DocBauer

Just curious as to what you mean by this statement? With the exception of another RP in place of Nolasco, probably a lefty, I'm not sure...at this moment...if there is a better roster available.

Lol. Sorry...Arcia of course. My kids were talking to me while posting and I missed my tablets auto correct. Maybe I'll just call him Ozzie for now on. Lol

Catcher: Interesting that Murphy seems to be performing the worst, though there is time left. Surely the Twins wouldn't trade for him and then start his year at Rochester would they? Infield: We know the starters, Park has actually looked better than I expected. Nunez is solid and the coaches believe in Santana and want him to do well. His versatility and potential are huge pluses. Polanco needs to play everyour day right now, despite such a good looking bat. Outfield: I realay wish there was room for Quentin and Sweeney. Past performance, current performance, I'd really like them on the bench as role players. But would they really let Ortiz go despite the slow start in ST? There is still potential. He's been working hard. His defense is sudden looking better. Will they really move on at this point? I just don't think so. Bullpen: Perkins, Jepsen, May, Fien, Abad and O'Rourke. Two spots left. Pressly probably takes one. Tonkin has seemingly pitched himself off the team. And unlike Ortiz and Santana, I don't know that there's enough upside to warrant keeping him regardless. Further, the overall numbers depth here is significant. Lastly, I'm actually leaning to Graham at this point, though a vet like Kinsler could sneak in. Rotation: Hughes, Santana, Gibson, Duffey and Milone...all as expected. Notice Nolasco missing? Maybe just my gut, but two poor and nondescript years, poor ST, agent comments, I just don't see a fit any way or any how. It's time to let him take his money and go bye bye for everyone's sake.

Some of my thoughts...FWIW. I find it interesting the sense or decorum and propriety that are in individual sports like golf and tennis. Over the years, you'd have to say baseball has a similar button up philosophy in acceptable actions. I'm jot a hockey fan, but if I'm not mistaken, isn't there a similar philosophy to baseball in regard to acceptability and self policing? I think it would be easy to call me stodgy or old fashioned in my beliefs, but I am HUGE in regards to sportsmanship. Sports of any sort is not only entertaining but uplifting in the thrilling ways that athletes perform, and the magical moments that they create. I have always believed in the celebration of success and accomplishment. But to me, there is a line that is often crossed in sports that I find somewhat distasteful. If your team is down by 20 points in the 4th quarter with a minute or so to play, and you sack the QB, is a full on sack dance really necessary or worthy? Or a meaningless TD in garbage time worth a dance party when all you've done is close the margin of defeat? High 5's, fist pumps and the such are one thing. But showing me how cool you are to pad a meaningless stat, or get a 1st down in the 1st quarter of a game is meaningless and self serving. There is something to be said in being confident and classy enough to simply show that you did what you intended to do...have done it before...and will do it again. That being said, I feel baseball has to relax a bit and get over itself. How is it than when a team wins a playoff series, or the WS, that a huge pile in the middle of the diamond is OK, but a fist pump, or a quick bat flip after a tieing or game winning HR is somehow disrespectful? Someone beat you in a scenario over a 162 game season and you're going to throw a 90+ MPH fastball at his body with possible injury implications? Holy crap! Get over yourself! And for goodness sake, don't let me ever play you in a game of pool or darts.

Agreed. Bastardo signed for about what I thought, once it became apparent his price was coming down. I can't say I'm a big fan of Freese, but he is a solid player. He signed a whole lot later and for whole lot less than I expected. But who could have predicted this with certainty. Additionally, buy in or not, but I think there is something about sticking with the guy you know sometimes. I think there is value in that.

