What about the offense?

[jokin]

I think Pinto and Hermann both start at AAA. They need to develop as I could see them being a great catching tandem for a long time. One bats right, the other left. The likely backup also can play other positions - almost an ideal situation if they develop and take the next step.

 

So in your scenario, the Twins Catchers will be? Doumit and....? (I actually think this is how this is going to play out and long-term, that tandem might be the answer. I have 2 names in mind to become the regular C in the meantime, just wanted to hear your prediction).

[Mike Sixel]

I guess it depends on what we mean by realistically.....but Choo is still out there, but I agree, I don't think they'll do that. I admit that the offensive upgrade options are dwindling by the day. At this point, I'd take a flyer on a bounce back DH candidate of some kind. I don't think they'll make a trade. If Dozier works out, they can move Rosario to LF if Hicks can't hit (or if Hicks can and they move Arcia to DH). If Dozier doesn't work out, Rosario is your 2B (and none of that happens until 2015 now, unfortunately).

 

As for "not punting" this year, I don't get how we can realistically look at the lineup, and see anything other than continued mediocrity or worse this coming year. The pitching improvements help this year, but they don't get them near the hump, let alone over it, with this lineup imo. I hope JC is right, and I'm wrong.

[COTwinsFan]

Reality check: .212/.288/.404 Buxton's numbers against mostly high A and AA competition in the AFL this fall.

 

He is at least 2 years away. September of 2015 the earliest if he crashes AA pitching (like Pinto and Arcia and Sano did.)

 

 

Gotta love the people who think that Hicks is not ready and the Twins promoted him too early and at the same time are asking for Buxton

 

You may want to check out Mike Trout's AFL #'s, they are remarkably similar to Buxton's. I will be shocked if Buxton is not in MN for at least September of 2014. The year after Trout's AFL performance he was up with the Angel's from mid-July. The Twins have not had a prospect of Buxton's ilk since Joe Mauer, comparing him to Hicks is nonsensical when you realize Hicks took a total of 3 years to complete Low and High A ball. It took Buxton 1 year.

[Shane Wahl]

I would rather wait on some of these position player prospects and see what happens with Plouffe and Sano, Hicks, etc. before doing much on the market.

[Mike Sixel]

My main concern would be not adding somebody where there is a prospect likely to take over soon, 3rd base for example. Also, one reason I'm not worried about Pressly starting in center - chances are Hicks is playing there by the end of the summer. However, we could use a productive corner outfielder because Willingham should be dealt as he is in the last year of his contract and he really just needs to be a DH, and the next outfielder up (Buxton) is likely two years away.

 

I also would let Doumit catch (I know, let the defensive / framing ridicule begin). Mainly I am doing this so we can showcase him and deal him but also so Pinto can start at AAA along with Hermann. Fryer can ride the pine 6 days a week.

 

 

Right, as Leviathon, me, and Jokin are trying to say, 2015 looks like it might work, but 2014, not so much.

[Willihammer]

[TABLE=width: 128]

[TD=class: xl65, width: 64]pos[/TD]

[TD=class: xl65, width: 64]OPS[/TD]

[TD=class: xl65]SS[/TD]

[TD=class: xl66]0.607[/TD]

[TD=class: xl65]CF[/TD]

[TD=class: xl66]0.616[/TD]

[TD=class: xl65]RF[/TD]

[TD=class: xl66]0.654[/TD]

[TD=class: xl65]OF[/TD]

[TD=class: xl66]0.665[/TD]

[TD=class: xl65]LF[/TD]

[TD=class: xl66]0.684[/TD]

[TD=class: xl65]total[/TD]

[TD=class: xl66]0.686[/TD]

[TD=class: xl65]3B[/TD]

[TD=class: xl66]0.691[/TD]

[TD=class: xl65]1B[/TD]

[TD=class: xl66]0.709[/TD]

[TD=class: xl65]2B[/TD]

[TD=class: xl66]0.714[/TD]

[TD=class: xl65]DH[/TD]

[TD=class: xl66]0.716[/TD]

[TD=class: xl65]C[/TD]

[TD=class: xl66]0.897[/TD]

[/TABLE]

 

2013 OPS by position.

[jokin]

Jokin, in my ideal scenario, it's just Pinto and Herrmann as the catchers. Herrmann improved over his 2012 brief stint, and I think he can provide average defense there, above average defense in the corner OF, and still be a potential .680-710 OPS guy overall. He just has to limit the strikeouts.

