DocBauer

For the first time in some time, our beloved Twins will be entering spring training with legitimate, viable starting pitching candidates to flesh out the rotation, with legitimate competition, between veterans of different age and experience, and a pair of highly touted and talented youngsters that appear to be ready, and have proved just about all they really can at AAA. There is also a real chance a couple other youngsters could be ready be the second half of the season, September at the latest (it would appear). We could be on the verge, over the next season or two, of actually putting together not only a solid, but even very good to excellent rotation with the likes of Hughes, Santana, Nolasco, Gibson, Meyer, May and Berrios...with a couple other solid arms in potential contention as well. After the past few seasons of general ineffectiveness, injury and AAAA desperation at times, the last thing I really want the Twins to do is dump pitching and end up short again. But even with the potential for real improvement this year, aren't we still in a rebuild mode? Don't we actually have some depth available without having to call the Mexican League to fill a roster spot? So are the SF Giants with a hole in their rotation, and as of yet, no answer to fill it. Should the Twins be on the phone with them? Nolasco appears healthy. He's actually a very solid SP. His experience is mostly in the NL. The Giants are very familiar with him. If the Twins would expect little back, and maybe throw in some cash, it could be a very nice trade for both teams. Why would the Twins make such a move? To free up additional cash for moves this year, and next, and provide more room for Milone, May and Meyer to fight for the 4th and 5th spots with Pelfrey as a 4th option. And again, the second half of the year may provide additional options. And the Giants...well...they don't want to stand pat. They want to keep a good thing going and need a SP they can count on. On the flip side, the Twins could offer Milone. They shed less salary, salary they can easily afford, but again they open up a rotation spot, gain some sort of prospect, and don't have to throw cash in on the deal. The Giants get less of a known and experienced quantity, but they also invest less overall, and gain a potentially solid LHSP option. So once again, should the Twins be on the phone with the Giants? (*Note; if the Giants would not be a match, it's not to say other teams might not face a similar injury situation)

Think we're splitting some very fine hairs here. That being said, I will break out my scalpel as well. Completely understand the rationale for Polanco and your 80% offensive mark. And I am also a fan and believer in Polanco, and never have been bothered by the whole milb error numbers arbitrarily spouted. Regardless, I still give the nod to Buxton over Polanco despite the physical/performance downer of 2014 as we are talking overall ability and project-ability at this point.

A question about Minier, as I honestly know little about him. At 6' 2" and 190 lbs, he's not small, probably has growth potential at only 18 yo, but is far from a big lumbering kid, physically. But does anyone know what kind of athlete he is? While it would be nice to have an 18 yo youngster that you can pencil in to a future defensive position without qualms, I don't always fret a lot about defense this early in a career. But does he have decent enough athleticism to warrant time at 3B, which can take a while to get comfortable?

I am really hoping Darnell makes a move and gets a real shot at some point in the pen. He and Thielbar could make a nice combination from the port side with solid SO ability. With 7 RP on staff, I kind of like of O'Rourke as a third portsider LOOGY. Oliveros, Tokin and ???? from the RH side of things with Perkins closing.

Will it be mere coincidence that this date in question will also be the date that several members of TD suffer from bouts of chest pains?

All of the above. He's young and bypassing AAA and he's doing so because he is so talented. I know scouting reports were limited in him, but he looked anything but overwhelmed in his debut last season. And remember, the level of play and the pitchers were new to him as well. Yes, there will be some growing pains, there always is. But he has real talent and ability from both sides of the plate, that's why he's been so productive, and why he jumped AAA. He also has some great support around him. We talk about the "it" factor at times, and I believe Vargas has that. There are some who argue RBI is an overrated stat. And while that may be true to a degree, it's still important to score more than the other guy. How many times, the past few seasons, have we seen runners in scoring position, often at 3B with one or no outs, and see batters flailing with SO's, popping out, or hitting an infield dribbler. Never estimate the clutch ability of a batter to just put good wood to leather and get the ball out of the infield.

What? Who? Why? Ummmmm............OK.

