Minnesota Twins open Spring Training in Fort Myers
Is that Gold Glove centerfielder Byron Buxton floating across the outfield?
Is that Nelson Cruz, the ageless giant slugger with the big gold chain at the plate?
It’s been more than a year since those sights were short-circuited from Fort Myers, taken away by the COVID-19 pandemic in the middle of spring training.
Baseball is back at Hammond Stadium in Fort Myers even if in a form that restricts public access to game days. There will be a limit to seating of about 2,400 on game days.
The Twins held their first day of full-squad workouts Tuesday at CenturyLink Sports Complex with precautions being taken to protect players from COVID-19. The media is keeping its distance from the field and from players, behind netting and away from the clubhouse. Interviews will be threw Zoom.
Last week, it was announced that the team’s major free agent pitching signing this offseason, J.A. Happ, contracted the coronavirus.
The Twins camp in Fort Myers brings out a youthful energy of rebirth as a new full baseball season is on the horizon after a shortened 60-game version last year. It’s a place immune from a winter that has unleashed unpleasantries across the nation.
The boyish energy of camp is evident in Miguel Sano, an All-Star in 2017, who appears to keep the vibe loose on the field. In batting practice, players huddle next to Cruz to pick up wisdom from the 40-year-old, seven-time All-Star whose 16 homers in 185 at-bats in 2020 was second-best per at-bat in the American League. The Twins won the AL Central Division title last year with a 36-24 record.
Twins Manager Rocco Baldelli called Tuesday “a very optimistic day” for the team. “We need to prove ourselves.”
The team is looking forward to Sunday, when it hosts the Boston Red Sox. He said it’s “important to our guys” to play in front of fans again.
Their enjoyment “goes way up” in front of fans, Baldelli said.
“We have the pieces that we need to accomplish our goals,” Baldelli said. “There is nothing we can’t accomplish.”
The major changes in the offseason included the Twins parting ways with outfielder Eddie Rosario, who signed with the Cleveland Indians.
Brent Rooker, who batted .316 in seven games last season in his debut, should be expected to see more playing time in the outfield. Prospect Alex Kirilloff will also get a shot at an outfield spot.
The team signed four-time Gold Glove shortstop Andrelton Simmons to a $10.5 million deal, which may shift over Jorge Polanco to second base. Second baseman Luis Arraez could be used in a utility role. The team’s 2014 first-round pick, Nick Gordon, will also be given a look at second base.Infielder Marwin Gonzalez signed with the Red Sox.
The Twins also signed reliever Alex Colome away from the White Sox after Colome posted a startling 0.81 ERA last season. Minnesota lost reliever Trevor May to the New York Mets.
The rotation is strong at the top with the return of Kenta Maeda, who quietly posted one of the best pitching performances in baseball last year leading the major leagues in WHIP.
Along with Happ, the rotation is rounded out by Berrios, Randy Dobnak and Michael Pineda. Starter Jake Odorizzi remains unsigned after injury issues last year. Veteran starter Rich Hill signed with the Tampa Bay Rays.
With Happ sidelined, the door could open up to southpaw Lewis Thorpe, who threw batting practice Wednesday.
Baldelli said he has been impressed with the way reliever Tyler Duffey has “really turned it around.” Duffey put up a 1.88 ERA and 0.78 WHIP last year with hitters swinging .153 against him.
Baldelli acknowledged that spring training will be different this year. The bonding activities of the past, such as pickup basketball and a poker tournament, will be put on hold.
“We’re going to have to find different ways to have fun,” Baldelli said.
The Twins received bad news Wednesday when they announced their top prospect, shortstop Royce Lewis, will miss the season with a torn ACL. Twins President of Operations Derek Falvey said Lewis, the No. 1 overall pick in the 2017 draft, said the tear was in his right knee. Lewis will undergo reconstructive surgery Friday.
The remaining number of limited tickets to Twins spring training games sold out Wednesday.
Roy Lalime, of Cape Coral, snatched up two of the last tickets for himself and his girlfriend. To his surprise, he was able to get seats to the Twins-Red Sox game this Sunday.
“I was pleasantly surprised,” Lalime said.
To reach NATHAN MAYBERG, please email nmayberg@breezenewspapers.com