1 00:00:05,120 --> 00:00:07,160 Speaker 1: Hey friends, welcome back to Cardinal Territory. 2 00:00:07,200 --> 00:00:10,200 Speaker 2: I'm your host, Katie Wu and with me is the 3 00:00:10,200 --> 00:00:13,080 Speaker 2: one and only Dan Hayes, the Twins writer for the 4 00:00:13,119 --> 00:00:17,560 Speaker 2: Athletic Great Teammate even better friend of mine. We have 5 00:00:17,840 --> 00:00:21,599 Speaker 2: two technically opening day shows for you this week. One 6 00:00:21,640 --> 00:00:25,279 Speaker 2: will be with Bernie that's coming out on Wednesday. But today, Tuesday, 7 00:00:25,280 --> 00:00:28,280 Speaker 2: March twenty fifth, Dan is so kind to share his 8 00:00:28,400 --> 00:00:31,160 Speaker 2: outlook for the Minnesota Twins and what we can expect 9 00:00:31,240 --> 00:00:33,200 Speaker 2: on opening Day on Thursday. 10 00:00:33,520 --> 00:00:34,239 Speaker 1: Dan, how are you. 11 00:00:34,840 --> 00:00:36,920 Speaker 3: I'm good? Oh you left off on my title. I'm 12 00:00:36,920 --> 00:00:41,559 Speaker 3: now the president of Hot Dish Networks. It's just it's 13 00:00:41,600 --> 00:00:42,760 Speaker 3: a new president CEO. 14 00:00:42,920 --> 00:00:45,680 Speaker 4: I just took. I took a leadership role on just 15 00:00:45,720 --> 00:00:46,200 Speaker 4: this week. 16 00:00:46,840 --> 00:00:49,080 Speaker 3: It's an inside joke for Twins fans who are probably 17 00:00:49,080 --> 00:00:53,240 Speaker 3: not watching, but yeah, it's a They have some amazing 18 00:00:53,680 --> 00:00:56,880 Speaker 3: television networks that were you know, they're MLB. This year 19 00:00:57,520 --> 00:01:01,640 Speaker 3: they're streaming on MLB, so we have all Bunyan television 20 00:01:01,800 --> 00:01:04,400 Speaker 3: is a real thing, Like I had to together day 21 00:01:04,480 --> 00:01:06,280 Speaker 3: or put that on social media the other today, they 22 00:01:06,280 --> 00:01:10,040 Speaker 3: were the first network to sign up to guarantee Twins television. 23 00:01:10,120 --> 00:01:13,160 Speaker 3: So exciting times. I am now the president and CEO 24 00:01:13,240 --> 00:01:17,080 Speaker 3: of Hot Dish Networks. It's pretty incredible week here, so 25 00:01:17,680 --> 00:01:20,479 Speaker 3: excited to you know, come celebrate in Saint Louis. 26 00:01:20,880 --> 00:01:24,400 Speaker 2: Well, unfortunately that title did not make the very celebratory 27 00:01:24,440 --> 00:01:26,480 Speaker 2: graphic that I made for you in the last five seconds, 28 00:01:26,520 --> 00:01:30,480 Speaker 2: So sorry about that. Well, Dan Hayes, I am just 29 00:01:30,560 --> 00:01:34,240 Speaker 2: thinking you are still in Florida. From the looks of it, 30 00:01:34,240 --> 00:01:36,760 Speaker 2: looks like you're in like the Twins media press box 31 00:01:36,840 --> 00:01:37,200 Speaker 2: right now. 32 00:01:37,959 --> 00:01:42,200 Speaker 4: Yeah, yeah, hanging out? What's that? 33 00:01:42,600 --> 00:01:43,959 Speaker 1: Will you get to Saint Louis. 34 00:01:45,040 --> 00:01:47,280 Speaker 3: I will get to Saint Louis sometime around eight o'clock 35 00:01:48,120 --> 00:01:49,000 Speaker 3: Tuesday night. 36 00:01:49,560 --> 00:01:53,440 Speaker 4: Yes, eight o'clock. Yes, should be very exciting. 37 00:01:54,160 --> 00:01:56,320 Speaker 2: I will have a double buckpisode already for you after 38 00:01:56,400 --> 00:02:00,720 Speaker 2: the media media day to Wednesday. I have no idea 39 00:02:00,760 --> 00:02:02,360 Speaker 2: what data is or what is going on, and I 40 00:02:02,400 --> 00:02:04,960 Speaker 2: am running out of time to get ready for opening Day. 41 00:02:04,960 --> 00:02:06,160 Speaker 1: I don't know if you feel the same. 42 00:02:07,720 --> 00:02:07,920 Speaker 4: Yet. 43 00:02:07,960 --> 00:02:11,160 Speaker 3: It's running tomorrow morning. It'll run around the same time 44 00:02:11,200 --> 00:02:15,480 Speaker 3: this airs. I haven't written my season preview yet, so yes, 45 00:02:15,680 --> 00:02:17,520 Speaker 3: running out of time. This is what spring training is. 46 00:02:17,520 --> 00:02:19,520 Speaker 3: It's a mess at the end, it's a cluster at 47 00:02:19,520 --> 00:02:19,840 Speaker 3: the end. 48 00:02:20,360 --> 00:02:22,120 Speaker 2: Yes, And I thought with like a couple of built 49 00:02:22,160 --> 00:02:23,880 Speaker 2: in days, I would be able to have my life together. 50 00:02:24,120 --> 00:02:26,440 Speaker 2: I do not, so hopefully the Cardinals and the Twins 51 00:02:26,720 --> 00:02:29,359 Speaker 2: are shaping up a little bit better than we are, 52 00:02:29,480 --> 00:02:32,240 Speaker 2: because but I mean, what if you expect from us? 53 00:02:32,240 --> 00:02:32,480 Speaker 4: Come on? 54 00:02:33,440 --> 00:02:36,919 Speaker 3: They know they just like that's why everybody just generally 55 00:02:37,040 --> 00:02:39,760 Speaker 3: laughs when they see us, and they know that the 56 00:02:40,919 --> 00:02:45,000 Speaker 3: show that's about to unfold when when we arrive, say 57 00:02:45,000 --> 00:02:45,440 Speaker 3: what you want? 58 00:02:45,480 --> 00:02:48,560 Speaker 2: We are at least entertaining. Let's let's talk a little 59 00:02:48,600 --> 00:02:52,359 Speaker 2: bit about the upcoming baseball series. Nothing says baseball season 60 00:02:52,639 --> 00:02:55,799 Speaker 2: like an interleague series to start the year. Cardinals will 61 00:02:55,800 --> 00:02:58,840 Speaker 2: have Sunny Gray against Pablo Lopez for the Twins on 62 00:02:58,880 --> 00:03:01,639 Speaker 2: a Thursday of three fifteen, and start off day Friday 63 00:03:01,720 --> 00:03:05,600 Speaker 2: and then day games on Saturday and Sunday. Dan, what's 64 00:03:05,600 --> 00:03:07,600 Speaker 2: been the story for the Minnesota Twins. What do the 65 00:03:07,639 --> 00:03:10,640 Speaker 2: Cardinals need to know coming into this first series of 66 00:03:10,680 --> 00:03:11,040 Speaker 2: the year. 67 00:03:11,880 --> 00:03:14,519 Speaker 3: I you know, like the injuries that popped up a 68 00:03:14,520 --> 00:03:16,160 Speaker 3: little bit here at the end of camp for the Twins. 69 00:03:16,240 --> 00:03:19,200 Speaker 3: Royce Lewis won't play, brooks Lee won't play. They're both 70 00:03:19,240 --> 00:03:22,080 Speaker 3: going to start on the IL rock Stewart went on 71 00:03:22,120 --> 00:03:25,560 Speaker 3: the al. That's not necessarily as unexpected, but that's been 72 00:03:25,560 --> 00:03:27,120 Speaker 3: the story for the Twins for a long time. 73 00:03:27,320 --> 00:03:29,920 Speaker 4: Just the fact is can they stay healthy? 