Seth Stohs

SDBuhr - I'm guessing they talked to other front offices about guys who would be in line for a big league job. The Twins front office would likely offer up names of deserving coaches in their system if asked who another team should consider. Also, a possible connection is the Andy MacPhail angle, since he was in Baltimore for so long. Maybe some Red Wings officials have opinions on him from his several years in Rochester. Could be a lot of things.

More important that his Major league playing time, and lots of minor league playing time was that he had a cameo in the movie Bull Durham: via Scott Povolny on Twitter.

The Twins just announced via Twitter that Butch Davis is their new first base coach. https://twitter.com/Twins/status/539491687186563073 It appears that he has been a hitting coach in the Orioles organization since the mid-90s. The announcement comes on the heels of the reports that the Twins were turned down by Delino DeShields and Rich Renteria for coaching positions.

That was my first thought, although my guess is there is probably no link at all.

With Cruz signing in Seattle, the M's are likely not an option for Hunter, but does it make the Orioles more of an option?

Intangibles absolutely matter. Team Chemistry also matters. To what level, there is no way to know. Talent wins. If Adam Walker is your 6th or 7th best player on your roster, you're going to have a pretty strong team. There is no one perfect way to build a team. You have to have great players, and you have to have competent role players who do what they need to do.

They don't have contracts, but they're also under team control. The Twins could DFA them to make room on the 40 man roster, but if they don't, the Twins will likely sign them (to barely over league minimum) about the time spring training starts. What has to be determined tomorrow is the status of their arbitration-eligible players. Those three have too little MLB service time to qualify.

Polanco was very good in Ft. Myers, but when he got to New Britain, he did struggle... as you would expect a 20 year old to. That's a big jump. He held his own, but he didn't play great. Defensively, he is a work in progress. It's going to take time if they really think he can play short. The fact that the Twins called him up last year, twice, was a testament to how they feel about his character and makeup and approach. He's incredibly bright. He's not ready for a big league job at all yet, and may not be for another year... but that doesn't mean he doesn't have the potential to be very good. He does.

The more I think about it, the more I think all six remaining are tendered. The only one I am not pretty sure about is Nunez. Plouffe, Fien and Schafer would appear to be givens. I think Duensing is a given. His salary, even in his final year of arbitration is nothing to worry about at all. He's a guy who has done the job for quite awhile now. Not great, but very solid. No need to just give a guy like that away for nothing. Worst case in offering him arbitration, you can still get something for a 31 year old lefty. Nunez is the only one I'm on the fence on. Not that he's good defensively, but he can play 5 positions. Having a guy like that as a 2nd utility guy has value. And again, he won't make more than $1 million. Milone is more of a question for me than Duensing. He'll likely be more expensive than Duensing and there are more question marks about his potential role. He's a SP and I don't think he has the stuff to be a one-inning or LOOGY type. He has an option left, but his spot in the rotation is a question mark. He could be a non-tender option too. Those three are far from easy choices, though I think Duensing is a pretty easy choice to tender. The other two are much more difficult.

Rodon couldn't be part of the trade. They just drafted him in June. The White Sox don't really have the pieces to get Samardzija, unless they get some veterans like Alexei Ramirez and deal them in a three-team deal for talent.

This evening, the Oakland A's traded All Star 3B Josh Donaldson, one of baseball's most valuable players the last couple of seasons, to the Toronto Blue Jays. In return, they received 3B Brett Lawrie, RHP Kendall Graveman, LHP Sean Nolin and SS Franklin Barreto.

There is always complaining about coaches, no matter how good they are or aren't.

Picking DeShields (or somebody of the ilk) would not be about 2015. It's about the future. He wouldn't likely be the 4th outfielder, he'd be the fifth outfielder and play minimally. He'd likely primarily play as a pinch runner and defensive replacement in 2015. Then he would go back to AA, or maybe AAA, in 2016 and play a ton. But those above who pointed out that it is harder to stash a position player on the roster now than it would have been 15 years ago, just because of bigger pitching staffs. That said, the Twins have played with a 1 person bench in recent years, so they could do it if they want. I would lean pitcher though. This class of eligibles does seem to be better than some, but the reality is that 96% of them are just names to us and the 4% that we've heard of certainly have flaws or questions as well. If they can get a future 4th of 5th starter or middle relief type or utility fielder in the Rule 5, that would be good.

This is my general thought on Free Agent signings when they are over 31... those contracts are typically on teh downside of their career at a pay rate for what they were capable of before they turned 31. The play lasts many times until about 33 which is why I do like the years that I have for both Plouffe and Dozier.

