Jeremy Nygaard

Well, just like that two problems off the roster... Walters and Mastroianni will get a chance to be a part of a long-term solution.

As we suffered through a 99-loss season last year, many of us believed the biggest issue was health (or lack of it) and that a winter recovering would help solve that problem. While competing with the big wigs in the American League was still going to be a tall task, finishing the 2012 season with just as many wins as losses seemed within reach. I don't think even the most pessimistic fans assumed that 30 games in - and relatively healthy - the Twins would have 3 less wins than any other team in baseball. I think this has given all Twins fans a shot of reality. The reality is that Division Titles, October baseball, sweeps against the Yankess - things that almost became habit - are a couple (at best!) years away. Maybe it's the elementary school teacher in me (in fact, I'm sure it is), but a habit of mine (that will continue) is to focus on certain behaviors, results or people and analyze those as it pertains to the big picture. Or in elementary terms: "Are you contributing to the problem or are you trying to be part of the solution?" Unfortunately, there is usually a small percent of, in this case, people that serve as the fulcrum of this problem vs solution battle. Fortunately, I'm not trying to salvage 2012. I'm trying to compete in 2015. So with an eye on 2015, let's look at the current 25-man roster. The first group of players are the "Mehs". Think about that high school girlfriend you had that you forgot to tell your wife about. It's not because you were trying to hide anything; it's because you simply forgot about her. These are guys that aren't really part of the problem, but they aren't going to be part of the 2015 solution. You think about their long-term value to the team. You shrug your shoulders and say, "Meh". There are seven guys I put in this group today. They could go either way or stay the same or, meh, whatever... C Ryan Doumit - While he has played better of late, the free-agent-to-be remains a strong candidate to be traded. The return on that trade isn't likely going to be part of the solution. P Nick Blackburn - At his best, Blackburn can burn 200 innings and give his team a chance to win. He's at his best one month of the season. Luckily (yawn), the Twins locked him up through at least next year. P Anthony Swarzak - As a long-relief/spot-starter, he does provide value. Can he make the rotation next year? RP Alex Burnett - Burnett is still young enough that he could become a solid, late-inning bullpen arm... or just fade away. C Drew Butera - Do you remember this? While I understand the value of a "Drew Butera", I also understand the pain of having a .167 BA while getting regular at-bats. INF Jamey Carroll - He'll be around, probably, and be a good clubhouse presence for the next year (or two), but that's about it. OF Erik Komatsu - Is he a 4th outfielder at best? He'll get his shot to stick or suck. But there's a good chance we'll forget about him by this time next year. The next group of guys are part of the problem, for various reasons. As Luke Hughes, Sean Burroughs and Clete Thomas before them, some may say they didn't get a fair shake. Or they just weren't (ever?) very good. RP Jeff Gray - Gray has bounced around over the last five years. He'll keep bouncing. Right now, he's here. He might not be tomorrow. LRP Matt Maloney - Maloney's wikipedia page compares him to a "young Tom Glavine". Really? How young are they talking? Another pitcher on borrowed time. INF/OF Trevor Plouffe - The leash on "home-grown" guys