DocBauer

Seriously? I can't decide if I need to contact the producers of INTERVENTION or blow on an assault whistle.

OK, just in case you hadn't fully realized it, former solid Twins SS prospect, failed SS prospect, has turned out to be one of the top 2B in all of baseball. Hes not just handsome with great hair and a tremendous ambassador in regard to charity and community, Brian Dozier has established himself as an All Star caliber ML ballplayer...(damn the whole KC Royals ballot box stuffing controversy)...who...dare I say it?...might honestly and argueably be establishing himself as one of the top overall players in all of baseball. But incredible talent, and a little good luck, (something the Twins are owed in spades), Byron Buxton...(what an amazing name....BYRON...so proud and noble...anyway...),will be healthy and back to close out the season, turning the world on it's proverbial ear, tantalizing and teasing, and getting himself ready to establish himself as the Twins starting CF for the next 10-?teen years. He might, I believe, slide down eventually to the #3 hole. But for now, and the near future, he should be an absolutely outstanding leadoff hitter. This will bump our leading man, Dozier, from his place in the leadoff position...gratefully and thankfully so. And the reason I say that is, despite some of the absolutely amazing stuff he has done as the Twins leadoff hitter the past few seasons....(along with time as a #2 and #3 hitter)...I believe his overall game may actually be more benificial lower in the lineup. He has real power, XB and HR. He has OB ability. He has clutch hitting ability. He has the speed to make things happen, and even steal some bases. The only thing Dozier lacks in his ML pedigree is the BIG BA. And I don't know that it matters when you look at his overall game, numbers and production. Guys excell in different ways. Now, Buxton taking over the #1 spot doesn't just affect our beloved and glorified Mr. Dozier...it also potentially affects several other spots in the lineup. But that is part of the arguement here. First comes Mauer...(come on, you didn't think he wouldn't be part of any lineup discussion did you?) This is the abbreviated version of Mauer for this year: Mauer, healthy, has potential. Gets off to a quality start and drives in runs. Mauer slumps. Mauer sucks. Mauer is finished. (though he still drives in a few runs) Twins are screwed royally. Mauer picks up the pace again and seems to be out of slump. Mauer produces again. Many posters have nothing to post about suddenly. RX for anti-depressants suddenly decline in the TC area. (increase for Mauer detractors) In all seriousness, Mauer being anything close to Mauer could be valuable in the #2 hole in the lineup, the #3 spot in the lineup....or valuable down lower in the lineup as an AVG and OB hitter with 2B power who hits a few HR's, provides contact, but doesnt have enough pure power to hit in the mid spots. (BTW, if you haven't noticed, he's been turning in to a hell of a defensive 1B!) Rosario, goodness-honest, has the real ability to be a major player as a #2hitter, #3 hitter, or #5 through #8 hitter. Great overall ability across the board...despite discipline...but all factors and talent and potential have him potentiall effective in any of the above mentioned spots. Bash the Twins SS potentials all you want, but there is the very real possibility that Santana, Escobar and Polanco could each/all be very productive bottom of the order/turn over the lineup options...but with REAL #2 potential. Escobar offers consistency, but not much special, and XB potential. (there's nothing bad about that folks) Santana offers even more speed,more power, more overall explosiveness and excitement and ability. (though there may always be plate discipline issues--though that is negotiable as high BA and power and speed can offset OB to a degree). Polanco may have the best overall game and potential, though he is the furthest away...AT THIS POINT. Right now, we haven't discussed Plouffe, or Sano, or anyone else...(Kepler, Vargas, Arcia, whoever)...and that's kind of deliberate. Buxton becomes the new-age Ricky Henderson. And that is NOT a stretch! What do you do with Dozier? Does he mash at 2? Despite a so-so career AVG is he your best overall hitter and thus your #3? Is he your best overall cleanup option with Sano hitting behind him? Or is his overall game best fit to be the Twins #5 hitter, smack dab in the middle of the lineup, with decent BA, quality OB, power and speed, knocking 'em in and settin' 'em up! Where does Dozier fit best overall?

