Choose a Twins' Opening Day Roster!

[Trautmann13]

You find a magic lamp with a genie inside. He allows you make a decision that will affect and change the world as we know it. You get to choose the Minnesota Twins 2015 Opening Day roster. The catch is you get only one of 3 options. Some seem more realistic than others, but now all are possible with the genie’s powers! Which would you choose, and why?

TEAM 1: “Win Now”
Catcher: K. Suzuki
1st: J. Mauer
2nd: E. Escobar
3rd: E. Nunez
SS: D. Santana
LF: M. Cabrera
CF: M. Kemp
RF: O. Arcia
DH: K. Vargas
Rotation:
1. J. Lester
2. J. Shields
3. P. Hughes
4. K. Gibson
5. R. Nolasco

 

This is a Twins team that spent a lot of money in the off-season. In this scenario, Terry Ryan felt the heat from the fans and the front office and opened up the check book. He signed the trio of pitchers Jon Lester and James Shields as well as Melky Cabrera to multi-year deals. He also traded rehabbing 3rd basemen Trevor Plouffe and next to All-Star Brian Dozier after career years and brought in Matt Kemp. Running Eduardo Nunez out is worrisome, but TR believes that prospect Jorge Polanco and Miguel Sano will be ready to enter the big leagues midway through ’15. Critics have said that TR is blocking top prospects like Alex Meyer, JO Berrios, Trevor May and Byron Buxton. Although the Twins are the new favorite to win not only the AL central, but make a run at a world title.

 

TEAM 2: “Future Now”
Catcher: K. Suzuki
1st: J. Mauer
2nd: B. Dozier
3rd: M. Sano
SS: D. Santana
LF:  O. Arcia
CF: B. Buxton
RF: A. Hicks
DH: K. Vargas
Rotation:
1. P. Hughes
2. K. Gibson
3. T. May
4. A. Meyer
5. J. Berrios

 

The Twins had a quiet off-season, yet had a very exciting spring training. They did everything they could to move Ricky Nolasco, and did late in the spring. The team went against the “Twins Way” by removing a player after one bad year. They had to eat the majority of Nolasco’s contract. Most of the team’s top prospects made it deep into Spring Training and most actually cracked the 25 man, to the dismay and confusion of many. Recently injured Miguel Sano and Byron Buxton were named starters. The top two pitching prospects made the starting five in the rotation, as Alex Meyer and young JO Berrios were brought up. “The future is here, and we believe we are ready to win,” GM Terry Ryan stated. Many expect those prospects to struggle in their first taste in the big leagues. Vegas predicts the 2015 Twins to be a .500 ball club.

 

TEAM 3: “Patient Now”
Catcher: K. Suzuki
1st: J. Mauer
2nd: B. Dozier
3rd: T. Plouffe
SS: E. Escobar
LF: J. Schafer
CF: D. Santana
RF: O. Arcia
DH: K. Vargas
Rotation:
1. P. Hughes
2. K. Gibson
3. R. Nolasco
4. T. May
5. T. Milone

 

Even as their season ticket numbers drop and their fan base starts to abandon them, the Twins decided to stand pat in the 2015 offseason. Signing no one and basically running with what ended ’14, The Twins are sticking to the strategy of waiting for the Calvary. To the anger of many, the team will continue running Rookie of the Year runner up Danny Santana in Center and not at his natural position of Short. The Twins are hoping and relying on their multitude of prospects, not only panning out, but staying healthy and stay on their designated course. This team will get good, maybe even great, but it seems it will take years as each group of players arrive from the minors.

 

I’m just curious about what everyone else wants the mission and path of action to be. Thanks for reading and responding!
-Noah Trautmann

[GoGonzoJournal]

Patience is THE virtue. No reason signing long-term deals to block the talent coming up. I would like one SP on a one-year deal, like Hammel or Masterson, but don't think the organization should go too crazy this offseason, except with the coaching staff: http://twinsdaily.com/blog/430/entry-6178-a-gonzo-look-at-the-2015-minnesota-twins-coaching-staff/

[Otwins]

I would have the team two position players up by May. But would keep Nolasco and sign one more free agent pitcher. Berrios not quite ready and I would not rely on May and Meyer both contributing. 

