 0 times.
2887.gifAlex - 3619 Posts
04/03/2009 @ 01:37:08 PM
 Quote this comment
Gwynn is odd man out for bench outfielders, put on waivers

http://www.jsonline.com/sports/brewers/42367217.html
Rate this comment
Yours:

Rated 0 times.
matt.jpgMatt - Washington Bureau Chief
04/03/2009 @ 03:07:32 PM
 Quote this comment
He cleared waivers and is going to Triple-A Nashville.
Rate this comment
Yours:

Rated 0 times.
hoochpage.JPGSarah - How do you use these things?
04/04/2009 @ 10:01:10 PM
 Quote this comment
http://sports.espn.go.com/mlb/news/story?page=powerrankings_preseason09

Suck it Brewers. Just rewatched the last few innings of the Sept 25th game against the White Sox, I can't wait for Monday!!!
Rate this comment
Yours:

Total:

Rated 2 times.
2887.gifAlex - You've got to trust your instinct, and let go of regret
04/05/2009 @ 04:26:17 PM
 Quote this comment
Baseball starts today!
Rate this comment
Yours:

Rated 0 times.
face.bmpCarlos44ec - 2079 Posts
04/05/2009 @ 08:38:20 PM
 Quote this comment
Huzzah!

Where you fools sitting at the Homerdome- are you going? I think our tix say section 136.
Rate this comment
Yours:

Rated 0 times.
sarah.jpgSarah - So's your face
04/05/2009 @ 08:40:06 PM
 Quote this comment
General Admission- only the best for us!
Rate this comment
Yours:

Rated 0 times.
face.bmpCarlos44ec - A Vote for me is a Vote against Terrorism! ...or atleast just wasted.
04/07/2009 @ 08:01:20 AM
 Quote this comment
That guy got knocked a good one. He should have been paying attention, he was sitting in the hot zone down there!
Rate this comment
Yours:

Rated 0 times.
scott.jpgScott - 6225 Posts
04/07/2009 @ 08:29:49 AM
 Quote this comment
Carlos44ec Wrote - Today @ 09:01:20 AM
That guy got knocked a good one. He should have been paying attention, he was sitting in the hot zone down there!

Are you talking about a spring training game? Because this is the spring training thread.
Rate this comment
Yours:

Rated 0 times.
Leave a Comment of your very own
Name:
Comment:
Verify this code
Verify the Code in this box, or sign in, to post a comment.
click me!
There's an emoticon for how you feel!
click me!
My Files
Sign up, or login, to be able to upload files for Nutcan.com users to see.