Rosterman

Amazing career as a coach and manager. In Mexico. Was always amazed that he will still at the plate.

Well, if Hunter hadn't department, and if Santana has stayed put, the Twins wouldn't have traded for Delmon Young and would've kept Garza, and we wouldn't have lost Bartlett either. Plus, the bodies like Jason Pridie, Philip Humber, Kelvin Mulvey et al would've never been on the field, as well as Carlos Gomez or J.J. Hardy, and whatever we got for Hardy. All at a cost of about $30 million a season for the past seasons. Span would've been cycled out and replaced by Revere, who would probably still be here. Maybe Morneau wouldn't have hit his head or Mauer a wall. Carl Pavano wouldn't have lost his slowball. And we would still have Joe Nathan and Pat Neshek in the bullpen, along with Jesse Crain and finally waving goodbye to Matt Guerrier. Which means we would never had added Jon Rauch or Matt Capps and Wilson Ramos would be behind the plate.

And approx. $44 million could come off of the above by next season. If Nolasco shines, he is tradebait for sure with one year remaining in his contract. Suzuki and Pelfrey and Hunter will become free agents. No need to pay more for Stauffer or Duensing. I would consider keeping Fein, although if he does dynamite set-up duties he could be a potential late season closer for a team and bring a couple of prospects. Milone, Nunez, Sheafer all can drop out of the plans for 2016. I don't think any of the minimum wage guys will be arbitration eligible (except for Escobar, and as a backup won't command as much) unless they fall in a super two, and the Twins could escape that if Hicks starts at the minors. Maybe Gibson reaches super two. I still think the Twins could add a $6-8 million outfielder/bench bat/DH/1st base guy and not suffer. I easily see that $8 million coming off it the Twins can pull a couple of trade deadline moves, just because they have back up starting pitching, bullpen help, or Sano and Rosario can play ball.

This is where you start thinking of any of these guys being tradebait for a piece to improve your puzzle. At some point, you get too many prospects coming up at the same time in the pipeline and a clog happens. You have to CAREFULLY judge who will be here in 2016 or 2017 and go from there. Houston may be facing a similar problem. Or you start flipping pitching prospects for more batting prospects. Either way, looks like the bullpen ahs strength, especially when you put names like Burdi, Reed, Cederoth and others from 2013 and even 2014 into the same playing field as 2012 guys.

Yeah, you can argue Mussina 270 wins. Hey, how many wins did Pedro have? What is the criteria. Dominance (ala Morris). Longevity (ala Kaat). Have a medical procedure named after you (John). You can argue that Mussina (and Schilling) are on the edge, maybe a "Veterans Committee: inductee, but that group hasn't done too well in their opportunity to reward players overlooked by the writers. We don't want it to be a Hall of Fame of the Very Good, although there are a fair share of those guys in the Hall already, but it should recognize a few more players with distinct accomplishments (why isn't Oliva in the Hall, please).

Hicks and Arcia. We hoped one would be a superstar and the other better-than-average, combined with Rosario and Buxton and maybe even giving us a choice of tradebait. Now we hope there could be some value in Arcia before he becomes too expensive at too young of an age, but the fear of David Ortiz Jr. is still in the air. Hicks will probably surprise us and pull a Delmon Young, which makes him a temporary keeper, before playing into sub-standard land. At least we have Buxton and Rosario to dream about. And the hope that Walker wont be any worse ad probably better than what we have seen from Arcia so far. And what about this Jepler kid?

