Ted Schwerzler

Appreciate the response. Would suggest that equally as important as how badly someone can get hurt, is how little risk there is to actually getting hurt. As I alluded to, the percentages is fraction points, and less likely than falling and dying from a less than safe part of the stadium. There's little doubt in my mind that I'd grow accustomed to any new safety measures. My stance is more rooted in the fact that overprotection is often to a detriment of the masses, caused by the few and far between, and reflective of our society as a whole. It's an ownership thing. Baseball teams could offer every fan down the foul line a helmet, but should they really have to?

All but dead with Twins noting they won't be dealing Nolasco. Looking at the above though, probably for the best.

For months, players, fans, and Major League Baseball have been discussing the options in regards to fan safety at the ballpark. Most notably, the expansion of netting from behind home plate has become a topic of interest. Now Major League Baseball has issued their new fan safety recommendations. In the release, the following recommendations are issued: Clubs are encouraged to implement or maintain netting that shields from line-drive foul balls all field-level seats that are located between the near ends of both dugouts and within 70 feet of home plate. Although Clubs already provide warnings to fans about the dangers posed by batted balls and bats entering the stands and the need to pay attention to the action on the field during each at-bat, the Commissioner's Officer recommends that Clubs continue to explore ways to educate their fans on these issues and is providing Clubs with resources to assist them in this area. The Commissioner's Office will be working with the Clubs and online ticketing sellers to identify ways to provide customers with additional information at the point of sale about which seats are (and are not) behind netting. Ok, now we have the basis for our discussion. First and foremost, this is something I can get behind as long as the changes end at the current state. Per the recommendations above, no netting would extend the length of the dugout, and therefore, would leave those seats still unobstructed. Therein lies my biggest concern for going overboard with netting and safety measures. In recent years, we have seen a handful of fans be struck with batted balls or bats flying into the stands. Handful is a reflective term noting that out of the millions of people that experience baseball games in person each season, less than a full percent have ever been seriously injured. That's not to make light of the situation, but instead to provide some perspective. More fans have died in recent memory, from falling from areas in stadiums with less than secure railings or overhangs. We aren't talking about some sort of epidemic. Looking at the problem that faces Major League Baseball as it pertains to fan safety, we find a situation in which the consumer is asking for protection from themselves. Regardless of how many fans have been hurt, each situation is a direct outcome of a buying decision. As has always been the case, each ticket comes with a disclaimer full highlighting the inherent risks of being present at a baseball game. This is also voiced at each game as a reminder prior to first pitch over the stadium public address system. Generally, the thought process behind buying seats close to the dugout or down the lines is one of increased fan interaction. Whether it be for a close up field view, the opportunity for autographs, hoping to interact with a player, or snagging a ball, those reasons would seem to influence the purchasing decision. Knowing full well the tickets carry a premium price for those reasons, the expected experience should be what each fan has come to understand. While it's not fair to categorize every incident as the outcome of a fan or group not paying attention, or simply not reacting, it's also not fair to do the opposite. In an age where cell phones, conversations, food, beer, and otherwise have all taken away from paying attention to the action, responsibility should not be shifted. Again, when buying your ticket, you know what and where you are paying for. With the latest safety recommendations, baseball has gone above and beyond to protect fans from themselves. The seats in question have been unprotected for years. While the game has gotten bigger, faster, and stronger, it has not done so exponentially so quickly that the sport hasn't handled it. Instead of looking at the unfortunate instances as the outliers they have come to be, baseball has taken a step to improve fan safety while not diluting the product being purchased. At some point, as a whole, we need to take more ownership for our own safety and actions. Unfortunate circumstances take place, and while not all things are preventable, there's also a point in which prevention measures overstep sensibility as well. For now, this is a good move for baseball. As the call for netting past the dugouts or even from foul pole to foul pole comes to fruition, sensibility needs to win out. For more from Off The Baggy, click here. Follow @tlschwerz

I'm torn on which field i like him better in. Right field is tricky, but learning the quirks of each park is going to be a process no matter what corner he's in. Using him in left exposes his speed deficiency and doesn't utilize his plus arm as much.

