Article: Where Are We Now? What's Next?

[spanman2]

I think this is Hick's last shot at making in with this organization.  IMO that is part of the reason Hunter was brought back.  Show Hicks what it takes to be a good ballplayer.  He needs to understand how fine the line is in the big leagues.  You always have to get after it.  We have to hope for much improved starting pitching!!!  Thats the bottom line.  Better fielding would not hurt eiher.  If our starters could collectively have an ERA around 4 we can play with anyone on any given day.  I do believe Torii is adequate enough in RF.  Is it ideal?  No, but adequate enough.  He is not going to play 145+ in RF.  One would think there will be some DH'ing mixed in there to keep him 'fresh'.  Not 110% certain I would bat Dozier in the 3 hole.  I do believe Joe is due to have a big year.  I would bat Joe in the 3 hole and leave Dozier in the 2.  Torii would be a great fit hitting 5th.   

[Willihammer]

I concur spanman. I think the Twins view Hunter as a champion of their draft and development philosophy, and the turnaround after the 90s, 6 out of 9, etc. The two do share some things in common - 1st round picks, slow starters, last  name starts with H. Hunter's career turned the corner at age 25 and I think the Twins desperately want Hicks' to do the same. I don't know if bringing Hunter in is the best way to accomplish that but reading the tea leaves, I think that's clearly part of their motivation.

Edited December 4, 2014 by Willihammer

[tw1ns]

Maybe...just maybe, they are planning on bringing Buxton up right away for Torii to mentor, instead of mentoring Hicks.  I wouldn't mind.  

[Rosterman]

The 40-man.

 

Chris Parmelee is out of options. He's far from ensured of a job (hey, go after Brandon Moss).

 

In the bullpen, Aaron Thompson and Lester Oliveros can become free-agents if waivered out (actually, many of the Twins fringe guys can become free agents if waivered out). The Twins have to take a close look at these two, see if they can fit into plans for more than one season, and make a big decision.

 

Speaking of Mike Pelfrey, he best would be if the Twins COULD bury him at AAA for part of the beginning of the season to see if he can get his starting arm back, then he becomes insurance. Unless you don't like Thompson or Oliveros, you are giving mop-up innings to a $5-million dollar salary who won;t be around in 2016 (wait, this is the Twins, he could return for even more money!).

 

Why is Eric Fryer even on the 40-man. The Twins should be able to find a decent AAA catcher and just have him on a minor league deal. Heck, Fryer could probably be resigned since, like Bernier, the Twins did promote onto the 40-man...more than probably 39 other teams would.

 

Speaking of on the 40-man: Colabello. Love the guy. Are the Twins that afraid that another team will grab this aging first baseman to stow away at AAA. Well, they would first have to stow him on the 40-man, then send him thru waivers again. Unless another team really has a 40-man spot for the guy. He is great insurance, and like Albers coming back from Korea, the Twins could be his minor league home with hope of a call-up.

 

I can't understand why the Twins awarded Duensing, Nunez with tenders. I would think both could be signed for less than they will command in arbitration. If they can't, then bully to the new team that will gat their contract. Again, you have players that can replace both (Thompson, Darnell for one, Beresford and even Bernier for the other). 

 

I still shake my head at the amount of deadwood on the 40-man, the holes that are filling up with minor league deadwood, as we wait for the 3-4 guys to graduate to a major league opportunity this season, another 2-3 in 2016, and maybe we have a full lineup of new and promising superstars come 2017.

[jay]

First, the quote from Ryan to Sid about focusing on pitching.  Now, this on MLBTR:

 

The Twins will turn their attention to the pitching staff during the Winter Meetings, reports MLB.com’s Rhett Bollinger. When asked what the team’s priority is, GM Terry Ryan left little doubt how he feels: “Pitching is, and I don’t think there’s any question. We’ve had our struggles on the mound, so we’ll continue to look at pitching first.”

 

Sure makes it sound to me like the Twins are envisioning bringing in a starter.

 

Some realistic targets might be:

Brett Anderson

Brandon Beachy

Jason Hammel

Josh Johnson

Justin Masterson

Brandon McCarthy

Brandon Morrow

Ervin Santana

Ryan Vogelsong

Edinson Volquez

[nater79a]

I thought all along that Hicks would be handed CF one last time.  The signing of Torii makes that a virtual lock in my opinion.  When they talk about the culture, attitude, being a professional I see the broader locker room, but also I think they are talking specifically about Aaron Hicks. I think one of the main reasons Torii is here is to play along side Hicks and get on him and hopefully salvage the former first round picks career.  I am guessing the thinking is that if Torii can't motivate Hicks he is a lost cause.  And if he does get motivated and prepares better and his numbers don't improve, then he should be cut anyway (or told to go to E-Town and pitch out of the pen).

