DocBauer

I was at work, but got to watch some of the game. Just a few thoughts: 1] The Buxton double was like mana to me. He waited for the right pitch and laced it! Although he ended up stranded at 3B, his tag to take 3B on a fly out to LF reminded me how fun he is to watch and how dangerous he can be! 2] I really like the potential of Garver and the development he has shown, as well as his commitment to get better in all phases of the game. But I still think Castro was a quality signing and I think Garver and the whole staff missed having him around last season. I still feel Garver will eventually take over, but I think having Castro around helps the team/staff a lot. 3] This might be one of the best performances Berrios has had in his young career. First start of the season, first opening day start, could you possibly ask for more?

I have been following the Twins milb system, best I could, since the late 70's/early 80's via snippets from The Trib, Baseball Digest, The Sporting News, Baseball America, and an independent Twins paper in the late 80's that was short lived and Who's name I can't recall any longer. Fun stuff that fuels hope and speculation! I think your list is an accurate one in regard to 2019. Attempting to be brief: Harper: A surprise to be sure, but he's earned this. Can he spot his FB well enough for his various speed curve to remain effective? Let's hope so! Gordon: I still believe he's physically developing, combining that with level advancement has lead to inconsistency, IMO. He probably makes an appearance at sometime, but I think 2020 is really his target date. Thorpe: Really believe in him and almost hard to believe how quickly he has risen after missing 2 full seasons. I was a little disappointed in his AFL and ST, but he's young and these are all steps in the process. I think we probably see him, but right now he's behind a few other guys. Like Gordon, I think 2020 is his likely coming out party. Wade: He plays in 2019 at some point unless the baseball health gods smile on the Twins in '19. I still don't know his ceiling, but he's got a nice skill set. Arraez/Rooker/Kiriloff: The bats can and hopefully will carry all three. (Not a knock on Kirilloff's defense). All three can hit and have shown the ability to make adjustments. How quickly can they make adjustments to AAA in 2019? (Or even skip AAA in Kirilloff's case). But again, with healthy, sounding lime a broken record, all three seem to be targeted more for 2020. Reed/Eades: Reed needs to be healthy and keep doing what he's been doing. He is going to get his shot. I thought Eades was done. And then he embraced his role as a multi-situational pen piece and took off. I think he also will see MLB this season. Raley: Are we missing something here? Dude just looks like an athlete. He hits, has power, but seems to maintain some OB ability as well. He plays OF corner and 1B and the Twins even put him in CF a few times during ST. Is he someone we will be talking about in a few months? I'm going to group Moran, Stashak, Wells and Alcala together because I just don't see them this season. And yet, continued success for Moran and Stashak could make them a fast riser similar to Vasquez last year. Better secondary stuff could do the same for Alcala. I see Wells sticking as a SP and behind too many other arms to breakthrough in '19. It's fun to speculate on all these guys. But the position roster is set, and bas better depth than last year. Less room available to push someone forward. The pen, however and unfortunately, could be in flux for some, if not all, of 2019. That is where a surprise or two could be found based on talent, performance and opportunity.

And neither can the bullpen, apparently. Hopefully something mild and short term. Hopefully again, Polanco will be ready to go. Rather impressed with what I've seen and read about Torreyes, but we really need Polanco.

It's the 1/4 Norwegian in me, (influenced by my uncles). A lot to say but my fingers just run out of steam sometimes.

I was going to blame auto correct for the use of the word "options". But I'm starting to like it and think I'll claim it as tongue in cheek and deliberate. Lol Size L for the windbreaker please.

