DocBauer

Not a Floriman hater by any means. In fact, I'm in the camp to have at SS this season for his defense and speed, with hopefully a raise to some degree is both Avg and OB%. While he could regress, a year of experience should play out to at least some degree. If he could hit at the MLB level at the same approximate rate he did in the minors, with accompanying OB improvement, with his defense, he'd actually be an asset overall. But there is still room for improvement at the position no question. And I'm very excited about Santana's potential. From all reports, especially from those that really matter, he's got everything available to be a very good defensive SS, which is first and foremost in importance. And I am truly not concerned about reported errors in the minors for a couple of reasons. One is that having the hands, range and arm to make plays is still more important than error results at this point. Like any milb payer he is developing. You can teach getting better and more consistent, but you can't teach natural ability or atheticism. And don't forget that with natural progression also brings better playing surfaces as well as better players around him. The second reason for optimism is the history of natural progression at any Inf position, including SS. Even the very best defensive SS have shown higher error totals while being minor leaguers. Very few MLB caliber SS were a wiz from day one. Most displayed mistakes, often attributed to rushing the game around them, when young. Even some of the best MLB SS's had error totals in the teens and low 20's at first before settling down and learning. I do think offensive expectations should be tempered somewhat though. I, like everyone else, would absolutely love to see him hit in the .280-.290 range that he's shown the last couple of seasons with a more patient approach that would raise his OB%, coupled with his speed and improved SB results and a little bit of pop he's shown. Possibly with a little more as he physically matures, and hopefully fills out another 10 pounds or so. However, great defense, the ability to hit some, improve his OB a little as a result, lace some XB hits and improve his SB rate would make him a very valuable asset to the club, exceeding Floriman range. Again, a huge asset, but anything more than that, being able to hit at the top of the order for instance at 1 or 2, would make him all-star caliber. And I don't know that we have that here. How many teams do? Be excited, I am. But temper expectations just a little.

I am a poet, a writer, a former English major, etc. And proper grammar is a huge pet peeve of mine. Especially when speaking. However, with blogging not being a formal report or resume, I tend not to be too bothered by simple mistakes. Forgetting for a moment just how complicated our language is, i can forgive punctuation mistakes. Blantant misuse of words is hard to take through. But, i no that word correction often mis-fires when I am rushing along and fingers can't quite keep up with thoughts. Or a letter key might be struck but not b registered on my talent for some reason. Less we forget that me and others imbibe in an adult beverage or two while relaxing and enjoying out time at Twins Daily as well has to be considered. I can't stand laziness, but I think some are a little to worrisome about a bad auto correct or simple misspelling or bad or touchy keystroke or keyboard versus the actual context of what is being said as long as its not manifesting itself in what becomes a run-on sentence in whch the entire point is eventually lost on the reader from the sharer's original creative output. But I agree that proper spelling of a person's name is just decent courtesy whenever possible. Imagine how Kent Herbek must feel? (wink)

This sucks. We all know that. And we've all been on eggshells the past couple of months after first hearing of the trouble. But the reality is, not only are there no absolutes to a position player having this discomfort, but the recovery time and success are even greater if TJ surgery is indeed necessary. And while I hate to sound like a goody-goody optimist, let's not be fatalists this early on. The best in the business gave him an OK, rest and rehab RX. There is no medical report as of yet saying anything is wrong. Perhaps this is stiffness, tendenitis or a little scar tissue from the initial tweak and the rehab and now cutting loose. Let it play out before we all start looking for nearby bridges I say.

Perhaps. But if we are to play this scenario out, perhaps Dozier to 3B instead?

