DocBauer

There are two things you can never hide and never bet against. One is pure athletic talent. The other is work ethic. There are those at TD who devote themselves to first hand witnessing as well as great connections within the Twins system for first and second hand knowledge that the rest of us can only learn from and gravitate toward. Athletically, the young man is terribly gifted from everything we have seen and heard, power, speed, and about anything else you need to be successful. I find the Mauer quote humerous about eating himself out of the outfield. I don't see this as a negative comment at all! Simply a comment how this young man is simply growing and developing. Think how big and athletic he was when the Twins signed him at the time. Physically, he's still growing and maturing. There has never been a negative word spoken as to his work ethic, quite the contrary! My father watched and met the young man ST 2012 and found him talented to watch and humble to talk to. While l do believe pure physical development might move him out of CF, (not a crime) I have no doubt he'd make a heck of a corner OF in the next couple of years. (Possibly with the ability to still fill in at CF on occasion) I also believe he might just make one heck of a 1B! Athletic and mobile defensively, and a good and patient hitter with good power with SB potential. I see him as a Darin Erstad with more power. And being a Husker, I've watched Erstad's full career. A move to 1B, at least primarily, is no crime. Outstanding athletic ability in the field as well as at the plate is nothing to take for granted. This is a young man who has the ability to rake a bit, get on base, steal some bases, show some real power, make things happen, and help in the field. One of the things that impressed me the most about him this past season was his work in the AFL. Cursory glances will see nothing. Harder looks will see a young player, coming off a shorthand injury plagued season as standing tall and holding his own. He is one of my picks, healthy, to really take a step forward this year.

Oh to dream! Gibson ready to take no prisoners and a healthy Deduno pitching like he did last year healthy, granting us the ability to trade Correia and move forward. (I'd even be happy if it took a month or so for all of that to transpire) And somebody keeping a seat warm until Myer is ready. And it's not even far-fetched as a possibility!

Please ignore the XBOX slash comment above. That was meant to be XB but I didn't catch the spell correct on my pad.***

I appreciate and respect your arguments. And we can debate at length all metrics anyone wishes to look at. But I will simply offer a few points. In all of baseball our ERA was middle of the pack. But in appearances we ranked tied for first with Atlanta and Colorado, a pair of NL clubs. First in the AL. We ranked 5th in the AL, which I believe has a plus of about half a run if memory serves. We also ranked first in the AL in IP and actually had a winning record of 27-22 for a team that won only 66 games. BA was .240 against AL average of .242. SO's were 508 against the mean of 472. Walks were 185 to 191. MLB ranks were 460-187 SO to BB. We also had 40 saves vs the mean of 42. All in all, for a team with an overworked bullpen, and a team that only won 66 games, I feel I'd stand by my statement we had one of the best bullpens in the AL, and one of the better units in all of baseball.

I'd like to talk for a moment, slightly off subject but still very much on, about Chris Herrmann. I seem to keep reading a lot of posts that, frankly, are down on him and I'm rather stumped why. According to Baseball America, he was drafted in the 10th round by the Orioles but didn't sign. He was then drafted in the 6th round by the Twins and signed. He has been ranked in the top 20 as a prospect twice by BA, 2011-2012, and was ranked as the best defensive prospect in the system following the 2012 season. He is still relatively young, especially for a C, 26, and athletic enough to have played INF and OF in college, and OF early in his Milb career, including a few games in CF. A brief scan of his Milb statistics show a first season w a .297/.391/845 slash with a 14/1/7 XBOX slash. 2010 showed a rough first year jumping from Elizabethton to high A Ft Myers. In 2011 he began the season in Ft Myers where he hit very well before advancing to AA for the majority of the season. His combined triple slash for that year was 269/385/783 with a little bit of power and 10 SB in 13 attempts thrown in. Except for some brief time with the MN Twins, 2012 saw him, as mentioned, the best defensive C in the system, and with AA NB the entire season with a slash of .276/.350/.741. Last season saw a bit of a tailspin at AAA in his first year of experience there, as well as some time with the major league club. As of yet, he has never repeated a full season at any level. When he has ended at a level, and begun the next season there, he has done nothing but improve. I guess I just don't understand all the negativity here. I see him as a useful and valuable reserve in the future, possibly starting this next season.

