DocBauer

100% agree. Now, is he truly a #3 SP with #2 potential? Meh...from the various scouting reports Ive perused through, I'd doubt it. I sure hope the un-named scout is right about his potential. But from everything I've read thus far, I'd say quality 5, solid 4 with the potential to be a #3. At worst, he's a not too expensive, versatile bullpen option. But come on, you have to be a little excited or intrigued don't you? Left handed, 26, low 90's FB with what is reported to be a quality curve and a decent change with potential for better? BB and ERA are a little high to be sure. And yet, his ERA is 25% lower than the league average? I'm at least interested. I also believe Duensing is back. I know not everyone is crazy about him, and his year might have been a little off last season. But he's largely been solid, occasionally very good. And while he's not a high trade value type of role player, he plays his role quite well, and has real value. The kind of value as an experienced LHRP a lot of teams would love to have, but won't pay too much for because he's not a closer or dominate set-up man.

This. The entire "pitch to contact" philosophy is sound. Absolutely nothing wrong with the general job Anderson did over the years as PC for the Twins, especially in the dome with the budget available. What would you have your pitchers do? Not throw strikes? Dance all day around the strike zone? My thinking though, somewhat alluded to here already, is that intentionally or not, all pitchers, their stuff and approach, became pigeon-holed in to the directive.

I have absolutely no problem with this, and am very intrigued by the choice. I don't care if he doesn't have ML coaching experience yet. No-one has ML coaching experience until they get their first shot. He's been around some, and most recently worked with an organization that has a reputation for producing some quality pitching talent. I would have been happy with Mason for the same reasons. As well as Willis based on reputation I've heard and the ML success of his pupils. Also wondering if Glynn had something to do with a recommendation here. I believe there has been a shift in philosophy with the Twins the past few seasons in regard to drafting and trading more power arms. This is an area, ML pitching coach wise, where I was in favor of that "outside" voice. All 3 of these guys could have provided that. Excited to see what affect he brings.

I absolutely love the signing. I have no idea how good he is, or is going to potentially be. But this is another testament to a different way of doing things for the Twins. To some out there, and in here, they are cheap...or at least overly frugal...and lack scope. And yet, they went out and spent record FA money last season, and tried to spend more. I know I'm a broken record on this, but it bears repeating. And despite their being some risk here, and the vast disappointment of the Nishioka experiment, the team is undaunted to take a shot like this that definitely comes from the port side of things, pun completely intended. This is a team that used to have some imagination, in both the McPhail era and the Ryan era. I don't know if they started to out smart themselves or what, but a lot of moves haven't worked in recent seasons as hoped. (To be fair, even in bad seasons, some have). So again, I really like this move.

I will also refrain from bridge diving if this happens. And it shouldn't happen...unless it was on the cheap as a role player. We don't gave room at DH. I originally thought Hunter was a good possibility for 1 year. Defensively, I don't always out a lot of faith in metrics. I prefer the eye test at the end of the day. And I confess to not seeing Hunter play but a few innings this year. From what I read, you'd think Hunter limps out to the OF with a Walker, cane and a pair of crutches. I think he can still hit and be productive, at least one more year. But if he doesn't have the wheels for at least one more solid...just capable....year defensively as a LF then I vote no. But it is NOT a mistake to bring on a veteran FA OF option. There is need and right now, there is no one being blocked.

Mike, I have gone back and forth multiple times on signing a RP. Ultimately, my decision is to not invest in one. However, if if I'm actually trying to improve the team, and I do have some uncertainty in the pen, I decided on a small investment. A flyer looking for a Burton type for a year. I'm still a little torn though.

From all I previously knew, thought I knew, and have been educated here at TD, I think either finalist would be a very solid choice.

