iTwins

I'm not ready to fold on Arcia yet. He's still very young, and he proved last year that he's capable of learning and adapting his game. Watch his early season plate appearances alongside his September plate appearances. He clearly worked on that part of his game and was showing signs of growth. He has good enough range and a good arm - the talent is there, he just needs to learn. There's no reason to think he couldn't apply that same "learning drive" he found on offense towards the defensive side of his game and grow into a solid (or at least average) defender. His bat and average OF defense turns Arcia into a very solid player. This isn't really part of the argument, but I also really like the kid. I like his fire, I like his personality. I want guys like that on the Twins.

I figured he was destined for 3B or bench coach. I've read good things about Glynn on multiple occassions - good hire. Now, let's find a pitching coach and bench coach...

I think to get one of the Mets' high ceiling SP prospects, the Twins would have to be willing to part with a similar high ceiling SS prospect - IE. Danny Santana. The question is, would you trade Danny (a potential HUGE asset at SS) for SP? If you think Danny's breakout was a fluke, absolutely...but I'd be nervous to call his great rookie year a fluke. I wouldn't make the trade unless the Twins could convince the Mets to take Escobar or Polanco instead. I like Danny's upside to much to trade him. It's a tough call, and the biggest reason why I don't envy Terry Ryan's position. Sell high or end up giving up a quality SS from a team that hasn't had a good SS in years...? I'm glad it's someone else's decision!

I'm on board with either Rasmus or Aoki - but no longer than 2 years for either of them. You may have to overpay on AAV to go that short term, but I think it'd be worth paying now to have better roster freedom later. I like the defense either would bring to the team and their ability to flex to all 3 OF spots is a bonus. They could swap to a 4th OF role at the end of their deal if Rosario or Plouffe are ready to be moved - if not, then you still have a competent OF to bridge the gap for that last year. After 2 years, the Twins OF situation could be durastically different (Buxton, Hicks, Rosario, Kepler, Arcia, Plouffe(?)) so I wouldn't want to lock anyone in past that point.

If we're shopping for free agent arms, I'd rather go for that "upper tier" talent. I'm not saying chase Scherzer, Lester and Shields, but if we're going to upgrade the rotation, let's actually UPGRADE it. I'd be interested in Liriano or Santana - someone to be a solid #2 behind Phil Hughes. I'd be nice to cash in on a high upside guy taking off like Hughes, but the downside is, if he doesn't become the next Phil Hughes and is merely OK, you clog your rotation with more average arms. I'd go big (for the Twins) and grab a top talent or simply let the youth fill in the rotation next year. No more bridge deals. Of the list Nick provided - I'd kick the tires on Brett Anderson. He has youth and relative low costs in his favor and when healthy, he's a quality pitcher. (Healthy is a tough thing for him to be, however).

Sickles is a notorious tough (but fair) grader. I don't balk at Stewart, Gonsalves and crew hitting the 'B' range, because on Sickles' scale - that's a pretty hefty compliment. (And there's still lots of room for each to grow) There's great depth to this farm, and having too much talent to grade (from the point of view of a tough evaluator) is a GREAT thing. Watch the high ceiling and breakout guys. Sickles had Danny Santana among them last year and nailed that call.

From a distance, the red / gold combo around "Twins" looks orange, that's a bit... odd. I do like the new home hat, plus the jersey has a Minnie & Paul patch, which makes it okay by my standards.

Souhan's piece was at best a poor choice of phrasing and at worst an attack on Mauer for "hiding" behind his concussion (AKA, what Calceterra is saying). Maybe Souhan is trying to say the clubhouse culture needs to toughen up. If that's the case, using Mauer and his "bruises" as the example was a poor decision. As Craig points out, Mauer's missed time has been for fairly substantial injuries. He's not sitting out because he's "sore" - he's had serious ailments. The way his piece is written, it sounds like Souhan is coming down on Mauer for missing time and not playing through these major issues. If that's really his intent, he deserves every ounce of venom in Craig's piece... if not more.

I like Escobar as the Twins utility player. I've said it many times on these forums already - but I think Eduardo Escobar is the utility player on the next Twins championship team. He's adds value with his bat and defensive flexability - I'd use him all over the infield (SS,2B,3B) to give days off to Santana, Dozier and Plouffe. I think you listen to trade offers, but you don't shop him. You don't HAVE to move him. He's cheap, provides value to the team and is well liked in the clubhouse. If a team comes by and blows you away (trade wise) you move on - otherwise? He's a perfect utilty player.

I'm glad to read that Terry Ryan did, if fact, talk to Maddon. That's all I really wanted out of all of this. We all knew Maddon likely was bound for Chicago - but the Twins HAD to do their due diligence and give him a call. When it was first reported that they hadn't, I think that's when many (myself included) lost it. I'll take Mr. Ryan's word for it - he made the call. That's good enough for me. Now, on to Paul Molitor's plan for turning things around.

The pinstriped home unis were the only ones I actually liked. It was a classic, clean look - I'm sorry to see them go. They can get rid of those horrid blue alternate tops while they're at it. I HATE those. The cream throwbacks aren't my favorite, but they're not the worst thing in the world either. I'd be in favor of a complete uniform redesign - home, road, alternate - everything could use a refresh. Keep the colors and TC logo, but redo the look.