I admit to being highly on board for signing AJ for his bat, his experience, and his harder "gamer" edge that I think would have been excellent. But I can't blame him for the choice he made, nor was he long-term for our team. For the record, I wasn't as IN on Salt, feeling his game wasn't as proven as well as the financials. (He did sign for less than I expected however) In rebuild mode, and with a talented young C like Pinto, I was and am ready to move forward. Even with AJ signing, I was still looking looking at Pinto as the primary, and not just based on last September. We've heard he's rough around some edges, but so are most youngsters, especially catchers. We've also been told he's made consistent progress, and has a great work ethic, and for his young career he's done a good job throwing out runners. I was prepared to begin the season at this point with Herrmann or Fryer as the backup and just go for it. (With Herrmann as the probable winner in my mind) But I love the idea of a veteran to share the load and provide experience, as well as allow Fryer and Herrmann more time a AAA. And from what was still on the market, past production, experience, defense, working with different pitchers, etc, I really think the Twins signed the best option available. I don't expect Suzuki to suddenly transform himself to an offensive juggernaut, but I have to wonder if a change of scenery, and coaches like Steinbach, Molitor, Vavra and Brunansky might bring out a little bit more of the production he showed earlier in his career. Smart signing!

Even with being heavily overworked last season, the Twins had one of the best bullpens in baseball last season. And with a deeper and higher quality rotation this year, the pen could/should perform even better this year. Even a staus quo, no improvement a all, it would still be a major strength and one of the best in MLB. There appears to be a battle between Pressly and Tonkin for the final RH spot, and I suppose Worley could be a candidate as well, and some other supporting members rising through the ranks. I believe Thielbar is the real deal and will continue to perform well. There is the possibility of some regression, of course, and relievers numbers and performance can be skewed somewhat year to year when even small bad streaks can inflate numbers of even a solid performer. But Thielbar could actually improve with experience/knowledge and continue to be solid to very good. Diamond, Johnson, Ibarra and even Gilmartin potentially provide depth and options from the LH side. Despite what has been said about Deunsing and Swarzak getting a shot to start, I don't believe it will/should play out that way for a couple of reasons. 1) The depth of starters to enter ST/the season with three hurlers set to fight it out and prove themselves with no options remaining. Yes Deduno could start on the DL and rehab, and no Diamond and Worley are nothing proven. However, knock those two down all you want, when a pitcher has had proven success in MLB, even on a limited basis such as Diamond and Worley have, there is ever chance that healthy, and the fresh slate of another season starting, that they can and will do it again. Worley had about a season and a half of quality pitching for the Philies before running in to injury. Diamond was solid to very good in 2012 before injury. Either or oth could be ready and raring to go this spring. And argue all you want about Deduno and long-term viability, but there were flashes in 2012 and he was the absolute best and most exciting SP we had in 2013 until injury. 2) Why would you weaken a strength of your club in an attempt to shore up another area when you have other real options? Yes, it is probably easier to replace a long reliever and a LH reliever than finding a capable starter. But again, with other viable options, why would you mess with a good and proven thing? Ive seen the best and worst in Deunsing and Swarzak. Swarzak was once a top SP prospect, and even shown flashes. So has Deunsing. I've followed Deunsing since he was pitching here for the Cornhuskers; excellent starter before TJ, excellent in the Len, then a song man, before helping as a starter again. Once again, each has shown flashes. And honestly, especially last season, when one examines the work and maturity of Swarzak, it's hard to say he doesn't deserve a shot, and might have matured enough now to take over a spot. But again, when you have viable options at your disposal, why mess with a good thing? As stated and agreed, it's easier to find a good reliever than a quality starter, but yet, talk to Detroit and a few other teams about building a quality bullpen. It's not as easy as just plugging someone in and telling them to be excellent. I really have a hard time with people being so flippant to trade away relievers in one of MLB best bullpens with the idea that the previously mentioned players (depth and potential) can just be automatically plugged in with the same results. How valuable a durable has Swarzak been for the Twins the past couple of seasons? And how many teams struggle to find ONE decent LHRP and we should very well have TWO? Dont mess with what you have until someone not only knocks on the door, but seems poised to kick it in.