Way too early in the game at this point for me to accurately point toward any real favorites. But considering the overall depth of talent in the organization, not sure there is any real "need" spot that strikes me, save a real, true, power armed LHSP prospect. I love the potential of Thorpe and Gonsalves, but if there was a top LHSP prospect available to the Twins, or dare I wish for an older, college age LH available, I think that would be my most earnest hope. Excited Turner and Garver at C, but a top of the line catcher prospect would right near the top of my list. Other than that, I honestly think the Twins are in the BPA phase with little concern.

I greatly respected Willis for re-inventing himself with the Twins in to a high quality setup man...virtually off the street. (thank you Dick Such for another great job that offered you little to no praise or glory in your Twins career) And I've heard strong rumors and opinions over the past several years about the job he'd done for various teams. But honestly, until reading the facts here, I never realized the successes so many of his pitchers had enjoyed to this point. I couldn't care less if he pitched a couple solid seasons 20PLUS YEARS AGO or not for the Twins...under a different manager, pitching coach and GM....did we mention 20 plus years ago???...he seems to have a very good track record. I would think that would make him a very strong candidate. I see absolutely nothing wrong with him being one of the reportedly final two candidates.

I've mention both Yount and Sveum on a couple occasions and see some real potential with both of them. Both can help with hitting and infield defense. Yount can also help with OF play and baserunning, while Sveum has actual ML manager experience as a bench coach. Hadn't thought about Simmons before. Very interesting thought!!!

Going to completely disagree on this one. And it's NOT because I'm a fan or embracing any Twins family tree. It's because I've witnessed the career and results of the player. I don't have any immediate references as to his communication skills or coaching acumen. In his career, Guardado went from fairly highly regarded SP prospect to borderline washout, to solid RP, to top Set Up man to All Star closer. He combined stuff and guts and guile to forge a pretty excellent career. If he possesses communication skills and "coachability" skills at all, I'm not sure I could think of a better candidate to oversee the workings of a ML bullpen.