One....again...I liked Nolasco initially. The team was floundering and needed help. He wasn't my first choice, that was Kazmir, but I thought it was a solid move at the time. It just hasn't worked out. It happens. To loosely paraphrase Bull Durham: "baseball is filled with bad moves (trades)". I absolutely hate May in the pen, though I get it, he helps a bunch for now, and the rotation has depth...but...COME ON. But I get it. But at a certain point in this situation, doesn't the money aspect have to be ignored? I mean, the Twins have paid for 2 seasons of injury and poor/lousy performance. And no matter what, they are on the hook for 2 more seasoms, whether Nolasco is jnjured, or stinks, or performs well in whatever capacity. Right? And I get that you'd like to receive something positive to show for your investment, but unless Nolasco really, really cranks it up in big time fashion, is he really going to be better than and out perform Duffey, Milone and Berrios, (possibly May) at this point? All guys that weren't here when he was initially signed. Forget cost, again, it's sunk, if you really think he makes the club better by being part of the pen over a second lefty, or a youngster like Pressly or Graham or whoever, then keep him and do it. You are the Twins...you are signing the checks...it's your sunk money...it's your team that you are supposed to be taking care of, and putting the best one on the field to compete. You tell him to pitch, in whatever capacity you want, or go home. Too much for a reliever? Yep. Too much on the hook to just dump him? Yep. But it's been this way for two years now already! Sooner or later, this just has to about what's best for the team on the field, and money has to be left out of it.

I wish I could miss most of 2 years at my job, more or less stink when I was on the clock without any repercussions, still have guaranteed pay for the next 2 years regardless if I stink again or even show up. Options? Try to stay healthy, do your best, sack up and be a professional for your team, yourself and your reputation. Not to mention any career beyond today.

Marty Cordova and Jason Kubel are two of the most disappointing Twins I've ever seen. I hope Arcia doesn't end up joining that duo. Now, Marty was principally an OF, but reading about Kubel reminded me of him. Now, I can't say either was a washout, both did well, though Kubel's career obviously was the longer one. And I'd never blame Kubel for the serious knee injury he endured. But man, didn't you just feel like both of these guys would be building blocks in the heart of the lineup for years to come? It's one thing to be frustrated or disappointed by someone who never makes it, despite maybe being a top prospect. But it's just so painful when he see what someone appears capable of doing...and somehow...it just slips away.

First of all, I think it's very, very cool that we can be talking about so many talented young prospects with this kind of potential. It seems only yesterday we didn't have much of anything at 2B or SS, and now we have Dozier and Escobar with a couple interesting bench options in Santana and Nunez, all these young SS prospects, and a couple others, and 2B options, not even listed! While the future positions, or possible movements, of Sano and Dozier are a complete unknown, it's not hard to see a 2B a SS and a 3B all come out of this group. Vielma, with any kind of hitting and decent OB could be a defensive difference maker and fun to watch. I've come around on Gordon, and am thinking he won't be great at anything, but good at everything, which could make him an ideal top of the order presence, or, a perfect flip the order bottom hitter at worst. But the guy that frustrates me is Polanco. Not him personally, to be precise, but opinions on him. He was signed as a defensive player with a questionable bat. Now he's a quality bat but questionable defense. And I want to know why. I read some reports that say he can play SS at the ML level, then I hear other opinions that state he cant. But to be fair, the negative opinions I hear dont seem to come from the Twins or scouts, but MOSTLY from posters and media types that focus on his error totals. As I recall, he not only is still only 22, and just reached AAA, but he also got moved around a bit and played a lot of 2B before moving back to being primarily a SS recently. Additionally...and hear I go repeating myself again...just a bit of casual research will show countless quality and top SS's with high teen and 20 error totals in the minors, as well as their early ML seasons. Errors aren't a good thing, but they don't necessarily mean someone can't play the position, play it well, and get better. Milb infields, milb teamates, aren't always ML quality to begin with. And what about trying too hard for big plays? Just learning to slow things down? Or even just polishing technique day after day? With all due respect to EE, who I am a big fan of, a polished and presentable Polanco at SS in the near future is a HUGE boost to the overall lineup.

