DocBauer

, Because Polanco isn't ready yet, nor is the solid but less talented Beresford and the Twins didn't get anyone else. And honestly if the team's biggest concern is a backup utility infielder, things are looking way up! But seriously, the guy can hit some, has some pop, can run a little and can fill in here and there at 3 or 4 spots. His time with the Twins is probably done after this year, but in the meantime, you could do a lot, lot worse for the last bench spot. Were I Molitor, not only would my coaches and I continue to work on his defense, (he's young and talented enough to still improve), but I'd have him in every single game I could in ST all across the four infield spots, and some OF play, just to see for sure what I had available to me as role/fill-in player.

Great and fun topic! And perfect time to bring it up. 1) Catching depth: for his sake, and the Twins, it should be Pinto. If reports are to be believed, he returned at the end of last season more confident in his defense. Despite some flaws, he was never reported bad in the minors, just needing some work. I still maintain Herrmann has potential as a decent bat and decent role player. But I also maintain he's never had a full year at AAA to settle in and work on things. This could and should change by next year, possibly September with Garver and Turner on the way up. 2) 5th SP spot: May. Talented, part of the future, started to settle in after a rough ML start last season, and coming off probably his best, most improved overall milb season. 3) Bullpen: Not going to finish the way it begins. I still don't get the Stauffer signing and remain doubtful unless its just to be a long reliever. Two spots open? Oliveros steps it up. Tonkin probably as well. This changes if we drop a SP candidate in to the pen. 4)DH if not Vargas? Pinto is the easy answer, and quite possibly the right one. But could easily see it being Hunter with Santana, Rosario or someone else sliding in a starting OF spot. 5) Santana sticking at SS? Yes. But it doesn't just depend on him. It also depends on the ongoing OF situation. Regardless, I wouldn't be a bit surprised to see him play some OF, letting Escobar rotate in at SS as well as being the utility infielder. 6) How rusty will Sano and Buxton be? Fairly, especially Sano. But they are WAY TOO TALENTED not to shake it off quickly. ST and then maybe a month at AA, very possible both could look like their old selves. 7) Mauer's power? Back to 40 doubles. If he does nothing but play in a healthy 150 games I could see 12 HR's. 16 isn't out of the question. 8) Molitor? A few more shuffles of the lineup depending on matchups. A return to a little more hit and run. More patience with prospects. A shout to the face is likely to also come with a pat on the butt. 9) Nolasco won't be a mess. He'll pitch like his career norms. With luck, he'll pitch well enough to be tradeable opening a spot for a May or Meyer to move in. 10) Unexpected prospect to shine? Rosario is too easy. I say Daniel Ortiz. Beresford might be ready to contribute in a utility role. Pitcher? Darnell in the bullpen. And I also like the Wheeler idea.

Berrios...if he's not the #1 prospect on your list, he probably is in your heart. I agree he probably begins the season in AA, but we should expect some sort of split season between there and Rochester. No matter how much I like this guy, I just don't see him in a Twins uniform this season, unless he would get a Sept audition. Right now we have one SP spot open and it will take an injury or trade to open another to get both May and Meyer in. I understand the preference and advantage of height. But as has been stated here and before, height isn't everything, and there have been a plethora of of good-great pitchers who were only 6'. Pedro Martinez always comes to my mind when I think about Berrios. I won't project stardom or ace-dom for the kid just yet, but, a little more work on his breaking stuff and a little more polish on that change up, and I feel he's about as close to a sure thing, can't miss as you can get. Velocity, athleticism, work ethic, attitude and determination, there's just soooo much to like here!

May was one of my top picks to click and guys to watch going in to last season. He didn't disappoint. And he is my early favorite to win the 5th SP job out of spring. Nothing against Milone, and I understand his neck issue, and I'll even disregard reports about decreasing velocity. This still a transitioning team situation, from the new manager and coaching staff, to the on the field and rising young players. May: A) younger better velocity and overall arm talent C) cheaper D) much higher ceiling E) probably a much higher floor as well F) under longer team control G) is coming off perhaps his best, most positive season yet showing growth and improvement. Milone is LH and has more ML innings. Is that a reason to commit to him over May? Not in my book.

Gibson ran hot and cold, not surprising for a rookie. But his hot was just that, and not lukewarm. As I've said before, it's easy to say someone looks good when they are "on". That's true for all of us. But there's a difference between a good performance, and showing the talent and results many times over. A little more consistency, a little more growth and development, coupled with size, youth and overall potential, it's not out of the realm of possibility that Gibson becomes our #2 SP. Possibly as early as this season.