 

I agree. Aaron Hicks is one of the primary reasons Hunter is here IMO. I believe they're trying to instill a sense of work ethic and professionalism in young Aaron. He has a lot of the tools that are needed to succeed, but just isn't applying them right now. Maybe Torii can light a fire under his you-know-what.

[nater79a]

Excited to see what Duffey, Rogers and Wheeler do this year.  Could we be talking about 1 or 2 of these guys by the time Aug/Sept rolls around? Wouldn't surprise me,

[Mike Sixel]

Excited to see what Duffey, Rogers and Wheeler do this year.  Could we be talking about 1 or 2 of these guys by the time Aug/Sept rolls around? Wouldn't surprise me,

 

No need to wait that long, imo. Move the arms up before they fall off. See what you have in another lost year.....

[Shane Wahl]

Hicks does not belong in AAA. It's past time for that. He should have spent all of 2013 there, but alas. It's now his time to put it all together. His on base skills are very good. He needs to slug and improve defensively.

[TheLeviathan]

Hicks does not belong in AAA. It's past time for that. He should have spent all of 2013 there, but alas. It's now his time to put it all together. His on base skills are very good. He needs to slug and improve defensively.

 

Oh, is that all?  Whew.....

[stringer bell]

The rotation is the main area of concern.  My fear is they sign someone like Masterson who is a question mark going into next year.  I would rather the Twins trade for a solid pitcher then sign a question mark.  we already have Nolasco as our question mark and while I am confident he will turn it around you never know it may not be as much of a turn around as I hope.  based on the free agents out there I like Liriano, Volquez, and Ervin Santana.  If the Twins decide to sign pitchers coming back from injury I hope they sign several like Scott Baker, Johan Santana, and Anderson or Medlin. (Ok Anderson would have to be one for sure then any of the others as a back up option).  Scott Baker and Johan is going with the theme of getting the band back together they are not necessary but would be fun to see what they have left at this point.

Ricky Nolasco last year was exactly what you are advocating for this year--a proven arm with a history of at least being adequate or better and providing innings. That didn't pan out. Just two years ago Masterson was an All-Star. He suffered injuries and was terrible last year. If he regained his 2013 form, he would be #1 or #2 on the Twins staff. That is exactly what I think the Twins should look for.

[stringer bell]

Hicks does not belong in AAA. It's past time for that. He should have spent all of 2013 there, but alas. It's now his time to put it all together. His on base skills are very good. He needs to slug and improve defensively.

Why is the time past? Dozier was 25 when they sent him back to AAA and he came back the next year and performed very well. I'll be charitable and say that Hicks failed once and disappointed the next time on the big stage. It makes no sense to me to try a failed strategy a third time. I still believe he could be a good major league player, but it will take more than a tweak or magical mentoring from Torii Hunter to make him a productive major leaguer. Because he still is a prospect, it is ridiculous to pencil him in as the right-handed half of a platoon.

 

BTW, I think we have found the Twins' fourth outfielder/platoon partner for Schafer. In minor league talk, it is reported that the Twins signed Shane Robinson, a 30-year old with 452 plate appearances with the Cards spread out over five years. He is a capable outfielder who doesn't hit much (plays all three OF positions). That kind of guy will do until Hicks/Buxton/Rosario take over center either this year or next.

Edited December 4, 2014 by stringer bell

[h2oface]

I am amazed that people feel the bullpen is an asset now. The quicker Burdi and Reed are in the mix, the better.  Pelfrey should be moved to the pen, and traded as soon as possible if he does well (because I totally think it will be a smoke screen.) May and Meyer to the Rotation out of the gate. Meyer was babied enough last year.  Time to get on with it. The rest of the potential starters are filler only in case of injury. Berrios could be there sooner than many think.  Huge concerns about Perkins and Fien and Nolasco. I hope Perkins knows that he became a chub, and gets in shape and stays in shape. I think that was his biggest problem last year, manifesting in the horrible fade at the end of the year. I hate to see the young pitchers blocked for Pelfrey types, or the proverbial serviceable innings eater....... (especially when they only last 5 innings).  I do like TJ comebacks, Anderson and Medlin, as free agent risks. I would love to see Bourjos added. I feel a big year coming on for him if he gets to play regularly, both at the plate and in the field...... and we will need his defense, badly.

