DocBauer

Wow! Thought for sure we were talking about $5M, which could also be considered a steal. And the investment isn't great enough to handcuff the Twins if it blows up for any reason. Let the Plouffe speculation begin again!

The only problem is, what is the alternative? Is there someone we can get for a 1 or 2 year deal? Of course, we could also trade for a RP, and I'm open to that as well. FA gives us a player for money, but trade gives us a player for cheaper..probably..possibly with more control, but it also costs a player. But I really believe the bullpen needs that one additional big arm to solidify, (if not dominate). And I don't think you can just sit back and say..."well...sooner or later Burdi or Reed or someone will be up, so whatever." We did that last year with the pen, and we've done it in CF for a couple years. Now, with May or Duffey likely to spend at least part of the year in the pen, (barring injuries), and Tonkin and Pressly as options, you have to wonder if there is even room for Fien. Stil, healthy, he's solid. I'd say there's a reasonable chance the SO numbers climb back up, at least slightly. I've always said I like him as a 6th-7th inning guy. And if it turns out he's superfluous, well, he won't be making an undue amount that would prevent moving/removing him.

I could buy him as the "4th" OF if he was getting as many games/AB's as you propose here. In this scenario, he isn't so much a true 4th OF as more of a regular/semi-regular/quasi platoon player. I would be very happy if things worked out this way. As of right now, however, I'm seeing Rosario and Buxton and Arcia along with a RH OF still needing to be added. To begin the season, at least.

I also disagree with the comments made on Ryan. Now, it IS true he played a bluff hand in regard to CF and the bullpen at times over the past 2 seasons, apparently believing/hoping prospects would be ready quicker than they turned out to be. But he did bring in Milone, and while nothing special, he did pitch solidly. He also brought in Hughes and Santana. And the mentioned Jepsen. And Hunter, who many have helped as much off the field or more than he did on it. Oh, he also hired Molitor. Should he have addressed the bullpen sooner? Yes. Should he have made a move for a second quality arm? Yes. But I think he did way more correct than wrong.

A comment and a question, if I may. Still his age, you would expect Wade to perform at least close to what he did, I think. But it's his plate discipline that shows me he may be a real prospect. Just out of curiosity, why the back end if a rotation for Stashak? He throws 92 and amassed a great deal of SO's, rookie league or not. Do you feel his secondary stuff is that limited? Is it the lack of a change? Just curious.

At the risk of sounding all mushy and stuff........("There's no crying in baseball. There's no crying in baseball!")......a hearty and heart-felt "Thank YOU" from myself, and all of us, for bringing this site to us and the entire Twins community. It is absolutely my favorite website on the internet, and the very first site that I check each day. (not to mention throughout the day. LOL) Especially during minor league season! As a secondary note, a big "Thank You" to my fellow posters for all of the additions, submissions, agreements and debates. And I have to say, it seems there have been a lot of new additions recently that have brought some great, fresh voices. Thank you all for stopping by...and make sure you stick around for a while.

I don't want May in the pen. I don't want Duffey there either. But for 2016, with Berrios on the cusp, barring injury or trade, one of these two guys is going to be spending at least part of the season, if not all of it, in the bullpen. There's been a lot of discussion in the past on here about the Cardinals model of using your best arms; including them in the bullpen before moving back to the rotation later. This isn't necessarily a bad thing. But it's also not enough. Via trade or FA, the Twins need that one additional big arm to anchor the 8th & 9th with Perkins and Jepson. (This also provides insurance against injury or another meltdown) That's 4 out of 7. Tonkin gets next shot. Despite being a yo-yo yet again in '15, his numbers were solid. He's got hard stuff. He needs and deserves his opportunity. Pressly is next in line, and could still make the club, but I would suspect he begins the season at Rochester. Do the Twins make a move for a LHRP? I don't know. Runzler could be big. Darnell, Rogers, Dean and even O'Rourke still could provide the Twins with a lefty or second lefty. It's also possible Milone could be a nice, versatile and experienced swing man. My one big struggle is Fien. Healthy and removed from the end of games, I still like him. I think he's a big bounce back candidate this year. The SO's will climb again, he hardly walks anyone, and could be excellent in the 6th-7z5) innings. The cost shouldn't be prohibitive. Is it prudent to bring him back? Or would he almost be one too many arms?

My hunch is Garver, also solid behind the plate from every report we've heard, will surpass Turner as the better overall prospect and possible/probably eventual starter. (This was my thought before the addition of the Serial Killer so we will have to let things play out) Turner would be the somewhat typical, outstanding defensive reserve. Though in his case, he seems to be able to keep a pretty decent OB and does have some power, so we're not talking Butera futility. While he has has had stronger second halves to each of the past two seasons, I feel he's been pushed a level higher than he should have been. Probably due to Garver, and to keep them separated. But he made his rookie debut and then jumped right over a level to Ft Meyer. So I think that has to be factored when assessing any long term offensive potential.

