DocBauer

This! Absolutely this +10. Call me overly patient, call me a homer if you will, call me an apologist. But despite a general believer in Ryan's patient methods, despite liking a general disdain for trying to "buy" a team by wading too deeply and dangerously in the FA pool, despite agreeing it can be more harmful long term than good short term by trading away a slew of prospects, despite a belief that "dumpster diving" or late-patient FA signings can often be prudent and smart, not "cheap", I have also been up front in being critical of Ryan's moves and non-moves. Especially the past couple years in regard to the bullpen and CF. In fact, I have been very recently. But I think a lot of this arguement is generalized and late. Ryan has made some huge mistakes, IMO, with some of his recent FA signings. Pelfrey was an OK signing. The re-sign was wrong. The Hughes and Santana signing were very smart IMO. The Hughes re-structure wasn't necessary. But the fact these signings even took place shows a change in the traditional MO. The Twins have been concentrating on various power arms and power players in the draft recently. There were some interesting reports I heard over the course of this past season that I'd like to see reported more thoroughly...I may be too busy or lazy, LOL...about virtually every Twins milb affiliate ranking at or near the top of their leagues in SO's, CG's and other similar statistics. (This seems to co-incide with some changes in the milb staffing and coaching structure) The Park signing caught most, if not all of us, by complete surprise. Way, way, way out of the Twins/Ryan boring and predictable brown box. He may be changing slowly, more slowly than some would want, but don't tell me Ryan and the Twins aren't changing. You could say Ryan is too conservative by trying to sign OF and bullpen options on the cheap, hoping to mine gold. (He's struck a vein or two before to be sure) You could also claim he's turned in to a gambler, as I have, by "gambling" Hicks would be ready, and Buxton right behind him, not allowing for contingency. Same with the bullpen, begining last season, thinking for sure prospects would be ready early, mid-season at the latest. Of course, that's not the way it worked. And unfortunately, it may not happen this year as well. I sure hope it does. Or I may be in the unfortunate line of fans calling for a change at the top.

OK...I really am not picking on anyone, or even speaking about this post in particular, but this post really speaks to me about something I get really tired of. And that is some sort of revisionist or fatalist theory that skews perspective negatively...deliberately...toward the Twins and anything they do. The Twins were morons for getting rid of Liriano, and morons again for not trying to sign him when he was a FA. Even though he didn't do well with the White Sox and they cut him loose. But we forget another team had him before he found his new success with another team. How about Eric Show for the old timers? And then, of course, there is Mark Portugal. Although, once again, each of these guys were with at least one other team before finding success. So obviously, the Twins are to blame for jettisoning them, almost deliberately, in their Keystone Cop ineptitude way or running things. Of course, we wouldn't dare actually give credit to the Twins for finding good players that other teams let go would we? We wouldn't dare talk about Harper, Berenguer, Willis, Mack, Johan Santana, Pavano, Hughes and others. Some had a good or great year or two, some better and longer, and some were part of great teams and moments. But, of course, a player who left the Twins and had any measure of success with anyone...even if it took another team or two, another year or two...is an oversight of ineptitude by the Twins. But anyone the Twins sign and get good production from is a stroke of blind luck. Really?

Look, I'm not saying you are right, or that you are wrong. But I think there are two very important things to remember. 1* Pre-injury as well as post injury, Liriano had good/great performances/moments and seasons WITH Gardy and Anderson as well as bad/poor performances/moments and seasons WITH Gardy and Anderson. Not an opinion, the seasons and stats are there. 2* When the Twins traded Liriano to the ChiSox....removed from any Gardenhire or Anderson influence...he didn't exactly set the world on fire. In fact, there were various rumors of the ChiSox staff being very frustrated with Liriano's approach.

Sorry......we do? Most fans? I've ridden various waves of Twins success and failure over the 45 years I've followed the team in my 50 years on this earth. I've seen different owners, rumored owners, three ballparks, various GM's, several managers, a few hundred ball players, horrible seasons and disappointments, trades that made me cringe as well as exalt, seasons that teased, seasons that pleased, and two World Series Championships. (I've also seen a lot of good and horrible baseball from other teams, many of whom have had far fewer winning/playoff teams than the Twins have had in the last 20 years) Having a opinion, even a contrary opinion, is a wonderful thing that I, and others, respect and will respect, even if we do not agree. But I would be very careful with directives or absolutes concerning statements that include "most of us."