This! Can we finally just drop the whole Sano to the OF thing? I mean, I can almost understand the fuzzy logic scenario of desperate fans who believe his moving to the OF would help him reach the majors sooner. (as if he's disappointing by making it at age 22 and looking good thus far) The guy is a 3B. TOP 3B don't grow on trees. I EXPECT him to not be as good as Plouffe at 3B right now. But then again, Plouffe at 3B two seasons ago is not the Plouffe we see at 3B now. Gaetti had hands of stone when he arrived to the bigs, stopping as many balls with his chest and various other body parts as he did with his glove. Koskie was too big, too tall, and too stiff. All these guys did was win Gold Gloves, go to All Star games, garner Silver Slugger awards, play on WS and winning teams, set benchmark type numbers, and become a couple top all time Twins. But because Sano is a big kid, commited some errors in the minors, (like all infielders do), and some guy somewhere conjectured he might outgrow 3B and not be able to play it...despite the fact that most scouts feel he has what it takes to play the position...at the very least early in his career...he should be moved to 1B or the OF. He is a 3B and will be a 3B for some time. I don't object to him learning 1B to increase roster depth and flexability....but he is a 3B.

My apologies, I actually meant Kepler when I said Walker in regard to moving up to AAA soon, doing well, having a nice winter, and competing for the 3rd starting spot next season, but expectations maybe being too high, pressure, etc. Now, my words could pertain to Walker as well, but I meant Kepler, and honestly, with an all around game being considered, Kepler is ahead of Walker at this point. Once again I state, I'm not knocking Walker who I rave a lot of love for, belief in, and growing belief in how well he has adapted this year. But as a finished product in the making, he is further behind. And that's OK. There is NOTHING WRONG with a quality player/prospect playing a full season at a level. In fact, it's how most prospects reach the majors. I dont think comparing Sano's early success, SSS, to Buxton's is fair. They are both potential generational talents and difference makers. Both had a really rough 2014. Both have rebounded extraordinarily well. Buxton, I felt, should have been held back another week or two. He was on a nice roll, and I thought we should have given him that extra week or two to continue that roll before promotion. Regardless, his results were not only iffy and ishy, but it was, unfortunately, a very SSS. But offensively and defensively, despite the SSS, he flashed! He just needs to get healthy, get back...(I'm telling you---bubble wrap)...and get these last few months in as part of his experience/building program. I like Hicks. I really do. I think anyone down on him at this point is simply not paying attention. The Hicks playing CF now, and batting now, is simply not the same AH we saw the last couple of seasons. This 3.0 version actually looks like a young ML ballplayer with skills and potential who is starting to "get it". The light bulb may not be on all the way yet...but the someone has definately been turning the dimmer switch up towards bright. And if Buxton actually needs some time, and Hicks needs to fill in, I guess I'm OK with that. I just don't think it's going to be necessary.

Great article, but it makes me feel a little stupid. In theory, generally, pitchers always perform better against same sided hitters. Harder to pick up the ball, etc. So why on earth did it ever become vague to only throw a change to an opposite hand hitter?

Basically, two months before rosters expand and any lists become somewhat moot. But keeping things in house...which is what I think the Twins should do at this point... May needs to be in the rotation. Period. You want to keep him out for a start, a little breather, to keep him as strong as possible for the end of the year, and give Pelfrey one more shot, OK, I may not like it but I get it. But there is a great article at Twinkietown recently that shows May is just about the best rookie SP in the majors this season. Pelfrey or Milone needs to move. Now at least, Milone is pitching the best of the two, gives the Twins a lefty, is younger, and may be part of the future, or at least near future. Pelfrey is almost certainly gone after this season. Time to think short AND long term with May. Perkins, Fien and Graham are all locks. Four spots open. Seems to me Thompson could be as good or better than O'Rourke as a LOOGY. But at the time of their swap, it seemed like Thompson couldn't get anyone out, including lefties. At some point, Rogers has to be given a shot. Pressly has pitched well enough to possibly hold a spot. But he's out right now. I won't dismiss what Boyer has done, but he just isn't the same effective reliever he was the first couple of months. Perkins Fien Graham 2 of Duensing, Rogers, Thompson, O'Rourke. (Thielbar and Darnell look see's in September assuming one doesn't get hot before then) I doubt Duensing is going to lose his spot. To be fair, he's been pitching better as of late. And I don't think he's back next year. But he's probably a lock for now, though I'd rather see open auditions for 2 LHRP spots. Wouldn't you be short sighted or borderline stupid not to give Duffey a shot at this point? Fien, Graham, Duffey and Pressly when healthy from the right side.

