lee_the_twins_fan

I agree... I rated him A-, meaning he needs a little time – less than a year – in the minors.

Here is my list, for what it's worth. The A+ to D scale after each name is NOT a standard grade scale. It is a readiness for the Major Leagues scale, in my opinion. A+ indicates someone who is already on the Major League team – and is serviceable. a scale of A means the prospect is ready for the Twins. The lower the scale, to D, means the more time will have to be spent in the minor leagues. Roughly each letter reflects an expected one year in the minors. 1-Buxton – A- 2-Sano – B+ 3-Meyer – A- 4-Stewart – C+ 5-Rosario – A- 6-Gonsalves – D 7-Kepler – D 8-Berrios - C- 9-Walker – C 10-Thorpe – D 11-Polanco - C+ 12-Pinto - A+ 13-Santana – A- 14-May – C 15-Jorge – C 16-Baxendale – C- 17-JD Williams – C- 18-Romero – C- 19-Harrison – C 20-Goodrum – C- 20-Vargas - D I like some context in such lists. Top 50 lists are great, but I also like to think about how close they are to helping the ML team. Oh, by the way, Kyle Gibson and Aaron Hicks would be ranked about 8th and 10th, with a rating of A- (they each need at least a half year in AAA). Arcia is already on the team. I don't anticipate that changing anytime soon.

The 2013 Twins starting pitchers, however, ranked dead-last among MLB teams; that means they don't have many C/C+ starting pitchers on staff – they're mostly even lower. We need at least three FA starters acquired this winter, and better ones than Correa and Pelfrey, if the Twins are to make a move in 2014.

Cody: I appreciate your analysis, but disagree with it. I hope the Twins trade Plouffe, not shift him to RF. He's way too inconsistent at the plate, and not a good defender. The Twins need to trade him for an A level SP. Sano likely won't be ready on opening day, so Escobar will be needed there until Sano is ready. Everyone thinks Mauer won't catch next year. NEWS: Yes he will. He'll spend much of his time behind the plate and the rest at DH. Pinto will also be behind the plate and serve time at DH. I also prefer Colabello over Parmelee. Colabello should be at 1B. I like Hughes and Johnson, but the Twins will need a third FA SP – other than Johan Santana, I might add. And add Ibarra to the team's relief corps. That's what the Twins need to do.

I don't know – but the Twins added him to the 40-man roster. Interesting move for someone who is not on Seth's 50-man prospect list. But then Ibarra basically came in from nowhere.

Sorry - I meant move Dozier to SS, not to 3B.

Good analysis. I am beginning to like signing Hughes. Two years seems reasonable, but maybe even three. IMO what the Twins need to do in the short term (for 2014): • Sign three bonafide starting pitchers. This is where the Twins should spend their offseason money. Hughes would be one, but Scott Kazmir, Josh Johnson and Hughes would make a great starting three. I'm not sure we could get all three, but think about this; If the Twins signed Hughes, it would add credibility to the belief they are turning the franchise around. Then you sign Johnson and Kazmir. • Trade Trevor Plouffe this offseason. Get a young A level starter in return. Plouffe is a disappointment to me offensively and defensively. Too many people seem willing to keep him until Sano is ready to take over at 3rd base. • Use Escobar and Santana at 3rd base until Sano is ready. • Give Colabello another shot. This guy can hit. I would make him our starting first baseman – tell him that this offseason, and tell him to get ready. • Use Willingham, Presley and Arcia as the main outfielders until Hicks can prove he is again ready to start. Then put him in center and let Presley be the fourth OF. Keep Mastroianni in reserve and Parmelee on the bench. • Keep the existing relief corps, except make Swarzak the fifth starter. Call up Edgar Iberra to add to the relief corps. • As for catcher, I'd keep Mauer and Pinto there, 50/50 each, with the other DHing and Doumit on the bench. • Keep Dozier and Florimon as the middle infielders, at least until Rosario is ready. Once Rosario is ready, I'd put Rosario at 2B, move Dozier to 3B and keep Florimon as a late-inning replacement. I am crazy, I know. But if the Twins could sign three really good pitchers, they could turn this thing around – even in 2014, which most people seem to have already written-off. As for Ervin and Johan, it might be nice, albeit a bit confusing, to have three Santanas on the same team (with Danny as well). I just don't see Ervin signing with the Twins. Johan might, but he's a long shot to make a strong contribution this season.

Seth: Thanks for the info. I, too, appreciate and value all of the work you do to put these lists together, and I'm looking forward to the last two lists. I know the lists are subjective. But they are also very informative. Great job.

I am sure that Travis Harrison deserves to be on this list. I'm just not sure he deserves to be no. 12. Someone who hits just .253/.366/.416 (.782) with 28 doubles and 15 home runs – and who remains a work-in-progress defensively, I question that he should be ahead of, say no. 20 - Niko Goodrum - SS, .260/.364/.369 (.732), who appears to be better defensively. Just wondering why he rates so much higher? I guess I rate defense a little higher.

I watched on TV when Hicks caught that drive and threw a strike to 1B to double-off the runner. Even though the play was recalled (because of a balk) it was a great play. Hicks can make plays that many others can only think about. He's the real deal. Mastro will be a vg 4th outfielder, but Hicks will start the season in CF.

I am supportive of Chris Colabello making the squad. I really think he can hit and field either 3B or 1B. When Plouffe is injured (note I said when, not if) Colabello would be my 1st choice for 3B. I hope he gets some reps there this spring.

