Rosterman

The Twins getting any significant return on any f the above names would appear to be slim or none, sadly. The one who could draw the best would be Santana, but only if he totally cleared waivers. And he just might, if teams think the Twins may be playing a game and would happily let him walk to lose his salary (which is not totally out of the question). There is little or no deed for a team to buy high on any of the bullpen arms or Grossman. All those guys are easily replaceable by arms in a team's system at worst, at best...they can find another arm if need be from someone, somewhere. None of the players are game changers. If a team claims them, the Twins would probably get just salary relief as well as that dreaded player-to-be-named later...essentially someone who will be cut from the 40-man or someone just outside of the pecking order of needing roster protection (or, better yet, cash!). At some point, the Twins will need to make a decision on Plouffe, Park and Vargas. You can't have them all. Can it be that NO ONE wants any of these guys, which is sad. throw in Walker, who has been bypassed, for now, by Palka...The Twins have a gaggle of players that they could live without, but keeping all of them creates problems they don't need going forth. That is the dilemma of the Twins right now...are certain players worth anything to anyone else except for depth (probably at the minor league level and a call-up -- i.e. Swarzak, Parmelee, Duensing as examples).

The logjam at first. Towards the future, I was actually looking as Kepler being a first baseman (he was playing there a bit in AA ball). And people talk about Sano, possibly. But see Sano moving towards DH. In the distant minors, we have Diaz. But before that, we have Bargas, who will have to be carried on the 40-man next year and then arbitration eligible in 2018. We have Park, on the ropes until 2019 with an option. Of course, joltin' Joe is there for two more seasons and not going anywheres. At least, if we had cycled Arcia into the mix (instead of Park) we had a fourth outfielder to play the corners. A bigger question is the capability of any of these guys coming off the bench, Thome -style, to give you the big hit. Plus getting the pitching in order so you can carry a "slugger only" on the bench. Yes, we do have Walker, who can go up and down for the next couple of years/. We have Palka, who might be a first baseman, and can also cycle into a role come 2018 or beyond if we wish to wait that long. Vargas they tried to send abroad (still keeping him as a Twin for another year or two, I believe). That didn't happen. They might be able to move Park back to Asia. But even with any success, I'm not sure if the market for a Park or a Vargas is any better than an overpaid Mauer...which is really the albatross (although he does get on-base.). The new general manager has to figure out the direction to go.

I actually felt, coming out of spring training, that we had a starting staff that would egt us to the 7th inning. That we might actually have four guys that would pitch us nearly 200 innings each. But didn't happen. And won't. I felt the bullpen seemed solid, with Perkins as closer, some ncie setup guys for the 8th, a nice mix of solid arms. Lots of ups-and-downs. The offense, far from perfect, had the potential. The soph slump was evident the previous year. You could also see it this year. With so many coaches working with guys now, you'd think problems would be solved (the Twins have a second hitting coach, the bench coach, and all those consultants). And considering the lack of Park in the lineup, and the fizzle of Arcia, they are hitting homeruns. Nunez contributed above and beyond to that, fer sure. Now jsut have to figure out who you want to have remain in a Twins uniform now and the immedoate future, and who is promising in the wings and where you will palce them. Lots of parts to put together a fine team, plus lots of spare parts to more today and tomorrow.

The only way Plouffe would even consider a $12 million two year contract is if he doesn't get arbitration. And he still may be able to garner a $6-8 million one year deal besides. Or he may not.I f he can, indeed, play first, third and the outfield, someone will offer him something. I have my doubts that anyone would go to arbitration with him, and his chances of getting a 3-year or more contract this offseason could be slim or none. That doesn't mean he has value, but he has to rebuild it somewhere next season. For his third year arbitration salary, it is a no brainer NO to have the Twins in that contention. To bring him back for a duo year "cheap" contract, there is always that possibility...but then Plouffe has to ask "where and how much do I play." Like Suzuki, he is probably worth less than what he is making today. One would shake their head if other was offered more (shades of Mike Pelfrey). But the Twins have to move beyond Plouffe, trust Sano for at least one full season and remain content that Polanco could fill-in if necessary. They might find a fringe AAAA third base guy. And they should be fast-tracking Cabbage or Blankenhorn in everyway possible, jumping them two levels at the least next season.