The comments on Polanco are some of the strongest I've seen. At least in regard to his defense. As someone who has never been able to watch Polanco in person, save a game or inning here and there, what I've always wanted to know is an accurate reporting of his defense and potential. By that, I mean can he actually play the SS position? There is so much focus on his error totals, but those really shouldn't be unexpected. Brief research will show a large number of ML SS's with high (-ish) error totals in the minors and even initially in the majors. It's a positions that requires learning. His error total can be explained by youth, learning, poorer fields, poorer teammates (1B in particular), rushing throws, trying too hard, etc. So again, my concern and question is can he actually play the position. The report here says he can. As much as I like Escobar, this could be big for the Twins.

A great point. However, while no-one should necessarily be on a short leash or quick hook, as I stated in another thread earlier today, the depth of options shouldn't be ignored. And in regard to the pen in particilar, theremember could be a lot of "next man up", which would t necessarily be a bad thing if we're talking about prospect auditions.

Youth. Absolutely. We are talking about 6th and 7th inning guys...for now...not the back end of the bullpen. It's a perfect opportunity to break in to the majors with less overall pressure. As previously stated, the overall numbers are such that the train can keep busy running from Minnesota to Rochester all season if guys need time or work.

With apologies...it was the end of a very, very long couple of days...and I'm afraid I may of indeed mixed my metaphors unintentionally. And for that I do apologize.

