DocBauer

Cough

Thank goodness we have an ACE in Nolasco!

I wonder if some of the guys are just pressing at the moment? The lineup could absolutely use another contact hitter or two besides Mauer. Kepler, when ready, will help. Buxton, as he matures and gets his feet under him, will also help.

Precisely. "Relax kid. We got 162 games to go."

Fien's contract will not keep him around. His $2M is a pitance in this market. But a couple appearances is way too quick to move anyone, (even if you want to) But I am surprised he's looked this awful. I still feel TR blew a real opportunity this off season to improve the pen by bringing in a couple strong and proven arms, and letting May return to the rotation. The entire staff would be better for it. (With tradable pieces available down the road) But I think at this point, our conversations should be about what to do, not what we didn't do.

Sounds cliche and kind of obvious, but just a bad inning or two, just a couple missed clutch hit opportunities, are keeping this team down. We absolutely could and should be 2-3 or 3-2. It simply has to turn around today doesn't it? Especially with the much maligned Nolasco taking the hill. The baseball gods enjoy irony.

So far, early or not, we've seen the SP collectively do very well. That is always encouraging. Really glad to see Turner and Garver at AA. I think it works, and I think Turner needed that slow down. Am I being naive on Jay when I say I expect him in AA for the second half of the season? Not based on one start to be sure. But with his age/maturity/college experience, I'm just not sure he's going to need A ball for very long.

1} Despite generally liking the job TR has done, and does, I have been quick to jump on him previously for short sightedness in regard to CF, and both last year and this year in regard to the bullpen. May should be in the rotation since the team should have acquired another strong reliever to take his spot. Ditto for a LHRP instead of Fien, for example. Abad may do a good job. But he's not only not a certainty, but isn't a pen better with 2 quality lefties? Yeah, you have promising youngsters on their way. But how close? When? In the meantime, you build the best staff you can, and you trade away assets when the youngsters are ready. 2] These 4 losses stink. But they are close games, lost by only a run or two, and with horrible situational hitting. To just blast the bullpen for the losses outright at this point is very knee jerk. Just a couple clutch hits and we're at least 2-2. 3] Come on...losing your first 4 stinks, but it's only 4 games, on the road, and a couple played with weird weather conditions. If you are this strung out after 4 games I'd advise avoiding close proximity to any bridges. Remember when last year's contending team looked like the worst Twins team ever at 1-7 with embarrassment after embarrassment on the field and we wondered how they ever won the one game? We are already of to a better start. Lol

I know we don't want to anno it him as an alternative time Twins great at this point, nor necessarily even all star status. Over the decades, I don't think we can claim the Twins have had an over abundance of great SS's. Please correct me if I'm wrong, but I think the list of said SS would include Versalles, Smalley, Gagne and Guzman...though Guzman never really maintained the status he teased of. There were a couple of other decent players such as Mears or Hardy for a year or two, but unless I'm just missing someone, that's about it. Now, that's not to demean the guys on the list, who were pretty darn good in their day, but it's not an overly long or overly prestigious list. And you could make different arguement as to how they rank, but for the most part, I think it's safe to say we have generally struggled for a few years to find an every day SS who could produce and could be counted on. As I previously mentioned, guys mature and find themselves at different stages and ages in their careers. I never fully bought in to the arguement Escobar was only a utility player, despite so-so milb stats, as he moved through the ChiSox organization rather quickly, and was promoted fairly young, only to sit on the bench AS a utility fielder. And it's hard to say if the Twins scouts were smart in their scouting of him, or lucky, or both. Based on his overall numbers per AB the past two seasons, keeping in mind that in each season his numbers/performance began with intermittent play followed by steady play that seemed to actually lead to an increase in production as he became THE GUY, his numbers for 547 AB, roughly the average number of AB for a starting ML SS in 2015, his numbers would look something like this: .268/ .312/ .425/ 43Dbls/ 4Tpls/ 12 HR Huge potential production. Again, his numbers, though I don't have a month by month breakdown, seem to indicate his production, overall, increases when he gets steady play. Assuming health, as always, and breaks so he doesn't get worn out, could the Twins really have one of the most productive SS in the league? The past two years and correlating projections would seem to say yes.

Great post! I am actually a fan of Nunez. A utility player usually plays great defense, or can hit. Generally, they can't do both. If they did....they'd be a starter. Nunez is OK defensively and can hit a bit. Santana offers speed, some pop, and positional flexibility with OK defense. He is as much potential as anything else. I like both of these guys and think they are solid bench guys. They'd be even better bench guys if the Twins could keep an 11 man pitching staff that would allow another "bench bat" to go along with Arcia. While he really needs to play every day, my hope, (and general thought) is a role will open up for Polanco at some point, replacing Nunez or Santana.

I absolutely love waking up in the morning, and pretty much first thing, popping on TD and checking out the minor results from the previous day. One of the absolute highlights of my day. Seth, the SD Buhr article was a great one. And the milb depth is such that it does appear a lot of guys are a rung lower than expected. At least to open the year. Would you agree with me that we may see more movement this season, promotion wise, and perhaps earlier as well? I would be surprised to see several moves as early as the 1st of June.

