Don't Feed the Greed Guy

Shhh! If Kohl Stewart is reading this, he might try a Chris Weinke on all of us. You may remember that Weinke, a Cretin Derham-Hall grad, spent six seasons in the Blue Jays minor-league system, before he enrolled at Florida State. Weinke went on to be a Heisman trophy quarterback at age 28. If Stewart's future as a pitcher begins to dim, Aggie Agony may become Twin Turmoil. A list of the pitchers that the Twins have taken out of high school in the first round reads like a chapter out of "Moneyball" 1987 Willie Banks 1990 Todd Ritchie 1992 Dan Serafini 2004 Steven "Kyle" Waldrop 2004 Jay Rainville 2011 Hudson Boyd 2012 Jose Berrios (Puerto Rico--an outlier? We can hope!) 2013 Stewart.

I'm holding out hope that Miguel Sano will channel his inner "Cobra" and we'll see a fair representation of Dave Parker in rightfield this season. Another big guy with a cannon arm. Sano will need to drop 20-25 lbs to get down to Parker's playing weight, but if this OF-experiment can work, why not dream big? Add a little Joe "Pops" Mauer, and Brian "Scrap Iron" Dozier to the mix, and we might be singing "We are Family" in October.

I like the comparison to Houston. The record in April and May will help determine whether Buxton, Park, and other questionable members of the Opening Day roster are being productive, and if Berrios, Kepler and other promising lads are fighting and clawing their way out of Rochester and into Minnesota. If that happens, the team could "buy now" on an ace before the trading deadline. However, the Royals have to regress, and Cleveland and Chicago can't wake up either. If the Twins are division leaders, or close, by the end of May, that will make all the difference. Not wild card contenders, but division leaders. In summary, a strong start in April and May will provide strategic direction to the front office in June and July, resulting in a win-now roster in August in September. Twins finish 91-71, but fall 2 games behind Kansas City during the last week of the regular season, and are eliminated in the one-game playoff by the Toronto Blue Jays.

Aaron Hicks avg obp slg ops 2013: MLB .192 .259 .338 .597 AAA .222 .317 .333 .650 2014 MLB .215 .341 .274 .615 AA- AAA .291 .387 .441 .828 2015 AAA .342 .405 .544 .948 MLB .256 .323 .398 .721 Vargas, Arcia, Santana... TBD.

That will be fun to watch. Eduardo Escobar provides the Twins with a year or two of time before either Vielma or Nick Gordon push their way into a major league lineup. Either one or both of them could be elite shortstops as they progress beyond A ball.

I'll drink the organizational Kool-Aid on this one. Give the Nolasco debacle one more try, and when he fails again, call up Berrios. I like the roster options. May's flexibility is an asset, not a liability.

Sano clicks in RF with a cannon arm that converts well to the OF, reminding everyone of Dave Parker in 1979, when he throws out Bryce Harper at 3rd and Ryan Braun at home, earning the 2016 All-Star MVP. Buxton in CF, and Rosario in LF, not RF. Arcia is the DH while Park and Kepler get their chops in at AAA. Benson is the surprise of Spring Training as a 4th OF who spells Sano as a defensive replacement in the late innings, pinch runner, and right-handed bat off the bench!,But Arcia and Benson have to go in June/July to make way for Kepler and Park who are on fire in Rochester. Benson and Arcia are traded before the All-Star break for a stud Ace who anchors the Twins rotation for the next three years. How's that for creative writing? Fantasy? Remember, "In a Perfect World..."

#1 Ervin Santana serves 80 game suspension for using the performance enhancing drug, Stanozolol. As a result, Santana misses 15-17 turns in the rotation. If Santana starts those games, Minnesota's chances of winning three or four more games vastly improves, and fans get to watch at least one postseason game.

Two biggest surprises in 2015: 1) Twins in the wildcard hunt until the last weekend of the season. 2) Tyler Duffey, 5-1, 3.10. 2016: 1) Twins either win the division over K.C, or collapse below .500 2) Berrios' winning in the MLB would not be a surprise, but how about Taylor Rogers? Forced into the rotation due to injuries? Or solid in the bullpen as formidable LHP? 3) Arcia or Vargas click.

"Maybe you don’t believe in any knowledge other than scientifically proven knowledge. The bad news is that makes it hard to meet girls. The good news is that there is still some evidence that Morneau wouldn’t be a terrible fit for the Twins." LOVE This. I say bring back the M & M Bromance! That would mean breaking up the Plouffe-Dozier Bromance, however...

Option #3: Move Nolasco, Plouffe, and maybe a Gibson for a Grade A catcher who can improve the rotation/defense by calling a good game, framing pitches, and shutting down the opponent's running game. That's the best way to improve the rotation while maintaining in-house options. I also like what Duffey's curveball brings to the rotation's variety. Having him start every fifth day brings a different look that will make opposing batters adjust day-to-day.