To me, the approach to 2015 is simply and yet complex. On the one hand, the Twins are still in rebuild mode with a lot of talented youngsters arriving to a ballpark near you soon. And these prospects are the future of the team. But after the past four disappointing seasons, the Twins also have to spark additional fan interest in the team to keep the turnstiles turning, the beer flowing, and the merchandise being bagged. So there has to be a balance of promoting, playing and developing the youngsters, while also putting a quality, competitive, and hopefully winning product on the field. All the while, not blowing budgets or financial flexibility for the rebuild, or getting too lost in quick fix options that could disappoint and strap or limit the club. Let's tackle the elephant in the room, the rotation. Call me an optimist, but I am a big believer in Hughes and Gibson both. I truly don't think it's beyond reasonable that a slightly more experienced, confident and consistent Gibson could emerge as out #2 SP next season. Nolasco has been a model of consistency most all his career, looked mostly good after getting healthy and getting his legs under him to close the season, and is truly guilty ONLY of getting hurt his first year under contract. Should he do nothing but hit his career norms/averages, he'd be a solid #3-4 SP for us in 2015. I am also a fan and believer in May. He has an awful lot going for him and really started to improve after initial bumps. I think he's a given at this point. I soooo want to just roll the dice with Meyer in the #5 spot. But it's just not prudent to do so. Refer again to the above comments of a team rebuilding, but also needing to improve and regain the fan interest. It's just not smart to enter the season with 2 rookies and a second year player penciled in to your rotation when you're climbing that mountain. (and for all intent and purpose, Gibson is a second year player) Plus, guys get hurt, and best laid plans and all that stuff....... I sign Masterson. I don't know for him, or us, if the best deal is a 1 year make good, or 1 year with option, or a multi year. There are arguments both ways for both parties. I'm betting on the 1 year for $7-8M. If he checks out OK physically. Healthy and at 2011 and 2013 form, he's fighting Gibson for #2SP on staff. (caveat: I have been brought over from the dark side and now am considering the signing of Brett Anderson, LHSP. I absolutely would not make him a prime signing. I don't care how hard he throws, or SO potential, or career 3-1 SO/BB numbers. If you are always injured and can't be on the mound, then you are always injured and can't be on the mound. It's not fair,but it's reality. But on a milb deal with ML roster money and incentives available, yes, I'm all in as additional and smart signing. But only along WITH the Masterson signing. Am I providing a potential logjam? Not necessarily) Bullpen: I have struggled with help here vs open auditions from a AAA logjam to up and comers who may arrive at some point this season. My final decision, as GM, and balancing immediate need vs the future is to keep Fien, who has been great, but wore down late last season, and supplement him with a veteran for 1 year on anything from a $1.5-3M deal. I'm copping out on a name here simply because the list of possibilities is so great, it's hard to narrow it down to just the one guy to bring in. Plus, as we all know, the reliever FA market tends to be very volatile. Perkins is the closer, naturally. Fien and my FA help hold down the 7th & 8th inning. I'm auditioning Tonkin, Oliveros, Achter and Pressley in ST for the possibility of 2 spots, probably one. And I am penciling Meyer in to the pen as well. I'm really not big on the "starter in the bullpen to begin with" idea generally. But I think with the above moves, we've deepened the entire staff and allow Meyer some transition time. From the left side, I stick with the young Thielbar. I love the potential of Darnell as a LHRP who can throw hard and get me SO's. But he's a rookie. And I don't know that I can justify keeping both Milone and Duensing. Release or trade, one of them is gone. Catcher: Suzuki and Pinto. Enough said. If I could meld them together, I might have the best catcher in all of baseball. Pinto has the arm, and has proven it in the past. Somehow, someway, he got messed up. Here's hoping the new regime can get his footwork and confidence back. He can hit, and has power and an OK eye. Suzuki knows how to call a game, is solid behind the plate and can hit with doubles power. Ideally, Pinto slowly grabs more and more time behind the plate. Infield: Pretty much the same. Shame on you for doubting Mauer. No newborns, no pressure of the new position, NO CONCUSSION SYNDROME TO DEAL WITH and able to work out offseason like he needs and wants to...pick your reason/excuse....Mauer is Mauer again. Dozier...hmmm...still haven't seen the best of yet. Third full year in the majors, third full year at 2B, allowed to mostly stabilize in the lineup, BA and OB go up. HR's might dip some though, which is OK. Plouffe at 3B, same productive guy as last year overall. Santana at SS, spending a little time in the OF to spell guys, and because the solid Escobar is still around. Regression for Santana in BA and BABIP, but a rise in BB and OB, probably a slight increase in SLG, and a few more SB. I keep Nunez. He's a solid second utility, can hit a little, can run a little and has some pop. I'd work him in ST at 1B and the OF to see just how versatile and helpful he can actually be. Vargas is the DH, back up 1B, and a possible ROY. Outfield: Arcia in RF. I trade for Bourjos. I've read Harrison as an option for said trade. I'm willing to do so, but not convinced. The Cards just traded 2 pitchers and think they could easily be in the market for some additional help/depth whether it be Milone or Pelfrey + cash, or something on the milb side like Z Jones, Gilmartin, Wheeler, etc. Bourjos can't hit? Hmmm...maybe. But he had a dynamite 2011 with the Angels and a solid SSS 2013. Even at career average numbers he solves a major defensive issue, provides a little help in the 9 hole, may platoon some with the LH Schafer, and offers a nice 4th OF candidate for the future. LF is Alex Rios. 1 yr at $5-7M should do it. I might want to include some sort of club option "just in case". He won't turn 34 until after the season starts, and offers a whole lot more range than Hunter, with as good or better bat, more speed on the basepaths ,probably as good as arm....just not as good of a story. As stated elsewhere, if Rios does nothing but play good defense....he still has an arm and reportedly good legs to run...and hits to nothing more than career average numbers, he's still a better overall LF than we've had in 6+ years. Schafer offers a very intriguing option off the bench, and could form a quasi-platoon with Bourjos, as well as being a PR and late inning defensive replacement option. I'm not sold on Parmelee, and yet, he quietly had the best overall season of his limited ML career. Could he be a 3 spot, DH/PH bench option? If you've counted properly, I've allowed for a 26 man roster, allowing for what will undoubtedly be 1 too many position players. But I'm hedging my bets a bit for injury, trade, demotion and such. Rotation: Hughes Masterson Gibson Nolasco May Pen: Perkins FA Fien Meyer Tonkin, Oliveros, Achter, Pressley audition Thielbar Milone/Duensing survivor vs Darnell Lineup: Santana=SS Dozier=2B Mauer=1B Vargas=DH Rios=LF Arcia=RF Plouffe=3B Pinto/Suzuki=C Bourjos=CF Bench: Escobar Schafer Nunez Parmelee (again, 14 position players at this point) By mid season, or so, we should be in position to move a SP, a healthy and productive Masterson or Nolasco. Both offer positive trade value depending on any given club's needs/wants/plans. Meyer now moves in to the rotation, hopefully building upon his 130 IP last season to something more, and a milb reliver is promoted. Beginning payroll is $70-75M after raises and pre-arbitration depending on if the Twins keep either or both of Milone and Duensing. In my scenario, one way or another, we keep only one. Thus we begin with a projected payroll of $72.5M and add up to $25M with Masterson, Anderson on milb deal payable up to a max of $5M depending on ML service and performance numbers, Rios and an as of yet un-named veteranRP, giving us a total payroll of approximately $97.5M. More than affordable. And should Milone, Duensing and Pelfrey all be ridden of, said payroll could drop to $90M.

