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DocBauer

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Everything posted by DocBauer

  1. DocBauer
    I know it's a short season, but it's supposed to be against high end competition, right? Gordon is looking like a lock for AA right now. and I'm starting to wonder more and more about Garver with the Twins next season.
  2. DocBauer
    I wonder, considering what the team needs, and Dozier being such a valuable, potentially, trade chip, would we, or should we, be upset or surprised if the new FO that will be running things decides not to trade him?
  3. DocBauer
    The biggest key to the whole puzzle is still probably Dozier. If he's still with the Twins, you have to make room for Polanco somewhere. If it's 3B, then Sano has to move to 1B/DH. Could you move Dozier to 3B or 1B? I'm not sure either would be awful. If Dozier is traded for pitching help, obviously you slot Polanco in at 2B. So BD is a huge offseason chip in the defensive lineup of the next Twins team. And unless the new FO feels Polanco deserves a chance at SS, your next call is to give Escobar the job coming off a down and injured season and find someone to be the utility guy. I like Escobar a lot, but do you and the Twins feel comfortable with this scenario? Or is it better to bring in a proven SS, even for the short term, and use Escobar as a valuable and versatile utility guy who probably plays quite a bit? I like the OF as is, with someone to be a quality 4th guy.
  4. DocBauer
    The biggest key to the whole puzzle is still probably Dozier. If he's still with the Twins, you have to make room for Polanco somewhere. If it's 3B, then Sano has to move to 1B/DH. Could you move Dozier to 3B or 1B? I'm not sure either would be awful. If Dozier is traded for pitching help, obviously you slot Polanco in at 2B. So BD is a huge offseason chip in the defensive lineup of the next Twins team. And unless the new FO feels Polanco deserves a chance at SS, your next call is to give Escobar the job coming off a down and injured season and find someone to be the utility guy. I like Escobar a lot, but do you and the Twins feel comfortable with this scenario? Or is it better to bring in a proven SS, even for the short term, and use Escobar as a valuable and versatile utility guy who probably plays quite a bit? I like the OF as is, with someone to be a quality 4th guy.
  5. DocBauer
    I don't follow hockey, sorry. And I follow the NBA somewhat casually, though I am a Lakers and Wolves fan. But the Vikings turn around I can comment on, and I have to say I'm very impressed. I think Spielman deserves an aweful lot of credit for what he's done to assemble talent. Especially since he was placed, more or less, fully in charge of his duties after having to initially defer so much. But the single biggest difference in the Vikings has been Zimmer and his coaching staff. Zimmer is proving to be an outstanding coach who has a real grasp of how to game plan, and how to reach and develop his team. Same with the coaches on his Stagg. Yes, there are problems with injuries on kffense, most notably the OL, and this one issue may preclude the Vikings from reaching their ultimate goal this season, though there is a lot of season to be played. The Twins are, I believe, finally on the right track with the rebuild of the FO and the rise of all the young talent on the roster, most of the names you mentioned above. I know we're all sick of the word "patience" due to the losing seasons and waiting for what seems like ages for all these prospects we've been reading and hearing about to arrive. But going forward, this newly assembled FO, the kids who have arrived, and others really closs, is a different team than the ones who lost 90+ games before 2015. While not 2r or under, the names Duffey, Rosario and Chargois old be added to the list of talented youngsters with a lot of baseball still ahead of them. So I hate to be patient, or ask others to be patient, but again, this is a new team and organization moving forward now. And for me, it's a lot easier watching and rooting for my team...even if not in immediate contention...making smart moves and building with prospects rather than losing or treading water with retreats, older prospects and stopgap FA signings.
  6. DocBauer
    At the end of the day, I for one don't know enough about Falvey or Levine to make an overly educated guess as to how good of hires they will ultimately turn out to be. But I have to say I am impressed by their resumes to this point, their past duties performed, the fact they are coming from teams that have been doing things right for the past few years, and the fact that each appears open-minded and young enough to remain as such. It appears to me as though the Twins FO is rather deliberately targeting youth and fresh ideas/thinkers, for which I am excited and grateful. Though I am not surprised. Based on various comments made earlier in this past season from Ryan and Pohlad, I felt a change was coming. And I felt, again from Pohlad's comments, that the team was going to think and look outside the box for alternatives. I don't expect overnight miracles, nor should anyone else, but I'm really anxious to see these two guys go to work! Though I suspect, other than a trade of Dozier, possibly Santana, and a small FA signing or two, I think their first real actions will be more behind the scenes and on the milb and scouting side of things.