Late August is when many fans turn their attention to football--leave it to our Cedar Rapids Kernels to put up a gridiron score on the Peoria Chiefs Monday night at Veterans Memorial Stadium--or is it Perfect Game Field? Naming rights... sigh. The hospitality and highlights were spectacular as players, ticket agents, and vendors made our first family visit to Vets Stadium a delight. Our boys were invited out to second base for the National Anthem, where they stood between Sean Miller and Nick Gordon. The family got outfitted with their Kernels wear, and we settled behind the home dugout to enjoy this slug-fest. Cody already highlighted TJ White's offensive contribution, which included scorching line-outs to left and center fields in the 6th and 8th innings, respectively. Sean Miller lifted his batting average from .281 to .333. White and Max Murphy were both one leg shy of a cycle over the last three innings as they faced three position players who traded their first base gloves and catchers equipment for a spot on the mound. According to the Kernels website: "Alex DeLeon (1b) allowed four runs over 1 1/3 innings. Luis Cruz (C & DH) gave up three runs in one inning. Jake Gronsky (who has played SS, 2b, 3b, Lf, and 18 games at 1b) did not allow a run while recording two outs." Austin Diemer should not be overlooked in the hit parade, as he reached base six times in all six of his plate appearances. Keaton Steele managed to stay relatively sharp as his teammates ran laps around the infield. He walked one and manged this only other three-ball count after a marathon top of the 4th, when he watched sixteen Kernels take turns on the Peoria pitching staff. Nick Gordon fielded his position well, scooping a nifty short hop at his shoe-tops while charging a weak grounder in the fourth, starting a double play in the fifth, and executing a pair of routine plays in the sixth and seventh innings. He scored four runs on two singles, a double, and a walk. Again, players showed their patience after the game. Many signed a ball that catcher Brian Navaretto tossed our son as he returned to the dugout, moments after Steele struck out the side in the top of the second inning.

A few highlights from Clinton, home of the Lumberkings, and your visiting Cedar Rapids Kernels. Randy LeBlanc looked like a good reliever who is being stretched out into a starting role. He was cruising through the Lumberkings order until he fell behind their #8 hitter, catcher Adam Martin,who entered the game hitting. 094,but left the game with a. 132 batting average. LeBlanc fell behind Martin and grooved a fastball as the at-bat extended and perhaps he tired. Martin deposited LeBlanc's Sunday offering over the left field wall. Suffice it to say that LeBlanc's day went from bad to worse from there. Other items of note: 1) Nick Gordon looked stellar in the field, ranging well to his left on several occasions. I didn't get to see him pressured "into the hole" but we have tickets for tonight's game in Cedar Rapids. At bat, he had some good hacks, and showed speed not just by stealing second, but also by advancing to third on a wild pitch that barely left the catcher's feet. 2) The Lumberkings roster contains some fan favorites, namely Gianfranco Wawoe, pronounced Wah-WOO! Both the Lumberkings announcer and fans took full advantage.., and Wawoe rewarded them with a home run and four rbi's. The other fave is Burt Reynolds-yes--Burt Reynolds. Kernels pitchers smoked him twice as he went 0-5. 3) Finally,the Clinton ballpark is one of those intimate venues where home plate is within sniffing distance of the fans. A kind Lumberkings ticket taker snapped our family picture after the game, and he explained that if the park were replaced or rebuilt, home plate would need to be moved at least ten feet further from the stands in order to comply with league standards.

1. Tell Joe that he is going to be the primary 1B starter for all of 2016. 2. Tell Joe that he will need to have an OPS above the league average 1B (.766) by the end of 2016 to have the job in 2017. 3. Tell Joe to prepare this offseason to be able to play a little RF. Tell him to expect 10-15 games, just like 2011 when they broke him into 1B. I would do all of the above, but speed up the timetable one year. Terry Ryan or Paul Molitor sits down with Mauer at the end of the season and explains, "Joe, you will get every chance to be the primary first baseman when we break camp next spring and head north. But understand our situation. We can't have you playing ahead of Kennys Vargas, Trevor Plouffe, Max Kepler, Miguel Sano, and other potential first basemen if you are not more productive than they are by the All-Star Break, 2016. We will do everything in our power to help you succeed and end your career here in Minnesota. If you want to play elsewhere, that's your decision. We will work with you to finish out your playing career where you want, when you want. This is a baseball decision--a competitive baseball decision. You know as well as everyone that your skills are diminishing. Father Time catches up to the best of us (a good line for Molitor to speak). You can retire and coach alongside your brother Jake in Cedar Rapids, you can take a front office job, or we can restructure your contract and let you play as a valuable bat off the bench. We don't want to release you and eat your contract. What would you like to do?"

(also posted in the comments to the article: Did Miguel Sano's Homers Cause Perseid Meteor Shower?) Our family is on our way to Iowa in a little over a week. We'll catch the Kernels in Clinton on Sunday afternoon, and then take in one or more home games the following week. For campers--a hint: Maquoketa Caves State Park is less than an hour from Cedar Rapids, and forty-five minutes from Dyersville, home of the "Field of Dreams" site. The park is annually regarded the best campground in Iowa, with amazing limestone caves and hiking trails that pass through the unique rock formations. We're also planning a day trip to Des Moines for an Iowa Cubs game--Ernie Banks Jersey Day!!