Wow, not only is life distracting by things like work, errands, shopping, bill paying, kids, dogs and oh yeah, sleep once in a while, but there is also TD articles, forums and blogs to attend to. I've gotten so wrapped up in all of the above...and more...I damn near lost track of the start of SPRING TRAINING, the new and improved spin of the world as a result, and actual baseballike games being played. And I have to admit, a big distraction has been a weird mix of hope-reasoning-speculation-depression-frustration and borderline vitriol from the bloggers here at our beloved TD. Shouldn't we be excited that baseball is back? Didn't our Twins actually play solid and meaningful ball most of last season? Didn't they actually produce a winning season? Weren't they actually competitive on a nightly basis? Man...you would think we were the Marlins cutting bait on hope and every good player under contract, or the Astros/Cubs/Royals/others who haven't had a significant season or playoff appearance until last season (s) in "fill in the blank" years. Part of me gets it. 4 bad seasons and we got close. Some are optomistic. Some are scared of a tease and sudden regression. Some are PO'd the Twins didn't mortgage the farm..err...field to "go for it" last season as if there may never be another chance. A couple of things I know or think I know: The Twins were really good in 2010. The Twins thought they'd be just as good, or better, in 2011 but things went haywire. The Twins thought they could rebound with health and moves in 2012. The Twins stunk in 2013. The Twins stunk in 2014. The Twins surprised in 2015. I agree with previous statements made that the Twins rebuild really began with the May and Meyer trades. Before that, like any franchise, the Twins were trying to accumulate and perpetuate talent, and in some cases, success. While the Twins never actually came out and stated a rebuild was in place...it was. If you were TR and the Twins, would you announce you had no chance, make no moves, and just announce you might stink the next few years as you rebuilt? Woulid anyone? Has anyone? For the most part, I see the plan. I get most of it. But I have also freely blasted TR and the FO for almost completely ignoring the CF debacle the previous couple of seasons, and the bullpen last year and this year. And I dont excuse myself from caring and critiquing. (Or blasting on occassion) But a step back...some reflection and different perspective...I am amending some of my own thoughts. And I am re-enforcing others I have previously held. BULLPEN: I disliked the Stauffer and Boyer signings last year. I thought the Jepsen trade was a good one. I thought there should have been another acquisition of equal quality, and I thought both should have taken place a couple weeks earlier. I also disliked the move of May to the bullpen. I claim BS. 2016? Honestly, I was initially angry. I'm still not happy. I still don't like May in the pen. (It's a mistake) Even with May in the pen, why on earth wouldn't you make a real attempt for the port side of the pen? Are you telling me that we couldn't afford it,,or that we couldn't flip a quality LHP later on? Again, I claim BS. But I'm softening my stance. The truth is, the rotation IS crowded enough that FOR NOW, someone has to help in the pen. Hasn't there been a lot of previous discussion about successful teams like the Cardinals utilizing SP's in the pen before returning them to the rotation? Before last season, hasn't Fien been very reliable? At least when healthy and not over exposed in 8th or 9th inning roles? I have accused Ryan of pinning hopes to a wing and a prayer in 2015 thinking Burdi, Reed, Jones, SOMEONE would step forward to help. He's kind of doing the same thing again this year...except...there's a REAL chance this year it happens. Combine that with Melotakis, Rogers, Darnell, Runtzler, etc, etc, and there is a chance for a really strong bullpen to be built here. Am I Bear on the bullpen? No. But I can't be Bullish either as its would be hard for the pen to regress from last season. So I'm BS on the treatment heading in to the season...but...BEARISH on the potential. BEYOND: We've agonized over 2 primary topics this off season, Sano to the OF, and the pen. (I won't and can't include Mauer as that's been ongoing for years) Do we have any other choice than to be optomistic? Only you can answer that. And I truly hate to dismiss poor performance and lost games...potentially...in the early part/first half of the season. And feel free to call me an optomistic homer wrapped up in sunshine and intoxicated by the prospects of spring, but I just have to believe Perkins, Jepsen, May, Fien is a solid start/foundation to build on. Quantity is no replacement for quality...but...with so many options available from the port and starboard sides to flesh out the pen initially, I think we will be at least OK, if not good. As for the rest, my biggest concern is how to make room for everyone. What? You heard me right. We have spent hours and hours of finger exercises and pages and pages and pages of Internet type discussing the future of the Twins and the hopes for tomorow. The reality is, IMHO, that our beloved Twins actually surprised themselves in 2015. And TR, conservative and a bit miserly to protect the future, didn't want to make sacrifices. Realize for a moment that in 2014, 2015, and coming to a ballpark near you in 2016, we have at least seen/will see appearances from Rosario, Buxton, Sano, Kepler, Santana, Polanco, Vargas, Gibson, May, Meyer, Duffey, Berrios, Rogers, Melotakis, Burdi, Reed and others. WOW! Holy whatever Batman. ROTATION: The talented and strapping Hughes will be healthy and rebound. Santana has been a model of quality consistency his entire career, occassionally dominating. Gibson could end up being better than both. Would you bet against Duffey at what he's proven/shown to this point? Milone is surprisingly solid if unspectacular. He's only holding a place for Berrios...who could be better than anyone. (Not even including May or a resurgent Meyer) When is the last time you could feel this good about a Twins rotation? BEARISH OUTFIELD: In 2 seasons we've gone from Willingham, ?, Arcia to Rosario, Buxton, Sano (?) and Kepler in the wings, (not including Walker and much better AAAA options) and a hopefully better Arcia. BEARISH INFIELD: Plouffe, Escobar, Dozier, Mauer...forget foregone conclusions regarding a trade of Plouffe. He's solid and productive. Escobar has done nothing but play well and produce when given the SS job. Now he has it from day one. Dozier just needs breaks to maintain a full season. Mauer? To be determined unfortunately. UNDETERMINED ANIMAL CATCHER: With all due respect to Zuke and his guts, gamesmanship and leadership, and appreciation for all of the previous and more, I just don't believe he's good enough in any particular category any longer to be the starting catcher on a championship caliber team. (Possible backup and mentor-yes) We don't know yet what we have in Murphy. I wish we did. Draft position, prospect ranking, milb notes and production, early ML performance and production all speak of something solid. Once again, I don't know that we could actually go backward. But I don't know yet how much we've improved. Another UNDETERMINED ANIMAL. Truth be told, we really and truly don't know what to expect from our Twins this season. Are there reasons for regression and pessimism? Absolutely. Are there reasons for continuing improvement and optimism? You bet. The changes, the youth movement, the rebuild that was never formally announced are all in full swing and very possibly reaching the end of the new begining. Blast and be Bullish if and where you will. Dare to be the Bear. Tainted or rose tinted glasses...I like to think I have on the blue-blocker high definition eyewear that let's me see clearly. While I still have questions about the bullpen, at least early on, I really like this team. I am BEARISH overall, and I think this team is 5-7 games better this season. You tell me. Are you Bullish, Bearish, or do you call BS on something in particular?

