Rosterman

We need a catcher upgrade. We need dependable backlup at first base if Mauer goes down. We need to have someone at third if Sano can't play tehre, especially if Plouffe is traded. We have a bunch of guys in the minors who can fill bench roles in the outfield and DH - Vargas, Arcia, :Pinto, Kepler come to mind. A couple could be Mauer replacements if needed. Who do we have as abckup in the infield? Resign Nunez? Santana and maybe Polanco. Do we sign a big bopper? Someone who could play the outfield and third base, betetr than Plouffe and for less or more? Plouffe will be around $7-8 million this year. Unfortunately in 2017, his value increases to $11-12. Not sure the Twins feel he is worth that much in 2017 (or any other team in baseball). But Plouffe will probably wait until his free agent year to gamble for a bigger contract than the $30 million the Twins MIGHT offer him for three years, but would the Twins offer that? The offense is pretty well set. It is jsut who plays if someone goes down, with the big question being if Sano can play third. Mauer NEEDS to produce. But he will not be going anywheres and chances are he will even get an extension at some point to remain a Twin for life. Do we find a DH/third baseman> Can they repalce Hunter and/or Plouffe? Is it someone for short-term or longterm? Do we find an aging vet who can also play x-positions in a pinch but is a Thome-like bat off the bench (not named Hunter or Morneau). Armchair GM's will have fun as liss are released of free agents, arbitration no-goes, minor castoffs and the ilk!

Adjusting to major league piching is difficult. Especially to excel. Somehow, Sano is swinging and hitting the right pitches MOST of the time, but he is also striking out a lot. Patience is the key for any youngster. At some point, the hitter forces the pitcher to be careful on that first pitch and NOT throw an automatic strike. That's the game of baseball, is it going to be a ball or a strike. Period. Then you start worrying about lcoation, and a batter needs to constantly adjust their own game plan according to a pitcher's strengths (inside/outside, high/low, breaking pitches, curveballs, etc.). It will be interesting to see the work guys do during the iwinter (Sano, Buxton, Rosario) and what returns we get out of spring training (Arcia, Vargas, Pinto, Santana...will they rebound). That's seven solid playrs who ALL have a chance to start in the major leagues, pretty much just leaving a space for Mauer and Dozier in the lineup, assuming Pinto culd catch. We saw some consistent work from Sano and Rosario this season, and Hicks has improved a bit, but on thee whole, beyond the smashing of Sano and the triples of Rosario, we only saw some glimpses of players exceling. We need a couple to become stars, maybe even a superstar. And Mauer to return to his status as an elite hitter. And Dozier to have an equally good second half. Then...the pitching.....

Ovrall, it is a strange team. No pitcher won more than 11 games, yet we contended. No one put up great numbers in stolen bases, average, strikeouts (except as batters) or any number ofotehr categories. Yes, led in doubles and triples categories, hit a few more homers than expected. But, yes, Perkins faded, Mauer just never took off, Dozier did some goodthings, Plouffe was Plouffe, some rookies showed promise, others sucked bigtime from alst year. The bullpen was a mess. The games worked by many is astounding. But it must faze a manager when you have absolutely no idea what to expect and you need a reliever who will egt a ground ball, or one who can strike guys out, etc. etc. etc. Stange season statistical-wise.

The thing is, at this point you don't even need to add Berrios to the 40-man roster. Meyer and May are still in the wings. Names like Dean and Rogers are also in the mix. And then you have the next wave (return of Wimmers, Baxendale, Stewart amongst others, but still not up until 2017 at the earliest.) And we always have the injury factor. Be interesting to see who the Twins sign for free agents (minor leagues) a la Boyer, Stauffer and the ink.

Don't let Pelfrey go mroe than five innings. If you want to limit Duffey, youc an do that, too. But then the Twins have to hope Noalsco comes back this weekend Darnell and May get better, and the manager will trust Tonkin, Albers, O'Rourke and even Duensing.

Rosario looks like a solid worker. He will listen and strive to improve. He needs to learn to NOT swing, but a lot of that comes with discipline, watching film, and letting the coaches crawl onto your back more often than not. He seems glad to be in the major leagues and is having fun playing ball.

