DocBauer

While this particular AFL class may not have the glamour of last season, I think it's a very interesting group! Rogers could have a future, even in the pen, while Burdi and James are both very intriguing as bullpen options. Possibly by mid-season 2016 if they get their control back and keep it? Walker is a lightening rod for hopes as well as debate! As stated, even able to hit in the .240-.250 range at the ML level with his doubles and HR power could be great. Turner and Garver are no sure thing...but both have shown flashes...both hit better in the second half of their respective seasons, (second year in a row for Turner to do this), and both have quality defensive reputations. A long way to go with both of them, but this could provide a nice springboard to see what we really have here.

The problem or issue going in to 2016 is not a lack of talent available, regardless of ML experience, but rather, almost too many options and not enough certainty. Now, that's not a doom and gloom statement, just a reality. Sano can DH and play some 3B when Plouffe DH's or plays 1B or sits. Or, you can trade Plouffe and play Sano full time at 3B. This changes the DH situation for Arcia and possibly Vargas. But what if Arcia is needed for the OF because Hicks regresses or Buxton needs AAA time? There's just enough "If" factors that complicate things that would prevent me from trading Hicks at this time. And while I'm more flexible on Arcia, I tend to want to keep him...for now...for the same reason. I could see Hicks and Arcia in a quasi-platoon in RF with Hicks as the late game defensive replacement. I could see Hicks starting in CF with Arcia in RF...initially...with someone like Robinson off the bench as a defensive replacement. (*I just don't see Hunter taking a discount to come back as a part time OF/DH) Buxton may be the linchpin here. I say it's 60-40/70-30 he begins the season with the Twins. While I don't think he will necessarily come out of the gates playing to his full potential, I believe his defense, and a somewhat improved offense based on ability and this season's experiences, will allow him to be kept from day one while still performing some "on the job" training. Call it being overly optimistic if you will, but I prefer it to be a belief in Buxton.

Really nice work Seth. And we are all guilty in getting too wrapped up in pure speed. If velocity was that big of a determining factor, Boyer would have been a top set-up man the past few years in the pen, and we'd already be talking about what Meyer could do next year in a full ML season. And, HOF'er Greg Maddux would be 1st cousins with Bob Tewksbury instead of enshrined in Cooperstown.

Is it just me? Am I just too much of an optimist? But I have this feeling that Buxton will take all his experience and lessons from this season and apply them next spring and force his way on to the roster to begin the season. Not saying he will peak and reach his full potential from day one, but he will be markedly better and not need the AAA time that has been mentioned a lot.

Forgot May was a rookie still! I agree Sano is the obvious choice. It doesn't matter he didn't play much in the field. A lot of that was because the Twins already had a good guy playing there. And Sano's impact just can't be ignored, not only because of the pure production, but because even with his outstanding contributions, the Twins offensive numbers slipped the second half of the season. Imagine were he not there? Rosario is fun to watch. I love watching him play defense as well. (except for a couple head-scratchers) What he accomplished is pretty remarkable over all. I see more HR power in the future, and have stated so before. We know he can hit. I don't see him ever having an overly high OB%, but even a little more patience and experience will raise both the BA and OB. I can live with that considering all the other tools. Hard to pick between May and Duffey. Frankly, I think it's more about rookie position player and rookie pitcher when you look at the impact and quality of the Twins 2015 rookie class. Duffey was phenomenal! And while it was only for a couple of months, if you look at his numbers, and breaking a couple losing streaks, he pitched very much like a #1 for the Twins in that time frame. However, May had numbers to indicate he might have been the Twins best SP when he was moved to the pen, was pitching better and better, but never had the chance to finish the season out as a starter. Though his accomplishments in the pen can't be denied. I don't know...Sano is the obvious choice to me and a 3 way tie for second. How is that for fair?

NOT going to get in to another debate as to what truly qualifies as an "Ace" SP. The Twins won their WS in '87 with, what I would call, a pair of "aces". Their second, they had a single "ace" and a couple solid starters. During the Gardenhire era they clearly had an ace quality pitcher in Santana, one of the best in all of baseball, and at times, almost a second #1 SP in Radke. Certainly, he was a very nice #2. And yet, they did not win a title. It would be nice to have that Cy Young, #1, "Ace" SP, but there are plenty of teams in the past that have had one and not won the WS. It is still a complete team effort at the end of the day. With Hughes pitching like he did in 2014, and I believe a rebound to that is not only possible, but probable, and Santana pitching like Santana normally does, and did this year with the exception of a couple of games, and just a bit more improvement from Gibson again, we could be talking about a team with three #2 caliber SP's to lead the rotation. And the argument could be made that Hughes and Santana both pitch like a #1 at times. I feel pretty good about that depth, especially when you realize how strong out 4th and 5th spots could be.

What if the season had started 1 week later and the replacement/pod - people Twins hadn't given us a 1-6 start?