Always been a big fan of Kubel, even if he never quite became the OF hoped for before his knee injury, and never quite became the complete hitter we had hoped for. But he was very solid and productive for us overall in his career here. Disappointed when he and Cuddy were allowed to walk. I worry the Kubel's knee is "older" than the 31 y.o. rest of his body, and also worried about increasing SO totals growing each season and a worse half to his 2012 season that continued in to and through last season. But I felt at the time, and still do, that even if his signing turns out to be a release/retirement "thanks for the memories" transaction, it is/was a good flyer. Guys one year removed from a good season and signed on the cheap are a smart investment. My only concern is, does Kubel make the club out of ST based on memories and past performance if he doesn't show clear hitting and production in Florida? The best team the Twins can put together offensively AND defensively is for Molitor to assist Willingham to transition in to a mostly full time DH role with Hicks in center, hopefully, and Presley in LF. And I repeat that a healthy and productive Willingham at DH, who could play the OF once in a while, is what could bring potential trade value. Nobody is going to trade for a 35 y.o. Willingam saying: "oh look, he's better than we thought in the OF suddenly because the Twins are marching him out there every day." How many AB's are truly available for Kubes then? What if last season and 3 strikeouts in today's first game is more the norm? Does this prevent another opportunity for Parmelee? I don't have a lot of illusions about Parm at this point. But he's quite a bit younger, better in the OF, can fill in at 1B and could yet have the lightbulb go on. I still feel the Twins made a mistake by not standing by him last season with consistent enough AB's. I guess that's where Kubel scares me overall, not really showing anything, truly being done, but taking a roster spot based solely on the past.

Should have gotten a live chicken.

What I think we see next season, more than likely. Not was I opposed to doing so this season after we stick out on AJP. However, I like splitting up the youngsters for more consistent AB's for Herrmann, as well as an experienced, current backstop to help mentor.

I have nothing against Worley or Diamond. (Excluding Deduno as healthy, he is pretty much the de-facto 5th starter, and generally agreed to have the best "stuff"). Each has climbed the milb latter with decent numbers and success, and shown in the majors what they are capable of. Unfortunately, their pure stuff is nothing outstanding, and each has also shown the ability to be down right aweful as well. I don't like the idea of dumping a player out of options and getting nothing in return. Especially a younger player who, in theory, has potential. And yes, many quality relievers are in fact "failed" starters. However, moving to the bullpen doesn't guarantee success of any kind. Further, a 5th starter with mixed results, even young, doesn't mean you have a diamond, no pun intended, just waiting to be polished, who will suddenly blossom in to something special or strong. I have a hard time accepting keeping a failed starter at the expense of a strong young bullpen arm out of some sense of fear of potential loss. There are times, especially with a team with loads of young talent knocking on the door, and a team in the transition phase that the Twins are, where you have to make tough decisions and let some guys go.

I have no problem if Suzuki is the man behind the plate right out of the gate. Work Pinto in, let everyone sort of settle in, keep rotating Pinto in, (maybe even a few games at DH for his bat and to keep him sharp), but slowly work Pinto in more and more as the primary. Suzuki is here for a reason. To bring experience and stability and some mentoring. But he's not here as a long term solution. And in this transition year, but I believe with greater potential and expectations than the past couple of seasons, it would be foolish and baseball-criminal not to go with the younger, higher potential and better bat youngster as the primary sooner rather than later. Anything else, barring injury setback, would be a waste of time.

This actually steals some of my thunder and I agree completely. Any trade partner out there knows Willingham's abilities in the OF. We don't need to showcase that. We need to show his healthy and productive with the bat, and probably rotate him to LF just enough to show he is about what he has always been, and not crippled at this point. I have to ask, marginal a best in the OF and 35, what do people really expect the Twins to receive back in any possible trade? A top 10 prospect for an expiring contract? A top 20 player? I think expectations should be tempered a bit here. Further, the Twins are a better defensive club, and thus a better pitching club, without Willingham in the OF every day. Willingham's time at DH is quite limited. Am I the only one who feels Molitor is perfect to help Willingham along with the transition? And Arcia absolutely has to be in the OF every day. He has some athletic ability and a strong arm. He's WAY too young to be restricted, labeled orpigeon holed at this point.