  7. DocBauer
    Between Burdi, Reed, Hildenberger and Melotakis you have to feel pretty optimistic about the future of the pen, along with Chargois. Burdi has a question mark next to his name at this point due to health. But if anyone is due a little favorable luck at this point, it's surely him. Light, Baxendale and even Jones are others who could figure in. I'm still wondering about a veteran or make good comeback younger vet to help on the back end and help stabilize things initially rather than just thrusting Shaggy or someone in the closer role. I also wonder about FA or low cost trade options looking for another Abad type to rebound, or convert from troubled starter to valuable RP.
  8. DocBauer
    Part of my problem with the 40 man is I really want to keep all the prospects I can, but I also want to add a couple of guys. Again, there will probably be a trade or two that could free up an extra spot or two, Dozier being the most likely. *I'd really like to add an experienced 4th OF who hits RH, or switch hits, to fill in and provide a better bench, on a short term deal so we don't have to force feed Granite or Palka, or sit them too much, or rely on Grossman to play too often in the field. *If Dozier is indeed gone, we need someone to play SS, or challenge Escobar, or be the utility guy. *I'm still thinking of the best milb FA catcher we can find, another John Hicks type, either signed to the 40 or as an invite on a milb deal. This might determine the Centeno/Turner status. (I wouldn't protect both, and could see protecting neither potentially)
  9. DocBauer
    I had missed this somehow until today. Very happy to hear it. Always thought he might be a quality late bloomer. Personally, I think the Twins initially messed with him a bit by moving him around so much. In the long term, however, it could make him a versatile piece to the future roster.
  10. DocBauer
    Agree on Sano at 3B. I remain convinced that more time and work, possibly a little better conditioning, he can be at least solid there. His arm is excellent, and I've always been surprised how well he seems to charge the ball. The Twins did him no favors, in regard to 3B defense, in their handling of him last season. I don't know that the Twins really need a backup plan at 3B necessarily. I just think someone who COULD play a solid 3B and another position as a bench option would be nice. If Dozier is gone, you need at least one more infielder to be brought in from somewhere to compete with Escobar for the SS/utility spot. Even with 4 OF and a pair at 1B/DH, that leaves a spot open for such a player. I also like the idea of a quality AAAA level 3B, probably another infielder or two as well. Rochester looks a little light in the infield right now.
  11. DocBauer
    I generally agree with everything you say Seth. I admit to being torn on Centeno and Turner both. Not overly impressed by Centeno, but a solid LH stick as a reserve catcher is tempting. And I'm not entirely convinced Turner would be selected or kept by a selecting team at this point. Also torn on Grossman. I like him as a 5th OF/DH/PH who could play in the field occassionally. But I don't like him as the 4th OF. I'd rather see the Twins sign someone for that spot and allow Granite, Palka, Walker more time. I also agree on moving on from Plouffe, especially since I think Molitor would feel compelled to play him daily. But I think there is room on the roster for a quality bench guy, and someone mentioned Lawrie as a possibility some time ago. I could get behind a move like that. And while I do think it's time for Plouffe and the Twins to go a different direction, I wouldn't be upset by a 1 year, low cost deal coming off a poor and injury plagued season as a each bat who can play a couple spots and DH.
  12. DocBauer
    Well, naturally this whole 40 man thing is premature as there could be a trade or two to come. But simply working with what we have now.... I'd probably keep Light. I haven't seen him pitch yet, and only the Twins, at this point, really know if they have something there or not. But they thought enough of him to trade for him. I think you're forced to keep one of Boshers or O'Rourke, pending any trades or signings, but I don't think you have room for both. I'd lean toward Boshers, would really like to remove both and sign them to milb deals if I could. I wouldn't keep Thorpe. I just don't see how he's a risk to be selected and kept by someone. Still not sure Tonkin has been used correctly, and not sure if we've seen enough of Wimmers to make an accurate decision. I'm all about keeping as many talented young arms as we can, and opening roster spots for them. It's the bubble guys that make this so difficult. You need guys for 2017 who can pitch for you...not just necessarily promote a bunch of rookies...and a couple of these guys could still really help/develop. But you just can't keep them all. Somehow, the Twins have to decide which couple they still see real room for improvement, keep a couple, let go the rest and maybe sign them to deals with an invite. Just no other way to juggle/handle 40 spots and hold on to the risers.
