Rosterman

Quite frankly, none of the "reunion" guys are worth jumping the gun on. Nathan will no doubt wait until mid-season (similar to Soriano) to see what he can get, unless someone blows his checkbook and offers him $5 million guaranteed (with incentives) to sign early. Just remember the case of Santana, who many of us thought would behappy with a minor league contract/looksee. But he managed to get guaranteed big league money for no production. A.J. is similar. Although his price is reasonable, he is still 39. At some point, he may not be any better than an Eric Fryer or Drew Butera. If he could bring the leadership we are losing with Torii, maybe an early grab. But I'm not sure he will be the same clubhouse rpesence. I would rather hire Mike Redmond as a coach to offer some more clubhouse antics/presence. Justin Morneau would be a man withouta position. He won't take the place of Mauer. If something happens to Mauer, I would rather see Kepler and/or Vargas get time at first. We don't need him at DH. A team looking for a DH might grab him (stay away from the NL, Justin). You don't want to play him at first, although he might be better than our current first bagger. Pther reunion possibilities? Scott Baker is looking for work. Phil Humber will be seeking a job. We could bring abck Kris Johnson from his overseas tour. Nick Punto could be talked out of his one-year retirement. We could Noalsco for Garza. We could trade Jepsen for Ramos. I'm sure Alexi Casilla would accept a contract offer. And Pedro Hernandez is right across the river in St. Paul Saints land.

I say goodbye to Nunez and keep Danny as the benchguy for 2016 and see if he steps up in any way. The Twins need a placesetter at short for at least 2016 and possibly 2017 and between Escobar (who if he remains consistent can be tradebait) and Santana, I feel the Twins have adequate coverage.

With those five guys projected to join the Twins, the future does look pretty darn birght if none of the other 25 or so show up. We have a starter, a corner outfieler who can play first, a center fielder, a shortstop, and a guy who might start but could close. Whew! All we need is a catcher!

Drew Butera!?

So Escobar could be a placesetter until we see Gordon, followed by Vielma if need be, and then Javier in the wings. If we went and signed someone longterm, then we have some expendable tradebait here. J.T. Char sounds like he may be the next...Anthony Slama, perhaps. Hope not. That he develops and is given every opportunity tobecome a first-rate bullpen arm in the majors. Meyer controls his own destiny. 2016 is the year he shines or is bypassed. Unfortunately, his trade value with the current Twins is not what it was when the Nats dealt him to us.

Let's look at the players we do have and figure out how to bat them. Hicks CF Dozier 2B Mauer 1B Sano DH Plouffe 3B Arcia RF Rosario LF Suzuki C Escobar SS Pretty solid if everyone produces. Would ratehr see Dozier at third and Mauer further back, if could find a #2 hitter (maybe Hicks moves there when Buxton comes up). The challenge is Sano/Plouffe/Arcia/ Although far from eprfect, Sano IS the cleanup hitter. Plouffe is inconsistent. Arcia needs to prove himself all over again.

I don't see the need for Plouffe in left. Dozier departing, we lose some punch at the position compared to possible repalcements for now. I have faith that Arcia will get it all together and smash the ball and take the Twins to the limit in arbitration before departing via free agency someday. But, by then, we might have Adam Walker. I agree that the Twins should avoid signing any of their arbitration guys Fien and Nunez, not to mention the free agents like Boyer and Cotts and Duensing (and Hunter and, of course, Pelfrey). Bring in new bodies. Or advance prospects.

