DocBauer

Nice post Scotty. Well thought out and some good ideas. I'd argue Mauer will slide back to the 3 hole with Dozier in the 2 spot. I believe Santana will continue to work in CF as well as SS, with Hicks probably getting some time in CF come September. Rosario is not ready, and there's no reason to burn an option. Hicks, however, has performed well at AA...which he'd damn well better do...and quite frankly, should be allowed to play August at Rochester to close out the year. His option has already been used this year, so why wouldn't you bring him up for September for another look-see? I DO NOT understand the lack of love for Santana as shown by some. For the past couple of years, he's been an enigmatic but very talented young athlete who has shown glimpses. The Twins have been short of middle infield options, and get blasted by many fans for not promoting talented youngsters. So the Twins promote a talented, athletic, young middle infielder with potential before anyone ever expected and he actually plays and performs well. In fact, he plays WAY above expectation. And everyone waits for the other shoe to fall, and yet, it still hasn't! Even post injury, while not quite as lightning, he's still played well and hasn't turned in to a pumpkin yet. All this kid has done is come up early, hit, battled the opposing pitcher, got some XB hits, stolen bases, taken extra bases, shown the ability to bunt, played completely out of position and actually shown improvement, and been a spark for the team. But because nobody had him in a top 100 list, because he wasn't a 1st round pick, because he didn't skyrocket to the majors as a 19 yo prospect straight from A ball we should discount him? I don't get it.

I think this an excellent post! However, I disagree on one point. "Strategically with bench guys you want flexibility..." is a very accurate statement. But there are two varying thoughts here to be considered. A) a utility player, similar to a Nick Punto type, who might not hit the best, but can battle, run a little, bunt well maybe, play excellent defense at multiple positions to give a starter a break, or even PR or be a late game defensive replacement. Former Cardinal Jose Oquendo might be the ultimate example of this. a utility player who can play multiple positions with a solid bat, possessing decent to good power who is so-so with defense, but is OK when not over exposed, and gives you that occasional start to rest a starter, can PH, maybe even DH on occasion. I'm sorry, but I'm drawing a mental blank on some of the guys who's names are on the tip of my tongue, but in Twin's history, guys like Ron Washington, Gene Larkin, Randy Bush and even Roy Smalley late in his career come to mind. Ideally, a bench has a couple of each kind of utility player. I rather like what I've seen of Nunez, at least in the short term. I believe he still posses some untapped potential. And I'd like to see him work more at LF next ST to increase his ability there because yes, I think he's back, and a decent utility/role player in 2015. I believe he'll be a utility options, possibly along with Escobar, depending on how much SS Santana plays. Which may make Escobar a starter, a semi-starter/utility player, or full time utility. Longer term, with Sano up, Polanco behind him, the roster situation shuffles and Nunez may not have a spot. He does for now. As to Plouffe, also mentioned so I will as well, the jury is still out. He's a bit of a late bloomer, nothing wrong with that at the end of the day, he's still not old, and his total ML games and AB's is at that breaking point where he either washes himself out, or proves himself a viable ML ballplayer. Note, I didn't say stud. If you really look at everything from draft selection to original drafted position to age hitting the majors, to bouncing around at various spots on the diamond, the parallels to Cuddyer are almost eerily similar. That is not to say he will become Cuddyer part 2. But, he has picked this year to have his best overall season defensively, and has, overall, had his most consistent production as a hitter. I see him as a poor man's Cuddy. When Sano arrives, he might provide solid trade value to someone who could really use a ML average 3B. He also has enough athleticism, decently developed glove and strong arm with a functional bat and power to perhaps be one of those solid offensive performing utility guys who can fill in variously. Could he take his arm, double and HR potential and become a viable starter in the OF when he can relax a bit more and concentrate on his offense, yes. Not betting on it, but I could see it happen. The point being, he still offers various degrees of usefulness and potential.

Add Milone to the top of that list now, making it even deeper with more options. And the various Rochester options has to make you excited! There are at least a couple questions regarding the ML rotation, as well as vast potential that is, unfortunately still potential. But that is always the case, of course. But if you can't look at those SP options and not be at least a little bit excited, you'd better get your pulse checked!