I'll see your proposal and offer a counter one. Arcia and Plouffe as your mid 20's-ish. But your other 20 HR producer could be tough. Too many variables. What does Kubes have left and is there going to be real AB's for him, when might Sano be ready, does Willingham rebound, and if he does, does he stay? But how about I take your 20HR guy away, and offer up 4 players instead of 2 who might give you that 15-17ish HR mark? Mauer, Dozier, Pinto and possibly Hicks over 500 AB's could all be in that range. (Sano is the gravy and icing on top all in one potential package)

I can't add much to what Seth and Thrylos already stated. This stat is attempting to quantify human nature, discrepancy and error and provide a measurable and quantifiable statistic. You have two leagues, 4 man umpiring crews who rotate who is behind the plate, and they almost ALL call a game differently. Factor in different pitchers, not only power vs control, but vet vs rookie, LH vs RH, and I just think you have way too many mitigating factors to come up with a manageable statistic.

This shows his flexibility as a player, not only for now, but potentially with the Twins in a few years, especially if the OF prospects in the system continue to prove themselves. But he is undobtedly a quality OF prospect in his own right and will continue to play there mostly for the next few seasons. We have yet to see the best of him. Hopefully that begins this year.

I like this! And I really can't disagree with it in any way other than to argue a bit with the numbers per position appearance. He could play a bit more 3B, mix in some 1B, etc, but that's silly nit picking. Healthy, a couple full seasons under his belt, I think Plouffe just might be in that 24-26 range. I fell Arcia will run neck to neck with him, though he might be a bit more streaky in his production. Willingham, if healthy, could, of course be right there, but if he's hitting that well, I still believe he's traded. That takes him out of the equation. Though I repeat if he accepts the DH role with Molitor's help, experience and advice, I'm not opposed to keeping him if there isn't a decent value for him. Kubes is a dark horse who could be a runner. But it depends not only what he has left in the tank, but how the roster and opportunity shakes out. Mauer is not going to challenge. But fully healthy, not so beat up a 1B now, 500 plus AB's, 40 Dbls and 15 HR's are very possible, with a high of 18. Just not sure his stroke allows for 20.

Not sure I could possibly post all the thoughtful arguments I agree and disagree with! To begin I will echo statements and repeat my own on Gibson. He is hardly old at 26. And in real baseball terms he is "25" when you figure a lost year to surgery and a feeling his arm is as sound as ever, if not better. Something often reported by successful TJ patients. If he tosses bullets and is read, so be it. We're all happ as can be. But a few weeks to stretch out and get n a groove before being promoted does nothing to defeat his value or potential. 2014 is not a lost season. It hasn't even begun yet! But it is a transition year. The management staff and front office knows this. But their job is not simply to promote youngsters early to struggle and try to figure things out. Their job, especially in a transition year, is to win and be competitive the best they can, and to promote youngsters when ready. This accomplishes two things. One is to create the best winning/competitive environment for the fans to actually put butts in the seats and keep the team interesting, but also to promote the best environment for success for the young players on the roster, and those who will yet be promoted. The second is to not rush those yet ready so they can gain experience, gain confidence and consistency, and refine their skill set so they can play to a MLB level when given the opportunity and not suffer initial shell shock. I firmly believe Ryan and Gard and everyone else fully expects some roster fluctuation during the season. And I don't believe they will be hesitant to release, trade, or DFA where necessary to continue forward with this year's transition.

Follow up question: Does Buxton get treated the same? Or younger and only high A under his belt, is he on a different or similar schedule?

Over. As long as the elbow is indeed 100% and ready. And as long as he shows even a little at the plate. Considering his potential and the plans for him, including hopes of being ready at some point this season, they want to look long and hard at him, introduce him as much as they can to MLB, and MLB to him. I feel if he struggles or presses, then they might make the move sooner to get him in a proper groove and keep his confidence high and his approach sound. The mentioned Gibson reference is interesting, but last season he was still in recovery mode, so to speak, and I think the plan from day one was to start the year in the minors regardless.

If Willingham were to embrace the DH role, probably with Molitor's assistance, and be healthy and productive, and the Twins not find any real trade value for him, then I can see bringing him back on a decent 1 year deal with an option. This would be based on his value as a veteran DH, and a bridge to the next wave of prospects down the line; Hicks, Vargas, Walker, etc. Not so sure Plouffe and someone else couldn't fill the same role, and still be able to play a position here and there, but would seem an acceptable option.

