DocBauer

I'll be totally honest guys, the pen has me stumped. I love to speculate and put pen to paper for all kinds of roster's and lineups and I just don't know how this is going to turn out. I get all the high potential RP arms that are rising through the system, but really, right now, only Chargois has pitched above AA with any significance. I'm a big fan and believer in Melotakis, but he was pretty much limited to not pitching consecutive days in 2016. Will the new regime be more aggressive with him over a year post surgery? Perhaps. And I would absolutely love to see him force his way on to the club. But I'm betting he begins the season in AAA initially. Hildenberger intrigues me immensely and I think he could be for real. But again, no time above AA. I can't believe the FO moved to acquire Haley and won't keep him in some capacity, via RP spot or trade. Duffey has to have a spot somewhere doesn't he? O'Rourke has proven to be effective when/if used properly. Bang on Boshers all you want because he wasn't a top prospect and came from independent ball, but he was actually good except for a couple of games and had very solid K numbers. The whole point is I'm rambling because I just don't know at this point. And as stated by others, these things DO have a way of working themselves out. I DON'T think our bullpen is anything to brag about at this point, but I DO think there are enough interesting options here to think we should be better...may be building something...and could/should have the best bullpen we've had in a few years. And I believe it will be in a state of Flux throughout the season. Quantity does not necessarily mean or equal quality. But in this case, I think there is enough quantity of potential to be a little bit excited for what is to come.

Absolutely agree with this. There is a whole college season to be played and some very interesting arms that could be available to the Twins. And no doubt a college arm with top of the rotation potential would be a "safer" pick than a HS arm, as well as being closer to the majors. But I confess to being a bit leary if that guy isn't already at the very top of the draft boards even before the season starts. Just like milb prospects, the switch can go on at any time. But should the first pick in the draft be the ONE GUY of 3 or 4 that has the best 2017 season? I hope that makes sense. There is still a lot of HS ball to played yet. With Greene's build and obvious overall athleticism, if he really is begining to develop and command his secondary stuff, risk of a HS being the #1 pick be damned, don't you just have to give him really serious consideration?

I get this move. One of the things I mentioned months ago is that after the Twins signed a RP or two, and quality 4th OF...still waiting on that one...I'd like to seexpand them pick up a couple quality milb infielders to fill out the Rochester team. The infield there seems pretty bare. And it's not about the Twins handing Rochester a competitive team, it's about having a couple guys there that you can bring up to play adequately if injuries hit without embarrassing themselves at the ML for a week or two. Light throws hard, and I'm not going to claim he doesn't have some potential, and maybe he gets it together for the Twins or someone else, but does he really seem like a guy who is going to challenge at this point? As looked at in another thread, the bullpen is starting to look a little crowded for competition, and that's a GOOD thing! Plus, coming to a ML Park near you soon...and we all know the names...Reed, Hildenberger, Burdi, still possibly Jones, and even Baxendale and Wimmers as possibilities. My biggest problem with this, and yes, he will probably be taken back off the roster with hopes of passing through waivers to play at AAA, is that I wish they'd do more. I was really, really hoping for a solid milb 3B for Rochester. I love Sano and believe in him, and I'm super intrigued by Goodrum maybe finally reaching his potential as a solid, versatile utility guy, but I'd sure like a quality milb veteran 3B who could be called up if an injury happens. Now...about that true 4th OF we still need......

Being selected after his senior season, and pretty high, and with his impressive debut, I wonder if he's being targeted for Ft Myers to begin 2017?

I still maintain that ownership's willingness to allow the new FO tandem to make a move like removing Park in the first place. There has been a lot of opinions stated over the past few years about ownership being cheap, not wanting to invest, etc. But other than insisting Molitor keep his job for 2017, which may have happened anyway and is not out of the norm form a first year "new FO" scenario, they seem to have let our new GM and Operations men do as they see fit. I still doubt Park gets claimed, which allows the Twins to keep him and see what develops. Really, it shouldn't be hard to find a spot on the 40 man for him if he does so. I get why DanSan is still on the roster...for now. But I still have to believe there are/were better options to go out and get. That would be one issue that I DO have with this offseason. I'd still like to see a real 4th OF brought in. With all due respect and no personal attack meant, removing guys like Albers and Dean are addition through subtraction. Good, mediocre or poor, there is some depth to the rotation going in to 2017. And if someone needs to slot in to the rotation, I'd much rather see Duffey, Haley, Mejia, Gonsalves or even Wheeler be that someone. At least you have someone new with some potential instead of a retread.

This goes back to the part of the interview I really liked where he talks about a pitcher's best pitch and maybe not using it as much as he should, or that a pitcher's perspective on a pitch working or not working may be skewed and the information gathered may show otherwise. Coaching and player development should always be geared to each player on a personal level.