  13. DocBauer
    Based on his defensive reputation, solid milb numbers, and his numbers in NY, I get why the Twins went after Murphy, a young catcher with upside needing an opportunity. Of all the crazy and disappointing things that happened to the Twins in this past season, I'm still not sure I don't rank him as the largest disappointment. But the whole 40 man roster debate about Garver is ridiculous. He has to be added to the 40 man this off season anyway, so there was no good reason not to make room for him for at least a taste of ML life. More and more, I keep hoping he will do a great job in the AFL and force the new Twins FO to just run with him.
  14. DocBauer
    2014 and 2015 I was impressed with Escobar. Very solid in the field and surprising at the plate. My thought/hope was he would be the same player in 2016, as long as he didn't get worn out being the everyday guy from day 1. But, we all know what happened, injuries, the emergence of Nunez, etc. I'd love to bank on him for next year. And maybe I'm not being fair to him after arguing for so long he should be the starter, but I find myself drawn to the idea of using him as a utility now and acquiring a top flight defensive veteran. But at worst, if Dozier is gone, we do need someone else brought on board for depth. What I wonder about, in regard to Gordon, is if weight not see an offensive explosion of sorts put of him this season due to maturity and leaving the FSL. Haven't we always heard it was a tough hitters league?
  15. DocBauer
    EXACTLY what I'm saying. There is, to me, a difference between rebuilding a team...which they ARE doing and began with better earnest last season...and just tossing nothing but prospects in to each and every role with a sink or swim attitude. To me, if my young team has a chance to win a game, I want them to feel they can win the game. Let someone come in, be that closer, let someone else slide in to that role here and there, rotate all these prospects in and out, off and on the roster, if someone underperforms or gets hurt, and you probably have another trade chip mid season. And what happens if the guy they would sign is less than 30 and performs well? You could decide to keep him, potentially, and he could, potentially, still be a part of the next winning team. Best of all world's here.
  16. DocBauer
    You have a point Nick, but I want my re-building team to improve, preferably with a continuation of young talent joining them. But one way for the team to improve is the bullpen, which blew WAY too many leads this year. And when my young, re-building team has a lead,mid like them to keep it. I want them to win together and experience success where they can. I would be greatly adverse to the Twins going out and buying a new bullpenumber. But I love a short term, bounce-back, near the end of his career 1-2 year guy to help set the pen up for success, (with the idea how could possibly be flipped or extended depending). To me, signing a closer would be akin to acquiring a veteran SS to compete with Escobar and help solidify the infield for a season or two while guys like Gordon advance and develop and prepare for 2018. The team, hopefully, performs better, wins more, the kids win together, and no-one is blocked long term.
  17. DocBauer
    When I talk about roles, I don'the say they have to be "rigid" necessarily, other than a closer closing. But Tonkin, as an example, seemed to be used very much out of his element as a mid/long reliever often. We've seen O'Rourke be used oddly before as well. I think relievers work better when used to their strength, and with an idea when and how they will usually be used. I also see no reason why some of the other names I listed couldn't begin the year with the Twins. My initial list is just that, initial, and how ST probably opens. I would absolutely audition all of the names I mentioned and go with the best options. KY point is a starting place and go from there. If one or more of the kids is ready, so much the better. But whether they are are aren't with the Twins when camp breaks, you have a well-staffed bullpen in Rochester to draw from, audition from, etc.
  18. DocBauer
    Closer: One of the above FA listed Setup A: Chargois Setup B: Pressly 6th-7th: Tonkin Long-Mid: Duffey (who could still start or fill in) LH A: Rogers LH B: TBD (FA, Boshers, O'Rourke, Wheeler, Melotakis, etc) This is how it starts for me initially. You have a closer and everyone else in a role instead of being asked to pitch "out of character". The second LH option is the area I'm unsure about. Even with a strong AFL, I'm prone to Melotakis starting the year at Rochester simply to continue to build up arm strength and additional experience after his strong AA season following surgery. But right now, he hasn't pitched back to back days in over a year. Between being a FA, rule that, etc, some of the options can and will change here, but as of now, you start with the above and audition Light, Wimmers, Baxendale, Jones, Reed and Hildenberger.
