DocBauer

I actually like that bench with a healthy and productive Buxton and Kepler in the OF. And to be clear on the subject, Buxton only needs to hit around .250 (for now at least considering his potential) with even reasonable contact to let his defense and natural power and speed take over. Kepler just needs to even out some weird really splits. I could argue with Garver on the bench. I actually think Castro is a good catcher with a mediocre bat and decent power. I think we missed him this year mkre than some realize or want to admit. But Garver has a much, much better bat with potential. His defense has improved as the season went along. Whether it's early or eventually, I'd like to see Garver as the primary catcher who can DH/PH and even fill in at 1B.

My own echoing side note: May asked to go to the pen at Rochester as part of his rehab. As I recall, he felt he could more effective in shorter stints as he got his legs under him and shook off rust. I believe he really enjoys relieving now and I think that's where he's going to end up in 2019 and beyond. Despite a few poor appearances here and there, I think he's done very well. Imagine much better he could be going forward with surgery and rehab now behind him.

Love the idea in principal. Like it even better if, as in Oakland, there was maybe a section of fans who created their own "Twins Time" location so other fans could feed off the energy but not be directly disturbed by the noise of the drum scenario.

Wanted to like and copy a couple posts here but phone is not letting me. Grrr! Great to see Berrios end on such a high note, especially after he struggled some in the second half. I absolutely believe we have yet to see the best of him. Really have enjoyed watching Cave this season and agree there may be potential as more than a 4th OF. Despite known struggles/issues, Buxton and Kepler will have a lot to say about that. Plenty of room for all 4. And what a great "problem" that would be to have! Astudillo should absolutely be on the 40 man! Period! I can see scenarios where he doesn't make the opening roster, but he needs to be kept. Really nice role player and I'm believing his bat plays at the ML level. Believer and fan of both Roger's and May. Remember, May is still on the comeback trail. He has largely impressed, but still shaking off rust. Also like Hildenberger but believe he's best from the 6th-8th. Is it my imagination, or has Molitor seemed more affable and relaxed the past couple of months? He's actually been humorous in some of his interviews.

End of the season, and most of us are in a "meh, who cares" attitude. But the truth is, we really do care. I have a few thoughts to toss out: 1] Odorizzi's season has been mediocre. Can he be better in 2019? Absolutely. Is he a decent/quality 5th SP. Yes, he is. Could his overall stuff and SO ability play up even better as a set up man and potential closer even? I believe it could, and I wish someone would make that move and convince him that he should make and embrace that move. 2] Why I he'll can't Duffey do what he did, and has shown he can do, more often? Scared as he'll We're going to let him go and he'll figure it out somewhere else and become a quality RP for someone else. 3] I want to believe in Austin so badly! His milb career says he can hit and produce. Since coming to the Twins, he hasn't hit the best, but we've seen the power and potential. Between his time in N.Y. and Minnesota, he has 17 HR in 233AB. 2018 is his first extended playing time at the ML level. I want to believe he's a really nice piece we acquired in trade. Someone,please, convince me one way or another. 4] Very disappointed to see Astudillo wasn't catching tonight until I saw the box and realised he was starting at 3B! See he went 3 for 5 and didn't see or hear the play, but heard Dan and Corey say be made a great defensive play. I am SO on the bandwagon for him being on the 40 man and being the 25th-26th man on the roster. 5] Vasquez, Reed and Curtiss each got a full IP? WOW!

Let me return the "agree with everything you say" comment. I was not high on Gordon when drafted. His ratings were pretty much 50 across the board and I simply couldn't understand his ratings and hype and draft positioning considering that, despite the whole "bloodline" argument. I have come around, however, due to his overall skill set, reported work ethic, and the flashes he has shown each of the last two half seasons. I'm just waiting, and holding out hope, to see that full season of production. I'm still wondering, especially when I hear reports he's still only 160lbs or so, that maybe he just needs muscle and to grow in to his body some more. And I'd hate for a top pick to become a utility player, but you need those too. If all he became was another Escobar, or a better hitting version of Newman/Adrianza, he's still be a nice piece on a good club.