typically is a little longer than others, but am I the only one that thinks that going 6-for-43 isn't going to "earn" more chances? The 10 walks might be his saving grace. Or his defense might be the final straw. INF Alexi Casilla - The biggest positional tease on the roster, Casilla has never played more than 97 games in a season. Lack of durability is a problem. Some other problems... P Jason Marquis - Though he seems like a good guy - and decent pitcher - he offers very little short- or long-term value to the club. He's serving as a placeholder and those doesn't make teams better (but also usually don't make them worse). 3B Danny Valencia - It sounds like Valencia is being shopped and there are no takers. I bet there would be if he provided something a team needed, like... hmm... well, there are times I like his right-handed bat at Target Field. P Carl Pavano - I do like Carl Pavano. (No, not like this guy.) He's great to have around a young staff, but his loss of velocity and age might be signaling the end. The big problems... "Matt Capps" - It's not so much P Matt Capps, but what "Matt Capps" symbolizes. Wilson Ramos, proven closers, forfeited draft pick. All things that make Twins fans cringe. Oh, and his penchant to give up the long ball. P Francisco Liriano - Less than a month ago, I would have been okay with offering Liriano arbitration (and possibly $12.5m) next year. After the alcohol wore off, I just wish the Twins would have traded for Ivan Nova when they had the chance. Liriano may be headed to the bullpen in a spot-swap with Brian Duensing. 1B Justin Morneau - The 2006 MVP is still capable of playing at high levels. The problem is that he's not often capable of playing at all. If Morneau can get and stay healthy (fat chance!), some team will add him for a playoff push... if the Twins are willing to kick in a few million dollars. So now that the painful part is over, let's look at the solutions... C Joe Mauer - Like it or not, he's locked in town until 2018. So if he wants to win a Title, he's going to need to be part of the solution. CF Denard Span - It's been mentioned several times that Span is an asset. I couldn't agree more. But if he's not traded, he's definitely a part that can help the Twins compete again. If the Rangers call and dangle LP Martin Perez... well, I would say that Span helped solve the pitching problem. LF Josh Willingham - Whether there is a market for The Hammer or not, I'm smitten by his power at Target Field, his contract and the fact that, by the end of his contract, he can be the DH. The only problem is that, in looking towards 2015, his contract ends after 2014. LRP Glen Perkins - I feel about Perkins a lot like I feel about Span. Perkins is going to be around long-term... unless the Twins can spin him for other assets. LP Brian Duensing - It seems like Duensing has been around forever, but he hasn't even hit arbitration yet, which means he's under team control through 2015. Whether it's in the bullpen or rotation, Duensing should be around to help turn it around. RP Jared Burton - Burton has been a rarity for the Twins - a guy signed to a minor league deal and turned out to be a gem. Could he get a long-term deal? Others - that the jury is out on - but could be part of the solution... SS Brian Dozier - Long-term, I view him as a utility guy, but definitely someone that has impressed in his short time in the bigs. 1B Chris Parmelee - Showed signs in September, but should probably be given more time to develop in AAA. LSP Scott Diamond - Let's not make too much out of last night's game, but he'll be given every opportunity to stick.

