DocBauer

The worst thing against Chargois coming up soon...and I can't believe I'm actually going to type this...is that the ML bullpen has been much better of late. For him, in the long run, despite his stuff and the results, a little more time honing his game at Rochester may prove beneficial. But unless he regress suddenly, I can't believe he's not up by July 1st to play the second half. I'm also mixed on Jay vs Gonsalves. I'd really like to see both move up, and they might. On the one hand, Jay has been kicking it, and he's a little older, but he's also new to full time starting. Gonsalves really has next to nothing to prove in A ball, but he's been a little off lately and is younger. (Let me state that Gonsalves being a little off is still pretty good!) I'm going to say Jay before Gonsalves just due to age and a better roll lately. I'd say another 2-3 starts for either and then they're both up...also July 1st at the latest. Puts them both on pace to begin 2017 in AA with possible mid-season moves to AAA. Wade has to move up and soon! I'd really like to see what AJ Murray could do at high A, but this is only his 1st full league season. He's still working on some fielding things, as any young infielder would be expected to, and improving his SB, but doesn't Gordon have to be up July 1st as well? Unless ML health suddenly sends Buxton and/or Kepler back down to Rochester again...and I hope it doesn't happen...I could see Palka at Rochester in the near future. I know his production has slipped since his first month, but the power is still there, he's got a decent number of BB to go with his SO totals giving him a still solid BA and OB.

While well thought of, I don't think Vargas was ever a TOP prospect, but a pretty good one nonetheless. And his 2014 season had us all convinced, I think, that he could be a solid fixture for us. Not an Ortiz kind of fixture, but solid BA, mid 20's HR, switch hitter, etc. And then 2015 happened for/to him. Again, he was probably my top pick for surprise minor leaguer this year. And he's been making me look smarter and smarter. What would be even smarter, IMHO, is a move of Sano to 3B, and an audition of Park and Mauer in a corner OF spot. It's not ideal to be sure, but is Sano the only guy not immune to an OF position switch to get him in the lineup? Just might a quality young DH in Vargas if given another shot.

Also a little disappointed Palka hasn't been brought up to Rochester with the shortage of OF there. I would assume a bit of a cold spell...not including the HR..is what's keeping him down. I get the 61 SO, but he does also have 22 BB to give himself a .351 OB% to with a .273 AVG despite a poor stretch. So it looks like there is something to work with there.

Very interesting, looking only at LHRP currently at AA or above, your list would include Rogers, Melotakis, Corey Williams and Westphal. Less highly regarded, but with a chance I'd say would be Darnell, Dean and maybe O'Rourke still. Just not sure what to think of Boshers. He's young enough, and a good story with a solid AAA numbers this year, that I think you'd have to at least consider him. And it remains to be seen if the Twins found a steal in Abad you'd like to keep, or offer up in trade if you could actually get something of value for him. But there some rather interesting options here to build the lefty side of the Twins future bullpen.

Nicely done SD. Agree just about 100%. I think there is more urgency in the rotation than you do. But while Nolasco may have value with a shorter contract, Hughes and Santana could be hard to move. (Though I'd argue on keeping Santana) Perkins is also unmovable, unless he gets healthy fairly quickly and shows he's got something in July.

I would also pick Jay, though it's obviously really close. Being 1 level higher helps give him the nod, but also the SO's. We've got a long way to go here fellas, but the Jay pick is looking pretty smart at this point. Concerning IP, I would also think 130 is about right, but, I think it also depends on the pitcher and his mechanics. Smooth, sound mechanics makes it easier to pitch more innings, I'd think. But also, efficiency based on average nber of pitches thrown per start. I absolutely believe he should be in AA sometime the second half if this keeps up. I'd get try to get him 2-3 GS there and then finish in the bullpen. In theory, he'd begin next year at AA with a possible AAA promotion at some point.

I want to contribute to this thread...but sure I can. I get he's the next man up. I get that he's performing well the past month. I get and hope this will turn out to be "his time" even if he doesn't knock anyone's socks off right away. And that is also OK. But I really wanted another few weeks, if not a month, to help insure that his "time" was really the right time. Blast him all you want, but of Mastroianni was healthy and available for a week or two, would this thread even exist? And if he was, keeping Buxton down longer, would that be a bad thing? It's just so damn frustrating! Our OF, of late, has been a miscast 3B in RF, a utility guy in CF, a d a waiver pickup. There is just something inherentlyrics wrong here with this picture.