Garver: Never expected him to be an All Star, but always felt he'd be a good bat with power and production who could hold his own behind the plate. I think we've seen enough of the bat to knkw the potential is real. I agree his defense got better as the season progressed. I wouldn't be a bit surprised to see him overtake Castro in 2019 as the primary catcher at some point. Cave: Smart or lucky by the FO, a great move. His power seems pretty legititimate and didn't start coming on until last season so they picked him up at just the right time. (And no room in NY). Not sure if his ceiling, but he hits, has power, runs decently, and has played good to excellent defense despite a few bad moments. Still only a rookie. Really like him as the 4th OF. (The "starting" still have the most overall potentialm IMO). Astudillo: Love this guy! He's a great story and a bunch of fun to watch! But is he anything more? Baseball is littered with solid role players who never stick until they find the right team and right time. Astudillo could be one of those guys. I'm honestly starting to think he's more than just "the round guy who is fun to watch". Personally, I think he's looked OK behind the plate. How good is he as an OF, 3B, 1B, 2B? I don't have a clue! But even fill in servicable increases his value. SSS or not, should we really be surprised by his hitting performance? The guy doesn't walk or SO much, but is a career .306/ .345/ .409/ .754 milb hitter who's best power numbers have come this season with Rochester and the Twins. Romero: He is, absolutely, a key to the Twins moving forward. Development, service time, or just careful handling, arguments can be easily made he wasn't given enough ML time this year. But the mere fact he was promoted so early in the season shows his potential and the belief the FO has in him. And we've seen flashes of what he can become. I have a huge believer in Berrios and his future. That being said, is it so hard to believe Romero could actually be the Twins best SP come end of 2019 or beginning of 2020? Littell, Gonsalves, Stewart and Vasquez: Littell has not impressed me, despite some good milb numbers. I feel he was brought up too soon and put in an awkward position a couple times. Still, he's a wait and see. Seems Stewart has been around and debated forever, but he's still only 23, showing at least some hope/potential so we will see. Gonsalves is the guy I'm still high on. I have made claim more than once I expected him to struggle when first brought up. He simply doesn't have the big FB or whipeout breaking pitch to get by with. But he's long, has a decent FB, reportedly an excellent change, and a pair of breaking pitches still developing. What he has done is make adjustments at every level he's been at, and just get better and better before moving up again. I believe he will be a very solid ML SP with #3 potential. (I also believe Thorpe will surpass him at some point in 2019, but there is room for both). Vasquez: LH, breathing, with an outstanding slider and huge milb SO totals. This is the kind of guy who carves out at least a decent career for himself. But is just a LOOGY? Or can he be effective against RH hitters? With Moya ahead of him, at least for now, and Mejia out of options and ticketed for the pen if he doesn't earn a rotation spot, Vasquez will begin 2019 in Rochester and we'll see what happens. This is NOT a great rookie class. But we shouldn't have expected one either with still recent graduations and the realization the next wave of high end prospects were all in high A or below. But Garver has a real chance to be solid and more productive than the average catcher, Cave was a solid find. Romero should be a stud in short order. Astudillo could be a 13th player find and depth piece. If not traded, I still feel Gonsalves will be part of the rotation in the near future. (How about Berrios, Romero, Thorpe and Gonsalves as 4 of your 5 by as soon as late 2019 or 2020?).

I think Grossman is back for depth. If the OF is healthy and producing, his only having to play in the field here and there and be a bench bat isn't a bad thing, especially as a 5th OF. Anyone know if he has an option left?

I think it's safe to say we all hope you are wrong about Gordon, I am going to give him the benefit of the doubt for a while longer. His strong first halves each of the past two seasons tells me there is talent and potential to be a nice ballplayer. (Though with Lewis as the potential solution at SS and Polanco possibly at 2B, Gordon's best roll may be as utility player or trade bait). The problem is the second half fades. This season, it could be due to his AAA promotion and figuring things out. But his second half fade at AA in 2017? Conditioning? Endurance?

I don't know if Stewart is better described as an enigma or Kelly and Hyde. Quality ERA, high ground ball %, extremely low HR totals, reports of low 90's velocity consistently and a slider that had real potential and overall success in his milb career, and even a bit of a surge in SO to begin this season. But the lack of control and lack of SO is both alarming and confusing. We've been talking about Stewart for so long now,it's almost crazy to realize he's only 23yo! And despite repeating his odd pitching numbers at the ML level, as you state, he's actually getting some results. Youth, interesting SSS results, low HR totals, high ground ball % all give me some hope. If I'm not mistaken, the 1 seamer he's throwing now began just this season. Probably nothing more than a back end starter at best, or effective middle man, he's showing he has a chance. Jay is an entirely different matter. I don't want to debate the whole RP to SP argument. Considering his arsenal and college usage, at least it made some sense at the time, in the absence of a better overall arm. But at worst, I also felt he'd be up as a dominant LHRP by now. And there is still real value in that. But at this point, for injury or whatever reason, he has yet to even dominate AA. He should absolutely go unprotected at this point. There are other 40 man candidates to keep, promote and push. I hope he goes unclaimed and comes back. Sometimes a guy just gets right in body and mind and something starts to click. Maybe that's him in 2019? But right now, I'm afraid it's time to move on.