Well, since I absolutely love roster and lineup speculation, I naturally have to address this! CATCHER: I guess I'm not sure why Murphy wasn't at least mentioned, unless you just don't believe in me. My gut feeling is Garver over Turner. All reports have him solid defensively and with bette offense. But I think Turner gets a bit of a bad and undeserved wrap in regard to his offense. Each of the last two seasons, he has adapted to his level and had stronger second halves than first. That is a sign of growth and potential. Further, he skipped an entire level after his rookie half season. Murphy and his potential makes this a three way competition. I just don't know enough at this point to pick a top two. 1B: I'm just not convinced Mauer will be the 1B at this juncture. If he is, that would be pretty awesome. It would mean he had returned to a close approximation to what he has been. I'm sorry, at this point, I just don't believe that. Park can play 1B, so can Kepler if another quality OF emerges, (Walker?), Sano, I still think Vargas has a shot here, as well as Plouffe. Look, if we're not going to trade now, we still have him under control through 2017. I think it's very reasonable he would be extended at some point, at least for a year or two, and could be part of the 2018 equation. IMO, I think Mauer could call it quits by this point, or be a reserve. BTW, this entire group is pretty much the DH category as well. INFIELD: I'm sticking with Plouffe and Sano at this point for the corners, with Park. It's safe and makes sense. I still believe there is a bit of a "Plouffe long term" issue not yet resolved. I can't see this team without Dozier. He is just like, "Mr. Twin" at this point. Just, someone, please, give him a day off once in a while. Speaking of, I love the potential of Polanco. If he doesn't earn the SS full time, I sure hope he can accept being a great utility guy. I sooo hope Gordon is ready if Polanco isn't. But it would mean 3 levels in 2 years. Can he do it? Would be great if he could! While not making any deliberate predictions, the Twins infield, primarily the middle infield, might be the most interesting spot to watch over the next two years or so. Dozier could still be Mr. Twin or traded and Polanco slides in. Or what if Gordon slides in to 2B because Vielma gets a little bigger and stronger and can actually hit MLB pitching to go with his tremendous defensive tools? And yet, Escobar and Dozier could very easily be a very nice starting keystone combo two years hence.

This is absolutely, positively, in no way any kind of bash Joe Mauer post. As I stated in another post, I am a fan, have been a fan, and always will be a fan. Also, as stated, the only jersey I have...only Jersey I've ever owned...is a Mauer jersey. (Again, I can only wear it on special occasions do to my "drop food when wearing white" condition) And before we go any further, let's take a brief snapshot look at this all time great Twin and, IMO at least, future HOFer. His CAREER quad slash is .313/ .394/ .451/ .845!! Read that again. And those numbers are AFTER his vastly lower and disappointing last 2 seasons. In his first FULL 9 seasons, his worst BA was a paltry .287 in 2011. That was his ridiculously aweful .360 OB% low season and only .729 OPS. In other words, tongue removed from cheek, the man was one of the greatest hitters ever, not just for a catcher, but for his generation. But the tragic truth is, for the past two seasons, the hitter that Joe Mauer was is no more. WHY has been hashed and re-hashed repeatedly. But no defining answer remains. There has been a tremendous amount of chatter the past couple of weeks about the makeup of our 2016 Twins. To be fair, we have absolutely no idea if the Twins are done making moves yet. We reflect, compare, hope, speculate, rip, but in truth, there is quite a bit of time left until ST, much less the start of the season, and we really don't know what is around the next bend, turn of the page, flip of the calendar. But while half of the discussion has been about the pitching staff, the other half has been about the lineup. (Fitting, of course) And amidst all the various Plouffe, Sano, Buxton, Arcia, Park, etc al conversation, there is a central figure that is starting to emerge in the discussions, that being Joe. Someone, Stringer perhaps, I can't recall exactly, commented in a recent post regarding Joe that it was easier to defend him last season coming off a singular disappointing/poor season, but harder to do after a worse season in 2015. And I believe it's a very valid point/arguement. However, it may not be quite 100% accurate as Mauer's AVG and OB dropped in '15, but his power numbers were better in '15 vs '14. But still, the drop in production/numbers has been precipitous over the past two seasons. Unfortunately, one might say a trend has been developing. Could Mauer suddenly rebound back in 2016 to his former self? Perhaps. Starry-eyed optimist or not, Ryan Or Molly, I forget, stated he thought Joe could hit .300 again. Hmm...maybe? In the OF, the Twins currently have Rosario coming off an uneven, but fun, productive and tantalizing rookie season. Buxton has had his coffee, a re-fill, and is about ready to take a seat and begin to enjoy a bottomless cup. Arcia is still immensely talented and due a shot to see where he fits. Kepler may be second only to Buxton in the organization in regard to all-around ability and potential. Sano needs a permanent spot somewhere, (and this not really a 3B/OF debate), plus we have Plouffe still. And we added Park. And while the jury is out on Vargas still, boy is there potential there! Add it all up, and an honest realist would tell you that there just might not be a place for Mauer on this team much longer. At least, not as a starter. But that's really the point of this post: to address the elephant in the room, ride him or make him sit up on his haunches and perform for the crowd, but in no way ignore him. As I see it, here are the basic questions for us to consider: Is Joe young enough, (I would think so), and healthy enough (?) to rebound after two disappointing seasons? What are your expectations for Mauer in 2016? What numbers does he have to produce, in your opinion, to be a lineup regular? Where does he fit in the lineup? What numbers remove him from the lineup? Would Molitor and the Twins reduce Mauer to a bench player? And what would it take? What would Joe's reaction be? Once again, this is not about bashing one of the greatest Twins or hitter/catcher of his generation. It is the reality of this Twins team, where it is headed, and who makes it up. What say you?

