DocBauer

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.

I know I'm in the minority, but day in and day out, I think Polanco is a pretty decent SS who makes the plays, sometimes some very good ones. And I think the ability is there to improve. That being said, Lewis should move him to 2B eventually, and I do believe it's his best spot. I endorse finding a good, every day defensive SS and make the move now. I would also do my damndest to bring back Escobar. I would pay him as a starter...$8-9M per?...knowing he will play daily somewhere. If not as a starter, the 3 positions and even DH. Agree also on Buxton every day with Cave as a really nice 4th OF. Buxton hitting even .250 with natural strength and speed is a dangerous player. The injuries to Mejia and Pineda are unfortunate as September could have been very useful for both. Mejia makes the club regardless as he's out of options I believe. He and Rogers could make a dynamite pair of LH out of the pen. A healthy Pineda joining Berrios, Gibson and Romero is the start of a really nice rotation, IMO. What about Odorizzi? Well, you could do a he'll of a lot worse than having him as your #5 SP. I'd really like one major move here, trade or FA, and convince Odorizzi just how well his stuff could play up as a setup man and potential closer. In no exact order, picture this idea: 2019 ROTATION: Berrios Gibson FA/TRADE Pineda Romero 2019 PEN: Odorizzi May Hildenberger Reed (healthy and back to normal) FA Rogers Mejia

I am putting Pineda in the rotation with a healthy arm, looking solid in his milb rehab appearances, and assuming the early reports that his knee injury is, indeed, minor. He could also find himself in the BP, at least to begin the season. Again, I'm putting him in the rotation. Mejia will get every chance to start, and he should. But I believe he's out of options so he makes the club in at least some capacity. Really, really a shame he and Pineda couldn't finish out the season in Minnesota. Would definitely make me feel better getting ready for 2019. I admit I forgot about Stewart. I think the FO sees something in him and believe he will be protected. Put him at Rochester to begin the season along with the other names listed, (I still think Slegers has the ability to be a consistent, decent #5 SP or solid middle/long/swing man if given an extended opportunity. Not sure if that's going to happen with the Twins) I wouldn't be too quick to give up on Gonsalves. He's tall and long with a decent FB and reportedly excellent change. His breaking balls need refinement, and I have no answer as to why his control has come and gone so much this season. But he's usually struggled somewhat with each promotion, then made adjustments and excelled. But I think Thorpe has better pure stuff and could surpass him soon in 2019. I find Wells very interesting. At the risk of repeating myself, trade or FA, I would love to see one more really nice rotation arm added. And the continued development of Romero is KEY. Really wish depth would allow us to convince Odorizzi to try to become the next Smoktz, Aguillera, etc, as a top SET-UP man and potential closer.

2019: Berrios Gibson Romero Pineda Odorizzi Mejia (also strong BP candidate) AAA Gonsalves Thorpe Wells Littell ???? (Slegers-Dejong) Wouldn't shock me a bit for a quality FA or trade acquisition, though I'm not going to spit ball names at this point. Odorizzi is Ok as a 5th SP. As long as that is where he remains. Boy would I love to see he and Mejia both in the pen with Rogers, May, Hildenberger and a healthy-normal Reed plus 1 quality addition.

Thanks Tom! Much appreciated! Must be hard in the doldrums of September to post re-cap, but they are still so much appreciated! Hope Austin, his back especially, is OK. I've seen a few not-so-great plays from Austin. And I've seen some poor performances at the plate. But I have also seen enough from him on the good side of everything that I sooo much want to look forward to his 2019 season. 26yo and clearly has some talent and ability. Just because he didn't fit in with N.Y. doesn't mean he doesn't have potential. NOT the best day for Gibson. Hey, it happens. Makes up just a little bit for all the great games he pitched and took a loss or ND.

While reading initially j was perturbed at Thorpe at Thorpe in the #4 spot. Really? Than j had to remember just how good Gonsalves was this season...again. Yes, he had a couple clunkers and his BB was unusually high. But he was, formthem most part, dominate once yet again. We can't let a few poor September starts ruin our opinion of him. It's a long season, it's his debut, his track record has always been to struggle a bit promotion and then make adjustments. Makes me feel good to realize Wells could pitch as well, or better, next season and slide down multiple spots with Thorpe and Graterol jot on his heels. Very good chance we see both Wells and Thorpe next year, with Graterol hopefully getting at least a half season at Chattanooga.