No going to go in to depth, but have been universally pleased the FO since they arrived. But the handling of some of the injured this season has been perplexing AT BEST. Also, such a short bench in September is just ridiculous. Gordon and Wade have to be added in the off season, yes? So there was no way to make room for a pair of position players NOW vs later and allowed to experience MLB and work with coaches for a month????

Taking my shot at the whole "re-build" idea: 1] We have to remember that the re-buikd stretches over two different FO. That is not an excuse, it's a fact. And each FO has made moves toward that end. Has there been some "dumpster diving" here and there...(And I don't like that term)...yes. But you also have to field a team. Let's use Suzuki, just for an example. What kther catcher was available to rush, promote, and let develop? Trade for one? With what assets? The young players in the system you want to develop for said re-build? 2] I am NOT saying anyone/everyone is performing to expected/hoped standards...at least not yet...but Rosario, Buxton, Kepler, Berrios, Sano and Polanco are all young players, (still young players), promoted very aggressively. And we have seen performance, flashes of performance, along with some very bad play. Isn't this collection of talent part of a committed re-build? Wasn't the best promotion of Romero yet another indication? The new FO has signed some vets. They've even cycled a few guys back through that have frustrated us and left us scratching our heads. And I'm not excusing them for some of these moves. But they have been pretty aggressive with acquiring young talent to stock the system in a variety of ways and have been quite aggressive with promotions of many of these players. Rooker played half this season in AA, in only his first full season. Khiriloff and Lewis and Rortvedt were moved aggressively. This was Thorpe's first full season back, I believe, and be even got a brief taste of AAA ball. There is talent and depth in the system. There have been indications of strong promotions. There is enough depth to even make a trade or two to augment the roster with guys that aren't "dumpster diving". And no, the 1 year deals the FO handed out last off season don't qualify. They were short deals for guys with some track record that just didn't work out. But they resulted in some net gains as well. 3] Part of rebuilding requires development and patience. Nobody wants to hear that. They all want the Twins to have a couple 19-20yo come up and look really good because a couple of other guys on different teams have done that. In all my years of watching baseball, I've seen very very few guys who ever did that. A couple years ago, Berrios and Rosario were called potential busts by many because they didn't dominate immediately. Berrios was deserving of his All Star selection, has tons of potential still, and could/should develop in to a legitimate #1-2 SP. Rosario is one of the best and most exciting OF out there and deserved to go to the All Star game. Before his leg injury and screwed up off season, Sano was an All Star just last year. By all reports, FWIW, he took his demotion and new plan to heart and is saying all the right things about his approach to finishing this season and getting ready for next season. Kepler showed he could hit RH and teased us with his potential despite practically skipping AAA ball. He reversed his splits this year. Why can't he even out his numbers against both sides in 2019? And second half last season and since coming off his suspension, we've been seeing the potential in Polanco's bat. Despite a sudden bad stretch, Hildenberger has turned in to a quality part of the pen. Rogers, just as much. Remember last season when many claimed he was just a LOOGY? Stewart, Littell and Gonsalves in the rotation, Moya and Vasquez (along with Busenitz who may be done) have received looks now. They are, at least getting their feet wet. I have real conflicts with a couple guys not up, some of whom need to be added to the 40 man anyway, but each player and each situation is different. 4] There have been additional non-Twins prospects who have received real opportunities. Cave was acquired after probably his best milb season as a WTH move and looks like a real keeper. Austin, still only 26,has big time power, a solid milb track record, and has thrived since getting his first extended opportunity with the Twins. I have no idea his ceiling, but he's at least an interesting piece who appears to be at least complimentary. While perhaps mis-handled at Rochester, (perhaps because they didn't really know what they had), Astudillo is getting an extended loom instead of just riding veteran Giminez to the finish line. Yes, promotions need to take place, and some of the most talented of which should be pushed some. And yes, there are some holes to be filled yet, whether by said promotions, trade, FA, or even a filler piece or two. But this team absolutely bas been, and still is in, a rebuild mode.

Actually a very interesting question, and one I hadn't thought about. I think the assumption of Kepler over Cave is two fold. 1] He's considered the better defender. 2] POTENTIALLY he's the better hitter, at least in regard to contact and OB. Fair or not, I do see Kepler as the more talented player. But I've been pretty impressed by Cave this far.