Where this is coming from, I believe, is the plan/wish/assumption of Plouffe being moved and Sano taking over 3B. Something that I think the majority of us believed was going to happen. Under that assumption, and the assumption that Kepler would probably need at least a little AAA time, the prevailing thought has been, IMO, that the team needs a solid RH OF to team with Arcia in a corner spot. Would it have to be a big contract FA signing? No. Just a solid, quality RH OF for a year or so. Soon, you're right, we will have Kepler, and hopefully Walker as well.

Well, I suppose it may be stating the obvious, since the stats are listed directly above, but a few names pop out to me. Santana=nice to see the offense after last year! But his OB is only 15% points higher than his BA. I don't know if that's telling or not, but it seems a bit concerning. Polanco and Meneses=nice to see OB% so much higher than their BA. A poor BA is one thing, but to see BB and what surely must be solid contact, indicates a good approach at least, IMO. Buddy Bosher=while I have no real illusions of him being some milb contract steal of a signing...wow...winter numbers are impressive to this point.

While I am very much on record for supporting the Nolasco signing initially, defending it, but now advocating doing whatever is necessary and available for both parties to part and get a fresh start, I have to wonder; if Nolasco were kept, could he find a niche and a home in a bullpen role? I know the contract is out of line, but we're the answer YES, it would affect the bullpen, and possibly May as well.

Question: Do these numbers include his initial appearances in 2014? Because that would really skew the numbers unfavorably. Secondly, either way, in 2015, he was actually showing improvement, and at times borderline dominance, as the season wore on and his regular turns took place. That's what always bothered me, he was actually improving as a starter when moved.

Ryan is telling the truth. But the truth is not as simple as "no restrictions". You also have to include other comments he has made as well as those by the ownership. Ownership has never stood in the way of making improvements to the team. The Twins have never, at least publicly, stated any hard and fast budget totals. What they have stated, loosely, are operating cost parameters, which any business would have. And those rough operating costs, again for any business, would include sunk cost losses as well. So while the Twins have cut losses before, it's obviously not something anyone would want to do on a regular basis.

I like May. I support May in the rotation. He did quite well last season, and was IMPROVING. While I think he could really help the bullpen, I just don't agree with placing him there. (Unless everyone is healthy and Berrios is ready to be up. And then, for now I guess) But I have a really hard time looking in to my old, dusty, milky, cracked crystal ball and seeing May as an all-star next season. Doesn't that just seem, oh, "sudden"?

At the root of it all, there is nothing inherently wrong with May in the pen. At least, not for a year. It's maximizing all assets to the best of the team's collective ability. The root of the problem is removing one of the best rotation assets to fix the bullpen issue, and replacing May's spot in the rotation with a, probable, lesser candidate. Everyone healthy and, more or less, pitching to their norm, May is one of the best 5 starters and to me it would only make sense to move him when/if Berrios is ready and up.

I'll be sheepishly honest....I skipped a few pages of this thread. Would you believe by accident? Oh well... At the end of the day, we're all looking for something to talk about with baited breath...err...urgent fingers....until the next season starts. But isn't this the ultimate version of perspective as well as "wait and see"? We have a poor-mediocre performing OF of considerable talent/potential who is a completely unknown enigma at this point, traded for a highly drafted and highly rated prospect, (somewhat skewed just being from the Yankees probably), who has produced in a SSS that grants him potential but also marks him as enigmatic at this point.

