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DocBauer

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  1. DocBauer
    I actually feel pretty good about the guys listed here, though Nicasio is the most intriguing option to me. I'm even OK with Rodnet based on experience, a good year last season, he'd be on a 1 year deal, and just because he could start the season as the closer doesn't mean he'd end the season in that role. Could we sign a pair? But what about another lefty also? Doesn't it seem every year there is a run on relievers and then some good arms/bargains kind of get left out?
  2. DocBauer
    I also won't say "crushing it" until I see the moves made before next season. And to me, "crushing it" doesn't have to mean Darvish. Adding to the talent pool, something they have most definitely done, creates depth, competition, and more numbers/players to sort through to find the gems. (Pure percentage chance). It also creates more opportunity to trade prospects and ML players to build the roster without gutting the farm. They have been thoughtful and aggressive in various moves and decisions. I believe a couple smart moves, via FA or trade, that bring in a couple quality pen arms, and a quality SP just might make me agree with the "crushing" sentiment. But even if they don't acquire a true top of the rotation arm, isn't adding another really good one a needle mover for the overall, daily, competitive nature of the team? Don't get me wrong, I want that top arm as well. But you can't simply dial up a player or team and just make it happen. Overall improvement is the biggest takeaway for me.
  3. DocBauer
    I'm going to have to agree with Tom on this one, though I am not convinced the Twins will add two starters. I'm still banking on one, with Mejia up and challenged by May, possibly. Though I am certainly open to that second starter and won't complain. But I also see a pair of quality pen arms added to the mix. I see Hughes on the DL or EAT followed by rehab assignments to begin the year. (Possibly the same for May, though the 5th spot or AAA seems more likely). These "logjams" seem to work out due to injury or a possible trade as well. I'm thrilled to have so many options, and feel pretty confident a couple of these guys will be ready at some point in 2018, and gain experience for 2019 and beyond. Only need a couple to "hit" to keep building the staff. And the depth is there to make that happen.
  4. DocBauer
    The Gee reference is apt, I suspect. Forgetting contract, it would still make him useful. I don't understand all the particulars involved...finishing 2017 on the DL and could he go there again immediately, etc...but I foresee EST or a 60 day again with continued rehab and maybe some milb assignments.
  5. DocBauer
    Awesome and honest!
  6. DocBauer
    And you may be right. And a dominant RP is not a bad thing, certainly. But for those who question, or want to rush him to the majors as a reliever, I'd really suggest caution. His stuff seems to be real. His build seems to suggest power, and a build that can sustain it. After missing a couple full season's, the Twins have been building up his arm and endurance. Personally, while I am eager to see him take the next step, I have no problem letting him take most of 2018 to continue to learn to pitch, refine his stuff, build up endurance, and maybe make a late season appearance with an eye towards 2019. I just don't think you mess with an arm with his potential as a starter.
  7. DocBauer
    You know it's funny/strange how we all interpret things differently. I wasn't crazy about Gordon when drafted because he seemed to grade out 50-60 in all categories and I just didn't see him as being "special" enough to be picked so high. But I've actually become a believer due to his work and preparation, as well as increased numbers, (despite a bit of streakiness here and there). Is he a ML SS? I just don't know, and don't pretend to know. But years of watching baseball, and reading about prospects, and looking back at milb numbers have shown me that very, very few infielders, even top prospects and future all star SS don't have a learning curve, and even a bunch of errors as they learn, grow and develop. Perhaps, ultimately, he becomes a fine 2B with quality, overall numbers. I'm OK with that. I know I'm in the minority, maybe, but I'm actually very OK with Polanco at SS...at least until/If someone unseat him. Really, he was a borderline rookie in 2017, (If you think about real playing time, not set standards), and he played much, much better than I anticipated. He started well and finished well despite a mid season funk with both glove and bat. (And we've already discussed this at length previously). Is he a gold glover? Nope. Did he make mistakes? Yep. But what young SS doesn't? I was actually impressed, overall, and think he will continue to get better.
  8. DocBauer
    Absolutely! Even should the team end up missing out on either, is a signing of Cobb or a similar value in trade a step back? No. It's showing a commitment to move forward and absolutely moves the needle.
  9. DocBauer
    You know, the emergence of Buxton shows me three things: 1] How missing so much time may have messed with his initial developmental curve. Not just a comfortable stance, but his daily approach and even recognizing tough pitches. 2] Just how immensely talented this young man really is! Despite his interrupted learning/developmental curve, he just kept playing and learning and grew by leaps and bounds. Just look at the numbers he posted in the minors while still trying to figure stuff out, and then salivate how good he could be now that he is starting to. 3] Just how great an addition Rowson was to the coaching staff. And not just with the emergence of Buxton but Rosario and Polanco as well. Adrianza never hit like that before. Escobar had his best season, etc. Is it possible part of Mauer's resurgence could also be traced, at least partially, to Rowson?