Look, I live and die with my Twins and have for 45 years. I've seen multiple owners, GM's, players, a plethora of managers, etc. I've seen the highs and way too many lows. But I do think frustration colors issues a bit at the moment. The issue at hand, as I see it, is HOW should a shakeup be structured. I have no problem with bringing in a "baseball guy" to oversee things from a presidential standpoint. But part of the issue seems to be what has been mentioned here previously: most of us, me included, are unsure what the Twins presidency really means in regard to job function. It APPEARS to me that said job title has little to nothing to do with the running of the ballclub, but rather the business side of the Minnesota Twins. And the GM's is to dea, with the product on the field. We can argue, I suppose, about marketing and how family friendly Target Field is, etc. Not living in the Twin Cities, I'm sure my perspective on these and other topics, are different than those that do. From the outside looking in, and I'm not praising or blasting DStP, but the Twins enjoy one of the best ML facilities in Target Field, have a tremendous facility in Ft Myers, and seem to enjoy success with scouting across the globe with a real presence in Latin America. These are good things, real positives. And maybe said president SHOULD be a strong baseball guy who hires someone else to help take care of things. And I think that's part of the point here. Ownership will ultimately make their decision on structure within the organization. But knowing we don't know everything, is it better to have an overseer for baseball, and an overseer for the GM while having someone else involved in the business side of things. OR, is that too many cooks vs having a quality GM solely in charge of the baseball side of things? I'm not sure I know the answer to this question. But I think that is the issue and debate, without knowing everything we wish we knew. I think we all agree something needs to change. It's time. I agree with Brian...if I may paraphrase...that I also have accepted a lot and forgiven a lot, but now realize that a lack of vision, plan, action, non-action, etc, has lead to a dysfunctional baseball product. There is way too much potential here to throw the baby out with the bathwater, but it's simply time for new blood, and a real sense of a plan of action. I just don't know if that means a new and strong GM, or a combination of new GM and "baseball" president who let's someone else run the whole business/public part of the operstions.

Rogers seems to be showing something. I think he stays. I think Boshers goes down, unless they want to give Pressly some AAA time, which I doubt, and he's looked a little better as of late. They wouldn't get crazy, smart crazy like a fox, and send May down to stretch, would they? He also has suddenly looked better recently, but wouldn't it be great to see him start again? I still think it's Boshers, seems to make the most sense, but I love Hughes to the pen. Completely unexpected, but smart and warranted. We have talked before about "scholarships" in regard to veteran players. But Hughes, despite gutting out some solid innings, has not looked at all like himself. Fewer innings, this could allow him to find himself again. And maybe, just maybe, this is his calling and his future.

