Rosterman

I thought they were just passing thru and fund cheapseats on StubHub!

Sounds like a solid choice, and even though we need to carry him on the 40-man, he hasn't burned thru all his options yet. Picture that the Giants saw him as 8th or 9th on their own potential starter chart (not all that bad, there may be younger guys ahead that will get to the majors when they are ready and spots open). Makes a better choice than Milone, but also puts Wheeler on the back burner and possibly an off-season 40-man add-on again.

Stop complainng about Sano at third. Give him the rest of the season. He's still a talented work-in-progress. He SHOULD get better. He needs to stay comfortable, which he seems in the field as long as we all stop harping about the mistakes. He does seem to be working on them...as well as his ability to not strikeout. Slow, but will happen. Remember, August 1 is not the end of the trade deadline. Trades can still be made in August where players go on waivers, teams claim them, and you try to work out a deal in Round #1 (if you run them thru a second time, you lose them if someone claims). A player can be put on waivers anytime in the month. So things might still happen regarding Dozier, Plouffe and...Nolasco. If something happens to Escobar, we have Danny Santana to play shortstop!

At this point, since he is on the 40-man, no reason to NOT bring him up in September, even just to throw a couple of innings out of the pen. Again, when you have a losing team, use September to give guys a taste of the Big Leagues so they know what to work towards in the off-season. 23-year-old left-handed possible starter not named MILONE.

All the names mentioned should be up in September and added to the 40-man. These are the future. Except for Reed, they all need to be added to the 40-man, I believe...correct me if I am wrong. Give them a taste of major league life and action and turn them loose to improve in the off-season. There will be some bumps, but you have more leeway in the bullpen. Moving Taylor to the bullpen was a smart choice. Almost think Duffey should be moved there, too. And then we still have Burdi and Bard in the wings. And I do think the Twins should take a long look at Wimmers. He might be coming into his own. Imagine a bullpen next year of Reed, Jones, Wimmers, Chargolis, Rogers and any holdovers from Tonkin, Pressly, O'Rourke, Boshers, Kintzler with Hildenberger in reserve and possibly Burdi and Bard. Short steps towards getting better.

Berrios will be a call-up soon. Jason Wheeler should also be added to the 40-man. I could stomach Greenwood, Albers and Darnell being added to the 40-man and getting starts. But it would be at the expense of Duffey (send him back down) and not promoting Dean. I would almost say give the AAAA guys a shot or two, but look to advance Stewart or Gonsalves from AA once September happens and give them a roster spot and a taste of major league life. But tread carefully. Any advancement of AAA or AA players is to show what they could possibly do to add to their own value. But if you look at them now, and see no hope of keeping them into spring training, then go with the youth...let them come up and strikeout or be bombed. It is still a learning experience to grow from in the offseason. It is more than a trading deadline. The Twins can put ALL players out for waivers in August and even do it a second time and lose them with NO compensation. That is what teams might be eyeing. Will the Twins cut bait with Nolasco, Milone, Suzuki, Nunez, Plouffe and a team can grab them with no player going back in return. And the Twins have to ask if hat is a blessing. Or should we just keer the guys and continue to flush money down our system.

