Article: 2014 Minnesota Twins Offseason Blueprint

[Cody Christie]

In the Twins Daily 2014 Offseason Handbook, the writers' blueprint plans are one of the best parts. There are plenty of ways to go about trying to fix the Twins team but some patience might be required as the club waits for younger pieces to work their way through the minor leagues.

 

Download attachment: blueprint.jpg Here is how I would go about trying to fix the team. Some of these ideas will happen and some won't but that's what makes this fun.

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Starting Line-Up

C- Josmil Pinto- $0.5 million

1B- Joe Mauer- $23 million

2B- Brian Dozier- $0.5 million

3B- Miguel Sano- $0.5 million

SS- Pedro Florimon- $0.5 million

LF- Oswaldo Arcia- $0.5 million

CF- Aaron Hicks- $0.5 million

RF- Trevor Plouffe- $2.0 million

DH- Josh Willingham- $7 million

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$35.0 million committed to nine hitters

 

Breakdown: Sano has an impressive spring with the major league club and earns the starting third base job. Mauer's concussion concerns are enough to push him to spend more time at first base than catcher for the first time in his career. He could get some playing time behind the plate but the Twins need to protect their most important asset. Willingham's injury concerns last season make it much easier to move him to full-time DH to take some of the wear and tear off his legs.

 

The outfield can be a little shaky with a couple young players. Hicks has the entire offseason to mull over his terrible 2013. This should give him the drive to earn back his starting job in center field. Plouffe shifts to right field with the emergence of Sano.

 

Bench

C- Ryan Doumit-$3.5 million

IF- Eduardo Escobar- $0.5 million

1B/OF- Chris Parmelee- $0.5 million

OF- Darin Mastroianni- $0.5 million

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$5.0 million committed to four bench positions

 

Breakdown: Parmelee and Mastroianni will likely get at-bats at first base and in the outfield, respectively, so they will be semi-regular players. It will be a make it or break it year for Parmelee with some young prospects making their way toward Target Field. It would be nice to add some veteran catching depth but I think the Twins will use Pinto, Doumit and a sprinkling of Mauer behind the plate. Escobar is a nice piece to have and he has the ability to fill in at multiple positions.

 

Starting Pitching

1. Josh Johnson- $7 million

2. Phil Hughes- $8 million

3. Kevin Correia- $5.5 million

4. Kyle Gibson- $0.5 million

5. Johan Santana- $1.0 million (+ incentives)

Johan insurance: Scott Diamond, Vance Worley, and/or Sam Deduno ($0.5 million each)

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$22.0 million committed to top five/ $23.5 million with Johan insurance

 

Breakdown: Target Field would be a perfect place for Johnson to rebuild some value on a short-term deal. Hughes signed to a two-year, $16 million deal to earn his place as a top of the rotation arm. Correia and Gibson can fit nicely in the middle of the rotation with less pressure to perform as top of the rotation guys. Does it make sense to sign a guy like Santana coming off his second shoulder surgery? Probably not but it would still be fun to see him back in a Twins uniform. Also, the team has other guys that could fit into the fifth spot if Johan doesn't work out.

 

Bullpen

Righties: Jared Burton, Casey Fien, Anthony Swarzak, Michael Tonkin- $5.5 million

Lefties: Caleb Thielbar, Brian Duensing- $2.5 million

Closer: Glen Perkins- $3.75 million

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$11.75 million committed to seven relievers

 

Breakdown: The bullpen was the best part of the 2013 team so there is no reason to make any drastic changes. It could make sense for the club to non-tender Duensing but the team might like having another lefty to go along with Thielbar. Tonkin has a chance to turn into a late-inning pitcher of the future but the Twins can rely on Burton and Perkins for the time being. If Minnesota can get any trade value for one of their veteran righties, the team could let Duke Welker take over a bullpen spot.

 

Minnesota Twins 2014 Checkbook

Starting Line-Up: $35.0 million

Bench Players: $5.0 million

Starting Pitching: $22.0 million

Bullpen: $11.75 million

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$73.75 million committed to Opening Day 25-man roster

 

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