When you look at the Saints attendance figures you go "wow." What if it was the High-A farm club of, say, the Minnesota Twins. The Saints are printing money this year (consider that the Chattanooga Lookouts, AA franchise of the Twins, played their first playoff game to under 2,000 fans). Yes, it was a new stadium. Yet they managed to oversell the actual seating by nearly 1,000 standing or blanket sitters a game. That's not counting people like me or walked regularly thru the turnstiles abckwards around inning 7 because I live in the neighborhood and no one was paying attention. It brought some life to Lowertown. It had its problems with some businesses. Parking was an issue, yet there was still available palces in most lots (St. Paul wants to meter the streets to 10 p.m. to free up those spaces for business and neighbor visitors). Plus, the team one. Hard to believe that they weren't the best team in indy ball record wise. Curious to see if any of the players join major league organizations during the off season. And wonder what the mailbox looks like for people wanting to play for the Saints in 2016!

And, you know, we can't count out Vargas as getting his act together. Yes, it has been amazing trying to figure out how the Twins have stayed where they are for the majority of the season, and just have hopes that they do finish the year with a winning record, which would be...amazing...considering the bodies on the DL, no pitcher winning more than 10 games, and the solid yet not spectacular seasons from the vets on the field.Sheesh!

I'm sure Darnell is on the call if Pelfrey starts up short this round. I say get Logan up and throwing before the third inning, just in case. It would be an opportunity for Logan to cememnt a spot in the Twins organization. He needs a looksee as much as we need to see Pelfrey increase his own value for his pending free ageency. I say go with the guy you might want to keep rather than the one who will be walking away after the season. Plus, Logan is a lefty. You like those, sometimes...if they get guys out. If nothing else, give Logan a chance to see if he should remain in the bullpen mix for 2016 (and where is Aaron Thompson...if you aren't going to recall him, them swap his 40-man spot out for another player...who you might want to look at...or reward (Beresford) for service to the organization. Stuff like that goes a long ways, sometimes.)

The twins have the Arcia issue. Do they want to give him away, or find space for him on a bench that could be crowded with Vargas, Pinto and, perhaps, Sano if Plouffe stays around. The Twins also have future prospects Adam Walker and Max Kepler. Because of a lack of opportunity, both will stay at AAA Rochester next season and though either could be a call-up, they might not get any real action until 2017. Kepler could also be the first baseman of the future, circa 2018, depending on Mauer and where you eventually want him to end up (Boston). We may complain about the lack of walks that a guy takes (anyone remember someone named Kirby Puckett). And although Buxton is struggling in his rookie season, as did Hicks, the tools do start to shine thru. But right now, Rosario is not an elite outfielder. He has strengths, to be sure, as Dozier does at second base. Hicks has found something, but can he repeat, and after next season, you have to look at signing him longterm or him being too expensive for what you are getting. And, do you want a power player in the outfield (Walker perhaps, or even Arcia). It is a luxury of riches right now in which there is little room for a Shane Robinson and only room for a Torii Hunter if you feel his bench bat and clubhouse presence far outweighs the need to keep Arcia for another year and Vargas as backup DH/1B, assuming Plouffe stays and Sano is the DH. The odd man out in this mix is Pinto. And there seems to be any number of fourth outfielders that the Twins can call upon in a pinch from their own system over the next two seasons at least so they don't need to find an AAAA veteran. I was thinking lineup for 2016: Buxton Hicks Dozier Sano Rosario Plouffe Mauer Suzuki Escobar

You have to look at the overall Twins team with astonishment and wonder how they have gotten to where they are. Look at the 25-27-33 guys curently in the dugout. How many will NOT have a job next year or be buried in some's minor league system. WHo on the current team are other general managers looking at as a trade possibility. Most of the names are the young guys...period. And they aren't going anywhere. But theya re still uncertain. We have a damaged and expensive (and under contract) rotation. We have a slew of 40-man bullpen guys who didn't cut while potential 40-man adds eitehr went down with injury or backwards. We have a catcher under contract, but no one in the wings. Our first baseman is an enigma. We have no bench, for now, although that could change if we get rid of some deadbeats. How have the Twins risen so far and sustained their winning ways? Great management, excellent coaching, right things happening at the right time compared to previous years where they left guys on base and had to constantly fight from behind. Management may be right. Butts are in the seats. People got excited about a team of no stars except for Hunter's magic and Joe;s disappearing act. Enough new guys are in the mix that people who care think the future is bright. Hey, TC even worked on these hot and humid days! Talk about a Gamer!

