diehardtwinsfan

This... I cannot like it enough. Molitor was one of my top candidates (though I think I wanted Maddon the most). He's got an incredible baseball IQ, which should make in game managerial decisions a bit less frustrating to watch. He's also open to the sabre crowd too, which is also good. In the end, I don't think this is a bad choice, whether inside or outside the org... The real question comes down to his coaching. Who to keep: Cuellar, Bruno, Steinbach (assuming he's not gone). The rest not so much. And I'd like to see them go outside the org for a lot of these (though that said, I wouldn't mind Doug M up working on things like fundamentals of defense)...

I think we are getting closer to the how and when though. The minor leagues are brimming with talent that's starting to transition to the show. There's an obvious need for an LF, which could be had for next to nothing other than taking on a bad contract. I'm not sure I'd go get a starter (unless the Twins went all in on Scherzer), but I don't see help in the LF pipeline at all, and given the atrocious nature of our defense last season, this could be easily remedied.

I think I want to try this...

I think it's time to try the reverse jinx against him... every time I've said something remotely negative in the past, he's turned around and proved me wrong in spectacular fashion... Therefore.... Buxton will never make the majors.

I would think they would at least kick the tires here. Perhaps they did through unofficial channels, but this is one thing about the org that frustrates me. I'd think you'd look. Maddon has a reputation for working with young guys, and that's precisely the type of person that's needed to turn this team around as quite a few younger players debuted in 2014, and several more key ones will follow in 2015. As for the money aspect, I really wish that if the public was financing stadiums, that the teams would be forced to open their books. I suspect that would unify a lot of these arguments one way or another. The extra comp pick in 2015 tells me that revenues aren't as rosy as people seem to think, but personally, I'd like to know what those numbers are. I don't think Maddon's presence in the dugout is going to somehow put more people in the seats, unless he really can on his own add some wins to the team. I do think that managers have more effect on games than what they are often credited for, but the team is going to have to flirt with 90 games in order to bring the fans back. Can Maddon be a part of that? Probably, which is why I'm surprised he wasn't asked.

I'm getting a bit more concerned about Buxton just in general. Even when healthy he hasn't exactly produced this year. It would be nice to see him hit the ground running next season like he did last year, but this season has been completely lost. He's a pretty key piece in the rebuild, as there really isn't a whole lot to replace him with (unless Hicks can re-establish himself or Rosario's AFL surge is for real). I'm a bit less worried about Sano, but I'd like to see him hit the ground running next season. Between Walker and Sano, our AA team should have some pretty nice power.

I didn't realize I was so angry That said, well written piece (even if I don't agree with it all).

Their compensation pick for losing Aiken (1-2) is not protected. If they don't sign that pick, they lose it, which means they will go with someone a bit safer with that pick. I'd love it if Boras and Close represented everyone going in the top 5-10 picks. I'd find that rather amusing as Houston would taken to the cleaners by either one of those agents if they selected one of their clients at 2. That said, I really hope they are forced to honor those contracts.

Sign me up on this one. If they can work it out, I'd love to see him in MN. He's my first choice.

The issue as I see it is that a big signing is going to further clog the rotation and keep guys like Meyer/May out of it. I don't see Hughes, Nolasco, or Gibson going anywhere really, and I think May get the 4th spot too. That leaves Pelf and Million as the candidates for the 5th spot. While neither excite me, I'd bet anything that another signing would likely put May on the bench unless the Twins could find a taker for Millone in particular. I'd also add that this leaves Meyer in AAA (though I think he should probably start there and work on his control). If the Twins are going to sign someone, I'd say go big or go home. I don't see Scherzer coming here, though he'd be my first choice. I'm not a fan of Lester. Gallarado is an interesting option that I might be open to, but his K numbers dropped pretty significantly the last two years (striking out less than 7/9 in the NL in 2014). He's been more consistent than Nolasco, but he's already showing signs of something being wrong, and he's not going to get better making a switch to the AL. In the end, I see one option that would be worth the trouble (sans picking up a guy like Billingsly on the cheap), and I just dont' see it happening. If the Twins want help at SP, I think they trade for a young major league ready guy. That problem is that this guy is going to be expensive, and I think they are better off targeting it when they have a feel for where they are going to have a surplus of talent.

well written. Honestly, I'd be fine with any of those guys. Bit surprised that Gylnn has dropped out of contention.

Seems to me that a draft that can net 2 major leaguers (one of whom is a borderline all star) is a pretty good draft. 2-3 major league players per draft is generally considered a good thing. Won't complain if they get more, but it wasn't a bad draft... especially considering where they picked.

