TR has made more moves than most expected (though he has added exactly what I expected, nothing more or less). I expected a starter to be signed, an outfielder added, and a reliever picked up based on TR's comments at the end of the season. But now I expect even more!

 

We do not have room for Nolasco, Gibson, Milone, Pelfrey, May, and Meyers plus Albers is still here isn't he? Is Pinto really the backup or didn't we (the organization) give up on him? Nunez is still here, what's his role if Escobar and Santana are still here? Parmealee is back in the minors with Hicks (for now) and those two enigmas might do better with a change of organizations. I now believe a trade needs to happen.

So my question to you is simply this which one or package of these and others goes first!

Edited December 25, 201411 yr by goulik

When the dust settles and the smoke clears, the home plate umpire dusts the snow off home plate and the SP blows steam off his pitching hand, I believe a couple things will happen. 1) another OF will be acquired 2) Pe lfrey will be in the bullpen or gone-probably released-small chance for trade value 3) Really good probability that either Milone or Duensing will be gone. No need or room for both, and the one gone could be in the OF trade scenario.

My gut feeling is Pinto is the backup catcher and gets a more legitimate shot at actual playing time behind the dish this year. There is real talent there, some potential to grow and polish, but he needs some playing time and trust.

Starting 5:

Phil Hughes

Ervin Santana

Rickey Nolasco

Kyle Gibson

Tommy Milone (if only for a LH option)

 

Others for #5/6th starter and 1-2 LR positions (pick 1-2)

Alex Meyers

Trevor May

Mike Pelfrey

Sam Deduno

Logan Darnell

J.R. Graham

 

Relief Pitchers:

Glen Perkins

Casey Fein

Tim Stauffer

Brien Duensing

 

Pick 1-2

Caleb Thielbar

Michael Tonkin

Ryan Pressly

AJ Achter

 

That's 12-13 pitchers.

Starting 5:

Phil Hughes

Ervin Santana

Rickey Nolasco

Kyle Gibson

Tommy Milone (if only for a LH option)

 

Others for #5/6th starter and 1-2 LR positions (pick 1-2)

Alex Meyers

Trevor May

Mike Pelfrey

Sam Deduno

Logan Darnell

J.R. Graham

 

Relief Pitchers:

Glen Perkins

Casey Fein

Tim Stauffer

Brien Duensing

 

Pick 1-2

Caleb Thielbar

Michael Tonkin

Ryan Pressly

AJ Achter

 

That's 12-13 pitchers.

 

 

Are we going to swing a trade with Houston for Deduno and why?

 

Albers is still here isn't he?

Matt Albers is not here - he signed with the LG Twins, not the Minnesota Twins.

Edited December 26, 201411 yr by Danchat

Matt Albers is not here - he signed with the LG Twins, not the Minnesota Twins.

 

Andrew Albers went to Korea after his partial year with the Twins. He's in the Blue Jays organization now.

 

As far as I know, Matt Albers was never affiliated with the Twins.

The Twins do not have too many starters.  Good teams have 6-7 good starters so that they have somebody decent to call up when something bad inevitably happens.

Unless May or Meyer absolutely dominate in ST, I would guess that Milone gets the #5 spot in the rotation, May and Meyer are in AAA, and Pelfrey is in long relief to start the season.  By June, there is a good chance that a starter is ineffective and another is injured so both May and Meyer are in the rotation.

Unless May or Meyer absolutely dominate in ST, I would guess that Milone gets the #5 spot in the rotation, May and Meyer are in AAA, and Pelfrey is in long relief to start the season.  By June, there is a good chance that a starter is ineffective and another is injured so both May and Meyer are in the rotation.

That does seem a likely scenario.

Unless there's a trade or a Spring Training injury, I think all the candidates will get multiple starts.

 

The roster does get interesting, though when looking at the areas of "depth" - The Twins took care of the "Chris" log-jam on the 40 Man Roster, but Herrmann still seems a bit out of place. Nuñez has been mentioned a couple of times, of course, as being redundant with Escobar filling the utility role.

 

It seems like the need is still OF defense, and possibly another bullpen upgrade.

 

Personally I think the bullpen could be upgraded via promoting the prospect Burdi, but I'm guessing that won't happen in the spring.

 

I do get the feeling there's more shuffling to come with the roster before opening day.

Unless May or Meyer absolutely dominate in ST, I would guess that Milone gets the #5 spot in the rotation, May and Meyer are in AAA, and Pelfrey is in long relief to start the season.  By June, there is a good chance that a starter is ineffective and another is injured so both May and Meyer are in the rotation.

I would be mildly surprised if Milone gets the 5th spot over May and even Meyer, unless his ST was outstanding. There is a change in leadership and I think that Molitor will want to move toward youth. If Milone comes north it's as the long reliever.

 

Second, May improved substantially at the end of the season. I don't believe that is the Twins to demote a promising player that was starting to perform over one that struggle last year. Example, Gibson. Of course, a lot will depend on ST. Milone will have to prove he's worthy to jump May, and Meyer. I could see Meyer in AAA and then be the first one up.

