twinsfiend

My only concern is that Ryan is done. We still need a legitimate MLB ready top tier starter for this rotation. If not a #1 then at least a #2.

Should be an interesting off-season, with major league top rotation starters needed, hopefully we don't have to give up some of these prospects to get them. I'd love to see Arcia in a Twins uniform (and Sano eventually too).

Too bad Rosario isn't further along we could use his help next year. Maybe 2014? Is Hicks AAA next year? I'd love to see him in MN but where would we put him? Seems to me Hendricks needs/deserves a late season call up for audition for next seasons #4 or #5 in rotation. What are we gonna do with Parmalee ? Trade Morneau in offseason? Or will Parmalee be the one who is packaged up in a trade for some MLB ready starting pitching? Good Report. I see alot of potential MLB talent too bad most of it is 2-3 years away.

86 wins -- Mauer wins another batting title and belts 22 HRs 105 RBI (All-Star) Mourneau plays well but only plays about 100 games 70 or so as DH... 25 HRs .277 BA Liriano (All-star) wins 18 games 3.35 ERA -- flip side Baker pitches little and his option is NOT picked up. Big breakout for Parmalee at 1B (15 HRs and 75 RBI) and everyone is talking about Morneau's future with Twins by end of season. Middle Infield and Starting Pitching continue to be Achillies heal (Dozier is given a shot but doesn't play that well)

I haven't seen much about Doumit and his defense. Is he reasonable defensively? Can we do ok with him back there 3 days a week? I think Mauer will play 1 game a week at 1B, 1 game a week at DH, and 1 game off, so we need someone to play catcher those 3 days. That's 40% of the season! Plus 5 days a week we will have a catcher playing DH. Gardy hates worrying about losing the DH in a game even though it rarely happens. The other factor here is how much will Doumit play DH when he isn't catching? If he doesn't flourish there or someone else emerges in the DH role, then 2 catchers will certainly be fine.

Chang is clearly not viewed as ready for this year if they haven't given him as many opportunities in games as they have the other middle infielders. I think (based on some quotes I've seen) that Gardy really likes Dozier or maybe he is just posturing to put some pressure on Alexi because whenever Alexi is handed a job he seems to stink it up.

In my opinion, the twins top 3 qualities they should be looking for in a utility player are: defense, defense, & defense We are talking about someone who will get less than 100 ABs all year. If an injury occurs on the middle infield you know they will call up Dozier to fill in everyday. So this is a guy we bring in after we pinch hit for one of those middle infielders in the 8th inning, we need defense. Sure he'll get an occasional spot start, but where he will provide the most to the team is his defensive play. So having said that I like the idea of Valdez who is older and good defensively and could be a good clubhouse and dugout presence for some of the young guys on this team.

Marquis needs to pitch well today. He hasn't shown much so far.

Love the article! Its fun forecasting next season. So much can happen, but its a fun exercise to see where we are headed. I have to believe the Baker is playing this year for that option. If he doesn't improve this season, I hope the Twins don't retain him. There are plenty of similarly performing (similar to last few years) pitchers on the open market each and every off-season that are far cheaper than $9.5 Million. I didn't realize that Blackburn is the only pitcher on the starting staff with a contract that runs into next season. I see some nice flexibility there. What is the word on Kyle Gibson? How is his rehab going? I suppose next year would be too soon to hope for him to make any noise at the major league level. Capps shouldn't be kept either, even if he performs well this year I don't think he is a $6 million pitcher, in any relief role. I firmly believe we can get a RH setup pitcher of good quality for $3-4 a year move Perkins to closer and Duensing to the lefty setup role. Casilla is playing for his future with the Twins. I hope the front office views this as his final chance to prove he belongs as an every day player. Here's to hoping for a solid season for all 3 of those guys! Go Twins!

In my humble opinion Span's RBI numbers this year will go hand in hand with how effective Ben is at getting on base and stealing 2nd. Not that we are expecting 100 RBIs from our lead-off hitter, but if Span got 70-80 RBIs that would be a huge lift, and that could happen if Revere can find ways of getting on base and then getting over to 2nd with his speed. If we could get .375 OBP from Revere, then I can easily see Ben scoring 90-100 runs with Span getting a nice chunk of RBIs out of it. But who knows, if we get .375 OBP from Revere, he might end up batting 2nd which isn't all bad either. Also watch Ben's productiveness versus lefties, I won't be surprised if early in the season he struggles against south paws to see a regular platoon form with Plouffe.

I was thinking maybe Single-A! What a waste of money that guy has been! My guess is that Dozier is everyday in AAA at SS and some 2B when Nishi isn't wasting space in the lineup. Also I'm thinking, if he does OK in AAA he will be called up to start if Carrol or Casilla go down. I don't see the other candidates for utility being everyday players.

Clearly Nishi belongs in AA or A ball.. I'm not sure he is good enough to play AAA!

I like the optimism! I have always like but been frustrated with Alexi. Other than his obvious inconsistent work with the bat, his base running is another frustration I have. I see him run out a double or triple and he is fast (maybe not Revere fast, but still easily above average) but it has never translated into stolen base numbers that I have always hoped we could get from Alexi. Having said that, even without stolen bases, if he achieves an OBP of .350 and plays solid defense at 2B I'll be happy with that, and I'm sure Gardy will too.

It should be position player in my opinion, as you need someone who is out there regularly. Morneau or Mauer, depending on health.. let them rotate it like they do in hockey between those 2 or whomever else emerges!

Keep it going Denard! Yes I agree Span is a huge cog in the offensive arsenal for the Twins. We need him on base especially without a true #2.