rdehring

Hopefully this will end up being a positive for Sano. My main concern was related to the visa implications should he have been charged, and convicted, of a crime. This report indicates that isn't likely. Now, will this be the scare that will maybe shock him into changing his lifestyle. I am not talking so much about what he does for entertainment. Rather, about the work he puts into training and losing weight this off season. Spring training is only about four months away. I have spent my life trying to lose weight and know how much, or little, can be done in four months. If he reports to spring training weighing 255-265 pounds I will have my answer. If he shows up at 285 or 290, I will also have my answer.

Yes, Yes, and Yes. Yes, they have a need for at least four top relievers if they are going to make a run. Yes, they have only two on the current staff...but they do have two. And yes, this was an excellent article, thanks Nick. I don't understand why none of all the many relievers spending time at Rochester last year did anything. Please Lord, give us just one good arm out of that group. And no, I do not want it to be Thorpe. He is our next ACE. As for actual solutions, I am not going to speculate. That's way beyond my pay grade.

Interesting question if he is found guilty, or pleads, to a crime. Assuming this is all behind him by March, he still needs a visa every year. Will he get it if he has a criminal record? Several days, or weeks ago I made a comment here about my hope that the Twins would get lucky and one of the two, Buxton and Sano, would put it together and be the player they can be in 2019...or something to that extent. Sure is beginning to look like all that weight is gonna be on Buxton's shoulders as he may be the only one available to play come opening day.

Thanks for acknowledging how good this young man is. It is just plain fun watching him out there every day. Looking forward to the FO getting his signature on a long-term deal this winter because he is the type of player you can build around.

Thanks, Seth. Looking forward to Tuesday. Are you going down this year?

Berrios was a good choice. Had you selected Gibson, that would also have been a good choice. Both had very good seasons. Expect Berrios to take another step next year...becoming a true ACE. Those who commented above are probably right and if he has 4 years control remaining signing long-term can wait a year. Is he arbitration eligible next year? If not, the Twins should reward him with more than what they could cram down his throat. If I were in the FO, I would sign Gibby to 3-4 years. That gives them 2 front line starters to build around. Add Romero, Thorpe and Graterol over the next year or year and a half and they should have the best starting rotation in a long time, one that you just might be able to win with.

Thanks, Seth. When reading this I kept thinking of two things. First, this kid sounds like he could have a chance of making it, a real chance. And second, we got this good prospect and De Jong for Zack Duke? That appears to me to be an excellent return, perhaps more than one would expect.

Wouldn't signing Escobar be a perfect answer to the question you raised? If Sano needs to be on the bench half or two-thirds of the time, EE could step in at third as he did this past summer. Adrianza at second or short isn't ideal, but also not a total void in the lineup. So their goal during the off season should be to have someone at Rochester ready to move into a utility role should Adrianza be needed as a starter.

What an excellent year for Garver. Who would have thought the day Castro was injured that catcher wouldn't be a concern for the Twins this off season? The biggest question for next year is what should the split of playing time be between Garver, Castro (assuming he is healthy), and Astudillo?

I also think your estimate for Mighty Mouse is a tad high, but who knows. In any case, he would be my first call. Like 2018, the Twins are a little hog tied in that they have to plan on Sano filling a full time role...probably at third. If he fails to produce like this year, getting someone like Escobar to shift to 3B with Adrianza stepping in at second/short is about the best they can hope for. Lets not be to surprised if they bring LoMo back. None of us know the extent of the injuries he played thru this year. Do they pay the $1mm and release him, hoping to sign him for less than $7mm? But if they believe: 1) the injuries this past year were serious; 2) he is now healthy; and 3) he was a good fit in the clubhouse, I can see them exercising their option...iff they are certain Mauer is retiring. And isn't that the problem, they probably won't know about Mauer before they have to cut bait on LoMo.

Thanks for the great work, Tom, it is appreciated. And what a day for Mauer? Will be shocked if he ever plays again after yesterday. Missed the first part of the game watching the Pack play the Bills. But several things really hit me yesterday. First, pencil Trevor May in as next year's closer. A converted starter with four pitches, does that remind anyone else of Joe Nathan? And Astudillo reminds me a bit of Kirby Puckett. Similar fireplug body with an outgoing personality. He really is a solid catcher who can play second base, third base and left field. May not be great defensively at those positions, but doesn't look all that bad either. And what an interesting batting style...that works! What a pleasant surprise that Lewis Thorpe was named the minor league pitcher of the year. I have been a big fan of his since he turned 17 and am among the few who believes he has ACE potential. Hopefully, he is at Target Field by early summer. I see that Max Kepler has gotten a lot ill will here of late. I believe Bert mentioned yesterday that he has only 1 error this year. I have seen him hit lots of line drives that were outs, which may be tied to what some of you refer to as a low BABIP. Another 50 points on his BABIP would be what, 25 hits a year (1 a week). That's another 40-50 points on his batting average. Hitting .275 with good strike out and walk rates, 20 home runs, 30 doubles, great defense in right field, solid in center, and enough speed to be a good base runner. That's someone who is on the verge of being an all star, not someone that should be cut or a 4th outfielder...at least in my opinion. I recall the Twins have done well the last couple of odd years and bad in even years. Heck, '87 and '91 were also odd years. Well, next year is 2019...could lightening strike again?

