Before the Hicks trade, I felt the club could really use a veteran LH bat for the bench and occasional play. Now, it looks like Arcia should have a pretty good shot at some playing time again, at least until Kepler is ready, or unless the Twins make another big move.

In the case of Arcia, or the eventual Kepler, a RH hitting OF off the bench would now be a prudent move. Arcia is too young, has too much natural talent, to just be dismissed. And while he will never be anything more than average in the OF defensively, he does have a strong arm. He shouldn't be written off or dismissed because of the bad year.

Vargas still has options, and is still only 25 I believe. I would keep him at Rochester. Injuries can occur. Mauer could suddenly retire. Vargas pretty much skipped AAA the first time around. And while he may not be a top prospect, a big strong power hitting switch hitter should be held on to. Selling his rights overseas at this point just seems like a wasted opportunity for Vargas and the Twins both.

These two are still way too young for us to give up on them, unless of course we get good value for them in a trade. Arcia is out of options so he is our 4th OF if he doesn't start. Vargas has an option left, so if he can't help us this year he goes to Rochester with strict orders to increase his slugging percentage. Too much hitting?--a great problem to have.

I know this opinion is not popular, but I think most of their problems, and more likely so Arcias, are "mental". I doubt either player thought that he got a fair shake. Vargas odd demotion right when he started hitting to find his power stroke. And Arcia goes down, hits the crap out of the ball and the Twins announce a new policy, wherein it's not enough to go down, get healthy, hit and come back after your rehab. A policy that should have been named the "Arcia Policy" as it seemed he was one of the few for which it was invoked. One can argue that such an attitude is immature, and you would be correct. But part of the problem could be a perceived inconsistency in how players are handled. Regardless, Arcia and Vargas did not just forget how to hit. It's very likely they will again, the big question is for whom that will be?

 But part of the problem could be a perceived inconsistency in how players are handled. 

I definitely agree! Obviously there are things we don't know. Maybe Vargas is extremely immature. Who the heck knows. Not me.

But for some players, like Arcia and Meyer especially, the handing seems to be something like "the beatings will continue until morale improves."

Instead, the Twins should bring them up to MLB, show some confidence in them, and maybe good things happen? 

Remember that Arcia had a similar situation in 2014--injury rehab followed by an option--and perhaps the Twins were looking for some specific improvement that didn't show even during his two-week hot streak.

I think Arcia will at least be a LH platoon partner in right field to start the season--a fair last chance--and I think there's a good chance that he will do well. There is no doubt that Arcia is an emotional player and maybe emotion is working against him. Something went dreadfully wrong with Arcia last season but he has a chance to wipe the slate clean.

Vargas has long odds against him. First base is blocked by Mauer and if Joe were to be injured, Vargas is behind probably one of Plouffe or Sano and Max Kepler. His only way out of the box is to hit like an All-Star.

Agree about Vargas. He needs to hit, hit, hit, and right away. I also think Vargas is a better fielder than Mauer at first (the Twins organization will naturally disagree, whether that's true or not). But like others, I suspect Vargas is just another AAAA guy, in the end. I am usually biased in favor of younger guys but I don't have my hopes up for Vargas like I do Arcia, Meyer, and even still Pinto and Danny Santana to some extent. The question does remain, who can step in and field first base well should Mauer go down. I think Vargas would be the best guy to do that. 

I do agree that Vargas is a better fielder than one would think. He has extremely soft quick hands. He made a horrible first impression when he missed that pickoff throw in his first game over there. He was likely so nervous he couldn't move. But I have seen him make some very nice plays there, albeit in a SSS.

The question now is, will Kepler be groomed totally as an outfielder, or will he take throws at first base...for AAA Rochester. If he splits the dutiues, with the idea that he is the Twins first baseman after Mauer, where does that leave Vargas, who also needs time at the corner to increase his own value. Or is Vargas now jsut a guy soon to be passed over by others in the ranks.

Of course, what the Twins do with Plouffe is still the elephant in the room at the moment.

Interesting that the two are grouped together.  Especially after Vargas gets sent down on the heels of a 2 and a half week stretch of hitting .366 and Arcia goes down with a 19 game batting average that ultimately ends up higher than anyone with more than 12 plate appearances not named Eduardo Nunez.  This on a team that seemingly doesn't care that Joe can't hit for power & Dozier can't hit for average.  Can't make up their minds?