74 00:03:30,240 --> 00:03:33,760 Speaker 3: Will they Byron Buxton Carlos Carres had planner fasciatus in 75 00:03:33,800 --> 00:03:36,360 Speaker 3: each foot the last couple of years. Royce Lewis has 76 00:03:36,360 --> 00:03:39,280 Speaker 3: missed so much time. It's really going to be the 77 00:03:39,320 --> 00:03:41,640 Speaker 3: defining factor for the twins. Can they stay healthy? And 78 00:03:41,720 --> 00:03:46,760 Speaker 3: last year with Sonny Gray gone, the rotation really fell 79 00:03:46,800 --> 00:03:49,680 Speaker 3: apart because of the injuries. You know, they traded for 80 00:03:49,760 --> 00:03:53,080 Speaker 3: Anthony d. Sclaffani. He didn't ever throw a pitch for them. 81 00:03:53,080 --> 00:03:55,720 Speaker 3: He got hurt in spring training. Chris Paddock was sort 82 00:03:55,760 --> 00:03:58,960 Speaker 3: of he was coming off of eighteen combined innings and 83 00:03:59,080 --> 00:04:02,560 Speaker 3: rehabbing and pitching in twenty twenty three. They were expecting 84 00:04:02,640 --> 00:04:04,320 Speaker 3: him to throw like one hundred innings. He made it 85 00:04:04,360 --> 00:04:06,440 Speaker 3: to eighty. Then he went out for the season, and 86 00:04:06,480 --> 00:04:10,680 Speaker 3: then Joe Ryan went down. So injuries have really crushed them. 87 00:04:10,760 --> 00:04:12,400 Speaker 3: I mean, all of a sudden, they had three rookies 88 00:04:12,520 --> 00:04:14,320 Speaker 3: in a Pennant race and that's why they went twelve 89 00:04:14,360 --> 00:04:16,760 Speaker 3: and twenty seven down the stretch. They had no Korea 90 00:04:16,839 --> 00:04:18,640 Speaker 3: for a while after he made the All Star team. 91 00:04:19,120 --> 00:04:21,440 Speaker 3: So if they can escape the injury bug, this is 92 00:04:21,480 --> 00:04:24,680 Speaker 3: a really talented team. But at the you know, it's 93 00:04:24,720 --> 00:04:27,039 Speaker 3: not a great start just to see those injuries. But 94 00:04:27,040 --> 00:04:29,080 Speaker 3: at the same time, they're still a very healthy team here. 95 00:04:29,120 --> 00:04:32,320 Speaker 3: The rotation is probably benefiting from the fact that all 96 00:04:32,320 --> 00:04:34,880 Speaker 3: those guys got hurt last year. I think the rotation 97 00:04:34,960 --> 00:04:37,919 Speaker 3: is one of the stronger ones in the Ale Center. 98 00:04:38,520 --> 00:04:41,840 Speaker 3: In the Ale Central, definitely is it probably even projects 99 00:04:41,839 --> 00:04:44,080 Speaker 3: it would be a top ten rotation in baseball. So 100 00:04:44,720 --> 00:04:47,680 Speaker 3: they're in decent shape, but they're still a little bit 101 00:04:47,720 --> 00:04:50,760 Speaker 3: beat up coming in and you know that's gonna we'll 102 00:04:50,760 --> 00:04:51,920 Speaker 3: see what they're capable of. 103 00:04:53,040 --> 00:04:55,719 Speaker 2: I feel like the Cardinals and the Twins have at 104 00:04:55,800 --> 00:04:58,120 Speaker 2: least last year a bit of a similar path, right 105 00:04:58,120 --> 00:05:00,960 Speaker 2: They've been eight for the Twins last year, Cardinals Brady 106 00:05:01,000 --> 00:05:03,640 Speaker 2: three to seventy nine, cut like right around five hundred. 107 00:05:03,640 --> 00:05:07,159 Speaker 2: The Ale Central ended up being very competitive and Central 108 00:05:07,640 --> 00:05:10,040 Speaker 2: not so much. But when you're looking at all the 109 00:05:10,080 --> 00:05:12,240 Speaker 2: divisions in baseball, I think the Ale Central and L 110 00:05:12,320 --> 00:05:14,120 Speaker 2: Central are usually the ones that are kind of like 111 00:05:14,279 --> 00:05:16,840 Speaker 2: on the lower level of the pedestal. No one's really 112 00:05:16,839 --> 00:05:19,240 Speaker 2: talking about them, and the Twins have a bunch of 113 00:05:19,279 --> 00:05:21,880 Speaker 2: issues kind of going on off the field, are looking 114 00:05:21,920 --> 00:05:25,240 Speaker 2: to sell the team. How what do you think of 115 00:05:25,839 --> 00:05:28,880 Speaker 2: Twins fan morale coming into the season, and how does 116 00:05:28,920 --> 00:05:32,000 Speaker 2: the threat or the looming sense of the team being 117 00:05:32,040 --> 00:05:32,919 Speaker 2: sold impact that. 118 00:05:33,760 --> 00:05:37,120 Speaker 4: Yeah, we just did that poll, that fan poll with 119 00:05:37,200 --> 00:05:38,200 Speaker 4: the athletic. 120 00:05:37,800 --> 00:05:39,080 Speaker 1: And I think I do that one. 121 00:05:39,480 --> 00:05:41,120 Speaker 4: I kind of. I didn't either. 122 00:05:42,000 --> 00:05:44,320 Speaker 3: I did not know, but I think they did some 123 00:05:44,520 --> 00:05:47,520 Speaker 3: based off fan morale and based off van morale. The 124 00:05:47,560 --> 00:05:50,719 Speaker 3: Twins were picked forth in the division, which you know, 125 00:05:50,800 --> 00:05:53,120 Speaker 3: I mean, honestly, if they if they're healthy, I think 126 00:05:53,160 --> 00:05:56,279 Speaker 3: they win this division. But it just speaks to where 127 00:05:56,360 --> 00:06:00,719 Speaker 3: the fan base is. Two years ago, Twins fans rejacked 128 00:06:00,960 --> 00:06:02,920 Speaker 3: like they had won their first playoff series in twenty 129 00:06:03,000 --> 00:06:05,760 Speaker 3: one years. They won their first playoff game since two 130 00:06:05,800 --> 00:06:09,320 Speaker 3: thousand and two ls or two thousand and four in 131 00:06:09,320 --> 00:06:13,000 Speaker 3: the playoff game. But you know, they draw sellout crowds. 