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pierre75275

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Blog Entries posted by pierre75275

  1. pierre75275
    I need some help. I do not understand how ESPN reaches and sets the Power Rankings on a weekly basis. Last week on the day the Power Rankings came out, the Twins, yes our beloved Twins, led the league in OBP (.353%) Walks, and were one run behind the White Sox for the league lead in runs. Yet, the Twins were ranked 27th. REALLY??
    I should add I am not under any illusions about how good the Twins are, especially their pitching staff, but can somebody help me with the 27th ranking out of 30 teams, even though the Twins were 9-9? Maybe I am biased, but in my eyes, I seem much less biased the ESPN sportswriters who come up with this stuff.
  2. pierre75275
    I was thinking that there was a really good chance this year that by the end of August there is going to be a whole new Twins roster to watch. So I went through the roster and listed each player as well as the probability that they would be traded or released by the end of August.
     
    I did this because I do not believe the Twins will be all that good this year (see, well out of contention by July) and I believe that there a lot of players that won't be back next year, the Twins will be promoting players early and often when the current players do not or under perform. This is done with the caveat that any player can be traded at anytime. I look forward to the feedback I will get on my first post.
     
    Jared Burton: 40% Traded
    Kevin Corria: 75% Traded
    Sam Deduno:60% Traded
    Brian Duensing: 80% non-tendered then re-signed at the end of the year
    Casey Fien: 50% Traded
    Kyle Gibson: 0% Traded
    Phil Hughes: 5% Traded
    Ricky Nolasco: 0% Traded
    Mike Pelfrey: 20% Traded
    Glen Perkins: 0% Traded
    Anthony Swarzak: 45% traded
    Caleb Thielbar: 0% traded
     
    Josmil Pinto: 0% traded
    Kurt Suzuki: 0% traded
    Jason Bartlett: Released by June
    Chris Colabello: 0% traded 15% optioned to AAA
    Brian Dozier: 0% Traded
    Eduardo Escobar 0% Traded 0% Optioned to AAA
    Pedro Floriman: 0% Traded 75% Optioned to AAA
    Joe Mauer: 0% traded
    Trevor Plouffe: 40% Traded
    Oswaldo Arcia: 0% traded
    Aaron Hicks: 0% Traded
    Josh Willingham: 25% Traded 75% Released in August
    Jason Kubel: 100% Released in August
  3. pierre75275
    The Twins have been on the lower end of mediocre this year and at the roster has been a mess. Looking ahead to 2015 is currently the funnest thing to do as a Twins fan. After looking at the Twins options for bullpen and the starting rotations in my previous blogs, I will now offer my opinions on players the Twins have available to them on the position side of things. This area in my opinion is the most likely area the Twins have available to add improvements via free agency. Without further ado, lets look at who the Twins have available at AAA and the majors for position.
    Left Field:
    Ed Nunez
    Jordan Schaffer
    Aaron Hicks
    Daniel Ortiz
    Center Field
    Aaron Hicks
    Danny Santana
    Jordan Schaffer
    Eric Farris
    Right Field
    Chris Parmalee
    Chris Colabello
    Aaron Hicks
    Oswaldo Arcia
    Wilkin Rameriez
    Chris Hermann
    First Base:
    Kennys Vargas
    Joe Mauer
    Chris Colabello
    Chris Parmelee
    Second Base
    Brian Dozier
    Edurado Escobar
    Doug Bernier
    James Beresford
    Jorge Polanco
    Shortstop
    Danny Santana
    Edurado Escobar
    Edurado Nunez
    Third Base
    Trevor Plouffe
    Edurado Escobar
    Edurado Nunez
    Catcher
    Kurt Suzuki
    Eric Fryer
    Josmil Pinto
    Chris Hermann
    DH
    Oswaldo Arcia
    Joe Mauer
    Kennys Vargas
    Chris Colabello
    Josmil Pinto
    I would say on this section of the roster, much more then the bullpen and the starting rotation, is more in-flux and cluttered with players who have question marks. Chris Colabello, Danny Santana, Chris Parmalee, Aaron Hicks and Jordan Schaffer. The problem is the Twins do not have anybody in the system who could step up and improve the product on the big league field. So if the Twins want to spend in the off-season this is where they should put their money. For the sake of argument, the Twins should target an off-season back up catcher to improve their team. The Twins have an in house option Josmil Pinto, who should get the job. But if he doesn't who is the best option available who will be willing to play part time? The only Free agent catcher who might play part time and who would be available would be AJ Pierzynski. He would be the best pick up in my opinion should the Twins target a catcher. The Twins are set at first base and second base. The Twins could upgrade at shortstop this off season if they picked up Jed Lowrie or Hanley Ramirez. Both would be expensive, but that is fine, the Twins can afford one or the other, however I prefer the Twins trade for one the Cubs shortstops or one of the Texas shortstops. There really are not any options at third that via free agency that would provide an upgrade so lets move on to the outfield. As expected, there are several options here who the Twins could pick up to improve the current big league club. Melky Cabrera, Denard Span, Nick Markakias, Nelson Cruz, Torii Hunter and Alex Rios would all be upgrades over the current Twins outfield.
     
