So...now what from here?

[DocBauer]

I'm not so sure of that. Since becoming a starter a few weeks ago, Oliveros has pitched 7.2 innings in three starts (ughhhhh) while giving up 15 runs (holy moly, Batman!).

 

Some guys just aren't starting material and the preparation for the player is completely different. I'm not sure why they're starting Oliveros at all. He should be locked in for an upcoming promotion to the Twins' bullpen, not starting games in Rochester.

Here here!

 

Someone....anyone....who can throw the ball around the plate and actually strike a few guys out would be a HUGE boon for the pen. Oliveros should be given a shot. Actually, he should have gotten one before now.

 

Oh yeah...because there is simply no-one to remove from the 40 man who's spot he can take. (Turn head and cough)

 

Meyer? I don't believe he or the Twins have given up on his potential as a starter. Not yet. Way too early. I don't think it would be a stretch to call this season an aberration compared to last season and performances before last year. But so far, he's taken to the role. There were a lot of calls last season for Meyer to get his feet wet at the ML level in the pen, with the idea of transitioning back to the rotation later. (See reference: Cardinals, St Louis) This may become a reality. I would be very, very tempted at this point to bring him up for a bullpen role in September. But if he keeps things up as he has done lately, I'd think really hard about July sometime, August 1 at the latest. I'd like to see him in this new opportunity while the games mattered.

[nater79a]

 

One thought. As long as Plouffe and Mauer are here, where will Sano play. I doubt that they will DH him. I would love to see him up here, but he needs to play defense and they won't DH Plouffe and play Sano at third. Mauer is getting what, 23 mil with a no trade contract. He is not going anywhere. The Twins have some very big roster decisions to make. And their history of loyalty to veteran players does not make it any easier.h

 

You echoed my thoughts about Sano.  Where oh where will he play. He hasn't received any outfield reps at Chattanooga so it doesn't appear they're headed in that direction.  Sano's positioning needs to be addressed either the latter half of this season or the offseason.

 

To a lesser degree they need to figure out where Polanco will play long term. Not sure it will be SS as his arm (and accuracy) leave a little bit to be desired. 2B would probably be his best position but now we have an all-star caliber player tied up there for the next four years.  They could use Polanco as a trade chip, but I could see him going to another team and become a perennial all-star at 2B for years to come. Tough decision.

 

Agree with another poster that Gibson could be a trade candidate this offseason.  Santana & Nolasco probably aren't going anywhere because of their contracts. Then you have Hughes, May, Berrios, Meyer (?), Duffey and Rogers as starter probables/possibilities in the future.

 

 

 

 

[Kwak]

The Twins should for the most part--just wait until the AS break.  The exception is the addition of Erwin Santana to the pitching staff.  My guess--ES begins in the pen and is used "to extend his pitch-count" as a preparation to be added to the rotation.  Who does he replace?  Wait.  Things will likely be much clearer in 5-6 weeks concerning the rotation.

 

After the AS break?  Well, where are the Twins with respect to the rest of the division?  Near the top? Or has time sent them spiraling to oblivion?  Make changes based on that information--not on what is known today, in the middle of June.

[Shane Wahl]

There are at bats out there for Sano. Both Mauer and Plouffe clearly need more days off. Plouffe is straight up a .751 OPS guy (likely not updated from tonight's game on BR yet, but it is weird to see such identical offensive numbers) and that's good . . . but it is not worth keeping Sano down. And I don't think I need to say much about Mauer . . .

 

A roster (playing time to be worked out) of Buxton, Mauer, Dozier, Vargas, Hunter, Sano, Rosario, Pinto, Suzuki, Arcia, Escobar, and Hicks is possible (with Vargas, Rosario, Arcia, and Hicks splitting time in some fashion).

[jokin]

 

There are at bats out there for Sano. Both Mauer and Plouffe clearly need more days off. Plouffe is straight up a .751 OPS guy (likely not updated from tonight's game on BR yet, but it is weird to see such identical offensive numbers) and that's good . . . but it is not worth keeping Sano down. And I don't think I need to say much about Mauer . . .

 

A roster (playing time to be worked out) of Buxton, Mauer, Dozier, Vargas, Hunter, Sano, Rosario, Pinto, Suzuki, Arcia, Escobar, and Hicks is possible (with Vargas, Rosario, Arcia, and Hicks splitting time in some fashion).