1st, keeping with the initial thread, the absolute #1 priority for the Twins in 2019, and going forward, is developing and maximizing what you have NOW. I've read a lot of great posts and ideas here. And on the surface, I understand comments about improving the "talent level" across the board. But that's NOT the problem. Yes, there are question marks all over the place. But pause your angst and frustration from such a mixed up and disappointing season for a moment to look at the "talent" we are talking about! Rosario, Buxton and Kepler in the OF with Cave as the 4th man. Couple of seasons ago, a lot of people wanted to trade Rosario. Would you now? Kepler needs to even out his 3 year splits and he's very, very good! Uber prospect Buxton needs to be healthy, just find a consistent approach where bat meets ball better and hitting .250 he's a borderline stud. Austin is interesting. Polanco has a big bat, loaded with potential, is an OK SS who is better as a 2B, and Sano? You really want to give up on his talent and potential after this weird and crummy season? I sure dont! 1] Said it before, will say it again, get Hunter to spend time with Buxton this off season to talk about everything from hard times, to plate approach. To preserving his body. 2] Get SOMEONE who you trust, a Latin coach/instructor, to work with Sano and continue the work he put in with Ft Myers this season. 3] Examine your ML and milb roster of coaches and make sure a Latin presence of value is at each and every level. As well as instructors. With so much Latin talent in the system, I'm still wondering if we're doing enough in that area. 4] Bring in a pair of quality infielders. Bring in a proven SS to allow Polanco to move to 2B. OR, bring in a high quality 2B...like Castro, as has been mentioned elsewhere...and live with offense vs better defense. (I prefer the better defense route). Iglesias is a guy I'd strongly consider. 5] Re-sign Escobar if you can. Pay him like a starter because hes going to play almost daily. He can be a super utility player or daily player depending how things shake out. 6] Look really hard at adding a high quality SP via trade or FA. I love the Corbin idea, and dont buy the $25M per idea considering the changes in the marketplace. 7] Trade or FA, add one dynamite arm for the bullpen. Is this a lot? No. It really isn't when you look deep. A pair of quality INF that does nothing to break the bank. And 2 pitchers, SP and RP, that also dont blow up the payroll Especially when you look at the state of financial affairs after this season. You're adding 4 players on 2-4 year deals and still probably holding your payroll in 2019 below the 2018 numbers. The rest is infrastructure. And if you really are worried about payroll...again, still lower than 2018 almost without a doubt...Reed and Odorizzi come off the books, potentially, after 2019.

In theory, I agree with you Ted. Despite a strong finish from Odorozzi...possibly having something to to with his sudden fondness for pitching from the stretch...this season and history really seems to mark him as a 5th SP on a good staff. And that's fine. Pineda not getting a chance to finish the year in the bigs clouds his opportunity somewhat for 2019. But milb or not, he seemed to be healthy and throwing pretty well during his rehab. To me, Romero is a key. In a year or so, he could surpass Berrios even in the rotation. I still wonder about a quality addition. If it happens, I could see Pineda or Odorizzi becoming an excellent bullpen piece.

Any win is Great! Odorizzi is ticking me off in an obscure way. His recent approach to pitching out of the stretch has provided quality results, with the exception of one game, or have i missed something and he went back to a conventional approach? He is a guy who takes the ball every 5th day, shows you something, and is competent as a 5th SP. But despite his recent run, that is who he is. I hope the Twins add one more quality SP and convince him he could make serious money and find real success as a set up man and potential closer. I believe his stuff plays that way.

Once again, I get the principal of the idea. Seems to make sense. But there is also no guarantee, this idea or a conventional lineup, how the game plays out. Great opener, great secondary pitcher, bad day for either, BB, errors, etc, i still feel you are bringing in a RP early, hoping for the best case scenario. There is no vitriol, it's just questioning how this works out long term. You mentioned Trout being stuck in the dugout, or on deck, in a key situation, with an adjusted lineup. But even in a normal lineup, who can guarantee Trout would come to bat in any late game situation? No matter how you stack your line-up, or pitchers, there is still so many random outcomes involved that I just don't see a relevance that makes sense.

