"Martin Perez is the big surprise for me. He looks like he's for real. His newly-minted cutter is devastating. The league will catch up eventually, but I see him as a solid #3-#4 starter with 10+ wins and an ERA around 3.00-4.00."

Rambling On is a local, independent Minnesota sports blog and podcast. We release weekly articles on each active pro team, in addition to posting a lot of fun content on Twitter. Join our active Twitter community and let your voice be heard.

Current articles are released on Thursday (Minnesota Twins) and the occasional Friday (all Minnesota sports). Coverage of inactive teams is released as news breaks. Our archive covering the 2018 Vikings and 2018-2019 Timberwolves and Wild seasons can be found on our blog page. 

In this edition, Rambling On god-king Erik Ritland and Wild/Twins analyst Peter Ripka discuss YOUR red-hot Minnesota Twins. Just how good are they? What has been the most surprising thing about the team? Should they make some trades? The guys cover all this and more.

Thank you for your support!

​After taking three of four from the Astros, the Twins have the best record in the American League.
 
What are the most and least surprising aspects of how successful this team is?
Erik: Considering that I predicted that we wouldn't have a great season, almost everything is surprising haha. Practically everyone in the lineup clicking, even back of the rotation starters doing well (Odorizzi, Perez), the bullpen holding up...it's all a surprise to me.

For most people, the least surprising thing would be how powerful this lineup is, but I genuinely didn't see that coming. Cruz is getting older; Cron hasn't had sustained success; Schoop had a down 2018; the young Twins players haven't had a large enough sample size to know how well they'd do. Amazingly, though - to me at least - they're all coming together to make an earth-shattering lineup.

Least surprising things to me include Berrios and Taylor Rodgers doing really well. 

Peter: The most surprising aspect is the starting pitching. Minus a few starts here and there they have been a lot better than I had expected.

The least surprising is the offense. When they signed the players they did this off-season I knew they were going to have a good lineup. I was just expecting them to have to win games 10-8.
 
What players are you most surprised are doing so well? Is anyone underachieving?
Erik: Martin Perez is the big surprise for me. He looks like he's for real. His newly-minted cutter is devastating. The league will catch up eventually, but I see him as a solid #3-#4 starter with 10+ wins and an ERA around 3.00-4.00. 

Pineda is the obvious choice for underachiever. He looks sluggish and lost. I haven't lost hope for him, though. Sometimes it takes awhile for pitchers to return from Tommy John.

Peter: I am very surprised with how well Buxton has been offensively. It is a welcome surprise, especially considering the struggles he had last year. Marwin Gonzalez has been underachieving so far, having struggled to get going at the plate. This is a minor issue, though, as it has opened the door for Sano to take back over at third once he returns to the MLB lineup towards the end of the month.
 
How much of an impact with having Miguel Sano back have?
Erik: It can't hurt, can it? It'll be nice to have a solid, everyday third baseman, and another strong bat in the middle of the lineup to compliment Cruz.

Peter: This is a hard one to figure out. He has a lot of pop but also a very high strikeout rate. Hopefully he has figured that part of his game out, as Buxton has seemed to.
 
Are you convinced that this Twins team is for real yet?
Erik: Not yet. Lots of teams have had good streaks like this and then fallen off. I'm glad that it's happening, and with how bad the division is there should be a lot of easy wins in there, but it's too small of a sample size to say at this point. Think of all the Oakland A teams - who also heavily use analytics - that have strong parts of seasons but end up not being successful. I'm hopeful, but not sold yet.

Peter: I personally would like the to add a few arms to the lineup and/or rotation. The middle relief still has me worried. Outside of that, I think this team has the makings to make some noise into late October. Of course 29 games is a small sample size in a 162 game season. If they are still playing this well into the dog days of summer, though, everyone better take notice.
 
Do you think the Twins will make some moves closer to the trade deadline? Do you think they should?
Erik: It depends. If they're still playing as well as they are now towards the deadline, they have to make a move or two. Another top-tier starter and a bullpen piece would make this team, as they're playing now, one of the best in the league.

