Seth Stohs

Correct. The three will have to count on the 40 before the Rule 5 draft. So, expect there will be more players removed from the 40 man. Suzuki becomes a F/A following the WS. Arbitration decisions will be made. And then they'll have to add a few 40-man guys. Lots to do yet, but the rest will require more input from Falvey. The decisions get a bunch more difficult.

They'll likely all become free agents and see what's out there. They'll bring a couple of them back. I would say Schafer and Milone are least likely of the five to return.

According to the Twins official website, five players were outrighted from the Twins 40-man roster. Andrew Albers James Beresford Pat Dean Tommy Milone Logan Schafer All five can become free agents following the World Series. No real surprises on the list. Milone wasn't going to be tended an arbitration offer. Dean was the only one that caused some pause for me.

I don't know... for instance, I've watched one playoff game so far this offseason... and I'm a "die-hard." I imagine a lot of casual baseball fans would be turned off by how long the games are, how many pitching changes there are, etc.

Is it possible that the fundamentals aren't actually worse in today's game than they were when there wasn't TV, streaming, internet and so much more coverage? Is it possible that the things called "fundamentals" 20 years ago are now not as important to the game? Things like stealing bases, sacrifice bunting, getting a runner in from third base with less than two outs, and the all-too-popular productive outs. And, yes, I do agree that it starts with fundamentals in youth leagues... Right at the t-ball level. For so many parents, it's daycare, a place to send the kid. It's not meant to be a learning baseball environment. For me, I do think there was value in watching baseball at the highest level. I had a high school coach once tell the team after a particularly poor performance to go home and watch the Twins and see how things are supposed to be done. (Note - this was around the time of the World Series titles, so it made sense then)

Head to the Twins Daily Twitter account to vote for #MNTwins prospect #5.

How he performs in the AFL won't answer that.

http://www.baseballessential.com/news/2016/10/07/fundamental-flaws-youth-players-theyre-not-watching-enough-baseball/ Baseball Essentials has a very interesting article on youth baseball. Takes a bit to get there, but the theme is basically that kids today don't sit around and watch enough baseball.Watching MLB games on TV can help a young player better understand strategy and encourage preparedness. Baseball is a thinking man's game. Whether we like things like bunting or hit-and-runs and such, the game is full of strategy, and seeing it in action. As the writer says of himself, I used to sit and organize baseball cards while watching the Braves or Cubs and sometimes even the Twins on Midwest Sports Channel back then. It was a god way to understand the game at a young age. What do you think?

Pace of game is really the subject here... but pretty sure no one looked at the Twins roster this spring and said they'd win 59 games.

You are correct... that was an opinion. It was not based on any data or statistics.

He knows how to garner a reaction, for sure... but that's his job as a columnist... Very smart man. Knows baseball.

Really... and we were all wrong about that. I don't expect writers or anyone to predict the future accurately.

Most knowledgeable baseball guy I know. Knows more than 99% of us have forgotten. Which is what makes this such an important article.

Reusse wrote a blog on baseball's pace of game and how it is turning him to watching hockey. Specifically, he talked about the game the other night that was 4:32 for a nine-inning game and its 1:06 seventh inning. I completely agree... but then again, I haven't watched more than 15 total innings of playoff baseball over the last few years. So, it'd be a bit hypocritical of me to disagree with him. http://www.startribune.com/baseball-s-pace-drives-baseball-lover-to-hockey/397200271/

Alex Kirilloff was voted number 3... now go to Twins Daily's Twitter page to vote for Prospect #4:

Nick Gordon gets the #2 spot... now we can vote for #3... Click below to vote on the Twins Daily Twitter account.

I understand what you're saying, but with the draft, it's different. Because of the slotting of the first ten rounds, teams often strategize in the 7-10 rounds, senior signs, etc. That's one possibility. Another possibility is that the Twins were the one team willing to pay 3rd round money. They obviously really liked him to go over slot by 4x. I really like this signing for upside. Fits the strategy in drafting Kirilloff, Rortvedt, Miranda, Bolazovic and Benninghoff. Upside!

Correct... this happens quite a bit now. Lucas Giolito was still a 1st round pick out of high school after having TJ. Brady Aiken had TJ before the draft, knowing he wasn't going to pitch for a year. Cleveland took him in the 1st round.