If you know me, then you know I have options and I can be long winded, lol. Doesn't mean I'm wrong! 1] This initial roster makes sense! Mildly surprised they found a way to keep/audition Austin, but pleased they did so. They found a way because they don't need the extra arm, in theory, for the first few weeks. (Weather and performance will also dictate). It's up to Rocco to find a suitable way to play/audition everyone involved. Barring injury, sorry to say, the best outcome for Austin is to go to AAA for a time, passing through waivers, or move to another team. 2] Astudillo belongs here. He had a solid but not great ST. But ST doesn't mean everything/anything and we all know that! But his milb track, and what he showed last season can't be dismissed. He's not just a fun story. He's not just a fan favorite. It may sound trite, but this guy is a BALLPLAYER! He is versatile and solid at various positions, and brings a unique and good bat. His only "curse" to a roster spot may be having an option available and being sent down when Sano is ready. 3] Eagerly ready to look up recipes for eating crow. Perez has looked surprisingly good. Over the weekend he pitched 5+ innings of very good ball before being removed and May coughed up 3 runs on ONE PITCH. Not bashing May, just re-interating how good Perez looked initially. 4] Harper. I mean, who the hell is this guy? I'm still waiting for someone to tell me what's wrong with him. Or at least give me an accurate and detailed scouting report. (And I've looked around). His milb numbers are beyond impressive, unless he's been betting by on smoke and mirrors all this time. It appears he throws a low 90 FB with one of the best CB I've seen in some time. A curve he not only throws for strikes, but changes speeds on. ANY successful pitcher mixes pitches to change a batter's timing and elevation. He seems to do that. Maybe, in a couple of weeks we will see ML figure his stuff out and "time" him. Maybe not. I'm glad he is getting a shot. 5] Bullpen. I want so much to like what I see. I just can't. Not at this moment. I think Rogers is for real. I think May can be outstanding despite a couple of poor outings recently. Looking at ST and the last couple of seasons, still not sure why the Angels just let Parker walk. He looks like at least a solid, experienced, productive arm to me. Mejia has the stuff, no question. Can he translate it and fulfill his potential? Can he come close? If so, he will be an excellent RP and a potentially solid backend SP. But we are still talking about talent vs potential. Hildenberger has an amazing track record through milb and his first season and a half of MLB before falling flat. Who is the real Hildy? Reed belongs on the IR at this point. There is just nothing there. I was really hoping for a rebound, but....I was hoping Johnson would take Magill's mid 90FB and sometimes next breaking ball and find greater consistency. He also is on the IR. I really like the potential of this team when I look at the lineup, and a rotation that is solid and could be "good" if not better. But as of now, I see a 92-93 win team who will only win about 82-83 games unless health/moves/surprise improves the bullpen.

I understand Harper has no MLB time and the others do. (Although not recently). And I understand ST numbers are usually not a basis to make a roster decision. But Harper has been outstanding, steady, and has flat out out-pitched his competition. At some point dont you ride the guy on a hot streak performing the best?

I won't take the time to state how much I like and believe in our FO and all the moves and changes they have made from the top on down. I won't do so brevity, as well as the fact that this particular situation is not only on topic, but glaring. It is one thing to accept the volatility of FA, overall but especially in regard to RP, and history showing that just making a signing guarantees nothing. (A Reed for example). It is also a singular thing to look at arms on hand and projecting what might be. But is entirely different to bank on a return to prominence for a veteran coming off a poor season and a group of young arms to suddenly produce for what was clearly a glaring weakness. There have been some very smart moves, and a couple questionable moves...Perez...that could be smart. But to make Parker the only bullpen addition is reprehensible. There were so many options available this offseason, just be smart, you are supposed to be aggressive and smart, and sign at least ONE GUY who could make a legitimate difference! Yes, Magill actually offers up some surprising potential. So does Harper. (Who's milb track record makes you wonder why the he'll he hasn't had a cup of coffee at least). And you're right Ted when you state a few weeks, or months, from now we could have a different opinion as things work themselves out. But with the season about to start, the pen is looking like hope and prayers. What a difference just ONE known and proven quality would add to Rogers, May, Parker and maybe Hildy and Mejia. HUGE mistake and missed opportunity!

While I do believe a closer is overrated, and a save to some degree, not everyone can handle the position. Sure there are "cheap" saves, but there are also 1 run leads and heart of the order or PH options as the other team attempts to rally. Its not as simple as "anyone can do it", and firemen shouldn't be closers. (NOT that you are saying that Nick). Its still an important job. Seems to me Parker or May are the obvious considerations, but I feel it's going be fluid for now and settle itself organically. Not on Hildenberger: Even the good throwing Hildy might not be the best choice. All those ground balls you mentioned could be excellent in the 7th or 8th to kill any potential rally early.