Certainly Sano looks like a power producer. I get that. But if he's never going to hit for average or be a decent fielder what's the point? I'd rather have Hicks – a true five-tool outfielder, than someone who hits a lot of bombs, but who strikes out a lot and is a poor fielder. Yes, you can put him in right field, or a 1st base, but in my opinion, you cannot hide players on the field. Defense is important too. I'd put him further down on the list, say fourth. I like well-rounded players better than players who are just power threats. I'm not saying he cannot develop into a better fielding player, but I'd want to see that potential before I move him higher on the list.

Schoenfeld just doesn't get it. Neither do many of the posters here. The Twins had BAD pitching last year. When your top pitcher is a rookie and wins only 12 games, it tells me none of the veterans did very well. All of our veteran starters (other than Diamond) from last year are gone. We have new talent coming in. Regardless of who gets picked for the other four starting pitching positions, they will be different from last year. The Twins were not going to go out and sign the top FA pitchers – When have we ever done that? It would be a huge waste of money – even if we could convince them to come here. Getting pitchers like Correia, Pelfrey, Worley, Harden and now Perez, among others, is a complete re-vamping of our starting pitching staff. One poster listed all of the places where there are question marks. There were fewer question marks two years ago, when the Twins lost 99 games. Question marks bring competition, which helps keep players sharp and on their toes. Yes, it's nice as a player, like Morneau, to know he's starting at 1B. He deserves that. But other than Mauer, Morneau, Doumit and Willingham, no one among our projected position players should be too comfortable. If I were even Parmelee, I'd be looking behind me at all the talent in the minor leagues ready to replace me – Hicks, Arcia, Benson and others. If I were Plouffe, I'd be working like crazy on improving my defense, and being consistent on offense. Dozier, Florimon, Escobar and even Carroll should know they're fighting for a roster spot, if not for a starting position. Perhaps I'm naive, but I think the Twins will be much better than Schoenfeld projects. Remember that while others in the AL Central also improved, they'll be playing a lot of games against each other. I think there's more parity in the Central than last year. Yes, no one will be fearing the Twins as the season starts. No one feared us last year either, or in 1987 or 1991. Until we see how this team does – as a team - we really won't know what we have.

It was a great trade for the Twins. Yes, we lost a great player, but we have – at least the chance – to have a #1 starter in a couple years. And the Nats get the leadoff player and CF they needed.

Even if Buxton could be traded, I wouldn't do it. He's too valuable for the future of the Twins organization, and there's no reason to believe Olt can actually help this year.

Bartlett is still out there. Should we go after him?

Outfield Josh Willingham Darren Mastroianni Chris Parmelee Aaron Hicks Infield Justin Morneau Jamey Carroll Brian Dozier Eduardo Escobar Pedro Florimon Trevor Plouffe Catchers Drew Butera Ryan Doumit Joe Mauer Starting Pitchers Vance Worley Scott Diamond Kevin Correia Mike Pelfrey Rich Harden Relief Pitchers Alex Burnett Jared Burton Pedro Hernandez Ryan Pressly Glen Perkins Nick Blackburn Casey Fien Starting lineup CF Hicks 2B Dozier CA Mauer LF Willingham 1B Morneau 3B Plouffe RF Parmelee DH Doumit SS Carroll That's my starting lineup and roster. Colabello or Romero could replace Florimon with real good springs, but it's Florimon's job to lose.

I suspect Mauer does not call a bad game, but that he's called a lot of fastballs away because of the caliber of pitching the Twins have had in recent years. I still think Mauer is the best overall Twins catcher. I agree with John Bonnes about Butera – we need someone who can play other positions.

Of the three, I'd rather have Bartlett back. Maybe back in the AL he can find his stroke again. The other two are not worth pursuing. I doubt the Twins will go after Bartlett or anyone, though.

I briefly met Dozier at Twins Fest. I think he'll do fine at 2B

Mike Pelfrey said yesterday at ESPN 1500's booth at Twins Fest that his wife has family and friends here. That was an inducement for him. The money was probably also a factor. Not every FA wants to avoid Minnesota; just like not all want to avoid Texas or Seattle, or New York. Then there's guys like Joe Mauer, whom I believe wants to stay in Minnesota for the rest of his career. Sometimes it's the location. Sometimes it's the people involved. Sometimes it's the organization or the organization's recent record.. Too often it's the money. All of these are considerations for FA – some to one degree or another. Ultimately, it's up to the FA. Of course, there are some areas which are more populated – like LA, New York, Chicago, etc. There are simply more people, so more chance that someone will want to play there. Lots of factors. To say no major FA wants to play here is a crude overstatement. But no FA wants to be underpaid.

"By spring camp of 1986, it would be near 250 and be the focal point of the media as the team reported to Orlando. The quarter-ton drew plenty of attention but then-manager Ray Miller did not seem the least bit concerned." Two hundred fifty pounds is not a quarter-ton. A ton is 2,000 pounds. A quarter-ton would be 500 pounds – a lot for any pro baseball player. Otherwise, this was a good read.

Willingham - Hicks - Arcia will be in the outfield at some point in 2013. Bench Parmelee so we have a decent PH.

He'd better hit better, because his defense was not good last year. I don't like the inconsistency – hot and cold. Many players cool off, or get lukewarm, but Plouffe it seems is either turning water into a gaseous state, or he's freezing methane. Consistency, consistency, consistency.

Good story. I would put Arcia in the top five – I question whether Parmelee will be able to stick it out all year; I just don't think either his bat or glove will be as good as Arcia's.