Please don't anyone take this the wrong way...but I almost don't care if the Twins win the wild card spot. Sports to me is as much the competition, the striving, the game in and of itself and at times, the final outcome doesn't matter as much as the journey there. And this journey has been pretty special to me. As Twins fans, we can whine all we want about no WS since the early 90's and four straight, poor losing seasons, but there are a lot of teams and fan bases that would be envious of our past 10 years or so. Even still, our Twins seemed to just fall off a cliff for four years. And suddenly, here we are, playing fun and winning baseball still in contention with only a few games left. The kids we have been dreaming and drooling over have begun to arrive, with more on the way. I don't know how this will end, but I just love this journey!

Wait.............Rosario walked?

Adding Jepsen earlier would have helped. I, like others, maintain they should have picked up a second arm. Benoit? Someone with an expiring contract wouldn't have cost much and would have provided much needed depth. If we lose out by a game or two, all I'll be thinking is...."why, oh why couldn't we just throw out that first week of the season?"

The Twins being down offensively this year is certainly disappointing. But what I do like about their lineup is the fact that it works, more or less, as a whole. The total equals a greater whole than the sum of the parts. But there is certainly the potential for more! Would be interesting to compare the Twins scoring and overall numbers to the rest of the league as it seems scoring and offense in general are down.

I feel the Santana/Escobar situation was handled correctly initially. Both coming off excellent seasons, though Santana played largely out of position. But with 2 guys for 1 spot, you have to make a decision at some point. Pure talent and potential, Santana projects better. It made sense to go with him. Where the whole situation was NOT handled correctly was Santana probably got a little too much rope. And when the Twins did make a move, they kept yo-yoing the spot between Escobar and Nunez and a suddenly recalled Santana instead of just sticking with Escobar and letting him play himself in or out of the spot on a permanent basis. Santana still has a lot of ability and potential, whether it be with the Twins or elsewhere. I think it would be best for him, and the Twins, if he were to get some quality AAA time, but also learn to play 2nd, and still see time in the OF. If he settles down defensively, and we can see the offensive potential come alive again, great! But if he just can't handle being an every day ML SS, then he might find a real niche as a multi-positional utility player.

Watch the Tigers debacle. Forget anything I may have said earlier. No. I hope my vote changes next season, if not this one.

Not talking about the immediate post All Star meltdown, but now, back and reportedly rested and rehabbed; are we having this conversation if the 2 runs didn't score the other night? I think it's a fair question based on perception of the box score vs said post AS game implosion. Absolutely love Rosario and he has been mostly awesome in the OF this season. But that misplaced to a "double" changed the complexion of that half inning. And as a result, perhaps unfairly of Perk.

Also, agree with a lot of TNT's points. I am of the belief, as of now, that Berrios and Kepler will be integral parts of the 2016 roster and onward, but that both will begin the season in AAA. And not just for a delay in their start clock, but rather, overall depth of talent may force the Twins to open one way in regard to their roster, and then tweak as they go over the first 30-60 days. Not uncommon, of course. OF: Rosario, Buxton, Hicks and Kepler are your OF. Somewhere on the club, probably here, I'd like to see a solid, veteran LH bat for PH and occasional DH or in the field play. (Mauer would be perfect for that role..but..well..you know) Could the team keep 5 OF's? Yes, due to the veteran bench bat role. A Robinson or Danny Ortiz could fit in here initially if Kepler begins the year with Rochester. This might be where we find Arcia, out of options, not yet traded, and with the parent club as a role player to begin the year. IN: Plouffe, Sano and Mauer share 3B/1B/DH duties on a rotational basis. Once Kepler is up, we have 7 rotating in to 6 spots. Not hard to do. Escobar is at SS, Dozier is 2B, Nunez..probably...is primary utility. There is room for a second INF if the team only carries 4 total OF. Santana? Polanco? Beresford? I see Vargas, for now, in AAA playing every day at first, unless Plouffe is moved this offseason. Then there becomes a more immediate shot for him. (though a FA DH suddenly becomes a possibility) C: Suzuki and unknown. FA or trade...something happens here. SP: Hughes, Santana, Gibson, 2 of May, Duffey and Berrios. Again, Berrios could be in Rochester initially. RP: (7) Perkins, Jepsen, Duffey or May, Milone takes up 4 spots. The team should and I say will sign a FA RHRP. Ditto from the LH side unless they keep Cotts. That leaves 1 spot left to audtion Tonkin, Pressly and the such.

Happens to me a lot, at least when I use my I-PAD, which is often. I find if I post, and then click the "edit" option, and then save the post again, it seems to fix everything.

BTW...while I have generally backed both Ryan and Molitor with their decisions, actions, and in some cases non-actions, IF the team were to open next season with May AND Duffey BOTH out of the rotation, I think there should be some real hell to pay.