Obviously battling injury most all last season, and trying to play through it and compensate, ruined his season. Whether or not he can duplicate/approach his 2017 season is open for debate. Healthy, and still young, he could easily do so. But he put up solid numbers in both 2015 and '16 as well. I'm pretty excited to see what he does in 2019 even though I agree he's really slotted as 6-7 hitter. He could be an excellent 1 year rental, giving way to another prospect a year from now...OR...worthy of a possible re-sign to buy more time for Lewis, Javier, etc, to be ready. A very smart signing.

I think you summed up both of our positions. I have no problem with Cruz, or a similar bat, assuming the DH spot. Especially with the 26 man roster next season. Said bat can be a difference maker! I'd just rather have a roster "crunch" of Rosario, Buxton, Kepler, Cave, Sano, Kirilloff, Rooker maybe, and rotate and play matchups. Really good news this could be a good "problem" to have as early as late in 2019. (Not that I would dismiss or dump Cruz, of course).

In regards to Pressly, I didn't like the trade then, and j don't like it now. There is a decent chance the pkayers they acquired are going to be good. But with another year of control, and need on the Twins, I didn't see it as a "too good to turn down" offer. I also think this staff would have done many of the same things Houston did, or have been credited with. It's too bad, but he's gone. Brock made a great comment in a different thread the other day about how much better he'd feel about the pen with just ONE acquisition you felt like could make a difference. I agree 100%! That ONE ARM is not only a guy you could count on, but pushes everyone else down a notch, deepening the entire pen. I like and believe in May and Rogers. I think Parker was a solid addition. I think we've seen enough of Mejia to realize he can be good in either role, just needs to find the ability/toughness to put hitters away with 2 strikes. (Comes with experience). But what else is there we can feel remotely good about at this point? Romero has the arm talent to succeed, and do well. Being one of our best arms, I want to take that arm and potential north. But his last 2 appearances have been awful. (To be fair, his defense let him down on Sunday, but still). Reed looks like he is done, or should be on the IL to begin the year. I get the volatile nature of RP and just signing guys and plugging them in doesn't mean success. And there was a great piece a few days back by Matt Braun about building a pen. (Worth reading if you haven't already). The crux is an example of building a quality pen without "names" in place. I get it. But to have a roster that looks this good with at least a decent rotation...and some depth...and not better address the biggest Achilles heel on this team baffles me. There are just too many "iffs" we are counting on to make me comfortable. I have this awful feeling we have a 92/o3 win team who will end up at 82/83 wins due to a bullpen that just can't get the job done consistently enough.

Nope I didn't ask but thanks for playing Mike! Very cool! Been in South Dakota and Nebraska my whole life. No wonder I'm a Twins/Vikings/Husker fan huh? Any chance you bleed Husker Red as well? Or are you a Ducks or Beaver fan up there?

Lol. I just love auto correct!

Just a few comments on Kepler hitting leadoff: 1] Maybe he will simply embrace this spot. Different guys react differently where they are placed. His career OB is nothing special, but we've seen a good eye and good contact when he's going well before. 2] I hate to "waste" his LH bat and power potential in RH heavy lineup at leadoff, but in the 40+ years I've followed baseball, there just aren't that many Henersons or Raines to fit an ideal. I've seen a Coleman with low OB but tremdous speed and disruption on the basepaths, and Boggs or Downing provide OB and power. The key is PRODUCTION. For all the negative crap Dozier received, when he was on, he was amazingly productive from that spot. Not his fault his efforts sometimes lacked for no batters were OB for him, or power lacked in the lineup behind him. Polanco: He is an obvious choice to hit #1 as the team is constructed as of now. But he also SP perfect to hit in the 2 or 3 spot for all the points made. Cruz: The ideal spot. Period. Rosario: Perfect! Even with a healthy and productive Sano, this is the way I'd build the lineup. Even beyond something as simple as swapping out RH and LH batters, this guy is powerful, dangerous and exciting. Would you want to pitch to him with runners on base? Gonsalves: Being honest, he's penciled in here because Sano is out for now. He makes sense here for everything already stated. But I have a question. If he can handle 3B defensively for now...and I think he can...are we better off with the high contact and decent power Astudillo playing and hitting here and letting Marwin just do what he was brought in to do, which is play everywhere? Cron/Schop: Simply, might depend on matchups and who is not. Buxton could easily slide in to one of these spots and be dynamic. But setting aside OB, these two can hit and easily produce 20+ HR each. Both are dangerous. Castro: Here is where I have a question mark. I like Castro as a catcher. I think we missed him more last season than anyone wants to admit. While inconsistent and not great, he's a decent hitter for a catcher with double digit HR power. But is really the #1 guy here? Garver showed a lot of improvement the second half last season. And his bat plays very, very well. (We all know ST numbers only matter so much). IF Castro is #1 coming out of spring, I think his hold is tenuous at best. Buxton: Despite his impressive spring, this is perfect for him. For now at least. Especially if he appreciates his position here. Not only less pressure, but the opportunity to produce and still be a tablesetter for the top of the lineup. Things will be fluid. But I really like Rocco's thinking thus far.

