DocBauer

I didn't read the article, but I did read Nick's. I agree the job should be Perk's, and with good, proven, reason. He's 33 now, and his head and body are used to a certain type of usage. I think he can still be very successful for a few more years. But much like Dozier perhaps being overused and needing a couple days off the first half of the year, there is one reason Jepsen can't come in to face a RH 9th inning lineup when Perk has pitched two days in a row, or 2 out of 3, etc. While Nick isn't going in depth on the bullpen here, focusing more on the closers role itself, is it just me, or does it seem kind of ridiculous that a month before pitchers and catchers report we are STILL concerned with the bullpen? Come on Terry...forget the prospects of talented prospects for a moment and make a move. There are still some decent, functional FA available. Build the strength. Giggity.

Actually, I was trying to help make your point. Lol

With all due respect to Milone, the Twins rotation rates even stronger with Berrios...and May, to be frank. Yes it's nice to have a lefty. And Milone was very solid in 2015, and indeed has been solid most of his career, save his first go round with the Twins in '14. I get a little frustrated at times when opinions, pro and fan, blast Hughes and Santana. Hughes may not be as good as 2014 again, but he very easily could be. He might even be a little better. While he lacked consistency in his career, and really hasn't quite lived up to his talent, he has shown flashes besides '14. He's not some journeyman who is a 1 season wonder. Ando Santana has had a very nice and consistent career to this point while being occasionally dominant. Gibson is talent, stillmk,proving, and I don't believe we've seen the best of him yet. Composure, decent fastball and an amazing curve, a little more experience and polish from Duffy could make him really tough. You can claim SSS, and you'd have an arguement. But then agaim, his milb track record is good, seemed to get better yearly as he advanced, and his SSS in '14 was a full third of the season. Now mix in Berrios and you have a very nice group, especially if the bullpen can support them. Something that is still a question mark. There is no ONE WAY to win. Teams do/have/will win via rorations, bullpens, defense and offense, and various combinations. A strong 1-5 rotation with bullpen to back them up is arguably as successful...if not moreso...than a really strong 1-3 with bad back end and average-mediocre bullpen. Just look at the Tigers from the past few seasons for example.

Both articles and both view points are correct. It's a matter of which perspective makes the most sense to you. Nobody has done the 3 years at $18 yet. Unless someone panics...always a possibility...no one is going to. 3 for $12 ish I would jump on. $15M? Maybe. I would prefer 2 years at $5-6 and a 3rd year performance option. The walks don't scare me much due to his SO rate, unless there is an abnormal number of HR as well. He really helps fill end back of the bullpen. And as you pointed out, that depth creates better depth at the front end as well. Go a strong 2 year with the performance option.

Sorry but....huh? Nolasco is owed $12M this season whether he is on the Twins or not, starting or in the pen. All other bullpen options, other than Perkins, are making far less. And in most cases, Tonkin, Pressly, etc, the cost is right around league minimum.

I feel Molitor will be more aggressive than Gardy ever was...as he was with Rosario last year. And yet, I feel like the couple weeks Kepler spent with the parent club to close the year he was treated with kid gloves. Was this accidental or a reflection of his long season? Perhaps. If Molly has the same "feel" he had for Rosario last season, then I'd bet the over. And I SOOO want the over! I'm sorry, but even though I think Sano could be the next Dave Parker or Darryl Strawberry...big men who play the OF...I remain unconvinced this is his future. He will play 3B, possibly/eventually 1B, instead of the OF, eventually if not sooner, based on experienxe, skill set, long term viability, as well as depth available. IMO

Despite financial obligations, I would feel awful if Nolasco got a starting job over Duffy for any reason other than injury or implosion. Bullpen? He could maybe help. But $12M for a middle veteran reliever over 30 when there are other younger, cheaper options available who may be as good with some top options on the way? Once again, simply better off trading him and money for whatever you can and everyone moves on. I think Runtzler is intriguing. Rogers could be very good in the pen. Outstanding if he can figure out how to figure out RH hitters better. Is it really possible Melotakis could be ready April or May? Hmmm...options...but I won't be surprised if the Twins still come up with another, more proven option for the pen before pitchers and catchers report. Don't forget Kepler in the depth column.

Is it too late in the game to say I'm still not 100% sold on the "Sano is moving to the OF company line?

Of course, as we all well know, this is still purely speculation. Dozier could continue being a quality defensive 2B with big production for several years. However, should his career path resemble "Uggla, the sequal", the Twins will be replacing a lot of his power and production with the addition of Park, the promotion of Kepler, and the continued development of Rosario, Sano and Buxton. (There are other possible as well). The concern, IMHO, would be WHEN said sequal would take place. Polanco would not be the same player as Dozier, but everything about him seems to state that he would be quality defensively, that he would hit and have at least a decent OB%, that he should provide quality gap power with some HR capability and good speed. But would he still be with the Twins when this proposed slide of Dozier's take place?

