Alexi Casilla says this time he's ready to be the Minnesota Twins' regular second baseman

Casilla has shown the raw athletic talent to be a starter in the MLB. He can line balls into the gaps and down the lines. He runs very well and has a strong throwing arm. It's the mental part of the game that has challenged Casilla. This article suggests that Casilla has matured and is focused. Neither Hardy nor Hudson was that impressive last season. Punto was injured much of the time, as was Hardy. All three, Hardy, Hudson, and Punto, are getting older and slower and were costing the Twins money. With Nishioka's signing, it makes sense to give Casilla his shot. Honestly, it won't take much to match the combined 2010 contributions of the people the Twins let go.

brachiosaurus wrote:

Casilla has shown the raw athletic talent to be a starter in the MLB. He can line balls into the gaps and down the lines. He runs very well and has a strong throwing arm. It's the mental part of the game that has challenged Casilla. This article suggests that Casilla has matured and is focused. Neither Hardy nor Hudson was that impressive last season. Punto was injured much of the time, as was Hardy. All three, Hardy, Hudson, and Punto, are getting older and slower and were costing the Twins money. With Nishioka's signing, it makes sense to give Casilla his shot. Honestly, it won't take much to match the combined 2010 contributions of the people the Twins let go.

I agree with everything you wrote! I think he is a good kid with minimal education. He needs a mentor. I also think he and Nishioka will be something to talk about! Very excited about this upcoming season.

I still say trading Hardy leaves the team too vulnerable at SS. Casilla might surprise but he certainly is not a proven entity. But he has his chance and will either fulfill expectations or be gone. Plouffee seems at least a year away, but is likely the SS of the future.

World Series Here We Come!!!

Really? Are you sure? Because the last 4-5 years in the MLB you were just testing to see if you really wanted to play baseball? Great dedication to the team Alexi.

Alexi, and all Twins-- If you can't bat .200, please don't cash your week's paycheck.

TC Florida wrote:

I still say trading Hardy leaves the team too vulnerable at SS. Casilla might surprise but he certainly is not a proven entity. But he has his chance and will either fulfill expectations or be gone. Plouffee seems at least a year away, but is likely the SS of the future.

TC, it might be easier to think in terms of the infield package rather than player for player. Factor in Nishioka, the Japanese batting champion and gold glove fielder. Nishioka might wind up at short. To feel better about Casilla, you might also consider comparing his numbers with those of Hudson and Hardy in 2010. Hudson and Hardy had more at-bats, but Casilla topped them both in most offensive categories, the biggy for me being the Runners in Scoring Position stats. Fielding is something else, but Casilla did play three infield positions while Hudson and Hardy have only played one for most of their careers. Think positive, pal. Maybe it will work out.

WALGAG TOKYO wrote:

World Series Here We Come!!!

LOL. Same manager, same results

I think brachiosaurus brings up a good point. Last year it seems the achilles heel of this team was it's inability to get runs with runner's in scoring position.At least was the case when the team hit its mid-season struggles.
Casilla at least has proven he can hit in the clutch. The power the rest of the lineup brings makes up for what he lacks.
Better to see if we can get a mediocre hitter that fields well at a cheap price than bring in a high paid veteran that may or may not produce themselves. It seems middle-infielders are the most inconsistent of hitters looking throughout the league (Rollins, Kinsler, etc). Let's see what he can do. Great move.

Wow....he made his mind up after how many years in the bigs...he put on his big girl panties and has made a stand this is the year he is going to go from the trainer bra to the a cup. I guess that means Im ready to be the first basemen then... I was just kidding the other 25 years when I was a salesman.

The move toward more speed is a good move for the Twins, for that I agree. There are plenty of good bats left in the Twins line up.

Casilla is a classic example of how much success in baseball is dependent on the state of the player from the neck up.

TC Florida wrote:

I still say trading Hardy leaves the team too vulnerable at SS. Casilla might surprise but he certainly is not a proven entity. But he has his chance and will either fulfill expectations or be gone. Plouffee seems at least a year away, but is likely the SS of the future.

Watch Hardy have a good year in Baltimore. 3924

yeah sure wrote:

<quoted text>Watch Hardy have a good year in Baltimore. 3924

That would be salt in the wound!