Rosterman

Man, six games out after playing seven. That hurts. It's a tough job, but I always had issues with Gardy's line-up construction. But I will also admit I don't have answers. Where should Dozier bat. Do we need to keep Joe in the #3 spot forever (I don't like him as #2 personally). Is Hunter a #2, or a #5. Who bats clean-up. Vargas, Arcia, Plouffe...for now? I know you want to establish consistency, and that is supposedly what the final week of spring training was for. I can live with one pitcher being horible in the bullpen. So I would give a spot to Graham, as you always need a guy to mop up, especially if you remain a non contender. I don't know the answer to why Brian Duensing went from potential starter to being a one batter pitcher, and if the Twins need that luxury from the left side, and is there no market at all for the guy...I guess probably not if he is a one batter pitcher. At least there are enough arms in the wings, both present and future, that at some point the Twins have to create the bullpen shuffle. It also helps if the starters can push towards the 7th inning, rather than worrying about getting out of the 5th. There were $65 tickets available for the home opener. There's $6.50 tickets for the next game. Go figure. I'm trying to figure out how to really market this team and this season. Drawing a Blank!

The joy is that the Twins have a lot of fine prospects that may not break the main 9 or the starting rotation, but could still prove to be valuable bench/backup guys, or add strength to the bullpen, and pretty much all of those guys fill that bill...so we don't need to fill the roster with AAAA professionals or replacement value pitchers.

Did anyone catch the playing of "It's a Beautiful Day for a Ballgame" during the interview with Torii at the game's beginning. Like others, I wonder if the need to sing "God Bless America" is a necessity. Yes, you can showcase another singer. But...

Adding Buxton to the 40-man is not that difficult. You might have to let go of Shane Robinson or Jordan Schafer. What scares me is who would go if they decided to add, say, Eric Fryer.

The Twins do have some arms coming up that could dominate. And they did start Hicks, but they also have given a lease to Arcia, who could basically be expensive for the team when he reaches Hicks' current age. It is a tough game. There are elite players, but not always a whole lot of them. A player can also become MORE elite if the team he plays for has a good mix of players behind him to go with his own talent. Again, it is a tough job. Line-up construction. How you put together a rotation (which pitcher pitches against which pitcher...should your strong arm pitch against a possible stronger arm, or should you try to dominate the backend of someone else's rotation). What makes Mauer a #3 hitter now. Why is Hunter hitting 4th. Is Dozier the perfect #2. How do you construct a bullpen...a fly ball pitcher, a groundball pitcher, just lots of speed to get the batters swinging and pray that someone catches it, or someone slow and crafty. Of course, not having to use the bullpen more than 2-3 innings average is the perfect solution. And what is the organization feel, or in our case "The Twins Way," and why is or isn't it working. You can be your own island and not change and keep going, hoping to get the breaks and such. But sometimes you have to look at what others are doing, at how players change and the programs you draft them from have changed in itself, and make adjustments. The wonderful decision of finding the right faculty for your minor league stops. And then, you have to sell tickets!

Yes, something clicked with Billy Martin that Griffith kept him in the organziation and made him manager. Wonder what would've happened if he had kept him rather than parting ways. Bill Tuttle is fondly remembered as the guy with chew in his cheek. And surprised Oravetz didn't get a cup of coffee with the Twins with his fine season in 1962.

And then we traded him and Lenny Green for Jerry Kindall and Frank Kostro. Billy Moran was the odd guy in the deal. Twins and Indians and Angels doing one of those three-ways. Power basically went downhill. Green had a couple of sparkles. Less said about Kindall was a bit better than modern day Drew Butera. In 5 seasons Kostro barely put together a half-season of at-bats.

Is the reasoning behind making some of these guys starters is just to get them more innings, rather than less. Yes, you can always put a starter in the bullpen. But can you make a reliever into a first-class starter?

The is a most interesting question. Perkins has a very acceptable contract, even if he moves into just a set-up role as his Twins years continue. Yet, what is his true trade value now.You can see how fast his value diminished when he shut down at the end of the season. He should always have some value, being a lefty, but if he really shines in the first half and the Twins are going nowhere, do you move him and for what? Plus, who is in the wings to take over the closer role.

Achter, Tonkin. You can reinstate Oliveros or Pryor. Darnell is there. Thompson and Thielbar are there. And that's before you have to go after the "new" kids in the pen. Not to say that those in the majors are better than those mentioned above, but.....

And the Toronto GM "I have to grab any waiver guys before anyone else, because, well...you know Terry!": And the Colorado GM "You can even grab guys who are good, because who wants to play for a buck when you can get two!"