Lest we forget, whoever starts the season on a 12 man staff, is not necessarily who is on staff come May or June. Just a hunch, but knowing from past experience how these things play out, and how recovering players claim to be ready to ready only to have set backs and need more time, and how teams can play with rosters a bit, I expect Deduno to spend a couple weeks or so in EST and/or milb rehab with Gibson at Rochester to begin the season, with Worley and Diamond on the ML roster at the expense of 2 of the three of Thielbar, Pressly and Tonkin. It's possible they could even alternate between the rotation and the pen early on. I would expect at least one to traded or waived a month in to the season, with subsequent promotion. And I believe Gibson to be up by first of June due to the same, or injury, with a trade or Correia a strong possibility by then.

I wasn't really in favor or against the Pelfrey sighing to be honest. I just felt after Nolasco and Hughes signed that bringing back Pelfrey was rather redundant since we had Correia. Not that they are exactly the same pitcher with the same style or stuff, just similar in quality level; a lot of starts and innings with a chance for double digit wins but about the same 4th or 5th starter level overall. I was hoping for one of a couple of LH's on the market just to break up the rotation. But that ship has not only sailed, it has a strong headwind and is far out to see. And frankly, while not my ideal choice, I can't argue with the Twins thinking. And really, while debate is understandable, no-one else really should argue as well. Not after three years of loses and aweful SP filled with not only poor performance, but disappointment and injury besides. Brining someone back who has experience, at least some solid, proven seasons, wants to come back and is a quality teammate, and who should invariably be better a year removed from his surfer comeback, is not a negative signing. Especially at an affordable price and only one year locked n after this one. (Easier to cut and run if necessary) I often make jokes about my crystal ball being in the shop. But if the Twins had one that worked, and KNEW Deduno would be back 100%, that Worley and Diamond would BOTH come in healthy and great shape and KNEW they would pitch to previous standards, and KNEW Gibson was strong and ready to stake a claim from day one, Pelfrey wouldn't have been signed. In fact, Correia and his solid performance from last season would have probably been moved somewhere else already, or at least soon. But there is no guarantees of any of that taking place. So I can't begrudge additional depth with the Pelfrey signing. Furthermore, had they not signed him, and the aforementioned SP candidates fallen on their faces, everyone would be complaining they should have signed additional depth this past offseason. All that being said, I will argue all day long Gibson is still a young pitcher. Not only is he far from ancient at 26, but he essentially missed a full season due to injury and rehab. You could argue his body and arm are only 25, if not younger, as many TJ patients claim their arms feel better than the years before. And he still only, really, has a little over one full season in AAA behind him. Last year was his "rehab" year. He was on pitch limitations, showed inconsistencies, polished things up, and then got promoted. Surprise, surprise, after an OK start or two he didn't look ready. Was he tiring? Was he trying too hard? Like many young players was he just a bit overwhelmed his first time up? I'd love Gibson to come in tossing bullets, take command of the #5 spot and never look back. But even a few weeks at Rochester to continue stretching out, getting his legs under him while one of the other candidates begins the season in that slot, and then coming up strong and confidant because someone is injured, performs poorly, or he just forces the Twins to make a move, does nothing to detract from his future. There are reasons to support Deduno, Worley and Diamond for the 5th spot. Deduno has the most nasty stuff, and if fully healthy, even if shows no improvement over what he did last year, he'd still be a quality and viable starter. Probably the best of the three. Worley was very solid initially with the Phillies before running in to an injury bug that slowed him. Then slowed him even more with his nightmare 2013. Healthy and slimmed down, we might see the pitcher we hoped to get, maybe even better. Diamond is LH, had a good milb track record despite average stuff, and was a real stalwart in 2012 until injury slowed him to close the season, and apparently affected him physically/mentally in 2013. As has been pointed out in this thread, and by myself elsewhere before, very few teams escape ST with all projected SP's 100% healthy to begin a season. There are blisters, pulled muscles, twinges, etc. I think it's very possible at least one of our SP's begins the season the DL. There might be room to stash one pitcher n the pen, to at least begin the season. I hate to simply cut bait on a young arm that has at least some potential, and has shown at least some MLB success, (which has been discussed at some length on TD threads). But I am also opposed to keeping those players around at the expense of other young, talented players; Thielbar, Tonkin and Pressly to name a couple. (Then again, you can break out the Gibson argument again for the bullpen) And really, how many teams have let go a potential #5 SP and end getting burned by it? I guess my whole point is things will tend to play themselves out. It's way too early to become stressed out as to what will happen and who deserves what. Don't misunderstand, speculation and hope and debate are awesome. And until we begin to actually play games, it's all we have. Lol But for the first time in a very long time, we have real depth and real options at our team's disposal. And that doesn't even include the likes of Meyer and May on the horizon.

