DocBauer

I too have thought a great deal about Pelfrey. I can't say I dislike the idea based on what he did with the Mets when healthy, what he did about the middle of the season, and as a stronger this year bounce back candidate. I just feel it's like signing another Correia and we need better than that. And I feel he's a good 3rd signing, but am afraid signing him precludes signing 2 other better options, plus quality help at C. Unless we either get lucky, or the coffers are really going to open this year.

Once again, a great and realistic plan for next season at least. And practical as well. If only some of us could be GM for a month! Lol Think I would choose Kazmir over Arroyo but have no problem with Arroyo in this scenario. Have to admit I forgot about Betemit. Wanted the Twins to get him as a useful bat and super-sub each of the past couple of years. Been advocating Chad Tracy for a LHP bat who can back up Mauer and semi-platoon at least with Plouffe, while still providing real value when Sano arrives, but like the Betemit signing.

On a side note, my choice a break-out candidate is Hicks. He is so gifted, and last season's rush and failure, along with the tremendous and worthwhile excitement over Buxton, has tempered people's opinions, probably far too much. Since he was drafted, it was known he was raw and would take some time. He has often been compared to Tori Hunter, and probably rightfully so. And like Hunter, he has shown slow but steady progress, always adjusting and growing at each level. I believe he was simply rushed last season. And less we forget, he was showing signs of actually improving before his injury last year. With his excellent defense, he could learn on the job, hit .230-.250, still provide 20 SB's, possibly 20 HR's and 30 plus doubles with a smattering of triples and still be a real asset.

I think everyone forgets how young he is. Probably because the Sox pulled him up too soon and his stats were not very good. Not surprising considering his age and lack of consistent every day playing time. All reports we've heard are good glove and athletic with a little speed. If he could supplant Floriman, who I LOVE for his glove, and people undervalue due to the Twins general lack of overall offense lately, I think we'd be better overall. At worse, I think he could platoon at SS against LHP and be a great sub at several positions.

On a side note, I think Oliveros is a potential sleeper

Ah yes, point taken. BIG however, that is only one season, and first season at that. In his milb stops to this point, Hermann has never repeated a full season at any level. And he has shown the ability to adapt and grow when asked to begin the next season at a level before outgrowing that level and advancing. Quick calculations show his milb career to be around a composite .265 AV with an OB% of .355, some 90 points higher! He is, by all accounts I have heard or read, a solid receiver and good enough athlete to have played 1B and 3B in college and even the OF, including a little CF. A LHP hitting, athletic, quality C with the ability to make contact and get on base as well as fill in occasionally at other positions could make him a valuable reserve player if he can continue to have BA and OB splits anywhere close to what he has shown thus far in his development. Rohfling is a lesser bat, but younger, and apparently liked by the Twins. (At least as an organizational player) Isn't this at least the 2nd year he's been invited to camp? I believe Hermann is the kind of athlete with useful versatility to cultivate.

Well thought out and practical. I also prefer an investment in players we can see building with, not just getting by with for a year or so. (Arroyo) Like Hughes as second FA SP but lean toward Kazmir, would be OK with AJ at catcher as well. Wouldn't even need Joba, though I'd love to have him. A solid bullpen is already better next season just not getting beat up so badly. What is also nice is this sound plan is actually do-able.

Also, very, very intrigued by a healthy and fully rehabbed Barlett might have to offer. Perhaps no longer as a starter, but as a possible reserve.

Many of these are quality AAA fillers. A couple could still be labeled as prospects with some potential: Beresford, Oliveros primarily. I wonder at Rohfling being a useful utility guy. And despite someone named Sano climbing the ladder, am I the only one who has intrigue as to what a healthy Romero could do over a whole season? Another question: why does no one consider Hermann and/or Rohfling for some time at 3B? Unless am I grossly mistaken, the athletic Hermann played some in college and Rohfling has shown himself to also be fairly athletic and versatile. Wouldn't this increase their MLB potential and versatility?

ALMOST agree entirely. There are several FA SP that I like us to sign. No need to rehash the entire list or preferences. And ABSOLUTELY true improvement has to take place from within, as well as smart and timely trades. but a couple quality additions, and I still advocate a 3rd flyer on someone like Johan or Colby Lewis as an example, is a great idea. (Think Kazmir who I thought the Twins should have signed last off season) But where I disagree is that ANY half-way smart signings vastly improves the team. It's not always about aces and all-stars. It's about being competitive and having a solid chance to win daily, not just every fifth day. And one more point, with few exceptions, very few rookies set the world on fire upon first arrival. We get lost in baseball, or any sport for that matter, on "the next big thing". With time to adjust, experience and learn, most talented youngsters improve after poor or less than hoped for expectations. How much better might the likes of Gibson, Arcia, Hicks, even Floriman and possibly others like Plouffe be this year?

