Rosterman

Well, if the Twins depart with Willingham, Morales, Correia, Suzucki, possibly Duensing, Swarzak, Burton, Guerrier. Maybe Florimon is cut loose. Maybe Fryer is let go, too. There's easily 8 40-man spots to fill. Do you fill them with AAA guys, possibles for 2015 (Gilmartin would be one) or the wildcard rookie (do you add a Buxton, Meyer, whatever this early...I mean you already have Kepler and Polanco flapping away in the minors who won't be here for at least two more seasons on any regular basis). And so many of the bides need to be evaluated for possible deep-sixing come November (Pino, Johnson, Deduno, Fuld, Herrmann, Nunez). I'm sure we will see Tinkin, Vargas, Pinto. I'm sure we won't see Hicks. I would like to see Rosario. It would be ncie of the Twins would give some at bats to Romero and Beresford to see where they fall within the system. Trevor May will make the grade as a bak of the bullpen guy. Pressly will also get called up. And be interesting to see what AAA guy is given a cup of coffee, Reynaldo Rodriguez, perhaps, or Chris Rahl. I doubt the Twins will waste anymore energy on Wilkin Ramirez, although he should be rewarded for resigning with them this season because he thought he might have a chance. Strange world, 40-man rosters. Who to give the major league experience and money to. If your team is dismal come September, who not have a 40-man clubhouse and see who plays how. Especially if you are in running for your 4th straight major losing season. Opps, Logan Darnell will be here, too. Pretty much anyone on the 40-man will be here. Lester Oliveros should egt a look. Deolis Guerra will have to be re-evaluated to see if it is worth while keeping him or letting him walk as a minor league free agent.

This is also going out on a limb, but come August with the hopes that Nolasco has pitched a few good games, run him out on the waiver wire and let him go if anyone bites, then sit back and after trading a third of the roster away, think about how you can resspend $40 million dollars on some offense with Hughes and Gibson anchoring your bullpen and Pelfrey taking up a spot in 2015, leaving two solid openings for the guys who deserve a shot for the future, and not just placeholders like Deduno, Johnson and Pino. If you can rid yourself of Nolasco, you have money for 3-5 offensive free agents, if you need. it. No need to overpay Suzucki, by the way. The Twins got him for a bargain. They can find another catcher of equal value to alternate with Pinto or hold down the fort next year (A.J. perhaps). Or maybe the Twins and Mauer WILL agree on his value behind-the-plate, rather than elsewhere, after this season. Oh, another trading chip is NUNEZ...people looking for infield backup. I hate to thought of another 90-loss season, but the promise of a high draftpick when you are going nowhere overshadows the need to TRY and play .500 ball with a club that is overmatched at times.

I forgot about Vargas. If Willingham and Morales goes, he is up. I don't see the team adding any REAL future prospects to the 40-ma Just people ike Rohlfing or Beresfrd getting a cup of coffee. Maybe Deolis Guerra.

My guess C Pinto 1B Mauer 2B Dozier SS Escobar 3B Plouffe RF Arcia CF Santana LF Parmelee DH Colabello BENCH Nunez, Fryer, Fuld, Herrmann SP Gibson Hughes Nolasco May Darnell BULLPEN Perkins Johnson Pino Tonkin Pressly Thielbar Deduno plus note that up to 8 of the above may not be needed for Twins 2015! Twins trading away alot of chips, especially Fien, who actually has value and do we want to chance that he becomes the next Burton? What becomes exciting in all of this is who the Twins add to the 40-man when they delete such names as Willingham, Suzucki, Morales, Correia, Dunesing, Swarzak, Burton, Guerrier. They are not going to add Sano and start his service time so soon after an injury. They won't add Hoffman, who is now in the Phillies organization. They might add back in folks like Aaron Thompson, Wilkin Ramirez, Chris Rahl, Doug Bernier...giving all a shot as a September call-up with little hopes of maintaining a roster spot come winter. The TWIS do not have to add ANY Meyers and such until the winter, truly, really. Why would they at this moment when the end of the season the Twins can see what Darnell, Johnson, Pino, Tonkin and such will bring to the team or if they bring any value. And, again, many of these 40-man add names, would become minor free agent if not extended. Yes, would love to see the Twins revert to rebuild mode if they stink come August end and give Buxton and Sano and Rosario and any otehr names at bats, or Berrios and Stewart innings, or maybe even give Kepler a taste so he knows what he has to play for i the next couple of years if he wants to stay a Twin. Of course, this assumes that most ALL the players the Twins cwould get in return are not 40-man men...yet!

