brvama

from Twinstalker: "...Polanco is going to hit and field well at 2B. ..." While I have a lot of high expectations about Polanco, I am not ready to announce that he is our next second baseman. To guarantee that at this time is a bit premature. If he was in the top ten of minor league prospects I might assume so but still would not say he "is." There are always concerns until prospects get to the ML and perform.

He gave the Twins a very good hometown discount when he signed that contract. I would tend to believe that most contracts have a good portion of it considered as a bonus for the production already provided by that player. Are the predictability of relievers that much different that other players? Or are you talking about the potential arm problems? If so, pitchers as a group are too unpredictable.

Agree with your analysis Nick. Dozier at worst appears to be an average 2B, likely a tick above. That gives that Twins a solid position on a team that is trying to improve. He is moving into his prime and the next few years one would expect some improvement, however slight. Now, I just don't get why some have this urge to trade him, or others, at their so-called peak. How do we know if this is the best? At worst, you have a decent bench bat and extra infielder. And doesn't he gives us a quantifiable product vs. the unknown production of the younger? When the Twins have other areas to improve it doesn't make sense to degrade one position to improve another; especially, when you replace that with unknown production. Maybe we should be packaging the younger guys for a trade instead. I think we should focus on changing our weakness before we begin to try to improve our solid positions.

Excellent article. I concur with most everything. Thanks. Have couple of thoughts. First, it seems human nature makes it difficult to make changes even when changes are obvious. We tend to think that it is easier to live with the "devil" we know than then the one we don't. In business, that is not wise, but while I applaud loyality there comes time to change. I believe we have reach that point. Secondly, Gardy has been at the helm for 13 years with past success and recent falilure. It certainly isn't his fault entirely for the failure because of the lack of talent provided. However, times often require a new and fresh approach. I have learned that as a board director. Our CEO retired and I thought that we would never be able to replace him with someone as accomplished. WRONG! His much younger replacement has brought a new vitality and energy that has made us more or less forget our "perfect" CEO of the past. Change for change sake shouldn't be the common approach, BUT when things are going nowhere, change is necessary. I like Gardy and respect his contributions, but it's time for change.

The Twins sent Pinto down to work on defense. What's wrong with doing the same with Arcia next year, at least to start the year? I also believe that extra off-season coaching is mandatory for him and the club. If the Twins don't want to invest in improving a talented hitter - trade him.

Perssonally, I don't think the Twins need to go outside. With Mauer, Mint, Close, etc there are plenty of good candidates available. Regarding Mauer not playing ML ball is a weak argument against him. He has experience in baseball and has shown a great ability to manage and handle his players. Also, didn't he playminor league ball? I think of him as the quiet/good side of Bobby Knight. He would be my preference, however I think that Close gets the first chance. BTW, I don't understand the man crush on Molitor either for manager. Just my 2 cents.

Have enjoyed this discussion extremely - one of the best in a while. So now for my small contribution. Call it a hunch or whatever, I believe the Twins are on the cusp of playoff baseball. Reminds me a great deal of the very early 2000's. No we're not there yet, but with the wealth of very talented minor leaguers knocking on the door, I expect competitive baseball starting in 2016 with dominance in the Central at least beyond that. Yes, holes will need to be filled, but the core is maturing to that timeframe, barring any repeat of the 2014 injury hex. To evaluate players strictly by metrics or current performance without context can certainly skew any projection. Young talented players should mature and grow in their performance. If not they are gone. Players moving into their prime years should be able to at least maintain their recent level of performance. While the older players will likely regress somewhat, but the real professionals usually know how to adjust with declining skills by adjusting roles. This is true for every club. What is some promising for the Twins is that we are moving into our youth movement, which no one should be able to deny its strength of talent. While I have grown weary of lousy years, this sunrise of the future Twins team is starting to look "gorgeous." Can't wait until it's High Noon!

Have to agree with B Richard. Strike outs used to infuriorate me. However, after seeing so many DP killing rallies, I've come to accept the K's a bit more. As others have posted, these young power hitters will likely develop a better approach as they mature in the majors. If they don't they're likely gone. I think it is better to promote their strengths and then, as they get more experience, teach them the small changes that can make them better hitters, such as, dailing it back a bit on 2 strikes. When I think that the good hitters are only successful 3 out of 10 AB's, having someone with the potential to hit HR's is okay especially if their OBP & OPS is not dismal.