    What Should the Twins do in your opinion?
  4. pierre75275
    Everybody knows the Twins Starting five have not preformed up to standards this year. The biggest question facing the Twins this winter is what to do to improve the big club. Does it make sense to go out and sign a Max Scherzer, James Shields or John Lester? I will answer that question in a bit but first let's look at what the options are in house for 2015.
    LOCKS:
    Phil Hughes, Kyle Gibson, Ricky Nolassco.
    I think that Phil Hughes has probably been the best signing this off season while Nolassco has been one of the worst. I also think the majority of fans can agree the Kyle Gibson will be one of the starting five next April.
    IN HOUSE OPTIONS:
    Who do the Twins have in house? Alex Meyer, Trevor May, Tommy Milone, Kris Johnson, Yohan Pino, Mike Pelfrey, Logan Darnell, Sean Gilmartin, Sam Deduno and Anthony Swarzak
    Top Free Agent Options:
    John Lester, Max Scherzer, James Shields.
    So far this year, 12 different pitchers have started at least one game for the Twins. As such, it goes to show you can never have too much depth for pitching. Of the options for the final two spots, the most likely candidates to win the the job out of spring training are Trevor May and Alex Meyer. Given the anticipation of the average fan of seeing these two prospects in particular pitch, should the Twins sign a free agent pitcher? I personally do not think they should. I would rather watch Trevor May and Alex Meyer then a different free agent pitcher. That being said, I think that if the Twins would go out and target a pitcher, they should target a left handed pitcher who could be considered the ace of the staff. I don't believe the Twins will target any mediocre pitchers or "tier 2" pitchers in free agency simply because of who they having coming up. That leaves one option-John Lester. I am not sure what his asking price will be, but having him anchor the Twins staff would allow them to contend for the central division title I believe. James Shields would probably be cheaper, but with so many right-handed options already I do not see the point. But signing John Lester...MAN...the Twins would be remarkably better just by doing that. Think of this rotation (Barring injury)
    Lester
    Hughes
    Gibson
    Nolasco
    Meyer
    Depth:
    May
    Milone
    Pelfry
    Johnson
    Darnell
    Gilmartin
     
     
    What do all you Guys think?
  5. pierre75275
    Here we are, once again playing meaningless games in August/September. I would not term this season as an abject disappoint as there have been some positives to take forward into next spring. Some of the positives are:
    1. The apparent willingness to promote players on a quicker pace then before.
    2. The emergence of several younger players: Vargas, Santana, Polanco, May, Meyer, Burdi, and Lester Oliveras to name a few.
    3. The front office's willingness to cut bait when needed: Kubal, Guerrier, Willingham, Bartlet, Morales.
    So where does that leave us for 2015?
    BULLPEN:
    This offseason, the Twins will be looking at improving the major league club. It is doubtful they will attempt to improve the bullpen via free agency, as the past several years teams have overpaid for bullpen help. I do not see the Twins doing this, they will go with what they have, and depending on weather they want a 12 or 13 man pitching staff, lets take a look at the options available in the majors and minors.
    In the majors, the Twins have Sam Deduno, Anthony Swarzak, Glen Perkins, Casey Fien, Jeff Burton, Brian Dunsing, Caleb Thielbar, Michael Tonkin, Matt Guerrier, Trevor May, Ryan Pressley, and Logan Darnell in various bullpen roles this year. That is 12 pitchers used out of the bullpen. Not all have the experiments have been successful. So on top of the 12 pitchers used last year, who is knocking on the door for a promotion to the big club?
    In AAA, the Twins have AJ Archer (74.2 Innings, 74 K's, 44 hits allowed, 25 BB, and 2.29 ERA), Lester Oliveros (62.1 Innings, 39 hits, 84 K's, 27 BBs) there is also Stephan Pryor, Michael Tonkin and Deolis Guerra. One could also argue the likes of Kris Johnson and Sean Gilmartin could be considered for long relief roles out of the bullpen. In the lower levels, Cole Johnson, Jake Reed and Nick Burdi also could force the Twins hand and see time with the big club next year.
    Who is Gone?
    Matt Guerrier is already released by the big club and Jeff Burton will most assuredly have his option bought out.
    Non-Tender Candidates
    Brian Duensing, Anthony Swarzak, and Sam Deduno are all possibilities to be non-tendered. I think of the three, Duensing is the most likely as there are cheaper options (Johnson, Darnell, Gilmartin) who can fill his role.
    Who are locks for the Bullpen in 2015?
    Glen Perkins and Casey Fien are the only two pitchers who I would consider locks. So who is left to fight it out over the last 5-6 spots?
    We have Caleb Thielbar, Sam Deduno, Anthony Swarzak, Michael Tonkin, AJ Archer, Lester Oliveros, Stephan Pryor, Deolis Guerra, Kris Johnson, Sean Gilmartin, Ryan Pressly, Nick Burdi, Jake Reed and Cole Johnson to fight it out for the spots. Some of the pitcher listed will also receive consideration for starting roles. Because of all these options as well as the past drafts being heavy in relievers, I find it very probable the Twins will go with what they have in house, and that any signings will be minor league signings.
     
    What does everybody else think?
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