Count me with the general universal of no on Suzuki. It's just not necessary. You should be able to re-sign him for $2 or less before next season. (Not necessarily a bad option for a backup catcher) However, while I respect and like Suzuki, if Turner or Garver or not yet ready, I still favor signing a solid backup who swings a decent LH bat. It just makes roster sense. Dozier? Sure...if this time you gain a couple FA years. Otherwise it's just not necessary.

O...M...G! No live feed. Almost forgot they were playing today while at work. Nothing but my smart phone for a rather casual "live" play by play and a box score. And in the grand scheme, the game means absolutely nothing! But it's baseball. Real honest to goodness Twins baseball! And meaningless or not...they won! I am so happy! {Snoopy Dance}

Maybe I'm just a fan of his and want him to succeed, but I have such a good feeling for Kepler. I really think he's close to reaching the league and staying, even though he's still developing his power. I see him as the Twins next #3 hitter. It might sound odd, but I'm thinking a poor man's Mauer hitting wise, but with more power and speed. Talent, a little ML exposure last season, and a quality last couple of weeks makes me think Buxton is ready to begin the season in the majors. I believe it could a couple years yet until he becomes the offensive player we hope and expect, but that doesn't mean he can't still perform solidly and contribute. I wasn't a big fan of Gordon at the time of the draft. All the scorecards I read had his skills rated 45-55, and that just didn't sound like a top 5 pick to me. But I've become a convert. I believe he will be hitting at the top of the order with Buxton in a couple of years. Call me crazy, but I just can't shake this notion of an infield of Dozier, Gordon, Polanco and Sano, with an OF of Rosario, Buxton and Kepler.

Top things I'm looking at? My list is as long, or longer than its ever been before. But these are probably the biggest ones that come to mind. Does Arcia look like he belongs and is ready to prove it? Just how close does Kepler look to being ready? Now that we got him, just what do we have in Murphy? Pretty much every LHP in camp not named Milone or Perkins.

I really liked the Jay pick when it happened. As I recollect the last draft, there were a couple "top" prospects and then various question marks up and down the line, high school and college alike. IMHO, he offers the best of both strategies:1] he's a quality arm with nice upside, though there is risk involved, 2] he's ALSO a very safe pick as it would almost seem a certainty that at worst he becomes a top LH set up man. And even if that becomes his destiny, a high quality, LHSU guy is not easy to find, and highly valuable. Just examine all the tremendous consternation and hand wringing taking place on the forums for the Twins not signing Sipp or Bastardo to finish off the bullpen. Again, Jay being that guy is probably a worst case scenario. Drafting a high quality ML end of the bullpen reliever is the floor of your draft pick? Hey....I'll take that.

Just wondering Sheriff, if that's a Louisville Slugger hiding under that 10 gallon hat, or are you just happy to see us all?

This. Sano may not be the next Gatti or Koski...each a stiff defender early on who turned out excellent...but he may be even better offensively. Both of these guys probably could have been fine at 1B or the OF. Maybe even excellent. But their ability to play 3B and be big offensive producers, made them even more valuable as it allowed other quality players to assume the 1B and OF spots. So while Sano focusing on the OF at this point is probably smart, I sure hope this doesn't turn out to be permanent.

I know I'm guilty of wanting Stewart to be that #1 type, high draft choice, SO, dominating front of the line pitcher so badly that I lose some perspective. It now seems to me that he was/is just more raw than we knew or imagined. 40 innings as a high school senior is crazy. But his velocity, his age, the vast number of ground balls and the almost utter lack of HR allowed has me encouraged again. He should absolutely begin the season back in high A.