I also disagree the Twins have no pitching talent coming up. Forgetting a couple interesting options way down in the minors, Berrios, May, Mejia, Gonsalves, Jay, Stewart, Jorge and Romero all have some real potential. Unlocking it and maximizing it is the key. Is there a sure fire #1 or #2 in there? Maybe. Maybe not. But it's difficult to look at any young pitcher and say THIS GUY is going to be that guy. You just don't know. Some guys turn out that way. Other top end guys were mid rotation types on their way up and developed better than anyone expected. Should the Twins continue to add talent? Absolutely. But just because someone's ranking system doesn't name a particular guy or two as a front line, top of the order pitcher right now doesn't mean one or two can't turn out that way. Right now, today, the key is to develop and maximize what IS in the system.

Great article Parker! Thank you. I find this new approach very refreshing! I find the aversion to weight training and the such to be perplexing. Players, particularly pitchers, don't need to bulk up, but strength development...as well as flexability...help build performance and endurance and help prevent injury. If a pitcher's legs and drive are so important, for example, then why wouldn't you want to build up a pitcher's lower body? I enjoyed the section regarding no two pitchers being exactly the same, and recognizing a pitcher's best pitch, how much he is using it, and pointing out how a pitch may be working differently in actuality vs said pitcher's perspective on it. I've said for some time the big changes the new FO will bring in 2017 are less on player change, and more on behind the scenes organizational changes and review and development of the players on hand.

No question Murphy has the experience factor over Garver with solid ML time before joining the Twins. But Garver is the better prospect with more potential. As long as he gets to play in some sort of rotation/platoon and not languish on the bench, he would be my choice. Though I could see the merit of him begining the season in Rochester if Murphy shows anything with the bat in ST. My pick remains Garver. Rortvedt has my attention for all the obvious reasons, but I will be watching Murray closely this season. A player can work on his defensive craft behind the plate, provided he has at least some natural aptitude and ability there. But being a quality hitter seems to be a more natural talent. And we all know catchers who can actually hit and provide solid offense are rather rare.

For various reasons, including it really can't get any worse, this team will be better in 2017. The question remains how much better, and that is a complete unknown at this time. I get the frustration over no Dozier deal, and Santana to a lesser degree. But 2017 still remains a season of back office and organizational changes from the top on down. Doesn't matter if we are talking the stats department, or scouting, coaching staffs, roving instructors, Ft Myers meetings for everyone to get on the same page, or even how the various milb players stretch and work out. Plus, the new regime has an entire milb system, talent wise, to thoroughly watch and inspect. On the field, no question better health is a huge point. But above all else, the Twins fortunes in 2017 and beyond are tied immediately to Rosario, Buxton, Kepler, Sano, Polanco, Berrios, May, Chargois and others as to their continued development. (Plus a few guys at AAA and AA who should see promotions) Dozier and Santana could yet be traded firing the season or before next for additional talent. (Not debating the issue of immediate returns vs future value-just pointing out a fact) And financially, this team is in a position over the next two seasons to actually go out and make some sort of splash on the FA market. (Or a bundled trade package deal) There could still be a useful signing or two over the next couple of weeks to shore up the roster a bit for 2017. But at the end of the day, this season is still about implementation of organizational changes and the development of the young players on the roster.

I agree 100%. He's been very durable, if streaky at times. He has flat out produced, is not old, and it really felt like he made àdjustments last season. Whether in a Twins uniform or not, I expect him to be a quality producer for at least a few more seasons.

I have a strong hunch both he and Duffey will be in the pen. Both could be swing men and starting options due to injuries, etc. I see Haley as a long and middle guy with Duffey capable of multiple roles in the pen TBD.

I know there are a lot of people down on him due to two simple facts: 1] Health didn't turn out to be the future top of the rotation starter we hoped he'd be when "stolen" with a mid 1st round pick. 2] Because he had an injury plagued and poor season for a 100+ loss team. I'm not saying for a minute he will suddenly develop in to a stud pitcher in 2017. But if I could pick one guy to surprise in the 2017 rotation it would be Gibson. Listen, coming off major surgery, he was the "Berrios" back in 2013. "Why isn't he up?" Well, he did come up, probably with a still healing and possibly tired arm. And he didn't exactly set the world on fire. But he gained experience and had a very solid "rookie" campaign in 2014. Forgetting wins and losses as a measurement, all his other numbers improved in 2015. But he has a poor 2016 along with the rest of the team in the worst season in modern franchise history and suddenly he is a bump. I am not saying he will suddenly become a stud in 2017, but, were there one guy on the team for 2017 that I could say health and a fresh new season could rise up, it would be Gibson.

