Comments on: Alexi Casilla Is An Awful Fielder?/Expect Team Defense To Improve

By: twayn

twayn — Wed, 30 Jul 2008 15:14:44 +0000

I don't disagree that Everett will probably improve our infield defense. I'm more worried about him degrading the offense. Casilla came up this year and after struggling a bit, he found an approach at the plate that works(cut down the swing, shrink the strike zone, work the count, etc.). I believe we're going to miss that a lot more than any of his defensive contributions.

By: Rhubarb_Runner

Rhubarb_Runner — Wed, 30 Jul 2008 14:48:12 +0000

I think metal gauntlets should be mandatory equipment for the Twins. My God, how many hand/finger injuries does this team have going on the past two years? Seems inordinately high, and they're not all due to headfirst slides into first base.

By: SBG

SBG — Wed, 30 Jul 2008 13:29:44 +0000

Scratch my LTE. You are right, Everett is up.

By: Gutzon

Gutzon — Wed, 30 Jul 2008 13:16:00 +0000

I remember reading this article at the beginning of the season and then handing it out to whoever seemed interested (eleven year old brother, friends, girlfriend...). Especially for my bro, the budding little leaguer, it was a great way to reinforce the notion that great defense is fundamentally sound defense.

I would like to see Morneau - Punto - Everett - Harris/Buscher around the diamond. It'd be nice to watch an infield that can play proper defense once again.

By: Diggity Dino

Diggity Dino — Wed, 30 Jul 2008 13:02:02 +0000

Unfortunately, I think that is the way it is going to turn out. A torn tendon - yikes. Joe C. says it is similar to Tolbert's, who has been out since May.

We'll have to get used to seeing Punto in the 2 spot.

By: DK

DK — Wed, 30 Jul 2008 12:39:17 +0000

I'm pretty sure that because Casilla's going on the DL, the 72-hour thing is no longer necessary, since Everett's just getting activated and rejoining the team (for now...or for the rest of the season I guess, if Casilla's done for the duration).

By: SBG

SBG — Wed, 30 Jul 2008 11:42:08 +0000

I think we've seen the last of Everett in a Twins uniform. Last night during the game, Bremer said that the Twins had invited Everett to remain in Rochester. Apparently, he has 72 hours to agree or he can become a free agent. Gotta believe he's a goner. Then again, maybe he'll play out the season in Rochester and come up in September. Does that sound likely?

By: Jeff A

Jeff A — Wed, 30 Jul 2008 11:40:56 +0000

My guess (and that's absolutely all it is) is that Everett probably won't play very much--that Buscher, Harris, and Punto will make up the infield most of the time until Casilla gets back. My present concern with Casilla, as it was with Cuddyer, is that finger/hand/wrist injuries seem to take forever to really heal properly.