Hitters will try to get their timing down during the first several spring training games. Pitchers will work on spotting their fastballs. It's part of building momentum toward Opening Day.
But Brian Dozier has a vision for what he wants this Twins team to be, and seeks a mentality that will carry from the first spring training game to the last game in October. For Day 1, he wants his team to hit the ground running.
By running.
"I've been telling a lot of the guys is I want to see aggressiveness,'' the All-Star second baseman said. "I want to see us aggressive from the start.''
Dozier believes the aggressive mentality is what makes the Twins tick, and he wants them to get into character right away. The Twins open their exhibition season on Wednesday with a game against Boston at JetBluePark in Fort Myers.
"You are going to see us go from first to third and you are going to be like, 'Why is he going first to third?' '' Dozier said. "I just want to get that in everybody's mind. I want them to be aggressive. I might steal on 3-2, with two outs with just me at second. Just to get that under my belt and get everyone to feel the same way. Who cares what happens? Let's get that in our minds to test [opponents'] arms and get our feet under us.''
Dozier is not scheduled to start Wednesday. He, Trevor Plouffe and others will play Thursday in the Twins' home opener vs. the Red Sox at Hammond Stadium. Here's the lineup for Wednesday's game: 1. Byron Buxton, CF; 2. Eduardo Nunez, 3B; 3. Kennys Vargas, 1B; 4. Miguel Sano, RF; 5. Oswaldo Arcia, LF; 6. Byung Ho Park, DH; 7. Jorge Polanco, 2B; 8. John Ryan Murphy, C; 9. Wilfredo Tovar, SS.
Not everything perfect
Twins manager Paul Molitor, near the end of Monday's workout, gathered the players for a short speech. It seemed standard at the time but, when asked about it Tuesday, Molitor said he wasn't pleased with the lack of sharpness in drills.
