rambis26

What do these numbers (the % of plate appearances with runners on) look like if you took out the first at bat for the lead off batter? This would only include ABs where there was a chance greater than 0% that the lead off batter could have runners on base.

I don't understand Twins fans who come on this site with anything other than optimism. The Twins starting pitching is unquestionably improved from last year, even if Mahle's velocity does not return and/or Maeda shows his age. The bullpen will be improved if they simply pitch the whole year the way they pitched in the second half of last year. The defense has been vastly improved, and somewhat injury proofed, which will only help the pitching look even better. And then there is the offense. While I can understand the argument that it has not improved, with a relatively normal injury year, the offense will improve simply by getting our best players more at bats while healthy. With the platoons that we could implement when injuries or struggles do happen, and with the experience our young players (Gordon, Buxton, Larnach, etc) got last year, it would be reasonable to expect some improvement. Finally, with the depth we have assembled, the quality of our lineup when players do end up injured in MUCH improved. It is pretty easy to envision this team based on the above to approach 90 wins. I think these are reasonable assumptions without being too optimistic. Now, if you add some optimism to the equation and pencil Buxton in for 450 AB, assume Kepler bounces back after a terrible year last year, assume Kiriloff can reach expectations, and expect a relatively healthy year for everyone, I do not think 92-95 wins is out of the realm of possibility. Whether that is likely or not is debatable, but I prefer to optimistically root for my team. Lets get this season started!!!!

I would prefer Simmons. I think there is a decent chance that his offense will improve and his defense has always been good. Plus he will be affordable!

Even if moving Polanco to SS does not affect his offensive production (which is a perfectly reasonable assumption), it would be a significant downgrade at SS and 2B defensively from last year. Would that be wise with the mediocre-at-best pitching staff we are presumably going to have?

Or no, see 2020.

Is it wise to assume that Polanco's success at the plate is not explained by his move to 2B?

I hope the "incomplete" grade is accurate. Assuming it is, what should the Twins do to turn that grade into an A? Are there any options left to make that an attainable grade? If they signed Pineda (probably the most likely scenario) they still need one more starting pitcher, and preferably a front line pitcher. They will probably need to trade for that, which makes sense since we are loaded with prospects and are running out of room on the 40 man roster for them. Lets say they swing a trade for a pitcher that has that potential. Now they have #1-Traded pitcher, #2-Pineda, #3/4/5 Bundy/Ryan/Ober/Dobnak/Thorpe. While not an overwhelming lineup, it has some potential to be adequate. We will still need to find some bullpen help, which seems to be a crap shoot, but the Twins have gotten that right more times then they have gotten it wrong over the last 5 years. We still need a shortstop. Does our lineup have the potential to be good enough to sign a +defender shortstop to help out our average pitching staff? I think it does, as long as Buxton is healthy. Is there a shortstop available that the Twins could sign to a 1 or 2 year contract (so he doesn't block one of our prospects) that fits that bill? While I know it is not a popular choice on here, I think there is in Andrelton Simmons, who might be interested in an affordable, make good contract. I think it is likely that he won't be as horrible with the bat next year as he was this past year. There are other free agent options out there that may work as well. Would making these moves upgrade the offseason grade to a B? I think these moves would give us a chance to compete this year. Obviously we would need players to stay healthy and continue to improve, but I like our lineup, I think our defense could be outstanding, and so we would be relying on our pitching staff to "not suck". Please, front office, give us some hope for the upcoming season!

I agree that it is unlikely that Syndergaard will move. If the Mets do make a QO, I would be seriously concerned that there is something else wrong with him.

I read over and over again that players would not want to play in Minnesota. These players will play for whoever offers them the most for their service. If the Twins give either of these players the best offer, they will play here, especially on a one or two year contract to increase their value. Plus, they get to play a large percentage of their games against the AL Central.