Four spots are set barring injury or a trade of Correia. (A possibility depending how ST and the various candidates shake out) No way on Meyer or Gilmartin. Down the road sure. Meyer could be special and Gilmartin solid. But they are young, lack innings, and aren't even on the 40 man roster yet and currently behind guys who are that we have to sort out. Johnson is AAA depth, possibly bullpen help or fill in starter at some point. I am a big believer in Gibson and have no doubt he'd be established firmly at this point sans injury and rehab. But reality is he was injured, rehabbed, and last season was his first season back. We all know timetables and histories of TJ injury. I'd love to see Gibson kick butt and earn job right out of spring. But with options on his side, it wouldn't hurt a bit if the Twins decide to let him pitch every fifth day, stretch out and gain a little more experience at Rochester for a few weeks or month. Deduno, Diamond, Worley, probably in that order, are your candidates. Will Deduno be 100% at the start of ST? I hope so, but he might not be. Thankfully we have depth and potential here. Remember, how the season starts doesn't necessarily mean it will stay that way for long. How awesome would it be for Deduno to be or get healthy, Gibson fully arrives, and we'd have the luxury of trading a Correia to a needy team?

Perhaps Fryer will re-discover some of his earlier milb hitting ability and surprise. I hope he does. I'm a big believer in Hermann's future as a backup C and roll player with a decent bat and eye. And I'm right there with you on Koch. I just have a good feeling about him.

Agree almost completely. Not sure I agree with him starting, but the rest is right on.

I hate sounding like a broken record, but.... Willingham needs to be the primary DH now. I don't buy him playing LF on a consistent basis to provide trade value. If teams don't know what he brings, or doesn't, defensively by now, that is on them. It's about tutting the best every day lineup on the field and at the plate. Healthy this year, I expect him to resort to solid career norms, which is still potent, if not quite up to 2012 production. Molitor provides the perfect tutor to ease him in to this new role. And he can still play the occasional LF, at least in NL parks. Kubel or Parmalee, if either prove themselves and make the club, can help off the bench and DH on occasion. And I'm not so sure I look at Willingham necessarily as trade bait. Granted the Twins could look elsewhere next offseason for a new DH, but if Willingham does rebound, not sure i wouldn't be opposed to keeping him all year with the idea of resigning. Just a thought. i still believe Hicks is a big key to next season. He was rushed, and we all know that. But he has tremendous talent still. Don't let one rushed and failed attempt fool you. I even like him not playing winter ball this year for a break to gather himself, as long as he gets his work in. Carew has even said the same. We saw improvement before injury, the talent is still there, he's always needed a little time to adjust to the next level, and it was just reported he hd a strong finish to his AAA season and might have been their best player the final weeks. Arcia n RF, Hicks in CF (.230-.250 with power, speed, defense), Presley and Mastro (or a possible insurance signing/trade to come) with Willingham a DH is our best option.

Oh my! This thread has taken on a very broad life of its own, and is obviously covering the entire breadth of the 2014 Twins we all love so much. It would be virtually impossible to cut and paste every comment I'd like t address and agree with. Isnt this version of the hot stove just the best ever? LoL To attempt to address some of the primary points: Ryan is not done yet. He will be addressing some useful pieces to the bench still. Probably a C, an INF who can hit and play a little, and probably a flyer at least n an OF as insurance for Mastro health and Hicks development. But positionally speaking, I see no major trades or FA signings. (Unless there is a surprise a SS). At this point in the rebuild, you just don't trade young talent, great young talent, just to add a decent ML player. Do you really try to acquire someone to replace or block Pinto, Arcia, Sano, Buxton, Hicks and Rosario? Not to mention a healthy Mauer, Dozier and rebounding Willingham. (primary DH hopefully) No. You add a couple pieces t supplement. And be honest for a moment, could the Twins offense this next season, even with the players we currently have, no uber prospects ready to suddenly break-out, just a new season, better health, in some cases mild improvement, be any worse than last season? Thinking a strong and obvious NO. As to the jist of this article, the Pelfrey signing, I admit to some struggle. I have debated this signing since the end of last season internally, and with my own father, a rabid Twins fan who raised me as such, and has been an ardent and informed fan since they arrived in Minnesota. Probably forgotten more about Twins history than any of us can even know. Ultimately, it's a good signing in my opinion. Yes I wanted Garza. But I think it's becoming clear that the YEARS may not make sense. Nolasco and Hughes are good, quality signings that in years past we would be doing cartwheels over. And both have real potential. Garza and Arroyo come with their own separate question marks that make me a bit uneasy, though cant say I'd complain too much. Pelfrey has some real talent, though his career has been somewhat up and down. He showed some real flashes last year once he got his legs underneath him, before running out of gas late. Now a full year plus removed from TJ, we might see more of that consistency, and probably will. His contract does nothing to hinder our youngsters. He gives us a 4 deep pitching option of at least decent SP to open ST with. I hear and understand the arguments how we might be "too deep" in SP to begin ST. Really? Is that a real thing? Name me a ball club that goes through the spring without a single SP that doesn't have a blister, or a strain, or a pull, or some twinge to slow or shelve someone, even for just a few weeks. I LOVE Deduno if/when healthy and hope he is! I truly believe he is an electric and erratic arm who learned to take something off his stuff, and was a late bloomer. But he might not be ready at the start. Diamond and Worley have talent, have shown what they can do when right, and might be right again. I hope they do/are. But what if the don't? Gibson? I think he's a serious #2 potentially, but no matter how hard you try to spin it, last year was his first year coming back from TJ surgery. Not saying, again, I don't believe in the kid, but it takes time. Sure I want him kicking butt and taking names from day one, and I hope he does. But is spending a month or so in AAA pitching every 5th day to stetch himself out really a bad thing? Point is, this is a solid and not very expensive signing that gives us depth and flexibility. In an ideal world, everyone is healthy and pitching like they belong,and we can trade Correia to someone a little less fortunate in the SP department due to injury or otherwise, and all the younger guys, Gibson, Worley and Diamond rock and we can make a deal. But depth is never a bad thing.