 

How much of the 2013 season was spent with a 13-man pitching staff? They absolutely should not have to do that this year. At all.

 

I'm on board with Pinto and Hermann as the duo, longer-term. But don't the Twins need more of a veteran presence behind the plate in the short-term?

 

This might be a good time to start a TD prediction pool for the number of days the Twins employ a 13-man staff in 2014 (Barring another significant SP acquisition, I would still put the over/under at "25" ).

[jokin]

Jokin, in my ideal scenario, it's just Pinto and Herrmann as the catchers. Herrmann improved over his 2012 brief stint, and I think he can provide average defense there, above average defense in the corner OF, and still be a potential .680-710 OPS guy overall. He just has to limit the strikeouts.

 

How much of the 2013 season was spent with a 13-man pitching staff? They absolutely should not have to do that this year. At all.

 

D/P

[Linus]

Doumit and ...................Eric Fryer. Mind you, this isn't my desire rather the practical reality of the situation. And I have no problem with this if Doumit is actively shopped and out of here by the trade deadline. At that point, we hope that our guy Pinto is ready for the show. Perhaps by next year we have the long term solution of Pinto and Hermann going.

[jokin]

You may want to check out Mike Trout's AFL #'s, they are remarkably similar to Buxton's. I will be shocked if Buxton is not in MN for at least September of 2014. The year after Trout's AFL performance he was up with the Angel's from mid-July. The Twins have not had a prospect of Buxton's ilk since Joe Mauer, comparing him to Hicks is nonsensical when you realize Hicks took a total of 3 years to complete Low and High A ball. It took Buxton 1 year.

 

I'm with you on this one. As many of argued during the spring...."Buxton Ain't Hicks"!

[jokin]

Doumit and ...................Eric Fryer. Mind you, this isn't my desire rather the practical reality of the situation. And I have no problem with this if Doumit is actively shopped and out of here by the trade deadline. At that point, we hope that our guy Pinto is ready for the show. Perhaps by next year we have the long term solution of Pinto and Hermann going.

 

Ughhh.... Given the Twins rather serious intent on locking down AJ or Salty, this tandem would be a huge letdown, and I hope the FO isn't resigned to this scenario. The net loss in hitting production combined for 1B and C would take a huge hit relative to the Twins already-meager 2013 total offensive stat line.....and the defensive drop into a black hole goes without saying. I'm still hoping they sign a Buck or an Arencibia on a short-term deal or trade for Wieters- you end up with at worst, status quo to combined production from 1B/C, and possibly get a net upgrade, for a reasonable cost.

[Linus]

Ughhh.... Given the Twins rather serious intent on locking down AJ or Salty, this tandem would be a huge letdown, and I hope the FO isn't resigned to this scenario. The net loss in hitting production combined for 1B and C would take a huge hit relative to the Twins already-meager 2013 total offensive stat line.....and the defensive drop into a black hole goes without saying. I'm still hoping they sign a Buck or an Arencibia on a short-term deal or trade for Wieters- you end up with at worst, status quo to combined production from 1B/C, and possibly get a net upgrade, for a reasonable cost.

 

I don't dig it either but the offensive loss is going to be less with Doumit than any of the others you mentioned excepting Wieters, and I'm done giving catchers huge contracts.

[johnnydakota]

Another way to narrow the gap between runs allowed and runs scored is to tighten up the defense, Bringing in Juan Uribe to play 3rd and starting Mastroianni,Hicks and Presley in the outfield 80% of the time would go a long way to helping the defense.It would kill the offense, but the ole adage pitching and defense wins titles, started some where .

[Jim Crikket]

As for "not punting" this year, I don't get how we can realistically look at the lineup, and see anything other than continued mediocrity or worse this coming year. The pitching improvements help this year, but they don't get them near the hump, let alone over it, with this lineup imo. I hope JC is right, and I'm wrong.

 

Here's the irony: If the Twins do add another upgrade to their rotation, I could see a scenario where the pitching is improved enough that, when June rolls around, I'm the guy coming on here and yelling, "get this team some more offense, Terry!" every day.

 

In other words, I don't disagree with you that it's likely to be needed. I'm just not at all sure where the greatest need will be yet and I'd rather get more pitching now (because we know we still can use that) and then give the FO a couple months of the season to more definitively identify where to upgrade offensively.

[Mike Sixel]

Here's the irony: If the Twins do add another upgrade to their rotation, I could see a scenario where the pitching is improved enough that, when June rolls around, I'm the guy coming on here and yelling, "get this team some more offense, Terry!" every day.