You do, ultimately, have to do a certain "search for a candidate" function for general manager and manager of an organization. Thus, the search firm, who can guage those looking for a job elsewhere (anonymously) and make sure you have the proper quota of candidates set to review and interview. But Terry Ryan, who was going to be let go at season's end, fell on his sword to give his protege a minor heads-up and an opportunity to be the Twins general manager, if only for a few months. Talking about a BIG opportunity. Unlike sometimes where a nearly ready-to-retire guy is slipped into the job just to keep things going, you have a viable candidate who has everything to gain, and probably nothing to lose if he just wishes to stay a company man. But even if he doesn't get the job, his own value outside the organization may increase and if what he does is good, he could leave this turbulent outfit for better grounds. I won't be the least surprised if the Twins start reviewing and interviewing candidates as soon as early September, so they can announce a hire before the World Series, if not the playoffs. I doubt if the Twin could entice Billy Beane away, when the Red Sox failed.

It is a long season and a player has to keep their head in the game, especially a young player. That is duty one of the coaching staff, especially if someone has talent (like Todd Walker, remember him?) Someone has to be called on putting Sano in the outfield and playing that mind game with him. Then shoving him back to third with limited repititions at the spot (would it have hurt to keep him in the minors for another week or so...yes, because Plouffe disappeared). HE DIDN'T PLAY THIRD BASE FOR MOST OF A YEAR, FOLKS! Yes, I was lobbying for sending him down. Just have to wait to see how the Plouffe situation plays out. I'm sure they will play Plouffe everyday. But will they also play Sano everyday...thus making Polanco and Vargas basically bench players. I wish we had the epic decisions with our starting staff that has trouble getting out of the fifth innings.

We could go after Hicks or Pinto or maybe even bring back Drew Butera. All may be looking for jobs next year! Hey, Rene Rivera is out there, too! And...of course...The Return of A.J.!

Buxton is sitting on the bench anyways up here, which he can do just as well come September. The question is, if Plouffe plays than two of Polanco/Vargas/Sano more than likely sits. And the reality is, unless the Twins ARE COMMITTED TO PLOUFFE, Sano NEEDS to play third.

It's not like a lot of guys on the current 20-man are on wanted posters in the offices of other team general managers. Escbar? Rosario? Vargas? Park? Even Dozier? Gibson has little value. Most of the bullpen are replacement quality guys who are being given a chance to flourish. Where the Twins have to make the hardcore decision is that next crop...get them some big league exposure and hope they don't tank, for a run at 2018. Really. We are far from a trade away from competing in 2017. But the Twins have to ask if there is room for Jorge, Stewart, Cederoth, Gonsalves, Stewart, Berrios and any number of other potential starters who could be in the majors in 2017-19. Who stays. Who is dangled. Who is packaged. Also, we seem to have a lot of middle infielders in the wings - Cabbage and Blankenship, all those shortstops beginning with Gordon. We have some sluggers: Palka, Walker, but no place to play them...and will this year's drafting class make it to the majors in 2019? The harder decision the Twins have to make is the decision on the direction they want the team to go. Like many of the players currently on the 25-man (or 40-man) roster, teams can just sit back and see who the Twins are forced to release. They will also be sitting back and seeing who the Twins can't protect in the Rule 5 in the future, or who are on the cusp of becoming minor league free agents, and can be had for little or nothing (as the current crop of Milone, Plouffe probably, Suzuki, maybe Danny Santana, any of the bullpen arms like Boshers). It was making a smart move like they did with Alex Meyer. For all his potential, he had another lost year and his chances of fitting anywhere in the Twins roster next season were probably slim to none. Not as a starter for sure, they would want him to do more at Rochester. He can easily be replaced by other bullpen prospects. He needed a roster space and considering the Twins will have to carry both Perkins and Hughes into next season, it was a good move. Even if the Twins don't keep Santiago, they can also claim some salary relief, and still have an okay potential pitching prospect that they don't have to worry about for another season. It will be interesting to see who comes up and is added in September. Who goes to the Fall League. Who is added (and subtracted) in November. Who gets spring training invites.

