Updated 2014 Lineup Projection

[Monkeypaws]

I think Rosario fans should be looking at CF instead of 2B. Dozier has taken root there. If Hicks flops, there's a vacancy.

[bear333]

2B Dozier

RF Herrmann

1B Mauer (3rd catcher)

LF Willingham

DH Arcia

C Pinto

3B Plouffe

CF Presley

SS Florimon

 

Bench

Parmelee

Escobar

Mastroanni

Collabello

 

 

I think they trade Doumit for a minor leaguer. I believe that, that is about all try do besides adding some minor league free agents. They do this because they will wait for prospects to come up in June/July.

 

What do you think?

2B Dozier

1B Mauer

DH Willingham

RF Arcia

3B Sano

CF Presley

C Herrman

LF Thomas

SS Florimon

 

Bench

Escobar

Mastroanni

Collabello

Pinto

[stringer bell]

Dozier isn't the surest thing among the position players, Mauer is...but my belief in Dozier hasn't waivered. I've been a Dozier fans since before ST of 2012.

Dozier is the surest thing because we know his position--he'll be the second baseman to start 2014. In addition, do we know for certain that Mauer will have recovered from concussion symptoms by Opening Day? It is a bit ridiculous to think that he won't be recovered but a few players have taken close to a year or more to recover.

[stringer bell]

By the way, I think anybody that lists Colabello as a member of the Opening Day 2014 Twins is severely mistaken. I have endorsed him getting at-bats, but from what I've seen, CC can't hit big league pitching and can't play a position in the field.

 

Secondly, Clete and Ramirez should be DFAed, especially with the acquisition of Presley. Another obvious candidate is Bernier. These three guys have little upside and could be easily replaced.

[robbie111]

Having Rosario able to play CF and 2nd base allows tons of flexibility for the future. It allows him to come up quicker when there is an opening in either the outfield or 2nd if Dozier moves to SS.

[mikelink45]

Not what I want, but what I think the opening day lineup.

 

C-Mauer

1B-Plouffe

2B-Dozier

SS-Florimon

3B-Escobar

LF-Arcia

CF-Mastroianni

RF-Hermann

DH-Willingham

 

 

 

Of all the lists and speculations this is the one that seems most feasible and it is hard to say that, but the one factor that is not included is who is manager because these are the Gardy players - another manager might be more creative.

[Chance]

Another manager will still have Ryan making the personal decisions.

[raindog]

Several people are mentioning Dozier moving to SS to make way for Rosario. I hope that doesn't happen. We've seen what kind of SS he is--not a good one. There are other options if Rosario pans out. Rosario could move back to the outfield or Dozier could be traded. Or, he regresses and ends up a utility infielder. We'll see. It's not yet a problem, and it won't be a bad problem to have.

 

I hope they give Pinto & Hermann abundant innings behind the dish from here on out this season. My hope is that they can prove to be a serviceable tandem, enabling Mauer to move full-time to 1B, fatten up and start driving the ball. With any luck, Joe has only hit about 1/3 of his career HR's so far.

 

Joe is not going to fatten up and become David Ortiz. He's a big, strong guy already. Look at his swing, he's not a home run hitter. Appreciate what he his. Still an elite hitter.

[diehardtwinsfan]

One piece is a bit of dream here, but the rest isn't.

 

C - Mauer

1B - Parmelee

2B - Dozier

SS - Florimon

3B - Plouffe

RF - Arcia

CF - Pressley

LF - Willingham

DH - Doumit

 

BN - Escobar, Colabello, Clete ...

SP - Tanaka, Gibson, Worley, Correia, Deduno

RP - Perkins, Burton, Tonkin, Fein ...

 

Mgr - Molitor

 

Trade candidates for the offseason are Doumit, Willingham, and Correia. I don't see a whole lot of market on any of those guys this offseason to be honest. All will be on 1 year deals, and I fully expect them to be moved if they are having a decent year in 2014 to make room for next wave guys. Perkins is a wild card here, as I could see someone giving Ryan a deal too good to be true, but I'm not expecting it.

 

Pinto will be up permanently once Doumit is gone. Buxton will likely replace Willingham, and I could see him going straight from AA on that one, though I suspect he'll earn a promotion to AAA in short order. Correia will likely be replaced by one of Darnel, Meyer, or May. Worley and Deduno might find themselves in a similar position should they struggle. Hicks will likely be forced to earn his next promotion. Pressley has shown some ability in the past, so I think he's going to get a full season in 2014 to prove it. If he struggles, he gets moved if Hicks forces things. If they are both doing well, he's a trade candidate. In my dream world, we get Abreau too, but I think that's a bigger dream than Tanaka.