Plouffe: like him, but thought he'd be gone. Not so sure he shouldn't be, for the best deal available and let the incumbent,Sano, take the job and find someone else to play RF or platoon RF. Actually, that would be the Twins way. But keeping Plouffe for now, while jamming up the works a bit, because he's insurance over unknowns just doesn't get me badly worked up. Moves vs non moves: I don't think the team is complacent either, just risk adverse and a bit conservative in nature. Some of that isn't just Ryan, but years of actually being the little team that could playing in the dome. While the Twins will never have the finances of a NY, Boston, LA, Chicago, etc, they are no longer the sisters of the poor either. The checkbook is bigger now. But I think they are still learning how to spend their new wealth. Nolasco was a solid signing. I can't play revisionist history now. But it didn't work, the Twins still lost, and maybe better moves with Hughes and Santana. If only you could go back in time! The rebuild isn't totally done yet, but there have been trades, FA signings and promotions. I think we're close. And I think you will see more moves made to suplement. But I do feel as though they don't know yet exactly HOW to spend.

While you make a very sound arguement, and the KBO is clearly not MLB, the Twins have been scouting Park for some time. They seem pretty convinced. Further, reports I've read, and a couple videos I've seen, seem to show a pretty decent swing. I've read that KBO batters are encouraged to swing. I hope this is true, and a habit than ParK can break, rather than just having poor contact skills. It's going to be fun. It's going to be interesting. But I think Park will win the job. That being said, I believe if he gets regular playing time, not just a couple AB a week, that Arcia will surprise and contribute. I also believe Vargas is in for a big year at Rochester, and will have all of us wondering how to fit him in to the lineup at some point.

Is the system broke? No. Not remotely, but it is undergoing a renovation at the moment, and the final results are not yet known. I will not give credit to Ryan for everything...for one thing he wasn't here for all the moves...but the Twins have one of the top 3 milb systems around by all experts, and have had for a coupke of years now. We've seen a ML graduation for several talented youngsters, graduation with regression but still upside for a few others, and several just as talented youngsters about ready to make the move. And the overall depth in the system is still very good. Is Ryan responsible for all these moves/choices/selections? Of course not. But his people, his administration has been in charge for a lot of it. Someone mentioned Ryan and the Twins coming to the decision to acquire power arms late. But then again, this change has occurred with Ryan at the helm. And while I don't have the numbers available to me right now, there were some eye opening stats given during a Twins radio broadcast last season that had virtually each and every Twins milb affiliate in the top 5 of their level in ERA, SO's and CG. I want to say they were similarly ranked in quality starts as well. The whole point being, there has been a major shift the past few years in pitching drafting, acquisition and develolment. On top of these organizational changes, there have been several manager and coaching changes the past couple of milb seasons, as well as a significant changes to the Twins manager and coaching staffs. Thus, a desire to be non-complacent. I'm not going to argue McPhail vs Ryan as they are somewhat different eras, and the economics of the game have changed. But in the past couple of seasons, there has been a dramatic shift in the Twins spending for FA. But like a new toy or gadget, I think Ryan and the Twins are still learning what to do with this new toy. Overspend here, underspend there, they are learning. You can make the arguement that franchise success in best or only defined by WS victories. It's similar to the NFL arguement that an all time great QB is lesser or greater based upon Super Bowl victories. I just don't subscribe to theories of this nature. While winning it all is great, in any sport, there are 30+ teams every single year with the same goal. Finances make things easier, but there is no single, sure-fire way to insure success every season. At the end of the day, all you can do is build the best, most competitive team you can that can win, and have a shot at the grand prize on a yearly basis. Hail the Royals. Hail the up and coming Astros and Cubs. But how many down and out of contention years have franchises like these endured? And the Twins had 4 lousy years before a fun, interesting and competitive season? No, the system is not broken. It's under renovation. There may be some more tweaks needed. But right now, it doesn't look broken at all.