A question for all of you based on a few basic assumptions. The general belief for all of us educated fans an amateur GM's is that Nolasco could and should be gone by whatever means necessary in order for the youth movement to take place. But unless the team actually find someone, probably a NL team, to take on the remainder of Nolasco's contract, or even half of it, the Twins could end up eating the entire $12M owed in 2017. Pretty much exactly the same with Perkins. No matter what, we probably hold his entire 2017 salary: closer, setup, cut, we're on the hook. But traded or not re-signed to make room for Sano at 3B, and Buxton and Kepler in the OF, we get over $7M in relief from Plouffe being gone. Suzuki gone means another $6M. Traded or not re-signed, Jepsen gone frees up another $5+M. Fien saves another $2M. Even eating or accounting for Nolasco and Perkins, that is $20M, roughly, gone for the 2017 season. Yes, there will be raises, of course. But the bulk of the remaining roster is either signed and accounted for already, or are, and will be, minimum salary players or small raise players not currently making big money. If Ryan suddenly lost his marbles, or got vindictive/super aggressive on his way potentially out, or ownership also suddenly bought in to the full rebuild and fully committed to letting prospects play, a move of Dozier could mean another $3M or so depending on if we had to pay a portion of his salary. In 2011, the Twins had their highest ever team payroll at $115.5M. Now, that was paying for a team ownership thought could compete. Finances change in sports, as they often do, between mass market and local TV and radio deals, etc. IN THEORY, with no evidence to the contrary, allowing for nothing more than a 10% increase in max payroll over 6 years, talking about 2017, that would leave a maximum, comfortable payroll, potentially, of $127M. Now, this based on a potentially winning, competitive team payroll. A team doing their best to dump players who don't fit in to the future, and are committed to youth, is probably not looking for a max payroll at this time. And I think that is more than understandable. But I think these rough numbers are good for perspective. So we cut $20M. If we keep Dozier, that number is $17M. A few small raises, and that's probably all that is due considering, once again, minimum salary players and relatively low salary players making up the rest of the roster, except for a few high cost guys already locked in, and it should leave the 2017 Twins with around $15 to spend just to equal the 2016 payroll. Assuming, of course, management wouldn't be tired of 5 out of 6 seasons losing 90+ games and wanting to make not only a major statement, but a wholesale statement with a new GM, etc. But let's be conservative, assume the youth movement, and a want to just keep the payroll the same. If you are a pessemist, you will say the Pohlad's want to cut payroll to save and make money. If you are optomist, and have read recent comments that indicate the Pohlad's are impatient and Ryan may be clinging to his job, you could see changes coming and a willingness to at least be competitive, make necessary moves to offer hope, and at least match payroll, even if you don't want to raise it at this time. What do you do if in charge? I'd think signing a mediocre SP is out of the question. And I dont see suddenly adding to payroll to sign a MAJOR FA SP for a very young team. Said stud FA pitcher probably would be on the decline when the rest of the roster was ready. So again, what do you do? Horde payroll for a couple of years, when Santana, Hughes and Mauer are off it, or close? Even though Chargois is achingly close to making a move as a potential stud, with Burdi, Melotakis and others seemingly a good year away still, do you FINALLY make a strong move for the bullpen? Assuming Buxton and Kepler in the near future, Rosario suddenly a question mark, other OF seemingly at least a year away, unless Grossman really is a young, switch hitting Mickey Hatcher, (a nod to us old/long term Twins fans), do you look to an OF? Do you try to sign the very best catcher you can, short term, to work with Centeno before Garver/Turner are available? If Ryan, ownership, the next GM, will ACTUALLY MAKE SOME MOVES and commit to the future before the 2016 season is over, there ARE some things to be excited about. And without going suddenly crazy with payroll, a few moves would allow flexability to add to the roster and, hopefully, prevent another 90 loss season even as the youth movement is in full flux. So again, what would you do if you were committed to tomorrow but also had $15 to work with?

I suppose this opens up a can of worms, but unless I can actually get something pretty solid in return, I'm not looking to trade Nunez. And it's not as simple as him having a career year. To hear some opinions, not necessarily yours, but in general from non-Nunez fans, you'd think he goes in to the field dressed as Edward Scissorhands. I just don't think that is fair or accurate. I have seen a mix of some really nice plays from Nunez, this year and before, as well as some boots. (Nobody is ever perfect, of course). But for the most part, day after day, I feel he's solid with the glove overall. And I repeat what I've stated before, if a guy was an excellent fielder AND quality hitter, he'd be a starter and not a utility player. I like the way Nunez plays the game; he hustles and seems to care. He's a solid hitter with pop and has quality speed as well. Plouffe really should be moved at some point. Given that, Sano now plays 3B full time, which is where he should be. Assuming, for now, Dozier is not traded...and I'm very open to this happening...Nunez and Escobar play SS and utility in some combination. Santana should not start, but still offers some talent and potential, and can be a useful utility/super utility type. This leaves Beresford, who is past deserving a shot, and Polanco, who needs to play daily, seems to have legit ML ability to play somewhere, currently at Rochester in reserve. This would seem to indicate an abundance of guys to play middle infield for the Twins. But despite having some young talent/depth in the middle infield, most of it is at high A or lower at the moment. If the Twins actually got bold and moved Plouffe AND found a solid deal for Dozier, now what? I believe Nunez's value suddenly increases. And beyond that, unless a quality bullpen arm is involved, or a young catching prospect somehow for a team desperate for help, it would seem the value for a solid and inexpensive Nunez is greater for the Twins to keep vs what he'd bring back. I really think the fate of Nunez, or Escobar, who is better than he's shown so far this season, depends on whether or not the Twins get really bold in their moves toward the future.