Some new names. Didn't the Twins just cut Gibbons? What we are starting to see is too many prospects, perhaps, with promise. And do the Twins bring them up too soon (and blow options and also get mixed results) or let them squander time in the minors, which means people like Adam Walker might get bypassed (by Palka). SUddenly, even a top prospect like Buxton needs to produce or he might be replaced by...Granite?!? I'm not sure what the secret is and cringe when I look at a Red Wings roster full of guys who will never play in the majors, or only get a cup-of-coffee because no one from Chattanooga is being promoted fast enough. And then I look at the Lookouts and see a number of guys who will probably restart their seasons at the AA level yet again. I'm having a hardtime trying to put together the Twins roster for 2017, let alone 2018 or even looking into the Baseball America future 0f 2019 (if the prospects would pan out and no trades are made). There are so many names on the cusp, on the bubble. If nothing else, if the Twins play their cards right, they have an abundance of guys they can trade for a top flight pitcher or hitter in a year or two and still not hurt their on-field future. Especially is some of the more prominent names from this year's draft pan out.

The Tigers now need a third baseman, rental only, so the price wouldn't be high. But then, they could just release him and if the Twins really do feel the need to reunite, probably could. Unless Detroit would rather have Valencia!

Pitchers: Chargolis, Melotakis, Light. Plus Meijas. Add O'Rourke and Wheeler. Wheeler should get some stating opportunities. O'Rourke can get one man out. Both on the bubble for staying on the 40-man. I don't see a need to see more of Dean. We need to give Wimmers a shot, just because he has pitched adequately this year out of the bullpen and he is a high-round draft choice. Then we decide if he stays and gets another chance in spring training. I would also consider promoting Reed. I would rather see innings down the stretch to anyone called "the future" than those who may not make the roster next year...you name them, I'll agree. Of course, the Twins may be battling to get to .500 and there will be talk of putting a competitive product against division leaders...but.... Catching: Murphy, of course. I would go ahead and add Garver early. Centeno will be on the bubble for staying on the 40-man. The Twins need to upgrade here bigtime, not only in the majors but also at Rochester. Batters: You bring up Walker to be a bat off the bench and give him so exposure to major league life. Yu are also bringing back Park. I would add Beresford, just as a reward to his continuous service to the organization (then he may come back next year) and because he hasn't slipped. Again, need to keep on the 40-man later is not a necessity. Hildenberger is on the DL. Doesn't need to be added to 40-man yet. Palka could also be held back, since we have too many outfielders/first baseman at the moment. Unfortunately, three's not a lot of prospects at AAA Rochester that we need to see. Most of the guys are further down the ladder (will be in the AZFL) or don't need to be added to the 40-man. The intriguing add would be Zach Jones, since he will need to be added to the 40-man anyways and I doubt the Twins will let him go thru Rule 5. When you have a team like the Twins this year, carrying as big of a September roster as you can is not a hinderance, except for booking rooms on the road or finding lockers in the clubhouse. You have the ability to rest your Mauer, rotate guys in-and-out during a game, use pinch-hitters, use pinch-runners. Your starters DON'T have to go longer than they have all season (like five innings). There are names thrown out like O'Rourke, Beresford, Wheeler, Dean and more who probably won't play in 2017. But you never know, and giving them a major league minute might make them more likely to resign with the Twins for next season and be that emergency guy in the minors. Or not. The bigger question is: Who on the current 40-man WON'T be here come the close of spring training? Any names?

I Sano needs 100% playing time at third, where do we play Plouffe? He can't corner the outfields because of Kepler and Rosario. And then we need Polanco to play somewhere other than shortstop, it seems. And then we have Vargas/Park. Where do we play Trevor Plouffe!?!

Thought for sure he was going to be comfortable in Royals land, since the minor league club was near his home. Go figure.

He will come around. But he seems lost. They need to get someone working with him, one-on-one. Carew-ish, perhaps. Don't change him, but make him see what is coming, learn to use his speed...do something. Let Chad Allen work with him more at Rochester. Call up Ricky Henderson and hire him for a month!

I believe this was posted and discussed here when it first came out.

I'm starting to think that someone screw up with the emphasis on college relief in high rounds.