SCREAM! Sorry.....me upset at losing everything I typed. Frustrated, I am going to skim and skip all the really cool stuff I wrote, and list, the first time. I like Ryan, always have. (Except for a couple early blunders) Complain all you want about the Twins not winning a WS or advancing far enough in the playoffs to your liking, he helped build some high quality, winning and competitive teams. And the "conservative" Ryan is also the guy who pulled off the May and Meyer deals, threaded far deeply than ever before in the FA waters for Nolasco, Hughes and Santana, made the move for the young killer Murphy at catcher, and surprised everyone with the winning bid for Park. My problem with Ryan, putting him on a short leash despite being a past apologist, is not his recent milb FA signings. Everyone plays this roll of the dice. And over the years, TR has come up with 7's as much as anyone. No, my problem is not the conservative Ryan, it's this new gambling one that has me frustrated and concerned. This the 4th straight year we enter a season not knowing who our starting CF will be! Really? Yep. Ryan believed he could plug Hicks in, coming off his very best season to date in AA in 2013. He believed in '14 he would grow and develop and take the spot. And after all, Buxton was on the way and hadn't been hurt yet. In 2015 the options were Hicks yet again, career milb and 5th OF Robinson and the rather surprising Shaffer. To be fair, had Shaffer been healthy, he and Robinson might have at least been OK initially. Eventually we got 6 good weeks from Hicks and flashes from uber prospect Buxton. And while I would NEVER discount Buxton or his chances to claim the CF job from the get-go, he IS still raw, and we hear talk about him begining the year at Rochester. So to that end, we brought in a couple AAAA possibles. (Cheer!) Last season we all knew the bullpen needed help. (Forget all the Royals chatter) And what did we get? Stauffer and an invite for Boyer. Ick! I still maintain that Ryan looked at his pen, and the hot prospects on the fast track coming up through the system, and figured help was on the way. How sick do you suppose he felt when all of his top, young RP prospects needed a time out? And it seems we are repeating last season as well, bringing in a couple gambles, and banking on what we have, and should, hopefully have a couple months in to the season. And I get the hope and expectation. I really do. And I get that the rebuild isn't really complete yet, despite the improved play and competitiveness and competition of last year. I really do. But I don't get the gambling. What's wrong with a little nudge here and there? A little investment in depth and immediacy? How horrible would it be to have tradable assets at the deadline because the prospects you are gambling on are ready so you have viable veterans to trade? This is my issue with Ryan. Not the conservative, but the gambler.

+1, +1, +1 How many time and in how many ways can I like this post? I have said the exact same things numerous times on Nolasco myself. I liked the signing. It was a good move. It just didn't work out. Healthy, he can still be quite good for somebody. I truly believe that. But it's time to move on for both sides. That's just how it goes sometimes, whether it is a job, a romance or an athlete on a sports team. I don't know that anyone from the Twins has come right out and said anything resembling giving up on Nolasco and selling low. But it has been intimated by others. And I think it is ridiculous if at all true. You would play someone over another player just to increase potential trade value, but let the other, better player languish and the team lose to make your trade point/objective? As I stated in a somewhat lengthy post earlier today, (Mauer to the OF), I also am a Mauer apologist. But while an appreciative fan, I can be an apologist no longer. Now, or in the near future, the Twins will have ready Plouffe, (assuming he really isn't traded), Sano, Park, Kepler, Arcia, Vargas, Walker, amongst others potentially, needing AB's to produce, or at ,east show what they can do and are capable of. And most of those guys are about 25 or younger. And to a man, they all have greater offensive potential that what Mauer has produced the past two seasons. Again, OK BA and OB in '14 but zero power, a little more power in '15 but mediocre BA and OB, (especially for him) Mauer hitting .285 with a .370 OB and 34 Dbl and 12 HR, (HR's based 150 game Mauer flat out hitting better) is valuable. What we have seen the last two seasons, in comparison to what is here and coming, is not. For the good of the team, an ongoing version of this Mauer should be turned in to a bench player and veteran PH. There is no shame in this, only reality.

With hope things get back on track..... Thank you John for taking the time needed to repost the original story. Much, much appreciated. And every darn thing in that article is right on. Sorry, but Mauer is not part of the future. And to repeat my earlier comment, if there isn't a turnaround/resurgence from Mauer next season, he really should be a role player. He should be the veteran LH hitting PH/1B/DH that I've argued previously this team could use.