I know we have a plethora of quality young arms getting so very, very close to making their debut. But they weren't ready last season. They aren't ready yet this season. And nobody without a well functioning crystal ball knows exactly when they will be ready. Which is why it is so frustrating the Twins didn't use the $2+Mil being paid to Fien, throw another 3 with it, and signing someone like Bastardo for 2 years. Now, pour out another $5M or so, roughly, and something the team could afford, and you have another option for May. Now how much better does the rotation look with Santana, Gibson, Hughex, May and Milone in it while we wait for Berrios and/or Duffey? And unless they completely implode, the Twins have a veteran RP or two to trade come the second half of the season when some,of the prospects, probably/hopefully arrive.

A great point I have often tried to make. He lost a season due to TJ. And then, by most accounts, made a pretty quick return to the mound. The numbers say Gibson is a 4th year man, but that's really due to a technicality. When he got his first promotion with the Twins, he exceeded rookie status by, I believe, 1/3 of an inning. Except for this technicality, he would have been a rookie in 2014. For a variety of reasons, different individuals hit their stride at different ages. For some it's 24-25, and for some it's 27-28 ish. Not saying he will become the proverbial "ace" of the staff, but top starter is very possible if not already true.

Gordon is a top,prospect for a reason. In theory, he wou.d provide more speed and SB's as well as a better OB%. But until he arrives, Escobar is clearly the guy, clearly a surprise and gift from the baseball gods. I think we are beyond the SSS arguement at this point. While he has clearly surpassed his milb numbers and projectability, we always have to remember that for every top prospect that doesn't make it, there is usually someone who exceeds expectations. As to the whole "utility infielder" label, he was promoted early/young to the White Sox and sat on the bench as a utility player rather than play every day. Clearly, this is one the Twins scouts got right.

Great points on Fien. Totally agree. Now, I have stated I get the signing. He's been solid, he finished the year well, he's a solid bounce back candidate, he provides depth (at least initially), and his cost is negligable. I get it. I can't really be too upset about it. But the problem is, his $2+M could have been added to another 3-4M and picked up a higher grade arm. One that wouldn't bankrupt or handcuff the team long term but could pay huge dividends.

This is still a tough question to answer. For the NOW, what we have to ask ourselves and wait to see is how much better we are with Park? We obviously don't know the answer yet. It's very difficult to say "don't go get a guy who could make a difference because you have to juggle the lineup some." But I believe Rosario is a very talented young man with a bright future, though there may be some speed bumps here and there. Ditto for the even more talented Buxton, who will be OK eventually, if not soon. But I also believe Kepler is the real deal. And sooner or later, push is going to meet shove and a decision or two is going to have to be made. If Mauer doesn't continue down the path of the past few seasons, if Park doesn't flame out, then where do you put and play everyone? Everything I've read, and what little I've seen, Sano can play 3B. At least well enough to be OK, with the potential to be better than just OK. At least for a few years. So do we move Plouffe next off season? The team might be better this year with Sano in RF, but what comes next? And when does "next" become a forced reality?

This still rubs me the wrong way! I think May could be excellent in the pen. He could be a top set up man, maybe even a closer. Buy why are we trying to find out NOW? We know the Twins actually have some rotation depth for once. And we've already been over that topic again and again. And the mantra of "these things tend to work themselves out" is a very true statement. And we know why May moved to the pen last year, because we needed him there then. But we wouldn't have if the Twins had made a serious move to upgrade beyond Jepsen. Same if they had made a serious move this past off season. Duffey is working a third pitch, and seemed to lose control or confidence this spring, at least to some degree. He'll probably be fine. Berrios is still very young, missed some spots this spring, but he'll be fine too. But how much better would we all feel about the rotation, short term as well as long term, with May...pitching well and getting better by the start in 2015...if he were in the rotation now instead of Nolasco? I am not blasting Ryan or the staff on this, but I think it's still a shkrt-sighted mistake.

Unto itself, I never had a problem with re-signing Fien. I don't think it was necessary, and I still believe the money should have been applied elsewhere. (More on that to come) We all know the numbers and success..or lack thereof..of a RP can be volatile. Fien has been very solid for the Twins, though I have always liked him better in the middle innings. In the absurd realm of sports contracts, Fien was re-signed as a bounce back candidate for not much money. And it won't hurt the Twins to part with him should performances like this continue. I think it would be fair to say a month from now things could change as the Twins have a plethora of talented RP at Rochester and Chattanooga, LH and RH to bring up.

Care to elaborate on Gonsalves vs Stewart in your opinion?

Is it just me, or does it seem like half this roster is on a precipice of prospect oblivion vs major step ahead? I'm not saying it's a bad roster at all. I like Vielma. I like Turner and Garver. The bullpen is absolately loaded. But fair or not, it seems like Harrison, Michael, Goodrum, Wimmer and probably a few others, have either lost some of their shine, or have age or past injury factors clouding their potential.