I also don't understand the dislike. He's got a decent build, decent velocity, and at least potentially OK stuff. His milb track record is generally solid. Plus, he's not a guy who's best seasons are in the past and lower down the ladder. In fact, his first full season in AAA, this year, is probably his best season. Isn't that a positive sign? In his uneven but very brief appearances so far this season, he has shown velocity and gotten some SO's. Even in his short and poor first start, he still managed 7 K's. If the rotation doesn't work out, he might be a nice bullpen option. A younger, possibly harder throwing version of Duensing?

I like this idea a lot Seth. Don't remember which thread, but I mentioned this idea a few days ago. Easy to do in September, harder to do in August. But I don't think you HAVE to go to a 13 man staff to pull it off in August either. I think the Twins bullpen, 6 in this case, solid overall, should be able to handle any load placed on them. If something goes terribly awry, you can always put one of the starters in for an inning and skip a bullpen, or if it goes really awry, just switch back to a 5 man rotation. Sooner or later, Meyer needs to come up, get a taste of the ML's, even if it's September and out of the pen. The reason I like the 6 man is it allows guys like May and Meyer to get in their work and experience without pushing their IP limitations, while still keeping Hughes, Gibson and Nolasco getting their work, and at least one other option, obviously. (2 until Meyer is up)

I like the move, even if never pays off in any big way. Any time you trade away an OK 4th OF, albeit having the best year of his career, BACK to the team that cut him for a functional 27 yo LHSP who has actually had ML success and solid numbers, it's a win any way you slice it. I like Thrylos' numbers. I think they offer a more balanced perspective. While there are pitchers that simply don't fit their home parks for various reasons, think Hughes as an example, I think most pitchers, like position players, tend to perform better at home. Further, Target Field is not a bad pitchers park either. Is Milone a more proven version of Gilmartin I wonder? I don't want to get in to a big debate here about who should be promoted, should have already been promoted, etc. The simple facts are that right now, this season, May has pitched with overall consistency than Meyer. And that's not a knock on him or his potential. It's just a fact for NOW. But if we accept that May might be up sooner, and again, might be more ready NOW, we could see Hughes, Gibson, Nolasco and May as our top 4 for next season, and even to finish out this one. Milone could be a nice LH #5 option until Meyer or Berrios would be ready. A playoff rotation? I don't know, jury is still out on Hughes' consistency and Gibson's ceiling to be sure. May's potential is very good. A healthy Nolasco offers a huge boost and a very solid option. So playoff rotation? Maybe. Any way you'd slice it, those 5 would constitute the best SP rotation we've had in a few years to be sure.

This. Shane, really, you hit just about every thought I had, especially if Suzuki is indeed traded. A couple points though, Nate Roberts is already gone. I wouldn't dare trade Fien. He's good, controlled financially, and only 30. Probably keep Duensing for the same reason. No promises to Hicks, which I wrote elsewhere, but at this point, with an option already burned, why wouldn't you bring him back up for September?

I was actually debating to post again on this particular thread, but alas, I chose to do so. Are we so despondent, desperate and jaded by another disappointing season that we simply lose the perspective of an idea proposed that we can't see the tree amidst the forrest? Nobody, including Nick, though he doesn't need me to defend him, is debating poor or questionable decisions by the staff or FO that were wrong in practice or omission. The question is really rather simple, have the Twins been the most unlucky, or amongst so, the past year or so. Not being lucky doesn't absolve poor personnel decisions. But I agree with Nick in principle, as I stated before. Over this season, and the past couple, is there a single team in all of baseball who has had their two best players had their career inhibited or changed by back to back concussion syndrome issues? Add to that their top two prospects, each of whom ranked amongst the top 1-3 or 1-5 prospects in all of milb suffering season long or affecting injuries? How different does the Twins lineup potentially look next season with a lineup that includes Buxton, Dozier, Mauer, Morneau, Sano, Arcia as the top 6? But, of course, failure to plan by the FO is the reason this can't and won't happen. It has nothing to do with a sudden and unexpected series of altering concussions and various injuries. Hey, I'm frustrated too! I want the Twins to win. I want Mauer and Buxton and Sano healthy again. I want May and Meyer to get their shot this season to prepare for next season. I want Hicks to get it, Rosario not to screw up again, Santana and Polanco and Vargas and Walker to keep it up. But a little perspective please.