 

I left the remaining BN/RP spots blank for now. There may be an FA signing to fill those roles or we could see more of what we've seen.

[pierre75275]

I think the only way mauer gets significant first base time is if Pinto hits in the majors the way he hit in AA.

[Drtwins]

diehard has it correct. The only thing I would add is Hermann to the bench as Doumit and Mauer will be starting most games.

 

Dozier - 2B

Pressley/Mastro - CF

Mauer - C

Willingham - LF

Doumit - DH

Arcia - RF

Plouffe - 3b

Parmelee - 1B

Florimon - SS

 

Bench - Escobar, Hermann, Colabello, Pressley/Mastro

 

Hermann will make the 25 man as Doumit and Mauer will be starting together in most games. Escobar can backup 2B, SS, and 3B, Colabello 1B and OF.

 

If Pinto does well at AAA to start next year he will be up in June/July if Doumit gets traded. If Hicks does well he will also be in the Majors again in June/July if Willingham gets traded. If Willingham doesn't get traded, Hicks could still be up to take over CF depending on how Pressley/Mastro are playing. Sano will come up in July, unless Plouffe is playing out of his mind. Plouffe can fill the void at DH from Doumit's departure or take over at 1B if Parmelee isn't producing. Rosario is another player I could see making his debut just a matter of where; OF, 2B, SS?

[Oldgoat_MN]

DFA Ramirez? He has one of the highest BA on our team, second only to Mauer.

 

Short of some major adjustment, Plouffe will not find a starting job on any MLB team. For the second half of the 2013 season he currently ranks 22 of 22 qualified 3B in MLB in BA, OBP and SLG (and, naturally, WAR). He is a talented guy. Something has to be found and corrected.

 

Eduardo Escobar will be on the bench or at 3B. He will hit better than Colabello, Herrmann, Mastro, Florimon or Parmelee are hitting now. Of course, they should all hit better, too.

 

No way does Hicks start the year in MLB. He has some things to work on in AAA, like his .660 OPS.

[Oxtung]

SP - Tanaka, Gibson, Worley, Correia, Deduno

 

Do you think Ryan would go for a rotation full of righties?

[MichiganTwins]

Correia could try throwing lefty once in a while too. If you pitch to contact does it matter what arm you throw with?

[Mr. Brooks]

DFA Ramirez? He has one of the highest BA on our team, second only to Mauer.

 

Short of some major adjustment, Plouffe will not find a starting job on any MLB team. For the second half of the 2013 season he currently ranks 22 of 22 qualified 3B in MLB in BA, OBP and SLG (and, naturally, WAR). He is a talented guy. Something has to be found and corrected.

 

Eduardo Escobar will be on the bench or at 3B. He will hit better than Colabello, Herrmann, Mastro, Florimon or Parmelee are hitting now. Of course, they should all hit better, too.

 

No way does Hicks start the year in MLB. He has some things to work on in AAA, like his .660 OPS.

 

Ramirez also has a SLG% that would make Ben Revere blush. There is more to baseball than just batting average. You can't have a corner outfielder with NO power, unless he can steal 40+ bases, or plays GG defense, neither of which Ramirez does.

[diehardtwinsfan]

Do you think Ryan would go for a rotation full of righties?

 

Permanently? Probably not. For the beginning of 2014, I don't see the problem. KC will likely be traded, and I honestly expect failure from at least one of Deduno or Worley. If they both do well, I could see someone getting flipped if Meyer, May, and Darnel are beating down Rochester.

 

Obviously, I'm dreaming a bit on Tanaka. I wouldn't be surprised if it was a Phil Hughes type guy too or even someone less, I'm just holding out some (ir)rational hope.

[rickyriolo]

After looking at all the projected line-ups for 2014 on this thread, I am truly sick to my stomach....TR has to do something in the off season right?? Is there another 90+ loss season in the works for 2014?

[Oxtung]

After looking at all the projected line-ups for 2014 on this thread, I am truly sick to my stomach....TR has to do something in the off season right?? Is there another 90+ loss season in the works for 2014?

 

Is there a way to avoid 90 losses, allow the youngsters to play and still make Ryan comfortable? To me that is the key question.