132 00:06:13,000 --> 00:06:15,080 Speaker 3: They look like they're kind of going places. And then 133 00:06:15,080 --> 00:06:18,200 Speaker 3: ownership cut payroll by thirty million dollars going into last season, 134 00:06:18,480 --> 00:06:21,040 Speaker 3: which was one of the reasons Sunny Gray ended up 135 00:06:21,040 --> 00:06:24,000 Speaker 3: with Saint Louis was because the Twins just had no 136 00:06:24,120 --> 00:06:25,240 Speaker 3: way they could afford him. 137 00:06:25,240 --> 00:06:26,159 Speaker 4: They it wasn't even. 138 00:06:26,000 --> 00:06:29,080 Speaker 3: A conversation, it was thank you for your service, We 139 00:06:29,200 --> 00:06:33,040 Speaker 3: got to move on. That basically killed van morale. I 140 00:06:33,080 --> 00:06:35,840 Speaker 3: mean last year. Typically when a team wins a division, 141 00:06:35,960 --> 00:06:38,320 Speaker 3: the next year, they get a boost in payroll, and 142 00:06:38,600 --> 00:06:40,960 Speaker 3: you know, teams estimate it could be upwards of three 143 00:06:41,000 --> 00:06:43,680 Speaker 3: hundred thousand tickets, which is a significant amount of money, 144 00:06:43,760 --> 00:06:46,680 Speaker 3: obviously when the average fan spent something like fifty or 145 00:06:46,720 --> 00:06:49,799 Speaker 3: sixty bucks at the ballpark. So when you are coming 146 00:06:49,880 --> 00:06:52,479 Speaker 3: up short on that and they lost attendance from the 147 00:06:52,520 --> 00:06:55,800 Speaker 3: year before, they they dropped by twenty two thousand fans 148 00:06:56,200 --> 00:06:58,240 Speaker 3: from the year before. They still have not been above 149 00:06:58,320 --> 00:07:01,640 Speaker 3: two million fans since twenty nineteen. I'd say fan morale 150 00:07:01,720 --> 00:07:05,599 Speaker 3: is very low. And you know, just yesterday me Ken 151 00:07:05,640 --> 00:07:08,320 Speaker 3: Rosenthal Britt GEROLDI wrote a story about how the team 152 00:07:08,839 --> 00:07:11,960 Speaker 3: is still up for sale, how ownership might not get 153 00:07:12,000 --> 00:07:15,360 Speaker 3: its priced. They just rejected a one point five billion 154 00:07:15,440 --> 00:07:19,600 Speaker 3: dollar valuation and they're four under twenty five million in debt. 155 00:07:20,960 --> 00:07:24,920 Speaker 3: Fans reacted about as you would think. They're not really 156 00:07:24,960 --> 00:07:28,119 Speaker 3: thrilled right now that the Polout family still owns a team. 157 00:07:28,600 --> 00:07:30,760 Speaker 3: I think that if a sale happens, it would be 158 00:07:30,800 --> 00:07:33,480 Speaker 3: great for the next owners because they're not you know, 159 00:07:33,840 --> 00:07:37,440 Speaker 3: they're not the current ownership. And you know this current ownership, 160 00:07:38,360 --> 00:07:40,400 Speaker 3: Carl Pohlad bought the team in nineteen eighty four. They 161 00:07:40,440 --> 00:07:43,280 Speaker 3: won two World Series in eighty seven and ninety one, 162 00:07:43,400 --> 00:07:47,480 Speaker 3: beating the Cardinals in eighty seven. But that's a long 163 00:07:47,520 --> 00:07:50,800 Speaker 3: time ago, and I think that fans are just ready 164 00:07:50,800 --> 00:07:53,720 Speaker 3: to move on. I think the business would benefit from it, 165 00:07:53,960 --> 00:07:56,720 Speaker 3: and we would probably see more people come in because 166 00:07:57,040 --> 00:07:59,440 Speaker 3: you know, and I do take with a grain AsSalt. 167 00:07:59,080 --> 00:08:02,920 Speaker 4: That social media is not the barometer for everything. 168 00:08:02,960 --> 00:08:05,520 Speaker 3: But at the same time, you know, the vitriol on 169 00:08:05,560 --> 00:08:08,520 Speaker 3: social media towards the Twins and ownership. 170 00:08:08,120 --> 00:08:11,120 Speaker 4: Right now it's as high as it's been since I've. 171 00:08:10,960 --> 00:08:12,920 Speaker 3: Been here, and this is my eighth season, so I 172 00:08:12,960 --> 00:08:16,600 Speaker 3: know it's it's not a pretty time necessarily, and it's 173 00:08:16,600 --> 00:08:19,040 Speaker 3: crazy because when you look at the team, people should 174 00:08:19,080 --> 00:08:22,600 Speaker 3: be excited about this team. Barron Buckston looks healthy, Carlos 175 00:08:22,600 --> 00:08:25,840 Speaker 3: Correa is coming off an All Star season, the rotation's good, 176 00:08:25,880 --> 00:08:26,840 Speaker 3: the bullpen's good. 177 00:08:27,280 --> 00:08:28,960 Speaker 4: They will get royce Lewis back. 178 00:08:29,360 --> 00:08:31,320 Speaker 3: Like there's a lot to like about this team, and 179 00:08:31,400 --> 00:08:33,439 Speaker 3: I think fans are just kind of tuning it out 180 00:08:33,480 --> 00:08:33,840 Speaker 3: right now. 181 00:08:35,000 --> 00:08:38,760 Speaker 2: Coming from a fan base that I'm covering that seems 182 00:08:38,760 --> 00:08:41,840 Speaker 2: to be pretty tuned out with the overall direction of 183 00:08:41,920 --> 00:08:45,440 Speaker 2: the club, I get it. I think you'll be surprised. 184 00:08:45,480 --> 00:08:47,079 Speaker 2: I mean, have you have you done Opening Day in 185 00:08:47,080 --> 00:08:47,800 Speaker 2: Sant Louis before? 186 00:08:47,920 --> 00:08:49,520 Speaker 3: I have not, and I am looking forward to it, 187 00:08:49,559 --> 00:08:55,160 Speaker 3: so that should be you're here. No, they may have 188 00:08:55,280 --> 00:08:57,839 Speaker 3: been there before, but I have not. So I've been 189 00:08:57,840 --> 00:09:01,480 Speaker 3: there only for two trade deadlines. That's right, That's right, 190 00:09:01,960 --> 00:09:03,560 Speaker 3: John Gant walk across the hall. 191 00:09:04,240 --> 00:09:06,120 Speaker 2: Oh yeah, both times. The twin that you were here 192 00:09:06,240 --> 00:09:08,560 Speaker 2: was a Twins trade deadline. I remember the twenty twenty 193 00:09:08,600 --> 00:09:10,720 Speaker 2: three one. The Twins did not make a trade and 194 00:09:10,720 --> 00:09:13,200 Speaker 2: the Cardinals were rapid firing people up, and you brought 195 00:09:13,240 --> 00:09:15,240 Speaker 2: me a sandwich. This is what I'm talking about when 196 00:09:15,240 --> 00:09:16,839 Speaker 2: I say you're a good teammate and a good friend. 197 00:09:16,880 --> 00:09:18,800 Speaker 2: Because I was on fumes and I go to my 198 00:09:18,880 --> 00:09:22,160 Speaker 2: desk and there is a full sandwich there in the 199 00:09:22,200 --> 00:09:22,800 Speaker 2: press box. 200 00:09:23,120 --> 00:09:25,520 Speaker 4: Just recommendation. I can't I'm going to go back, but 201 00:09:26,240 --> 00:09:27,959 Speaker 4: you sent me to the right place. 