I really don't see the Twins being active drafting anyone unless it's a LH relief option or a RH OF to come off the bench and maybe platoon (ish) with Arcia. Otherwise, not sure where'd there even be room to stash someone.

Not saying Gilmartin is, or ever will be a stud bullpen arm, but I think the Twins made a big mistake not protecting last year. Dean is LH, breathing, and has reached AAA with success. Hard not to keep someone like that for at least another season to see if he can fit a role. I guarantee someone else would have felt that way and snatched him up rather quickly. I can't really find fault with those protected overall, though I am somewhat surprised. So many A ball arms that you would think would be safe. And I can't fault them for protecting Melotakis...but he's coming back from TJ and not sure anyone could afford to stash him. While not a shocker, the disappointing part is Pinto. This is a mystery that I just don't get. He was productive through the minors, making somewhat slow but steady progress. Solid bat. Not so great footwork that needed polish, but big arm. He comes up to finish the 2013 season and becomes the Twins primary catcher. He hits: .342/ .398/ .566/ .963 in 21 games, 76 AB with 5Dbls & 4HR & 12 RBI. He allowed 9 WP which is terrible, but so was most of the staff. He caught 5 of 11 BS. I know his '13 numbers were out of the box, but still, they flashed hitting potential we saw in the minors. And now he isn't even protected by the Twins? Wow...what a hard and disappointing and unlucky fall.

We need a #3 from somewhere. Turner and Garver would be #'s 4 & 5 I would assume.

Now Parker...let's not start a holy war.

What does the bullpen need? It needs 2 guys, RH and LH. We have some really good young bullpen arms over the next season or two...we all know the names...but unlike last season, I, as the GM would not just sit still waiting for these youngsters to arrive. (which is what I think TR did last season) Assuming Nolasco is moved...and I think he will be...and assuming Berrios will initially begin the season in AAA...possible but not certain...I would sign one high quality RH FA for the pen. I would prefer a 1 or 2 year deal, but for someone like Soria or O'Day I'd seriously consider a third. There are various options, not going to go in to all of the various possibilities. Bullpen: Perkins Jepsen FA TBN Tonkin (deserves a shot, Pressly has an option) Fien (healthy, removed from high pressure 8th inning work, I like him still) Milone (I am liking the idea of him being a multi-purpose swing man) Runzler (bit of a fingers crossed here-but hopeful) When Berrios arrives, barring injury, someone has to move to the pen. Probably May or Duffey. (at least for the remainder of this season-unless you move someone) The team will have the option of trading/moving the weakest link in the bullpen at this time. Or, for once, trade from a surplus.

I feel, though it is somewhat unfortunate, that either May or Duffey will have to pitch from the pen this season. You want your best arms, and barring trade or injury, there just enough enough room for all of the young guns in the rotation as of right now. My fear is this not changing in 2017...if not sooner. And May may be the target here. I have changed my original thinking on Milone. I now believe he might make an excellent swing man reliever. After the past couple of seasons, perhaps physically he could hold up better. While we always think of relievers as being hard throwers, a softer tossing lefty like Milone, with experience as a SP, and having faced both righties and lefties in his career, could be used as a starter, long and middle reliever, and possibly an occasional LOOGY situation . (Assuming he isn't traded)

Actually, yeah. I should have been more precise.

You're right on Williams, he should be higher on the list. (I confess, I had almost forgotten about him until you had him on your recent prospect lists) But fully healthy, good stuff, a solid year, and virtually EVERYONE looking for LH bullpen help, I think he'd be gone and stay gone. There is a good chance he could help the Twins this season. He needs to be protected. I'd like to keep Michael. But if push comes to shove, I'd take the risk on losing him over other guys on the list. A 130 combined games in 2 years at AA or below, I just don't think he'd be a prime target for anyone.

#6...IMHO...May being moved to the bullpen. Not only should Pelfrey have been moved, (AND the Twins should have traded for a second reliever besides Jepson), but he may have actually found a real and successful niche in the bullpen. But the rotation would have been better with May in it. We might have even won a couple more games in the 2 month stretch where Pelfrey pitched just well enough to lose all of his decisions. And now, because of what he did in the pen last year, the Twins may be convinced they should put this talented young starter in the pen for good. I fully expect a bounce back from Hughes. Santana had a bad stretch, but otherwise pitched as well as I've ever seen him. But how awesome would it be to see Gibson, Berrios, May and Duffey all in the rotation together?

Oh man.....what a bummer. I wish I hadn't read the "good things" list first.