I agree totally with this. You have to worry about how Santana pitches from here to the end of the season. You have to worry about an injury loss. Then you are really stuck. Right now, you jsut cringe everytime you give a tradable player the ball or an at bat until the deadline passes. Like Suzuki, the last thing you needed was for him to go on the DL, which he didn't. He bounced right back with a home run. Often times, a player's value is higher at the trade deadline as x-amount of players aren't available for trade, especially if you are looking for more minor league depth. Once the season ends, ALL the contending teams suddenly look at their staffs, salaries they would jettison, players to call up. You have x-amount put on waivers, x-amount thrown into free agency and tons of prospects that need roster protection for the future. This is where long-range planning happens. Where does Santana fit into the picture...today...regarding 2017 and 2018 vs. possible replacement by a mid-level free-agent (wait, isn't that Santana) or working prospects. I ringed when I heard Anthony say he thinks the team will compete in 2017. Yes, that is the line you take. And the Twins always throw that "competitive" word out there...that they just try to put a team on the field that they think is competitive within the division. We never hear that we are putting together a team will put everyone else into the rearview mirror. What I am more worried about are the assets that aren't tradable. That we have to troll out there next season (Nolasco, Hughes, Perkins, Mauer) that ALL can be upgraded for less in the off-season, or replaced totally in the long-run sooner rather than never. The team made some mistakes (Park), they have some prospects that are unknown and will probably NOT happen (Walker, Meyer), they have a good solid player who is too expensive (Plouffe) and not worth arbitration and is injured so he pretty much destroyed his value today and, looking forward, not worth arbitration, so the Twins will send him apcking with no return for a top prospect they drafted who played well and will be a welcomed addition to any team...albeit not at $10 million a year. They do need to get a General Manager before the off-season gets underway so he can evaluate ALL the talent and start packaging blocked prospects or minor league depth. The Twins will have another GOOD draft this season. But it is still interesting to monitor drafts. The Twins signed 31 players (so far) this year. 24 players remain in the system from 2015. 21 from 2014. 13 from each of 2013 and 2012. Only 6 remain from each of 2011 and 2010. Interestingly, another 10 players from the 2011 draft are actually still playing with other teams. I don't see a new general manager doing ANYTHING in the free agent marketplace unless the Twins do shed salary, and I don't see them giving away monies, so the Twins will be eating salary (anyways) by keeping high priced players somewhere, blocking others. That is the one mindset that I do find confusing. In baseball, you do cut the losses and move on. You have to plan for that in the scheme of things. You try and put the best team possible on the field. If you don't, the monetary stream suffers because you are not winning games with players that should be considered losses, and people don't come and spend. And that is the marketing of the brand, working the player personal aspects of operations with the business side. The Brand is important. The players you pay to increase the recognition of that Brand (and Mauer WAS the one but no longer) add to that. You can do it with single season splashes (Jack Morris comes to mind), returning vet (Torii Hunter - I mean, WAS he really worth what they paid - yes he was because he got the team recognition and did put butts in the seats and was a good influence and didn't totally hog time in play). That is what a new general manager ahs to think about. Putting a solid team on the field and keeping it going and refreshed...not just running something until the battery dies. Recognizing what the team might look like next season and 3-4 seasons from now. Having an open checkbook and the ability to flush money down the toilet if it happens...and it does in this sport (I mean, look what you are paying Hughes and Perkins this season to do basically nothing,,,at least they should be out there selling the brand while recovering from their injuries). That's something else I'm seeing more and more of. We are now leagues of baseball players playing a game for team names. But I'm not seeing as much creating and staying a team (money does that) and not seeing players doing more than just playing the game (which, in reality, is maybe all they have to do...put up numbers on the field, maybe do some endorsements, sign stickers put on baseball cards). The Twins have long been one of the better teams for player access, their community fund seems to be out there, they have a solid alumni association which continues to do stuff...but part of branding the team is the players and getting them out in the community, our to businesses, out to schools, besides schilling products on the airwaves. Doing the talk shows, working the baselines before batting practice, giving selfie opportunities...and not putting a pricetag on everything. But first, you have to have players you want to see and be seen with.

Okay, let's keep everyone under contract for 2017. Nolasco Santana Hughes Gibson arbitrate Perkins Kintzler arbitrate Abad arbitrate Milone arbitrate Mauer Nunez arbitrate Escobar arbitrate Plouffe arbitrate Dozier Park Look at that. 14 guys WE NEED to keep around because of contracts to go with Anthony, Molitor and whomever.

