Thrylos

My thoughts on Twins' 40 man additions are here. As far as pitchers go, for a rebuilding team keeping Kintzler makes no sense. It is the opportunity cost. The Twins can find a replacement level pitcher like him, and likely they have him already (albeit 5-6 years younger in their minors.) So I would give AJ Baxendale & Zach Jones a chance over Kintzler for sure. I think that the Twins should look hard at Perkins. Does it look like he is going to return to his 2013 level this season? If not, they should cut the cord right now and DFA him. A rebuilding team does not need him to block other players that need to have a look, and a contending team cannot afford the 2015 Perkins (who single-handedly trashed the post-season hopes of the team.) If Perkins were from Oklahoma, instead of Minnesota, he would have been Blackburned. Pressly and Light are in the bubble for me. As are the non-mentioned Slegers (as a reliever) and Brandon Peterson. I do like to see what Jason Wheeler would do (and the fact that Antony preferred and promoted Albers over him last season, should be the final nail in his coffin.) No way I would protect Thorpe: He has not pitched for 2 years, last pitched at Cedar Rapids and was mediocre (4.24 FIP, 1.37 WHIP). Nobody will take a chance on him. Boshers, O'Rourke, Wimmers, Tonkin should not even be mentioned. Lucky that they did not go with the other cuts, but I guess they did not need the room yet. Gibson, Santana, Santiago are tradeable and should be traded esp. since this years FA class is so bad, someone will spend a ton of $ to pick up a pitcher who put Milone-like numbers in Korea. edit: Another name that is worth mentioning is Alan Busenitz. Antony traded Alex Meyer for him, so they might add him for political reasons, if Antony has a job in the organization when the World Series is over.

Putouts and assists per inning played analogous to WHIP, should probably be called PAIP to reduce the confusion

The Twins' shortstop of the future will be the opening day shortstop, Jorge Polanco.

It would make no sense for a rebuilding team to go out an waste money on a free agent closer, unless for some reason they are competitive come July and they have issues in the closer position. (*) Re: experience. It is a catch-22. If you are not going to close, you will not get experience. So it is time that the Twins allow the younger players who are coming to their primes, experience in the position: They should let, Chargois, Duffey, Burdi, Jones battle it out at Spring Training. Tonkin was never any good and he is not getting any better. He is at the AAAA Casey Fien level. Got to go. (*) The Twins are stuck with Hughes contract, and this is a biggr issue than Perkins'. Depending on how he returns from surgery, I always thought that he would make a better closer than a starter, plus he has experience (with great results) setting up Rivera. Only if they cannot trade him and/or are competing.

No I did not. But he was horrid on the plate. Which makes it pretty bad;.

Have seen enough of Wimmers. I'd rather see what Wheeler has to offer.

DFA is different than non-tender. If a player is not good enough for any other team, he should not be good enough for the Twins as well. Period. About time that they set higher standards. Plus there is the opportunity cost of not having minor leaguers on the cusp getting MLB experience. Wimmers is horrible any way you cut it.

Sure there is. About 4 million dollars, which is the difference of the slot bonus from the first to the fourth picks...

I'd love to see someone crunch the numbers of the kids who throw curveballs vs. sliders out of high school vs. their rates of TJ. And also the age they started throwing that curve vs TJ rates. I would bet that there is a definite correlation...

