Rosterman

I don't have an overall problem with Dozier batting second. If we don't like Mauer at third, who put him at the number 2 spot. Right now, let's say, Buxton gets on base. He is a threat to steal second, and would mroe than likely take third on any kind of reasonable hit. So you maybe have Dozier at first with second open, and not Brian is a potential stolen base candidate, made easier by the fact that Dozier is on third. And Brian would less likely be dubled up, too, on decently hit ground ball. He would be able to take that extra step of a lead off first. He also has the potential to hit a two-run homer rather than a solo shot. Would his overall runs scored decrease? Probably not. He still ahs the ability to move to second on a steal, or end up at third on a hit. And suddenly the Twins have 1st and 3rd with no outs and one run in. The dreams of having a two-run first inning more often than not are realized. But it boils down to Mauer. Again, if we don't like Mauer hitting third, why move him to second. Who do we put at second if Dozier hits third. Who do we put at third if Mauer isn't around (Rosario, perhaps?).

With the Twins probably finding 8-9 40-man roster spots next season, and probably fewer than that in 2017, who do the Twins have to protect next season and the season after that...i.e. what names do the Twins have to make moves on to keep or trade away, do you think?

Carew was one of those guys that could've shown up with another franchise (like Nolan Ryan, and even Pete Rose). Voting was all over the place. How did Mike Trout became one of the four (then I guess the Twins should've ahd Joe Mauer). And the oldest team in baseball basically had nothing but modern-era guys. But, yes, quite a few Hall of Famers weren't considered franchise players. I would think being in the Hall of Fame would pretty much nail it for the majority of franchise players...if they played msot of their time with the team in question (Dave Winfield, Padres or Yankees).

You have to set playoff rosters before the season ends and the only way yu swap out players is because of injury. The Twins can go with an 11 man pitching staff. You really don't need five starters. Even if the Twins traded for A.J., for example, he would only be a one season rental. And we still have Suzuki on contract for next season. So, what deadweight do we have on the roster next season that we can't get rid of (Noalsco for one). Right now, I would go with Escobar as the everyday shortstop. If we can move Nunez, I would bring up Beresford as a utility infielder. I would still send Santana out. The September callup sheet should be interesting, whether we are in contention or not. Pretty much ANYONE on the 40-man should get playing time. Achter, Tonkin, Darnell, Pinto, Vargas, Arcia, Santana, Polanco, Kepler. If a guy doesn't get an opportunity to show his worth this year, then you have to question why they are on the 40-man (Wheeler for example). Yes, I contradicted myself. I would give Beresford the 40-man shot because of his time in the organization (and he is having a great year) as a TYwins organization reward. But longterm, no, he won't be contributing, sadly, in 2016.

Meyer doesn't really have a lot of value for anhything of quality right now, sadly. He's a prospect with potential. Culd still shne. Same said with Arcia. The Twins still have to worry about seond year slumps from Rosario and Sano and Buxton et al. Arcia is still in the mix to improve his value before the Twins need to see if there is a roster spot for Walker or Kepler. Yes, tehre are a lot of tough decision making to be done. Plouffe at third or Sano. Sano at DH or Vargas or Arcia. Arcia in the outfield or Hicks or Kepler or Walker or someone else. Is Santana the shortstop of the future or is Escobar the stopgap until Gordon, and where does Polanco fit into the mix. Yes, you can trade Meyer or Arcia or ny numbre of guys as the 40-man roster spots start filling up and you NEED to trade them or lose them. The only thing we know for sure is that the Twins need a more longterm address of catcher. But there might not be a betetr solution than just going with what they have or will have in the future, when you egt right down to it.

