Rosterman

The bullpen will be made up of a lot of 40-man decisions. Will Tonkin be optioned out. Does someone start the season on the 60-day disabled list. Who are the names in limbo of losing their 40-man spot if a minor league free agent ahs to be added. Looks like Kennys Vargas will stay in the organization, until the Twins get a read on Park and Mauer with sunglasses, at least. Sadly, there's a lot of AAAA guys on the Rochester roster whose chances are slim=to=none of ever making the Twins roster, or so one might hope. Better Kepler, Polanco and guys in your system get a chance. But won't put it past the Twins to get another looksee at Mastro or Benson if Buxton flops in spring training and someone in the outfield ends up on the dl. If Santana is the starting centerfielder guy.who WILL win the open bench job?

I see quite a few names that the Twins have tire kicked in the past, or who are actually former Twins. Beimel, Parmelee, Lohse, Delmon Young besides the obvious). Any other time but now, it would've been nice to return Justin Morneau, but the DH is overcrowded and we have another player with concussion issues already at first. Sign. It will be interesting to see the contract of most of these 60, as at least 50 of them aren't set to hang up their spikes, yet. But are there two rosters spots remaining on all major league rosters, elt alone AAA rosters?

In 1966 the Twins signed the first player to come over this way and play professional baseball from South Africa, Dave Lowery. He pitched decently as a starter for A ball, but returned to South Africa where he was active in their baseball program for decades. http://www.baseball-reference.com/register/player.cgi?id=lowery001dav

I hope they stretch May out as a starter in spring training just in case. Having him pitch 3-4 innings as spring rounds down. Otherwise, they get to use that "not stretched out" excuse again. I hate to see May become the Swarzak replacement in the pen, and if he stays in relief he will become too expensive for the Twins UNLESS he can become a bonifide closer.

Actually, the Twins starters did do pretty well last year and there is nothing that says most can't get us into the 7th. Duensing and Cotts are still available. The Twins could also take a flyer on Delmon Young as that 4th outfielder. Joe Nathan?

At this point in time, both Arcia and Santana are pretty much locks to make the team and Santana WILL start in centerfield if Buxton doesn't make the initial cut out of spring training. Arcia's bat is just too powerful to let him walk without giving him a chance to show some more stuff. At worst, he sits on the bench. At best, he gets a starting job if Sano, Rosario, Mauer or Park go down. Arcia would be grabbed by someone if he became available. Santana would have to boot the ball and hit the Mendoza line in spring training to be sent out. His battle, ultimately, could be with Nunez period if Buxton has a hot spring. Tonkin is in that position that this is his last chance with the Twins. He has to produce. The Twins, at the very least, will need a 40-man roster spot for a lefty and unless they DH someone, the two major candidates are Tonkin and Hicks. (Which also brings up the cause for Santana staying...they would need a 40-man spot to add Quentin, Benson, Mastro or Sweeney). Of course, Dean, O'Rourke, Rogers and Strong could also be 40-man casualities. Tonkin, if removed, would pretty much be done as a Twin, probably. Unless he blows people away in spring training (then why wouldn't the Twins keep him), he will be passed by many others in the organizational chart. Even now, he has to beat out Pressly and Graham and the spring training invitees beyond Abad. The Twins still could move Plouffe, putting Sano back at third, Acia in right etc. etc. etc. And at some point, we will hopefully get a good long look at Kepler in the mix. And we all will be watching Park. Will he be the DH out of the chute. Does he need seasoning, and will that happen, then, by sitting on the bench and subbing for Mauer at first and rotating, perhaps, with Arcia as a DH. The Twins roster is pretty darn set. There is still dead weight in the 40-man (Nolasco NEEDS to rebound). More, if you look at the at least six names I mentioned above that could join the three out-of-options.

Baseball, sadly, is not football.

We want to see Sano in the field. But if he can be the Twins Big Papi, things will happen. Regarding starters, the guys need to stay healthy and throw close to 200 innings and keep us in the game (4 runs or less) and then the bullpen needs to be five solid arms who pitch near perfect, holding leads. They need to have strikeout and ground-ball specialists. Plus, it will be interesting to see if Gordon and Kepler become positive pieces. Of course, the big piece in the next 3 seasons is still Joe Mauer. The team does revolve around him and where he bats and how he plays.