Okay, who to send down. Better yet, who do you want to have play and where. We want to see Polanco play. Looks like it will be third, maybe short, a game or two at second between now and September. But having Plouffe on the roster means Plouffe plays third, or maybe first with Mauer DHing, then Vargas is out of a job. Whew, rotating players. We want to see Sano. But he can't DH if we have Vargas, or if Plouffe plays 1st and Mauer at DH, and then Polanco sits on the bench, or maybe plays second or short that day. But Sano needs to up his skills playing third. I say let him do it for 15-20 games at Rochester, as well as work on his pitch selection. Seems viable at this point. But we still have Polanco running around to different positions, Plouffe getting tryouts at different positions, and a full outfield. Assuming we want Kepler and Rosario playing everyday. We also have Grossman, who has slowed a bit, but still is better in the lineup than sitting on the bench. We also have Santana doing, whatever, keeping a place warm on the bench in case Molly needs to sit during the game. Buxton ahs not been pulling his weight. I say send him down, too, to play 15-20 games in centerfield and work on his bunting exclusively, speed, taking pitches. He is a viable leadoff guy, but not right now in Minnesota. Let him lead-off in Rochester. Of course, who else can we bring up if we send down Buxton AND Sano. I liked where someone said send down a starter. We only have four anyways. We seem to always have a start worked by the bullpen. We can send down any of the relief guys, hope Milone disappears. Anyways, we should be sending Duffey back down. Let's look at another possible body (heck, I would even accept the temporary second-coming of Albers at this point - looks like Darnell blew it again by going on the DL). We have four 40-man spots open. We could have a fifth (Milone). We could have a 6th (Suzuki). We could have a 7th (Plouffe). Now I like Plouffe and all. But whoever has him on their major league roster at season's end needs to offer him year three of arbitration, or let him walk. I would rather make that another team's responsibility. Unless you, as the Twins general manager, sees him as such a fit that you call him into the office and offer him a 3-year contract today. But that could be anywhere's from $20 to the upside of $30 million. Where does he play. WHo doesn't play (Sano, Polanco, Vargas). Like Milone, like Suzuki...you now have three players that you will probably get absolutely no return for today or after the season ends. If you let them walk today, you save salary if another team does grab them. Maybe you stick with Suzuki because he is the only one really playing and contributing. And we haven't even come to the dilemma of what do we do with Byung-Ho Park. Where can this guy play if we have Polanco at third, Mauer at first, Sano at DH (or Vargas). Let's really complicate things. If we send out Sano (for Plouffe) and also Buxton. Who do we bring up to replace Buxton for the moment? Park (so we can dangle him out there on the waiver wire). Or perhaps an early look at Walker off the bench...who is another guy in the logjam of DH/OF/1B. I can't believe I'm saying this...with four 40-man spots open on the rosters, the Twins have too much offense right now! I say Sano down to work on fielding. He should understand that (how many games HAS he played at third in the last year...really). Buxton down to get better. Milone on waivers. Suzuki see if you can get a low-level prospect and salary relief at least (because we DO have to see Murphy catch some more). If you need to bring up Park for a week and see if he can pound the ball and then put him on waivers to see if there is interest, do so. He is more of a position problem right now, unless you are willing to let him linger at Rochester again next season, or flip Vargas at some point. Polanco needs to play. At third. It would be nicer if he could handle shortstop fulltime and have Escobar be the utility guy. Plouffe needs to play...one/two games at major leagues...then goes or sits. Again, IS HE IN THE FUTURE PLANS. If he is, then trade off Sano or Park or Vargas. Or send Mauer down to the minors to work on base running skills. I'm starting to get confused. Now the biggest question of all ... where can Danny Santana play. I'm sure that is the first name Molly wants to write in on the line-up card everyday!

In all likelihood the Twins will have some minor money to spend next year, depending on arbitration with Plouffe and Santiago. Suzuki will be gone, There's not a lot of prospects out there. Santiago, like Santana/Hughes/Nolasco/Milone can be dreamed of as a piece that could still have value at trading time next year, at least for a prospect of sorts or in another Nolasco-like trade. At worst, he can be Tommy Milone, but more expensive. It's too bad we do have Perkins and Hughes eating up a lot of salary without looking to open the season with the Twins, as well as the Mauer problem blocking certain players from having a place to play (if only Joe could play third base.....). I'm still waiting to see how the 40-man roster ultimately plays out. As well as any August moves!

The new general manager will have lots to work with.