Peter: I think they will try to add a bullpen arm. Not sure if it will be someone in the middle or at the back end of it. I would be surprised if they stay in the hunt and don't add a piece or two.
 
Any other thoughts about the team, their sweep of the Orioles, or the upcoming Yankees series?
Erik: The first real challenge for the Twins was facing the Astros, and they passed pretty well. Lest we forget, though, they lost 2/3 to them in Houston. If the Twins can take 2/3 against the Yankees I'll be a bit closer to jumping on the bandwagon.

Peter: The Yankees series will be a good gauge for the team. As everyone in this market knows, the Yankees have been the Achilles Heel for this franchise since the turn of the century. Should also be fun to watch our lineup in a true hitter's park.

Erik Ritland is a writer and musician from St. Paul, Minnesota. Founder of Rambling On, he has written hundreds of articles and hosted almost a hundred podcasts. He began his career as Lead Staff Writer for Minnesota culture blogs Hometown Hustle and Curious North. He directs all of the content on Rambling On, created and maintains the website, and is social media content director. He is also copy editor and writer for Music in Minnesota. Support Erik's music on his music site or BandCamp, reach him via email, or find him on Facebook and Twitter.

Peter Ripka is the original Rambling On podcast co-host and has been a contributor since its inception. He’s currently the Wild analyst, a position he’s held for several years. A Wild and Twins season ticket holder, his writing combines the passion of a fan and the insight of a beat writer.

"If Astudillo's average and RBI totals continue to improve, and his strikeout/walk ratio stays amazing, it wouldn't surprise me if he gets a few Rookie of the Year votes. "

Rambling On is a local, independent Minnesota sports blog and podcast. We release weekly articles on each active pro team, in addition to posting a lot of fun content on Twitter. Join our active Twitter community and let your voice be heard.

Current articles are released on Thursday (Minnesota Twins) and the occasional Friday (all Minnesota sports). Coverage of inactive teams is released as news breaks. Our archive covering the 2018 Vikings and 2018-2019 Timberwolves and Wild seasons can be found on our blog page. 

In this edition of the Twins Ramble, Rambling On god-king Erik Ritland asks Twins analyst Peter Ripka about the Orioles sweep, Astudillo as ROY candidate, recent bullpen shake-ups, and more.

Thanks for your support!

The Twins followed up their skid against the Blue Jays with a three-game sweep of the Orioles. Are the Twins really good or are the Orioles just really bad?
Little bit of both. The Orioles are a very bad team. They have a pitching staff made up of guys that are cutting their teeth in the league still or just shouldn't be in the show yet.

However, with that being said, the Twins possess a very good hitting lineup. Additionally, not all pieces are yet performing as they could or have. 

What is the most impressive hitting stat of the Twins season so far: Rosario hitting 10 home runs faster than any Twin, Polanco hitting .372, or Buxton leading the league in doubles (12) and batting .287?
Buxton is the most impressive. He seemed off last year, as even before his injury he was having trouble getting on base. It looks like he spent his off-season learning how to be a big league hitter.

As for the other options you present, Rosario has had these sorts of hot streaks in the past. It is nice to see him doing it early in the season for once. Polanco looks like he did two years ago before his PED suspension. He looked like he never got into a groove last year after missing the first half of the season.

Even mlb.com is noticing cult favorite Willians Astudillo. Let's swing for the fences here: will he receive any Rookie of the Year votes?
If his average and RBI totals continue to improve, and his strikeout/walk ratio stays amazing, it wouldn't surprise me if he gets a few votes. It is only roughly twenty games into the campaign, though, so it could be a just a mirage. There's he reason he is slightly older than your typical rookie.

In any case, he sure is fun to watch.

What do you think of the Twins sending down Tyler Duffey and Jake Cave to make room for Kohl Stewart and Fernando Romero? How was the pitching staff looking, and will this give them the bump they need?
It was no real surprise that something needed to be done. The middle relief has left a lot to be desired thus far this year. They have let teams back into blowouts far too often. If Romero can keep his command with his arm strength, I could see him moving to the the back end of bullpen, either as the setup guy or possibly closer. 

