Who do we go for next?

[nicksaviking]

I

I wouldn't trade 4 years of Escobar for 2 years of Gee.

 

I wouldn't trade one year of Escobar for 2 years of Gee.  

[ashbury]

I wouldn't trade one year of Escobar for 2 years of Gee.  

How many years of Duensing?

[Otwins]

I would sign Bret Anderson to add another proven starter which would strengthen our bullpen by pushing May, Meyer and Pelfrey into the pen. I realize he has severe durability issue but we would have plenty of candidates to fill his spot when he is on DL. We have plenty of guys but not of Anderson's quality.

[Rosterman]

Vogelsburg is still out there. Scott Baker is looking for a job. Lew Ford will be knocking on the door. 

 

The Twins could use a better backup catcher (bring back Doumit?). No!

 

It would be nice to have an infielder who can also play the outfield and maybe even first base not named Nunez.

 

Unless we ARE going with Arcia and Hicks, we need an outfielder who can catch and throw.

 

Burton, Guerrier, even Jon Rauch are out there. Matt Capps is sulking somewhere in the Indians system looking for a way out.

 

Be a bunch of signings to fill out AAA and AA rosters (but not too many). 

 

The big decision, go with the young guys, or hope the oldtimers put us in playoff contention so we can get back to just looking at one or two guys a year. Rosario, Sano, Buxton, Pinto should all have the opportunity someone named Hicks and someone else named Arcia had to flay away at pitches. 

[minnesota transplant]

Take it to the bank or out of the bank as the Twins have done.  Twins are done spending $$$$$!  Perhaps some minor things, but Pohlad did just what he wanted to do.  Generate some interest to sell tix.

[DocBauer]

Tempting to go after a high quality, proven reliever to strengthen and deepen the bullpen. But with Pelfrey an option, Fien, and several youngsters that appear ready for a real shot, and a couple possibly ready by mid-season, I would expect an inexpensive flyer or two trying to find another Burton-type. With one move like this made, I wouldn't be surprised to see one more.

 

Other than that...OF. It would be almost reprehensible to enter 2015 without a single new option for that position! And it doesn't have to be a major signing or trade, not with Rosario and Buxton on the way...hopefully fast tracking. And if Bourjos isn't THE GUY, then someone similar, although I think he's the perfect option at this point. He shouldn't cost much, his real asset is defense, but there is still some offensive potential there, and he could be a quality 4th OF option as early as next season.

 

Shopping list complete.

[kab21]

This offseason is mostly over.  I'm hoping for a cheap stopgap CF'er.  I would also like to see a guy like Jason Motte brought in.  The bullpen is pretty bad but I don't know of any good targets left.  I would have fully supported bringing in Gregerson as a setup guy.

[dbminn]

Peter Bourjos. He is an elite defensive centerfielder. Remember the Angels moved Trout to left until he demanded a return to center.

 

He had a chronic hip problem last year but recently had surgery and will be ready to go in spring training. He will be reasonably priced and will be a huge help to our pitching staff.

[Brock Beauchamp]

The bullpen is pretty bad but I don't know of any good targets left. 

Nick Burdi.

 

I'm not a fan of spending money on bullpen assets, particularly when the Twins will need to find a place for May/Meyer, Milone, and later, Nick Burdi.

[kab21]

Nick Burdi.

 

I'm not a fan of spending money on bullpen assets, particularly when the Twins will need to find a place for May/Meyer, Milone, and later, Nick Burdi.

 

 

 

Come on.  the Twins bullpen is full of mediocre arms.  Calling up Burdi and bringing in a good bullpen arm to setup are not mutually exclusive moves. 

[Linus]

Colby Rasmus.

 

Also, no trades - there is nothing out there right now (outfielders) worth trading prospects for when Buxton will be here next year.

[twinscowboysbulls]

http://www4.pictures.zimbio.com/gi/Nick+Blackburn+Minnesota+Twins+Photo+Day+Gv18Ygc6tQzl.jpg

 

 

SERIOUSLY, WE ARE GETTING BLACKBURN BACK!?

YESSSSSS

[twinscowboysbulls]

I'm all about Rasmus on a 1 year deal.

 

Schaefer as backup

Hicks & Rosario in AAA

Buxton in AA

[Brock Beauchamp]

Come on.  the Twins bullpen is full of mediocre arms.  Calling up Burdi and bringing in a good bullpen arm to setup are not mutually exclusive moves. 