[CharacterGroove]

Some of the lineups I'm seeing would be the worst in Twins history for opening day. Nobody should be that pessimistic.

[ChuckPaine]

Opening Day

1B: Mauer

2B: Dozier

SS: Florimon

3B: Plouffe

C: Pinto

LF: Willingham

RF: Arcia

CF: Presley

DH: Doumit

 

Mid-Season

1B: Mauer

2B: Dozier

3B: Sano

SS: Florimon

C: Pinto

LF: Arcia/Rosario

RF: Arcia/Rosario

CF: Hicks

DH: Willingham

 

September

1B: Mauer

2B: Dozier

SS: Florimon

3B: Sano

C: Pinto

LF: Rosario

RF: Hicks

CF: Buxton

DH: Arcia

[stringer bell]

First point, the lynchpin is Mauer. If he's at first, then Doumit probably starts the season as the primary catcher. If he is the catcher, then first base needs to be filled. I still expect Mauer to be the primary first baseman. Secondly, Mauer probably hits #3 next year with Presley leading off and Dozier batting second.

 

I'll call it Mauer at first:

 

1) Presley cf

2) Dozier 2b

3) Mauer 1b

4) Willingham dh

5) Arcia lf

6) Doumit c

7) Plouffe 3b

8) Parmelee or FA rf

9) Florimon ss

 

Of course, I expect changes. Doumit should be gone by the deadline if not before, Sano should replace Plouffe as soon as his Super 2 eligibility is gone, maybe before. I expect that Hicks should be back and starting before midseason. I have said that Parm will start in right, but it could be almost anyone including a free agent.I would like to see the Twins acquire somebody like Kendrys Morales, which would cover first if Mauer catches or make him the primary DH if Joe moves to first.

[#24 Sano]

Here's what I hope our lineup looks like:

1. Jacoby Ellsbury CF (signed 5yrs 70mil

2. Brandon Phillips 2B (Trade)

3. Joe Mauer 1B

4. Josh Willingham DH

5. Miguel Sano 3B

6. Oswaldo Arcia LF

7. Ryan Doumit RF

8. Josmil Pinto C

9. Yunel Escobar SS (Signed 1yr 3mil)

Trade Details:Twins

3B Trevor Plouffe

3B Travis Harrison

C Matt Koch

SP Jose Berrios

2B Brian Dozier

For

Reds

SP Homer Bailey

2B Brandon Phillips

Reasons why for this trade

The Reds are starting to rebuild again so they want young players, they need a third basemen so Plouffe for now and Harrison for the future,

The Reds want a Young star, Brian Dozier who's value is high. Matt Koch and Jose Berrios are just extras to make the Reds want to exept. For us it benefits our rotation and gives us a monster at second base, Brandon Phillips!

 

[stringer bell]

I think Brandon Phillips is a lot closer to finished than a monster. He will be 33 before midseason and he only OPSed .701 last year. The Twins won't contend until they have pitching, so why spend their money on Phillips.

[Chance]

I'd welcome the trade, but I don't believe we could get them for that group of players.

[Trevor0333]

Here's what I hope our lineup looks like:

1. Jacoby Ellsbury CF (signed 5yrs 70mil

2. Brandon Phillips 2B (Trade)

3. Joe Mauer 1B

4. Josh Willingham DH

5. Miguel Sano 3B

6. Oswaldo Arcia LF

7. Ryan Doumit RF

8. Josmil Pinto C

9. Yunel Escobar SS (Signed 1yr 3mil)

Trade Details:Twins

3B Trevor Plouffe

3B Travis Harrison

C Matt Koch

SP Jose Berrios

2B Brian Dozier

For

Reds

SP Homer Bailey

2B Brandon Phillips

Reasons why for this trade

The Reds are starting to rebuild again so they want young players, they need a third basemen so Plouffe for now and Harrison for the future,

The Reds want a Young star, Brian Dozier who's value is high. Matt Koch and Jose Berrios are just extras to make the Reds want to exept. For us it benefits our rotation and gives us a monster at second base, Brandon Phillips!

 

 

Lmao seriously. Lets trade for an expensive aging star at the 1 position we are about to be 2 deep at, 2B. You realize this rotation will be terrible next year also. Escobar is barely a better hitter than Florimon & not much better defensively.

 

Dozier hopefully will be traded by the deadline for pitching even if Perkins or a B level pitching prospect needs to be included.

[#24 Sano]

My bad...