  19. DocBauer
    I agree with this idea and have advocated it. I understand the idea behind a veteran catcher for a season or two. Much in the same way I think a veteran SS could help shore up the infield for a season or two, or at the least, challenge Escobar. But with the enigma Murphy, the OK Centeno and Garver, I keep thinking that "Hick-type" just might make more sense.
  20. DocBauer
    I've been talking about this same idea for weeks now. Even on a young, rebuilding team, there is room for a more veteran presence or two. There is nothing wrong with this rebuilding team holding on to leads and winning games. I'd love to just trust Kintzler and somehow know he'd pitch the same in 2017 but I wouldn't count on it. Further, what would he so wrong with working young guys like Chargois in to the closers role? I would push hard for someone like Perez and move Kintzler. He may offer the Twins help and value, but I believe there is only room/need for the one veteran, at least from the right side. As of now, I'd sign said veteran and look at Chargois and Pressly in the 7th and 8th inning roles, perhaps alternating, and being given 9th inning opportunities as they arise. Tonkin, for now, could be used as a 6th-7th inning guy with Duffey as a long and middle guy. Roger's takes 1 of 2 LH spots. I'm not sure at this time who the other guy is. Do you look for another Abad or sort through the other LH options on hand? Now, this is a bit tentative of a plan as there are several prospects ready or near ready to audition. But it's a place to start, assigns roles to players, and stabilizes the pen even as its being re-tooled.
  21. DocBauer
    Great to see Gordon and Garver get off to such a great start considering the two spots they play are obviously a concern for the Twins. Considering the overall season he had, and potential, I'd think this is a good indicator that Gordon is clearly ready for AA next year. How awesome would it be to finish 2017 in Rochester? I really wish Garver had more AAA time this season. He clearly shows the ability to hit, and with some power, but also decent contact and a willingness to take a walk. I just have a really good feeling about him. But could it be expecting too much just a little too soon for him to be a real threat to open 2017 with the Twins?
  22. DocBauer
    I agree out with old and in with new. I don't want to trade Dozier but agree it's in the team's best interest to do so, with all the standard caveats of value, etc. But even with SP being the team's biggest need, you still need a full roster, and it's still a team game of SP, RP, defense and hitting. Yes I know that's stating the obvious, but it bears saying. And I will further repeat things I've stated before. Even on a young and rebuilding team, there is room for a smart veteran or 2-3 to be added. *Is the team better with Grossman as a 4th OF, or letting Granite sit on the bench most days as a role player? Or is the team better off with a quality 4th OF FA that might even be flipped and guys like Granite can play every day at AAA to at least start the year? *Is the team better holding open auditions for the closer spot right out of the gate? Or are they better with a short term vet, also a flip candidate, to shore up the pen, hold leads/wins/saves and work the young arms in to that role? *Do you turn SS over to Escobar, who I like and is still not old and a good bounce back candidate? Or, are you better off acquiring a more proven glove man, even in the short term, to further solidify the infield defense and use Escobar often as a quality role guy? My whole point is this team HAS gotten younger almost everywhere, is still getting younger with some additional prospects getting close. But there is still room to add a veteran or two to make them a better overall TEAM without either rushing youngsters or blocking them.
  23. DocBauer
    BPA, whoever that turns out to be. Preferably a SP. Whoever they select will almost certainly be 2-3 years away from regular ML duty. Just the nature of the beast, development time on a professional level. While it would be awesome to see the #1 guy be a stud college arm, they still won't help for a year or two and won't solve anything for next season. Go with the top guy, best prospect, highest potential, etc. if it's Greene, so be it.
  24. DocBauer
    Totally up to Joe to decide, of course. But strictly speaking in a vacuum, yes, it would be a good time for him to take a buyout and retire. He's suffered numerous injuries, and still seems to fairly often. He is simply not the player he once was, though he has some value, and he has a young family to spend more time with. Again, I'm speaking from a vacuum. Since I doubt he will retire, though I wouldn't be shocked, is to use him as a part time role player for the remaining 2 years.
  25. DocBauer
    Best of luck to the young man. This is the kind of risk/reward move, the kind of forward thinking move the Twins need to make more of. Could be a huge steal.
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