Originally published at The Tenth Inning Stretch --- The first segment of this series was dedicated to cleaning up the Twins' existing 40-man roster, assuming that the new management will do the right thing and go for a full rebuild. This second segment, further adjusts the roster by adding players to protect from the draft, and maybe subtracting some of the players on the derived roster. As a bonus, I will be listing additional Twins minor leaguers who do not need to be protected for the Rule 5 draft, but might merit consideration for a spot on the roster. This list will give a good overview of the high level minor league talent available currently in the Twins' organization. I will not proposed to add anyone who does not need to be added on the 40-man roster right now, eg. Steven Gonsalves, Jake Reed etc, but instead, the Twins should invite them as non-roster players to the 2017 Spring Training. If they win a job there, they should merit a roster spot, but the Twins would need much roster flexibility this off-season. Here is the 24 man roster, after the clean up. Noted that if Perkins is moved to the 60-day disabled list, the roster would stand at 23, allowing up to 17 openings: Jose Berrios 5/27/1994 (RHSP) Byron Buxton 12/18/1993 (CF) Juan Centeno 11/16/1989 © J.T. Chargois 12/3/1990 (RHRP) Tyler Duffey 12/27/1990 (RHRP) Phil Hughes 6/24/1986 (RHSP) Eduardo Escobar 1/5/1989 (IF) Max Kepler 2/10/1993 (RF) Yorman Landa 6/11/1994 (RHRP) Pat Light 3/29/1991 (RHRP) Joe Mauer 4/19/1983 (1B/DH) Trevor May 9/23/1989 (RHSP) Adalberto Mejia 6/20/1993 (LHSP) Mason Melotakis 6/28/1991 (LHRP) John Ryan Murphy 5/13/1991 © Byungho Park 7/10/1986 (1B/DH) Glen Perkins 3/2/1983 (LHRP) (*) Jorge Polanco 7/5/1993 (SS) Taylor Rogers 12/17/1990 (LHRP) Eddie Rosario 9/28/1991 (LF) Randy Rosario 5/18/1994 (LHRP) Miguel Sano 5/11/1993 (3B) Kennys Vargas 8/1/1990 (1B/DH) Adam Walker 10/18/1991 (OF/DH) Clearly the weakest lings on the roster are the two borderline age-wise position players, Catcher Juan Centeno, and utility infielder Eduardo Escobar. In addition, Pat Light is the weakest relief pitcher, so borderline players would be compared to these three because they will be fighting for their spots. Here are the Rule 5 Draft-eligible Position players, by position: Catchers: Kevin Garcia, 9/17/1992, A/A+, 2016: .249/.302/.323, career: .252/.321/.315 Mitch Garver, 1/1/1991, AAA/AA, 2016: .270/.342/.422, career: .267/.359/.406 (*) Rainis Silva, 3/20/1996 A, 2016: .230/.297/.254, career: .238/.295/.293 Stuart Turner, 12/27/1991, AA, 2016: .239/.322/.363, career: .241/.325/.352 Clearly Mitch Garver should be on the roster, since he will be fighting for a starting job in 2017. Rainis Silva's glove is the best in the organization at the Catcher position right now, but his bat stinks, and unless that improves (and there is a lot of time, he just turned 20,) there is no risk of losing him. I do not see Kevin Garcia being selected. Whether adding Stuart Turner on the roster, is a toss-up. His bat does not play in the majors, but his glove might. Which brings the question: who should be on the roster, Turner or Centeno? I think that Centeno's lefty bat that was not unrespectable in the majors wins here, but it is a close call. It might be an academic question because the Twins are in dire need of a young good catcher, and if they obtain him this off-season will take the spot now reserved for Centeno. Additions: Garver Infielders: Niko Goodrum, 2/28/1992, A+/AA, 2016: .275/.352/.464, career: .247/.339/.368 Levi Michael 2/9/1991, AA, 2016: .215/.293/.291, career: .250/.341/.343 Amaurys Minier, 1/20/1996, RK+, 2016: .222/.318/.449, career: .233/.321/.422 Rafael Valera, 8/25/1994, A, 2016: .261/.366/.409, career: .260/.380/.333 Engelb Vielma, 6/22/1994, A+/AA, 2016: .265/.344/.310, career: .264/.327/.309 Ryan Walker, 3/26/1992, A+/AA, 2016: .271/.347/.345, career: .262/.324/.321 Levi Michael had a terrible season after two strong ones, and I am not sure whether he is even in the Twins' plans right now that the administration that picked him in the first round is extinct. I cannot see Valera or Walker get selected, I think that Niko's Goodrum's career year and positional versatility (can play both positions on the left side of the infield, and can sub for both Sano and Polanco, plus Centerfield) as well as Engelb Vielma's standout glove and improved to respectability bat, will entice teams and could help the Twins in the future. As a matter of fact, either would be better as a utility player for the 2017 Twins than Eduardo Escobar. Both in, Escobar traded/non-tendered. The last player in this list is a wild card. Amaurys Minier has had superstar potential but been plagued by injuries and inconsistencies. Has not played above Elizabethton, but I am so afraid that someone could pull a Johan Santana on the Twins and pick him. Got to protect him for at least another year. Additions: Goodrum, Minier, Vielma Subtractions: Escobar Outfielders: Edgar Corcino 6/7/1992, AA/A+ 2016: .273/.337/.420, career: .245/.316/.368 JJ Fernandez, 3/30/1994, A, 2016: .225/.293/.363, career: .239/.293/.363 Zach Granite, 9/17/1992, AA, 2016: .295/.347/.382 (56/70 SB), career: .282/.349/.354 (*) Max Murphy, 11/17/1992, A/A+, 2016: .236/.289/.358, career: .252/.329/.411 Travis Harrison, 10/17/1992, AA, 2016: .230/.338/.339, career: .254/.360/.380 Daniel Palka, 10/28/1991, AA/AAA, 2016: .254/.327/.521, career: .268/.346/.509 (*) I think that what I wrote previously regardless Levi Michael, applies to Travis Harrison as well. This might be his last chance in the Twins' organization. Fernandez and Murphy are not close to being MLB-ready or selected in the draft. Corcino is a better player than both, but still ways away. This leaves the player whom the Twins named minor league player of the year, Zach Granite, and the player they should had named, Daniel Palka. They both should be protected and added on the 40-man roster. Palka will fight (or push back to second base) Eduardo Rosario for a corner outfielder job and Zach Granite and his 56 stolen bases might make the best 4th outfielder, pinch runner combination the Twins have had for years. Additions: Granite, Palka Notable non-Rule 5 Draft-eligible at A+ and above position players: Nick Gordon (SS) 10/24/1995, A+, 2016: .291/.335/.386, career: .285/.335/.371 LaMonte Wade (OF) 1/1/1994, A/A+, 2016: .293/.402/.438, career: .297/.409/.459 Both should be invited to the 2017 Spring Training and given the ability to win an MLB job, but they should not be added on the roster unless they need to. Rule 5 Draft-eligible Pitchers: Starters: Ryan Eades ®, 12/15/1991, AA, 2016: 4.61 ERA, 1.376 WHIP, 7.2 K/9 career: 4.33 ERA, 1.379 WHIP, 6.7 K/9 Felix Jorge.® 1/2/1994, A+/AA, 2016: 2.69 ERA, 1.088 WHIP, 5.9 K/9 career: 3.17 ERA, 1.164 WHIP, 7.4 K/9 Aaron Slegers, ® 9/4/1992, AA, 2016: 3.41 ERA, 1.259 WHIP, 6.4 K/9 career: 3.54 ERA, 1.178 WHIP, 6.5 K/9 Fernando Romero, ® 12/24/1994, A/A+, 2016: 2.09 ERA, 0.897 WHIP, 9.0 K/9 career: 2.37 ERA, 1.032 WHIP, 8.8 K/9 Lewis Thorpe, (L), 11/23/1995. lost 2015 and 2016 with Tommy John surgery & other ailments. 