Larsbars08

I suppose the only real silver lining here is that it's a lot easier to trade for a solid reliever then it is to trade for a solid starter. I do hope that Thielbar comes back soonish and Jax starts to get a bit luckier. It would do wonders for bolstering the current group.

Gotta think the first week of the season was also the coldest temps he's ever played in. Coming from the DR to Florida to Iowa (even though it wasn't that cold) was a bit of a difference. Also everything else you mentioned is very likely relevant. I've watched a two or three games on MILB.tv and I've seen 2-3 strikeouts looking where it was a very iffy 3rd strike call. He seems to have a very strong sense of the strike zone, and I imagine he's still adjusting to Midwest League umps.

It's great to know that he can play that role if need be. However until he proves that he can't be a starter he should be a lock to make the rotation next year. Pelfrey and Milone shouldn't be starters next year, and in a perfect world May and Berrios should round out the rotation next year. May deserves every chance to prove himself as a starter. Nolasco has been a flop and frankly is a sunk cost at this point. I think it's likely that the starting 5 next year out of Spring Training will be Gibson, Hughes, Santana, Nolasco and May. Despite the contract, Nolasco should have the tightest leash. I assume Berrios will have a spot as soon as the Super 2 deadline passes. Duffey seems like a great depth pitcher to have, assuming his last two starts are more indicative than the first.

Not sure if this has been posted before, but this is a recent scouting report that is pretty optimistic. http://www.minorleagueball.com/2015/6/26/8841633/twins-prospect-nick-gordon-scouting-report-and-projection I think strength is a big issue right now. His walks and strikeout numbers seem to indicate at least a decent approach at the plate without any red flags. From the article above, the writer seems to think that Gordon could pack another 20 pounds or so of muscle onto his frame without sacrificing speed.

Well, it's not my money, so I'd say it's a great way to spend 4 million dollars.

I think Travis Harrison is a bit underrated here. I know that you have him trending up, but his stat line has been quietly very impressive. I know we've been waiting for a power burst from him that may not ever happen, but his OBP has been very impressive and his power numbers have been trending up recently. I don't know if he'll be a big league regular or replacement level guy, but a guy with a career .370 OBP and still pretty young for his level will always have a place on a big league team.

How long is Aaron Hicks going to be stuck at AAA? He's killing it at Rochester right now and seems like he deserves another shot at CF really soon.

The thing about Mauer's contract is that I don't think it has ever stopped the Twins from going out and signing anybody. There have been plenty of valid reasons not to go out and try and sign the big money guys, and the general lack of quality players on the big league team the last 4 years has had much more of a effect than $23 million dollars invested in Mauer each year. Even with the free agent spending bonanza (relative to previous years) the last couple years, the Twins payroll is still below $100 million. The players who will make the Twins a contender will be extremely cheap for the next 4 to 6 years at which point Mauer's contract will be over.

I'm not expecting dominance at New Britain, although it wouldn't exactly surprise me. But I do wonder what is left for Berrios to learn in Ft. Myers.

I think he's got to be on the verge of a promotion to Rochester. Of course I find that I'm much more optimistic about player's promotions than is warranted considering the Twins history. I'm not sure there's much more he needs to prove at AA. He's doesn't really need to learn a position, considering he's a DH/1B (probably more the former than the latter).

Ahh, my mistake then.

Someone else mentioned that the Twins want him to pitch in the FSL first half playoffs. I would guess that as soon as the playoffs are done, he will be promoted. It's silly to keep him down, especially since a rotation spot just opened up in AA with Gilmartin being promoted.

Is it possible that Berrios goes up to AA to take Gilmartin's spot in the rotation?

I really don't want a college reliever as a their 2nd round pick. I'm hoping they pick a prep pitcher.

I've repeated that line before and I've seen it mentioned many times. But is there any kind of official confirmation on that?