BIG TIME LIKE. Hughes, Santana, Gibson, Duffey and May, in whatever order, is the best starting 5 you could March out to the hill. You always need more than 5 starters over the course of a season so Berrios is your 6th guy for the moment. I understand shifting someone to the bullpen for NOW if there is a need or a logjam in a healthy rotation. But it is so wrong to arbitrarily decide at this point that May is destined for the pen in '16.

If there is any chance of keeping him healthy, I actually like this move. His career numbers, despite the lack of pure power that was expected, are quite solid. He's a solid 4th OF candidate. Though if Buxton is in CF, I'm not certain there is room for anyone, initially, besides Arcia for the 4th spot. But thus is a solid move.

But Swim never seems to actually catch when I look at the box scores and nobody ever talks about him when we discuss catching prospects and depth in the system. He seems like an enigma of sorts.

On my phone again so I can't like all the posts here that I want to. First off, I am a Joe Mauer fan. And I have supported him before here on TD. I even have the man's jersey. (Yes, a 50 yo grown man with a player jersey. Wonderful gift from my wife. Deal. Lol) Although I only wear it on special occasions as I have a disorder whereby I spill food when I wear white. Mauer is an all time great Twin. A HOF player IMO. But the undeniable fact is that his bat has disappeared the past 2 seasons. Better power in 2015, not saying a lot, better AVG and OB in 2014, but not near his career norms. We're he still catching, his numbers would be fine. But he's not. And unless a turnaround of some sort takes place in '16, he is or soon will be blocking a spot in the lineup for guys like Plouffe, Sano, Arcia, Kepler, Park, Vargas, Walker - all of whom have much greater offensive potential than this new Mauer. It is the job of the Twins organization to put the best team on the field they can in an attempt to win. Whether you always agree with the moves the team makes or not, that is their purpose and attempt. You simply CAN NOT field a player on a regular basis due to loyalty, past accomplishment or contract when another player (s) offers you a better team and a better chance of quality performance and winning. Without a turnaround, Mauer absolutely should be a LH reserve 1B/DH/PH.

You need guys to practice and play with during ST, and you need guys to fill the AAA roster. You also have injuries at the milb level, just like you do at the ML level. I am impatient about another 2 or 3 moves that I feel should place. And there is still time, despite my, and our collective, impatience. These moves are good to excellent as long as they are for depth and competition with a possible surprise hidden, AND NOT DEPENDED ON. We know a healthy Mastroianni could help. Benson is still young enough that if he's learned to relax and have fun again, he could still bloom as a nice contributor. Lew Ford part 2? There's enough talent in these pitchers for a possible surprise to surface. Again, as long as these are being counted on, all good and very normal moves.

A lot of Posts I would like to like, but not sure I can on my phone. Good debates! To me, there are some obvious points. 1) The bullpen is very important, needs help, and May could be a huge factor now and in the future. If we are talking 2016 and then a move back to the rotation, (much like the much mentioned Cardinals) I can be on board. BUT... 2) Removing a talented young starter from the rotation this early in his career makes no sense to me. And the reason to move him? "Because we don't have anyone else." WELL.. 3) Go get someone! There are/were FA and trade targets available. Get a LH and a RH, possibly on a short term contract since there are several talented young RH arms on the way. 4) We don't need a LH starter just for the sake of having one. No offense to the solid Milone, but if you want your top 5 SP to actually start, it would be Hughes, Santana, Gibson, Duffey and May. Berrios begins at Rochester. When someone is dinged, he comes up. You can always move May to the pen later in the season if you really need to. (injuries, poor performance, numbers crunch, etc). I'm with Leviathan, why can't Milone be helpful in the pen? (Assuming you don't trade him) Lastly, Nolasco fits nowhere in this equation. Move him for whatever you can get. I don't care if it's a bucket of batting practice balls. It's time for a fresh start for both parties.

Rosario LF Buxton CF Kepler RF Arcia OF/DH/PH? Sano 3B (DH) Santana INF/OF Park (or Vargas) DH *this doesn't necessarily preclude the Twins from keeping Plouffe DH is probably Park. But...if Vargas does wel and Park needs a few milb AB's at first.... Mastro, Benson and Walker at Rochester, probably with Vargas.

This would be an example of Professor Harold Hill's "think system." You imagine or "think" of yourself performing in such a way that you learn to do so. Rumor has it the Twins are using Hill's system on a handful of relief pitchers to "think" of themselves as left handed and highly successful.