Siehbiscuit

I mentioned this in another thread, but to those that are completely writing off Worley have forgotten about his potential. He was coming off of an elbow surgery (not TJ) but he has recent ML success and is still young. If we are giving Gibson 2nd chances, why not Worley? Although Gibson is our homegrown talent, with a #2 upside, Worley has similar upside and is only a handful of months older. AND did I mention he has actually put successful seasons together at the MLB Level? Don't write this guy off yet!

Wasn't Herrmann on most everyone's top 10 Twins prospects list at this time last year? Why not just go with our two young guys, dump Doumit and let Mauer and Steinbach sit in on pitcher and catcher's meetings. Herrmann got an extended taste last year and they provide a natural LH/RH balance. Growing pains are natural, but also provides opportunities to get better. The 2014 Twins aren't going to win the division, let's invest in the future and let these two guys compete everyday and work in tandem. Save your money and get a quality bat in the OF or 3B or even just for someone to DH. No use in blocking these two guys development.

I'm not completely against signing Pelfrey or another FA. Can you ever have too much pitching? Obviously, Nolasco/Hughes/Correia will make up 60% of the rotation, but I think people do forget that Worley has been successful in the ML and was coming off elbow surgery. Do NOT be surpised when he is named the 4th starter coming out of ST. Also, Deduno will be 31 in July and also wasn't 100% to end the season. Kyle Gibson will be given EVERY opportunity to win the 5th spot and Deduno will start in the bullpen. Thielbar will be sent back to AAA so Diamond doesn't have to be DFA'd. Twins carry 13 pitchers again. 1 - Nolasco 2 - Correia 3 - Hughes 4 - Worley 5 - Gibson LRP - Swarzak MRP - Deduno MRP - Duensing (LH) MRP - Thielbar (LH) - AAA? MRP - Diamond (LH) MRP - Tonkin SU - Fien SU - Burton CL - Perkins

I would like to see another bat on a one year deal. Although, Sano is just around the corner, what if he struggles at AAA and he doesn't come up until September? Do we need to sit and watch Plouffe suck again all season? Propspects should earn their way into the lineup based on the "we can't keep them out any longer" mentality, instead of "holding" their spot. If Plouffe provided 35 homers to go with his low average and OBP and poor defense, then we got Mark Reynolds. Why not just go grab Reynolds now and let him compete at 3rd? He will play just as terrible of defense, not hit for average, but he will hit plenty of HR's. I'm done with the Plouffe Experiment.

If the Twins sign a catcher that is that terrible offensively, then it better be for a superior defensive catcher a la one of the Molina Bros. This guy isnt even in Butera's league defensively and is similar with the bat. No thanks.

Collabello IMO, should not be removed. He put up CRAZY AAA numbers last year and should be given every opportunity to have a full season as DH. I would try to trade Doumit for a bag of balls and go with Herrmann as the backup catcher to whomever we sign.

I would love to see Turner's bat come around. I know this isn't really going out on too much of a limb, but I think Kohl Stewart will be rested and be amazing this year. Also, I am going to say that Niko Goodrum will have a breakout season. He has always had the tools and athleticism, just not the production. Everything will click and he will become a top 75-100 prospect.

Not trying to be a jerk, but what other than Fielder being fat gives ANYONE any thought that his body wont hold up? He is currently the leagues "ironman" and he plays first base and DH's! Even if he gets bigger (is it possible?) he can become a full-time DH. Why is he going to breakdown again? Evidence to this?

In regards to the Swarzak-Duensing stuff: These guys WILL NOT be starters for this team. If you hear it in its ENTIRE context, which normally helps form an educated opinion, he is stating that they should prepare to be starting. PREPARE is the imoprtant word. He never said that they will be starting. Just like a back-up QB should prepare to be the starter each week because he's "just one play away." These guys are long relievers (or IMO a LOOGY at best), but he wants them to be stretched out and ready to go. What if Swarzak HAS figured it out and could be Kyle Lohse 2.0 this time around? Shouldn't they be given an opportunity to compete? If they are as Sh*&ty as we think they are, then they'll go right back into the bullpen and play their respective roles quite nicely. Ditto for Johnson, the new LHP. Secondly, this entire thread is based on TR's track record. Can an old dog learn new tricks? My gut says, "no." BUT if he has we wouldn't know yet. Most FA's have "feelers" out right now. If the Twins have still not signed anyone by the end (or VERY soon afterwards) of the winter meetings then we will know if TR has changed at all. TR will either do something different from his track record or he won't. But we can't make that determination yet. We can guess the outcome, but until then, we're only guessing based on his prior pattern with FA.

