Seth Stohs

The Twins have reached agreement on a contract with Korean 1B/DH Byung Ho Park, according to multiple sources. Jon Heyman of CBS Sports first reported the deal and Ken Rosenthal of FOX Sports followed up with the specifics: four years, $12 million. The contract also includes a $6.5 million team option for 2020. The Twins have reached agreement on a contract with Korean 1B/DH Byung Ho Park, according to multiple sources. Jon Heyman of CBS Sports first reported the deal and Ken Rosenthal of FOX Sports followed up with the specifics: four years, $12 million. The contract also includes a $6.5 million team option for 2020. If you're surprised by how low that number is, you're not alone. Five years ago, the Twins signed Tsuyoshi Nishioka to a similar three-year, $9.25 million deal despite his being a far less accomplished player in Japan. Last year, the Pirates signed fellow Korean Jung Ho Kang to a four-year deal worth $11 million, so Park's commitment is only a shade bigger even though Kang paved the way with a highly successful rookie year in Pittsburgh. Of course, the Twins also will pay a $12.85 million posting fee to Nexen, Park's club in Korea, so the total investment here is more substantial than either of the aforementioned examples (Nishioka's posting fee was $5.3 million, Kang's was $5 million). Still, if Park's production translates to the major leagues as the Twins are hoping, he could prove to be a tremendous value. Park is 29, so this contract will lock him up through through his age 32 season. With the big power bat now officially locked in, the Twins will turn their attention to other matters, including a potential Trevor Plouffe trade that would open up third base for Miguel Sano. The Winter Meetings get underway in Nashville next Monday. UPDATE: Here are the specifics of the deal: 2016: $2.75M 2017: $2.75M 2018: $3.00M 2019: $3.00M 2010: Club option for $6.5M with a $0.5M buyout. Max Deal would be 5 years, $18M. View full article

To answer the "Why" part of this... I really don't know. I haven't heard. The Red Wings had something like 24 shutouts last year, and that's with their 5th starters (Meyer, Wheeler, Peavey) really struggling badly. Dean, Rogers, Darnell, Berrios, all did well with him. Meyer gave him a lot of credit a year earlier. I think May did too. So, I'm not sure. Possible that he just retired. On Doherty, I really don't know. I mean, I don't know what it really means, but he was named to the International League All Star team as a coach. I don't know what that's based on. And, frankly, he didn't get to work with the talent that Chad Allen has been able to the last year. I do think Allen is good, and the plan may have just been for him to move up with Walker, Polanco, etc.

I typed "Luis Martinez" for Elizabethton. It should have been 'Luis Ramirez.' My bad. Also added Cibney Bello as a 2nd pitching coach in the GCL. He's been with the Mariners system for the last four years.

Alright, the coaching staffs are all updated and complete... feel free to ask any questions you may have. I had a message from Steve Singleton last night, telling me the news about him, and he said, "Feels good to be back!"

Stu Cliburn was Rochester's pitching coach from 2006-08, per Josh Whetzel, voice of the Red Wings.

Stuff-wise, I think it's a good, fair comp. Of course, comps are always with really good players, so they're probably not really all that fair in the big picture, but that is the type of upside he has.

I'll include that in the first post... good point. Thank you!

Dinkelman and Martinez were both coaching in the Gulf Coast League last year. Dinkelman hit .301 in 78 plate appearances for the Twins in 2011. 8th round pick in 2006, was in organization through the 2013 season. Martinez was the team's 9th round pick in 2004. He make a couple of appearances for Rochester in 2007.

Throughout the day today, the Twins' affiliates will be announcing their coaching staffs. We'll update them here as we see them. Feel free to discuss... there are several changes. Rochester Red Wings: Manager - Mike Quade Hitting Coach - Chad Allen (moved up after three years in AA) Pitching Coach - Stu Cliburn (moved up after 7 years in AA) Chattanooga Lookouts: Manager - Doug Mientkiewicz Hitting Coach - Tommy Watkins (moved up after 6 years in MWL) Pitching Coach - Ivan Arteaga (2015 in FM, 2014 in CR, 2013 in CR, 2012 in ET) Ft. Myers Miracle: Manager - Jeff Smith Hitting Coach - Jim Dwyer Pitching Coach - Henry Bonilla (Cedar Rapids in 2015. E-Town in 2014.) Cedar Rapids Kernels: Manager - Jake Mauer Hitting Coach - Brian Dinkelman (GCL in 2015) Pitching Coach - JP Martinez (GCL in 2015) Elizabethton Twins: Manager-Ray Smith Hitting Coach - Jeff Reed Pitching Coach - Luis Ramirez GCL Twins: Manager - Ramon Borrego Hitting Coach - Javier Valentin Hitting Coach - Steve Singleton (1st year coach, former player) Pitching Coach - Virgil Vazquez Pitching Coach - Cibney Bello (1st year, spent last 4 years in Mariners org)