Compelled to add my 2cents to the other $75 listed here. Lol As I previously stated elsewhere, almost ever lineup I put together on paper for next year had Doumit as the 14th position player barring injury or just flat-out falling face in spring training. So we trade a defensive liability who might not even make the club for something other than a bag of balls? Great! It doesn't matter that the Twins still have free money on the books to spend. Now they have another $3.5 to add to the pot for a player they might end up cutting anyway. And they have not only another roster spot on the 40 man, but room for another, possibly younger and potentially better player with some positional value on the 25 man. Where is the gripe? Gilmartin is LH, young, up until this year a top 10 prospect, average FB with 3 other solid or better breaking ball and change of speed pitches who was clearly rushed through the Braves system, and endured a down year due to reported injury. As pointed out already, he's only 23! Even a return to AA to get his mojo back to begin the year wouldn't be a bad thing. Even if he never achieves anything great, a potentially decent bullpen option, much less a decent 4th or 5th starter, for an extra piece that didn't fit in any longer, and saves us money to spend elsewhere, is a sound trade.

I expect a bounce back from Willingham, even if not to the same production level as the year before. I hope for him to be almost a full time DH, despite some of the mumbles or a rotation. The whole team is just better with him making that transition. Doumit could bounce back, but I see it with someone else, either by trade or release. Without him catching any longer, limited as those times might be, every time I make ot a potential 13 man roster for the Twins, in different configurations, I find him to be the 14th man. Now, injury or poor performance could change thins, but I see him elsewhere.

Despite this past draft being labeled as a down year, I think the Twins did quite well, and not just with Stewart, who might have unlimited potential if healthy, as always, and is willing to put n the work necessary. Gonsalves is the real steal and possible dark horse for me. Eades reminds me of a young Radke for some reason. I find Slegers from Indiana t be very intriguing as well. And a couple of very good catching options. One who could fast track, especially if his bat keeps up, and one who is young, raw, but even more talented. Don't get too wrapped up in first year, half season numbers in rookie ball. These young men aren't drafted because the Twins expect all star numbers and half season champions. They are drafted for potential and talent. This year will be much more telling for them all.

I think there is real merit to this idea IF, and probably a very big IF, Kubel can regain his stroke. When healthy, he's always had a nice swing and power, and while not great range, in his previous time with s his glove was OK and his arm pretty good, so he could provide a little corner OF play on occasion. However, making a complete turn from my potential agreement with Dave is that Reynolds is RH. I truly feel we need to sign someone who can play sme 1B, 3B, PH and maybe even DH on rare occasions from the left side in the INF. Once again I bring up Betemit, Chavez and Chad Tracy as LH options (switch hit in the case of Betemit) as viable options to back up Mauer and Plouffe, and even provide some platooning a 3B with Plouffe. We need that LH option to balance. And once again, whenever Sano is ready to take over, regardless if Plouffe is traded, or turned in to a poor man's Cuddyer, (not a bad thing) that LH reserve bat provides real value. I won't get all grumpy if we add Reynolds as a bench bat, but I just think it is the wrong direction.