The closer is a guy who trusts his stuff, can throw heat, and nowadays might be called upon to pitch 3-4 consecutive days before getting a night off. Doesn't happen much, but can,,,except that a team seldom sweeps series. Perkins is the closer in 2015. He will probably be a closer in 2016. At that point, he might still have tradable worth, or figures he doesn't want to go anywhere and stay with the Twins and become a lefty specialist for the rest of his career, which could be long because he IS a lefty. I agree that the concept of having at least two guys who can close causes a bit if a disarray with the other team. Moreso if you add that third set-up guy, preferably a lefty, and if you are comfortable NOT having your closer pitch a full inning. Seems closers do better if they start the ninth, let's say, then come in and have to get out a batter or two with the bases loaded. Of course, what UI jsut said is hogwash, as a closer has the heat and will challenge. Ultimately, the worth of a closer all depends on the portion of the batting order or bench they are facing. If it is the bottom of the order, you sit back. If it is the heart of the order, you worry and hope you have another guy or two to get you out of trouble if the closer is holding a single run lead. And most teams don't have benches to fear anymore (look at the Twins - Pinto, Schaefer, Escobar and Parmelee, for example). The Twins if they work it right, can have some closer creations that could be potential tradebait. Before last season, they should've heavily marketed Jared Burton. They didn't. Last season, Casey Fein was a marketable guy mid-season to a team looking for a temporary closing chip...maybe. By season's end, he lost that...and why they let Burton save in September instead of Fein or anyone else is beyond me (like the choice to start Swarzak - destroying his value - and if you had the slightest hint of not giving him a contract, give those innings to someone, anyone, who will be on the 40-man come spring). Of course, ALL the hard-throwing names look great on paper. We only have to remember Anthony Slama to get the butt kick that what looks good in the minors may not be the choice of the majors. But if you want to add 2, or three, arms from the system each year...the Twins look great for 2015-16-17, considering that we still have the likes of Tonkin and Achter and Wheeler for 2015.

Both are in a position that if they put together a great 2015, you consider cutting them loose and trading them before they become arbitration expensive. Let THAT be the worry of the other team. Arbitration is fine and all, but you often overpay, or have to over-extend, a player beyond what you really need. Of course, a lot depends on what they see in people like Polanco, Michael, Rosario and, of course, Sano. Nick Gordon is in the pipeline, too, albeit at shortstop. It is a ncie position to be in. But I would, sadly, grade Plouffe as a super utility guy as he hits 30 rather than a regular at third, and a weaker and expensive outfielder than you can find elsewhere. He does not become worth the expense. Dozier hits for power, steals bases, but still strikesout a lot, and not sure if you would consider giving him BIG $$$ over the longterm, either. You just gotta hope that they don't both tank, especially in the same year. Plouffe is NOT in a "we want you" status right now. Dozier has probably more worth than Trevor, but most teams would like to tackle a supposed cheaper free agent than an arbitration albatross.

Unless the Twins are in a sell-off mood come September, pretty much NO prospects that aren't on the 40-man will see the light of day. At a slim chance, Burdi, Zack Jones, Cedar.... could swivel in. If he's tearing up AA ball and has a taste of Rochester, Buxton could get some at bats, too. But the Twins will holdoff on Berrios and Stewart, as they did Meyer. So, in 2015 - Meyer, Sano, Rosario. We might see Rohlfing or Beresford, but just for the short-term. We have too many relievers to break in someone out of the blue - Oliveros, Tonkin, Achter, Darnell, Thompson Pressly all will get some time supplementing the Milones, Pelfreys, Grahams etc.

It will be interesting to see who and what prospects are bale to be absorbed or break into the Twins 25 by seasons end. Does it make the prospects, or current players expendable. And then who breaks in come 2016. It's a fine line between putting experience on the field and the prospect of talent that WILL perform in years to come. Usually the process is to wean in a player or three each season (the Twins did Santana and Vargas and May...but took a step backwards, or sorts, with Pinto and Arcia, and Hicks totally stalled). Can Santana, May and Vargas hold steady or improve while we get a look at Meyer, Rosario, Sano and any number of young relief pitchers? Who gets the boot. Will it be Hicks. Will Arcia be passed over. Will Plouffe's number be drawn. Will Gibson be moved because he is cheaper and controlled? Who is the real fodder on the 25-man from the bullpen and the bench?

We basically have an older replacement for Swarzak. Of course, Trevor May could be a younger replacement for Swarzak.

Yeah, they need a new hitting coordinator. Looks like they just bumped the pitching coaches up a rung: Artega, Bonilla, Jiminez...with Vasquez taking over GCL.

Hughes is leaving a lot of money on the table, yet how much money do you need, folks. Of course, it is a bargain for th Twins. What would a qualifying offer be a couple of years from now. What will a qualifying offer be to keep Hughes one more year in 2020 if the two wished to stay together? But Hughes also stood a chance to implode and fall apart next season or the season after. So it buys him total security in life. The Twins took the bait, he grabbed, and hopefully it all works out for the best. "Pelfrey wins 20 in 2015, signs Lifetime Extension!"

