I don't disagree with the coin flip analogy at all. That said you could be short a few coins, since no pitchers were included. But, is it time for Falvine to dig up some of JP's coffee cans full of moldy cash? Despite the last paragraph your OP would indicate it is not. If, as opined all these guys are coin flips, exactly what would Jims money be spent on? And after you bought some expensive replacements, what does one do with their predecessor? Trading a "coin flip" will not bring a return, and one doesn't release players like this. I think, through no fault of their own, Falvine is stuck with an evaluation year, yet again. Injuries to Castro, Sano, and Buxton all bear individual tales of woe. They need a last chance? Replacements have been purchased at 1B and 2B. It would be foolish to trade Rosario for a poor half season, especially after keeping Dozier for 4 years. Rosario will end up being more consistent than Dozier in all likelihood. That leaves you upgrading right field with an offensive player over a defensive one. and if there is one thing MN does not need, it's one less glove. Someone in the OF is going to have to chase down all the ground balls that filter through that IF sieve!

yeah I'm not optimistic either. I do think you're being hard on Kepler.

I think the infield will be closer to average defensivly than you think.  Schoop is a quality defender and Polanco at SS and Cron a 1b are around average.  Sano is a little below, but not enough to say it is a black hole, like the Yankees with Adjuhar and a few others.  

I do feel like you this club is closer to feast or famine, that is not good, since most times with this lineup a quality starter will be able to shut them down.  We are all waiting for money to be spent, but do not think it will be this year.  

Rather than a coin flip I see a lot of young players with a chance to break out and a few guys that had either some injury issues or hopefully just a temporary letdown in there production with a chance to be corrected. But I think they need to find out who can step up before they start attempting to plug any holes. And I think we could perhaps see Tyler Austin in the OF if someone such as Cruz is signed to DH. Austin's bat could be a big factor against LHP, and set either Kepler or Rosario early in games.

I think there is a lot to be worked out as far as roles on the pitching staff. I don't look to see very many outside arms coming in. I think they are comfortable looking to see what they have.

I don't think its fair to say CJ Cron's .323 OBP was "pretty low."  MLB average was .318 in 2018.

yeah I'm not optimistic either. I do think you're being hard on Kepler.

You may be correct. I do still have faith in Kepler, I think he has plenty of talent. I'm just saying that it is important that he takes a step forward at the plate. His defense was much better in 2018, but he has been the same offensive player since 2016. 

I don't disagree with the coin flip analogy at all. That said you could be short a few coins, since no pitchers were included. But, is it time for Falvine to dig up some of JP's coffee cans full of moldy cash? Despite the last paragraph your OP would indicate it is not. If, as opined all these guys are coin flips, exactly what would Jims money be spent on? And after you bought some expensive replacements, what does one do with their predecessor? Trading a "coin flip" will not bring a return, and one doesn't release players like this. I think, through no fault of their own, Falvine is stuck with an evaluation year, yet again. Injuries to Castro, Sano, and Buxton all bear individual tales of woe. They need a last chance? Replacements have been purchased at 1B and 2B. It would be foolish to trade Rosario for a poor half season, especially after keeping Dozier for 4 years. Rosario will end up being more consistent than Dozier in all likelihood. That leaves you upgrading right field with an offensive player over a defensive one. and if there is one thing MN does not need, it's one less glove. Someone in the OF is going to have to chase down all the ground balls that filter through that IF sieve!

I agree with you. They are stick in limbo to some extent with the offense. However, adding Cron and Schoop just seems they are dumpster diving, and I think the division is too winnable for that. Ultimately, my opinion is meaningless and they know more than I do, but it's hard to look at these moves and not get the impression that they aren't trying to capitalize on a weak division, like they attempted to do last year.

Thanks for the post. I agree that a lot must go right for improvement at the plate, but hey, with the exception of Rosario and maybe one or two others, the bar isn't set very high right now. I also think the lineup will change with one or more additions before spring training. Buxton is 25. Look what the Yankees did for Hicks. Maybe the new staff will do likewise for Byron. Sano's allegedly getting and staying in shape over the winter, which should help him stay healthy. A breakthrough year for Kepler isn't unthinkable. My bigger worry without Mauer and Grossman is consistency and OBP. You need them on base to knock them in. If they can plate 5 or 6 runs, they can win some games with the pitching staff they'll have. I don't see them winning a lot of 2-1 games, though I prefer to be optimistic until proven otherwise.

Yes, we need a higher OBP guy who can hit and field. I think Falvey and co. will add that player in January. I like Nelson Cruz, but I suspect he will go elsewhere.

We do need a marque name to help promote the team. The unpredictability of this lineup - which is, I believe, the premise of this story – makes me want to get a really good player. The Twins have the pieces to move around - it could be a hitter who plays almost any position. Pieces can be moved. But I think the author is right in that Tyler Austin will be the odd man headed to the bench.

The other problem with this whole scenario is that one or two injuries will really derail the season, unless we have guys in the minors who can take over.

I am bothered by the fact that we did not get good players to challenge these young position players.  I am not bothered by having too much talent, but I sure do not like having too little. Our team has a lot to prove - including our new second baseman.  I know we can tell about Schoops big year in Baltimore.  Brady Anderson had a big year too - he hit 50 HRs in 1991 and 150 home runs over the other 14 years.  Schoop had 32 in 2017 and 78 total for the other 5 years.  Those career years get a lot of attention, but they are not the true player.  

You might add a coin for Garver too - will he be the player that he was last year or are we cursed with another concussion.