laloesch

Exactly. I'd trade one year of Buehrle at 19 million, plus a mid level prospect in order to unload Nolasco. In fact I'd do that deal any day of the week and twice on Sunday. It's not so much the money savings or the acquisition of Buehrle but the fact that it will free up a slot in the rotation by 2016 which will be occupied by Berrios in 2 years.

This is what I don't get. There's no excuse for May AND Meyer not getting called up by mid-season. Both were doing far to well to sit around in AAA all season, considering how sorry the major league rotation was (with the exception of Hughes and Gibson at times). Still in typical Twins fashion they first had to march out Deduno, Correia, Johnson, Darnell, Pino and even toyed with Swarzak before finally calling up May. WTF! May and Meyer are the future. Why else would you trade two quality outfielders for them? Just doesn't make any sense. Get them out there off and running so that most of the rookie kinks are gone before 2015. Oh and before I forget, Terry Ryan is bound determined that Pelfrey will be part of the rotation in 2015. Yuck! Well we all know how 2014 worked out. Nolasco was awful, Gibson faded down the stretch, Hughes was awesome, May got 10-12 starts and struggled, Meyer never saw the majors before being shut down and the FO threw a whole lot of junk into the rotation (AGAIN). All of this likely means that 2015 is basically a total write off (which Ryan has basically admitted), and it also means they sell less tickets and hurts revenues. Just doesn't make any sense. On the one hand I was thrilled to see Vargas and Santana get called up and do well, but it only happened after several ineffective players got hurt and Ryan had no other choice. Every squirrel finds a nut once in a while. If Buxton, Rosario and Sano don't make it to the major next season its going to be another LONG dreadful year. Speaking of blind luck how about the Pinto / Suzukii situation? That's another interesting topic. Has the FO completely given up on Pinto? Wow.

There's no doubt that the FO is bothered by the Mauer contract and if Ryan had been GM, Joe would have gotten a substantially smaller deal or been traded. Nobody should be fooled by Ryan's deflective sarcasm and payroll excuses. For example when someone questions them about not spending enough he will often say, "well we had a payroll of 113 million in 2011, so money is not an issue." blah blah blah In reality, It is...... at least in their minds anyways. Add to it the Nolasco deal and we have 35 million a year in bad contracts (not counting Pelfrey's deal) for the next four seasons. If I were a betting man, I'd also wager that this will become an excuse over the next few years to not go after quality free agents and not re-sign Phil Hughes if he keeps pitching like 2014.

What is the point of the last paragraph? Are you saying the Twins organization is not diverse enough? Are you saying that they need more diversity in the front office, dugout and on the field? This is a vague question designed specifically to get a reaction out of Dave St. Pete. Just say it. You don't think the Twins are diverse enough organization and you think that they need to make a conscientious effort to hire minority coaches, player personnel and players over white guys.

I'm hoping Cederoth develops into a starter. His stuff is just plain filthy and the Twins would be foolish not to try like they are doing now.

Exactly my thoughts as well. I don't understand the love affair with Plouffe. He's not the greatest thing since sliced bread. I think it's premature to move Sano away from 3rd at this point.

Just my opinion but he doesn't seem as high on Stewart either. Everyone was calling this kid a flame throwing, future ace, but with a fastball that sits in the low 90's that's hard to see.

I agree, the popular characterization that Ryan rode in and saved the day, aka cleaned up "Billy's mess" is not true AT ALL. Ryan was still with the Twins during Smith's tenure as GM, functioning as a scout. In reality Terry Ryan was an assistant to Smith and okayed all his player acquisitions. Completely inaccurate, that Ryan was somehow detached from the situation. He really does bare a good junk of the responsibility for the mess we are in right now. But IMO Ryan's biggest mistake was trading Castillo (Santana's good friend) and POing Santana. He also failed to discuss an extension with him prior to 2006 which was a huge mistake as well. That's completely Terry's blunder. The Hunter situation was similar. No discussion of contract extensions until the 9th hour when it was too late. The Twins need to lock up players a year or two before free agency because as soon as they see what they can get in NY, Boston, LA, etc. they are gone. You wait they'll do the same thing with Hughes in 2 years.

Upstate NY is not at all polluted like it was in the 50's & 60's. Most of the industry left the "Empire State" decades ago for Japan (late 70's early 80's) and China (late 80's early 90's) There's nothing left in Buffalo and Rochester except boarded up factories, collapsing houses (similar to Detroit) and a population of aging, miserable, destitute people who are mostly on public assistance because they can't find work. Source. Lived in Lockport, NY (halfway between Rochester and Buffalo) for four years.

Agreed. Rotation: Hughes Gibson May Meyer Berrios Relievers: Pressly Burdii Thompson Cederoth Milone Theilbar Perkins Lineup: Santana (SS) Buxton (CF) Dozier (2B) Vargas (DH) Mauer (1B) Arcia (RF) Plouffe / Sano (3B) Suzuki / Pinto © Hicks/Schafer (LF) Bench: Pinto Escobar Schafer Parmelee

I think September 2015 is pretty aggressive even for Buxton. I think its more likely that we see him in 2016 at this rate. Too many injuries in 2014.

I just don't see it happening. He is rock bottom value right now. Ryan would have to eat a TON of that salary to get him out of the Twin Cities.