This is exactly 100% correct! There is little value in the trade assets we have. With some luck, over the next 30 days, a couple of these guys will start performing better just in time for July 1st and will look a bit more attractive to teams in need. I do believe Plouffe has some value. I believe Dozier has some value. Both could have a lot more with a good June. If a contending team has an injury bug hitch at catcher, Suzuki could have some limited value. He, at least, is experienced and been known to garner respect of players, coaches, etc. This isn't even about acquiring talent, though it would be nice if you could somehow come up with just a decent piece of two. And it's not about shredding payroll, because you're probably not going to be able to, or not much. At the risk of sounding like a broken record, you're going to have to eat a big chunk of some of these deals, and probably toss in another prospect to complete them. But it's about making room on the 40. It's about making room on the 25 man for Polanco, Buxton, Kepler, Berrios, etc, etc. Trade what you can for what you can. Eat what you have to. Outright release if you have to. But it's time to be focused on putting 2016 behind us, and look to the future. And if the future doesn't start today, it damn well should start around July 1st

While no expert on the guys, and I know there are staff and posters here at TD that have actually seen them play in person who know a great deal more than I do, I've always liked both Garver and Turner. Both had quality college careers, and they finished 1-2 for the Johnny Bench award coming in to the draft. Garver has looked like the better hitter since day one, but Turner, apparently in an effort to separate the two, was advanced a level to high A that he probably shouldn't have been. Even when each of them has struggled to hit at times, they have always shown the ability to adapt and rally and have stronger second halves to their seasons. Additionally, all reports in regard to game calling, defense and throwing has been excellent for both. The fact that they are not both 22 doesn't bother me. Finding good catchers, as we all know, is not easy. And because the position is such a defense first position, finding someone who can do both with some degree of effectiveness is twice as difficult. And it's a position that generally seems to take a little longer to figure out and advance. I like both of these guys, and my hunch is still that Garver becomes the better overall player, and starter, with Turner a really nice backup who will hit a little, make some contact, take some walks, and show some pop. AJ Murray is a guy I'd like to know more about. There was a great article the other day concerning him and his college career. And it helped fill in some blanks. But considering how he is performing, I have to wonder why A} he wasn't drafted even higher, and B} despite having a top catcher in college ahead of him, why wouldn't you keep him at catcher regardless. He's a long way away from the majors, but he looks really good so far. Id love to hear more about his defensive ability. But yes, the Twins should definatly pick up a catcher early in the upcoming draft. Depth of prospects is always good, especially at key positions.

Walker will get a shot at some point, no doubt. There is something very real about his bat and potential production. Heven obviously has huge contact issues, but he has also flat out produced big power and RBI numbers at every level he's been at. I honestly don't know of any other player, past or present, that I can fairly compare him to. But I absolutely would be in no hurry for his promotional shot. If top prospects like Buxton and Kepler need AAA team, Walker flat out needs more. A September call up? Maybe. But I'd be thinking more about 2017 at some point. The lack of contact issue is concerning in the minors...despite all his production...but would be further concerning at the ML level. If Buxton and Kepler could be considered future "givens", I'm still wondering who the 3rd OF is.

I also thought Rosario would actually improve his second season. Hugely disappointed. And while he offers a ton of talent and potential still, I'm not as sold on him as a full time Twin. Buxton and Kepler are both givens, IMO. But if not Rosario for the 3rd spot, then who? Palka? Someone like Granite for even more speed and defense?

Errors for a young infielder just shouldn't be a concern really. There is a difference in making errors...learning mechanics, disciple, poorer fields, not as good of a 1B, etc...vs simply not being cut out for the position. I did some research for a post here at TD once and it was revealing just how many errors top ML SS had in the minors and/or their early ML career. Which is one of the things that has frustrated me about Polanco as a SS. I still don't think we know for sure he can't play the position daily because we never get to him him there.

Dozier would be better, and the Twins as well, if he would re-invent himself by regressing to the hitter he used to be. He needs to get back to contact, AVG, OB and gap power and speed knowing he can now make pitchers pay when they either make a mistake or challenge him. And you're right, the Twins bear a ton of responsibility in this as well. Someone needs to sit down with him and discuss reality. Other than a mistake pitch, ML pitchers are now cognizant of his pull approach.