  10. DocBauer
    You know, I find it kind of interesting/funny when we debate the Twins system and say it's down...just a bit at least...because it may be lacking a few "stud" prospects like Sano or Buxton and maybe Berrios. But when I look through this list, I'm almost surprised how deep the system is in quality and potential ceiling despite seemingly missing those "special" prospects. And yet, when you examine this deep list, there are some guys that just jump out at you and make you wonder if there might not be a couple of those "stud" prospects a year from now. Especially some of the lower level guys like Lewis and the kids listed here. I have to be honest, if I were a potential trade partner of the Twins, while I might have to wait longer to see them develop and arrive, as much as we talk about Romero, Gonsalves, Thorpe and Gordon, I'm not so sure I wouldn't be looking at players at the A level as the guys I'd really want back in return.
  11. DocBauer
    I'd have Kirilloff below a couple of these guys as well. Not because he's a bad prospect, far from it. And not because I doubt a position player doesn't come back from his surgery. And not because he doesn't rate as a quality hitter with power and 3 position ability. It's just, when you miss a season, you miss a season. It's a setback. I just think you end up skipping behind some if these guys, at least for now.
  12. DocBauer
    I have myself sitting in 2 different chairs as I view this possibility, as logical and dispassionate as I can attempt to be. YANKEES: Come on, me love to hate them, but it's the Yankees for goodness sake. Initial money, even future money, is NOT an issue. They can pay him only slightly more, with an even higher cost of living, as mentioned in the article. Wherever he signs, if he does well, Big money will be available from the Twins, the Yankees, or whomever. BUT, a Japanese import or not, there would simply have to be more endorsement money up front by being a Yankee, yes? They are a legitimate post season option. They have a history with Tanaka pitching there and pitching successfully. And again...ugh...they ARE the Yankees. TWINS: Money is initially the same. It would appear he's used to a smaller city environment, and while there would absolutely be press and attention, the pressure in Minnesota would be far less. With no set DH, the team is as open an opportunity as you will find to a low him the opportunity to hit on some sort of regular basis, at least initially, without compromising roster/lineup construction. The Twins are also coming off a winning year, and the post season, (brief as it may have been), play in one of the best parks in MLB, have a manger in place, also have some Japanese connections in place, and have a fine offense and defense that should only get better. The key, in my mind, is reports I have here on TD, (Can't remember now who reported it, and can't substantiate it at the moment), that he is A] Not necessarily interested in playing for a big city team, and B] Would prefer a younger team, closer to his age, and to be a part of that team's development. Now, the very fact that he has played in smaller/mid market teams in Japan, that he is young, and that he is determined to move to MLB now, rather than wait until he might make the move down the road as a higher priced international FA, (or am I missing something here in regard to changes in the rules), would seem to lend at least some credence to this report. If this rings even somewhat true, then Darvish signing on or not, the Twins should be right at the top of his list.
  13. DocBauer
    I believe there was some merit in the initial signing. It just didn't work, and this is the best outcome for all involved. He was clearly behind Vargas and Grossman to the FO, and perhaps deservedly so. And while the team could still, possibly, need another RH bat that can play a position, it's not a priority as the player portion of the roster is constructed: productive, mostly young and getting better and better. An OF or 1B off the bench with pop to possibly replace Vargas or Grossman could be a possibility and it just doesn't seem Park is/was that guy. More and more, I'm warming up to the idea of Reynolds as that guy, as Seth mentioned in his blueprint. He wouldn't cost a lot, still seems to have "it", can play a decent 1B, fill in if need be at 3B, (though I don't see said need as being anything more than emergency), and is a rather proven commodity, if not a "big get".
  14. DocBauer
    I haven't had time to read said article, but is that really accurate? I would think they would be on the hook for any money still owed for the initial rights to him, but considering there does exist some sort of agreement between the league and MLB, wouldn't they be, at most, responsible for a differential in the contract? Much like if he was released and signed with a ML team?
  15. DocBauer
    IMO, while there are certainly scenarios where it could work out just fine, I'd really like to see the team...not gut the farm...but do a legitimate, quality 4 (or 5) for 1 deal and keep the ML roster intact. I think the roster, overall, is constructed well and filled with such potential that I would hate to lose Rosario or Kepler. While I love Polanco, and believe in him, keeping Dozier and letting Adrianza play SS at least works. If not the FA route, or international route, I'd keep the roster intact and try a Gordon, Romero, Jorge and player "X" option.
  16. DocBauer
    Agree with probably keeping Santana. Only teams interested in him, due to age and not because he's not valuable, are contenders needing another starter. But that also creates another hole in the Twins rotation to be solved. Whereby, keeping him, at least for one more quality season, allows for a prospect to be more ready or experienced to step up in 2019.
