DocBauer

Errors for a young infielder just shouldn't be a concern really. There is a difference in making errors...learning mechanics, disciple, poorer fields, not as good of a 1B, etc...vs simply not being cut out for the position. I did some research for a post here at TD once and it was revealing just how many errors top ML SS had in the minors and/or their early ML career. Which is one of the things that has frustrated me about Polanco as a SS. I still don't think we know for sure he can't play the position daily because we never get to him him there.

In theory, I love this idea, and have stated such in another thread. However, it does with a couple caveats. 1} Vargas, as previously stated elsewhere, was my top prospect to click this season. I'm looking smarter lately than I did in April. I picked him because in the minors he has shown some nice ability and potential. And he showed some of that ability with his debut in 2014. 2} 2015 simply didn't turn out like anyone expected with Vargas. But he was actually starting to hit a bit when he got demoted. We talk about how poorly the Twins have handled young prospects this season. But what about Vargas last season? There may be more going on here that we don't know about, but why do you demote a youngster just as he's starting to hit? 3} I still wouldn't rush to promote Vargas just yet. In a lost season in which we are talking about giving prospects time to develop and be in a good groove, let's give Vargas a little more time. All that being said, I am beyond dumbfounded by the attitude and approach to the 2016 roster of the parent club. I GET Park was a lottery ticket. And I GET keeping Plouffe, at least in the short term to hedge your bets against Park needing time and Mauer continuing to spiral. It made/makes perfect sense. Park got off to a slow start, adjusted and got hot, and now is struggling lately. But I've seen enough to tell, me he will adjust and rally again. Mauer...I just don't know. Mauer has turned in to a solid defensive 1B. Park is also quality there. He'd probably be even better with regular playing time there. But if you really are trying to put the best team on the field, and your best lineup, who in the hell decided the best option was to put your very best hitting prospect in RF? Sano was a SS as a kid, moved to 3B, played solid tnere, worked hard to improve and did. Scouts were universal that he could play the spot, at least in the short term. And while not great tnere, we have seen that he CAN play the position. Question: will he get better or worse defensively at 3B the more he plays the spot? So someone, in their infinite wisdom, decides if we're going to throw someone in to RF who has never played the position, it should be Sano. Why? If we're going to build this team...the right way...why wouldn't you let Sano play his natural 3B, grow at the position, and put Plouffe or Mauer in RF? (I know Thrylos said LF, but Mauer and Plouffe have good arms, and RF in Target requires less coverage than LF) SO here is the obvious scenario, we're going to stink defensively in RF, or be average at best, no matter what route we take. So let's take our top young player and mess with him instead of putting another veteran out there. How does this make any sense at all? Play Sano at 3B. Put Mauer or Plouffe in RF. If the talented and powerful Vargas continues to perform...and he is both...then bring him up when the "proposed youth promotion" takes place. He can DH. Move Plouffe for whatever you can get.

Dozier would be better, and the Twins as well, if he would re-invent himself by regressing to the hitter he used to be. He needs to get back to contact, AVG, OB and gap power and speed knowing he can now make pitchers pay when they either make a mistake or challenge him. And you're right, the Twins bear a ton of responsibility in this as well. Someone needs to sit down with him and discuss reality. Other than a mistake pitch, ML pitchers are now cognizant of his pull approach.