And you are absolutely right about a team putting the best 12 arms on the staff...or in some cases...15 when you think about injury at some point. However, while this is correct in theory, it's not always practical. A guy with really good stuff doesn't automatically make for a SP. Likewise, not all guys can handle coming in to a game with runners on base, or working with the frequency that a RP often does. And, while I generally don't like single batter or couple batter specialists like a true LOOGY, at times in the pen you do need that guy who can help better in certain situations. Nolaso MIGHT be one of the Twins top 12-15 arms next season, (depends on if they make a trade or FA signing or two) but I doubt he sees the bullpen. I don't think there is a team in baseball that would stick a $14 arm in the bullpen for long or middle relief unless it was temporary or post season. Nolasco needs to go, start over, and the Twins will probably pick up half the remaining contract, maybe toss in another lower level prospect, all in hopes of freeing up the spot, the other $7M per, and get something more than a bag of balls back. So while I agree with you to a certain point, and while I think the Twins have about 10 arms I could click off right now that I think are near certainties for 2016, I believe roles still have to be considered and sometimes subtraction must be made for the good of all involved.

Based in his milb numbers, which just seemed to get better and better as he gained experience and adapted more and more to starting, as well as the almost 50IP thus far at the ML level, I'm thinking we may be beyond the SAS concern. Even with Nolasco gone, (should be one way or another), and Berrios beginning 2016 in the minors initially, (maybe-probably?), there is remains a logjam that puts May or Duffey in the pen for now. (with Milone perhaps as a LH mid-long-swing man). May has transitioned well, but has real SP stuff and potential, and should go back to starting. Meanwhile, Duffey is a converted RP with experience in that area but h a transitioned to a quality AP. Tough, tough call here.

As of now...yes....a PAIR of milb champs in the Twins organization this year! Ever happened before? My memory doesn't recall.

So much for my dream scenario. Oh well, GO TEAMS!

Poblano hits a run scoring double to tie the game and then Kepler hits a 2 run HR to take the lead and HR trot the team to victory!

Section 1: 1* rookie league or not, Wade looks tremdous. Look at his numbers again before we move along. 2* it IS borderline amazing how the Twins have virtually zero MI's in their entire organization...and yet...a few years later...we have the top 2B in all of baseball...arguably. No diatribe repeat necessary...Escobar ladies and gentlemen...along with the still talented and potential-filled Santana (future super utility player I think), possibly very nice utility players in Beresford and Michael, and then young studs like Polanco, Gordon and possibly Vielma. Wow. One of these days...maybe...someone should give SOMEBODY kind of credit to the Twins scouts and FO and whoever for all the milb talent in the system. Section 2: 1* I know it's a half season league. And I'm not stupid or naive...I know it's a half season league. But come on...WOW or DAYUM should be the first word that comes to mind in regard to Palacios. I am rather concerned by the lack of BB. But am encouraged by the lack of SO's, and frankly, every other single number. I guess that's where my "wonder" quotient resides. Do I worry about a lack of walks and a future lack of walks...Palacios proving to be a free swinger...and wonder about future OB numbers and possible growing SO numbers? Or do I look at all the other impressive numbers and lack of SO's to tell myself that he didn't walk much thus far simply because he didn't HAVE TO? 2* I absolutely DO NOT want to get in to comparisons, BUT, the Twins recent history in to the foreign FA market has been anywhere from good to outstanding. There are some talented question marks in the lower levels to be sure, as well as some nice looking early successes. But if we look at the larger contract signings the past few years...of which Palacios is one...we witness first and foremost Sano. Anything else to add? No? Good! Next is Polanco who has been on about a 3 year tear of potential for a middle infielder. The question remains, which position for sure, and which team? Ironically, he made it to the SHOW twice before Sano did. Then comes Kepler. Who should have already been here a week or so ago...probably...but will be in a few days...probably...and who could open the 2016 in the Twins OF...maybe...but will be up at some point, probably early at worst...almost definitely. All of the scouting reports I read on Palacios were in one camp or another: a) talented but erratic and hard to predict, might not have a sustainable bat, possibly the top talent available on the amateur FA circuit. How does he look now? I don't want to put the cart before the horse...but...but...what if "b" is right, and we signed the next big amateur FA Sano-ish level talent, but in this case, a legitimate SS version?

Mays or not, the sooner he reaches at least 75-80% of his potential, the better and deeper the entire Twins lineup is once he is capable of providing that leadoff spark. There are a few candidates to hit 2 and 3, including Dozier, who could also hit 4 or 5 in different variations. I think he's a real catalyst for the future of the Twins lineup, any way the batting order shakes out behind him.

1* a nice list and some impressive numbers and performances. (Minus a couple high BB totals) Overall depth is even more impressive when you notice some talented arms that aren't on the list. Plus the hopeful return of Melotakis. (?) 2* no question JT is a great story! But how about Bard? Low A or not, his coming back and performing so well might be a better one. 3* these guys plus others not listed, and several milb SP options should bode well for the Twins bullpen in the immediate as well as the future. I just hope they don't get complacent and choose to do nothing this offseason. Another good arm or two could really set the Twins bullpen up for a strong 2016.