For the next couple of months, Target Field will have plenty of snow in the outfield. When the whether turns warmer and the Twins return home from spring training in sunny Fort Myers, there may be a different Sano in the outfield. Puns aside, what happens when Miguel Sano in right field for the Twins works out wonderfully? Let's clear a couple of things up here. First and foremost, it appears Trevor Plouffe is not going to be traded. Terry Ryan has been adamant that the Twins don't have nay intentions of moving their third basemen, and after the year he had last year, it's hard to argue with him. I have been a proponent of giving Plouffe an extension, and while that notion has cooled, he's a bat they probably can't replace. Secondly, there's a distant possibility that the Opening Day outfield for Minnesota could rival some of the worst in major league history. In this scenario, Byron Buxton starts the year at Triple-A Rochester, meaning the three big league spots would be filled by Oswaldo Arcia, Eddie Rosario, and Sano. There's no denying this construction has the makings of a horribly bad defensive unit. Logically though, I think it's a pretty sound bet that Buxton begins the year where he belongs, at the highest level. Now that we have some parameters set, it's time to get into it. The outfield utilized most often by the Twins a season ago featured Torii Hunter in right field. For everything he was as a veteran leader and statue of nostalgia, he was virtually that in the outfield, a statue. Hunter gave the Twins a -8 DRS (defensive runs saved) mark, as well as contributing just a 0.3 UZR (ultimate zone rating). Providing some background understanding when it comes to UZR, here is how it breaks down. UZR is essentially how outfielders are quantified from a complete defensive value. Calculated by looking at how many runs are saved by an outfielder's arm, turning double plays, someone's range, and how many errors are committed in relation to league average, it's quite a comprehensive number. Looking at Hunter's mark, he was essentially a wash when it came to overall value. Knowing that Plouffe staying at third gives the Twins a positive outcome when considering replacements, it's time to look at the expectations for Sano and his new role. As things stand right now, it appears Ryan and Molitor are split on where Sano would best be suited. Molitor has noted that Sano may be best fit in left, as he sees the ball off the bat in that situation at third. Ryan however, thinks that the ground needing to be covered in left would be best suited for the likes of a more natural outfielder, meaning Sano would be destined for right. Regardless of which position he plays, Sano has a few things going for him. Last season, had the Twins gone with Eddie Rosario, Byron Buxton, and Torii Hunter for the entirety of the season, their DRS total would have been something like 26. That mark would have been good enough for the 5th best outfield in the big leagues (trailing just Tampa Bay, Arizona, the Royals, and Mets). Also, Hunter didn't set the bar incredibly high. There's little doubt that on the field, Hunter's presence was most felt in the batters box. Despite the mass amount of times he's going to strike out, there's little reason to believe Sano won't be a superior hitter to the 2015 version of Torii Hunter in nearly every way. Defensively, Sano possesses better speed and quickness, while owning a significantly superior arm. That brings us to what Sano's biggest deficiency is going to be. After having played infield for the entirety of his career, the Twins are asking a hulking 260 pound 22 year-old to play a position completely foreign to him. The outfield is far more than just getting under pop flies, and while learning the best routes to balls is a feat all its own, there's also understanding situations, cutoffs, and each stadium's quirks. Looking at what lies ahead of him, it's the instinctual part of the game that will provide the biggest challenge. At the end of the day, Miguel Sano in the outfield for the Twins is quite the proposition. It's a scary one to say the least, and one that Byron Buxton not being to his side gets worse. The silver lining though is that it could actually work, and if it does, the Twins are much better positioned than they are if they move Trevor Plouffe simply to accommodate having too many pieces. For more from Off The Baggy, click here. Follow @tlschwerz

For the better part of the last six months, the biggest pitching name the Minnesota Twins have been linked to is a starter from the San Diego Padres. After inking Phil Hughes, Ricky Nolasco, and Ervin Santana to big contracts, it's James Shields that the club has been tied to recently. Looking to shed the contract of Nolasco in a swap for Shields, one has to question whether Shields is anything more than another bad contract and big name. Looking at a potential trade during the 2015 deadline period, the Twins and Padres became linked to one another. San Diego is motivated to shed Shields' deal, as the Twins are with Nolasco. Ricky has thrived in the National League, and is a West Coast guy through and through. There seems to be definite reasons for Nolasco to be excited about the idea. What Shields would bring to the Twins should be cautioned however. While he's known as Big Game James, it's worth noting Shields exorbitant payroll number first. He's owed $21 million in 2016 and can opt out of his deal the following season. If he does not, Shields would be paid $21 million in each 2017 and 2018, with a $16 million team option in 2019 (with a $2 million buyout). That equates to at least $65 million over the next four seasons (when Shields would be 37), with the potential to cost up to $79 million. By that representation, the $24 million Minnesota owes Nolasco over the next two season, seems like peanuts. So why would the Twins and Terry Ryan believe this deal is of benefit to them? As things stand currently, Ricky Nolasco has given the Twins just 35 starts over the past two seasons. He pitched in just nine games in 2015, and owns a 5.64 ERA in his time with the Twins. His 4.15 FIP suggests he's been better than that number suggests, but his 6.9 K/9 mark is below his career average, and pitching in the American League hasn't done him any favors. Though Nolasco did have a good stretch before getting injured yet again in 2015, he's been put on the backburner and doesn't appear to have a place in the 2016 rotation. The interesting wrinkle to any potential trade is that James Shields doesn't seem to be a perfect fit for the Twins rotation either. Last season in San Diego, Shields owned a 3.91 ERA that was hiding a career worst 4.45 FIP. His strikeout totals hit a career mark at 9.6 K/9, but so did his walks (3.6 BB/9). He led the big leagues in home runs surrendered, and while he did pitch 202.1 innings, it was his lowest total since his debut season in 2006. That's the bad when it comes to Shields, but there's also some good to be had there. Just a season removed from pitching in the AL Central with the Royals, Shields owned a 3.18 ERA during his time in Kansas City. He struck out batters at a 7.4 K/9 clip and averaged 228 Ip per year. His 2.2 BB/9 mark was lower than his career average, and his 3.53 FIP was much better than what happened in San Diego. In acquiring Shields, the Twins would need to make decisions on how they would like to attack the 2016 season. First of all, Shields is not exactly a ground ball pitcher. He gave up fly balls on 34% of the balls put in play against him a season ago. With Byron Buxton, Eddie Rosario, and Max Kepler in the outfield that may not be a problem. Having Miguel Sano and Oswaldo Arcia out there could make it catastrophic. Then there's the issue of rotation construction. Right now, the Twins should go with a starting five of Ervin Santana, Phil Hughes, Kyle Gibson, Tyler Duffey, and Tommy Milone. That leaves Trevor May to be an asset in the bullpen, and Jose Berrios, Taylor Rogers, and Logan Darnell all as depth options. Shields would likely bump Milone from the group, but he isn't a guy that fits in the pen, and he's wasted down on the farm. Ideally, you want quality arms over quantity in depth, but this configuration would put Berrios in an uphill battle to push anyone out barring injury. As things stand, the Winter Meetings are going to bring more clarity to the situation. Much like the trade deadline rumblings between the Twins and Padres, everything could go up in smoke. If the two teams are willing to swap bad contracts, that's one thing. If San Diego is asking for prospects in return, taking on that salary risk may make it less than worthwhile. Shields is an upgrade over even a healthy Nolasco, but there's plenty of scary outcomes that lie ahead. If Minnesota loses prospects and Shields walks, it hurts. Should Shields fall off and play out the remaining dollars, that stings as well. Regardless, it's a tread with caution scenario that may have no win in sight. For more from Off The Baggy, click here. Follow @tlschwerz