As we suffered through a 99-loss season last year, many of us believed the biggest issue was health (or lack of it) and that a winter recovering would help solve that problem. While competing with the big wigs in the American League was still going to be a tall task, finishing the 2012 season with just as many wins as losses seemed within reach. I don't think even the most pessimistic fans assumed that 30 games in - and relatively healthy - the Twins would have 3 less wins than any other team in baseball. I think this has given all Twins fans a shot of reality. The reality is that Division Titles, October baseball, sweeps against the Yankess - things that almost became habit - are a couple (at best!) years away. Maybe it's the elementary school teacher in me (in fact, I'm sure it is), but a habit of mine (that will continue) is to focus on certain behaviors, results or people and analyze those as it pertains to the big picture. Or in elementary terms: "Are you contributing to the problem or are you trying to be part of the solution?" Unfortunately, there is usually a small percent of, in this case, people that serve as the fulcrum of this problem vs solution battle. Fortunately, I'm not trying to salvage 2012. I'm trying to compete in 2015. So with an eye on 2015, let's look at the current 25-man roster. The first group of players are the "Mehs". Think about that high school girlfriend you had that you forgot to tell your wife about. It's not because you were trying to hide anything; it's because you simply forgot about her. These are guys that aren't really part of the problem, but they aren't going to be part of the 2015 solution. You think about their long-term value to the team. You shrug your shoulders and say, "Meh". There are seven guys I put in this group today. They could go either way or stay the same or, meh, whatever... C Ryan Doumit - While he has played better of late, the free-agent-to-be remains a strong candidate to be traded. The return on that trade isn't likely going to be part of the solution. P Nick Blackburn - At his best, Blackburn can burn 200 innings and give his team a chance to win. He's at his best one month of the season. Luckily (yawn), the Twins locked him up through at least next year. P Anthony Swarzak - As a long-relief/spot-starter, he does provide value. Can he make the rotation next year? RP Alex Burnett - Burnett is still young enough that he could become a solid, late-inning bullpen arm... or just fade away. C Drew Butera - Do you remember this? While I understand the value of a "Drew Butera", I also understand the pain of having a .167 BA while getting regular at-bats. INF Jamey Carroll - He'll be around, probably, and be a good clubhouse presence for the next year (or two), but that's about it. OF Erik Komatsu - Is he a 4th outfielder at best? He'll get his shot to stick or suck. But there's a good chance we'll forget about him by this time next year. The next group of guys are part of the problem, for various reasons. As Luke Hughes, Sean Burroughs and Clete Thomas before them, some may say they didn't get a fair shake. Or they just weren't (ever?) very good. RP Jeff Gray - Gray has bounced around over the last five years. He'll keep bouncing. Right now, he's here. He might not be tomorrow. LRP Matt Maloney - Maloney's wikipedia page compares him to a "young Tom Glavine". Really? How young are they talking? Another pitcher on borrowed time. INF/OF Trevor Plouffe - The leash on "home-grown" guys typically is a little longer than others, but am I the only one that thinks that going 6-for-43 isn't going to "earn" more chances? The 10 walks might be his saving grace. Or his defense might be the final straw. INF Alexi Casilla - The biggest positional tease on the roster, Casilla has never played more than 97 games in a season. Lack of durability is a problem. Some other problems... P Jason Marquis - Though he seems like a good guy - and decent pitcher - he offers very little short- or long-term value to the club. He's serving as a placeholder and those doesn't make teams better (but also usually don't make them worse). 3B Danny Valencia - It sounds like Valencia is being shopped and there are no takers. I bet there would be if he provided something a team needed, like... hmm... well, there are times I like his right-handed bat at Target Field. P Carl Pavano - I do like Carl Pavano. (No, not like this guy.) He's great to have around a young staff, but his loss of velocity and age might be signaling the end. The big problems... "Matt Capps" - It's not so much P Matt Capps, but what "Matt Capps" symbolizes. Wilson Ramos, proven closers, forfeited draft pick. All things that make Twins fans cringe. Oh, and his penchant to give up the long ball. P Francisco Liriano - Less than a month ago, I would have been okay with offering Liriano arbitration (and possibly $12.5m) next year. After the alcohol wore off, I just wish the Twins would have traded for Ivan Nova when they had the chance. Liriano may be headed to the bullpen in a spot-swap with Brian Duensing. 1B Justin Morneau - The 2006 MVP is still capable of playing at high levels. The problem is that he's not often capable of playing at all. If Morneau can get and stay healthy (fat chance!), some team will add him for a playoff push... if the Twins are willing to kick in a few million dollars. So now that the painful part is over, let's look at the solutions... C Joe Mauer - Like it or not, he's locked in town until 2018. So if he wants to win a Title, he's going to need to be part of the solution. CF Denard Span - It's been mentioned several times that Span is an asset. I couldn't agree more. But if he's not traded, he's definitely a part that can help the Twins compete again. If the Rangers call and dangle LP Martin Perez... well, I would say that Span helped solve the pitching problem. LF Josh Willingham - Whether there is a market for The Hammer or not, I'm smitten by his power at Target Field, his contract and the fact that, by the end of his contract, he can be the DH. The only problem is that, in looking towards 2015, his contract ends after 2014. LRP Glen Perkins - I feel about Perkins a lot like I feel about Span. Perkins is going to be around long-term... unless the Twins can spin him for other assets. LP Brian Duensing - It seems like Duensing has been around forever, but he hasn't even hit arbitration yet, which means he's under team control through 2015. Whether it's in the bullpen or rotation, Duensing should be around to help turn it around. RP Jared Burton - Burton has been a rarity for the Twins - a guy signed to a minor league deal and turned out to be a gem. Could he get a long-term deal? Others - that the jury is out on - but could be part of the solution... SS Brian Dozier - Long-term, I view him as a utility guy, but definitely someone that has impressed in his short time in the bigs. 1B Chris Parmelee - Showed signs in September, but should probably be given more time to develop in AAA. LSP Scott Diamond - Let's not make too much out of last night's game, but he'll be given every opportunity to stick.