Seen enough Banks's, Gasser's and Bumgarner's(?) over the years not to get too excited too fast. Not being pessimistic, just stating a fact. But the velocity, the solid/good secondary stuff, the control, his athleticism and build have me very intrigued. Add in his age, how he performed at the level he was at, and the quality peripherals overall, and I don't worry about the K rate at this time. Healthy, at least a slight lessening of the pitch count restrictions, more use of his slider, etc, etc, I'd expect to see at least a partial rise in K rate this season. I hope he goes to Ft Meyers and I hope he blows things up. But I wouldn't be shocked or upset if he went back to the Kernals for the first month or so, or extended ST with warmer weather, just to get off to a good start.

Entirely possible. Completely sold on Meyer, believe he needs to be at the ML level, and is ready to do so. (Barring just a bad ST) The problem is, right now, there is only ONE SPOT in the Rotation open, and May has just as much "right" to the spot, and has last season's experience to give him a leg up. So unless someone gets hurt...hope not...or someone is traded...i.e. Nolasco...there is a shortage of space. If Meyer isn't the guy immediately, I honestly struggle with whether or not he's better off pitching every 5th day at Rochester to work on those mechanics and repeat issues, OR, throwing on the side and pitching intermittently from the bullpen under the tutelage of the ML coaches.

Just out of curiosity, no disrespect or lack of excitement for Gordon and his ability and potential, but he just completed rookie ball. Meanwhile, the very talented Polanco is on pace to begin the 2015 season where he ended it, at AA. Polanco is a couple years older, 2 rungs higher on the milb ladder, and seems to possess hit, XB and RBI tools along with decent speed and possibly still budding HR power of a double digit variety. So what is it about the younger, rookie Gordon specifically that rates him higher?

I don't doubt Rosario long term. I am referring to being a CF candidate NOW. A disappointing year last season has been replaced by renewed optimism for this year based solely on his quality AFL? Really?

I have a quandary in regard to Polanco. I'm a believer. I have beenfor a while. (not like I actually KNOW anything, LOL)And I was an advocate for him playing more SS. (though I don't like the idea of Goodrum having to sacrifice for it) And I don't put a lot of faith, or lack there of, in milb error numbers for SS's or INF's in general. There are so many mitigating factors. What you're really looking for is ability, potential, and growth. And Polanco hits on all 3. But Dozier, turning 28 in May, is a bit of a late bloomer. But he's good. He's REAL good. And there's still room for improvement. He might just be the Twins positional MVP the past couple of seasons. (OK, debatable if that's saying a lot. I get it. But still...) Santana is an intriguing, young, athletic kid with potential, but has a ways to go. Suddenly he gets called up early. We all figure he'll sit on the bench for 7 days or so, then go back down. Instead, he plays some SS, but mostly CF, a position he's barely played before, and hits. And hits more. And becomes a catalyst. But, you know, he's going to get over this hot streak and come back down to earth soon. Except, he never does. And then he gets hurt, and you figure the bubble will surely burst now. Except, after a few games back getting his legs under him, he suddenly looks like the same hitting/offensive catalyst he was before. So where does Polanco fit here? Does Dozier go? Does Santana? Do one of them change positions? It's a good dilemma to have. Still though, it's a potential dilemma.

Interesting if somewhat obscure idea. kind out of left field, pun not necessarily intended. The answer is no. Not unless I can have in place at least a framework, if not an actual deal, for a re-sign. I'm not interested in high priced rental players, at this point, tht could influence the mortgage on my future plans.

Confused. I don't like pot. I don't advocate pot. But I don't hold it against those that do like it. And honestly, I don't care if Rosario tokes off the Diamond. But unless things like counting push-ups by 5's is just his sense of humor, I might just have a problem with Rosario's attitude. I am a big believer in what Rosario offers. I have been since the beginning. I hope I'm right. But I'm really confused how he can miss 50 games last season, never really seem to hit a groove when he comes back and put up mediocre numbers, and yet have TR and Molly both speak in terms of him being a viable candidate for the CF job. Is this some sort of secret motivational coach/GM speak for all the guys involved? Or do the "slow to promote" Twins actually feel Rosario is that close?