202 00:09:28,080 --> 00:09:30,000 Speaker 3: Just put it that way, and I was like this, 203 00:09:30,559 --> 00:09:33,880 Speaker 3: trade deadlines can be terrible days, and then you can 204 00:09:33,880 --> 00:09:36,440 Speaker 3: cover the Twins and trade deadlines are a breeze, like 205 00:09:36,600 --> 00:09:41,160 Speaker 3: we have against in two years, so it's very easy. 206 00:09:41,200 --> 00:09:43,960 Speaker 3: I'm just sitting there going all right, I'm nothing going 207 00:09:44,000 --> 00:09:46,719 Speaker 3: on today because that team was so debt and they 208 00:09:46,720 --> 00:09:48,960 Speaker 3: still won the division. They weren't going to make any 209 00:09:49,040 --> 00:09:51,160 Speaker 3: moves and we knew it. Those are good days. Those 210 00:09:51,200 --> 00:09:53,720 Speaker 3: are those are nice trade deadlines. And then then there's 211 00:09:53,720 --> 00:09:55,280 Speaker 3: the one like last year where we were in New 212 00:09:55,360 --> 00:09:58,880 Speaker 3: York and you know, just getting to City Field is 213 00:09:58,920 --> 00:10:02,160 Speaker 3: a is a hike because of where it's located and 214 00:10:02,200 --> 00:10:06,760 Speaker 3: transferring trains and all that stuff, and man, they didn't 215 00:10:06,760 --> 00:10:09,439 Speaker 3: make a move last year and fans were just extremely 216 00:10:09,480 --> 00:10:13,800 Speaker 3: disappointed that the club was too. So yeah, yes, hopefully 217 00:10:14,480 --> 00:10:17,640 Speaker 3: I think this year we're at home and I can't 218 00:10:17,640 --> 00:10:21,360 Speaker 3: remember who's in. But if I'm inundata with trade stuff 219 00:10:21,400 --> 00:10:24,959 Speaker 3: because the team hasn't sold, well will, it could be 220 00:10:25,000 --> 00:10:26,679 Speaker 3: a very interesting trade deadline this year. 221 00:10:27,120 --> 00:10:29,240 Speaker 2: So you're you're talking to someone who did not have 222 00:10:29,360 --> 00:10:32,120 Speaker 2: to do one single thing over the off season except 223 00:10:32,440 --> 00:10:34,240 Speaker 2: hang out with you at the GM meetings and the 224 00:10:34,280 --> 00:10:36,560 Speaker 2: winter meetings and one of us got concussed. 225 00:10:36,559 --> 00:10:37,440 Speaker 1: I'm not going to say. 226 00:10:38,920 --> 00:10:41,320 Speaker 4: That's probably why I have this job with Hot Dish 227 00:10:41,400 --> 00:10:42,280 Speaker 4: Networks now is. 228 00:10:43,000 --> 00:10:46,800 Speaker 3: I created it in the in the throes of a concussion, 229 00:10:47,360 --> 00:10:50,160 Speaker 3: and that was a freak rainstorm that we all ran into. 230 00:10:50,360 --> 00:10:53,760 Speaker 3: It was very, very interesting few days in San Antonio. 231 00:10:54,200 --> 00:10:56,280 Speaker 2: Who would have thought what a place, Dany. Is there 232 00:10:56,320 --> 00:11:00,520 Speaker 2: a couple of former Cardinals, former Yeah one, former Cardinal one, 233 00:11:00,520 --> 00:11:02,000 Speaker 2: former twin I'd like to talk to you about, but 234 00:11:02,160 --> 00:11:04,600 Speaker 2: first got to hear from our sponsors, our friend at 235 00:11:04,679 --> 00:11:05,400 Speaker 2: True Classic. 236 00:11:06,040 --> 00:11:09,000 Speaker 5: If you're looking for premium clothes at an affordable price, 237 00:11:09,240 --> 00:11:10,600 Speaker 5: you got to check out True Classic. 238 00:11:10,720 --> 00:11:10,920 Speaker 4: AJ. 239 00:11:11,080 --> 00:11:12,679 Speaker 5: You're rocking a True Classic shirt right now. 240 00:11:13,120 --> 00:11:15,360 Speaker 6: Oh believe it. Look at this thing. Look at it soft. 241 00:11:15,760 --> 00:11:18,199 Speaker 6: It fits perfect even with these guns. 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It was not a good spring for Sunny Gray. 264 00:12:15,160 --> 00:12:17,120 Speaker 2: I'll go ahead and read his spring training stat lines 265 00:12:17,160 --> 00:12:19,240 Speaker 2: with the preface that yes, it's just spring training, but 266 00:12:19,280 --> 00:12:23,240 Speaker 2: still this is alarming. Four games, four starts, twelve five 267 00:12:23,360 --> 00:12:27,200 Speaker 2: six ERA twenty earned runs in fourteen and a third innings, 268 00:12:27,840 --> 00:12:31,560 Speaker 2: and he did not complete five of his last seven 269 00:12:31,640 --> 00:12:34,640 Speaker 2: innings and his second to last spring start, he appeared 270 00:12:34,640 --> 00:12:37,400 Speaker 2: in five innings he completed one. I have never seen 271 00:12:37,760 --> 00:12:41,040 Speaker 2: a pitcher get pulled from four consecutive innings. The most 272 00:12:41,080 --> 00:12:43,720 Speaker 2: concerning thing for me, Dan is that Sonny's blow has 273 00:12:43,800 --> 00:12:46,280 Speaker 2: been sitting ninety ninety one. I mean, he topped out 274 00:12:46,320 --> 00:12:48,640 Speaker 2: at ninety one to seven in his final spring outing 275 00:12:48,800 --> 00:12:51,199 Speaker 2: of the year, and then, to his credit, came and 276 00:12:51,280 --> 00:12:54,440 Speaker 2: met with reporters and was, as you know, very candid 277 00:12:54,640 --> 00:12:56,959 Speaker 2: and honest about what was going on. He said, you know, 278 00:12:57,520 --> 00:12:59,520 Speaker 2: obviously the ball is not exploding out of my hand 279 00:12:59,600 --> 00:13:01,560 Speaker 2: right now. What I like to be rearing back throwing 280 00:13:01,640 --> 00:13:05,160 Speaker 2: ninety three ninety four obviously, absolutely, but that's not happening 281 00:13:05,280 --> 00:13:07,320 Speaker 2: right now. He said, I might just have to pitch 282 00:13:07,360 --> 00:13:10,320 Speaker 2: a little different until the velo comes back. What's your 283 00:13:10,400 --> 00:13:12,840 Speaker 2: read on Sunny Gray when he was with the Twins 284 00:13:13,000 --> 00:13:15,680 Speaker 2: second in al Cy Young voting, what was he doing well? 285 00:13:15,760 --> 00:13:17,000 Speaker 2: And does the velo concern you? 286 00:13:18,200 --> 00:13:20,720 Speaker 3: I mean, if it stays that way in the season, 287 00:13:20,720 --> 00:13:23,280 Speaker 3: and obviously he can get a little bit from adrenaline, 288 00:13:23,360 --> 00:13:26,959 Speaker 3: but if he's saying that, obviously he's focused on it 289 00:13:27,120 --> 00:13:31,360 Speaker 3: himself too. You know, the first year the Twins got 290 00:13:31,480 --> 00:13:34,439 Speaker 3: him was right after the lockout ended and he was 291 00:13:34,920 --> 00:13:38,800 Speaker 3: behind schedule, and I know he had told the Reds 292 00:13:39,640 --> 00:13:42,360 Speaker 3: and like, I can't remember how it worked out, but 293 00:13:42,440 --> 00:13:43,920 Speaker 3: he showed up having. 