Man do I hate being late to the part. Especially on a thread like this. Thank you Seth for posting such a wel, thought out piece. (As well as establishing the appropriate parameters) A lot of tremendous thought here, and I would expect nothing less from the TD family. A special shout out to Rosterman, Levi and Brian for some lengthy, smart and well thought out ideas. I'm sure I'll repeat a lot of ideas here, but then again, they are things I think. I have to say, ideally, it might be best to hire a president first, let him oversee the organization and then make his GM hire. But we are talking about GM here, so I will concentrate on that aspect. BACKGROUND: My choice doesn't have to have been a GM before. I honestly feel the Twins job would be a hot one. Call me crazy, and some will, but despite at least some financial restrictions that an LA, NY, Chicago, Boston, etc don't have, I've never really felt that Twins ownership didn't care. Nor have I ever felt they were as tight fisted or cheap as been alleged at times. Conservative and prudent, sometimes too much so, yes. But, IMO, when the Twins had a team that could compete, they have stepped up the payroll. While certain signings and extensions the past few years have been perhaps misguided, they did step up. A new GM will have solid ownership, if not ideal ownership. He will have one of the best facilities in all of baseball. He has a tremulous facility in Ft Myers and one of the best milb systems around. But despite my belief this is a great opportunity, I almost don't want a GM who has held the title before. Just my opinion, but I don't know if an Epstien would come here vs a top market. Also, if a former GM is available, there must be a reason. Yes? I'd prefer a younger GM open to new ideas who has been the right hand man in a quality, we'll run organization the past few years. Some mention the Cardinals, Cubs and Ray's as examples. My hope is he would have held positions with at least one additional organization to bring different ideas and perspectives with him. He doesn't have to be a traditional "scout". He just has to be well organized and a good overall baseball guy who is good and smart with people. Part of his job is to NOT be the be-all and end-all, but to surround himself with good people. ON THE FIELD: I want him to embrace the complete package. Baseball has changed over the years, especially with new stadiums and inter-league play. It used to be teams tailored their teams to their home stadium in many ways; turf vs grass, size of stadium, stadium dimensions, etc. I don't believe this is nearly as true as it used to be. Despite being very different sports on the surface, I feel there are a lot of parallels between makes a quality football team as well as a quality baseball team. Excelling in a single aspect of your game, or two, isn't enough to consistently win or be competitive for potential championships. I want a GM who believes in a balanced and deep roster. Not everyone has to be a slugger, or a Gold Glover, etc. A roster should be built with versatility, while embracing all aspects of power, hitting, defense, OB, speed, pitching, etc. In other words, not a hodge-podge of 1B and DH types and just tell your manager and coaches to figure it out. My GM also has to have a manager who communicates well, uses his entire roster, is not afraid of some of today's metrics... (though I simply don't believe metrics are tell the whole story)...and embraces such simple things as platoon/match up situations, advancing runners, guys knowing their roles, etc. Sounds strange to say, but I want a young TK as a manager. THE DRAFT AND PLAYER DEVELOPMENT: Like the construction of the ML team, the draft should also be handled with a sense of variety and "completeness". While each draft is different...stronger in certain aspects, stronger in HS vs college talent...the BPA is always a great approach. Especially in baseball where you already know that you have a bit of a crapshoot as to will actually "make it", and it will take years before a prospect to reach the majors. But as much as possible, try to split your draft between HS and college talent, position players and pitching. The past few years, the Twins have moved on from "solid" pitchers who had the potential to maybe move quickly, to more power arms. A late development to be sure, but a step in the right direction. Not every arm has to throw 95, but you can teach pitching, but you can't teach velocity. Every year, I think a flyer or two should be taken on an out of slot, potentially hard to sign prospect. You take a shot every year on a guy or two like this, you will get at least a couple signed. They could make a difference. My well organized GM will make sure that the guys he has running the minors, and coaching in the minors, all share similar ideas and philosophies. EVERYTHING from how my players stretch, to how they travel, to hitting and pitching approach, is the same at every level. This provides continuity and familiarity and helps not only with development, but with advancement to the next level. While every prospect is different in their development, I agree with a more aggressive promotional approach in the lower levels. Promote, develop and challenge. If promotions slow down a bit, it should be at the AA and AAA level. MEDIA AND RELATIONS: Just be transparent. Just be honest and up front about things. I don't need a spin doctor telling me good we could be, or pat yourself on the back for some milb signing. If you have a plan, an idea, a thought, just be honest and transparent. NOTE* honestly, as fans, we want to know everything we can. That doesn't mean we HAVE to know everything. Just don't BS us. FREE AGENCY: Simple, aND as already stated, go in big for the 1 or 2 guys who can actually make a difference. But enough with mediocre moves. Despite the 20/20 results, initially, taken by themselves, there was nothing wrong with the Nolasco, Hughes or Santana signings. The problem is all 3 of them. Not only could that money have been spent elsewhere now, but it's currently handcuffing efforts to move them and move forward. Keep dumpster diving. My new GM would still take flyers on guys for middle relief and bench spots. He would look for guys coming off injury, or former quality prospects who didn't cut it. These are cheap flyers, and once in a while you get lucky. You don't build a team this way, but you do find solid, helpful options here and there. THE CURRENT SITUATION: This is hugely disappointing, to say the least. I agree with the statement previously that Ryan should just own it and tell the Pohlad's as much. As much as possible, July 1st if not sooner, this should be about 2017 and beyond. If Ryan wants a legacy and feel good exit, he should do everything he can to trade, bargain, dump veteran players and contracts to clear the way for the future of the franchise, and help pave the way for a big second half influx of Twins youth. I agree that trading for even more prospects may not be the right move necesarilly. But what if it were possible to acquire a decent bullpen arm or solid catcher? That could actually help. I'm sure the Pohlads, like any sports owner, wouldn't be crazy about eating contracts. But not only is it the cost of doing business sometimes, but it changes the roster dynamic for the future with players, in most cases, earning the minimum. I admit, I'm really disappointed in Molitor. It will be up to my new GM as to who the best man is to lead my team. But Molitor, as a player, was all about hustle and execution. I'm just not seeing his intensity reflected on this squad. And considering his previous coaching stink and knowledge of so many of our prospects, I'm really frustrated and disappointed how he's handled many of them. He may not have made this mess, but I also don't think he's handled this year, or his players, in the right way.