If a team has the money, you gamble. This last season, the Twins put a lot of money into their rotation. They lost, but the team did better than recent years. Go figure. You always run the risk of a bad investment (that is what you have analytics and scouts for, right). You have to be willing eat a certain amount of salary every season. They did it with Joe Mays, to a lesser extent Nick Blackburn, once for Joe Nathan. It happens. Be prepared to not have your "superstars" on the field. It is the longterm eating of a contract that literally sucks. Do you trade prospects? Same issue. How many prospects in the Top 20 make it to the majors. How many actually play in the majors for any extended amount of time. A quick look at the past decade of Twin draftees shows that you are lucky if 5-6 guys make the majors, and not necessarily with your own team. And here is another area that you are spending good money and not getting the results that you may want. Ultimately, my definition of a top of the order sarter, or an Ace, is someone who consistently year-after-year gives you starts and innings (preferably 200 these days) and keeps you in the game. I have never totally embraced the idea of having your "ace" start against another team's ace, especially in, say, the playoffs or World Series. One of these "aces" has to lose. You might do better having your next guy pitch against their ace and have your ace come back against a lesser pitcher. A year long battle of aces could have one guy with a 20-10 record and a 2.98 ERA and the other with a 10-20 record and a 2.99 ERA, How much is that worth? I have also been a firm believer that you do develop your own talent and when that talent produces for you, you reward them with contracts and salary for what they are doing and have done. When you pay out outrageous monies based on what someone ahs done with another team (different home park, different offense, different bullpen) you are paying for soemthing that will go bust more often than not. At least when that homegrown talent busts, you can tell yourself you were underpaying them in early years. Looking at the Twins in 2015, what would it have been like to have David Price on the mound with the team? Would he been equally successful? Are a pitchers numbers like Grienke skewed because he faces a pitcher as a batter in the National League? Would we rather have three $15 million dollar pitchers and have one go down than one $25 million pitcher who goes down (and, yes, we had three that did partial work last season, I know). In the game of baseball, someone wins, someone loses. Your best and their best still results in someone not winning.

Cleveland was supposed to be better this season, and they regressed a bit, but right now have a very low payroll and all the ptential in the world to be strong out-of-the-gate in 2016. Though no one over-excelled in 2015, the Twins outlook is more than promising. Where you have to ask the questions is depth. They have some depth in the outfield...five possible guys and you can supplement that with an AAA-type reserve. There is no backup at catcher, and although Suzuki played hard and gave adequate numbers offensively (I can';t believe he did bat second for awhile), he is not the future, and not the guy you want behind-the-plate for a contending team. We have Vargas and Kepler backing up first. We have Polanco backing up second. We have no one abcking up short. We have Plouffe and Sano battling it out for third. There, we pretty much covered the gp-tos for the Twins offensively in 2016. AAA will be full of Chattanooga advancements and unnamed minor free agents. We can talk about the May, but let's talk about Eeptember. Santana and Duffey were brilliant. Plefrey didn't really do anything for the Twins that May couldn't have replicated. Milone was hot and cold. Gibson was consistent, neither great, neither horrible. There, we have one starter too many. I hope Ryan doesn't sign another swingman like Stafuuer, but would like to think that for emergency purposes he could trust Rogers or Dean to pull some major league innings until Berrios is truly ready and Meyer figures things out. Twins set for rotation, although we can only hope Nolasco can dobetter than...Pelfry in 2016. The bullpen has Jepson and Perkins. Looks good. Otherwise, unless May stays, there is NO ONE I would pencil in from the names that played in 2015. I would say open season and don't go out-of-you-way Terry to sign Boyer or Fien or Duensing or Cotts. All are welcome back at less pay than 2015...yes, even Fien. If no one took him off your hands in August, then think about his true value. You can waive out all the other names: Darnell, Tonkin, O'ourke, Achter, Thompson. You can find replacements. YOU CAN FIND REPLACEMENTS. Hopefully you do better than just find replacements and spend some of that extra money you will have by NOT having Hunter and Pelfrey back for one-two legit middle-of-the-bullpen arms. The only depth in the offense is Plouffe, who isn;t exactly a bargain for a team and teams will think the Twins do want to move him and offer low, until a third baseman goes down in spring training. Of course, will playing a position during a game hurt or help Miguel in his at bats. You can entertain offers for Hicks, Dozier, Rosario and Escobar, who all have some worth. But you will go with unproven (Kepler, Polaco) or need to sign a short-term free agent if you move any of them. I see the roster pretty set. No one knocking down the Twins door to get Plouffe. People waiting to see what the Twins do do with Arcia. Staying comfortable with the current rotation because we have just enough able bodies if someone goes down. The bullpen is the only place to upgrade and spend good money for solid relief. You can always bring back the Boyer, Fien or Duensing for a song, if they find no takers elsewhere.

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