Couple comments and questions. No excuses for a really bad year, but didn't I read that Kubel had a nagging injury last year? Hard to believe he nose dived so quickly in one season. And hasn't Doumit stated he doesn't want to C any longer? I am not in favor of Willingham playing the field on a full time basis. Nobody should be. And unless we plan on trading him early, I am very much against him playing OF just to keep trade value up. Just not good baseball sense. I think a lot depends on Hicks playing CF so Mastro and Presley can play LF. Arcia in right, of course, unless he struggles for some reason. Absolutely love Kubel and see this as very much a low risk move. But I simply have to wonder where there is room for him anywhere if the roster is constructed properly? Presley, Mastro or a cheap pick-up, Hicks, Arcia and Willingham DHing most days.

Of course, I meant Rosario. I don't know if that was my own mental lapse, or my Ipad's spell check incompetance. LOL My apologies

I also believe something, or a few something's are in the works. Now, I don't have the feeling it's sme big trade of prospects for:_________fill in the blank for top SP or position player. First, I've said before trading from so much depth is not smart RIGHT NOW when in the process of rebuilding. I think next season makes WAY more sense to move young talent for something proven. Secondly, other than SS, what position do we trade for or make a major FA signing for that makes sense long term? If you believe in our talented young prospects at all, you have Pinto at C along with Herrmann as a talented athlete with quality defense and some position flexibility to help out. Mauer at first. Dozier at 2B and Soriano coming soon. ( though he could move to the OF again) Sano at 3B just around the corner. Buxton and Hicks and Arcia in the OF. So where do we trade for a position player that really improves us, sacrifice young talent, and not block someone other than SS? I could still see a veteran C for depth and experience, a LH INF bat who can help a 1B and 3B like Tracy, Chavez or Betemitt. I wonder who else might still be available in the OF cheaply to compete wit Presley and insurance for Mastro? Another SP is still the place to go I feel. I'd prefer Garza for now as well as the long term, but have no problem with Arroyo for the short while Gibson and Meyer and hopefully May establish themselves. I don't have a problem with Pelfrey exactly, but I feel, not stuff but quality, is too much like adding another Correia to the staff. While I'd like a LHSP added, it's not an absolute must. But what about Gibson, Deduno, Worley and Diamond as options if we sign 2? Do we trade Correia come spring training?

Always the optimist I guess, but I've been hoping/planning on Mastro and Pressly in LF and batting lead off next season (Hicks in CF) in a sort of start/4th OF platoon. Mastro was a nice surprise in 2012, and his final numbers were actually down a bit at the end from where he was most of the year. Healthy, I think this duo can give us good defense, and at least adequate, overall production in the #1 spot for at least a season. Nothing spectacular, but a mix of decent hitting from both sides, a little extra base power and some speed to work with. I wasn't opposed to a potential Davis signing as insurance, but that ship has sailed. Not sure who else might be available, but wouldn't discount another inexpensive signing still.

Shane, right there with you on Pinto and Herrmann at C. Not only for the future, but honestly, what out there is better? Someone who can't hit and is at the end of their career, or a couple of talented youngsters, one who seemingly can hit, and another who has teased and shown enough to think he can. I think Mastro and Presley are solid defensively, and can form an OK platoon until Buxton arrives. Not sure about Mastro regaining what he showed us a year ago though, which is why I like the Davis signing. ALL in favor of Hicks in CF next year. Just not sure he's ready for lead off, or a portion of it. Love to be proven wrong.

I would add Meyer to the list. If the right deal is there, I'd say anyone else has to be made available. However, I am also on record stating that unless there is the right fit, especially a quality, front line caliber SP that we can have control of, or sign long-term, I am actually against any trades involving top talent at this time. I'd mch rather hold to the depth of young talent we have, focus on what we have at the ML level, work the FA market as we have been doing to supplement, and see what tomorrow brings. I believe any tradeable assets will only increase in value, and let us make a move or two during the season, or next off-season.

