Minnesota Twins

Minnesota Twins News and Press

Twins Team Report (Yahoo! Sports)
Sat, 04 Feb 2012 02:38:46 PST

Outfielder Josh Willingham readily acknowledges that right field is not exactly in his comfort zone. But the offseason acquisition is confident he'll figure it out.

Although he has started only 33 games in right, he has played hundreds in left.

"Hopefully this spring I'll just get a lot of reps out there and get comfortable," Willingham said. "That's the goal. Playing on the opposite end of the field, it's different, the way the balls come off the bat, so it'll just take a little bit of time to get used to."

Willingham, 32, signed a three-year, $21 million deal this winter to replace Michael Cuddyer, whose primary position was right field, though he wound up playing a lot of first base the fill in for oft-injured Justin Morneau the last few seasons.

So far,...

Fan's Take: Spring Training Isn't Just for the Players (Yahoo! Contributor Network)
Fri, 03 Feb 2012 07:41:00 PST
While preseason games in the NHL, NBA, and NFL get poo-pooed by even the most ardent fans, for some reason spring training games are welcomed with open arms by sports fans. The games don't count. In fact, most of the team's better players play only a few innings if at all.

Fan's Take: Target Field Should Be Considered when Finding Vikings a Temporary Home (Yahoo! Contributor Network)
Wed, 01 Feb 2012 14:02:00 PST
If you're a Minnesota Twins fan, then it's a good bet you might have some interest in the Minnesota Vikings and the ongoing saga the team deals with in hopes of getting a new stadium. The way it looks now, the team is going to be relegated to getting a state funded stadium...

Rangers give manager Washington 2-year extension (PA SportsTicker)
Mon, 30 Jan 2012 16:13:26 PST
By STEPHEN HAWKINS AP Sports Writer

Carl Pavano lends helping hand to Vermont Little League leveled by Tropical Storm Irene (Yahoo! Sports)
Mon, 30 Jan 2012 09:54:15 PST
When Howard Paul visited his town's baseball facility in the wake of last fall's Tropical Storm Irene, his heart immediately sank. The weather had wiped everything out. "There wasn't anything left," the Ludlow (Vt.) recreation director told the Times Argus. "Our … Continue reading →

No questions asked: Twins say they're set in OF (AP)
Sat, 28 Jan 2012 13:16:34 PST
The Minnesota Twins have carried plenty of depth in their outfield for years. They've also had their share of uncertainty about who's playing where and when. Well, manager Ron Gardenhire sure quashed any lingering intrigue about this season's lineup. Denard Span is the center fielder. Ben Revere will play left.

Morneau 'hopeful' he'll be fully healthy in 2012 (AP)
Fri, 27 Jan 2012 20:01:06 PST
Justin Morneau's latest recovery is "right on schedule" for him to start this season at first base for the Minnesota Twins. The former American League MVP, been beset by all kinds of injuries the last two years, said on Friday night he's "hopeful" he'll be fully healthy in 2012.

Former pitcher Pascual added to Twins Hall of Fame (AP)
Fri, 27 Jan 2012 15:28:47 PST
Former pitcher Camilo Pascual has been elected to the Minnesota Twins Hall of Fame, as the 24th member. The Cuban-born right-hander will be honored during a pregame ceremony at Target Field on July 14. He is 78. Pascual spent 13 of his 18 major league seasons with the Twins and Washington Senators franchise from 1954-66.

The Best Activities at TwinsFest 2012: Fan's View (Yahoo! Contributor Network)
Fri, 27 Jan 2012 12:22:00 PST
TwinsFest, one of my favorite Minnesota Twins offseason activities, will be running at the Metrodome from Friday, Jan 27 to Sunday, Jan. 29 ( check here to buy tickets and view hours ). If you're a fan of the team and plan on going, I recommend checking out these activities at...

Twins to retire ex-manager Tom Kelly's No. 10 (AP)
Fri, 27 Jan 2012 09:02:47 PST
The Minnesota Twins will retire former manager Tom Kelly's uniform number. President Dave St. Peter revealed the decision late Thursday at an annual awards banquet at Target Field, where the 61-year-old Kelly became emotional after the announcement. Kelly's No. 10 will be formally retired during a ceremony before a game against Cleveland on Sept.

MLB Fan’s Guide to Visiting Hammond Stadium in Fort Myers, Florida (Yahoo! Contributor Network)
Thu, 26 Jan 2012 12:37:00 PST
Are you thinking of planning a trip to Fort Myers, Fla., this year to catch some Minnesota Twins spring training action? If so, maybe you're wondering how to get to Hammond Stadium, where the best seats are, which concessions have the best grub, and where you should stay.

