DocBauer

This! But not only this, has has previously demonstrated the ability to learn and make adjustments at every level he has reached. The stuff, the work ethic and feel for the game is all there, IMO. I also think part of his problem last season was simply trying too hard. He seems to be so determined that I wonder if it gets in how way.

Some meat on his bones and time to refine his off speed stuff and adjust is paramount. He absolutely needs time. And by time I mean another full season. Knowing what you have a a reliever is sort of a "safety net" that you can fall back to at almost any time.

Very interesting read indeed! I understand trying to make every player as complete and we'll versed of a hitter as he can be. For instance, being nothing but a pull hitter would eventually derail your success as well. But every player is not like every other player. Same with pitchers. They are not cookie cutter figures that have the exact same physical abilities, mental approach, hand eye coordination, etc. As managers, coaches and instructors, each player should be coached and handled differently. I can't honestly say that the Twins approach through the years has indeed been of the cookie cutter mentality, I'm just too far removed to know if that situation is true, or more true for them than other organizations. But if this theory holds any weight, then I sure am glad there are new guys in charge to bring about a different approach in player development.

I'd say Rochester is a bit up in the air right now. Goodrum could be placed at Rochester, but I'd say he's starting 3B for the Lookouts to begin the season. Ft Myers is probably some combination of Paul, Miller and White. Molina probably at Ft Myers eventually, but with 330AB for the Kernels, very likely he begins at Cedar Rapids. Cabbage will probably start in EST before taking 3B for Elizabethtown and finish the season for CR.

Hard to say how good defensively the Twins will be this season, but if everyone plays the positions as it appears they will play, the entire OF, 1B, 2B and catcher should be solid to good. This leaves 3B and SS as the "only" real question marks. I don't say that to demean the obvious concern, simply to state the defense should be better and I'd rather be concerned about 2 spots than 3 or 4 or 5. I do believe Dozier's power is sustainable, though probably not in the 40 range again. But I believe high 20'school or even low 30's is very possible and probably. And I find references to exit velocity and the such to be a bit humorous. As long as they go out, they go out, distance means little to me. And I like the numbers posted about his OPS the past 3 seasons with runners on vs bases empty. There will always be variance year to year in any production you look at. So I don't penalize him for a lower OPS with runners on last season when they were solid the two seasons prior.

1) I want Berries in the rotation. So young and a numbers crunch if Hughes is healthy, I could get him in AAA to begin the season as things sort themselves out. I'd rather see him start consistently than pitch out of the pen. Anyone read the article about Berrios on the Twins website? Talked about a change in his delivery for consistency and to hide his pitches better and how comfortable he's become with it. 2) I absolutely don't get the hate on Gibson. He debuts in 2013 with poor results. Not totally unexpected for a rookie, and one perhaps tiring in his first post surgery season. He was solid in '14, missing rookie status by 1/3 of an inning. He improved in virtually every category in '15. 2016 he was injured and struggled on a 103 loss team. Suddenly he is a bum? I just don't get it.

Hard to rank him this high, IMO, simply due to age and limited DSL appearances. But he does fascinate and capture attention for his skill set and scouting reports. He is definitely one of the most intriguing prospects in the entire system. Overall, there are a couple of position player prospects in the upper levels I will be watching, along with a plethora of pitching prospects. But I think it's fair to say the real interest, fun and excitement will be watching the lower affiliates this season.

I firmly believe Sano will surprise people with his defense at 3B. He will NOT be a finished product when the season ends, but he will show ability and a future there. IMO, Polanco is the bigger concern. But we can't forget he has played a lot of SS until recently (minors I mean) and he is athletic. I firmly agree with Thrylos that he needs opportunity and stability. He is probably not the future, but if he can just be solid/average defensively, with his bat, he could be a real cog for the lineup.

Because they are still so young, they are simply going to run hot and cold at times. What's most important, at the end if the day and season, is how they progress and develop overall. I believe we will see solid numbers overall. And the defense? Oh my! The defense could be outstanding. But I simply have to also say, don't forget about Grossman. His still only 26-27 and if he could improve to even average defense, he could be helpful as something more than just a DH/PH

With his frame, even a small tick up in velocity, a bit more refinement of his breaking ball, I'm not so sure Gonsalves couldn't be a #2 one of these days.

I absolutely love the potential if this OF and am very excited for this season and going forward when they should be even better. As to your numbers, I'd see somewhat lower batting averages and maybe swap Buxton and Kepler in regard to OB%.

Thank you so much for the updates! Very much appreciated. Love all the good things we are hearing about Berrios!

