Where Are We Now?

Today, I’m going to go through the options, and very briefly (less than a tweet - which for now is still just 140 characters!) give their status on the Twins roster. Let’s start with the Hitters and then get to the Pitchers:

HITTERS

Catcher (2) - Kurt Suzuki/John Ryan Murphy - Suzuki has an option at 385 plate appearances. He won’t get that. Split time early, but I assume Murphy will get more playing time as the year progresses.

First Base (1) - Joe Mauer - Mauer hasn’t been as good the last two years at the plate as he had been. He’ll turn 33 early in April. Third year back after concussion. Still strong on-base skills.

Second Base (1) - Brian Dozier - Earned his All-Star spot with a great first half. Struggled mightily in the 2nd half. Defense is quality, even if the defensive metrics don’t show it.

Third Base (1) - Trevor Plouffe - We’re all somewhat surprised that he is still around, but Ryan wisely won’t just give him away. 20+ HR power and solid defense makes him worth keeping around in the middle of the lineup.

Shortstop (1) - Eduardo Escobar - One of the most difficult things in baseball is for a utility player to be seen as a starter. However, after playing really well once given shortstop duties the last two years, Escobar should be handed the job this year. Hopefully he runs with it.

Left Field (1) - Eddie Rosario - Had a nice showing as a rookie, surprising many. Put up double digits in pretty much every offensive category, as well as outfield assists. Strong arm. Needs to get on base more. He should stay in left to cover all that ground in Target Field.

Center Field (1) - Byron Buxton - I do believe that Buxton will be given every opportunity to start on Opening Day, but he isn’t going to just be (and shouldn’t be) handed the job. His defense is ready now. How long for the bat to adjust?

Right Field (1) - Miguel Sano - The young slugger is being moved to the outfield. Of course, it will be an interesting transition, but he’s talented and athletic enough to do it successfully. He showed great power in 2015, and if he can make more contact, he will become an All Star quickly.

Designated Hitter (1) - Byung Ho Park - Coming from Korea, no one can fairly project what Park can do in the short-term or long-term.. There is certain to be some adjustment needed. But the power potential is there. Can play first base too.

Bench (4) - Backup Catcher, Eduardo Nunez, Oswaldo Arcia, Danny Santana - Santana, Nunez and Arcia are out of options. Nunez can play 3B, 2B, SS, LF and RF. Arcia can play LF, RF, DH and PH. Santana can play 2B and SS, but also is an option in CF if Buxton isn’t ready yet.

DEPTH - There are several guys at AAA that could provide depth. At 1B, Kennys Vargas could provide some thump. At 2B, James Beresford deserved a call-up in 2015. He returns. Buck Britton at third base. Veterans like Darin Mastroianni and Joe Benson could be fifth outfielder types if needed. John Hicks and Juan Centeno have big league time as back-up catchers.

PROSPECT DEPTH - Jorge Polanco’s had several cups of coffee. His ability to hit is much closer to big-league ready than his middle infield defense. Adam Brett Walker and his mammoth power should spend most of the 2015 season in Rochester. Max Kepler could be ready very soon after his strong showing in AA last year. He'll start in AAA, but could be up before midseason.

PITCHERS

STARTING PITCHERS

Starter 1 - Ervin Santana - The veteran missed the first 80 games last year, and struggled a bit when he came back, but late, he showed he can be a reliable #3 type of starter.

Starter 2 - Phil Hughes - 2015 was injury-filled and just poor, but 2014 was tremendous. Likely, he’s somewhere in the middle, which again makes him a solid mid-rotation starter.

Starter 3 - Kyle Gibson - 2015 Twins Pitcher of the Year improved from 2014 to 2015. It’d be nice to see him take that next step in 2016 to being even more consistent. Can be a solid #3.

Starter 4 - Tyler Duffey - He was about my #15 prospect coming into 2015. Rough debut, but after that, he was arguably the Twins top pitcher over the final two months of the season. Killer curveball. He deserves to start the season in the rotation despite just ten big league starts.

Starter 5 - Tommy Milone - Because he doesn’t touch 90 often with his fastball, he is often overlooked, but he has been a quality #4-type of starter for several years. He needs pinpoint control, but most times out, he has it.

