jokin

Oops! As deservedly highly regarded as Didi is in the field, his bat has always been, and always will be, a major question mark, notwithstanding the 3 year difference in age. Excellent statistical illustration S.! And I actually would greatly prefer Gregorius over Florimon, but the logic of trading away the "possible answer" for one of the Twins positional black holes for another of the black holes escapes me completely. If the D-Backs are really willing to make this deal, it means they must regard the trade for Gregorius in the first place as an overall failure- let alone to somehow assume that he be regarded as somehow, "elite". (They traded away a BA #9 Starting Pitching prospect to Cleveland in a 3-way deal). By signing Drew and giving up nothing except a 2nd Rd. pick, it gives the Twins the chance to buy ample time to see if one of their prospects is going to be the long-term answer, or if they need to seek another major league option somewhere farther down the road. If they do find the right candidate, Drew would then make an excellent 2B option as he approaches 35- to the Twins or someone else.

Or that clubs already have the position filled. Or that his asking price/years requested is too steep. Or that his health is in question. Or that clubs don't want to deal with Boras. Or that Drew is mulling the reported interest of 6-8 clubs, determining the best offer. Or that most clubs don't value a MLB SS=1st Rd Draft Pick. Lots of possible reasons besides yours.

3 possible reasns (in no particular order): 1) The Twins traded away their only 2 starting CF options before 2013, they ended up paying a steep price. Suzuki is an insurance policy. 2) By signing Suzuki, they now have a possible Plan A and Plan B with Pinto- (A) give him the starting job if he proves healthy enough and ready enough. ( give him another 60 days in AAA to get healthy enough and more ready. 3) Gardy is only in his comfort zone with at least one plodding, no-hit catcher to call upon at a momemt's notice.

I'm definitely not worried about too many "SS's" in the Twins depth chart. How about just one ML SS?

Funny, so does the Twins' SS depth chart. Is anyone arguing that a 2-year contract for Drew is going to somehow bust the payroll? It really isn't that much more money, and there is a lot at stake when the alternative is a SS who very well may struggle breaking .600 OPS on an already-offensively-challenged team.

Based on the latest StarTribune coverage, it's apparently the Pelf's mirth-making, tension-reducing prankersterism among the SPs in the bullpen between starts. I personally like the guy, and a good attitude combined with his bulldog work ethic can be plusses. I more object to Ryan seemingly bidding against himself for #5-level talent, of which there was already a surplus, and not more strongly considering other short-term options, of which there were also plenty.

By this logic, the club was equally obligated to making a more concerted effort in upgrading the SS, CF, DH, positions..... in which Twins players all were the AL worst or near the overall bottom..... and they would have at least tried to break even or attempt to make a net upgrade between the 1B/C combo, with the loss of Morneau. Put me down in favor of even more bridge-gapping. All of these moves could have been accomplished without taking on any albatross contracts, and maybe would have only cost draft picks beyond the #45 overall pick to do so.

Why are we even still discussing and defending the use of these AAAA-types? The point was that it was incumbent on the Twins to eliminate these types for legitimate contention for SP spots- particularly when blocking guys who still may fit into the long-term plan. The Twins offseason actions in, finally, signing legitimate major league starters is their admission as such- that foisting these types in a MLB rotation was pure and fanciful folly.

Right-O. Gibson's game log in Rochester is illuminating. Gibson had 15 starts in AAA before finally debuting with the Twins on June 29. In his fiirst 4 starts in April, he had 2 very good performances, one so-so, and one clinker, leaving him with an ERA of 4.43 and WHIP of 1.28. Starting in late April, in 11 starts, Gibson had an ERA of 2.61 with a WHIP of 0.99. This string all started on April 27 with 2 Complete Game shutouts (one near no-hitter), an 8-inning shut out and a 7-inning shut out performance combined with 2 totally expected clinkers through May 25. This was all happening while the Twins Starting Pitchers put up a 6.26 ERA and 1.70 WHIP in May. Before their demotions: Pedro Hernandez contributed 7 starts with a 6.19 ERA. PJ Walters in 7 appearances had a 6.03 ERA. Vance Worley in 10 appearances had an ERA of 7.21. Mike Pelfrey in 14 appearances had an ERA of 6.11. Gibson should have been up much sooner.