You can call me premature on this topic, and on the surface it would seem so considering pitchers and catchers have only recently reported. You can call me crazy, and you wouldn't be the first. But in this case, I truly don't believe I am. I hope you follow me here and run with this because I think this is a relevant conversation, even though we have an entire 2017 season yet to be played and enjoyed. We all know, and generally acknowledge two primary things: 1] The Twins have a talented young nucleus of position players in place, augmented by a few veterans, with additional interesting prospects close with the likes of Gordon, Palka, Granite and Vielma. 2] We know the single biggest weakness link in the Twins being any kind of contender is the starting rotation. We have spent months and gallons and gallons of Internet ink regarding said rotation, the proposed Dozier trade, prospects on their way, the value of said prospects based on various scouting reports, etc. Not absolute, but there is, I believe, here and in the rest of the baseball community, that the Twins DO possess some quality young talent, here and arriving soon, and that the Twins were probably not as good as they appeared in 2015, nor as bad as they were in 2016. This leaves the team somewhere in between; talented, developing and possessing potential, but with some obvious holes. We have not only read reports and posted rebuttals with our endless ink on proposed trades and prospect listing from previously mentioned sources, but right here on TD, we have just recently read, speculated and disected the team for the upcoming season. And we still are, and will continue to do so, which is great! But I think we also realize that this a transition year with a brand new FO, and a new way of doing and evaluating things, from the inside out. Very soon though, games will be played. Performance will be seen and speculated on. And before you know it, meaningful games will be played. Whether the Twins win 60-70-80 games is open for much conjecture. But the fact remains, this is a transition year, and I think it's a pretty safe bet various roster moves will take place through the season. Eventually, we will see/know if Hughes can return to his previous form. There is a lot to like about Hughes if he does. Santana is a quality and proven ML starter for our team, but could have real trade value at some point. Santiago is nothing special, but has been successful, and is a somewhat poorer version in value to Santana. A return to health, and his 2015 form, perhaps better, makes Gibson a viable commodity to trade or keep. A healthy May, back in the role he knows and was probably meant for, still has some solid potential. Berrios is a top prospect for a lot of reasons. Mejia and Gonsalves could and should see some ML time this season. Haley offers some interest, at least. At some point in 2017, unless things take a very bad turn, the Twins could easily see themselves, between veteran guys on staff and young arms here or getting very close, as having a bit of a logjam for potential starting Pitching candidates going forward. Probably no #1 on roster...at least for the time being...but with a group of arms to sort through and examine going forward, decisions will have to be made. For a moment, let's assume Hughes recovers and starts to pitch like he has previously. He could be valuable going forward and his contact hard to move. Santana and Santiago could both be trade able for something. Gibson, rebounded to 2015 form and perhaps better, could be both valuable to the Twins as well as trade able. But wouldn't it be better to keep him over Santana and Santiago? And if May and Berrios round in to form, you have 4 spots filled with guys like Mejia and Gonsalves possibly ready. And yet you still don't have a true #1 SP to lead the staff. The team is below the 2016 payroll, (about $3M) and farther below the expected ML average payroll, ($32M), and if/when Santana, Santiago and Perkins are removed, the team gains an additional $27M. For casting 2019, another $23M when Mauer's contract is off the books. Synopsis is, a young and talented roster working towards something with a couple solid/good prospects getting close, position wise. A probably better bullpen with some very talented pieces very close. A starting rotation with, potentially, a couple nice pieces here and close, but no true stud. This team, after the '17 season, unless something falls apart, ranked in the top 11 for overall prospect ranking, should have the opportunity, unless something falls apart, to either make a big package deal to trade for a top of the rotation SP, OR, have the financial means to invest in a top of the rotation SP as early as the next offseason. What works best in your mind? Make the big prospect trade? Who might you speculate it includes? Keep your prospects and make the big FA splash for your team knowing the inherent risks involved? What do YOU think? Which way would you go?

I like your post. And I agree with it for the most part, but also have to disagree a bit. I agree there is a bit of a logjam for the rotation. Not including fringe guys like Vogelsong or a sudden, unexpected promotion of a minor leaguer, a healthy Hughes, (at some point), Santana, Gibson, Santiago, Haley, May, Duffey and Berrios give 8 legitimate SP options. So you are correct there is a bit of a logjam, and I'm actually glad we didn't invest in any additional FA options. But we are uncertain on Hughes, for now. Berrios is still very young and has options if it's decided to go another right to begin the season, and a couple of these guys could also see themselves in the pen. Which brings up the second point. I absolutely agree that an end of the season rotation of Jay, Berrios, May, Gonsalves and Mejia would be excellent and exciting. And I see a lot of possibilities of both Santana and Santiago being moved at some point to contending teams needing additional pitching help. It would make sense not only to clear dollars and maybe get a decent prospect or two, but to make room for at least one prospect, and create a better roster opening in 2018 for a prospect, major trade acquisition or FA signing. But the counterpoint would be: 1] Hughes is untraceable at this point. We're he to come back to form..at some point at least...he could be more valuable to keep. 2] Almost ditto for Gibson, though less of a post-injury concern. But again, healthy, back to his 2015 form, perhaps even better, while trade able, he could also be more valuable to keep. Especially considering its a little hard to simply graduate multiple pitching prospects, with any success, all at once. 3] While Jay offers a TON of potential...and I simply don't understand those that are down on him so soon...he has only a single full milb season under his belt. He is still developing a feel for being a starter and building up endurance. I think he's a full season away, at least, and I'm OK with that. I expect, and hope, that by the end of the season, we are looking at a rotation of Hughes, Gibson, May, Berrios and Mejia with an appearance for Gonsalves. Now ask me how excited I am with those 6 in the fold for 2018, with more on the way, and the possibility of a major trade or FA signing?

