I hate to break the news...

[drock2190]

but I feel the Twins will have a boring offseason. Nothing like last year, when they made a couple intruiging signings. Sure, the new coaching staff provides something to talk about but nothing groundbreaking seems to come from it.

 

I sure hope I am wrong, but I just get a feeling the Twins are going to sit back on their hands. 

[twinscowboysbulls]

Sounds like they are all-in on Torii Hunter, my favorite Twin of all-time... Even I wouldn't be going after him though. If Gardy were still here, he'd think he could still man CF. It would be an odd fit, because his Defense isn't really any good in LF/RF either.

 

LF Hunter

CF Santana(as of now)

RF Arcia

 

Still bad defense, better stick in LF at least though.

[stringer bell]

They need to bring in a youngish, good defense OF (I don't think that is Hunter) and starting pitching. Another signing like Hughes (or a Nolasco comeback) and I won't care about any of the rest of the transactions.

[Rosterman]

I'm going to watch with delight as they try to sell the current product and what kind of perks they attempt to package to get season tickets sold. Everything except a price drop. 

[Linus]

They need to bring in a youngish, good defense OF (I don't think that is Hunter) and starting pitching. Another signing like Hughes (or a Nolasco comeback) and I won't care about any of the rest of the transactions.

Agreed.  If they did this, they could contend next year.  I understand that everyone feels beat down from the last 4 years but I think there is genuine reason for optimism next year.

[formerly33]

Being exciting last offseason only helped the Twins win four more games.

[Thrylos]

I think that addition by subtraction (Gardy, Andy, Scotty, Vavry, Steiny) is a huge thing.   A new good pitching coach would be like having a new rotation and someone who understands platooning, will help...

[stringer bell]

I think that addition by subtraction (Gardy, Andy, Scotty, Vavry, Steiny) is a huge thing.   A new good pitching coach would be like having a new rotation and someone who understands platooning, will help...

It is pitching and defense. Defense and pitching. If the Twins improve their run suppression by as much as they improved their run production last year, they will be contenders.

 

To respond directly to the post I'm quoting, I don't see a single certain starter that should be platooned. I am a believer in platoon splits (for example if Mauer gets 15 games off per year, they should all be against LH pitchers), but strict platooning costs valuable roster space in an era of 12-13 man pitching staffs.

 

I certainly think it was time for a new manager and past time for a new pitching coach. That said, no pitching coach is going to come in and make Gibson and Nolasco into one strikeout per inning guys. Add a hard thrower (Masterson if healthy) to the rotation and bring up the hard throwers from the minors for the bullpen. Change won't be overnight, though.