old nurse

I guess we will find out after the CWS. He is pitching tonight.

Latroy Hawkins and Brad Radke. Baseball reference has a page listing the primary starters and closers. Boof Bonser also came out of high school but not drafted by the Twins.

Plenty have questioned the coaching ability of various staff members. As none on this list have washed out with the Twins and went on to success elsewhere one could say it is not the coaching.

Unless the Twins dramatically overpay for a free agent, getting a number one starter is a pipe dream. The approach the Twins might have to take is finding an underperforming starter on another team and offer them trinkets to get them. The hope would be that that starter would turn into the Pavano of 2010, not 2012. If they are turning around their season with the Twins still not being contenders trade them at the trade deadline for a couple of stud prospects. Fixing the rotation long term lies in developing prospects. Injuries and bad trades (Garza) have derailed the recent hopes of developing a number one or two starter, but one still has to hold out some hope.

Puckett's pond had a series of articles on the trades made by Ryan. There was a lot of swapping of minor league players for something that might work out. A player like Doumit he could get a decent return on (Joe Mays for Roberto Kelly). When he traded an established player, he appeared to get good results. Lohse being the exception. Average relievers and mediocre starters not so well. Given that record, I would not have him trade either Burton or Perkins.

Hindsight is always 20-20 Some of the later picks were mediocre also. I saw references to several former Twins like Matt LeCroy and Dan Ford. It shows just how difficult of a job scouting is. Projecting college players did not appear to be any better than high school players. I should have written down the players but it would have appeared that several years the first round did not produce much for players. Like the year they labeled Matt LeCroy ( a fine human being from what I read) as the alternative pick for the first round. In their all time 50 worst draft picks ever http://bleacherreport.com/articles/1197239-mlb-draft-2012-power-ranking-50-worst-draft-busts-of-all-time Bj Garbe was #40, Adam Johnson number 35, and Brian Oelkers number 32. I think the Padres had the most on the list along with the Expos. 22 of the 50 were pitchers.

I don't think the rule changed. For the first two rounds if your player does not sign then you get that slot plus one. As there will not be as many compensatory picks I don't know if it means the Twins would get the 43 pick, or a pick before the 2 round starts. I thought when the selected Bard it might be so if he signed, great. If he did not, they could use the money to entice a lower round pick they liked. Slot value was 1.2 million.That could be a better bonus than the player might otherwise get.

This list is from baseball prospectus.com. I deleted anyone with a club option as I figured if they were any good the club would pick up the option. If they are injured and the club doesn't pick up the option I figured the likelihood of them helping for the whole year was small. 16 pitchers, how many teams actually competing for the services? The price would be high. Joe Blanton Matt Cain Kevin Correia Zack Greinke Jeremy Guthrie Cole Hamels Colby Lewis Francisco Liriano Kyle Lohse Derek Lowe Shaun Marcum Daisuke Matsuzaka Brandon McCarthy Carl Pavano Anibal Sanchez Jonathan Sanchez Joe Saunders I would have to figure the best way for the Twins for immediate help would be through trade. They would have to hope that some team is enamored with one of the Twins prospects to overpay. Trading veterans at the trade deadline might bring prospects for 2014. Nothing sure. I think the list was before the season started.

Keeping somewhat in spirit of the question although they are not the best all time I picked 6 on the current roster Catcher Mauer 1b Morneau (I also dreamed he did not get kneed between the eyes) CF Span LF Willingham 3b Plouffe (I dreamed the pitchers don't figure hin out SS Dozier (I wasn't going to pick someone who piched 2b Rod Carew when Sir Rodney was young enough to play 2b RF Tony Oliva before the knees went DH Harmon Killebrew Relief, Readon over Aggie Starter Morrris was here only 1 year so I would have to go with Viola.

Not to be picky, but shouldn't the line read "attempt to upgrade"? I do not recall anyone being thrilled with the signing of Marquis. A 500 pitcher that ate innings. First time through the AL was not a good trip. I did not remember of 3 million would have bought much else.

