DocBauer

Forget for a moment that the Twins rotation...healthy...is borderline crowded, and put Meyer in there. Much has been made in past discussion about Randy Johnson's early career and fighting walk issues before eventually overcoming them. Do you think this staff would be more lenient in this area than the previous staff? Letting him pitch, letting him learn and work through things, putting up with bouts of wildness and walks.

I know Buxton will be up eventually, as will Kepler. But I am not convinced Buxton is already destined for Rochester to begin the season. As talented a young man as he is, I believe there is a very good chance he will digest all his experience from this season during the off season and spring training and force his way on to the club. He may not...no way he could that quickly...hit his full future all-star stride, but he would/could hit well enough to solidify CF defensively and help at the bottom of the lineup until he is ready for the top spot. Arcia and Hicks as a quasi-platoon in RF.

Meh.... The old boy network shut out new blood, especially minorities. But now new boys, who played but haven't put in the work to gain management/coaching experience, are pushing away the old boys, who pushed away the minorities, who still aren't getting hired under the new boy formula. And old boy baseball GM's, who were around the game for years and usually played some, at least in the minors, are being replaced by Ivy League math major Billy Beane/Stephen Hawking XBox-1 wannabe new age metric wonder boys who still aren't or won't hire minority...... ....wait.....what was the topic again?

So about a year ago, Alex Meyer was just about the hottest topic here at TD. And not surprisingly so. When you are a highly talented athlete with a high ceiling and the ability to potentially erase the single greatest recent blemish on your team...a front line starting pitcher...there is a certain amount of pressure, attention and expectation. With the surprising success and competition of the 2015 season, and all the talent that appeared and prevailed, and a few prospects who teased mightily for the near future, Meyer's struggles in 2015 got pushed to the side somewhat. Now that our hearts, minds, hopes and fantasies have turned to 2016...and Seth has begun to post his/the initial prospect list...Meyer is suddenly coming to the forefront again. A review of Meyer's milb career thus far. *2012 and 2013 are combined numbers between two levels. Season W-L. ERA. G. GS IP. H. BB. SO. WHIP. Avg 2012. 10-6. 2.86. 25. 25. 129. 97. 45. 139. 1.10. .211 2013. 4-3. 2.99. 16. 16. 78.1. 67. 32. 100. 1.26. .227 2014. 7-7. 3.52. 27. 27. 130. 116. 64. 153. 1.38. .241 2015. 4-5. 4.79. 38. 8. 92. 101. 48. 100. 1.62. .281 First, a few observations. Some want to argue Meyer's age as if he already has streaks of maturity in his temple and white in his unshaven beard. He will turn an ancient 26 on Jan 3rd and has been around for a whopping 4 YEARS in the minors. Hello AARP! I'm sorry, I just don't get wrapped up in things like age all that much. It would be awesome if every prospect hit by 22 and had 12-14 great years. It just doesn't always work that way. But it is true that in 2015 Meyer exceeded HITS vs IP for the first time, had a WHIP above 1.38 and a BA above .241. A pessimist would tell you that Meyer's "poor" numbers increased each and every year. And they would point out a rather severe loss of control in 2015 with his second year in AAA, and that is not supposed to happen. An optimist would tell you that numbers fluctuate as you climb the ladder and face better and better competition. He would also point out less H per IP and big SO numbers that were borderline 3-1 his first three years. Not to mention just pure stuff and ability. Baseball America ranked him 59, 45 and 62 in '12, '13 and '14. This is not Scott Klingenbeck. (comparison; no insult intended) Meyer, if I recall properly, came in to ST just after his grandfather passed. Did he battle emotional demons that perpetuated as things didn't go well? Was it just a cursed season? Have the Twins blown the coaching and support side of a talent like Meyer? Does he simply need a fresh new season to begin? Has the one poor season tarnished or exposed something to make him a reliever, even a potentially great one? Kind of a hot button/topic here again. Who is Alex Meyer to you? What do you see? Different influences just delayed him and created a bad season? Is he destined for a relief role? Your opinion please...on Alex...and what you see...and maybe what you would do...going forward now.

