Shane Wahl

Well, I guess the only answer to this is to actually find out how other teams handle these situations and make the comparison with the Twins. That WOULD give us a sense of how bad the doctor-manager/coaches-players dynamic works with regard to these debacles. I think it is NOT a low priority . . . it only seems like that when the Twins are losing like this.

I am no longer in Minnesota, so I am away from the Twins "access" media . . . do any of them actually ask the "deciders" about Slama in any meaningful way? I mean they have to do so, right?

With regard to Guerra, there is no reason to lose him next year (someone would claim him, almost for sure). He is young and is probably a year away, but I would bet that he will be better in the majors in 2013 than Jeff Gray was in 2012. For the sake of my sanity, I am trying to avoid talking about the Slama decision. It was to be expected . . . yet I still cannot believe it.

Guerra, Slama, and Dozier were the quite obvious call-ups. Escobar was bad at Rochester and is certainly not going to prove that he is the SS next year in September this year (and apparently, he doesn't even play SS now?). I am completely confused by these decisions as affecting the MI and bullpen situations . . . I mean they HAVE the personnel to figure something out. Replacing Jeff Gray and potentially Alex Burnett and Anthony Swarzak with Guerra, Slama, and Waldrop is WORTH seeing the potential there. Spring alone is not enough. And Escobar is at best the utility infielder next year and that's only if there is an injury. Carroll is a sure thing and can play SS, even though he is better at 2B and 3B (bat not included, save for tonight!). The Twins were straight up weird about Dozier all year. He didn't deserve the callup, was kept too long, and NOW when it makes the most sense BY FAR to call him up . . . he is done?? That is bizarre as hell. Seeing a Florimon-Dozier middle infield would have been the best option, and I can't really see any possible counter-arguments.

I have seen and signed various petitions before. I believe you can actually start one somehow, link to it, and have people put their name in. If you want anything remotely "official" at all. Very clearly, I, Shane Wahl, am in though.

For real, is my crazy idea about the Twins actually not wanting to give Slama a try in case he makes them look like fools REALLY that crazy now?

So what is exactly "overblown"? Is it too much to say that they appear to have made a number of very erroneous decisions the past two seasons? Maybe that isn't "outrage" but I think being frustrated is a pretty legitimate response to how medical issues have been dealt with.

Benson would replace Vargas (want to see V get a full season at Fort Myers first), but that is a very good and accurate top 9. One thing is certain and that is that the Twins system is now very good or great through Beloit. Then it is very good again at New Britain.

I don't think it is altogether a disappointing year for Michael. I would say that for a 1st round pick of the Twins to be in AA in 2013, just one full season after beginning his pro career is actually something to note. I actually believe that the appropriate thing to take away from this comparison is that Danny Santana started to make strides this season.

Great post and I couldn't agree more (and nice use of The Godfather as well).

Yeah, Beresford would be in that top tier. He has split between SS and 2B almost evenly this year. New Britain with Beresford and Santana up the middle should be pretty impressive in 2013. Goodrum is a key question here. I would really like some more input here.

Great analysis, Parker. That is something that can be worked on (and clearly should have already been addressed if the coaching staff and manager were competent). The above is harsh, but I have to wonder if the Twins even have this simple video analysis available to them.

What might be the ranking of defensive SS ability from the Twins down to DSL? I was thinking something like: 1. Escobar 2. Florimon 3. Polanco 4. . . . Maybe instead of ranking, placing them in tiers would be fine. It would be nice to get a sense of who is good-great defensively, who is adequate (Carroll), who is not adequate, and who needs to move elsewhere.

I agree about this odd tendency. I don't think it should be downplayed (lack of range in the OF matters!). What also shouldn't be downplayed is the effect switching positions suddenly when players are called up can have on that players performance both in the field and at the plate. Benson was also in LF some last year in September. I am sure CLETE THOMAS was too important for the Rochester lineup and the Twins future to have Parmelee in the OF! And I agree about Dozier. It seems like his chance for the Twins is going to be at 2B. And that's fine. But it would be nice for him to get a sense of that by being moved there while in Rochester. I don't get it. The Twins DO NOT have a long-term lock at EITHER MI position, so why force the SS issue with Dozier instead of having him fill the other hole (especially when Florimon, Escobar, and even Carroll are better at SS!)?