One could hope that he learns to pitch in the manner of a Greg Maddux rather than a Mike Maddux.

I would like to see some movement in the system and an unclogging of plenty of "veteran" has-beens (never weres) like Thomas, Roof, et al. While it appears the Twins are in no hurry to move people up to Rochester, Wilkin Ramirez is the only player on the Rock Cats roster appearing to be doing that well at the plate. They wouldn't be clogging up the system if there were players to be moved up. Although the role of the minor leagues is to develop players, the bottom line is they have to put out as competitive team as they can. No fans when the team plays consistently poor means no money for the owner.

With Ryan's (not Smith's) history on trades of productive veterans, if he trades Span or Capps he would get a good return. With disgruntled players, if he traded Valencia, the Twins would receive a player that would wash out.

Didn't the Twins do reasonably well with Santana and 4 fours? You really do not know what Hendricks will do unless you let him pitch and figure it out at the major league level. I would dislike comparing him to Brad Radke, but that is the impression. Won't overpower you but will fool you.

I did not go back and look but I recall teams making deals for relievers at the deadline. It is entirely possible that one of the Twins middle relievers will go. Sort of a McDonald for Dotel deal is possible, Pittsburg didn't get an ace, but he appears to be a solid starter for them. Some team thinking an upgrade will get them over the top will make a foolish trade. Ryan is capable of doing that. Krivisky is around now. When Ryan and Krivisky were a pair they pulled of great deals. Not Capps or Perkins, but one of the other relievers could be that kind of trade bait. Burton the most likely, the others less so.

13 players in 15 years drafted from round 3-10 made majors. Thought we had a great minor league system. Fire Deron Johnson?? Went thru most teams & its incredible how few 2-10s progress. Makes it more imparative to hit a HR w/your#1 pick When an organization can sift through other organizations prospects better than they can draft their own that should be a sign there is a problem. Capps, Gray and Burton are holding up better in the bullpen than the homegrown talent. Diamond and Walters are pitching better than the homegrown talent. How many bandaid free agents were signed as middle infielders the last 10 years. Something is wrong. In regards to Slowey when he pitched for the team. one would have to say he received some of the best run support ever. Lucky to get half of the 39 wins.