[Minnesota Boy]

I'm in favor of signing Brett Anderson and Kris Medlen.  When Medlen he was healthy for the Braves he was lights out.  Signing him to a short deal is worth a shot because no body on our staff has strikeout ability like him.  Anderson did pretty well for Colorado in the short time he was with them last year.  That's a really tough park to play in and if he did well there he could probably do well here.

[Thrylos]

That's an 87 loss team.  5 game improvement. 

 

Allegedly TR has been offering contracts to 38 year old relievers because he is looking for a veteran presence there.  

[DocBauer]

I believe that what I would do is actually probably what I think the Twins will probably do. Of course I'll ever get credit, money or SWAG, but what hey heck.

 

I believe they absolutely will attempt to sign a SP that they truly feel has the ability to fill an important role, without breakin the bank for one of big names. I in favor of Masterson, and believe he is appropriately near the top of their list. They are being quiet about E Santana, but I wouldn't be surprised to his name spring up. I understand top pitching prospects, but, the point is to win. And the Twins haven't done much of that lately. Can you really fault them for trying to beef up and hedge their bets against the team's biggest weakness?

 

I can also see, and would do as well, a second SP signing, but of a different variety. For whatever reason, there are a plethora...(si' El Guapo, you have many plethora)...of guys coming off a variety of injuries this year, that might not even be ready to start the season, but could be real steals if nurtured along either for the Twins, or ultimately, as trade value. So I think a milb deal or very small ML deal with incentives is also a possibility.

 

Perhaps the third time is the charm, but I seriously doubt TR is going to go in to 2015 with Hicks penciled in to the starting CF spot yet again, sandwiched in between Arcia and Hunter. Yes the Twins have mis-managed that spot the past two years. And yes, TR has made mistakes before. But is he really, has he really proven in the past, to be an utterly dumfounded baseball man? No, of course. I believe another signing or trade move of some sort is coming for the OF. I'm really sold on the Bourjos idea.

 

Lastly, I don't think the Twins should spend real money on the pen. It's important, but with so many candidates to sort through, and so many top youngsters with the potential to blow through a couple levels this year, plus a May/Meyer option for the pen, I just wouldn't make a significant investment here. However, I would be looking for another inexpensive flyer that could pay dividends.

[adorduan]

The idea that Hunter can miraculously fix Hicks by being his "mentor" is a joke.

[adorduan]

I am amazed that people feel the bullpen is an asset now. The quicker Burdi and Reed are in the mix, the better.  Pelfrey should be moved to the pen, and traded as soon as possible if he does well (because I totally think it will be a smoke screen.) May and Meyer to the Rotation out of the gate. Meyer was babied enough last year.  Time to get on with it. The rest of the potential starters are filler only in case of injury. Berrios could be there sooner than many think.  Huge concerns about Perkins and Fien and Nolasco. I hope Perkins knows that he became a chub, and gets in shape and stays in shape. I think that was his biggest problem last year, manifesting in the horrible fade at the end of the year. I hate to see the young pitchers blocked for Pelfrey types, or the proverbial serviceable innings eater....... (especially when they only last 5 innings).  I do like TJ comebacks, Anderson and Medlin, as free agent risks. I would love to see Bourjos added. I feel a big year coming on for him if he gets to play regularly, both at the plate and in the field...... and we will need his defense, badly.

Nobody is going to give you anything for Pelfrey in a trade, even if he pitches well out of the bullpen.

[shs_59]

realisticaly the only guys of the 6 were Nunez and Duensing to be possilbe non-tender candidates...

 

But i guess you can hope both have amazing April / May's and re-coup some trade value and both maybe together ? can be moved at the trade deadline for a C+ prospect or something.

 

The thing is i keep seeing "pitchers"  as the targets for the winter meetings...... UNless there is a Twins trade it should be PITCHER   (singular)  there is not room for 2 Starting pitchers on our team this off-season SPECIFICLY there is room for 1 SP however   I like the names Seth Mentioned above, But also maybe Brett Anderson and Jason Hammel lshould be considered....