Early this season, I wrote about 10 prospects who I believed would have breakout seasons. These are not top prospects but 25-50 ranking prospects who I believed would emerge into serious big league contenders down the road. Here is an update on them and my prognostication results are definitely mixed. (age), team, PA, slash, 2B/3B/HR, BB/K, SB/SBA or (age), team, IP, ERA, K/BB, WHIP The Good: Nate Roberts: (23-6), Beloit, 339, .303/.435/.435, 18/3/4, 43/34, 27/34. Roberts stayed in Beloit all year and put up very similar numbers to 2011, with the addition of a fantastic BB/K ratio and a bunch of stolen bases. If he stays healthy, He should be moving through the system quickly perhaps ending 2013 in New Britain. Matt Hauser:(24-5), FTM/NBR, 85 2/3, 3.05, 66/32, 1.272. Hauser excelled at Fort Myers and has held his own at New Britain. Not sure if the Twins plan to use him as a starter or reliever next year, but should be back at New Britain to start 2013. Danny Santana: (21-10), FTM, 529, .288/.331/.404, 21/9/6, 28/77, 16/27. Santana played as I had expected this season, and did improve his plate discipline a bit over last season. He is still quite young, but I would think has done enough to move to New Britain next year. He plays SS, 2B, and CF, so it will be interesting to see how his defense shapes up over the next few years. Angel Mata: (19-10), ELZ, 53 1/3, 3.38 55/34, 1.219. Mata is very young and has control issues, but he is definitely an exciting prospect to watch. Beloit will be a great test for him next year. Lance Ray: (22-11), FTM, 417, .240/.332/.412, 21/1/13, 49/80, 5/6. Ray has quietly put together a decent season after starting (again) miserably. He has improved his plate discipline and played 1B along with both OF corners. Like Roberts, he put up very similar numbers in 2011 and 2012, but with small improvements. That's a good sign for next year (I would think he starts at FTM). The Bad: J.D. Williams: (21-9), BEL, 389, .236/.314/.341, 14/2/6, 38/113, 23/31. Williams was fantastic in 2011 and has only pulled it together of late this season to prevent the season from being pretty ugly. Definitely a disappointment, but maybe he will turn it around next year back at Beloit. Pat Dean: (23-3), FTM, 150 1/3, 4.07, 77/33, 1.39. Dean's K rate is terrible. I question his future prospects at this point. Should stick at FTM to start the season and see if he can bounce back. Tim Shibuya: (22-11), BEL, 74, 5.59, 56/15, 1.392. Shibuya started out very well, then faltered, and then got injured. Not sure what to think about next year with him. He does have promise. Logan Darnell: (23-6), NBR, 151, 5.01, 97/46, 1.523. Darnell struggled off and on this season. He is headed to the AFL, and that will be a good test for him. Undoubtedly headed for NBR again next year. The Ugly: Tyler Grimes: (22-2), BEL, 365, .194/.307/.314, 16/3/5, 40/95, 7/13. This was just a very bad year for someone I thought would finish in Fort Myers. The ISO numbers are not terrible (.113 and .120), but he just cannot hit for average. He needs to go back to Beloit for 2013.

