Unity In Adversity

[IXI DECAY IXI]

MINNEAPOLIS, MINNESOTA -- Just hours after the Twins completed their final spring training game, Twins owner Jim Pohlad released this statement...

Due to some unforeseen circumstances, Terry Ryan will no longer be a member of the Minnesota Twins organization. His employment has been immediately terminated and all contract negotiations have become void.

We are now considering all options as to whom his replacement will be and more information will be relayed at a further date. Until we make a final decision on whom our next GM will be, I will be acting as General Manager until then.

So... With the regular season just days away, the Twins will be opening their 2014 season without a General Manager. This will mark the 2nd time in his career that Terry Ryan will be looking at the Twins in his rear view mirror. He resigned from the GM job in October of 2007 but returned in November of 2011.

I think the main question that is on every bodies mind is why??? Why would an owner dump his GM just hours after a game with a season start just days away? Fans across the globe will certainly have their eyes glued to the news for the up and coming days surely hoping to hear some information as to why this happened...

[IXI DECAY IXI]

Re: Unity In Adversity

MINNEAPOLIS, MINNESOTA -- While the Twins recently loss their General Manager Terry Ryan, it's only fair that we take a quick glance at what Ryan was able to accomplish during the off season.

It wasn't too busy of an off season as the Twins are really putting their future in the hands of the farm system, but there are a couple notable names worth mentioning.

The Twins did lose Ryan Doumit to the Braves. In return they received a starting pitching prospect in Sean Gilmartin and a first round draft pick. Gilmartin has struggled in the Atlanta farm system the past couple of season, but the Twins saw some raw talent that they liked.

The Twins added catcher Kurt Suzuki who will likely be the teams starter come opening day. Perhaps the Twins biggest signing was starting pitchers Ricky Nolasco and Phil Hughes. Nolasco was traded mid season last year from a struggling Marlins team to a surging Dodgers squad. Nolasco posted an 8-3 record with a 3.52 ERA during his time with the Dodgers.

Phil Hughes will be welcomed with open arms as well. Manager Ron Gardenhire was very pleased with the addition of Hughes and his talents.

I was very excited when I got the call from Terry that we were a go on the signing of Phil. I think he has great stuff and I believe he is going to fit right in here. I love his pace on the mound along with his presence. I expect big things from him this season.

At the moment, it seems Hughes will be slotted into the #3 spot in the rotation right behind Kevin Correia. That would put Hughes first start in the finale of the three game series in Chicago against the White Sox.

Although the Twins were able to add two solid arms to the rotation, the back end of the rotation could still pose a problem and perhaps the biggest disappointment this past off season was the fact that the Twins failed to sign a bat to help a lineup that struggled offensively last year.

With an already interesting start to the 2014 season, it will be interesting to see how the Twins start this year and how they progress throughout the season. With perhaps one of the best farm systems in the game, it will be exciting to see if we see any new faces make their debut's this year as well.

Till then, we will just have to sit back and first and foremost... Find out who is going to be the next General Manager.

[IXI DECAY IXI]

Re: Unity In Adversity

CHICAGO, ILLINOIS -- A 9th inning rally for Minnesota wasn't quite enough as the Twins fell just short on opening day to the Chicago White Sox.

Chris Sale was his usual self in this afternoon game as he pitched in 6 innings of work allowing 2 runs on 8 hits while striking out 7.

The White Sox got on the board quick with a single from Paul Konerko in the bottom of the 1st that De Aza was able to score on. The White Sox had a big inning in the bottom of the 3rd due to a single by Dunn that scored De Aza as well. Gillespie followed that up with a single that got Dunn and Konerko to the plate to put the Sox up 4-0.

The Twins were able to strike for a run in the top half of the 4th as Calabello scored on a Hicks single. After early struggles Nolasco was able to settle down a bit but would be pulled after only 5 and a third innings of work. Nolasco surrendered 4 runs (2 earned) on 8 hits on the afternoon.

