DocBauer

I believe Berrios is special. I'm not going to declare him an ACE or future HOFer yet, but there is something special about the young man. I felt when the Twins drafted Gonsalves they may have gotten one of the real steals in the draft that year. While it may seem strange at first to attempt to compare the two of them...RH vs LH and 6' (maybe) vs a listed 6' 5"...there are some correlations that are at least interesting to consider. Both are 21, Berrios about 6 weeks older, both are coming off big years at two different levels...though Berrios was a full step higher...but Berrios has also been in professional ball, and the Twins system, a year longer. Berrios' age 20 season, last year in '14 at A+ and AA, is probably the closest comp you could make. No matter how you slice it, Berrios has advanced further, faster, than Gonsalves. But again, there is the advantage of the extra professional season. And for whatever reason, Gonsalves was held back in 2014 in EST. but both young men have some tremendous milb numbers, both are very young, and both have at least one big year of split level results to reflect on, if not compare. The whole point being...WOW. Go back and take a look. You'll be glad you did! The one thing I'd question and be interested in knowing is whether the taller Gonsalves is really his listed weight of 190lbs. If accurate, you'd have to expect another 15-20lbs of bulk and muscle yet to come wouldn't you? That could lead to even more endurance and velocity out of Gonsalves.

Big, strapping, athletic Southern League MVP Kepler with 13 TRIPLES! Can I get a universal WOW from the crew? I don't know if this talented young man is on the opening day roster for '16 or not, but something tells me it won't be long if not.

Big, strapping, athletic Southern League MVP Kepler with 13 TRIPLES! Can I get a universal WOW from the crew? I don't know if this talented young man is on the opening day roster for '16 or not, but something tells me it won't be long if not.

I thought if claimed off waivers the team claiming was responsible for the balance of the contract. If signed after clearing waivers, he could be signed for the minimum. But I think there are different regulations and different procedures and I may be mixing them up.

Nothing wrong with your trade idea at all. But I think you still need a third team in there somewhere as the Padres wouldn't take on Nolasco, IMHO, unless getting rid of Shields somehow. I think they went all in, as a mistake, and would really, really like to find a way to get rid of Shields in whatever they do.

While pure stuff and potential would probably have Gonsalves and a healthy and fully re-habed Thorpe as easily the top LHSP options in the organization, it does seem as though there are a number of other, decent LH options in the organization. Sure would be nice if at least one of them could make the transition to reliable LH bullpen arm.

We could just dump him and move on, hoping with absolutely no hope, that some desperate team would claim him and thus pick up his remaining contract. But despite two disappointing seasons with our Twins, Nolasco does have value. His career numbers are solid. His best years are with better/winning teams. That may sound like an odd comment, but the ability to rise to the occassion is something not every player has. And he has been sturdy...up until his Twins tenure. But his injuries have been as nagging as they are unfortunate and they have not been debilitating. No torn up knees. No torn up arm. No blown back. There is every reason to believe that he will come in to next season healthy, ready to go, ready for 32 starts, 188-190 IP, 12-14 wins. All career norms. But no-one is going to just take him off the Twins hands and pay his final two seasons, after the two he's had, and turn over a high quality player. More than likely, we are talking cash thrown in, possibly another decent prospect, and a limited return. San Diego, to me, still sounds like a nice option, as long as you can involve another team to move Shields too. Dodgers? They have tons of money, and need pitching depth behind their big two.

I think you'd have to add Jones to the list, though he was already in the organization before 2014. No question Ryan was counting on at least one of these three to make a positive impact on the season. Good chance one of them does next season. But in no way, no how, should he plan on one or more of them and not make a move to bring in at least one additional re-enforcement from outside the organization.

Would absolutely love to see Darnell and Meyer come up. Darnell because I think he has the potential to be a very useful LHRP, not just a LOOGY, who can actually get a SO or two. And Meyer as a confidence booster as he's been doing much better as of late, and I'd like to see him keep up the positive momentum a little longer.

