The Twins Prospect Demanding Your Attention

Can we get rid of Mauer & let Kepler play 1B?

Can we get rid of Mauer & let Kepler play 1B?

Is salary retention allowable in baseball trades?

I really enjoyed this article.  Thank you.

When Morneau was ready, room was made at first.  When the White Sox decided Paul Konerko was near the end, they moved on Abreu, were overt about it, and provided him a soft landing and celebrated his years of service.

I'm not saying the Twins would, but moving Mauer to a part-time player down the stretch of his contract makes a lot of sense.  I understand the financial side while I've heard that even the merchandise sales and other financial benefits more than covered the contract, so why not phase him out on a reunion tour Konerko kind of way or if he isn't happy with that, then would probably approve a trade (eat money with it) or flat out release, while hopefully doesn't come to that.

I understand the love hate relationship with Joe, more specifically the contract.  I have been lucky to see him play and appreciate his talent and overall performance.  I don't want to cast him aside as he means a lot to this franchise while it seems there are other options than sitting out 3 more years.

I struggle to accept the fact that we have 3 more years of Maurer at first, blocking a number of 'potential' replacements with high upside for next 10 years.

I don't want to turn this thread into a Mauer bash as I am not in that camp, but IF Kepler keeps up this growth and performance into mid-2016, he deserves a chance and the marketing associated with a German (Global) could be very lucrative to the financially minded Twins, not to mention where Sano finds a position.  Maybe Kepler is an outfielder I'd just hate to play him out of position as he is appearing to be an elite future, IF he keeps developing at this pace. 

I really enjoyed this article.  Thank you.

 

When Morneau was ready, room was made at first.  When the White Sox decided Paul Konerko was near the end, they moved on Abreu, were overt about it, and provided him a soft landing and celebrated his years of service.

 

I'm not saying the Twins would, but moving Mauer to a part-time player down the stretch of his contract makes a lot of sense.  I understand the financial side while I've heard that even the merchandise sales and other financial benefits more than covered the contract, so why not phase him out on a reunion tour Konerko kind of way or if he isn't happy with that, then would probably approve a trade (eat money with it) or flat out release, while hopefully doesn't come to that.

 

I understand the love hate relationship with Joe, more specifically the contract.  I have been lucky to see him play and appreciate his talent and overall performance.  I don't want to cast him aside as he means a lot to this franchise while it seems there are other options than sitting out 3 more years.

 

I struggle to accept the fact that we have 3 more years of Maurer at first, blocking a number of 'potential' replacements with high upside for next 10 years.

 

I don't want to turn this thread into a Mauer bash as I am not in that camp, but IF Kepler keeps up this growth and performance into mid-2016, he deserves a chance and the marketing associated with a German (Global) could be very lucrative to the financially minded Twins, not to mention where Sano finds a position.  Maybe Kepler is an outfielder I'd just hate to play him out of position as he is appearing to be an elite future, IF he keeps developing at this pace. 

If he is as athletic as is being reported, then playing him at first would be a waste of his talents.  Let him become a great fielding outfielder in addition to impact bat. 

doing what with Buxton, Hicks, Rosario?

 

there is no financial implication to playing Joe less, they pay him if he plays, or doesn't play. The key is to play the best players......

You pick the best three, and while I am excited about Hicks and Rosario they need to prove it over a longer period of time before we consider them locks.  If they do prove it, you can deal Hicks for another position of need.  Hicks and Plouffe this off season should patch about whatever holes we have left.

I've been on the Kepler bandwagon for while now.  I'm glad he is finally blossoming into something that could be a legitimate MLB starter.  What I really enjoy is the fact he has been getting groomed to be a first basemen. 

Assuming not trades, FA pickups etc.  This could be a future Twins starting lineup"

CF - Buxton

RF - Hicks

2B - Dozier

3B/DH - Sano

3B/DH/1B - Plouffe

LF - Rosario

1B/OF - Kepler

C - NOT SUZUKI

SS - Polanco/New addition

Depending on what year the future is, Mauer may be the most expense bench player in baseball, but I like this young lineup.