Man do I hate being late to the part. Especially on a thread like this. Thank you Seth for posting such a wel, thought out piece. (As well as establishing the appropriate parameters) A lot of tremendous thought here, and I would expect nothing less from the TD family. A special shout out to Rosterman, Levi and Brian for some lengthy, smart and well thought out ideas. I'm sure I'll repeat a lot of ideas here, but then again, they are things I think. I have to say, ideally, it might be best to hire a president first, let him oversee the organization and then make his GM hire. But we are talking about GM here, so I will concentrate on that aspect. BACKGROUND: My choice doesn't have to have been a GM before. I honestly feel the Twins job would be a hot one. Call me crazy, and some will, but despite at least some financial restrictions that an LA, NY, Chicago, Boston, etc don't have, I've never really felt that Twins ownership didn't care. Nor have I ever felt they were as tight fisted or cheap as been alleged at times. Conservative and prudent, sometimes too much so, yes. But, IMO, when the Twins had a team that could compete, they have stepped up the payroll. While certain signings and extensions the past few years have been perhaps misguided, they did step up. A new GM will have solid ownership, if not ideal ownership. He will have one of the best facilities in all of baseball. He has a tremulous facility in Ft Myers and one of the best milb systems around. But despite my belief this is a great opportunity, I almost don't want a GM who has held the title before. Just my opinion, but I don't know if an Epstien would come here vs a top market. Also, if a former GM is available, there must be a reason. Yes? I'd prefer a younger GM open to new ideas who has been the right hand man in a quality, we'll run organization the past few years. Some mention the Cardinals, Cubs and Ray's as examples. My hope is he would have held positions with at least one additional organization to bring different ideas and perspectives with him. He doesn't have to be a traditional "scout". He just has to be well organized and a good overall baseball guy who is good and smart with people. Part of his job is to NOT be the be-all and end-all, but to surround himself with good people. ON THE FIELD: I want him to embrace the complete package. Baseball has changed over the years, especially with new stadiums and inter-league play. It used to be teams tailored their teams to their home stadium in many ways; turf vs grass, size of stadium, stadium dimensions, etc. I don't believe this is nearly as true as it used to be. Despite being very different sports on the surface, I feel there are a lot of parallels between makes a quality football team as well as a quality baseball team. Excelling in a single aspect of your game, or two, isn't enough to consistently win or be competitive for potential championships. I want a GM who believes in a balanced and deep roster. Not everyone has to be a slugger, or a Gold Glover, etc. A roster should be built with versatility, while embracing all aspects of power, hitting, defense, OB, speed, pitching, etc. In other words, not a hodge-podge of 1B and DH types and just tell your manager and coaches to figure it out. My GM also has to have a manager who communicates well, uses his entire roster, is not afraid of some of today's metrics... (though I simply don't believe metrics are tell the whole story)...and embraces such simple things as platoon/match up situations, advancing runners, guys knowing their roles, etc. Sounds strange to say, but I want a young TK as a manager. THE DRAFT AND PLAYER DEVELOPMENT: Like the construction of the ML team, the draft should also be handled with a sense of variety and "completeness". While each draft is different...stronger in certain aspects, stronger in HS vs college talent...the BPA is always a great approach. Especially in baseball where you already know that you have a bit of a crapshoot as to will actually "make it", and it will take years before a prospect to reach the majors. But as much as possible, try to split your draft between HS and college talent, position players and pitching. The past few years, the Twins have moved on from "solid" pitchers who had the potential to maybe move quickly, to more power arms. A late development to be sure, but a step in the right direction. Not every arm has to throw 95, but you can teach pitching, but you can't teach velocity. Every year, I think a flyer or two should be taken on an out of slot, potentially hard to sign prospect. You take a shot every year on a guy or two like this, you will get at least a couple signed. They could make a difference. My well organized GM will make sure that the guys he has running the minors, and coaching in the minors, all share similar ideas and philosophies. EVERYTHING from how my players stretch, to how they travel, to hitting and pitching approach, is the same at every level. This provides continuity and familiarity and helps not only with development, but with advancement to the next level. While every prospect is different in their development, I agree with a more aggressive promotional approach in the lower levels. Promote, develop and challenge. If promotions slow down a bit, it should be at the AA and AAA level. MEDIA AND RELATIONS: Just be transparent. Just be honest and up front about things. I don't need a spin doctor telling me good we could be, or pat yourself on the back for some milb signing. If you have a plan, an idea, a thought, just be honest and transparent. NOTE* honestly, as fans, we want to know everything we can. That doesn't mean we HAVE to know everything. Just don't BS us. FREE AGENCY: Simple, aND as already stated, go in big for the 1 or 2 guys who can actually make a difference. But enough with mediocre moves. Despite the 20/20 results, initially, taken by themselves, there was nothing wrong with the Nolasco, Hughes or Santana signings. The problem is all 3 of them. Not only could that money have been spent elsewhere now, but it's currently handcuffing efforts to move them and move forward. Keep dumpster diving. My new GM would still take flyers on guys for middle relief and bench spots. He would look for guys coming off injury, or former quality prospects who didn't cut it. These are cheap flyers, and once in a while you get lucky. You don't build a team this way, but you do find solid, helpful options here and there. THE CURRENT SITUATION: This is hugely disappointing, to say the least. I agree with the statement previously that Ryan should just own it and tell the Pohlad's as much. As much as possible, July 1st if not sooner, this should be about 2017 and beyond. If Ryan wants a legacy and feel good exit, he should do everything he can to trade, bargain, dump veteran players and contracts to clear the way for the future of the franchise, and help pave the way for a big second half influx of Twins youth. I agree that trading for even more prospects may not be the right move necesarilly. But what if it were possible to acquire a decent bullpen arm or solid catcher? That could actually help. I'm sure the Pohlads, like any sports owner, wouldn't be crazy about eating contracts. But not only is it the cost of doing business sometimes, but it changes the roster dynamic for the future with players, in most cases, earning the minimum. I admit, I'm really disappointed in Molitor. It will be up to my new GM as to who the best man is to lead my team. But Molitor, as a player, was all about hustle and execution. I'm just not seeing his intensity reflected on this squad. And considering his previous coaching stink and knowledge of so many of our prospects, I'm really frustrated and disappointed how he's handled many of them. He may not have made this mess, but I also don't think he's handled this year, or his players, in the right way.