Mike I agree, and appreciate your objectivity, especially on the in house items. Regarding the changing approach of their operations, it might just be the timing. Maybe, hopefully, their plan is to increase spending once the "prospects" start to fill the roster and to add the necessary components of a winner. Building a longer-term successful club requires both in-house and FA's. That is my take on what they are planning to do. So, in a general sense, they are not changing the model, but have shown they are prepared to change their approach to FA signings as witnessed this past year. To be perfectly honest, this team is not ready for a major signing or two of elite players. I hope that when this team is close to a championship caliber team, they will add the necessary pieces without blinking.

Thanks for the link. Talk about the 'quick pitch.' One thing the rapid fire does is make the batter work for those HR's, instead of just teeing off. I think that would be a good change to the format. However, I still like Kaplan's idea of adding competition for base-running (speed) and throwing from the OF (arm) to show off a couple of the tools of which the players are evaluated. IMO that would add interest and variety to the event that could expand both player involvement and fan interest. Certainly would for me.

I did not watch the derby and haven't for a couple of years. To me, it is too long and boring - a glorified batting practice. After what, 20 years or so?, I think it's time to change it up a bit. I hadn't really thought much about it, because I really didn't have an alternative. But last week I ran across a posting by Gabe Kaplan on Fox Sports, where he presents a different scenario that sounds at least interesting. In addition, it expands participation. Dear new MLB commissioner: Dump Derby for these contests. http://msn.foxsports.com/mlb/story/open-letter-to-new-commissioner-time-to-dump-home-run-derby-for-better-skills-competitions-071314 I would thing that something in this vain would add interest to the ALL-STAR game activities. What do you think?

Thank you for the great articles on the Kernels. I always enjoy reading first hand reports on our minor league teams and you do a great job in CR. Many of these players may never reach the MLB, but it is still exciting to learn more about the players in the Twins system and to follow their progress..

While Gardy's lack of knowledge of any "soreness" or injury seems justified in this case, wouldn't one thing that injury could be one of the possible explanations for poor performance? If so, then persistence inquiry as to one's health should be the order of the day(s).

Excellent piece. I think a factor in not quickly dealing with injuries could be the tendency for many males to disregard any possible physical ailments as being too minor to worry about. It's kind of like when the Dr. asks you pain level. Since I can tolerate pain more than another, I might rate it a 2 and someone else a 6. Then you add into the equation the competitiveness of an premier athlete and you can have a case of 'don't ask, don't tell'. That is where the disconnect begins. And even when a player says his sore it is difficult to tell the severity of it. That brings us to Nolasco and other newer players. As a new player on the team there is a lower level of understanding that exists. It takes time for new players (or managers) to become "known". That can create potential miscommunication, which unfortunately takes time and situations to fully grasp the makeup of a player. And as many have addressed, the culture of the club is extremely important. Is it ingrained in the team or a post-it note? Paraphrasing Doug Lipp, author of Disney U, you can't create a culture with paint, it needs to be in the walls. That is from the top and lived everyday. So, It is very important the manager articulates exactly what he expects and means regarding injuries and other things. I would hope that Gardy and his staff are very involved in knowing the health of his players. I hope this is a case of being a new player, but I am not sure I fully believe that. Thing is we really don't know what goes on behind closed doors.

For me the "patient" camp (of which I'm one) is about the players. 2015 has been my target date to start to see the influx of better and younger talent playing for the Twins. I believe the talent level for the Twins is about ready to show up. OTOH, it is the management, and mostly coaches, that I believe have (or should have) the shortest leash from here on out. It will be interesting to see how Ryan deals with Gardy and the rest after the season, or even before. Should there not be a change, then I too will lose my current confidence in Ryan. The FO has two responsibilities: get the right players and have good staff to get the most out of them. Sometimes it is necessary to concentrate on one vs. the other, but eventually both need to be addressed. Maybe that is a discussion for another thread.