I'm not convinced Grossman is back, or makes the club. But you need depth and options so he's probably back. Everyone healthy and performing at least at an acceptable level, I'd say he's the 5th OF and a bat off the bench. That wouldn't necessarily be a bad thing. 2019 OF IMO: LF: Rosario CF: Buxton RF: Kepler 4th: Cave Rosario is a given and not much more needs to be said. Buxton is the answer in CF, no doubt. Yes, a horrible and lost season. But he's still uber talented and will only be 25. Even if he can hit .250 with any reasonable contact, he has the natural speed and power to push for 60 XB and steal 20-30 bases. His potential, of course, is for better than that. But any kind of decent approach and just making reasonable contact, these numbers are more than obtainable. Kepler is excellent defensively, still young, and not done developing. His first 2 seasons he hit RHP well but couldn't hit LHP well at all. He completely reversed that this year. I have confidence he will level out in 2019 and have his best season to date. Cave is the 4th OF and one would expect him to show at least some growth and improvement in his second season. I notice you didn't mention Rooker in your list. I'm assuming it was simply an oversight. Barring trades, I expect my OF to remain intact for the next 2-3 years at least. (Wade could challenge Cave for 4th OF duties in the near future. Where a shuffle may take place is adding Rooker and Khirilloff...both by 2020 at the latest...with a combination of those 2 and Kepler manning RF/1B/DH in some arrangement.

First of all, thanks Ted for a wonderful and insightful interview. I think it offers an interesting perspective to the current team, the FO, the foundation of a team, etc. Personally, I absolutely believe leadership is a real thing. And it can come in many forms. Reading the interview, I couldn't help but think about Hunter and what he may have brought to the team a couple years ago. And I don't think a "presence" should just be ignored. I'm even reminded of years ago and the affect Redmond had on the team as a decent but not great player who worked hard, contributed, and did his naked locker room walk through when he felt the team needed it. Laughable? Of course! So is the Hunter dancing! Or Colon last season and his jovial personality and mediocre-quality performances. On a team, or in a work force, to suggest leadership and personality is unimportant is ludicrous. Now, Giminez has no future with the Twins, and I think we all know that. Same with Wilson, traded for Giminez. (Still not sure i can wrap my head around the deal). Personally, considering both were signed on milb deals to begin with, not sure why Wilson was brought in vs just keeping Giminez. My personal opinion for the trade? Wilson taught Garver and showed him some things. The FO brought back Giminez for a second lesson. I believe in leadership, as well as leadership by example. I also believe Belisle is hanging around for the same reason. I get it! But at some point, you still have to look at the 40 man roster, and September promotions, and have to make some smart and hard decisions towards next season. I think there have been a couple bad mistakes in this area. I would really like to see Giminez as a coach in the system next season.

I would argue with one of the initial comments in this thread about defense first, pitch to contact and strike throwing agendas being wrong, or outdated in some way. There is nothing wrong with quality defense, or throwing strikes. Nor is there anything inherently wrong with "pitch to contact". This phrase has been over used and distorted. Nobody ever stated hitters should make GOOD contact. It was a phrase tossed out about POOR contact...in other words, throwing strikes, but not meatballs...and letting your defense work for you. Otherwise, love your perspective. Through the draft and trades, this FO has done a tremendous job of acquiring milb talent and depth. They've even acquired a couple guys here and there that some scratched their heads over. Think Cave, for instance. Where they have "blown it", IMHO, is this September. You really think Romero is done for 2018? OK. Glad to see some younger guys get their shot to get their feet wet. Kuddos! But Belisle vs Reed and Anderson? What? Why not audition them for the future, vs an aged RP who wont be back next season. You have to add Gordon, so why not get a taste of the ML and prepare him even more for next season? I like most of what they have done. But I am frustrated about a lot of their September approach to next season.

Just to echo the obvious, he's done all of this not only at 20yo, but coming off a missed season! I am NOT recommending playing it slow with him, and I think he legitimately could be ready to begin 2019 at AA, but there is so much mkre that goes in to those decisions, everything from approach at the plate, BB/SO numbers to defensive play being honed. I would not be disappointed or upset if he and Rooker both start next season where they finished, and then move up a month or so after the season began just to get their legs under them and get off to a good start. The same could be said for Lewis, but even younger, I'd bet more on a mid season promotion to AA. Absolutely agree with MIKE on angst over Kepler. The guys is still young, started behind the 8 ball a bit when compared to other HS age kids when signed, and practically skipped AAA. His first 2 seasons it was "if only he could improve his hitting against LHP like he showed in his breakout AA season". He did that this season, but somehow slipped against RHP. He combines his first 3 season's, LOOK OUT. At some point in 2019, 2020 for sure, Kirilloff, Rooker and Kepler can make a formidable trio to man 1B/RF/DH. By all accounts I've read, Rooker is a good athlete, not a slugging statue, and can be a solid OF. Ditto for Kirilloff. We already know how good Kepler is defensively, even as a solid CF. None of them bas to be pigeon holed in to only 1 spot. But I wonder what the best combination of the three would entail?