I'm not sure I can agree with this post any more! It makes so much sense that it's simply impossible to ignore! One item though, I would think Mauer would be a better fit in RF. He does have a decent arm, and RF, at least in Target Field, has less ground to cover than left.

Despite his struggles this year, I am not down on May. I think, like a lot of guys, he's just not performing up to his potential. It's the "why" that is the question. He did really well last year when given his shot in the pen. Not every pitcher is meant to be a starter, and not every pitcher is meant to be a reliever. Some can even do both, though they are usually better at one vs the other. In either role, it is a learning and adapting process. And either role can take time to get a grip on. I think we often simply assume the pen is easier to succeed in vs starting, but your sequence is different than being a starter, if that is what you are used to. Often, you come in with runners on you didn't place there. And day to day, you don't always know if or when you will pitch. My theory? In addition to learning how to adapt to being a RP, I think May was pitching well, in a groove, and was happy to help the team. This year, I think he was disappointed, and rather mislead about his chances to earn a SP spot. Further, through failings of the current rotation or poor planning by Molitor, or both, I think his role has been undetermined and the pressure to perform has been immense. As a SP prospect, he was a big strapping kid who could make a bunch of starts and give a lot of innings. While not a probable #1...and let me state again you just can't easily say or predict who will develop in to a true #1...he had the stuff and potential to be anywhere from a quality #2, at worse, a quality #4. The biggest issue was pure, consistent control. And that is where the real "crime" and disappointment of the handling of May comes back in to play again. Dead horse abuse aside, he was pitching well in 2015 as a member of the rotation, and getting better, with much better control, when he was moved to the pen. And for a team that has struggled developing quality young SP for several years, to take one you actually have and mess with him by bouncing around, is almost unforgivable. Especially for the sake of a poor performing veteran pending FA like Pelfrey?! Send him down. Stretch him out. Get his confidence built back up, get him in a nice groove, then bring him back up.

I confess to not following all the teams and players the way I used to. I just don't have time any longer. I used to be able to recite almost any starting lineup and most rotations and a plethora of relievers that weren't closers. But alas, my knowledge of players in the league A-Z is not what it used to be. But it's still good enough that when we traded for Jepsen I had a "who?" moment. But his career seemed solid, and I thought, OK, him and another guy yet to come who is even better and we could be in business. That, and Pelfrey to the pen, and we got a shot! Of course, Ryan had other plans. Or rather...he didnt. Except, of course, to move May to the pen when he was one of our better starters, keep starting Pelfrey.....Oh forget it. Just not going down this road again. Maybe we really did just get lucky with Jepsen last year. I still think it was smart to bring him back this year, but ONE MORE TIME, along with SOMEONE ELSE. I believe Thrylos is correct, he's a solid, experienced middle guy who can pitch some setup once in a while. But full time setup and occassional closer is just not his role. What's wrong? Probably his role, for one. But I don't know, maybe losing really is a disease that you can catch. Tonkin is by no means great, but he's actually surprised me this year. Pressly has surprised in a negative fashion similar to Jepsen. At this point, what I hope for, and what I'd do, is move Hughes to the pen. I'd be promoting Chargois soon. Jepsen would be a middle man with Pressly. And I'd send May to Rochester to relax, and stretch him out. I'm not anxious to move Abad. He's pitching well, has at least some history of success, may be worth bringing back, is inexpensive, and I'm unconvinced yet, despite all this, that a return would be better than keeping him. I think Rogers has potential. Pen: Hughes, Chargois, Jepsen, Tonkin, Pressly and Tonkin. Abad and Rogers from the left side.

