I guess at this point, the best question is what to do with the log jam of current "Ryan Howard Types" we already have. ML ready/Near ML ready Power potential, no glove, not a ton of contact, high K rates. I count 3 and potentially a 4th. I agree that spending anything on Howard would be silly, as we already have Arcia, Vargas, and Pinto. Something has to give on some of these guys. I feel like Pinto is the one we'd miss the least in terms of skills. Vargas offers the switch hitting potential but has virtually no defensive value, and Arcia has failed to turn the corner at the highest level, sucks in the field, and has been injured quite a bit. Are any of these three a part of the future at this point?

This brings me back to the days of Ryan Restovich, Buck Buchannon, et al.  Man it seemed like the Twins had a crap load of guys coming up. 

 

Getting Ryan Howard would be really kinda stupid, not saying his power wouldn't help, but I feel that the Twins need to go after relief arms to strengthen the Bullpen.  Imagine if the Twins could bring back the days of JC Romero, Juan Rincon, Latroy Hawkins leading up to Eddie Guardado.  I think they should target one or two of these kids to potentially trade and get a couple of hard throwing arms for the bullpen.  Something that can get them from when Nolasco or Pelfrey only goes 5 1/3 to the 9th for Perkins.  That is what will get the Twins all the way into the playoffs. 

 

This brings me back to the days of Ryan Restovich, Buck Buchannon, et al.  Man it seemed like the Twins had a crap load of guys coming up. 

 

Getting Ryan Howard would be really kinda stupid, not saying his power wouldn't help, but I feel that the Twins need to go after relief arms to strengthen the Bullpen.  Imagine if the Twins could bring back the days of JC Romero, Juan Rincon, Latroy Hawkins leading up to Eddie Guardado.  I think they should target one or two of these kids to potentially trade and get a couple of hard throwing arms for the bullpen.  Something that can get them from when Nolasco or Pelfrey only goes 5 1/3 to the 9th for Perkins.  That is what will get the Twins all the way into the playoffs. 

Exactly! I think a gamble will need to be taken very soon-- some of these highly touted young guys need to be moved for value. Remember how Buck and Resto turned out? Exactly. 

It just seems like he has never put up the numbers that are expected. Not to mention his struggle to stay healthy. I'm an Arcia fan, but do we need him and Vargas? And If we're cognizant of organizational haves and have nots, doesn't he become redundant? Especially since Vargas is a true DH with pop from both sides, and Pinto can play catcher (???). It makes me wonder if A) Arcia is the most expendable of the three, and if our quiver containing Rosario, Kepler, A-B-Dub, and Harrison makes him a less valuable option for us. It's a good bet he'll rake, but other teams may have better use than we do right now.

Sure, it's possible - maybe even likely - that one or two of Arcia, Vargas, and Pinto are trade at some point but that won't happen this season. Maybe this offseason at the very earliest (unless Ryan makes a blockbuster deal at the deadline, which I think is unlikely).

You might consider a guy like Howard in July if he was a FA at the end of the season but you don't want to head into a 2nd season with a player as positionally inflexible and declining like Howard.  It's not really a money thing but rather a horrible way to hamstring a roster since you almost have to give a guy like Howard a roster/starting spot.  Bringing him in during July gives you August to give him a shot and then rosters expand in Sept and it doesn't hurt if he doesn't work out.

 

I also disagree with whoever said that Howard playing bad defense hurt his WAR value.  Howard's poor WAR is from him hitting .718, .784 and .690 OPS's in a notorious hitters park in the NL.  Does anyone really think those numbers are going to translate well to Target Field for a lefthander?

 

I would take Ben Revere for one of the Harrison/Kepler/Walker types that the Twins have.  I don't care how awesome Hicks defense is.  He is awful.  I would strongly prefer to have Revere's empty .300 average and peashooter out there.  When Buxton is ready he becomes the ultimate 4th OF'er/pinch runner.

Obviously I would love Davis or Morneau but they won't come nearly as cheap, also brock, Phils are 110% rebuild mode, they would likely pick up as much as needed for a C+ prospect in return, and to open up 1B.

 

Get him for 6 mil, give up a Solid but not top 15 prospect in return and roll the dice, if he really sucks that much where he isn't even an asset on the bench or part time DH then just cut him.

 

I mean this is a team trotting out Escobar and Nunez as DHs at this point....