From July: Jessica Quiroli - Heels on the Field (A Minor League Blog) - interviewed Gordon and Miracle Hitting Coach Jim Dwyer, saying he is trying to find a balance. http://www.heelsonthefield.net/2016/07/top-twins-prospect-nick-gordon-striking-a-balance-with-fort-myers.html

Nick Gordon was #1 on Baseball America's Hot Prospect Sheet this week. http://www.baseballamerica.com/minors/arizona-fall-league-hot-sheet-oct-14/#XCRg6J8cU0XrZLmD.97

Today, I’m excited to post another Q&A with a Minnesota Twins prospect. Tyler Benninghoff was the Twins 11th-round draft pick in June out of high school in Kansas. He signed fairly quickly for well over slot. You see, many projected him to be drafted in the top three rounds, if healthy. When the Twins announced the signing, they also announced that he was going to have Tommy John surgery. He had the surgery in late June with Dr. James Andrews performing the procedure. Benninghoff got to spend a little time at home after surgery but soon went to Ft. Myers to begin his rehab. He’ll be spending a lot of time in Ft. Myers the next 12-18 months. Image courtesy of Janelle Benninghoff Today, I’m excited to post another Q&A with a Minnesota Twins prospect. Tyler Benninghoff was the Twins 11th-round draft pick in June out of high school in Kansas. He signed fairly quickly for well over slot. You see, many projected him to be drafted in the top three rounds, if healthy. When the Twins announced the signing, they also announced that he was going to have Tommy John surgery. He had the surgery in late June with Dr. James Andrews performing the procedure. Benninghoff got to spend a little time at home after surgery but soon went to Ft. Myers to begin his rehab. He’ll be spending a lot of time in Ft. Myers the next 12-18 months. Recently, Seth was able to catch up with the talented right-hander. Below you will find his responses. Seth Stohs (SS): Growing up in Kansas, which was your favorite team to follow? Who were some of your favorite players? Tyler Benninghoff (TB): My favorite team to watch growing up was the Royals, and my favorite player has to be Alex Gordon.SS: What were some of the better memories of your high school baseball career? Did you play other sports or were you involved in other activities? TB: Some of the better memories from high school ball would include playing with my brother sophomore year. I did play football all four years and played basketball as well.SS: What was the recruitment process like for you in high school? Was it a process you enjoyed? TB: The recruitment process was definitely enjoyable, getting to go on visits to great schools like Oklahoma, Mississippi State, and Arkansas.SS: You committed to Arkansas. How difficult was the decision to sign with the Twins as opposed to going to college? What were some of the determining factors? TB: The decision was a difficult one especially having my brother at Arkansas. However, the opportunity at hand was too great to pass up and the decision was made between my family and I based on the fact I had the best opportunity to rehab and develop as a baseball player with the Twins.SS: Did you have the chance to speak with many scouts before the draft? What was your interaction with the Twins? TB: I had been in contact with Mr. Mike Ruth and he was fully aware of my situation and had said the Twins were still interested and after some negotiations we came to terms we all agreed on.SS: The Twins took you in the 11th round. What was your draft-following experience? How did you find out that you had been drafted? How busy was your phone at that moment? TB: My draft-following experience was very interesting considering I found out I had been drafted while at Premier Baseball doing some work on my arm. Following that, I received a bunch of congratulatory texts and phone calls from friends and family.SS: What has the adjustment like for you, from the high school game to the professional game, both on and off the field? TB: The biggest adjustment I have had to make so far is figuring out how to keep my body healthy and ready to work out or condition every day.SS:At what point during your season did you realize that something wasn’t right with your elbow? How difficult were the discussions and your eventual decision to have Tommy John surgery? TB: I had injured my arm throwing before the season. I had known immediately something was wrong with my arm, but I wanted to exhaust every possibility before getting Tommy John. Eventually that's what it came to, and I was at peace with that.SS: What have the last few months been like for you in terms of getting to Ft. Myers and your rehab process? TB: The last few month have been exactly what I expected and wanted, I get to do my rehab and work out every day and so far it's been great.SS: How would you describe yourself as a pitcher? What pitches do you throw? TB: I would say my best ability is my pitch ability. I throw a fastball, curveball, and a change-up.SS: What are the areas of your game that you would like to spend time working to improve? TB: Areas I want to work on are increasing my velocity and developing a true slider.SS: What do you have planned for the offseason? Are you going to spend most of your time in Ft. Myers? TB: I am going to be here rehabbing in Ft. Myers and will be here most of the time, but get to go home for Thanksgiving and Christmas.SS: Who are some of the people who have helped you get to this point in your career? TB: There have been many people especially my family most importantly, and other important people like Jeremy Jones, Mark Goodwin, Casey Shaw, Keith Picht, Rob Jackson and many more.SS: Favorite Baseball movie? TB: Bull Durham.Thank you very much to Tyler Benninghoff for taking time to answer our questions. Feel free to send in your questions and comments. View full article

Now you can Vote for Twins Prospect #2:

Several teams have started DFAing several of their players from the 40 man roster. I assume the Twins will wait until Derek Falvey takes over to do that, unless someone Falvey wants them to claim comes up.