Can't argue, generally agree. And, of course, we're talking opening day, not where we are a month or even two in. Combination of thoughts, hopes and speculation: 1) If Milone has the early edge for the 5th spot, I think it's by a hair. No offense to him, but he's not the future and he's nothing special. Molitor won't keep him in the rotation just because he's LH. 2) I don't believe the Twins would hesitate to just let Pelfrey go, nice guy and contract or not. 3) Graham was a smart pickup/flyer. But with the number of RP available and on the way up...probably up quickly...Graham has to really show something, not just be a stash with potential. Of course, working out a trade to keep him is also possible. 4) If Milone is not in the rotation, does he join Duensing and Thielbar in the bullpen? Or do we see a trade? I'm still wondering if Milone or Duensing isn't moved as part of a trade for........... 5) I still hope/believe the Twins make a move for help in CF. How can you not? 6) Assuming May or Meyer is in the rotation, I've come around on the idea of having the other in the pen until another opportunity arises. I don't know that either has anything to prove in AAA or anything to work on that can't be worked on at the ML level at this point. Less room for Pelfrey, or Milone and possibly Stauffer. If you ask me, not to be a downer, but I think Stauffer has as much to prove as anyone.

Strictly on a personal level, I'll be checking out Christensen. Not only because he's a Husker, but his overall performance last season was impressive and well rounded. An excellent athlete with decent size, his power is fine for a nice, multi-position role player, which is where he probably projects. But if a little more power comes along with the speed and SB he showed last season, he might surprise. I hope he continues to play multiple positions. And as a former all Big 10 SS, I'd like to see some additional time at 3B.

Interesting. I like your different take on a top 30. How fun is it to actually make a list{s} like that and keep guys like May, Meyer Eades, Slegers, Turner, Garver and Rosario out and STILL have that nice of a list? A point? I understand keeping Melotakis out due to his injury. But I'm not sure I understand leaving Cederoth, Jones and Chargois off either of the pitcher lists. I would think those 3 are pretty interesting "watchability" candidates this season. I am also a big believer in Kepler, and think he's about ready to really break out. Just, one year later than I had previously expected. I don't doubt his ability to play a quality OF and to stay there. But with several talented OF candidates on the way, including Buxton and Rosario to join Arcia soon, and the likes of Walker and a few others, I'm wondering if Kepler might not be the Twins next starting 1B. (with the ability to still play the OF) He already has some experience at the position, will continue to play it I'm sure, should be ready in a couple more seasons just as Mauer's contract will be coming up, and he could offer a nice mixed bag of talent and ability at the 1B spot I also think Polanco is the real deal.

Hi Terry, I'm a fan. Not just of the Twins, but of you and your often thankless job. For the most part, I have to tip my cap to you and the job you've done as the Twins GM over the years. I'll be honest, I wasn't so sure about you in the beginning. As an example, Erickson for Klingenbeck still gives me shudders and gives me that awful taste in the back of my throat. But you figured it out. You figured it out so well, that despite all the financial constraints of a mid-market team stuck in the HHH Metrodome, you outfoxed almost anyone you made a deal with, found a bunch of steals on the scrap pile, and even made a few inexpensive and shrewd FA moves here and there. And for the most part, after you settled in, the Twins won and won consistently with you in charge. Other GM's have caught up with you to a degree Terry, even though I still think you're one of the smartest guys in the room. And finances have continued to grow and get crazy. And when you came back to do your job, at first, I think you didn't realize all the changes, or simply didn't realize how Target Field had changed the financial structure of the Twins. But again, I think you're figuring it out. The Hughes move was brilliant, as was the recent re-signing. (why oh why didn't you listen to me about Kazmir though?) Nolasco was smart, just unlucky. Love the Santana signing! And considering the market, below value even, both he and the Hughes contract! We've been drafting really smart lately, and the moves for Meyer and May are just beginning to show some fruit, and I believe each will prove to be outstanding. And Terry, to be honest, I can almost understand moving both Span AND Revere for these potential studs and turning the job over to Hicks. I really can. We're talking about a top 100 prospect with great tools and potential coming off his best season. You figured he'd play good defense and at least look mediocre, right? And he'd only get better, right? But here's the problem Terry, you miscalculated. You were wrong. And that's OK. You just needed to make a smart move to fix it, hedge your bets, provide depth and options. But Terry, you didn't. And please don't try to BS me or anyone else that you felt Presley and Mastro were legit fallback options, and you just knew you had Santana in your hip pocket. You blew it Terry. And you're blowing it again. Fool me once, shame on you. Fool me twice, shame on me. Hicks and previous washout Schafer are going to man up and take over CF in 2015 why now? Because of hope, potential and crossed fingers? We have a pair of average defensive corner OFers on our team. Yes, I said average. I'm allowing Arcia to continue to improve, and Hunter to rely enough on experience, smarts, and what's left of the rubber on his tires for at least one more decent defensive season. But we need something better in CF Terry, and so do your pitchers, than hopes and prayers. Do you have a plan? I hope that you do. I hope that I'm rambling for no reason, and with a month and a half before pitchers and catchers report, you have a deal or two in mind to pull out. And with a wave of your hand, we'll have a legitimate ML quality CF to patrol Target Field for 2015 to ease ERA and Twins pitcher's stomach flutters and ulcers. But if you don't....shame on you Terry.

