diehardtwinsfan

I'm not sure I agree with you on the airing dirty laundry stance, as I think Levi is right here, but in all, this I think is dead on accurate. The W-L column has improved, just not at the rate that most of us would like, but they are building a very strong farm that should allow for some pretty good baseball the second half of this decade. Couple that with an aging Detroit, poor management in KC, and lousy farms in Detroit, Cleveland, and Chicago, I think the central is going to be pretty ripe for the taking for a while.

I guess I'm one of the few that thinks that Suzuki can get a top 100-150 prospect, and maybe if we are lucky someone in the bottom of the top 100. He's having a career year at a position that teams are typically desperate to acquire an upgrade. He's going to be a difference maker where ever he goes. I'd have to think that a couple of teams will enter a bidding war for him. That said, I'm with Brock... No thanks on a low upside high minors guy. If the guy is in the high minors, I'd be hoping for a pretty solid (above average bat, average D) corner OF, high upside SP, or a decent upside C that can be paired with Pinto. Otherwise, I'd want high upside all day long, and I could care less where in the minors they are at.

Imagine an outfield with both of them in it.

Maybe my memory is faulty in my old age, but I don't seem to remember the team being this strict about pitch counts in the minor leagues. I'm guessing it's their way of trying to reduce TJS risk, which if it works will do wonders for their pitching prospects, but am I right here, or am I misremembering?

I'd also add that getting held out after playing 17 innings isn't uncommon either. Buxton has been out of commission all season long. I wouldn't be surprised if he's a tad sore (or just tired) after that. If he's out today, I think there's some legit reason to worry.

Yes, AAAA guys are ones who have destroyed AAA but not had success in the minors. Colabello, Plouffe, and Parmelee are guys that many would refer to as AAAA guys, and to be honest, I think the jury is still out on all 3. There's some debate whether such a player actually exists as what may be going on is that these guys are taking longer to adjust. Garret Jones is an example of this. While he never had the success he had in the minors, he's carved out a pretty decent ML career... and it took a while. That said, I'm a pretty firm believer in stocking my AAA team with AAAA type guys, especially at positions of need so that if a callup is required, you have someone who has a chance at success.

Can we safely assume that the 3 inning start was planned?

This. I don't see the Braves selling what I'd want to make it worth while. We don't have an heir apparent to Dozier either, and that is also a problem.

That makes little sense. Castro will be an FA soon. He will go to a contender.

Do they get another 5th rounder for Nix?

yeah, I figure he has another week of 'spring training' and then gets sent to NB.

I hope the Twins trade for Rock Shoulders for no other reason than his name.

When you count this in parallel, I think it was closer to 1 million or so hours.

Dozier could get the following with no contract: 2015 - 3M 2016 - 6M 2017 - 9M 2018 - FA This assumes he stays healthy and produces. He trades for guaranteed dollars and gives a bit in security. Usually these get a 1 year or two of free agency. This typically would yield a 4/20ish contract (probably a bit higher) buying out a year of FA. If he continues to improve, that contract becomes immensely valuable. They may even be able to add an option for 8-10M for a fifth year.

Get a vet at CF, plug Santana in at SS.

Not only that, but 5 minutes before is nothing more than hardball. The Astros could have sent that in a few hours before hand and given Brady a chance to counter.... I think though, Brady wanted 6.5. I'd bet you this though, the Stros won't be playing hardball anymore after that. They lost big time in that they lost 3 good arms. They get a comp pick for Aiken, but from what I understand, they won't have Aiken like talent at 2 next year, and I think Aiken has the right to say 'no thanks' to the Astros now.

dumb dumb dumb... Astros screwed this up royally. My predictions. They messed up Aiken's NCAA eligibility, so he goes to JuCo, an Indy league, or just sits out and re-enters the draft next June. In the mean time, Nix and Aiken file a grievance with the MLBPA. I think Nix will win for sure, given that he had an offer on the table that Houston reneged on. I suspect Aiken may win as well, but he doesn't have nearly the ground in the CBA. This will put Houston over their pool at which point they will lose their true first round pick. Houston's front office will likely be unemployed this winter... At least they should be. I cannot imagine any agent being too willing to negotiate with them given the lack of good faith they've shown. This is bad for baseball. I'm rather surprised Selig didn't step in here. edit: cannot spell

Considering he's been the 2nd best SS on his team for quite some time right now, I think that someone else is A-Rod. Granted there's the streroid thing there, but A-Rod has been a better SS than Jeter. Jeter is an HOF SS, but I think he's a bit overrated.

I woudlnt' be shocked if Duensing is traded. I expect Guerrier to no longer here in 2015 as well.

I think if Buxton gets promoted, Hicks will move to AAA. That's my 2 cents.

Disagree on Dozier. I think you lock him up cheaply. You can always move him, and he's looking like a player that will be in high demand at that point.

This makes no sense at all for the Twins. He's not playing well and will likely be eclipsed by any of the Twins CF prospects. He cost 21M/yr and will cost prospects. The Twins need a 1 year stop gap in CF, not a 4 year bad contract.

I suspect Sano and Buxton will be knocking on the door next year and will likely earn a callup at some point. Sano should still get some PT yet this year and if he hits well in AA could start next year in Rochester. Once Buxton gets back into a groove (and that could be happening based on his play the last two days), he'll be moved to NB as well. He may also find himself starting in Rochester next season or if he does really well in NB, they may put him in CF on opening day. I'm a bit skeptical of that given the Hicks fiasco. Meyer will be up at some point next year or possibly even this year. May will probably be up this year. And there are extension candidates: Dozier, Plouffe, and Gibson will all be in conversation. Not sure I'd do it for Plouffe, but there are advantages to doing it now if the Twins think he's turned the corner.

I see payroll dropping. There's a lot of kids who will get more time, and not a lot anyone really can (or should) do about it. I could see them exending Dozier this offseason and perhaps using a signing bonus to cheapen the later years of the contract, but that type of thing tends to get sticky with the Union. I could see something similar with Plouffe if the Twins really believe he's breaking out, as that would make him more tradable when Sano is ready, but it could also bite them hard if Plouffe regresses. The rotation is set. No way they cut bait with Nolasco 1 year into a 4 year deal. Even if a worst case comes out and he has TJS, the Twins will still likely be going with Hughes, Pelfrey, Meyer, May, Pino/Darnell/Gilmartin/Johnson, with Berrios likely waiting in the wings. I suspect that one of those guys can stick in the 5 spot, and there's enough upside there that one might turn out better than a #5 guy. The pen is overcrowded as it is, and there's 2 very deserving candidates in AAA and you have Delios Guerrero who is out of options next season. The lineup is pretty set too. 1B, 2B, 3B, SS (Santana/Escobar), Util (Escobar), C (Pinto), RF, LF (Parmelee), all have people that should get some playing time. That leaves openings for a 2nd catcher and a CF. I don't see them looking for a long term contract at CF with Buxton, Hicks, and Rosario all likely making a case for the spot at some point in the near future. I suspect that Denard Span may get a reclamation deal to play CF... I like that idea as well b/c if he pans out, he's tradable when one of the minor league CFs have made a case for themselves. I could see them going with a Hermann/Fryer as a 2nd C or getting a FA to fill that role. Unless Suzuki wants to return, I don't see much in terms of help from the FA market here Other than a bench spot, and maybe a 1 year deal on a DH to give Vargas a bit more time, I don't see a whole lot in terms of need.

Meyer will likely be on the roster in 2016 as well as will Nolasco. I don't expect Kepler on the 2016 team, and I do think Sano and Buxton will be there.