We’re back for another round of Who Would Say No? After considering a potential long-term deal for 2B Brian Dozier yesterday, we’ll now consider the merits of a long-term contract for Twins third baseman Trevor Plouffe. Look at his numbers and consider what you would do. Leave your comments in the forum.As Thanksgiving approaches, Twins third baseman Trevor Plouffe has to be quite thankful. In the last week, two third baseman have signed contracts for at least $95 million. Kyle Seager got $100 million to buy out all three arbitration years and four years of free agency. Pablo Sandoval left the Giants for Beantown, and $95 million. Seager was coming off of a season in which he played in his first All-Star game. He is arbitration-eligible for the first time this year. Sandoval was a free agent, having won three World Series rings in San Francisco and playing terrifically in this Fall Classic. Plouffe is in his second of four arbitration seasons and had a very solid season, his best yet. Below are two ways to look at and compare the numbers of the three third basemen, 2014 stats and a three-year (2012-14) glimpse. 2014 Statistical Comparison Trevor Plouffe (age 28) - .258/.328/.423 (.751), 110 OPS+, 40-2B, 14-HR, 80 RBIKyle Seager (age 26) - .268/.334/.454 (.788), 127 OPS+, 27-2B, 25-HR, 96 RBIPablo Sandoval (age 27) - .279/.324/.415 (.739), 111 OPS+, 26-2B, 16-HR, 73 RBISeager clearly had the best year, and Sandoval and Plouffe basically had the same year. Now let’s look at the three-year numbers for the three players:Trevor Plouffe – .249/.314/.422 (.736), 103 OPS+, 81-2B, 52-HR, 187 RBIKyle Seager – .262/.329/.434 (.764), 118 OPS+, 94-2B, 67-HR, 251 RBIPablo Sandoval – .280/.335/.424 (.759), 116 OPS+, 78-2B, 42-HR, 215 RBIAgain, the Kyle Seager contract isn’t looking so bad anymore, is it? Although he might be lesser-known in Seattle, he has been good for three years and was very good as a 26-year-old in 2014. Sandoval and Plouffe were very similar in 2014, but Sandoval certainly has more of a track record and more consistency in recent years. So, before anyone puts (or thinks I am putting) Trevor Plouffe in the same category as Sandoval and Seager, just don’t. He’s not that, though he’s not far behind. Third base is no longer the power position that it was five years ago. In fact, second base is more of an offensive position in the league now than third base, or at least it has more star-caliber players. However, the two third baseman being signed certainly makes relevant the question of whether the Twins should lock up Plouffe for an extended period. Of course, the proverbial elephant in the proverbial room comes in the form of Miguel Sano. One of baseball’s top prospects, the third baseman missed all of 2014 following Tommy John surgery. Sano will be up at some point, whether it’s in 2015 or early in 2016. I have little doubt that he can play third base. He has the quickness and has a very strong arm (even after Tommy John). The question is, would Trevor Plouffe or Miguel Sano switch positions? Which one would be better in left field at that time? Those are all questions for later, but when it comes to an extension for Plouffe, it does factor into the equation. So does the fact that statistically Trevor Plouffe turned into a very good defensive third baseman in 2014. So, if Trevor Plouffe were to put up just his 2014 numbers for the next few years, what could he make? Here are some estimates: 2015 (age 29): 2nd year arbitration-eligible, Plouffe would likely jump to about $4-5 million.2016 (age 30): 3rd year arbitration-eligible, Plouffe would likely jump to $8-10 million.2017 (age 31): 4th year arbitration-eligible, Plouffe would likely jump to $12-13 million.2018 (age 32): Free AgentThose estimates are again assuming that he just puts up similar numbers to what he did in 2014. Of course, if he continues to improve, those numbers could go up some. The other side is if he gets hurt or declines, he could be a trade or non-tender candidate. What happens if he moves to left field? Would that affect these numbers? That’s what makes these long-term contracts risky for both sides. This paragraph is the same as yesterday and obviously would go into every decision: I included the season and age just because those are likely part of the discussion and part of the equation and thought-process for such decisions as well. Other factors that come into play include the character of the player, some intangibles, and how will that player handle the security? That’s a big one. Will he sit back and quit working after signing the guaranteed contract, or will he use the security to really push himself to greatness? There’s no way to know, but those thoughts have to run through the collective mind of a front office. WHO WOULD SAY NO? So, what I’ve done is put together a contract offer for the Twins front office and for Trevor Plouffe and his agent to consider (hypothetically). My question today for the Twins Daily audience is, Who Says No? 2015: $5 million.2016: $8 million2017: $10 million2018: $12 million2019: $13 million option with a $1 million buyout.4 year, $36 million contract with a $13 million option to get through his age 33 season.So, the question is there for discussion… Who says No? Or do they both say Yes? Click here to view the article

Happy Thanksgiving to the entire tWins Daily community! I know I'm thankful for so many things. It's been an interesting year at this site. The additions of Wild Xtra and Vikings Journal happened. The Twins were bad but we saw a lot of good things. New coaching staff and a lot of reason for optimism. Special Thank You's to our incredible, patient and thoughtful moderator s for keeping these forums as civil as possible. Thank You most importantly to all of you who spend part of your day at Twins Daily, reading article and blogs, commenting in the forums and generally being so supportive. I want to wish all of you and your families much happiness throughout this holiday season!