I will agree with this. I don't like any of the three-year reliever types. I just don't think they make any sense. If Fien is healthy and popping 93-94 like he was when he was on, that's a very solid 7th inning guy in front of Perkins, Jepsen and probably May.

I think you go year-to-year with Escobar for at least another year. See where he is after a year as the guy at shortstop. See where Engelb Vielma is at the end of 2016. See where Nick Gordon is. I do think that Escobar is a decent extension consideration. If the dollars are low enough so that you feel like if he is "just the utility guy" he isn't way overpaid. But I think Escobar is a guy that they will and should want to keep around for awhile.

By Wednesday night at 11:00 p.m., the Twins – and every other MLB organization – will need to decide whether or not to offer arbitration to their eligible players. The Twins have six players who are eligible for arbitration. Some of the decisions are easy. Some may not be quite so straightforward. Players with three years of MLB service time, but less than six years of MLB service time, are eligible for arbitration. There are also Super-2 arbitration players with nearly three years of service time. Teams can either tender them a contract for 2016, or decline to offer them arbitration, making them a free agent before next week’s Winter Meetings. Image courtesy of Marilyn Indahl, USA Today By Wednesday night at 11:00 p.m., the Twins – and every other MLB organization – will need to decide whether or not to offer arbitration to their eligible players. The Twins have six players who are eligible for arbitration. Some of the decisions are easy. Some may not be quite so straightforward. Players with three years of MLB service time, but less than six years of MLB service time, are eligible for arbitration. There are also Super-2 arbitration players with nearly three years of service time. Teams can either tender them a contract for 2016, or decline to offer them arbitration, making them a free agent before next week’s Winter Meetings. Below, we’ll take a look at the six arbitration-eligible Twins players and discuss the options. In the Twins Daily Offseason Handbook, we went more in-depth on these players, so pick up a copy for yourelf today. TREVOR PLOUFFE The Twins third baseman had the best season of his career in 2015 when he hit .244/.307/.435 with 22 homers and 86 RBI. It was his best, most consistent season of his career. He also was healthy for the first time throughout the season. And, his defense continues to get stronger. The 29-year-old made $4.8 million in 2015 and is in line for a big raise in 2016. Will he remain with the Twins? We shall see. But he has earned the contract and tendering him a contract won't affect his trade value at all. Arbitration Projections: Twins Daily: $8.0M MLB Trade Rumors: $7.7M Percent Chance Twins Will Offer Arbitration: 100% KEVIN JEPSEN Kevin Jepsen has been a solid, unspectacular, middle reliever since debuting in the big leagues in September of 2008. In 2014 for the Angels, he posted a 2.63 ERA in 74 games (65 innings). He pitched in 46 game for the Rays to start the 2015 season, posting a 2.81 ERA, before being traded to the Twins at the July trade deadline. In 29 games for the Twins, he posted a 1.61 ERA. In 28 innings, he gave up 18 hits, walked seven and struck out 25. He stepped up when Glen Perkins was