Peter Ripka is the original Rambling On podcast co-host and has been a contributor since its inception. He’s currently the Wild analyst, a position he’s held for several years. A Wild and Twins season ticket holder, his writing combines the passion of a fan and the insight of a beat writer.

"You wanna know the problem with baseball? Exciting plays are down because the shift sucks the fun out of everything."

Rambling On is a local, independent Minnesota sports blog and podcast. We release weekly articles on each active pro team, in addition to posting a lot of fun content on Twitter. Join our active Twitter community and let your voice be heard.

Current articles are released on Thursday (Minnesota Twins) and the occasional Friday (all Minnesota sports). Coverage of inactive teams is released as news breaks. Our archive covering the 2018 Vikings and 2018-2019 Timberwolves and Wild seasons can be found on our blog page. 

In this edition, Rambling On god-king Erik Ritland goes old-school "ramble style." The Rambling On blog began by posting articles in an easy-to-digest bullet point format, and we occasionally go back to that.

He discusses the Twins and the Blue Jays, his thoughts on the shift, and Twins fifth starter Martin Perez in this edition.

Thanks for your support!

Canadian Voodoo
For some reason, as far back as I can remember, the Blue Jays have always had the Twins' number. This has partially been because they usually have a better team, but not always, as this years 1-3 record at home against them shows (the Twins are a far, far superior team).  

Considering that both teams have changed almost all players and coaching staffs since the old days when the Jays would beat up on the Twins, it's irrational to think that the past has anything to do with the failure of the present. But what other explanation is there? Isn't life often irrational? 

Maybe the Blue Jays owner has been spending a lot of time in New Orleans, discovered voodoo, and for some reason just really has it out for the Twins and only uses his powers against them.

Can you prove me wrong?

Beating (up on) the Shift
Any time somebody rips on the shift, the new guard of geeks that have taken over baseball scoff. "What, do you want to get rid of the DH?" And on and on and on.

As if there couldn't be any legitimate reason to be against some new things.

I hate the shift because it ruins the flow and excitement of the game. Baseball is getting closer and closer to basically being a bunch of robots being shifted around to where each batter hits the ball. That's not human. That's not interesting. That's not exciting. 

You wanna know the problem with baseball? Exciting plays are down because the shift sucks the fun out of everything.

The Twins are crazy about the shift. That's why I'm glad when it backfires and they lose because of it, as happened on Tuesday against the Blue Jays.

Apology Segment: Martin Perez
Before the season began, I gave the Martin Perez signing a D-. I saw it as a typical Twins move: a guy who the owners know who is cheap and has never shown any signs of being great.

So far, I'm being proven quite wrong. Perez has looked good. His velocity is up and he hasn't really had a hiccup. Hopefully his six innings of one-run ball against the Blue Jays will be a sign of things to come.

Erik Ritland is a writer and musician from St. Paul, Minnesota. Founder of Rambling On, he has written hundreds of articles and hosted almost a hundred podcasts. He began his career as Lead Staff Writer for Minnesota culture blogs Hometown Hustle and Curious North. He directs all of the content on Rambling On, created and maintains the website, and is social media content director. He is also copy editor and writer for Music in Minnesota. Support Erik's music on his music site or BandCamp, reach him via email, or find him on Facebook and Twitter.

"I do think that Buxton's style of play is too dangerous. He doesn't have to put his body on the line to be one of the best center fielders in the game. He can just get to the balls that nobody else can get to due to his speed. The way he throws around his body is a problem that I fear will continue to rear its ugly head, and might end up costing the Twins some games."

Rambling On is a local, independent Minnesota sports blog and podcast. We release weekly articles on each active pro team, in addition to posting a lot of fun content on Twitter. Join our active Twitter community and let your voice be heard.

Current articles are released on Tuesday (Minnesota Wild) and Thursday (Minnesota Twins). Coverage of inactive teams is released as news breaks. Our archive covering the 2018 Vikings and 2018-2019 Timberwolves seasons can be found on our blog page. 

