Article: Finding Offense

[Guest USAFChief]

Well, we should get a sneak preview tonight.

• Phil Miller ‏@MillerStrib 1h The entire projected regular-season lineup is taking the bus ride to Port Charlotte to play the Rays tonight: pic.twitter.com/TTHMILTxVsDozierSuzukiMauerWillinghamKubelPlouffeArciaHicksFlorimon
  

You dont see that very often...that many veterans/starters taking a bus ride.Not hard to read between the lines and speculate some senior mgmt types aren't pleased with spring training to date.

[stringer bell]

Port Charlotte is a pretty short trip, but yes, bringing the whole team on the bus is unusual. On another thread Antony's comments have been analyzed to death, but I'll say this: There were jobs open for the taking and many individuals have not done the job. I'm looking at Parm, Presley, Kubel, and Bartlett in particular.

[JB_Iowa]

• Patrick Reusse ‏@1500ESPN_Reusse 17m
  Tonight's Twins lineup is a manager's cry for help.
   
   
  

[Halsey Hall]

It doesn't look like any help is coming so we go with what we've got. First thing I'd do is put Mauer in the leadoff spot. Batting 3rd with Willingham doing squat, Joe would walk 100 times this year. Put him in the leadoff, taking pressure off Hicks. Leadoff man gets on to start the game 1 out of 3 games. Win, win.

[ashbury]

Leadoff man gets on to start the game 1 out of 3 games. Win, win.

 

If Mauer slips significantly.

[troyhobbs]

One bad thing about having a bad team is that you don't have many valuable trade chips. Would've been nice to see at least one offensive upgrade via free agency. Last year was their worst offensive season since the mound was lowered and this years offense might be worse. What the H?

[lightfoot789]

It might take 2 to 3 years but don't forget Adam Brett Walker as a power offensive threat for the Twins. As my friend monitors the minor leaguers down in Fort Myers - He states that Walker has hit 4 or 5 Home Runs and 6 Doubles in the few games that the minor leaguers have played already. Minor league games started on the 11th of March and today is only the 21st. I was told hit hit a HR and a double today too. Just saying - My Sleeper has potential that seems to stay under the radar.

[snepp]

I found some!

 

 

http://www.milb.com/assets/images/2/8/8/51916288/cuts/sano_05bt8rxe_phi055sj.jpg

 

http://www.milb.com/assets/images/7/7/2/51603772/cuts/6_23_Buxton_MW2_xn1p5lvi_yj1y0bii.jpg

 

 

http://www.milb.com/assets/images/3/6/6/47407366/cuts/05_13_Walker_POW_mw2_utazxxfy_kpusq5c2.jpg

[Riverbrian]

Hammer and Plouffe... If they find offense... The Twins will find offense.

 

i've looked at this roster from every direction... Upside down... Sideways... Every way possible.

 

Everything points to Hammer and Plouffe... In my opinion.

[brvama]

The team the Twins took north in 2013 was:

Position 2013 2013

Catcher Mauer Suzuki

1st Base Mornear Mauer

2nd Base Dozier Dozier

3rd Base Plouffe Ploufee

Shortstop Florimon Florimon

Left Field Willingham

Center Field

[Brandon]

Drew could be signed to play both SS and 3b so that way Florimon gets a lot of time at SS and Plouffe can spend some time in the OF.

[brvama]

The team the Twins took north in 2013 was:

Position 2013 2013

Catcher Mauer Suzuki

1st Base Mornear Mauer

2nd Base Dozier Dozier

3rd Base Plouffe Ploufee

Shortstop Florimon Florimon

Left Field Willingham

Center Field

 

I am sorry this incomplete thought got posted. Had a long day yesterday.

 

B/c of my limited time I will not go into detail, but I think that when one compares our 2013 roster with the possible 2014 roster, we might be surprised as to the potential. The bench could be much better than LY but that's not saying much either.

 

My point is: I am concerned about our offense, but I certainly don't feel it will be as bad as LY. If Pinto replaces Doumit that's a plus. Suzuki is a downgrade from Morneau. More-experienced Hicks, healthy Willingham, Arcia replacing Parmelee, and an improved bench with Colabello should give us a chance to improve. Now that assumes the roster is made up of the best players we have available that are ready. Generally, I'm optimistic until proven otherwise.

[Otto von Ballpark]

My point is: I am concerned about our offense, but I certainly don't feel it will be as bad as LY. If Pinto replaces Doumit that's a plus. Suzuki is a downgrade from Morneau. More-experienced Hicks, healthy Willingham, Arcia replacing Parmelee, and an improved bench with Colabello should give us a chance to improve.

 

While far from perfect, Doumit was still a 96 OPS+ hitter last year in over 500 PA. As optimistic as I am, I think Pinto will be at best a modest upgrade over that (any rate improvement will likely be offset by less playing time).

 

If things break right, we could bounce back to 2012 levels (when we ranked 10 in R/G), even with a few black holes in the order. Still a real possibility we will continue bottoming out, though (kinda like the starting staff last year) -- hopefully that would inspire more offseason remedies, though.

[EephusKnuckler]

Everything points to Hammer and Plouffe... In my opinion.

 

Yup, it really comes back to these guys doesn't it? We need some big bats in the middle of the lineup and these are the guys to do it. Arcia will be in that mix too but obviously more is demanded from Willingham and Plouffsie and this point.

 

The funny thing about that, those are two guys who are prime candidates to be traded if they start to perform at the plate. So that's an odd situation, but I think you have to do it in both cases. I'm not sure they would fetch much in return, though. So really, the Twins need to find some offense so they can flip it for future gains.