First, no to Buxton. No matter how much I want to see him get his cup of coffee, there is no reason to bring him up for September, no matter his talent and potential, or even if he gets a hopeful promotion to AA soon to finish out the season. No how much any of us believe in him, does anyone really expect him to start in CF opening day 2015? If something like that happens, you make the appropriate roster move then, or whenever. In the meantime, you play the roster game and keep the open spot for someone else. As to the list... Arcia has as much bat talent as anyone in the system. His defense is inconsistent, but not terrible. His arm is very good, and his potential not bad, overall. He shows enough offensively that I still think he's best right where he is. I still think Bruno is a solid hitting coach. The players around him aren't yet performing to the level we'd all like, but last year, and this year, the Twins are amongst the league leaders for number of pitches seen per AB. I think he's teaching a solid approach. And while I hate harping on an issue, I still wonder if a quality Latin coach with ML experience might not help reach guys like Arcia. Gibson needs to just keep doing what he's doing. Honestly, except for a few bad starts that skew his numbers, the kid has looked good to awesome, and will continue to get better. Now, I do wonder about total IP come September, but he did miss one start, rosters will be expanded, so not too worried. Mauer...wow...just tired of the bashing. It's OK to be frustrated and worried and disappointed, but does anyone really think Mauer isn't a talented ball player and hitter having a really rough year? Say all you want to about his position change and pressure, etc, but the truth is he has been fighting post concussion syndrome. It's very obvious. Even his best friend Morneau has talked about his own battle. Joe's grandfather even made comments. Mauer was actually starting to look like his old self before his oblique injury. All I want to see is a healthy Mauer finishing the season well, getting ready to be his old self in 2015. If you don't think a healthy Mauer is a key, and one of the best pure hitters in all of baseball, then I wonder what you've been watching. Nolasco is simple. Just be healthy. Get a few more starts in, prove you're healthy, and don't be another TJ candidate. If he can do that, he will earn his contract next season as a top 3 starter and 2014 will just be a bad memory. I think there are 4 other rather obvious names that have to be added to this list. Santana is absolutely the biggest story to the Twins season. How can he not be? We can discuss, debate, argue and fuss at length about Gardy, the coaching staff, the FO, mistakes, wishes and wants, promotions and minor leaguers galore, Hughes, Gibson, Dozier, Mauer or the price of a hot dog and beer or the hot blonde sitting in seat A7 the day we were at Target Field....not me, just saying....but at the end of the day, there is NOTHING more polarizing or worth print than what Santana has brought this year. I believe Shane's very appropriate comment was: "what the hell?" He was a very athletically gifted young SS with loads of unbridled possibilities who just wasn't ready. Gardy commented how much he liked him, which is huge considering neither he or TK before him usually offered up much praise for young prospects. But as Gladden pointed out in one ST game, he had yet to provide any big moment to showcase said potential yet. So as expected, he was sent down to Rochester. So after the Bartlett experiment was quickly closed, and Florimon continued to play just awful, it was the young, not yet ready Santana who was promoted. (All the more surprising considering the Twins refuse to promote young players) Where is the icon that shows tongue planted firmly in cheek? All he has done is learn to play CF on the fly, and actually show some ability and growth at the position, while also bouncing back to SS as well. The kid has hit...continued to hit...shown the ability to walk a bit, battle and fight off pitches, stroke some XB hits, take an XB, steal a base, bunt, and generally perform like a real ML player. He even shook of the rust from a DL stint quickly. I'm not sure what to expect from him long term, but I wouldn't bet against the kid at this point. He is one of the few reasons I don't want the season to end, and keep watching. Hicks...what do you do? He's actually hitting at AA, but he's done that before, and should be. Way, way too much talent and potential to ignore going forward. If it's me, you've already used an option this year, so I bring him back up. I stress to him that nothing is promised. He could easily be in AAA next year. Just come up, play, have fun, relax, and do your best getting ready for next season even if that means Rochester. May and Meyer both: Throw. Don't think, just throw. Don't try to be Roger Clemmons. Just throw, have fun, experience what it is to be a ML'er, learn, use this as a building block for next season, and just throw

