DocBauer

Meyer showed last season he was very, very close. Now he's made one start this season and it wasn't good. People are already looking for tall bridges. Time to relax and take a deep breath. The sky may be falling over Target Field, or anywhere the Twins have been playing thus far, but it doesn't mean it's falling everywhere else.

Love your enthusiasm SD, and love the article as a whole. I don't agree on pushing Sano and Buxton so agressively, I just can't. It's just too much too soon after all that happened last season. Pretty much agree with everything else you've stated here. How great is it that we are soooo spoiled on the milb and prospect level that we hardly even know the kids at low A CR despite their talent and their great start? One of these days, all these kids from Rochester on down will finally get their shot, and the Twins will be back on top, with more on the way. We'll win out 3rd WS plus, and win consistently, and forget the past 4-5 years. The winning could begin as early as 2016. Unfortunately, it doesn't seem that it will begin in 2015.Even if we break the season in to halves.

Robinson is, quite frankly, a AAAA-ish player who is a 5th ML OFer with some usefulness. Not being mean...just accurate based on his career thus far. Schafer is a quality athlete who plays a nice LF and can provide great base running and SB's, but has done nothing to indicate he could do anything at the ML level..ever...until the last 2 months of last season. Again, not a knock or being mean. I was impressed and was hoping for more this season. But that is not a resume for handing over a ML roster spot, period, much less a starting CF job! With so much young bullpen talent available, I struggled all off season with the signing of a past proven veteran, a Hawkins-type let's say, who could provide experience and leadership and a challenge to Fien, and hopefully hold the 8th inning for a year while all those young arms transitioned to more important roles at the ML level. They had ability and experience, just needed a bit more. And dare I say it again? This is what we get? I didn't think Stauffer was a good signing. Wish he'd prove me wrong, don't believe he will. Thought Boyer was signed as a dart in the dark and AAA help.Still think that's what he is. Felt Pelfrey had a shot to re-invent himself as a reliever. A shot. Honestly, I sort of get the first signing. I can almost get the second signing if it was ONE year. But track history now shows Pelfrey with one good year, one decent year, and all other ML seasons...overall, forgetting moments or short periods...as poor or awful or injured. But he's in the rotation for what reason? Because the Twins are so desperate for someone to take the ball every 5th day on a rebuilding team that they turn to a failed starter rather than gamble on one of their prospects? Blow up the bullpen. Make the moves NOW...another week at most. Awful and over matched isn't a bad day...it's bad days and bad weeks going all the way back to ST. A bad SP Pelfrey is still a bad SP Pelfrey. OMG....I'm about ready to have an aneu....aneury.....stroke!

What is Jason Tyner doing these days? You think I'm joking? Look, the poor damn horse has been pushing up daisies for some time now. So while I want to feel bad for kicking his dead carcass, I just can't, because he's long gone, but the stench remains. Once upon a time, up until just a couple years ago, the Twins...even the bad Twins teams...usually played at least OK defense. But one thing you could count on since the early '80's, nearly 35 years straight, was that the Twins had someone of quality to play CF and lead the OF. For a brief time, there was Eisenreich, who looked like a young phenom before falling apart due to a nervous condition. (he at least eventually had an OK career) This helped bring about a warranted rush of Puckett to the majors, and the Twins were blessed for many years by his ability and presence. Then came Hunter. A HOF All-Star supplanted by another All-Star and possible, at least borderline, HOFer. (and if any of you recall a piece I wrote several months back, I spoke half tongue-in-cheek and half serious about how the downfall of the Twins actually began slowly with the loss of Hunter) We blew the Santana trade not only because...by all "believable" reports, the Twins could have more talent by just accepting less...but because the ONE really good player they got back they rushed and gave up on too quickly in the name of a one year rental on a SS. (ouch!) But out of that mess came Span. And it (he) was good. And then came Revere, and it (he) was different but good also. But TR gambled big time on Hicks, traded both Span and Revere, for a pair of potential RHSP studs, thinking CF would be at least OK. Don't blame him for the trades. It was the kind of gamble, frankly, the Twins needed, and may still pay off nice to big. And don't blame his faith in Hicks. Hindsight is easy! Top pick, top prospect, top 100 prospect, coming off his best ever season, remember? Blame TR for the past TWO years. I mean, really? Hicks wasn't ready and it turned out to be a mess so the next year the only thing you do is hand him the job again? I mean, you have a AAAA journeyman and another semi-AAAA journeyman coming off injury as the only competition and fall back plan? OK...so surely we've learned our lesson for year THREE of no proper CF to play defense and lead the OF right? NOBODY expected the Twins to shell out big bucks or top prospects for a bona fide stud CF this off season. Why would you when you had Buxton on the way...hope Hicks would still amount to something...Rosario as a possibility...and the OK, better than expected Santana as a fill-in/backup option? But this is what we get? FA wasn't filled with options. And TR didn't/doesn't want to trade top talent. But A) who said we had to trade top talent for a stud, and who said we had to trade top talent for an OK option out there who could translate to a nice reserve?