I'm just not a fan of spending money on outside bullpen help. I think the Twins can rustle up enough arms to field a competent bullpen in 2015. If Ryan wants to pursue one of his classic scrapheap moves to shore up the pen, that'd be fine with me.

[kab21]

I'm just not a fan of spending money on outside bullpen help. I think the Twins can rustle up enough arms to field a competent bullpen in 2015. If Ryan wants to pursue one of his classic scrapheap moves to shore up the pen, that'd be fine with me.

 

Money is not a problem for the Twins especially on a likely short term contract that the available RP'ers would get. 

 

I also disagree with your bullpen assessment.  Perkins and to a lesser extent Fien (he crashed at the end of the season) are the only experienced RP'ers worth keeping.  There are tons of openings in the bullpen to be filled although the Twins will bring back a pile of mediocrity for the bullpen.

[nicksaviking]

I'm just not a fan of spending money on outside bullpen help. I think the Twins can rustle up enough arms to field a competent bullpen in 2015. If Ryan wants to pursue one of his classic scrapheap moves to shore up the pen, that'd be fine with me.

 

Yeah, it could easily be argued that Ryan's best moves have been the unhearlded BP acquisitions.  There have been some flops, but there have been some steals as well.

[D. Hocking]

Yes, Yes Yes, The Tres Santanas's I like it. Danny, Ervin and Johan, call TR and see if this can be doe.

Then really this should have been the next Target Field concert:

 

http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_YWb073Ska2s/TDO0JiqD1SI/AAAAAAAAAJc/udAySdVPi9U/s1600/RS836~Carlos-Santana-Rolling-Stone-no-836-March-2000-Posters.jpg

[Mike Sixel]

Then really this should have been the next Target Field concert:

 

http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_YWb073Ska2s/TDO0JiqD1SI/AAAAAAAAAJc/udAySdVPi9U/s1600/RS836~Carlos-Santana-Rolling-Stone-no-836-March-2000-Posters.jpg

 

Over rated. All the riffs are the same. Boring. Yuck.

[DaveW]

I'd actually like to see them try to sign Johan Santana to a "split" deal. 2 million if he makes it to the majors at any point in 2015, 500k if he is in the minors. Eventually Johan is due some "good" luck and could potentially be intriguing out of the pen later in the year.

[ashbury]

Come on.  the Twins bullpen is full of mediocre arms.  Calling up Burdi and bringing in a good bullpen arm to setup are not mutually exclusive moves. 

Concur.  And if by "mistake" you end up with too much talent on the roster, veteran relievers (with their relatively modest salaries) are easy to move.

[Brock Beauchamp]

Concur.  And if by "mistake" you end up with too much talent on the roster, veteran relievers (with their relatively modest salaries) are easy to move.

My problem has nothing to do with the money spent on a reliever... Not directly, anyway. My issue is with the year-to-year volatility of the average reliever and elite relievers are too bloody expensive for the performance they deliver.

[Brandon]

Twins could be after a bench bat.  The Twins were interested in Mark Reynolds according to Neal.

[halfchest]

Go big or go home, maybe I'm just sick of waiting but I say go all in, trade for Hamels and bring the future now.  We have a decent offense and suddenly Hamels, Hughes, Santana, Nolasco, and one of Milone/Meyer/May/Gibson looks like a rotation to match. 

 

Now, I know it wouldn't be cheap but heck, why not take a shot.  Twins have a strong farm system so we can afford to take a shot.  I'm assuming it takes at least one of Meyer/Berrios ++.  Maybe Gibson and Berrios as a starting point?  Still have Meyer, Thorpe, Kohl Stewart coming up and with 4/5 locked up with good to great veterans for two years the Twins can wait for those guys to develop. Meyer and May are as MLB ready as they're going to get.  I get that it would push payroll up a lot but it's the one move that suddenly puts this team in contention. 

 

You put that rotation along with all the young talent that should be in the majors sometime this year in Buxton, Meyer, Sano, and Rosario the future should be now.

 

I realize it's likely a pipe dream but I don't think it should be.  I truly believe now's the time to go for it. 

[Brock Beauchamp]

I realize it's likely a pipe dream but I don't think it should be.  I truly believe now's the time to go for it. 

