Seth Stohs

I'm 100% in favor of these changes... I've seen so many people hurt by line drives, and every time, I wonder how people don't die. I'm glad MLB is saying, let's be proactive before something does happen. We can blame phones or not 100% paying attention. However MLB's rules state that there has to be netting anywhere within 70 feet. With the Twins dugouts so close, that's a lot within 70- feet (or close to it)... Consider a pitcher is just under 60 feet from the plate and a great athlete and even they can't always protect themselves. I don't care how close a person is paying attention, at 70-100 feet even, you can still get drilled.

Two different points on this message which makes for a third point. I still think Milone gets trades which gives May a little better chance to start. Second, Hughes isn't moving to the bullpen. Not after what he did in 2014. But I do think you really make a great point in those final two paragraphs. The Twins don't trade prospects, and hoard them, but then there are some that just have to do a ton to overcome some mediocre veterans. Obviously guys like Sano and Rosario and Berrios aren't going to have to fight that as much as the 2nd and 3rd tier prospects. But yeah, it's definitely a differing and someone opposite thinking within one organization. The only thought I have on that is that they want guys to come up when they're ready and not be pushed too fast, so they need stop gaps. I mean, it's like the idea of Danny Santana starting in CF for a month to allow Byron Buxton to get 25-30 games in at AAA before coming up. It's like bringing back Casey Fien knowing it's possible that if he pitches like 2015 as opposed to 2013 and 2014, one of those AA guys might be ready by June. I'm good with stop gaps, but I would likely go to prospects sooner than what the Twins do, and in some cases I might be wrong. In more cases, I'd probably be wrong, but it's all just opinion. Just as we all have differing opinions. My third point is just that this was a wonderfully thought out and fair response. Thank you!

It's all just opinion... They're quite similar. Duffey has a better curveball. May has a better changeup. Fastballs pretty similar. I just think that the Duffey curveball has the chance to be a real difference maker.

This afternoon, the Twins announced their new safety plans following the decision by MLB to recommend more netting around the plate. Here is the press release from the Minnesota Twins (bolding by me) MINNEAPOLIS-ST. PAUL, MN – The Minnesota Twins today announced plans to comply with Major League Baseball’s Fan Safety Recommendations – including new protective netting at Target Field – for the 2016 season. “The Twins commend MLB and Commissioner Manfred for their leadership on this critical issue and the completion of a thorough analysis in consultation with all 30 clubs,” said Twins President Dave St. Peter. “It’s our intent to follow MLB’s recommendations regarding fan safety netting as well as an incremental focus on educating fans regarding the dangers posed by batted balls and bats entering the stands.” Since opening in 2010, Target Field has earned its reputation as one of the most intimate venues in all of sports. The ballpark’s lower level seats are located closer to home plate than any other venue in MLB. Target Field’s current backstop net is in compliance with the stated MLB recommendations – which call for netting to protect seats between the dugouts within 70-feet of home plate. In contrast to other MLB ballparks, Target Field’s dugouts are the closest to home plate of any in the league. Because of the proximity of seats within the Dugout Box seating sections (sections 3 through 6 and sections 11 through 14), the Twins will add protective netting above the dugouts in advance of the 2016 season. This new safety netting will extend approximately seven-feet high and run the length of the first and third base dugouts. Regarding the netting itself, the Twins will take advantage of the latest technology – both behind home plate and at the dugouts – delivering a minimally obtrusive viewing experience. “The Twins remain fully committed to delivering the best possible game day experience for our fans,” St. Peter added. “In that spirit we have developed this plan aimed at enhancing fan safety while preserving the unique sightlines and accessibility of our ballpark. The Twins are proactively reaching out to season ticket holders most affected by these changes. We fully understand fans differ in relation to their opinions about sitting behind protective netting and will do our best to accommodate the varying preferences.” In addition to protective netting revisions, the Twins will implement an enhanced communication plan at Target Field warning fans about the dangers posed by batted balls and bats entering the stands and the need to pay attention to the action on the field during each at-bat. This plan will include warning messages via in-ballpark signage, messaging on tickets and other team-controlled platforms.

Just for fun, I'd say: Ervin Santana is a solid #3. Phil Hughes was a #2 in 2014, a #6 in 2015... I think he's a 3.5. Kyle Gibson would probably classify as a 3. Duffey will hopefully be a #3, though at times last year, he played the part of #2. Berrios will hopefully be a #2. Milone is probably a 4ish. And I think May can be a solid #4 with potential to be a 3.

I haven't concluded that... but scouting reports and performance have said he's probably a #4 now, and he can be a #3. #2s in MLB are pretty rare. Could he be that... maybe? I like that he'll get a shot in spring. I hope he gets a real shot. But, I think with the numbers game as it is, he is most likely to go to the bullpen.

I think that would be pretty aggressive, but also possible. They have called some up from AA. Jose Mijares comes to mind.

I've seen at least one of the scouting reports on Nishioka. It wasn't glowing. I'm sure they had many to sift through though.

Details still sketchy, but it appears that the Chicago White Sox will acquire All Star 3B Todd Frazier in a three-team trade involving the Reds and Dodgers. More to come, I'm sure... To the Dodgers: Micah Johnson, Trayce Thompson, Frankie Montas To the Reds: Jose Peraza, Brandon Dixon, Scott Schebler

I would suspect that Burdi, Reed and Chargois will all start in AA this year. But I thought that before these signings. I mean, Burdi and Reed didn't get back to AA until the final week or two of the regular season. Chargois only spent about 6 weeks there.

If you ask some, a guy who spent three years in college is "too young for the Appy League." Olson went to school for four years. So yes, he's a year or so over the average age of the player. But, I always think spending your first pro season (after being drafted) in the rookie leagues is important. They're learning a lot more than baseball during those two months.