May is in the pen, but ready to step in if a starter goes down. What did we do in the past? Let Swarzak (and before that Duensing) start? If we make the playoffs, we don't have Nolasco. Will be interesting to see what happens in the month of July, if anyone is traded or who the Twins may add. The we have August. I can see any number of players offered out on waivers, and the Twins just have to decide if they wish to cut salary or work out a trade for a low-end prospect. I could see a team grabbing Pelfrey if he pitches halfway decent. I could also see Duensing offered out. Even Suxuki. And the Twins cutting ties. (I doubt that anyone would grab Nolasco, and would be interesting to see if the Twins would rid themselves of Santana's long contract if the right offer happened). It's a fun and interesting time in Twins land. Never thought we would be where we are at All-Star break. And the lineup, overall, looks pretty solid. Nothing truly exciting, but a fun groups of guys who are just playing the game well behind a rotation that is keeping us in the games.

You trade Hunter to another team in the hunt for a playoff spot. I think not. Buxton to Rochester, which currently is without a centerfielder. Kepler is holding down center (except he just got injured and the Twins signed Shannon WIlkerson for the shortterm). I doubt that they will move Kepler to Rochester. But I see them putting Buxton there instead, with Kepler playing AAA ball next season. Right now, Hicks is playing well. Robinson doesn't stink as the 4th oitfielder and can fulfill that bill quite nicely. The Twins are sitting pretty with names such as Polanco, Buxton, Vargas, Arcia, Pinto in the wings waiting for a recall. It's ncie to have players that are capably of playing in the majors waiting and wanting for more. Buxton is on the disabled list, and players can be in the dugout and travel with the team. I'm always surprised how that does work, that even minor league guys stay in the towns rather than head down to the great minor league Fort Myers complex where everything is and games are happening each and every day it seems.

I've been amazed at the rotation. But like the team as a whole, do you keep trying to get whatever you can out of placesetters or guys who won't be here in 2016, or keep trying the future where some shows life (Sano and Rosario) and some need more seasoning (Buxton). And even with the leash given to veterans like pelfrey and Duensing, how long of a leash do you give to Arcia, Danny Santana and Vargas. The Twins have the ability to rotate pieces like a fantasy league that uses the waiver wire or excess players with glee. We could still see more Polanco and get a look at Kepler. I doubt that we will see Reed, Burdi or Jones this year as some thought, Unless the Twins make some changes in names, we won't even see Berrios, unless he comes up in September (who goes). And will the Twins give a 40-man spot in September to a job-well-done like Beresford just for the heck of it. Right now want to see consistency. We do have it in the rotation, although I don't like ALL the pieces. The bullpen makes me shake whenever anyone not named Perkins is brought in for no armchair rhyme or reason. We need a shortstop...stick with Escobar, please. Hicks is playing like he wants a job. What do we do if he takes off. Where do we find places for everyone. We need a catcher, badly need a catcher, someone like Joe Mauer would be a dream right now. It's how you play against your division. The Twins and Royals played a tight series. The Tigers have their weaknesses. Not sure if the Twins will hit 90 wins. It looks like the other divisions will be beating each other up pretty evenly, so a wild card spot is for the taking, and if the Twins can be well rested going into that final game, who knows. The season ahs been a surprise. Terry and Co. did spend money this year, some last year. The results haven't been brilliant on the most part, but we can't fault him for doing so and we still got some life in those guys, too, who will play and pay no matter what they do for at least another season. Again, we seem to have depth. No one is really playing All-Star-like, which is why we didn't get guys voted to the team except by default (except Perkins). We could have a rotation of five guys with 10-12 wins...no 18-20 winner, which is pretty amazing, considering the bullpen. The tell, no cheap tickets for most Twins games. It is a watershed moment for the business office where they control the full-price cashin on at least half the tickets available for the game. It is a year in which NOT selling a lot of season tickets is actually helping the team's bottom line.

