Rosterman

Good overall comments. Yes, both can weather another season in the minors if need be. Interesting that the Twins brought up Manship instead of Hendriks. Be interesting to see who the Twins call up in September to olster an overworked bullpen - Oliveros, Waldrop and Guerra...and now Hendriks and Hernandez. That's it, unless they rid themselves of Blackburn, Pavano and Capps somehow. I;'m not sure if P.J. Walters will be back or stay on the 40-man once the season ends. Who else could the Twins conceivably add for a looksee if roster spots open? Escobar is a stopgap backup...but has youth going for him. I mean, we want Holliman, Florimon, Dinkelman, Chang, or Roof as a back-up infielder instead, assuming the Twins part with Janey Carroll (I bet that still happens in the next few days) and don't resign Casilla.

Man, we could've traded Liriano to the O's for Lew Ford, Pat Neshek, Steve Tolleson and a low-level starting pitcher...I bet!

Well, not sure who else they could've added since the 40-man roster is now overflowing. I still have hopes that Slama will get a chance (but needs to be added).

Liriano is a rental, period. So who cares that he was traded to the Sox. Now the Twins have to prove that they can hit him. Someone compared it to getting Tolbert and Manship. Except the pitcher is a lefty and both are 23. Both can go back-and-forth to the minors for a few more years. Both probably means the Twins will say goodbye to Florimon and Bromberg this winter (which may not be all that bad). The Twins can offer Liriano a free agent contract and see what people are willing to overpay. Of course, if he goes 10-1 with the Sox, the Twins won't be signing him. Somehow, Liriano trade actually improves the Sox rotation. It suddenly makes me realize that Span really isn't all the worthy of a great return. Think about it.

Too bad we couldn't have packaged Toshi with Liriano, and offered to take Crain back!

Well. Pedro could turn into the current equivalent of Frankie. Is that so bad? The question is that by getting two AAA guys, do the Twins basically pass on Florimon and Bromberg, as two examples, to add on the 40-man roster. Equivalent players from your own system...well, maybe a tad older. Yes, looking at this addition, I can see Pedro coming p in September and being given every chance next year to be in the rotation. Does Escobar basically replace Alexi. But what is the upside there...fielding? speed? OBP? youth? He has two years to stay with the Twins. Again, worrying about the 40-man. It will be interesting to see who doesn't make, becomes minors free agents and all.

Sadly both have to be added to the 40-man roster and stay on the 40-man roster. And one needs to contribute in the next two years, the other the next three. So we trade Frankie for two players that we have to immediately protect, but may not be as needed as others already in our system that may need protection. Go figure.

I don't harbor ill-will about waiting out Plouffe. It was a thumb injury. Just needed to see how long before he could field/throw or swing a bat consistently. If it had made a difference, he could've pinch-hit in the Chicago series. But now the decision is to give hum some additional time and, hell, let's take another look at Valencia. He is on payroll major league $$$$.

Arcia could get a look. The Twins might bite on Hicks. But anyone else...no, not if they aren't 40-man roster qualified at tis point. No use starting the clock on anyone before you need to, just for an early looksee. Arcia needs to make the team in 4 years...so he's an advance looker.

Yesterday Corey in the booth said there were 15 scouts in the stands...watching whom. I would not take Looney...Parmaleee should be able to replicate that offense line. Right now, the Twins would be better served with a salary dump and building for 2014...assuming you play to lose this year and spend another $20 million on draftees, supplementing your minor leagues with some prospects obtained this year. And IF the Twins can play halfway servicable ball and keep attendance above 30,000 (can they?)...keep whatever savings you have in salary to gamble PLEASE down the line. Sadly, in baseball, when teams underspend one year, they don't overspend in another year.

I think we should give them the Japanese guy!

Hey, Twins did manage to grab Eric Hurley, former Ranger and Angel, as a a free agent signee.

carson would be the perfect 4th outfielder for the stretch, letting the Twins look more at Mastro. Plus, he'd fill a 40-man spot that could be jettisoned in the fall. Tosoni and Benson will both stick with New Britain as they head for the playoffs, probably. All three will start with Rochester next year...with Tosoni possibly coming off the 40-man roster.

I suspect that, assuming he is about ready to begin rehab in spring training and has thrown some (he may not sign until February), Scott could get $3-5 million with a modest buyout ($250,000) and an option for 2014 in the $7-10 range. If he shows any signs of coming back mid-season, a team will take a much higher than $1 million gambit on him. Or he may pull a Roy Oswalt and not sign until he can actually show soemthing. But, again, someone will take a 2-year gamble on him that might surpass $10 million.

I think the Twins have to consider if they wish to 40-man Bigley or not, which is why he is AAA bound for a month.

You have to worry about climate, and other things that may compete for sales and funds. A teams are best is small towns. AA in midsized markets (think Rochester, Duluth, Mankato, Fargo locally). But you always have weather issues...everywhere. AAA teams are those that draw from a regional or state base...Las Vegas, Rochester (upstate NY), Des Moines (Iowa proper)...

Rosters decisions is another whole ball of wax. Decisions are made on need, player development, service time, and the supposed future of any and all players to the organization. Like this year, why give service time to non-40 man roster guys earlier than necessary. Right now, it would only contribute to a slight rise (if any) in the standings. Yes, rise up out of merit, but if there is nothing but a bench spot and you would be betetr served playing everyday or pitching every fifth day, why come up. You always have role players in this and most any other sport.

Just keep in mind that Span isn't the only choice for a team out there. Like Liriano isn't the only starter. And one could argue if both are the best.....