Agree Vargas is getting the short end here. But for most of 2015 he flat out didn't perform. The Twins did the right thing in getting Park, despite any potential road blocks. It is NEVER a bad thing to have too much talent,or too much depth. (What you do, or don't do, with that depth is anot entirely different issue) I do not think Vargas is done by any means. Unless there is an injury or big disappointment/surprise yet to come, I see him getting a full year at AAA and putting up the best season in his career. It will be a good thing if come the last half of the season we are trying to figure out how to get him in to the lineup with Mauer, Park, Sano, Plouffe, Arcia and probably Kepler.

While it may sound surprising...and I like the above list...I am going with Kennys Vargas. I believe he is still only 25 until August. He is a BIG man, but his bat has always seemed solid, not just all or nothing. All reports have always indicated he is a hard worker, and from what I have seen, his 1B defense isn't really all that bad. Despite all his rep for power and comparisons to his mentor Big Papi, he has yet to crack the 20 HR mark. Unless the unexpected happens, he will not begin the season in the bigs. That might relieve some pressure, and just let him play. Unless circumstances propel him to the SHOW, we could/should see 45-50 XB hits for Rochester with an impressive AVG and OB. As stated elsewhere, I believe there will be a point where we are discussing how to make room for him.

No question 2015 was a lot of fun and these guys were a big reason for it. The only disappointing thins being a poor SSS for Meyer and lack of AB's for Kepler. I wouldn't count out D Santana just yet, or Vargas, despite disappointing sophomore seasons. Santana will evolve, IMO, as a fun and dangerous utility player. Vargas? I actually think he's a little better around 1B than we were lead to believe. Previously, we've heard of a good attitude and work ethic. A big switch hitter with power...all he has to do is hit in the .260 - ish range with an OB above .300 to be valuable with his power. It's a long season, I bet he helps.

Very interesting article and projections. My only quibble would simply be, Mauer must continue to produce to the point you have listed. (If not improve) Could he? Yep. Will he? Now that is the question. Speaking of questions, I have one for you. In your scenario, what about batting Mauer in the 5 spot ahead of Plouffe, who would be ahead of Rosario? This would break up the RH hitting a bit, still provide runners on base, and should help set up Plouffe and Rosario in the 6 & 7 spots.

Well, since I absolutely love roster and lineup speculation, I naturally have to address this! CATCHER: I guess I'm not sure why Murphy wasn't at least mentioned, unless you just don't believe in me. My gut feeling is Garver over Turner. All reports have him solid defensively and with bette offense. But I think Turner gets a bit of a bad and undeserved wrap in regard to his offense. Each of the last two seasons, he has adapted to his level and had stronger second halves than first. That is a sign of growth and potential. Further, he skipped an entire level after his rookie half season. Murphy and his potential makes this a three way competition. I just don't know enough at this point to pick a top two. 1B: I'm just not convinced Mauer will be the 1B at this juncture. If he is, that would be pretty awesome. It would mean he had returned to a close approximation to what he has been. I'm sorry, at this point, I just don't believe that. Park can play 1B, so can Kepler if another quality OF emerges, (Walker?), Sano, I still think Vargas has a shot here, as well as Plouffe. Look, if we're not going to trade now, we still have him under control through 2017. I think it's very reasonable he would be extended at some point, at least for a year or two, and could be part of the 2018 equation. IMO, I think Mauer could call it quits by this point, or be a reserve. BTW, this entire group is pretty much the DH category as well. INFIELD: I'm sticking with Plouffe and Sano at this point for the corners, with Park. It's safe and makes sense. I still believe there is a bit of a "Plouffe long term" issue not yet resolved. I can't see this team without Dozier. He is just like, "Mr. Twin" at this point. Just, someone, please, give him a day off once in a while. Speaking of, I love the potential of Polanco. If he doesn't earn the SS full time, I sure hope he can accept being a great utility guy. I sooo hope Gordon is ready if Polanco isn't. But it would mean 3 levels in 2 years. Can he do it? Would be great if he could! While not making any deliberate predictions, the Twins infield, primarily the middle infield, might be the most interesting spot to watch over the next two years or so. Dozier could still be Mr. Twin or traded and Polanco slides in. Or what if Gordon slides in to 2B because Vielma gets a little bigger and stronger and can actually hit MLB pitching to go with his tremendous defensive tools? And yet, Escobar and Dozier could very easily be a very nice starting keystone combo two years hence.

Well, I suppose it may be stating the obvious, since the stats are listed directly above, but a few names pop out to me. Santana=nice to see the offense after last year! But his OB is only 15% points higher than his BA. I don't know if that's telling or not, but it seems a bit concerning. Polanco and Meneses=nice to see OB% so much higher than their BA. A poor BA is one thing, but to see BB and what surely must be solid contact, indicates a good approach at least, IMO. Buddy Bosher=while I have no real illusions of him being some milb contract steal of a signing...wow...winter numbers are impressive to this point.