Love McCann and would love to have him. Bu believe a veteran such as AJ and the money freed for SP and a bench bat is better spent. Veteran C helps Pinto grow as well.

Yes to Garza, but can't bring myself to sign Santana due the rumored contract demands. Even if his agent is blowing smoke and shooting high, I still don't believe he's worth #1 money and that's pretty much what he is asking. But the point is very valid here. Forgetting new TV money and budget cuts made and possible mid-season cuts in payroll via trades, I can't sanction spending almost $100M JUST TO TALK to a player then sign him. I know you get the posting fee back if he doesn't sign, but sheesh, pushing $200M to sign one guy who pitches every fifth day and despite ability and solid reports hasn't even pitched in this league yet? Perhaps I am guilty of being overly optimistic, but I don't think the Twins are that far away. I really don't. Two quality solid arms with the arms we have, a vet C (AJ) a strong bullpen that should remain so, with depth, and probably even better without pitching so many innings, a handful of good to solid vets (with some health and rebound) and a handful of talented youngsters with some even more talented kids almost ready. That's how I'd invest.

I think it is entirely possible. I believe even probable. Not only for Worley but for Diamond as well. Worley changed cities as well as leagues and battled some injuries. As did Diamond, rehabbing from an elbow that was bothering him, if I remember correctly. In my lineup/roster plans I have them both on the outside looking in, in favore or Correia, 2 FA signings as well as Gibson stronger and learning and Deduno building on what he has done when healthy. (There is the injury re-had bugaboo again) Neither Worley nor Diamond are world beaters. But either, or both, have the potential and track record to show they can be serviceable, solid starters. And that is the key to me; if healthy again, mind refreshed with a new healthy season and proof you've done it before, you can do it again

Great post! Well reasoned, practical and affordable. Overall a definite improvement and I have to agree with most all of it. Don't have a problem with Arroyo. He'd help lead the staff and provide a very steady influence. But I am scared of the 3rd year with an out or have it tied to a base with escalators. No real problem with Nolasco either. Once again steady, solid, definite improvement to depth and talent of the staff and helps us be more competitive. I'd prefer Garza as our number 1 signing, 4-5 years and up to $15M a year based on track record and consistency. Love Kazmir as second signing! Not ruling out Hughes for pure stuff, youth and potential (Arroya & Nolasco also still) as well as Capuano. Garza Kazmir Correia Gibson Deduno Worley-Diamond-Albers-Johnson in the wings. Meyer eventually. Bullpen of: Perkins Burton Fien Tonkin or Pressley Deunsing Thielbar Agee 100% on AJ. I like Pinto sharing time, a mix of youth and bats from both sides with pop. Each can double up some at DH and PH on occasion. My INF help is Chad Tracy, a LHP bat off the bench to back up Mauer and platoon some with Plouffe. And he still provides value when Sano is ready. LF: Pressley/Mastro and also spare OF when not in lineup 2B: Dozier 1B: Mauer DH: Wilingham (occasional LF) RF: Arcia C: AJ/Pinto 3B: Plouffe/Tracy CF: Hicks SS: Floriman Escobar is Utility and occasional platoon partner with Floriman. This leaves Doumit and Parmalee on the outside looking in, but available due to injury, Hicks not ready (but he is my Dozier-like improved player) or other unforseeables. Hicks provides outstanding defense, speed and decent to good power. Even if learning on the job and hitting only .230-.250 with his glove, 30+ doubles and 20-20 potential he is an asset and helps the pitching.

OMG, in this post at least, can we say drama queens? "the sky is falling!" Lol Attendence is down, despite advance ticket sales. Three seasons of not so great baseball have seen to that. Interest is still very high, and that is proven by the very blogs that each of us thrive for daily. Not to mention the new media revenue that is going to bring in an additional $25M to each team this next season and beyond. (52% of is another $13M to spend along with the roughly $24/25M the Twins have shed since last season) Do we need at this time to also remind one another of the $15-16M the Twins have expiring next off season? The Pohlads have stated there is money to spend this season. TR, as per usual is attempting to be smart and playing things close to the vest, as he should, but has also hinted at actually spending real money! With some decent talent at the MLB level, with one of the best minor league systems in all of baseball, attendance sliding (and revenue) and money to spend, you think TR and the Pohlads don't recognize an opportunity? Even .500 baseball with great talent ready to break through is a HUGE commodity. No formal offers yet? PLEASE. Rumors only yet people. NOBODY has made formal offers to anyone yet that we know of, with the exception of minor deals or their on FA's. Just a little perspective while we wait and see.