For this Twins edition, Minnesota Sports Ramble god-king Erik Ritland and Twins/Wild analyst Peter Ripka discuss the Twins lineup, Kepler as leadoff man, and overall impressions two weeks in.

Thanks for your support!

It's early in the season, but what are your impressions of the Twins lineup after a handful of games?
​Peter: I have been pleased with them, outside of Rosario, who finally got his first hit of the season Tuesday in KC. 

Erik: It's such a small sample size, but they have easily exceeded my expectations on basically every level. I mean, for a team that could barely score runs for the first couple games against the Tribe. But with that rotation it's easier not to be as hard on them for those games at least.

Do you like Max Kepler as a leadoff guy?
Peter: I'm not sure who else you would have in the spot. I've always liked Kepler and I think he could embrace the role of a lead off hitter.

Erik: He has basically all that you need in a leadoff hitter: he can get on base. As long as he's able to, and has good speed, he'll thrive in the position. He might become one of the best leadoff hitters the Twins have had in recent memory, at least as far as utility goes since he gets on base so well and can at least occasionally hit in the clutch.

Byron Buxton has missed a few games after smashing into the center field wall a couple of times. Will this always be a concern with Buxton? Do you like his reckless style of outfield play, or is it too dangerous?
Peter: Reckless isn't quite the way I'd describe it. I'd say he's over-aggressive. As long as he plays that way, injuries will always be an issue of his. It is a very entertaining style of play, though. He needs to find more of a happy middle ground, remaining aggressive but being more aware of his placement on the field.

Erik: I do think that this style of play is too dangerous. He doesn't have to put his body on the line to be one of the best center fielders in the game. He can just get to the balls that nobody else can get to due to his speed. The way he throws around his body is a problem that I fear will continue to rear its ugly head, and might end up costing the Twins some games.

​Erik Ritland is a writer and musician from St. Paul, Minnesota. Founder of Rambling On, he has written hundreds of articles and hosted almost a hundred podcasts. He began his career as Lead Staff Writer for Minnesota culture blogs Hometown Hustle and Curious North. He directs all of the content on Rambling On, created and maintains the website, and is social media content director. He is also copy editor and writer for Music in Minnesota. Support Erik's music on his music site or BandCamp, reach him via email, or find him on Facebook and Twitter.

Peter Ripka is the original Rambling On podcast co-host and has been a contributor since its inception. He’s currently the Wild analyst, a position he’s held for several years. A Wild and Twins season ticket holder, his writing combines the passion of a fan and the insight of a beat writer.

"You can't help but root for such a happy, scrappy, hard-working guy like Astudillo, can you? As Peter said, we'll have to see how the league adjusts to him to know if he's sustainable."

Rambling On is a local, independent Minnesota sports blog and podcast. We release weekly articles on each active pro team, in addition to posting a lot of fun content on Twitter. Join our active Twitter community and let your voice be heard.

Current articles are released on Thursday (Minnesota Twins) and the occasional Friday (all Minnesota sports). Coverage of inactive teams is released as news breaks. Our archive covering the 2018 Vikings and 2018-2019 Timberwolves and Wild seasons can be found on our blog page. 

In this edition, Rambling On god-king Erik Ritland and Wild/Twins analyst Peter Ripka discuss the Twins good start to the season, the sustainability of starting pitching, and the mysterious La Tortuga. 

The Twins have had a pretty good start to the season. What has impressed you the most so far?
Peter: The pitching staff, outside of Gibby's starts. But he'll come around.

Erik: I'll always take the Twins success to my predictions being correct. I saw their lineup as being over-hyped, and although it's a small sample size, they seem legit. Starting pitching is a highlight as well, of course, except for the ailing Kyle Gibson. I'm guessing once he recovers fully from his sickness he'll get back on track.

The starting pitching has been phenomenal, and the bullpen has even looked good. Do you think it's sustainable?
Peter: I sure hope it is. I've only heard good things about the new pitching coach. I think he has played a role in their early season success and would then guess that it'll continue.

Erik: Of all the things the Twins have, the starting rotation is the least sustainable. I don't see Odorizzi continuing to be this good - he never has been - and outside of Berrios the talent just isn't there. Especially once Martin Perez - who I hope I'm wrong about - joins the rotation again.