I know the whole "but look how young he is" thing gets old. But in regard to Arcia, its not old yet. Still a long leash there. No worries on Gibson after one poor start. I understand the move of Pe lfrey to the rotation. But I dont like it or get it, not at this point and all we have seen. The bullpen to me...I dont get it. I dont get it at all. If Graham wasn't a rule 5 he wouldn't be there. This is the best they could do with the young arms available? I cant even touch CF again without blowing a blood vessel. Hunter was not my preferred choice. But I didn't expect what has happened thus far. But, knowledge, experience and last season...not going to call for his head yet So how long? Pinto within a week, two max, as he appears healthy. Pe lfrey and the pen? I'd like to see May begin, and changes with it. This is just....yuck. It is my sincere hope that TRY and Molly knew the start was dicey, hoped for better, but were planning on youngsters getting that month or two before reshaping the roster.

Fernandez might have the furthest to go but with the highest upside. More than a few guys on that list I could see moving up.

JEALOUS! My father and I are hoping for a trip there this summer. With a little luck, might be a weekend a few fellow TDers are there as well. Hadn't really heard about Booser until I saw him mentioned somewhere during the off season. With his velocity and quality second pitch, could he be on the fast track this year the way guys like Burdi and a few others seem to be?

Go-Go Gonsalves! This year's "Berrios-like" fast riser"?

Pinto is very debatable. Should he have been brought along regardless? Or does his limited innings and AB's during ST...along with a solid ST from Herrmann...indicate it to be more prudent to give him some time to recoup, get AB's, and get ready to come back soon? I'm asking. Because in this case, I can see management's decision actually making sense. As to Nunez...get off his back. (MHO) Why do people need a scapegoat? Poor pitching is the number one reason for 4 straight bad seasons, followed by lack of offense and clutch offense...at least until last season. You can argue reasons 3 & 4 etc as much as you want, in what ever you want. Nunez, the last man on the bench, versatile positionaly with mediocre to OK glove, decent bat with some pop and decent speed, is NOT the reason this team lost 90 games the past few seasons. A little perspective in your frustration folks.

TC Bear just went out to the woods to share what he thinks of all of this.

Whooooooaaaa! Wait a minute. Its April 3rd!

What Stringer said. I like Herrmann, and always have. I'm in the "if he had hit better when brought up to the Twins previously as he flashed In the minors you would like him too" club. And I would absolutely love to return to an 11 man staff and keep the extra bench player, Herrmann in this case. But the roster is unsettled just enough, primarily due to CF, that Nunez is a more important piece at this point.

As I stated elsewhere, it's not any one of the roster spots that is a problem, or can't be argued reasonably, it's the collection of them together that bothers me. But as SD states, this roster is not necessarily indicative of what the roster will be like June 1st, July 1st or August 1st. There is a very real chance that Stauffer, Boyer, Pelfrey, Milone and possibly Nolasco are place holders and/or trade commodities at some point. And I seriously doubt the CF situation remains the same more than half a season. Disappointing at this point? Yes. Bridge time? Nope.

That's actually a pretty solid rotation. And not just "for the Twins". Hughes, Santana, a healthy Nolasco, the talented young Gibson who I feel just may be out second best starter before this season is done, and Milone if he pitches like he did in Oakland....really not bad. Of course....May and Meyer by the second half with Milone and Nolaco traded amidst solid seasons would look even better!