Kepler will not have proved anything, nor will Hicks. Yet you suggest trading one this off season? I don't disagree with maybe taking that chance, btw, but I'm not sure I understand this response.

If we traded one of the future outfielders we would pretty much HAVE to re-sign Hunter or a similar short-range insurance policy in the outfield.  To the delight of the Pohlads.

I'm not sure how Kepler's career has been so different from Joe Benson's.  And it's almost certainly worse than the forgotten man, Ozzie Arcia.  If I had to bet on who was more likely to be an impact major-leaguer, Kepler or Arcia, I'd pick Arcia.

Kepler certainly doesn't seem to be drawing a ton of interest from other organizations...

Kepler will not have proved anything, nor will Hicks. Yet you suggest trading one this off season? I don't disagree with maybe taking that chance, btw, but I'm not sure I understand this response.

Then let me clarify.  At some point the decision makers are going to come to a reasonable comfort level with who they want to comprise their future outfield.  At that point, you can trade redundant pieces to fill other holes.  If you feel they will not have proved anything more by next offseason, wait another half year or year even.  Eventually it will sort itself out.

What I don't assume is that because we have 5 prospects that we have this glut of MLB caliber players.  That is yet to be proven - we may not ever trade anybody because at the end of the day only 3 make it.

Mike, you are now saying the opposite of what you posted above when you told me we couldn't trade them.  Plus, you might have 4 who are good and you can trade them.  For example: Hicks keeps it up and Buxton is ready. 

You can see why they've been playing Der Kid at 1B as well as the outfield. With Eddie Rosario and Aaron Hicks both hitting now, and Byron Buxton coming back to CF, there's no regular spot for Max Kepler in the outfield. He's too much like another Rosario, which is actually a good thing, but we already have one.

Fact is, Joe Mauer's bat doesn't fit a power position like 1st base. Kepler's not a big home run hitter either at the moment, but his numbers keep getting better, and it's looking like his power will continue to develop. With all those triples, we know Kepler's got serious speed, too. Sounds like an offensive upgrade, unless/until Kennys Vargas starts really mashing the ball in AA.

Having good young prospects is always a positive sign, even if it means pushing aside former superstars like Mauer. The game has always belonged to the 20-somethings, with just a few grizzled 30-somethings to provide mentoring and leadership. Mauer can still play, but right now I don't see how Kepler wouldn't be an improvement at 1st base.

I'm not sure what that has to do with my post, can you help me understand?

Mike, I was just pointing out that there was another guy (out of options) who wasn't traded (yet) who might be in the mix.  That should be a consideration.  Also, there is a currently still productive veteran (Hunter) who may want to return and who would be more likely to return if plan A included only unproven or mostly unproven outfielders.  I know you hate the thought of re-signing Hunter, so it's fair that you would want as many young guys as possible to alleviate the risk of dismal failure by one or several.  Veteran outfielders can be found in FA.  I don't see the point in having Kepler AND Buxton as untouchables when we have to do something with Arcia (who may be as good or better) and Hicks who many are also saying is a keeper and Rosario on top of that.  Sorry if I chimed in on your discussion with Linus in a confusing fashion.  

There really isn't a problem next year with Buxton, Hicks, Rosario, Kepler and Arcia.  Kepler (or Buxton - gasp) starts in AAA unless Arcia completely bombs out before then.  Good teams have good prospects in AAA ready to call up and fill holes when injuries/ineffectiveness happen.  The Twins for the most part have had AAAA players in AAA until recently. 

Loving Kepler though.  Such a cool story and now he is on the verge.

Kepler is on the 40 man, so I'd have to think he's going to be in mind for September. 

I hope so.  It doesn't make sense from a service time standpoint but I miss September callups of top prospects.