Why? There isn't a single aspect of this team that is significantly better than mediocre.

 

The rotation was horrendous again. The defense is middling; good infield, bad outfield. The offense was fifth in runs scored (easily the biggest "strength" right now). The bullpen is meh.

 

What would lead one to believe that now is the time to go for it? It's not as if the Twins have an excellent defense and Murderer's Row jacking #dingers every third at-bat. They have several nice pieces that need to simmer for awhile and some pretty ugly holes in the roster. They're nothing close to being a dominant team in any facet of the game.

[James]

Then really this should have been the next Target Field concert:

 

http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_YWb073Ska2s/TDO0JiqD1SI/AAAAAAAAAJc/udAySdVPi9U/s1600/RS836~Carlos-Santana-Rolling-Stone-no-836-March-2000-Posters.jpg

You want Al Gore to play a concert at Target Field.  That's an odd request.

[James]

And since no one has said it yet...

 

I think we all know who the Twins should go after next.

 

Mark DeRosa

http://www.stlcardinalbaseball.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/11/Mark-DeRosa.jpg

[D. Hocking]

You want Al Gore to play a concert at Target Field.  That's an odd request.

 You get him and Mauer on the field at the same time and the combined charisma would be explosive.

 

(actually in the right venue or with the right interviewer Gore can be funny and witty, as I am sure Mauer could be....)

[nicksaviking]

LaTroy Hawkins announced that he is retiring following the season.  Considering how long he's played, how many times he switched teams and the largely affordable contracts he signs, it's hard to believe he wasn't among a the players brought back for one of the Hay Day Reunion Tours. 

[halfchest]

Why? There isn't a single aspect of this team that is significantly better than mediocre.

 

The rotation was horrendous again. The defense is middling; good infield, bad outfield. The offense was fifth in runs scored (easily the biggest "strength" right now). The bullpen is meh.

 

What would lead one to believe that now is the time to go for it? It's not as if the Twins have an excellent defense and Murderer's Row jacking #dingers every third at-bat. They have several nice pieces that need to simmer for awhile and some pretty ugly holes in the roster. They're nothing close to being a dominant team in any facet of the game.

 

Ha, you're probably right honestly.  I'm just sick of this noncontending BS.  I guess my argument for going after Hamels and the time being now is that he's not just a one year guy.  Going after Smardzjianera would've been dumb unless the plan was to resign him.  Hamels is signed for 4-5 years and with him we suddenly do have what looks like a pretty dominant pitching staff.  One I would feel comfortable pitting against most pitching staffs in the league.   Couple that with an elite closer, an offense on the rise and a strong farm system and it seems like adding the Ace pitcher is the missing element. 

 

However, it's probably a year too early.  Maybe if Sano and Buxton didn't have lost years last year and had at least gotten a cup of coffee last fall it would make more sense.  I guess I would hope that Terry Ryan is at least doing his due diligence and if the price is right I would go for it.   The iron may not be hot but it's at least getting warm.  Adding Hamels would hurry up that process.

 

I guess I would try to learn from the royals experience.  They have had this budding farm system for what seemed like forever and nothing ever came of it for so many years.  Than they finally used some of that prospect riches and got a top of the rotation starter.  Then combined that with their strong system to produce a world series contender.  So while it may be too early, I truly believe at some point in the next year or so the Twins should consider cashing in prospects for an ace. Unfortunately they aren't always available when they're relatively young and have multiple years of control such as Cole Hamels does.  That's probably the biggest reason I would strongly consider making a move right now. 

[Brock Beauchamp]

Yeah, I understand impatience. It has been a long four years.

 

Had Buxton and Sano spent time in Minnesota this season, I'd feel somewhat differently about it... But this team isn't quite a contender yet (unless everything - and I mean everything - breaks right for them in 2015).

 

Next offseason could be a very different story but either way, Berrios and Meyer are part of the Twins' future. Trading them away would be folly. Sure, either of them could fail but if you have both of them, chances are one of them turns into something more than a mediocre pitcher and you get six years of service for ~$20m, not $20m for a single season.

 

Pursuing Jon Lester made more sense than trading for Cole Hamels. The price, years, and age are all pretty similar and then you get to keep all your prospects, especially the ones close to the majors who can impact the MLB team as soon as 2015.