Going to slowly and calmly cross to the other side of the aisle. With little exception, (Stauffer being the big one), the bullpen was pretty solid and reliable up until the start of the second half. And a big part of that was Perkins suddenly doing his best to imitate Ron Davis. And I have to believe his physical issues were starting at that point, though I have yet to read any such admission. Should the FO have made a move(s) to fortify the bullpen sooner than they did? Probably Should they have have added more than the two arms that they did? Meh...I think that's a maybe. Look, Perkins healthy and productive, with Jepsen, May and Cotts setting him up, the likes of Fien, Boyer, a better Duensing and others providing mid innings, we're sitting pretty good. Perkins gets hurt, everyone has to bump up a slot, so panic sets in. But doesn't it always get tougher when one of your top players goes down?

Time to move Nolasco in any way possible. Trade for next to nothing, unless he's part of a package, and toss in some cash if needed. He's not a bad guy or a bad pitcher. But there are a lot of arms now, including young ones, and sometimes you walk away from a situation...bad luck or whatever...that just isn't turning out right. Pelfrey won't be back unless it's as a bullpen option. And I don't see he or his agent going for that. He's helped this year, no question, but also pitched the second half just well enough to lose. Berrios? I'm thinking June 1st if there are no injuries. Saves his service time and lets the Twins sort out the rotation at the ML level with the other options, and perhaps paves a way for a trade early in the year.

Just an opinion. I am NOT saying the kid is a bad egg. But we know he is a bit of a free spirit. We have heard he has sometimes been resistant to instruction. I hope he is not injured. If he is, I hope he heals up before next season. But I have to wonder, if he was hurt badly enough to have the low points and bad streaks that he has had this season, then why wasn't he disabled again? Perhaps he's down on himself. Perhaps he's down on the whole season. Perhaps he's lacking confidence right now. So, IMO, until I hear something disclosing injury, I'm saying its "attitude". I stated a week ago that despite the poor season, I was in favor of bringing him up for a one month fresh start toward the offseason and next year.

Thank you Jeremy. Looked up Gordon's season for the first time in a while. 19 and starting SS at low A for. a winning team, hitting in the .270's with an OB in the .330's and 25 SB with 8 caught stealing. I'm starting to think this kid has a chance. Lol But seriously, a very nice season. A little more discipline and a little more muscle, without losing speed hopefully, and a potential WOW here. Always kept my eye on Danny Ortiz. He could use more discipline, but otherwise would make a nice 4th OF. But yeah, barring trade or Kepler taking over 1B, just no room on the Twins for him probably.

MHO....it's about attitude

I had come to the conclusion...finally...that I wanted him up and that I thought he should be up. If he could help this year, GREAT. But I just wanted him to get the experience, the ML exposure, to help get him ready for next season. I'm not all that bent he won't be up, still young, great season, lots of innings, etc. if this is their decision, fine. But I think we are owed an explanation. If some or all disagree with the reasoning, then so be it. But offer up the reasoning behind it.

A switch hitter who can actually hit some...potentially...with legit XB/HR power, you bet there is room for Vargas still. I don't think the Atwins would keep him around as a glorified PH next season, but guess you never know. But if any of his new-found approach is for real and sticks, he could be a key cog in the lineup at DH and backup 1B in the near future. I also agree Santana's shot is not done yet. But at this point, not only does he have to improve his approach, but he will have to wait for a "seize the moment" opportunity because Escobar isn't going anywhere. Not after last season, this past ST, and what he's done now that he's been allowed to play consistently. I'd love to see Santana learn to play 2B. Whether for us, or someone else, I think he could have a future as a reserve INF/OF if he never lays claim to a full time SS job.

I don't think I could mount much of a disagreeing argument here, even if I wanted to. Probably the perfect 7 selections when you weigh all factors. I don't think sending both Turner and Garver to the AFL is so much about either helping the Twins in '16, but simply more about continued improvement and experience to see what we really have in each of them. Good defense, offensive potential in both. But how good do either project out? That may help determine how serious the Twins need to be in trade searches for our catcher of the future. If both show well, maybe the team feels better about short term help for 2016.

