I like Santana too. His changeup has turned into a real weapon.

Not far enough!  A cleansing is needed and a re-alignment in the roster as well.  And starting at the top, Terry Ryan should be replaced.  I believe he is mostly responsible for the shape of the farm teams, and they ain't all that bad.  I like to see a more aggressive development approach.

I think that for the Twins to improve quickly, a more aggressive coaching staff from the farm to the bigs is needed.  No more coddling the likes of Aaron Hicks.  Play, play hard or move on!  Hire either a 300lbs gorilla or Lou Brown ;-)

For this next year [and the previous 5] there's no point to keeping Perkins.  He's 31 now, so slippage could be coming.  Trade him for 3 highished ranked minor leaguers or better quality starter.  Try to package Mauer  :-)

your roster has 27 people on it

With Hughes, Santana, Gibson, Nolasco, May/Meyer/Milone, the Twins would be properly set at the SP position for the first time since Johan was leading the staff with Radke. This potentially would guarantee two sub 3.80 ERA guys at the top, a wild card for that mark in Gibson, and even a return to "pre 2014 Nolasco" would be quite solid, with the Milone or the prospects doing something.

Cant see keeping Milone. His fastball can't break a pane of glass

your roster has 27 people on it

Nunez and Swarzak, in red, aren't actually on it. Just left them on to indicate they'd been non-tendered.

I think we'd start off with 12 pitches and 13 position players especially if we get another innings eating SP.  So that means Nunez can stay.

Also Sano and Meyer will not start on the bench/ bullpen.  they can go to the minors to start the season and get called when there is an opportunity.

There is a decent chance Swarzak is let go.  He is a gamer so they may keep him too.  He's willing to pitch where asked. and still not too expensive. 

The Twins may also sign a LF instead of relying on Hicks and/ or Santana moves to LF so Escobar can start at SS.

I also think Parmelee is a solid bat off the bench.  He is not the starting OF/1B we all want but he appears to be close to a Randy Bush clone on offense with less OPS of coarse.

And lastly.   I bet the Twins trade for a SP instead of signing one. 

Can definitely agree with most of what you have listed.

Nunez is kept because he's useful and Sano isn't ready.

Replace Meyer in the pen with one of Tonkin, Oliveros, Pressly or Achter.

I'd like to see the payroll around $100M, or a little above, to sign a quality FA if we can. Hicks, Schafer and Parmelee fight for CF/CF platoon/4th OF.

I think the pen isn't necessarily in a bad situation, but is still very much a TBD situation. Pelfrey, for instance, could be released. He might also pitch long relief. Or perhaps he could suddenly find himself sharing setup duties with Fien. So he's a real wild card. (I'd still love a vet FA setup guy brought it) And with the other kids I mentioned above from the right side, Darnell could be another factor from the port side.

If Meyer is up, he's starting. And I don't like Milone in the pen, stash him in AAA and call him up if needed.

This is a fun exercise.

If Meyer is up, he's starting. And I don't like Milone in the pen, stash him in AAA and call him up if needed.

This is a fun exercise.

I just like the idea of bringing rookies along as long relievers and transitioning them into starting roles when guys go down. Not so much pressure. Generally pitching in games that are out of hand.

Feel Milone is a borderline non-tender candidate, especially if they sign Santana or another starter. He'll have a lot to prove in the last few games pitching in relief.

would rather trade for a pitcher or an outfielder rather than buy one, both Cinni and LAD are clubs that we could trade with.  Not saying there could not be others. 

would rather trade for a pitcher or an outfielder rather than buy one, both Cinni and LAD are clubs that we could trade with.  Not saying there could not be others. 

What do you want to trade to get pitcher or outfielder? Are you willing to move May or Meyer for a pitcher (pitcher for pitcher) or Buxton or Sano to get an aging OF?

Who are your targets?

I like Cinci for a trade, Cueto and Jimmy Rollins (and his contract) for Dozier and some mid-level prospects. Cinci gets salary relief, and has pitching to spare. I like it. Who knows. The Twins SHOULD have the payroll to pay a top tier free agent. There are a lot a lot a lot of league minimum salary players, even a contract gone wrong for a top-tier guy could be absorbed without much difficulty, if the move is done now, and tops out at 6/7 years.

Either way, trade or sign, I think the important thing is to bring in value, established players ready to make meaningful impact NOW.