Was it a demotion when Jake Mauer went from Ft. Myers to Cedar Rapids? It's an assignment, folks. You move the guys around, if you can. There are always ncie logistics, like Mientkiewicz supposedly liked the Ft. Myers job before because of personal reasons. Did Cliburn like being pitching coach at Rochester than moving to Double-A? It is still all pretty much the same job, although it is nice when you get some continuity of players to work with.

If all these guys pan out, that is a pretty solid team taking us into the next decade, and there is every indication these guys could stick in the majors, bullpen included. Whew! The payroll gods at Target Field are going to be pretty happy!

This is a pretty impressive list with at least 7 pitchers that can have an impact on the Twins on the major league level. And not even guys in the Top 20. Sure, a lot of bullpen arms, but, hey.....

Hamburger will get his chance during the season if he produces in the minors. He's probably drawing a decent salary, and the Twins will give him every opportunity, if they need to, avoid adding a long-term guy to the roster. Anyone catch that the Twins have signed lefty Will Ledezma to a minor league contract?

Everyone will get a look. But you do have to watch who you bring early to camp. Only so much playing time, folks. And then you start rewarding guys as the roadtrips happen. But your first concern are the guys on the 40-man. You want to see them and send them out soon. If they get disabled, they start the year with a major league salary. Looks like the Twins a pretty set on their minors rosters. They have enough guys to fill the first three levels easily with some spare change. Lots of people at Beloit/extended spring training.

Remember, Meyer will probably be on a limit of 150-175 innings next year. Could see starting him out of the bullpen, or a call-up. What will be fascinating is to see how the bullpen works out for this season. We forget that many starters become relievers (Hawkins, Guardado, Perkins). But besides Johan, how many guys start in the bullpen and move to the rotation, unless they are swing men like, say, Swarzak, or the token long-man, usually youth to get their licks.

You look at starters taking you deep into the game, or at least six innings these days, I guess. Championship teams also get good win ratios from their starters, hopefully above .500. You would like to see Gibson graduate to 17-18 wins. Santana and Nolasco could easily hit 15 wins apiece. Gibson should be good for 12-14. The starters get the wins if they keep their team in the game, four or fewer runs in their start these days. If they do 3 runs in their start, they are a gem. If you give up only wo runs, the bullpen can play around more. The Twins bullpen is pretty set with two setup guys (Duensing and Fein). You have Thielbar and someone (Oliveros) as 7th inning guys. You can have May or Pelfrey as long guys. You have Graham in the mix. Perkins would close. But, yes, if you can get a rotation that gives you 190+ innings each of the first four, you have guys pitching well, and if the offense is there, you will win.

If we come to 2017 with Meyer, May, Berrios, Stewart for starters either in the rotation or having paid their major league dues, it means we traded off Gibson at some point before he became arbitration expensive, allowed Phil Hughes to walk and got a draft pick because the Twins offered but he didn't take the additional year, and Nolasco is ripe for trade and Santana is being considered for an option year. Not to mention any surprises that would pop up. And the Twins would still have a minimal payroll. Would Hicks still be around (Kepler and Walker and Burto in the outfield). Would Dozier have been traded and replaced by Michael or anyone else. Is Gordon on the team by now. Yes, for the sake of spending money, the team didn't kill themselves with this contract, or even the one-year for Torii, which is worth its weight in fan goodwill...watch and judge. What makes all of this work is what the Twins can flip certain bullpeners for (Fein, Duensing for example). What they do with Plouffe, Escobar, Dozier. Can Hicks gain marketability. Is Arcia longterm or once he shows shines of shine (shades of David Ortiz) you just move him. The Twins are fortunate that they have a number of players not only major league bound but also 40-man roster bound who want to play major league ball and know they have a chance to showcase with the Twins, and the Twins just have to know when to pull the plug and (shades of Billy Beane) make trades happen. Will be an interesting next five years before the team totally settles and have to deal with longterm contracts for Berrios, Meyer, May, Sano, Buxton and the ilk...possible $100 million in those names alone!