It is seldom that a team has such a GREAT starting five that you don't have room for either a work in progress (i.e. the Future) or someone needing a break that ahs the potential to outshine at least a couple of the other guys on the starting staff. Sadly, Milone AND Pelfrey aren't those guys, but they do have nearly $8 million in ront office investment and need to have a roster spot. Can either outshine any of the other four? Naw. Not even Gibson, I would say. So that isn't saying much. So, we cut bait and give the job to the most promising rookie in what will be a long line of prospects battling to break into the rotation. The first is Trevor May. Of course, if he doesn't cut the multi-inning slack, you can probably develop him into a bullpen pitcher. He knows this, because right behind him wanting that starters job is Mr. Meyer. But Meyer can't be cocky and will need to produce, because in the wings are Kohl Stewart and J.D. Berrios. Wow. Can the Twins TRULY have FOUR GUYS who could pitch in a major league rotation. FOUR GUYS, and that is not counting anotehr half-dozen that can blossom this year and also go for the prize in 2017-18. I can live with Milon and Pelfrey for now. Both can be showcased. But I doubt that anyone before July will take Pelfrey's $5 million off our hands, unless he is actually starting games (or unless something happens to Perkins and Pelfrey develops into a closer). Milone is a token lefty. He can get the job done...if he wants. But only if the team is scoring some runs behind him. He will hang on somewhere, anywhere, as a lefty, as long as he doesn't get too expensive, which he almost was this year and definitely will be next, even if he manages to put up Cy Young numbers. But Trevor May being almost ready? He ahd ups and downs when called up. He worked over the winter. He had the flu in spring. He knows he has to produce, but you can also take a step backwards pretty fast going to the minors, although being the last man standing from the Revere trade means the Twins WILL put him somewhere for a moment, or wrap him into a package for someone if he shows shining life. Hell, even having him in the bullpen to become the first in line for emergency starts. But wait, we still have Pelfrey and the other million-dollars arm Stauffer.

Marketing the Twins in 2015 was going to be a problem. After four losing seasons, the one thing they couldn't announce was "Watch us Rebuild to a Brighter Future." The naysayers would pounce on the dollars (decreased as it would be go) in the pockets of the powers-that-be. And, of course, you have no idea how ALL these prospects will pan out. So, the Twins spent more money, extending the Ace, paying BIG money for an above-average starter, bringing back hometown favorite Torii Hunter. And hoping they can shuffle the cards and make the names that people are somewhat familiar with into a pot of gold. Of course Santana, Arcia, vargas and, in a lesser vein, Pinto will shine. Mauer will come beck strong. There is no way the rotation can s-u-c-k. The stat records of Milone and Santana and Nolasco says nay! The bullpen is strong, just needed tweaking from the backend. We may still see those prospects, but the Twins will be competitive in 2015, or so the line comes from the front (marketing) office. Trist us that the Twins found some diamonds-in-the-rough and everyone will pull together to win in this even division where anyone can take home the title. And the Twins still have the best of futures going forwards. We just might s-u-c-k again this year, which means rebuild will happen and we will really s-u-c-k again. But hey, remember the Twins from 1992-2000?

Pelfrey could become a closer, too.

We have no problems if the starters give us 7 strong innings and we have a bullen of 7 arms. Keep whoever you choose on a short lease and the phone line open to Rochester!

The elephants in the room are definitely Pelfrey and Stauffer. I would not lose Graham tokeep anyone of the names suggested. Hamburger is a solid reserve to stash at Rochester. He is not going anywhere. Boyer is a placeholder if nothing else until Burdi, Reed, Jones or someone graduates early. Thielbar has options. I'm not sure how much time Thompson ahs with the Twins, and if that time is needed. Both are lefties and teams are looking for lefties. Trade one or the other and send the other down. We only need tow lefties (Milone) in the bullpen. But, can Duensing face more than a batter or two anymore? Just went out that the Twins have two spots to fill with someone. Jared Burton is available. Sigh. So is Joe Beimel. Double-sigh. Didn't I read that Jose Mijares is looking for a job? Maybe we can talk Cole DeVries into returning. Anyone hear from Pedro Hernandez, by the way. Where is Jesse Crain when you need him, and why did Pat Neshek blow off the cheap Twins? Ultimately, it really shouldnt be that hard. Get rid of all the also rans and let's keep Pryor, Oliveros and Darnell in the bullpen for now.

Adam Thompson, Logan Darnell, Lester Oliveros, Mr. Nunez. Anyone that doesn't for sure figure into plans for 2016 or beyond. I would say that Stephen Pryor is still in the mix. But to have the Twins add THREE non-roster guys, especially the ones mentioned, don't see it happening unless Stauffer is marked as one to go, along with Nunez.

Well, could see Milone going to the bullpen which means Thompson and Thielbar are out. May could make a decision ahrder for the 5th spot, but he can always get his licks in at Rochester. Reading about Escobar and with Nunez being halfway hot, I almost want to see Danny Santana playing centerfield for the last week of games and going with him out there (again) with Escobar at short and Nunez as backup. Then the real battle is between Robinson and Schafer for backup, with Hicks playing everyday at Rochester and, I guess, Rosario slinking back to Chattonooga. Catching is going to be the tough call. Pinto should probably go to AAA and start everyday. Fryer might be best back there, too. Which leaves Herrmann as the abckup and bench bat.