[Otto von Ballpark]

"Future Now" would be great if all of those players were ready, but I don't think even the most optimistic of us really believes that will happen by opening day.   Berrios and Buxton would probably be very fortunate to make September debuts next year (and Sano doing the same is hardly out of the question too).

 

I like that "Win Now" roster except for the trade of Plouffe/Dozier for Kemp.  Why give up two starting position players who lack immediate replacements if you're so willing to spend on Lester/Shields/Cabrera?  WHY DID YOU INCLUDE THAT CONTRADICTORY TRADE, IMAGINARY GENIE?!

 

Otherwise, this is a great year to target elite FA if you are ever going to do so because our 1st round draft pick is again protected (hopefully for the last time), hopefully we've come far enough that losing a 2nd and possibly 3rd round pick isn't going to impact us much, and we have no big upcoming internal salary obligations for the next 6 years.  Imagine starting with that team -- AND being able to fill in with a few cheap top prospects as they become ready (perhaps even in the bullpen as needed).

 

The strange Kemp deal, though, might almost be enough to swing me to the "Patience Now" roster.  (Especially if the Patience Now roster could also feature some side investments in international players -- does the imaginary genie allow such follow-up questions/requests? )

[Linus]

I guess I will choose the first one because in that world I have season tickets right behind home plate, Terry Ryan serves me unlimited, free, Surly and Kate Upton is my girlfriend.

 

I choose none of the above.

[stringer bell]

If I'm predicting, I think the "patience" lineup is pretty close. I would like to see some outfield improvement and I'm going with one "off the reservation" prediction that Eddie Rosario will make the team out of Spring Training. He's hitting .444 in the AFL. (I know, I know--9 at-bats). Also, in the same vein, I think a trade for the Cards Peter Bourjas (sp) would make a lot of sense.

[Trautmann13]

WHY DID YOU INCLUDE THAT CONTRADICTORY TRADE, IMAGINARY GENIE?

I...I mean the Genie added it to show an exagerated view of what could happen. Of course, Plouffe/Dozier for Kemp will never happen. The choices needed to be somewhat balanced in order to make it a hard choice. If one was the clear best route, there would be no point in the others.

[gunnarthor]

If Ryan traded Plouffe and Dozier for Kemp, he wouldn't be GM ten minutes later.

[Otto von Ballpark]

I...I mean the Genie added it to show an exagerated view of what could happen. Of course, Plouffe/Dozier for Kemp will never happen. The choices needed to be somewhat balanced in order to make it a hard choice. If one was the clear best route, there would be no point in the others.

Maybe Dozier and Plouffe to net one of the starter additions (Gio Gonzalez? Mat Latos with extension?) would have been better.  Signing both Shields and Lester is pretty over-the-top.

 

Of course, who am I to tell an imaginary genie how to do his job?

[Trautmann13]

Signing both Shields and Lester is pretty over-the-top.

Exactly the point! Genies sure are smart!

[Kirby_waved_at_me]

Pinto can't catch a break, either.

[USAFChief]

Exactly the point! Genies sure are smart!

this particular genie isn't too smart if he thinks team 2 gets projected as a .500 team by Vegas.

[Mike Sixel]

I'd say number 1, if it weren't for the trade part........but since the trade is there, hmmmmm.

 

Still number 1. The didn't deal one young guy in that one, so they can deal them later if they want, or deal the vets later if they want.

 

Number 2 does nothing for me at all. Every one of those players but Plouffe and Dozier is available in scenario 1, plus I have 3-4 really good veterans. I can mix and match in scenario 1. Can't in number 2. 

 

Number 3 is basically do nothing, right? Not sure why anyone would endorse not using any of the money they have to get better at the MLB level. It's scenario 2, but with all the actual good players in the minors (which is probably where they belong, so it is better than number 2).

[tobi0040]

My prediction would be patient now.

[Craig Arko]

I'm guessing about a 2.5.

[Otto von Ballpark]

this particular genie isn't too smart if he thinks team 2 gets projected as a .500 team by Vegas.

Yeah, I noticed that too.

 

There is basically nothing that group could collectively do at this point to even have a .500 median Vegas projection by opening day.

 

So I am chalking it up to a genie typo/mistake, which frankly makes me suspicious of the genie's offer entirely.  I think I pass on the offer, bid the genie farewell, and vow to finally quit drinking and drugs.