I think being down on Escobar is a mistake. What he has done when given a full time role the past 2 seasons is no longer SSS IMHO. I think the only risk could be being used too much and tiring. Also frustrated by the negativity regarding Rosario. Yes, he absolutely needs better contact. But his performance last season was very encouraging despite virtually skipping AAA. And for anyone who points at his poor 2014 at AA, remember, it came after missing the first 50 games, AND he hit and performed quite well at AA to close out 2013. Not to mention some impressive seasons before that as well. I say again, while he is a regression candidate, he is also a PROGRESS candidate.

Wow! There is a lot of potential with this club! Normally, I sit down every off season and project my own milb rosters. I've just been too busy as of late to do so. So seeing this roster laid out really excites me. I'm still a bit puzzled that Christensen doesn't play any middle infield considering he was a SS in college for most of his career. For versatility sake alone I'd think he'd get a look-see. Perhaps he's simply outgrown those spots? Half this team could be mid-season promotion candidates.

OK Twins fans...the 2016 season is about to begin! First....YEA! Real baseball is back! Spring is...well...springing, and the world is suddenly better with baseball back in swing! But we can't fully appreciate the upcoming season, and looking forward, without looking back as well. Baseball is always a bit of a time machine, always has been, like most sports, and our beloved Twins sit at an apex right now. A few items to reflect on: 1} Our Twins had 4 aweful seasons...it could be strongly debated only 2 of them were actually expected. There are a lot of fans of teams that would love to only endure 4 such seasons, regardless of reasons or explanations. This would include the current champions. 2} With top prospects on the rise, veterans on the roster, the FO suddenly spending far more on FA, I still think it's safe to say most of us, and the baseball world in general, felt the Twins would right the ship and be a contender in 2016 or 2017, not 2015. And the reasons for this are pretty simple: graduation of milb talent. We all know the Twins had, arguably, 2 of the most talented prospects in all of baseball the past couple of years. We also know a team is not built on 2 players alone. Still, these 2 players were the cream of the crop, possibly difference makers, and each had a really rough 2014 to set them back. But they, Sano and Buxton, were not the only talented youngsters in this strong system, just the top of that crop. 3} No GM in his right mind would ever say the following: "Fans, we have less talent than most teams in baseball right now. But we have a lot of talent on the way, which you probably won't see this season, or the next, but maybe the season after you will. So in the meantime, we've assembled a team we hope won't suck, and we invite you out to watch your favorite team hopefully pitch and play a quality game that we might actually win while you enjoy $5 hotdogs and $10 beers. Oh yeah, we have bobble heads and posters of past great players and winning seasons if you pick the right day to come out and shell out dollars." So let's just drop the whole poor 4 seasons of losing ball that I touched on point #1. The team, like all other teams, made attempts to provide something competitive on the field. So what if we never heard; "we are in rebuild mode at the moment." Unless you were hiding under a rock, you knew the rebuild was underway. 4} A funny thing happened on the way to the Forum...errr...Target Field. Even as Caesar was failing/flailing, something began to happen. This "happening" in different stages over the past 2 seasons was the likes of Plouffe, Dozier, Santana, Escobar, Hughes, the other Santana, Rosario, Sano, Gibson, Buxton and others teasing and tantalizing and actually bringing excitement and a winning record and competition for a playoff spot in 2015. So despite the Twins NOT being in rebuild mode, (chuckle), the Twins have suddenly started looking like a team that can not only compete, but might actually be building a team that can play on the big stage for some time. So here we are. We have a collection of talent on our roster to tantalize and compete. I mean, really compete. WS compete? I don't know yet. Nobody does. Because nobody has actually stated it officially, we have been in rebuild mode. And like most sports, a roster is always in flux to some degree. And I dont think the opening roster of the 2016 Twins is REALLY set just yet, same with most teams. There will be alterations to be sure. But to begin the 2016 season, the TALENT and POTENTIAL of this roster is the best we have seen in some time. Period. And our favorite team still has several top talents on the verge of making a rebound or first appearance to make an actual difference. I have a lot of excitement for our Twins in 2016. And the initial roster isn't necessarily how we will end up. My questions to you is 2 fold: 1} what really excites you....and....2} who or what needs to make a difference?

Absolutely. And it makes sense if their full attention is to make him a RP. And truth be told, with SP depth...with or without Nolasco...you still have Duffey and Berrios at the ready, and ahead of Rogers, with Gonsalves from the LH side maybe as early as next year. Maybe, and hopefully, Meyer yet as well, it makes sense. Just seems to me more IP to work on holding runners and working on the change would be a good thing.

Did I read correctly that Rogers will be pitching from the pen at Rochester? That might ultimately be his best fit, but I find it hard to understand why they wouldn't place him in the rotation because A} he's a pretty decent SP and could be better with a better change and B} he gets more innings in as a SP to work on his repertoire.