Your worst (and realistic) offseason nightmare

[ShouldaCouldaWoulda]

-Find out Sano is older than he is in some weird story. 

-Sano gets fat and happy...literally. 

-We resign Pelfrey...because he's a groundball machine and his ERA...and clubhouse presence.

-Perkins discovers he needs a major surgery to an underlying issue of some sort.

-Prospect, like Kepler, being injured in Fall League.

-Going after a C or SS that is no better than our current placeholders.

-Not trying to use Walker as a trading chip. 

-Letting Mauer do whatever he thinks he needs to do in the offseason to prepare for next season.

-Hicks doesn't put in the type of work he did last offseason, because he thinks he has made his place.

-Rosario gets in trouble for something.

-Resigning Hunter

-Selling low on Meyer, Arcia, Vargas, and Pinto in a trade. 

-Believing that Santana and Polanco can play SS consistently. 

[nokomismod]

Trading Dozier would be very disappointing since it would be a signal that the team prefers to stay in a continual rebuilding mode.  This would not be a terrible move if you do it when you are in an obvious tear it down rebuild mode but the Twins aren't at that spot.

 

One of my worst nightmares is that the Twins trade Kepler, Plouffe or someone else because of perceived depth for whatever they can get at C, SS or RP (NO!).  This is an almost guaranteed way to lose the trade.

How is trading Dozier different than the Braves trading Uggla during their run? Or the Twins trading Knoblauch? Maybe it's because it seems the Twins are close to success now? I hope this is the case, but to me the Twins would be selling high on Dozier and have someone very capable (Rosario) ready to step in.

[Brock Beauchamp]

 

How is trading Dozier different than the Braves trading Uggla during their run? Or the Twins trading Knoblauch? Maybe it's because it seems the Twins are close to success now? I hope this is the case, but to me the Twins would be selling high on Dozier and have someone very capable (Rosario) ready to step in.

The Twins traded Knoblauch in 1997. They hadn't seen a winning season in half a decade.

 

The Braves traded Uggla as part of a rebuild. Their winning days were over and they knew it.

 

edit: Actually, the Braves released Uggla so the comparison makes even less sense.

[nokomismod]

The Twins traded Knoblauch in 1997. They hadn't seen a winning season in half a decade.

 

The Braves traded Uggla as part of a rebuild. Their winning days were over and they knew it.

 

edit: Actually, the Braves released Uggla so the comparison makes even less sense.

My bad on Uggla. It was Florida that sold high on him.

 

Maybe this current Twins roster is good enough to compete as is. After they have won 5 in a row it sure seems a lot more optimistic right? I just think the position that the club has the best ability to reload at is 2B, and they could fetch a good ppitcher or catcher for Dozier in the offseason.

Unless Dozier learns to hit outside pitching to the opposite field, I think he will start to struggle more as pitcher's will adjust.

[Brock Beauchamp]

 

My bad on Uggla. It was Florida that sold high on him.

Maybe this current Twins roster is good enough to compete as is. After they have won 5 in a row it sure seems a lot more optimistic right? I just think the position that the club has the best ability to reload at is 2B, and they could fetch a good ppitcher or catcher for Dozier in the offseason.
Unless Dozier learns to hit outside pitching to the opposite field, I think he will start to struggle more as pitcher's will adjust.

I'm not sure why people continue to predict doom and gloom for Dozier.

 

He's up to a whopping 1700 PAs of above average offense. I think it's pretty safe to say Dozier "is who he is" until the decline phase sets in. He's a well above average hitter who can peak into elite territory on occasion.

 

The Twins would be better off trying to move Polanco in trade. He's never going to be Brian Dozier and even if he comes close to being Brian Dozier someday, it will take some time... And the Twins should be trying to win every single game they play from today through 2020.

 

If you can get a 4-5 WAR catcher in trade for Dozier, you make that move.

 

That's not going to happen so Dozier stays.

[gocgo]

Gardy hired as a front office consultant?  I got nothing.  No nightmares.

 

Here's what I have for a best case scenario...

 

http://www.argusleader.com/story/news/2015/04/29/sioux-falls-sisters-join-vikings-cheerleaders/26587543/

 

Inspired by the Vikings, the Twins decide to be ground breakers by hiring actual twins to be cheerleaders to run around the ball park clad in Hooters like outfits. 

[Boom Boom]

Hunter signed to another 1-year deal... Pelfrey signed for 3 plus an option.

 

Nothing done about catcher, virtually ensuring Suzuki will reach his vesting option and therefore be the starting catcher in 2017.

[DJSim22]

Terry Ryan keeps his job.

[John Kelsey]

Going into the season with a rotation that doesn't include any of May, Duffey, or Berrios. 

[Thrylos]

 

 

 

So what is your worst Twins offseason nightmare?   [...]

 

And pick realistic options.

 

1. Antony is the Twins' new GM

2. Ryan is still the Twins' GM

3. The Front Office is intact

4. St Peter is still the Twins' President

[Shaitan]

Eh, responding to comments here instead of my own nightmare, which I think would be a Perkins serious injury or anything else to make the bullpen even less stable. 