 

In other words, I don't disagree with you that it's likely to be needed. I'm just not at all sure where the greatest need will be yet and I'd rather get more pitching now (because we know we still can use that) and then give the FO a couple months of the season to more definitively identify where to upgrade offensively.

 

Fair enough, and not unreasonable. I just think they'll be out of it by the trade deadline with this offense, though I guess if they find a difference making SP, that could change. I don't see one of those available either, though.

 

The upgrade needed will be in LF for sure, since there is no LF on the roster in 2014 or beyond, unless you think Hicks is moving there, and will be good.

[bird]

This part.

 

This offense won't be that good until a bunch of prospects come up and all succeed. In the meantime, what?

 

Why would you come to a conclusion that Mastro and Pressly will be 2/3rds of the outfield in 2104? I mean, if I wanted to be pessimistic, for SURE I'd psych myself into thinking this will be the case despite absolutely zero, and I mean zero chance of this being the case.

 

None of us know how the AB's will be distributed. We don't know what the rest of the off-season will bring, and none of us have ever been any good at all a predicting what kind of performance we're going to get from players. Could Arcia, Willingham, Parmelee, Hicks, and Doumit all flop? Sure, but it's unreasonably pessimistic to think that, and silly to paint a picture that Pressly and Mastro are going to be two of our three best options. Frankly, if I knew how to bet it, I'd put money on all five of the aforementioned giving us more offensive production than either of those guys, and maybe Plouffe as well.

[launchingthrees]

Reality check: .212/.288/.404 Buxton's numbers against mostly high A and AA competition in the AFL this fall.

 

He is at least 2 years away. September of 2015 the earliest if he crashes AA pitching (like Pinto and Arcia and Sano did.)

 

 

Gotta love the people who think that Hicks is not ready and the Twins promoted him too early and at the same time are asking for Buxton

 

Gotta love the people who think 50 ABs is indicative of anything other than statistical noise.

[bird]

So punt on this year, if I can summarize your post.

 

Not a very good summary, mike.

[Thrylos]

You may want to check out Mike Trout's AFL #'s, they are remarkably similar to Buxton's. I will be shocked if Buxton is not in MN for at least September of 2014. The year after Trout's AFL performance he was up with the Angel's from mid-July. The Twins have not had a prospect of Buxton's ilk since Joe Mauer, comparing him to Hicks is nonsensical when you realize Hicks took a total of 3 years to complete Low and High A ball. It took Buxton 1 year.

 

 

Is Trout in the Twins' organization?

 

HUGE difference on how the Twins and the Angels move their players up.

[Riverbrian]

 

I'm saying the Twins hands are somewhat tied and they're simply not going to just jettison Willingham, Plouffe, Florimon and Doumit, the result being there are no significant offensive FAs that make sense during the off-season. I'm saying that doesn't mean you don't keep shopping for starting pitching. I'm also saying that you see how things evolve in to June and July and then take another look at what might make sense.

 

 

I agree with this.

 

The Twins will be much better offensively... If they just play to expectation.

 

As hard as I am on Plouffe... I don't want him tossed away. I just want him to play better because I think he is capable of so much more. Hammer, Parm, Plouffe... The whole team under performed... Let's go from under performance to performance.

 

The offensive needs won't be as acute then.

[bird]

Right, as Leviathon, me, and Jokin are trying to say, 2015 looks like it might work, but 2014, not so much.

 

Hardly anyone is missing the point that 2014 is "not so much". Most of us agree.

[bird]

[TABLE=width: 128]

[TD=class: xl65, width: 64]pos

[/TD]

[TD=class: xl65, width: 64]OPS

[/TD]

[TD=class: xl65]SS

[/TD]

[TD=class: xl66]0.607

[/TD]

[TD=class: xl65]CF

[/TD]

[TD=class: xl66]0.616

[/TD]

[TD=class: xl65]RF

[/TD]

[TD=class: xl66]0.654

[/TD]

[TD=class: xl65]OF

[/TD]

[TD=class: xl66]0.665

[/TD]

[TD=class: xl65]LF

[/TD]

[TD=class: xl66]0.684

[/TD]

[TD=class: xl65]total

[/TD]

[TD=class: xl66]0.686

[/TD]

[TD=class: xl65]3B

[/TD]

[TD=class: xl66]0.691

[/TD]

[TD=class: xl65]1B

[/TD]

[TD=class: xl66]0.709

[/TD]

[TD=class: xl65]2B

[/TD]

[TD=class: xl66]0.714

[/TD]

[TD=class: xl65]DH

[/TD]

[TD=class: xl66]0.716

[/TD]

[TD=class: xl65]C

[/TD]

[TD=class: xl66]0.897

[/TD]

[/TABLE]

 

2013 OPS by position.

 

Is youir point that it's logical to extrapolate these numbers into 2014? If not, what's your point here?