So, after the success of Chattanooga, does anyone think that some team will be looking at Doug Mientkiewicz as a potential manager?

I never considered Danny Santana more than a place-setter, or at best a utility player, if the Twins wanted a slightly younger Santana. Shortstop is in limbo for at least one moe season. Vargas had the opportunity to cememnt his role with the Twins as a designated hitter. Sano has that role. If the Twins decide to part with Plouffe and move Sano to third, then good luck to Vargas (and maybe Arcia) to fight out for DH in the spring. But unless he can play first-base in palce of Mauer (doubtful), the best Vargas can do is spark some numbers to find a job elsewhere via trade. But going into September, as late-inning repalcements or bench bats, gald to have the two on baord, as well as the return of Hicks (sending Hunter and his dismal, what, 5 for 35 with 17-18 strikeouts) to the bench, too. Wish Pinto was farther ahead.

You can get one spot by putting Graham on the 60-day. He was a Rule 5 guy, I'm not sure if he has to come back and get those other service days or not. Who is on the 40-man that you can get rid of. Anyone of the 40-man except Kepler and Ploanco, who both won't come to the Twins as Chattanooga will be in the playoffs. Expect both to have Arizona fall league consideration. If you aren't going to bring up Logan Darnell or Jason Wheeler, then you cut them. Period. Same can be said for Aaron Thompson. I would rather see some new fringe names than those three. Wheeler would probably apss thru waivers and stay with the Twins because of his double demotions this year. You have Meyer, Tonkin and Achter. Do you give them innings? Do you shut down Meyer? With his recent troubles, do you try and let O'Rourke float thru the designated for assignment wire? Pelfrey, Cotts and Duensing will be in limbo after the season. Duensing ahs worked himself back into the Twins graces, although I wouldn't bend over backwards to keep him next year. At some point, you cut Pelfrey if he has a bad start, just for the roster spot. But..... We have to keep Herrmann. We will bring up Pinto. There's no fluff in the offense unless you cut loose Robinson or Nunez. You really don't need to cut bait with Vargas or Arcia, yet. So, you have 3-4 potential spots to fill. I doubt that the Twins will callup Berrios or Chargolis. It would be ncie to reward Bowden, Dean, Hamburger, Beresford - but what are you going to use them four. None of those hands will be on the 40-man next season. I would rather see Turner, Berrios, Chargolis, Walker - all a aprt of the Twins future. But ti ain't happening. Callups: Logan Darnell, Tonkin, Achter, Pinto, Vargas, Arcia. That'sit. Doesn't get me excited. Hicks will be back. Hughes will return.

And, of course, there are names like Joe Benson, Tim Stauffer, P.J. Walters, Darin Mastroianni, Jose Mijares, Julio DePaula, Matt Carson, Caleb Thielbar, Brandan Harris, Alexi Casilla, Jason Pridie, Joe Beimel, Jared Burton, Erik Komatsu, Bobby Korecky, Scott Diamond, Luis Ayala, Randy Ruiz, J.C. Romero. Alex Burnett, Esmerling Vasquez, Yoslan Herrera, Kris Johnson, Tsuyoshi Nyshioka, Eric Hacker, Phil Humber, Rene Tosoni, Jason Repko, Pedro Hernandez, Shairon Martis, Sean Burroughs, Luis Rodriguez, Jose Morales, Matt Maloney, Luis Perdomo still toiling in the minor leagues here and abroad. And Jesse Crain and Joe Nathan being carried on team disabled lists for the season.

