DocBauer

Yes. Thought "one way or another" was clear, as were other points made earlier in the post. If not, then I guess I chose my words poorly.

Wait...........................is that sarcasm?

This is not critical of any person, or any opinion. Simply a generalization that getting worked up one way or another at this point my actually be premature.

Couple thoughts: 1* Kepler could join the OF at some point, possibly as early as mid-season. Personally, I would say Kepler would be an upgrade over Hicks, overall. 2* For now, this may open up a spot for Arcia in a corner spot and his LH power bat, as long as someone is available to spell him against LH's and provide late game defensive replacement. (Robinson?) 3* As "sudden" as Ryan is acting, it sure seems like there is more yet to come. And there was definatly interest...right or wrong...in keeping Hunter. Does this now open up a spot for a FA OF? Span? Aoki? Fowler? Someone that won't break the bank but help the top of the order and provide fine defense. At least until Kepler is ready. It would provide insurance for the young Buxton, and could provide a great 1-2 punch at the top of the order. 4* I STILL don't buy Sano to the OF.

I can't read pages 3 & 4 for some reason right now, so forgive me if I miss something pertinent while posting this. I don't know enough about Murphy to really comment on him or make a final decision on the trade AT THE MOMENT. However, I think it is a bit silly and perhaps disingenuous to attempt to criticize the deal at this point. Hicks is young enough and talented enough to continue developing, and in a couple of years, we may regret giving him up. On the other hand, Murphy is even younger, a former 2nd round pick, and obviously possesses some skills/talent to work with. Neither is overly experienced, Murphy the less so. You have to look at the trade as a NOW, because that's all we can base it on, and is reality. Despite big improvements from Hicks last season, his bat and power potential remain question marks. Right NOW, he's good defensively with a little pop, good speed, and can hit lefties but not righties very well. Murphy fills a need...though he's not exactly what I was hoping or expecting. But if he is bright and good at calling games and working with pitchers, it's not inconceivable he could frame better, throw better and hit better than Suzuki right now, with room to grow. (And I say this with respect to Suzuki who is a real gamer and respected by his teammates) Have an opinion, please, but I think we have a surplus of OF overall, have a need at catcher, and this early on, it's a bit naive to attempt to grade a move like this.

Kepler and Walker would only be moved if it was a pretty major deal to improve the ball club. I think Kepler could be a key piece in the future. I don't really see him moving unless it's an absolute "have to". Mauer is NOT going to be extended. Vargas kind of depends on Mauer, and Mauer's health as well as productivity. You always need reserves and AAA fall back options as well. I have not given up on Vargas being a contributor. Perhaps even a major one.

Kind of unfair to decide at this point someone is only a future bench player...(though that isn't bad, is necessary, and is probably accurate)...but even so, a very nice return indeed. Power and speed and a LH bat to boot? Nice! I do have mixed emotions though, as I always felt Herrmann was going to be a valuable role player for the Twins; catcher, 1B, OF and possibly 3B with a decent stick and gapper power who could run OK. I do feel he's a better hitter than he has shown. Some guys can hit in the minors but just never can at the ML level. But he did spend a fair amount of time on the AAA-ML shuttle the last couple of years, and as Seth stated, it's hard to hit playing one day a week. Yes the Twins will make a move for a catcher, but, does the move of Herrmann further reinforce the Twins belief in Turner and Garver?

There have been a lot of infielders, top draft choices and prospects even, that have converted to the OF and had very good careers. Danny Tartabul, Gary Sheffield and just recently Alex Gordon are just a few that come to mind. (Wasn't Albert Belle a 3B when first signed?) Even the Twins Michael Cuddyer is, of course, an example. And, of course, there are many others. Including some who moved to the OF later in their careers, such as Robin Yount, due to injuries or to help prolong careers. But most of these moves were made because there was a quality bat or potential involved, but a definite lack of everyday infield defense. There is nothing, no report from anyone, stating that Sano can't play defense, and can't improve his defense. He could, in fact, develop in to a very good OF and huge hitter. But his bat, at 3B, is like finding another Mike Schmidt...potentially. Why on earth wouldn't you want that kind of bat at 3B vs the OF?

I really like this post. Now...hitting .260 with limited power and an OB of .330-.340 may not cut it either. But teams Re all constructed differently. The Twins don't have a bopper at 1B? Well, very few teMs have a 2B who hits like Dozier does. I watched Grace, Joyner and Hernandez win gold gloves, make all star games, and have long and productive careers despite being more contact, line drive hitters than boppers.