Early this season, I wrote about 10 prospects who I believed would have breakout seasons. These are not top prospects but 25-50 ranking prospects who I believed would emerge into serious big league contenders down the road. Here is an update on them and my prognostication results are definitely mixed. (age), team, PA, slash, 2B/3B/HR, BB/K, SB/SBA or (age), team, IP, ERA, K/BB, WHIP The Good: Nate Roberts: (23-6), Beloit, 339, .303/.435/.435, 18/3/4, 43/34, 27/34. Roberts stayed in Beloit all year and put up very similar numbers to 2011, with the addition of a fantastic BB/K ratio and a bunch of stolen bases. If he stays healthy, He should be moving through the system quickly perhaps ending 2013 in New Britain. Matt Hauser:(24-5), FTM/NBR, 85 2/3, 3.05, 66/32, 1.272. Hauser excelled at Fort Myers and has held his own at New Britain. Not sure if the Twins plan to use him as a starter or reliever next year, but should be back at New Britain to start 2013. Danny Santana: (21-10), FTM, 529, .288/.331/.404, 21/9/6, 28/77, 16/27. Santana played as I had expected this season, and did improve his plate discipline a bit over last season. He is still quite young, but I would think has done enough to move to New Britain next year. He plays SS, 2B, and CF, so it will be interesting to see how his defense shapes up over the next few years. Angel Mata: (19-10), ELZ, 53 1/3, 3.38 55/34, 1.219. Mata is very young and has control issues, but he is definitely an exciting prospect to watch. Beloit will be a great test for him next year. Lance Ray: (22-11), FTM, 417, .240/.332/.412, 21/1/13, 49/80, 5/6. Ray has quietly put together a decent season after starting (again) miserably. He has improved his plate discipline and played 1B along with both OF corners. Like Roberts, he put up very similar numbers in 2011 and 2012, but with small improvements. That's a good sign for next year (I would think he starts at FTM). The Bad: J.D. Williams: (21-9), BEL, 389, .236/.314/.341, 14/2/6, 38/113, 23/31. Williams was fantastic in 2011 and has only pulled it together of late this season to prevent the season from being pretty ugly. Definitely a disappointment, but maybe he will turn it around next year back at Beloit. Pat Dean: (23-3), FTM, 150 1/3, 4.07, 77/33, 1.39. Dean's K rate is terrible. I question his future prospects at this point. Should stick at FTM to start the season and see if he can bounce back. Tim Shibuya: (22-11), BEL, 74, 5.59, 56/15, 1.392. Shibuya started out very well, then faltered, and then got injured. Not sure what to think about next year with him. He does have promise. Logan Darnell: (23-6), NBR, 151, 5.01, 97/46, 1.523. Darnell struggled off and on this season. He is headed to the AFL, and that will be a good test for him. Undoubtedly headed for NBR again next year. The Ugly: Tyler Grimes: (22-2), BEL, 365, .194/.307/.314, 16/3/5, 40/95, 7/13. This was just a very bad year for someone I thought would finish in Fort Myers. The ISO numbers are not terrible (.113 and .120), but he just cannot hit for average. He needs to go back to Beloit for 2013.

When pitchers sign with the Twins they should also go ahead and schedule their TJ surgeries.

Hahaha. What on earth!? How has this team not corrected this problem by now? It's past the point of ridiculous.

The AFL is a good place to see players continue playing after some kind of interesting season . . . whether it be injuries limiting time (Roberts, Gibson) or a jump in performance (Bigley) or a drop in performance (would have been Benson), it can serve to help clear up some question marks. I think the Twins likely have confidence now in Watts and Pugh. I agree about about Roberts and Fort Myers. Maybe they were trying to have Morales and Rams get their acts together with playing time as they certainly couldn't promote them. They could have pushed Ortiz to AA though.

Do you know what Chris Herrmann's injury status is right now?

I didn't even want to get started on this, but you asked for it! It's another ludicrous thing that this team has done with their good-ish prospects. This really concerns me that they could be actually serious of trading Span instead of Morneau and rolling out an OF next year of Willingham-Revere-Parmelee. That's not a good situation at all, and who knows what it might do to Parmelee's bat. My word, the guy has gone ape in AAA and the first thing they do when they promote him is CHANGE POSITION!!!

Thanks for this article, Nick. I was flabbergasted last night to see speculation. Anyway, imagine the difference between the 8/184 million and a 7/184 million contract. Sure they would be throwing out more per year, but when things start to actually decline in 2015 for Mauer, there would be only 2 years and 53 million-ish vs. 3 years and 69 million. It's the post 2015 years that worry me with this contract as by that time the comparison with Jason Kendall might begin to make sense. Anyway, good article to stop the hysteria.

No one in their right mind believes that trading Mauer is going to happen. Can't we all agree on that?

Parmelee in RF is just not going to work. He is not good defensively, so first base is his best option. And I don't think that the distance between Parmelee and Morneau is huge at this point. And Morneau brings back a good-great starter.

It's 100% and it is LAUGHABLE to see people taking this seriously. Good god. This non-story is akin to a Fox News political story in value.