I really have no problem with Santana, Hughes and Gibson. I also have no problem if Nolasco rebounds and if we stick Milone into the mess. Knowing that we have May and Duffey as backup and Berrios in the wings is a godsend. But we have no real stopper. Each of those starters will require the Twins to score a minimum of three runs a game to win the game, if not 4. I would expect that each of the starters who make the rotation will be able to get the Twins comfortably into the 7th inning if not thru that inning. That will mean less reliance on a bullpen that still remains up in the air if you need someone for more than two innings consistently. I am comfortable with Perkins as closer and Jepsen as an alternative. I like the idea of Jepsen and Abad as 8th inning guys. I can see Fien fitting in nicely to give us three eight inning guys. I liked Pressly. But I truly can't wait for Burdi, Reed and hope that Milwauke passes on Zack Jones.

Being on the 40-man is a plus. If he would start the season in the bigs, he would be new blood and it would take a little while for teams to figure him out. But picture him being on a fast-track callup if Abad or Rogers or O'Rourke falters. Being on the 40-man is a BIG plus. No movement necessary and you are enough of a prospect to keep your space.

Polanco will pretty much have to make the roster full-time as a utility guy in 2017, unless he can be a placesetter at short (depending on Escobar's season). He could push Dozier to a trade, if the Twins can compensate for Brian's bat in other ways and depending on who the shortstop of the future is with the Twins (is Gordon still two seasons away). The nice thing is that if Dozier, Escobar go down at all in 2016, Polanco will get more fulltime play, above and beyond his couple of at-bats from previous seasons, or I hope he does. The Twins need to put "the future" into the lineup when injuries happen, rather than the wisened old utility guy who may/may not contribute in the future.

The Twins are in that fine-line position of going with prospects now or trying to win now. They have a lot of prospects, but you don't know what they bring to the table unless they can actually play in the major leagues. Yes, the Twins were competitive last season, although the 2nd place finish doesn't totally match with the slightly above .500 season. It is a hard job putting together a baseball team. You want some predictability (i.e. Stauffer) and you fear taking chances with guys. Some succeed like Boyer, but he's not flashy enough and heaven only knows what would happen if you threw him out there again as a mainstay for a second season. Again, a general manager is a TOUGH job. You are working within the 40-man roster guidelines. You are stocking depth. You can't plan for injuries. Players have different learning curves (who would've thunk Rosario would out-perform Buxton, for then). The division appears stronger overall in 2016 and ALL the teams pretty close with probably 5-7 games separating the top from the bottom, depending on play against other divisions. Looking forward to spring training this year and the season opener!

We do have the arms to start the season and enough retreads and prospects to play some musical chairs up-and-down. The only problem is 40-man roster management, adding guys that aren't on by replacing who on the roster. The 40-man is, in reality, pretty tight unless the Twins make some calls on folks like Nunez and Noalsco, or Vargas and Arcia. What I find telling is the non-siging, so far, of Cotts and Duensing. Not to mention Boyer without a home. Plus the whereabouts of old names like Swarzak and Thielbar and Deduno. I see Kansas City grabbed Oliveros and his fastball. I could agree that the names out there to add were just too expensive, especially if looking beyond one year. They might be more predictable than arms in the minors. But either way, there is no guarantee that one will be competitive this year or not!

Right now, what is Ricky look for in baseball. He can sit back and collecta good salary for two years. He can pitch extremely well for the Twins in 2016, but that just means they might trade him somewhere not of his choosing. He could pitch extremely well the next two seasons if he wishes to stay in the game and make big money. If he doesn't produce, his baseball career,sadly, will be over. It's tough. Yes, he was injured in 2015, so we hope he goes forward (that he came back at season's end is a feather, so to speak, in his cap of wanting to be productive. The Twins decision will be where best to use his talents. Send im out every fifth day and see if they can get team value for him as a starter. Bury him and eat his contract in the back of the bullpen. Let him go and see if someone else gives him a chance. This is am important spring training for Rocky and also for the Twins. Do they go with their best (and future) 25 or do they continue to play the veteran, options and major-league roster time games.