 

-I have no problem with Hunter back as a playing coach who won't top 250 AB. Doubt he could sit still that much but it would also potentially improve the bench, replacing middle infielders with a bat.

-I don't see a solution at C. I think best case is a platoon type acquisition so Suzuki plays 50-60% of the time instead of 6 days each week.

 

 

[DaveW]

The Minnesota Twins sign proven MLB backup.... drew butera

 

The Minnesota Twins sign.....john danks

[kab21]

 

How is trading Dozier different than the Braves trading Uggla during their run? Or the Twins trading Knoblauch? Maybe it's because it seems the Twins are close to success now? I hope this is the case, but to me the Twins would be selling high on Dozier and have someone very capable (Rosario) ready to step in.

Dozier is a legit 28 yr old all-star talent.  Teams that are rebuilding trade all stars for prospects.  When the Twins traded Knoblauch they were hitting bottom and needed to go into full blown rebuild.  It would be really depressing right now to be in full blown rebuild.

 

Rosario in absolutely no way replaces Dozier at 2B.  It is a decided step down defensively and probably offensively.

[nokomismod]

Rosario in absolutely no way replaces Dozier at 2B.  It is a decided step down defensively and probably offensively.

This is just speculation on both of our parts, but I predict that Rosario will be a more productive (offensively and defensively) player over the next 8 years (5 even), than Dozier.

[Mike Sixel]

 

This is just speculation on both of our parts, but I predict that Rosario will be a more productive (offensively and defensively) player over the next 8 years (5 even), than Dozier.

 

As a 2B? Wasn't that what Kab was responding to?

[rghrbek]

 

Dozier is a legit 28 yr old all-star talent.  Teams that are rebuilding trade all stars for prospects.  When the Twins traded Knoblauch they were hitting bottom and needed to go into full blown rebuild.  It would be really depressing right now to be in full blown rebuild.

 

Rosario in absolutely no way replaces Dozier at 2B.  It is a decided step down defensively and probably offensively.

 

Rosario should not be thought of as a replacement for Dozier, agreed 100%.  One of many fears I have, is Dozier's 2nd half swoons.  Is there any way to explain this?  He still get us an occasional bomb, but it seems like this is 3 straight years of regression in the 2nd half of the season.  It's an annoying pattern, although admittedly his overall numbers are still good for a 2bmen.

[SwainZag]

 

Rosario should not be thought of as a replacement for Dozier, agreed 100%.  One of many fears I have, is Dozier's 2nd half swoons.  Is there any way to explain this?  He still get us an occasional bomb, but it seems like this is 3 straight years of regression in the 2nd half of the season.  It's an annoying pattern, although admittedly his overall numbers are still good for a 2bmen.

 

While his power hasn't dropped off like last year, he is striking out 31% of the time in 2nd half and that's killing his production.

[nokomismod]

As a 2B? Wasn't that what Kab was responding to?

Yes, I think Rosario is quick and athletic enough to switch back to 2B and still be a plus offensive and defensive player (bigger plus than Dozier).

[nokomismod]

Rosario should not be thought of as a replacement for Dozier, agreed 100%.  One of many fears I have, is Dozier's 2nd half swoons.  Is there any way to explain this?  He still get us an occasional bomb, but it seems like this is 3 straight years of regression in the 2nd half of the season.  It's an annoying pattern, although admittedly his overall numbers are still good for a 2bmen.

Yeah I agree that Dozier is still an above average 2b guy (maybe 5th best in the AL), and if he can begin to stop trying to pull everything, he could become a much become a really good player.

[kab21]

 

This is just speculation on both of our parts, but I predict that Rosario will be a more productive (offensively and defensively) player over the next 8 years (5 even), than Dozier.

No, it is entirely speculative if you think an unproven player with <1 yr experience and a disturbing K:BB ratio can replace a legit all-star.  Especially when he never got glowing defensive reports and has barely played 2B in two seasons. 

 

I like Rosario and he has a lot of natural ability but this is a little too optimistic. 

[kab21]

 

Rosario should not be thought of as a replacement for Dozier, agreed 100%.  One of many fears I have, is Dozier's 2nd half swoons.  Is there any way to explain this?  He still get us an occasional bomb, but it seems like this is 3 straight years of regression in the 2nd half of the season.  It's an annoying pattern, although admittedly his overall numbers are still good for a 2bmen.

2nd half swoon?

 

career

1st half - .746

2nd half - .715

 

2013

1st half - .696

2nd half - .757

 

2014

1st half - .777

2nd half - .739

 

2015

1st half - .841

2nd half - .667

 

Are you basing this entirely on one season?  1.5 months of stats? 

 

Dozier (and 2B) is almost dead last on my list of concerns that I have about the Twins.  Trade him away and 2b would rank as high as SS and C.  And SS would rank even higher than it currently does since we would likely be putting a mediocre defender there.