Lousy luck for Pinto, but I get it. Injury and concussion, he just hasn't played much. Unless Herrmann really takes off, I think he'll be up before too long. Hats off to Herrmann for having a great camp and showing something, but also a tip of the cap to the Twins for not going the previously automatic route of "defense only" backup catcher by moving someone else to make room for Fryer.

Fan and supporter of Plouffe, but still 100% certain who he ultimately is as a ballplayer. The former top pick and top prospect has endured a lot, and put in the work and growing pains, to make himself in to a quality ML player/3B. Based on his defense as well as offense last season, top third in the league. Now improvement, or just sustainability even...that's the question. I don't doubt he can cash in doubles to crank out more homers. But what might that due to his Avg and OB? I believe he is the player he showed last season with slight improvement. And that's a good thing: .265-.272 Avg with and OB in the .330's with 32-35 doubles and 16-18 HR's. Yes, he is capable of more and I wouldn't be shocked. If the Twins won't bat Vargas in the 4 hole, would you rather see Hunter or Plouffe there?

Schafer is so hard to predict because he is just such an enigma. I read how he was a top prospect. Then I look at numbers and I see things that are OK but certainly not Buxton-like in any way. So, OK, MILB numbers don't always fully indicate potential. But he actually played good ball for the Twins albeit in a SSS. There are guys every year or so, that were quality or top prospects who change leagues, change teams multiple times, but hit that combination of age, maturity and coaching at the right time, and suddenly turn in to at least a solid ballplayer, if not a real good one. Could this be Schafer's turn? I love his speed and aggressiveness on the bases. Decent, quality defense, .250 Avg or higher and something other than punch and Judy, and I could be happy for at least half a season.

OK....we've had a few arguments as to the Twins bullpen over the past few years and their depth and effectiveness. And even after I produced various numbers to show that over multiple years we ranked no worse than middle of the pack, (and it's true that stats can be skewed) it could be argued that even in bad years the Twins produced at least an OK bullpen...especially when factoring in late season fades due to overuse. But right now...for the first time in a while, I'm crossing my fingers. Believe in Perkins and Fien. Have doubts for the first time on Duensing, but hoping old reliable returns. Actually believe that soon, if not now, Graham might be our best RHRP as of right now. So want to believe in Pelfrey, but high and straight is still high and straight no matter how hard you throw it. Right now, I believe at least 2 if not 3 relievers are gone by June 1. July 1 at absolute latest.

Been a fan and believer for some time. He will blow a tough play once in a while. No crime there. In fact, more time at 2B might eliminate some of those. Really, really love his defense. Passes the "eye test" for what that is worth. I still don't think we've seen the best of Dozier offensively. Power will stay...speed for another couple of seasons...and there will be another couple 20/20 seasons come. But what you will see is a raise in BA as he sees and grows. Figure .260-.270 while keeping that .350 plus OB% along with the doubles, and the consistent 20/20 potential. This guys is one of the top 2B in all of baseball folks. Enjoy him.

EXACTLY! The move to 1B was never about Mauer suddenly becoming a big time power hitter. It was about moving one of the best pure hitters of his generation to a position where he could be more healthy and play 150 games. Less wear and tear physically might also produce a bit more power, just based on fresher health, but really, overall, it was just about getting production over 150 games instead of 120. Despite bumps, bruises, a decade of squatting and foul ball ticks and the one plus year of concussion issue, Mauer is and always has been a very good athlete. From his own reports, he feels the best he's felt in a couple of years. Can you doubt that? He is not old. He is not washed up. He is looking very good at 1b. He is healthy again. He's working hard and making smart adjustments. And he will hit high .290's at worst, and I say .300-.310. OB will be .395-.405. He will hit 12-16 HR's which will affect his doubles....36-44. I don't know to figure the slugging % there, and I don't care. Because I think Mauer will be Mauer again...a little high here...a little lower here...and people will wonder why they doubted him.