I guess I'm really of the opinion of no opinion at this juncture. And I say that simply because the jury is still out on Meyer. At then end of 2014 everyone pretty much held the opinion that he was ready to come up and let loose, or that he was really close and would be up soon. I'm not going to downgrade the trade, or call the Twins losers after one poor season. Ideally, trades turn out about equal for both clubs. I understand an established player like Span, who I like a lot, for a prospect, even a top prospect, may seem a stretch at first, and initial win for Washington. But as good as Span is, Meyer as a top rotation starter...Twins win. Meyer becomes a really nice #2...Twins probably win. Now, Meyer becomes the next dominant Joe Nathan caliber closer...I don't know if I can say that's a loss. Granted to he didn't rise to original expectations, but an elite, all-star caliber closer for multiple and probably cost controlled years? Just not a loss in my mind. Sometimes, player for prospects, we just don't see the final results for a couple years. So I'm holding off judgment for now. And BTW, I think he goes back to the rotation for 2016.

Haven't they though? Just ruining everything for us free thinking types. lol

Not in the HOF but a lifetime Twin? I'd say yes, retire his number. But spending as much time away from the Twins as he did, I just couldn't see retiring his number.

Well, I meant other than a straight release of the player, but that's what I was thinking, couldn't remember the particulars. Otherwise you could just "remove" any number of players off the 40 to protect other players. Too bad you can't get sneaky like that. LOL

Professionally speaking, there is nothing special about Robinson to afford him a spot on the 40 man. I don't know that a 4th/5th OF who can actually play and hit above the Mendoza is truly a "dime a dozen", but they sure are easier to find than a lot of positions. I could have seen keeping him if the team really was unsure about Buxton beginning the season in AAA, but there's just too much fodder taking up spots now as is. On topic but a very different question...could the Twins simply remove someone like, say, Nolasco from the 40 man? I confess to not knowing enough about certain parameters within the rules, but if a team just decided to remove him, he could obviously be claimed and the Twins are off the hook for his remaining contract terms. Of course, this would almost assuredly not happen. Now, I know it's not as simply as just removing him. But in theory, even being the veteran he is, and under contract, you aren't forced to keep him. But does said contract require him to be kept on the 40? Could he be optioned to Rochester? Would he instead have to pass through waivers? I'm just curious as to the details of a veteran player in his situation that might not fit in any longer.

I get this. But his age doesn't bother me. Especially being a catcher, and the contract he's sitting at. Offense from the catcher position is great to have, and he, potentially, should provide a nice upgrade there for us. But at the end of the day, it is still a defense first position. If Mauer were fully healthy and able to still catch, but simply had regressed due to age and wear and tear to the hitter he is now, he would STILL be a valuable asset. And not just for his defense and game calling, but for being the hitter he has become. As long as Lucroy is healthy, (including his head), there is no immediate reason to expect sudden regression. But as long as any regression wasn't to Butera levels, he would still be an asset and upgrade over the current situation. Further, in a season or two. either or both Turner and Garver should be ready in at least some capacity.

Because of his age and size, and he need to "muscle up" some more over the next couple of years, I think I would downgrade Vielma a few spots. But despite being younger than average for his level, he seems to have a hit tool and the ability to take a few walks. He has certainly shown speed and SB ability as well. If his defense is as good as advertised...well...he's someone you absolutely have to have at least a little excitement about! Now...a few extra protein shakes to get him to 180lbs.... I understand the idea that Javier is a huge signing, so you assume the Twins knew what they were getting, and therefor he ranks high based on young, raw athleticism and the such. But 16 and having never played...mmm...I think I'd knock him down a couple spots just for so many unknowns at this point. But I can't say either of these kids is ranked vastly out of place. ALL prospects are just that, prospects. Projectability is difficult to fully quantify. What's so interesting about this group of 5 is that there are legitimate questions, of differing sorts, for all of them; age, injury, no experience, bad 2015, etc. But all 5 of them have some really, really nice potential. As much as anyone in the entire Twins milb system.

Thorpe and Meyer. With Rosario, Sano, Buxton, May and even Duffey arriving...and the huge seasons by Berrios and Kepler, along with speculation about them...it might be easy to forget about Thorpe and Meyer. Meyer is former top 10, and still haas the big atmosphere and potential. A healthy Thorpe in 2015 would have him also in the top 10. These two are very intriguing, and maybe the top two guys to watch in 2016, story wise.

