Rosterman

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!

I still wish we had a better backup for catcher if Pinto needs to start at AAA. I would almost go with Beresford over Nunez, depending on the outfield. If Santana goes to the outfield, then Escobar is not the backup. Don't keep any pitcher because of salary. If even Nolasco sucks, let him walk. Sorry. Or if Gibson has a tough spring - AAA. Put together the best roster possible, including bench/backups and overall bullpen needs. Keep i mind that there ARE bodies in the minors than can contribute sooner rather than later...not quite ready to break camp but ready to ride the bench or start if someone goes down. We don't need to keep giving jobs to journeymen who won't be around at all in 2016 or beyond.

After being rejected by a couple of other folks in the drafting process, the Twins played it safe. I never fully unerstand when a player DOESN'T want to be drafted or go into the organization of any team. That team's fortunes could turn around quickly. You can also be a part of that turn around, possibly more quickly. And, who knows, you might be traded in a following year anyways to someone you don't want to play with. So.......

Man, in the real world, Santana in center. But the other reality, let Hicks take his lumps yet again with the hopes that he moves to right in 2016 and Buxton comes into play, although where Rosario ends up is the next question. It's so ahrd to think that at onetime the Twins felt they had an abundance of centerfielders, so they traded Span and Revere (after jettisoning Gomez). Whatever happened to that Benson guy, and is Mastro still in anyone's plans?

Oliveros and Thompson and Pryor are on the bubble. Now, if ever, is a chance for ANY pitcher to pitch to stick with the Twins. I hope they start the season, anyways, with the BEST of the batch. DOn't make a spot for Pelfrey just because of salary. If May or Meyer aren't ready, let them start in the minors. Thielbar is not written in stone and has options. Stauffer is the new kid, but that doesn't mean you have to keep him around anymore than say, Boyer. Or Milone. More than enough bodies to choose from. Achter and Tonkin, too. Some guys are out-of-options. People like Achter and Tonkin will be pushed aside by Burdi and Reed, so if they have some life, they are tradable if you want to gamble more on Graham. And Gilmartin may return, too, who knows. Plus you still have Logan Darnell looking in, and -- well, are the Twins pitching rich? Of course, no need to get cocky, as the Twins were once centerfielder rich, too, and look where we ended up in that scenario. Oliveros and Thompson, journeymen who you can live without? Pryor, can you cut, keep, and is there a reason to do so. Pelfrey? If he can't start out of the shoot and give you innings and keep you in the game, let him go and eat the salary, or bury him at Rochester like they did Blackburn and let him stay injured or work towards getting back to the majors. May and Meyer want to pitch. I think May realizes that being in the bullpen in the majors is just as good as being in the rotation. Meyer NEEDS to get innings in (but not too many) at AAA, if nothing else. Again, it is a person's job to lose, not win, on the Twins in 2015. And the whole process starts over again in 2016. If you don't cut it in 2015, you will be looking for work elsewhere.

Some tough decisions on the lineup. I vote for Santana to lead-off. You don't need lead-off homeruns in baseball. Better if the knock the batter in ahead of them. But the rest, well, I just say leave Mauer in the number 3 spot. Talk emerged about Hunter batting second. Not a bad choice if he keeps his average up. But is there much difference between him batting second or Dozier, or even Suzucki. But who bats cleanup. Not Vargas yet. Or Arcia. Plouffe could be the poster boy, but that depends on Hunter and Dozier, neither of whom should probably bat clean-up, but how far down the order do you bury them. Ultimately, we can pencil in Hicks or Escobar in the 9th spot.. Be interesting to see the final results. Hey, maybe we SHOULD batter Mauer like 7th or 8th!

Wonderful guy to fans seeking his autograph!

The reason we dropped our 20-game season ticket package is because the games are all over the place and my wife works an irregular schedule and we weren't able to take in the weekend games. We were also lucky to move our Yankee and Brewer tickets early, but took a hit on other games (notably the Red Sox and Royals) that we weren't able to attend. You sell off some tickets and then buy ones for other games at a discount. Buying them all for one night would be a true benefit. Of course, the more season ticket packages that are sold, the better it is for the casual or unorganized fan as more tickets will be available via stub hub and such, although going electronic, wonder how that will work. We had a good time last year booking rally cheap seats in a variety of sections and getting different views of the field, making notes for when we might return as season ticket holders.

Appropriately called "The Last Baseball Dinosaur." Always liked his talk of driving around town and people giving him the finger when they passed him by, he thinking they were telling him "I was #1."

Whew. You got four main spots locked up, but anything can happen. One of them can tank in spring training and make you wonder, but the one closest to being on the bubble would be Gibson, who might just still have an option year. Otherwise, you won't cut Santana, Hughes or Nolasco because of salary. Any of them could start the season, though, on the dl. Somewhere in the land of "we need a third catcher" is that voice that says "we need a left-handed starter." Well, the main choices are Milone or Darnell. Neither makes you want to buy a ticket to see them pitch. Of course, if you don't mind going with five righties, you give the ball to Pelfrey, the $5.5 million arm. Remember, folks, this is a guy coming off Tommy John surgery who fast-tracked himself in 2013. He had some good outings, some abd outings. That the Twins HAD to pay what they did, and for two years instead of one and an option...well, Pelfrey is better at sleight-of-hand than Cuddyer. Also remember, this is the guy the Twins WANTED instead of Humber when they shipped Santana to the Mets. I'm not saying who IS the better, but I really don't want to see Pelfrey in the rotation OR the bullpen if he doesn't dazzle in spring training. Take the loss and let him walk.