Very happy, and a bit surprised, to see Vasquez being promoted so rapidly and getting his September shot. Despite his milb numbers and great slider, I have to wonder if he's more of a great LOOGY rather than a set-up guy. Haven't given up on Moya yet. Still have a feeling Mejia will be in the 2019 pen with Rogers from the port side. And that could be a devastating 1-2 punch, potentially. I don't care if the FO likes Reed and has already decided to add him to the 40 man. If you're going to add him, then just add him now and let him gain some experience! We are doing what with Belisle? Auditioning him?

I'm not convinced he wants to come back. Age, previous injuries, nother injury this season, another baby on the way, his brother choosing to walk away from the grind, financially set, I think there is a real chance he decides it's time. Further, and this is not to bash him as I think he still offers value, what other team is a legitimate fit for him? Mauer's 2017 slash line: .276/ .347/ .374/ .721 Mauer's last 30 days: .271/ .312/ .390/ .702 I don't have the numbers available, but I'm pretty darn sure his numbers thjs season were much better prior to his "concussion like" injury. If there was someway to predict we'd see the 2017 Mauer or pre-injury Mauer of 2018, he has real value for his defense, AVG, and OB. NOT saying he will or won't play, or should or shouldn't be signed. And the team could absolutely afford a 1 year deal with zero financial risk. And anywhere close to his 2017 and early 2018 numbers he'd be a FINE stop-gap for 2019. But I'm really starting to believe it's time to look at other options.

I feel this post has to be addressed. As an athlete, as a potential offensive player, I am a huge proponent for Polanco. I am being honest and outgoing by stating this, even showing a certain degree of optimism and prejudice. Except for a few guys...and I have spent the time to look up the numbers...most high quality, All Star, Gold Glove winners even, (Though I know there are debates about those awards), many ML SS experienced rather high error totals in their milb career. (Same for many 2B and 3B, FWIW). Most grew in to the job. I hate to re-hash the past, but Polanco was signed as a glove first SS who you hoped would hit. Well, he learned to hit, and I don't believe we've seen his potential yet. He was bounced up and down in his service time early on with limited appearances at the ML, taken off AS for whatever reason(s) and then placed as the ever day SS. 176 games is only a bit over a full season at SS in the ML as a full time player. (After being practically pulled off the position in milb). I've absolutely seen him botch some plays. I've also seen range and ability that show me he can absolutely play the position with more time and experience. Long term, I believe that the even more talented and athletic Lewis will push Polanco to 2B...eventually. Barring a trade or FA signing, IMO, Polanco is a solid SS with the potential to be pretty good with a little more time and experience. I am so frustrated that our collection of 24-26yo players like Polanco, Sano, Buxton and Kepler aren't already ML studs and All Stars and budding All Stars. And then I review their potential, and the flashes they have shown, and I get frustrated that we are frustrated that that they aren't what we want them to be YET.

Actually, I really wish this post was on the main page as I think it begs serious discussion and debate. I have both pro and con feelings about the Buxton situation. But this post is not concerning him directly. I have pro FO over and over again for much of what they have done, despite a poor handling/building of Rochester this season, and some questionable to very questionable ML moves this season, especially in the second half, and bordering on incredulous for September. I can get Field and Petit. Field is young enough for a flier and an invite next year as a AAA player, especially if Granite can't bounce back. (Remember him?) Petit is a roster filler to finish out the year. (And all things considered, probably should have been up instead of Motter anyway). But please, please don't try to convince me that nice guy and good locker room presence Belisle offers anything more important than someone like Reed actually getting an opportunity! Belisle was surprisingly good in 2017. He was also let go for a reason. Hey, the Twins took a shot to see if he could help and rebound to what he was/did last season. A debatable move, but not without some merit. But now? Absolutely no excuse for him taking a roster spot from a talented young arm who could actually have an impact next year in someone like Reed. Just...inexcusable! There was a time when teams would bring up prospects for September just to get a taste of the ML to help expose and prepare them for the next level. Gordon has to be protected on the 40 man this off season. Disappointing second half of not, there is no room to just come up, sit on the bench, gain exposure, get in a few games, and maybe learn a few things. Lastly, this whole experimental RP starting games is a joke! Just because Tampa has somehow found success with it is laughable to me. RP, no matter how good they are, are RP for a reason. They lack a 3rd pitch, a change, the ability to pitch multiple innings, etc, whatever. So you start a RP for an inning or two before bringing in your SP to go throw the lineup twice and hopefully three times? As opposed to what? Your SP actually starting and going through the lineup two and hopefully three times before bringing in the RP? Someone please explain to me some merit to this scenario because I absolutely don't see it! The Twins should be doing what Seth suggested a couple weeks ago and auditioning their young starters on a piggyback scenario. Start someone like Stewart, Gonsalves, Littell, Romero, (Though Romero appears to be done now for the year), for a planned 4/3 UP scenario. You can reverse it next time around. The "second starter" comes in for a clean start to begin their turn. If the "first starter" falters early...guess what...you bring in a RP to bridge the gap. Is this really too hard of a concept to embrace?