Is fan favorite Willians Astudillo for real? 
Peter: La Tortuga for the win! He is a good story, that's for sure. I'm not sure his approach towards batting is very sustainable though. It'll be interesting to see what happens in May when the league has had a chance to scout and plan against him and how he adjusts.

Erik: You can't help but root for such a happy, scrappy, hard-working guy, can you? But that's not the question, I suppose. As Peter said, we'll have to see how the league adjusts. I don't doubt that he'll always be able to put the ball in play, he's proven that beyond a doubt, but hitting it where they ain't is a whole different thing. His defense is underrated as well. I don't think he'll ever be anything less than an above average utility guy at least.

​​Erik Ritland is a writer and musician from St. Paul, Minnesota. Founder of Rambling On, he has written hundreds of articles and hosted almost a hundred podcasts. He began his career as Lead Staff Writer for Minnesota culture blogs Hometown Hustle and Curious North. He directs all of the content on Rambling On, created and maintains the website, and is social media content director. He is also copy editor and writer for Music in Minnesota. Support Erik's music on his music site or BandCamp, reach him via email, or find him on Facebook and Twitter.

Peter Ripka is the original Rambling On podcast co-host and has been a contributor since its inception. He’s currently the Wild analyst, a position he’s held for several years. A Wild and Twins season ticket holder, his writing combines the passion of a fan and the insight of a beat writer.

​

Rambling On is a local, independent Minnesota sports blog and podcast. We release weekly articles on each active pro team, in addition to posting a lot of fun content on Twitter. Join our active Twitter community and let your voice be heard.

Current articles are released on Tuesday (Minnesota Wild) and Thursday (Minnesota Twins). Coverage of inactive teams is released as news breaks. Our archive covering the 2018 Vikings and 2018-2019 Timberwolves seasons can be found on our blog page. 

In our special Opening Day article, Minnesota Sports Ramble god-king Erik Ritland and Twins/Wild analyst Peter Ripka talk Spring Training, the lineup, pitching, and predictions. 

Thanks for your support!

Who surprised you most this Spring Training?
Erik: Although he had a great year in AAA last year, 30-year old journyman relief pitcher Ryne Harper was still a longshot to make the team coming into Spring Training. But thanks to pitching 11 scoreless innings with 14 strikeouts - and perhaps because of some injuries - he's earned a shot in the big leagues. Good story. I hope he succeeds.

Peter: There aren't high expectations for him, but Willians Astudillo had a surprising statistic this spring: other than a scrimmage against other Twins players, he had zero walks and zero strikeouts. His personality, versatility, and ability to get the ball into play will hopefully help him stay on the big league roster long-term.

Your Opening Day starters and lineup:

1. Kepler (OF)
2. Polanco (SS)
3. Cruz (DH)
4. Rosario (OF)
5. Cron (1B)
6. Gonzalez (3B)
7. Shoop (2B)
8. Castro (C)
9. Buxton

Does this inspire you? How well do you think they can do through a whole season?
Erik: Not really. Kepler, Polanco, Rosario, and Buxton still need to prove themselves. Although getting older (but aren't we are?), Cruz has stayed consistent, but who knows when he'll fall off. Schoop is looking to rebound but is far from a guarantee of greatness, Castro and Cron are average, and Gonzalez will be the best utility player around once he isn't filling in for Buxton. 

In short, it's mediocrity and question marks all around. A lot of things will have to come together at once to be successful.

Peter: It looks like a decent lineup, but it would be a lot better with Sano in it. If the kids improve and play well, both in the field and at the plate, this team could put up a team record for runs and homeruns. That's a big if, though. 

The bench: Garver, Astudillo, Adrianza, Austin, Cave. Your thoughts?
Erik: The bench might be the best part of the Twins this year haha. One good thing about this team is that they have a lot of depth. If our everyday starters are out, we have a bench that can fill in well short-term. 

Peter: Not the sexiest part of a team, but a good bench is certainly important. Ours is above average. The only name that excites me gives me is Astudillo. His work ethic is inspiring and does a lot to help this team, especially the younger guys.

