Article: Setting Up For The Second Half

[Nick Nelson]

On Sunday, the Minnesota Twins played their 75th game of the season. Quickly closing in on the halfway point, they are on pace for a 52-110 record. Even if the Twins manage to play .500 ball the rest of the way, they'll finish with 94 losses.

 

It goes without saying that the remainder of this season needs to be focused on 2017 and beyond. Here are five steps that the Twins can take to better prepare themselves for the future.

 

1) Install Miguel Sano at third base.

 

We've discussed this quite a bit around here, so I won't dwell. It is becoming increasingly clear that Sano should be in the team's plans as a third baseman and Trevor Plouffe – who is enduring a rough campaign – should not. Make the necessary moves to open up the hot corner for Sano, allowing him to regain his comfort level there ahead of next season when the games start mattering again.

 

This, in turn, would keep right field open for Max Kepler, who has played well enough to stick.

 

2) Roll with Eddie Rosario.

 

Rosario was undoubtedly deserving of the demotion he received five weeks ago, but he has responded in a big way. The outfielder has multiple hits in 14 of the 35 games he has played in Rochester, reining in his K-rate and getting back to smashing hard liners all over the field.

 

He still isn't walking much, and never will. But even with his ultra-aggressive ways, Rosario can be an impact player and he showed that last year. Bring him up and let him play his game over the final months. Maybe he proves himself to be the clear choice for left field next year. Maybe he builds some trade value for the offseason. Or maybe he reinforces the notion that he's going to be a fourth outfielder at best.

 

Incidentally, Rosario has been playing center field regularly in Triple-A, which might put him in line to bump Byron Buxton, who still appears unprepared for MLB pitching.

 

3) Return Trevor May to a starting role.

 

Unlike many, I was not opposed to using May in a relief role this year. I felt he brought a much-needed strikeout mentality to the bullpen and could be a pivotal piece at the back end if the team contended.

 

The most important factor, though, was that this decision was reversible if things didn't play out well.

 

It is now safe to say that things have not played out well. During his first month in the bullpen, May was very much the dominating force we hoped he would be. Unfortunately, the fact that he was often Paul Molitor's only trustworthy option led to overuse. May appeared in 17 of Minnesota's first 32 games, seemingly throwing with max effort each time out.

 

It's not clear that his unraveling performance and subsequent back issues were related to his usage, but given the fact that May had been operating under a starter's routine for essentially his entire career up until last July, that seems very plausible. Even looking past that element, the Twins are suddenly in need of quality starters given the dire state of their rotation, and May deserves a shot to bolster that unit.

 

May made his first rehab appearance in Rochester as a reliever yesterday, which isn't the most promising sign, but hopefully the plan changes.

 

4) Recall John Ryan Murphy.

 

Murphy's numbers in Triple-A are far from great: he's batting .216 with a .599 OPS, though he's been trending up. The need to get him back on the roster has more to do with the circumstances surrounding him.

 

This team has no real answers behind the plate after this year. Kurt Suzuki will be a free agent and likely won't return. Juan Centeno is has been fine as an interim backup but he's not a big-league player. The organization's prospects are not close. Right now, Murphy is the only credible option for 2017, whether we're talking starter or backup.

 

We'll have a better idea of his true credibility if he gets a couple hundred plate appearances in the second half.

 

5) Let J.T. Chargois loose in the bullpen.

 

There's no way around it: Chargois' MLB debut was a complete and total disaster. In his lone big-league appearance on June 11th, he faced eight hitters and was charged with five earned runs on three hits, two walks and an HBP. He was understandably optioned immediately afterward, forced to sit on a 67.50 major-league ERA until he gets another chance.

 

That chance ought to come soon. The level of dominance that the fireballing righty continues to display in Triple-A makes it hard to justify keeping him there. Chargois has a 0.48 ERA and 25-to-4 K/BB ratio in 18 2/3 innings with Rochester, and hasn't allowed a run or issued a walk in five appearances since being sent back down.

 

Given the major question marks that the Twins now face at the closer spot, they need to begin auditioning potential options quickly. Presently, Chargois arguably has a better case than anyone else in the organization, but he needs to show he can get big-league hitters out. Call him up and lengthen the leash.

 

What would be your top priorities for the second half of the season?

 

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[USNMCPO]

6. Put Berrios back in the MLB rotation.

[TheLeviathan]

Yup and at least two of those decisions shouldn't even have to be "changes".  They should have never happened in the first place.  

 

But I do think it's becoming clear that Buxton is going to have to stay in AAA.  Until Sept. or next season for all I care.  He's not ready.

[Thrylos]

have not problem with any of those steps, but there are at least 3 steps that need to be done before those:

 

a. Get someone with baseball knowledge and make him the president of baseball operations, charge him with 1. finding Ryan's and Molitor's replacements and 2. figuring out who in the Front Office and the Twins' minor league field managemnent staff should stay and who would go.

 

b. Trade everyone over 26 who is tradable (yes this includes Ryan Pressly)

 

c. Make Molitor play the young players instead of letting them sit.

