DAM DC Twins Fans

Great article took a lot of work. Interesting to note the amount of pitchers coming up thru the farm system for playoff teams. I have never been a proponent of buying lots of free agent pitchers because the good teams will resign their own top pitchers almost all the time. Pitchers in their 30s tend to be on a down trend. So yes, I agree with Terry Ryan approach. The problem seems to be that the Twins (until recently) haven't been drafting good pitchers and not developing them. So the answer to me is first fire Rick Anderson; second wait for the current crop of good pitchers in the low minors (Stewart, Gonalves, Lee, Berrios, Duffey, etc.); third keep drafting pitching; fourth trade some of the top prospects (Hicks, Arcia, Rosario) for pitching.

Amen!! One of my 3 favorite Twins. The Twins could use a lot of Torii's spirit. I think he has a lot to teach the kids (Arcia, Buxton and Hicks). Will he sign for that role--I doubt it--but it is worth a shot.

100 percent agree...whether or not it counts against the salary cap...you take the posting fee (minimum $65 mil) and amortize it over the contract...assuming minimum 10 mil annual salary--that's 125 right there...or 21 million annual...I wouldn't do that at all.

I don't often agree with Thrylos--but here I agree 100%. Presley (like Mastro and Thomas) is an AAAA player. If the Twins go with an OF of him and Willingham and Doumit, Plouffe at 3B, etc. next year and look headed to another 90 loss season, after the AS break--bring up the kids let them learn up here. That means Hicks, Arcia, Buxton, Rosario, Sano, Pinto etc. This is the future--don't worry about service time--allegedly the Twins have the money to sign the ones that work out to contracts that would cover their arbitration years (like the Rays did with Longoria). Having the kids at Rochester next August while the Twins are struggling again makes zero sense.

I just skimmed thru all the posts on this thread--maybe I missed a couple. I was surprised by Clete Thomas cut--not because I want him starting in CF every day, I don't--but because I think he was a good placeholder for two months. Why not let Clete, Mastro and Elvis (Presley) battle it out in ST?? None of them are better than a 5th OF. But we need a placeholder in CF for two months...my choice was Thomas... Oh the place isn't for Hicks--its for Buxton--who I expect will be starting CF from AS break on. Hicks will be our 4th OF (or maybe RF).

I go with Arcia. Yes Colobello, Theilbar and Albers are feel-good stories. But Arcia is the only Twins rookie who showed he will be a building block for the future. (IMHO)

Brandon: Great post. Obviously you put a lot of work in it. I agree that patience is required while we wait for the next generation. Assuming Buxton and Sano come up next summer and live up to the hype--that gives us our slugger and anchor defense in OF. Then we have Hicks and Arcia in the corners. Still not sure if Dozier's second half is a career year or he will continue and be an anchor in the middle IF. So we need to find a couple of quality starters and hope that Stewart, Gonsalves and the rest of the young pitchers develop in the minors.

Outstanding post AJ. Good luck with the recovery. Try to be patient and do not overdo it. We don't want to see you have a relapse. Can you type with both hands or do you only use one to make these posts... I tried the shoe-lace test using only my right hand and could not do it. UGH. Maybe if I wasn't a 65 year old grandpa...so I cheated and tied with both hands...

I enjoyed the article Seth. I liked the different perspective. I am not surprised to see Gardy coming back--a reward for the 998 wins. I prefer him to Molitor (no managing experience) and most others mentioned.

Seth: I thought it was a great article from a different perspective. I enjoyed it. I am neutral on Gardy coming back--but maybe he deserves a chance with a better roster. I am sure if fired, Gardy would have gotten a job within a month (here in DC likely). I definitely prefer Gardy to Glynn and Molitar who have no big league managing experience. If 2014 continues the trend, fire him next year...

Living in DC area--I had to listen to complaints about Haren all year from Nats fans including my son. He is a disaster. At best, I would sign him to a minor league contract with a spring training invite. He is Pelfry level bad. Lincecom has had 3 bad years in a row...maybe Johnson or Erwin Santana but not long-term contracts. I agree that this is a weak free agent SP class. Signing any one of these guys might (but probably wont) get us to 70 wins. Why bother.