I agree with the premise of the post, as well as Seth's comments. I think fast promotion or slower, facts, statistics and results can be skewed and used to argue any viewpoint. If Gibson was brought was brought up earlier last season after 6-7 solid starts and stunk, it would be easy to say he was brought up too soon, or the Twins don't know how to develop pitchers. If he came up and pitched well initially before stalling or running out of gas, which he seemed to do last season, it could be argued he was promoted too soon, wasn't real once the league saw him, or the Twins don't know how to develop pitchers. There really is no absolute or easy answer. Forget about talent or potential, these are talented young men who all develop in different ways at different times. Personally, I believe the Twins handled Gibson perfectly. Early last season he was still in rehab mode, despite mostly positive results at AAA. No matter the results after his promotion, largely un impressive, he gained valuable experience that carried over to this season. And except for a few poor starts that skew his total numbers, he has largely pitched very well this season, and shows real promise for the future. I feel May and especially Meyer, who slightly resembles Gibson's injury setback, will be up soon to finish the year and gain similar experience to build on. I appreciate but don't buy the Blackburn comparisons at all. Yes, both rely on ground balls, and yes, Gibson's SO numbers aren't yet where we want or expect. But frankly, Gibson is taller, bigger, and has more of a downward plane to his pitches to maintain high ground all rates. Further, his stuff is just harder and faster...nastier in potential...than anything Blackburn ever had. The 7 SO's against KC last night are an example. He will probably never have the pure SO numbers of May or Meyer, but I believe you will see a rise as he gains experience. And again, with his ground all percentage seeming to be something repeatable, that's OK.

Going to contribute to my own thread here to see what anyone thinks. I didn't include a FA catcher as an option, as I stated, because in theory we may have an option available in Pinto, and because Suzuki could still be re-signed. I like the proposed idea of Martin as a possible signing. Always been a fan of his. Between options and re-signings, as well as possible surprises, it's hard to say at this point, for sure, who might indeed be available. I'm still thinking the Twins might bring in a quality setup man to work with Fein to keep the bullpen strong. Those 2, with Perkins, Thielbar and Duensing with Darnell, Ibarra, O'Rourke, Thompson, could be a very solid LH side to offer. That leaves Tonkin, Achter, Pressly, Swarzak, and possibly even Pino and Deduno as RH options for a strong pen. A healthy Nolasco with Hughes, Gibson, May, Meyer and possibly even Pelfrey, I just don't see a major SP signed. I believe the real FA targets for 2015 will be at CF, corner OF, and possibly DH/bench bat. I've seen Span mentioned, and I like that idea. He's never been a star but is a very solid ball player. He could still be backed up or share time with Santana, allowing Santana more time at SS as well, and offers a legit, veteran CF with an overall solid skill set to help at the top of the order and play solid defense. He wouldn't break the bank, and would pretty much replace Fuld. While it would be amazingly cool for the Twins to find an under 30 yo corner OF who isn't stiff, can swing a legit bat with some power, and throw some real money at him, might it be more prudent and expected for a shorter term temp option? Work with me here, I'm not trying to play a game of "putting the band back together", but would Cuddyef, and possibly Hunter as well, be a realistic option to fill a role for a year, two at most? Not saying they are the best or only options that will be available, but if both are healthy, they could split time in the OF and DH with Parmelee possibly. Cuddyer could also play some 1B. Cuddy has shown a solid bat since he left, and may still have some life left for a year or two. Hunter is down some this year. But does it mark the end? Or just a down year with a little gas left in the tank for a year or two as well? No question they'd bring a strong veteran, professional ethic to the team as the youngsters continue to develop and get promoted. Again, while either or both would be a great "coming home" story, that's not enough reason to bring either on board, and they would only be short term options to fill a couple holes while giving the likes of Buxton, Hicks, Rosario, Vargas, Walker and Sano a little more time. And there may be other quality temp options out there. But am I nuts to think about these guys as possibles?

I am also dating myself. The moment I started reading the article I had to check the calendar to make sure it wasn't April 1st. I was also immediately reminded of the Finch article and was waiting for a punch line that never came. Count me amongst those not upset the Twins saved some money from their draft pool. Not only did they sign most all of their top picks, but all they missed on, really, was a few HS kids in the late 20's and 30's. And unless signed well over slot, those kids are going to college just about every time. And whether there is a question about future potential, or sign ability, they are picked that late for a reason. The only kid I was rooting for...sorry but I forget his name at the moment...was the 3B heading to Fresno State as they seem to recruit pretty well. NOBODY could have predicted an out of the blue signing like this one, but it shows what being prudent can bring you at times. This might not just be a fun story. And not just because he can hit a 100. But the fact he seemed to come to the sport late, and missed time, helps mark him as a late bloomer. I think what gives me hope and impresses me is his athleticism and a seemingly strong work ethic. Both of those things could bode well. Perhaps I missed something and need to read more, but does he have the makings of another pitch or two? Or is he just a FB thrower at this point? No question at 24 that the best and fastest route is as a RP. One more solid pitch, or a pitch and a half to just tease, is plenty to be an effective reliever. If he doesn't make it until 27 or even 28, not only would his arm have fewer innings that a lot of pitchers, but it's really not that old for a RP. A lot of quality relievers seem to arrive a bit later in age, whether they be college players initially, or failed starters who find their role finally. A neat story, and a neat find.