Of course, every team has its players going up and down. Don;t forget: Kevin Correia 0-3 6.56 in 23 innings Andrew Albers 0-0 3.58 in 3 innings Vance Worley 4-5 3.78 in 69 innings Scott Baker 0-1 6.73 in 11 innings Yohan Pino 0.2 3.26 in 19 innings Sam Deduno 0-1 6.96 in 21 innings And all those bench guys: Delmon Young .270/.289/.339 2 HR 16 RBI 180AB Rene Rivera .186/.216/.288 5 HR 26 RBI in 292AB Drew Butera .205/.239/.261 1 HR 5 RBIU in 95AB Sam Fuld .194/.271/.302 in 271AB Alex Presley .250/.318/.250 0 HR 1 RBI 12AB Chris Parmelee .215/.238/.433 4 HR 9 RBI 162AB

What i find amazing is that the Twins did spend money on a starting rotation. And it looks like the team will have a 10-game-winner as the ace of the staff and that's it. No relief pitcher even throwing up double-digit victories as a vulture. Talk about spreading the wealth. Especially when, if you a contender, your starting five put up around 60-70 victories easily. Can't wait to see what happens when Hicks returns. And would love to see Pinto behind-the-plate for thoe few games Herrmann has been holding down that fort. It has been an exciting season of Twins abseball. This game in Tampa Bay tonight was so...long and on edge and full of little plays and challenges and lots and lots of pitches thrown to strike gys out or put them on base. But where were the fans (less than 10,000 in the stands).

With HUnter and Pelfrey as free agents. You can also add the names of Kenys Vargas to the mix. Is there the need for a backup first baeman/DH/ You wonder if both him and Arcia deserve a call-up in September just to get some at bats to see if they add (ratehr than subtract) from their value. The other name you let off is Brad Boyer, who did everything expected (like Thompson) and probably more, but is he really someone that you want to waste a 40-man spot on. Like a Chris Colabello, if someone signs him away, okay, otherwise you can probably sign him to a minor league contract and an invite to spring training. When making 40-man roster decisions, and adding new guys by December who can't be removed randomly (except thru trade), you have to keep 2-3 guys around jsut in case of free-agent signings or trades. And you always like to have that dreaded Rule 5 possibility in play. And even though you might like to keep Graham and Pressley in the organization, you do have to weight their real worth to the team over any other names. Who would you add for the September drive from the minors who are not already on the 40-man. What players do we have to consider adding to the 40-man come December. Is Danny Santana worth keeping around. Do we give Max Kepler and Jorge Polanco more major league at bats to make them hungry for the big leagues, or let them sit out in playoff land in Chattanooga. At one point, I would love to have seen Oliveros back with the team for more than a couple of innings, but his recent inactivity all but eans that he ahs thrown his last ball for the Twins. Also Stephen pryor won't get a chance. Doubt Mark Hamburger will get a shot. Don't see the Twins letting Jamie Beresford get a major league (albeit temporary) 40-man spot.

Not alot of bullpen options? Well, we had Caleb and let him walk. That's probably fine, but why is Thompson still on the 40-man then. Would love to see Oliveros and his heat, or even the wildness of Stephen Pryor, both both have managed to work themselves out of a tryout by being on the DL for the second half of the season. That leaves Logan Darnell. Give the guy another chance. Michael Bowden, not impressing anyone. Mark Hamburger, well, maybe a guy gets psyched up enough that they do brilliantly for a game or two (instead of getting pysched up and just melting down). I would hate the thought of a Burde or Reed or Jones coming up and trying to impress everyone and blowing out their arm, but that's the opportunity that exists right now in the Twins organization. And service time and 40-man roster space be damned. Berrios is going to be lights out and a longtime starter, or not...so don't worry about the 40-man. He will get his shot sooner rather than later. You still have the service time option open for three seasons if they guy isn't all that great. You do have dead weight on the 40-man. Ohhhhhh, you don't want to add anyone before their time because you do have quite a few considerations coming up this November. Well, then we get stuck with Hamburger or WIlkin Ramirez of Jamie Beresford (or any number of other AAAA guys). We can still reward one or two come September if the twins are in the dregs, but we can also free up space by cutting loose anyone and everyone that WON'T be here in 2016 - Duensing, Fien, Robinson, Nunez for example. I would reward guys at the expense of those old soldiers. But I also would grab someone, maybe one of the Johnsons, and let them have a shot. Shibuya maybe. Look for those rough diamonds that are hungry in your own organization and wanting to listen to the coaches and impress the front office and fans. We will see some horrible moments (O'Rourke, but I'm not putting him on any shorter of a leash than Stauffer or Boyer) or Achter (throwing some heat).