 

 

Kyle Schwarber is being called up for a 6 game look-see at DH as the Cubs play their next 6 games in AL parks, of course including 3 this weekend at Target Field.  He is to report to AAA immediately after Sunday's game.  Sano has actually slightly outhit Schwarber in the Southern League since April 30.  Do you think Epstein's move with Schwarber might give Ryan a similar idea (especially considering that Ryan could choose to utilize the DH option as a regular course of action)?

[USAFChief]

Sano can play 1st while Mauer's on the DL.

 

I don't have any idea what is wrong with Mauer, but a major league hitter simply can't come up in the 9th inning, down one, and watch three consecutive fastballs go by without even flinching. ANY hitter, much less a guy batting third.

 

So I'm going to give him the benefit of the doubt and say he's hurt. Get him off the field.

[Mike Sixel]

I see no reason for Sano not to be up here at this point. He can DH, play 1B, play 3B. In looking at the lineups, there are too many black holes right now. What does another month in the minors prove at this point? Be aggressive, try to win!

 

Also, there is a LHP in AAA, and a whole thread on him in the minor league section that could replace Duensing right now......

[Linus]

 

Sano can play 1st while Mauer's on the DL.

I don't have any idea what is wrong with Mauer, but a major league hitter simply can't come up in the 9th inning, down one, and watch three consecutive fastballs go by without even flinching. ANY hitter, much less a guy batting third.

So I'm going to give him the benefit of the doubt and say he's hurt. Get him off the field.

That was..........frustrating, bizarre, confusing.  That wasn't Joe getting squeezed as it looked to me like all three fastballs had the plate.  Plus, they appeared to be 4 seamers that were pretty straight.  I can only guess that this whole thing is in his head a lot more than it appears.

[Vance_Christianson]

 

You're trading off two players (Stewart and Meyer) whose value is at an all-time low right now. That's a terrible strategy.

 

And I'm still not sure why the Cubs would give up Castro for any reason. My biggest beef with trade ideas is that so little thought is put into "why on earth would the other team do such a thing?"

 

And right now, is Castro even an upgrade over what the Twins are rolling out nightly? Yeah, his upside is certainly higher but the dude has been struggling mightily this season. The Cubs should be reluctant to trade him for the same reasons the Twins shouldn't trade Meyer or Stewart.

Castro was just an example of a SS that I think could be had. There was a bunch of talk about Castro being on the way out once Baez figured out AAA (He was hitting over .300 before his injury). Now Baez is out 6-8 weeks. Castro probably gets traded this off-season for a SP.

As you can tell I have 0 confidence in Stewart, and I'd rather sell him with medium-low value while he appears to be healthy, then when he's hurt (once a month it seems like) and only getting 1-2 K's per game in A ball.

If I was GM, I'd be looking to make a move for the future, and not just a rental player for this year. In order for that to happen we need to be able to let go of a couple of prospects. I'm willing to do that, but it appears some people just want to let our farm system do it all.

Needs on the Twins:

SS - I think we just roll with Polanco for this season, and give him a few months to show what he's got

C - I think this is what we need to trade for this year!

 

[Brock Beauchamp]

 

Castro was just an example of a SS that I think could be had. There was a bunch of talk about Castro being on the way out once Baez figured out AAA (He was hitting over .300 before his injury). Now Baez is out 6-8 weeks. Castro probably gets traded this off-season for a SP.

 

As you can tell I have 0 confidence in Stewart, and I'd rather sell him with medium-low value while he appears to be healthy, then when he's hurt (once a month it seems like) and only getting 1-2 K's per game in A ball.

 

If I was GM, I'd be looking to make a move for the future, and not just a rental player for this year. In order for that to happen we need to be able to let go of a couple of prospects. I'm willing to do that, but it appears some people just want to let our farm system do it all.

 

Needs on the Twins:

SS - I think we just roll with Polanco for this season, and give him a few months to show what he's got

C - I think this is what we need to trade for this year!

I don't see anyone advocating for the farm system to do it all... But there are people - myself included - who believe the Twins should be prudent in trading away pieces until they have a better idea of who they are as a team.

 

Stewart is a risk right now. Trading him is even riskier because the return is going to be so little comparatively. We need to be patient with the kid and let him develop. I'm far more concerned about the injuries and rollercoaster fastball velocity than I am the strikeouts at this point in time. 