[DocBauer]

I agree with this.

 

The Twins will be much better offensively... If they just play to expectation.

 

As hard as I am on Plouffe... I don't want him tossed away. I just want him to play better because I think he is capable of so much more. Hammer, Parm, Plouffe... The whole team under performed... Let's go from under performance to performance.

 

The offensive needs won't be as acute then.

 

Absolutely! Not to sound like a fatalist, but really, could they possily perform any worse? Better health for Mauer and Willingham would go a long way as well. One would usually expect at leat some development and growth from the younger players as well, not to mention Arcia, hopefully, for the whole season.

 

A couple quick points, I also believe another pitcher is still coming on board, whether a smart trade for someone like Anderson provided it doesn't cost dearly, or another FA. Capuano anyone? The Twins have/had roughly $36-38M to spend this offseason; $23-25 after cuts and arbitration estimates, plus 52% of $25M in new TV money, or, $13M. The Twins have only spent $20 so far. Let's say the Anderson trade takes place, that's another $8M off the books. (Other trades or signing could affect these numbers a couple million either way, but this trade is do-able, reasonable, rumored, and probably smart even with some risk attached) This still leaves another $8-10M the team is capable of spending, just this season, to further improve an already improved product.

 

Secondly, I also agree that signing someone, or trading for someone, for a significant cost in dollars or players or draft picks for only a year or two simply doesn't make sense. Nor would it make sense to acquire a talent to "block" a talent behind him. But none of that means the team can't make moves to help the roster and the lineup, and do it smartly. The one possible exception to some of this is a veteran C to ease Pinto's development and help nurse the staff.

 

1) We need someone to bring a decent LH bat off the bench with at least a little defense and versatility. For different reasons, some of the guys I like are Betemit, Chavez and Chad Tracy. All 3 have potentially decent bats off the bench as a PH, can back up Mauer, and provide some platoon with Plouffe at 3B. Plus, even should Sano prove ready early, and Plouffe move or be gone, any one of these guys still provides that useful player off the bench. A move like this should only cost $2-3M, leaving $5-7M still available for another useful addition without actually "raising payroll" per say.

 

2) Despite what seems on the surface to be a cluster of OFers to choose from, improving depth, defense, and offense probably requires a signing here as well. I've seen Raja Davis used here as an example, and will run with it as it makes sense, should help in the mentioned areas, and should also prove to be cost effective, if not earth-shattering.

 

One real key to the offense and defense this season, as I have mentioned elsewhere, is Aron Hicks in CF. Providing great defense out there, plus speed and some power and power potential, even if under-performing while learning on the job, could make him a valuable asset. I'd gladly take a BA of .230-.250 with 30 doubles, a handful of triples, double digit homers and stolen bases, possibly 20/20 at the bottom of the order this year. The talent is there, and there was a surge last year before injury setback.

 

Time for Willingam to move to DH on a full or nearly fully time basis. He's not much of an OFer defensively, is not getting younger, and needs to avoid injury. And Molitor may be ale to help ease his transition with his own experience.

 

All of this leaves, to at least begin 2014:

 

LF: Presley/Davis= (Mastro also available if all the way back, or insurance)

2B: Dozier= (showed excellent, continued production & consistency after slow start)

1B: Mauer=(return to health, more games played, Avg & OB machine, etc, etc)

DH: Willingham=(healthy and productive again, could see the OF a game or two)

RF: Arcia=(exciting bat, showed flashes, has some experience now, excellent winter)

3B: Plouffe/FA=(as mentioned previously, depth and some platoon)

C: Pinto/?=(FA, LH Hermann, possibly Doumit. Different reasons for each)

CF: Hicks=(as mentioned above)

SS: Floriman/Escobar=(excellent defense, versatility, some speed, platoon possibility)

 

That is 13 position players, a mix of youth and experience, some speed, some power, a generally quality starting defense, and some position flexibility. Now, it does leave out Parmalee and Doumit, at least for the most part. As noted, Doumit could be a backup C, giving Hermann some additional AAA time. Also, there can be injuries and perhaps the teams goes back to 14 position players.