It looks like from statistics he is a batting practice pitcher. [TABLE=class: yspcontent, width: 974] [TD=width: 800, align: -webkit-left][TABLE=class: yspcontent, width: 974] [TD=width: 800][TABLE=width: 100%] [TR=class: yspsctbg, bgcolor: #666666] [TD=class: ysptblhdr, colspan: 22]Pitching[/TD] [TR=class: ysptblthbody1, bgcolor: #CCCCCC] [TD=class: yspdetailttl, width: 18%, align: left] Last 3 years[/TD] [TD=class: yspdetailttl, width: 6%, align: left]Team[/TD] [TD=class: yspdetailttl]G[/TD] [TD=class: yspdetailttl]GS[/TD] [TD=class: yspdetailttl]W[/TD] [TD=class: yspdetailttl]L[/TD] [TD=class: yspdetailttl]SV[/TD] [TD=class: yspdetailttl]BS[/TD] [TD=class: yspdetailttl]HLD[/TD] [TD=class: yspdetailttl]CG[/TD] [TD=class: yspdetailttl]SHO[/TD] [TD=class: yspdetailttl]IP[/TD] [TD=class: yspdetailttl]H[/TD] [TD=class: yspdetailttl]R[/TD] [TD=class: yspdetailttl]ER[/TD] [TD=class: yspdetailttl]HR[/TD] [TD=class: yspdetailttl]BB[/TD] [TD=class: yspdetailttl]K[/TD] [TD=class: yspdetailttl]ERA[/TD] [TD=class: yspdetailttl]WHIP[/TD] [TD=class: yspdetailttl]BAA[/TD] [TR=class: ysprow2, bgcolor: #F6F7F2] [TD=class: yspscores, align: left] 2010[/TD] [TD=class: yspscores, align: left]COL[/TD] [TD=class: yspscores]28[/TD] [TD=class: yspscores]8[/TD] [TD=class: yspscores]2[/TD] [TD=class: yspscores]3[/TD] [TD=class: yspscores]0[/TD] [TD=class: yspscores]1[/TD] [TD=class: yspscores]1[/TD] [TD=class: yspscores]0[/TD] [TD=class: yspscores]0[/TD] [TD=class: yspscores]72.0[/TD] [TD=class: yspscores]94[/TD] [TD=class: yspscores]59[/TD] [TD=class: yspscores]49[/TD] [TD=class: yspscores]5[/TD] [TD=class: yspscores]26[/TD] [TD=class: yspscores]66[/TD] [TD=class: yspscores]6.13[/TD] [TD=class: yspscores]1.67[/TD] [TD=class: yspscores].318[/TD] [TD=class: yspscores] [/TD] [/TR] [TR=class: ysprow1, bgcolor: #FFFFFF] [TD=class: yspscores, align: left] 2011[/TD] [TD=class: yspscores, align: left]COL[/TD] [TD=class: yspscores]18[/TD] [TD=class: yspscores]13[/TD] [TD=class: yspscores]6[/TD] [TD=class: yspscores]6[/TD] [TD=class: yspscores]0[/TD] [TD=class: yspscores]0[/TD] [TD=class: yspscores]0[/TD] [TD=class: yspscores]0[/TD] [TD=class: yspscores]0[/TD] [TD=class: yspscores]83.0[/TD] [TD=class: yspscores]110[/TD] [TD=class: yspscores]65[/TD] [TD=class: yspscores]65[/TD] [TD=class: yspscores]14[/TD] [TD=class: yspscores]47[/TD] [TD=class: yspscores]63[/TD] [TD=class: yspscores]7.05[/TD] [TD=class: yspscores]1.89[/TD] [TD=class: yspscores].320[/TD] [TD=class: yspscores] [/TD] [/TR] [TR=class: ysprow2, bgcolor: #F6F7F2] [TD=class: yspscores, align: left] 2012[/TD] [TD=class: yspscores, align: left]COL[/TD] [TD=class: yspscores]23[/TD] [TD=class: yspscores]0[/TD] [TD=class: yspscores]0[/TD] [TD=class: yspscores]2[/TD] [TD=class: yspscores]0[/TD] [TD=class: yspscores]2[/TD] [TD=class: yspscores]2[/TD] [TD=class: yspscores]0[/TD] [TD=class: yspscores]0[/TD] [TD=class: yspscores]25.2[/TD] [TD=class: yspscores]36[/TD] [TD=class: yspscores]23[/TD] [TD=class: yspscores]23[/TD] [TD=class: yspscores]2[/TD] [TD=class: yspscores]18[/TD] [TD=class: yspscores]29[/TD] [TD=class: yspscores]8.06[/TD] [TD=class: yspscores]2.10[/TD] [TD=class: yspscores].324[/TD] [TD=class: yspscores] [/TD] [/TR] [TR=class: ysprow1, bgcolor: #FFFFFF] [TD=class: yspscores, align: left] Career (Full)[/TD] [TD=class: yspscores] [/TD] [TD=class: yspscores]70[/TD] [TD=class: yspscores]22[/TD] [TD=class: yspscores]8[/TD] [TD=class: yspscores]11[/TD] [TD=class: yspscores]0[/TD] [TD=class: yspscores]3[/TD] [TD=class: yspscores]3[/TD] [TD=class: yspscores]0[/TD] [TD=class: yspscores]0[/TD] [TD=class: yspscores]184.2[/TD] [TD=class: yspscores]243[/TD] [TD=class: yspscores]149[/TD] [TD=class: yspscores]139[/TD] [TD=class: yspscores]21[/TD] [TD=class: yspscores]93[/TD] [TD=class: yspscores]161[/TD] [TD=class: yspscores]6.77[/TD] [TD=class: yspscores]1.82[/TD] [TD=class: yspscores].318[/TD] [TD=class: yspscores] [/TD] [/TR] [/TABLE] [TABLE=width: 100%] [/TABLE] [/TD] [/TR] [/TABLE] [/TD] [/TR] [/TABLE] I would say if you believe Anderson is smarter than Apodaca and can refine his pitching, maybe. The last few years it looks like he is the pitcher they throw out when the game is out of hand.