Darnell?

Meyer absolutely! But when is the question? I absolutely believe the Twins will give him a quality shot in ST. However, not only does he need to prove it and earn it, but Milone and May, a somewhat veteran MLer and a fellow prospect who got actual ML time last season, also have to prove they don't belong. I'm still hoping and banking on May for the 5 spot. Betting one of Milone or Duensing are gone unless the team goes with 3 LHRP along with Thielbar. (again, Perkins is the closer, not just a LHer) Sano and Rosario will be up at some point, even if it's September. Same with Polanco and Ortiz. Polanco is already on the 40 man, and only has Nunez ahead of him really. And I don't know that I can see Hicks and Schafer stopping Ortiz from coming up at some point. Buxton would have to have something pretty bad happen to not be up at some point this seasons. 40 man roster considerations don't apply to him. September, or before September, if he shows enough he's up and getting some experience to get him ready for 2016. I believe Burdi, Jones and Reed all are legitimate shots for some time in the second half. What stops them? No need to rush their clock if Oliveros, Achter, Pressley and Tonkin establish themselves. So I tossed out 9 names. There are others who could easily get a cup of coffee at least. Is it so impractical to potentially see so many youngsters up for the first time. No. And not just because the Twins are still in a re-build mode, but because the cream of their milb crop is starting to rise to the top.

I'd do the extension for Dozier, and probably would for Plouffe. 1) Even with possible age regression, we're talking 4 or 5 year deals that put each player only in age 31-32 seasons. 2) An extension is a protected 2-way street for each party, and neither of these guys becomes a $10M man over night. 3) Dozier seems to have made a few adjustments for power but has always hit in his career previously. A few more points on his BA, and his cost could climb very quickly. Same with Plouffe. You take what he did last season overall, offensively and defensively, and you put just a bit more power in his year, power he has flashed before, and his cost also suddenly jumps. Why not look for better cost control now? 4) If Sano, and possibly Polanco, can take over or really push for the starting spot this year or next, you still offer cost control for both players in a trade, or to keep with a possible position switch.

I don't know if simply an optimistic home or what, but I look at prospect lists like this, or the the ones Cody has done, and I just get giddy from the talent, the potential, and the depth of such. How can you not get excited from all the things you hear and read concerning Vielma as an exciting SS prospect? Or Garver as a catcher? Personally, I've never been big on the ages of catchers and top relief pitchers, especially closers. Yeah, it's great if you can find a young one who is ready. But it seems that both are positions usualy filled by guys who need to be seasoned for a while. Catchers need to learn all the defensive nuances, and how to control a staff, plus learn to hit at least a little bit. And so many quality RP and closers find their success only after faltering as a SP.

Regarding the Silva comparison for Hu, he won't turn 21 until after the season starts and has already shown an uptick in velocity. And you have to just love the ground ball rate and low BABIP numbers. You know him far better than I possibly could with your first hand account, but not only is his velocity seemingly better than Silva, but his body type seems far trimmer. Regardless of similar delivery, I always felt Silva had a hard time maintaining his early success because it just looked like he got awkward and pretty much ate himself out of baseball.