Two questions: What spaces do the Twins need for 40-man adds in the off-season? And, who will actually play for the Twins in 2017. Itdidn't take long for the Twins to not do anything significant with Aaron Thompson, Carlos QUentin, John Hicks, Murphy and Sweeney, DeLa Cruz, Runzler. And they managed to jettison Arcia, Mastro, Graham, Ramirez, Strong, O'Rourke, Fien, Jepsen from the 40-man already this season, with arguments made about keeping Graham, Fien and possibly Strong and losing (temporaily, Jones). Okay...Rotation. Santana (great contract, people should be fighting to add him to the back of your roster. A keeper veteran presence, but... Nolasco...you have a failed investment and might want to squeeze more out of him or see if he can get any sort of value next season, but gone by 2018. Milone, you probably could've avoided arbitration last fall, and don't need to arbitrate this fall. Hughes is a long-term hope that he will produce in the next three seasons. Duffey is struggling. Always felt he might be a candidate for long relief. Or is he the one-year-wonder of Scott Diamond or Albers or Kris Johnson. Gibson...if he can get on track, will have trade value but don't see the need to the Twins going to year 3 arbitration or free agency. Sit on the sidelines and see if they can get a deal when another team passes on him. Pat Dean is Pat Dean. I truly wanna know who would've grabbed him in last year's Rule 5. CATCHER. You don't keep Suzuki. He will be a free agent. If he can't find a $2 million job next year, maybe you consider. Murphy is what we have, go with it. Centeno and Paulino are replacement players. Garver needs to be added and might be the future. Turner needs to get some major league experience. INFIELD: If someone wants Park, you eat the signing portion and move on. Can Vargas play first? Should Sano play first? Can Mauer play anywhere but first? Dozier is still reasonable, and Polanco is the future. Is he the future in 2017 or 2018. He will be playing full seasons and going towards arbitration. We can take a looong look. Escobar IS NOT the shortstop of the future. Pure placesetter. Nunez is a nice backup if he keeps hitting and would rather see him at third than Escobar if... Sano goes down. Sano is showing life. He is the current third baseman. Plouffe will jsut be too expensive. If you want to keep Plouffe, you should've signed him long term. Let him walk in August and if you want him back, offer him something in the offseason. I would rather see Plouffe at first than Mauer, but not at $11 million a year. Our future outfield is Rosario, Kepler, Buxton. Between Grossman or Santana as backup, I go with Grossman. Walker may have been passed by Palka. Harrison and Michael are moot. Are Meyer or May closrs of starters? I don't see Kintzler as being nothing but luck. Tonkin and Pressly and Rogers can all be replaced by Burdi, Reed, Jones, Hildenberger, whatever...the question is when. Sooner rather than later, I say. But the truth is...what the Twins have is trade pieces are not in demand. And if the Twins don't want them, why would someone else really care. Those that might see playing time elsewhere are so on the fringe, you ask yourself "do I trade with the Twins or elevate a prospect...or jsut watch the waiver wire...the Twins do...." The Twins WILL NEED to clear roster space...5, 6, 7 names in the least. Who will go, who will get a look, who will stay, who will be added. Maybe the offseason will be exciting. But some of these moves CAN be made in the interim and not wait for a new Director of Player Operations and GM.

Man, I shake my head that Anthony feels he can be competitive in 2017. Maybe he can, but it would be a fluke and having no system failure. Right now, prospects are being delayed, you have a bunch of overpaid starters not producing, the Joe Mauer problem, and something isn't going right on the field,. No, you won't give away Santana. If he was a free agent this winter, he could possibly get the same as owed him by the Twins. You do move Suzuki. Unless you wish to resign him. But try try try to get something and then worry about resigning him. Dump Plouffe. If you do, he becomes another teams arbitration problem. Unless you wish to pay him $10 million in 2017. And then you might as well sign him long term. Figure out what to do with Mauer. At this point, I would ALMOST rather have three more years of Plouffe playing first, or happily have multi years of Vargas and even Park and wish I could go back and get Arcia. He was the face of the franchise, but no more. If someone, anyone would offer him a home...do it. I will admit that he is hitting pretty darn good if it is an eye issue. But putting him at the top of the order and his production pop compared to others isn't working out. You need 40-man roster spots this off-season. If they aren't going to be there come November, no need to have them here this September!

I do find it curious as to what does happen to the millions spent on draft picks, some of those millions going to a few players who never pan out. Amazing what major league baseball spends on the possibility of hitting it bigtime and giving money to players that never see the light of day. The above numbers should also be palced in the context of when a team drafts, with all those high draftpicks the Twins got for half-a-decade. Looking back on past Twins drafts, the number of players that made it to the majors with the Twins (or with other teams) or those that even made it to AA/AAA ball can be rather pathetic, at times. Especially for an organization that doesn't play the free agent market and would be the perfect place for drafted and developed players to rise and shine. And that is the crutch of Twins drafting. This year, 31 players have signed and are in the system. But let's look a few years away (say 2020) and how many of those will have lasted more than three years in the system and how many make it to the big leagues, and how does the international draftees work into the mix, and would a team just do better "grabbing" players from other teams as their minor league careers progress. In the real world, prospects replace players eligible for free agency on a cycle in which the organization constantly drafts for need vs. depth for best-all-around. But how soon does that best-all-around turn into fluff.

In the scheme of things, it might've been nice to give Berrios his 2016 starts in the end of 2015. Let him get his feet wet, etc. But there were some 40-man roster concerns that overweighed that advancement. Although we all would've loved to see Berrios start the season, he probably did need to start at AAA. Also, we had Nolasco, Milone, Santana, Hughes, Duffey, Gibson and, I guess, Dean and somehow Meyer got in the mix. Then they needed Berrios, or they screwed up with Meyer and didn't think of Dean first. Berrios got his feet wet. Yes, he should be back. But right now, he is being passed by because of salary (they are paying Milone millions) and, for some reason, Duffey...who has been brilliant but still does have options and needs to work on consistency just as bad as Berrios.

