stringer bell

Talking about location of fastballs, certainly optimum location of a specific pitch is across the board, depending on the pattern and the batter's strengths etc. I would say that keeping changeups and breaking stuff down makes sense. I have yet to see a pitcher be effective throwing those pitches in the top half of the zone. That said, Bert and most commentators say "he got it up" on about every hard-hit ball. I sometimes chuckle that a perfect pitch is the exact same location and speed as one that is hit 400 feet, according to what I can see on my TV screen.

Kepler has great tools and his "disappointing" 2014 doesn't look so bad with his strong finish in the FSL and now a good performance in the AFL. Walker has had great production, despite a low BA and OBP as he has advanced up the ladder in the Twins' system. He has excellent speed for someone his size, and a good arm. I don't think his future is as a DH. I am hopeful that Rosario can recover his top prospect status by the conclusion of spring training. He has been successful in the AFL, and that is step one. If the Twins don't retain Schafer, I think Ortiz' chance of debuting with the Twins, maybe right out of spring training, is enhanced greatly. He's probably a fourth OF, but can play all three OF positions doesn't have any superior tools, but doesn't have any real weak areas either.

Ya but, he's fast, great arm, and a switch hitting center fielder, you know like Mickey Mantle. (Sarcasm). The obvious tools are there, but the performance isn't and he really hasn't advanced beyond mastering AA. I have been heartily agreeing with the "send him to AAA" argument for a while. The last thing that should happen for a guy who is still a prospect is to platoon him with a left handed hitter.

Oh, I don't think so (Tim). I believe that Hicks was in a situation where he could increase his stock with good play down there, especially if that play is equivalent to AAA or better. He didn't do that, .381 OBP or not, so it is one more opportunity wasted. In my book, Hicks and Rosario are going to come into spring training as equals, neither with a promise of a roster spot. Hicks will have the advantage of being a switch hitter and more of a classic center fielder. Rosario will be younger and coming off a successful postseason campaign in Arizona.

Very nice write-up. Santana broke out last year and we can expect a bit of a sophomore slump, but he looks like a solid major leaguer. I'd like to see some reduction in strikeouts to make up for what almost certainly will be a lower BABIP. I'm also concerned that his RH numbers will regress more significantly than his LH stats.

How about Tony-O? He came to Minnesota in his early 20s and was extremely raw in the OF. Tony worked hard at playing right field and in a couple of years became a fine outfielder (I think he won a Gold Glove). Soon after, he suffered the career-changing knee injury and became only a hitter, with no speed.

Schafer/Hicks no. Schafer/RH hitting major league center fielder--okay. Aaron Hicks is still a prospect and he shouldn't be riding the bench for 110-120 games. He is not a good backup plan in the event that Schafer would revert to the less than replacement player he was in the NL. Hicks needs to go to Triple A and master it before he gets a last chance with the Twins. The Twins need to acquire a plus-plus defensive center fielder to platoon with Schafer who could step in full-time if Schafer reverts to what he has been. If Hicks earns a promotion on merit, that is a bonus. As for Rosario, I think his strong performance in the AFL has put him in the conversation. He would have a chance to compete for an outfield spot in spring training.

Is Aaron Hicks injured? He hasn't played in Venezuela in more than a week. BTW, he is hitting .220 with a .661 OPS, not exactly making a claim.

I I was with you until the last paragraph. I don't think Hicks "showed potential" with a .658 OPS in September. He hasn't hit above AA yet and needs substantial time at Triple A. Schafer did well, but has a track record which invites skepticism about his future. Schafer does have the elite tool of base-stealing and there is no prospect status to protect.

Escobar plus a pitching prospect (not Meyer or Berrios) for one of the Mets current starters? I'm not great at determining value, but Escobar is not arb eligible this year and would be under team control for four more years. He offers versatility and is a switch hitter. There is some value there.

Especially with Eddie Rosario close, I like the right handed hitters. Denorfia would be a pretty valuable and versatile three-position OF, with a good glove. Rios would be pricier and would be a regular. He only hit four homers last year, in HR friendly Texas. The Twins' vacancy is in LF and Rios has only played a few innings there, none recently. Both guys are past 30 and shouldn't be signed long-term, but could be helpful in 2015

I agree about Bourjos. He is a premium defender and he is better against left handers. The Twins already have outfielders Arcia and Schafer, who are far better against RH pitching. I am not ready to write Arcia off as a fielder. He's got enough speed and a good arm. He needs to focus better and work harder at this facet of his game. I think Arcia has a chance to be an All-Star and I don't want to see him traded because of current perceived "needs".