hurt and recorded 10 saves. After making $3.0 million in 2015, he will get a significant raise for 2016, even more thanks to the saves. He is also a possible candidate for a multi-year contract. Arbitration Projections: Twins Daily: $6.0M MLB Trade Rumors: $6.0M Percent Chance Twins Will Offer Arbitration: 100% TOMMY MILONE Milone came to the Twins late in the 2014 season and was hurt. In the offseason, he had a benign tumor removed from his neck. Fully healthy in 2015, he pitched pretty well, posting a 3.92 ERA over 128.2 innings in the big leagues. That said, he also spent a month in Rochester where he was unhittable. The 28-year-old made about $2.8 million in 2014 and will be in line for a raise. Like Plouffe, Milone is a guy who could be traded this offseason. Arbitration Projections: Twins Daily: $5.5M MLB Trade Rumors: $4.5M Percent Chance Twins Will Offer Arbitration: 90% CASEY FIEN To look at Fien’s 2015 numbers, you could say that it was pretty well in line with his 2013 and 2014 seasons when he was a solid seventh and eighth inning guy for the Twins. However, in 2015, he fought shoulder injuries throughout the season and his performance was quite inconsistent. The 32-year-old came to the Twins on a minor league deal before the 2012 season. His walk rate has decreased each year, but his strikeout rate has dropped from 10.6 to 7.2 to 5.8 over the last three seasons. Some of that can be attributed to the injuries. If healthy, Fien is a solid seventh inning guy. Arbitration Projections: Twins Daily: $2.5M MLB Trade Rumors: $2.2M Percent Chance Twins Will Offer Arbitration: 51% EDUARDO ESCOBAR Escobar came to the Twins in a July 2012 trade from the White Sox (for Francisco Liriano). He was already with the White Sox as a utility man at age 23. That is something he has since had to overcome. In 2014, he became the starter after Pedro Florimon struggled for six weeks. He responded to playing every day by hitting .275/.315/.406 (.721). Last year, the Twins chose to give the shortstop job to Danny Santana and stick with him. Escobar played all around the diamond, as a utility man, until around the All-Star game. One he took over the job, he was one of baseball’s best shortstops. Overall, he hit .262/.309/.445 (.754) with 31 doubles, four triples and 12 homers while playing solid defense. Escobar should be handed the Twins shortstop job in 2016 and let him run with it. This is his first year of arbitration. Arbitration Projections: Twins Daily: $2.5M MLB Trade Rumors: $1.8M Percent Chance Twins Will Offer Arbitration: 100% EDUARDO NUNEZ The Twins acquired Nunez from the Yankees before the 2014 season in exchange for LHP Miguel Sulburan. He hit .250 with a .654 OPS in 2014. The Twins offered him arbitration and they agreed at just over $1 million. Nunez played in just 72 games but played well in a utility role. He hit .282/.327/.431 (.758) with four homers. He also played around the diamond and pinch hit. With Escobar the likely starter, and Danny Santana being out of options, Nunez would be a 2nd utility infielder which makes this decision a little bit more difficult. Arbitration Projections: Twins Daily: $2.0M MLB Trade Rumors: $1.8M Percent Chance Twins Will Offer Arbitration: 60% So, if you’re the GM of the Twins, what do you do? Which players do you offer arbitration and which do you non-tender? And, more important, why? View full article