Great post! I agree almost 100%. Not to split hairs, but I see 2017 as a combination of supporting the new, younger team, as well as still continuing said re-build. I say this because of a couple of the recent graduates, Berrios and Chargois come to mind, have had so little ML time at this point, and because there are a couple of RP and SP arms, and a certain intriguing catcher, that haven't arrived yet but are oh so close to diving in to the ML pool in 2017. I will disagree somewhat on the idea of still spending on some pieces for 2017. I still believe there are some solid FA players available to make the roster deeper and better without big contract numbers...that could easily be removed if need be...that make the 2017 version of the Twins more competitive with a better chance to win some games here and there. And I'm a believer in learning how to win, and winning together. And I want these kids to believe in themselves and learn to win together. Wholeheartedly agree on 2018. Perkins and Santiago themselves should give the team another $14M or so to work with after '17, and the team payroll already projects several million below last season, and even more bellow league average. And 2018 marks the last year of Mauer's contract as well as Santana. (Dozier as well, but that's sort of a different discussion all by itself). There really is no reason...barring some sudden rash of injuries or underperformance/regression...that should keep these "new" Twins from promoting additional talent and making a real financial investment or two for the 2018 team.

Boy does he seem like an intelligent young man with character and a strong work ethic. And how about him learning to speak Spanish to communicate with his teammates better? How can you not be impressed and root for this kid? Boy I hope he's the real deal and a fast riser. But with his youth, I'd still bet on him opening 2017 in Cedar Rapids rather than Ft Myers, but a fan can dream. If I recall correctly, after he was drafted, wasn't necessarily compared to Kepler? Granted he played here in America and is almost certainly a more polished player at the same age, but physical ability, build, projections, the ability to play CF but probably a corner OF eventually, etc, I was certain I had read the comparison somewhere.

I think it's a pretty safe assumption that there is nobody in the Twins organization, or fan base, including us here at TD that WANTED to trade Dozier. It was simply the prudent thing to do...if possible...for the good of rebuilding the team. We may never know what was truly offered. And only time will show how good JDL turns out to be...or not. Did I think any kind of turnaround was going to take place in one year or one potentially big trade. No. Was I still hoping the trade would happen to create an even greater talent pool along with some excitement? Yes. But I am looking at the first couple of months on the job for the new FO, and the lack of this trade actually working out, as rather predictable. And right now, I'm OK with that. We're I in their shoes, taking over the running and retooling of an entire organization, MY initial idea would be to establish an organization-wide footprint that would include everything from scouting and evaluation of talent from the ML roster on down to the DL, the coaching staffs, the scouting department, all the way down to how the teams stretch before game time. And it stinks for us fans who want to see ACTION taking place. We don't get to see the blueprint/outline they have in mind or hear what is discussed in meetings. But laying this groundwork will, unfortunately, take time and not be very entertaining. But it's where this new leadership needs to start. And it could easily take the entire 2017 season to review, reflect and implement changes across the board, and behind the scenes, all the while evaluating Molitor, his coaches, the players on the field, and the hundreds of milb players trying to work their way up. So am I disappointed as a fan that something as exciting and interesting as the Dozier trade didn't happen? Yes. But I am also not surprised or disappointed...with what little information we truly have...that this big move didn't happen at this time as we all hoped it might. Not making a move because the move simply wasn't smart or fair IS making a move, as well as a statement. Patience may stink...but there is a new sheriff in town with his new deputy. And it will, unfortunately, take time to see how they run things. Just my 2 cents.

50 Brian Dozier's, of course. The velociraptors would eventually choke on hairballs.

Drew and Jackson were both on my blueprint list for 2017. Not sure Drew really fits unless Dozier is moved somewhere, but I like Jackson as a very use able 4th OF who can play more due to injury or someone spending time in Rochester. He and a backend bullpen arm would be my top 2 targets. Drew jumps back on my list quickly if a Dozier deal still happens.

I find it interesting that Vargas has hit better from the left side in his mlb career and have heard and read that before. Encourages me to think with more opportunity his performance may even out. I like what I saw from Park defensively last season. I am not Mauer bashing, but have to wonder about him being more that bench player as you mention.

There are two very obvious platoons that should come naturally for the Twins this season, 1B and catcher. Mauer needs to rest more and pretty much sit against LHP. Enter both Park and Vargas, each of whom can see time at DH as well. Depending on final roster construction, there can be room and AB for all three. Castro has some hitting, OB and power ability against RHP. He also needs to sit from time to time to rest just by the nature of his position. It doesn't take a genius of a manager to rest Castro by playing the RH portion of the catching duo against LHP, ideally, this would be Garver. Where the Twins could also find some match up advantages is to be able to sit Rosario and/or Kepler once in a while against RHP. Now, I certainly don't want to sit or platoon these talented young guys so early in their careers, but a day or two off here and there in favor of a RH hitting OF should be just natural roster management. But is Grossman that guy? And if you bring in another OF, which I'm in favor of BTW, you either eliminate Grossman...who has value...or one of the 1B. That's the one rub, no room for a 14 man player roster.

