bholmgren

At this point in his career, why would Mauer wiaive his no trade clause to go to a non-contending team like the Rockies?? I think the fans need to suck it up and realize that he's not going anywhere, and will most likely retire as a Twin. You can argue that his contract handcuffs the organization from signing "big name" free agents, or that he's clogging 1B thus preventing Sano from finding a place to play. My take on his contract is this: He's essentially paid $15M to play baseball and another $8M per season to sell tickets and merchandise as the home grown face of the franchise. How pissed would we all be if the Twins did not re-sign him, and he led the Yankees to the post season?

Any chance he gets brought into the fold as a base coach?

Lots to be concerned there, the least of which is that: a. he should not be trusted in high leverage situations and b. the Twins should be in the look out for another closer this off-season Trevor May for closer

I don't see the problem in this IF it's a DH/PH type of role.

I say keep him. Work a rotation with Plouffe/Sano/Mauer at 3B/1B/DH just like has been happening. Also, I think they re-sign Hunter as a 4th OF/bench bat/veteran clubhouse guy. Rosario/Buxton/Hicks as a starting OF should be pretty solid.

Because striking out is a non productive at bat. Those balls hit in play by player B might advance runners, knock in runs. True, they might hit into double plays on occasion but it's better to put the ball in play then to strikeout because anything can happen Exactly! When you put the ball in play you never know what might happen. Take Sano's routine ground ball last night that went for an error and scored a run. Doesn't happen with a strikeout.

That's just plain mean...

I showed my 11yo son the differences. Hoping he can put the d'Arnaud tactics to use this summer

I don't see how signing Hunter for 1 year has any bearing on the team's feelings towards Arcia. The Twins made a short term move that they hope will pay off in spades in the future. Hunter's been around a loooong time. I feel like they signed him more to mentor the youth than to steal playing time from them. No reason an OF/DH/IB platoon with Vargas/Arcia/Mauer/Hunter wouldn't work. I'm certainly NOT saying that Mauer/Vargas are part of the OF rotation, just implying that days off and platooning may be in order. If Torii can mentor Hicks and Buxton the way he was mentored than we'll all look back in a few years and praise this signing.

I sure like the idea of Plouffe roaming the outfield opposed to Parmalee...That being said, I agree with the sentiment that this only needs to happen if and when Sano forces the issue. An OF/DH/1B mix of Arcia, Plouffe, Mauer, Vargas would be a nice mix-and-match scenario.

Any word on if Matt Walbeck would like to take a few swings for a former team against his former team??

If it works out and he makes the roster without taking away playing time for the youngsters it's great. Possibly he fills a roll similar to Clement in AAA last year - if he accepts it. I do like him as a late inning PH type ala Thome a few years ago - or if you want to go waaaay back, Jim Dwyer.

Can he be 3rd base competition for Plouffe??

A good addition IF, and only if, the price is right. A mid-level pitching prospect, or something of that sort...

Not a chance with Kinsler. Possibly with Fielder, but only if there's cash kicked in by DET.