Cuddyer was born and raised in Virginia. He graduated from Great Bridge High School, IIRC. He, Wright and the Uptons are all from the same area.

If Dozier keeps his OBP as high as it was this year, I don't mind if he never hits .250. I think he's easily a Top Ten second baseman in all of baseball and hence shouldn't be traded if the team believes they will be competitive this year or next year. Since he had over 700 PAs, it would figure that Dozier saw a lot of pitches and he was third in bases on balls.

Most are predicting a one-year deal for Masterson to rebuild his value. If the Twins are convinced they are going to get the "good Masterson", I thought maybe they could have a team option at a relatively higher number (maybe $13M).

I've commented on other threads that I would like to see the Twins pursue Masterson. He's been better more recently than most of the rest listed. Most of the other names listed are intriguing as well. Getting a lefty would be nice, although I haven't totally given up on Tommy Milone.

Can't agree Doc. With Polanco, it seems to me that the question has been about arm strength and range. From what I've seen, Polanco's range would stand as "adequate", but the arm (for a shortstop) would be below average. He's a second baseman trying to stretch his skills at shortstop, to me. That Polanco had a cup of coffee in the majors shouldn't matter. He's still more than a year away from competing for a position on the Twins IMHO. Gordon, of course, is much farther away. Still, I think I would rate Gordon above Polanco as a prospect.

I just noticed that Bourjos had hip surgery after the Cards were eliminated from the playoffs. Perhaps the Twins won't be interested in someone coming off surgery.

I might be whistling through the graveyard, but I think 2015 is the Twins' year to become a contender for quite some time. I base some of this hypothesis on the young talent already on the team, the young talent soon to be on the team, and the prospect that a few veterans will have strong comeback seasons. Further, I think there was much improvement in the team's talent from the beginning of the season until their last game in late September. Finally, I think the Twins are overdue for some good luck. The Twins allowed the most runs in the American League. They need to improve on both facets of run suppression--pitching and defense--and that has to mean new faces in new places. I think the Twins need some turnover in the relief corps and at least one addition to the rotation. My picks for the new rotation part is Justin Masterson. Brett Anderson and Josh Johnson are also interesting "lottery tickets", but Masterson has been better more recently. Masterson should be had for high seven figures ($8-9M), with perhaps a team option at higher dollars. In the bullpen, I think at least two holdovers need to go. Anthony Swarzak is arb eligible, but the Twins have rotation candidates to take his role in long relief. Veterans Duensing and Fien are also arb eligible. While their raw numbers weren't bad, a deeper look predicts dramatic falloff. I trade or non-tender both veterans and add who is next in line in the minors (I believe next in line is Michael Tonkin and Lester Oliveros). With the absences created by the claiming of Samuel Deduno and free agency of Jared Burton, there should be room for a potential starter or two to fill the long relief role. In order to improve defense, there needs to be stability in center field and better defenders on the corners. My blueprint allows for the acquisition of fielding whiz Peter Bourjos and also use better fielders in left field. Candidates to provide both offense and defense on the corners are Jordan Schafer and perhaps Eddie Rosario. Both also could get a shot to start in center, perhaps in some adapted platoon with Bourjos. Aaron Hicks would also figure for left or center, but I think both he and the team would be better served to start Hicks in AAA. Much of the rest of the roster would be status quo. Starters in the infield at first, second and third return. Santana auditions at both shortstop and the outfield and is a starter at one spot and Option B if the original plan doesn't work out. Nunez would be the primary utility infielder if Escobar is the SS. His ability to play in the outfield might buy him a roster spot even if Santana is at short,. Escobar is either the primary utility infielder or starting shortstop. At catcher, incumbent Kurt Suzuki will be back with Josmil Pinto as his understudy. Here's my 25-man roster leaving Fort Myers: Starting rotation: Phil Hughes, Kyle Gibson, Ricky Nolasco, Alex Meyer, Justin Masterson Bullpen: Mike Pelfrey, Tommy Milone, Caleb Thielbar, Michael Tonkin, Lester Oliveros, Casey Fien, Glen Perkins (12 pitchers) Catchers: Kurt Suzuki, Josmil Pinto (2 catchers) Infielders: Joe Mauer, Brian Dozier, Trevor Plouffe, Danny Santana, Eduardo Escobar, Kennys Vargas, Eduardo Nuñez (7 infielders) Outfielders: Jordan Schafer, Eddie Rosario, Peter Bourjos, Oswaldo Arcia