Liking and agreeing with both DOUGD and LAVIKES. Only the team really knows about Castro's recovery. But I also feel a healthy Castro and still improving Garver is a really nice 1-2 at catcher. And if so, it allows the team to concentrate more on other areas of the club. Navarreto is absolutely worth discussing. Reports have been he's good enough behind the plate to play in the bugs now, and even the last year or two. Also part of the reason he's been an invite to ST the past couple of years. The question has always been the bat, obviously. He is only 23yo until December. Overall, looking at his numbers, 2018 was his best season at the plate. I believe he will repeat AA in 2019, at least to begin the season. Nothing wrong with that. I like Astudillo a lot! And not because he's a nice/fun story. He's only 26. He can, apparently, provide servicable defense at multiple positions, though hjs calling card is being a catcher. He is a career .300 hitter in milb, and has hit that with the Twins, albeit SSS. He seems to have developed additional power this season. No, he hardly ever walks. But he hits, makes contact, and doesn't SO much either. I have heard and seen nothing, again in SSS, to indicate he isn't at least decent behind the plate. He's an ideal 25-26-27th man you should absolutely keep around. The Twins should sign the very best AAAA type catcher they can. Navarreto should begin next season in AA to continue his hitting growth. No matter his solid season and potential, there is no reason Rortvedt can't and shouldn't begin 2019 in Ft Myers with a promotion to Chattanooga when ready.

Read an interesting article posted on MLB At Bat, (probably posted on the Twins official page as well I'm sure), about Sano wanting to finjsh thjs season strong after such a disappointing year, to really work this off season on his weight and conditioning for 2019. He speaks about knowing what he is capable of, wanting to play 3B his entire career, and wanting to get to an ideal weight of about 245. This brought out a numerous comment from Molitor as to whether he was speaking English or Spanish when he said that. Maybe it's lip service. But it sure sounds refreshing, and seems to go along with the reports we read about his attitude during his re-set time in the minors thjs year.

Well said! Professional or amateur, high dollar or not, these guys are competitors and love to play the game. There is a huge financial, business side to this game, and other sports as well. But if a player truly doesn't love and want to play, they don't make it, or don't make it for long. It takes a passion to develop your skills, game and body to reach to top levels. If you don't love it, you won't make it, or last long when you do.

The thing I wonder, which you may be alluding to, if I were an opposing manager and knew this was being employed on a given day, might I not stack my lineup differently to counter? Perhaps I reverse the bottom and top of my lineup. Perhaps I re-arrange my lineup to rest a couple guys, early in the game at least, and make sure i start a guy or two to really push the opener with big splits or high contact/BB/OB ability to try to really push said opener, (think a Grossman), hoping for a run, or at least push my lineup with a baserunner or two so that the "starter" ends up having to face the heart of my lineup 3 times, potentially, anyway.

And I know that makes sense in theory. But if your "starter" comes in at the beginning of the 2nd inning and allows a couple walks, and say 6-7 hits in 6-7 I, which I would think constitute fairly reasonable numbers, seems to me you still end facing the top of the lineup the same number of times. Of course, I was an English major, not a math one. Lol

I still have a difficult time with the entire concept of an opener. In theory, I finally understand it, your 1st pitcher throws ONE IP to delay the primary pitcher having to face the top of the order THREE times. But the concept is greatly flawed to me. It's much the same as a lead off hitter only being guaranteed to lead off an inning ONE time. Hits, walks, errors all change the flow of the game, number of appearances, and when those appearances take place. The theory is sound, in a vacuum. But in actual, real game usage, I just dont see a viable return.

Cave is a keeper. NOT going to annoit Stewart anything at this point, but he shows enough to get his rapid rise thjs season. And he has looked just a little bit better each time out it seems. And he was pretty good tonight. You can say "it's just Detroit", but it was a road game against a ML team. I don't know his ceiling, or whether he should start or relieve, but I think he's protected and brought back for 2019. BTW...tip of the cap to Polanco. I still think his long foul ball was a HR. So he just goofs the next pitch to the seats! Awesome!

Personally, for many reasons already stated and hinted at, I think Joe is done after this year. It's just the right time. My only complaints are not directed at him, but at fate. He and Morneau were both ill-fated to lose so much of the second half of their careers to the shared fate of concussions that robbed them. Disappointed and bitter at the baseball gods to rob these wonderful talents of what might have been. Simply from a baseball standpoint, however, Mauer riding off in to the sunset does open up opportunities for the Twins in 2019. And not because his contract is off the books, (a given), but it also grants them the $8-10M he may have earned coming back for another season. And it creates greater roster flexibility opportunities. For example, if Austin really could be the daily guy at 1B, with Sano backing him up, it makes it that much easier to find an every day SS and move Polanco to 2B, while still, hopefully, bringing back Escobar...paid like a starter...to play all over the infield, DH, and provide insurance. You can then, of course, concentrate even more efforts on pitching, etc. And you mentioned Austudillo. Whether he sits in Rochester awaiting a call up, or is the final man on the roster he's a guy to keep around as an ideal 25th man. You're right, he shows offensive ability, and can clearly provide positional flexibility, though not necessarily great, including being a 3rd catching option. But none of these observations should detract from the greatness that has been Mauer's career.