To improve at catcher, Plouffe is probably their biggest and best trade chip. There are three ways to improve at catcher for 2016. 1) Trade Plouffe and maybe another smaller piece or two 2). Keep Plouffe to further deepen the lineup and team in general, but deal from the depth of the organization. Arcia still holds potential and value despite a bad season and a slip in current market value. Polanco has real value. T Harrisson has previously been on several top 20 prospect lists. ABW is a bit of an enigma be very intriguing. Starting with Duffey, there are decent arms in the rotation and pen from Rochester on down, (not named Berrios) that should hold value. A package of 4-5 for 1-2? Especially for a team in rebuild mode. 3) Sign another veteran such as AJ, (there are a few other OK options) to team with Suzuki for another season. More veteran experience and leadership, and almost guaranteed better offensive production that what we have received this year. Then re-assess at mid-season or next off season. The problem with trading Plouffe is not Sano. He will be OK at defense and get better. The problem is shorting the lineup another quality hitter when our lineup is becoming more and more talented and potential filled but also very young. (Hunter and Plouffe gone, Mauer and Dozier are the only vets besides Suzuki) It's much, much easier to move Plouffe if: 1) The powerful, switch hitting Vargas has learned anything this season and can carry through with his strong finish this year and in to 2016. 2) A second chance with success from Arcia as a LH DH/occassional OF and/or Pinto as a RH PH/DH/3rd catcher. These two could offer hitting, power and bench bat depth. 3) A veteran FA bat to be a primary DH. Option 3, in some ways, is the easiest and safest way to go. But it's my least favorite as I'd rather keeping giving as many ABs to the youngsters on this intriguing, vastly improved and still improving young ball club.

But back to Berrios specifically again, doesn't the number of short starts lately, especially in the case of Pelfrey, almost demand the Twins bring Berrios up NOW?

And I tend to agree. I still like Hughes a lot and expect a big rebound from him next season. Up until his current injury, and a start or so before that, he was pitching well...really, he just got hot and "corrected" any flaws later this year than he did last season. I don't see the Twins ridding themselves of BOTH Nolasco and Santana this offseason. There is a real chance to move one of them at least, provided they are willing to eat some salary and don't get greedy on the return. But the whole point was...unrealistic or not...you could almost pencil in FOUR young starters in the rotation...3 we drafted and 1 we acquired...from our own milb system. Wow!

Great to see Bard healthy, throwing hard, and presumably, back on his career path. Darnell may not be a top prospect, but any LH that can get outs always grabs my attention. I thought last season he was on track as a LH relief option who could get some SO's and not exclusively be a LOOGY. Needless to sY, a disappointing season for the most part. But his strong finish has me encouraged again.

No to May in the pen. Not only no but he'll no. At least...not yet. When he was moved to the pen...I agree it's been a short term help/fix...not only was he in the process of improving almost every time out it seemed, but he lead the Twins in just about every statistical category; XFip, YFip as well as ZFip, SO's and SO per 9, dirty looks from opposing batters, WHIP and WHIPITGOOD, and a few more. Obviously I don't have the list in front me...wish I did...would love to find it again post it, or read again if someone else could find it. But the point is he was arguably the best SP in the Twins rotation when he was moved. Can he be a #1? I don't know. A true #1 SP and a top franchise QB have GOT TO BE the two most difficult things to find, much less predict, in all of sports. But you don't take big, strong, strapping young power pitchers with vast potential and improvement who look like they could very easily be a top #3 SP if not better and just move them to the bullpen. The ONLY reason you would do that is because you have at least three more just like him or better. And we aren't at that point. (Few teams ever are!) If he ultimately turns out to be a solid, quality #4 SP type, then yeah, move him if he can be better in the pen. (Probably yes, he could be) But not now. No way...no how...no sir.

Vargas could be a key component going forward. Seems we say that a lot these days with so many good young ballplayers rising up through the system, but it's true. I am on record as to not being opposed to trading Plouffe, but I'd rather keep him and his bat to play 1B/3B/DH with Sano and Mauer. However, finding a full-size DH like Vargas, changes the lineup. If,at least at first, he doesn't mash but could still hit .270-ish with a .315-.320-ish OB while cranking 30 Dbls and 25 HR-----ish, he gives the lineup a lift and makes Plouffe expendable.

No way Arcia deserves it. But I keep wondering if a little ML time to close out a bitter season could provide a sort of jump-start.

Is Blackburn still available?