I have a hard time believing Twins would sign both Sipp and Rodney. I'd prefer Sipp given the age and concerns surrounding Rodney, even though he may cost more.

Monday marks a glorious day on the offseason calendar in regards to Major League Baseball. This season in Nashville, the Winter Meetings have officially commenced. With everybody who is anybody in the game of baseball in attendance, the Hot Stove is at its most scalding, and the acquisition market (both free agent and trade) is bubbling over. The question is, what do the Twins do this week? After offering contracts to each of the six arbitration eligible players, the Twins 40 man roster currently stands at capacity. Don't let that deter focus however, the club has room to improve. With a handful of players that could still be removed from the 40 man, Minnesota has some definite targets this week. Looking at the biggest area of need for Terry Ryan and Paul Molitor, relief pitching is a glaring weakness. Owning one of the worst bullpens in the big leagues a season ago, you can bet the Twins will be talking to many relievers this week. Off them, two names jump off the page. First and foremost, Minnesota has been linked to 38 year-old Fernando Rodney. Playing for $7 million with the Mariners and Cubs in 2015, his price will be significantly lowered. Although his 14 games with the Cubs produced a 0.75 ERA, the collective whole was uninspiring. Rodney owned a 4.92 FIP (fielding independent pitching) mark, and a 4.74 ERA in 2015. He struck out just 8.3 per nine while walking 4.2 per nine. In total, it was his worst season since 2011 with the Angels. For all of his detractors, Rodney is a year removed from an All Star season, and Major League leading 48 save campaign in 2014. Minnesota could do worse, but should exercise caution here. Another arm that the club has been linked to is that of 32 year-old Tony Sipp. A relative average arm for the majority of his career, Sipp put together a 1.99 ERA and 2.9# FIP across 60 games a season ago. His 10.3 K/9 and 2.5 BB/9 would be at the top of the Twins pen. His FIP numbers over the last two seasons suggest 2015 wasn't a fluke, but he's probably not going to repeat the same level of success. Said to be looking for around $5-6 million per year, coming to Minnesota on a two or three year deal would make a lot of sense. Then there's the trade market, and that's one that the Twins seem to have only one or two logical pieces for. While the farm system is overflowing with top-tier talent, Ryan doesn't seem interested in a package to acquire a high-end player at this point. What he could do is deal from a position of depth. Trevor Plouffe still remains the most likely player to be traded out of Minnesota. Despite Ryan continuing to claim that Miguel Sano is destined for the outfield, moving Plouffe seems like a much better strategy. The Angels continue to be the team that makes the most sent, and relievers like Cam Bedrosian or Trevor Gott could probably be had in return. Plouffe is no doubt an asset to the Twins, but if they can get a solid relief arm in return, it may push the needle of the club as a whole. Probably far from likely, but worth mentioning, is the possibility of moving Eddie Rosario. With Minnesota moving Aaron Hicks to the Yankees, it's likely that those around baseball see Rosario as having lesser value. He had a great rookie year, but his free-swinging tendencies provide a reason for caution moving forward. The Twins have Max Kepler on the way, and outfield options at multiple different levels. If they saw a fit in moving Rosario, there's little reason to believe he's untouchable. Finally, there's always the revisiting of what was rumblings of mutual interest in the San Diego Padres assets. I still have a hard time seeing where Ricky Nolasco fits for the Twins, and a swap to San Diego in exchange for James Shields could make a lot of sense. Both are bad contracts, but Big Game James may be better suited to pitch in the American League than Nolasco has proven. San Diego is motivated to move him, but are the Twins willing to take the bait? After a fast start to the offseason, I'd put the over/under for moves the Twins make this week at the Winter Meetings at a conservative 1.5. Right now, I'll take the over. I think the team speak probably comes to a head, and Plouffe is dealt. If he isn't this week, it may not happen at all. On top of that, I think Terry Ryan is at least aware he can't go into the season with the bullpen constructed as it currently is. Look for him to address that one way or another. The baseball landscape is going to be shook up this week, and it's the Winter Meetings that we have to thank for it. For more from Off The Baggy, click here. Follow @tlschwerz

Fien's not a lock by being tendered. His contract is not guaranteed if he's released before the regular season.

