Molitor4

AKTwins: I agree. Having Buxton at the top and Dozier in the 6-hole would make for a better overall lineup. This is a very interesting year for Mauer. He could continue to decline (you can tell the concussion symptoms have affected him, he swings and misses A LOT more than he ever used to) or he could bounce back. If he can hit close to .300 and maintain a good OBP that should be encouraging to the Twins and all his fans.

I would certainly consider this. Jackson is an excellent defensive OF'er. Always has been. He's struggled against RH pitching lately, but that's why he's a great fit with Arcia's last hurrah and Kepler waiting in the wings. I agree that Sano should be starting every day at 3B. His offense will dwarf whatever Plouffe would produce. If Plouffe can bring two decent prospects or a solid bullpen guy, the Twins should take a long look at this.

Jimmer, I don't disagree with your points at all. I would just note that the only time Willie Stargell was ever 6:1 188 pounds was in the 9th grade !!

What is stopping the Twins from using Polanco as their utility guy in 2016 and moving on from Nunez?? That way they could get a good look at what they have (or don't have) in Polanco and put them in a much better position to evaluate at the conclusion of the 2016 season. It's not always a bad thing to have players locked up for a time. If the Twins were to decide to trade Dozier, they would be offering a player with a "fixed cost" to another team and the certainty that the team acquiring him would have him for several years.

I'm not very excited about the idea of Sano playing in the OF. However, it's fair to note that Harmon Killebrew played some LF early in his career. Also, Willie Stargell player A LOT of LF for the Pirates in the 60's and 70's. Frank Howard played RF for the Dodgers and some LF for the Senators. In other words, there is a LONG list of guys who were not speed demons who have played the outfield. In fact, Stargell's center-fielder was Matty Alou, a decent, but not great CF'er. Howard had Willie Davis (a tremendous CF'er able to cover a lot of ground). Again, I'm not thrilled with the idea, but if Byron Buxton and Eddie Rosario are out there with Sano, it could work.

Heck, why didn't we just offer the Nats Hicks for Storen and Strasburg??? Aaahhhrrrgg !!!

Maybe this is an indication that a trade could be a possibility...not this year, but after the 2016 season. With Polanco waiting in the wings it's an interesting consideration.

I think the Twins should certainly be interested. And they should make a significant play for him. Good to hear that some of the usual heavyweights (Yankees, Red Sox, Angels) CAN'T bid on him.

I would LOVE having a guy with the last name TOVAR on the Twins...

Has anybody provided any insight on WHY Stewart has such low strikeout levels? Does he need a better second pitch? (Slider, Curve)? How hard does he throw? What is the average velocity of his fastball? I thought the kid threw HARD when we drafted him. I was convinced he wasn't going to be the second coming of Brad Radke, Joe Mays, Kyle Lohse et all.

The point that the Twins may have multiple, legit, Rookie of the Year Candidates is spot on. Each player you listed is very intriguing. I believe Buxton and Berrios have the best chance, but Park's power and Kepler's versatility certainly need to be considered. Could there be a "sleeper" ROY Twins candidate? Perhaps Burdi?

I cheer for 2 N.L. teams. The Dodgers, because as a 7 year old in 1965 I was so impressed that this Jewish pitcher for the Dodgers chose not to pitch the opening game of the World Series because of his faith. I became a huge Sandy Koufax fan. As a result, I devoured every book Milton J. Shapiro wrote about various Brooklyn Dodgers, starting with Jackie Robinson and continuing with Roy Campanella, Duke Snider and PeeWee Reese. I also cheer for the Cardinals. They are a midwest team, have a great tradition (Lou Brock, Bob Gibson, Ozzie Smith etc...). They have the BEST fans in all of baseball. Before Target Field, I took the family to St. Louis several times to see "outdoor" baseball. Old Busch Stadium and New Busch Stadium were/are GREAT ballparks.