Okay, I think would ticks some people off is that when the Twins look at that big pile of money on the desk they think debt reduction, payoff the mortgage rather than invest in putting a team on the field. The fans coming to see baseball outdoors ran its course, now you need product. And maybe you have to bite into your profit percentage to play the game. If you lose by investing badly (or your division has done better than you), then you cry when people don't come and see games, but you do make moves so you can keep your ticket prices stable.But if you win, then you can raise ticket prices and spend more money, because you do have more coming in. At some point the Twins investment in Target Field will be paid off and all they will have is operating costs and some sort of split on improvements. The Taxpayer gets their note paid off in 30 years or so. Maybe f we paid off our note faster, than sales tax could go down in the metro area. Kudos to the Twins for opening the purse this season. Hopefully they won't eat $20 million in disabled list stuff like they did the majority of last year (counting lackluster play from Mauer and Noalsco rally being injured et al). I'm sure they were looking at the sales department and the trouble they were having getting advance ticket sales going and knew they had to do something. Lose $20 million in overall sales in 2015 or spend $20 million and charge up the base a bit. Yes, you can spend a lot of money and still get beat. It's a funny game. But don't even hint that you are paying off your own note, or spending it on stuff people don't associate with on-the-field stuff.

Yeah, I thought Santana would get more. It must be the length of the contract that sold him. We talk about May and Meyer (and Milone)...well, these guys will have a limited opportunity this spring and this season to show their stuff, otherwise they will be overtaken by the next young crowd of prospects (Stewart, Berrios). The Twins have bought more time to nurture the aging May and Meyer, but the rotation reamains pretty much the same for 2016 barring a meltdown or a mid-season trade. We free up Hunter and Pelfrey salary next season right off the bat. Sano will show us what to do with Plouffe. Any of the tenders will also be gone for sure: Nunez, Duensing, Schafer. Catcher will be interesting to see what develops. So the Twins do free up a little bit of money. Doesnt do much good if Santana, Bargas, Hicks, Arcia don't produce. And Sano, Rosario, Buxton, Pinto all need service time to establish themselves. The future looks promising, but remember that the other teams in the division are also making moves and actually staying the same or getting better, which doesn't speak well for the guys trying to get into the hunt.

I'm glad someone else sees Gibson as potential tradebait, especially if Nolasco comes thru. I'm not sure how Gibson will do as he continues with the Twins. Anyone else have thoughts on him?

The middle reliever dollars are hefty this year. Good money for throwing 60 innings or so. In the past, it always seemed, the Twins made just enough moves to stay competitive in their division and within reach of a post-season run, as many things can happen to a team, no matter how strong they look on paper.But right now, the Twins look so far out of the hunt that I feel sorry for Molitor who is put in a wait and see what the prospects can do and learn in their first half-year on the job and why did we spend money on Hunter if we truly aren't going anywheres. Of course, we spent money on Hunter because us Twins fans do want the front office to spend money rather than keep it. And no matter how much we talk amongst ourselves, the greater smokescreen of major league baseball is how the fans who put their butts in the seat on a whim and a prayer react to things like a Hunter signing coupled with how our starting staff is stronger than it looked last year and we expect to have breakout seasons from numerous players, and Joe Mauer will be the Joe Mauer of old. That will fill the stands for the first 30-35 games or so at home. But at some point, the Twins will have to open their wallets bigtime, or become another Oakland. I'm still amazed at how Billy Beane plays the game. Yes, why are the Twins kicking tires on a #4 or #5 starter when they have a batch of them in waiting...May, Meyer could move up and go beyond that with a little major league experience, Pelfrey and Milone fill those spots adequately, Yohan Pino and Logan Darnell could play those roles. We can salivate on the prospect of Stewart and Berrios in the wings, and maybe the return of Alex Wimmers. But, man, $27 million a year for starting pitching? Kudos to Neshek for his monster salary, too. It will be interesting to see how the off-season continues to settle, although - pinch me - why did the Twins tender arbitration to Nunez, Duensing and the ilk again? As I shuffle 25-man rosters in my mind, I can see them breaking campy with NONE of those bodies in tow.