With athleticism, quick hands, nice hit tool, and the capacity to continue to grow physically, I've always seen him as a 15 HR guy once he settles in at a level and stays. I would be surprised at a 20 HR season or two at some point in his career. But 30+ plus doubles yearly plus a few triples along with 15 homers and high Avg hit tool, I am SO OK with him in a corner OF spot.

To very loosely paraphrase an old saying; "I guess heaven decided it needed a fan to keep score." Don't remember my first Twins game much either. Must gave been about 5. It was at the old Met with the little league team my father had coached in our hometown of Brookings SD. But I do remember Killebrew and Carew. One of the great things about sports is memories often have more to do with moments and emotion rather than events. Thank you for sharing. God bless and all my best.

Meyer, Berrios and then Stewart, right there with ya. For NOW. Meyer's stuff is pretty sick. His change up is improving, his "injuries" have been of the minor and nagging kind, so I am ignoring them for now. It's not uncommon for a power and SO pitcher to throw a few pitches or even walk a few guys. But still, Meyer needs to harness a little more control to economize pitches and I think he'd be about ready to roll. Berrios is, in my opinion, better than a #3 ceiling guy as I have read in various reports. He has nice stuff, a great attitude and work ethic, and a tremendous drive and competitive nature. I believe reports also have him as a pretty nice athlete. I think not being 6' 2" is the only real flaw than anyone can find with him. Stewart is #3 in my book as well. But it's not due to potential. Honestly, he pretty much has a combination of Meyer and Berrios' characteristics. (Good size, velocity, potentially a nice mix, good athlete). He could end up being the best of the three. But he's also the youngest and least experience. *side note*: I also have a ticket on the Thorple/Gonsalves express. Health, (GULP on Thorpe) and a little more consistency on secondary pitches, this list could get a lot more interesting by next season.

May is my choice over Meyer, just barely, due to his ML time last season. There are a lot of guys who look good and fool people for a start or two, and then reality sets in. May did what you hope for, he settled down, learned and improved. Really, he should be that much better overall this season. A little better pitch economy, a few less walks...which is kind of the same thing to a degree...and I could see him as an IP boss and very solid #3 guy. Better than that? Hmmmm....dont know.

To toss out my own personal choices: Santana and Vargas. Santana is not going to surpass Hughes, of course, I just think his addition does a lot to deepen the rotation like it hasn't been in a while. Vargas because he offers a potentially real, dangerous cleanup option.

Burdi, Reed and Jones. May, Meyer and possibly Duffy and even Barrios all from the pitching portion of things. Rosario, Buxton, Sano and Polanco are all real candidates to make appearances. Wow!

I'm a huge optimist, but also a bit practical and reserved. But honestly, is there any real reason not to expect him at the ML level by the second half of the season?

Agreed! I remember commenting when he was first drafted that if I were the Twins I'd continue to have him work on the pitch. Even if it's an average pitch, with his great and slider, it's overall effectiveness could be excellent. Your recount of the event mentioned is tantalizing!

If I remember correctly, doesn't he have an inconsistent changeup he was working on? I know he doesn't really need it with the hard two pitch mix he possesses, but how great would it be to flash that third pitch here and there.

