lee_the_twins_fan

From a pure hitting perspective, it's easy to see why Manager Ron Gardenhire has put Danny Santana in center field twice. He's hitting better than CF Aaron Hicks, although he does not cover as much ground. Eduardo Escobar has also seemingly found his bat. So to have Escobar at SS and Santana in CF makes the most sense from a hitting perspective. Although neither Escobar or Santana are as good at fielding as say, Pedro Florimon at SS or Hicks in CF, both appear to be adequate defensively. Santana has played 23 games in CF out of 523 games in the minor leagues. He has handled 40 chances there without an error, and with one assist. Escobar has zero experience in CF in the minor leagues; he played one game in RF. But he has played a lot in the infield at 3B, SS and 2B. The real question is, can their bats consistently provide enough offense to outweigh their defensive shortcomings? Certainly with Byron Buxton injured this year, it might be 2015 before the anointed superstar athlete makes it to the bigs. In the meantime, the Twins need a CF. When Buxton does make his grand opening, Santana will likely be at SS and Escobar on the bench again.

For those Twins Fans who still complain that the Twins operate under a scholarship program, consider this. The Twins entered spring training with eight players being out of options: Trevor Plouffe, Anthony Swarzak, Scott Diamond, Sam Deduno, Vance Worley,Eduardo Escobar, Alex Presley, Chris Parmelee Four of them were put on waivers – Presley was claimed by the Astros; Worley was traded to the Pirates and Diamond and Parmelee cleared waivers and were sent down to AAA. Plouffe, Swarzak, Deduno and Escobar are all with the team. So much for entitlement. Even when it's at the expense of having Jason Bartlett and Jason Kubel on the squad. Will the two Jasons excel as they did three years ago – or will they revert to their near-disastrous 2012 campaigns? Let's hope the other "Js" on the team – Joe, Josh, Josmil and Jared – also excel this year. If they do, it could be an exciting season.

Trade Plouffe for whatever you can get. Move Mauer to 3B; They said on one of the Twins games that Mauer was taking grounders at 3B at one of the back fields. If he can throw runners out from home to 2B, he can throw runners out from 3B to 1B. Then put Colabello at 1B. Problem solved.

Diamond will be the 5th starter, IMO.

The key to this question is the word 'successful'. To me successful means making the playoffs – and more than just the one game for the wild card teams. The Twins have gone from last to first before – in 1991, for instance. It can be done. Even with the Yankees and the Tigers in the mix, it is possible, even for the Twins. Getting beyond the wild card solo game would be my definition of success. And with the arms the Twins have added, with Sano, Pinto, Arcia, Hicks and Meyer successful along with guys like Mauer, Dozier, Willingham, Suzuki, the bullpen and starting pitchers added, we could have a very good season. Yes we need nearly everyone to excel, but that's what happens on winning teams. And winning builds confidence and breeds more winning. The Twins just can't sit still if they get off to a slow start.

I agree

Maybe the fact that this is a potential contract year for Willingham will make a difference too.

I think Cuddyer has grown as a person since he left the Twins. I think he has grown as a player, into even more of a clubhouse leader. I wish him only the best.

Nice story. As for SS, I'm thinking Polanco in 2015. Polanco's only hitting .294 in the Dominican Winter League, with a .744 OPS. (FYI - Oswaldo Arcia is hitting .262 with an OPS of .882 in Venezuela). Yes, 2015 is looking almost promising. Unfortunately, we have to endure 2014 first.