Personally, not reading too much in to this. Floriman did a solid job, did what he was supposed to do at least defensively, and is the incumbent. Not sure how much of a competition Escobar and Bartlett would have/will provide coming up from AAA and a year in never-never land. Always figured Escobar was a top utility prospect and Barlett as his competition and dark horse SS candidate who would begin the year in AAA. I think Gardy is just saying Floriman was his guy to begin things, and is still in the running. You know, the whole "injury doesn't make you lose your job" scenario. But what if Escobar takes control? What if the rumors we hear about how good Bartlett looks early on are real? Think Gardy would start Floriman just for the hell of it? Thinking not. Still think there is an open option here, with Santana as an extreme dark horse. But boy would I love a Wally Pipp scenario!

Comparisons are fun and natural. They also get carried away at times. No matter how great a young talent may show, and end up being, each person/player is different to their own right. The Kirby Puckett we all know, love and remember is not the fleet, base stealing lead off CF he was early on. Give Buxton his time, and then give him his due. He may be Mays/Griffey part 2, or he may be a better Ricky Henderson. This year, next, or a season and a half from now. Any way, the future looks awesome.

Also, I want to echo statements made that it is ridiculous to pigeon hole Arcia as a DH so early. He won't even turn 23 until after the season starts. He has a decent arm with enough athleticism that he began his career as a CF. He was not only a rookie getting his feet wet at the ML level last year offensively, but defensively as well, bouncing between RF as well as LF. Give him a chance to gain some experience and additional coaching before earmarking him as a full time DH.

If Willingham is healthy and resorts to career norms, he would hit somewhere in the vicinity of .256/.359/28Dbls/25Hrs. Not bad numbers. And while we have all heard reports that he hits better in the field than as a DH, I would argue two points. 1) He hasn't been a full time DH before, and just like starting in the OF, there is a mental part to the approach I believe you have to accept. 2) He has Molitor around now to help him with said adjustment. I also believe that Willingham, healthy and productive, would probably be at least a decent trade option at some point this season. But as I have previously stated, if productive and accepting of his new role, and some of the Twins young hitters a year or so away, D Hicks and Vargas as points of reference, I wouldn't be opposed to keeping Willingham for another season for a fair contract to help bridge the gap, providing there is no real trade value offered up for his services by another club. A few interesting notes about A Hicks and a transition to a corner OF spot. He has the range to cover LF, and the arm for RF, provided he allows for enough offense. Now, this is all speculation, but based on his career milb numbers, skewed somewhat for short season vs full season and actual power improvement in 2012, his numbers carried over to MLB would mark him as a .275/.380 hitter eventually with 30Dbls/8Trpl/10HRs and 26SB per 500 ABs. Now, you can argue that this is milb vs MLB, BUT, the numbers for any kind of career do self adjust per level and age. And if his growth were to remain constant, this is approximately what you would have; an excellent defensive OF with speed, a little power and XB potential who maintains an OB% roughly a 100 points higher than his BA. No, this is no absolute. But it is interesting to note. Additionally, despite his rough and disappointing 2013 season, his HR rate per AB was actually higher. Perhaps an indication of additional budding power? Since the day he was drafted, Hicks has been compared to T Hunter in everything from defense, body type, athleticism and potential. Might he, like Hunter, lose a little of the SB speed but develop more power? If so, I like him as a corner OF option.