Download attachment: Escobar_Hicks_Kubel_Celebrate_US_720.jpg The season is still very young. I don't want to get too wrapped up in early optimism, but something has to be said about the lineup and production thus far, especially considering the generally pessimistic nature I think most of us felt at the close of spring training. There was a lot of gnashing of teeth, despite the "they can't be any worse, therefore they must be at least somewhat better" mantra. There are flaws and concerns still to be sure. (I'm not here to necessarily rehash the shortstop argument at length.) But let's take a moment to offer up props where due. What impresses me most is that a year after setting records for strikeouts, our Twins are suddenly among the leaders in on-base percentage, something I never dared dream. Jason Kubel has gone from a small investment/good flyer to washed up to performing well not only at the plate, but also reminding us that despite somewhat limited range, he is and always has been an OK defensive outfielder. The jury is still very much out on Josh Willingham. But even he looked pretty good the first few games after looking like overdone toast in ST. What more can be said about Chris Colabello? He's not just a good story any longer, he's become a great story. I've been converted from a hopeful fan of his to an actual believer. At his age, he's just not going to be a long-tenured major leaguer. But he's gone from a small independent league signing news blurb to someone who raked at AA. And still he was doubted. He raked upon his promotion to AAA and was again doubted when he finished in the majors last season. (Again, not the first or last ball player to be ill-fit initially). The Twins tried to do him a favor and ship him overseas; he refused, intent on fulfilling his dream. He's made adjustments, had a great ST, and has become, at least, an early season stalwart in the lineup. I'm just not going to bet against him any longer. Despite a couple errors, Plouffe looks much more comfortable at 3B. And while I very much doubt he will continue to hit .300 with a .400 OB, he really looks like a completely different hitter. Has the light finally come on? Dozier is proving he is for real. An on-base percentage over a 100 points higher than his early season batting average? Wait until a few more balls find holes. Same with Hicks. Nothing spectacular yet, but he just looks so much more relaxed and competent than last season. Like Dozier, an OBP over a 100 points higher than his BA. So far, Suzuki looks like the hitter he used to be. Pinto is showing really good signs. Mauer is Mauer and is just beginning to hit like Mauer. I can't wait to get Arcia back, and probably Hammer as well, though he should be primarily a DH. A couple questions and concerns. I still believe Mauer is best in the #3 hole. When do we consider Hicks for the #2 hole between Dozier and Mauer, with his patience and Mauer behind him? And long term, who is our #4 hitter? Even if Hammer comes back strong, he's not a long term answer by any means. Despite the angst involved with hoping for a long term solution at shorstop, I think that a batter to hit 4th​ is a primary concern to be addressed soon. But a tip of my cap to hitting coach Tom "Bruno" Brunansky, the staff, and especially the players thus far. Click here to view the article

Goulik, you are correct, I did not include a catcher. That is due to Pinto waiting in the wings, and a possible ML ready replacement. And, Suzuki re-signing is, at this moment, still a real possibility.

