Article: Trending in the Right Direction

[Thegrin]

Rosario's numbers suggest that he will hit anywhere at any time. Dozier's only hope for regular employment will be at SS. This is the kind of situation that Twins fans could enjoy for the next 10 years.

[Shane Wahl]

I guess I will just say it again: there is no need to really move Rosario to the OF even if he comes up in June next year (opening day seems totally foolish). It certainly isn't going to be wise to seriously deflate Rosario's value by moving him out there beyond an occasional fill-in. Dozier and Rosario can platoon at second to allow for Rosario's transition to the majors to be smoother, and Dozier can still get playing time around the infield. He is not going to be a great defender at short or third, but he could be adequate.

[jay]

I would be more than glad to see the Twins face a decision between multiple MLB-caliber players at one position. We could use a few more good problems.

[Boom Boom]

Let's let this thing play out before we start moving Rosario down the defensive spectrum. Dozier's been improved, but I'm not ready to say the Twins are set for years to come at second base because of him.

[Kwak]

The Twins need to adopt the policy of eliminating the "B" talent after 4 years of MLB service because these guys get too darn expensive for what they are worth. So, give Dozier (and Plouffe, Parmelee, and the rest) their chance but if a man isn't "A" talent--trade him for prospects. The "A" talent gets a long-term talent. The "C" talent (hopefully) has been scubbed long before this time. IMO, Dozier isn't--and will never be--"A" talent. Applaud his success because it will make him enticing to another team, but don't be deceived by his charm and smile.

[TheLeviathan]

Before we worry about moving anyone, anywhere....maybe Dozier should keep it together for the next two months and the first two months of next year. Then we have a decision to make.

 

While he has clearly shown the ability to field the position, we're a long way from relying on him to hit at the position so much that we should worry about where we move one of our most exciting prospects.

[drjim]

The Twins need to adopt the policy of eliminating the "B" talent after 4 years of MLB service because these guys get too darn expensive for what they are worth. So, give Dozier (and Plouffe, Parmelee, and the rest) their chance but if a man isn't "A" talent--trade him for prospects. The "A" talent gets a long-term talent. The "C" talent (hopefully) has been scubbed long before this time. IMO, Dozier isn't--and will never be--"A" talent. Applaud his success because it will make him enticing to another team, but don't be deceived by his charm and smile.

 

That was probably the rationale for cutting Ortiz.

[DJL44]

They'll need several infielders. Dozier could be an above average utility player. It's okay for the second tier talent to give you options on the bench.

[Kwak]

That was probably the rationale for cutting Ortiz.

 

There was even more evidence that "he didn't play the Twins Way" and was perceived as a "malcontent". Please remember I said "trade 'B' talent", not throw it away for nothing.

[drjim]

There was even more evidence that "he didn't play the Twins Way" and was perceived as a "malcontent". Please remember I said "trade 'B' talent", not throw it away for nothing.

 

He had no trade value. As a free agent he got less than he would have in arby.

 

I don't buy your quoted reasons at all.

[jimbo92107]

There are plenty of bright spots for the year:

 

Dozier - showing he can stick and be a + MLBer

Floriman - showing he can stick at the MLB level

Arcia - flashing great plate talent

Hicks - showing flashes of the above average MLBer he will be

The Pen - one of the best in baseball despite a lot of innings

Deduno - showing he can stick as a 4-5 starter

Thomas - showing more talent and results than anyone (including me) gave him credit for - should stick somewhere as a 4th outfielder now at least

Other than that, I bet we are excited by some of the Sept call-ups.

 

Jury is still out on Parm and Plouffe. Those were specifically two things I wanted clarified this year that seem unlikely to be. Rotation has been much worse than I expected.

 

First, major kudos to new hitting coach Brunanski for Dozier and Florimon. He's got them looking for pitches in zones, then driving the ball.

 

Dozier - improved greatly on defense and offense. Now cashing in on adjustments at plate during games.

Floriman - same as Dozier, greatly improving his approach at plate, great d.

Arcia - huge potential as power hitter, needs to improve his d a lot.

Hicks - I still don't worry about this guy. He'll keep improving gradually, it's his M.O.

The Pen - Best in baseball. We got lucky with the bargain basement.

Pressly - Could be a 4 or 5 guy next year in the rotation.

Swarzak - Fits the Twins model of short starts, long relief. Keep using him just the way they did this year.

Thielbar - Like finding a chunk of gold on the sidewalk. How did so many teams miss this guy?

Duensing - probably needs a change of scenery, and a new pitching coach.

Fien - Dang, is he the closer after Perk?

Burton - great when he's healthy, which may always be a question.

Correia - 4th or 5th guy, innings eater, but on a stronger team than this.

Roenicke - seems inconsistent, but his era is 3.11 this season.

Deduno - Best starter on this staff, which is kinda sad. Fun to watch.

Thomas - Agreed, he should be a 4th OF on some team, but Twins have a logjam of OF prospects coming up.

Plouffe - A mystery. One great half season, otherwise, mediocre. I'd move him.

[Halsey Hall]

Great article Seth. As you know, I have been wondering about this question for awhile. I see Dozier as being Dustin Pedroia lite. Hard working, hustling, very solid defensive second basemen. Decent bat with occassional pop. Kind of guy you like to have on a winning team, a gamer!

 

What to do with Rosario, who some believe will be ready on opening day, is another question. With so many holes in this team, you can't put Dozier on the bench. That means they have to find another spot for Rosario and right field certainly makes the most sense. If my memory is correct, both Gardy and Moliter have previously talked about Rosario's bat being ready for the big leagues.