2012-2014: 2.96 ERA, 1.176 WHIP, 11.2 K/9 Jason Wheeler (L), 10/27/1990, AAA/AA, 2016: 3.30 ERA, 1.163 WHIP, 7.2 K/9 career: 3.66 ERA, 1.325 WHIP, 6.4 K/9 Ryan Eades had a below average season as a starter and I expect him to make the transition to the pen this season, which will be his best opportunity to get to the majors. Felix Jorge and Fernando Romero are just too good not to add. Both, especially Romero, have outside chances of wining a position in the Twins' rotation this spring. They are both no-brainer additions. Lewis Thorpe was a phenomenal prospect who lost 2 seasons in a row. Is he back? Only the Twins know. I just do not see a chance for anyone to select him, but if the Twins think there is, I can see him add him on the roster. I won't. Slegers is an intriguing possibility: He has been above average his career with above average stuff, but has shown nothing eye opening, in both raw stuff and results. Very intriguing conversion to a reliever who might get a mid to high 90s fastball from this frame. Should the Twins add him on the roster and do it? In the expense of Pat Light or any of the other relievers who need protection? I don't think so. Regardless whether he is selected or not, he should be in a bullpen next season. This leaves us to Jason Wheeler whom the Twins protected in 2015, unprotected in 2016, and snubbed him for a call up, in a year he was pitching well in both AA and AAA, for the likes of Anrew Albers. Terrible decision, but I hope that the change in the administration does the right thing and protects him, if for not other reason, because he is lefty and successful and he is second, after Adalberto Mejia, in the Twins LHSP depth chart. This might change during the off-season if the Twins acquire a LHSP or two better than Mejia, and they should target that. But until then, Wheeler is in, at least for 2017 to show what he can do. Additions: Jorge, Romero, Wheeler Relievers: Luke Bard ® 11/13/1990, A+/AA, 2016: 3.74 ERA, 1.400 WHIP, 7.9 K/9 career: 3.23 ERA, 1.310 WHIP, 7.9 K/9 DJ Baxendale ®, 12/8/1990, As a RP only: AAA 2016: 1.29 ERA, 1.029 WHIP, 10.3 K/9 Omar Bencomo ® 2/10/1989, AA/AAA, 2016: 3.74 ERA, 1.352 WHIP, 6.8 K/9, career: 3.77 ERA, 1.271 WHIP, 6.7 K/9 Cameron Booser (L), 5/4/1992, A/A+, 2016: 8.53 ERA, 2.013 WHIP, 12.1 K/9, career: 4.32 ERA, 1.571 WHIP, 12.1 K/9 Alan Busenitz ® 8/22/1990, AA/AAA, 2016: 3.54 ERA, 1.262 WHIP, 8.1 K/9 career: 3.55 ERA, 1.320 WHIP, 7.6 K/9 (might protect him for political reasons - he came in the Meyer/Nolasco trade, but there are better players) C.K. Irby, ®, 5/6/1992, A, 2016: 2.42 ERA, 1.119 WHIP, 10.5 K/9 career: 3.56 ERA, 1.264 WHIP, 11.5 K/9 Zack Jones ®, 12/4/1990, AA/AAA, 2016: 3.47 ERA, 1.294 WHIP, 12.4 K/9 career: 2.97 ERA, 1.218 WHIP, 12.7 K/9 Brandon Peterson, ®, 9/23/1991, A+/AA, 2016: 3.30 ERA, 1.150 WHIP, 11.2 K/9 career: 2.41 ERA, 1.109 WHIP, 12.1 K/9 Brian Gilbert, ®, 8/9/1992, A+, 2016: 5.53 ERA, 2.024 WHIP, 6.2 K/9, career: 3.66 ERA, 1.439 WHIP, 6.6 K/9 Williams Ramirez, ®, 8/8/1992, A, 2016: 2.62 ERA, 1.055 WHIP, 10.8 K/9, career: 1.97 ERA, 1.038 WHIP, 10.1 K/9 Todd Van Steensel ®, 1/14/1991, A+/AA, 2016: 3.88 ERA, 1.324 WHIP, 8.2 K/9, career: 3.42 ERA, 1.291 WHIP, 9.7 K/9 This is a long list of 11 relievers, with only one of them (Booser) a lefty. Booser had a disappointing season in both High A and A and will not be selected. The same is true for Brian Gilbert. Bencomo is a last option type of player, and will not be selected. Van Steensel's season was not strong enough to get consideration. C.K. Irby's was, however it was not at a high enough level. The same for Williams Ramirez, but watch out if these two repeat their results in high A and/or AA in 2017. Which brings us to Luke Bard, the Twins' former 1st round pick, who is about to turn 26, and had an average season, but has not been the same after losing 2014 recovering from shoulder surgery. I think that this will be his last chance to prove that he belongs in the prospect conversation and