 

Also on Milone, why are we so enamored with someone that was traded by a replacement player? Granted he had some success, but he's certainly not a Johan or even close. Even on the Twins staff he's a 5th starter at best, especially with the prospect banging on the door.

 

If Molitor is going to put Santana at SS, doesn't it follow that he will push for similar scenarios for other prospects? TR & PM both have hinted of different approaches. Let's hope they follow thru.

 

I believe their goal for 2015 is to be competitive, BUT to set up the team for the future run with our prospects. Milone fits as a backup plan.

I'm going to throw out a guess that Pelfrey pitches his way out of the #5 spot competition.  He has an inside track on the job (contract and no MiLB option) but a short leash.  Very, very short.

 

Once it truly becomes an open competition then I don't think May is ahead or behind of Milone since Milone has an option and May is more skilled (and less proven).  Not terribly unlike Gibson beating out the trio that needed to be given a chance (Diamond, Worley and Deduno) last year. 

 

Meyer is on the outside imo due to durability and innings limits concerns.  I would be surprised if he made the opening day roster unless an additional spot opens up or the other #5 starters bomb in the spring.

Unless there's a trade or a Spring Training injury, I think all the candidates will get multiple starts.

 

The roster does get interesting, though when looking at the areas of "depth" - The Twins took care of the "Chris" log-jam on the 40 Man Roster, but Herrmann still seems a bit out of place. Nuñez has been mentioned a couple of times, of course, as being redundant with Escobar filling the utility role.

 

It seems like the need is still OF defense, and possibly another bullpen upgrade.

 

Personally I think the bullpen could be upgraded via promoting the prospect Burdi, but I'm guessing that won't happen in the sprin

 

I do get the feeling there's more shuffling to come with the roster before opening day.

I agree on the bullpen. I am positive Pelfry will go to the pen. I am not sure how much upgrade OF defense can get. That went out the door with the latest reunion. From just a defensive standpoint Shafer and Hicks can be more than adequate, not sure you will be able to improve the defense there. And the corners are locked. That was the folly in signing Hunter to appease the casual fan. If I was Nunez or Hermann I would keep a travel bag packed, and not sign any long term leases!

I would be mildly surprised if Milone gets the 5th spot over May and even Meyer, unless his ST was outstanding. There is a change in leadership and I think that Molitor will want to move toward youth. If Milone comes north it's as the long reliever.

 

 

 

Milone at 27 is so old for a ballplayer. Ervin Santana appears to look likke he is 16 rather than have pitched for that many years.

In all seriousness, I hope what there is taking place is a talent movement. No looking at someone else's reject to replace one of your players somewhere.

I would be mildly surprised if Milone gets the 5th spot over May and even Meyer, unless his ST was outstanding. There is a change in leadership and I think that Molitor will want to move toward youth. If Milone comes north it's as the long reliever.

Second, May improved substantially at the end of the season. I don't believe that is the Twins to demote a promising player that was starting to perform over one that struggle last year. Example, Gibson. Of course, a lot will depend on ST. Milone will have to prove he's worthy to jump May, and Meyer. I could see Meyer in AAA and then be the first one up.

Also on Milone, why are we so enamored with someone that was traded by a replacement player? Granted he had some success, but he's certainly not a Johan or even close. Even on the Twins staff he's a 5th starter at best, especially with the prospect banging on the door.

If Molitor is going to put Santana at SS, doesn't it follow that he will push for similar scenarios for other prospects? TR & PM both have hinted of different approaches. Let's hope they follow thru.

I believe their goal for 2015 is to be competitive, BUT to set up the team for the future run with our prospects. Milone fits as a backup plan.

This.

 

Barring injury, it would seem the Twins top 4 SP spots are filled. I'm not saying anyone wants to, or should, "give games away", but, isn't this the perfect time to place a talented youngster in the #5 spot and let it rip? I believe the younger and more talented May and Meyer, probably in that order initially based on last year, are the early favorites for the spot. Milone gets it if these two trip and stub their big toes, otherwise is a versatile swing man in the pen. Pelfrey wins the job if the other three trip, fall down, break a few appendages, and MLB won't allow wheelchair access ramps to the pitchers mound.

It won't matter who's in our pitching staff if we have a trio of poor defenders in the OF. Which is why I think we should trade for someone I surprisingly haven't seen mentioned on the past months I've been lurking.

 

Ben Zobrist

 

A guy who, if you look at his WAR, has been one of the most consistent players in the MLB the past 5 years, can (sort of) play center, and slide to a corner and play stellar defense if Hicks/Buxton hits his way up this season. We could put him in right while Torii DHs and Vargas (as much as I love to see him hit) plays AAA for the first time. And he'll certainly hit better than Jordan Schafer. The only problem is cost, because a lot of other teams think he's just as attractive. But then again, the Rays didn't swing a mountain of prospects for Price, so maybe it'll be reasonable.

Was thinking of Darnell when I said Albers... My bad.