I think the Twins will be doing some revaluting on long-term pitcher contracts. Right now, they should be more than happy to move, say, Nolasco or even Santana if the price wsa right. They have some arms in the system and you can always sign a first-rung pitcher, but then you are stuck with them. Not sure if I would give up the future for Hamels. I would rather see May in the rotation and still have faith that Meyer will develop into at least a closer candidate, if nothing else. The Twns are sitting on some 30 potential pitching pospects, half of them starters (who could also be relief pitchers). Going into next season alone, none could crack the rotation, although Berrios will be getting a long look. Hughes, May and Gibson are showing themselves as solid guys and could increase their own value as trade chips. Unless the Twins offense becomes really tight, the investment in trading prospects (which, yes, the TwinsHAVE to do at some point becuase they can't keep/protect them all) is a given. The Twins have a lot of players that won't bring value. They have a lot of prospects that MAY have value, but on the whole, many teams are just going to wait and see how the Twins handle these guys and pick them up in Rule 5 or waiver or minor league free agent situations. A lot of good players are a team's 25th or 41st player.

Use Trevor May for those cheap win pickups, if you can. And there is no need to push your pitchers if you have a fine bullpen. Wait, the Twins don't have a fine bullpen.

17 starters and 13 relievers. If half the starters start or stay relievers, that's astill a lot of pitching coming up, considering the contracts of Hughes/Santana/Nolasco and the continued control of of Gibson and May, just for starters. And that's not counting any also-rans who could still be in the mix next year (Pryor, Oliveros, Darnell, Achter, Tonkin, Pat Dean?,. Truly makes you wonder WHY they signed Scott Atchison.

For immediate options, it isn't all that bad, especially if you take starters and put them in the bullpen (Rogers, Duffy). Remember, the Twins are still one up with May now in the bullpen. Looks like Nolasco won't be back. But until they figure out Pelfrey, the Twins at least have solid starting depth. I would like to think that Duffy (and perhaps Rogers) would be above any of the 5th starters we trotted out in the past. But, who knows. The Twins have to make a decision of Fieb. Is he the next Jared Burton? Can he bring up his worth jsut a tad and be someone someone would trade a low-level prospect. I'm just not comfortable with him in the setup role. Boyer is doing okay. I'm not sure the longterm, but for now, plesaed with him. As well as Pressly and Graham in the backend either pitching long innings or doing mop-up work. So, ultimately, it comes down to three pitchers on the bubble. Fien (who somehow works mroe often than not), Boyer (who ash been a surprise, but they will catch up to him) and Duensing (who s finally pitching, but is still just a fraction of whatever he was. Do we have guys thatcan replace these guys and give us speed, groundballs, whatever on demand? Oliveros is always the most intriguing. I'm not sure what's up with him. He's really really good, or just has a bad moment...which most pitchers do. But will he tell you if he's not quite up to the task? I would give Achter a try. Ultimately, would like to see Meyer step up and laim a palce in the bullpen, using it as a stepping stone to get back on the starter track. Yes, there are more names: Zach Jones, who just had a couple of bad outings but still dominates. Of course we have Reed and Burdi, who were expected to dominate, but still need work. Chargois and Hildenberger are names to watch right now. The Twins could always make a 40-man spot by designating Jason Wheeler for assignment, which might be easier NOW since they sent him back. And Noalsco COULD go on the 60-day DL...he's already been on it for a couple of those weeks, thus freeing another 40-man spot. The Twins also have to make a decision on Darnell (not to mention ultimate decisions on roster spots of Thielbar and Thompson). At some point, is Shane Robinson the odd-man out in the outfield. What do you do about Santana/Nunez/Escobar, especially with Polancoi n the wings. So finding a 40-man spot isn;t all that difficult (remove a starter in trade, disable a starter longterm, designate one-or-two minor league guys off the roster, release one or two position players). Great analysis, Seth. You never know how/where someone like O'Rourke will materialize. Now if someone ahd remained smart about Gilmartin? Or even Guerra?