[Kirby_waved_at_me]

Can't we just wish for more wishes? Like.... Stanton and Fernandez from Miami? Trout and Shoemaker from LAA ? Trade all four for Brian Duensing and then the Marlins and Angels swap prospects with each other?

[drjim]

Can't we just wish for more wishes? Like.... Stanton and Fernandez from Miami? Trout and Shoemaker from LAA ? Trade all four for Brian Duensing and then the Marlins and Angels swap prospects with each other?

 

I would even throw in May and possibly Adam Brett Walker if that's what it took.

[tobi0040]

I would even throw in May and possibly Adam Brett Walker if that's what it took.

 

The Marlins for sure need to throw more in.

[James Richter]

I'll take team #3. I've had 2016 pegged as the new window of contention for awhile now, so I'll be satisfied with continued progress toward that goal in 2015. I believe that replacing Willingham/Kubel with Schafer or Hicks in LF on a daily basis combined with incremental gains in the efficiency of the IF shifts will be enough to get the BABIP against back to normal. Normal BABIP turns that rotation into a league average staff overnight.

 

Not seen in the team options but critical to making progress in 2015 is replacing at least Burton, Duensing and Swarzak with internal or FA bullpen arms who can consistently miss bats. Fewer balls in play, plus a lower BA on the balls that are put in play, equals fewer runs allowed. Is it feasible that the team #3 lineup could match the RS total from 2014? I think so. Could they cut 75 RA? Should be doable. That makes a .500 team, and they still have their entire war chest and all their assets available to spend on taking the 2016 squad as far as possible.

 

And, ideally, the Future Now team is more or less on the field by September.

[Thrylos]

Team number 2.

 

Team number 1 is fantasy and team number 3 is same-old-shtuff

[DocBauer]

One question nobody has asked yet, and it's pretty important.

 

Does this genie look like Barbara Eden?

 

#Master

[freshinthehouse]

What I think it will be:

 

Santana - CF

Dozier - 2nd

Mauer - 1st

Vargas - DH

Arcia -    RF

Suzuki - C

Plouffe - 3rd

Escobar - SS

Schafer/Hicks - LF

 

Nolasco

Hughes

Gibson

Mays

Meyers/Pelfrey/Milone

 

 

What I hope it will be:

 

 

Santana - SS

Dozier - 2nd

Mauer - 1st

Vargas - DH

Arcia - RF

Tomas - LF

Pinto - C

Plouffe - 3rd

Schafe/Hicks - CF

 

Shields

Hughes

Gibson

Mays

Meyers/Pelfrey/Milone

[DocBauer]

#1 is out of this world and won't happen. I believe we're looking at some different combinations of #'s 2 &3.

 

What I see, mostly day to day, to BEGIN the season at least.

 

Santana=SS/some CF

Dozier=2B

Mauer=1B

Vargas=DH

FA OF=LF

Arcia=RF

Plouffe=3B

Suzuki/Pinto=C

Schafer/Hicks/Acquisition Duo=CF

 

Hughes

FA

Nolasco

Gibson

May

 

Before the season is done, I think we could see at least some, if not a lot of, both Buxton and Sano.

 

I am not normally an advocate for overly aggressive promotion. Aggressive, yes, but not to be overly so. Call me an optimist, but I don't believe Sano and Buxton are typical prospects. I believe they each posses that special IT factor that is difficult to describe or rank. And despite the setbacks each experienced in 2014, I feel each will bounce back strong and should be making their debut at some point in '15 whether it be mid season-ish or a September promotion at worse.

[Paul Pleiss]

I think we'll see team 3, Patience Now, but I'd love to see the Twins make a splash in the SP market for a legit front of the rotation guy, Lester, Scherzer or Shields. The payroll, if the Twins do nothing, looks to be somewhere around... 75K? Adding a big contract now, even for 6-7 years, is something a team this young can afford. Most of the guys aren't going to get expensive for another half decade, and by then Joe will be off his mega-contract. The team has money to spend, money to make significant upgrades AHEAD of the talent's progression. You can't always wait for next year, beacsue you might not be able to get the pieces you need next year. Sometimes you have to take a chance. the time is now.