Seems like an impressive young man with a terrific work ethic. Really seems to know what it takes to make himself a better ballplayer. And what an off season of guys to work out with! Habe to love his "Mr. Larkin" address. I'm liking him more and more as a prospect.

I'm not trying to create some BS debate, but Duffey actually throws 4 pitches, depending on how you wish to interpret and view the point. He throws a 2 seam and 4 seam fastball at slightly different speeds and action, and 2 different curveballs, also at slightly different speeds, with one more of a bender and one with more of a slider action. And by his own admission, what hurt him last season was a lack of consistent FB command. I know that is putting a pretty fine arguement out there, but I think it's worth considering and remembering. Does that mean he should be a SP and can succeed as such? I'm not saying that. But he may be a much better option than what we feel now, based on his down 2016 campaign. No question a better change, true slider, split finger or whatever, could make him a more complete pitcher. But if nothing else, I think it helps accentuate how good of a RP and possible swing man he could be. In 1-4 IP, with his "4" pitches, he could be outstanding in the pen, with a possible uptick in FB velocity...pending regaining said questionable control in '16. We're I a betting man, I would lay money that Haley and Duffey both pitch effectively from the pen this season along with Chargois and Pressly. Who fills, or should fill, the remaining 3 slots is open to debate.

Forgetting the contract situation, I often wonder about his 2014 season. Was it an outlier at this point? Yes. But what we may never know now is if it would remain so. You have to remember he was a top prospect, and despite inconsistencies, he also showed very well for the Yankees at times. He was only 27-28 when the Twins signed him. A little older and wiser and a change if scenery very well could have jump started him. Unfortunately, with the injury we may never know. I've said all along he is a dark horse and shouldn't really be counted on. But healthy and regaining velocity, man, what a boost he could be.

Great article! Thanks! Despite not being a top pick, though 11th isn't all that late considering, I've been watching English since being drafted. What impresses me is his mental approach at the plate. From reading the past couple of articles, he really seems to unerstanding and embrace his role. I think that's huge for any player. It's just too bad he had the bad ankle this season. I know we talk about Granite a lot after this past season, and I take nothing away from him, but it seems that in the long run English may end up being the better player. I wasn't as high on Gordon when the Twins drafted him initially. I had nothing against him, there was a definite need for a top SS prospect, but the grading system, IMO, didn't offer up enough high marks for a player to be selected so high. But the overall ability and potential combined with intelligence and work ethic have me impressed and excited for his future. He may never hit for a ton of power or have the speed and SB ability of his brother, or be the flashiest of players, but he seems to possess the ability to be solid in all phases of the game. I see him sticking at SS and being very solid if not very good, and a potentially good #2 hitter, or top bottom of the order hitter at worst. Really impressed with 2016 and his AFL season, especially for his age.

Excellent post! This team has the financial flexability to still make some moves, and the need to do so. I believe Falvey and Levine have, and IMO rightly so, have been focusing on Dozier first and foremost while letting the smoke clear on the FA front. A Dozier move may lead to a Santana move, and would also lead to an infield move, etc. Meanwhile, keeping Dozier changes the complexion of the infield and probably retains Santana for now. Further, with smoke clearing and dust settling, there are still remaining FA targets that could help the 2017 Twins, cheaper and shorter contracts as we get closer to ST, and possible flip candidates there as well. I truly believe these guys have some good ideas in mind and you will see a few solid/interesting moves taking place over the next couple of weeks. Questionable rotation and nothing truly worth bringing in as an obvious upgrade? Short of a potential flyer/steal, make your bullpen deeper and bettter to keep games close and hold leads and keep games close. Worried about said rotation holding runs down? In addition to said bullpen move (s), add a quality RH 4th OF to augment depth and match ups with the LH Rosario and Kepler. Not in love with Park and Vargas, (and I've previously stated I'd like to see what they can do), sign that veteran power bat to augment the depth and scoring ability of my lineup. Once again, none of these moves has to be long term, and none of them block up and coming talent, unless you talk about Park and Vargas, and could be flip candidates. There are a lot of ways to build a roster. The market didn't open up for Dozier as hoped. Fine. It is what it is. So what can you do NOW to improve the Twins for 2017 and beyond? A lot of that will still remain more behind the scenes. But there are still real options on the field that can be addressed as well.