Have thought for some time they need to extend Berrios, Gibson and Rosario. There is another name that should be added to that, one we never talk about...Rogers. Read something in this morning's Strib. Could Castro, Astudillo, Garver and Austin share catcher and first base next year? Interesting, might mean they aren't in the market for anyone at those two positions in the off season. Add no need to add any outfielders and their winter's work/decisions can be focused on middle infield, third base, #4 spot in the starting rotation and the bullpen.

What a fun day to watch baseball. A great 2-1 pitchers duel followed by the home team blowing out an opponent. OK, it was the White Sox. But it still was fun to watch. Hasn't it been interesting watching these four young starters, Stewart, Gonsalves, Littel, and De Jung, get valuable experience. I see those four together with Mejia, Slegers and Romero battling it out for the #5 spot in the rotation next spring. Or two spots should Pineda not be what they expect. That situation tells me I will be surprised if the Twins go out and get any starting pitching this winter, unless they complete a trade to upgrade another starter. They should also have Thorpe by late summer and Graterol sometime in 2020. Not a lot of work left for the starting rotation and that is good so they can focus on the bullpen.

These last few games, Berrios has been reminding us what he can be. Don't know what caused the late summer bump? Maybe all the hype surrounding the all-star game. Or was it the stress from a couple complete games? I really believe he can take that last step to become a legitimate ACE, one of the best half dozen starters in the game. Now will he do it next year or will we have to wait longer?

If this is it, thank you Joe. And thanks Ted for a well written summary of a wonderful career. Will always remember that Saturday morning so long ago when Cretin was playing Minnetonka in St. Paul. Spent it with a good friend and Terry Ryan, watching the game and talking baseball. Can still see the line drive he put on the street beyond center field.

Thanks, Seth. Sounds like the Twins may have found a diamond in the rough. And his first year of development went about as good as anyone could have hoped for. Well, almost as it would have been better had he played another four or five games in September. Curious if he got to know Larnach while in Omaha?

I want to see Odorizzi used as part of a big trade to get that top young starter, Doc. Include he along with one of the four young starters currently getting experience. Toss in a good upper level prospect and get someone that can be a big part of the staff for many years.

Good to see Stewart get thru a game with no walks. Was watching on a second tv while catching the opening episodes of all the NCIS programs, saw he was close to walks a few times but didn't put them on. And even though this is another game against Detroit, he should be putting himself into position to battle for that #5 spot in spring. Wouldn't be surprised if he begins the season at Rochester. Or maybe he has impressed enough to be part of a package for a very good young starter who battles for the #2 spot in the rotation.

What a fine young man, both on the hill and off the field. Thanks for all you do, Tyler!

Many years ago my son and I were at Twins spring training. Went to two games. We saw Kirby Puckett play during the first game. The next day he was in the lineup, then shortly before the game he was scratched. Little did anyone know that one of the greatest and most likeable Twins of all time would never again step on the field. Is Sunday Joe's last game?

Count me among those who want to see Joe back for another year. Hopefully, if he does decide this is it, he lets management know by the end of the World Series so they can plan accordingly for 2019. Whatever happens, I will be joining Seth and others watching this week of baseball and Joe. Hopefully, the Twins close it out with a couple series wins!

Your post, Nick, raises many questions. The above comment from mlhouse points out how really ugly the recent past draft decisions have been. I have been as down on Stewart as anyone the past few years. After an ugly first couple games, he is showing some promise that he could develop into a solid middle of the rotation starter (#3-#4). Spring will determine where he starts 2019. It will likely be back at Rochester, but that's ok. I am fearful that Tyler Jay will be out of the organization come December. The Twins most likely won't add him to the 40-man and some team may take a flyer on him. Although he has shown little to encourage us, watch him become a shut down late inning reliever for someone else a few years down the road...or not. Is it possible the Twins Daily staff could have reviewed public scouting information and drafted better than the Twins from 2011 thru 2015?

No question in my mind that Gibson should be one of three players extended this winter. He, along with Rosario and Berrios, can be the core of the team for the next 4+ years. I also like what they are doing with Petit. AAA clubs have become a combination of prospects and prospects who have become AAAA type players. AAA teams also need other team's minor league free agents to both build depth and to put the best product on the field for the minor league fans. Guys like Petit are good examples of this third group. I don't know what he makes while at Rochester, but adding him to the 40-man and calling him up for September gives him nearly another $100k. As long as 40-man spots can be created, great way to make him happy to resign with the club for next year after being waived off the 40-man in October.

The above comments got me thinking about the middle infield. Do they need to get a second baseman? Maybe the best move is to move Polanco to second and pencil Adrianza in as the shortstop. Although we haven't seen him there a lot, he is supposed to be a defensive first shortstop. And he has hit better than expected. That would mean they could go out and sign a utility guy who plays good defense at both spots. Although none of us knows if Gordon will make it, they would have Gordon and Arraez knocking on the door from AAA. Then they have Lewis, who could arrive as soon as next September, penciled in as the starting shortstop beginning in 2020.

I am finding that I enjoy this series of articles very much, Seth. Thanks. This one also made me think about Cedar Rapids, the community. It really is a great place. Although I will always be a Badger State guy, what an upgrade for the organization when they moved from Beloit to Cedar Rapids. And Banuelos winning this award really reminds us how small this world is. Those ties are amazing.