I hope...I hope...I hope we see a return of the old Mauer...(young Mauer? normal Mauer?). If not, the way the team seems to be constructed now, and with so many good young OF's, Mauer would be best as the veteran LH PH/DH/backup 1B. I don't know that the Twins would be bold enough to do that. Or if most anyone would, for that matter.

Having seen Willingham, Arcia, Nunez, Escobar and Santana play the OF in years past, and knowing the overall atheltic ability of Plouffe, Mauer and Sano....I see no reason why Buxton couldn't start the season in AAA with Kepler...we could then trade both Hicks and Rosario for catching and pitching help much in the same way we traded Revere and Span. Santana could play CF until Buxton is ready. Sano or Plouffe or Mauer could play the OF corners, along with Arcia, and one of them could play 3B. Heck, why not just move Mauer back to catcher! Now we have Park at 1B, Plouffe at 3B, Arcia and Sano could play the OF corners! Doesn't matter if Sano has never played the OF professionally, he's young and a good athlete and he can hit so he'll be just fine. Oh my! Did I cover about all of it? Look, IF Sano plays any OF...which I doubt fully...it will be to increase lineup versatility and not due to any sort of permanent switch. He is a 3B, the Twins have tons of OF talent, and believe it or not, over the years, the Twins absolutely DO value good defense. Hicks may indeed have trade value at some point. Probably after another solid to good season to prove he really belongs as a ML hitter, and provide insurance for our OF situation since we are just so young out there right now and have a few questions in regard to when Kepler will be ready, or if Buxton is ready now or a month or so in to the season. Rosario is good...will get better...and provides a valuable LH bat in the lineup. I don't think he's going anywhere. I don't believe Hicks goes anywhere until mid-season at the earliest. Sano will be a 3B, maybe DH some. If anyone is gone now, it's going to be Plouffe.

Agreed! I don't want Shields. And I think a deal for him is way too complicated to pull off anyway. But still, there were rumors last year, which is why I addressed it.

Hey, I think you may have something here. A win-win for both clubs. Mutual need. There is a history of moves between the two clubs, though it has been a while. And while both are in the AL, they are not in the same division.

I am a fan of Plouffe. Which I guess puts me in the "overvalued" camp, which I don't feel is either accurate or fair. If you like Plouffe and respect him and his contributions, I guess you overvalue him. If you feel solid fielding 3B who hit .250-ish with 30 Dbl and 20 HR power kind of grow on trees these days, then I guess you undervalue him. It's not being snarky, it's simply the reasonable split being discussed here in regard to Plouffe, his value, the number of quality 3B in the league, and teams in need. While Norris has yet to hit as he did in the minors, the potential is there. I wish he were LH, but oh well...can't have everything. I like the idea of trading with San Diego, though I could get behind a real quality RP arm or two. San Diego options include Plouffe, possibly another solid prospect, for a talented young catcher in Norris. The other option, crazy but impossible to dismiss, is a 4 or 5 for 3 with both clubs burning the midnight oil. Plouffe, Polano perhaps, Arcia maybe, Nolasco back to the NL, and a young pitcher not named Berrios. Stewart, Gonsalves or Burdi maybe? Twins get their young catcher, a top relief arm in Kimbrel, but also take on Shields. This deal doesn't really work for the Twins unless a 3rd team is involved for Shields, Santana or Hughes. (Hughes if the one I'd like to really keep) It may be too complicated...but it would be interesting.

Effectively, Park replaces Plouffe in the lineup. (With Plouffe traded in some deal for catching or RP) Sano plays 3B, Mauer plays 1B, Park is the primary DH but also plays some 1B. My only problem is, where is the LH power still? A healthy and productive Mauer could provide 30+ doubles still, possibly 12 HR. Rosario is very exciting and can definitely provide some XB power. With Parks at DH, this limits Arcia and Vargas as LH DH power options. Arcia could still play a little OF (cringe) as long as someone like Hicks is available to replace him late innings. I'm not saying I dislike the move for Parks. But I am a little worried about AB's from the left side. This is where a catcher upgrade, FA or trade, young or old, who can swing solid/good from the LH side could help balance things.

Wow! Interesting to say the least! Am I thrilled? Meh...kind of excited, but not thrilled. Too many variables to say I'm thrilled. Could the Twins use another power bat? Absolutely. Just wish it was LH, but power is power. I'd be thrilled if I could know ahead of time what to really expect from him. Now, we all know he's not going to hit or produce like he did in Korea. However, it's probably not unreasonable to expect him to him in the .270's, right? Even cutting his power in half he'd be a 25-26 HR hitter, and that is also good, yes? Now...200 SO's wouldn't be fun, but mixe in at least a few walks with the Avg and power and I'd be pretty happy. It's not a move the usually conservative Twins make. And it's nice to see them being aggessive, as well as not being gun shy after what happened with Nishioka. And I agree it would seem Plouffe is probably gone now. Step 2 could be even more important than step 1 was.