Yes, it starts to come down to 40-man roster moves. You MAY have someone go on the disabled list. You MAY trade someone out of spring training. You have to make choices on Arcia, Santana and others. I picture the Twins will add Abad. They may make a last minute play for Choate, but then they have to designate Hocks, or Strong or O'Rourke. Not many names to cut from the 40-man. Then it will be a simple matter of the arms that come north in the bullpen keeping their job or shuttling down to Rochester (and off the 40-man). Telling time for Pressly, Graham, Fien, Rogers, Tonkin. Of course, Pat Dean is a probable casualty. Who else can the Twins send away? Vargas? Nunez? So right now, it is a pretty full plate for the Twins, making a decision on the rotation and seeing if anyone can go from there, having too many names in the pen, 3 catchers but none overwhelming, decisions to be made on Vargas and Arcia short-term or long-term. I wouldn't sign any of the above with the current roster situation. I wish there were people knocking down the Minnesota door to trade for a piece of our not-so-good pie, but I don't see the Twins flipping anyone for anything but a mid-level prospect at best.

A very good analysis and you can't ask for a more even division. A difference of five games won/lost can make a huge difference in this division. If someone gets off to a massive star out of spring training, they might be hard to catch. Any of the above teams that do want to win ahs to take care of the teams in their own division, first!

This is the year Kepler HAS to get some major Major League playing time. Next year will be his 4th on the 40-man (the Twins added him earlier than necessary because of the potential of someone grabbing him from the system). They need to evaluate him to see if he will stay in the system, possibly become tradebait, or what. It will be interesting to see how he works out. When you talk of him going into the outfield (with Buxton and Rosario), then that means Sano will go back to third, and at this point, please put Sano at third then and trade off Plouffe. There is also the possibility of first base, but Mauer creates a roadblock there. And if Park shows life, we are really blocked up in the DH/1B world. The hopes are that Arcia and Rosario show enough in 2016 to viable trade pieces. That would free up roster space. Remember, we also have Walker in the wings or could also patrol one of the corner spots. Spring Training will be fun to follow in 2016!

Plouffe is still a keeper...THIS SEASON. Next season, his final arbitration year, he will command north of $10 million. That is the decision on the horizon, and also affects his trade value to another team. Is he worth it? That is the question. If Plouffe IS worth it, you try and sign him, right now, today, for $30-33 million over three years with a 4th year option. If he isn't worth it, you figure out a way to trade him NOW or hope there is a demand for a third baseman in mid-season...and then it becomes the decision of another team to offer the arbitration, or he becomes a free agent and could possibly sign for less (say three years and $24-30 million). Either way, this season and next Plouffe has to play well for financial reward. It's a gamble you take. But either way, he is still tradable for a relief pitcher...but at what level. Again, if you do sign him, than you commit to keeping him at third, or do you move him (shades of Cuddyer) to the outfield. Have the Twins seen enough of Sano in the outfield (no) to know he will work out there. Actually, have the Twins seen enough of Sano at third, in major league situations, to be comfortable with the big guy there. If we parted with Plouffe and Sano wasn't the guy at third, then what do we do. Our troubles seem to be revolving more and more around with Mr. Minnesota Twin, Joe Mauer, who is a franchise player...but..... In the big picture, we would save salary, if we could find a taker. For the next three years he is playing positions -- first base and DH -- that we could put any number of others players in. Plouffe at first, Sano at third. Leave outfield for Kepler. We have Park in the mix. Where do we play Vargas and Arcia. What happens if Walker is the real deal. We all know what Mauer brings to the table. And the Twins will still have to make a further decision on the "Face of the Franchise" again...if Joe wishes to play beyond his contract.

The only way the Twins would really really add pieces would be if they played Billy Beane ball and started trading massive amounts of current pieces for different pieces. But to do so, people have to want anything that you have to offer. The guys you want to keep, other teams want (Sano, Buxton, Berrios). But so many others could be traded to strengthen, say, catcher, corner outfield, bullpen. Who says you can't move Santana or Gibson or Hughes. If you believe in bullpen prospects, take a buyer for Perkins. Will anyone take Suzuki off your hands? Would moving Plouffe really solve problems (he will be expensive in arbitration in 2017). Otherwise, we can pretty much write in the names of the 25-man roster with Santana/Nunez/Arcia getting jobs because of being out-of-option. The biggest question is Buxton, does he start in the minors? Then who plays centerfield? And if ANY of these bullpen minor league signings pan out, what current 40-man roster names do we say goodbye!

