DocBauer

Sorry, I generally likeep LEN3, and he's right about these moves being uncharacteristic. As long as the moves are not window dressing, they are needed. (Should have been during the offseason along with others but we've hit that topic adnauseum) But I think he's flat out wrong to target Arcia. And arguing with an umpire and getting tossed is not the way to go about your business. (But as bad as some of the umpiring has been at times this season, I'm surprised the whole team, coaches, broadcasters and fans haven't been tossed) And Sano can't play 3B? Has he even been watching Sano play in the infield? Nobody expects a Gold Glove from him there. But he's still young and developing defensively. He's been OK there last year and this year. Probably even better this season when you realize he's been forced to the OF, "for the whole season", before moving back. Was Gaetti a great 3B initially? Koskie? Plouffe? The rhetoric of Sano at 3B is getting annoying.

I don't get the whole Herrmann for Palka deal. Palka is no baby, but he's also not old or some milb journeyman. It appears he can hit, hit with power, and run some too. And he's traded for an athletic backup catcher who just never seemed to get over the hump?

As to the roster at this time? Unless we can actually find an OK ML OF somewhere, somehow, to help out, Mastro as a 5th OF, defensive replacement and PR may be, at least, prudent, and allow Buxton and Kepler more time. I'd do my best to keep both Berrios and Duffey in the rotation. Moving Nolasco, however it has to be done, insures this. I'd keep playing Sano at 3B, at least on a regular basis, and I'd be looking at Plouffe, Mauer and even Park as a possible RF temp/fill in. This would allow me to prepare for the future, Sano at 3B, while still attempting to get my best bats in the lineup. Why and how can Sano be moved to the OF but everyone else is immune to any such move? I don't really understand the O'Rourke move. I'm not a big fan of a pure LOOGY, but at least he seemed to be OK in that role. Maybe Boshers can and will do better. There ARE feel good stories out there where somebody gets another chancd, with another organization, something clicks, and they find a role. I seriously doubt Kinsler has a future with the Twins. But if it's him or Fien, I'd take Kinsler, at least in the short term. And I'd probably move Chargois up to Rochester with the idea that in a month, maybe the break, he's now ready to take Kinsler's job, or someone else's. (As good as Chargois looks, he's still lacking much pro experience of any kind) Until or unless he slumps, I'd still get Nunez in some games. I'd go with Centeno as second catcher for now, and try to get Murphy back on track in Rochester. If and when that happens, I'd bring him up to PLAY, and make Suzuki the backup catcher. (Or even DNA him, or hope someone out there could really use a veteran catcher for depth and offer up SOMETHING) Dozier has had some solid success in the past in the 1 spot, and has voiced he has enjoyed playing there. I know there are valid arguements to batting him lower in the order, but maybe swapping with Santana would spark him. And whether it costs us a contract or a lower level prospect, I'd keep watching the waiver wire and such for that veteran OF, or a catcher, that may be acquired as a stop gap option who could maybe help. This might even allow Rosario to go back down to AAA for a time to get right as well.

I also played amateur GM this off season, and thought I did a pretty good job of it. (Not that it matters or anyone asked. Lol) And I was befuddled by moves made and moves not made. But I tried to focus on the positives and hope. During ST, I really thought there was a shot that this team would be at least OK. Alas...that is not the case. I don't feel there is an issue in regard to actually giving TR or anyone else "credit" or an "at a boy" for these recent moves. I think the feeling is more one of...hope simply may be the best word here, though not totally accurate...that at least there is a willingness to begin to move on. The problem isn't the Twins past way of doing things, or a failed off season. Those things are what they are, being in the past. And the issue isn't really Centeno of Boshers or Mastroianni. No, the issue is what's next? I understand the frustration and disappointment we all feel. But, IMHO, the answer is not to just promote 4-6 prospects or so, throw them out there, and let them take their lumps and see if they sink or swim. And if they sink, toss them back down again and bring someone else up and play the sink or swim game with them. There is no form of continuity there, it could damage steady progress, and it's not really any different than recycling veterans round and round and seeing if something "sticks to the wall", as it were. So the issue is again, what's next? And not tomorrow, but maybe 2-4 weeks from now. Is this a real attempt keep Berrios and Duffey in the rotation? Is this a real effort to add a 5th OF just for speed and defense so Buxton and/or Kepler can get some more time before coming up? Is this a prelude to actually remove guys like Milone, Nolasco and maybe others, despite contacts in order to clear the 40 man and the 25 man rosters? If the answer is yes, I'm not willing to toss bobbles or bouquets to Twins management. Nor am I saying there shouldn't be some very warm butts. But at least it would signify...again, maybe hope...that there is actually a change in thinking and procedure. That maybe, there is at least the makings of an actual plan instead of a recycling job.