I've hoped for and advocated for Kazmir and Johnson or Hughes for balance and improvement while still being somewhat financially responsible vs. older age and too many years, etc. Goodness knows 2 FA of almost any of the players tied to our interest would provide depth and improvement! But Garza, if serious and not simply using agent speak, would be a guy who would definitely be worth the years and the dollars. 4 at $15 with a possible 5th year or option with buyout would be excellent! ( along with a quality second signing) If there is real interest on his part, the Twins should jump. His age, stuff and durability would give us the best top of the rotation arm in years. It would also show the fan base something to be excited about. As Mr. Bonnes rightfully points out, the Twins have never spoken so loudly about flexing payroll or been tied to so many names before. I sense genuine interest in improvement. This would also be a signal to other players and agents as well as the fans. 1: Garza 2: Kazmir 3/4: Correia 4/3: Gibson 5: Deduno on deck: 6: Diamond 7: Worley in the hole: Meyer May possibles: Albers Hendricks If that doesn't get you excited what will?

A quality starting pitcher. And a second quality pitcher. That will eat up about $20 million plus. A flyer on a third possible rectifying prospect would be nice and not overly expensive. Now we're what, $25 million or so? That's 2 new quality arms, discussed at length elsewhere and Correia, hopefully Gibson and Deduno and Worley and Diamond and possibly a 3rd signing. But who do they throw to? I would love and hope Pinto is a long term answer. Despite some rough edges and some things to learn, all reports on the young man are very positive to his work ethic and arm. The bat looks pretty promising. But is he ready to be that front line guy NOW with no "back up" plan? If the staff feels he is ready, or mostly so, I love Molina and others, Ruiz, Hernandez and a few others, to back up and share time. It doesn't have to be a Latin catcher but what a great bonus to communicate with Pinto and other talented Latin youngsters on the way up and in. But I believe Pierzynski is the perfect choice. You still have payroll room for him. He has fire experience, durability and has mostly always been well regarded by his teammates. He also has winning experience and still swings a quality bat. He and Pinto provide opposite side bats w power, short term as well as long term ability and add offense to the lineup from about 6-8 in the lineup depending on the day. They can even play together sharing some DH time. It simply makes too much sense, and brings too much to the entire makeup of an improving club and roster not to proceed.

Signing Kazmir has been one of my top wants even before the season ended. In fact, he was one of the pitchers available "on a flyer" I wanted the Twins to sign last off season and still surprised they didn't. With all due respect to talent and opinion, and while I'll be excited and hopeful about any additions the Twins make/sign to improve, I have difficulty laying out $12M plus for some of this years FAP options and some of their accompanying caveats. Kazmir at 2 and $8+, even up to $10M makes sense to me. I'd be willing for some sort of 3rd year option as well. Past trak record, age, re-discovery of self and being LHP all make this a smart sign. Now, Hughes at $8-10 or Johnson for similar plus some bonus gives us the best 1-2 punch we've had in some time without breaking the bank or tying up huge payroll for long terms. And there is still money left over for C help and hopefully a useful LHP hitting spare INF. Lastly, a million (maybe 2) and a little incentive bonus for Johan or Colby Lewis for this years possible surprise turn around would finish things off nicely. Kazmir is the start for me.

For those of us a bit older and with a longer memory, AJ was a hot prospect and a good player. While there MAY or may not have been some issues with his "aggressive" personality, let us remember that the real reason he was traded was because the Twins had the best prospect in baseball at the time in Mauer ready and AJ had real value that brought us 2 grea players and a temporarily good one in Bonser. And despite is "reputation" any real animosity is simply from his time with the hated pale sox. He has been, and still is, an experienced and quality big league catcher. Also a leader of sorts and an offensive player to boot. You don't think any FA pitchers the Twins target wouldn't like to see the Twins being aggressive and providing a quality veteran backstop? Further, what real trouble has he ever really caused besides being a thorn in the backside of opponents? And said reputation has always been as that thorn BUT a good teammate. Experience, defense, offense and a left handed compliment to Pinto whether ready out of spring or in to the season. A perfect fit for us!