While I agree with you, it's sooo hard to just say he will be that "ace" pitcher. The pressure (presumably) and expectations are such that I don't know if you can ever win that debate. (the is he or isn't he truly an "ace") What if it takes 2 years? 3? What if he he's an ace quality every other year? But yeah...I just have a really, really good feeling about Berrios, his stuff, his work ethic, and his determination and mental makeup. Interesting point, I have often compared him to Pedro Martinez, who also was not tall, though I'd speculate Berrios is bulkier. But also, Cueto, a proposed ace pitcher, while bulkier at a listed 220lbs, also stands only 5' 11". So just another couple examples of an ace pitcher not being over 6 foot.

I guess it depends on how old you are Loosey. LOL I would include Morris for his one year. Viola was an ace. Blyleven, even the second time around, was pretty close to being a second ace. I'd say Radke was for a year or two. (debatable I know)

FWIW...I have no interest in "putting the band back together." I am, however, interested in FA players that may be available to help bolster the Twins. If those players happen to be Ex-Twins, well then, that's just a happenstance. I like AJ if the right deal for a long term catcher just isn't there this off season. It improves our catching situation, (debate all you want as to how much-there are varying opinions to be sure), doesn't cost us big money or prospects, and let's us re-visit the FA and trade market next off season, as well as allowing another full season to examine prospects in our own system; i.e. Turner and Garver. Span I hadn't considered. Now I am. IF Plouffe is traded, I feel the lineup is rather unsettled. It seemed to me a signing might be more along the lines of a power hitter. (still leaning that way) But the Span idea to help stabalize the top of the lineup with Dozier maybe moving down to a larger RBI position. So I could get behind this. Again, the fact that he's an Ex-Twin doesn't matter to me. It's just...interesting.

OMG! I still have night sweats over that trade!

Question/statement...if I may. I have also tossed Stewart's name out on an occasion or two, as of late, as part of various trade bundles and options. To be perfectly honest, I'd rather trade him than Gonsalves. Perhaps I am misguided in this thought, but it is how I feel. However, pretty much every single prospect list related to the Twins has Stewart in the top 15 at worst, if not top 10. And I believe I have yet to see him listed behind Gonsalves on any list. Therefore, while we may complain and wonder on these boards about his SO's and potential, and whether or not he will ever turn a corner, just how good he can be...RIGHT NOW...everyone who ranks prospects seems to still see him as a quality prospect.

Very astute! I couldn't think of a way to work in a 3rd surprise, but this is what I heard in my head when starting the thread. lol

To quote Python, Monty that is; "and now for something completely different." Wait...what's this? A post about something other than Ryan, Mauer or a catcher??!! (At least in theory) So simply: What was your biggest surprise in 2015? What do you speculate as being the biggest surprise in 2016? I guess the biggest surprises don't have to be positive in nature. Or perhaps you may feel there were significant surprises both positive and negative in 2015...possibly speculate on the same for 2016? I could, but will not, post a litany of possibilities as that is up to you. Were I to be negative, Arcia would be my top choice, in a very tight race over D Santana. Most positive surprise would be Duffey. For '16, my surprise is Berrios. I believe he will be OK, and after settling in, he will pitch like the ROY he will become. You?

In the scenarios presented, sounds like Nishioka, despite quality numbers, was the equivalent of all conference vs all American. If we could count on half the HR and a drop of 25-30 points in Avg, we'd still be talking quality production. But that is counting on, OR, having strong reason to believe. I know we are talking sometimes about millions of dollars as if they were pickel cards, but still, the investment may be worth it if we're talking $5-6M up front and $3-4M per. Otherwise, I'm really worried about tossing big $ after mega strikeouts.

I may be naive or mistaken on trade ideas/value, but when trying to place myself in Milwaukee's spikes...granted without intimate knowledge of the Brewer's roster...I would think a trio of quality young prospects would be exactly what is needed to pry a player of Lucroy's ability, albeit, a bit on the outs due to injury and rebuild mode. While I love me some Trevor Plouffe, I think I might be more interested in Arcia, were I the Brewers on a rebuild. (Maybe both) I'd have to have a top pitching talent, maybe Stewart, as has been mentioned. For a third? Not sure. But no matter how much I respect Lucroy, I have a very hard time trading for a player with recent concussion issues, (especially considering the Twins history with such issues), and giving up Kepler and/or Berrios. I just think it may be asking too much. Giving up pretty much anything/anyone else for Lucroy...or anyone else who offers long term potential at the catcher spot, works for me.