Yes, they are one year deals.

... and it was over 30 years ago...

DeShields was the first name I noticed too. We know: 1.) He's really fast, 2.) He's got great blood lines. 3.) He's tough. Check out his picture after getting hit by a fastball in the cheek in April.

This discussion is great! Thank you! And, the two "sides" of the discussion are likely both right and expressing that concerns that each side would have. "Security" and "Cost Certainty" are the positives for both sides. "Maximize value" and "Overpay" are on the other side of the equation. I do have to wonder, when we heard rumors last spring training about a contract extension with Dozier, what those terms might have looked like. I'm guessing lower than what my proposal above is. If they wait another year and he has another similar year, he could be looking more at a Seager deal. The risk goes both ways, and I feel pretty good about where I put the numbers, but I'm loving this conversation.

Ash Marshall of milb.com posted his choices for Twins Minor League All Stars this morning. He included C, 1B, 2B, 3B, SS, 3 OF, Util, RHSP, LHSP, RP. I spent a few attempts last year trying to guess his choices and got close, but this is really interesting. I like that it isn't just a top prospect list but a lot of deserving names.

Big money is being spent around baseball. Players are signing long-term deals before free agency. There are are a couple of Twins players who would/could be looking to gain some financial security. In this series, I’ll review a Twins player, his numbers, his contract status and his earnings potential. I’ll put out a contract that I would consider fair and ask Twins Daily’s readers, “Who Says No?” We’ll start with Brian Dozier.Clearly there is some money to spend in baseball right now. National TV revenues are crazy, so the players should cash in. That said, teams still need to make sound business decisions. The Kyle Seager 7-year, $100 million contract got me thinking. He is arbitration eligible for the first time this year after making $540,000 in his final year of serfdom. So the Mariners are buying out the 2014 All-Star for three years of arbitration, plus four years of free agency. There is money to be spent, so should the Twins spend it? Brian Dozier had a very good 2014 season, his age-27 season. He hit .242/.345/.416 (.742) with 33 doubles, a triple, 23 home runs, 71 RBI and 112 runs scored. He also stole 21 bases. He also played very good defense at second base. If he is able to continue posting those types of numbers, he is going to start making a lot of money in 2016 when he is playing under his first year of arbitration. Understandably, he would want to work under some sort of guarantee, so a long-term contract might make a lot of sense for him. The Twins would certainly like to lock up a guy who they consider a quality player and a leader in the clubhouse. Of course, such a contract would have to make sense for both sides. So, if Dozier were to put up just the same numbers for the next four or five years, what would he make? Here are some estimates: 2015 (age 28): Not yet arbitration-eligible, Dozier will make between $550,000 and $600,000.2016 (age 29): 1st year arbitration-eligible, Dozier would likely jump up to about $5 million.2017 (age 30): 2nd year arbitration-eligible, Dozier would likely jump to about $8-10 million.2018 (age 31): 3rd year arbitration-eligible, Dozier would likely jump to $10-12 million.2019 (age 32): He would be a free agent.Those estimates are again assuming that he just puts up similar numbers to what he did in 2014. Of course, if he continues to improve, those numbers could go up a little. The other side that is if he gets hurt or declines, he could be a non-tender candidate in a couple of years. That’s what makes these long-term contracts risky for both sides. I included the season and age just because those are likely part of the discussion and part of the equation and thought process for such decisions as well. Other factors that come into play include the character of the player, some intangibles, and how will that player handle the security? That’s a big one. Will he sit back and quit working after signing the guaranteed contract, or will he use the security to really push himself to greatness? There’s no way to know, but those thoughts have to run through the collective mind of a front office. WHO WOULD SAY NO? So, what I’ve done is put together a contract offer for the Twins front office and for Brian Dozier and his agent to consider (hypothetically). My question today for the Twins Daily audience is, Who Says No? 2015: $1 million.2016: $5 million2017: $7 million2018: $9 million2019: $11 million2020: $12 million6 year, $45 million contract through his age 33 season.So, the question is there for discussion… Who says No? Or do they both say Yes? Click here to view the article

As a Kirby Puckett fan, I loved Rob's story about Puckett shaming teammates into going out and signing autographs.