 

And since it was mentioned:

 

SP: Nolasco, Hughes, TBD, Correia, Deduno or Gibson or Worley or Diamond.

 

RP: Perkins, Burton, Fien, Swarzak, Duensing, Thielbar, Tonkin or Pressly.

[TwinsTerritory]

While Terry Ryan has surprised so far with his spending, I would be shocked to see any more big signings. I'd love to see a couple small signings that would set the Twins up to make 2014 a great transition year into playoff contention in 2015. I'd love to see them sign Corey Hart and John Buck. These two would allow them to ease Pinto into the majors and make Willingham a full-time DH. Doumit could then be a utility player and bench bat.

 

2014 Line-up

Opening Day 2nd Half

1. Presley CF 1. Hicks CF

2. Dozier 2B 2. Dozier 2B

3. Mauer 1B 3. Mauer 1B

4. Willingham DH 4. Arcia RF

5. Hart LF 5. Hart LF

6. Arcia RF 6. Sano 3B

7. Plouffe 3B 7. Ploufee DH

8. Buck C 8. Pinto C

9. Florimon SS 9. Florimon SS

 

Be-Doumit Be-Buck

Be-Escobar Be-Escobar

Be-Parmalee Be-Presley

Be-Mastroianni Be-Parmalee

 

SP-Nolasco SP-Nolasco

SP-Hughes SP-Hughes

SP-Correia SP-Gibson

SP-Deduno SP-Deduno

SP-Worley SP-Worley

 

RP-Perkins RP-Perkins

RP-Burton RP-Fien

RP-Fien RP-Tonkin

RP-Duensing RP-Duensing

RP-Thielbar RP-Thielbar

RP-Swarzak RP-Swarzak

RP-Diamond RP-Diamond

 

Mid-season Trades: Willingham, Doumit, Corriea, Burton

September call-ups: Meyer, Buxton, May, Rosario

[tmerrickkeller]

The fears projected on this thread are substantial, and given the history of baseball, likely. But the key to each of the roster projections are the "second half" or "September" lineups. While the opening day offensive roster 1-13 is not pretty, everyone's hoped-for late-season 9 looks really good.

 

We've suffered for 3 years. But we need to suffer a little longer. Even when the roster (with hope eclipsing history) looks like Buxton (CF), Dozier (2B), Mauer (1B), Arcia (DH), Sano (3B), Rosario (RF), Pinto ©, Hicks (LF) and Florimon/Escobar (SS), we are going to take our lumps watching the kids grow up. But the sooner we get to that point, the better.

 

We just can't sign anyone that would block 7 of the 9 spots above from happening (I would agree, however, that a stronger SS - or hoping that one of the minor-league SS candidates can rise - or signing Wieters would be a long-term solution and within the budget).

 

Corey Hart (or Rajai Davis) just provides one more layer of blockage, just as Parmelee, Colabello, Pressly, Mastro, Hammer, and Doumit do. The only one of those who provides a long-term solution is Parmelee, who can play 1B, RF, DH, and is a power LH bat. I see Pressly or Mastro as a classic 4th OF, but I also see that being Plouffe's role on a good team in a year. Hicks can play any OF spot (so can spot start in center to give Buxton a day off), Parmelee can play RF, Plouffe can play LF/RF/3B/1B, Rosario needs to be able to play LF/RF and 2B to maximize his flexibility.

 

Give me the above 9, with Wieters and adding Anderson to the rotation, trading a couple of good relief pitchers and moving Diamond and Worley into relief roles and emergency back-up, and then a bench of Pinto, Plouffe, Escobar, and Parmelee. We won't even be world-beaters in 2015, but we'll at least be moving in a direction where 40-man roster decisions between Colabello and Fryer and Hendriks are just meaningless.

[Trevor0333]

The best way to improve the offense in 2014 is to make Willingham the full time DH to stay healthy. Use a Plouffe/Parmelee platoon in RF, start Sano at 3B to start the year.

 

Hermann can be a solid backup C, Pinto needs to be allowed to work & grow with the staff. I don't think they are putting Doumit back behind the plate because of his concussion issues as well. Maybe he asked not to too play it or just the combo of wretched D & fears about the concussions idk. He's not playing Catcher except in an emergency, that has to be the only reason Fryer is still around on the 40 man.

