DAM DC Twins Fans

I have always felt that Kaat belonged in the HOF. A very good fielding pitcher as well as a smart one. Yes, career wise probably best pitcher in Twins history--though people like Mudcat and Johan and Bert may have had better individual seasons.

When I look at Trevor I see Cuddyer. Long-term I think Trevor plays LF and Sano 3B. Will this be 2015 second half?? 2016?? I don't know. Yes, I think Trevor can be a Twins LF for next 5 years. But I am inclined to let this play out for a year and see where Trevor and Sano are. (More importantly, Rosario who needs to prove that the AFL season was not a fluke.)

Brian is under Twins control for 4 more years. No need to give him long-term contract now. He will be 30+ when he is eligible for free agency and probably not part of the future. Maybe give him a million dollars next year, maybe not.

First a question--shouldn't my AAP (Brett Lee) be on this list. My two cents--I would add Gilmartin and Goodrum to the 40 man. I like Niko and think he is too valuable to risk. Gilmartin would definitely be picked in the rule 5. If space permits, I would add Michael, I don't think given his injury history he would be picked however.

If Sano makes the team at 3B then Plouffe can move to LF. My first choice is moving Mauer to LF and putting Vargas or Parmalee at 1B. I am worried that if Rosario comes north with Twins next spring we could have another Aaron Hicks situation...not ready for prime time.

As a former Mets fan (in my college days) I don't understand deal giving 2 years to a 35 year-old injury prone OF. It goes along with a long history (Bonilla for starters) of overpaid too long contracts. As a Cuddyer fan (one of my two favorite ex-Twins) good for him--gets closer to home--plays with his friend David Wright and gets 22 million at his age.

Not real excited by any of these guys. Masterson worth a shot if you can get him for say 35-40 mill for 3 years.

You are not the only one. I brought this up on another thread. Molitar was in trouble in the 1980s for cocaine use. He also had an illegitimate kid and went thru a lurid divorce. The cocaine for me is a disqualification--along with the rumors of steroids.

I may be in the minority here--but I believe Molitor's sordid personal life is a con. His cocaine use bothers me a lot. His marital issues not as much. I have heard over the years he used steroids--that is just rumor...

Totally agree. Yes, should have been done last year too. Buying free agents blocks Meyer and May and potentially others. Play Parmalee and Hicks a bunch in first half in OF and see if they are part of the future. I wonder if Santana is better off in OF too instead of SS--lots of players have done that before SS in minors OF in majors starting with Mantle. Bring Sano and Buxton up when ready--not sooner. Same with Berrios--ditch Nolasco and Pelfrey then.

Thanks for doing this Seth. I agree with you on Rogers (obviously a minority opinion). I actually have Berrios at numero uno on my list--he has really grown this year. Do you think he has a chance to come up in 2015?? I wouldn't put Rosario in a top 20 list--I have lost faith in him.

I would not trade Berrios or Buxton or Meyer--anybody else is available. I would do what the Nats did with Gio a couple of years ago. Give up 3 or 4 prospects for a top pitcher or corner OF.

I actually live 10 miles north of DC--Rockville MD--so not local. Surprised me when Buxton nd Sano both said Molitor but doesn't change my opinion.

As an old guy who has been going to games for almost 50 years new mgr must be under 50 years old to relate to Sano,Buxton and the rest. Go with Dougie baseball who has managed them in the minors. If its Molitar with his drug issues as a player and being too old now, I will consider switching allegiance.

I am one of those people who think first ballot election belongs to the truly elite. In my lifetime--that's Mays, Mantle, Aaron, Clemente, Brooks (maybe), Schmidt,Morgan (maybe), Ozzie Smith, etc. Pitchers like Spahn, Gibson, Maddox, etc. Like Cal JR, I think Jeter falls below (slightly) that level. (no MVPs, average at best defense). I wouldn't vote for him in his first year. Will he get in, yes. I would vote for him 2nd year. This is just me

If we are trying to sign Lester level free agents we need good PR...just give Hughes the DAM bonus and call it an investment in future free agents.

I am mystified!! I may be biased in regards to Brett Lee as he is my AAP but I had him and Dalton Hicks in my top 30 quick list. There must be players I forgot. Still both should be higher!! Are people like May and Vargas still on the prospect list??

I agree with Thrylos--I dislike the move--I am real close to Bowie...Reading and Harrisburg are possible. Now Chattanooga is far and there is only one Southern team closer--Tennnessee and its not much closer... But probably right move for Twins.