I'd add Gilmartin and Wheeler. Both left handed, have some stuff and track record, the possibility of helping in the next season or two...and...well...left handed. I find Adam of interest, and I'd hate to trade Willingham for absolutely nothing, but I don't think at this point I'd protect him. I think he's too much of a mystery to do so, and I suspect he's too much of a mystery for anyone to take anyway. Glad to see Michael finally showing a pulse last season. But the heartbeat is weak enough still that I doubt anyone will snag him. And if they did, Santana, Dozier, Escobar, Nunez, Beresford and soon Polanco should prevent us from missing him. I'd hate to risk losing Goodrum, who I find very intriguing, and who I feel got a bit of the shaft with moving around so much last season, for various logical reasons. But I just don't think anyone is going to save a roster spot for him at this point.

Generally, I have to agree and think this is not only realistic, but well thought out and quite probable. I am, however, going to offer a few counterpoints that I feel strongly about. I'm betting on Hicks at Rochester and an acquisition such as Bourjos for CF. I keep Nunez, and work him hard in ST at ALL INF spots and some OF to see what he can actually do. Maybe I'm the only one, but I like him as my 25th man. Parmelee over Colabello. Honestly, he can play 3 spots half way decent, and probably earned it last season....finally. I know that's one too many position players, but there are injuries and the such, so I'm allowing myself 1 extra for now. May is in the rotation and not Meyer. There are 2 reasons. One is that May actually finished pretty well and even flashed a few times to end '14. I think he'll build on that. And this gives him a leg up on Meyer at this point. And the second reason is that Meyer can begin the season in the pen, work and gain experience, and then slide in to the rotation later on in the season, thus keeping his IP under a bit more control as his career high thus far is 130 I believe. He can pitch long and middle relief, maybe get a start or two, and slide in to the rotation around mid season. Not ignoring the possibility of Pelfrey actually helping in the bullpen, but still think the Twins will make a low cost veteran move ala Burton a couple years ago.