294 00:13:46,720 --> 00:13:47,319 Speaker 1: Is that you or me? 295 00:13:50,600 --> 00:13:58,000 Speaker 4: In the press box? Here. Okay, okay, great that it's 296 00:13:58,040 --> 00:13:58,640 Speaker 4: not canceled. 297 00:13:58,720 --> 00:14:06,480 Speaker 3: It's just gonna cancel our per spring training. Like they 298 00:14:06,559 --> 00:14:10,240 Speaker 3: made the trade for Sunning the weekend of the lockout ending, 299 00:14:10,520 --> 00:14:13,240 Speaker 3: so he came on like two days notice. He was 300 00:14:13,320 --> 00:14:16,040 Speaker 3: well behind schedule, So I sort of remember what it 301 00:14:16,120 --> 00:14:18,679 Speaker 3: was like when he was off and he was searching 302 00:14:18,840 --> 00:14:21,200 Speaker 3: for a lot of that season, he got hurt a 303 00:14:21,240 --> 00:14:24,000 Speaker 3: couple of times, he dealt with stuff, and then the twenty. 304 00:14:23,840 --> 00:14:26,400 Speaker 4: Twenty three version was so different. It was just strong. 305 00:14:26,640 --> 00:14:31,080 Speaker 3: It was great velocity, unlike unbelievable season that got him 306 00:14:31,120 --> 00:14:33,680 Speaker 3: that contract and basically pitched him out of the Twins 307 00:14:33,720 --> 00:14:36,560 Speaker 3: plans because they they were in such a spot. There 308 00:14:36,640 --> 00:14:39,320 Speaker 3: was no way he got three and seventy five right 309 00:14:39,400 --> 00:14:43,400 Speaker 3: from the Cardinals year. They just couldn't afford to do that. 310 00:14:43,520 --> 00:14:47,320 Speaker 3: Because with where he is age wise, I think they 311 00:14:47,360 --> 00:14:51,040 Speaker 3: were they believe he could do it. It's not a 312 00:14:51,160 --> 00:14:53,040 Speaker 3: question of whether or not he could do it. It's 313 00:14:53,280 --> 00:14:55,760 Speaker 3: just the if you know, time caught up with him. 314 00:14:56,160 --> 00:14:59,360 Speaker 3: They could not afford that big of a loss, you know, 315 00:14:59,520 --> 00:15:04,000 Speaker 3: having this gray that was not healthy, not throwing as well, 316 00:15:04,920 --> 00:15:06,800 Speaker 3: and so they opted to move on. They just really 317 00:15:06,880 --> 00:15:10,480 Speaker 3: had no choice when he is on, when he's really going, 318 00:15:10,560 --> 00:15:11,360 Speaker 3: he was so electric. 319 00:15:11,440 --> 00:15:13,440 Speaker 4: I mean he gave up I think eight home runs 320 00:15:13,480 --> 00:15:15,000 Speaker 4: that season. It was whatever. 321 00:15:15,440 --> 00:15:18,760 Speaker 3: His home run rate was the lowest in forever. It 322 00:15:18,880 --> 00:15:21,800 Speaker 3: was the lowest in baseball that year. He was just 323 00:15:22,040 --> 00:15:26,000 Speaker 3: incredible the entire way, and you could see the difference 324 00:15:26,160 --> 00:15:30,080 Speaker 3: between locked in him, healthy him, and the different version. 325 00:15:30,320 --> 00:15:32,880 Speaker 3: He was still a really good pitcher. In twenty twenty two, 326 00:15:32,920 --> 00:15:35,440 Speaker 3: he had like a three twenty four eure. He just 327 00:15:35,800 --> 00:15:39,280 Speaker 3: had trouble going past five innings and Rockabald Delhi had 328 00:15:39,320 --> 00:15:40,960 Speaker 3: to pull him a bunch because he just didn't have 329 00:15:41,000 --> 00:15:42,960 Speaker 3: the legs under him for most of that season. So, 330 00:15:43,800 --> 00:15:47,680 Speaker 3: I mean, Sonny's an honest guy. For him to say 331 00:15:48,680 --> 00:15:51,280 Speaker 3: that it's not there one, you know he'll figure out 332 00:15:51,280 --> 00:15:53,320 Speaker 3: a way around it because he just is a hell 333 00:15:53,360 --> 00:15:55,880 Speaker 3: of a pitcher and a hell of a competitor. So 334 00:15:56,840 --> 00:15:59,840 Speaker 3: even working with diminished velocity, I think he can still 335 00:15:59,840 --> 00:16:04,440 Speaker 3: get out. The spring training numbers definitely are alarming. I 336 00:16:04,600 --> 00:16:08,160 Speaker 3: still always put it least a little bit. I want 337 00:16:08,200 --> 00:16:10,600 Speaker 3: to see it in that first outing before I make 338 00:16:10,640 --> 00:16:13,880 Speaker 3: any judgments. Because so many guys don't work with game plans. 339 00:16:14,000 --> 00:16:17,040 Speaker 3: There's no scouting reports, and so you never know if 340 00:16:17,080 --> 00:16:19,920 Speaker 3: a guy really is truly working on stuff, and maybe 341 00:16:19,960 --> 00:16:22,800 Speaker 3: he's trying some stuff out. It'll be interesting to see 342 00:16:22,840 --> 00:16:25,480 Speaker 3: on opening day. It's not the easiest way to make 343 00:16:25,560 --> 00:16:28,840 Speaker 3: your to try and break out of something, to go 344 00:16:28,920 --> 00:16:31,880 Speaker 3: out there and opening day with the you know, entire 345 00:16:32,040 --> 00:16:34,880 Speaker 3: crowd are and everybody looking for a tone setter to 346 00:16:34,960 --> 00:16:38,320 Speaker 3: the season. It's a you know, it's a big test, 347 00:16:38,440 --> 00:16:42,840 Speaker 3: and obviously facing the Twins, you know they're not totally 348 00:16:42,880 --> 00:16:44,320 Speaker 3: at full strength, but they still have a really good 349 00:16:44,360 --> 00:16:46,960 Speaker 3: lineup going right now, and it should be kind of 350 00:16:47,040 --> 00:16:50,640 Speaker 3: interesting to see because you know the difference. If he 351 00:16:50,800 --> 00:16:53,200 Speaker 3: is on man, he can be a difference maker and 352 00:16:53,240 --> 00:16:57,200 Speaker 3: if he's not, obviously it can be hurting a team's chances. 353 00:16:58,000 --> 00:16:59,720 Speaker 2: I like how you said Sonny Gray gave up eight 354 00:16:59,760 --> 00:17:02,480 Speaker 2: home in that twenty twenty three season. He also gave 355 00:17:02,560 --> 00:17:05,919 Speaker 2: up eight homers this spring, and they were loud, they 356 00:17:06,000 --> 00:17:08,159 Speaker 2: were very loud. But I think you're right, and I 357 00:17:08,280 --> 00:17:10,080 Speaker 2: like what you say about Sonny, who is going to 358 00:17:10,119 --> 00:17:11,600 Speaker 2: figure out a way to get things done even if 359 00:17:11,640 --> 00:17:13,440 Speaker 2: the Vello isn't there, And that's what he talked about 360 00:17:13,440 --> 00:17:16,000 Speaker 2: with us last weekend and Jupiter. He said, yeah, it's 361 00:17:16,000 --> 00:17:18,320 Speaker 2: gonna look different. But if you looked at how he 362 00:17:18,440 --> 00:17:21,160 Speaker 2: ended his last start against the Astros this spring, first 363 00:17:21,200 --> 00:17:22,960 Speaker 2: two innings not good. He didn't get out that second 364 00:17:22,960 --> 00:17:24,680 Speaker 2: inning and I was like, here we go again. But 365 00:17:24,800 --> 00:17:27,960 Speaker 2: in the third inning, he completely switched up his pitching plan. 366 00:17:28,080 --> 00:17:30,960 Speaker 2: His sequencing was different. He threw thirty seven pitches, only 367 00:17:31,119 --> 00:17:33,560 Speaker 2: six of those were four seam fastballs, so we just 368 00:17:33,640 --> 00:17:36,119 Speaker 2: kind of used the sweeper, mix the all the breaking pitches, 369 00:17:36,200 --> 00:17:38,440 Speaker 2: mixing a curve ball every now and then, and it worked. 