DocBauer

Benninghoff sounds interesting. An athletic HS talent who throws 90 with a "hammer" curve? Get this one done!

Palka....WOW. Felix Jorge...WOW. Could we see the entire Ft Myers rotation in AA at some point? Darnell...WOW. What a classy guy!

So far so good. Getting a little crowded in places near the top of the milb ladder, so replenish the lower levels with some talent with nice potential. We've been told the team might go a little position player heavy this year after concentrating a great deal on young pitchers as of late. Nothing perfect or polished here, but young athletes with actual upside. I like it!

I know Wisconsin isn't a hot bed for ML talent, but this pick intrigues me more than our 1st rounder. And I like Garver as a catching prospect. Guy is quality behind the dish from all reports and he can hit, and has potential with the bat. Let's not forget, catcher is generally not an offensive position. Secondly, catchers don't tend to be fast rise prospects the way Mauer was.

There is nothing wrong with this pick. He was rated to go right about where he did, and is clearly rated a 1st rounder by everyone. I get that some aren't enamored by a prep OF selection, or claim we have too many already. I don't see how that is true. First, you need at least 4 OF at every level. Second, guys wash out and don't make it for one reason or another. Third, you can't simply not take an OF for rookie ball and development, 4-5 years away from the majors, simply because it seems you're crowded at the top NOW There were actually a couple pitchers I was more excited about, but I can't complain about this pick, even if it doesn't push my "thrill" button fully. I think what bothers some people is just the whole "tools OF" comment because at this point it just sounds redundant.

There is nothing wrong with this pick. He was rated to go right about where he did, and is clearly rated a 1st rounder by everyone. I get that some aren't enamored by a prep OF selection, or claim we have too many already. I don't see how that is true. First, you need at least 4 OF at every level. Second, guys wash out and don't make it for one reason or another. Third, you can't simply not take an OF for rookie ball and development, 4-5 years away from the majors, simply because it seems you're crowded at the top NOW There were actually a couple pitchers I was more excited about, but I can't complain about this pick, even if it doesn't push my "thrill" button fully. I think what bothers some people is just the whole "tools OF" comment because at this point it just sounds redundant.

I've always stated that if you could translate what he was as a hitter while behind the plate, not counting his MVP season, but just have him healthy for 500AB he could be valuable and productive despite not being a slugger. I grew up watching Keith Hernandez, Wally Joyner, Mark Grace and others have quality, productive careers despite not being sluggers. Mauer hitting even .280 with an OB in the .370 range with 12-14 HR and 35 Dbls or so would be very productive, knocking guys in, around, and scoring runs himself. Right now, 3 years removed from concussion, familiar and comfortable at 1B, and re-inventing himself somewhat as a hitter, he's even better than that.

As of NOW, I am choosing, blindly or not, to assume the best for the current front office in regard to their view of our current situation, and what needs to be done. I say this due to obvious, public, frustration by the Pohlad's, as well as comments from Ryan that would almost have you believing he is fighting for his job. (you've heard and read them all) And while we can and have debated back and forth as to if the Twins have shown any sort of change recently in philosophy or agenda...and to what degree...I believe there has been a shift. (even if injuries have more quickly ushered in such changes.) To me, the entire trade, DFA, non-tender issue breaks down in to 3 different categories: 1} THE OBVIOUS: This one is just so obvious that I shouldn't even have to state it. Plouffe needs to go in order to move Sano to 3B. This does so much to facilitate the future of the roster and improve/make-room-in the OF. He's just not a match for the future and value should be received while we can. Same with Nolasco. At this point, eating a chunk of his contract, someone out there needs, or will need, help on the mound and would see the veteran as a solid option without an expensive or long contract situation. With all due respect to the tough and professional Suzuki, he's done as a Twin. Every year it seems, someone invariably needs catching help for the second half as they make a run at the post season. Zuke may have value to one of these teams, and could offer a tiny return potentially. Waiver wire, trade, or however, the Twins needs to find another decent, solid option at catcher to work with Centeno, Murphy later, and simply part with Suzuki sooner rather than later. Jepsen...is not going to be back, and should not be back. Chargois is ready or close. Pressly and Tonkin offer upside, are cheaper, and pitching better. Heck, even Kinzler is younger and throwing better and cheaper. Unless the idea is to bring Jepsen back on a minimum type deal for depth and competition, he's a former Twin in the waiting. For the sake of the future, sooner should come sooner rather than later. And for his sake as well as he may find a good landing spot, via trade or release. 2} THE DIFFICULT OR IMPOSSIBLE: *Perkins *Hughes *Santana The Twins still need guys to start, this year and next. I still like Santana to be one of those guys. Hes not been at the top of his game yet, but is solid, and provides a proven "veteran" presence in a rotation that could be real young real quick. Hughes and Perkins would be almost impossible to trade at this point. Perkins, maybe, if he has a strong rebound off the DL. 3} QUESTIONABLES: *Dozier *Abad *Nunez I'm in favor of moving Dozier at this point, though we could end up regretting it later. He's young enough and talented enough to be part of tomorrow. But actually getting Polanco playing time could give us an excellent young player to take over 2B. I don't know that Nunez, career season or not, brings back enough to warrant moving him and removing a useful piece. And I'd keep him for sure if Dozier was moved. Same with Abad. To me, I'd be in favor of an extension as long as it's only 2 years and not for an outrageous price. He's had a solid career, and would probably bring more value to the Twins over the next couple of years than what he would bring in return. Maybe.