No matter how highly we think of May or Meyer, they will possibly take some lumps in their major league debut. Might as well get it done and over with. We can patch in Johnson and Logan. Heck, why not advance Kohl Stewart and let him pitch and learn (ala Aaron Hicks). If anyone thinks the Twins pitching prospects will be lights out, think again...especially with the offensive that they currently have behind them. I'm almost thinking he Twins are thinking to promote players as a group, but really expect to see lumps if we throw five rookies in the lineup and three in the rotation in a six-month period. It seems the Twins hope for a .500 season is slowly diminishing. At least attendance took a jolt upwards this past month and might be able to sustain itself thru August, but picture empty stands and lots of cheap tickets again in September and good luck selling season tickets next year with no "All-Star" game to dangle.

Of course, the Twins tried to send him down by removing him from the 40-man roster, expecting no one else to grab him. So glad for him to make the All-Star team. Not that it will be a Minnesota crowd, but I hope the applause will be loud at the Game!

I would've traded Correia for the aging lefty the Yanks traded for McCarthy, too.

I don't see that as being a problem. Players in their final contract year or on a one-year contract expect to be traded and like being in a pennant race. They are playing for the next contract. If you traded Nolasco, let's say, that might be a bigger issue.

I don't know what to make of Arcia. More seasoning> Play Santana in center. Let Escobar handle short (he has batted dismal since he moved to third, what gives). I like the idea of Plouffe becoming the second-coming of Michel Cuddyer. Nunez is shosing some bat, let him play third. Fu;d is backup all the way. I also see Willingham and Correia getting traded for anything, maybe Suzuki, too. Parmelee who is playing hard than goes in lefgt?

In some ways, no brainer. You play Polancho AHEAD of Florimon for two days. See what he does. On Monday, Plouffe and Nunez come back (I would only activate one, pending the outcome of Pino's pitching performance) and move Escobar back to shortstop, where he must be more comfortable as he is hitting squat since moving to third. When you send Flory down, remove him from the 40-man so you CAN bring up Beresford or Bernier if the position arise again. If Pino falters, remove him from the 40-man because you can (except, yes, someone will claim him...hummm, maybe should've done that with Deduno BEFORE his last great relief outing). Anyways, FLorimon is nothing. Nothing. No one will claim him. You can always readd him at some point if you want. Or, if someone claims him...you have others!

It's such a tough call. The starters HAVE to improve from season's beginning. But what is causing the lapse in hitting. I say lineup construction overall. Should Dozier be batting second, or should it be Suzucki or Escobar. Who bats in front or behind each other to draw better pitches. What IS going on with Mauer?

It is just talk. The logistics would be a pain, and the Twins would basically be taking over the new Saints stadium. It would've fun for us fans, with enough levels of play between major and minor. What concerns me more is that we are building this stadium in St. Paul and sounds like the Saints aren't a longterm deal (or indy ball baseball). That is what is scary. What kinda team or baseball will be in this new stadium in the years too come.