Those are some pretty solid players... now with the economics at the time, they weren't able to stay together in Minnesota. Doc, with your years of following this organizations, I'd love to see you write some historical blogs for Twins Daily. For me, it might be interesting to read about some of the prospects of those '60s and '70s teams, some that made it, some that didn't. Or just your memories or stories from those eras. I'm guessing that a lot of people here would be interested in that. For me, my earliest memories were starting in '81 getting some pbaseball cards and starting to put names and faces and reading stats and stuff, but for Twins-related memories, it starts mostly in 1984. I remember being all excited about Mark Funderburk and Bernardo Brito and Freddie Toliver.. For most of our readers, I bet their formative baseball years were either '87/'91 or now this group of guys that came up from 1998-2002. Eight year olds then are now 25ish and those are the memories they have.

a.) Sure, but if anything related to the draft is close to 50%, I'd be pretty shocked. b.) Fair enough, but I guess I think setting the bar of success at Clayton Kershaw isn't going to look good on pretty much everyone. c.) With this one, again, you'd have to go through each and every team and find out how they did. Two mid-rotation starters is nothing to scoff at, and four relievers... and frankly, 5 more years before you can really grade most of the drafts since 2008.

On the May topic, I don't have any problem with this. In my opinion, he can be an average major league starter, probably a four, with a chance to be a three. There's value in that. But, he also has a better chance of being a dominant 8th (or 9th) inning guy and soon. I think that the Twins are now in Win-Now mode, as opposed to building, so I think this is the right plan for the 2016 Twins. It also is likely the best move for Trevor. Santana is a given, and rightfully so. Hughes is a given, and rightfully so. Obviously he's going to have to show that 2015 was an off year and that 2014 was closer to what he can be. We'll see. Gibson is a given, and rightfully so. Duffey SHOULD BE a given for opening day. I think he earned that. Milone is a given, unless he's traded. Berrios should be up soon. Nolasco isn't a given for anything. I think they're past caring about the contract at this point. Easy choice...

He means he'll come to spring training with a good opportunity to be the opening day starter. But he's not going to be handed a job. And then he adds that he's going to be good.

When the Twins sign minor league free agents, we can usually tell which ones will open the season, which ones have kind of the hint-hint, we'll sign you to a minor league deal for roster purposes but you're going to make the roster as long as you're healthy. That was the case with Kubel and Burton and Robinson from the group above. Boyer and Ramirez went out and won their jobs in spring training. Bartlett, well, we'll never really understand that one. The Twins are believed to be announcing their Non-Roster invites tomorrow (Friday), and my assumption is all four of these guys will be on that list. I would think Aaron Thompson, Joe Benson, Juan Centero will also be non-roster invites. That's part of why these guys sign minor league deals with a particular team, knowing they'll be seen by the big league staff. I don't see any of these guys being in that Burton/Kubel category of hint-hint you're on the big league roster. Kintzler might be the closest since he had two full seasons and a lot of work in 2013-2014 and is only available because of the injury. If he's healthy, he likely competes with Fien and Tonkin for the final two RH RP spots. The others are just depth who would need something to happen to make the big league roster, at least out of spring training. In fact, I wouldn't be surprised if Boshers is let go before the end of spring training.

Which Tigers outfielder signed as a minor league free agent?

I don't think they're Plan A, but in free agency, it takes two sides. In trades, it takes too sides. And, sure, people can think that if they want. I guess.

I'm not going to look, but judging from recollection from previous years, I think the Twins typically sign maybe 10 minor league free agents each year and invite maybe 6-8 of them to big league camp. I would think that is pretty typical, maybe even a little less than most organizations. I think they look to fill the minor league rosters. As for Madson, after not pitching for 3 years, I'm sure he factored who was in big league bullpens more than journeyman minor leaguers. And, if Lowe was worse than Boyer, can you imagine how much angst there would have been if the Twins signed him?

Rosario LF, Buxton CF Sano RF 4th OF - Santana Bench Bat - Arcia DH - Park

Not if you don't think he can repeat it and now you've got some very intriguing prospects that are very close to ready, we hope.

I'll add... if those are all that the Twins do, I will be annoyed UNLESS they would come out in spring training and hand a lefty bullpen job to Taylor Rogers and give Alex Meyer a job right away. And, I'd want them to say that Chargois will be up in June, along with Burdi... And, I'd want to know that Buxton will be the starting CF from day one. By themselves, these moves are all fine. If they are the moves to take care of the 4th OF job (which I don't think is a big deal, by the way, even if these guys are that) and for sure the LH RP job, then we can absolutely be frustrated.

For every Hendriks that I was upset about the Twins giving up on who turns out (or at least has had one really nice year), I've probably got 6-8 that I was upset about them losing/trading (Morlan and Bullock were two of them).

I'm pretty sure that Ryan Madsen and Mark Lowe wouldn't have been worried about Blaine Boyer when they looked at the Twins spring training roster. Sure, I believe in opportunity cost, but as it relates to Boyer, I don't know who he held back. JR Graham stuck. Pressly was up and doing pretty well til he got hurt. Maybe Michael Tonkin, but while Tonkin never got an extended look, he never did much with his opportunities either. When the Twins were losing 90 games, I believed in Opportunity Costs more than I did when they were winning 80 and not out of the playoff race until the final weekend. In 2012-14, if Meyer had come up and pitched like he did in those two games in 2015, I would have been much more inclined to keep him up and say, go get 'em.

I'd say No on all of those... And regarding the future, their concern in 2015 wasn't the future. It was the present and aside from about a two-week stretch, he got the job done. Wisely, they're looking to the future (2016) in the offseason and won't have Duensing and Boyer take spots. Those young guys will get a solid look.