I wouldn't give up Murphy this soon. I'd keep Centeno for now. Why not? At this point, though I still like him and believe he will get "figured out", I'd be in favor of trading Dozier and putting Polanco at 2B. It may be his best position, and it appears the Twins just don't want him or believe in him at SS. I'd keep Escobar and Nunez both. I'd probably keep Santana as well, as a multi position reserve with speed off the bench and still possessing some upside. But I'd be giving Beresford a long look-see. Sano is at 3B. I wouldn't give up on Rosario yet. He's way too young and there is just way too much potential there. I'd probably keep both English Santana and Gibson. Nolasco would be gone. Hughes is probably untradable, at least for now. I'd really like to try him in the pen. The bullpen is a complete mess. But I'd keep Abad probably. And I'm still tempted to keep Pressly and Tonkin for now. Oddly, Tonkin was the guy I was worried about, and thought Pressly was ready. Suddenly, it's just the opposite.

It's funny how things get taken out of context. In another thread, Ryan is bashed pretty hard about his Grossman comment. But in the full context of the article, there is really nothing all that inflammatory or overly congratulatory concerning the signing. The term "panic" isn't a Ryan quote. He uses it, somewhat loosely, as a feeling for some fans, accurate or not. I actually find his comments to be some of the most open and honest comments I have ever heard from Ryan before. What really strikes me about his honesty is almost a confession that his job may actually be on the line. What also hits home is that despite many, many comments on other threads currently, and in the past...and I have commented recently how those of us away from Minnesota and the Twin Cities may not have access to opinions and information others closer do...that the Pohlad family only cares about profit just may not be accurate. Or, even if you wish to be a Pohlad defeatist still, that the product on the field DOES matter. I think this almost begs the question, what has to happen the rest of the season to NOT see a major change on top of the organization? I am beginning to think more and more that perhaps a change may indeed be coming. The one part of Hit's post I will object to is over valuing our prospects as fans. While I can see that, and agree with it in regard to fans' relative impatience for a turnaround and relevancy again, I would disagree in regard to the actual prospect rankings and potential. These prospects are not just ranked highly by us as fans, but also by scouts and various basebalL scouts and publications as top prospects.

His defense needs work and he will probably always be a DH and part time OF. He also SO way too much, and probably always will. But even with a ton of SO, if he can keep nudging his BB up, he may be a real 3 part outcome player at the ML level. And those are valuable too. Can you see him hitting in the .250 range with a .325-.330 OB, 30+ doubles and 25-30+ HR? It's still hard no to be excited about him. He's produced at every level he's ever been at.

No big surprise comment/observation here...the Twins haven't had a true leadoff hitter since Span. Haven't had much of a #3 hitter either since Mauer regressed. You can debate that a leadoff hitter is only ever guarantee to leadoff once per game, but that's a BS arguement. It's not about the 1st inning, to about setting the table for the guys behind them. Right now, as long as he's stil having a good season, I'd work Nunez in to the lineup, probably near the top. Regrettably, considering his poor May, I'd probably have Mauer there as well. Dozier has produced at the top before, but just isn't producing much at alL at the moment. Polanco. This young man, after some early struggles in his milb career, has turned out to be an exciting offensive player. He's been so good, so exciting, that after starting virtually every milb season in the 1 or 2 hole, he's been moved down the the 3 spot. (Much like Gordon in Ft Myers this year) Are there questions about his defense and ultimate, everyday position? Yes. But he is still only 22, has very littleast AAA time, much less ML time, and as I have written before, if you examine the history of many, many ML SS during their milb and early ML careers, you wil, see seasons with quite a few errors. At this point, what are the Twins playing for? We're not going to the playoffs, we're not going to finish .500, play this talented kid EVERY SINGLEVEL DAY at SS or 2B and see what he can do. It's so obvious that it's maddening!