Vanimal46

I'll test this trade out in MLB The Show tonight... Will report in with results later.

We know that the Twins have until 2018 until he's arbitration eligible... so he's young and cheap. Best case scenario it sounds like we will see a league average C all-around. Worst case, we have a backup C and need to go back to the drawing board to find our primary C.

Not sure if it's ice cream, or soft serve... or really what the difference is between them for the matter. I do know that an Oreo Blizzard is amazing though.

For the Twins, gotta hope that Hick's recent turnaround was a mirage and not a trend. At least Murphy is young with some room to develop. I was dreaming of a Rosario-Buxton-Hicks OF, but now I'll have to start dreaming of a Rosario-Buxton-Kepler OF instead!

(cough cough) The Twins will also trade CF Aaron Hicks to the New York Yankees for C JR Murphy.... Nailed it!

There's one DQ that I know of in Austin within driving distance of my work. I was so disappointed that the dilly bars are no longer prepared at the stores... And the only flavors available were chocolate and cherry. What happened to butterscotch dilly bars?!

I'm just not sure Schwarber's going to get that chance for his glove to catch up to his bat. Clearly his hitting is MLB ready, but his fielding, especially at C, would probably need more seasoning in AAA. No way he's going to be sent down to the minors just to work on his fielding behind the plate. Overall both Berrios and Schwarber are top end talents, but I'd probably say no to the deal. Blake Swihart for Berrios on the other hand.......

*Sign 1B/DH Byung-Ho Pak to a 3 year, $30 million contract* - Fangraph's contract projection of 5/40 terrifies me. I would bump up the salary figure in order to keep the number of years lower. * Trade 3B Trevor Plouffe to the Los Angeles Angels for RP Mike Morin - Not sure if Morin is available for trade or not. He's coming off a rough season with 35 IP, and a 6.37 ERA. However, he did have a good K/BB ratio of 41/9, and he's one of us! (From Andover, MN) *Sign C Dioner Navarro to a 2 year, $10 million contract* - He is a switch-hitting catcher who's mostly been a platoon against LH pitching most of his career. However, his career slash line as a LH against RHP is actually pretty decent - .270/.336/.439 in 419 games. *Trade RP J.T. Chargois and the supplemental 2nd round pick in 2016 to the Washington Nationals for RP Drew Storen* - If Jonathan Papelbon remains in Washington, Storen is going to want out. He may be a rental player, but he would solidify the bullpen and give the Twins 3 great options with closing experience in case if Perkins falters again. *Sign RP Tony Sipp to a 1 year, $6 million contract* - Since Duensing is out of the picture, there's an opening for a LHP in the bullpen. Fangraphs has Sipp projected to get 2/10. I will pay up on salary to keep it at 1 year. *Sign OF Alejandro De Aza to a 1 year, $5 million contract* - De Aza makes his return to the AL Central to be the stop-gap OF until Kepler or other minor league options are ready. Once the kids are ready, he would be a valuable 4th OF for the 2016 season. 2016 Lineup: C: Suzuki/Navarro platoon 1B: Mauer 2B: Dozier SS: Escobar 3B: Sano LF: Rosario CF: Hicks RF: De Aza (Kepler takes over FT in June) DH: Pak 2016 Bench: -Santana - Pinto - Arcia 2016 Rotation: - E. Santana - Gibson *potential mid-season trade - Hughes - Duffey - May - Berrios (after he gets the Kris Bryant treatment) 2016 Bullpen: - Nolasco in the famous Tim Stauffer role - Morin - Sipp - Storen - Jepsen - Burdi - Perkins

It's also National Sundae Day. So pick up some ice cream and make yourself a tasty treat!

Thank you Chief for your service! Glad there's bad a$$es like you out there to protect us.

That could be the case too. By 2017-2018, is that the time Sano's due for arbitration?

Well it's safe to say TR is not getting fired at this stage of his career. He will retire on his own terms whether we like it or not as fans. This off-season is starting off far more different than years past, so maybe he is trying to put the team in a good position for life after TR. He's 62, and I would imagine he wants to see the kids develop into quality MLB players. I predict he wants to be in the GM role until he's 65.

Awesome. Let's find Plouffe a new home so the Sano show at 3B can begin!

Just the boring cake part. You can let your freak flag fly on icing! I could go for one right now....

Completely on board with this trade. Herrmann didn't have a future on this club. Looks like he may have a backup job lined up in Atlanta. Good for him and wish him well on his future.

Storen for one of the college relievers and the supplemental 2nd round pick? Sold. That would give the Twins 3 very solid options for the 7-8-9 innings and all would have closing experience in case if Perkins flames out in the 2nd half again.

Plenty of time to get worked up over the moves made this off-season. This isn't one of them.. As Mike Tice once said "Enjoy the season!" http://i.ebayimg.com/00/s/NTAwWDUwMA==/z/sEwAAOSw0e9Us8uZ/$_35.JPG

Time will tell and one of us will be right. I suppose it can be possible that Sano takes on the same kind of route that Plouffe had starting in the OF and transitioning back to 3B. We're still a long ways away from the most recent news that Sano's getting some innings in the Dominican winter baseball league to Sano will be our starting RF opening day. If Sano to the OF is real, I will be wrong, and it certainly won't be the last time I will be wrong on this site.

Today is National Vanilla Cupcake day. Definitely a fan of that. More importantly, today is the U.S. Marine Corp's birthday. Established in 1775, 240 years of service from generations of soldiers. Thank you for continuing to keep us safe Marines!

I'm with you 100% Dinger. Plouffe's numbers have been broken down on other threads, and he is the definition of middle of the road 3B. The writing has been on the wall since July when Sano came up and dominated that Plouffe is expendable. Now we're seeing some resistance with trading him.. I don't get it.

Wow. Another home run once again tonight.

I believe you can still watch all episodes on the USA network app...

Do you still have the wheels to be our stopgap RF until Kepler is ready Lew?

Agreed 100%. GM's are paid to be liars and deceive the competition. No reason to believe them now that it's hot stove season. The whole Sano to RF angle is completely blown out of proportion. He will be our starting 3B on opening day, no doubt.