The Twins sell pretty much no matter what. Willingham is not worth the extension, unless it is a SWEETHEART deal. Yes, it is nice to have an older DH who can play another position. But if the Twins can get something decent in return, and because he can play a position, he will be a candidate for trade. Correia you should be marketing right now and hope (pray) that he doesn't pull a string of bad starts. He is replaceable. Heck, if Nolesco starts to shine and you can get out from under his contract for a good prospect or two, I would do it, too. Suzuki is interesting. You need someone to catch, not just catch. The Twins would be doomed with Fryer and Pinto/Herrmann backing him up for the rest of the season. Yes, Pinto could be the future. Playing everyday behind-the-plate NOW is good for him and the Twins. Suzucki could be traded up thru August depending on who would lay a waiver claim on him and if a deal could be worked out. Again, don't see him in the plans for beyond this season. If you need another veteran catcher, you gop out and find one in 2015. The Twins have numerous bargaining chips in the bullpen. No one wants Burton, but who knows...package him with another player and maybe you get something. Duensing has no worth to the Twins as a short man, sorry. If he can pitch 2-3 innings consistently, then maybe he is worth next year's arbitration. But he has value right now as a lefty out of the pen and dangle him. Swarzak is not necessary long-term either. Will egt too expensive. Could be replaced by Pressley. Or maybe Deduno. Or possibly Pino. Thielbar still works and is under control (Duensing light). You have so many arms in the minors right now: Oliveros, Tonkin, Achter, Guerra, Iberra, Kris Johnson, Logan Darnell, just to name a few, that can rotate in and probably hold their own in relief. Heck, you can resign Albers next year! The Twins also have to address the need to keep Nunez, what to do about Florimon and Parmelee (Parmelee and Burton for someone, anyone). No one, I repeat no one, will bring stellar minor league guys (Top 10 from a team). You might be able to swing someone possibly going off the 40-man of another team (which is a risk...keep them or lose them). But all of this is pending if the Twins would be willing to give nams like Rosario, Romero, Vargas, even Kepler and Burton shots on the major league roster before the season ends, and if the Twins will settle for a 70 or so win season. Even in the hunt, like now, five games behind and five games under...they should sell and go with youth and play for the future. Unless Detroit totally collapses, the Twins aren't making the playoffs.

The 40-man roster is not a question. You can put Pelfrey on the 60-man. You can pas both Deduno and Florimon thru waivers and they should clear. In the wings you have Parmelee who could go thru waivers. Anyone you add has to have the ability to stay on the 40-man so you don't lose them, except perhaps Pino. If Pibno can succeed as a starter, you keep him around for the season so others develop. If he is okay, you can consider him a bullpen choice who can also start, which means you clear any of the fodder from the pne that includes Burton and Guerrier. If you do add Romero or Achter or Meyer, they have to stay on the 40-man. That is the biggest hurdle. Findng 40-man spots and rotating guys like Farris and Bernier and Ramirez and Rodriguez and Aaron Thompson thru is not the question. At least no one is mentioning Diamond yet!

Well, if they could eliminate offensive weaknesses and field the team they want, and I also often question Gardy's lineup construction. Santana has fallen nicely into the leadoff position for now. Arcia has come abck to earth. What gives here. Where do you really bat Dozier...5th, 7th? What is going on with Mauer. Suddenly the Twins have a leadoff batter, but not faring well in the #2 and #3 spots, with the #9 hitter hitting up a storm. What gives. The starting pitching hs to get consistent. The 5th spot in the rotation should now be a rotation to try out the future. Bring them up and send them down. Start with Pino. Follow with Johnson. Look at May. Open up a bullpen spot for Darnell orAchter or try out Aaron Thompson. You still have Tonkin and Oliveros and Guerra and Iberra in the wings.

Deduno designated Pino Up If Plouffe is out 30-days, let's designate Florimon and give a shot to Debinson Romero. Even if we lose Pedro, we still have Beresford and Bernier down there. Move Pelfrey to 60-day. Figure out what to do with Guerrier and Burton. Trade one and eat salary of other. Duensing is tradebait. There are relievers to promote. If Pino falters, you have My, Johnson and Darnell in the pipeline. If Correia has a good start or two, move him fast. I would seitch out Vargas for Parmelee now.

Okay, let's get creative/ Deduno would easily pass thru waivers and the twins could probably retain him, making a 40-man spot available. Florimon has no business being up here. It should be time to see Debinson Romero everyday at third, if even for a week. Florimon could be jettisoned now, too. His play has been dismal at AAA. drop Deduno and bring in Pino. You still have May in the mix and Kris Johnson if you desire to play musical starters. But if you can give innings to Deduno, you can give a tryout to Pino. Yes, move Pelrey to the 60-day list and hope Correia is gone by the time you need Mike.