  17. DocBauer
    Personally, I'd like to keep Gonsalves, Thorpe no matter what, (just the rarity of a quality LHSP prospect with real potential). Very much like to keep Rooker and Lewis. Otherwise, I'm pretty much OK on anyone else to be included in trades. Sign Dozier and losing Gordon doesn't hurt so much, and there is depth. But I have to say, as good as Gordon looks, I'm not so sure some of the younger SS prospects in the system don't look even better. If I'm the other team, I may be more intrigued by one of those guys.
  18. DocBauer
    Hey, I think the jury is still out on Wade see to be sure, but these days, isn't the AFL considered a bit of a stepping stone? And while a numbers tick-up is awesome, isnt hanging in or a small step down, competition being considered between AA and AAA, considered solid? I know it's a SSS, but it seems he held his own. Hope you are right about Littell. What's the old line now? There are lies, damn lies and statistics. But at the end of the day, doesn't Littrel just look like a solid prospect?
  19. DocBauer
    I'm going to have to disagree a bit here. There are very few catchers who can hit the way Garver does. What little I saw of him behind the plate after his call up looked fine to me. Can't recall the game, or pitcher, but in one game he looked impressive blocking the plate and handling some low throws. It still comes down to game calling and controlling the game overall, but I see a potentially solid receiver with an above average bat. Wade...simply depends on a little more pop. He can muster that, his bat could and eye could not only make him useful, but even a top of the order hitter with power at various other spots in the lineup. I agree with Diaz at the bottom of these 5 due to being in A ball, still developing his stroke, and proving he can be at least a decent defensive 1B. However, the strength seems to be there. 33 doubles and 12 HR at A ball is actually pretty decent.
  20. DocBauer
    I think Reed is selected for sure, and was slightly surprised he wasn't added. With his past injury concerns and current injury situation...despite his potential...i just don't see Burdi being selected. It just wouldn't make sense, IMO, to grab someone you have to rehab, and then almost assuredly send back anyway. I'd like to see Stewart back to see if another year and changes in team philosophy can help him make a step forward in 2018. But if you are another team...bad or rebuilding...you can see some potential there, but a mediocre and short AA season with mediocre SO numbers is someone you want to hide in the pen to maybe place at AAA in 2019? I think that's questionable but he could be selected. A team selecting Diaz from A ball to sit on the bench all season, and probably flounder, just doesn't make sense. I don't see him being selected. But we always to remember, even if selected, doesn't mean these guys would necessarily be "gone". Any or all selected could be returned.
  21. DocBauer
    He is young enough and talented enough with enough stuff I hope he sticks around. Another year, at least starting at AA, hopefully healthy, and the fundamental changes the new FO is attempting to make could offer the promise yet if unlocking his potential. That being said, were I another team, I'd have to be awfully intrigued by him to select him. Just not sure how you stash a AA pitcher coming off a mediocre season with average to poor SO numbers. You'd have to be a lretty "bad" team to feel comfortable taking a flyer on him and having him take a roster spot just so you could...more than likely...send him back to AAA in 2019. Just a bunch, but I think he is still a Twin after the draft.
  22. DocBauer
    Might sound a bit crazy, but I keep thinking about Wade as a leadoff hitter, and 4th OF, if he can get that power to blossom. A leadoff hitter doesnt have to be a SB speed demon. He needs to hit and get on base and then hopefully contribute some mix or speed, power, or both. With his hit and OB potential, power throughout the lineup, a couple other decent sticks a year or two away, I just wonder if this could end up being his role.
  23. DocBauer
    I am a little unclear on dropping players from the 40 man, post Rule 5, if the team makes a trade and needs to make room for the acquisition(s). Of course, players on the 40 man roster may be included in such a trade to automatically make room. But it seems clear to me that leaving those 4 spots open is a positive sign for moving forward with some nice and needed additions. Now...does that mean HUGE signings? That is to be seen.
  24. DocBauer
    Or the new Brian Duensing.
  25. DocBauer
    Personally, I liked most of what the new regime did last season. I ALWAYS felt their approach, initially, was one of caution on the field(s), to see what they had from the majors on down, while implementing new ideas and eventually making various changes. Again, from the top down. Now that 2017 has passed, and they have started their imprint in all facets, (though I still don't understand the Dougie Baseball termination), I'm expecting additional changes in all areas. I feel they are being pretty smart, thus far, in the 40 man. I absolutely expect a couple 2 or 3 solid moves to take place. Does this mean a sudden, radical change in operational standards that leads to major trades and FA signings the likes of which we have never seen? Doubtful. Despite our most earnest wishes, I think most of us can agree that just throwing money at a situation doesn't necessarily fix things, be it a MLB roster or anything else. But I see thjs new group as being willing to do so where and when it makes sense, maintaining a balance, looking at the big picture, etc. I'm pretty excited. And I have this hunch the moves made will make sense.
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