I'll drink to that prediction.

I won't argue that. There are a few other relievers putting up pretty gaudy numbers in the minors that I didn't mention as well. Bottom line is that in the next few seasons, the pen is going to be downright nasty. Hopefully, May, Meyer, Berrios and Gibson can establish themselves as top half pitching.

I think Guerra might make the 40 as a reliever this year. I could see Ortiz on the 40 as well given that there's some talent there. Beresford possibly as a utility guy. None of that is really set in stone as there isn't a guy there that I'd lose much sleep over losing.

Argument 3: Sano was hurt and had some issues in AA. He needs more seasoning to answer those questions. Plouffe is an above average 3B, and his value is more likely to rise than fall. This decision can be punted for 6-12 months. I'm not sure if this is dealing with devils. It seems like it's a win in both the short and long term.

I think it's more a practical thing than anything. I don't see them adding pitching without figuring out a way to get rid of someone who isn't doing well (and no one will take on Pelf or Nolasco). The only open spot that isn't tied up with someone who is a part of the future is LF. Not much in terms of free agency there, so unless the Twins are up to absorbing a bad contract for a productive player, I suspect it drops.

Add guys like Tonkin and Cederoth, and you have a pretty nasty pen.

I think Pinto needs to start 50-70 games behind the plate and learn from Kurt a bit. I'd make sure he's getting regular time at DH or as a PH to keep his bat in the lineup. His problem isn't his ability to hit, it's his skills behind the plate. He won't get better at that not playing.

Liked the article. I'd like to see Cuellar (who taught Johann his changeup), Bruno, and Molitor remain with the org in some capacity, maybe Steinbach too. Vavra and Anderson need to go.

Pino struck me as someone you keep on the 40 for occasional spot starts until his options are used up. I wouldn't mind having him back with the org, but I suppose with the pitchers coming up, I don't see him getting that many spot starts. Makes sense to let him see if he can find a home elsewhere.

After reading much of the rest of this thread after my weekend absence, I have a few more comments: 1) I think people are talking past each other a bit, arguing for what they think the other is saying and not for what they are attempting to say. That's especially true when people try to argue about what 'some posters' might want. I'd say as a moderator that this can be a bit inflammatory as its somewhat insulting and no one really knows who it's being directed at... let's be careful here. 2) Let's also stay away from accusations of being 'absurd'. Now back on topic I think. Harper and Machado represented much different things to their teams. The Orioles and Nats were both in races and these guys could help them right then and there being out of position. There is short term gain that offsets that long term loss. I think it's a bit different with the Twins, who have finished up another 90+ loss season. Having them rush a prospect and make room for said prospect just for the sake of bringing them up early is not going to get much in the short term (especially given how little time Sano has had in the upper minors) and hurts more in the long term. Elite play at certain positions (CF, 3B, SS, SP in particular) is far more valuable, and I think it's in the team's best interest long term to NOT be moving guys off of those roles just to get them up. If Plouffe was posting a .900 OPS and good defense, I'd probably be looking for a spot for Sano, or trading Vargas for a LF, but right now, as a developing team, I still think it would be wise for the Twins to let this situation play out. I don't see moving Sano to the OF to be the best decision they could make, especially given how poor their OF defense was.

I'd keep him at 3rd and find a real LF

I'd call them up when they are ready, not based on some notion that I don't want them to both be rookies in 2016. I'd much rather them both be rookies in 2016 then to have one of them up in 2015 only to struggle b/c he wasn't ready. Buxton has had all of a half a game playing in AA and Sano showed some pretty serious contact issues in his half season there. If they arrive at the same time, so be it, but I'd rather they arrive with less to work on then to force one of them into a position they haven't played while expecting them to learn to hit major league pitching.

The OF defense was pretty bad this year, and even if Sano hits like Babe Ruth, I'm not sure I'm ready for him in LF. I'd rather him play 3B where he would be less of a liability. I think the Twins get to roll the dice with Plouffe for another season, and if he has the same year or improves (which I think he will) a bit, he's going to be quite valuable in a trade if Sano rakes in AA/AAA. If Vargas struggles, Sano can get some DH time in the majors as well. That would be my plan. Plouffe is not this team's problem as he was above average on both offense and defense. In conclusion, let Sano prove he's ready, then decide what to do. One could get hurt and this situation could work itself out, or one could struggle. I'd punt on this decision for at least another year.