You will probably get slammed for trading Plouffe, but someone has to go. Him, Mauer, or Sano. They will say Sano can't field as well as Plouffe. And they are right. Neither could Plouffe when he came up. He was brutal. Sano will end up being an adequate fielder at third. Some want him in RF? Based on his long experience as an OF? We have too many corner OF already. I don't know what Plouffe would return in catching help, but it's definitely a start. Sadly, I also agree with you about Hunter staying, but I am not sure about them platooning the bench.

Hunter has helped the 2015 club, but he should not be re-signed. The Twins will have Hicks, Arcia, Kepler, Rosario, and Buxton available as outfielders, there is no need for Torii.  That salary could help in improving another position. I'm not sold on Polanco as a shortstop and his play in the minors hasn't provided any reassurance.

Jay and Rogers are left handed and the plan has been for Jay to convert to starting in 2016. I sincerely doubt that Graham makes the club in '16, without the Rule V tag.

IMO Graham has been surprisingly solid in his role. At 7.2 K/9, he is sadly one of the better strikeout pitchers in our pen. I think he can continue as a productive long reliever and occasional 7th inning guy. If someone else steps up and proves he can be more effective, I'm all for that. Until then, I'm happy with Graham in that role.

To address the outfield situation I think they view Torii next year as more of a DH than an outfielder. I would hope they give Sano time to improve at third much like they did Plouffe, mainly for the reason of they have way too much depth in the outfield to convert a third baseman to play there. I think Arcia will be their primary 4th outfielder and occasional DH, and hope he gets some chances to pinch hit. I would then predict he is traded by the deadline, and Kepler is with the team by mid year. I think ABW makes an appearance at some point as well when Torii can no longer catch up to a fastball and takes over as DH. I could see him having an impact similar to Kennys Vargas' impact in 2014 toward the end of the year. Speaking of Vargas...much to my dismay I think the twins give up on him and ship him somewhere in a trade and then watch him develop into a slightly less powerful Adam Dunn/Ryan Howard type of a player.

I agree about not bringing Hunter back.

I think any trade of Nolasco will include cash to cover most of his salary. Trading him won't free up money as they will still be paying for him. It will open a spot in the starting rotation. Berrios and May need to be part of that rotation.

They might be wise to start Graham in AAA in the rotation.

The bench probably does not work. No one has options when a 13th pitcher is needed. Does Nunez hit well enough to be carried on the roster without a position? The numbers are good this year but the sample is small and it may not be a skill change. It is more likely variation due to sample. They might let him go. I think they will have also DFA'd Danny Santana and Josmil Pinto due to options since they are not rostered.

Are we absolutely sure that the Twins don't plan on Sano being a DH full time a la David Ortiz? I know he has more value as a 3B but they've played him there once so far even with other opportunities they opted to go with Nunez instead. Molitor doesn't seem comfortable with him at 3rd so it looks like he's gonna DH at least for a little bit. Plus we don't really have other great options for DH, until Vargas or Arcia start hitting Sano is our best option there. I would be down with trading Plouffe for a Catcher but absolutely not for a bullpen guy, he has too much value for that kind of trade. I'm still on the Plawecki from the Mets bandwagon. I don't think Susac is realistic, and Norris is OK

I'm not absolutely sure about that. I'd like to see Sano play at third some more before destining him to be a lifelong DH, but he'll have value wherever he plays. Do they keep Plouffe around long term then? If not who else do they have for third?

I also feel Plouffe could be excellent trade material, and all but a few teams are secure enough to not consider him a pretty good upgrade. But I'm not convinced he is traded, or needs to be traded.

Bullpen: The Twins will make at least on major signing here. They need to. Someone with a track record, or just busting out, for $5-6M that they feel they can count on for the 8th. They have enough solid to good arms from the RH side to complete that portion of things,

I think they finally move on from Duensing. They will also look for a LH reliever, though good ones are hard to find. A failed or failing LHSP for conversion perhaps? They have a successful history of doing so.

Catcher: I'm not so sure Arcia and a couple prospects, possibly Polanco, don't get this accomplished. The Mets maybe who may still have a big need offensively?

At some point, after this season, Molitor and Ryan will realize that in order to win Mauer will either have to start hitting or be benched, regardless of his contract.  Sano is the likely replacement for Mauer at first base and will start learning the position in spring training.  The Twins will keep Plouffe at third, instead of trading him.  Nolasco will be starting in 2016 in hopes of building his value for a trade deadline deal.  Santana will start at shortstop in 2016 and will be, at worst, an average shortstop.  Ryan will re-do the bullpen by signing and trading for 2 high level relievers.  Unfortunately, Suzuki will be the opening day catcher.  The Twins will finish second in the Central but will be the 1st wild card team.