370 00:17:38,520 --> 00:17:39,080 Speaker 4: He got out. 371 00:17:39,359 --> 00:17:41,479 Speaker 2: So yeah, I think that Sunny Gray can go out 372 00:17:41,520 --> 00:17:43,920 Speaker 2: there on Thursday and still perform. You know, I don't 373 00:17:43,920 --> 00:17:45,760 Speaker 2: really think he cares who it's against. Sure, it's his 374 00:17:45,840 --> 00:17:48,679 Speaker 2: former team. I think he cares that it's the home opener, 375 00:17:49,040 --> 00:17:50,920 Speaker 2: it's opening day. You want to be the tone setter, 376 00:17:51,040 --> 00:17:53,159 Speaker 2: Like you said, do I expect him to light up 377 00:17:53,160 --> 00:17:53,760 Speaker 2: the radar gun? 378 00:17:54,000 --> 00:17:54,600 Speaker 1: Definitely not. 379 00:17:54,840 --> 00:17:57,359 Speaker 2: But I do think given where he's at in his career, 380 00:17:57,400 --> 00:18:01,400 Speaker 2: and when he's accomplished, he's earned at least the the leash, 381 00:18:01,440 --> 00:18:03,280 Speaker 2: if you will, or the benefit of the doubt, where 382 00:18:03,320 --> 00:18:05,600 Speaker 2: he's gonna I think he'll be able to figure it 383 00:18:05,640 --> 00:18:08,200 Speaker 2: out now if the Velo after two or three stars. 384 00:18:08,240 --> 00:18:09,760 Speaker 2: I'm a person where I need to see three stars 385 00:18:09,800 --> 00:18:11,840 Speaker 2: from a starting pitcher in the regular season before I 386 00:18:11,920 --> 00:18:15,200 Speaker 2: make any kind of definitive analysis. If the Velo doesn't 387 00:18:15,200 --> 00:18:17,800 Speaker 2: come up after that third start, then I'm becoming concerned. 388 00:18:18,320 --> 00:18:22,080 Speaker 3: Yeah, absolutely, I mean, and it's funny guys work themselves 389 00:18:22,160 --> 00:18:24,840 Speaker 3: into the shape. Currently Bailey over with the Twins is 390 00:18:24,920 --> 00:18:27,960 Speaker 3: going through sort of the same thing. He's six foot nine, 391 00:18:28,400 --> 00:18:30,480 Speaker 3: he's a big dude, and he's talked about how his 392 00:18:30,560 --> 00:18:32,360 Speaker 3: mechanics are out of whack and the ball just isn't 393 00:18:32,400 --> 00:18:34,080 Speaker 3: coming out of his hand the way he is. 394 00:18:34,160 --> 00:18:37,040 Speaker 4: But he's a pitcher, and I think Sonny's just a pitcher. 395 00:18:37,080 --> 00:18:39,560 Speaker 3: And you know the difference when they have spin, when 396 00:18:39,600 --> 00:18:43,280 Speaker 3: they can manipulate the ball, when they can manipulate batter's 397 00:18:43,320 --> 00:18:47,520 Speaker 3: eyes with different locations, and he knows enough tricks. And 398 00:18:47,800 --> 00:18:49,600 Speaker 3: it's funny you say that he doesn't care about the team. 399 00:18:49,760 --> 00:18:52,159 Speaker 3: He's played for so many teams at this point you 400 00:18:52,520 --> 00:18:54,240 Speaker 3: just don't get hung up on that kind of stuff. 401 00:18:54,240 --> 00:18:58,000 Speaker 3: And he's such a fascinating guy, especially with the way 402 00:18:58,040 --> 00:19:02,320 Speaker 3: he talks in his interviews. It's funny to those were 403 00:19:02,359 --> 00:19:04,240 Speaker 3: some of my favorite interviews. In the second year was 404 00:19:04,320 --> 00:19:07,120 Speaker 3: so much better when he knew us a little more 405 00:19:07,320 --> 00:19:09,520 Speaker 3: and it was you got to know him, he got 406 00:19:09,560 --> 00:19:13,800 Speaker 3: to know you, and it was you know, coincided with 407 00:19:14,080 --> 00:19:16,320 Speaker 3: one of the best seasons of his career. So it 408 00:19:16,520 --> 00:19:19,320 Speaker 3: was a fun version of Sonny to see, especially because 409 00:19:19,320 --> 00:19:22,640 Speaker 3: he had been so stressed in twenty twenty two being behind. 410 00:19:23,160 --> 00:19:26,159 Speaker 3: You could tell he was like worried about performing for 411 00:19:26,240 --> 00:19:29,040 Speaker 3: a new team, and it was a different version in 412 00:19:29,119 --> 00:19:33,560 Speaker 3: twenty three. So, yeah, if anyone can adapt, they'll be him. 413 00:19:33,720 --> 00:19:36,000 Speaker 3: And it'll be interesting to see what Pablo Lopez can 414 00:19:36,040 --> 00:19:38,520 Speaker 3: do on the other side, because he numbers wise, his 415 00:19:38,640 --> 00:19:42,119 Speaker 3: eras are on six six. He didn't have the greatest spring, 416 00:19:42,240 --> 00:19:44,600 Speaker 3: but the Twins say, man, he's throwing the ball electric. 417 00:19:44,960 --> 00:19:47,560 Speaker 3: He's just working on stuff. So, you know, seeing what 418 00:19:47,720 --> 00:19:50,600 Speaker 3: he can do and if he can have his his 419 00:19:50,800 --> 00:19:53,159 Speaker 3: era catch up to his FIP, which was you know, 420 00:19:53,240 --> 00:19:57,080 Speaker 3: a half point different last year. There was some bad luck, 421 00:19:57,160 --> 00:20:00,000 Speaker 3: but the strikeouts were down. You know what Pablo gives 422 00:20:00,119 --> 00:20:02,119 Speaker 3: the Twins on opening day and going forward is a 423 00:20:02,520 --> 00:20:05,320 Speaker 3: huge thing for them because he has the potential to 424 00:20:05,400 --> 00:20:07,560 Speaker 3: be a top fifteen pitcher in last year. He's more 425 00:20:07,560 --> 00:20:10,240 Speaker 3: in the thirty range and they need someone to assume 426 00:20:10,320 --> 00:20:12,440 Speaker 3: that top fifteen role like they had from Pablo in 427 00:20:12,480 --> 00:20:15,240 Speaker 3: the second half of twenty three and heads from Sunny 428 00:20:15,320 --> 00:20:16,160 Speaker 3: that entire season. 