Glad you are happy...for others its a loss. Living in DC area I was counting on seeing guys like Walker, Hicks, Berrios, Harrison and my AAP Brett Lee play in Bowieand Harrisburg, etc. Now I wont get to

I am actually 10 miles north of DC. I use internet explorer (on a 5 year-old laptop) but latest IE version (I think). Loading isn't the problem its loading my typing on comments like this--though today has been fine. I think DC is further from Texas than Minn. but I may be wrong.

I don't understand the Molitar thing either--I have a lot of trouble getting over his drug issues as a player--to me worse than a mgr. in a fight in the minors. I want Dougie baseball here next year. (If he doesn't want to leave FLA then fine--go with Jake Mauer.) Both Doug and Jake have been managing the future Twins the last two years. Also can the coaching staff outside of Bruno (hitting) and Cuellar. I would make Lucas pitching coach and keep Cuellar in the pen--but you can flip them. Bring up Tommy Watkins too. Somebody suggested Bernier as a coach--a bit out of the box but an intriguing idea.

A small rant I know this is not the right forum... I hope to keep Brett as my AAP in 2015. Three obstacles. The first, he isn't a Twin--either goes in draft or is packaged in a trade with other prospects for a (whatever) top player the Twins can get (like Nats got Gio a couple of years ago). Second, Seth may have a rule against keeping AAPs for more than 2 years. Third, Twins Daily itself. Since the latest version has been on-line, I have found that posting is hard. Sometimes (like right now) its fine. Most of the time, not so much. I wait for letters to show up on the screen for what seems like forever (probably 30-50 seconds) and have to back space and retype. I have definitely cut down on my postings. I thought I would be way over 500 by now--but I am not. If it doesn't get better, I wont have an AAP next year. I will still limit posting comments, but not reading articles. Off the soap box.

Brett Lee Wrap for 2014 Brett was drafted by the Twin in 2011 as a 10th rounder. Signed too late to play in GCL. Not a big prospect then. In 2012, Brett spent the season in ETown. He was both a starter and reliever. His stats--43.2IP, 39Hits, 12BB, 48Ks. (with a 2.68 ERA and 1.17WHIP). Good numbers not top prospect numbers but intriguing enough for me to pick him as my AAP. In 2013, Brett spent the whole season as a starter on a good Cedar Rapids team. He was arguably the ace of the staff in the second half when he threw 2 complete games. First half stats 4-4 with a 4.44 ERA (bizarre). He pitched 58.2IP giving up 68 hits, 18BB, and getting 44Ks. (1.47 WHIP) Second half, Brett looked like a top 5 prospect. (4-0 with an ERA of 1.41). 57.1 IP 42hits, 8BB, 45K (0.87 WHIP). In 2014, Brett spent the whole season as a starter on the FSL champion Ft. Myers Miracle. First half stats 46.1 innings pitched. 48 hits, 9 walks, 22 punch outs. (1.22 WHIP). Second half 60.1 IP, 53 hits 24BB, 28K (1.28 WHIP). In the first half Brett went 5-1 with an ERA of 2.61; second half 5-4 with an ERA of 2.35. Note worthy to me (at least) Brett in 107 innings didn't give up a triple or HR in 2014. So where does Brett stand on the Twins pitcher prospect list. Three or four years ago he would have been top 5. Twins system is deeper now, much deeper. My top 7 pitching prospects--Berrios, Meyer, May, Stewart, Wheeler, Duffey and Rogers are above Brett IMHO. There is another group (Hu, Gonsalves, etc.) that I believe Brett fits in with--maybe top 10, maybe not. I still believe Brett can be up in 2016 and be a back of rotation guy. Next year in New Britain will be key. His K rate went down this year. Will it go back up in 2015?? For the whole time Brett has been in the Twins organization, his ground ball rate has been outstanding, that must continue next year. Brett will be available in the Rule V draft if he is not added to the 40 man roster this offseason. There are a bunch of guys in this position (12-15) including many of the Miracle players. Is Brett ready for the show?? No. Could he be picked in the draft and hidden in some teams pen for 2015?? Yes, he could be a viable lefty option out of the pen if used strategically (starting with no pressure games). Will it happen?? We will have to wait and see.

Thanks Seth--great article. I pretty much agree with your rankings. I would probably put Kohl in 6th, but just a minor point. I have been very impressed by both Wheeler and Berrios this year and look forward to seeing them in Minnesota soon. I think both can be top of the rotation guys.

To me the biggest surprise is actually a top prospect--Berrios. He ended 2013 badly, but in 2014 he dominated and was promoted twice. I never expected this. I think right now he is the Twins top pitching prospect. For somebody not on the top list, I would have to go with Jason Wheeler for pitching. For batting, I agree gunarthur--Levi Michael. Honorable mention to the two catchers in A ball (names escape me at the moment).