Hey, I'm a huge fan and very hopeful for young Mr Walker. I think what impresses me most about his performance this year is not his numbers/production itself, but rather how he has not only rebounded from a rough start, but also how he has chosen this year, at the AA level, the highest and hardest level he has faced so far, to have his best and most productive year. But there are still holes we don't need to magnify too soon. And there is defense to work on,(though I believe the tools are there) And right now, frankly, there are other worthwhile or better youngsters a notch ahead on the totem pole of seeming readiness. That's not a knock, just a crowded reality.

Glad to see Polanco up and playing every day at Rochester. He's also hitting this far. NOT concerned about a handful of early promotion errors. He's already on the roster, so he should be up in September. In the meantime, Santana and Escobar need to be playing somewhere every single day; 2B, SS or the OF. What I'm not understanding is why Kepler isn't up at Rochester yet. I understand this is his best season, his first real "breakout" year. I understand he's still quite young. But really, with a little over half the AA season in the books, is there anything left to really dominate at this level? I think he's ready for AAA.

Keeping with the theme of what the Twins need to do the rest of the way, Arcia needs to be back up once he shows a return to some consistency. It might be early, but lately, it's looking as though he may have found himself. I don't want to poo-poo what Richardson has done this season for us..which isn't a lot, but much more than I ever expected...but replacing him with Arcia is not only keeping with the "what needs to be done" theme, but also basic logic when examine the roster. He really doesn't fill a need for this team any longer with Hicks back, and Buxton eventually.

Pressly being hurt doesn't help as he was actually pitching fairly well. Graham has been a huge surprise to me! Aren't you being blind, short- sighted or borderline stupid not to give Duffy a shot in the pen. He can always move back to a starting role later. (Same with Meyer naturally) I haven't always been on board with this idea, but I've come around on it. I like the Hawkins idea. I like giving Joba Chamberlain a shot. But I'm not in favor of trading for anyone, this season, unless they can realistically be expected to be part of the tea for at least a few years.

At this point, with health, I think you have to write Rosario and Buxton in the lineup with ink. Then it gets interesting. If Walker gets up to Rochester soon, and can have a strong last couple of months, along with maybe some winter ball, he could be in line for the third spot. But that's a lot of pressure and expectation to be placed on him so soon. I'm going with Hicks and Arcia both. Arcia as a DH and occassional OF and Hicks as a multi-purpose starter, defensive replacement. i know we're all a little down on Arcia right now. And his season thus far has been almost inexplicably bad. But the ability is still there. He seems to be coming alive at Rochester lately. He may still play an important role.

I get May to the pen, at least temporarily as Molitor stated. I don't like it, but I get it. But temporary is the key. The pen is having problems, there is a temporary logjam in the rotation, so for a brief NOW you put the hard throwing, young SO pitcher in the pen. But this team is winning with May in the rotation. May is pitching, arguably, as well as or better than Pelfrey. May will be back next season, appears to have a bright future, and should be a part of the team for some time. Pelfrey is an older FA who will doubtfully be back next year. I have to ask, is this move really temporary in nature? Are we acquiescing to Pelfrey merely because he's a veteran? We promote Buxton. We promote Sano. We promote Polanco to AAA. We promote Berrios to AAA. Surely Kepler is next for Rochester. But we demote May for doing well?

I do think the Twins should take a shot at a young-ish catcher. I think it is much more likely to happen during the offseason when teams can sit back and evaluate and form a plan (FA also has an affect here) I would guess some pitching and possibly Plouffe would be involved. Arcia is young, talented and intriguing still, despite also being maddening. I'm sure there are a lot of teams that feel the same way. But its the maddening part that keeps his value down as part of a deal, maybe, than a talented young big part of a deal. He could easily end up the Twins 4th OF and primary DH next season. With Rosario, Hicks and Kepler as serious options, you dont need the classic 4th-5th archetype OF on the bench

Absolutely let them pass through waivers. Then make a play for Joba. Hes still young enough, still throws pretty hard, that he is absolutely worth a look see and needing some fresh air. If he balks at working a few things out at Rochester first, then I might just pass.