429 00:20:17,600 --> 00:20:20,159 Speaker 1: Well, we got one more player we got to check 430 00:20:20,200 --> 00:20:20,359 Speaker 1: in on. 431 00:20:20,440 --> 00:20:23,160 Speaker 2: I was talking with a couple of my scribe friends 432 00:20:23,200 --> 00:20:25,359 Speaker 2: in Saint Louis and we were talking about who was 433 00:20:25,400 --> 00:20:28,639 Speaker 2: going to get the large the loudest standing ovation on 434 00:20:28,920 --> 00:20:32,159 Speaker 2: Thursday last year the Cardinals opened against the Marlins, and 435 00:20:32,280 --> 00:20:35,000 Speaker 2: it was after their disastrous twenty twenty three season. 436 00:20:35,400 --> 00:20:38,320 Speaker 1: Vibes were low and no joke the player. 437 00:20:38,440 --> 00:20:41,480 Speaker 2: The person who got the largest standing ovation at Bustam 438 00:20:41,560 --> 00:20:45,119 Speaker 2: on opening day was opposing manager Skip Schumacher and it 439 00:20:45,359 --> 00:20:48,520 Speaker 2: was very because it was like between him and Willie 440 00:20:48,560 --> 00:20:53,840 Speaker 2: McGee for loudest ovations. And I have are the writers 441 00:20:53,920 --> 00:20:57,200 Speaker 2: have a not so bold prediction that old friend Harrison 442 00:20:57,240 --> 00:20:59,879 Speaker 2: Bader is going to get the loudest ovation on opening 443 00:21:00,119 --> 00:21:02,240 Speaker 2: day just because we talked about, you know, the fan 444 00:21:02,359 --> 00:21:04,919 Speaker 2: morale in Saint Louis is not good. Same with the Twins, 445 00:21:05,240 --> 00:21:08,399 Speaker 2: but they love them. Sam Harrison, where does he been 446 00:21:08,440 --> 00:21:08,960 Speaker 2: in with the Twins? 447 00:21:09,040 --> 00:21:12,680 Speaker 4: This year, he's gonna play a ton. He'll get four 448 00:21:12,800 --> 00:21:13,840 Speaker 4: hundred played appearances. 449 00:21:14,720 --> 00:21:18,240 Speaker 3: One thing that they have they have two really good 450 00:21:18,359 --> 00:21:21,480 Speaker 3: left handed hitting outfielders in Matt Walner and Trevor Larnock, 451 00:21:21,560 --> 00:21:23,840 Speaker 3: but neither of them is a really good defender. So 452 00:21:24,680 --> 00:21:26,880 Speaker 3: Harrison Bader is going to see a lot of time 453 00:21:27,440 --> 00:21:29,640 Speaker 3: coming in being the defensive replacement. 454 00:21:30,640 --> 00:21:33,520 Speaker 4: One. He'll probably play for Byron bucks and quite a 455 00:21:33,560 --> 00:21:35,520 Speaker 4: bit Byron Buckston. Just with his injury history. 456 00:21:36,040 --> 00:21:39,160 Speaker 3: It's been imperative for the Twins to have a guy 457 00:21:39,240 --> 00:21:41,040 Speaker 3: to step in, and two years ago was Michael A. 458 00:21:41,280 --> 00:21:45,120 Speaker 3: Taylor and last year Manny Margo was not quite the guy. 459 00:21:45,400 --> 00:21:48,439 Speaker 3: They made a trade for him late in spring training. 460 00:21:48,560 --> 00:21:50,680 Speaker 3: It didn't work out. Margo was like, oh for thirty 461 00:21:50,720 --> 00:21:51,400 Speaker 3: as a pinch hitter. 462 00:21:51,440 --> 00:21:53,639 Speaker 4: It was terrible. Michael A. 463 00:21:53,760 --> 00:21:56,160 Speaker 3: Taylor the year before that hit twenty one homers. Wasn't 464 00:21:56,200 --> 00:21:58,919 Speaker 3: a very good offensive players. Ops plus was like ninety, 465 00:21:59,200 --> 00:22:01,720 Speaker 3: so he was below average but had power. I think 466 00:22:01,800 --> 00:22:04,560 Speaker 3: that batter, if he can play great defense and be 467 00:22:04,960 --> 00:22:08,000 Speaker 3: just somewhere around that like eighty five ninety on the 468 00:22:08,040 --> 00:22:11,520 Speaker 3: ops plus scale, will win over fans because his style 469 00:22:11,680 --> 00:22:14,480 Speaker 3: is you know, everybody loves that style of play, the 470 00:22:14,520 --> 00:22:16,520 Speaker 3: guy that goes and gets dirty, the guy that goes 471 00:22:16,560 --> 00:22:21,080 Speaker 3: and gets the ball, and the potential for this electric 472 00:22:21,200 --> 00:22:24,080 Speaker 3: defensive outfield has a chance. Because the Twins also kept 473 00:22:24,359 --> 00:22:28,080 Speaker 3: Deshaun Kearsey Junior yesterday. The three of them are basically 474 00:22:28,160 --> 00:22:31,639 Speaker 3: center fielders, and obviously Buckston won a Platinum Glove in 475 00:22:31,720 --> 00:22:34,320 Speaker 3: twenty seventeen, Bater won a Gold Glove with the Cardinals. 476 00:22:35,440 --> 00:22:38,240 Speaker 3: Kersey is of that ilk and so the idea that 477 00:22:38,880 --> 00:22:41,240 Speaker 3: at one point in the game late if the Twins 478 00:22:41,280 --> 00:22:42,680 Speaker 3: are ahead, all three of them are going to be 479 00:22:42,720 --> 00:22:44,680 Speaker 3: playing out there. That's gonna be one of the best 480 00:22:44,720 --> 00:22:47,960 Speaker 3: defensive outfields in baseball this year and if not, in 481 00:22:48,040 --> 00:22:48,720 Speaker 3: a couple of years. 482 00:22:48,840 --> 00:22:51,120 Speaker 4: So I think Beater should fit really well. 483 00:22:51,600 --> 00:22:54,320 Speaker 3: He's talked about liking the idea of coming to Minnesota 484 00:22:54,320 --> 00:22:56,920 Speaker 3: because it's a hockey town. I don't think he knows 485 00:22:56,960 --> 00:22:58,840 Speaker 3: that the wild are about third on the depth chart 486 00:22:58,920 --> 00:23:03,120 Speaker 3: right now because they suck, but he does. He gets 487 00:23:03,200 --> 00:23:05,760 Speaker 3: the mentality, and I think he thinks his style is 488 00:23:05,800 --> 00:23:09,520 Speaker 3: gonna fit in. It should very well. Like you knows, 489 00:23:09,680 --> 00:23:12,439 Speaker 3: he just has tools and fans love those kinds of players, 490 00:23:12,520 --> 00:23:15,960 Speaker 3: especially the ones that make nice diving catches, so it 491 00:23:16,000 --> 00:23:18,440 Speaker 3: should be fun to see how he fits in. That 492 00:23:18,560 --> 00:23:21,439 Speaker 3: was their biggest free agent edition of the offseason. They 493 00:23:21,520 --> 00:23:23,680 Speaker 3: only spend about ten and a half million dollars, but 494 00:23:24,119 --> 00:23:26,159 Speaker 3: six of it went to him, and I think he 495 00:23:26,840 --> 00:23:29,760 Speaker 3: definitely he doesn't have to hit a ton to be 496 00:23:31,200 --> 00:23:33,560 Speaker 3: valuable for this team. Of course they want him to hit. 497 00:23:33,720 --> 00:23:37,920 Speaker 3: They would love the guy to play. And it's funny 498 00:23:37,960 --> 00:23:40,360 Speaker 3: he's already talked about playing left field for the first time. 499 00:23:40,400 --> 00:23:42,760 Speaker 3: He's only done that, I think twice in the majors. 