Uhh, it was generally known that DeVries had won a spot in the rotation. This was but one of many articles and media reports that acknowledged that fact- and installing AAAA-types into the rotation had been SOP for 2 seasons running- DeVries was but one of many guys whose only qualification was posessing a pulse who got the "promotion" over Gibson. And regarding Gibson, I don't pretend to know what would have happened. But, as I stated, finding out at the major league level was the object and the point for all of the potential prospects n 2013. There was nothing to lose in the W-L column for the major league club last year. Gibson's superior performances were largely wasted in Rochester. Your stating that the Twins put him "in the best position to succeed" is simply your own opinion, one that many disagree with, and as it turns out, was a completely failed strategy. And it's also merely your opinion that it has something to do with the extent of his injury. But you're right- in that I share your opinion in this last regard, it did have something to do with the extent of his development... and that's what I've been arguing all along, that his development would have been better served at the major league level, while his arm was still fresh.

I don't think anyone is talking about fooling anyone. If someone really needs a bat, it's a question if they would be willing to put up with his obvious inadequacies. Demonstrating his health at this point is more important than demonstrating his competency (or lack thereof).

Any current log jam is only of the Twins making, and can just as easily be swept away. Willingham is likely gone, either by the deadline or at the end of the season, Parmelee and Colabello likely never will find success as a Twin, Kubel is a crapshoot, if he works out, he can take an OF spot until a verdict is reached on on when and where the future roles of Hicks, Rosario and Buxton are fulfilled. Morales is still only 30, and seemingly still has many productive years ahead of him- he could be another veteran presence along with Mauer as the next wave comes up, but providing the Latin/Spanish-first verson of that presence in the process. As the OP states, and can't be overestimated, he offers switch-hitting flexibility and fits in perfectly to fill in for Mauer for 10-25 games per year at 1B. One year, with a mutual option and an opt-out for Morales (which could help the Twins to possibly recoup the lost draft pick) could serve this team well, both short-term and long-term.

Alot of teams with at least a reasonably good-to-great CF won't care, as long as they think Josh can produce somewhere between his career .830 OPS/122 OPS+ and his .890 OPS/143 OPS+ and, particularly in the case of NL teams, at least filed the majority of balls hit in his general direction. Josh playing in the field "minimally successful", helps his potential trade value dramatically, plus, as noted previously, he produces at a much higher rate when playing both ways.

You're missing the point. The very fact that a player the likes of DeVries was in the opening day rotation is the point. His body of work over his career is all the evidence we need to know how he would have pitched- he was a classic AAAA player, someone you call up for a spot start, only- everyone knows that- yet the Twins foisted DeVries and the others I've mentioned as legitimate "contenders" for rotation spots, over 2 miserable seasons- before finally admitting how foolish that whole charade was this offseason. Gibson never even had a chance to make the opening day roster, so YEAH, he was blocked by "the likes of" DeVries- presumptively because he was coming back from a long layoff from TJ, thus requiring AAA innings. But given his advanced age and the Twins in the midst of rebuilding and not being overly concerned about the W-L record, I would have had no problem starting him out right away in the MLB rotation, if and when he proved not ready, he easily could have continued his real-time-rehab, stating every 5th day in Rochester- exactly the scenario that Pelfrey could have been convinced to pursue. Gibson's #1 draft pick status, good minor league career and dominanat 2013 AAA performance is all we need to know that he was wasted in Rochester by keeping him there until the end of June. It really isn't hard at all to infer that a guy on a 130+ innings limit who frequently dominated the IL during the bulk of his time there probably was reaching the end of his effectiveness by the time he was called up- based on his subsequent major league results. A tired arm, a club-imposed innings limit and the major league learning curve all combined to doom his major league numbers.

Let's see....what basis?.....what opinion?....how about just some simple fact-checking: "Cole DeVries won a spot in the season-opening rotation last season, but landed on the disabled list with a forearm issue before he could make his 2013 debut." http://www.twincities.com/twins/ci_24766598/minnesota-twins-not-interested-keeping-cole-de-vries Give me something harder to research than this next time, please. And I stand with Thrylos and many others who post here in saying that by the time the Twins had explored every healthy option, Gibson had used up much of his arm strength- a May call-up was warranted on a rebuilding team, not wasting more and more time with guys who not only are not part of the future, but who also had no business on a major league roster as a starter.

Isn't the arb date some time in May, with the Super 2 date determined some time in June based on compiling all of the possible Super 2 candidates? (Much like Gibson last year).