Ricky Nolasco is what you describe. Tyler Duffey, Jose Berrios, Taylor Rogers, Trevor May, and Tommy Milone are not.

You must have missed this in the second paragraph, "There's a couple of caveats here that need to be dealt with before diving in. Although the 40 man roster currently sits at full capacity, the Twins would have some serious questions to answer if moves were not still made." This is the best bullpen configuration with the current 40 man roster.

A year ago, the state of the Minnesota Twins bullpen was far from a good place. Going into the season, the front office made sure to let media members know they were off base, and that the relief pitching was in a good place. As the season wore on, that ended up being quite off base, and remains a point of contention heading into 2016. Looking at the Twins current 40 man roster, what does the Twins best bullpen look like? There's a couple of caveats here that need to be dealt with before diving in. Although the 40 man roster currently sits at full capacity, the Twins would have some serious questions to answer if moves were not still made. There's a couple of different players that could be removed, and there's definitely free agents that could help this team out. In looking at the bullpen specifically, there are also a couple of contributors both within and outside of the organization that make sense. Guys like Jake Reed and Nick Burdi would make the Twins pen better when they arrive, but shouldn't be counted on from the get go. I'm not sold on the idea that Neal Cotts improves the Twins relief corps, but while still on the market, there's some mutual interest in making a return to Minnesota. Focusing in on what's immediately available to Paul Molitor and Terry Ryan, the configuration should look something like this: Ryan Pressly- RHP The former Rule 5 pick has been a solid contributor for the Twins, unfortunately in 2015, he spent a majority of the year on the disabled list. When he did pitch however, he gave the Twins 27.2 innings and owned a 7.2 K/9 mark. Pressly posted a career best 2.84 FIP and tallied just a 2.93 ERA. His 3.9 BB/9 rate was the worst of his career, and the hope would be he could get back towards 2014's 2.5 BB/9 number. Pressly is far from a sure thing, and he's probably a placeholder for a guy like Reed or Burdi, but you could do a lot worse out of the gate. Logan Darnell- LHP The first lefty of the group, Darnell slides into what was once a role Brian Duensing held onto. More than just a lefty specialist, Darnell has the ability to eat innings and can do so at a competitive level. He ended 2015 working as a starter for Triple-Rochester. In his five starts, he posted a 0.83 ERA .185/.228/.210 slash line against, and a 7.83 K/9. He didn't appear for the Twins due to sickness following his September call, but expect him to get a crack out of Spring Training. Michael Tonkin- RHP Much like Darnell, Tonkin has not been given much extended run at the big league level despite minor league success. He was up and down too often a season ago, and never got settled at either level. For the Twins, he threw 23.1 innings and compiled a 3.47 ERA with a 7.3 K/9. At Rochester, Tonkin was virtually unhittable owning a 1.10 ERA, 10.1 K/9. and a 1.1 BB/9. Given an extended stay for the Twins, he could become a trustworthy back-end option with the ability to strike out big league sluggers. Alex Meyer- RHP After expecting to be a part of the 2015 season, Meyer had his struggles last year. Despite making his major league debut, it was short-lived. As the calendar turns, so does the year that was, and Meyer is poised for a breakout. Now almost certainly destined for the bullpen, Meyer showed some impressive stuff to close out 2015. In his final 10 games, Meyer threw 22.2 innings and owned a 0.79 ERA. Opposing batters slashed just .192/.293/.205 off of him while he owned a 22/10 K/BB ratio. Meyer's controlled improved at the end of the year, and the Twins pen would welcome his career 10.3 K/9 ratio. In the season ahead, it could be Meyer that ends up being the Twins most important rookie. Trevor May- RHP Despite what the Twins have said, and likely what May would prefer, starting may not be in the cards out of the gate in 2016. The problem isn't that May is a bad starter (he's actually very good), but instead that the Twins have so much depth there. In pitching May out of the pen, the 5th spot in the rotation can be given to the likes of Tyler Duffey, Taylor Rogers, or even Jose Berrios. As a reliever in 2015, May pitched 34.1 innings owning a 3.15 ERA. His 10.3 K/9 was the best amongst Twins relievers, and his velocity rose as well. May has the makings of a very good pitcher wherever the Twins utilize him, but it would be in their best interest to make that in relief. Kevin Jepsen- RHP Tendered a new contract for the upcoming season, Jepsen is in his final season of arbitration eligibility and is set to become a free agent in 2017. After being acquired from the Rays last season, Jepsen was a vital part of the Twins down the stretch. He owned a 1.61 ERA across 28.0 IP. His 8.0 K/9 was plenty respectable, and his 0.893 WHIP allowed him to fill into the closer role admirably. Jepsen should again be counted on to be a key cog in the late innings, and could end up being one of the league's best setup men in the year ahead. Glen Perkins- LHP Joining Darnell as the only other lefty in the Twins pen, Perkins had a tale of two seasons in 2015. Prior to making the All Star Game, Perkins collected a Major League leading 28 saves while owning a 1.21 ERA in 37.1 innings of work. He compiled an 8.7 K/9 and .188/.217/.246 slash line against in that period. Then the wheels fell off. Through the rest of the year, Perkins owned a 7.32 ERA, allowed opposing hitters to slash .360/.394/.674 off of him, and had just one more save (4) than blown saves (3). He should be back to full health to start 2016, but he needs to put together a complete season again (something he hasn't done each of the last two years). Looking at the grouping as a whole, the Twins have a very solid mix of options. Turning to youth with upside as well as rolling out proven veterans, this would seem to be the best constructed Opening Day bullpen that Minnesota has had in quite some time. While I expect there to be at least one move yet to be made, that should only further the overall ability of this group. For more from Off The Baggy, click here. Follow @tlschwerz

Ding ding ding! Talking money is virtually irrelevant in an uncapped sport. Moves are almost always about the opportunity cost and who's else was available for the same role.