I will not be surprised if it is not in the Twins' organization. Alan Busenitz is an interesting case. He pitched in AA and AAA with average results, that reflect the rest of his minor league career, but the Twins might protect him for political reasons, since he was acquired in the Alex Meyer, Ricky Nolasco trade that also brought Hector Santiago to the Twins. Maybe the new administration will let the past go and would not protect him. I wouldn't. However, I would protect the most successful reliever in the Twins' minor league system, DJ Baxendale, who after transitioning to that role for Rochester upon his promotion from Chatanooga excelled. This leaves us two pitchers who might depart via the draft, and one last off-season: Zach Jones and Brandon Peterson. Got to add Pat Light to the conversation and it is two out of three. I'd picke Jones and Light, risking Peterson's departure, mainly because he has played in more junior levels (only 16 games in AA) and might deemed less ready. But it is a risk. Additions: Baxendale, Jones. Notable non-Rule 5 Draft-eligible at A+ and above: Starters: Stephen Gonsalves (L) 7/8/1994 A+/AA, 2016: 2.06 ERA, 1.021 WHIP, 10.0 K/9 career: 2.13 ERA, 1.072 WHIP, 9.7 K/9 Tyler Jay (L) 4/19/1994 A+/AA, 2016: 3.33 ERA, 1.231 WHIP, 8.3 K/9 career: 3.44 ERA, 1.265 WHIP, 8.7 K/9 Kohl Stewart ®, 10/7/1994, A+/AA, 2016: 2.88 ERA, 1.343 WHIP, 5.7 K/9 career: 2.84 ERA, 1.284 WHIP, 5.9 K/9 Relievers: Nick Burdi ®, 1/19/1993, AA, 2016: shut down after 3 games, career: 3.72 ERA, 1.322 WHIP, 12.6 K/9 Trevor Hildenberger ®, 12/15/1990, AA/A+, 2016: 0.75 ERA, 0.792 WHIP, 9.9 K/9 career: 1.47 ERA, 0.823 WHIP, 10.5 K/9 Jake Reed ®, 9/29/1992, AAA/AA, 2016: 3.57 ERA, 1.175 WHIP, 9.2 K/9 career: 3.47 ERA, 1.130 WHIP, 8.8 K/9 Michael Theophanopoulos (L), 8/5/1992, A/A+, 2016: 2.20 ERA, 1.163 WHIP, 11.6 K/9 career: 3.29 ERA, 1.351 WHIP, 10.5 K/9 As with the position players, all of the above, in addition to several Rule 5-eligible players who will remain with the Twins but not added to the roster, and hopefully several new young good players should be invited to the Twins 2017 Spring Training. This leaves the modified Twins 40-man roster with 34 (33 (*) if Perkins is on the 60-day DL) spots and 6 (or 7) openings, which are enough for the Twins to be flexible in targeting acquisitions in trades and potentially shopping the Rule 5 draft and the waiver wire (and a reminder that they have the right of first refusal, because of the worst record in the majors, for both.) Here is the modified roster: DJ Baxendale 12/8/1990 (RHRP) Jose Berrios 5/27/1994 (RHSP) Byron Buxton 12/18/1993 (CF) Juan Centeno 11/16/1989 © J.T. Chargois 12/3/1990 (RHRP) Tyler Duffey 12/27/1990 (RHRP) Mitch Garver, 1/1/1991 © Zach Granite, 9/17/1992 (OF) Phil Hughes 6/24/1986 (RHSP) Zack Jones 12/4/1990 (RHRP) Felix Jorge 1/2/1994 (RHSP) Niko Goodrum, 2/28/1992 (SS/3B/CF) Max Kepler 2/10/1993 (RF) Yorman Landa 6/11/1994 (RHRP) Pat Light 3/29/1991 (RHRP) Joe Mauer 4/19/1983 (1B/DH) Trevor May 9/23/1989 (RHSP) Adalberto Mejia 6/20/1993 (LHSP) Mason Melotakis 6/28/1991 (LHRP) Amaurys Minier, 1/20/1996 (1B/OF) John Ryan Murphy 5/13/1991 © Daniel Palka, 10/28/1991 (OF) Byungho Park 7/10/1986 (1B/DH) Glen Perkins 3/2/1983 (LHRP) (*) Jorge Polanco 7/5/1993 (SS) Taylor Rogers 12/17/1990 (LHRP) Fernando Romero 12/24/1994(RHSP) Eddie Rosario 9/28/1991 (LF) Randy Rosario 5/18/1994 (LHRP) Miguel Sano 5/11/1993 (3B) Kennys Vargas 8/1/1990 (1B/DH) Engelb Vielma, 6/22/1994 (SS) Adam Walker 10/18/1991 (OF/DH) Jason Wheeler 10/27/1990 (LHSP) Next installment will be a critical view of the roster, assessing weaknesses and looking for potential positions that the Twins should target this off-season.