[FormerMinnasotan]

By late July or early August Jose Berrios needs to be in the rotation for good this year. He's starting to get on a roll and as long as he looks like he is improving his command and control it's time to let him loose. He couldn't be worse the second time around as I am more convinced his struggles were due to nerves, I don't think he will have that problem this time.

[Rosterman]

Buxton to AAA with Santana and Rosario and Grossman showing us who goes and who stays in 2017.

 

Switching out Vargas for Park, just to see if there is some juice in Vargas being a bench player, if nothing more. See if he can produce anything at the major league level. It would increase his value. And, in the meantime, rotate Plouffe, Mauer and Sano between DH, 1B and 3B...thru the All-Star break at least.

 

Figure out if you are going to let guys like, say, Wimmers play in the majors of not. If you don't give them a chance, you will never know. He's deserving because he was a high draft pick. If he can't adapt and cut-it, then quit rostering him.

 

Praise to Suzuki for increasing his value 100%. But he is, at most, a rental. The Twins need to go with Murphy and anyone else they can find on the scrapheap that MIGHT contribute cheaply in 2017...unless they want to make a play for Lucroy or Ramos.

[Mr. Brooks]

It shouldn't, but still does shock me that May is, it appears, staying in the bullpen.

 

I guess I assumed it was a no brainer that now is as good a time as ever to put him back into the rotation.

[jimbo92107]

Mostly what you said, then Berrios up, trade Dozier, play Polanco at 2B second half, Sano 3B, Buxton back down, OF of Grossman, Rosie, Kepler, Santana #4. Nunez back to utility, subbing fairly often at 3B and 2B. Possibly trade Nunez and Bring up Beresford for utility to see what he's got. 

 

Changed my mind on Tonkin. Ever since he got zapped on the thigh by a line drive, he's been pitching just a little pissed off, the way a good reliever should. Keep him as long as he stays aggressive. 

 

Meanwhile, let the musical chairs begin for any pitcher in AAA that's got a chance to be decent. Let Rogers try starting. Let Wheeler have a go. Etcetera, etcetera. Crank up the lab, Igor; time to cook up a monster. 

[Willihammer]

May also wonders if the lower-back spasms that plagued him over the final five-plus weeks would have be easier to ward off he’d remained in the rotation. In his starter days his hip would usually bother him in August, but he was able to manage the problem better with at least four days of rest between starts.

 

Twins officials let him know in mid-August they didn’t view the bullpen as his permanent home, but as he noted, “I’ve thrown really well since then.”

 

Berardino wrote that last fall. May relieved this spring, got the back spasms again, and now... what? Back to relief?

[TheLeviathan]

 

It shouldn't, but still does shock me that May is, it appears, staying in the bullpen.

I guess I assumed it was a no brainer that now is as good a time as ever to put him back into the rotation.

 

This team can't get out of its own way.

[ScottyB]

7. No matter what it takes go after FA Wilson Ramos.  He belongs here.  THAT would take care of catching problem long-term.  He's only about 4 years older than Murphy.

[ScrapTheNickname]

I disagree about Rosario. I don't see him making it as a major league hitter. And his D is iffy. Buxton's not ready. Grossman's a rental. Escobar's a subpar shortstop. Trade Plouffe and Dozier. Is Murphy ready? There are no answers as far as I can see. Only gaping questions.

[Nick Nelson]

 

Berardino wrote that last fall. May relieved this spring, got the back spasms again, and now... what? Back to relief?

Good find. Yeah, getting rather hard to defend.

[jorgenswest]

Keep playing Buxton. They should have kept him in AAA, but once they brought hi they need to stick with him. Rosario in the same sample as Buxton is doing well in AAA. The can't make decisions based in that sample. If they want to add Rosario into the LF mix with Grossman that's OK. It could be an odd platoon based on plate discipline and opposing pitcher. He is up instead of a 13th pitcher and not Buxton.

Edited June 27, 2016 by jorgenswest

[USAFChief]

Yeah, I'd just as soon they let Buxton play the season out.

[GMinTraining]

Buxton has played his best ball when Walker was in the outfield with him.  Haha

 

Just joking but true.  Did you know that Walker is the 3rd youngest player on the Rochester roster, behind only Berrios and Polanco?  August call up.  I know the K's are still bad - but 27 BB would be fourth on the Twins right now and he is still on pace for 28 HRs in AAA.  Cup of Coffee won't change things much for the Twins - Lol

 

 

 

[Dantes929]

 

I disagree about Rosario. I don't see him making it as a major league hitter. And his D is iffy. Buxton's not ready. Grossman's a rental. Escobar's a subpar shortstop. Trade Plouffe and Dozier. Is Murphy ready? There are no answers as far as I can see. Only gaping questions.

Yah kind of lost me by saying Rosario's D is iffy.      Did you get spoiled by the Gold Glove play of D. Young and Willingham?

[Nick Nelson]

 

Yah kind of lost me by saying Rosario's D is iffy.      Did you get spoiled by the Gold Glove play of D. Young and Willingham?

Or Sano, or Arcia, or Kepler, or Grossman... ? How many better defensive Twins corner outfielders can you point to in the last decade better than Rosario? I really doubt it's more than a handful.