The Twins signed Kurt Suzuki to a one year deal, pending a physical. They have three other catchers on their roster: Josmil Pinto, Chris Herrmann and Eric Fryer. My question is, how many catchers will the team want to take north? Barring injuries, Pinto and Suzuki are the two top favorites to make the team. But will the Twins carry a third catcher? Reading other posts on this site, many seem to think Herrmann is the third catcher; I'm not so sure. I think Fryer would actually beat him out in ST. However, I believe the Twins will only carry two catchers, Pinto and Suzuki. Pinto will be the primary, getting maybe 60 percent of innings, with Suzuki getting 30 percent of innings and Herrmann or Fryer or both getting the remaining 10 percent. (Just because they start the season with two catchers does not mean they go all season long with just the two.) Here is my thinking: The Twins need to get off to a very quick start. They need to prove to their fans, the central division and most of all, themselves, that they can and will compete in the division. To do that they need options – on the bench. Having a defensive-minded catcher (Suzuki) and an offensive-minded catcher (Pinto), makes for a logical progression. If Pinto starts and the team is leading late in the game, Suzuki can come in as a late-inning defensive replacement. If Suzuki starts, Gardenhire has the opportunity to use Pinto as a pinch hitter, with or without replacing Suzuki. Adding either Fryer or Herrmann to the equation does little to give them flexibility elsewhere. The Twins will need at least two reserve infielders and and two reserve outfielders/DHs. Now that they have traded Doumit and signed Suzuki and Pelfry, I envision a roster looking like this: SP: Nolasco, Coreia, Hughes, Pelfry and Deduno. RP: Perkins, Swarzak, Thielbar, Pressly, Fien and Burton That leaves 14 position players: CA: Pinto and Suzuki. IF: 1B Mauer; 2B Dozier; 3B Plouffe; SS Bartlett; reserves: Escobar and Florimon. DH: Willingham. OF: LF Arcia; CF Presley; RF Parmelee; Reserves: Hicks and Kubel. Hicks and Presley are interchangeable at CF, depending on how they do in ST. Parmelee will back-up Mauer at 1B. That's how I see it.

I question whether it will be Fryer or Herrmann who is designated for assignment. I suspect it will be Herrmann, not Fryer.

I suspect Worley will be gone. It'll be one of the starters. Even though he started Game 1 in 2013, he'll be gone before opening Day, 2014.

The Twins have apparently made some changes in their official team depth chart. Rumors have swirled about Ryan Doumit not wanting to catch; that may be confirmed, because he is no longer listed as a reserve catcher on the Twins depth chart. Also, the two Chris' are not on the right field depth chart list; both Parmelee and Colabello are listed on the 1B depth chart under Joe Mauer. However, Doumit is listed at catcher on the active roster, and Parmelee is listed as an outfielder on that list as well. Insight into the future? We shall see.

It's quite possible the Yankees will target Omar Infante. He's the best remaining FA 2B. But remember the Yankees are trying to stay under the payroll tax limit of $189 million. And they need probably a couple of pitchers, and may need someone at 3B to replace A-Rod. My point is, the Yankees really need a better 2B. What are they willing to give up to get one? Would it be worth a couple of top prospects? And should the Twins bite, if they do make that offer?

Now that Robinson Cano has reached his huge contract with the Mariners, could the NY Yankees come calling on the Twins next week at the Winter meetings, for a trade – to get Twins 2B Brian Dozier? Brian Dozier .244/.312/.414/.726 Kelly Johnson .235/.305/.410/.715 Brendon Ryan .197/.255/.273/.528 Eduardo Nunez .260/.307/.372/.679 Dozier 2B 147 games 2013 .992 fld% 5.22 RF/9 Johnson 2B 22 games 2013 1.000 fld% 3.86 RF/9 Ryan 2B Has not played 2B since 2009 Nunez 2B Played 2 games there last year I'd say Dozier is a better defensive 2B - even after only one season there, than any of the three on the Yankees list. And he's better offensively. The Yankees are going to have to find someone to replace Cano. So the question is, what could the Yankees offer the Twins for their 2B? The Yankees' top prospects include CA Gary Sanchez, SP Jose Campos and SP Rafael De Paula; could say two of these prospects woo the Twins enough to give up Dozier? Of course the Yankees know the Twins have two high 2B prospects somewhat close to making the team - Jorge Polanco and Eddie Rosario (although Rosario is facing a 50-game suspension)? If Brian Cashman offers two of these top prospects for Dozier next week, what will Terry Ryan do? What should he do?

Mastroianni and Thielbar, maybe. But not the rest. Too much potential upside.