I find this debate interesting, and at the same time frustrating. I hope I can capture the essence of this debate. First, my apologies for the length of my post Some view May's (and Meyer's) potential higher than the other AAA pitchers and therefore feel they should be up first - for legitimate reasons with which others may agree. At the same time those other pitchers, with less potential, are performing well also. So do you ignore their performance and use potential as the top criteria for advancement? Yes, potential and performance are not the only factors in this decision, but it does have that flavor in this exchange of positions. Now, it seems to me that most everyone would prefer May (and Meyer later) to head the list of call-ups. But the rub is, what does one do with the others that also are deserving? Does potential trump performance? Maybe there is something that our top prospects need to refine to become the top pitchers that we are expecting. Roster management uses many different criteria to determine call-ups. Besides stats, it is scouting and, in this case, the opinion of Red Wings' manager, Glenn Close, and his staff. So we really don't know the reasoning behind all this. Maybe the FO view is that the prospects need a bit more work and they need to find out it the others have any role with Twins, or have potential for trade assets. Right or Wrong? We can advocate any method of roster management without the ramifications of our decisions. But the Twins, as with any company, have a great balancing act - produce a good product on the field AND maintain an atmosphere for the employees (players) to be energized about working (playing) for them. Sometimes it takes time to get that product out there, but it begins mostly internally with the players. Finally, regarding this year vs. last year, or any year. Dynamics change. It is difficult to compare 2013 with 2014 pitching moves, because in 2013 the Twins had nothing. This year they brought in veterans in an attempt to help improve this area. Plus our prospects are closer with another year of experience and performance to evaluate and others have step up their performances. I don't know the answer, but try to remain calm and patient. it will sort itself out. Hopefully, we all are happy with the result.

Very Interesting article, Parker. Hopefully, Hughes can approach his early career potential. That would be huge for the Twins going forward. BTW, should we give some extra hugs to 'that' pitching coach, what's his name?

Personally, I'd leave him at the lead-off spot. His base stealing ability would be diminished at #3. He reminds me a "bit" like Ricky Henderson who had tremendous ability to swipe bases but also put the ball in the seats. Dozier isn't in the same league as Henderson but certainly has some of the same tools.

Having Florimon in the line-up is like a team playing in the AL w/o the DH. That being said, I can tolerate him there IF he can approach his 2013 offensive numbers. As has been stated, the Twins replacement are not clear upgrades either. So until a trade, waiver, or FA signing occurs it is what it is. It's not unusual for teams to have an offensively weak/defensively strong player in the lineup. The problem occurs when the other spots become offensively challenged. I think any lack of production in the other positions is more troubling for me.

Gibson was coming off of Tommy John surgery. So to say his ML experience should be compared to Worley's is misplaced. He basically missed 2 years to prove himself. To be fair both Worley and Gibson were terrible last year. That was last year and at least this spring Gibson earned his spot and didn't stick up the joint. I am certainly disappointed Worley didn't come around, but how long can we go on what happened in the past if there is not an inkling of a return to that in the present? I feel the same about Diamond, Parmelee (of whom I'm a big fan) or anyone else.

I am somewhat baffled by the general tone about this move. Not everyone here has echoed that sentiment, but there has been much discussion on how the Twins should be working our young "guns" into position for the Twins pitching staff. Now there seems to be a bit of "how could they give up on the 'potential' of Worley? He has had his chance and basically failed. By stashing him in Rochester it takes up a spot that one of our other prospects may deserve. Add to that the current Twins staff situation, I think it is prudent to cut bait on those that have not shown us much. We have others to go yet, but at least this is a start. I always hoped Worley would get straighten out. He didn't, at least here. Hopefully, this is a change in roster construction so that the best players are added to help this club. That should mean if some one is better you will be replaced.

AJ, your writing completely engulfs me. Superbly written, but even better the message of life from such a young man. Many search high and low for that endless chase of happiness at the end of the rainbow, only to find it has been there in front of them all along. Your words and message are so well written and spot on that I am forwarding this to my young adult children. I truly hope you find your dream in the big leagues, but I am confident that you will never regret your journey. Yes, life is a journey, not a destination. Thank you and may you have a great season.

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.

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

Again thanks Willihammer & maxisagod for your insight. I really enjoy everyone's comments here. It is very informative for those of us that have no idea who these guys are. Regarding the tipping of the curve - it looked like his was stepping wider than with the other pitches. Even though, it certainly is fixable. It was hard to tell all the time b/c of the position of the ump. (Disclaimer: B/c of an affliction of laziness I only watched the video once. Too much other good stuff to read here.)