You have to keep a certain number of AAAA talent on the 40-man roster before season's end to remove come the winter meetings if you add opther players. You can't remove any added 40-man roster guys until spring training, I believe, if theya re added during the offseason (i.e. last year Floriman and Vasquez were examples). Thus, assuming the Twins do trade 1-2-3 players, the bigger question is who is added from the OTHER names that would really benefit from sitting up here in Spetember. The only name I can think of is Aaron Hicks, and that is if Span gets traded. Otherwise, do see Hendriks, Manship, Oliveros, Waldrop and Huerra all coming to the Twins, giving the bullpen a big rest. Toshi and Valencia will be up as the spare infielders, if not jettisoned during August for a lesser prospect. I'[m sure of Tosoni and/or Benson will come up. Depends on how stingy the Twins may be on room and board on the road. I actually picture Arcia being called up, just for the experience. But anyone disappearing before season's end? Gray, who everyone hates, it seems. Will Deduno hang in there until September. Off season decisions will be made on DeVries, Swarzak and Manship, for sure. Should the Twins add Rivera or Towles as a 4th catcher, or jump those guys with Hermann, who will be added in the off-season anyways. Sadly, Slama's days with the Twins may be numbered. He found the worst time to suffer an injury again. And Bromberg will be a tough call come te off-season. Yes, in he real world I would take Slama over Manship, even Oliveros. Who does go this month: Liriano, Span, Valencia. Who goes in August: Pavano, Capps, Carroll. Do the Twins rid themselves of Morneau and/or Willingham. Suddenly some of those names above you don't want gone when you see who is coming up from the minors...this year.

Sometimes, trade speculation makes one feel unwanted, but you are actually wanted by someone else. And all this trade talk is just trade talk. I love fan talk about trades, but it is so often one-sided...how can we get the greatest stuff in the world for our unwanted used and boring junk. You may ride busses, make little money and such playing ball in the minors...but msot of the players have received some sort of bonus (many $100,000+) and in the real world...how much did you make as a 19-year-old, or 20, or 22, or 24...or at 26 when you were still living at home in the basement cause your supposed high-tech job went south. You get to eat, drink and play ball every day, all day. If you don't spend money, you don't need to make a lot. Frankie is wise not to say anything bad about the Twins. He will still need offers in his free agent search, wherever he is...and you don't want to burn bridges. And Morneau...it is a business. Can the Twins be better served without his 2013 salary? He could still have the option of coming back (remember Rick Aguilera). Loyalty is such a BIG word in the sport. We all saw how well it worked with Nathan (coming off 1 1/2 years of Twins salary for Tommy John recovery) and Michael Cuddyer (who played his entire career with the Twins organization). It is still a business. I feel you are worth X$$$ and you fel y$$$$$. The tough part about this business is health and such...as we saw the Twins horizon for trading players for anything took a hit with Capps and Pavano going down...now the Twins can best hope to shed just some of their salary, if need be. And Trenton isn't bad...within driving distance of so many major league ballparks, plus lots of minor league clubs. And what is with the Astros...shedding four players and getting 10 or something back in return. We have to look at this Astro July in 2-3 years to see if it panned out.

Lirano Capps (or gone in August) Pavano (maybe someone will claim him in August) Blackburn back in July (then put on waivers in August) Valencia on waivers but no claim Toshi on waivers but no claim Span Casilla on waivers ion August Carroll on waivers in August but no claim Gray sent down P.J. sent back Deduno sent back surpirse, Morneau is traded

Teams will deal from depth. If they have multiple prospects (i.e. the Twins supposed outfield glut) they will deal a higher quality prospect for a short-term gain. But if that prospect is a year, or maybe two, away from contributing and taking the place of a veteran or possible free agent, the team MAY not be willing to part with the player. You can also argue the desire to get a 40-man roster prospect (like the Twins did Humber) who needs to play and prove themselves almost immediately or be lost. You want prospects that have shown some growth thru A to AA, have something you need in the organization (power, fielding, right/left, control) but you won't necessarily be offered the top tier (remember we got Gomez, not the other guy, who is young, too, but didn't take off). But the Twins also have to deal with the thought of $$$ saved in mind, combined with own signability, and better to get something known than unknown in the long run.

I would like to see Parmelee and Mastro kinda in tandem with Parmelee also getting first base time. I actually think Morneau is a logical tradebait candidate right now. When September rolls around, I would love to see Hicks brought up and given a September showcase.

AA is pretty even competitvely for all the players. But still, you might be lucky if half the guys on New Brits roster this year, for example, get a major league inning of play. AAA is for guys on the cusp of being a major league regular, sharing roster space with guys who can come up and be that extra infielder, 4th outfielder, back of the line starter or emergency bullpen guy -- players who can hold their own briefly in the majors while the backups already in the majors move to more formidable roles...and the timing is usually short. You bring up Burroughs to sit on the bench, but keep Parmelee playing everyday, for example. You bring up Parmelee to play everyday if your first abseman goes down. If an outfielder goes down for say two weeks, you let Mastro play everyday and bring up a Carson or Wilkin to back him up. If the outfielder goes down for the rest of the season, then maybe you bring up Benson to see how he plays everyday until you can't stand it anymore. And you often get short-term great results from AAAA guys because they try so hard to remain in the majors, but eventually they peter out and become AAAA fodder again.

The tough part is the effect taking lumps could have on young guys. Liam Hendriks was glad to pitch in the majors, but his stats suck. Others can advance before-their-time and they will take lumps, but all could develop into first-line pitchers. You can have a starting staff of back-of-the-rotation starters, but it would be nice to have one big gun.