I actually agree with almost everything here Vargas stays up and begins first full season of what will be an excellent career. Nolasco IS traded, to make room for May or Meyer, whichever wasn't already in the rotation. A little less GR8 power from Mauer but YES.

That Damn Mauer!

As stated elsewhere previously, this is about the bullpen move I expected, and would have made myself. Looking for that "Berenguer-Willis-Burton" guy on the FA market as a potential high reward, low risk guy. And despite really hard stuff, Stauffer might be that guy. A solid slider and quality change can go a long, long way if his fastball is at least decent in movement and location. I just don't know that he does anything, or brings anything, other than experience, that Oliveros and Tonkin and Achter can't provide as well or better. A healthy Pelfrey MIGHT be included on that list.

Honestly...in direct answer to the question...YES. With little exception, and as long as they continue down the path they are currently on. I could blast the team for a few really boneheaded moves the last year or so to be sure. Due to short-sightedness or just too much wishful thinking/grasping at straws I don't know. But there have been a couple of doozies. But even though the team has been reluctant to use the word "rebuild", as though it were dirty or insulting in some way...they seem to prefer to paint an illusion of possible contention yearly...they are, in fact, now in rebuild mode. And really, they have been for two years. Once and for all, let's just drop the 4 losing seasons in a row bunk. 2011 was a team expected by everyone to win and content before vast injuries and the such. 2012, naïve or not, was a "well, that can't happen again, so let's retool some and get back at it" kind of year. And to be fair, history has often shown teams to have solid to strong bounce back years after sudden dive ones. But there is no mistaking that 2013 and 2014 were rebuild years. How has it started? 1) Drafting more power arms as SP or RP, and the trades for May and Meyer to continue this new trend. 2) The team actually spending real and generally smart money in the FA market without getting caught up in bidding wars to handcuff tomorrow, and the days/years after that, while still helping the team. 3) Promotion of youngsters. Arcia was promoted quickly, as was Santana and Vargas, and Hicks...though you can't win them all. Argue about the Twins being too slow to promote pitchers, and I'll agree to a certain point, but NOBODY thought Gibson would stick out of ST last season and he did, and did very well. Cry about May and Meyer all you want, but May got his shot after just over 1/2 a season of AAA ball, and Meyer probably gets a real shot this ST. And there's quite a few other guys who either moved quickly last season, or pitched very young for their age at their level. My belief is a move for a quality CF for this year is the one missing piece for a pretty good team. If you can trade or sign or find a better 25th man option than Nunez, so much the better. Otherwise, I think we're about set to go to ST. *One last note, I like Nolasco. I think he was a solid signing. Get off his case, he's a very solid MLSP year to year, but he was hurt last year. He has a real chance to help the team this season, and is not some sunk cost because of a down and injury plagued season. It happens. HOWEVER...I sincerely hope he pitched well enough to be traded so that we can afford an opportunity to move a May or Meyer in to the rotation to join the other, along with Hughes, Santana and Gibson.

I was a tad surprised when the Twins removed him recently. I thought he played well enough last season to warrant a possible look-see from the Twins in ST. When it seemingly became obvious he was not going to be a full time player, I had hopes of him being another Randy Bush. But being a LH hitter who can't hit RH pitching really limits him. I wish him the best.

Not sure if the key for Gibson is that 7K per 9IP or just more game to game consistency, unlike last season where at times he seemed be on an every other game roller coaster. Or is a smoother ride going to mean raising the K rate? Might have a little chicken or the egg dilemma here. Regardless, Gibson just doing what he did last season with that extra measure of consistency, and I could see 190 IP, 15 wins, etc.

[quote name="USAFChief" post="301022" timestamp="1419474160" And thank you to all the forum rats, folks like me who enjoy talking baseball. I might disagree with you on occasion, but I read virtually every post (or skim, in the case of Doc ) and together we have a pretty great community here. Happy holidays to all. Hey! I've gotten more abbreviated. See what I just did there? LOL

Seth, in your opinion and crystal ball...the Twins catchers in two seasons?

I keep wanting to say who I like in this second top 10, or who I think is going to break out this season, and I just keep coming up with the same answer......everyone.