I'd be pretty hesitant to shop Santana. He's too good of a shortstop / OF offensively to give up for just any pitcher. In some ways he's a much more dynamic hitter than Dozier. I'd be more inclined to shop Escobar, Dozier and Arcia at this point. Draft a good outfielder this offseason and trade or sign a good starter (lester or price) and we are in business. Nolasco after a few good starts is looking like a disaster again. Ughh....

Agreed. It's time to move on. We have Milone, Meyer, Pino, Darnell, Gil Martin and Berrios (by next fall). That's PLENTY of starting options in case of injury, fatigue, failure, etc. I don't like the thought of moving him to the bullpen either. He's really only a one pitch pitcher (fastball). That doesn't bode well for a reliever, especially with runners on base. IMO he's dead weight. If I was GM he'd be a DFA candidate.

I disagree with Meyer starting in Minnesota next season if he's healthy. Alex is a flamethrower no doubt and everyone here wants him to succeed, but you have to recognize that his off speed stuff is just not there yet. At this point he's really only a fastball pitcher and that's just not going to cut it at the major league level. I would be more inclined to have him work out of the bullpen if he does come north with the team. Hughes, Nolasco and Gibson are no brainers for the rotation. If May continues to improve from last nights outing I don't see how he doesn't make the rotation out of spring training next season. The #5 spot though is anyone's guess. I have a sneaking suspicion that the FO has not given up yet on Mike Pelfrey which will be interesting. Milone, Johnson, Gil Martin, Darnell, Pino and Meyer will also be options as well. There's also the possibility that Berrios could be available next Sept. which would be great.

Yeah he does not look good at all. Low velocity pitcher with little movement on his pitches. Not a good combination.

Do you honestly believe that Lester and Shields or any other ace quality starter would sign with the Twins? Even if Pohlad and Ryan were willing to spend the money (probably would take 25-35 million a year), no legitimate ace is going to sign with a franchise mired in 4 seasons of losing and rebuilding. Just not gonna happen. I mean we can sit here and daydream all we want, but the facts are the facts. The only way out of this disaster is to lose more games and continue to stock pile talent like the Royals and Pirates. What we really NEED is a #1 or #2 pick in a pitching heavy draft. Those top two or three picks are where you find top tier pitchers.

Would be nice to have Ian Kennedy.

Wow, excellent news! I was beginning to think that they'd wait until September or worse yet next season.

I am not a fan of how the Front office is managing this. For the first time since the early 2000's this team FINALLY, has multiple high end starting pitching talents on the horizon. Yet at the same time they are busy wasting time evaluating Darnell, Pino and Johnson. While I understand the need to evaluate all talents and leave no stone unturned, Ma and Meyer are both pushing 25 years old. While I understand the angst with Meyer who needs further refinement, May should have been promoted by now, no excuses. Both these guys are premium talents and should trump any of the AAAA talent we have been optioning back and forth to Rochester. What' complicated the issue even more is the acquisition of Tommy Milone (a soft tossing lefty). Either he takes the place of Darnell or pushes Meyer and May down one slot further. Honestly, I think it's time for several DFA's and offseason releases.

I think it's fair to project May as a mid rotation starter. He's always had a decent fastball at 92-95 mph with good sink, but also features a plus changeup, curve ball and slider. The latter two pitches (curve & slider) have improved dramatically this season, which is why he suddenly is more of a dynamic starter. Meyer on the other hand is pure power all the way. I understand the Twins reluctance to promote him just yet because he is still working on refining his secondary pitches, which he will need if he wants to be a starter in the majors. At this point I would actually say that May is much further along then Meyer.

It's hard to say what they do. I think Darnell is the next one to get the call and then possibly Gil Martin. Maybe I'm being a bit pessimistic but I'm beginning to think the FO has no intention of calling up Meyer OR May this season. I could be wrong, I hope I'm wrong, but it seems mighty peculiar that May (whose pitched very well this season) has not earned the call before now. I kinda understand the reluctance with Meyer whose on a strict innings limit and been a bit erratic at times, but he too has had a pretty darn good season. Bottom line, I think the Twins were trying to avoid super 2 status, burning an option on both and had to justify to ownership all the money they wasted on Pelfrey and no-hope Nolasco. After all Pohlad did say: “We’ve been doing this for 30 years now. And a player who is not here yet is not yet a player.” Sure Pino deserved a shot as did Johnson, but how long are they going to delay the inevitable? Especially if Hughes and Nolasco are down for a significant time.

This a strong point that I've been trying to make for a few days now. If May hadn't suffered the oblique injury i'd fully expect him to be at the major league level by now. There is simply no reason to carry Correia any longer given he is not part of the long term plans and has had a rather mediocre/ bad season. If the Twins can't trade him by July 31st, I fully expect them to DFA him and bring up May. Meyer on the other hand is on a strict innings limit. I kinda understand the Twins reluctance to call him up this season. Although last nights outing was a doozy.

The Front office is quickly running out of excuses for not calling up Alex Myer and Trevor May. I don't buy the current excuses "they still have things to work" or "the just aren't ready." BS BS BS.... The only limitation should be placed innings allowed for Myer. That shutdown can't be avoided this season, but should not be an issue next year.

It does seem like something has clicked for him. It would be nice to see him finish the season strong at AA and advance to Rochester some point next season. It will be interesting to see if the Twins clear the log jam of pitching at AAA so that guys like Berrios can advance further.