Amidst all the trade discussion and promotion speculation, I don't think it is. At this point, it might be very difficult to speak of players individually, but despite a plethora of outstanding prospects on their way up, some who will yet audition this season for 2015, some who gain the opportunity next ST, the simple truth is there will be some holes on next year's club that will have to be filled. Types of players, ages and contracts are all very debateable. Does the age and future relevance of a prospective FA signing have merit if they'll raise the level of play and winning percentage of our beloved Twins really matter? Or are smart signings to put a quality product on the field, augmented by quality players already on the club, or soon to be, the real point? Again, there will be holes to fill. Despite being aggressive in FA last season, the Twins didn't shoot their complete financial load by any stretch. Even if you don't include the prorated contract of Morales, the loss of Willingham, Correia and Burton alone decreases the payroll another 16M. Then there is another 2-3M from Kubel and Barlett. (Shudder) As of this writing, Suzuki is a 2.5M mystery. The whole point being, the Twins had/have money to work with, plus another 16-20M. And if I missed something more, my apologies. FA for 2015 could/should see the Twins make anywhere from TWO to FIVE significant signings. CF=Buxton simply isn't going to be ready. Do you roll with Santana here while still getting time at SS? If you bring back Fuld, he's a 4th OF type. Do you trust Hicks? Rosario...see Buxton. So there is, again, a real need, potentially, for a quality ML fill in CF option. LF=RF is in Arcia's hands, and still should be at this point. So who plays LF next season? Parmelee has actually shown life signs of being an actual, viable, contributing ML player. But a contributing, full time ML RF next season? Come on now. Walker is in A ball, and while CF options could provide quality LF alternatives....errr...ummm...see CF again. This could be a 1-2 year option. Then again, with payroll flexibility, what if there is a younger, longer term option that doesn't break the bank? DH=Many teams in the AL posses a quality, everyday DH. The Twins do not. That's not necessarily a bad thing, as a well rounded roster can roll various players in to the DH roll. I don't know that the Twins will have a well rounded roster next season, but, with enough overall depth on the roster in young talent, perhaps a veteran DH is a luxury. Then again.... RHRP=The Twins still have Fien, and my guess is they still will next year. And he's been a real surprise. But is he your veteran, proven setup man next season? The Twins have a nice group of potential relievers sitting at AAA right now, with Pressly just promoted. I doubt you trust one of them, initially at least, over Fien. So again, do you sign a quality setup man to deepen your bullpen? SP=After signing Nolasco and Hughes this past offseason, Gibson's emergence, and May and Meyer about ready to get their shot, plus the possibles of Darnell, Pino, Deduno and Pelfrey, I really doubt the Twins do anything in this area. BUT...what if Nolasco's elbow strain suddenly turns out to be something more serious? Considering some of the recent bad luck the Twins have had, you never know. Then what? There are some real holes that have to be considered for next season. How we fill them is open to debate.

Taking my shot: Johnson and Pino are DFA, though both could be back in milb deals. They simply don't have enough to compete with what we have coming up in the rotation, and might face just as stiff of competition for pen spots. Darnell has just enough stuff and velocity to stick as a 4-5 starter. Ultimately, he's a 3rd LH reliever next season, possible replacement for Duensing in the future. Escobar and Nunez are nice bench players. Escobar the better glove, Nunez the better bat. Both offer some position flexibility, some pop, and some speed. I like them on the bench, at least for the next couple of years. Santana is a real mystery man. I doubt he's the all-star player he's shown thus far this season. What? All star material? Doc...you're an idiot! And this may be true! But really, if he could hit the way he's hit, even close to it, long term and actually play a solid daily SS, that's what you'd have. The realist/pessimist in me wants to spout about regression, sample size, etc. But the thing is, the kid has real talent. And if you don't think he was rushed, and put in to an awkward, tough position of not only being rushed, but having to spend the majority of his games playing an almost foreign positions, then you simply aren't paying attention. And yet, the kid has worked hard, improved, hung around, hit, battled impressively at the plate, and been a real spark plug. All while being rushed and being bounced around between CF and SS. I am NOT predicting future All Star status, but you just HAVE to be impressed with what he's shown thus far. Fuld might be back on a friendly contract. But I could also see him easily replaced if the Twins prove to be even mildly aggressive in FA next year. Colabello remains a great and favorite story. DFA or not, bet he's back next year. He's worked too hard, already had a taste of success, that I bet he's back. Still has a shot for a year or two as a role player. Tonkin is back up in September if not before. Hopefully he sticks for good this time. The potential is there. Polanco is a stud waiting to happen. Just be patient and don't get obsessed with milb error totals. Hicks has waaaaaay too much talent and potential to dump. How much is head case and how much is being rushed we may never know. But you just don't cut someone like that at this point. I'm higher on Pinto and Herrmann than many. Coming up through the minors, both got at least solid marks defensively, and showed solid bats. Pinto more power, Herrmann more contact and line drive power. I thought Pinto was solid to close out last season, and still has a future. I think Herrmann can still be a solid reserve given a solid role. No question we have some very solid backstop prospects down in A ball and below. Without injury and suspension, the whole "promotion and building through youth" factor might have looked very different this season. Meyer and May, very first seasons in AAA to remind, WILL be up. Might have been up sooner if not for a couple setbacks. You just have to believe Sano, Buxton and Rosario would at least be Septembef call ups if not more had things worked out differently. This team, I feel, absolutely needs to make some moves in FA before next season if they want to be competitive, but the youngsters that have seen time, will see time yet, and should be ready at some point next seasons, (Polanco, Vargas, maybe Walker to name a few), has us on the right track I think.

