Whatever the Twins do will be fine, unless they are losing bigtime. They have to look at the division. See the strengths and weaknesses. What it might take to be a wild card team, or what might placate the fans by at least approaching a break-even season if even half of the prospects pan out and the team plays to it's highs, not lows. At this point, the Twins can't afford to do nothing but wait and see and go into total rebuilding mode. Maybe they can tell us that we shouldn't expect anything but growing pains for 1015. It may also be the same in 2016. They will be bigtime in 2017. But everyone else could be bigtime, too.

As an operating principle I like your rationale. One of the advantages of the Twins interminable patience is they are an organization that might or could do this. It will require the front office to assure the new manager that his job performance will be judged on whether the team is more competitive by the end of the year, not by his W/L record. . The FO also needs to lay out to the fans that this is the way forward. About half of this should have been already accomplished, but injuries and some misplaced priorities made 2014 a completely lost season.

70 wins can turn into 85 with improved pitching from Starters #3-5, improved offense and defense from left field and no drop-offs elsewhere. Improvement and full season from Arcia, a return to form for Mauer and some help from the farm system should offset regression from guys who surprised last year. Pitchers get hurt and are ineffective. I think adding one more starter (Masterson) would solidify the rotation a bit. I also think adding a RH defense-first guy (Bourgos or Gentry) would help the OF. I say that Schafer showed more in two months than Hicks showed in two seasons, plus at 28 he isn't a prospect to be protected.

I think adding one more starter (Masterson) would solidify the rotation a bit.

I agree having Masterson on the Twins would mean a few more wins in 2015, but then what happens to Meyer? A rotation of Hughes, Masterson, Gibson, Nolasco, and May would have some great potential, but if those five pitch all of 2015, we would reach 2016 with no idea how Meyer will fare as an MLB starter.

Mostly agree with your plan.  Having Masterson on the staff shouldn't create too much of a problem.  Likely someone will go on the DL or be ineffective. Plus Masterson is a ground ball pitcher IIRC, which would take advantage a better defensive infield vs. the outfield.

Totally agree on Arcia.  Let's see if the new coaching staff can help improve this young man's defense this year.  For CF & LF, I'd used a rotation of Santana, Hicks, and Schafer in center and Hicks, Schafer, Parmelee, or Nunez (or whomever) in left with Ortiz in AAA, if needed.  Give Santana about half of his games at short and the other half at center, until either Rosario or Buxton comes up.

And they either need Pinto to start in AAA to refine his defense or play him 40-50% of the time in ML.

I agree with you with you for the most part. I don't think the Twins will roll with Meyer out ST. I think Pelfrey will get that last spot and will have to underperform to lose it. If Meyer looks like he has things under control at AAA then someone will need to move to the pen.

The big issue facing the Twins is the 40 man. You are spot on that they need to move on from Swarzak and Duensing and Burton. I like your idea of finding out what they have in Presley and others because they there is a crop of high velocity guys coming up soon. If any of those are guys are good then we can create trade value as the 40 man decisions get even tougher the next year.

I really think the Twins need to roll with what they have. It could mean another tough year but I think they should be loaded with young talent come 2016. The core should be there in 2016 and it will be interesting to see how well they compete with the rest of division and league,

70 wins can turn into 85 with improved pitching from Starters #3-5, improved offense and defense from left field and no drop-offs elsewhere. Improvement and full season from Arcia, a return to form for Mauer and some help from the farm system should offset regression from guys who surprised last year. Pitchers get hurt and are ineffective. I think adding one more starter (Masterson) would solidify the rotation a bit. I also think adding a RH defense-first guy (Bourgos or Gentry) would help the OF. I say that Schafer showed more in two months than Hicks showed in two seasons, plus at 28 he isn't a prospect to be protected.

x2.  This is exactly my take on it - they can win next year.

One minor quibble is Logan Darnell.  What has he done to make anybody think he is a MLB pitcher?

 

 

One minor quibble is Logan Darnell.  What has he done to make anybody think he is a MLB pitcher?

I'm not sold on Darnell yet, but I still think it's worth looking at him to see if he can be a lefty specialist or long man out of the bullpen. His AAA ERA this year was well above his FIP, so it is very possible he doesn't have what it takes to succeed at the MLB level, but I would rather know one way or the other at the end of 2015.

I'm still in the camp of making a couple smart moves to help the rebuild. I don't think a LF FA for 1-3 years, depending on the player and situation, necessarily blocks anyone. Same with another SP option. Guys do get hurt, and there could be trade options.

But I have to say there are times when I am torn and want to go mostly status quo at this point. Meyer should be ready soon, Milone could still be an initial option, though Pelfrey may be best used in the pen. Hard throwing, less innings, he could become a factor. Also wonder if Berrios might be ready to debut come Aug or Sept.

The OF could still use another option, but what if Rosario is ready at some point and Buxton by the end of the year.

It's tempting.

I also have a good feeling about Darnell in the pen. A younger Duensing who may throw a little harder and be a little better SO pitcher.

I think we go all in for the kids. Santana to SS, with Eduardo being a super sub to keep everyone in the IF fresh. Shafe in LF and Hicks in CF should solidify the OF defense. Arcia can improve.  

But for me, Reed and Burdi are ready. I mean, what more does Reed have to prove. 30 IP and one ER? These guys were top flight on top college staffs. Let em play. Bring Meyer up as teh 5th SP too. Go for it. Give them all a year to get acclimated, and add Sano and Bux in July. i say let the kids play.