It's great to use a search firm, because THEY are approaching candidates and judging the interest. Even if you are under contract with someone, you can answer a search service call and say "yes, I'd consider....but I'm happy where I am because of this and that and where they are taking me...unless....." It's not exactly like you are applying for the job. Plus the search company can get general feedback about the team doing the search, gauge the interest, see what might have to be offered in the grand scheme of things. They do a lot of the work and can present different levels and packages you may be seeking and eliminate others. Kinda like searching for free agents. You know about the team or player before actively pursuing them.

I'm preparing myself that no one wants Twins players, except perhaps the Twins.

Kintzler is one of those guys.....no team is going to grab him to be a closer. They would grab him for depth, which is what the Twins did. Before trading, they would weigh their own minor league options. So the chances are good that Kintzler will remain a Twin going into the of season and join the notorious group of Guerrier, Burton, Boyer, Fien and others that the Twins have stashed on their major league roster and we can't rpedict where they will eventually end up or how much wear we can get out of them. Even a team seeking a lefty might punt for Abad. Maybe not. Face it...the Twins really don't have a lot of guys that teams will fight over. More so, tems will wait to see what direction the Twins do take and what they do with their pieces (don't offer arbitration to Plouffe in off-season, for example, or just release Nolasco and eat his salary next year). More and more I don't see the Twins eating salary if they don't have to. But I see them parting ways with a player (i.e. Plouffe) rather than overpay. So unless a few prospects don't fit into future plans (perhaps Polanco or Walker) and they can be packaged with a salary, we may have to wait to see if some guys can peak out and create interest in their arms, fer sure, in 2017 before that trade deadline, assuming the Twins aren't in the playoff hunt.

Sano was on the major league field for a dozen or so games in 2015, coming right up from AA ball where he played less than half-a-season on the field. In spring training, they played him in ht eoutfield and we saw how that went. He's played as many games at third bse as he has in the major league outfield in two seasons. So let's give him some time. As long as he is out there working, and fixing his mistakes (and he does know when he does them), we should be applauding his work ethic and hope he stays in shape to play the corner for another couple of seasons at least.

Like the fellow who said he would pull the trigger on a Nolasco with Walker throw-in with nothing in return. Well, you would probably include Walker to get something. Maybe a second year proespect just out of the instructional league that might show promise or offer some depth. But overall, the Twins HAVE to look carefully at who can they protect this year and next year, and who they can't...and start dealing those bodies that are showing favorably in their respectable leagues...either as a third-party, as a package with a contract to get rid of. Otherwise, the players walk, claimed in the Rule 5, and you egt nothing, zilch, for your hard-earned development time.

Be interesting to see if any one grabs him, or if he signs with someone. But he will be a free agent and his stock has fallen mightily.

Keep him at third. Or pay Plouffe $10+ million to return next year and move Sano to DH. Then where do you put Park (1st Base). Sounding like Abbott and Costello here. But if Plouffe is gone, who plays third. And what to do with Mauer. We also have Vargas looking for playing time. Of course, we deep-sixed Arcia, which wasn't a problem because we have Santana/Grossman/Ropsario/Kepler, not to mention Buxton, and maybe Palka/Walekr in the wings. Sano has a helluva an arm. Seems a shame to make him a catcher of throws only at first base. And though he would probably be the perfect DH, we don't need him getting out-of-shape yet. Wait, we also have Nunez in the mix. Sano at third until someone else comes up...in 2-3 years. By then, we will know we can live without Joe being Mr. Twin forever and ever.

I listened to Anthony, too. First off, seems Terry fell on his sword to give his protege a chance to be a general manager for a major league baseball team. Good for Terry. Anthony appears to have the desire and possibly the chops, too bad it was to step up into the Twins general manager chair rather than be one of the top candidates another team would woo when such a position opens on a baseball team. Big difference. He may show some stuff in his two months, but it is a short window. But he will be a Twins general manager in the record book. He also mentioned about not giving guys away and getting something back in return. Now remember, getting something back in return can be as little as just salary relief.A And, again, when you are a floundering team, there is no reason to keep potential free agents if you aren't willing to reach an agreement with them today. Wait until the offseason and you see Nathan, Cuddyer and Kubel take offers elsewhere. The hometown discount is gone. Get what you can for Suzuki. If you aren't going to sign Plouffe to a longterm, let him walk since he has an arbitration year and let the other team make that decision. If you feel they will let him walk, too, then Plouffe is a free agent and you can go after him again for a lesser amount...maybe. If anyone is willing to take a long term contract off your hands with an August claim, you consider. Even Mauer (if it is the right club). Even Hughes and Perkins (you can claim a dl'ed guy, right?). Except that money is seldom banked and saved for a rainy day, so in some ways...if you hve salary space, I guess why not keep the guy and pay them next season to do little or nothing (shades of Nick Blackburn), right? Of course, they may increase their value, which makes everyone giddy and the situation gooder!

