mudcat14

I think Smith would be the most effective and affordable addition that has been mentioned, but am concerned about the return that the Brewers might require. I might consider Stewart, Alex Meyer or Nick Burdi plus a lesser prospect or two, but that would be about it.

Having grown up SE Iowa, I was surrounded by Cub fans. Naturally I root for the Cardinals. Except when playing the Twins, of course!

I don't think he'll ever get a deal with an annual salary exceeding the $15+mil his QO will bring in 2016. Even a stellar year this upcoming season, and the very best he will do in Free Agency next winter is 3-4 years at about $12mil per. I doubt the market would give him that this year, with questions about his health and durability.

I'm not sure if he was a reasonable possibility anyway, but Matt Weiters is accepting his qualifying offer from the O's. Since I doubt Suzuki is going anywhere, Murphy must be our 'Big Move' to address the backstop position. Who gets more AB's in 2016, Zuke or JR?

Trade Plouffe for pitching and give Sano 3B. Go with an OF consisting of Rosario, Buxton, Santana & Arcia and a veteran signee like Sizemore or Victorino, We have Kepler & AB Walker in the wings and could always make an in-season move if necessary.

I have no idea what Twins personnel think of ABWII's future, but does it mean anything that he typically hit 6th (behind Harrison & Hicks) for the Lookouts? He has been in the 7 or 8 hole in the AFL.

I'll bet we never see Torii in uniform on an everyday basis again. He may show up as a spring training instructor, even perhaps as a roving minor league coach. But after earning more than $170mil in this game, I doubt he'll feel the need to commit full time to anything, nor should he. Following his son's athletics will be his focus now.

I have no idea what it would take, but they could have interest in reuniting the Arcia brothers, or Milwaukee native, AB Walker III. Maybe those two with a Stewart, Meyer or one of the AA relievers gets it done.

Sano will be at 3B everyday next year. Book it. Plouffe will not be an $8mil utility man. Also, would anyone really have a problem with Polanco at 2B, if Dozier would net us Gary Sanchez? Not me.

Certainly not. I'm only saying that for the 2016 Twins, his only real value is as a part-time player & full-time mentor. If that's not a role he's willing to accept, then thank you and goodbye.

I think we're gonna have to differ on this Spin. Nolasco has already received 24 million reasons over the past two years, and is guaranteed another 25 million more over the next two surrender any breaks from 'snark' over his performance. I'll go one more. Ricky is a big boy (as in tubby.) He can take it.

I must admit, I was very much in the Pro corner for bringing Torii back in 2016, until I read this quote; •Hunter does say he’s not interested in a part time role, “Eighty one games? I’m not coming back for that.” I love the attitude and atmosphere he has been credited for bringing to the team, but don't want him taking AB's away from the next wave of Twin OF's. I guess I have to vote: NO

I can't realistically project an Opening Day Roster with the data currently at hand. I fully expect to see as many as five players on board who aren't currently in the organization. Obviously that means several men in the dugout today will not return. Some are relatively obvious; Pelfry, Fien, Duensing or Cotts, Boyer, Fryer, Hermann, Robinson & Kepler. I expect Buxton will open in AAA, but won't rule him out completely. I've been clear that Plouffe should be moved to the highest bidder, and I also feel Dozier's trade value exceeds any future production he may provide. Sano, Santana & Polanco have the tools & potential to be well above the curve at 3B, SS & 2B, respectively. Escobar & Nunez provide the ideal insurance for each. I expect a newcomer will be acquired for a regular or shared capacity at catcher and at least two bullpen arms. Another spot or two will be filled by wildcard pick-ups.

Bravo! Love this. My favorite comment of the year. Good job.

Perhaps, on Hunter. Though I expect he will be back in 2016. Kepler better be in the line-up!