I just read all the comments--surprised that Manny Acta and Wally Backman--my top two choices were only mentioned once each. Manny has done well (to a point) with rebuilding teams and Wally (who has Twins connections) has done well in minors. I don't get the fascination with Molitar--he has ZERO managing experience anywhere--not the right choice. This will be an interesting offseason--potential jobs in Anaheim, Texas, Twins and here in DC and probably one or two more. I actually wonder if Gardy will come to DC where he has a nucleus.

Couldn't agree more--Torii is one of my all-time favorites. I also agree with the post about Cal JR--I firmly believe that Cal's iron man streak cost the Os in the postseason.

You also left off my "adopt a prospect" Brett Lee born Sept. 1990. Maybe Brett wasn't on your list at the beginning of the season--he should be now. He was the Kernels 2nd half ace. He may project as a lefty bullpen guy--but his 2013 season stats give him a chance as a starter. He went 8-4 with an ERA of 2.95. He threw 2 complete games in July (the only 2 complete games for the Kernels this year until the last week. Some of his impressive 2nd half stats--a 3.5 ground to fly ratio. 45Ks to only 8BBs. 57IP giving up only 42 hits--so his WHIP is 0.87 and he strikes out just about 7 per 9 innings. He went 4-0 with a 1.41 ERA. Yes, his first half numbers weren't as stellar but they were good enough to list him higher than Corey Williams--somewhere in the 30s (though me being slightly biased would be somewhere around 27 or 28).

I believe he is young enough (24) to get another chance. Maybe here, maybe a change of scenery. Cut him off the 40 man roster. If he is claimed, so be it. If not, give him a Rochester contract and a spring training invite.

Brett was my "adopt-a-prospect" so I may be biased a wee bit. They had comparable seasons, you are right, up until August 15. For Berrios, his last two starts were a disaster--9.2 IP 10 runs (all earned) and 6 BB. That is probably the difference. Is Berrios a higher ranked prospect--probably more Ks, 3 years younger. But he walked too many. Did Lee have a better season--IMHO yes and especially a better second half with the only 2 Cedar Rapids complete games until the last week.

Initially, those were my sentiments...then I reread article (which was outstanding) and said--if Walker is 3 or 4 who do you bump up...and I couldn't say he is better than Pinto (or Rosario or Hicks)...nice problem to have. So Seth: do you package a couple of these prospects in a big deal to try to get a top MLB pitcher like Price??? Is this the right thread to raise the question??

After reading this article--I am more optimistic about Twins minor league pitching than I have been in a while...the guys at Cedar Rapids (Lee, Duffey, Melatakis and Rogers) all had great years (probably better than expected--I know Lee--my adopt-a-prospect did much better than I expected). Hopefully they will repeat their success next year at Ft. Myers and New Britain. Behind them, Stewart, Gonsalves, Berrios (hopefully) are coming up. Then you have Meyer and May (though not sure May is a future starter). Twins rotation in 2015 and onwards should become a strength going forward.

So it is preseason (or post season depending on your point of view) extended spring training??? So why is AB Walker there after being MVP at Cedar Rapids?? Shouldn't he get some rest??

I like this idea. A couple of modifications--keep somebody like Swarzek around to cover for doubleheaders or injuries as a long/man and starter. If we find a top of the rotation guy (say Diamond) next year--keep him in thru 7 innings if he is getting the job done (or we have a big lead).

Great article JC. 100% agree. No reason Mauer should play rest of year--so what if Twins win only 72 games instead of 75. Not sure whether Mauer should catch next year--I know he wants to, but why risk injury.

You are welcome for the summary--Gonsalves will be an interesting prospect to follow. I am a first time grandpa--thanks for congrats--it is exciting. One guy told me he went from first time grandpa to six grandchildren in 3 years--YIKES.... I am looking forward to seeing Buxton next year and maybe some of the pitching prospects now at Ft. Myers and Cedar Rapids when New Britain come to Bowie.