The comparison was nonsensical though as the two couldn't be less related. Fien being tendered a contract isn't wrong because of the money, but because he doesn't make the pen better. You could get someone significantly cheaper to do his job just as well if not better. You could also allocate those dollars/roster spot to an upgrade. Either way, it becomes moot if he's cut this spring.

Really? C'mon... Craig Kimbrel is a 28 year old that posted 13.2 K/9 in 2015 and owns a 14.5 K/9 career mark. I'm good with opposition, but that's silly...

Agreed, this is the issue. If you're pushing to be a winner or included in the next level, you have to act as though you belong. The Twins were trashed about the pen going into last season, and Fien's inclusion signifies a safe route again.

That's basically where I am with Nunez. It signifies Twins aren't sold on someone younger/higher ceiling taking the role though. Fien, while signifies more a problem in process than it does in bringing him specifically back.

No, not really. It's the same issue they went into the season with last year. For $2.5 million, you go look elsewhere. You don't continue to take guys like Casey Fien and Brian Duensing to arbitration.

The deadline to tender contracts to arbitration eligible players has come and gone again. This time around, the Twins had six players to decide upon. Four of them were locks for new contracts: Tommy Milone, Kevin Jepsen, Eduardo Escobar, and Trevor Plouffe. Two however, were not. Casey Fien and Eduardo Nunez were both tendered contracts despite having their status somewhat up in the air. Regarding Nunez, there's not much reason to show displeasure with the decision one way or another. Had he not been tendered, the Twins would have opened a roster spot for someone with a higher ceiling but the potential to struggle when called upon. In bringing Nunez back, Minnesota has a serviceable utility man that can do it all, but not at a relatively high level. The bigger issue is with the decision to tender a contract to Casey Fien. We have seen this before with the Twins, and most recently, with Brian Duensing. Duensing was a pitcher on the wrong side of the marginal line that Minnesota continued to go to arbitration with, and make a mainstay in the pen. Over the past two seasons Duensing owned just a 5.0 K/9 while walking batters at a 3.6 BB/9 clip. He owned a 3.76 ERA and while being capable of eating innings, wasn't particularly effective. Fien is of a similar mold at this point in his career. Although Fien has never walked batters at the clip Duensing has (just a 1.7 BB/9 career number), he doesn't strike out many either. In 2015, Fien sat batters down at just 5.8 K/9 despite being a back end of the pen/high leverage arm. His 3.55 ERA was the best mark since 2012, but the now 32 year old owned a Twins career worst 3.45 FIP (fielding independent pitching). As things stand for Fien, he's far from the pitcher that struck out 8.2 and 10.6 per nine in 2012 and 2013 respectively. His 2.06 2012 ERA is a distant memory, and expecting things to stay the same rather than get worse seems to be a long shot. After making $1.375 million a year ago, Fien will earn something like $2.5 million in 2016, a healthy raise. Coming out of spring training, the Twins bullpen was a point of contention among media members and bloggers. The Twins front office took shots at those stories suggesting that the pen was indeed fine, and built in a way that made sense. As expected, the Twins pen went on to be one of the worst in the big leagues over the past season. The breakdown of Glen Perkins likely prompted the eventual failure to make the playoffs, and once again had the bullpen being a key area for improvement in the year ahead. Although the Twins have been linked to relievers such as Joakim Soria, their 40 man roster is currently at its capacity. They will need to make a move should they wish to acquire the services of another player. It's not a massive undertaking by any means to do so, but Minnesota could have begun the improvement by trimming some of the proverbial fat in the case of Fien. It would stand to reason that Minnesota would look to internal options at some point in the year ahead. Both Nick Burdi and Jake Reed seem close to ready on the farm, as well as potential fits such as Taylor Rogers. Regardless, if Minnesota is going to take the next step in the year ahead, continuing down a path of accepting mediocrity isn't a good route. Neither decision, Nunez or Fien, is incredibly egregious, but they follow a decision making process that doesn't support incremental improvement. Minnesota is entering a phase in which the big league club is ready to win. At this point, they need to get out of their own way. For more from Off The Baggy, click here. Follow @tlschwerz