I love Escobar on this team. Would prefer he is in a utility role with frequent playing time. I'm done with Dozier however. I'd trade him and Plouffe, even if just for prospects. My 2016 infield from 3B to 1B is: Sano Santana Polanco Mauer Keep both Escobar and Nunez as insurance and depth.

I would hope it's something like this. What the heck? Hicks - RF Rosario - LF Sano - 3B Vargas - DH Nunez - 2B Kepler - 1B Buxton - CF Hermann/Fryer - C Santana - SS Let the kids have a little fun.

If we're gonna convert 6'4" southpaws into catchers, why not Gonslves?

My only quibble would be to leave Escobar available if we can't upgrade SS or in a utility role. I wouldn't hesitate to give the 2B job to Polanco and make him prove he's not up to it. Hell, there's always Beresford if we get in a bind.

Over the past several weeks, Polanco has played exclusively at 2B for the Lookouts. I don't know if this was simply to shore up their defense for the stretch and play-offs, or there were other motives involved. Regardless, having only recently turned 22, he is a viable option to Dozier at 2B for 2016 and beyond. Personally, I think the Twins should look to trade both Dozier & Plouffe this off-season. Each of their individual season totals over the past three seasons have shown a remarkable consistency. To paraphrase Denny Green, "They are who we thought they were." MLB average, at best players. As each sits on the threshold of 30 years of age, expecting a significant or even moderate uptick in performance is unlikely and unrealistic. I'd much rather sink or swim with Polanco & Sano going forward, simply based on potential alone. I find it sort of amusing that the board generally agrees that Hunter needs to hang it up since his percentages are at their lowest points in about 15 years. The reality is that his numbers for the season are only slightly lower than what Dozier & Plouffe have posted in each of the past three seasons. Dozier will cost $18mil over the next three seasons. Plouffe somewhat more, due to arbitration eligibility. The young Latinos would cost about $4mil, total. I do suspect a multi-year deal for Sano could happen before three years elapse. Either way, dealing the two vets frees up about $30-40mil to utilize in areas of greater need. Don't mistake this as an anti-Dozier & Plouffe diatribe. They do have value, and should bring equally valuable assets in return. If not the catcher we so deeply yearn for, at least some depth on the mound.

1) Probably 2) Despite the fact that opposing pitchers avoid the inner half of the plate to him with remarkable consistency, Dozier tries to pull everything! I've said it before, but if he doesn't change his approach, and PRONTO he'll be as irrelevant as Dam Uggla. 3) Way, way, way too many strikeouts. Even with their abysmal team BA, they could still score many more runs if they occasionally included a productive out or two in a game. 4) Yes. 5) Color me an optimist, but I'm still a big fan of Santana's upside. I also think Escobar's greatest value is in a utility role due to his versatility. What the Twins are planning however, is a mystery to me. I find it interesting that Polanco has played almost exclusively at 2B for Chattanooga over the past few weeks.

I'm not disputing Turner's defensive skills, but I'd be hard pressed to believe that he's got anything on Brian Navaretto. I hope whatever catching upgrades the Twins pursue this off-season will not include any long-term commitments. Because unless his offensive keeps him from playing, Navaretto will be a perennial GG candidate in three years.

We have no way of knowing of course, but in Ryan's defense it may have been the Rays that held up the deal. The offer may have been on the table waiting for the Rays to bite. They were deciding whether or not they were buyers or sellers at the time and may have been holding out to see if a better offer would come along. If so, it is to Ryan's credit that he didn't up the ante to make it happen sooner. Obviously it is yet to be seen whether or not we will regret giving up Hu & Tapia, but I think we can mostly agree that anything in excess of that would have been too much.

Wow! That's gotta make for a long summer. Any idea if he spends all that time at Ft. Meyers and performs any other duties?

I noticed he just started playing for Rochester again this week. He has no minor league stats at all for 2014-15 until this stint with the Red Wings. Anyone know if he was serving as an instructor/coach for the Twins? Find it hard to believe he would return from Down Under for a week or so in AAA.