Shane Wahl

It was the case that Pavano and Capps, with Liriano were going to be the trading pieces (with Valencia and Casilla to add some value). Now, it is only Liriano out of that group. This is the worst case scenario. I then move to Morneau, but only an insane team would take on one year and $14 million. The Twins have moved from trading a pricey conglommeration of crap to hopefully moving a single pricey maybe-better-than-crap piece. Given this, they have got to spend money on the FA SP market, or make the relevant trades in the offseason that don't end their offensive potential.

The Twins topping $100 million next season, due to spending on pitching, would vastly improve the team. I am not sure how it became the case that so many people around here have ignored the importance of starting pitching. With decent starting pitching this year, the Twins are a .500 team.

I just wish that they would promote and give 100+ at bats this year to these guys instead of what they did to Parmelee, Tosoni, and Revere before,

Sub out the toolsy OF for some other similar position player, and yes, absolutely I would take that.

I agree. I am cynical as hell, but it has been too much for me lately.

Are you 13 years old?

See the Cincinnati Reds.

Nice article, bleh on the comments . . . good god.

Carroll is not done yet, put obviously the Capps re-signing was almost barbarically stupid as the Nick Blackburn contract. Lester Oliveros is bound to be a good contributor for the Twins in 2013 and Cole Nelson is not done either. Liriano needs to be traded for one top prospect and one sleeper B prospect, OR one pre-arb good pitcher and a low level B- prospect. Short of that, trade him later in a package with Valencia and Pugh or Watts.

I have to really stop the hype on Sano at this point. This has actually become worrisome. BUT, here is my crazy thinking . . . what if the Twins just promoted him to Fort Myers now (roughly) anyway? A new environment again, getting him used to where he will be anyway next year, etc. etc. I really think that some of the psychological issues are lost on the Twins minor league adminstration. As a stud prospect starting new at some place the next year seems quite different than getting even one month in at that place ahead of time. you know? I hope the Twins are smart here and promote Sano and Rosario (when he is back soon) to Fort Myers (throw Anderson Hidalgo and Danny Santana up to NBR--as a make it or break it for Hidalgo and a welcome to 2013 for Santana).

2015 position players: Aaron Hicks, RF Max Kepler, LF Joe Mauer, C Miguel Sano, 1B Oswaldo Arcia, DH Trevor Plouffe, 3B Joe Benson, CF Brian Dozier, SS/2B Levi Michael, 2B/SS Bench: Chris Herrmann, C/LF Danny Santana or James Beresford, MI Chris Parmelee 1B/RF X

To me, there are a whole host of guys to be removed from the 40 man who serve no purpose whatsoever, so that many of these other guys can be placed on it. Here goes: Just gone list: Sam Deduno/Cole DeVries (or both) Jeff Gray Jeff Manship Drew Butera Traded list: Jared Burton Alexi Casilla Danny Valencia So that clears up 7 or 8 spaces (preferably 8). And I would like to see 7 people added (allowing for one position open in the offseason): Hicks, Herrmann, Guerra, Gibson, Pugh, Florimon, and either Watts or Bromberg. Bromberg maybe could just be signed again to a contract instead? Of course the addition of Pugh and Watts could mean bye-bye time for Burnett as well, which would open up a space.

Um, I really think that Liriano was the only true player on the block. Morneau still has a 14 million dollars coming to him next year and he isn't all that good. So . . .

Haha. No idea. Totally insane. Anyway, I think the Twins should give Drew a nice salary to be the catcher at whatever level in the minors has the most valuable pitching prospects from 2013 forward. I am not joking. He is good with that aspect, but it is time for a Mauer-Doumit-Herrmann roster situation.

All money spent should go to starting pitching and MAYBE a middle infielder. I would prefer, if everything hit the fan, that Mastroianni, Carson, and Ramirez were given a competition for RF instead of spending 6-8 million on Hunter.

I did a quick scan of top ERA SPs for 2012 and here is a list of those either pre-arbitration or in arbitration: Pitcher, team, FA year Chris Sale, CHW 2017 Jarrod Parker, OAK, 2018 (?) Matt Harrison, TEX, 2015 Tommy Milone, OAK, 2018 Jason Hammel, BAL, 2014 Jeremy Hellickson, TB, 2017 Jordan Zimmermann, WAS, 2016 James McDonald, PIT, 2016 Wade Miley, WAS, 2018 Lance Lynn, STL, 2018 Vance Worley, PHI, 2018 Clayton Richard, SDG, 2015