In general principal, I object to giving anyone 16yo anything close to $4M when they haven't really accomplished anything yet, and have barely reached legal driving age. For that matter, I don't like giving an 18yo that kind of money either. But such is the world of sports and entertainment we live in. Generally speaking, year to year, I'd love for the Twin to spread their money around and sign several high quality prospects, say 4-5 or so. Quantity and quality both! However, the problem is, EVERYONE would like to spread their money around to various prospects and sign both quantity and quality. I still don't quite grasp all of the ramifications of restrictions for teams next year. But it appears as though half the league will be restricted, leaving more financial maneuverability for us to play the quantity and quality game for real. In regard to Javier, it is sooo hard to scout and project American high school kids, I don't know how on earth you accurately scout and project out an equivalent sophomore in a Latin country. But sometimes I can really appreciate the "go for it" mentality. If the Twins really believe in this kids potential, and really think they got in early on perhaps the top prospect available, (potentially), I'm kind of excited to the gamble and the aggressiveness shown. I dare say its a combination of belief, as well as recognition they may have less opposition next year in spreading a wider net.

Love the potential, despite a high K rate that may never drop to where we want it to be. But thus far in his short career, he has made adjustments, and has performed at a pretty constant level. In fact, I dare say he's made more adjustments and more improvement this season than any other. And this, perhaps he finest season yet, comes at the AA level. So what if strikes out too much to hit 3 or 4. Maybe he strikes out too much to hit 5th. But he could be an absolute terror in the 6 or 7 hole if nothing else. (And honestly, Dozier, Sano, Kepler and others, might be the only spots with room anyway. But with his propensity for strikeouts, with the success and improvement under way, I'm in favor of keeping him at AA for the remainder of the season. Just feels like a necessary, logical step in his evolution and development as a player. And there's nothing wrong with that.