Jung Ho Kang says differently

More often than not, the Minnesota Twins don't take the stage front and center when the audience becomes national. As a small market club, the organization is more noticed for being the underdog story it was during the 2015 season. However, with the Twins signing of Byung Ho Park, this offseason has provided a handful of fireworks already. Looking to get more of a national perspective on the state of the Twins, and where the belief the the organization is going, I had the privilege of speaking with Chris Cotillo. Cotillo covers Major League Baseball over at SB Nation's MLB Daily Dish. He's a Lead Writer there, and is often noticed breaking stories all around the league. Gaining momentum as a national source after breaking the Ricky Nolasco signing, Cotillo has a special tie to the Twins. Here's how he see the organization now and going forward: Off The Baggy: Last season, the Twins were one of the most surprising teams in all of baseball. With the production and season they had, what surprised you most about the team in Paul Molitor's first year? Chris Cotillo: I think everyone who covers baseball was surprised to see them hang in until the end like they did. They really showed a great mix of veteran leadership (Hunter, Mauer) and young talent (Sano) and overcame significant adversity (Santana suspension) along the way. OTB: With a farm system ready to overflow, the Twins should have plenty of top tier youth contributing at the big league level this season. What do you think are some realistic expectations for Byron Buxton in the season ahead? CC: Buxton has taken a backseat to many other young stars around the game, but I think it's time for a breakout campaign from him. Center field is his now after the Twins traded Hicks, so I expect him to be an everyday star there who can show his five-tool abilities in a prolonged major-league stint. It's tough to predict stats for someone who does so many things well, but I have high expectations. OTB: In somewhat of a surprising move, the Twins ended up winning the bid for Korean slugger, Byung Ho Park. What do you see Park contributing during his first year in the big leagues? CC: Pretty much everyone was surprised by that move, and it will definitely set off a chain reaction of moving parts involving Mauer, Plouffe and Sano. Park will provide some pop in the middle of the order at a time where right-handed power is at a premium. OTB: Looking at the free agent market, the Twins biggest offseason deficiencies were behind the plate and in the bullpen. They traded for John Ryan Murphy to fix their catching woes, but do you see them making any signings the rest of the way? If so, some names to watch? CC: I could see a couple of bullpen additions for sure. There are tons of second-tier relievers out there behind O'Day-- Soria, Kelley, Lowe, Badenhop, Hunter, Madson among them. OTB: Speaking of John Ryan Murphy, what is your take on the Aaron Hicks trade? Classic swap of two players better fit in their new situation, or did the Twins give up on Hicks just as he was about to get going? CC: I really like the trade for both sides, it is the classic change-of-scenery deal. Murphy was obviously blocked by McCann in New York, and as I said before, it's Buxton time in Minnesota. Hicks may break out and be a long-term option for the Yankees in center, but Twins fans will have to look back and remember that this trade truly did make sense at the time. OTB: Minnesota no doubt has playoff aspirations in 2016 after the season they just had. An increased level of talent should be on the 25 man throughout the season, but what one thing needs to improve for them to get back to the Postseason? CC: For me, the rotation is a little bit scary. If they are going to be serious about a postseason run next season, I would like for them to trade from that deep farm system and get a bona fide ace. While Cotillo is just one of the many national writers covering the game as a whole, the Twins have pushed the envelope and are begging to be noticed. After a strong 2015 and an aggressive start to the offseason, 2016 should continue that trend in a big way. For more from Off The Baggy, click here. Follow @tlschwerz

It's official, the Minnesota Twins have come to terms with the star of the Korean Baseball Organization, Byung Ho Park. After recently arriving in Minnesota, and dropping the hyphenation in his name, Park signed a four-year, $12 million deal with the Twins. After winning the posting bid just a few weeks ago, the Twins had until December 8th to come to an agreement with Park. While he was playing with team Korea in the Premier 12, reaching a deal seemed unlikely. Following the Thanksgiving weekend, Park traveled to Minnesota arriving late Sunday night. After being in town for just over a day, the deal was done. Park's projected average annual value looked to be somewhere in the $5-10 million range. Considering that Park was viewed as an elite KBO talent, and the Twins won a very close posting race, Major League Baseball was ready for his services. Following Jung Ho Kang of the Pirates, Park looked to expand upon the third place NL Rookie of the Year's contract (Kang has a 4yr/$11m deal). The likely reason for the Twins being able to get Park on a four-year deal for just an average annual value of $3 million comes down to leverage. While there was rumors floating over the weekend that the Twins offer was lower than what Park had hoped, the Korean star wanted to be here. Despite being surprised by the Twins winning bid, his goal was to make a difference in the major leagues. With the alternative being no big league deal at all, Park likely moved off of his desired figure. In finalizing the deal, the Twins get a true power threat to pair with Miguel Sano in the middle of their lineup. Considering Park will now take the majority, if not all designated hitter at-bats, the writing could be even more on the wall for Trevor Plouffe. Regardless of how the Twins go about finalizing their roster, Park's home run stroke will be in it. After launching 50+ homers in Korea a year ago, the expectations should be lowered in the big leagues (check out what to expect from him in 2016 here). While there will be an acclimation process, expecting Park to take to big league pitching, and provide the Twins a 30 home run per year threat is a good bet. Welcome to Twins Territory Byung Ho Park, we're glad to have you!