Duensing has value right now. I would trade him for a decent chip. Wish could say the same for Swarzak, who had his best value ever this offseason. Burton just needs to be sent away. Guerrier will be Bartlett or Kubel, someone you give a chance to in September, but no business being on the roster. Deduno should be sent to the minors. He should be able to get thru and open up a 40-man spot. He IS NOT in the future plans, sorry. Thielbar is competent. The Twins could always call up Darnell or AAron Thompson. They have a host of others pitchers in the minors, too -- Oliveros anyone? The Twins did what we wanted, signed three free agent pitchers and then we all prayed that Correia would be an innings eater and produce enough to warrent a mid-season trade. So much money tied up in the rotation and many of us could be seen as clamoring "why" did we do this when you had prospects...was it that important ti field a .500 club this year, even though with the way the division looks, it could be 1987 all over again!

Right now, it doesn't matter where he plays. A team has to play a pro-rated amount of his contract only if he makes the majors. If he wants to play, Rochester would be just as good as the Long Island ducks, unless he can sign on with someone that might give him a callup at season's end. He has to thank the Twins for putting him on the field as well as in the lineup. He might be able to pull off a year in Asia if he wants to. But maybe should set his sights now on coaching instead. I always wondered what he would've been like if he didn't blow out both knees. He supposedly ahd great instincts on the bases.

I was amazed at how far Coomer had come, although I'm not sure how he'd work out on a day-to-day basis. Analysis gets set in their ways. Kelly and someone else alternating would be best. Laudner is developing some skills and is more suited to not being seen (compared to Smalley of the Great Hair). I picture that the Hall of Fame has placed more money-making opportunities on Blyleven to enjoy, signings, tournaments, appearances and such (and he donates money to a good cause, too).

Even though he is second in homers, if Suzuki can play near fulltime Pinto might be best getting regular time behind the plate (as well as working with future Twins starters May, Mere, Darnell et al) than sitting on the bench and maybe DHing. The question is, do we bring up Fryer just to sit, or is it Herrmann, who can do a little more, perhaps, in the field. Right now, forgive me, Pinto and Hicks would be best served in the minors.

We are having discussions along this line in the Twin Cities actor community...this article shares some similar concerns that ball players may have - http://minnesotaplaylist.com/magazine/article/acting-without-pay-one-woman-debate

Remember that most of these guys range in age from 17 to 22. This is their first real job. And if you put it into the context that they have spend their days playing high school and college ball and have a limited amount of time then to even hold a minimal parttime job. This is a summer job where you are paid survival wages to play ball ALL day. You don't have to spend 10 hours at the ballpark, but you can. You can workout, maybe eat on the club's dime, play catch, hit balls, talk baseball 24/7. With your pay you have to rent someplace to stay and put gas in your car if you choose to have round around Elizabethton TN, for example. But it is a summer job. Come September, you have choices of playing more ball (maybe for free or in a foreign country or maybe not for free) or doing something else. You do get paid a bit mroe as you go up the ladder, but IT IS TRAINING for te potential real thing. Ywa, maybe if everyone was paid 2-grand a month, or 3-grand, the lines would be so long. But the way ,major league abseball is pretty much setup, you have 1-2 years to prove that you have potential to MAYBE play in the bigs. Then you have to worry about a bad year or injury the next 3-6 years, and if you rise thru the system , maybe even get one of the coveted 40-man spots, you do make real money. It is my understanding that six-year free agents make considerably more if they are still playing AAA ball and get a minor league contract with a team. And there are so many places that produce players even more cheaply. The room and board of the domician league, the indy leagues where players play to get that $1,000 a month contract with the pros, the guys who play townball and show up at tryout camps, the players that do high school and college camps, the players that stay on for the fall instructional league, or play in the Arizona leagues. I love to see people make money, from those working on straight commission in so many industries (compared to an often higher hourly wage) to those that perform on street corners with a hat out, to daycare producers and home heath care attendents. You think guys lovel playing arena football or football in Italy, or basketball in Australia, or doing $25 wrestling gigs in small towns? In some ways, you are keeping the pay at the level that is keeping players from over spending and just focusing on the career and the dream. If there is an issue, I still wonder about giving guys such lavish bonus money. If someone gave me a million dollars at age 20 to continue to learn my craft...I would be set for life, if I succeed or fail. Even a hundred grand, even 50-grand to pursue my dreams for a couple of years. It doesn't matter then if I win or lose, I had a decent life doing what I love doing. It's a cutthroat biz. Think back to your high school years. How many guys and all sports made it anywhere on a college team sophmore or above. In college, any names from the sports teams of your 4-5 years there make it into the pro leagues. It's like the straight-A honors student going to college full of other similar students and then those students, the top of the great minds class, vying for a job against all the other top performers in their fields. You still have to pay dues, even if you are smart and bright, too. Some get recruited, some get internships, some start at the bottom or middle level. But we all have dreams and can be easily exploited because of that...but we go along with being exploited.