......and possibly Torii Hunter. ToriiHunter? For 2016? Hold on. We'll come back around to this again. This is the kind of thread that will die a quick death after 6-8 responses, or will blow up to multiple pages. I hope it's the latter as I think this is a very interesting topic. Rosario seems to be on the cusp of being the player we've all been hoping for and expecting. Let's be honest, next to Buxton and Sano, this was THE GUY in the organization we all felt was the potential big bat in the organization. A quality defensive player who is a hitting machine with HR potential who would spray line drives all over the place with multiple doubles. Then he ran in to the suspension in 2014, a rather poor season, and sudden rumors of a bad attitude and a potentially troubled young player who might never realize his ability. Instead, this still very young player had a nice AFL, impressed the Twins and Molitor during ST, came up quickly, and has performed quite well this far. There are holes in his swing and approach, and probably always will be. We hope for the best, but I think we all expect a quality, high BA player who will never excell at OB%, but who we hope will always maintain one somewhere in the .320-.330 area. He should be a doubles machine with a nice handful of triples, double digit HR's and double digit SB's. Over time, I could see HR power increase as speed decreases slightly. What has impressed me most about him thus far is his comfort level and baseball instincts. He has played mostly excellent defense in both corners, and stepped in to CF recently for a few games with no sweat. He makes grabs, throws to the right base, takes the extra base, as if it's all just natural to him. He honestly might be up to early, but you can see the ability and potential. And it's exciting. Buxton: I argued that if the Twins were to promote him, which they did, they should wait another couple weeks as he was on a hot streak, and his confidence would only continue to build if they waited. Of course, they didn't. Of course, injury helped usher his promotion. Of course he didn't dominate before becoming injured himself. But the amazing talent level and potential is undeniable. He will be back. It will be soon. And it will probably be permanent next time. Hicks: I may be wrong, but his first two seasons there seemed to be almost a 50-50 split whether he was victim or bad guy in make it/wash out CF conspiracy. I will tell you that the new stance, new approach at the plate I saw in ST seemed to be paying off for Hicks in Rochester. Much like Buxton, I thought the Twins moved Hicks up too early. But I also have to say he is absolutely, positively, playing the best defense I have ever seen him play. And while his bat still hasn't been anything great, it's been better, and he just has the look of a ML caliber player, something I don't always think he has shown before. Kepler: A supremely talented youngster who is finally coming in to his own. "Finally" being relative to being multi talented and only 22 yo. To be cliche', he is the tip of the iceberg at this point based on ability and potential. But this is the first year where the cream has risen to the top of the cup of expensive coffee. I hesitate promoting him too quickly and risking regression. But I also believe he is more than ready for the next challenge, and should be at Rochester immediately. I don't know at this point, nor could anyone, whether or not he projects as a starting OF for the Twins in '16. But he absolutely has to figure in the eventual equation. Robinson: might not return, his choice or the Twins. Yet he might. He can fit as a 4th OF, but might be best as a 5th OF option. He can play defense. He's scrappy. He has exceeded anything anyone could have expected this season. Has he found a home as a nice, scrappy AAAA player in Minnesota? Maybe. But the Twins 2016 season will probably not revolve around Robinson in any way. Arcia: complete enigma. Please understand, I've been a big fan for years now. I thought Arcia was really growing both offensively and defensively the second half of last season. He could be a starting corner OF next season for the Twins....easily....with an impact LH bat and OK defense....or a nice 4th OF, (doesn't have to play