Surprising news. I expected Hendriks to be one of the long shots to make the rotation.

The Twins signed Jason Bartlett to a minor league deal, with an invite to Spring Training. I think he'll be the starting SS. If Sano is ready, I'd say promote him and solve the 3B issue. i would trade Plouffe at this point. Willingham and Arcia should be the DH and LF – somewhat interchangeably. The Twins' weakest spot, IMO is at CA. Josmil Pinto may yet get the nod as starting CA, but he'll have to work a lot with Mauer and the coaches on his defensive and offensive skills. I think he can do it. As for CF, either Hicks or Presley will get the nod; at RF, Parmelee and Colabello will battle it out. If Sano is not ready at 3B, I'd see what Colabello can do there. He has played the position a little in the minor leagues. It's a scary outfield group, and an unsure group at many other positions, too. But I think it could still succeed. As for the last poster - Ellsbury has signed with the Yankees.

Swarzak and Duensing will be signed soon. Both are good pitchers and deserve their salaries. I'm not crazy about offering Plouffe a contract - especially for $2 million. I don't care for his inconsistent hitting and poor fielding. Maybe he would be better in a corner OF position. But in 2013, his hitting did not justify his continued play at 3B - or as a corner OF.

My prediction: Jason Bartlett will be the Twins' starting SS. I know, I know, it's a long shot. He took last year off. But if he's still got the SS skills and the hitting skills, I think he'll be back. Florimon and Escobar will be the two infield backups. Here's my lineup: 1) CF Aaron Hicks or, less-likely, Ryan Presly 2) 2B Brian Dozier 3) 1B Joe Mauer 4) DH Josh Willingham 5) LF Oswaldo Arcia 6) SS Jason Bartlett 7) 3B Chris Colabello (I know, I know, a very long shot) 8) CA Pinto/Pierzynski/Salty 9) RF Wilkin Ramirez The reserves: Hicks or Pressly for fourth OF; Florimon and Escobar. If Josmil Pinto is the primary, and no backup CA is signed, Doumit will be the backup. If Salty or AJ is signed, Pinto will be the backup. Doumit, Parmelee and Plouffe are the odd men out. The Twins would be better off without all three. This is as much a wish list as a prediction; as much as I feel Doumit, Parmelee and Plouffe should not be on the team, because of their lack of defensive skills and their lack of offensive abilities, I dread the notion that two of the three will still be playing for the team. The rotation is getting clear: 1) Nolasco 2) Hughes 3) Correia 4) Pelfry (I think they'll sign him, but I wish they wouldn't) 5) Deduno

Good compilations, but I have a question: How come the total number of teams listed for Nolasco and Garza listed is 11, but there are 14 (or 15) teams totaled for Jimenez and Santana. Why? Would ANYONE on the list be a number two starter on any playoff team? On another topic, the Twins rotation – and lineup – would need to not only overtake Kansas City to make the playoffs, but Cleveland and/or Detroit as well. That's a tall order for 2014.

OK, the Twins signed Ricky Nolasco. I think it's a very good signing, but I have a question. The Twins had 39 players on their 40-player roster. With just a few days until the Rule 5 draft, will the Twins drop someone from the roster to draft someone, or will they wait until after Nolasco passes a physical exam? Either way, I figure the team will soon have to drop one or more from the roster. Who will that be?

Arroyo would make a good addition to the rotation in 2014, but hopefully by 2015 or 2016 we will have Meyer and May up, making Arroyo unneeded. A two year contract with a team option year for year 3 – or a combination player option and team option - or a vesting option for year 3 would be good. I thought TR said he did not want longer contracts for someone on "the wrong side of 30"? Arroyo would certainly be on the wrong side.

I suspect Achter will be gone - selected by the Cubs in Rule 5 draft.

I agree with Twins Best Friend – They don't need a "mentor" for Pinto; they already have one: Joe Mauer. He may not be catching, but that doesn't mean he's lost all of his knowledge and skills. Doumit and Fryer can fill in the rest of the time.