I like Suzuki better than most because I put more value on just running things over more modern stats, while providing some solid offense. But any projections for Suzuki confound me. I've heard his early career offensive numbers slipped due to overuse, but his rebound last season with our Twins, at least the first half, was due to to playing every day.What? Guess? Figure last season repeated very close. Hunch? Despite the recent concussion-ish situation of Pinto....and come on! How can you hit a guy THREE TIMES IN THE HEAD IN A SINGLE AB without facing some kind of penalty? In the real world, that is assault. Think I'm kidding? Anyway, my hunch is that a healthy and non-brain damaged Pinto will not only out-hit Suzuki overall, but will really mature between last year's demotion and this year, and begin to overtake the primary catching job by the second half of the season.

Christiensen is also one of my favorite Twins prospects because, after all, he is a former Husker. (GBR!) But after last season in particular, I'm wondering if the Twins didn't find themselves a real steal here. I'm not projecting stardom here, but I don't think he is any sort of throw away mid round prospect either. He can hit, he's got gapper and some HR and potential HR power, as well as speed. And he has the ability to fit in at multiple positions. As stated here, he is playing all three OF spots, and played a lot of 1B last season for the Kernals. He's also seen action at 3B previously and was an All Big 10 SS while in college. Now I know to some, being all Big 10 at SS is akin to being a beauty queen for Miss Isolation Wyoming, population 865, but the point is, while a step down overall from the likes of the southern baseball hotbeds, it's nothing to sneeze at either. And it shows the overall talent level of the young man. My concern would be that the Twins would ignore his versatility and not continue to work him in the infield defensively. He could be a useful, versatile offensive player with the potential to play 5-6 positions, possibly even an emergency SS.

Gonsalves is one of the Twins prospects I've been following the most closely, and with the most interest, ever since he was drafted, probably as m as Sano or Buxton, or anyone else. I've always felt they got a real steal in him. And I mean a potential top of the rotation type of steal. Tall, long LH's that come out of high school throwing low 90's with a couple of solid secondary offerings just don't grow on trees. Sounds like his attitude and work ethic are very good. I hate to say it for fear of placing a curse on the kid, but he could be this year's Berrios. That is, blow away Cedar Rapid, move to high A FTM and pretty much do the same an eye to a taste of AA.

I am NOT OK with th CF situation in the least. But I can almost understand the end result...for now...considering the players involved; Buxton & Rosario simply not ready and Hicks doing nothing to grab the job and hopefully/probably in need of some AAA time/experience/success. I am far, far less OK with the Milone decision. I get May will flash inconsistency at times. And I get that he unfortunately missed time early on during ST. But don't argue SSS with me on May this spring. There is still time for another start for everyone before opening day, a decision didn't have to be made yet, May showed real improvement last season, and a SSS this spring might not prove May is ready, but it also shouldn't be used to prove Milone is somehow a changed man from last season either.

The bad: Flip flopping a bit on my earlier statement...why wouldn't you let Milone and May each start one more game before making a decision. Is someone holding a loaded pitching machine to Molitor or Ryan's head? What if Milone was "meh" and May was something close to lights out? On the surface, at first glance, I am not upset in the slightest that Hicks and Rosario are sent down. Rosario is a potential stud, but had only half of a disappointing season last year. A strong AFL and good start in ST does not necessitate a rush to a ML job that a month or two or three in the minors will probably make him better prepared for. Do we want another repeat of the Hicks situation? And speaking of Hicks, I'd say at least half the community, if not closer to 75%, have been in favor of, or not disliked, the idea of Hicks getting some AAA time to hone his game, build confidence,and get back on track before his career goes totally off rail. No, I'm not surprised, disappointed or angry about those demotions at all. BUT, I am pretty PO'ed that the final result is Schafer and...what's his name again?...oh yeah, Robinson in CF. What was Robinson for the Cardinals last season, their 5th OF? 6th? Seriously, I'm not even sure. And now he's the Twins semi-platoon CF/4th OF option. After the debacles of the past 2 off seasons/seasons this is the best we can come up with? I have hope for this team, and don't dislike most of it. But I am hoping and crossing just about anything I can that there is a very smart plan happening here where the Twins cook and percolate May, Meyer, Rosario, Buxton, Sano and others for a little while before moving Nolasco, Milone, Pelfrey and a couple others. If Robinson and a couple of these guys really are just place holders, then OK, I get it. If not.....shame on the Twins.