CF)...and primary DH, or potential trade bait, or part of a trade.....or stuck in AAA trying to find himself. Enigma. The next 3 months, and winter ball, could determine a lot for Arcia. As much as I want him to stay here and succeed, I think he could be an important and intriguing trace piece. Santana: I'm not smart enough to tell you what to do with him. What I do know is this kid has a ton of talent. He has the ability to play ML SS on an every day basis very well. He has the ability to also play a quality ML OF. He may never be a disciplined hitter, but he has hit ability, pop/power ability and real speed/SB ability. He could be anything from a starting ML SS, or LF, or CF, or nice utility inf/of with a wide variety of ability. Someone needs to figure out where to put this kid Plouffe: have to list him. He is a top defensive 3B. He can also play 1B. Of course he can DH once in a while. (Duh) Honestly, truly, scouts honor, can he, should he play OF? I think he's a good enough athlete to continue the Cuddyer SS/2B/3B/1B/OF MLB wagon train of a career. I'm not saying he should, but he could. Like Cuddy, he might even excell greater in the OF. Between 3B, 1B, DH and occassional day off, there still could be more than enough AB's, potentially, between him, Sano, Mauer and possibly Vargas. He could also be amongst the top 1-3 veteran Twins tradeable assets with real value to bring in bullpen or catching help. Danny Ortiz: probably not a real threat to break ST with the Twins at this point. Nevertheless, he shouldn't be ignored in the Twins 2016 OF equation. Seth and others could speak more accurately than I could about his potential ML ability and potentiL role. But by all reports, he can play both corners as well as some occassional CF. Based upon his milb career, the young LH hitting and throwing OF has only average hitting, OB and power ability. Still, he has been consistent in his milb career, has some ability, and could develop in to an interesting 4th or 5th OF. (.263/.305/.427/.732 quad slash milb career. Nothing great. But useful and functional?) Torii Hunter: Here we go! Debate time! Big time! "Ladies and Gentlemen......in this corner...." Reality check: Torii has been a HUGE offensive lift for the team this season. Thus far; .270/.325/.459/.785 quad slash with 44 RBI. His career OPS is .798. He is 39 yo! He will be 40 next year. Honestly, his defense has slipped tremendously from what it ONCE WAS. (Another captain obvious comment) But his defense this season has not been as poor, as devestating, as prophet looking in to the endless pit, as expected. But for love and goodness in all things that are sunshine, green grass, good beer, sweet BBQ and funny-cuddly puppies would SOMEONE tell Hunter to play JUST 2 STEPS BACK defensively! I can live with a ball or two or 10 hit in front of him if necessary. But sooner or later the tape has to meet reality indicating how many over the head and outstretched glove extra base hits could be prevented if he was just positioned 2 STEPS BACK. ( not unlike the 2 steps back and 2 steps to his right I advocated regarding Arcia last season) The simple truth is, I love and believe in a good story. Thus far, Torii has found that Fountain of Youth mystique vs journalism reality in 2015 and played the part of hero. I even predicted it. Now, the next 3 months of the '15 season could and should have a great impact on the '16 season. And Hunter himself will have a lot to say about '16 based upon on what he does the second half of this season. I am not a betting man. And I believe in the satisfying and happy end before the story goes too long. (vs just about anything JJ Abrahams has ever touched) But if the next 3 months are the same, more or less, as the first 3 months, I have to wonder about bringing Hunter back for a final-final season next year. NEVER thought I'd say or think that. But his impact, half a season thus far, offensive, and clubhouse/team/attitude wise has been unmistakable and unarguable. However, reality simply has to dictate even subtle changes, yes, for next season? If Hunter would be re-signed it would have to be for fair price and expectation of being a primary DH and backup only OF, yes? Weigh in on your next OF sports fans. Have I missed anything?