Agree with you in theory here. And I hate to state the obvious...but I will, lol. It's not the money, it's the veteran experience. I agree Mejia seems to have more upside. And I know this is a rebuilding team needing to look at their young talent. But while not a stud, Santiago has proven to be a solid, decent, serviceable ML SP. He was good for the Angels last season, crappie when he came to the Twins, but then finished strong. Meanwhile, Mejia is still young, has, I believe, only about a half season of AAA under his belt. So I can see Santiago higher on the pecking order for now, with Mejia getting the call during the season, and Santiago possibly traded mid season.

Not going to disagree with you. I think Haley, pitching well, has a shot at the end of the rotation since Hughes is such an unknown and Berrios has options. However, I think if Berrios really shows progress, options or not, I could see him in the rotation and bumping Haley to the pen. I get we need to look at young starters, but Berrios has even better stuff and probably more upside than Haley, so it would make sense to place him in the pen initially. I also agree to no on Vogelsong. I think he's at AAA if he shows anything as a potential call up. My best guess: Kintzler, Belize, Chargois, Pressly, Duffey and Haley with Rogers from the left side. From there, one of Breslow, Boshers or O'Rourke. Now, that makes 8, which could happen, but I expect a 7 man pen. So who goes? That's what I can't answer. But not only do these things "sort themselves out" but invariably someone pulls something, has some tightness, etc. So I am going to cheat and name 8 for the pen for now.

I think the shuttle between the Twins is, more or less a given isn't it? Guys get hurt, even minor injuries, and Rochester should be pretty loaded with guys awaiting their turn.

IF Hughes is ready to go day one...still a big IF, IMO...then he, Santana, Santiago, Gibson, May, Berrios, Duffey and Healey would be "serious" contenders in my mind. That's 8. Anyone else would be targeted for AAA to begin the season, or trying to "hang on" and looking for opportunity to strike.

Hughes has to prove himself fit and ready. I hope he does. We're a better team if he does. Absolutely, positively want both May and Berrios in the rotation. But if I had to pick one initially, it would be May. No more pen. Let him start and run with it. Berrios can be called back up ASAP.

Well....Santana can't really hit a lick either.

I am not saying Hughes will come back in 2017, or at some point in '17, to be the same pitcher he was in 2014, but what a boon to the team if he could? Big time prospect who flashed on the big stage but also showed inconsistency. He comes to the Twins and has the best overall season of his career. And a combination of age/maturity"experience and a change of scenery does this for some guys. (Age as in maturity, not old). A return to that previous form, and the Twins acquiring a top of the rotation starter via trade or FA, with Hughes at #2 could be huge! A bit of wishful thinking on Hughes, but also not unreasonable, IMO.

As prospects with upside, I think you'd have to go with Jay and Gonsalves ahead of him. Still a solid #3-5 LHSP is nothing to be sneeze at. In an ideal world, you'd have 2 lefties in your rotation, 1 at or near the top, and a second quality one lower in your pecking order. The Twins currently have 3 to fill 2 spots. That's not too shabby. When encourages me is the seeming improvement of the last season in which he seems to have improved despite climbing higher levels. Is it conditioning? Refinement? A combination of both? Who cares as long as he's actually showing improvement.

I was off the Stewart bandwagon before 2016, to be honest. But the weak contact, the solid ERA, the number of solid starts and bump in K's the first half of last season at Ft Myers, plus his young age, got me re-thinking about him. Call it a hunch I guess, but those positives, with his build and frame and athleticism, tweaks and consistency to his delivery...which will hopefully happen with experience and some fresh approaches implemented by the new regime...have me encouraged and thinking he'said just one of those guys who is going to bloom later than originally expected/hoped for. Keep in mind, "later", in this case, means knocking on the ML door as a 23 or 24yother. Not exactly old by any means.

I agree on Burdi. He's so talented and at any moment you just feel he could simply take off. And miswing last season is frustrating for all involved. But I feel AA IS appropriate to not only begin the season, but because of the number of solid to very good options at AAA. I love the potential of Melotakis and think he's going to be good. He also could jump very soon, but his progress has been very similar to Chargois and I'd hate to rush him. I looked again at the prospect list as listed above. Give me that top 5 and 2 more of Rogers, Pressly, Duffey and probably Haley and I'm happy enough to do the Snoopy dance!

Interesting that 13 players are listed as possible bullpen options, at least initially, for 7 spots. And this doesn't even include one of the AAA arms really stepping up. IMO, I would remove May for the rotation, and I see Vogelsong as a AAA SP to begin the season with an outside shot at the 5th starting spot. I also think Perkins a very long shot to begin the season with the Twins. Take away those 3, and there are still 10 pretty viable options to work with, again, not counting anyone from the AAA really stepping forward. Outstanding? No. But there are some arms to work with there. I still would have gone for a closer bounce back vs Believe. There is something to work with here, at least, some potential, and further hope from a possibly loaded Rochester bullpen: Reed, Hildenberger, Melotakis and possibly Baxendale and Busenitz.