This is the perfect ending. I felt and stated I thought he had that one special season left in him. That "coming home" season to close out a career and show you can still do it. Now, bash him, his August, his OPS, he defense, whatever you want to say. But he brought an energy to the team along with 22HR and 80 RBI. And those are all things not be ignored. I've always had respect for Torii, even if I didn't always agree with his words or stance on things. The way he played the game, and the way he has tried to bring the game back to kids in the inner cities are the two things I probably respect him most for. I don't know if you remember or not, but about a year ago I wrote a half serious, half tongue-in-cheek article about how the loss of Torii Hunter lead to the eventual downfall of the Twins through a large affecting domino effect with his FA loss. (OK, it was probably 70-30 serious vs not) His coming home to help the Twins jump start their rebuild, especially with Rosario, Buxton and Hicks patrolling the OF with him is a full-circle, baseball gods kind of justice. I'd call this a happy ending. Thank you Torii.

Oh, and I get this! But if someone offers their AA or AAA catcher who hasn't reached the majors yet in any capacity and they want Berrios and Kepler....I'm thinking NO. So the deal...any deal...just has to make sense. And if it doesn't, you move on to the next option. Possibly the one after that. We don't have a Sano-Buxton-Rosario-Kepler quality catching prospect ready to graduate. At least, not right now. And I'd sure love one! But I also don't want to pay someone $100 for the privilege of having $50.

Oh the heck with it....once again...a trade for Lucroy would be great! A trade for a talented young catcher with some real potential would be as good in some ways, better in others, not as good in other ways. The problem with any trade...obviously... is what does it cost you? I like the idea of signing AJ as an alternative. He helps. He and Suzuki are better than Suzuki and Herrmann/Fryer. I would rather go this route than pay through the nose for a deal that doesn't make sense. Then next year...with another season to monitor the progress/development/potential of Turner and Garver...we can re-visit both the FA and trade market.

1* Make this trade as long as it's something similar to what we are saying here. 2* Sign Chris Davis to DH and share 1B. 3* Trade Plouffe, move Nolasco with cash and probably a lower prospect. Try to come away with one top RP in one of these moves, LH or RH. If you can somehow come up with one of each, you just hit a bit-time double! 4* Sign a veteran LH bat for the bench. I'm intrigued by Murphy of the Angels. Solid career triple slash. Rosario-Buxton-Hicks with Murphy in the OF Sano-Escobar-Dozier-Mauer/Davis with Nunez and Santana in the INF Lucroy-Suzuki at C I'd go to war with that roster, though the exact order of the lineup is hard to predict right now. Too many variables until we get to ST and begin to play games.

Stewart, Polanco and Arcia?

Assuming you are referring to Wilson Contreras and Reese McGuire? McGuire hits LH, which is a lot more rare, but Contreras looks to be the better hitter and played at AA I believe, so he's closer. So I'd have to say Contreras at this point, but would have to do more research. While Stewart is still rated higher and seems to have the highest upside potential, I think I'd rather trade him than the top LHSP prospect in my system, Gonsalves. But would either of these two really provide an upgrade over Turner and Garver at this point?

I really like this post! My one concern with moving Plouffe is the high potential but tenuous OF situation for 2016. Like Leviathan, I believe Buxton should be in CF. Great defense, tremendous tools and potential...he can learn a bit on the fly. (I believe his 2015 experience and talent will allow him to do so) Rosario is obviously in left. And until Kepler is ready, Hicks, or possibly Hicks/Arcia can man RF. I still wouldn't mind a veteran LH bat for a bench role, but that's a rather small piece vs a larger discussion here. But if the Twins are truly intent in their belief of placing Buxton in Rochester to begin the year, and Plouffe IS traded, then DH and RF becomes a whole lot more tenuous. A Davis signing provides another high quality hitter for the DH spot, improves and deepens the lineup, and you mow don't miss Plouffe. (Or Hunter's 22 HR for that matter) Add a reliever from both sides of the mound, and this team looks really good to me for 2016 with some very talented milb depth in the wings.