 

The kid can't even legally drink. He could spend five more years in the minors and still debut as a 25 year old. Let's not fall over ourselves with snap decisions that could seriously hinder the long-term future of the franchise.

 

Not every prospect is Jose Berrios. Some take more time to simmer. Some never boil. That's a risk you need to take and you don't trade away the guy when his value is so low. That's the easiest way to completely destroy a franchise's long-term ability to compete.

 

If the Twins pursue someone like Castro, the price is going to start with something like "Berrios and Gonsalves". Is that a price the Twins should be willing to pay? No, I don't think it is. I'd prefer to see them do whatever they can to offload some of the excess starters on the team, not trade away the kids on the farm who, when combined, will likely form a better rotation in 2017 and beyond.

[spinowner]

If the Twins intend for Sano to play 1B in the majors they'd be playing him there in Chattanooga. Until that happens I'd be in favor of a moratorium on all posts suggesting he play 1B for the Twins

[Mike Sixel]

 

If the Twins intend for Sano to play 1B in the majors they'd be playing him there in Chattanooga. Until that happens I'd be in favor of a moratorium on all posts suggesting he play 1B for the Twins

 

I won't stop suggesting it......imo, he should be doing it in the minors some right now.

 

I bet they just stick with Mauer, and trade Plouffe, and are a worse team than they could be.

[Brock Beauchamp]

 

I won't stop suggesting it......imo, he should be doing it in the minors some right now.

 

I bet they just stick with Mauer, and trade Plouffe, and are a worse team than they could be.

Mauer needs more time. Yeah, he looks really bad right now but it'd be foolish to bench a guy with his track record.

 

As much as I'd like to see Mauer on the bench for performance reasons, it's not good roster management now or going forward. He is owed a lot of money and you have to let it play out until the situation becomes unbearable and it's obvious that he will never return to being a productive player. We're not at that point yet.

[howieramone2]

 

If the Twins intend for Sano to play 1B in the majors they'd be playing him there in Chattanooga. Until that happens I'd be in favor of a moratorium on all posts suggesting he play 1B for the Twins

I agree. Since he was signed as a SS, no need for a moratorium there. Maybe catcher?

[Mike Sixel]

 

Mauer needs more time. Yeah, he looks really bad right now but it'd be foolish to bench a guy with his track record.

 

As much as I'd like to see Mauer on the bench for performance reasons, it's not good roster management now or going forward. He is owed a lot of money and you have to let it play out until the situation becomes unbearable and it's obvious that he will never return to being a productive player. We're not at that point yet.

 

How much more time would convince you?

 

And, the money is spent if he plays or not......but I know you know that.

 

And, I am not saying every day.....how about 2 times a week?

[Brock Beauchamp]

 

How much more time would convince you?

 

And, the money is spent if he plays or not......but I know you know that.

 

And, I am not saying every day.....how about 2 times a week?

If the team wants to start by benching Joe once a week while the team is contending and he is struggling, I have absolutely no issues with that.

 

Start small. See what happens.

 

The money is spent but if Joe magically turns back into an .800 hitter, you don't want to miss that opportunity and you want to give that guy every chance in the world to make it happen. We're talking about a guy who was a first-ballot HoF shoe-in just 16 months ago and is only 32 years old. He's not Chris Colabello.

[Mike Sixel]

 

If the team wants to start by benching Joe once a week while the team is contending and he is struggling, I have absolutely no issues with that.

 

Start small. See what happens.

 

The money is spent but if Joe magically turns back into an .800 hitter, you don't want to miss that opportunity and you want to give that guy every chance in the world to make it happen. We're talking about a guy who was a first-ballot HoF shoe-in just 16 months ago and is only 32 years old. He's not Chris Colabello.

 

Very fair. Like I said, I've kind of made up my mind here......that he won't be near top 10 1B over a full year again. I could be wrong, wouldn't be the first time.

[Brock Beauchamp]

 

Very fair. Like I said, I've kind of made up my mind here......that he won't be near top 10 1B over a full year again. I could be wrong, wouldn't be the first time.

Given the competition at first, he doesn't need to be top ten... If he can get back to even an 115 OPS+, he has some value. Not as much as any of us want but it's still value.

 

I don't even care about the power so much as Joe getting back to being a .300 hitter with a .060-.070 ISOd. That's a really valuable player to have at any position. Stick him in the second spot in the lineup and just let him get on base.

