Lee-The-Twins-Fan

Sunday will be the 10th anniversary of the death of Kirby Puckett, one of the most beloved Twins of all time. I just thought it would be nice to offer some memories of Puckett as a Twin – from his infectious smile to his game-winning 1991 World Series Game 6 home run. What's your favorite memory of Kirby Puckett?

If we want players with high OBP, we should have kept Pelfrey. He let the team last year at 0.667... In all seriousness, I want Buxton to lead off. I just think he'll do best there. Buxton, cf Dozier, 2b Sano, rf Park, dh (I believe in his ability) Mauer, 1b Plouffe, 3b Rosario, lf Escobar, ss Suzuki, ca

It's rare for me to agree with USAF, but I do – Gardenhire's managing days are done. If he's willing, he could probably be a coach – then become a manager again.

Don't underestimate Rosario. I really think he could be a 20 homer guy!!!

Ok, but I question how much 'cluster luck' is actually 'luck'. Is a manager's lineup worth nothing? Are coaches' encouragements, tips and helps valueless? Is a player's hard work meaningless? The lineup card could have some impact on offensive 'cluster luck'. Knowing where to put defenders on a field could have some impact on defensive 'cluster luck'. If my premise holds true, then Molitor had a really good year. And the Twins could over achieve again next year.

Great read, Seth. I think you are right on, and I hope you're right and Duffey makes the rotation. Someone on the starting staff will falter in the first month allowing for Berrios to be brought up. I really like where the Twins have gone, even this offseason – getting Park, Murphy and Hicks, and just having confidence that their younger players will succeed. GO TWINS!!

Two of the three projections have the Twins in last place in the AL Central, with losing records. Maybe I'm naive, but I just don't see that from this team. I expect the Twins to come in in second place behind the Royals, and into the playoffs. That is, unless: • They start Nolasco for more thsn a third of the season; or • They FAIL to start Duffey and Berrios for more than half the season; or • They trade for Mike Pelfrey and start him.

I believe Rogers, Meyers and Burki will all make significant positive impacts on the Twins relief corps in 2016. Maybe not at the start of April, but one or two will be up by the start of June. The bullpen will be OK – perhaps middle of the league. But it should be good enough to reach the playoffs. I'm excited. Think about this for power: Vargas at 1B; Dozier at 2B, Escobar at SS; Plouffe at 3B; Rosario in LF, Kepler in CF, Sano in RF; Murphy at CA and Park at DH. Double-digit power threats from eight of nine positions, and 20+ homer threats from six positions. Granted, Buxton and Mauer are on the bench, but it could happen in 2016. (I know, I know, that's not what this thread is all about). But this power could make up for some of the shortcomings of the relief corps. Just a thought.

I'll take Molitor over Gardenhire. But I'd take Kelly over both!

It'll be Buxton. They didn't trade Hicks just so we'd have something to talk about. I'll be very disappointed if Buxton is not with the Twins when they break camp.

So you would take Berrios over proven commodities (at least last year) like Milone and Duffey? I think Milone and Duffey should have every chance to prove themselves at the ML level, with what they did last year. I just hope Nolasco is not part of the mix, at this point. By May, it will be seen if one of our pitchers is injured and/or ineffective. Then Berrios will come up.

I agree with your list, Cody, except for 1B. I believe Park will actually be a better defensive 1B than Mauer. Just based on reports I've heard about him – he won the equivalent of the gold glove award at 1B in the KBO from 2012-2014.

I don't see Arcia in CF. He struggles in the corners. In response to REPETE, I don't see Plouffe getting traded before 2017. Santana and Arcia, barring injury, will both be with the squad in April. Both will be back-ups.

I like the list - probably accurate. Except for 2B – I'd pick Dozier. Polanco hasn't had enough reps at 2B yet for me to pick him. Also – what about pitcher? Who's the best defensive pitcher in the Twins' organization?

I agree - and I'll add one more variable, an important one that I believe led to the Twins' exceeding projections in 2015: That of managability. Paul Molitor showed he could manage this team, and the players responded. it took time - the Twins lost what six of their first seven games? But wow, what a month of May!

I guess I'm more optimistic. I'd give it a 'B'. True, the Twins did not do a lot, but they could not do a lot with a full 40-man roster. One must realize that the 40-man roster has 40 players on it. That means the Twins were focused on protecting their key players in the minor leagues. The Park signing was real good. How well it will pan out remains to be seen. But the signing was a surprise. Trading away Aaron Hicks was not too surprising, but acquiring CA John Ryan Murphy in the trade with the Yankees was a bit surprising. And a real good move – with both teams trading from strength. Yes, some expected signings of FA relief pitchers. It didn't happen. I think in part because we have some solid minor league relief pitchers waiting for their chance – Nick Burdi and Taylor Rogers both pitched well in the AFL. It's easy to criticize a lack of activity. But one must remember the Twins have several very good prospects - which needed to be protected. Hence the filled 40-man roster. Hence a lack of activity. If we had signed a FA relief pitcher for big bucks, I can see critics hailing it at first, but when reality sets in, you realize the player is blocking a really good prospect. I fully expect to see Burdi in the major leagues this year, as a relief pitcher. They got Abad on a minor league deal. It would not surprise me if both of them ended up on the roster early in the season. I think the Twins surprised some people this offseason by their lack of activity. But I think they will also surprise some people when they win more than 80 games this season – with no players on the MLB's top 10 list of players by position. Dozier might make it, but he will likely be the only one. Can the Twins – with very few if any top-10 players by position – actually reach the playoffs in 2016? I say YES, because they have a balanced team. MLB is, after all, a team sport.

If Duffey gets sent down, and both he and Berrios pitch well, which of them gets called up first? I'm guessing it's Duffey, because he's already got his clock started. So Nolasco, right now, is probably blocking both Duffey and Berrios. That is a shame.

Four starting pitchers, three SS, two OF and one 1B/DH. To me, that's a good mix for a top-10 lest – except there are no CA on it. While SS frequently transition to 3B or 2B, few transition to CA. Despite the changes the Twins have made this offseason, catcher remains a need, at least in the organization. I would say right now, we have good CA candidates at the top (ML/AAA) and a few in the lower minors, but we could use one or two more like John Ryan Murphy. Overall, though, the club is in pretty good shape as far as talent. At least three from your list (Buxton, Berrios and Park won't be on your list next year, and likely Kepler, Polanco and possibly Jay won't make it either – having played enough to no longer be considered a rookie.

Buxton will figure it out this season. IMHO he should be given the CF job on opening day, and be given a long leash. If given a fair chance, he will succeed.

Personally, I think the Twins should avoid Duensing. Maybe bring back Cotts on a minor league deal. the problem is that the Twins' 40-man roster is full, and they've got some really good talent on it - and not just pitchers. That's a really good problem to have. But to risk losing a player like Vargas, just to get another pitcher on the roster is foolishness. I don't understand sacrificing Darnell for Strong. Darnell has a much better record at AAA. They must like what they see. In short, I'm OK with the team not signing any free-agent pitchers this off-season. They have enough talent on the 40-man roster they don't need more. The bullpen won't be a disaster in 2016. It may not be the best in the AL, but it won't be the worst. meanwhile with guys like Sano, Park, Dozier, Plouffe and Buxton, the team will score some serious runs.