This ^^^^^ Especially when the guy in the top baseball spot comes from the pitching development world...

What if that player was a High Schooler with 2 plus pitches (one borderline plus plus) and an above average third? Alex Scherff has all of that, plus a great approach to the game.

The problem I have with Greene is that he has one pitch that is above average at this moment, and that is the fastball (which is plus, actually.) Unless his secondary stuff improves by draft time, the Twins should be better of passing, because there are better arms out there, and Greene looks like a reliever right now.

Wimmers is too old to be around the next competitive team and he does not have it any more. 90 mph fastball out of the bullpen with an ok changeup will just not cut it. Re: Centeno: I agree. Mostly because of being sick and tired about him "blocking" balls. But the Twins are rebuilding and finding 2 young catchers at 21-24 who are MLB-ready will be tough. Today's segment (hot off the press) addresses the catching situation. But yeah, they do need young good catching (but no veterans who are worthless to a rebuilding team.)

After a historically bad season that resulted in the worst record of the Franchise in its current location, Twins' about to be minted (as soon as Cleveland's season is over) new chief baseball officer, Derek Falvey, will have his hands full in turning this team around. I hope that he has enough flexibility to do a true rebuild. And a true rebuild is to find enough young talented players that will reach their primes together, and then supplemented by star veterans to close holes as necessary, will compete for a long time. Looking at the Twins' young talent and how their 40-man roster for 2017 should be built, young is an operating word. Here is the current Twins' 40-man roster by age groups: a. Players who will be 26 and younger on 1/1/2017 who should be part of the rebuilt; b. players who will be 28 or older who really do not belong in a rebuilding team, since they will be past their primes when the new Twins' core will reach their primes, and; c. players who are in-between. The 27 year olds: The listing is alphabetical with birthdays Andrew Albers 10/6/1985 James Beresford 1/19/1989 Jose Berrios 5/27/1994 Buddy Boshers 5/9/1988 Byron Buxton 12/18/1993 Juan Centeno 11/16/1989 J.T. Chargois 12/3/1990 Pat Dean 5/25/1989 Brian Dozier 5/15/1987 Tyler Duffey 12/27/1990 Eduardo Escobar 1/5/1989 Kyle Gibson 10/23/1987 Robbie Grossman 9/16/1989 Phil Hughes 6/24/1986 (60-day DL) Max Kepler 2/10/1993 Brandon Kintzler 8/1/1984 Yorman Landa 6/11/1994 Pat Light 3/29/1991 Joe Mauer 4/19/1983 Trevor May 9/23/1989 Adalberto Mejia 6/20/1993 Mason Melotakis 6/28/1991 Tommy Milone 2/16/1987 John Ryan Murphy 5/13/1991 Ryan O'Rourke 4/30/1988 Byungho Park 7/10/1986 Glen Perkins 3/2/1983 (60-day DL) Trevor Plouffe 6/15/1986 Ryan Pressly 12/15/1988 Jorge Polanco 7/5/1993 Taylor Rogers 12/17/1990 Eddie Rosario 9/28/1991 Randy Rosario 5/18/1994 Ervin Santana 12/12/1982 Hector Santiago 12/16/1987 Miguel Sano 5/11/1993 Logan Schafer 9/8/1986 Kurt Suzuki 10/4/1983 Michael Tonkin 11/19/1989 Kennys Vargas 8/1/1990 Adam Walker 10/18/1991 Alex Wimmers 11/1/1988 These 42 players sorted in the 3 age groups: Young enough: Jose Berrios 5/27/1994 Byron Buxton 12/18/1993 J.T. Chargois 12/3/1990 Tyler Duffey 12/27/1990 Max Kepler 2/10/1993 Yorman Landa 6/11/1994 Pat Light 3/29/1991 Adalberto Mejia 6/20/1993 Mason Melotakis 6/28/1991 John Ryan Murphy 5/13/1991 Jorge Polanco 7/5/1993 Taylor Rogers 12/17/1990 Eddie Rosario 9/28/1991 Randy Rosario 5/18/1994 Miguel Sano 5/11/1993 Kennys Vargas 8/1/1990 Adam Walker 10/18/1991 Too old: Andrew Albers 10/6/1985 Buddy Boshers 5/9/1988 Brian Dozier 5/15/1987 Kyle Gibson 10/23/1987 Phil Hughes 6/24/86 Brandon Kintzler 8/1/1984 Joe Mauer 4/19/1983 Tommy Milone 2/16/1987 Ryan O'Rourke 4/30/1988 Byungho Park 7/10/1986 Glen Perkins 3/2/83 Trevor Plouffe 6/15/1986 Ryan Pressly 12/15/1988 Ervin Santana 12/12/1982 Hector Santiago 12/16/1987 Logan Schafer 9/8/1986 Kurt Suzuki 10/4/1983 Alex Wimmers 11/1/1988 In between: James Beresford 1/19/1989 Juan Centeno 11/16/1989 Pat Dean 5/25/1989 Eduardo Escobar 1/5/1989 Robbie Grossman 9/16/1989 Trevor May 9/23/1989 Michael Tonkin 11/19/1989 Let's look at the in between and see who could potentially offer value: James Beresford 1/19/1989 Juan Centeno 11/16/1989 Pat Dean 5/25/1989 Eduardo Escobar 1/5/1989 Robbie Grossman 9/16/1989 Trevor May 9/23/1989 Michael Tonkin 11/19/1989 Centeno, Escobar, and May can provide some value. Centeno who might be the weakest of the 3, has options, so he does not preclude the team . So they stay. Beresford, Dean, Grossman, and Tonkin are designated for assignment. New Keeper list (with positions) : Jose Berrios 5/27/1994 (SP) Byron Buxton 12/18/1993 (CF) Juan Centeno 11/16/1989 © J.T. Chargois 12/3/1990 (RP) Tyler Duffey 12/27/1990 (RP) Eduardo Escobar 1/5/1989 (IF) Max Kepler 2/10/1993 (RF) Yorman Landa 6/11/1994 (RP) Pat Light 3/29/1991 (RP) Trevor May 9/23/1989 (SP) Adalberto Mejia 6/20/1993 (SP) Mason Melotakis 6/28/1991 (RP) John Ryan Murphy 5/13/1991 © Jorge Polanco 7/5/1993 (SS) Taylor Rogers 12/17/1990 (RP) Eddie Rosario 9/28/1991 (LF) Randy Rosario 5/18/1994 (RP) Miguel Sano 5/11/1993 (3B) Kennys Vargas 8/1/1990 (1B) Adam Walker 10/18/1991 (OF/DH) Up to 20 total and most positions of the diamond taken care off. Let's have a close look to the ones who are too old to belong to a rebuilding team, look into their contract situation, and add potential value to a trade partner: Andrew Albers 10/6/1985 - no value Buddy Boshers 