[brvama]

Sano may not be playing other positions at this time for two good reasons. First, the Twins truly believe he's the future 3B and don't want to muddle his development in the field. Secondly, having missed all of last year, they want to make sure he is back to his level of defensive performance prior to his injury. Hitting is probably easier for him to shake off the rust than fielding which is likely his second priority. Actually I think that may be the only thing to hold him back for now.

 

IMO, when he does come up (my guess sometime after the ASG) he will be playing 3B and DH as will Plouffe. But Plouffe will probably play some first and OF. Of course, Sano could be up earlier if Plouffe has to go on the DL.

[Mike Sixel]

If he is an ELITE slugger......he has value in RF, 1B, DH, not just 3B. Unless they plan to give up on Plouffe as a 3B for next year, I don't understand the current approach, even a little.

[diehardtwinsfan]

well, his defense in RF will be atrocious.  That does seem to matter.  1B is occupied.  3B is where he provides the greatest potential upgrade, but it's kind of occupied as well.   DH has another prospect filling it presently, one who has plenty of potential on his own and who needs to work out the kinks.  The plan is understandable.  Unless Sano can start playing C or SS well, or someone gets hurt/traded, he's going to wait.

[Rosterman]

The Twins need to jettison 40-man fodder (Duensing, Schafer, Robinson, Bernier, Nunez for starters). They need to bring guys up and give them a taste and send them back don't IF they don't produce ina reasonable amount of time to come back up again if someone else doesn't produce. It is a team in which everyone is playing for a job. Kepler, Sano, Harrison should all see at bats. Walker, some catcher not on the 40-man, should get a shot.

 

The bigger roadblocks are in pitching where a starting rotation alone will push some guys to the bullpen (May and Milone) and the Twins have to make real decision on the 2016 and beyond of Fien, Thompson, Thielbar and Pressly. Especially when they can dip into such names as Darnell, Rogers, Oliveros BEFORE the next group of Burdi, Jones, Stewart, Cederoth and Reed come into the picture. And Meyer is out there. Remember, it is NO SIN to have a starter start in the bullpen in the majors.

 

Either other teams have been surprisingly bad, but the Twins have been surprisingly good. I always felt, looking at the Central Division coming into this season, that the teams might be a lot closer than one thinks, playing competitive games that are decided by an error, a strong pitcher for the day, or just getting that well-placed hit. No one was going to run away with the division, and so fart hat has been true (it can change when teams do address their weaknesses...successfully).

 

But, yeah, cut Duensing and send down Vargas. Give Polanco and Sano a chance up here. When Hicks returns, decide who the 4th outfielder is going to be (temporary or not). If you change out all three, bring up Arcia for another look. Maybe add Garver or Turner to the 40-man and have him sit up here and get some cycles instead of Herrmann (who you can cut) or the return of Fyer. 

 

Even at their worst, I don't see ANYONE being as bad as anyone else (Mauer included) on the current 20-man roster, offensively, of course. And there is depth. Kepler, Walker, Hicks. Harrison, Polanco, Beresford...even Gordon. Please don't feel the need to bring up the further depth of Hanson, Bernier, Rodriguez, Ramirez or Paulino. They are the third string, if you really, truly need someone because someone fresh and news sucks bigtime!

[Kwak]

I shake my head when posters who have railed about "defense matters" take a 180 when Sano is mentioned.  Sano was "moved" (rolled?) from SS to 3B because:  defensively he was the worst option, it was considered that the Twins "were deep" in OF talent (or is it "in deep"?), Mauer "had to be moved" from C to reduce the concussion risk, thus filling 1B (or DH).  The Twins have typically considered the DH "position" to be part-time for regulars (especially those that actually can play defense somewhere).  2B is filled, no way would the Twins consider Sano to be a Catcher--so 3B was all that was left.  Sorry Plouffie.  Talk to AJ if you need a shoulder.

 

The "Point" ?-- Sano and 3B defense aren't there [yet].  So, either he stays in the minors to improve defensively or he is the primary DH for the Twins.  No way, does he serve as a part-time player for the Twins (except as a September callup).  He plays 9 days of 10--or he stays in the minors.  As a full-time DH, then its decision time for Hunter, Arcia, and Vargas.  Part-time for all three of these--bad idea.