I would say that no one on this team for the right price is safe from trades. On the other hand, no one on this team at this is worth selling for much. Except for Capps, the players with expiring contracts would be bit players at best on another team. A Liriano that could pitch to potential would either be untouchable or sold for a high price. History is against Liriano. Moving anyone with more than other year left on their contract would be either salary dump or trading a decent overpaid player for another player of similar caliber Span would be the exception. If they move Span it would hopefully be for something like a potentially stud starting pitcher with good mechanics and other prospects. He is the one Twin that should bring a large return

Although the thread is interesting one little fact keeps bugging me. The accuracy of the work. Baseball scouting is such an inexact science. I looked at the 2005 draft first round. The top 10 players selected were ok to stars, after that it got spotty. Hard to predict what a draftee will do. Randomly I picked 2008. MLB.com top 50 of all of baseball. Impressive list. Great year. Number 7 played in the majors for the first time that year, bust at best. So even when they are major league ready, scouting major league success is hard.

When faced with losing a player for nothing at the end of the year a team may try to trade the player. The more players available for a trade, the less the price. No compensation picks means the teams losing players have less high draft picks than before. On average from 2007-2011 there were 23 comp. picks between the first and second rounds. The end result is the teams that cannot afford the almost superstar player will either have to trade them for less or get nothing if they lose him. The teams losing players will have less of a chance of finding the next almost superstar because they have less high picks. As you know, being a high MLB pick only gets you in the door. There are very few sure things in the draft.

Matt Guerrier did not fare so well after leaving the Twins would be another example of Twins pitchers leaving without success . Also note the lack of A list pitchers in the list. They look better on cherry picked statistics, but not none were perennial All Stars. Merely better than average in some cases for a year or two. Factors that caused some of these players to leave should be considered. Baseball is about money paid to players, there is only so much to go around. I am sure the Twins would have loved to keep Jesse Crain if it were on talent alone. They chose to spend elsewhere. Garza for Young ended up a bad trade. If Young would have hit his potential here, we would not have minded losing a solid starter. Money for Garza versus the potential that Slowey and Blackburn showed made the trade possible. It failed. A case could be made for Loshe. Traded for a mid level prospect was a bad trade.

Not necessarily college pitchers but plenty of starters were relievers at one point in their career. Texas has Ogando and Feliz starting. Lance Lynn with the Cards is doing well as a starter. Sale with the White Sox was a reliever, now a decent starter. These are all first year starters, perhaps the league will catch on to what they do. Career wise notable for coming in from the pen was Dave Stewart, Derek Lowe and David Wells. Specifically college relievers would take a little time. The bigger question with all of these pitchers is do they have a good enough coach in the minors to teach them the third and fourth pitches they will need. These players show some skill and success at the college level. As none have that wow factor then they would have to be taught skills.

There is the MLB tuition program that they can negotiate in their first contract. Given that schools only have on average 12 scholarships to divide between the players it might be more profitable to negotiate with a team for the max bonus with max scholarship money. One would hope that the teams would be smart enough to have people motivated and organized. I know, there is plenty of evidence to the contrary.

I did not follow the teams. The statistics from the 2011 rosters shows combined they used 46 pitchers. A couple were rehab starts. Combined it looks like they used about 35 position players. The players not promoted to an "A" level should have been cut over the winter not this spring. I don't recall any player repeating low level ball being an impact player at the major league level. I guess you have to fill a roster with somebody.

mlb.com main page in the center has a link for the tracker. It is not live so you have to go back and recheck the page.