Oliver Zapata can't touch Corey Williams. Swinging strike. Swinging strike. Swinging strike. And, with that one out, Corey Williams records save #5 in Beloit's 2-1 victory tonight.

Big picture, the Twins probably draft pretty high in 2013 and 2014. Not saying that can't take a pitcher high in those drafts too... but I don't think - as much as I sometimes would like to - they're set on taking a pitcher.

Brad Hand. Not that he's had major league success, but he's still young, and did make the show. You gotta balance upside with downside. And Giolito's current status is hard to ignore. When it's said and done, I believe the Twins will go a "safer" route and tonight, if I had to guess, I'd say Kevin Gausman. But between now and then, who knows...

Law released his top 100 today. Some notables: Buxton stayed at 1. Correa and Gausman moved up to 2 and 3. Zunino and Fried round out the top 5. Appel has dropped to 6. Rochester Century P Mitch Brown shows up at 45. Would appear to be a likely target for the Twins in the supplemental round. Jorge Fernandez, a Puerto Rican CF, shows up at 96. That is usually around the time the Twins take a prospect from Puerto Rico.

Very good points. My hope is that the Twins target pitchers who are a year or two away and target high-ceiling position players that can move through the system with Sano and Rosario. My preferred target would be the roster of the Hickory Crawdads of the Texas Rangers... but a lot of things would have to line up right for that to happen.

He hit #10 tonight, by the way. He'll have plenty of chances to hit more in Beloit too.

That's a very good - and overlooked - observation!

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It was a week ago that Jered Weaver no-hit the Twins. That feat will not be repeated tonight. This is the minor league report so you won’t see Brian Dozier’s name below as he’s making his big-league debut at Target Field tonight. Congrats Brian! As you may have heard, Rochester and New Britain swapped OF Joe Benson for SS Pedro Florimon. This should help alleviate the logjam in the Red Wings outfield and hopefully help Benson get out of his current funk. Let’s take a spin around the farm: ROCHESTER 0, PAWTUCKET 4 The big news in Pawtucket was the rehab start of Daisuke Matsuzaka. Matsuzaka won 18 games for the Red Sox in 2008 but hasn’t been good or healthy since. He was pretty good tonight, though, allowing only two hits and three walks to the Red Wings in 4 2/3 innings. Daryl Thompson made the start for Rochester. He scattered five hits and a walk in five innings, giving up only one run – a home run. Jeff Manship had two rough innings (5 H, 3 ER, BB) before Casey Fien pitched a scoreless eighth. Darin Mastroianni continued to swing a hot bat going 2-4 with a double. He’s now 14/36 (.389) over his last nine games. Matt Carson went 2 for 4. NEW BRITAIN vs BINGHAMTON Monday’s game was postponed due to inclement weather. FT. MYERS 12, LAKELAND 3 The Miracle followed up last night’s 13-run, 18-hit game with another great performance. Today they scored 12 runs on 12 hits. Pat Dean gave up two first inning runs (with the help of a fielding error), before settling down. He allowed seven hits, three runs (only one earned), a walk and two strikeouts in 5 2/3 innings. Bruce Pugh and Jose Gonzalez combined to get 10 outs, only allowing one hit and one walk while striking out two. The bats were the story of this game. Particularly Anderson Hidalgo’s. Hidalgo had a double and a grand slam driving in six runs total. Michael Gonzales had three hits (one double) while Jairo Perez and Josmil Pinto (2 RBI) both contributed two hits. Lance Ray drove in three runs. BELOIT 5, KANE COUNTY 1 Matthew Summers threw a gem for the Snappers tonight. Summers went eight innings, allowing four hits, one run (which came on a home run) and a walk. He also struck out four. Clint Dempster pitched a perfect ninth. Top prospect Miguel Sano hit his MWL-leading 9th home run in the first inning. He also added a single and a strikeout. Eddie Rosario, who went hitless in two official at-bats, walked twice. Drew Leachman added two hits. JD Williams doubled (and stole third – his 7th SB on the season). --- Players of the Day for Monday, May 7, 2012 Hitter of the Day – Miracle 3B/DH Anderson Hidalgo [ATTACH=CONFIG]888[/ATTACH] www.twin-keys.blogspot.com Pitcher of the Day – Snappers P Matthew Summers [ATTACH=CONFIG]889[/ATTACH] --- A Look Ahead – Tuesday, May 8, 2012 schedule Rochester @ Pawtucket – RHP Liam Hendriks (making his 2012 AAA debut) New Britain @ Binghamton – LHP Andrew Albers (1-0, 4.35, 27/1 K/BB) Ft. Myers @ Dunedin – RHP Madison Boer (0-1, 4.76) Beloit vs Kane County – LHP Matthew Tomshaw (1-0, 2.60) ---