 

Not sure of your memory either, but I doubt Gardy's seen enough of Rosario to make that statement. I haven't seen him since spring training, but really doubt he'll be ready by opening day next year.

 

Nice article though!

[troyhobbs]

If Dozier continues to be decent they can trade him when Rosario is ready. Not like he's irreplaceable, he's pretty average while Rosario has stud potential

[Chance]

When Rosario is ready to come up (September if healthy) I would like to see Dozier back at SS. I think he has gained so much confidence on defense this year that we shouldn't have a repeat of last season. Rosario's bat plays great at 2B and Dozier's would be above average at SS if he stays on his current pace.

[Major League Ready]

Deduno and Dozier have to be the most positive trends this year. Next, for me, is Florimon. His defense has been great and we have sucked at short for quite a while with the exception of Hardy who I will never understand why they let him go. Pressly and Thielbar would fall under the category of positive trends. They came out of nowhere to look like they can be assets to the team going forward. Schwzak gets honorable mention.

 

Arcia and Hicks were just not ready but let's hope they develop into the stars we hope. We really need these two guys to pan out. Hopefully, they both show very positive improvement over the remainder of the season.

 

I was really hoping Plouffe would break out and be a 25-30 HR producer and I am really disappointed Parmalee did not come around with the bat given he was better than expected defensively. Let's hope they show us something in the remaining games give us reason to hope for next year.

 

Hedricks and Worley were the biggest disappointments for me this year. Morneau falls into that category too. I would have been great if he rebounded. They could have signed him for a couple years to bridge the gap of gotten a good prospect at the deadline. Mastro getting hurt was a biiger deal to me than others might feel. Hicks could have been sent back to AAA earlier and Mastro would have been quite a bit better leading off than what we had in the first couple months of the season. Plus, he is fun to watch.

 

Sano's defensive improvement and Buxton demonstrating he has superstar potential would be the two best things that happended for theis organization in 2013. Adam Walker also gave us some glimpses of potential greatness. Based on the BB/K ratio, it looks like he really needs to improve his approach. He just might be a beast if he learns to make pitchers pitch to him.

[Thrylos]

I agree that Dozier has been improving (with an impressive glove as well) and he has shown that he could be a solution for the future at second base or a trading chip when Rosario arrives.

 

Also agree with this:

 

Anyone looking at the Minnesota Twins roster coming out of spring training knew that the team would not be competing with the Detroit Tigers in 2013. So, in my mind, 2013 would be all about development and improvement. Those two things would be the keys, the things I would be looking for, in 2013.

 

but my conclusion, as a team overall is that the Twins did not do much to improve or ever think about the future in 2013, and are definitely not "trending in the right direction":

 

a. Players who will not be part of the future (Correia, Morneau, Doumit, Willingham, Thomas, Colabello, Carroll, Bernier, et al) have been taking valuable playing time and growing from players who will be part of the future

b. For a future to exist, this starting pitching mess has to be fixed. Potentially having found a second baseman for the future is a drop in the bucket compared to what this team is missing (namely starting pitching and power and willingness to win - if you do not believe me about the last, look at the bunch of zombies who played last night and were happy and all smiles and laughs on the dugout when an infielder pitched, despite the team being blown out...)

[stringer bell]

Dozier with a homer and an RBI single tonight. Both show why I have to like what he is doing. 1) Dozier was down 0-2, worked the count full and than cracked a "middle-in" fastball into the bullpen. He has shown pretty good power, all of his homers have been pulled IIRC. That he was able to work the count full against a good pitcher was pretty impressive. 2) Dozier was fooled by a pitch, but made contact and served it into right for an RBI single. Very similar to one of his big hits in the Houston series. I still like him better at the bottom of the order, but he's been the best that the Twins have right now to lead off.

[Monkeypaws]

If Dozier continues to be decent they can trade him when Rosario is ready. Not like he's irreplaceable, he's pretty average while Rosario has stud potential

 

Or vice versa : Dozier's defense makes him adequate. His offense of late makes makes him above average. Why are we in a hurry to replace that?

 

If Rosario is that good, yes, a nice problem to have. But Dozier is taking charge out there.

[Halsey Hall]

Or vice versa : Dozier's defense makes him adequate. His offense of late makes makes him above average. Why are we in a hurry to replace that?

 

If Rosario is that good, yes, a nice problem to have. But Dozier is taking charge out there.

 

I agree Monkeypaws. And the IF is a big one. I see an awful lot of posters on this board that assume guys are ready to make the leap, only to find out they aren't. With Dozier, we've bought some time for Rosario to prove he can make the jump.

[diehardtwinsfan]

Or vice versa : Dozier's defense makes him adequate. His offense of late makes makes him above average. Why are we in a hurry to replace that?

 

If Rosario is that good, yes, a nice problem to have. But Dozier is taking charge out there.

 

Pretty much this... Dozier will give Rosario a chance to learn and earn it in AAA. No complaints there. When Rosario is ready, the question becomes whether we trade Dozier, or move him to short/super utility. Having a guy who can play SS and 2B will at the least keep a fresh rotation in the middle infield.

[troyhobbs]

Or vice versa : Dozier's defense makes him adequate. His offense of late makes makes him above average. Why are we in a hurry to replace that?

 

If Rosario is that good, yes, a nice problem to have. But Dozier is taking charge out there.

 

He is. Just saying it's an alternative to moving him back to SS. Prospects like Rosario and/or Polanco could make us quickly forget about Dozier and Santana appears to be a more natural SS. There are options and that's good.

[Steve Penz]

No matter what I think about Doziers future, let me say that thank god he is with us now. Without Dozier the Twins would have scored very few runs during the last 10 days. Wow.