 

Buston will not be a September callup in 2014, he will play in the AFL again to gain experience. No point in starting his service clock & losing an option for a September callup when he can return to the AFL. I do think he will be given every oppertunity to win the CF spot to start 2015 in ST if he continues to rake the way he has at every level this year.

 

A 2015 OF of Rosario/Buxton/Hicks is nearly locked in with Arcia rotating LF/RF/DH. Sano, Pinto, & Dozier are all expected to be more than capable offensively. With Mauer at 1B, SS is really the only position that doesnt have a true elite prospect. Someone from the group of Polanco, Santana, Goodrum, & even a late charging Eduardo Escobar will need to step up.

[jokin]

While Terry Ryan has surprised so far with his spending, I would be shocked to see any more big signings. I'd love to see a couple small signings that would set the Twins up to make 2014 a great transition year into playoff contention in 2015. I'd love to see them sign Corey Hart and John Buck. These two would allow them to ease Pinto into the majors and make Willingham a full-time DH. Doumit could then be a utility player and bench bat.

 

2014 Line-up

Opening Day 2nd Half

1. Presley CF 1. Hicks CF

2. Dozier 2B 2. Dozier 2B

3. Mauer 1B 3. Mauer 1B

4. Willingham DH 4. Arcia RF

5. Hart LF 5. Hart LF

6. Arcia RF 6. Sano 3B

7. Plouffe 3B 7. Ploufee DH

8. Buck C 8. Pinto C

9. Florimon SS 9. Florimon SS

 

Be-Doumit Be-Buck

Be-Escobar Be-Escobar

Be-Parmalee Be-Presley

Be-Mastroianni Be-Parmalee

 

SP-Nolasco SP-Nolasco

SP-Hughes SP-Hughes

SP-Correia SP-Gibson

SP-Deduno SP-Deduno

SP-Worley SP-Worley

 

RP-Perkins RP-Perkins

RP-Burton RP-Fien

RP-Fien RP-Tonkin

RP-Duensing RP-Duensing

RP-Thielbar RP-Thielbar

RP-Swarzak RP-Swarzak

RP-Diamond RP-Diamond

 

Mid-season Trades: Willingham, Doumit, Corriea, Burton

September call-ups: Meyer, Buxton, May, Rosario

 

+1 (But I'm going to keep my fingers crossed that a trade for Wieters is pursued, also that Meyer and Buxton can accelerate their timetable for promotion before September- the sooner they hit the Show, the more likely 2015 can be a legitimate contention year. It's a shame about Rosario, it really puts his status in flux-state).

[halfchest]

I agree with the many that say we just roll with what we have, take our lumps. I might be ok with a couple one year deals to guys like Buck or Hart maybe but overall just let the kids play. Gotta hope some impending FA rebound and get their value so we can get something for them at the deadline.

 

Our chances of contending appear quite slim even with the rotation improvements, a couple middling FA bats isn't going to change that. Might as well give guys like Parmelee, Plouffe, Colabello etc. one more chance. If they click then you might have a valuable piece for the future roster or a guy who could be a legitimate piece of a trade package.

[Oldgoat_MN]

Arcia is going to be better. Almost no argument there.

 

I get that Pinto raked in a small sample size, but he may hit pretty well for the Twins. Seems almost no one even expects him to be very good. Hey, he crushed AA and AAA, too.

 

And lastly, Eduardo Escobar had an OPS of .880 in AAA last year. When he returned to the Twins in September (SSS warning) he had an OPS of .755. That would be a huge improvement for our SS position. And please remember that Escobar was the White Sox defensive player of the year twice before we got him. He may have turned a corner with his bat.

 

Not everything is going to magically be perfect in 2014. However, a few things go right and this offense is greatly improved.

[Trevor0333]

Arcia is going to be better. Almost no argument there.

 

I get that Pinto raked in a small sample size, but he may hit pretty well for the Twins. Seems almost no one even expects him to be very good. Hey, he crushed AA and AAA, too.

 

And lastly, Eduardo Escobar had an OPS of .880 in AAA last year. When he returned to the Twins in September (SSS warning) he had an OPS of .755. That would be a huge improvement for our SS position. And please remember that Escobar was the White Sox defensive player of the year twice before we got him. He may have turned a corner with his bat.

 

Not everything is going to magically be perfect in 2014. However, a few things go right and this offense is greatly improved.

 

I dont think it will happen opening day but Escobar will eventually unseat Florimon this year. He's continued hitting very well with some pop with his countries home team in the winter leagues.