I'm a Cuddy fan. I think he should take the QO, but I dispute that he is an AL player. Cuddyer hasn't DHed more than a handful of times and I seem to recall that he was uncomfortable hitting only. Secondly, a guy with versatility is very helpful in the NL, what with double switches and keeping guys who pinch hit for the pitcher in the game.

On Mauer, I have really mixed feelings about him. He is somewhat unique as a catcher who has been by far the best hitter on the team. While having him behind the plate maximized his value, his bat was essential, so he was used frequently as a DH. Gardenhire protected his best player, seldom playing him behind the plate in day games after night games. Mauer never vocally protested when he wasn't in the lineup. I always had the feeling that Gardy was being ordered to protect Mauer by the front office and did so grudgingly. Beyond that, Joe has had more than his share of long recoveries from somewhat mysterious injuries, all the way back to his rookie year when he seemed to be a week away from playing all the way through the playoffs. I thought his recovery time for the oblique was on the long side and then Joe said that it still bothered him a bit. Maybe the guy just does heal slowly. I understand that a Colabello would hide an injury. I also understand that no player wants to labeled "injury prone" or worse, "soft". Players think they can perform when they really shouldn't even try. Nolasco said that sometimes his injury was minor and sometimes he just couldn't get loose. Sounds suspicious, but I have a shoulder that ranged from merely bothersome to extremely painful, seemingly at random. Other things to consider--If a team is in a pennant race, it makes sense for guys to play. If the race is over, why jeopardize one's career for a few meaningless at-bats or innings? If a player is in the walk year of a contract, they probably have to be dragged out of the lineup. If a guy has a batting average a tick below .300 with a week to go, he is in the lineup until he gets over the barrier. I will settle for players reporting injuries when they happen and for them to know the difference between dinged and injured or perhaps hurt and injured. Players and the management staff need to communicate and figure out what is best for the player and the team.

Re: Masterson, I favor a one-year contract with a relatively expensive team option (maybe $9M with a $14M option). While it would restrict the player a bit, he is still young enough to cash in big if he pitches well. The Twins would get to keep him for a decent AAV, but be protected if 2015 was 2014 redux.

Add Trevor Plouffe to his enemy list. He hasn't been afraid to slam Plouffe when he was down and during his good season this year called for him to be traded. We all have favorites and guys we don't like. For some reason, I never was a huge Morneau fan and I confess I was hoping he wouldn't win the batting championship. Part of the reason for that was I didn't want it to diminish what my favorite player (Cuddy) did the previous season.

To further illustrate my point about starting, Greg Gagne was the SS for both the '87 and '91 Twins. He never put up a single-season OPS+ of 100 in his career. His lifetime OPS+ was 83. Escobar (only 700 PAs) is a lifetime 85 OPS+ and in over 450 PAs this year put up a 102 OPS+. Gags was probably a superior glove to Esco, but not by much. I would say Escobar is "good enough". However, Santana and a couple of other minor league shortstops have a chance to be much better than good enough.

Disagree with your assessment Ash. I think Escobar is good enough to be a regular shortstop on a playoff team. However, it would be as the 8/9 hitter and someone that would be replaceable i.e. not a building block. The good news is that Escobar is reliable and versatile defensively and he took a giant step ahead offensively last year. The downside is that he's never been a selective hitter, he doesn't have much power and only average speed, which limits his defensive ability and eliminates the stolen base as a weapon in his arsenal. I think this limits his overall upside to above-average at best. Santana could be what Escobar is not. He has great speed and looks like a possibility as a top of the order hitter. He might have the ability to make the spectacular play. He could be a star. that potential opens doors that Escobar can't open. However, I'm not sure if he can be a good defender at the crucial position of shortstop. I think he needs to show he can handle the position defensively. Rather than move Escobar around, I think Santana could develop into an infielder/outfielder who could cover any of four or five positions short term including both shortstop and center field.