beckmt

Unless the Twins fold up the final 2 weeks, Gardy will be back. Might also expect Glen Gwynn to be in the mix(do not know if I spelled that correctly)

Somewhat agree, but you also have to fill seats. Lincecum may have a qualifying offer, Johnson is a risk. All pitchers are risks, may you take a chance on Halliday for a 2-3 year offer. Would like Johnson, but that is a big risk, but has local ties and maybe could be had on a one or two year deal. 1/7 or 2/14. Would prefer 1 with options. Pelfrey wants to return and may only be about 5-6 million a year. Would be decent as a third signing. Want the minor league pitchers to earn there spots, not be given them.

Do not like the idea of moving prospects until things are clearer. However the Twins have the resources to sign at least 2 FA starting pitchers if they chose to overpay. Johnson could probably be had for the right price, Hughes might be OK, but might have to way overpay to get him. Jimmez would not touch. Lincecum would be OK if not qualified, but think he will be. Spending 20 mil a year on FA pitching could bring 2 of these guys. Other real gamble might be a pitcher like Halliday, but he is probably looking for a 3 year contract and that might be too much. Interesting offseason.

Also think the roster will be far different. Do not expect Parmelle to be here. Also either Doumit or Willingham will probably be gone, as Pinto will have established himself. If Doumit is here, either Pinto will be in AAA or Herrmann will be in AAA with Mauer catching more. Pitching staff needs 1-2 major starters, guessing either or Johnson and Hughes, would like Lincecum, but expect him to draw a qualifying offer. Troops should arrive about midseason next year and 2015 will be brighter if the pitching staff is improved.

I somewhat agree with good pitchers not wanting to come here. Therefore we will have to overpay somewhat. Money will still talk, so there is hope. Just have to pick the correct 2 to sign. Want them younger rather than older. May have to take that chance though.

Maybe of this group, 1 or 2 make the Twins next year. More than that would be an issue. I am guessing that Tonkin and Diamond have the best chances. Parmelle has lost his chance to make a statement and with Mauer probably playing first base 50% or more next year, do not see a role for him.

Lincecum will probably get a qualifying offer (about $14 mil). It is the price of pitching these days. That will put him beyond the Twins range(plus the second round draft pick in a deep draft). Johnson and Hughes would be just OK. Deduno looks like he is heading for surgery, so Twins need much more starting pitching.

Deduno may be a surgery candidate and I am not counting on him. That is why we need 2 very good FA pitchers and 1 filler type(Pelfrey might work here).

Pelfrey should be an option depending on price, but only an option. He is probably better than any of the low end prospects(Diamond, Albers, Hendriks)etc. Deduno looks like a surgery candidate as noted above. That leaves Correira as the only sure option for 2014. Fan base also will demand an upgrade, so money will have to be spent. TR did a decent job last year as look at the signings and the number of failures. This year will be tougher. Hope Gibson is ready to start here next year. Too many bad possibilities so we need to sign some pitchers, Pelfrey could well be one of them.

Mauer is the first baseman going forward. You are not going to risk more concussions with him. Collebello will probably back him up, DH and pitch hit. Parmelle is not going to be here. Pinto looks like the real deal. This should put the Twins in a good position.

I think Parmelle is done as a Twin. Mauer is our first baseman going forward and we have enough catchers. Hicks will start in AAA, Escobar will be our utility infielder and maybe platoon third base until Sano arrives in mid summer. Herrmann and Doumit will catch and play OF, Pinto should be the main catcher. Doumit might be traded in offseason, but that would be selling low.

Would be good with Lincecum or Johnson. Hughes will have to be overpaid to come here. Erwin Santana = no chance and Johan Santana would be a big risk and he still may want to pitch in a major venue. Pelfrey might work as a 4-5 type. Correira will be here along with one of Albers or Diamond. Twins need a front line upgrade for at least one to two years, best chance of that is Johnson. Lincecum might even be qualified with an offer. It is what the state of pitching will be with clubs getting about $25 million in additional revenue next year.

Would not be a big deal if Twins resigned Pelfrey. Twins still need to sign 1-2 FA pitchers that are better than what they have now. Pelfrey is better than Hendriks and some of the other AAAA starters they are rolling out now. I think 1 - 3 years at range of 3/21 would be top end. He has more upside than Corriea.