[GMinTraining]

 

Or Sano, or Arcia, or Kepler, or Grossman... ? How many better defensive Twins corner outfielders can you point to in the last decade better than Rosario? I really doubt it's more than a handful.

He is arguably the best defender on the club right now.  It's his decisions once he gets the ball that plague him with coaches.  He wants to throw out everybody.  And damn near can - Lol

 

 

[jorgenswest]

Rosario hurt the team in the field this year with several balls he misjudged into extra base hits and poor decisions on throws and cut offs. It is partly the aggressive nature he brings to every aspect of his game. It is also something that can get better with time and commitment.

[brvama]

Rosario hurt the team in the field this year with several balls he misjudged into extra base hits and poor decisions on throws and cut offs. It is partly the aggressive nature he brings to every aspect of his game. It is also something that can get better with time and commitment.

 

And coaching, assuming that it is accepted. I have hope for Rosario

[mumoo13]

If we bring up Rosario, it should be to replace Buxton instead of to platoon with Grossman. Grossman should be playing every day and we should be open to the possibility of him being in our long term plans.

[Shane Wahl]

6. Is Berrios.

7. Meyer to the bullpen for good.

8. Melotakis, Burdi, and Hildenberger probably all need a look by August.

9. Trades all over the place. Nunez and Abad have to go immediately before full pumpkin time. Suzuki will fit as a backup somewhere. Obviously, Plouffe needs to go, as I have been saying for over a year. I would consider trading Escobar as well.

10. Play Polanco at SS to see what is up.

11. Free UTIL Beresford.

12. Palka and Walker would be fun in September.

[Brandon]

Suzuki is hitting .270 with gap power and i think the answer is more rest.  I'm ok with potentially keeping Suzuki 1 more year if we don't get a big upgrade.  he  cant get more than 400 plate appearances in a season or 80 in a month. 

 

We do need a mix of veterans and young players.  I think the Twins trade Ervin Santana, Plouffe, and maybe Abad and if possible Jepsen. Nunez too

 

May to the rotation makes sense. 

 

Bring up Chargois. Polanco, and Berrios after he shows better control for a few more starts.  maybe Wheeler.  

 

 

[CampQ]

Keep Buxton up! Faith is the evidence of things unseen and the substance of things to come

[CampQ]

7. No matter what it takes go after FA Wilson Ramos. He belongs here. THAT would take care of catching problem long-term. He's only about 4 years older than Murphy.

Alex Meyer straight up for Wilson Ramos.

 

 

Stop twisting the knife

[Platoon]

It shouldn't, but still does shock me that May is, it appears, staying in the bullpen.

I guess I assumed it was a no brainer that now is as good a time as ever to put him back into the rotation.

Leaving him in the pen is silly. He has made it clear, crystal, that the lack of days off make it physically difficult for him. He's been down twice already for that reason. While I realize ho difficult it is to break into this stellar rotation, they need to figure out something,

[Platoon]

Buxton should just stay where he is. Why torment MiLB pitchers any further. Robbie G. does not belong in the long term plans. Rosario should return, and the OF should be him, Buxton and Kepler. You put Sano at third until he proves he can or can't play there. I would bring Polanco in at SS, not because I think he can play there, but to see if he can force Dozier out at second. There is no need to comment any further on the 1B situation. Give Suzuki the AXE, and bring up Ryan and see what you have or don't have. If you don't, then bring up Turner, who we have been told for two years is MLB ready defensively. It won't change the offensive side of the position at all. Start slowly moving in the arms in MiLB to the pen. As for the SP, short of Berrios, I got no idea.it truly is a cluster intercourse!

[troyhobbs]

Sounds like Sano will get some time in the OF during his rehab stint so I won't believe that they'll trade Plouffe (or anyone else that makes sense) until I see it. The FO seems about as stubborn as they are foolish.

[Jham]

That's the ugly truth about this season: there aren't a lot of "right moves" to be made.  Most of the moves designated as priorities are "cross our fingers and hope for the best" moves.  Hopefully Rosario will prove he can work an at bat.  Hopefully May can be a healthy and effective starter.  Hopefully Buxton will improve with preparation at AAA.  Hopefully Sano can play 3rd...  Maybe I'm gun shy because of all the losing and letdowns, but I'm not sure many of these moves matter.  I'm not one who is a strong believer in needing tons of MLB experience in order to be successful.  I think there are different ways to bring a prospect along.  No one way will work for each player.  If the solution to Buxton not being ready is more AAA time, then the solution to X player, Shaggy for instance, not being ready may or may not be MLB pressure.  I think the latter scenario works better on teams with more veteran talent.  I think our #1 and only real priority should be not panicking because of this year's results and continue to be patient and focus on 2017.  

Consider that TR may have thought this team wasn't going anywhere and that they over-achieved last year.  He would have been highly unlikely to go after a big name FA reliever or veteran outfielder, exactly what happened.  He also could not embrace a total rebuild (nor would that have been wise before seeing how quickly our young talent can develop).  As such, TR may have viewed this season as a season of patience.  If so, we need to continue to be patient.  If not, TR probably should go and that should be priority 1.