Brett Lee 2013 Wrap: I have decided to do a wrap for both of my "adopt-a-prospects". I have enjoyed following both of them in the Twins minor league system this summer. Thanks to Seth's (and Jeremy's) daily reports I have followed the minors more closely this summer than any other in my over 55 years of following baseball...helped by the Twins being so woeful. Here are Brett's stats for the three half seasons of ball in the Twins organization: E-town 2012: 4-0 2.68 ERA. He appeared in 16 games (only 4 starts) pitching 43.2 innings allowing 39 hits and 17 runs (13 earned). He walked 12 and had 48Ks. Cedar Rapids 2013 first half: 4-4 4.44 ERA (weird). He was a starter (10) who came out of the pen twice in the first week of inclement weather. He pitched 58.2 innings giving up 36 runs (29 earned--his error cost him a couple of earned runs) and 75 hits and 18 BB. He struck out 44. Cedar Rapids second half: 4-0 1.41 ERA. Not only was he a starter (arguably) he was the Kernels second half ace. His back-back complete games in July were the only 2 Kernels complete games until the last week of the season. He pitched 57.1 innings giving up 42 hits, 13 runs (9 earned) and only 8 BB. That made his second half WHIP 0.87. He struck out 45. It seems that Brett will strike out about 45 batters each half season--numbers the Twins could use. I believe splitting his numbers this way, Brett improved each half of career and took a HUGE step up in the second half of 2013. I was very impressed. Brett was not on any of Seth's lists going into the season--I expected a switch to the bullpen--which only happened at the end--to limit his innings--Brett's performance kept him in the rotation. I believe Brett's numbers are far superior to any pitcher who has worn a Twins uniform in the past 2 seasons (that isn't saying much). In summary, I rank Brett at the top of the second tier of Twins pitching prospects behind only Meyer, Stewart and Gonsalves--along side of May, Berrios etc. Definitely in the top 10. I hope Seth agrees--I am sure we will hear more about Brett from Seth in the offseason. While Brett may end up in the Twins pen in 2016, I think he deserves a chance to earn a rotation spot. He definitely earned a promotion to Ft. Myers in 2014 and hopefully he will be in New Britain soon (so I can see him in Bowie and Harrisburg). Barring the injury plague that seems to hit most Twins pitching prospects, I expect that Brett will be in New Britain by 2015 and in Twins training camp the following spring. I look forward to following his progress and hope to adopt him in 2013.

Stephen Gonsalves wrap for 2013: I don't know if I am supposed to do this or not--but I feel like I should. I am sure that Seth and Jeremy etc. will have lots more to say about Stephen in the offseason. In any case, Stephen's debut year in the Twins organization is done. It was a great debut season. Stephen ended up with a 2-1 record and an ERA of 0.95. He pitched 28.1 innings in 8 appearances (5 starts). He gave up 18 hits and 11BB (a relatively high number--I think it shows he is effectively wild). The hits and walks give him a WHIP of 1.023. He struck out 39 batters that is 13 per 9 innings--an extremely high number. His ground/fly ratio was slightly under 1.5 grounders to flies...a good number...but after his promotion to E-town it dropped. Importantly, Stephen dominated whenever he pitched. He never hit a wall or even a bump in the road. I am not sure I will be doing Stephen next year (he was my second adopt a prospect in 2013) but I will be following him. I see Stephen's potential as unlimited--to me his ceiling is Captain Cheeseburger (Sabathia) or Johan during his Twins career if you prefer. He could be the Twins ace in 2017. Next year in Cedar Rapids will tell us a lot. Will he hit the bump in the road?? Will he still dominate a better bunch of hitters?? I expect Stephen (and maybe Stewart) to both do well in Cedar Rapids and maybe get a promotion to Ft. Myers in 2014 (Stephen will turn 20 in July) pitch for New Britain in 2015 and maybe get a shot with the Twins in 2016. Three potential roadblocks in this path--the deterioration of the ground/fly ratio he experienced in E-town; his attitude--while it was nice to see the tweet and the cockiness--can he handle the bump in the road; the arm injuries that seem to affect many (most??) Twins pitching prospects...

I agree--this year's class is no better. Lincecum is on a 3 year downtrend. Hughes and Johnson may be worth a gamble--but 3 year 25mill is the max. Don't expect either to be better than 10-12 wins and an ERA of 4.5...pretty much what we got for Corriea...free agency is not the way to go.