I did forget to mention this trade won't work if we don't sign good fa pitchers wink, wink (Masahiro Tanaka, Ervin Santana)

Rotation then would be

1.Santana

2.Tanaka

3.Bailey

4.Deduno

5.Correia

[#24 Sano]

I think Brandon Phillips is a lot closer to finished than a monster. He will be 33 before midseason and he only OPSed .701 last year. The Twins won't contend until they have pitching, so why spend their money on Phillips.

I should rephrase "monster" but what I was saying is he is a great player and a 3 time gold glover, an All star, he puts up solid offensive numbers and he brings a great presence in the clubhouse, a lot of people like his personality and how much fun he has out there on the field every day.

[beckmt]

Still believe and hope the Twins wind up with Johnson and another decent FA (please not Hughes). My thoughts

C - Pinto

1B - Mauer

2B - Dozier

SS - Florimon

3B - Plouffe - at least to start, may well play his way out of a full time starter.

LF - Arcia

RF - Doumit

CF - Pressley

DH - Willingham

 

OF - Mastro

IF - Escobar

IF/OF Parmalee

 

13 pitchers

1. Corerria

2. Gibson

3. FA - 1

4. FA -2

5. Deduno/Albers/Diamond

 

RP - Perkins

RP - Tonkin

RP - Thiebar

RP - Swarzak

RP - Duensing

RP - Burton

RP - Fien

RP - Long relief one of losers for the #5 slot

[Major League Ready]

Here is what I would like to see. It is low risk and would improve the team.

 

If they decide to play Mauer at C - 1B/DH Kendry Morales or James Loney. Either guy could be had on a reasonable 3 year deal. (3/23-26) Hopefully, Harrison is ready to be our 1B by 2016.

 

If they decide to play Mauer at 1^st – OF Nate McLouth or David Murphy. McLouth probably gets a 3 year deal. I am not sure on Murphy. I would try to overpay a little on a 2 year deal given the depth of OFs in the minors. Either would be a good option to shore up our outfield until we figure out if Hicks can play at the ML level and also what we end up doing with Rosario.

 

Any of these moves would still allow us plenty of budget to work on the rotation.

 

2B – Twins mgmt is not going to change the only thing that worked really last year. Get Rosario up here when he is ready and let him play a little 2^nd and the rest of his time in the outfield and see what we have.

 

3B - It makes no sense to do anything with Sano close to the ML. And, I still hold on to the unrealistic hope Plouffe will put it together like Dozier did last year. 3B is a hard to fill position and Plouffe could bring a good SP prospect if he were to break out at least a little.

 

SS – Florimon was very good defensively and he has not had enough big league ABs to write him off defensively. It is worth one more season to see if he can develop into a league average bat. We can’t keep complaining about the Twins selling low and then complain about them giving a guy a chance.

 

CF – Presley holds the job until Hicks is ready. Buxton takes over for him whenever he is ready and Hicks takes a corner OF position if his bat plays. He could end up a 4^th outfielder but I would bet he comes around.

 

OF/DH – Willingham will be traded by the deadline unless he is so bad that nobody will take him regardless of the return. Rosario could fill that spot when he goes. I could see an outfield of Hicks / McLouth or Murphy / Arcia / Rosario. Arcia would be primarily a DH once Willingham departs.

[the_youngster]

Likely opening day lineup

1. Dozier 2B

2. Presley CF

3. Mauer C

4. Willingham DH

5. Arcia LF

6. Plouffe 3B

7. Parmelee 1B

8. Mastroianni RF

9. Florimon SS

 

-Herrmann

-Doumit

-Skip Schumaker (perhaps a good and versatile bench option)

-Escobar

 

Season's End

1. Buxton CF

2. Dozier 2B

3. Mauer C (still have faith in his physical ability)

4. Sano 3B

5. Arcia RF

6. Rosario LF

7. Plouffe 1B

8. Pinto DH (with a lot of rotation)

9. Florimon SS

 

-Herrmann

-Mastroianni / Presley

-Schumaker

-Escobar

 

Notes:

-I would prefer to aggressively pursue Pete Kozma instead of Florimon

-In this scenario Hicks is traded after a productive middle of the season but with no place to play, no contention in the division, and an opportunity for SP.

-Because of impending free agency and no contention for a playoff spot, Willingham and Doumit traded midseason for the turnover to youth (trade fodder of Hammer, Doumit, and Hicks should allow plenty of opportunity for improvement through trade while also protecting most prospects).

-Depending on the development of the rotation, this should be an interesting team to watch.