The decision to make will be where do you play Plouffe, and could Sano be better served if he went down to Rochester for the remainder of the season and played EVERYDAY at third base. The message will be that we want you to get even more comfortable with third again after skipping that position for the off-season and most of this year. Oh, and while you are there, let's work really hard on taking pitches and watching those strikeouts. We are doing this for your good, and we are working out the issues of the Plouffe problem, and quite frankly, we want to also see what Vargas is doing before we bring up Park. We want Sano to be the third baseman of the near future. Or maybe we want him to be the DH, which means we have a power-hitting void at third and no place to put Park, Vargas, Adam Walker. Unless we quickly put Mauer on waivers during his hot streak, some team that may win the World Series wants him, and Joe is willing to move on and solve ALL the Twins problems. Maybe that is what Joe was thinking about Thursday afternoon when going from second to third base and derailed our little possible rally. At this point, sitting on the bench won't help ano. He can do that in September (don't pull an Arcia and forget about him, no matter what he does). He can definitely work on a couple of things. And to get his play up at third base is a logical and understandle reason to demote him to Rochester, especially if Plouffe is coming back. Now what to do with our fifth outfielder, Byron Buxton? And when do we bring Murphy back up and play him instead of Centeno. Between Murphy and Centeno, who is most likely to be a Twin in 2017?

I could see Garver and Murphy splitting the catching role next year. One working on being a regular catcher, the other learning. But then the question is...who is the abckup in the minors if a call up is needed. (Someone ahs to make 24-27 outs in a game...you can have a weak lineup spot). I am not sold on Gibson longterm and would've actively tried to trade him this alst off season when his value was high. Right now, he is hurting himself and his future. My definition of a #1 starter is someone who takes the ball every five days, pitches 200 solid innings a year, is consistent and gives one a chance to win. After spring training, I was having high hopes that the rotation of Santana, Gibson, Hughes, Nolasco and Duffy would get us into the 7th inning more often than not. Plus we had Milone as #6 and Berrios as #7. None of that happened. Santana has upped his game, even though he doesn't really have to. Secretly, I think he was hoping to be flipped to a contender. (Wouldn't you?) It was a tough first half of the season with the hitting thriving at one time and the pitching thriving at another. Sometimes good pitching can win games and, as we saw with the Indians, good hitting (we could've lost all three with the way the starters were pitching). Back to catching. We keep Suzuki if no one will give us anything for him. But at some point we have to see what Murphy can do for us...and I would add Garver to the 40-man and get him up in September, if nothing else to just catch guys in the bullpen with a few late inning defensive replacement appearances if need be.

17 guys the Twins should be protecting and advancing shortly. The depth is nice. It makes you wonder about the real need for Park, and if Buxton could be another centerfield tradechip. I like Granite. I like Palka. I wish we didn't have the roadblock of Mauer, and have no idea what to do with Park. Players will start getting passed by. Walker may be bypassed soon. We can forget about names like Michael and Harrison, it seems. Baxendale and Darnell and Dean will be passed by any number of Lookouts. Will be most interested in seeing how many minor league free agents the Twins go after this coming season. Seems the Lookout could advance in total to Rochester, not leaving many spots. Also means the Twins CAN cycle out people like Dozier and, though we may call foul, not resign their free agents. Oh, and besides Gordon, Cederoth should be faster tracked next season. And remember we have a couple of guys jsut drafted...Ben the catcher and Alex the outfielder, both of whom could be fast-tracked. With the shutdowns of Jay and Hildenberger, you can never have enough pitching, or so it seems.

MLB Trade rumors makes a comment that our general manager almost swung a three-team trade, but no details were given. http://www.mlbtraderumors.com/2016/08/rich-hill-extension-demands-athletics-indians-padres-derek-norris-rumors.html Interesting! Might've really put Ol' Rob on the map if he had done so. Now, we can all speculate, what would've been the perfect three team trade. Who were the teams, possible players, and why didn't it happen. Of course, at some point, we hope all will be revealed...perhaps when the waiver market plays out and any players invokved are staying with the Twins or long gone.

But just think how valuable he would be if he could play shortstop. At least for the next couple of seasons, then move to second...keeping Escobar as the utility infielder (instead of the other way around). I still don't understand playing him exclusively at second at Rochester when you have Dozier, and you knew you will have to keep Jorge around ALL next season. Plus then putting him at third, a position he last played...when? So, the Twins still like their guys to wear multiple gloves, unless your name is Mauer.