500 00:23:43,080 --> 00:23:46,119 Speaker 3: The last time he really did it consistently was at 501 00:23:46,240 --> 00:23:49,760 Speaker 3: Florida in twenty fifteen or twenty fourteen, whatever year was 502 00:23:50,160 --> 00:23:52,359 Speaker 3: that they went on to win a national title. Michael 503 00:23:52,440 --> 00:23:55,879 Speaker 3: Reid played over played over him in center field. I 504 00:23:55,920 --> 00:23:58,080 Speaker 3: think it is Michael Buddy Reid is the guy's name 505 00:23:58,240 --> 00:23:59,040 Speaker 3: he played up the trip. 506 00:24:01,000 --> 00:24:01,200 Speaker 4: Yeah. 507 00:24:01,280 --> 00:24:04,280 Speaker 3: He He was the last guy to kind of supplant 508 00:24:04,520 --> 00:24:07,520 Speaker 3: Harrison Bader as a center fielder, and Baterer is talked 509 00:24:07,520 --> 00:24:08,119 Speaker 3: about He's. 510 00:24:08,000 --> 00:24:09,119 Speaker 4: Like, I'm getting used to this. 511 00:24:09,320 --> 00:24:12,160 Speaker 3: I know Byron Buckston's here, so I think he knows 512 00:24:12,240 --> 00:24:15,399 Speaker 3: what's expected of him and the Twins know. And it 513 00:24:15,520 --> 00:24:17,720 Speaker 3: was sort of a good fit coming in, so it 514 00:24:17,760 --> 00:24:20,760 Speaker 3: should be fun to see how that goes well. 515 00:24:20,800 --> 00:24:23,320 Speaker 2: I know what will be fun Opening Day. I know 516 00:24:23,400 --> 00:24:25,119 Speaker 2: you said you've never done it in Saint Louis, and 517 00:24:25,600 --> 00:24:27,840 Speaker 2: I have to say I've said it before. I'll say, 518 00:24:27,840 --> 00:24:30,560 Speaker 2: anyone who listens Opening Day in Saint Louis is something special. 519 00:24:30,720 --> 00:24:33,600 Speaker 2: I know that this might not be the packed house 520 00:24:33,640 --> 00:24:36,000 Speaker 2: that it usually is, just based on where the fan 521 00:24:36,080 --> 00:24:38,119 Speaker 2: base is. There are still plenty of tickets available, much 522 00:24:38,160 --> 00:24:41,440 Speaker 2: to the Cardinal's dismay, but the term of the whole ceremony, 523 00:24:41,520 --> 00:24:43,120 Speaker 2: the whole vibe around it, it will be great. 524 00:24:43,560 --> 00:24:45,199 Speaker 1: And what will be even better as that op Day 525 00:24:45,280 --> 00:24:47,440 Speaker 1: for us on Friday. That's gonna work out really well 526 00:24:47,520 --> 00:24:47,760 Speaker 1: for you. 527 00:24:48,000 --> 00:24:53,080 Speaker 3: And I possibly possibly there might be headaches, but you know, 528 00:24:53,520 --> 00:24:56,840 Speaker 3: like he like, it's funny that these teams played the 529 00:24:56,880 --> 00:24:58,600 Speaker 3: World Series and now here there are opening up on 530 00:24:59,080 --> 00:25:02,959 Speaker 3: or matching up Opening Day, and both fan bases are 531 00:25:03,080 --> 00:25:04,320 Speaker 3: kind of in the same place. 532 00:25:05,480 --> 00:25:08,119 Speaker 4: It is it is. It's just a weird place to 533 00:25:08,200 --> 00:25:09,480 Speaker 4: be because and I get it. 534 00:25:09,560 --> 00:25:12,399 Speaker 3: I get why fans are disgruntled. They there was a 535 00:25:12,520 --> 00:25:15,840 Speaker 3: TV blackout last year. They still haven't announced where they're 536 00:25:15,880 --> 00:25:17,680 Speaker 3: going to be on TV right now with a couple 537 00:25:17,720 --> 00:25:18,200 Speaker 3: of days to go. 538 00:25:19,720 --> 00:25:22,080 Speaker 4: Yeah, no, I know. And last year what happened was 539 00:25:22,400 --> 00:25:23,240 Speaker 4: the Diamondbacks, the. 540 00:25:23,320 --> 00:25:27,119 Speaker 3: Rockies, and the Padres were all through MLB also, and 541 00:25:27,280 --> 00:25:31,359 Speaker 3: their gels got announced on the last day before opening days. 542 00:25:31,480 --> 00:25:34,879 Speaker 3: So that's the expectation. But fans, it's just another thing 543 00:25:34,960 --> 00:25:37,880 Speaker 3: that they're going nuts about. It's it's not a great time, 544 00:25:38,040 --> 00:25:40,400 Speaker 3: and it's sort of up to this team to come 545 00:25:40,440 --> 00:25:43,359 Speaker 3: out here and play well and make the fans forget 546 00:25:43,400 --> 00:25:45,920 Speaker 3: about all that stuff and make it ancillary and just 547 00:25:46,480 --> 00:25:48,600 Speaker 3: you know, show they're a good team and make people 548 00:25:48,680 --> 00:25:50,959 Speaker 3: care about them that way, because it has not been 549 00:25:51,040 --> 00:25:53,480 Speaker 3: a great, pr kind of off season for the Twins. 550 00:25:54,080 --> 00:25:57,160 Speaker 2: Well, I know another organization we can say that about. Hey, Dan, 551 00:25:57,280 --> 00:25:59,320 Speaker 2: thank you so much for doing this. You can follow 552 00:25:59,359 --> 00:26:01,760 Speaker 2: Dan Hayes all great work on the athletic He's also 553 00:26:01,880 --> 00:26:05,960 Speaker 2: on Twitter slash x whatever at Dan Hayes MLB. Yeah, 554 00:26:06,040 --> 00:26:09,000 Speaker 2: opening day very soon. We're excited about it. 555 00:26:09,680 --> 00:26:10,280 Speaker 1: We'll check in. 556 00:26:10,440 --> 00:26:12,520 Speaker 2: I am excited to see how the Cardinals and Twins 557 00:26:12,720 --> 00:26:15,520 Speaker 2: fare in this three game set. I'm mostly very excited 558 00:26:15,520 --> 00:26:17,600 Speaker 2: to see you, my friends. So safe travels to Saint 559 00:26:17,640 --> 00:26:21,080 Speaker 2: Louis Cardinal Territory. We're back on Wednesday at some point 560 00:26:21,160 --> 00:26:24,960 Speaker 2: with Bernie Meekliss with our Cardinals Opening Day Preview segment, 561 00:26:25,040 --> 00:26:28,720 Speaker 2: Part two, breaking down Allie Marvel's Opening day lineup, what 562 00:26:28,880 --> 00:26:31,560 Speaker 2: that's going to look like, pitching plans, all that good stuff. 563 00:26:31,720 --> 00:26:34,920 Speaker 2: So for Dan Hayes, I'm Katie Woo. This is Cardinal Territory. 564 00:26:35,080 --> 00:26:36,199 Speaker 2: Thanks for watching.