Enjoying the second game from the nose bleed section.

Tax season is finally over and I am looking forward to more Twins time. I have been watching and listening when I can.

Some good things, some great things, and some really not so great things so far.

So far I am having the most fun watching Punto and (yes, you guessed it) Kubel. They are having some pretty good games. And I know there are a lot of people who have a hard time supporting Crede, but I still love to watch him. I liked him when he was the enemy, and now I get to cheer for him, fun!

I know we are up and down. Dave saw the score for last nights game, and said right away, "we must suck this year." Little does he know... we're just getting going.

T minus 2 to 25 man

Another decision moving towards the starting day 25 man roster, Tolbert was optioned to Rochester. One less battle for positions.

Opening day line up is sure looking to be different than what I expected. In case you haven't been following Spring Training, it has been one plagued by minor injuries. Long list - ready? (I am doing this off the top of my head so I might miss a couple.)

Crede was hit in the hand but seems to be fine.
Morneau has a stiff back and has missed the last several games.
Mauer has an inflamed sacroiliac joint and will miss the first several games.
Baker was put on the DL after developing shoulder stiffness.
Bonser had shoulder surgery.
Cuddy and his finger from last year - I believe I read he was having more tests a week or so ago.
Young had a sore shoulder.
Punto apparently is injured but I didn't hear why.

Now - in case you haven't been following and are now in a panic, don't be. Sounds much worse than it is. Mauer and Baker will miss opening day, and Morneau is apparently questionable, but is expected to play. Injuries happen in baseball, but it is interesting how a rash of them changes the lineup considerably. So as of today we don't know what Monday's lineup will be. Can you imagine being Gardy right now??? (Or his wife?)

I am going to jump on my soapbox for a moment and say that I am tired of fans saying that the players are just being babies. Two thoughts come to my mind. One, they worked hard and long to get where they are and most do not want to miss games. If they were babies they would never have made it to the point they are at. Second, they have an investment if you will in their bodies. If something is off, they need to do the right thing to be sure it corrects itself properly. Mauer gets the most criticism. Which would you prefer given the choice of having him rush back without a proper recovery, play so-so at best for a few games until he injures it again, or inflames it to a point that he is out for a larger chunk of the season; or have him miss half a dozen games at the beginning of the season to come back ready to play at his full potential for the rest of the season? If there is a problem with your car's engine, you would certainly spend the time to get it properly diagnosed and repaired rather than risk further damage by driving it before it was ready. Let's give these guys a break, and stop second guessing their decisions. They have a team of people helping them make the correct one. (Get's off her soapbox quietly...)

No matter who plays, I am so excited for the season to get underway! I have been unable for the most part to hear the games at work (poor, spotty reception) so I am ready for some baseball!!! You know where I will be Monday! (Ok - actually I will be in a Board meeting during the game. Thank goodness for DVR!!!)

Go Twins!!!

April Transaction Tally

4/3/09 - Matt Tolbert optioned to AAA Rochester
4/2/09 - Joe Mauer placed on 15 day DL due to inflamed sacroiliac joint
4/2/09 - Boof Bonser placed on 15 day DL due to R shoulder surgery recovery
3/28/09 - Scott Baker placed on 15 day DL due to right shoulder stiffness

Oh Happy Day!

Today is a great day for a couple of reasons. I have been busy from getting over an extended illness, followed by my daughter going through a completely different illness, and then all the catching up on everything that it entails. Nothing major, but it delayed my long awaited return to getting back into the swing of this. I am so excited to be back and hoping there is someone out there still reading!

The second reason for my joy should bring out a few emails from my friends. I have made no secret of my love for Jason Kubel, and I get teased mercilessly for that. Today it looks as though Jason and the Twins have come to a tentative agreement. Yeah! Here is the article from the Twins site. While it is not an unexpected move, I am still relieved. Now, honestly, could the Twins have done better? Of course, but I like Jason and his production. Now we just have to make a deal with Guerrier.

I was in the shower yesterday thinking about the fact that this is the first year that we will go into the season knowing all of the starters. It remains to be seen whether that is a good thing or a bad. I am going to believe that it will be a good thing.

Welcome back Jason!

Tolleson - as good as he looks on paper?