PROSPECT DEPTH - Everyone wants to know when JO Berrios will be ready. Soon, and very soon. As much as the Twins should play the service time game with him, their precedent is that they won’t. However, because there are five guys who do deserve a spot to start the season. However, it’s amazing how these things tend to work themselves out over time. Also in AAA will likely be lefties Taylor Rogers and Pat Dean.

BULLPEN

Closer (1) - Glen Perkins - An All-Star the last three years, Perkins really struggled in the second half of the 2015 season. he was also injured in the second half of the 2014 season. Hopefully that trend goes away in 2016.

Right-Handed Relievers (4) - Kevin Jepsen, Trevor May, Casey Fien, Michael Tonkin - Jepsen came to the Twins a year ago from the Rays at the deadline. He ended up doing a terrific job as the Twins closer. Trevor May will get an opportunity to start, but with the five mentioned above, plus Berrios, May will most likely be in the bullpen from the start of the season and has a chance to be dominant. Fien was dominant in 2013 and 2014 for the Twins, but 2015 was an injury-plagues season for the right-hander. If healthy, he provides some strong innings. Michael Tonkin is out of options, so he will have to remain with the team or be placed on waiver and could be lost. He should get a shot.

DEPTH - There is quite a bit of depth here. From inside the organization, former Rule 5 picks Ryan Pressly and JR Graham will likely be in AAA (though if the Twins were to start the season with 13 pitchers, Pressly has a good chance). Alex Meyer had ups and downs after his move to the bullpen last year. Brandon Kintzler has pitched a lot of games and a lot of innings over the last six seasons in Milwaukee. He was hurt last year, so he came in on a minor league contract. Of course, Ricky Nolasco factors into the pitching staff still. We just can't be sure how.

PROSPECT DEPTH - The names we heard a year ago as possible options for the 2nd half of 2015 are the same names that we’ll again here in 2016. Hard-throwing Nick Burdi, JT Chargois and Jake Reed could all get time in the big leagues in 2016. However, Minnesotan Brandon Peterson has been one of the better relievers in the organization the last two years and spent the 2nd half of 2015 in AA.

Left-Handed Relievers (2) - Fernando Abad, Ryan O’Rourke - This is the area where the Twins have been most vocal about looking this offseason. To this point, the top free agent southpaw signing has been Abad, who came in on a minor league deal. He was not good in 2015, but was good for a couple of years before that. O’Rourke was a nice story in mid-2015 when he was called up. He has always dominated left-handers, and did so again in the majors.

DEPTH - The Twins added a couple of lefty relievers who spent time in independent leagues in 2015. Buddy Boshers and Dan Runtzler both have big league time in the last few years, but were signed to minor league deals out of an indy league. Both are long-shots, but intriguing.

PROSPECT DEPTH - Though Taylor Rogers has started throughout his pro career, Rogers posted very good numbers against left-handers in AAA in 2015. At 25, he could be considered a potentially dominant lefty reliever because of a good fastball and a devastating slider. Logan Darnell had a strong final month in Rochester and was called up, though he got pneumonia and couldn’t pitch. Mason Melotakis missed the entire 2015 season after having Tommy John surgery late in 2014, he impressed in the Instructional League, hitting 97 with his fastball. The Twins could be cautious, but he if he proves himself healthy, he could be ready quickly.

So there you have it. My current projected roster, along with depth in the form of veteran minor leaguers or prospects who are on the cusp of a big league call up.

What does this show?

The Twins one need is a 6th or 7th inning reliever. That’s about it. Their lineup is pretty close to being set. Centerfield is really the only job that would be open in spring training. The bullpen is really solid in the late innings, but just needs another reliable arm. However, there are a lot of guys now in the organization who could thrive given an opportunity.

It helps me feel good about sticking to my opinion that the Twins shouldn’t dig on the fringes. When middle-of-the-road relievers are making $3-5 million, and they’re not as good as internal options, there’s no reason to sign those guys. Trading for a Will Smith or a Jake McGee, for the right price, makes sense.

As much as it is more exciting when there are transactions, they have to make sense and make the team better.