Except for Rogers past the 3rd inning, another very good week for our AFL prospects! On a downer note...I think losing out on Cody this past draft is going to come back to bite us in the posterior.

I agree 100%. Shop him. See if you can get something good that helps the club. Otherwise...keep him. But yes, I do think he's insurance, and valuable insurance. And not due to anything negative about Sano. I believe can play 3B just fine, though not as well as Plouffe at this point, nor would I expect him too. But he would be OK and get better and better at it, just like Plouffe did. Just like Koskie and Gaetti before him. To me, the insurance factor is the lineup in general, as I feel we enter 2016 with the potential for a young and amazing OF, but one with some initial questions that we don't have the answers to yet. Will Buxton be ready for day one even if he's not a complete stud yet? (I think yes, but we don't know) Can Hicks hold down RF on a daily basis? Maybe. I hope so. I really do think he's begun to round the corner. What about Arcia? Can he rebound? He could DH or platoon with Hicks in RF maybe. What if the Twins decide to open with Buxton at AAA, now how does the OF stack up? Keeping Plouffe, at least initially, keeps the 3B/1B/DH rotation with Sano and Mauer that we saw last year. It keeps another OK and 20 HR bat in the lineup.

Look, I'd love to see the Twins find the right deal, for the right price, and acquire a young catcher who can hit, provide some pop, not be a windmill at the plate, and play solid defense, call a nice game and throw. But I'm not interested in Berrios and Kepler for some young prospect. We're not going to trade for Mauer. But I don't want to trade for Butera either. (Or Walbeck, the last catcher I can recall the Twins calling for) If the right deal isn't there, the question I ask myself is; "are we a better team with AJ on board sharing time with Suzuki, (probably as the primary), providing experience and a solid bat with some power vs Herrmann or Fryer?" The answer is YES, we are a better team with AJ than without him.

Absolutely. Totally agree. Which is why I like percentages, and numbers, but also recognize flaws in relying too much on them. Hence the ongoing debates in regard to defensive metrics.

I stand corrected. 24% for his career. The numbers I looked up originally must have been incorrect. If that is the case, then I will freely admit my error. But still better than Suzuki and again, a far better offensive producer than most.

1* Some people actually want to call out or hint at a lack of integrity by the TD staff because they deleted a posting at the Twins request because the information came from a situation that was, more or less, considered off the record? And TD did so with an explanation and apologies? That's called integrity. Look it up. The Yankees could always use more fans I guess. 2* And now for something completely different.....the actual content of the post! 3* I'm going to do a Colonel Sherman T Potter on this post and call "horse hockey". Lol But in fact, I'd call it and donkey donuts on a few of the posts here. I did not, repeat, did not spend hours poring over articles and new age stats regarding defensive metrics for ML catchers. I didn't have time. But we have also been down that path enough times to realize the only thing we will all agree on is that we won't all agree. But Brayan Pena 260/ 300/ 352/ 651 for career George Kottaras 215/ 326/ 411/ 737 for career These guys as better options than AJ? Saltalamacchia had a couple decent years before falling off the proverbial edge. But his career is 240/ 311/ 419/ 730. Don't like or believe in AJ if you want. Totally cool. But at least be realistic if you bash him or the idea of him joining the Twins again. He would absolutely overtake Zuke as the principal catcher. His career slash line 282/ 321/ 424/ 745. His "washed up" 2015 numbers were 300/ 339/ 430/ 769. In other words, not only are his career slash numbers very good, and above average for a catcher, but he actually produced better than his own career average numbers last season. All of his numbers could drop 20 points and he would still be a productive offense player from the catcher position. (Further, Zuke may be more productive facing fewer RH pitchers) AJ can't throw? He has thrown out a career average of 32% of base stealers and 31% in 2015. Whether total surprise by what happened to Mauer or bad planning, the Twins are short on catching in the minors. This is the reason Turner skipped low A, and Navarreto has been played at three different levels in three years despite being at least a year younger than the competition and with sub-par offensive numbers at each level. Turner, Garver and Navarreto may all make it and provide a happy ending. (I just wish any of them could hit like Swim) And a move for a talented young catcher would be a great move, should said player and move be recognized and made successfully. But don't pretend AJ can't play or hit or help. Because he could.