5/9/1988 - maybe some value, one option left Brian Dozier 5/15/1987 - signed until 2018, $15M owed, career season, strong value Kyle Gibson 10/23/1987 - arbitration eligible, some value Phil Hughes 6/24/1986 - signed until 2019, $39.6M owed, major surgery Brandon Kintzler 8/1/1984 - arbitration eligible, some value Joe Mauer 4/19/1983 - signed until 2018, $46M owed, declining Tommy Milone 2/16/1987 - abitration eligible, no value Ryan O'Rourke 4/30/1988 - no value Byungho Park 7/10/1986 - signed until 2019, $9.3M owed, major investment Glen Perkins 3/2/1983 - signed until 2017, $7.2M owed Trevor Plouffe 6/15/1986 - arbitration eligible, some value Ryan Pressly 12/15/1988 - arbitration eligible, some value Ervin Santana 12/12/1982 - signed until 2018 + option, $28M owed, close to career season, strong value Hector Santiago 12/16/1987 - arbitration eligible, medium value Logan Schafer 9/8/1986 - no value Kurt Suzuki 10/4/1983 - free agent Alex Wimmers 11/1/1988 - no value The ones who do not have value, should go. Suzuki will depart as a free agent, Albers, O'Rourke, Schafer, and Wimmers are designated for assignment, Milone is not offered arbitration. The list trims to: Buddy Boshers 5/9/1988 - maybe some value, one option left Brian Dozier 5/15/1987 - signed until 2018, $15M owed, career season, strong value Kyle Gibson 10/23/1987 - arbitration eligible, some value Phil Hughes 6/24/1986 - signed until 2019, $39.6M owed, major surgery Brandon Kintzler 8/1/1984 - arbitration eligible, some value Joe Mauer 4/19/1983 - signed until 2018, $46M owed, declining Byungho Park 7/10/1986 - signed until 2019, $9.3M owed, major investment Glen Perkins 3/2/1983 - signed until 2017, $7.2M owed, might not pitch again Trevor Plouffe 6/15/1986 - arbitration eligible, some value Ryan Pressly 12/15/1988 - arbitration eligible, some value Ervin Santana 12/12/1982 - signed until 2018 + option, $28M owed, close to career season, strong value Hector Santiago 12/16/1987 - arbitration eligible, medium value The 3 players with most value, Ervin Santana, Brian Dozier, and Hector Santiago should be traded, and the Twins will receive value back, as there will be takers. The remaining players are in two lists: the arbitration-eligible, and team control players with some value, and the under contract with major questionmarks. The players in those 2 lists represent 2 opposite sides of the same coin The arbitration, and team control eligible players: Buddy Boshers 5/9/1988 - maybe some value, one option left Kyle Gibson 10/23/1987 - arbitration eligible, some value Brandon Kintzler 8/1/1984 - arbitration eligible, some value Trevor Plouffe 6/15/1986 - arbitration eligible, some value Ryan Pressly 12/15/1988 - arbitration eligible, some value The Twins should try to trade these players and package them with Dozier, Santana, and Santiago to receive better value. If no team values them enough to trade for them, the Twins should let them go. So trade or non-tendering (of DFA in Bosher's situation,) all 5 will not be Twins in 2017. Phil Hughes 6/24/1986 - signed until 2019, $39.6M owed, major surgery Joe Mauer 4/19/1983 - signed until 2018, $46M owed, declining Byungho Park 7/10/1986 - signed until 2019, $9.3M owed,+ $13M investment Glen Perkins 3/2/1983 - signed until 2017, $7.2M owed, might not pitch again The Twins are stuck with these 4 players. These contracts and their injury or aging situations make them undesirable for any team. The best case scenario for the Twins is that they all return healthy in 2017, start the season with the team and build enough value to be tradeable during the season. Perkins will likely not be ready and the Twins have the luxury to add him to the 60-day DL in the beginning of the reason and bring him back slowly if healthy though a series of minor league rehabs, so there is some flexibility there. So from today's 40-man roster, only the following 24 players (and potentially 23 effectively with a Perkins to the 60-day DL (*) senario) will be there this off-season: Jose Berrios 5/27/1994 (SP) Byron Buxton 12/18/1993 (CF) Juan Centeno 11/16/1989 © J.T. Chargois 12/3/1990 (RP) Tyler Duffey 12/27/1990 (RP) Phil Hughes 6/24/1986 (SP) Eduardo Escobar 1/5/1989 (IF) Max Kepler 2/10/1993 (RF) Yorman Landa 6/11/1994 (RP) Pat Light 3/29/1991 (RP) Joe Mauer 4/19/1983 (1B/DH) Trevor May 9/23/1989 (SP) Adalberto Mejia 6/20/1993 (SP) Mason Melotakis 6/28/1991 (RP) John Ryan Murphy 5/13/1991 © Byungho Park 7/10/1986 (1B/DH) Glen Perkins 3/2/1983 (RP) (*) Jorge Polanco 7/5/1993 (SS) Taylor Rogers 12/17/1990 (RP) Eddie Rosario 9/28/1991 (LF) Randy Rosario 5/18/1994 (RP) Miguel Sano 5/11/1993 (3B) Kennys Vargas 8/1/1990 (1B/DH) Adam Walker 10/18/1991 (OF/DH) This would allow the Twins 16 spots to add several of their prospects for 2017 auditions as well as a good flexibility to include several trade returns. This list is light on starting pitchers , but the assumption is that they will be targeted in trades and that their number will get supplemented by one or more of the existing prospects in the system. One note. It is obvious that the Twins are heavy on the DH position. Park, Mauer, and Vargas can rotate in the first base and DH role, with the ability to have either both lefties or righties, with Vargas being an switch hitter, in a platoon situation, depending on opposing pitchers. Which means that Adam Walker should be available in a trade at this point. In the next article of this series will look at who of the existing prospects should move in the 40-man roster to either protect them from the draft or to supplement the MLB-level talent.