Fan's Take: Gardenhire Saying All the Right Things Before the Season Starts (Yahoo! Contributor Network)
Thu, 26 Jan 2012 09:04:00 PST
On January 24, Minnesota Twins manager Ron Gardenhire told the St. Paul Pioneer Press that Carl Povano will be the team's opening day starter and that Scott Baker will start the team's home opener a few days later against the Angels.

Tim Lincecum in Johan Santana Territory Now: A Fan’s View (Yahoo! Contributor Network)
Wed, 25 Jan 2012 14:58:00 PST
The first thought that sprung to mind when news of Tim Lincecum's two-year $40 million contract was revealed was the tenor of excitement Johan Santana's signing caused in Flushing, New York and around the metropolitan area for Met fans a few years ago.

Fan's Take: Twins Will Have a Presence at the Oscars (Yahoo! Contributor Network)
Tue, 24 Jan 2012 10:21:00 PST
One may wonder what the Academy Awards have to do with the Minnesota Twins, but filmmaking and baseball have a direct relationship here in Minnesota. When owner Carl Pohlad died a few years ago, the team became property of his three sons.

MLB 2012 Minnesota Twins Spring Training Schedule (Yahoo! Contributor Network)
Mon, 23 Jan 2012 14:23:00 PST
With the start of spring training right around the corner, fans of the Minnesota Twins have plenty to look forward to this season. Will this be the year the Twins take it to the next level and claim a World Series championship?

Fan's Take: An Engaged Mauer is Engaging (Yahoo! Contributor Network)
Mon, 23 Jan 2012 13:25:00 PST
I for one envision good things from Joe Mauer this season. He's healthy going into spring training and he has to be motivated by last season's disaster. Plus, he's got something going for him that may make all the difference.

Twins can contend with healthy Morneau, Mauer (Yahoo! Sports)
Fri, 20 Jan 2012 20:16:00 PST
The Twins can be a factor in the AL Central, but only if Justin Morneau and Joe Mauer stay in one piece.

Indians trade for RHP Kevin Slowey (PA SportsTicker)
Fri, 20 Jan 2012 15:42:27 PST
By TOM WITHERS AP Sports Writer

Fan's Take: While the Twins Battled for New Digs, the Saints Are on Track for a New Home at No Cost to Them (Yahoo! Contributor Network)
Fri, 20 Jan 2012 11:54:00 PST
Earlier this week, Minnesota Governor Mark Dayton issued his wish list for the state's bonding bill set to be debated at the State Capitol during the legislative session that starts on Jan. 23. There were lots of things on the list.

Zumaya says he still has the zoom in his right arm (AP)
Thu, 19 Jan 2012 12:20:34 PST
Joel Zumaya has painfully realized the potential hazard of his natural gift. Being able to throw the ball incredibly hard can come with a price. So as the right-hander resumes his career with Minnesota, Zumaya will bring a different mentality to the mound. If he's healthy -- he said Thursday he feels "great" -- he'll still be relied on to strike opponents out in the late innings.

Baseball in January? You Betcha! (Yahoo! Contributor Network)
Thu, 19 Jan 2012 12:20:00 PST
It's coming . Twins Fest 2012 is slated for Jan. 27-29 at the friendly confines of the Metrodome. Yes, you read that right. The Metrodome. After years of putting the place down in hopes of getting a new ballpark, the Twins are relegated to the sterile environment of the dome,...

Twins finalize contract with reliever Zumaya (AP)
Wed, 18 Jan 2012 15:46:46 PST
Relief pitcher Joel Zumaya and the Minnesota Twins have finalized their $850,000, one-year contract. The deal includes $900,000 in performance bonuses for the oft-injured right-hander, who missed all of last season with an elbow injury. He broke a bone in the joint while throwing a pitch for the Tigers against the Twins in June 2010, his last appearance in a major league game.

Fan's Take: 2012 Twins Have Many Questions to Answer (Yahoo! Contributor Network)
Wed, 18 Jan 2012 07:38:00 PST
Here in Minnesota it has been a long, but unseasonably mild winter. While we have at least two months before we can even really get primed for green grass and everything else that comes with outdoor baseball, it's never too early to look at the 2012 Minnesota Twins .

MLB Roundup: Tigers' Martinez out for season, Hamels signs $15 million deal (Yahoo! Sports)
Tue, 17 Jan 2012 16:25:13 PST
Detroit Tigers designated hitter Victor Martinez tore his ACL during his offseason training and could need season-ending surgery. An MRI exam Monday in Lakeland, Fla., the Tigers' spring training home, revealed the injury.