beckmt

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

Will have to prove himself in AAA next year to get my vote.

Also might look at Linecum who will be an FA at the end of this year. Twins need to spent money on pitching, might as well start with possible top of rotation candidates.

Josh Johnson may be an FA this offseason, so that would be reasonable. Where is Kohl Steward as I would expect he would be to at least New Britain by 2015. Nice article and guess for that period. May have Bryon Buxton up here by 2015, expect Parmelee to be gone. Some of the minors may be gone by then, but all in all a nice guess.

Let Sano finish in AA. Then start him next year in AAA and see how he does. That will determine when he comes up. Rosario about the same, though he has been consistant in AA and may have a chance to start next year in the major leagues. Dozier is doing better so he will probably start in AAA next year.

I think the point was, that Sano has to understand what he did was wrong, it only would make thing worse for the next hitter or the next time he came to the plate when the pitcher might want to put on in his ear. That can affect a career.

He had surgery and is unlikely to pitch this year according to MLBtraderumors, so no. In the offseason maybe if he is cheap enough.

Expect Morneau to be traded, would not be surprised if Casey Fien was also (time to sell high on him). Burton could be. Doumit is not having a good enough year to bring a decent return. Do not expect teams to overpay for Perkins, though I hope if the offer is good enough TR trades him.

Three players Twins brought up are placeholders. Twins needed to play trade canidates as often as possible the next 2 weeks, so with the three sent down needing at bats this was a move for a 2-3 week period. Arcia will be back, so probably is Escobar, Parmelee is running out of time to make an impression, maybe he will produce if Morneau is traded, but my take would be still, can he produce under pressure as their will be little pressure the last two months of this year.

You cannot have too many good prospects. They can always be turned into talent for other positions.

I feel they should ship any veteran that they can get a decent return for. This includes Perkins. Arcia may need to return to Rochester for a breather, but Parmelee needs to step up or Twins should consider what to do for a 1st baseman for the next few years.

Agreed, I would trade Correia for the right prospect. Twins need all the pitching prospects they can get. They also have plenty of AAA options, who might be cheaper and slightly worse than Correia.

I am hoping for Rosario to be ready, maybe Dozier can return to SS. Twins are not scoring enough now as it is. We need hitting and players that can produce and not strikeout with men on base. Too many easy outs in the Twins lineup. This needs to be fixed. Article is very good. Rosario needs to be the 2nd baseman of the future and hopefully the future starts next April, if not then by the end of 2014.

Good article. It is tough as teams are less and less likely to give up their better prospects to fix the major league club. It shows about what the cap is to make a deal. Interested in seeing if any of this changes as we get close to July 31

I feel the onbase machine Twins have in Nate Roberts has been missed because of injuries this year, but should be on the list. Wimmers is a little high because he has not pitched in a year. Off the top of my head, this list should be close. Nice to revisit at the end of the year.

Gardy needs some pitching before he can be judged. However I do think Rick Anderson should be let go and maybe Gardy will go with him. Andy just does not seem to make his talent better and if he has input on talent evaluation, it is horrible.

Think Nate Roberts who has been an on base machine is rated too low. He has not played this year and we tend to forget about him. Angel Mata I believe is no longer in the organization. Outside of that a good list, but who knows what this will look like at the end of the year.

I believe this above comment is unjustified as TR has gone to drafting pitchers with stuff. You still need some 4-5 rotation types for a while, but most of the Twins higher pitching prospects have swing and miss stuff. Now we hope they will work out, or TR may have to find another Johan is a trade.

Depends on what the offers are. I could see Morneau being traded, he may not want a team friendly extension. Rest of them, depends on price, I could see the ire on this site being raised, if TR gets only a couple of class A players for some of the trades. I do believe these are the best type, risk, but high rewards if the pan out.

He is likely not to make it here. Maybe he needs to get to a real bad team with no pressure to work things out.