OK gang...2 weeks until the sun shines a little brighter, and the world is just a little better, and Spring Training start! OK...to be fully honest, as I write this, it's actually 13 days and 13 hours according to the TD countdown clock. But while I long to round down, math makes me round up in this case. (damn you math! I think it's a perfect time for all of us to pause, reflect and project a bit, and list, discuss and debate who, in our opinion, will be the 2015 Twins MVP and MVP. That is, the '15 Most Valuable Player and Most Valuable Pitcher. Now, some of you may be saying to yourself something along the lines of: "But Doc, it's two weeks until pitchers and catchers report. We haven't seen a single fungo yet, much less a pitch or AB against so&so college team in the opening game, how could we possibly guess as to the team MVP or MVP for the upcoming season?" And some of you may be saying a few more things to the old Doc at this time. LOL BUT, held still in the crux of winter's pessimistic grip, we are ALL anticipating the optimism of spring. And ALL of us have already speculated over, and over, and over in private, and in conversation, and on TD, and on napkin and scratch pad, our thoughts/hopes for the 2015 season. Some of us have even been bold enough to pen projected numbers for our favorite Twins. So...with the 40 man set...invites announced...and little to no expectation for any roster changes between NOW and 13 and a little over a half day from NOW...(come on TR...trade for a CF!)...we know who the candidates should be. Who is your projected choice for 2015 Twins Most Valuable Player going to be? Top candidates: Danny Santana: The athletic youngster defied every expectation last season, over and over, to be a catalyst for the Twins improved offense. And he did so despite not only being rushed to the majors, but being forced to play out of position in CF for roughly 2/3 of his games played. A position he had played scantly earlier in his milb career. Where might the Twins have been in '14 if not for the athletic and talented Santana? And while there are those who project various degrees of regression for him in 2015, he has already repeatedly exceeded expectations. Can he do it again? Can he translate all of his vast athleticism to play a quality SS defensively and continue to produce and even grow offensively? Brian Dozier: All he did in his milb career was hit and be productive and play solid defense. All he did in his first go-around with the ML club was NOT hit and NOT play defense. So the Twins moved him to 2B and all he's done since is provide OB%, power and speed and excellent defense. The only thing he hasn't really done yet is the one thing he was known for, which is hitting. Point blank, Dozier is a fine 2B, one of the best in the ML's, and the best the Twins have had since Knoblauch. He's coming off a rare 20/20 season with 33 doubles. He was asked to hit leadoff, 2 and 3 in the lineup. Bouncing around the lineup, and with limited to no protection at times, what could we expect if allowed to sit in one spot in the lineup and just produce? Could we finally see a .270 AVG? I believe we could. Joe Mauer: Does it get more obvious than this? Perhaps. But reflect for a moment. Mauer, whatever barb or excuse you wish to use...pause for a moment. I won't debate being a fairly new husband with brand new Twins as any sort of excuse. I will, however, debate being a brand new full time 1B trying to overcome a bad concussion that seemed to linger and affect my entire life/world as well as a little thing called off season preparation. Before anyone wants to bash Mauer again for his 2013/2014 seasons, wonder what it would be like for your brains to be scrambled for a few months, not to mention some minute motor skills that your entire career depends upon. Mauer is not old. He showed flashes the second half of last season. If his mind and body are OK, think what he could mean as a .310-320 hitter with an OB% roughly around .400 with 40 doubles and anywhere from 12-16 HR's for a full season in the #3 spot. How about Kennys Vargas? The big switch hitter has shown the ability to hit and provide power and RBI from both sides of the plate. The young 24yo jumped from AA to provide a nice bit of juice to the remainder of the Twins season last year. He's been compared to David Ortiz in appearance, but also in ability to produce. He has that ugly word "potential" attached to him. But really...he has that kind of potential if he's willing to keep working at it. And from all reported indications, he's a kid who's willing to put in the necessary sweat. Suzuki? Escobar? Plouffe? Arguments could be made to the degree of "importance" to last season's team. And arguments could be made to Suzuki's game calling and control THIS season, to Escobar repeating what he did offensively and defensively last season to this season, or the continued growth and development of Plouffe as to real MVP candidates. Will one of these be your choice? Or do you see someone else stepping forward to play an important part in the development for the 2015 version of the Twins? Who might your choice be for the Twins Most Valuable Pitcher award? Hughes is realistic. Hughes is easy. But if he's your choice as the bell-cow of the 2015 Twins, more power to you. Just tell us why. Perhaps you view Santana as your choice. If Hughes is, more or less, a given, perhaps Santana having one of his better years, winning 14-16 games with impressive numbers and stabilizing the performance and depth of the Twins rotation makes him truly valuable. Nolasco fully healthy and pitching to form to deepen the Twins rotation and chances to win? Gibson to take his 60/40-70/30 good to bad performances of last season and improve at least 10% to take over the #3 spot in the rotation...perhaps #2 by seasons end depending on the whole of his improvement...further deepening the rotation. Or is it a fully healthy Perkins, ready to stabilize and lead a re-worked bullpen to 40 saves and 20 total wins? Or perhaps Fien? Or Oliveros? Or someone else to establish himself as a top setup man for that re-worked bullpen in the vein of Berenguer or Willis and a lineage of top Twins setup men that stabilized the bullpen until the closer could finish things off. Or does another pitcher stabilize and excel the rotation or bullpen? Who are your choices for 2015 Twins MVP or MVP?