So the cost is all absorbed this season for the posting fee? I do assume that a team would just be taking on his contract for the remainder of the run, so the Twins would have the initial big expenditure up front if they chose to part ways with Park.

If the Twins CAN'T move any pieces between now and September first, even taking the waiver wire no-return bath, then the front office we see just how valuable all these contracts are in the eyes of other teams and how badly TR and Co. overpayment for players that no other teams wants. But in the case of Santana, you have to ask: If he was a free agent in 2017...would a team offer him $25-30 million with an option to pitch for them?" You have to ask that question on all players. What will Suzuki draw in salary interest as a fee agent. Would any other team offer Plouffe an arbitration win of $10+ million. Is Nolasco worth a $10+ million gamble for one year of back-of-the-rotation. Do we really need to part with a prospect for Nunez, Abad, Kintsler or any other Twin or just bring a guy up from the minors. Will any of the players the Twins want to shed add to a team, and they can't find a suitable player elsewhere.

I would like to see the conversation they ahd when they went after Park. "Let's offer the $12.5 million. Shows we are in the game. Someone else undoubtedly will do the same. We get good press. Can't lose." "Crap, we were the only ones? What happened. No one likes the guy?" "Maybe when can make it NOT happen. Offer enough of a salary and contract that is embarrassing, but no way would he take it. I mean...a couple of million? He could get that in Korea." "He...whaaaaat! Accepted. Okay, we can make it work. We move Sano to the outfield. Let's see if we can sell Vargas to Asia, somewhere. Plouffe will have a big year and be tradable. I mean, this Park guy does hit it out of the Park and a couple of million is a good deal for a guy who should give us, what, 20-25 homers. Homers rule." "What, we need to find a place for Arcia? No big deal, keep him around. Looks like he's coming early to spring training." "Our system is flawless, everything will work out in the end."

Just remember, whoever has Plouffe will be going to arbitration, most likely, at the $10 million plus level during the offseason. At this point, if I were the Twins, I would keep Nunez and let Plouffe go if I was even thinking about Plouffe as a utility guy. And after reading the above discussion, I'm suddenly feeling the Twins going into next season with Nolasco still in the rotation, just because. Milone is an interesting name that we overlook, because he already went thru waivers once unclaimed. He probably won't again...and August will be THAT decision time. I don't see a reason for the Twins bringing him back in 2017. But I'm not sure anyone is knocking on the door wanting to trade anything for him. Suddenly, you have to start looking at packaging a prospect or two to get total salary relief or a higher prospect return. Is Adam Walker available? Do you cut ties with a Stewart or Landa or Jorge. Any of the shortstops of the future packaged with Noaslco going to make a deal happen. The Twins probably have half a dozen prospects that MAY be blocked in the system and that they have to worry about protecting this off-season or next. If they look to be that 42nd player...package them away.

Suzuki is a bad rental, even for his bat. He doesn't give a contending team much behind-the-plate. Will be a free agent. Plouffe is entering an expensive arbitration year. You pay him that, sign him long term, or release him. So, short rental. Abad and Nunez are both still cheap going into arbitration. But at what cost. One is considered a utility player. The other a rebounding bullpen arm who is now going thru a tad of a bad spell. Are they better/worse than a callup from a team's minors. Do you see them contributing to your team much in 2017. Kintzler is a low-cost grab because you need someone to close games and you are better than the Twins right now. Santana gives you exactly what his stats show. He is not overpriced for two more seasons. Depends on your own depth. Plus you would still have the option of trading him yourself next season. Do you need Nolasco. Would you pay him $12 million next year? If the Twins release him, you only have to pay major league minimum. Leave him as a Twins problem. Dozier? My second baseman will be a free agent and I have no one in the wings. Maybe it would be a good time to see what it would take to pry this guy from the Twins. Contending teams MAY need a piece of a puzzle. But paying anything of true value might be hard-to-do to the Twins. Which is sad, because hate to see players walk with no return (especially if they are doing well and could help another team). Or eat a contract.