The only reason to start Pelfrey is to build up his value. Yet, if he has no value beyond this year with the Twins, getting something, anything for him woiuld be better than having him prevent someone,say May, from starting. At this point, he is not a necessity in the rotation. And what happens when Nolasco needs to come abck and pitch because of his salary. The Twins need to think hard about anyone WHO WILL NOT BE WITH THE TEAM IN 2016 and what they actually contribute to the team and their chances for winning this year during the all-star break. Pelfrey isn't a necessity. If Noalsco can continue to win (if he pitches again this year) you can always send him thru waivers and if some team wants him abd enough, elt him go. Blow apart the bullpen. You can't rely on some guys in a pressure situation. Yes, they MAY perform, but we have to look beyound the maybees. We can always find a maybee and let's give some of those other guys a chance (Oliveros, Achter and even Darnel, let alone Rogers and, now that he had a taste of major leage money, meals and travel, Alex Meyer. )

Vargas is still a prospect. But ALL these youngsters have to sort it out themselves. There are a lot to choose from and if you falter, someone COULD take you place. I am surprised he isn't returning to Rochester,to at least be the regular first baseman iof nothing else. But, I still don't know WHY the Twins are one reliever to the plus, and why we still have Duensing and Thompson on the rosterand not playing mroe musical chairs and at least looking at Achter and even adding Oliveros to the 40-man (Bernier still holds a 40-man spot). Be interesting to see why goes: Pelfrey or May. Or is Milone still the odd guy out?

Sometimes they don't even try to win. What a lineup!

They have to make a s[pot for Ervin. They have no third baseman OR first baseman at Rochester right The Twins don't have a centerfielder. now.

AA still have guys relying on their natural gifts, and if they have achieved AA their chances of making it to the majors are ... well getting better and better. SO many stall in the lower A's. If they can't cut it at AA, then go backwards. AAA has guys that rely a bit more on tricks and guts and hope to get back into the majors. The pitchers may actually throw 3-4 different pitches. You might have better travel, food, bigger crowds. The coaches may be more seasoned. You have to remember that as a player advances thru the different levels, they play primarily with guys their own ages in A ball and below. You see many college draftees starting at High-A, or even AA now. But it is the age factor. Playing with guys at the same skill set level. You egt a few older guys at AA, but the majority of the fellows playing MAY have a good chance of making the step towards the majors. AAA are guys who can't quite stay there, but are trying ahrd to keep their jobs and dreams alive as the youngsters come up behind them. As for the Twins, Rochester has Rogers, Dean and Peavy there now, Berros repalcing Wheeler, and Duffy showing signs of promise. They have Achter and Tonkin closing games, buck Zach Jones is at Chattanooga. There is no first baseman. Michael is at second with the Lookouts and should repalce Beresford or Martinez. Palenco is at shortstop and should repalce Berrier. Sano is at third and should replace Wheeler, who should be playing first rather than Hanson. Arcia is in the outfield, but Harrison is at Chattanooga. There is noc enterfielder, unless you call Eric Farris the guy. Kepler should advance. Walker should be taking the palce of Rodriguez or Ramirez. We already have Ortiz at Rochester who can DH with Arcia. Catching is the problem. Turner is not shoiwg much at Chattanooga, but let's advance him anyways. Paulino and Fryer are at Rochester. If we have a catching or casuality at 1st base, we are stuck with Herrmann or Vargas! The Twins have signed a lot of guys. There could be movement with many AAA guys getting the pink slip, if everyone can suddenly egt healthy. Oh there;s also WImmers showing some life and Bazxendale, but picture them staying all season at AA. Cole Johnson has alraedy gone to Rochester. Chargolis could also advance another step. Sadly, Reed and Burdi and kinda stuck for the season. See them remaining off the 40-man into next season, for now.

May to Rochester to continue to start. Putting him in the bullpen wou;d be great, but we already have one arm too many there. Speaking of the bullpen, what can be done. It needs something. Maybe Meyer will be a gem (remember, we still have one arm too many). Unless we go with Oliveros, most of the other prospects are soft0tossing alsorans (Darnell, Achter, Thielbar). If you can option out Thompson, would. Duensing's time has come and gone. He might be able to pick up with another team. Milone is a lefty and has some value. But not sure if he is that pitcher (as well as Pelfrey) that a team NEEDS to trade for to put them over the hump for contention. But if you can get some aprt/s to help the club not just this year but down the road, do it. Both or either. I like the starting prospects a lot mroe in the minors...from Rogers to Dean to Berrios to Duffy than any we have trotted out in the past).