I could get behind this one 100%

I also want Chargois up, believe he's an important part of 2017 and beyond, and believe he will be up no later than July 1st. Probably sooner. And I am not being snarky, nor am I trolling, but who would you propose is removed to make room at this time for him? Barring a trip to the DL, we appear to be stuck with Hughex, who will move to the bullpen when Gibson comes back. Pressly and Tonkin are FINALLY getting extended opportunities and performing pretty well, Pressly after a rough start and some adjustments. You don't want send down Rogers, and Abad has been excellent. (Personally, I wouldn't break the bank or go long term, but I think Abad may have more value being kept). Boshers? He's a fun story, but also pitched well at Rochester, and has been OK in limited ML time. Do we just release Jepsen at this point? Kintzler isn't part of the future, but he's been pitching decently. Is he the best candidate? Really, what is the right move here?

I know it's become an old arguement, but if we fast forward a bit and DO move Plouffe to the Mets, the Royals, whoever, and Sano is back at 3rd where he belongs, I'd still like to audition Mauer and/or Park in the OF somewhere. And I'm not talking about repeating the same issue as playing Sano out of place. I'm just talking about future roster construction and versatiliy. Park shows some real potential as a hitter, while battling to learn the ML game. Not a surprise there. But he's showing potential, and has less than a half season thus far. (To those who already are sour on him or think he should be moved) And I find him to be a quality defensive 1B. Mauer seemingly HAS rebounded from the past two years. And he's not going anywhere. But while Buxton and Kepler should be counted on for 2/3 of the OF, that leaves one spot open. Rosario could still claim that 3rd spot. Grossman could be a nice role player. We still don't know for sure what we have in Arcia and he needs to play. There is hope for Walker, but he's got a ways to go yet. Palka could be a player. Maybe a defensive speedster like Granite will be the final piece. But for roster and lineup construction...and the possibility of Walker or Vargas providing a potential big bat as a DH, why not just see if Mauer/Park could provide even more roster flexability?

I find Grossman to be an interesting, somewhat undervalued story at this point. And I wrote about him a few weeks ago in another thread. I didn't do extensive research on him so I'm not sure how high he has ever ranked as a prospect. But he is a switch hitter with a decent frame. He is no big power threat or speed demon, but he has shown pop and decent power at times, and had double digit SB most years. His career milb triple slash is: .271/ .379/ .392. Nothing spectacular, but solid. Thus far, 16 games I believe, still a SSS, but his defense has looked solid and he hasn't flailed away or looked over matched at the plate. While I'm sure his current production is in no way sustainable, 12 BB against 12 SO is encouraging. I'm not saying we got a star or steal here, but he's young enough with enough ability that we may have uncovered a useful player off the bench, or maybe, who knows, a solid, all around functional 3rd OF. Bit of a stretch maybe, but there might be something to work with here.

Making the Plouffe move, Sano counter move also helps settle the OF. I just don't think there's much question that Buxton and Kepler will be a part of it. Buxton may actually be ready to stick now. Hopefully, Kepler is ready "enough" now so that he can continue to grow and learn at the ML level. That's 2/3 of our OF. Who's the third guy? I don't know, could be Rosario if he starts playing good defense again and can hit like the player he was in the minors, and most of last year for the Twins. Maybe it's Palka. Maybe a defensive speedster like Granite. Maybe 26 yo Grossman is a better overall find than previously thought, and instead of being a 4th OF, maybe he's just a solid, all around ML OF. Maybe. But I'd rather settle my infield and settle settle 2/3 of my OF...including better defensively...with 1 final spot to fill

Fine job Nick! Especially in trying to keep something fresh that has been re-hashed so many times already. And I know I'll be repeating myself again....but.... * I got the idea of keeping Plouffe. At its base, it was not a bad idea. We had no clue what we were going to have with Mauer or Park, and initially, we didn't know we'd even have Park. But we pretty much know what we have now, going forward, how the pieces are fitting/going to fit, and it's time to move Plouffe for whatever we can get. That's not an unsalted to Plouffe, just urgency. * Sano stays and plays 3B. Everything I've seen of him says he can play the position solidly. Not perfect, not Gold Glove, but solid. And that's OK and enough, especially with his bat. (Especially compared to some other all bat 3B around) And do we have to once again explore how poor defensively Gaetti and Koski were when they cam up? And others on other teams before settling in? It's a process. It takes time. There is every reason to believe he will only get better. * I am now of the belief they shouldn't stop with Plouffe, but move on from Dozier as well. Not because I'm frustrated with Dozier...and I am...and not because I don't like Dozier...he's one of my favorite Twins the past few years, along with Plouffe...but because it just makes sense. Dozier is young enough to be part of the rebuild. But what about Polanco? ASSUMING he really can't play ML SS for anything other than fill-in, he should possess all the tools to be a quality 2B who could still fill in at SS & 3B occassionally. While his ML sampling is disgustingly small to this point, everything in his talent bases and past production indicates he can hit, make some contact, take some walks, drive the ball with XB and occassionally HR power, run well and steal some bases, and has been a clutch hitter. Every year he starts out batting in the 1 or 2 spot and slides to the 3 spot to drive in runs. (Same thing Gordon has been doing lately) Escobar and Nunez can share SS competition for now, with the likes of Santana and Beresford as addition INF support until Gordon is ready. This is not a bad INF overall, is young, and filled with potential.

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.