This. Mostly. The Smith regime brought in a few nice young players, but Ryan's second tenure has seen the Twins minor leagues suddenly flush with talent. He's building from the ground up, and that's what you do for long term success. He came back to a mess, and is building from the ground up. He might not be directly involved with all the draft choices or signings, but he has a hand, even if it's his people making the decisions. And his moves brought Meyer and May on board. He also brought us Hughes and Nolasco, who will still pay off when healthy. Nolasco? Meh. I think there were other options, though I can't really fault the thought process. Fully healthy in 2015, he might yet help. If not, the Twins have the flexibility financially to move on. No, Ryan gets no pass for failing to bring on a couple options for this season, CF being a prime example. Because a flyer on Barlett was OK in theory, but come on! But I wonder, if he had managed to snag Garza, even with the Nolasco injury, how would he be viewed?

Isn't Hughes hitting .400 batting cleanup in his church league? Thought I read that somewhere.

OK, just to be clear, Buxton, who has barely played this season, and is getting back on track in A ball, and Sano, coming off surgery, who hasn't played an inning since ST, Walker, who is still in A ball, and DJ Hicks should all be in the starting lineup next year? And we should fire the entire coaching staff and replace them with various members of our milb coaching staffs? Interesting. Just...a little perspective OK?

Go ahead and give me flak, but I see the premise of Nick's original point, and agree with it. With the caveat that I no longer follow ALL TEAMS as I once did, so I can't speak to each team's individual luck status, good or bad. And by no means does some really bad/tough luck excuse bad personnel decisions. But echoing Nick, and SD, I think you have to examine not only this season, but even the past couple. 2011 was just wiped out due to injury after injury after a 95 win division championship season. Ok, there were some bad decisions, or misguided decisions, in 2012 and 2013. But is there a team in all of baseball who's two best players had career altering/threatening concussions back to back? I'm not saying the Twins are transformed in 2013 or 2014 to winning teams with playoff aspirations, but how much better does the team look with a stud C in Mauer and a stud 1B in Morneau in the lineup? I don't know that Sano and Buxton are up NOW, but they might be. At worse, they're getting their feet wet in '14 getting ready for '15 with Mauer and Morneau and Dozier and Arcia, even a better Plouffe and Escobar and possibly Santana. Nolasco is no ace, but a really nice piece of the puzzle, along with Meyer, who has been slowed, and May, who might have been up already if not for his calf injury. The two cornerstone position players of the organization suffer career interrupting/altering injuries and then that same team's top two prospects, each amongst the top 3-5 in all of baseball lose all or most of a season at the same time? Yes...sorry...but I think the Twins have had some really tough luck the past few seasons. Once again, there have been some decisions/moves made and not made that are poor, along with a few good moves/decisions. But what a difference a healthy, and on development track, the Twins roster might look like without these issues!

AAA is a place for prospects. But it's also a place where do the best you can to stash quad-A players who you can call up as decent fill-in options when guys get injured at the ML level. Just because a player is a very good prospect at AAA doesn't mean he's ready to automatically contribute for the parent club when there is an opening, even temporarily. And quite frankly, expecting a AAA roster to just be brimming full of future MLers is kind of naive. (This somewhat true at all levels, of course) No matter the hopes and dreams that each prospect has, they are simply not all going to be MLers. So at all levels, you surround top prospects with decent prospects, maybe prospects, and just solid ball players for each respective level to put a full team on the field. And sometimes, just like a fringe ML signing, lightening strikes. This season, at least, I'm disappointed with some of the AAA options the Twins have placed at Rochester, particularly in the OF. Though the pitching options haven't been as poor as some recent years. I'm still disappointed Romero wasn't brought up when Plouffe went down. I think it's easy to say "drop these guys", but as has been pointed out, then you have to have said number of players READY to move up and take those spots. First at one level, and then the other. The Twins have made many promotions as of late, and if it weren't for injuries to Sano, Buxton and the suspension of Rosario, the promotions might have been more exciting and newsworthy.