We could argue that Hendriks was maybe pushed, or not sorted out (starter vs. relief). Waldrop was considered a prospect to watch but ended up being a back of the bullpen guy. Wimmers IS still in the mix, somehow. Will he end up in Minnesota, or get a minor chance somewhere else. Thinking of an outfield of Hicks, Benson and Revere was not out-of-the-question, and the power potential of Arcia would've filled in nice at DH. Like Sano, he was young and not ready at all abck then (as was the Kepler!).

Catching has become a two-player sport. You need a backup. It seems teams CAN BE happy with a backstop playing 80-90 games on a regular basis. If someone can do 120, you have a gem. If they play 140...wow. You always have to look at league average for hitting and fielding. Yes, a catcher can throw out baserunners, but they do need a little help from the starter on the mound, too. Not that you don't play to win in the minors (you do), but so much more happens on the field in the majors. Can you survive with a no-hit, good call/throwout catcher in the lineup (think back to Phil Roof, Jerry Zimmerman). Do you hope to get a Brian Harper or Russ Nixon-type? But the bigger question is always depth. What happens when the guy goes down, which seems to be happening more and more these days with the concussion concern. It looks like the Twins may have adequate defense behind-the-plate for the next decade with some okay pop from a couple of guys, but no one looks like someone that will score big when they enter arbitration or free agency (although there are a couple of young unknowns who might just do that). And once you start removing ANY of the names above from behind-the-plate, how might they fit into the Twins future plans?

It is a game of numbers. Besides May and Berrios, the Twins really have no other starter ready to jump into the mix, and the Twins seem happy to have May in the bullpen for now. Duffey was a surprise, but... What hurt the most was that names like Nolasco and Milone didn't increase their value to other clubs and have, thus, become an albatross on the Twins mound. Milone could find some seekers after arbitration establishes his salary. It always hurts when a player doesn't produce for the team and thus loses value. Same can be said for prospects such as Santana, Vargas and Arcia, who could've been decent tradebait. Sometimes you have to trade your youth, like Hicks, for parts that you need. Would the Twins consider an offer for, say, Rosario now and hope that he doesn't have a soph slump? It is what makes the job difficult. Do you grab a Span (or as lasy year, a Hunter) to keep you in the game and lose an Arcia? Do you keep pumping the youth thru your clubhouse hoping one sticks? For msot players, do you actually find out their team worth in year two, or year four, or year seven? How long do you wait? I feel the Twins bullpen is largely set with expectations on future arrivals rather than dole out a three-year contract to some arm. I will agree that more stock has been put into the potential worth of Fien than he probably deserves at this point. And we have to hope Jepson is still a hot set-up guy. Yes, I would like a more established third man (preferably a lefty) to be added to the mix, but see that the Twins may be able to cobble together a one-season surprise from their minor league invites. It won't be glamorous, and we may have a tagteam like last year's Thompson/O'Rourke (argh!) but I am hoping that those rotation arms will get us into the 7th inning consistently and that the Twins may have 4 pitchers that throw 200 innings of 4.00 ball.

I like the ENDS lineup. Could live with that. Even if Arcia replaces Plouffe, say, and Sano goes to third base. What makes this even more exciting is if this is the lineup (with Kepler somewhere) for 2017.

Better yet...how many innings will each of the members of the starting rotation reach in 2016. Will we have 2-3 break 200 innings. Will all of the top five at least break 150 innings?

It's bad enough to have a strikeout prone guy batting fourth, but also have one bat second AND third. Mauer is there to drive home a leadoff runner. Dozier is NOT your perfect #2 hitter because of his K's. When you egt to 4th and 5th in the order, you either got the long ball out (sacrifice) or live with the homer/strikeout choice. Even moving a Rosario up in the order is a tough call because of his K's. The Twins have to work on NOT STRIKING OUT. We don't know how Murphy will eprform. And Buxton, if he can put the ball in play, will be a godsend.