Mike Sixel

Ah, I forgot Tomas.....I'd go hard after him also. No idea what it would take to get him......

I'm 99% sure a PTBNL needs to be named in 90 days.

this made me laugh out loud in pleasure, thank you..... Again, I was responding to someone saying "it can't be as bad as last year", as did two others, I note.... I have not spent hours researching minor leaguers and rosters, so I can't really offer a good trade scenario.....but I'd certainly consider dealing for a SS, LF, CF (shorter term), 3B, C (I don't believe in Suzuki), SP. With the information I have: I'd probably actually roll with the starters they have, IF I knew more about Meyer and his readiness. Since we have no actual clue if he's ready for the majors (if only there was a way to gather that data this year.......), I'd sign someone at least as good as Shields. I'd prefer to go more elite, but I'd settle for Shields or better. I'd offer 3-5 years, depending on which guy it is, and I'd offer the going rate for that quality. I'd sign Melky Cabrera to play LF. I'd gut the bullpen other than Perkins and, um, not sure 2 others, your choice, and replace them with guys from the minors, or players from other teams that HAVE OPTIONS so I can manipulate my roster better. Frankly, it is time to see Guerra, Tonkin, Oliverous (sp?), Acther, and???? up here in the pen. I'd certainly hope Burdi is ready next year. I'd promote Alex Meyer day 1. Day 1 rotation: New guy, Gibson, Hughes, Meyer, Nolasco (alphabetical listing) I'd see if Boston wants to deal one of their spare OF for a minor league pitcher in the Twins system (not Stewart or Berrios). The only reason to collect excess pieces is to deal them ......and prospects are worth more before they have their warts exposed. I'd promote Pinto and have him catch 40-50% of the time. I'd decide if Santana is a SS or CF this year, and play him AT THAT POSITION now, and next year. I'd either cut, trade, or move Pelfrey to long relief or another BP spot. with what I don't know: If they think Sano or Buxton is not here next year.......I'd probably roll with Plouffe, but not be thrilled about it. I'd keep Santana in CF, and when Buxton does come up (if Danny has been good or better) move him to LF. i'd promote Hicks ASAP, and see if this improvement looks real, I don't care about the minor league playoffs If Meyer is not ready in their mind, I'd consider signing another SP in addition to the really good one. That's off the top of my head....I am at work and all......and, if I really had control, I'd probably do more, but I was trying to be somewhat realistic....as if it was the Twins, and not the Twins with Mike in charge (which would likely be a disaster).

I've been told not to post my thoughts in multiple threads, so my ideas on improving the team are found all over the forums.....I was discussing the topic at hand, that not having better options is not the same as not having problems that need to be fixed.

Resignation is pretty much my state, yes.

I predict a huge game by the Twins' hitters.

"there's no way the SP can be as bad as last year".....this is the now the third off season (since this is an off season thread) I've read that.....so far, it has been as bad two years in a row (not relative to the Twins, but to the league) give or take the margin of error.

Are they? Buxton missed the year, as did Sano. Neither has played above AA. Are we so sure they will play here next year?

I'd also like half the bullpen turned over.....that gives them roster flexibility to move guys up and down to AAA, which they NEED given the youth and question marks.

Needing to see young guys play, and saying they have no holes, are two very different things, imo. There being few good outside options, and having no holes, are two very different things, imo.

I'd also like it to be Wimmers.....since they need to figure out where he really is and gather more data.

Mind. boggling. They are on pace to lose 88+ games again, and there is only 1 hole to fill? I don't even know how to respond to that........

My bad, lots of cross posting......but I'm also not trying to assume anything. I will say, while we don't all agree, this thread is pretty civil. thanks everyone

The end point chosen for the As is when their GM took over. That was over a decade ago, and not one 90 loss season....and they've altered their plan as needed to succeed as needed. When I get home, I'll find the great article on line about how they've evolved their approach over time, and how they've never had to tank to get high draft picks. that end point for the Card is nearly 4 decades ago, that's a pretty big sample size.

Sigh, I had cleansed my brain of that....oh well.

I can't think of the last time they traded a legit prospect, slow developing or not.....

It is one way to get players, take on bad contracts and get a better prospect.......I don't recall the Twins doing that in the past, but I could be forgetting something.

Well, he pitched in college this year, then went straight here, so I would guess this is a lot of innings for him. but maybe not. If he won't be in MN next year, not sure why you'd send him to the AFL, so hopefully this means a serious fast track.

I don't think Sano is here next year. Keep Plouffe. Quit trading away the present for a future that may never come. if they get a bottleneck, then figure it out.

Not sure why Nick Burdi isn't resting.....

Burdi? Fascinating. I'd think they'd want that golden arm to rest, then be ready to be in MN half way through next year when he tears through AA and AAA.......

The As have (under Beane) have never come close to tanking. When their draft pipeline dried up, they found other ways to be good. The As have never come close to tanking. Their down period lasted 2 years, I think, it might have been three.

I know the overall effectiveness.....if you plan to operate on a smaller budget, you need to be better than other teams to be successful. Being "as good as" other teams at finding players....and having a smaller budget....well, good luck with that.

It would certainly help next year if he was healthy all year. That would be nice, because he's a great hitter when healthy. Great hitter. Not a hitter that can score runs on his own, as it were, but a great hitter at not making outs, and at getting doubles. Both great skills. I'm bored with the other stuff here (contract, injury prone, not worth it as a 1B, good citizen....some of which I have strong thoughts on that would mostly make some people angry).

I didn't say the Twins did that. I was replying to people saying they should not sign FAs because they might bust. I have no idea why the Twins refuse to sign Cubans or elite FAs. Several people posted that the next Cuban or the next one would bust, that they are too expensive, so the Twins should not sign them. I don't think the Twins live in fear, they dealt two starting CFers for minor leaguers. Again, I have no insight into why TR does what he does.