The Twins starting rotation is pretty predictable: Berrios, Gibson, Pineda, Odorizzi, and eventually Perez (who will start in the bullpen but start when needed). Anything in their springs make you re-evaluate your thoughts about them before the season?
Erik: Not really. It's still a sketchy rotation. When you only have one good pitcher - and one who would still be a #2 on most teams) - you're asking for trouble. 

Like the rest of the team, the rotation is all "ifs." If Gibson can continue his good run from last year, Pineda can return to the thrilling days of yesteryear, and Odorizzi and Perez can...umm...not be an embarrassment, the Twins can stay competitive. 

Peter: Perez surprised me this spring. Last year he was throwing 91 mph, so I figured he was going to be another under-powered Twins pitcher. But in his last start this spring he was consistently at 94/95 mph. Earlier in the spring he was clocked as high as 97. If he can continue to maintain that speed he'll be a pleasant surprise.

And the bullpen: Rogers, May, Parker, Hildenberger, Mejia, Harper. Without Reed, Magill, and Moyer (all injured), this is a bit different than we may have anticipated. Your thoughts?
Erik: The Twins needed to beef up the bullpen this off-season, and they didn't. Going into the Spring the relief staff was thin, and with the injuries things could get brutal. Like the starting staff, there isn't a huge drop-off from their starters to the "next in line" since most of the staff is only average anyway. It's not like Reed, Magill, and Moyer were saviors or anything. 

Peter: Something tells me this teams success (or lack thereof) is completely dependent on this group being solid. Rogers, May, and Hildenberger have proven to be good pieces, Mejia is a very good long man, and Parker and Harper each have upside. If they are managed better than in the past, and we don't end up with tired arms, this could be our best bullpen in a few years. 

Any other questions/comments/concerns about your 2019 Minnesota Twins?
Erik: I'm about at the end of my rope with Buxton and Sano. If they aren't successful this year, trade them for a bucket of balls.

If Berrios went down, the season would basically be over, unless they actually went out and got another good pitcher. That isn't a good harbinger for how well the team will do.

Peter: Rocco baldelli came out and said that Kepler will be be the lead off hitter. He isn't your typical lead off guy, so it will be very interesting to see how he handles the new role.

What will the Twins record be and who will win the Central?
Erik: The AL Central is an incredibly weak division. If the Twins overachieve and the Indians fall off, each of which could happen, they have a chance. But I'd put it at, like, 15%.

I don't think the Twins will win the division. My official prediction: they win 75 games.

Peter: The Twins will end up with 78 wins this year and will finish second in the Division to the Indians. The Indians starters are too good, and the Twins don't have the star power to take them over the hump.

Who will meet in the World Series this year?
Erik: I'm going to go Yankees/Dodgers. Usually I wouldn't like to see big-name, high-spending teams like this, but it's romantic, isn't it? In a day in age with so many are sucking the life out of the game, at least we still have our legendary teams. That still makes it fun.

​I'll take the Yankees in seven games, with the game seven going into 14 innings and Aaron Hicks getting the winning hit. 

Peter: The Red Sox are good, but I'll pick the Astros to represent the AL. As far as the NL goes, the Padres, Dodgers, and Phillies will be in the mix. I'll pick the dark horse of those three and choose the Padres. The Astros will win in six games.

​Beer and Baseball is the Minnesota Sports Ramble's Twins blog and podcast!

Rambling On founder Erik Ritland and Twins analyst Peter Ripka bring you the best Twins coverage for the common fan. Come for the insight, stay for the irreverence.

Bi-weekly blogs come out on Thursdays. Stay tuned for a big announcement about the podcast.

"I hope Buxton's current run this Spring is sustainable. Him bulking up can't hurt. If it means he is more durable then it is definitely a very good thing. We'll see if he can continue his production towards the end of the Spring when things are more even among pitchers and hitters."

Twins analyst Peter Ripka discusses the Kepler and Polanco extensions, the Gonzalez signing, Buxton, baseball in blizzards, and more in this edition.