I'm not sure I can agree with this post any more! It makes so much sense that it's simply impossible to ignore! One item though, I would think Mauer would be a better fit in RF. He does have a decent arm, and RF, at least in Target Field, has less ground to cover than left.

Sometimes, I agree with Reusse. He sometimes writes something that is informed and intelligent. IMO, this is trash to spit out for a necessary column deadline skewed by a poor season and nothing more poignant or important available to talk about. Casting is one of the biggest shames in Twins history. I don't know if he would ever be "great", but we was a really nice ballplayer who's career was tragically cut short due to injury. He was best, overall, as a 2B. His move to 3B, as I recall, was not only born out of roster balance, but if I recall correctly, the thought was 3B might be better for his back than playing 2B daily. But really, better than the solid but not great Plouffe? I don't think so. And, of course, it SHOULD be Sano at 3B. I always thought Wilson was a nice player. My knowledge of Twins players from the past is way beyond solid, but I absolutely don't know/remember Pete Mackinin. With any return to semblance of his past self, this platoon over Dozier? No. Adam's over Park at DH? If I had been drinking anything when I read this I would have covered my screen with a classic spit take. Adams was a nice role player with a couple decent seasons. He doesn't compare to the potential of Park. Engle was an OK player, with a couple decent half seasons here and tnere, including one really nice half season as a catcher. But even miscast as an OF, you'd take him over Sano? Spit take #2. Yeah, there were actually some better players on that 1981 team, but man, this whole article is rather ridiculous. I'd advise Mr Reusse to have a few drinks, then another one, blow off some steam, then come back with a fresh approach to something that actually matters. Here's a suggestion; compare the 1982 team that lost a ton of games, looked inept at times, but was filled with a ton of young talent when the Twins committed to a HUGE youth movement vs the IMPENDING 2016-2017 Twins youth movement. At least there's something worth discussing and comparing there.

Despite his struggles this year, I am not down on May. I think, like a lot of guys, he's just not performing up to his potential. It's the "why" that is the question. He did really well last year when given his shot in the pen. Not every pitcher is meant to be a starter, and not every pitcher is meant to be a reliever. Some can even do both, though they are usually better at one vs the other. In either role, it is a learning and adapting process. And either role can take time to get a grip on. I think we often simply assume the pen is easier to succeed in vs starting, but your sequence is different than being a starter, if that is what you are used to. Often, you come in with runners on you didn't place there. And day to day, you don't always know if or when you will pitch. My theory? In addition to learning how to adapt to being a RP, I think May was pitching well, in a groove, and was happy to help the team. This year, I think he was disappointed, and rather mislead about his chances to earn a SP spot. Further, through failings of the current rotation or poor planning by Molitor, or both, I think his role has been undetermined and the pressure to perform has been immense. As a SP prospect, he was a big strapping kid who could make a bunch of starts and give a lot of innings. While not a probable #1...and let me state again you just can't easily say or predict who will develop in to a true #1...he had the stuff and potential to be anywhere from a quality #2, at worse, a quality #4. The biggest issue was pure, consistent control. And that is where the real "crime" and disappointment of the handling of May comes back in to play again. Dead horse abuse aside, he was pitching well in 2015 as a member of the rotation, and getting better, with much better control, when he was moved to the pen. And for a team that has struggled developing quality young SP for several years, to take one you actually have and mess with him by bouncing around, is almost unforgivable. Especially for the sake of a poor performing veteran pending FA like Pelfrey?! Send him down. Stretch him out. Get his confidence built back up, get him in a nice groove, then bring him back up.