Not ALL draft picks walk around with a hundred grand check in their pocket. But those that sign for more than $20 grand can probably endure a couple of years in minor league hell. Also, out of the nearly 200 players that each team's minor league system holds, at least 1/4 of them are phased out every year and a good many don't advance beyond rookie ball, let alone A-ball (three years at the most out for the majority of players). I'm not totally sure that players are required to punch the clock at certain hours, and their days spent at the ballpark may be a combination of having a place to hang and time needed to train and get ready for work at the end of the day (similar to say theater artists who spend loads of time rehearsing and then the days shorten when you have actual performances -- you still have to prep and get ready, but your 8-10-12 (with breaks) rehearsals days are no more. Beyond major league ball, how many guys are performing in the indy leagues for even less monies. And you can't easily work a second job and play ball in the summer months. Just ain't happening. Plus it is probably cheaper overall to stay in a room with a host family than even rent a combined apartment with 3-4 other guys. Especially minor league ball where you need only temporary housing and maybe 30% of the players do change clubs during the season. Yes, it would be fine if they were paid more for better lodging and even food monies. I would hate to be a young guy with a wife and/or kids. But it is a dream. The longer you play in the minors, the more money you can make chasing that major league dollar. But, wow, Chris Colabello probably made more money in his short stint this season alone with the Twins than he did in his total decade in the Indy Leagues. Ask him if it was worth it in the end. I myself wanted to be an actor. Had to choose between the free (or my cost for living expenses) with the bigtime summer theatre, or a modestly paid gig (with room and board provided). One got me thru the summer easier. The other might have advanced a career faster. Football and basketball use the colleges more for development. Baseball and hockey do not. If baseball eliminated the first two years and paid their players to go to college, would it cost them more or less. But, yes, in the end agree that the players as a whole do need to be paid a comfortable wage to get sleep, eat well, and develop their skills. It shouldn't be a hardship. But that is what the up-front bonus money is for. Does the guy who gets a hundred grand and blows his knee or arm out in season one give any of the money back? Is major league baseball a non-profit venture that subsidizes ball teams. What do the rookie ball players actually get paid before their DSL/GCL seasons beginn Maybe every ballteam needs a corresponding hotel attached to it where players stay dorm style and eat like they would in a college environs.

My biggest issue since they left WCCO is the general baseball talk, both pre and post game, not to mention other things during the day. WCCO seemed to go above and beyond the needs of baseball to make Twins coverage part of their daily product. Then the Twins wanted teams to PAY them to broadcast besides keeping a good portion of the advertising revenue to boot. They may have increased their overall monies by selling the Twins to lots and lots of smaller markets (sure, I'm sure, ratings are down because of losing seasons). KSTP swooped in, but I got sick of their talking down to Twins fans and yes I didn't think they were Twins boosters, which seems to work against the fact that you are trying to get people to listen to broadcasts, let alone radio. Pohlads seem to think that the Twins listeners will cross over and make their regular music broadcast day bigger in the ratings. I have yet to figure out what they do actually play for music. I miss the days of a great pre-game show, a great post-game show, and Dark Star mumbling throughout the night about baseball and the Twins during the season. Plus, with WCCO, you could egt the signal from pretty much anywheres.