The Twins closed the gap a bit in the 6th with a sacrifice fly by Brian Dozier that scored Trevor Plouffe. The 9th inning saw an introduction to Jason Kubel who would get a pinch hit opportunity against the White Sox closer Matt Lindstrom. Kubel would grab his first homerun on the year as he brought the score to 4-3.

Lindstrom would ultimately get himself out of trouble and earn his first save of the season and earn the White Sox and opening day victory.

Minnesota Twins at Chicago White Sox
Mar 31, 2014	1	2	3	4	5	6	7	8	9	R	H	E
Minnesota (0-1)	0	0	0	1	0	1	0	0	1	3	11	2
Chicago (1-0)	1	0	3	0	0	0	0	0	X	4	12	1
W: Sale (1-0) L: Nolasco (0-1) S: Lindstrom (1)

Minnesota Twins
HITTERS	AB	R	H	RBI	BB	SO	HR	AVG
Dozier, 2B	4	0	1	1	0	1	0	.250
Suzuki, C	4	0	0	0	0	2	0	.000
Kubel, PH	1	1	1	1	0	0	1	1.000
Mauer, 1B	5	0	1	0	0	1	0	.200
Willingham, LF	3	0	1	0	2	1	0	.333
Colabello, DH	4	1	1	0	1	0	0	.250
Plouffe, 3B	4	1	3	0	0	0	0	.750
Arcia, RF	3	0	0	0	0	2	0	.000
Hicks, CF	3	0	2	1	1	1	0	.666
Florimon, SS	4	0	1	0	0	1	0	.250
BATTING: 2B: Willingham, Plouffe HR: Kubel RBI: Dozier, Kubel, Hicks
BASERUNNING: SB: Dozier
FIELDING: E: Dozier

Chicago White Sox
HITTERS	AB	R	H	RBI	BB	SO	HR	AVG
De Aza, LF	5	2	2	0	0	1	0	.400
Eaton, CF	4	0	1	0	0	1	0	.250
Konerko, 1B	4	1	2	1	0	0	0	.500
Dunn, DH	4	1	2	1	0	0	0	.500
Garcia, RF	4	0	0	0	0	0	0	.000
Gillaspie, 3B	4	0	1	2	0	1	0	.250
Ramirez, SS	3	0	0	0	1	1	0	.000
Beckham, 2B	4	0	2	0	0	2	0	.500
Flowers, C	4	0	2	0	0	0	0	.500
BATTING: 2B: Dunn, Beckham RBI: Konerko, Dunn, Gillaspie 2
FIELDING: E: De Aza

Minnesota Twins
PITCHERS	IP	H	R	ER	BB	SO	HR	ERA
Nolasco	5.1	8	4	2	1	4	0	3.37
Pressly	0.2	0	0	0	0	1	0	0.00
Theilbar	1.1	2	0	0	0	1	0	0.00
Guerrier	0.2	2	0	0	0	0	0	0.00

Chicago White Sox
PITCHERS	IP	H	R	ER	BB	SO	HR	ERA
Sale	6.0	8	2	2	3	7	0	3.00
Guerra	1.0	1	0	0	1	0	0	0.00
Jones	1.0	0	0	0	0	1	0	0.00
Lindstrom	1.0	2	1	1	0	1	1	9.00

[IXI DECAY IXI]

Re: Unity In Adversity

Minnesota Twins at Chicago White Sox
Apr 2, 2014	1	2	3	4	5	6	7	8	9	R	H	E
Minnesota (1-1)	0	1	0	0	1	0	0	1	3	6	11	2
Chicago (1-1)	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	3	3
W: Correia (1-0) L: Quintana (0-1)

Minnesota Twins at Chicago White Sox
Apr 3, 2013	1	2	3	4	5	6	7	8	9	R	H	E
Minnesota (2-1)	1	1	0	0	1	1	0	0	0	4	9	0
Chicago (1-2)	0	0	0	1	0	0	0	0	0	1	6	0
W: Hughes (1-0) L: Danks (0-1) S: Perkins (1)