The Rangers!

Meyer and Turnbell would both be good, but I think players have to be signed for a full year before they're traded and they were both deadline guys. They could get them as PTBNLs in mid-August though. Risky to have a centerpiece be "named later", though it did work with Pomeranz to COL last deadline, let alone both. Purke and Goodwin too. Sammy Solis, another top 10 prospect, is out for the year after TJ surgery. Lombo Jr was allegedly the deal-breaker last year.. I guess you're kinda right. They still have a lot of guys that would rank as the Twins #2 prospect, but none of which can be acquired by trade before this year's deadline.

Why not? The Twins have claimed just about every other player to hit the waiver wire. If he doesn't work out, on to the next one...

Reusse, on Twitter this morning, says the "Twins are trying to move Danny Valencia". I don't really see MLB teams lining up for his services. But I was more troubled when I read this (courtesy of the Boston Globe's Nick Cafardo): Denard Span, CF, Twins - He remains on Washington’s radar, but with Nationals closer Drew Storen on the DL, a deal is on hold for a while. Seriously? Am I missing something? Is what's best for the future of the Minnesota Twins to trade for a closer? The Nats have a very good farm system, yet the Twins are holding out for their closer?

Giolito's stock is up in the air right now because of the arm injury. He will have a chance to regain his status as a top 5 pick if he is able to show that he is healthy before the draft. I'm sure all teams - Twins included - will thoroughly go over records and request MRIs, etc. because he could go anywhere. To be completely honest, elbow injuries are not something the Twins have done a great job of preventing or rehabbing before or after surgery, so I would have a hard time rolling the dice on a guy that already has an issue. On the other hand, I'd much rather have a guy miss a year and push back development time than miss a year where's he's costing the team $10m. I guess that means I'd pass at #2 and if I have the chance to draft him later, maybe I draft him and see if I can get creative in how I spend my money.

I'm pretty sure Carroll will be around next year. It's hard to say the same about Casilla. If you're talking long-term future... well, who really knows...

Hendriks and Morneau to DL, most likely.

Just saw that on the Red Wings twitter feed. The call on Dozier... interesting...

I'd like to see Matt Carson get a shot. He's redundant when it comes to what he offers in the field, but he's a right-handed hitter with power. Let's see if his power plays at Target Field.

Thanks minn. Shane, I'm sure it's the same guy... now if Elijah Dukes was his dad, he's got three, maybe four brothers the same age. Keith Law just blogged about the tournament in San Juan and really likes Correa saying he's got "best-in-class potential. Insiders-only.

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