I confess to not following all the teams and players the way I used to. I just don't have time any longer. I used to be able to recite almost any starting lineup and most rotations and a plethora of relievers that weren't closers. But alas, my knowledge of players in the league A-Z is not what it used to be. But it's still good enough that when we traded for Jepsen I had a "who?" moment. But his career seemed solid, and I thought, OK, him and another guy yet to come who is even better and we could be in business. That, and Pelfrey to the pen, and we got a shot! Of course, Ryan had other plans. Or rather...he didnt. Except, of course, to move May to the pen when he was one of our better starters, keep starting Pelfrey.....Oh forget it. Just not going down this road again. Maybe we really did just get lucky with Jepsen last year. I still think it was smart to bring him back this year, but ONE MORE TIME, along with SOMEONE ELSE. I believe Thrylos is correct, he's a solid, experienced middle guy who can pitch some setup once in a while. But full time setup and occassional closer is just not his role. What's wrong? Probably his role, for one. But I don't know, maybe losing really is a disease that you can catch. Tonkin is by no means great, but he's actually surprised me this year. Pressly has surprised in a negative fashion similar to Jepsen. At this point, what I hope for, and what I'd do, is move Hughes to the pen. I'd be promoting Chargois soon. Jepsen would be a middle man with Pressly. And I'd send May to Rochester to relax, and stretch him out. I'm not anxious to move Abad. He's pitching well, has at least some history of success, may be worth bringing back, is inexpensive, and I'm unconvinced yet, despite all this, that a return would be better than keeping him. I think Rogers has potential. Pen: Hughes, Chargois, Jepsen, Tonkin, Pressly and Tonkin. Abad and Rogers from the left side.

If a player truly shows up in poor shape, as is stated here in the article, he deserves to be called out. Especially if said player is coming of an injured or poor previous season. Many of these guys are paid millions and millions of dollars to take care of themselves and work on their craft. It doesn't mean they will always succeed or avoid injury, but to not do something as basic as show up healthy and as in shape as you can be is inexcusable. I am not singling out Perkins or Hughes directly, but they are the clear targets in the article. But the article itself feels as though it's being written in a very 2 faced format. It almost reads as innuendo and sensationalism. I was actually surprised there wasn't the classic "un-named source" statement somewhere.

I honestly don't feel Ryan, at this point at least, would have the authority to name his successor, as some have suggested. From comments from Jim Pohlad, comments from Ryan concerning his job status and their displeasure, for the very first time I can recall, it would seem that ownership is frustrated and actually looking for answers and change.

As bad and frustrating as things are right now, I can see the point of not making a move at this point. The arguement could easily be made "how could things get worse", and it would not be a reactionary or knee-JerK thought. But with the draft so close, and then contracts and the such to follow, I feel continuity is still important at this point. Further, the Twins HAVE to make some trade moves here in the next couple of months to be sure. Now, forgetting for a moment that actual trade value for some of these trade candidates right now is pretty poor to aweful, SOMEONE has to make the moves needed. If not Ryan, then who? Who could you get as a high quality replacement mid-season? I'm seriously asking. I would think there could potentially be several top candidates that would love the opportunity to sit in the Big Chair for the Twins. You have one of the top stadiums in all the Majors, a top farm system, there seems to be quality scouts and a quality milb coordinator in place. You have excellent complex in Ft Myers. But even still, how many of these candidates would feel comfortable leaving their current team mid-season, especially if their current organization is having a competitive season? Said candidate would have a hard time, I'd think, hitting the ground running when he would need time to learn personnel on and off the field while also trying to make moves.