OK...3 Up...3 Down...as in months gone by and how many are left in the season. What's left to do for the Twins in their 2015 season? Now it's true that it's July 3rd as I write, and after tonight's game...(Twins & Royals tied at 1 at the moment).,.there is still another game left until the actual 81 game midpoint of the season. But don't bother me with details! For all intents and purposes, we are at the midpoint of the 2015 season. Again, game 80 as I write, the Twins are in a 3 way tie for the 3rd best record in the AL! They are, at this moment, 42 & 37 with a .532 W%. The Twins...MY Twins...OUR Twins...were supposed to lose again this season. Coming off a 4th straight poor season of 90 or more loses, the Twins were supposed to lose again this season. Preseason debate amongst us here at TD was whether or not our favorite team could reach, and possibly crack, the .500 mark. Well, in this season of some fairly significant FA signings, this season of a new manager in HOF local boy dun gooooood Paul Molitor, this season of a mostly new coaching staff including a spankin' sparklin' new pitching coach, this season of a bunch of new kids getting at least tastes and opportunities at the ML level, this season of new uni's trimming in Klondike gold...(see what I dd there?)...this team has been not only competitive but actually winning. I was an Engish major, not a math one, but my penned calculations indicate the Twins would have to play .470 ball the remainder of the season to finish at .500. Meaning their winning % would have to drop 50 points for this to happen. I'm no statistics guy, but I believe that's a pretty significant drop. Further, they would have to play at a .361 pace the remainder of the year to finish with 90 losses for a 5th straight year. In other words....we ain't losing 90 again guys. Statistics and odds would indicate we should finish at .500 or better. P*ss, moan and complain if you will, and I have at times as well, about what the Twin's record could be with a little better bullpen, a little more power, and a few more clutch hits...4-10 more wins???...but I don't know about you...BUT I AM HAVING FUN! (Even the Twins minor leagues are winning, producing talent and hope, and giving us fun and things to talk about). I am not really a doctor, or a baseball scout, and to my immediate recollection, I don't believe I have ever spent a single night in a Holiday Inn Express. But as a (semi) intelligent man of 49 who has been following baseball, specifically the Twins, most of my life, possessing a pretty level head, common sense, and possessing at least a cup of strong coffee/stiff drink wisdom, I think I'm on target where our beloved Twins are at this point. Please feel free to agree with me, or dispute me, as you will. #1 thing left for the Twins to: Win Keep winning. Just keep playing good baseball, and keep doing what they are doing. Winning is important; not only for the turnstiles and us fans, but for the players and coaches who want to win, need to win, and deserve to win. And I believe that winning/success, breeds winning/success. But don't get carried away with winning! What? You heard me. I believe in "going for it" when you have a chance. But this fun, beautiful, improved and "year early" contending team just isn't built for a real championship season. Not yet. IMHO. This team should remain trade neutral the rest of the season. Unless you make a series of moves, probably rental ones, you just aren't going to make enough of a difference. And then what? You jumped the gun, took a shot, played rental vets, traded young talent to acquire them, and end up empty of a trophy and have lost possible player and additional trade assets. While it would be nice to pull off a sneaky move, nobody is going to offer the Twins much for Pelfrey. There is a real chance that a new splitter, new mental toughness/determination Pelfrey has spoken of, and strong health has transformed him. But a so-so career followed by 3 full seasons of injury mixed with a dab or OK and poor success is NOT going to bring a big return. Nolasco has real ability and a nice track record. But he has been snakebit since joining the Twins...and I hate to use that term as it's about the only thing that hasn't happened to Nolasco since he inked his contract..and NOBODY is going to trade for him right now. Milone is an interesting enigma. Not an insult, just a fact. We got him for waiver wire acquired and later traded Sam Fuld. So what top reliever or catching prospect are we acquiring for him via trade? Exception: Should there be anything on the table from a contending club interested in any of the above, OR, a rebuilding club, that would allow the Twins to bring on board a young(-ish) RP who throws hard and can help for multiple seasons, or a young(-ish) quality catcher that can help for multiple seasons, for any of the above or a package of milb prospects NOT in the top 10-15+ ish, then you go ahead and probably make a move. If the Twins farm system is even close to being as good as advertised, there are prospects to trade now, (or in the offseason) that can be of real value to someone else without cutting our own legs out from beneath us. #2 thing left for the Twins to do: Play the kids every day, (or close to it) Sounds simple doesn't it? It's not as simple as it sounds. Remember #1 thing left to do? You just can't play 12 inning games with 12 man lineups and 40 man rosters tomorrow just because it would be convenient for young player development. (Plus, the whole winning thing) But what you CAN do, SHOULD do, and absolutely MUST do at this point is get every single young top prospect playing as high and hard and fast as you can for the next 3 months. Escobar is nothing special. But he's potentially very, very solid. Debatable if he's really as good as he showed last season and during ST this year, but I know he's better than he has been this year. He's been playing better lately with extended playing time. He needs to keep playing. Santana has even more talent and projectability. Whether it be SS, CF, (or LF as I've mentioned before), he needs to play EVERY SINGLE DAY, or damn close to it. And I mean ML level, or AAA level. Polanco just might have even more offensive and defensive talent and projectability than Santana. He needs to be at AAA Rochester tomorrow. So does Kepler. Buxton needs to be back in the Majors ASAP....or as soon as deemed ready. Same with Hicks. I am NOT advocating some mass milb exodus to mass ML arrival. But you have 2 months to play all of these young players, (and we're not even discussing pitchers at the moment), at the AAA and ML level, or riding the Rochester shuttle back and forth, (which I don't normally advocate), as needed, before the rosters expand in September. But in all scenarios, YOU PLAY THE PROSPECTS as much as possible on a daily basis. You are building a team for 2016 and beyond, and you have not only reason, but opportunity built upon talent and real production to be aggressive and challenge these youngsters, (mixed in with veterans and younger vets). In short; keep doing what you are doing this far...except.... 1: keep winning, and trying to win, but don't get too caught up in '15 and make short-sighted moves that will not pay off in the end, and might even short you in player "cash" in the future to make moves. 2: get all of your top prospects and young players in the lineup every single day at the ML or AAA level for the remainder of the season for challenge and future development.