While I am very much on record for supporting the Nolasco signing initially, defending it, but now advocating doing whatever is necessary and available for both parties to part and get a fresh start, I have to wonder; if Nolasco were kept, could he find a niche and a home in a bullpen role? I know the contract is out of line, but we're the answer YES, it would affect the bullpen, and possibly May as well.

Question: Do these numbers include his initial appearances in 2014? Because that would really skew the numbers unfavorably. Secondly, either way, in 2015, he was actually showing improvement, and at times borderline dominance, as the season wore on and his regular turns took place. That's what always bothered me, he was actually improving as a starter when moved.

Ryan is telling the truth. But the truth is not as simple as "no restrictions". You also have to include other comments he has made as well as those by the ownership. Ownership has never stood in the way of making improvements to the team. The Twins have never, at least publicly, stated any hard and fast budget totals. What they have stated, loosely, are operating cost parameters, which any business would have. And those rough operating costs, again for any business, would include sunk cost losses as well. So while the Twins have cut losses before, it's obviously not something anyone would want to do on a regular basis.

I like May. I support May in the rotation. He did quite well last season, and was IMPROVING. While I think he could really help the bullpen, I just don't agree with placing him there. (Unless everyone is healthy and Berrios is ready to be up. And then, for now I guess) But I have a really hard time looking in to my old, dusty, milky, cracked crystal ball and seeing May as an all-star next season. Doesn't that just seem, oh, "sudden"?

At the root of it all, there is nothing inherently wrong with May in the pen. At least, not for a year. It's maximizing all assets to the best of the team's collective ability. The root of the problem is removing one of the best rotation assets to fix the bullpen issue, and replacing May's spot in the rotation with a, probable, lesser candidate. Everyone healthy and, more or less, pitching to their norm, May is one of the best 5 starters and to me it would only make sense to move him when/if Berrios is ready and up.

I'll be sheepishly honest....I skipped a few pages of this thread. Would you believe by accident? Oh well... At the end of the day, we're all looking for something to talk about with baited breath...err...urgent fingers....until the next season starts. But isn't this the ultimate version of perspective as well as "wait and see"? We have a poor-mediocre performing OF of considerable talent/potential who is a completely unknown enigma at this point, traded for a highly drafted and highly rated prospect, (somewhat skewed just being from the Yankees probably), who has produced in a SSS that grants him potential but also marks him as enigmatic at this point.

+1, +1, +1 How many time and in how many ways can I like this post? I have said the exact same things numerous times on Nolasco myself. I liked the signing. It was a good move. It just didn't work out. Healthy, he can still be quite good for somebody. I truly believe that. But it's time to move on for both sides. That's just how it goes sometimes, whether it is a job, a romance or an athlete on a sports team. I don't know that anyone from the Twins has come right out and said anything resembling giving up on Nolasco and selling low. But it has been intimated by others. And I think it is ridiculous if at all true. You would play someone over another player just to increase potential trade value, but let the other, better player languish and the team lose to make your trade point/objective? As I stated in a somewhat lengthy post earlier today, (Mauer to the OF), I also am a Mauer apologist. But while an appreciative fan, I can be an apologist no longer. Now, or in the near future, the Twins will have ready Plouffe, (assuming he really isn't traded), Sano, Park, Kepler, Arcia, Vargas, Walker, amongst others potentially, needing AB's to produce, or at ,east show what they can do and are capable of. And most of those guys are about 25 or younger. And to a man, they all have greater offensive potential that what Mauer has produced the past two seasons. Again, OK BA and OB in '14 but zero power, a little more power in '15 but mediocre BA and OB, (especially for him) Mauer hitting .285 with a .370 OB and 34 Dbl and 12 HR, (HR's based 150 game Mauer flat out hitting better) is valuable. What we have seen the last two seasons, in comparison to what is here and coming, is not. For the good of the team, an ongoing version of this Mauer should be turned in to a bench player and veteran PH. There is no shame in this, only reality.

BIG TIME LIKE. Hughes, Santana, Gibson, Duffey and May, in whatever order, is the best starting 5 you could March out to the hill. You always need more than 5 starters over the course of a season so Berrios is your 6th guy for the moment. I understand shifting someone to the bullpen for NOW if there is a need or a logjam in a healthy rotation. But it is so wrong to arbitrarily decide at this point that May is destined for the pen in '16.

If there is any chance of keeping him healthy, I actually like this move. His career numbers, despite the lack of pure power that was expected, are quite solid. He's a solid 4th OF candidate. Though if Buxton is in CF, I'm not certain there is room for anyone, initially, besides Arcia for the 4th spot. But thus is a solid move.

This would be an example of Professor Harold Hill's "think system." You imagine or "think" of yourself performing in such a way that you learn to do so. Rumor has it the Twins are using Hill's system on a handful of relief pitchers to "think" of themselves as left handed and highly successful.