Romero was awful/wild on Sunday, though he wasn't helped by a ball off of Austin at 1B and a bad play by Rosales at 3B. But did I miss something, somewhere, about him going to Rochester to begin the year? I could see it, for various reasons but he's also one of the best arms we have. I am NOT convinced Addison Reed makes the opening roster. After some solid appearances late in 2018 I thought he would be ready following the off season. But he has looked really bad. If you want to put your best team on the field, I'd say Reed is cut over Cave with hope Reed goes unclaimed. But Cave having an option means they could decide to give Reed a little more time. Speaking of options, there are various scenarios where Austin makes the club for an extended audition, especially with Sano beginning the season on the IR. Austin hasn't walked once the entire spring! And he struck out THREE TIMES on Sunday before his HR. But his BA and production and potential are interesting. I think Adrianza is safe. Poor Torreyes, he's destined for Rochester to begin the season. As to the THREE BATTER RULE...i just don't know. Seems a strange attempt to add interest. But a few points: 1] It affects everyone, not just the Twins. 2] Strategy doesn't go away, it just changes. Potentially, it's an interesting change. 3] The end of an inning caveat changes the complexion. EXAMPLE: SP starts an inning and gets 1 out. LHRP comes in to face a LH batter. Gets him out we will say. Then he has to face a RH batter who walks or gets a hit. Unfortunately, it could be a run scoring hit. (Again, the rules affect BOTH teams). Then he faces another LH batter. Three batters, he's done, plus the inning is done. If he can get proposed RH batter out, the inning is done after only two batters. NOT saying I like it, but I don't think strategy is gone, just changed.

We began this debate months ago, maybe even a year ago. One question I raised, which I never saw answered then, but seems to be answered with Toronto's move, is whether there was any restriction on what a parent club could pay their milb players. The answer seems to be no. I argued at the time, as an owner, it would highly intelligent, IMO, to pay more than most teams. In the billionaire game of baseball, raises salaries across the board in your milb system would cost very little. But it could provide dividends in the form of loyalty from your players, and those you'd make offers to to join your system when available. It would be beyond just a PR move. While very few guys ever actually make it, or make it "big", or even to a mediocre level, they are the lifeblood of your organization. Why not pay them better and treat them better than organizations do? Yes they get some per diem and get fed at home and on the road, but aren't all employees happier and more loyal if treated well? I still think there is a lot of blame to the union for not taking a stand, seeming only to care about players once they make it, but the owners can make moves as well. In a fantasy world, were I an owner, I'd really like to own as many of my franchises as I could, while partnering with the locals as they do now. Next, while team names and uniform colors would vary for the local franchise, whether I owned them or not, EVERYTHING from how we drill on down would be run the same way. And I would follow the Jays way of paying more to build my brand and loyalty as an organization who cares and believes in their "lifeblood". Only makes good business to me to build your entire organization from the top down.

And I find that interesting, don't you? At some point, wouldn't he and his agent have taken a step back and lowered their demands or looked for a decent 1yr at worst just to get him in camp and going? And yet, 2 weeks or less to go and he's still out there. Are his demands still that high? I remain very skeptical about Perez. And while intrigued by a age, LH, previous prosoect ranking, his velocity jncrease and mostly good ST...I remain skeptical. But I am considering all these things when I say I am intrigued now. The numbers listed in the OP are really puzzling. How could he throw his worst pitches so much when data seems to clearly show a negative pattern? Sort of reminds me of Gibson, who changed his approach, changed his mix, became more of a SO pitcher and developed more of an attacking and "bulldog" mentality. Is it possible a change of scenery, a fresh approach, a new pitching coach could really turn him around and in to a solid SP at 28? Again, skeptical, but intrigued.