Hard to criticize the guys defense at SS when the Twins have moved him all over the place the season after Baseball America rated him the best defensive SS in the FSL (scroll down.) One has to realize that Polanco, outside of the Twins farm brass that for some reason do not like his play at SS, has been seen as a better than average defender. In addition to the above, BA rated him the Twins best defensive infielder in 2009 and 2010 (same link.) The Twins' talent "evaluators" and "developers" messed with him by not letting him develop in the position. It is hard to play SS well right away, after you play 2B only for 2 seasons. Let the kid play a full season or two at SS and then we can talk about his defense.

So who was the most influential voice during the Smith era, according to your truth? Maybe the Twins fired the wrong person after 2010 then...

Agreed about the first 3, but English went 0 for 4 with 2 strikeouts. If that is "not bad", then what is "bad"?

In other words, you advocate the Terry Ryan dumpster driving strategy... Been there, seen that. How many deep post-season runs and/or World Series has this brought to the Twins? (rhetorical question.) It is about time that this organization strives for excellence in acquiring and developing talent, instead of throwing mediocre players out there and hope that they turn Abad into Light

I suspect that there are some people who would want to let Vargas go and also would offer Plouffe arbitration. Career numbers: Vargas (age 25) .251/.309/.434, 25 HR, 595 PA (23.8 PA/HR) Plouffe (age 30) .247/.308/.420, 96 HR, 2909 PA (30.3 PA/HR) If anything, Vargas will give at least Plouffe like production with more HR power, at 1/20th of the cost, as has not yet reached his prime. No-brainer. Rotate him in 1B/DH with Mauer and Park, unless you find a buyer for them

The genius part is that, unlike his spendthrift predecessor and successor, he opened the wallet and invested good $ in long-term potential, instead of spending the $ for the likes of Pelfrey and Correia.

Those 5 players do not belong in the same sentence. Mauer and Hunter have had borderline Hall of Fame careers with multiple All Star appearances, Gold Gloves and MVP votes between them. Cuddyer has been an average corner outfielder whose move to Colorado extended his career. Single All Star appearance. Span is an average centerfielder whose best accomplishment is to get 6th in the ROY vote Revere is a below average centerfielder who did not accomplish much and likely will be relegated to a platoon/bench role And let us not forget the other High School 1st round picks after Hunter and before Buxton (and btw, Hunter was a MacPhail pick, FWIW) : B.J. Garbe Matt Moses Trevor Plouffe Kyle Waldrop Jay Rainville Hank Sanchez Chris Parmelee Aaron Hicks Travis Harrison Hudson Boyd So the Twins really have had more busts when they drafted HS athletes on the first round, than not, esp. the current front office (and Hunter, again was not a Ryan FO pick.) So Mauer, one average (Cuddyer), two almost there (Plouffe, Span), a couple borderline MLB starters (Hicks, Revere), a AAAA player (Parmelee) and a bunch of busts. The Twins did great (Sano, Polanco, Romero, Kepler, Jorge, etc.) with international free agents during the Bill Smith time. That's about it.

If the draft was done today, I'd take Alex Scherff. Two plus pitches (one borderline plus plus) and an above average third pitch at 18 years old, is hard to pass. Might change my mind by June, but Scherff's up for me...

http://nesncom.files.wordpress.com/2013/08/plouffe-goof.gif?w=400&h=225 http://sports.cbsimg.net/images/visual/whatshot/TrevorPlouffeError.gif

Data: Sano: 830 PA, .249/.346/.489, 126 OPS+, .334 wOBA, 114 wRC+, 3.3 WAR (251.5 PA/1WAR) (and he is 23, at an age when Plouffe was in the minors) Plouffe: 2909 PA .247/.308/.420, 99 OPS+, .317 wOBA, 98 wRC+, 5.2 WAR (559.4 PA/1WAR UZR/150, Plus/Minus, DRS Plouffe: Age 24: -14.9, -9, -8 25: -8.6, 1, 0 26: 7.7, 5, 6 27: 1.7, 3, -1 28: -17.1, -5, -4 Sano, 22: 11.2, -1, -1 23: 2.7, -2 , -2 Data shows that Plouffe has been an average hitter and overall a below average fielder who improved but took a turn for worse this season. Sano is a better hitter by far (830 PAs is pretty significant) and his defense at age 23 is already better, based on objective metrics, that Plouffe's was both at age 24 and last season. So, objective data shows that Sano last season was an improvement over Plouffe on both sizes of the ball. And Plouffe is approaching his down years while Sano has not yet reached his prime. Subjective opinions might differ.