Boshers?

Yes...but...while the past few months have just felt awkward in regard to Twins moves, isn't what's taking place right now kind of what we've all been clamoring for? Keep the long term, remove the short term, promote players, even if it's AA to AAA and A to AA, etc.

But at this point, who else would you bring up? You don't want Buxton, Kepler or Walker sitting on the bench, and if you're smart about it...poor choice of words these days perhaps...you don't want to disrupt their daily playing/development/progress at Rochester. So you keep the kids down playing every day and add a solid defensive OF with some speed to sit on the bench, PR and maybe be a late inning defensive replacement.

Agree it's a very well thought out point of view. But I also disagree on Murphy. He's talented enough and young enough that I don't think he should be so easily dismissed. I don't think he's been handled right. (Surprise!) How do you trade for a young catcher and then not play him? Suzuki is not part of the future, offers no potential, and is almost certainly gone after this year. Does he really offer so much for a struggling team that he has to play daily over Murphy? Despite no obvious option at AAA, thank you TR for that, I'd rather see Murphy play every day at Rochester for a time to find himself again. Play him or help him! Keep starting Berrios and Duffey. Move Nolasco for SOMETHING, even if you trade money and a low level prospect to do so. Make room! Fien and Milone is a good first start. If you can't find a market for Plouffe, or Plouffe and a prospect, then give him, and Mauer and Park, an OF glove and find someone who can play a less than horrible RF so Sano can concentrate on 3B primarily. Whether he ever turns in to a good/great 3B is irrelevant. He's solid there. Repeating myself, lose Nolasco to make room, and by mid season at the latest, prepare to run with Buxton, Kepler, Polanco, maybe Meyer, and a couple young RP like Chargois and maybe even Boshers. (?) There is a nucleus in place. Build on it!

Looking past my disappointment, bordering on disgust at this point that we didn't either acquire another strong arm for the pen last year, or this off season, whereby May could stick in the rotation, at this point he should get a shot to close. He has the best stuff and potential in the pen at this point. Maybe he isn't built for it and won't embrace it, but at this point, really, what do you have to lose? Let's either admit the mistake of removing a potentially solid SP arm from the rotation and send him down to stretch out as we remove Milone, and potentially/eventually Nolasco and...fingers crossed somebody else named Hughes or Santana, (unless Hughes goes to the pen )...or let him audition for the closer job.

Really? I'm anxious to see Chargois very much! And despite all the time he's missed previously, I have a feeling he's one of those guys that just has the stuff and "it" factor to rise quickly and make a difference. I mean, really, should he be this good after missing two years? I'm thinking Kinsler for now to allow Shaggy some more milb time, maybe with a corresponding move to Rochester.

If I were forced to defend the guilty, I would say that he offers defense and bench speed for a while, along with ML experience, in order to "protect" Buxton and Kepler in order that they can continue to play everyday at Rochester for now.