I think we are very undervaluing Prince Fielder. Comerica is huge compared to Arlington! His numbers will be fantastic and his salary isn't that outragious. Here's some math for you: Over the next four years of the Kinsler contract (4years and $62M) plus the $30m that was given in the trade, the Tigers are only saving $1m/year by flipping Fielder ($92m vs $96m). The Rangers meanwhile are getting the much better end of this deal. Fielder, for essentially, $19.7m/year for his age 29-36 seasons is a bargain. If he were a free agent at this age he would likely still get 7/$140+ from someone. Bats age much better than SS's or CF's legs. Look at Edgar Martinez, Paul Konerko (until last year), Marlon Byrd, for pete's sake. Guys that can hit and for power can always DH as well. He will mash at Arlington. Playing in that tiny park will only make his numbers look better. He has also "protected" a 2-time AL MVP and an NL MVP in his lst three seasons. We are undervaluing Fielder IMO.

The Astros and Cubs are likely the only two teams that have had and currently have a worst MLB roster than the Twins. If these guys (Polanco, Kepler, all the pitchers) can't win a spot on the Twins roster, why would the other teams want them? Kepler is WAY too raw. Polanco is worth protecting on the 40 man (not the 25 man) only because he may be the SS of the future. The pitchers aren't that special, but can you ever have too much pitching?

$13M a year for Arroyo seems like a big number.

Polanco needs to be protected. This kid will be given every opportunity to be the Twins SS of the future! Why would the Twins (or any team) not protect a good-hitting middle infielder? Kepler can be left unprotected. He is too far away and he will not be picked up. He hasn't even played much A-ball let alone contributing to an MLB club. Wimmers is a longshot to turn it around. Don't waste a spot. Darnell and Achter are close and should be protected. Vargas is has a 70 power tool. I would try and make room for him. In summary: Protect (in order of importance): Polanco, Achter, Darnell & Vargas Leave unprotected: Kepler & Wimmers Drop: Hermsen, Mastroianni & possibly Chris Herrmann (if they feel the need to protect Kepler or Wimmers)

The Twins will have to go 4 for Nolasco. We should go 3 with a 4th, but he wont come here unless he gets 4 guaranteed or the money is more per year.

Drew will not be pursued at ALL by the Twins. He is constantly on the DL, even to the point that ownership in Arizona thought he was intentionally staying out when doctors had cleared him. Twins want their guys to play ball.

I am in the Molina camp as well. Although, I do like the idea of AJ, I am not sure that he would take a mid-season demotion well. A VERY GOOD defensive catcher and game caller is what this young, inexperienced staff needs. Gibson, then Meyer, even Deduno should rely on a veteran catcher to call pitches for them. Molina knows the hitters far better than our you guys or even long-time NL guys like Correia. Molina can have the everyday job, Herrmann the backup and Pinto can start in AAA and work on his defense and game calling. Bring Pinto up in mid-June and give him the full-time job, unless Molina and the staff are doing amazing.

This is right on! Overpay by a million or two annually to insure that he comes to the Twins. If he can show that he now has learned how to pitch and stay healthy, its a steal. Worst case, the Twins took a risky gamble and he fails miserably. At least its a short term deal that will not handcuff the organization. And for those that want Hughes vs Kazmir, why? Everyone is entitled to their opinion, so I don't mean to sound rude. Just don't understand this train opf thought. Kazmir has at least proven it as a starter before. Hughes is also an elite prospect, but has never produced great numbers as a starter. He seems like a bigger gamble, unless its also a 1 or 2 year deal. I'm interested to hear why the Hughes-lovers prefer him to Kazmir.

If the Twins did want to trade for him, now is the time. Buy low. But he would be a two year and "see ya" guy. Boras client that wants to test FA after 2015 season.

A very underrated aspect of Pierzynski's game is in his management of pitchers. He calls a good game and knows the opponents. He has spent all but one season in the AL. Even as a backup to Pinto, he will have loads of information to share.

The worst thing for most organization's not named the Yankees or Dodgers is to be strapped with bad contracts. I would rather see the Twins go after multiple reclamation projects this season instead of the guys like Santana, Jimenez or Nolasco. Kazmir could be had on a 2 year but instead add 2-3 million on the top of annual salary. Same with Josh Johnson. Worst case we overspend on them and they bust, but its over in two years. Blackburn's deal was only $4.5-5.5M, but that thing lasted like 19 years! Going back to the Cardinals and its philosophy; drafting, signing & developing young talent is the foundation of an organization. Supplement through free agency talent on high upside, but short-term deals (see Beltran, Berkman and even Furcal). All of these deals worked. Furcal was very injury prone, but worst case, they only "ate" the bad salary like one year. He was serviceable to good the others. Spend more on less years.