Last week, the Twins announced seven new additions to their 40-man roster. There were some predictable names announced, but there were a couple of surprises. Arguably the player added who was least-known was left-hander Randy Rosario. Today, we get a chance to learn a little more about him in the following Q&A Image courtesy of Steve Buhr (photo of Randy Rosario) Last week, the Twins announced seven new additions to their 40-man roster. There were some predictable names announced, but there were a couple of surprises. Arguably the player added who was least-known was left-hander Randy Rosario. Today, we get a chance to learn a little more about him in the following Q&A . The 21-year-old from the Dominican Republic signed with the Twins in 2010. He worked his way up the system. He began the 2014 season in Cedar Rapids, but after just three games, he hurt his elbow and needed the Tommy John surgery. He missed the rest of the 2014 season. He rehabbed and returned to the mound for the Kernels in early July. We would like to thank Randy Rosario for taking time to respond to our questions. We would also like to thank his agency, LA Sports Management, for helping to facilitate the interview and for translating. You can follow them on Twitter (@LASportsMgmt) for news on Randy Rosario and many other Twins prospects. Seth Stohs (SS): Growing up, who were some of your role models in the game of baseball? Randy Rosario (Spanish): Siempre quise ser como David Ortiz porque yo soy zurdo también. Randy Rosario (English): I always wanted to be like David Ortiz because I'm a lefty too.SS: Tell me a little bit about your youth baseball in the Dominican Republic. Did you play Little League? Did you play other positions besides pitcher? Randy Rosario (Spanish): Yo comencé como todos los dominicanos jugando en la calle y una vez un señor me vio y me invitó al play y después comencé a jugar pelota. Y jugué outfield primero. Randy Rosario (English): I began like every Dominican, playing in the streets, and one time a man saw me and invited me to play in his field and from then on I started playing a lot of baseball! I played outfield first.SS: When did you start hearing from professional, MLB teams and what was it that caused you to decide to sign with the Twins? Randy Rosario (Spanish): La primera vez que comencé a escuchar sobre eso fue cuando Boston contrató a un pitcher asiático y ahí decidí que quería jugar como profesional algún dia. Randy Rosario (English): The first time I started hearing about that was when Boston signed an Asian pitcher, and from there, I decided that I wanted to play professionally one day.SS: What was the adjustment like for you when you moved from the Dominican to Ft. Myers? What were the biggest challenges? Randy Rosario (Spanish): Solo tuve inconvenientes con la comida y el idioma. Me sentí frustrado cuando llegue allí sin saber demasiado, por eso le dediqué tiempo y aprendí. Randy Rosario (English): I mainly had issues with the food and the language. It was frustrating when I arrived without knowing enough and that's why I dedicated the time and learned.SS: How frustrated were you when you had the elbow injury and had to miss time? What was the rehab like? Randy Rosario (Spanish): Pensé que mi carrera se había terminado y que nunca más iba a volver a lanzar Randy Rosario (English): I thought that my career was over and that I was never going to pitch again.SS: What was the highlight of your 2015 season? What did it mean to get back on the mound in Cedar Rapids this year? Randy Rosario (Spanish): ¡Fue maravilloso después de mi primera salida porque todos me felicitaron por haber regresado!! Y me sentí muy bien en el montículo después de haber estado afuera durante todo el año 2014. Randy Rosario (English): It was great after my first outing because everyone congratulated me for coming back! I felt very good on the mound especially after being out all of 2014.SS: What type of pitcher do you think you are and can be? What were your keys to your success on the mound? Randy Rosario (Spanish): Creo que puedo ser como Francisco Liriano. Por lo menos eso es lo que dicen muchos managers y entrenadores de las ligas menores cuando me ven lanzando. Tengo la esperanza de ser tan bueno o quizá mejor si me esmero. Randy Rosario (English): I think I can be like Francisco Liriano, at least that's what many coaches and managers tell me in the minor leagues once they see me pitch. I hope to be as good or hopefully even better with hard work.SS: How did you find out about making the 40-man roster and what does that mean to you? Randy Rosario (Spanish): ¡No recuerdo exactamente, pero cuando me dijeron que estaba en el róster de los 40, me sentí muy emocionado y me sentí muy bien!! Y para mí al igual que para todo jugador de Liga Menor, ese es uno de los sueños que quieres lograr y gracias a Dios estoy ahí ahora. Randy Rosario (English): I can't recall but when they told me I felt very emotional and I felt really good! And for me and for every minor leaguer, that is one of your dreams you want to achieve and thank God that's where I am now.SS: Are there certain areas of your game or preparation that you’d like to focus on during this offseason, looking to 2016? Randy Rosario (Spanish): Sí, tengo a mi entrenador aquí y siempre estoy hablando con él sobre prepararme para la temporada que viene y ya comenzamos a trabajar para estar listos para eso. Randy Rosario (English): Yes, I have my trainer here and I'm always talking with him about being ready for the season, and we have been working to be ready for that.SS: What are some of your goals for the 2016 season? Are there certain statistics that you will focus on? Randy Rosario (Spanish): Mi primera meta es mantenerme sano y mantenerme lo más fuerte que sea posible. Quiero tirar más de 100 inings este año. ¡Esa es otra meta! Randy Rosario (English): My first goal is to remain healthy and be as strong as I can be. I want to throw more than 100 innings this year. That is another goal!SS: What would it mean to you and your family to be able to reach the major leagues and put that uniform on for the first time? Randy Rosario (Spanish): ¡Ese es el sueño de mi familia y el mío!! Estar allí y que todos ellos puedan verme por televisión. Randy Rosario (English): That is the dream of my family and mine! Being there and for everyone to be able to see me on TV.SS: Away from baseball, what do you enjoy doing in your free time? Randy Rosario (Spanish): Me gusta mucho jugar al playstation, siempre hago eso cuando tengo tiempo libre. Randy Rosario (English): I love playing PlayStation, I always do that when I have free time.We would like to thank Randy Rosario for taking time to respond to our questions. View full article