On a serious note.... I will not absolve Ryan for last season, or this past off season, for acquiring only Jepsen for the bullpen despite obvious need. (And thus, keeping May in the bullpen as a consequence) But as I have stated before, I can at least get or appreciate his thinking: "let me roll the best i/we can and hopefully maintain while the kids are coming and, hopefully, getting close." I still maintain that is short-sighted thinking as you could surely afford to eat a couple contracts or even find real trade value to a contending team. No absolution...but at least his eyes are open enough to admit a mistake and begin to address it.

Just guilty of trying to put a positive spin on the move.

I agree. Heineken...so I made sure it went down.

Unless he implodes, Nolasco should provide at least SOMEONE trade value based on career success, especially to a NL team, where he has spent the entirety of his career before joining the Twins. Especially if the Twins throw in some money and maybe a lower level or throw in prospect. (Something I've been advocating) This is something that just HAS to happen. Hughes, and his contract, and untradeable at this point. I really don't get Hughes. He started slow in 2014 before sharpening up and having a great year. And until he got hurt last season, it seemed he was, more or less, doing the same thing. We can only pray he will repeat and begin pitching up to his talent now that a new month has started. I just don't know that there is a market for Santana, not that I would necessarily advocate trading/removing 3/5 of our rotation so soon. There may be a team in need who recognizes Santana's quality career and would like to add him. But 2 1/2 plus years still on his contract, even affordable by today's standards? I just don't know if that is going to happen.

No excuses for mistakes made in building the roster this past off season...just not going to go there yet again at the moment...but, Mastro did have a solid ST, they know him, he can play defense and PR. So as a temp move, I could see some value for him on the bench. I don't know that Centeno offers any kind of improvement, but, he could allow Murphy to play everyday at Rochester and get his stroke back.

PRICELESS! Just about spit my beer out when I read this!

This still sticks in my craw! In truth, right now, May might be our best option to find a closer. Maybe he'd take to the job? I know it's spilled milk and has been rehashed to death at this point, and I still sort of get a temporary move last year even if I didn't approve, but why this year??? Until the young prospects are actually ready, or at least close, how in hell could a rebuilding/retooling team that has had a time developing quality SP not keep a talented young SP in the rotation? I mean, really, Nolasco and Milone have better stuff and a future with the club in the rotation but May doesnt??? Deep breath Doc...deep breath...deep breath.

I agree. I'd always like my rotation to have a lefty in it. Ideally, you'd have two, one very good and one at least solid. And the Twins actually have had this at times in the past. But I'd much rather go all RH if my best arms threw that way. And I believe that is indeed the case. Especially now when you have Berrios, Duffey hopefully finding himself again, and Meyer hopefully determined back at Rochester to force his way back up. Gonsalves in another year or so.

Whoa! Shock! Thought for a second this was going to be some wishful thinking tease. But I am honestly shocked. Really thought Fien would get May to prove himself, or at least buy time for a prospect, Chargois for example, to get another month of experience, probably at AAA. I could absolutely se Kinsler and it would make sense. He's pitching pretty well at Rochester last I looked, has ML experience, and he too could be released or sent back down in favor of Shaggy, or someone else, down the road. Surprised by the Milone move. Figured sooner or later he might make another start or two and be traded for a lower level prospect. A breathing lefty with a decent track history, coming off an OK season should some value to someone shouldn't he? For the future of the franchise, these are welcome moves. Again, nothing personal, but room has to be made on this roster for the youngsters. Hopefully, barring any additional injuries, Nolasco will continue to be solid and be moved when Gibson comes back. Hughes, I guess, Santana, Gibson, Berrios and Duffey. Hopefully Meyer again at some point.