Thanks for your support!

What did you think of the extensions of Kepler (5 year, $35M) and Polanco 5 year, $25.75M)?
I really like them both. The Kepler deal is the most significant, as I expect him to keep developing at the pace he has and be a "late bloomer." This is partially because he grew up in Germany so he didn't play baseball year-round like the Hispanic nations and southern United States players do.

Polanco showed us two years ago what he could be. He unfortunately didn't give himself a chance to back it up because of PED issues. I believe the player he will be moving forward is the one we saw two years ago.

What did you think of the Twins two-year, $21M deal with Marwin Gonzalez?
Gonzalez hit a key homerun for the Astros in their World Series. He is a very quality utility player, a rich man's Nick Punto. It makes me excited because he can play every position and provide an insurance policy for rest days and injuries. 

Do these moves change your view of what direction the team is heading in? Or of what their identity is?
I still think this team will be around the .500 mark. I'll give my official prediction on our first podcast though. To me, it more solidified the fact that they want to win games 10-8 rather than a 3-2. 

Assuming that they won't be making any more moves, what areas do you think the Twins should have made more of an effort to patch up?
The bullpen. They didn't do enough to help correct the issues that were around last year. I hope I am pleasantly surprised. 

Do you take any stock in Buxton bulking up and looking good so far this Spring?
I hope his current run this Spring is sustainable. Him bulking up can't hurt. If it means he is more durable then it is definitely a very good thing. We'll see if he can continue his production towards the end of the Spring when things are more even among pitchers and hitters.

How much snow do you think will be on the ground when the Twins open the season at Target Field on March 28? Is there anything baseball can do to curb this nonsense?
Well with the field heated there wont be any snow on the field, unless it snows during the games, which is possible. The fact that the season starts March 28th is absolutely asinine. Not only does baseball need to deal with the length of time games are taking but they also need to address the season length. The fact the the "October classic" is now played in mid November is a problem.

Peter Ripka is the original Rambling On podcast co-host and has been a contributor since its inception. He’s currently the Wild analyst, a position he’s held for several years, in addition to contributing to Rambling On's Beer and Baseball Twins commentary. A Wild and Twins season ticket holder, his writing combines the passion of a fan and the insight of a beat writer.

Beer and Baseball is the Minnesota Sports Ramble's Twins blog and podcast!

Rambling On founder Erik Ritland and Twins analyst Peter Ripka bring you the best Twins coverage for the common fan. Come for the insight, stay for the irreverence.

Bi-weekly blogs, appearing on Thursday, begin Feb. 14. Stay tuned for a big announcement about the podcast.

When last season ended, what did you think the Twins biggest concerns should be in free agency?
Erik: If we're being honest, they need upgrades at every position, except maybe #2 starter (I hope it isn't too soon to say that Berrios has that locked down).

That being said, they entered the off-season without a second baseman or DH, so those obviously needed to be addressed. Our pitching situation is a big meh all around, but to fix it would take more than any team has at their disposal, regardless of how much money they have. I did expect them to bolster both the rotation and the bullpen in free agency, though, as neither would strike fear into the heart of any opponent outside the Detroit Tigers.

Peter: Pitching, pitching and more pitching. The bullpen left a lot to be desired last season and the rotation was very hit or miss. Mostly it was the other team that hit, actually..

Give a grade for each of these signings and what you expect from them:
Nelson Cruz (DH/OF) 1 yr/$14m w/$12m option for 2020 
Erik: As far as talent and price goes, the Twins couldn't have done any better than Nelson Cruz. Plus he's a good clubhouse guy, and as we say when Torii Hunter came back, that can be important. It'd be an A if Cruz was more than a one-dimensional, above average player. Grade: B

Peter: This isn't your typical old guy signing. He has a proven track record and wasn't just a flash in the pan for one season. Grade: B+

Johnathan Schoop (2B) 1 yr/$7.5m 
Erik: The Schoop signing does two important things: it gives prospect Nick Gordon another year (or half year...) of seasoning, and it gives the Twins a possible mid-season trade chip. Coming off an awful, injury-ridden 2018, the once-decent Schoop is simply a question mark. A typical Twins singing if there ever was one. Grade: B-