A year ago I did not even know there was such a thing as Winter Leagues, now I am busy looking at the stats, trying to gleam an idea of who will be hot who won't be. But if you are a reader, you know I don't believe that stats are everything. Stats can't catch the little webgems that we get out of Punto or Casilla. But given no other info, I am using them.

I am truly excited to see one player in action, Steven Tolleson. Again, going on stats only, his OPS looks impressive at .991. His OBP is .449. He is pretty even on right and and left and has a 1.121 OPS with runners on. Alone the numbers mean little, but he is playing comparable to Casilla at this point. He is on the 40 man, but as a short stop I doubt there will be a place for him on the 25, but you never know what will happen. Have to see how well he does in Spring Training.

Ok, so we aren't a successful team at bringing in or keeping big names, but here is another example of young talent that I cannot wait to see in action.

Punto signed

Miss me??? I have missed being here. Life gets busy and of course, there hasn't been much going on. I was hoping for tons of news coming from the Winter Meetings this week in Las Vegas. Lots of rumors, but unfortunately, not a lot of dealing.

Well, there was movement in the front office today, albeit not the kind that I hoped for.

Punto had been talking to several other teams including the Yankees, Mets and Diamondbacks, and chose to sign with the Twins. His deal includes $4 mil for two years, a $5 mil club option for 2011, and a $500,000 buyout. Gardy has said that Punto will start the year as shortstop.

As you know, I think Punto is a mixed bag. Sometimes making plays that are incredible and then following it up with a misstep that makes you wonder how he ever made it to the majors, he is someone you can't decide whether to love or to hate. Is he worth the $4 mil a year? Dunno, but I hope that the decision frees them up to seriously start looking for a good trade for a 3rd baseman. Love him or hate him, he does some solid things. I love my puppies, but we need to invest a little cash to improve the team. Think of the team we could have with a majority of the players we had last year, but adding some strength on that side of the field. Keep the youth to keep the excitement and drive, and add some talent and experience to complement it.

But I am so excited to get back into reading about and talking about the team. I hope you are too!

Okay - so I will try not to be down on Punto this year when others bad mouth him, and try to stay supportive during his blunders. Of course, I plan to lose 10 pounds in the next few days, too! hee hee

And the award goes to...

...taps mic, clears throat and prepares to present a monumental acceptance speech that will be repeated over and over again because of its warmth and hilarity...

Thank you to my good friend, and coincidentally enough a Twins fan, Kat for giving me this award on her site Oranges and Peaches. I like to think of her site as a brain dump of fascinating facts. As a librarian she chronicles what she learns through various research requests. While I am horrible at describing it, it is a fascinating blog that will often have you saying, how did I not know that, and send you running to google to learn more.

Now for the dilemma - My job as an award winner is to share with you my favorite blogs. This site is about the Twins, so should I share only my favorite Twins blogs, or open myself up and share more of my extremely eclectic interests? I decided to do a little of both. I hope you enjoy these as much as I do.

Cake Wrecks - A double dose for me. I have always wanted to learn how to decorate cakes and love Ace of Cakes on the food network. I also love to laugh. My first thought was how long could something about cakes gone bad last? I hope a long, long time. When I need a good laugh, this site is sure to provide. Even if you have no interest in cakes, check this one out at least once. I guarantee you will be hooked!

365 to 42 - An amazingly beautiful site of photography throughout the photographer's 41st year. I am often moved by his photos. His posts vary from how and why he took the photo to poetry that fits the photo. A must see.

Twins Geek - One of my favorite Twins info sites. He covers anything and everything. And the best part - he didn't stop writing back in August when several other blogs I followed did. Ah... a true fan!

Popbang - Specializing in power pop that just doesn't suck on his internet radio station, this is the place to go if you want to know what is up and coming in the pop world. He highlights what is good in the new music coming out from both new and existing musicians.

Clever Girl Goes Blog - Like sarcastic humor? This is the site for you then. I like to go here whenever I need a little giggle.

Okay - I have bared my soul. Hope you enjoy these!

Here are the rules for the award winners:

• Place the Logo on your blog
• Link to the person who awarded you
• You can nominate up to 5 blogs
• Add their links to your blog
• Leave a message in the comment section of their blog to notify the winners.

Counting the days till Spring Training!!!

Chris