Well, his ERA has plummeted this year and his K/BB rate has improved. He is going the right direction for the beginning of a subsequent 3-year contract, at least. Again, he is not the only option. And by 2015, the idea would be to make a decision on the current arbitration guy and see how Gibson, Hendriks, and Diamond are at that point. And I wouldn't overlook Stuifbergen. Prior to this year, Salcedo and Soliman were top 15 prospects in the system. I agree that there isn't an ace in any of those guys mentioned, but in terms of an actual number 1, I did say that the Twins would be trading for at least two top starting pitching prospects. I disagree that Berrios, Boyd, and Boer mean merely maintaining the status quo. Those are significant upside guys. Boer will be at Fort Myers again next year, at least to start. Boyd will be at Beloit, and Berrios could end there as well. That sets up a 2015 where those three guys could all be AA or higher.

Yeah, certainly over $2 million.

Why on earth would the Twins sign a FA OF? Hunter isn't even going to get 20 homers this year. His OPS has dropped each year since 2009.

Uh, Hicks is have a fine year, with an OPS above .800. He IS hitting for adequate power and has exceptional speed. All I mean to say is that these guys could easily replace their AAA counterparts so it is rather false that there are no prospects at the top of the system.

The farm system is not a joke (though I think people making decisions about promotions need to be fired) after the past two drafts. Again, properly, Rochester would have a lineup of: Hicks RF Herrmann C Benson CF Parmelee 1B Carson DH/LF Tosoni LF/DH Romero 3B (Valencia traded) Florimon SS Nishioka 2B

New Britain's performance last year was great too. But the Twins will more likely repeat players at New Britain next year or push them up to the MLB roster where they will be Tosoni-ed (2011) and Parmelee-d (2012). Anyway, I don't see the MWL adding Duluth. Only a big re-alignment is really going to bring any minor league affiliate into Minnesota.

Some of the top 20 prospects are worthy of being in AAA (Hicks, Herrmann, and even Arcia) and others like Gibson and Wimmers would be if not for injuries, so that is not troubling. As far as comparing the rest of the division, the Twins are probably third, at the moment, but this draft could maybe move them ahead of Cleveland by next year.

I don't know if Dempster will suck in 2015. He is old, but he isn't that old and he is still striking people out. But there are other options too. The Twins have done a lot in the last two drafts to re-stock with good arms. and most of those pitchers are doing very well this year. If Salcedo and Soliman can get back to their paths in 2013 in Fort Myers, that will help the depth with Gibson, Bromberg, Hermsen, and Stuifbergen. (and who knows about Wimmers). And of course, the idea is that they get 3 such players back in trades.

First, I like breaking it down into those three options, though I wonder what the prediction you (the OP jorganswest) would make in terms of wins in 2014 if they actually pursue option A? I mean, do you think that pursuing the first option really hurts their chances for 90+ wins in 2014? If not, and if done correctly, I think not, then why wait another year and sell off known good players right now? The Royals and Pirates have been abominations. At least the Pirates seem to be committed to winning finally, and managed to get Andrew McCutcheon locked in through 2017 on a nice contract (he doesn't even make $10 million until 2015!). I would like to see the Twins do something like: Trades: Liriano and Morneau (probably Liriano at the deadline and Morneau in the offseason), Valencia, Casilla, some middle reliever in the minors like Guerra or Watts, and some one OF prospect (not sure who at the moment, but I would like them to keep Hicks and Arcia) FOR SP at all levels, which would include someone right now who is 26-28 and is still arb eligible for 2013 or even 2014 as well (someone good, obviously--I will get around to looking for these guys soon). That means a good SP for around 3-5 million in 2013 and 5-8 million in 2014 before he even becomes a free agent and the Twins have to make a decision. Add 2 more top 10 (by team) prospects in AA or below as well via trade. FA signing: if they do the above, sign one FA starting pitcher for 10-15 million and 3-4 years. Anyone from Dempster to Marcum to Colby Lewis, whatever. Promote Liam Hendriks after one more start in Rochester and just let him go. Another 65+ this year in the majors will make his 2013 time a lot better. Sign Scott Baker to a base 1.5-2 million contract worth up to 6 million in incentives with a 1 million buyout and 8 million team option (it's strong because he could easily sign elsewhere). Put Nick Blackburn on a short leash. Convert to MR if they have to do so. Watch the days on that contract go by and be excited. This gives them 1: FA 2: Scott Diamond 3. Arb eligible SP acquired via trade 4. Liam Hendriks 5. Baker/Blackburn, eventually Gibson Others in AAA, prospect acquired via trade, Bromberg, Walters, DeVries, Stuifbergen