He has commented before he feels comfortable leading off, and he HAS done well there before as a table setter despite a lower BA providing some OB, power and speed. I originally thought maybe being put in that spot again might "shake him up" a little and he'd change his approach. At this point he needs to be hitting 7th. Of course, half the guys on the team need to be hitting 7th or lower! What WOULD I have done? I would have sat him for 5-7 games and started Polanco and hit HIS leadoff. Surprisingly, he seemed to actually hit when he got in the lineup.

And I'm sorry for those who don't like the radio team. Provus is solid, but he's no Carneall. IMO, he's no Gordon either. Despite a home spun attitude and a few missed calls late in his career, I really liked Gordon. He was engaging and real. I love Dazzle as well. He's unpolished. What's wrong with that? He was rugged and unpolished as a player. He's not a mouthpiece. He's a bike riding, World Series winning former tough as nails former ML ballplayer. What do you really want for your radio color guy, someone who never played the game and went to journalism school? If Gladden had been confronted by said ballplayer, he probably would have punched him in the mouth.

Sorry to those who disagree, but this spot on. These guys, despite being away from home a lot during the season...quality hotels and perks and quality salaries and watching baseball, for a livkng, have a sometimes tough job providing the viewer with their calls and analysis. They have to be accurate and real. Homers? Yeah, sometimes they probably are. But aren't they also broadcasters for the Twins? What are they supposed to do? Bash the mish-mash, underperforming team they see daily and tell the fans not to tune in?

I wouldn't give up Murphy this soon. I'd keep Centeno for now. Why not? At this point, though I still like him and believe he will get "figured out", I'd be in favor of trading Dozier and putting Polanco at 2B. It may be his best position, and it appears the Twins just don't want him or believe in him at SS. I'd keep Escobar and Nunez both. I'd probably keep Santana as well, as a multi position reserve with speed off the bench and still possessing some upside. But I'd be giving Beresford a long look-see. Sano is at 3B. I wouldn't give up on Rosario yet. He's way too young and there is just way too much potential there. I'd probably keep both English Santana and Gibson. Nolasco would be gone. Hughes is probably untradable, at least for now. I'd really like to try him in the pen. The bullpen is a complete mess. But I'd keep Abad probably. And I'm still tempted to keep Pressly and Tonkin for now. Oddly, Tonkin was the guy I was worried about, and thought Pressly was ready. Suddenly, it's just the opposite.

It's funny how things get taken out of context. In another thread, Ryan is bashed pretty hard about his Grossman comment. But in the full context of the article, there is really nothing all that inflammatory or overly congratulatory concerning the signing. The term "panic" isn't a Ryan quote. He uses it, somewhat loosely, as a feeling for some fans, accurate or not. I actually find his comments to be some of the most open and honest comments I have ever heard from Ryan before. What really strikes me about his honesty is almost a confession that his job may actually be on the line. What also hits home is that despite many, many comments on other threads currently, and in the past...and I have commented recently how those of us away from Minnesota and the Twin Cities may not have access to opinions and information others closer do...that the Pohlad family only cares about profit just may not be accurate. Or, even if you wish to be a Pohlad defeatist still, that the product on the field DOES matter. I think this almost begs the question, what has to happen the rest of the season to NOT see a major change on top of the organization? I am beginning to think more and more that perhaps a change may indeed be coming. The one part of Hit's post I will object to is over valuing our prospects as fans. While I can see that, and agree with it in regard to fans' relative impatience for a turnaround and relevancy again, I would disagree in regard to the actual prospect rankings and potential. These prospects are not just ranked highly by us as fans, but also by scouts and various basebalL scouts and publications as top prospects.

Absolutely! FREE POLANCO! FREE POLANCO!