Peter: He isn't a top tier player, but he fills a hole and can provide a little offense. Grade: B

CJ Cron (1B) 1 yr/$4.8m
Erik: Why not. Tyler Austin doesn't appear to be the future of the Twins at first base, so it's nice to see that they brought in somebody to compete with him. It'll be interesting to see how it plays out. Like most of the Twins moves this offseason, though, this is a big yawn. Grade: C

Peter: With Mauer retiring, they needed an everyday first baseman, and Cron fills that void at a good price. Grade: B

Blake Parker (RP) 1 yr/1.8M plus incentives
Erik: This move shows the intelligence and savvy of the Twins front office. Parker is a nice addition to the bullpen at a good price. He's something of a typical Twins arm - he doesn't throw fast, he doesn't strike a lot of people out - but he does the job as a bullpen pitcher who keeps damage at a minimum. Grade: B+

Peter: A new arm added to the pen for competition. His incentive-based contract provides little risk. Grade: C

Martin Perez (SP) 1 yr/$3.5M w/$7.5M option for 2020
Erik: Perez is basically Odorizzi light. Just throw touted prospect Fernando Romero into the fire of the fifth spot already, good grief.

There are four tiers to typical Twins signings: 1) Decent but never great players 2) Veterans with a little bit left 3) Formerly good players looking to find their old magic 4) Mediocre players that have never been that good and probably never will be. Perez is in the last, least category. Grade: D 

Peter: Should be an effective fifth starter in the rotation. Hopefully he won't be a glaring weakness that the fifth spot, as has been the case for this team in years past.

Was there anything else you wish the Twins would have done in free agency?
Erik: Sigh. What else could they do? They need at least another season to see if all our suspects/prospects will pan out. A more aggressive push to patch up the bullpen and rotation would have been nice - the Twins should sign Dallas Keuchel at whatever price he's asking, it's not that unreasonable - but that just wouldn't be the Twins way now, would it?

Peter: Based on what was available, and what is still available on the market, they couldn't do much more in my opinion. I would have liked some baseball trades to shore up the back of the bullpen, but what can you do.

Are you satisfied with the approach the Twins took this offseason?
Erik: I guess. Honestly, what do you want them to do? They can't replace the whole team. Buxton, Sano, Kepler, Rosario, and Polanco all need at least one more year to see if they'll ever live up to their potential. As such, the Twins idea of building a serviceable team around them is about the best, smartest thing they could do.

I'd love to see a true fire sale if they aren't doing well come mid-season. Best case scenario: Schoop and Cruz return to the thrilling days of yesteryear and get a big return on a trade, while each of our prospects/suspects shows their true colors so we can unload those who aren't doing well for good deals at the deadline. And by "good deals" I mean a package that includes some prospects, any decently touted prospects. One or two of them have to pan out. It's the law of averages, dammit.

This isn't the sexiest idea, and the fans may not dig it, but whatever. Fans aren't always the brightest. Once they make a big turn around, a la the Houston Astros, everyone will come back anyway. 

Peter: I'm pretty satisfied with their approach. They've got to see if the young players have rebounds. Sano, Buxton, and a full season from Polanco will tell us what they need to address next off-season. I wouldn't be surprised if this team finished a few games above .500.

​Erik Ritland is a writer and musician from St. Paul, Minnesota. Founder of Rambling On, he has written hundreds of articles and hosted almost a hundred podcasts. He began his career as Lead Staff Writer for Minnesota culture blogs Hometown Hustle and Curious North. He directs all of the content on Rambling On, created and maintains the website, and is social media content director. He is also copy editor and writer for Music in Minnesota. Support Erik's music on his music site or BandCamp, reach him via email, or find him on Facebook and Twitter.

Peter Ripka is the original Rambling On podcast co-host and has been a contributor since its inception. He’s currently the Wild analyst, a position he’s held for several years. A Wild and Twins season ticket holder, his writing combines the passion of a fan and the insight of a beat writer.