Mike you are making the point of trading Dozier without specifying how good a return you want.  I feel we need a good return or hang onto Dozier for the time being.  I do not think a headliner of a #3 starter is good enough return for a player who has averaged just under 5 WAR for the last 3 years.  I do think if the Twins wait or check with more clubs, they will find a better return.  They just need to be more creative and I do think this new front office is aware of this. 

The point on Mauer was that it is not sure he is gone in 2 years, if he is still here it will be at a much lower salary, but you do not force the face of the team out the door(think Killebrew). 

Neither of us knows how good the young players are, so to say lack of talent is incorrect, though lack of major league talent may be correct at this time. I have been the advocate of better pitching for a few years now and a shutdown bullpen is a cureall for bad starting pitching.  That alone could result in the Twins being competitive next year.  That is why I would give up the second round draft pick and sign Jansen and by the end of next year the Twins could very well have the shutdown bullpen.  That along would make us competitive, and work on the starting pitching over the next 2 years. 

We will have to see if the current players in the field can take it to the next level.  That is for evaluation next year.

 

In fairness, I have suggested trades all over this site, but there are about 4 active threads about what do with Dozier......

 

I aim for a number 1/2 type SP in the minors, and a legit position prospect or two more SP prospects further away....

 

Just would be very careful dealing with the Dodgers, Look how the last two trades with Friedman worked out.  Just think we are being offered disposable parts to help the Dodgers out.

 

Well, I hope we're always careful,

I don't think this is close to accurate as a blanket statement. I know plenty of casual fans who are eager for a complete overhaul. They would be more than happy with a Dozier trade if it brings back highly touted prospect talent.

 

Perhaps I over-generalized.

 

Let me restate...of the friends and family I have in MN who are to some extent Twins fans, none would view a Dozier trade positively, or be more likely to buy tickets to a game (which is the context of this discussion.)

 

They would view it as "why are they trading their best player? Same old cheap Twins. They just don't want to pay him."

 

Most Twins fans are casual fans, and I guarantee those fans would view a Dozier trade negatively.

I agree they need to win to turn around the attendance decline, but I also believe a Dozier trade would negatively impact interest in the Twins, at least for 2017.

Honestly after losing 90+ in five of six seasons I don't know how much of a hit team interest can really take at this point. Those of us still left going to games and following the club are resigned to that fact that we're doomed to root for this franchise for life....

 

I believe the plan is to improve this year and treat last year as the perfect storm.  Your line seems to be keep trading players and hope you get a class that comes together at one time.  That is a small market strategy, Twins are a mid market team.

To me this sounds like ignore very real problems and just hope for the best. I can't see that helping this team in any way.