n following the Minnesota Twins throughout the Major League Baseball season, there's always one person that remains synonymous with victory. Following a walk off win, or a dominant starting performance, there's always that one person there to break down just how impressive it was. Often being caught up in the Gatorade shower, that person is going to be a different face in the upcoming 2016 season. After Fox Sports North announced the departure of Jamie Hersch near the end of the 2015 season, the role went into limbo. The face that would be sharing the excitement of each Twins win on the way to a hopeful playoff berth in 2016 was now void, until it wasn't. Enter Audra Martin. A University of Central Florida graduate (we won't hold their current football struggles against her), Martin comes to Twins Territory from Nashville, Tennessee. Having Midwestern roots, both baseball and hockey rank at the top of her sports loves. There's no better way to understand what she will bring to the diamond however than to get those answers directly from herself. I had the opportunity to speak with Audra on the Twins, the move to Minnesota, and the excitement that lies ahead. Here's what she had to say: Off The Baggy: Minnesotans are familiar with UCF thanks to the popularity of Daunte Culpepper. As your alma mater, was it there that the decision to venture into sports broadcasting was born? Audra Martin: It was! Most people are surprised to learn that I actually applied to college as a Criminal Justice major. For my entire life, as long as I can remember, my dream was to be a police officer. Then as I got older, the plan was to eventually get my Masters and apply for the FBI. After my first year at UCF, my GPA was high enough to allow me to apply to restricted programs and when I was looking at the list, Radio-Television was the one that jumped out. I’m not sure why, but a light bulb just went off. I changed my major to RTV- Broadcast Journalism but still graduated with a minor in Criminal Justice. OTB: Having come to Fox Sports North from Tennessee, baseball wasn't something the market presented often. What do your baseball roots look like and what are you most excited about in working with the Twins? AM: I actually grew up a HUGE baseball fan. I know coming from Chicago has some Minnesota fans a bit skeptical of my fandom...so I have to own it right? But at least I grew up a Cubs fan and not a Sox fan right?? After college I decided I wasn’t ready to dive right into a broadcasting career but I knew I wanted to work in sports so I took a job in the front office of the Atlanta Braves. It was an awesome experience, but it also was an eye-opening experience in the sense that it made me realize that I really did want to be in broadcasting and that the front office type job wasn’t for me. Then once I was working in Nashville, I got to cover the Nashville Sounds who were the Triple A affiliate for the Brewers and now the A’s. As far as working with the Twins, the thing that most excites me is simply the fact of getting to know a new team and organization that is certainly on the verge of some very exciting times. Plus, I’ve heard nothing but AWESOME things about the whole organization...the employees, players and the fans! OTB: Covering the Wild currently, is there a sport you find yourself leaning towards most, or is there a relatively shared level of comfort across the board? AM: That question is such a reminder of how blessed and lucky I feel to have gotten this job. It whole-heartedly is my dream job. My two favorite sports have always been baseball and hockey. Don’t get me wrong, I love football and had a blast covering the Titans the last two years, but far and away, baseball and hockey are my first loves. To be covering those two sports year round has me pinching myself everyday. OTB: Looking ahead the the 2016 Twins season, it's shaping up to be one of the most important and anticipated in the past five years. What has you most intrigued about the year ahead? AM: How great is that! When I heard this job was opening up I knew a big focus would be on hockey and then when I was reminded that I would get to cover the Twins as well, talk about an amazing opportunity. To start this kind of job when the team is primed to make the playoffs...again pinch me. I think was most excites me is to see how this team comes firing right out of the gate. When you look at how last year ended, coming SO close but ending just short, you can’t help but think back to some of the earlier games when things just weren’t clicking for some of the team. Those early to mid-season games are a grind no doubt, but we saw that they can be the difference from spending October in the dugout or on the couch. So I want to see them come out with the same fervor and intensity that we saw towards the end of the season. And of course, who isn’t excited to see what kind of sophomore season Sano can put together! OTB: With Tennessee being surrounded by National League teams such as the Reds, Cardinals, and Braves, the Twins probably weren't on your radar. Prior to taking the role with Fox Sports North, what did your knowledge of the Twins look like? AM: Well, just being a baseball fan I’ve always have a pretty good feel for what’s going on with most teams. The Twins are no exception, especially just because of what was going on towards the end of the season. I’m a sucker for a great underdog and watching a team like the Twins exceed a lot of critics expectations was awesome. Have I spent more time around National League teams...sure...but that just means Twins fans can rest assured knowing I’ll be working extra hard to learn everything there is to know about this team. Again, that’s the fun part and I’m already well into the process! OTB: As a Midwestern native, and outside of the harsh Minnesota winter, what challenges are you most looking forward to overcoming in working with a new market at Fox Sports North? AM: Well, you definitely read my mind about the biggest concern. I am originally from Chicago so I should be used to the cold, but living in the south for the last 11 years has made me soft! Besides that, I think the biggest challenge is just learning a whole new market and new teams. At the same time though, that’s the fun part. I also knew coming into this role that I was taking over for an incredibly talented and well liked person. I’ve always admired Jamie’s work, and I know the fans have too. I’m not here to replace Jamie, but instead take the awesome foundation she left behind and add my style and personality to it. It’s tough and I know some viewers may take some time to win over but I’m really honored to have been given the chance to do it! OTB: Obviously with an already impressive resume coming to Twins Territory, there's plenty of success in your past. What are you looking forward to bringing to the diamond with you? AM: The two things I try to bring to everything I do is my passion and my personality. You can teach anyone about the game, but you can’t teach passion or personality. The number one, most important part of this job is delivering insight to the fans- sharing the stories and giving them the information they may not know otherwise. If I can do that, while also allowing fans to get a sense of who I am and how much I love the game, then I’m happy. Interacting with fans is my favorite part of working in sports. The fans are what it’s all about, so being the “middle man” between the fans and the team is awesome. OTB: Finally, as 2015 ushered out a brief stint of failures for the Twins, 2016 looks to continue upon the growth and have the Twins take the next step. Give me your playoff prediction and a way too early short at the final record. AM: Oh man! You’re going to put me on the spot already?? I just got here! Alright if you insist. If the Royals weren’t a factor in all of this it would be much easier...but unfortunately they are so I will say the Twins clinch the first Wild Card with an 87-75 record. How’s that for a positive attitude to start the season! It's clear that Audra is already well involved in the excitement that is Twins Territory, and with the impressive background behind her, there's little doubt what's to come won't also be great. Hopefully she's ready to duck plenty of Gatorade showers, because 2016 should produce a lot of them. For more from Off The Baggy, click here. Follow @tlschwerz