Personally, as stated, I'd make the move for Bourjos. I just think it's smart, and should pay off decently, potentially well. I lean toward Rios for LF. At 33 and athletic, I think he's got some life left in him. He offers solid defense, range, experience in LF but with a RF arm. He's been an up and down and bounce-back performer before. His career line averages are .278/.323/.439/.762 with 32Dbls, 5.5Tpls, 15 HRs and 22 SB. He had a "bad" 2014 season in which he hit .280/.311/.398/.709 with 30Dbls, 8Tpls, 4HR and 17SB. If he could produce his career avg numbers he'd be a steal. If he provided something between career avg and last season he'd still be a nice pickup and an improvement over what we had last season.

Agreed! Can we please temper hopes and dreams with just a small dose of reality? Sano hasn't played a game above AA and missed the entire past season. Buxton got in to ONE game at AA and missed a huge portion of the season overall. Rosario served a 50 games suspension, started behind the 8 ball, and had an uneven season to say the least. Sano and Buxton are supreme talents, and Berrios a legit top 10 team prospect with loads of ability. And every single prospect is different than every other single prospect in regard to developmental time. But a nice AFL to work on his game, develop his game, and remind us all why he is a top prospect doesn't mark Rosario as a starting OF out of ST. Yes, it would be cool if it happened, but are you really going to bank on it? And after missing a whole season Sano will be ready a month or two in, if not right away, dusting away a year of failed opportunity as if it were 1st base dirt on a pick off play? And Buxton will use his partial high A season, half a game at AA and solid, limited AFL to vault to the starting CF job for the Twins by mid-season just because? We need options. You keep Plouffe because he's solid to good and you need him for now. You really need to find someone to help with CF. And you need someone to help in LF because...well because of LF. The best options are clearly Rasmus and Rios. Rasmus can play CF, should be quite good in LF. Rios is older, has played a little CF, but is a corner OF. Rasmus might cost more being younger, Rios might be had on a 1 year deal. Rios is also RH, which plays to TF and the lineup perhaps a bit better than Rasmus's LH bat. Honestly, I'm OK with either one. They both bring value, but Rasmus will almost certainly cost more, though I wonder if he's looking for a multi year deal, or a make good 1 year offer. I just hope the Twins are pro-active to make a move.

I am going to disagree here. Conjecture is a bad knee lead to a loss in velocity and a poor season. In his last 3 seasons in Cleveland, 2 good and 1 not so good, he pitched a combined 96 GS, 615 IP, 512 SO's vs 229 which is better than a 2-1 ratio. That is not a junk balling 4th or 5th SP.

This. I want to go in to next season with Hughes, Gibson (betting an even better version), a fully healthy and back to normal version of Nolasco, May, and Meyer as the 5th starter (helps keep IP in check). I know we are in a rebuild, but are we really being remotely practical to just march those 5 out there without other options? The team absolutely has the resources to deepen rotation options WITHOUT circumventing the rebuild or blocking anyone. First, guys get hurt. Second, while it's not my first choice, guys can become acclimated and developed in the pen before moving to the rotation. Third, Masterson could be flipped by the trading deadline if successful, OR, a healthy and proven Nolasco with 2 years remaining on his deal could also be flipped. Look at Masterson's 2011 and 2013 season and tell me that guy couldn't improve our rotation and chances of winning. No 4th-5-the starter type there. Even in his poor '12 season he started 34 games, logged 206IP and struck out 159. He doesn't come in to block anyone. He comes in on a reasonable deal to improve your team and your options.