Stick a fork in him. He's done! What..........................................too soon?

Huh? I don't get the post. Pushing 50, pretty much every prospect is a "kid" to me. Were I 35 and discussing a 21 yo old "young legally recognized adult", I'd probably still refer to him as a "kid". I never screamed anything about Buxton. I do remember stating I would wait a few more weeks to promote him, figuring if he was on a nice roll, then I would keep him on that roll before making a move. And that was in response to speculation of him being promoted to the majors. Unless I have amnesia, I don't believe I EVER said to promote him straight to the Twins. My comments were to wait...IF you were going to do it. (Not that the Twins listened to me.) And once again, I am stating I don't expect Berrios to reach the majors this season. That I don't see a necessity to push him too hard. Though I do allow for a September visit, if felt necessary or appropriate, to assist in his preparation for next season. I feel I was not only very clear, but very consistent in regard to these similar but different situations/posts. Also confused about the 21 yo HOF issue. Berrios is a HOFer? I thought he was a very talented young prospect with a bright future. For every quickly promoted 21-ish player who achieves great success, I think you'd find twice as many (probably conservative) that didn't achieve success. I believe in developing and promoting talented young ball players when ready. Not too fast, but not too slow either. I wish it was as simple as promoting a future HOFer.

Barring a rash of injuries, or sudden trade interest and value in Pelfrey, Milone and/or Nolasco....not until next season. There is no current need or opening to rush a 21 yo kid to the majors after a AAA cup of coffee. Pace him appropriately...he's already a tremendously fast riser...keep developing him, and make him the absolutely most ready you can to be a legitimate rotation candidate for 2016. Now, I will say, if it doesn't mess with the 40 man too early, or create service time issues that could be easily avoided, I could see some Septemer IP IF the Twins felt that would help prepare him for the pressures and demands of being on the big stage. Sort of a soft opening before the curtain rises for good.

I'm OK with him leaving at this point. There are plenty of fish left in the sea, and we have one of the deepest talent pools available. Let Anaheim be on the hook for a contract like that. For that amount of clams....swim away Twins. Just swim away.

Rumor has it, according to a reliable yet unnamed source via TMZ, that the shark is now refusing to come out of his lagoon to play without a reworked contract.

In regard to Santana........COME ON! Anyone really going to scold me if I use the term; "reality check"? Who....and I mean WHO ever said anything about Johan? We signed a proven, quality, expensive but market average cost, RHSP with a really nice track record to bolster our team. A guy slightly more expensive and a bit better than the tough luck Nolasco, and the steal of Hughes....again...more expensive, but better overall. Lest we forget, I was in favor of Santana over Nolasco, but not by much, and was OK with the Nolasco signing. Forget his tough start to his Twins career. He is NOT a bad pitcher. Maybe a bad fit in the end, bad karma or bad luck that should force a name change to Murphy, but he is not a bad pitcher. If you look at career numbers, you will see that Santana is, and always has been, a bit better than Nolasco. (Albeit not by a great margin) Just for a moment, can we drop the whole ACE mentality here? There is a difference between an ACE and a #1 SP on most staffs. Honestly, it's a really, really small, almost tiny difference. Sometimes, you even have to break down smaller numbers to see the difference. But overall, generally speaking, if you don't recognize that slim difference, you probably aren't a real baseball fan. Sorry. Truth. Then comes "top of the rotation starter", which really means anything from dominate #2 SP to really good/potentially dominate #3 SP. Career numbers, Santana ranks ahead of Nolasco....but not by that much really. I know it sounds easy to say that a pitcher put up better numbers when he pitched for a better team. But as there is a difference between different players and pitchers, if you remove the elite, there is also a difference in "rising to the occassion" as opposed to doing their best. Hence, an OK SP "rises" when surrounded by quality supporting cast. Santana and Nolasco are similar, quality, experienced MLSP. However, Santana still wins out in comparison. And since when does any kind of warm up or rehab with a ML vet even matter in regard to ML comparable stats?

Shaking my head a bit. What I DONT know: How good Polanco can actually be. And except for a few innings, what he looks like on a consistent basis. How unforced or correctable his errors are. What I DO Know, or THINK I know: Polanco was signed as a SS, a GLOVE MAN, not as an offensive player. In fact, when signed, the talk was about defense and speed with his bat questionable. Kid has turned out to have a quality bat, with pop, ability to hit for average, and a knack for the big hit. He's done so well at it, that he keeps getting dropped from the 2 hole in the order to the 3 spot. And he shows the potential to be even better! I also know that with very, very little exception, I have never seen a quality SS, even a future Gold Glover, not struggle with some errors, not only in the minors, but in the majors as well. Deal with it, it's reality. Santana has a ton of ability if he can harness it. If he can't, he has a chance to still be solid, and useful, and potentially a quality LF who can also help in CF and SS. 2B? Polanco seems more smooth, more natural in what he does. I absolutely, positively would not give up on Santana, (unless traded of course), but I would also not wait too long to give Polanco a REAL CHANCE to show what he can do, not just a game or two. He just might be a viable, long term solution at SS. What are the Twins afraid of at this point?