There is nothing wrong with being a solid AAAA guy. You eventually make a decent living. Yes, you can move around a lot and just one bad year can pretty much sink it for you. He put in two seasons in Indy ball, which had to be a personal stretch, but paid off with a major league opportunity. With Colabello and Parmelee gone, Peterson is pretty much it if something happens to Mauer. i'm sure the Twins would try and cobble together Plouffe and Herrmann and Vargas as real game first basemen, but Brock could gat the call and play an important part on the bench, if not at first if he hits, until Mauer comes abck.

If tradebait, Pelfrey has more value as a potential starter than a guy doomed to bring about his comeback from the bullpen. Are the Twins creating a roster of tradebait. Are the Twins really hoping to contend in the division at least. Are the Twins thinking they can win by having more seasoned players than rookies. Right now, if you were general manager, would you jettison fodder (Pelfrey, Milone, Nunez, totally forget about Stauffer, Boyer, Beimer, and don't bother with at least one of Thompson/Thielbar and make from for May and Achter and Tonkin and Polance and keep Hicks and give chances to Darnell and Oliveros and maybe even Beresford? And just see what happens? I still say that the team ultimately has to judge each player by where they expect them to be, for the team, in 2016 and even 2017.

He may be the next David Ortiz. But the Twins will play it safe. WHo knows, he could be on the bus to Rochester for most/part of this season. If that happens, the Twins get that extra time. If he does produce, he came become trade bait. He could be the next David Ortiz.

The Twins actually have no backup for first base. Brock Peterson in the minors? Vargas doesn't need to learn the position, really. Plouffe there would allow Mauer to DH at times and Escobar to get some playing time at third. If Santana does stay at short, is there a need for Nunez to be on the bench? Is Herrmann a decent enough backup for Kurt S. Would he still be usable as a pinch-hitter? He would also be the fifth outfielder if the Twins go with duo of Schafer and Robinson in center. Who goes off the 40-man if the Twins keep Robinson. Or if they keep someone other than Nunez (would assume Nunez goes). Do we need to keep the loser of Pelfrey and Milone in the majors? It's not like there are adequate backups to get a shot in the minors for the rotation. If Pelfrey languishes in the bullpen, does it increase his value? Of do you cut him, hope someone picks him up, and eat the salary. Of course, what to do about Staufer. At this point, I would rather have Boyer, but that isn't saying much. Then we might as well keep Thompson over THielbar, but then things really don't start making sense as we fill the team with also rans and AAA fodder. Can't wait until the prospects do fully emerge. The additions of May and Meyer, the bullpen rides of Zach Jones, Burdi, Cederoth, Reed. The arrival of someone other than Pinto to become the next catching prospect. Sano at third. Polanco in the infield. Buxton and Kepler in the outfield. I'm more excited to see these guys flay at the ball than to see Brock Peterson, Shane Robinson, Doug Bernier Edwin Nunez, Mike Pelfrey, Tom Milone, Tim Staufer get service time. If the Twins think they can do more than compete and actually win games in their division and be in the hunt, more power to them. They got one month to sort things out and become a team of expendables, or switch gears and hope they can resell us all on a team of future stars.

Forget Stauffer's contract. If anything, you eat part of it and hope he picks up with someone else. This is the team that gave ZUmaya $750,000 to blow his arm out in a spring training appearance. Sometimes contracts only have to pay so much if you release a player before the end of spring training. The hopes are that so many of these arms are simply place setters before we get to Burdi, Reed, Zack Jones, Cederoth, Curtiss, Clay. We still have arms in the minors that aren't here on the major league side of spring training. I'm torn between putting potential starters in the bullpen (May) or even Pelfrey bocking someone more worthy, or keeping Milone because he is a lefty and a starter. I say the 12 best no matter what.......

I seem to remember that Aaron Hicks was considered a 5 tool prospect, and even Terry Ryan telling us that Joe Benson was close to being a 5 tooler (4 1/2 perhaps). Five tool guys. Dave Winfield comes immediately to mind. Ken Griffey Jr. is another. I think the Twins do see Buxton adding power as he ages. But when you look at Hicks, and think of Benson, being better than average in a multitude of areas doesn't always pay off as mucha s maybe being above average in one or two, or exceptional in maybe just one.

Will centerfield have an AAA platoon while the prospect goes to AAA? I guess we play fill-in-the-blanks in the bullpen until the real arms mature: Burdi, Reed, etc. Milone is a lefty. Does that give him cred over Pelfrey? Hopefully the Twins can move alot of this deadweight somehow somewhere as the season progresses. Any life they can get from the "veterans" should be seen as a sign of tradability, not future hold on a roster spot. If the new guys aren't going to start in the big leagues (because the team MIGHT have a chance to contend in a division that is pretty even across the board, at least on paper), then we should hope that as the one-run victories makes some winners and many losers, we do see at least 4-5-6 members of the 2016/2017 Twins show up...BEFORE AUGUST!