Barring some numbers crunch that I don't see at this time, there should be room for both Nunez as well as Santana. Santana will play INF and OF and PR. He still has tremendous athleticism and potential. He might even surprise one of these days. Nunez is OK glove wise, just not great, and Molitor himself commented this season on his improved leather. And he's got a solid bat with pop and decent speed. They are a nice combination off the bench IMHO.

For the most part, I agree with you. But I do have to put my two cents in. 1* This team needs another OF for depth and competition. Originally, with Hicks around, I had leaned toward a LF bench bat. Now, however, with Rosario, Kepler on the way and Arcia still probably in the mix, I think a RH bat to play, PH, etc, should be brought in. Chris Young would be excellent, but Ryan Raburn or Jeff Francoeur may be more practical. (Marlon Byrd for 2016's version of Hunter?) 2* Trade or FA, this bullpen could really, really use one more top arm for the end of the bullpen to join Perkins and Jepsen. This big three could/would give the Twins a very strong 8th & 9th. It would seem May or Duffey, more than likely, for the 2016 season but not necessarily beyond, would be in the pen. May showed his potential in the role last season and Duffey has extensive past experience as a reliever. With a bit of luck, Runzler will be a really nice signing. That's five. Tonkin? Pressly? Graham? Fien no longer an 8th inning guy? Solid options to work with there. Milone, Rogers, Darnell and O'Rourke offer other options from the port side. I believe there is the makings of a very nice bullpen with that one more addition and the likes of Burdi, Reed and others ready at some point. 3* Were this before the '14 or '15 season, Fister could be a smart move. But not now. Not with Hughes, Santana, Gibson, Berrios, Duffey, May, Milone and possibly Meyer available. (This doesn't include Nolasco who we may be stuck with)

Before the Hicks trade, I felt the club could really use a veteran LH bat for the bench and occasional play. Now, it looks like Arcia should have a pretty good shot at some playing time again, at least until Kepler is ready, or unless the Twins make another big move. In the case of Arcia, or the eventual Kepler, a RH hitting OF off the bench would now be a prudent move. Arcia is too young, has too much natural talent, to just be dismissed. And while he will never be anything more than average in the OF defensively, he does have a strong arm. He shouldn't be written off or dismissed because of the bad year. Vargas still has options, and is still only 25 I believe. I would keep him at Rochester. Injuries can occur. Mauer could suddenly retire. Vargas pretty much skipped AAA the first time around. And while he may not be a top prospect, a big strong power hitting switch hitter should be held on to. Selling his rights overseas at this point just seems like a wasted opportunity for Vargas and the Twins both.

I don't want to jinx it, but right now, Burdi is looking like a serious bullpen contender. Now, whether that is day one or 30 days in I don't know. But man is he getting it done.

Very valid points! Good or bad, I think TR looks for guys like this not just because it can be smart with high reward, but its ingrained in him from the older, cheaper dome-days. You give him a $150M budget, and I think he still makes at least one move/signing like this just because it's smart.

First, I agree the corner OF thing is kind of overblown. You put together the best overall roster you can. Sometimes one position is not ML average OPS wise, or better than, but you may be better than average at another spot. (Dozier, for example) In regard to both sides of the Hicks yes/no debate: In fairness to Hicks, he was jumped past AAA when his history suggested, like most young players, that he might be better off taking every milb step along the way. There were times when his playing time was a bit sketchy, and perhaps playing more continuous would have benefited him. He did appear to be a very different, more confident and aggressive ballplayer in 2015, at the plate and in the field. And he does still have an awful lot of talent to tap in to still. In fairness to the Twins, Hicks still can't seem to hit RH pitchers very well. While appear to be that different ball player in 2015, his numbers are padded by a month hot streak. There have been incidents of seeming to lose track (or interest) of what's going on around him. He has had, more or less, 3 years to step forward and be something close to the top prospect and top 100 player he was supposed to be. I wish Hicks the best. I really thought we should have kept him until mid season. But we do have a lot of talented kids here, or close. We did/do need to upgrade the catching spot. You can't really compare an OF and a C directly in relation to offensive production. But most importantly...what is really important...does Murphy help the Twins? Other than when the Yankees play the Twins, what Hicks does with them going forward is pretty irrelevant.

This signing may not work out at all. Too bad...but it isn't a major trade or FA acquisition, etc, etc. But this is not a milb washout, non-drafted wannabe who has clawed and scratched his way to becoming an interesting option through independent ball. (to be fair, some of those guys turn out to be nice pick ups!) Instead, Runzler is a former top prospect who made the major and excelled for a time before injuries began to mess with his body, and it sounds like his head as well. Healthy in body and mind, a step back out of any spotlight for a time, he might be ready to re-harness his stuff and return to a prominent role. HUGE pickup for the Twins if this is possible. And FWIW...while I don't want high BB totals either, I can live with a few if BA against is low and SO's are high.