Couldn't disagree with you more. Ryan has done plenty disappointing things in his Twins tenure, but Milone and Jepsen were nowhere near them. Milone was acquired for Fuld, who the A's DFA'd and then traded a starting caliber MLB pitcher for. Jepsen is a very good pen arm with team control on his side that the Twins gave up a lottery ticket for. The Twins did themselves no favors entering 2015 with the pen as it was. If you're questioning the two moves pointed to however, you couldn't be more wrong.

I've been a Minnesotan for the entirety of my 25 year life. While having spent only the most recent years in the heart of Twins Territory, growing up in southern Minnesota, the Minneapolis journalism scene has only recently become my go to. In reading Patrick Reusse's Turkey of the Year for 2015 however, it dawned on me that the Twins could use a similar designation. Unlike Reusse's Turkey of the Year, the Diamond Treasure as I'll dub it, is not designed to point a finger in jest. On the contrary actually, the purpose of the Diamond Treasure is to shed light on someone or something within the Twins organization that provides excitement for the future, while displaying deep roots in the past. Not meant to be an MVP award of sorts, the Diamond Treasure should carry more weight in encompassing much more than statistical output between the lines. For the year that was, there's plenty of candidates to kick off the first annual Diamond Treasure. Starting at the top, the 2015 version of the Twins can't be spoken of without discussing Paul Molitor. The first year skipper stepped into some big shoes, and succeeded beyond all expectations. Molitor, though familiar with the organization, had gone from a relative bystander to the man in charge. Instead of being simply involved at spring training, he was now running the show. Given a cast of characters that had done nothing but lose in recent memory, it was the former Twins great that turned the tide. By bringing in some fresh ideas, and expecting a higher level of performance, Molitor brought meaningful baseball back to Target Field. Although the club fell short of the playoffs, it was because of Molitor's efforts that the club appears to be poised for a strong future. For all he did though, Molitor isn't this year's Diamond Treasure. If we're looking for someone who exemplifies leadership both on the field and in the clubhouse, it's hard to stray far from Torii Hunter. Brought back on a one-year deal that seemed to throw baseball sense to the wind, it worked. It didn't work because Hunter made the contract make sense on the field (ultimately, he was more liability there than he wasn't). It worked because Hunter was the leader the Twins needed, even though they might not have known it. The limited offensive production was a bonus at times, but pushing the youth for more, and forcing the clubhouse to let loose no doubt led to a September filled with disco balls and smoke machines. Torii, as he always does, provided more memories. All said and done though, Hunter isn't this year's Diamond Treasure. Stepping even further away from the field of play, there's Terry Ryan. Often chastised for questionable front office decisions, it was his role in building the 2015 squad that ultimately gave the Twins hope. A key 2014 trade for Tommy Milone helped to provide depth. Dealing for Kevin Jepsen during the 2015 deadline proved substantial for an ugly bullpen. It was Ryan who looked his doubters in the eye and gave this team hope. The Twins competed before they were supposed to, and thanks to Ryan's efforts, should do so well into the future. It's a great thing, but it isn't quite Diamond Treasure worthy. There's only one man worth of the Diamond Treasure distinction in 2015, and it's a young man with the personality to completely embody the distinction. Having been known to Twins Territorians since the age of 16, the realization of his talents and persona were finally shared with us in the year that was. Miguel Sano had arrived. After living up to every bit of the hype throughout his minor league tenure, Twins fans were forced to wait a season ago. Coming off of Tommy John surgery, the young Sano would need to battle back, and battle he did. Sano turned early season success under Doug Mientkiewicz at Double-A Chattanooga, into big league reality for Molitor and the Twins. He provided moonshots and lasers, he hit homers and long balls, in summary, Target Field became his playground. For all Sano did with the bat though, he did more with the smile. Throughout the 2015 season, it became apparent that Miguel Sano in fact loves this game. Constantly producing with the big grin on his face, Sano's mannerisms were the complete embodiment of what Twins fans everywhere expected him to be. No longer the lanky teenager, this was a filled out young man that loved coming to the park every day, and he happened to be better than most at it. Sano is every bit as integral to the Twins going forward, as he was expected the day he signed from the Dominican Republic. For what he is on the field, who he is on the field, the belief of what he can be to the Twins franchise, and the significance of it all off of it, Miguel Sano is your 2015 Diamond Treasure. For more from Off The Baggy, click here. Follow @tlschwerz