Submit Mailbag Question, Get Pizza!

[Nick Nelson]

We're going to run a mailbag feature here on Wednesday. Got any questions or topics you'd like to see discussed? Post them here! We'll give free Papa John's pizza to those whose questions are featured in the article!

 

(Pizza coupons valid in MN only)

[Boom Boom]

Should the Twins look to bring in a CF, or should they stand pat with Hicks and/or Schafer?

[gunnarthor]

Assuming there isn't a spot in the rotation for him right away, should Meyer pitch in the pen or as a starter in AAA?

[Brandon]

How does the Central Division stack up for next season after all the moves made this winter?  Who improved, got worse, status quo....? and why are the Twins still rated so far down the standings for next year?  I see them as near .500 or better team.

 

I live in CA so you'll have to donate my pizza to a homeless shelter http://www.homelessshelterdirectory.org/cgi-bin/id/city.cgi?city=Minneapolis&state=MN pick one and let us know who you sent it to. 

[goulik]

What type of influence do you see Hunter having on Hicks developing into the outfielder he should have become by now and also on Buxton? Has he ever been given credit with mentoring younger players or are we expecting too much from that part of this signing?

[Bark's Lounge]

What's the deal with Ricky Nolasco? Did he hide his arm injury last season? Is he a subversive type of player? I don't put too much into his semi-controversial comment on Twitter, but when we throw all of this material into the whole enchilada, did the Twins make a grave mistake in signing him or is there still reason to believe he can be a part of the solution and we can continue to toss pennies and nickles into the Ricky Nolasco Wishing Well?

[ashbury]

Who currently in the organization but not on the 40-man has the best shot of making the major league roster for Opening Day?

 

(I'm also out of state, and I echo Brandon's idea of the homeless shelter.)

[stringer bell]

Will the Twins make a trade or sign a free agent who will make the 25-man roster in April?

[jay]

With the addition of a corner outfielder and a starting pitcher so far this offseason, what's the biggest remaining need? How should they address that need?

[jay]

Who is going to have a big season in 2015 and why?

[TRex]

What are the best and worst case scenarios for Mike Pelfrey this year, and what percentages would you put on each.

[scottz]

Oswaldo Arcia has the best walk up music on the team, right? It makes me want to dance. It probably makes him want to swing really, really hard. But nobody has better walk up music. Do you agree?

[Otwins]

Terry Ryan has mentioned adding to the bullpen.  Which reliever of the remaining free agents would be of interest? Or do you think they wait for a "good deal"

[The Wise One]

Major league teams get reams of data on players. Is that same data available to help out the minor league managers.

4/46 mil for Robertson, 18 for Gregerson, 3/15 for Duke, 2/12 for Heshek,  and 2/10 for Hochevar. Did the trade value for Perkins just go up dramatically from last year as he has 4 years and 24 milllion on his contract?

[Kirby_waved_at_me]

Of these three, which pitcher will have the most games started in 2015 for the Twins and why: Milone, Meyer, or Pelfrey?

[Wildvikestwins]

What Twins prospect(s) do you see breaking out this year outside of the big guys like Buxton and Sano?

[jay]

Where is Twins Daily headed over the next year? Any plans for additions, special features, new partnerships, etc?

[clutchhittin18]

What is the long term plan for Pinto?  With Mauer manning first base, and assuming Vargas continues to hit well, he seems to be the odd man out.  And with a couple solid catchers a year or two away, do the Twins try to move him?

[Target Field of Dreams]

While the additions of Hunter and Santana have created considerable buzz the last few weeks, I'm not sold on the Twins being much closer to contention in 2015, given their remaining holes and strength of the division. Am I wrong? Can you conceivably see this team as it is, including prospects in the pipeline that may arrive this season, having a realistic shot at competing this season? Or do we need to go through another season looking ahead to 2016 or 2017 when our young guns are finally established?

 

If you don't think we can compete this year, are there any other free agents still out there that you believe could be realistically had by the Twins (think cheap), that could make us legitimately better this season? Is this even worth it, or should I be okay with waiting another year?

[nicksaviking]

Will Danny Santana play more games at SS or CF in 2015?

[boomerb5]

What are the odds that Hunter stays with the team in 2016...as a coach? Management and fans both love his personality and clubhouse demeanor. That's the sort of thing that a young-ish team really needs. And let's face it, Molitor is a good guy, and certainly has the baseball accumen, but he is kind of boring. I honestly see Dougie Baseball managing in Target Field in 2-3 years, with Hunter as the Third Base or Bench coach (and filling in post-ejection).

[Otto von Ballpark]

Terry Ryan has mentioned adding to the bullpen.  Which reliever of the remaining free agents would be of interest? Or do you think they wait for a "good deal"

More generally: what do you see as a likely path to strengthening the bullpen again (including internal options as well as external)?  Especially in light of the trend toward dominant, high-strikeout bullpens in the division and around the league.

[James]

Have you heard anything about Lewis Thorpe and his arm?  I know he had a strained ligament at the end of the season.

 

What kind of Twins Daily events can we expect this year?  I really enjoyed the Meltdown and the pre-Homerun Derby event.  

 

Do you think Adam Brett Walker starts at AA this year, and how do you think he might perform there?  If he performs at AA (reduces strike outs and walks a bit more), do you see him manning RF sometime in 2016 or 2017?  (I know, very long view predictions)

 

edit: By make or break, I mean that he could really boost his prospect status, not that he couldn't end up repeating AA next year and still make it to the majors at some point.  

[Cris E]

Assuming Sano makes it to Target Field in 2015, what should the thresholds be for dealing with Plouffe?  How well or poorly does Sano have to play to make Trevor completely extraneous (or vital) at 3b, and does he have more value as a trade chip at 3b or as a utility guy or OF? 

[beckmt]

Does Burdi start the season in Minnesota, if not where does he start the season?

What does Rosario need to do to start the season in Minnesota?

[maxisagod]

Why don't you have a tab at the top of your page for podcasts? Since there are at least 3 official podcasts and many more that are submitted, shouldn't there be a section somewhere between Forms and blogs? 

 

Also Escobar, given his age Defensive ability, and strong hitting numbers this year, why are people/teams still skeptical that he's a starter?  

[Mike Sixel]

What is the best part of owning Twins Daily? What is the worst part?

 

thanks for all of it, btw.

[ericchri]

Any similarities between our current farm system and the crop that was breaking into the majors in the early 80's that eventually turned into World Champs?