Jealous of you being there. My dad was there a week ago and had a great time. He's been there a couple of times, Ft Myers once and Orlando back in the day. Where in Nebraska do you hail from? (Omaha here)

Awesomeness!!

Nice article and very spot on, both the good and the bad. I truly dont believe a team has to have an ACE to be a contender. Give me 3 #2 SP and a couple nice, solid #4-5 that aren't just filler and I'll take my chances any day/season. The problem is, Berrios and Gibson often pitch like real #2's, sometimes better. Berrios has potential he has yet to reach. Gibson, with Johnson's help, still only 31, could take his new and improved self up a notch for the next couple of seasons. But there isn't third guy. I'm OK with Pineda and Odorizzi both. You may ne able to talk me in to Perez if this spring isnt smoke and mirrors. But we're still short 1 guy from real contention, IMO. Unfortunately, I dont think he's on the roster at this time.

But what's great about all of this is that it proves building a bullpen is not just a science...sign this guy and that guy and trade for that guy...its more of an art. I have often mentioned previously, and did earlier in this thread, about the Tiger teams that seemed to have everything going their way for more than a couple of years but could never get over the hump because their bullpen was always a mess. I still feel the FO blew it by not bringing in a single, talented, experienced arm to settle the pen. Just too many factors, issues and inexperience not to make that one important move. But Nathan and Aguilera weren't proven. Neither were guys like Trombley and Guerrier. Until proven otherwise, I am high and optimistic in regard to May, Rogers, Romero, Parker and Mejia. I question Hildenberger, but know what he's done in the past. There a couple of fliers that could turn out, initially or brought up from Rochester. I am NOT sold! But I am optimistic.

Control of his electric stuff is an issue, like it is for a lot of young pitchers. And I agree, something off speed has to be developed or he will remain in the pen. That wouldnt be a terrible thing, of course. I sometimes wonder if he is just too focused on heat. Maybe if he lost just a mile or two off his FB and slider, and continued to refine SOMETHING off speed, he might have better control and fool the batters more. That could slide him right back in to the rotation mix in the near future.

Great points! Concentrating just on the bullpen side of things, it seems the FO has made some really smart, small signings. Now, I know it's only ST and that SSS vs career numbers and stuff has to be taken with a grain of salt. But the truth is, a couple of the arms brought in have looked good. Morin and Collins may not be special, but they have had real ML success and experience before being derailed by injury. I am still trying to figure out Harper! With his tremendous numbers in his milb career, and that AMAZING curveball, why has he bounced around and never had a cup of coffee? Does he have a bad FB? I really want to know! One of the things I like about this new FO is they aren't afraid to look for opportunity. I didn't like the Perez signing, still very unsure about it, but he's had a great spring, is slinging mid to upper 90's, and the former top prospect is working with Johnson on his approach and pretty much everything else. Is this a potential find? Jury is still out, of course. I don't think this FO, or this new staff, is playing favorites or "scholarshiping" players. Witness Duffey just being sent down. I really enjoy all the new approaches I'm seeing being implemented. It seems the staff is really refining everything from delivery to pitching to strength for each individual pitcher. It's WAY too early to see if they will be successful. But Romero to the pen makes so much sense as he continues to develop his secondary stuff. (Maybe he overthrows)? Could Magill harness his FB and slurve and take a step forward? Is Harper a find? This staff and FO seem to understand that building a bullpen is a nuance, and not an exact science. Now, will they get it right? Only time will tell. I am really hoping at least a couple of these guys will pass through waivers and end up at Rochester for depth. I'm not "settled" in my opinion of the pen. But I am more optimistic than I was a month ago.

Hilarious! I wasn't blessed with great athletic genes, just a small/average amount and a lot of effort and "want to", lol. But when my dad and I used to play catch, he would always comment and laugh that I had a natural break to everything I threw. If only I had been born LH!