Our family is on our way to Iowa in a little over a week. We'll catch the Kernels in Clinton on Sunday afternoon, and then take in one or more home games the following week. For campers--a hint: Maquoketa Caves State Park is less than an hour from Cedar Rapids, and forty-five minutes from Dyersville, home of the "Field of Dreams" site. The park is annually regarded the best campground in Iowa, with amazing limestone caves and hiking trails that pass through the unique rock formations. We're also planning a day trip to Des Moines for an Iowa Cubs game--Ernie Banks Jersey Day!!

Remember a team that started the season 1-6? Another turnaround is not out of the realm of possibility, especially when 25 of the last 55 games are against the Indians, White Sox, and the "Priceless" Motor City Kitties. Now, for 2016: TR did the right thing in not mortgaging the future for an inside shot at a one-game Wild Card playoff. Toronto is the team that made that gamble, and they just may reel in the Yankees, too. But yeah, I'm optimistic. Torii has made things fun, but he should give way to Arcia in 2016. Mauer could be remembered as a Gil Meche type hero, for retiring and leaving millions on the table. He'd make us all proud to be Minnesotans. Polanco, Santana, or Escobar will figure it out at SS, and if Nick Gordon continues to put things together, he could be here in 2-3 years. bottom line: I listened to a meaningful Twins game in August, while trolling for walleyes on Leech Lake. Over the past years, I haven't been able to say that in June--much less on the walleye opener. That's progress, Twins Fans!!

I like the move to leadoff. I think Dickbert said something last night about Buxton's familiarity with the leadoff position. He's led off at every level of the minors, and then when he gets to "The Show" the first thing Molitor did was pencil him in at #9. Get him back to where he's comfortable. That's all.

Trades won't occur until the trade deadline approaches. IF the Twins are in a buying mood, I'd package two starters (Pelfrey, Milone and/or Gibson) for an ace. If we sell, sell Pelf for prospects. At any rate, make room for Berrios & company in 2016.

To my eyes, the biggest surprise is who isn't on this list, namely Nick Burdi. 2014 WHIP @ Cedar Rapids, 1.23 & Ft. Myers, 0.95 2015 WHIP @ Chattanooga, 1.77. With the preseason predictions regarding the Twins bullpen, I was hoping to see Burdi move quickly through AA and AAA, and be called up after the All-Star Break. Not going to happen.

I'd flip-flop the Tigers and the Astros.

Wow, Now I know why the Yankees hated Carl Pavano... Well, at least they got to see Alyssa Milano. Sheesh.

Jay, I read the comments section to this post, and I see some of my favorite Twins Daily posters, and those who are handing out the "likes" are some of the more astute posters and readers on the site. You have a lot of good baseball minds reflecting on this blog. With that said, I think Pat Reusse said it well in comparing the announcement of Ervin Santana's suspension on April 3rd of 2015 with the onset of glaucoma in Kirby Puckett's eye on March 28th of 1996. Both stories broke as the Twins were prepared to break camp and turn around multiple losing seasons. http://www.startribune.com/sports/twins/298648181.html I have a hard time not being negative right now. The signing of Ervin Santana marked the Twins' commitment to winning now. Santana also absorbed the lion's share of Minnesota's available free agent budget. The timing of Santana's suspension, and the dead weight of his contract is as debilitating to the Twins as A-Fraud was--and is--to the Yankees. So, where do you go to find a positive vibe? I'm just sayin' that the negative vibe is appropriate, given the times we are facing. Bottom line--if you are selling hope, I'm not buying. The Twins organization just hit a low that it hasn't seen in almost twenty years. If there's a time to be negative, it's right about now.

Does anyone know what the implications are for releasing Santana now? Would the Twins have to honor the contract after eighty games?

Two thoughts, recycled from above: 1) I agree with the hope/expectation that our starting five will log more quality starts. This should shorten the workload, and broaden the options for Paul Molitor as he and the coaching staff make late-game TACTICAL decisions. Right now Molitor & his staff are making final decisions regarding their bullpen STRATEGY as they settle on a 25-man rosters. In Detroit on Opening Day, strategy will soon make way for in-game tactics, which gives way to the OPERATIVE challenge of making the best pitch. Strategy-Tactics-Operations. Longer starts lead to more "bullets" in the manager's "gun" as he makes tactical decisions from the dugout--hopefully in the seventh or eighth innings, rather than the fourth, fifth or sixth frames. 2) Strategic options are also emerging in the minor leagues: Lefty Aaron Thompson showed promise during Spring Training. He should keep a carry-on bag packed. A rejuvenated Caleb Thielbar is a real possibility--hopefully the 2013 version. He was filthy against lefties. And Mark Hamburger and Nick Burdi are quality options who can gas either side of the plate. Also the strategic move of picking up Graham looks promising, but the games haven't started counting, yet. It will be fun to watch how the Twins' Bullpen Strategy plays out!