Negative first. Last year, the Twins held a pretty decent offense for a last place team. Sure, they failed to advance runners or have the clutch hitting, things which they have done more so this year. Expected this area to be a plus. It is, because theya re getting those runenrs advanced and home somehow, considering the lack of base-running skills, lots of strikeouts, not reallly drawing walks. Go figure. The plus: The rotation. Thought the Twins might have a chance to be a .500 team if their starters would consistently pitch into the sixth inning. They have done that and more. No one starter is running way with a great won-loss percentage except for Nolasco (go figure) and we stil sit on the edge of our seat for every game as the Twins have no guy who has a good chance of stopping cold a losing streak (will Santana be that guy, or is Hughes on a turnabout). Negative: The young guys. Santana and Vargas shined. We hoped Arcia would improve. Arcia did kinda improve, bt there seems to be some adjustments which he is getting tomkae at AAA. Wondering if Vargas needs more of the same. Hicks ahs improved, but not that much. Santana has to play shortstop. Wonder if we switched him to center again for two weeks and see if that is where he wants to play (and thus causing a longjam). We have yet to see Pinto again. Rosario has been a pleasant surprise. Gibson and May are showing that they will be anchors in the middle of the rotation for the next few years. Negative: Bullpen. We go almost a week without getting Perkins in a game. Names like Boyer and Thompson get heavy use. Fien is solid, and lackluster arms of Pressly and Graham are doing their best. But we have ahd some real clinkers and it is scary when the call goes to the bullpen. So manya rms to choose from, but so little faith! Management: Whatever we do when we sit in our armchairs and rpetend to know how to general manage a team, one realizes that it is a tough job. Kudos to Terry Ryan. He is still old school, but there does seem to be a plan. Paul Molitor seems to be doing a solid job as being a manager. Working his butt off to run a professional team. And his crew seems to be dojg their homewrok and trying to work with the players as mucha s possible. They must be doing something right as no one expected the Twins to be above .500 at mid-season.

I don't think he'll stick. It will be between Him and May for a bullpen slot when Santana returns (May may go abck to Rochester just to keep throwing innings). Meyer has to prove that he is ore than a back-of-the-bullpen backstop. He's getting a taste. But picture him, too, back at Rochester as the Twins add another bat.

He is one of those borderline cases that might make it after-the-fact. But even though his overall numbers are solid, his major shining light was his gold glove work in centerfield. But not enough to push him past bigger and more popular names. Twins Hall of Fame, yes. I do see him playing at least one more year, although sometimes as you keep stretching your career out, it can hurt, too.

Now wait. Here is the opportunity to move Rosario to center and bring Arcia back up. Or perhaps give Kepler a look for two weeks. We don't need Danny Santana being centerfielder by default. Especially if he performs really well. Think of the problems that will cause!

The joys of being on the 40-man already. What, he leapfrogs Achter, Darnell and Wheeler for now. Otehr guys would have to be added by taking someone off (which can/should happen, yes) but once you add someone to the 40-man, you want to hope they will stay there and contribute as you want. Sure, they can waive Bernier, someone might claim him, actually, plus he is in limbo for 10 days or so. So these decisions are major. Meyer is staying on the 40-man for sure, so he may come up and go back down, but we aren't repalcing him with any name except someone coming back like Nolasco or Santana. Reality, we are still one pitcher to the plus side, plus we have to find space for two returning starters. So three current pitchers are changing jobs for sure, and someone will eventually come up to bat from the minors.

There isnothing wrong with coming up fora spell. He can be the long man. Remember, someone named Santana was in the bullpen. Let's hope he isn't just a weakness. We already have Graham who is shining better than most Rule 5 back-of-the-bullpen guys. But have to say are still on the bubble withDuensing and Thompson for now. If he can throw heat!

It's a contract year. 'Nuff said. He produces he gets a BIG multi-year contract. Otherwise, he's one of those mid-level signings.