He will be back!
True to my word, I’m posting my first real update on the Twins spring training. Twins are 6-3, good for 3nd in the grapefruit league and 2nd in the AL — for what that’s worth. Of course, this is all without Mauer, Morneau, Cuddyer and Young, the top four RBI guys. But, spring training is for pitchers anyway, right? Cuddyer’s hole in his foot is almost healed and he will be back in a week or so. Young may play in the B game tomorrow. Mauer secretly hopes that he can hold out for all of spring training and I would agree. He had his best year after missing all of spring training and all of April. Morneau will be back on opening day. I’m positive of that. Good thing is that by the time I’m in Fort Myers at the end of the month everybody will be back and in the lineup!
Best stories of spring training so far … Luke Hughes is batting 4-something, 6 RBI, 2 HR, and is making a run to be the utility IF guy over Tolbert and Plouffe. Valencia is batting .500 with 4 2B. So far he’s defying the sophomore slump. Kubel is on fire batting 5-something. Nishi got his first triple the other day and can fly. And, he’s looking very good at 2B.
The pitching has been surprisingly good so far. Pavano is a rock. Duensing has been solid. Blackie looks to be in his old form of two years ago after having his elbow cleaned out. None of those three has given up a hit. Frankie is slowly warming up. The battle remains between Slowey and Baker for the fifth spot but odds are on Baker to get the gig with Slowey in the pen as long relief.
Nathan has thrown 3 scoreless innings and hasn’t given up a run. He looks amazing! And, Neshek has given up one hit is 3 innings.
Dark horse pitching option — Gibson. They will hold him back until after the call-up date in June, though, unless someone gets hurt of they trade Slowey. He’s gonna be really good!
My opening day lineup predictions:
Span
Nishi
Mauer
Morneau
Cuddy
Kubel
Young
Valencia
Casilla
Pavano — opener starter
Frankie
Blackie
Duensing
Baker
That is my initial take on the Twins for 2011. I look forward to your assessment of the Mets! Next time I will look at the ALC, then the AL, and then the NL.
That’s all! 
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