It is frustrating because the Twins listened to the fans and spent the money, but were forced to essentially overpay for mid-level pitchers, either in dollars or length of contract. Face it, players aren't knocking down the doors to play here, and the Big Guys assume that the Twins won't spend the dollars (see internal free agents who have moved elsewhere). At least if you end up overpaying your internal free agents, you are, in a ways, rewarding them for jobs well cone. You never know how longterm contracts will work out, but you do have to go 2-3 years at lesat for above average players these days. You can land a one-year on someone looking for a rebuild year (or pull a Pelfrey maybe). Faced with the problem of promoting prospects too soon, or waiting too long, the Twins are...well, I'm happy they are giving us pretty good ball this year for a solid team that plays together but the reality is that there really aren't a lot of players with more than a year's expeience to get overtly excited about. The money is just money. You spend it. It doesn't carry over from season to season if you don't spend it. Yes, it can prevent you from spending down-the-line, but if the player can walk and toss, you can probably flip him for a prospect or another overpaid hunk of sludge.

Service time is moot for a prospect like Buxton. If he shines in Year One and Year Two, he will get a longterm deal he can't refuse. Bigger question is what to do about Aaron Hicks as he inches closer to arbitration with two horrible years and one better than expected year (adding up to about two years of time right now). The Twins have some outfield decisions to make, including the Arcia situation.

If he would get activated, I would luv to see Lester Oliveros get more than the couple of innings he got last yeat (innings Jared Burton was given over many pitchers for some unheard of reason). Kepler should see some major league at bats. It will be interesting to see how Vargas and Arcia are played in September. Vargas may get left-behind (like Hicks last year). And, yes, it would be fine to give a temporary roster spot to a Mark Hamburger or a James Beresford, if possibly. But who goes, who stays. The Twins will probably not promote Berrios, due to the service time issue, for some unheard of reason. Also expect them to add Rogers to the 40-man somehow. As long as a minor league team isn't in the playoffs (I think Rochester is missing them), I say bring up as many guys as you can (not just can afford) and give them a taste of major league life.

I don't think there are any seats to jump on the Saints bandwagon. The park is pretty much packed, with even standing room standing at a minimum. Few seats are available on-line. Even on the matinee performances. The Saints are literally printing money in Lowertown, winning games, and fans are having a blast!

Is Milone worth arbitration. It would be ncie to move him for something (as well as Pelfrey) in August. See neither Herrmann or Fryer being kept. But then, the Twins do need someone to catch. But no one ahs to be 40-manned from the abckstops in the current minors, just spring training invites. Wheeler should be removed from the 40-man. He is being apssed by others. Why Achter but not Tonkin. September callups of Darnell, Achter and Tonkin will elt us see who should be kept in the mix. Fien will probably not be coming back. Jepson could be on the bubble. Plouffe has another year as a Twin. He will still be reasonable. It is 2017 that he might cost the team 9-12 million in arbitration. This offseason, they either keep him longterm or prep him for trade. Sano ash to play some third, and get anotehr month of at bats. The Hunter decision will be amde in December, unless he is overwhelmed to sign somewhere else. his recent slump will hurt his marketability and salary demand. The Twins could have up to 13 spots open on the 40-man, more if they can trade some pieces (Pinto, Arcia, Varhas, Santana or Escobar). But the tell is that there really isn't much in the names above that someone will give you much for. Milone, Pelfrey, Plouffe (yes), Arcia (maybe), Hicks (possibily). Let some walk away in August and let's look at some potential pieces who WILL PLAY for the Twins in 2016. I still want another look at Lester Oliveros.

The pain is that if the Twins slip down the standings, although the chances of slipping below Chicago, Cleveland and Detroit are slim, attendance will flounder. If the Twins can stay around .500 and hold onto second place, people will still come and we won't have $5 tickets in September. But who knows how the win-win public will feel if the Twins just stay in the mix, not the hunt. They've been averaging 30,000+ for while now and everyone in he front office issalivating as those are many many full price tickets sold that the Twins control...no season ticket discounts or Stub-Hub throwaways.