Are you on twitter, facebook, instagram or periscope? Those pictures are all over the place.

Correct... a candidate... they have until Wednesday to decide. Depends on how much they want to hand over to Dalton Pompey, I suppose.

My feel for what happened.. Joe Benson is probably one of the most competitive ballplayers I've ever seen or met. He really struggled with failure which, of course, is what 70% of baseball is about. He was elite defensively, but struggled at times with the bat, at least finding consistency. But he is a hard, hard worker and still just 27. It will be interesting to see what kind of opportunity he gets this spring.

Rochester announced that the Twins have signed the following players to minor league contracts: OF Joe Benson C Juan Centeno LHP Aaron Thompson Thompson is currently playing in Australia. He was on the opening day roster last year. Joe Benson comes back and could compete for a spot in Rochester (or the 5th OF spot). Centeno has played 24 games in the big leagues over the last 3 years. He hit .048 last year for the Brewers (1-21 with a double).

It might make sense, and I have no doubt that he would come back to the Twins. He and Terry Ryan have a very close relationship. However, I don't know that he would want to come to a situation where he may not play every day from Day 1. From the Twins standpoint, he's not much of a CF or LF defensively (at least that's what the stats say), and he's a #9 hitter in this lineup most likely.

Via Twitter, RHP DJ Johnson has signed with the Miami Marlins:

Right... especially when on average, every team should have 3 1/3 prospects on the list, five is pretty solid.

2015 was a big year for JO Berrios. He was the Twins Daily (and the Twins) Minor League Starting Pitcher of the Year for the second straight season. However, like so many members of the Twins organization, Berrios also does a lot off the field to contribute to his community. He has organized a pretty neat event in his hometown of Bayamon, in Puerto Rico, for December. Image courtesy of Matt Morton (Javier Baez), David Kohl (JO Berrios), Ken Blaze (Francisco Lindor), from USA Today 2015 was a big year for JO Berrios. He was the Twins Daily (and the Twins) Minor League Starting Pitcher of the Year for the second straight season. However, like so many members of the Twins organization, Berrios also does a lot off the field to contribute to his community. He has organized a pretty neat event in his hometown of Bayamon, in Puerto Rico, for December. Last month on social media, Berrios sent out a challenge to fellow young Puerto Ricans Francisco Lindor and Javier Baez. The two young future stars accepted the challenge. On December 12th and 13th, there will be clinics for teenagers between 14 and 16 years old. On December 19th and 20th, there will be a series of games. According to Berrios, "The idea came out during a training session with my staff, brainstorming about what can we do to help keep teenagers away from the streets." Cleveland shortstop Francisco Lindor recently finished second in American League Rookie of the Year voting (behind fellow Puerto Rican Carlos Correa). He has a tremendous combination of great defense and offense. Javier Baez debuted with the Cubs in 2014 and came up late in the 2015 season again. When Addison Russell was hurt in the playoffs, Baez was thrown into the spotlight and into the lineup. Berrios said the trio has been close for a long time. “We played Little League since (we were) 5 to 6 years old. We are friends. We are family.” Berrios feels that it is important to use his celebrity to help others is important. He takes his role as a role model seriously, as seriously as his offseason workouts. He wanted to do something to help others. “Not only being role models, but we want to be able to help those in need.” Berrios set up a Go Fund Me account today and hopes to generate $30,000 for Fundacion Lake Makina. Asked what his foundation would use any raised money for, he said there were three things at this time. “The money will be distributed as follows: 1.) Hogar Foriadores de Esperanza, 2.) The Spina Bifida Association, and 3.) the Luis Rodriguez Olmo family. Luis was a famous catcher. He is now diagnosed with Alzheimer’s and his family has made public their financial situation in order to take care of him. We want to help them. And any special case we understand needs help, we will do our best.” The Hogar Foriadores de Esperanza is “a homeless kids home” in Bayamon. Spina Bifida I the most common permanently disabling birth defect in the United States. It happens when a baby is in the womb and the spinal column does not close all the way. Every day, about eight babies born in the United States have Spina Bifida or a similar birth defect of the brain and spine. It is a defect that is very personal to Javier Baez. In April, his 21-year-old sister Noely, passed away from Spina Bifida. Twins fans are very excited to see Berrios reach the big leagues. Most fans wanted to see him late in the 2015 season, but they will have to wait until 2016. Berrios said, “2016 will be my year.” But it is impressive that a 21-year-old with so much in front of him is willing to take a step back in an effort to help those less fortunate. “I’m praying to God to be able to help more kids through the years. That is one of my fuels to keep pushing the game. In the future, (I want to) do something in Minnesota too, with my teammates,” Berrios continued, “In addition to pursuing a World Series championship.” Again, if you are interested and able to contribute, you can go to the Go Fund Me account here. View full article

Kepler's 23... Park is 29... Park, at this stage, is what he is. He'll have to make some adjustments, and he should be fine. I'd temper expectations by telling people he struck out 161 times last year (and hit .343 with an OPS over 1.100 and 105 HR over the last two years)... He should be solid.