I pride myself in making measured responses. I try not to fly off the handle when learning Twins related news and typically avoid saying too much if all I have to say is critical (and not particularly constructive). I don't have that restraint here. It's baffling, dumbfounding and insulting that the Twins haven't even reached out to Maddon at this point. You're looking to put a manager in place who can work with a young core and build a winning tradition once again. Ideally, you'd like someone who is both qualified for the job and who would add some element of "draw" back to your languishing franchise. Maddon is all of those things and more. He's a well known name, respected amongst the players (as far as I've read) and popular among the fans. He's also proven to be a great baseball mind who does a lot with young talent. In short, he's EXACTLY what a team like the Twins needs. And you don't even call. I bristle at crying poor as well. "It's not in the budget" is complete and total garbage. They know it, we know it...who exactly are you lying to and why do you think they'd buy this sad excuse? Even if the team knows Maddon has no interest in managing here (which is entirely possible) at the VERY LEAST you have to make a phone call. "Hey, $4 million a year interest you at all? No? Okay. Best of luck." If you think small, you'll never grow beyond those expectations. Safe bets at manager and low risks payoff EXACTLY as well as you think they might. You may see some solid returns, but you're never going to hit the ball out of the park when you're simply content to slap a single the other way. Sometimes, this team really irritates me.

Do it. Today. Pay him what he wants. I don't care how it happens, get Maddon here. Someone (hopefully the Twins) is going to get one heck of a manager.

I'd only move Sano to LF for two reasons: 1) He proves he cannot handle 3B defensively 2) Plouffe becomes the next Evan Longoria Right now, Plouffe is a quality player giving the Twins solid production. However, I don't think you block a potential elite player simply to keep the quality guy in the same spot. If Sano comes up and handles the job like he's expected to - you move Plouffe to the OF or to the bench.

No more infielders in the outfield. Santana needs to play everday - at a position suited to his skills - and that's SS. Escobar is the quality utility player contending teams dream about. He can play all over the infield and carries a capable bat. I'd use Escobar nearly everyday - but at a revolving position (giving Plouffe a day off, before filling in for Santana or Dozier, for example). It's a lovely problem to have. Too much talent and no place to play them. More discussion like this are welcome!

There's a lot to keep an eye on (from the Twins' perspective) this year. Buxton: finally getting back into live competition after missing the entire year. Kepler: Can he keep up his hot second half and perhaps show he's ready for AA? Rosario: Can he prove his struggles were rust related and show top prospect stuff once again? If so - he may be closer to the big league club than we think. I keep an eye on the fall league every year anyway, but there's an extra layer of interest this year. Some (potential) future Twins could be making a move in the right direction.

I always thought Gene Glynn would make a good bench coach for the next Twins manager. He's worked with a good deal of the current 25 man roster, he's had past success and seems to be well regarded amongst his players. Of course, those qualities could point to a good big league manager - I've just always had a hunch that he'd end up as the bench coach.

Arcia made adjustments and improvements to his swing as the season progressed - especially late in the year. His early season "hand drop" that Roy Smalley pointed out on FSN was almost eliminated (he still reverted from time to time) and his ability to identify and lay off of breaking pitches seemed to improve later in the year as well. He's 23 years old, so there's absolutely no reason to bail on him yet. I wouldn't platoon him or bench him (if he slumps) in 2015. Let him ride out the lows and keep learning on the job. He has talent, and as evidenced by the late season improvement - the drive to make the best of that talent.

Right. Any deal would have to hinge on Stanton signing a long term deal. IF he would (and since we're wildly speculating anyway, let's say he does) I would absolutely trade Sano, Meyer, Kepler, Harrison etc. etc. to get Stanton to the Twins. (No Buxton or Berrios though...) The bonus with Stanton is he's still very much in his prime. I think folks forget he's only 24 years old. There are very few position players I'd be willing to give that many prospects for, but he's one of them. (The list is: Trout, Stanton. That's it. That's the list.)

What concerns me is the phrasing used. "Going down significantly" to me that doesn't say "We're spending the same amount" but rather "We're spending less, but not a LOT less". If they planned to spend, one would think St. Peter would say he didn't think payroll would "go up significantly". Over analyzing? Perhaps. Maybe it's just a poor choice of words on St. Peter's part, but his early quotes don't give me much confidence that they're going to attempt another big signing, rather that they'll play things close and conservative....again.

Rosario, Kepler, Thorpe, Gonsalves - all outside the top 10. Man, there's a lot of talent in this system!

Not quite. Will Carroll had the shot about loyalty. Olbermann added "Cowardly act, Twins" to his original tweet. The rest of post - pretty spot on. Looks like he (Carroll) just throws stuff out there to see what sticks.

"No loyalty"!? Are you daft Olbermann? This organization is loyal to a fault. Lately, I feel KO will only offer a "take" on a topic if he can make it controversial or go against the grain. When he's on point, he can level some good insight and sometimes provide a new perspective to an issue. Other times, he goes off the rails and says things like...this.

Based on what the Twins have done for so long, I didn't think there was a chance that Gardy would be gone. The Twins surprised me today. Here's hoping this change marks the point where the Twins changed perspective. The old guard and old approach isn't working. Maybe, just maybe, this team is embracing that.

I assumed too much in my original post - I thought some things would go without saying, but I should have been more clear. Take 2: No, I don't think Nolasco is enough for Kemp straight up. The Dogers would make a good trade partner, as they have a surplus of what the Twins need. Of the Dodgers outfielders, I'd target Kemp. To offset his deal, I'd require Nolasco to be part of the trade. Any trade would obviously require more pieces than Kemp / Nolasco