As to a possible signing of Arroyo, I have a few thoughts there as well. The first being, I am highly in favor of adding a quality LHSP to our mix. Which is why I find a possible trade with the A's for Anderson so intriguing if we don't pay through the nose. After all, despite talent and real potential, there is recent track record, injury affecting such, as well as contract. As such, there is risk involved, as well as potential high reward, but it has t be measured, and the cost in minor talent simply can't be too great or I'd pass. A flyer on Johan, I think, is not only intriguing, but also a low risk and decent reward. Not going to say high reward because I simply think that ship has sailed. Secondly, I was against signing Arroyo as a primary signing. He really isn't that any longer. The solid, and potentially very good Nolasco and even younger and tantalizing Hughes have taken care of that. But depth of any kind, especially starting pitching, is always a good thing for many reasons, including injury, poor performance, competition, and just giving yourself a chance to legitimately win every day. Now, Arroyo at 2 years, or cheaper and easier or take or buy out 3rd year, provides us with that. Even at age 37, he proved himself to be a solid SP. Even if you allow a raise in ERA of say half a run per game moving t the AL, you still have him pretty much at his career mark of 4.19ish. He's allowed about a hit per inning in his career, and despite modest stuff, has maintained a career K/BB ratio of 2.37-1. He's also averaged 30 plus starts and 200 innings per year. Even with some regression, those are solid and dependable numbers, and better that most of what we've seen trotted out to the mound the past couple of years. Point number three, if we sign him, and we have the finances to do so, it pushes Correia to #4 in the rotation, or further, depending on the health and performances of Gibson, Deduno, Worley and Diamond. It might even make Correia immediately tradeable for additional talent. And that further depth in our rotation does nothing to stymie the progress of Meyer or May in any way as Arroyo will not be long term, and one way or another, Correia is gone after this year. And I will state again for the record, while I have the utmost confidence in Gibson, and his future, it wouldn't be the worst thing if he began the year in AAA. Not saying I want him to, or that he will, but last season was his first year following TJ surgery. And we all know it can take a little time to get endurance and feel back for your pitches. I know we all hate the setback Gibson had, we are all very anxious for him to flex his talent, no more so than the Twins and he himself, and reports last season had him not only feeling better than ever, but throwing as hard or harder than ever. But would a month or so to start the season pitching every fifth day instead of being passed over at the MLB level be such a bad thing in the long run? Lastly, I just have to say, isn't it refreshing, and a bit odd at the same time, that there is any consternation amongst us fans that our Twins might be signing a THIRD proven, quality FA starting pitcher to add to our staff?

I really like these thoughts. I know baseball is a game of numbers and measurements. And perhaps I am just too old school, but while I find some of today's new measurement tools interesting, and sometimes useful to be sure, I believe it's very hard to quantify certain things. Using new-age numbers on a C for instance; caught stealing isn't entirely reflective of a C's full ability. It is also a reflection of number of attempts, number of runners on base, and the staff in question and their ability to hold runners. Even what is thrown. A staff that throws harder or softer as a group may allow said C to throw more men out, for instance. A more experienced staff may hold runners on better. I think there is real value in a solid C that can't always be quantified by these new statistics. Is pitch framing a true tell-all? Is it a tried and true quantified? I have some doubts about this. A quality defensive C is a lot like a basketball PG or the center of an offensive line, how do they make calls, how do they lead the team? A quality C is like that. Do they call a good game, set a solid target, help run the defense, collect the pitcher when he slips out of his groove. There aren't really an stats for those kinds of things. That being said, the Twins front office, scouts, coaches and even players probably have a lot better idea on those precepts than I do, or most of us. I don't know that Buck would be a bad signing, he does have some pop, but his offense does have some measure ales I'm not thrilled with. And everything eve said about Molina is very positive defensively, game calling, etc. And I think I like that idea more. Isn't Hernandez also available? And one thing I like about a signing of either of those two is the are Latin. The one thing I feel the Twins are missing out on is a strong Latino coach on staff. Or in this case, possibly a Latino veteran to work with younger players, as well as Pinto.

I'm going to agree with this. There are still some quality FA P options out there that won't cost us prospects, but, rumors, Ryan's track record for trades, the aggressiveness that has been shown so far this off season, I too think a trade for a talented and still rather young starter is coming. Other than that, what makes most sense to me is a LH bat off the bench who can help in the field; Chavez, Betemit, Tracy, etc, and probably a not too expensive OF who can play defense and help some at the top of the lineup. I have always thought we'd go after a veteran C as well. Especially if he could counter Pinto some with a LH bat. But who is left worth taking a strong look at? I'd almost be inclined at this point to just run with Pinto and Hermann.