And you and I have both agreed and blogged on this very subject. So there is no disagreement there. And I STILL maintain it's not too late for TR to do something about CF to help this team out! But tickle me pink or color my glasses rose, I feel pretty good about every other position. Honestly! I like Suzuki behind the plate, and have hope for Pinto until someone better comes along. (is 2016 too early for Garver and/or Turner?) I like Mauer at 1st, love Dozier at 2B and Plouffe at 3B, and like Escobar and the potential of Santana at SS. Arcia...IMHO...doesn't suck. But he's inconsistent. I still think it's a mistake to move him from RF to LF, but Ryan, Molitor and others may just be smarter than all of us on this, and it just might work out. I do know Arcia has gotten at least a little better defensively over time. And Hunter...well...I give him high marks for confidence he can do the job. But I have to say, smarts and experience DOES count for something. And even if he is no thoroughbred any longer, he at least knows how to track and play a ball. (not to mention knowing what base to throw to!) Don't be surprised still, I say, to see a Hunter and Arcia LF/RF swap. I think when it comes time to actually play the games, you might see it happen. Regardless, I like the INF defense, I don't believe the OF corners will kill us, but I still have a real, real concern about CF. Is it just me, or does anyone else...besides us...see this as being a potential linch-pin to the upcoming season?

Jorgen, very interesting numbers you've come up with. And I really can't and won't debate the points you've made. Primarily because they have validity, and yet, they also don't as every situation is different. My point is simply that, generally speaking, all pitchers, relief or starting, even from college, require at least a couple years, on the short side, in the minors to harness ability and improve to make the SHOW. Do some, a very, very few some, do it in a year? Yes. Is that the norm? No. So in MHO, have the Twins "held back" a just turned 25yo potential stud from reaching the majors? I'd say a resounding NO. Had Meyer not encountered some, fortunately mild, shoulder issue in '13 would he have hit the majors last season? Probably. But he did, so the Twins babied him a bit to build up his arm as well as work on his 3rd pitch and overall consistency. But never forget, he was/is, right on the precipice of making the majors after his first season at AAA, and only 3rd season in the minors. As I wrote earlier in another post concerning Meyer, I think the Twins would live with a few walks considering the vast potential, the SO's, the broken bats and jam shots he would provide. It really comes down to consistency, and avoiding the high pitch counts to batter after batter. 100 pitches in 7 innings is not preferred, but acceptable. 100 pitches in 4 or 5 innings is not. And while Meyer WAS on a pitch count last season just to protect him, there were stretches where he was hitting that 80 pitch limit in only 4 innings. I think he's really, really close. And I feel the Twins sense it to, and want it to happen. All he needs is just that little more consistency. He won't be an all-star right away...who is?...but he will be ready and continue to learn on the job with just that little bit more consistency.

First, flip Nolasco and Santana's ERA. Second, flip Nolasco and Santana's win totals. Santana is the better overall pitcher, with all due respect to Nolasco, who is very consistent in his career-yearly numbers. But Santana has better overall stuff and is the more dynamic of the two. Wins are very difficult to project...though I try my best to do so...as they are so dependent on defensive, offensive, bullpen and luck/fortune support. However, that being said, unless the Twins defense, offense, bullpen and luck/fortune betray him, Santana could win anywhere from 14-17 wins. Forgetting the fact that I'm hoping Nolasco pitches well enough to be excellent trade bait by the all-star break...and I think that's very, very possible, thus opening up a slot for another young pitcher for the future build...were Nolasco on the team for the entire season, were he also not betrayed, he could win 12-14 games as the Twins #3 SP. Now to #4, I'm a big believer in Gibson. As previously stated, it's easy to love the success of a pitcher when he's "on". After all, isn't everyone good when "on"? But while Gibson was a little Jekyll/Hyde last season, when he was the "doctor" he was borderline dominate in just about every start. (at least the ones I watched/listened to/read about) He was a rookie last season, and damned impressive the majority of the time. A little more consistency, and I think he becomes the Twins #3 SP. I know it's asking a lot for a player or pitcher to raise their game to a 10% greater efficiency in one year, in this case rookie to second year, but if he learned enough, improved enough, could find enough consistency to do so, he'd be looking at 197 IP with a 4.023ERA and 1.179WHIP and .232OppBA and 118-51 SO/BB. After winning 13 games last season, he could be in the 15 win area. Then you hope for at least 8 and possibly as many as 12 wins from May/whoever as your 5th starter. I'm looking for Hughes to progress and regress slightly here and there, but build on last season, and basically he same level/quality of pitcher. Now, whether that means an overall better Twins team in '15 gives him 2+ more wins, or poor luck and support drops him down -2 is hard to say. But color me an optimist! The scary thought is...none of this is really outlandish.