The top five starting pitchers? ☺

This a really smart post. Take a step back for a moment and look at the nucleus of the team. Rosario is multi talented and one of the talented top prospects we've been waiting for. Don't give up too soon. Sano is legit, and he's only proven lately he can be a 3B. Park isn't exactly a youngster, but he's talented, and not old. Santana is a nice player. Nunez isn't bad. Polanco is possibly better than both and ready or almost ready. Arcia is still really yojng, still full of potential, has worked hard, and deserves his shot. Buxton and Kepler are potential studs...please don't let early promotions dissuade your opinion on their potential. That would be very short-sighted. Berrios, Duffey, previous stud prospect Meyer, discussed at long length elsewhere, and Gibson are young starters on the cusp. And Shaggy and a couple others could move forward by mid season. I feel this shouldn't be viewed as a lost season, but rather, as a continuation of last season: a team with young talent coming to the forefront. SSS? No. A team that overachieved last season who's goal should be to balance the young nucleus in place and promote top prospects...when ready after more IP and AB...take their lumps, and do their best to move veteran players and pitchers who don't fit in to the long term, despite financial concerns, YES. WE don't need a rebuild. We just nod a calculated influx of our youngsters for this year to prepare for tomorrow.

Yes it was. His first couple of starts, as I recall, weren't very impressive, though his last couple were much better. And he followed it up next season with a few so-so starts before getting better and better before he got moved to the pen since we had nobody else. (UGH!) Gibson also didn't look very good initially. Then he had a pretty solid "rookie" season the next year. And an even better 2015. Berrios's first start was pretty mediocre. And guess what? He was better in his second start and actually got his first ML win. Viola was average at best to start his career. Johan Santana was a rule 5 stash player and bullpen option initially before he finally won a full time SP gig. Just saying.

With Plouffe now back, and recent play of Sano at 3B and getting his stroke back, I think the Twins need to take a really hard looK at their roster and lineup configurations. While the results aren't nearly what we want or need, there are some "interesting" things happening. 1} Santana is looking a bit more like he did in 2014. At least he's contributing. 2} Dozier has been struggling. He has spoke in the past about enjoying hitting leadoff. Perhaps he and Santana should swap spots in order to jump start Dozier's season? 3} Thus far, Mauer looks suspiciously like the Mauer of old. Hopefully this is not an illusion. We can argue whether he should hit 1-2-3 in the lineup, but if he keeps this up, and Dozier could find his spark, I'm not so sure we shouldn't continue Mauer in the 3 spot ahead of Sano and Park. 4} Despite early reports that Sano would NOT play 3B this year, look what happened? And what kind of defense has Sano played at the hot corner? Solid at least. He may never be great, but like all the scouts stated previously, he can at least be solid at the spot. So what now? IMO, Plouffe, Mauer and Park all need to be fitted with an OF glove and audition for time in RF. How can the Twins possibly feel it's OK and right to move Sano to RF for this season, and not consider these other 3 as candidates to do the same? Right or wrong, love him or hate him, Santana is hitting some, (a rarity right now), and can play OK in all 3 OF spots. Ditto for Rosario, who is not hitting well, but even more talented and better defensively, and shouldn't be given up in. Arcia is a better, harder working and better player than he was last year. He can sort of play both corner OF spots, seemingly better than before. And let's face it, until Kepler is ready, RF may just be an average at best defensive position. (Not even mentioning the solid hitting and versatile Nunez at this point) SO if you really want to put your best lineup together, you have options of Arcia, Sano, Plouffe, Mauer and Park at 3B, 1B, DH, and RF. 5 guys for 4 spots daily if you use them right and mix and match. And this includes Santana, Nunez and Rosario taking their various turns. To me, it is short-sighted and disingenuous for Molitor and the Twins to pigekn-hole anyone in a specific spot AT THIS POINT. YES, it's clearly easier to lock in an everyday 1-9 with some solid bench options you can filter in and out of the lineup. But we're simply not there right now. THIS to me, IMHO, is a moment for Molitor to shine...or not...as a manager to use his available talent the most effectively as he can.

Nice comments on Centeno. He did show flashes in ST. He is off to a solid start in Rochester. And he may be able to contribute at some point as he is now the Twins 3rd catcher, probably. But I don't think it divides the handling and loss of Hicks. I really wasn't sure what to expect from Park. In truth, I don't think anyone did. But we were all hopeful. There will be streaks I'm sure. But I've been impressed. I think he belongs and has been mostly impressive.