Physics Guy

I'm happy with 15 HR, .750 OPS and above average defense. He might be a bit more, but maybe also a bit less. Either way he's a solid 2B.

I always liked Nathan and I don't like seeing him fail. That being said, I also want the Royals to win the AL Central.

Walk off ....IF hit. What an ending....?

I feel badly for Ricky.

What is going on with Perk?

I've seen a few posts mention waiting and not signing an elite FA starter this year and wait to line up better with when our young players have matured a bit more. So I did a search for 2016 FA: http://www.mlbtraderumors.com/2014/09/2016-mlb-free-agents.html Possible targets include Price, Zimmerman, Samardzija, Latos, Kazmir, Leake, Fister and Kennedy. The issue is that I seem to remember much the same last year. I suspect half or more of those guys ends up signing an extension.

Santana has the stronger track record in the minors, is performing better and at a younger age. I think he has very quick hands, but needs to play SS the rest of the way to help build consistency. He will not be as steady as Esco at first, but I suspect he makes more "tough plays" than Esco. I saw nice hands and a strong arm by Santana on two DP's in the middle of the game tonight. Consistency is what makes Escobar a strong utility IF. The fact that he can hit a little is gravy.

How's our bullpen doing these days?

Are you kidding me?

Ok, I take it back. Nice use of the bullpen.

Are we actually talking about the game? Amazing what a rally will do. Nice use of the bullpen Ausmus. One pitch for Albuquerque.

Or go down looking.

How about now? Would that work?

I hope so. 4 more in the next two weeks would be nice.

The pitchers are certainly affording the defense the opportunity to make some nice double plays tonight.

Nice toss Parmelee.

Have to agree with Dick for once, Parmelee did not take a good route there.

This should absolutely be the case. He doesn't make enough to warrant a spot in the starting rotation. I'd hazzard to guess that there are non-closers in bullpens around the league making what he makes. Put him there if need be.

Levi, I'm not quite following you. Dozier is sitting at .746 OPS. It may not seem like it, but that's still quite a ways from .700-ish. He ended August at the same OPS as July 22. September isn't treating him well. It's possible the losing is getting to him, maybe he's trying to do too much or he's just wearing down. He has played all but 4 games this year.

No concerns at all. He had an .834 OPS in August. September isn't looking so great, but SSS.

I don't like the idea of "sunk cost" on salaries either, but here's the thing. Let's say Shields even gets 5yrs/$100M. Is it possible they don't see much value the last two years? Sure it is. But who do the Twins currently have on their roster who will get a big pay day in the next five years? Mauer's contract expires in four years and Shields' would in five, about the time they have to start paying the new guys on the roster. They can pay Shields $20M a year and still be well below their "salary cap". They only have $60M committed for next year. They can afford it, even if he isn't very valuable at the end of the contract. At worst, I don't see him worse than what we've been trotting out at the #4 & #5 spots in our rotation.

Hicks in CF, Schaefer as 4th OF/backup CF, Santana at SS and Escobar as utility. Santana should get the majority of the starts at SS and Hicks in CF the rest of the way. I guess it comes down to who you think has the higher upside, Hicks or Escobar. I know he has struggled thus far, but I still think Hicks is the better player. Hicks is a year younger, was brought up to the big leagues too early, and has a history of struggling throughout his career when he is promoted. Escobar has shown the ability to play multiple positions in the field, making him an excellent utility infielder. Santana has the stronger hitting record in the majors and minors. If he can play competently at SS, he should start there. Enough with playing IF in the OF. Fine if you want to do it on occasion, but but our OF defense has struggled enough.

I agree that Santana's contract would be the most palatable for Ryan. What do you guys think about those projections? Too high, too low, about right? I also am not sure I want the Twins going after Scherzer and Lester for those amounts. Interesting point made earlier about Scherzer. Either he signs with Detroit or they give him a qualifying offer. That almost undoubtedly takes him off the table for the Twins. Lester is maybe possible if the Red Sox decide not to get in on the bidding and his contract stays under $100 M. My favorite target is Shields. He is one year older than Santana, but has about the same number of innings under his belt. He has shown much greater consistency than Santana. If they can get him for 5/80M, I say go for it. Once again, this may all be a pipe dream. But I also was shocked when they gave Nolasco the contract they did. They only have about $60M committed to next year. SPEND THE MONEY!

Plouffe has turned himself into an adequtate to slightly above average all-around 3B (hitting and fielding). While a playoff caliber roster should not have him in the top half of its lineup, he certainly can have a role as the team gets better (hopefully). His production is pretty similar to what the '91 Twins received from Pags and Leius.

I was thinking about the discussion on: http://twinsdaily.com/topic/15196-2015-starting-rotation-opening-day/ That thread seems to have stalled, so I'd like to go one step further. A large number of posters, me included, seem to be clamoring for the Twins to sign a starter to take our #1 slot. In saying this, I don't necessarily mean an "ace", just somebody who might be better than Phil Hughes this year. In looking at the FA for the upcoming offseason, I found four candidates: Max Scherzer Jon Lester James Shields Ervin Santana When I first thought about it, I immediately took the top two off my list. I didn't see us competing with the big market teams for the top guys. After reading this (ESPN Insider required), I changed my mind: http://insider.espn.go.com/blog/buster-olney/post/_/id/8048 Buster suggested that the Yankees may not be in the market due to the large number of big contracts they are saddled with. Boston strikes me as the only team who might pay the big money, most likely for Lester. Will the Tigers still offer Scherzer the 6yr/$144 M offer they did before the season if there is nobody else to drive up his price? Might there be some bargains at the top of the FA market? If the Yankees and Dodgers aren't buying, the market changes significantly. I still highly doubt Terry Ryan would pay the money for the top two, but maybe the prices for the next two also end up lower than expected. I'm curious what types of contracts people think these four pitchers will receive and would that put them in the range of what the Twins might be willing to spend. My guess: Scherzer 6/144 Don't see Tigers increasing their offer. Same money as Hamels, close to Greinke. Jon Lester 6/132 Shields 5/80 Santana 4/56