Absolutely I'd mKe a move for him. In fact, he might be near the top of my list. We wouldn't be sure exactly what we were getting, to be sure. Everything I read is that he is excellent defensively, something we need. I don't know the exact cost to get him, but a 4th OF with a questionable bat is not going to cost anything close to a top 10 player. Considering the depth of the Twins system, it probably wouldn't include a top 20 player. Bourjos provides excellent defense, and a RH bat, which might mean a semi-quasi-platoon with Schafer. He appears to have some speed and SB ability/success, which also matches Schafer a bit. Whoever doesn't start offers defense,speed and some position flexibility. What exactly do we get with Bourjos in regard to his bat? It's a mystery. But it's not all bad news. Career: .247/.304/.388 triple slash with a .692 OPS. Mediocre to be sure. But with excellent defense, other than OB%, those numbers look almost glowing compared to Hicks. ( and I'm not trying to bash) 2013: .274/.327/.438 triple slash with a .710 OPS with 3/3/3 power numbers and 6-0 in SB w/ 55G and 175AB 2011: .271/.327/.438 triple with a .765 OPS with 26/11/12 power numbers and 22-9 in SB w/ 147G and 502AB Of course, there is also some bad as well. But there is potential here for something good to at least not terrible with great defense. He won't cost much financially, or in prospects, and could offer another quality candidate for a versatile bench player a year from now.

Point: every season there are former disappointments and washouts who suddenly become anything from a borderline star, to a quality starter, to a nice useful player. Schafer is young enough to have developed, had a light come on, be in the right place at the right time with the right coaching, etc. Stud? Seriously doubt it. But solid contributor? Absolutely. Counterpoint: He's never come close before despite talent and being a top rated prospect. Why now? The investment to being him back is small, potential return solid, and you'd be silly not to. He could earn a share of an OF spot, or at least provide a solid glove and PR/SB ability off the bench. And you're only looking at 1 year for now. He's a better, more talented Tyner. But hey, you need bench guys to contribute as well.

I honestly don't know that anyone in any sport deserves $25M per season! And don't give me traditional hype or commentary about the market setting itself, entertainment industry, etc etc. Just think about any team in any major sport and tell me how you build a team or justify 2 or 3 players eating up, potentially, half of your entire payroll? Even the NY and LA teams can't sustain $250-300M payrolls. Perhaps Stanton is a picture of health and consistency all the way through age 34, is a pillar of the community, even helps clean up the stadium and do laundry to "earn" the full $25M per season. But remember way back when, when we were all shocked that the best player in the game, A-Rod, earned the first $25M per year deal. We were stunned then, even though he was the best player around as well as the games misleading poster child for all that was good in baseball.

Don't know enough about the Diamondback's situation to know if Hellickson fits or not. But on the surface, it seems like a very smart move. Still 27, healthy, he could develop Hughes-like, though I am not directly comparing. While I would not have opposed the Twins pulling a similar trigger on this one, generally speaking, I wouldn't have made this move were I them. I believe the Twins will probably be forced to make a minor trade for OF help/depth/competition, perhaps with St Lois for Jay or Bourjos for example. A move of this nature, while beneficial for the 2015 Twins, nets a possible starting CF for about a year, a 4th OF candidate beyond that, and shouldn't require any top prospects, just a decent one or two. I am only on board with a major trade if we move a talented young prospect or two for a return of a talented young player who has ability, real upside, and team control for some time. (OF or SP). Otherwise, I believe the Twins are best serve making a couple smart FA investments, and holding on to every prospect possible for one additional year. Just think next season how much stronger the depth and talent of the roster and 40 man will look with May and Meyer gaining a season, a number of young relievers developing and being promoted, starters like Berrios, Lee and Gilmartin getting really close. Sano should make his first appearance, along with Rosario and hopefully Buxton. Polanco may be ready. Walker could be coming off a solid to excellent AA season. And there are certainly other examples. Having that much young talent making a mark, begining to make a mark, or at AAA pushing hard to do so, gives the Twins a lot of ammunition and flexibility to make a key addition or two this time next offseason.

Sorry Dave, what am I missing here? 29 milb starts and not a single ML start in 4 big league seasons?

Now, to be fair...A) a AAA club often has a couple older players to flesh out the roster, and hopefully give the parent club a little charge if someone becomes disabled, and this list looks more than a little but different had Buxton not been hurt most of the season and Rosario not gotten off to a late and disappointing start due to his suspension. You could even consider tossing Hicks in to the mix as well, had he not been rushed. 2014 might have been his rookie ML season, not a second disappointing one.