Fully agree on Arcia with all the above. The talent level is very high. And I've seen enough good plays, and a very good arm most of the time, that I haven't given up on his defense. He is still very young. And he's one of those young players the Twins refuse to promote. (Snicker) I don't believe he'd really gain anything from more AAA time. He's shown too much at this level, despite the streaks and inconsistencies, to not work with him at this level. Despite slumping some recently, I'm still a big believer in Dozier. I do think an extra day off once in a while would help. And while I don't have stats in front of me, didn't his recent dip in production, more or less, coincide with the injuries to Mauer and Santana? If I'm even close to correct, I'd see a lot more pressure on his as well as teams pitching around him. Also a huge lover of Thorpe, as well as the somewhat similar Gonsalves. Maybe the hardest thing to find in all of baseball is a hard throwing LHSP who has the ability to be a quality ML SP. Not even a #1 Cy Young player like Santana, or Viola years before him, but just a good 2-3 quality SP who can do the job day in and day out and be a fixture. Baseball is a game of numbers, numbers we obsess over at times. Numbers that tell a story, sometimes tell a bigger story, and sometimes tell a misleading story. Many of us are obsessed with May and Meyer, and to a lesser extent, Barrios and Stewart. And while all players have their own personal time table for various reasons, we sometimes get impatient for them to arrive and become fixtures. Every year, every other year, some kid is lightning in a bottle and arrives as a quality, if not top, SP at 20 or 21 and we ALL want our team to have a kid just like that! But those are truly rare occurrences. And we sometimes lose track of how young these kids really are at times. In Thorpe, and Gonsalves, we have a couple 19 yo kids pitching in A ball who have some real stuff! Real potential! But most kids this age are in rookie ball, even as top picks, or getting ready for their first season in college, and in a few cases, their redshirt freshman or sophomore seasons. The fact these kids are showing what they are is very exciting! Just be patient and give them time. Both could be in AA in 2016. Wow!

Kind of an oxymoron here, but I think Duensing has solid value as a young 30yo reliever with a decent track record, but, I don't think he has tremendous value in a trade scenario. While Darnell has received only one ML start, and has enough stuff and milb track record to deserve more looks, the one thing that has been encouraging is his SO's thus far, in AAA and his couple appearances with the Twins. While he didn't pitch very well in his first start, he still managed to SO 7. Ibarra and O'Rourke could definitely be options, maybe Thompson, as early as next season, I'm in no hurry to trade a cost controlled, solid LH reliever. If the Twins continue the trend of a 7 man bullpen in 2015, (and I long for the day when the rotation is strong enough to drop back to 6 for another bench player), I could see the Twins making room next season for a 3rd LHRP to go along with Fien, say...Swarzak, and the best option of Pressly, Achter, Tonkin and lerhaps Pryor.

I'm not sure we can really address moves pending and simply place them in a 5 day time frame. That being said, I do think Willingham is gone in the next few days. The return won't be much, but I don't think it was ever going to be unless he was more healthy this year and more or less mashed. Correia should also be gone soon, possibly by weeks end. Until his last two starts, he was actually pitching quite well. But age, expiring contract, a back of the rotation starter, I don't know that his value was very high in regard to a return anyway, so I don't know if two off games will greatly affect his trade. I wonder if the Yankees would be interested in both? Burton might be moved after the deadline. There are probably several pen arms out there to be had, but he is actually pitching well, and has been for some time after a lousy streak earlier. And he has a good track history his first two seasons. Still, he's a mid-30's RP with expiring contract. What can you really expect? May and Meyer should be up soon. And I could easily see the Twins working with a 6 man rotation in September to work as many arms and future arms in as possible, as well as controlling innings pitched levels. I don't know who comes up first, Tonkin or Achter, but whoever doesn't will be up in September. Pinto will also be up soon, if not immediately. I wonder when, and if, you bring up Hicks again?

In response to losing stretches, Gardenhire gone, etc, I think you have to have a wider perspective. Despite a very poor stretch, TK was also overseeing some of the best teams the Twins had, including his 2 World Series wins. And his last season brought the Twins back to a quality level of play and respectability. Not coincidentally, he had a better collection of talent at that time as well. Gardenhire has had, I believe, the longest stretch of quality and winning baseball in Twins history. At least modern day history. He had only one losing season until 2011, multiple division championships and playoff appearances, and one "close" appearance when we lost game 163. Now, looking at the past 3 1/2 seasons, I repeat myself when I claim a mulligan in 2011. Once again, we were coming off 95 wins, had the majority of the team back, and injuries devastated that team. Now, '11 '12 were a flat out mess. And up to the All Star break this season, the team actually was much better, and with just a little more consistency, might have been .500. But this thread is about the next 5 days, so enough of that. Just tossing these thoughts out since they were brought up.