Bingo! Once Gibson passed the arb date,in May, it made absolutely no sense for him to waste his best remaining innings in AAA. He builds his arm strength in the majors in May, he also learns more about what will and won't work for him. Putting Pelphrey on a AAA rehab assignment and replacing him with Gibson last May also would have been another possible wise move. It seems a little spendthriftingly shortsighted to hold Gibson back just to avoid potential Super 2 status.

I actually have also predicted 72 wins this season. I take issue with your characterization that the Twins only stand to gain a win or two....or are giving anything up to sign Drew. His signing should pre-empt no potential additional signings or trade- veterans coming off the payroll during this year and next defray much of the cost of signing Drew- and the Twins potential resources are still not close to being fully tapped- Pohlad himself has said that spending to get better sooner is a club priority. And actually, acquiring Drew should give you MORE trade options- as Drew is potentially far more valuable than a mere stop-gap player...... Drew's skill set means it's possible to trade a somewhat unique and solid left-handed, RHP-murdering batting SS at some point for a prospect farther along in potential than a lost 2nd round speculative draft pick. I too, hope our GM is focused on building a winner. Respect for the paying fan by putting more legitimate major leaguers on the field and an obvious effort at eliminating the AAAA types that populate this roster all-too-frequently is sorely needed- the fan base is quickly dissipating at an alarming rate. Having a real MLB SS on hand for the next 2 years gives you at least a decent shot at being a fringe contender in 2015 when the lineup and rotation turn over to the real prospects and perhaps another FA SP. Add a mutual option for 2016, and it gives you further flexibility for if/when that international SS FA signee/draft pick/trade target....is available or ready to assume the role- while giving the team a better chance at "winning" now, while we wait- that should also be the GM's focus, as well.

Nolasco's potential post-season start was nixed by the Dodgers- is Correia much more likely to get that start? And not to put words in Ox's mouth, but based on last year's numbers, Hughes, Pelfrey, Worley, Diamond have to actually improve to be rated as #5 starter-level, Deduno has to stay healthy for a full season to be considered better than a #5/spot starter, while Correia left Pittsburgh because he lost out the #5 starter spot with the Pirates. That's the 6 guys I think Oxtung is referring to- with good reason.

Except for last year, when the "youthful" Kyle Gibson was blocked by the likes of PJ Walters, Cole DeVries and Pedro Hernandez, instead of being called up in May. And Alex Meyer certainly won't be rushed this year, at least not until all the out-of option guys prove whether or not they deserve to be around- I even expect at least one or more of the recent offseason pitching acquisitions and/or Trevor May to get a start before Meyer does.

Who is that guy ignoring the Lu-Rod magic show?

Pinto's first 2 years of full-season ball (2010 and 11) were so suspect, that no national or local ranker had him above #38 on the Twins prospect lists-even after his 2012 breakout-- his OPS/wRC+ numbers were no better than mediocre in "10 and '11, even as a Catcher- and his fielding has always been a question mark (although he is certainly better than LeCroix). No question the light switched on at the plate in 2012. While what he's done the last 2 years as a batter are encouraging, he still has a ways to go before he's a certified major league backstop.

The Red Sox replace the 2013 $13.25M Ryan Dempster-debacle with a dumpster-dive-plunder in Chris Capuano- for only 1 yr/$2.25M base with incentives to $5M. With Paul Maholm getting potentially $6.5M, and Capuano projected to comp more closely to Arroyo, Hudson and Hughes, it's a shame that a team short a LHSP, didn't more seriously consider this low-risk option.

We seem to be closer than some realize. I've been advocating for a deal at no more than 2 years from 3 Drew threads ago. But nothing wrong with exploring a 3rd year mutual option arrangement. I'm not sure which rumor you've heard about 3/30, but I have frequently heard about Boras asking for 2 years with a first-year opt-out, and also that Drew has publicly stated he has no qualms. Both situations would be perfect for the Twins, they make the QO after the opt-out and maintain the potential to play Drew at SS or 3B.

Except based on WAR value computations from 3 of the last 4 years, he's a freaking bargain. And there's no reason, financially, that they couldn't sign both a high end pitcher as well as a complete MLB SS. If Drew's a "pedestrian" hitter for a SS, coming in at #4 in that group in 2013, what does that make the rest of the group? "Loiterers"? "Malingerers"? "Vagrants"? "Wastrels"? "Layabouts"?