Not quite ready to give up yet. Plouffe has about 2-3 months next year to prove he belongs.

The big name hitter signings are not going to happen. I see the payroll in the 80 million range and the Twins need to spend all of that on pitching.

Hope Twins sign some upper level FA pitchers. This group just will not do it.

Mauer will probably be our primary first baseman. The rest will be just depth. Doubt either Parmelle or Collabello are around past June of next year.

I expect Hicks will be back in AAA to start next year. He will be promoted when the Twins feel he is ready.

Let's all take a deep breath 1. Mauer after the concussion will never be a full time catcher again, his position will be first base. 2. Morneau was not coming back after 1 and Twins wanted to be sure it was not an option for 10 and 5 rights 3. Money needs to be spent on pitching. Until the Twins pitch better(for some reason they did this weekend) they will be a losing ball club. 4. Ryans plan now is probably not to spend significant money until there is a feeling the up and coming hitters are ready, that will be 2015 at the earliest.

Missed Gibson, but do not think he is a lock. Only one starting pitcher from FA would be a repeat of this year, only worse with less hitting.

Sano will play winter ball, come to spring training with the Twins (probably as invite) and be sent to Rochester. Call up in mid 2014 (assuming he crushes in Rochester).

With 2013 being lost and 2014 not looking good for the start, this is my plan, on a limited payroll, est $80-$90 million(dueable with extra $25 million Twins will get next year for TV/radio rights) to try and put a competitive team on the field and sell seats to the fans. 1. Upgrade starting pitching staff. Sign if possible Josh Johnson and Tim Lincecum to contracts. Johnson should be a one year with option at about $7 millions. Lincecum may need 3 years for about $15 million a year to get it done. This assumes Giants do not make a qualifying offer. 1. Johnson 2. Corrira 3. Deduno 4. Lincecum or other upper level FA 5. Albers This leaves Diamond, Worley (Who could take Pressley's spot in the bullpen) at AAA for replacements. Do not view Hendriks as a major league pitcher. 2. Reorgainize bullpen. Roenicke will probably be gone, Tonkin should get a look, Pressley should be back in AAA unless Twins decide he is bullpen only. Bullpen will consist of 1. Perkins 2. Burton 3. Fien 4. Thielbar 5. Swarzak 6. Duensing (unless traded, which should be looked at). His arbitration number may be higher than he is worth) 7. Pressley if Twins decide he is worth it (I would put him at AAA and give him a shot at starting) I would use an FA or rule 5 draft pick here Catching. This is the big question as it affects all the other positions. My guess is that Mauer will catch some, but the next concussion could end that. 1. Mauer 2. Doumit 3. Herrmann Pinto will start it AAA, If he forces his way on the roster Doumit could be traded, at this time think this would be selling low. Infield 1B Collobella, Parmelee, Mauer - do not see Morneau back too much money needed for pitching and Mauer's concussion has changed the diametics. 2B Dozier SS Florimon 3B Plouffe - Sano should replace about midyear. This would push Plouffe to a Utility/platoon role against lefties Utility Escobar Outfield 1. Arcia 2. Non catcher/bench of Herrmann or Doumit 3. Sign Grady Sizemore to an incentive laden contract. Hopefully he will be healthy by late fall. Chance to have someone good at a reasonable price. 1 Year 3-4 million with incentives to earn a lot more. With an option year. 4. Mastro That is 2014 12 pitchers, 3 catchers, 5 infielders, 4 outfielders and one undetermined DH or a Rochester addition next year (Richerson, Romero). Let me know your comments.

I do not see Parmellee being a major league player, so Willingham is not blocking him. Doumit will be needed if the Twins decide that it is too risky for Mauer to catch more than about 50 games a year, at least until Pinto proves he is ready. Herrmann is an ugrade to Butera, but is just a backup. Hicks will start next year in AAA. The only reason to dump Willingham for little would be to free money for pitching. Then the Twins would have hitting to worry about.

Parade starts in 2015, but more likely it will be 2016 - 2017 when the Twins break through, and that will only happen if the starting pitching dramatically improves.

Doubt Willingham will be claimed, but do the Twins take a little return for him. Agree he is blocking spots for players coming, but this could be selling real low.