I love this move and not because of his bat (which is solid for a catcher), but he calls a great game for his pitchers. How many no-no's and perfecto's has this guy caught. The ART of calling a game and working umpires and batters is an unmeasurable metric, but like those "framing" stats, it DOES have an impact. Being a pain in the @ss is a bonus for our clubhouse too. Pinto the everyday catcher and Steinbach, Mauer AND Pierzynski all can teach him the finer intricacies of handling a staff and calling a game. AJ is good at that.

RE: Parmalee and Colabello - If you take "AGE" and "how they were acquired" and just look at how these two could help the Twins in 2014, I think the better option to make and help the team is Colabello. He put up ridiculous numbers at AAA. Both of these guys are blocked now by Mauer at 1B and with Buxton, Arcia, Rosario, Walker, Hicks and Kepler having a much brighter future and being more talented OF options in the near future, Parmalee and Colabello may only may only be filling in in 2014. Instead of looking at age, consider MLB experience. How much time has Parmalee had to figure it out at the MLB level? Parts of 4 different seasons. One Sept call up he looks like, well, Josmil Pinto, but the rest like the Chris Parmalee we all can't stand. Colabello may not have youth on his side anymore, but he only has had 1 opportunity to show anything. He has proven that he can't do it. His second go around could be his breakout party! I woud love to see Colabello be a real DH. Not a DH where position players go to get a day off, but he has a bat everyday and maybe 6-8 times a year he plays some 1B, when Mauer needs a day off. Nothing against Parmalee, but I haven't seen any development. I'm willing to give Colabello another chance, but as the DH. His only plus skill is hitting.

Pitchers Kazmir (2/$24M), Hughes and Johnson on 1 yr deals for $9 and $8, respectively. Gibson is the #4 and Correia the #5. Correia doesn't have his usual quick start and is replaced mid-May by Deduno, who was in extended ST getting as healthy as possible. MMeyer is called up in June after a dominant ST and first two months at AAA. Deduno is booted to bullpen even though he had been pitching adequately. Deduno walks a lot of guys in his bullpen role and Gardy's head explodes. I would not spend money in FA this offseason. Except in this case: Plouffe, Colabello, Parmalee and FA signing Mark Reynolds (3B/1B/DH) all provide some versatility. The three best of these 4 earn the 3B, 1B and RF or possibly the DH job. Plouffe vs Reynolds for 3B. If Plouffe has a great spring and has turned a corner then great, as he is still a placeholder till Sano is ready. IF Reynolds does, he too is only a placeholder for Sano. Reynolds vs Colabello vs Parmalee for 1B. Let the best bat win. If Colabello and Parmalee come out on top, Colabello is the 1B and Parmalee the RF. If its Reynolds and Colabello, then Reynolds goes to DH and Willingham is the LF. C - Joe Mauer 1B - Colabello wins the job 2B - Dozier 3B - Reynolds (provides a poor average but some RH power) SS - Florimon RF - Parmalee or Plouffe (platoon???) CF - Hicks (hopefully he can win the job in ST) LF - Arcia (too young to DH fulltime) DH - Willingham (rotation with Reynolds and Arcia) Ryan Doumit will strictly be the backup catcher and Mauer will DH more often, but not be forced to play 1B more than 15 games in 2014. SP - Kazmir gets the Opening Day nod SP - Johnson the #2 SP - Gibson out performs Hughes and is the #3 SP - Hughes SP - Correia (he implodes by mid-May) SP - Deduno (replaces Correia and performs ok) SP - Alex Meyer (replaces an "ok" Deduno and perfroms VERY WELL!) Bullpen? Who cares cuz our starters are cruising!!!

A fan's perspective is always so much different than those that aren't emotionally attached to the team. We tend to tear down our greats, because we see their areas of weakness instead of appreciating their excellence (see: Joe Mauer). We also can be blindly optimistic at the beginning of a season, because we see the "potential" for this club to turn it around this year (this tends to be fading considerably fter three straight 90+ loss seasons). We as fan's take it personal, we look through a different set of lenses than someone that can actually be unbiased and take the emotion out of a situation or the team. Great piece, Parker.

Messenger would be good pull from Japan and I believe he was a guy on the Twins radar last year as well. A couple areas that are unlikely to happen are: 1) Parmalee starting in AAA. He is out of options and he would likely be picked up off of waivers, so I doubt the Twins would try and send him down. 2) Dozier will not be moved this off-season. He's a FO pet and unless Rosario was absolutely blasting the doors off at AAA and then MLB in 2014, maybe Dozier gets moved in the 2014 offseason. 3) Lastly, unless Doumit is moved he will be the DH. Which I disagree with, but its kind of a Twins reality. Willingham will play in LF and Arcia in RF. Mastroianni, with all due respect, is nothing more than a 4th OF. If healthy, he will be that again.