Blog Comments

When you get to Morneau, I'd focus on Texas, which has three good SSs aged 25 or under.

Carlos Rodon. That's a pro for trading Willingham you are missing. The sooner the Twins trade Willingham, the better they position themselves for the top pick in 2014.

Originally Posted by mnfanforlife

I do not see any scenario where Willingham gets traded for another OF, or a C (we are pretty much set for hitters right now), but maybe a SS. I would bet Terry Ryan will be looking for nothing but pitching in return for Josh, and Justin too, for that matter.

I don't discount that. That would be my preference too.

I do not see any scenario where Willingham gets traded for another OF, or a C (we are pretty much set for hitters right now), but maybe a SS. I would bet Terry Ryan will be looking for nothing but pitching in return for Josh, and Justin too, for that matter.

Soriano is similar. Older, not as good offensively anymore. Probably would cost the Yankees less in money and players. I wouldn't debate that he would be a decent fit for the Yankees.

I would be surprised if he brought a top 100 prospect. How much more value does he bring than a Soriano who the Yankees could get for much less than a top 100 prospect? On the other hand, he is at peak value now and the Twins should seriously listen to an offer. They can't expect to be blown away. He is a DH with a history of injuries.

This is an excellent run-down. Very valid points on both ends.

I think the only way to let Willingham play out his contract would be if the Twins honestly think they can contend in 2014. I'm starting to think it's not completely crazy that they can, but a lot would have to go right this season and in the 2013 off-season. Basically, if they want to wait through all of 2013 before they trade him, I'd be fine with that.

In the Yankees scenario you proposed, I'd probably try to get Angelo Gumbs, but that is beside the point. If the Twins aren't going to contend in 2014, they should really try to get what they can, rather than letting him walk with no return. Luckily, they can keep evaluating deals until the 2014 trade deadline.

Yes, he should be available for the right offer. I would have to be better than the rumors last year. The difference is that most teams will not give upside prospect pitching in a deal for a good outfielder

Strive, eh... I'm going to have to change that.

He'll "make strides" and "thrive"... or strive. New meaning.

1) Woohoo Colabello! Hope you're right.
2) Haha about the 2B/SS combo's
3) Duensing will "strive" as a LHRP, or "thrive"?? Strive is probably more accurate right now.
4) Completely agree about CF, RF, 1B situations.

That has been a recurring issue. I'll let Brock know...

Is there some reason I can't see all the comments on the article that is on the main page? I only see the first comment even though it says theres been like 8.

PFH: No comp picks, though the 2nd round gets under way much sooner.

Jeff: I don't think either GA HS OF will get a grade high enough to be considered for the 4th pick, position need notwithstanding. I'm also hoping a pitcher is signable and available and worthy to go #4.

This post was moved to the front page, so I'm sure they will be continued spirited debate over there.

Thanks for putting this together, it should be interesting to see the changes as the season develops.

I am in the camp of taking the BPA, but if it is basically a tossup then you go with need or at least go with a player at a premium position. I am sure it will be hard to take a HS CF this year after taking Buxton last year, but if Meadows (for instance) is your guy, I think they should still take him. Hopefully a pitcher emerges from the pack and there are four high ranking pitchers this year so Minnesota is guaranteed one of them.

Part of me knows it's irrational to get my hopes up four months before a draft to pick a guy who won't be with the team for another two-four years....But another part of me tells the first part to shut up and revel in the glory of baseball.

As good as the word on Appel has been, I'm part of the camp that would encourage TR and co to assiduously avoid the bottomless abyss of darkness known as Scott Boras. Both Manaea and Stanek sound like really appealing options, with Anderson as a dark horse.

We don't have any compensation picks this year, do we?

This blog has been moved to the ffont page. Please continue the comments there.

It came up last night and in conversations with others. To paraphrase: The Twins sorely lacked power arms. They had drafted them before and didn't pan out and quickly. They didn't have plans to do anything differently last year.

A point that Sean made last night was that everybody wants an Ace. And guys with that potential are taken early. The Twins did a good job of getting guys with upside last year. The guys the Twins took did have less innings on their arms, but that was really just a coincidence.

He also said that the Twins will never take a prep arm really early (like Berrios) if they didn't completely believe that he would always be a starter.

Thank you for this. I enjoyed the read. One question I wish you would of asked is whether the Twins have changed their philosophy in regard to drafting pitchers. I don't really think they have, very much. What I think is happening is that college coaches are using their best arms in relief, a lot more than they used to.


I suspect that there are many reasons for that, but the one that comes to mind is that rather than locking your best arm in a rotation, you can use him more flexiably as a reliever. Thus you could, maybe save on the arm a bit, but still have him available for more critical situations. He wouldn't necessarily pitch a lot fewer innings either.

Thus the Twins taking more power arms might be more taking guys with a little less wear and tear on their arms. Since they are being used in shorter stints, maybe they are showing a little more velocity. Kind of like Perkins going from a soft tossing lefty starter, to a hard throwing reliever.

Unless we have a pair of left handed relievers in the minors , I see a need there as Dunny may end up in the rotation at some point in the season ,and i am not sold on Robertson.

Originally Posted by beckmt

Hopefully Harden is a go. Without him to start the season, the starting pitching could have a long year. Hendricks will probably have to open in the rotation, but this should be his last chance. If he cannot cut it, he should be gone.

That's exactly what the Twins should have done with another 23 year old who went 7-15 with a 5.49 ERA back in '83. Frankie V only came back the next season to go 18-12 with a 3.21 ERA.