I think Kepler should be moved into the 2 hole...he takes some pretty quality ABs and sees a lot of pitches...BB% is decent too. Then just shift everyone else down one. Although, I think Buck is your starting CF over Cave.

Planco

Kepler

Rosario

Cron

Sano

Austin

Schoop

Castro

Buxton

Hopefully Buxton and Sano are healthy and honed for the 2019 season. they will be starting. Cave and Austin will be on the bench – if on the team at all (maybe Austin). 

We need an on-base hitter, with some power. I actually think this is a higher priority than pitching, although we need some of that too. Nelson Cruz would be my first choice, but that might not happen. The Twins' brass seems willing to wait out free agents, hoping the same thing happens in ealry 2019 that happened in early 2018, with the prices for free agents falling. Lance Lynn signed a one year $12 million deal with the Twins then; now he's signed a 3 year, $30 million deal with Texas.

I also hope our other 'long shots' Schoop and Torreyes pay off.

I think Kepler should be moved into the 2 hole...he takes some pretty quality ABs and sees a lot of pitches...BB% is decent too. Then just shift everyone else down one. Although, I think Buck is your starting CF over Cave. Planco Kepler Rosario Cron Sano Austin Schoop Castro Buxton

I thought about putting Buxton in starting, but I am not sure of the teams approach and his need to earn his spot back.  He makes them better fielding, Cave makes them better hitting. 

I am not an expert at the analytical data, but wouldn't fielding be included in the WAR number already, so this would then sort of doubling up on the fielding end of things, which weren't impressive to start with.

I am not an expert at the analytical data, but wouldn't fielding be included in the WAR number already, so this would then sort of doubling up on the fielding end of things, which weren't impressive to start with.

Yes it is included in WAR, but I want to make sure we recognize that we have a problem that is more than batting.  We need to have better gloves too if our pitchers are going to have a chance. 

Your total of 16+ War is based on Sano and Buxton having the worst year anyone could have thought of.  Improvement from those 2, plus improvement from the rest of the team could easily bring us to at least 24 and quite possibly much higher.  

This is the SSS that everyone talks about.  Last year was the perfect storm, if you assume this number is the skill level, then your base point should be a total cleanout of the Twins office and a start over from scratch.  This would be almost unheard of in baseball. (I mean firing the FO, most of the analytical department, about 1/2 the scouts and almost all of the minor league managers and coaches for not knowing their jobs). 

Your total of 16+ War is based on Sano and Buxton having the worst year anyone could have thought of.  Improvement from those 2, plus improvement from the rest of the team could easily bring us to at least 24 and quite possibly much higher.  

This is the SSS that everyone talks about.  Last year was the perfect storm, if you assume this number is the skill level, then your base point should be a total cleanout of the Twins office and a start over from scratch.  This would be almost unheard of in baseball. (I mean firing the FO, most of the analytical department, about 1/2 the scouts and almost all of the minor league managers and coaches for not knowing their jobs). 

I merely added all their WAR scores and gave you the total.  I am not predicting.  Then you have the Baseball Reference projections - I do not know how much WAR that would earn, but it is not outstanding.  Unless we get everyone really on top of their game we are a 500 team.  I cannot predict a breakout from Sano, I can only wish it would happen.  He now has a track record that is not very good.