His last game. Ryan was talking about it during the pregame

Look, I'm not going to defend Hughes. He had a great 2014 after a so-so/poor start to the season. The kind of season you always felt he was more than capable of. After a similar start in 2015, he didn't pitch that far off from his 2014 self until injuries bogged him down. I really believed wed see a 2016 Hughes that would more closely resemble the '14 version, or at least a split between the two seasons. But he's been anywhere from very inconsistent to bad so far this year. But I'm not going to knock him for his last start. Do I think he should have done his best to gut it out, pitch, mix things up, toss junk if he had to for another innING or so? Yes. And Ryan, in the pregame, sort of blasted Hughes for taking himself out of the game. But unless I missed something, didn't he tell the Twins ahead of time his shoulder was bothering him and that he didn't feel full strength? Tired arm, sore shoulder, whatver, the Twins knew. (Again, unless I missed something somewhere) And he did go out there and pitch decently, though it was a short start. Ryan himself commented we shou,d have won the game but gave it away. Doesn't there have to be some responsibility on the coaches to either DL him or move him to the pen where he might be more effective for fewer innngs? It's not like the pen doesn't have room for a potentially decent arm there.

"On the other hand, at least it looked like a strike."

Look, I agree with Levi that instead of patting himself on the back for signing an OK AAA OF to help fill in, Ryan should just come clean on some issues. It wouldn't fix things, but it might inspire a little more confidence in the man and his perspective at this point. Cutting through obvious sarcasm brought on by frustration, there is no way Grossman is a guy who gets some nice extension. If he performs adequately, he's signed to a 2017 contact for the minimum probably. But some perspective on Grossman for a moment. I am NOT sugar coating him or this move, and I don't pretend to know much of anything about him really, but is a 26 yo switch hitter with a nice 6' 215 lb frame. If you ignore his very first milb season in which he only appeared in 5 games, a very rough calculation of his career quad slash line looks like the following: .275/ .380/ .402/ .782 He's no slugger, only hitting double digit HR twice, and no more than 13 ever. He's reached double digit SB most years, with an OK success percentage overall. All I'm saying is, for a struggling team with a talented group of OF in AAA gaining experience, Buxton, Kepler, Rosario and Walker, who came in to this year with a COMBINED total of only 224 AB, (129 for Buxton, 95 for Rosario), Grossman may not be a bad option as a temporary, fill-in player who MAY help a bit, and may turn out to be a solid AAA or bench player. I think it's unfair to look at the acquisition and player through a lens of frustration with TR and the season in general.

Someone please explain to me...soon, another month maybe?...why the Twins rotation shouldn't be Santana, Gibson, Dufey, Berrios and May, (or Meyer) with Hugh's either on the DL or in the pen?

Maybe a rest for Sano is warranted today, I don't know. But I'd rather sit Mauer and have Sano in the game. (Whatever combination of 3B-1B-DH you prefer) I'd also start Polanco at 2B and bat him leadoff with Nunez in the two hole.

His defense needs work and he will probably always be a DH and part time OF. He also SO way too much, and probably always will. But even with a ton of SO, if he can keep nudging his BB up, he may be a real 3 part outcome player at the ML level. And those are valuable too. Can you see him hitting in the .250 range with a .325-.330 OB, 30+ doubles and 25-30+ HR? It's still hard no to be excited about him. He's produced at every level he's ever been at.

No big surprise comment/observation here...the Twins haven't had a true leadoff hitter since Span. Haven't had much of a #3 hitter either since Mauer regressed. You can debate that a leadoff hitter is only ever guarantee to leadoff once per game, but that's a BS arguement. It's not about the 1st inning, to about setting the table for the guys behind them. Right now, as long as he's stil having a good season, I'd work Nunez in to the lineup, probably near the top. Regrettably, considering his poor May, I'd probably have Mauer there as well. Dozier has produced at the top before, but just isn't producing much at alL at the moment. Polanco. This young man, after some early struggles in his milb career, has turned out to be an exciting offensive player. He's been so good, so exciting, that after starting virtually every milb season in the 1 or 2 hole, he's been moved down the the 3 spot. (Much like Gordon in Ft Myers this year) Are there questions about his defense and ultimate, everyday position? Yes. But he is still only 22, has very littleast AAA time, much less ML time, and as I have written before, if you examine the history of many, many ML SS during their milb and early ML careers, you wil, see seasons with quite a few errors. At this point, what are the Twins playing for? We're not going to the playoffs, we're not going to finish .500, play this talented kid EVERY SINGLEVEL DAY at SS or 2B and see what he can do. It's so obvious that it's maddening!