Article: 2016

[Kwak]

I'm curious how people are so casual with the year 2016 to be the first year of "winning". Cue the Tigers: 2003 this team was wretched winning only slightly more than 1/4 of their games; yet by 2006 they are in the World Series. No one is even making a comparision of the methods used by these two teams to rebuild. There is simply blind acceptance of the Twins methods with a "wow isn't it neat they have two great minor leaguers".

[howieramone1406390264]

I'm curious how people are so casual with the year 2016 to be the first year of "winning". Cue the Tigers: 2003 this team was wretched winning only slightly more than 1/4 of their games; yet by 2006 they are in the World Series. No one is even making a comparision of the methods used by these two teams to rebuild. There is simply blind acceptance of the Twins methods with a "wow isn't it neat they have two great miner leaguers".

It works for me.

[PseudoSABR]

Whether the Twins compete for a divisional title in 2014 or 2016 depends on how motivated the Twins are to supplement the youngsters with more expensive veterans.

[Joe A. Preusser]

As has been pointed out by many others, not all of these prospects will pan out. Some won't be as good as we hope, and others will not even be viable major league caliber players. That being said, is anyone else worried that we'll get a uneven mix of success between hitters and pitchers? It would be crazy to have Buxton, Sano, Arcia, Hicks, Pinto, et al pan out, while our pitching prospects have much less success. It just looks to me like it could actually go this way, with our hitters seeming like much surer bets. That leaves free agency or trades as the only options for fielding a quality rotation, something even a Ryan backer like myself would say is not Terry's strong suit.

[tmerrickkeller]

Who's playing first base?

[Joe A. Preusser]

Whether the Twins compete for a divisional title in 2014 or 2016 depends on how motivated the Twins are to supplement the youngsters with more expensive veterans.

 

Let's remember though, we play in a very flawed division. If the 2013 Twins go on a tear they could easily win the Central this year. Of course they would most likely get crushed in the playoffs with our starting rotation, but it's fun to realize that it's very possible. I'd say no worse than 20% chance we win the division this year.

[howieramone1406390264]

As has been pointed out by many others, not all of these prospects will pan out. Some won't be as good as we hope, and others will not even be viable major league caliber players. That being said, is anyone else worried that we'll get a uneven mix of success between hitters and pitchers? It would be crazy to have Buxton, Sano, Arcia, Hicks, Pinto, et al pan out, while our pitching prospects have much less success. It just looks to me like it could actually go this way, with our hitters seeming like much surer bets. That leaves free agency or trades as the only options for fielding a quality rotation, something even a Ryan backer like myself would say is not Terry's strong suit.

Future starting pitching has to be a major concern, but he did find us Meyer, May, and Pressly. Let's hope he finds another top prospect or so at the deadline. As I posted on another thread, we need Ryan to continue to perform his magic.

[Willihammer]

Who's playing first base?

 

I don't think they'll have trouble filling 1B. In fact, between Arcia's Delmon-esque defense, Sano growing into Ryan Howard's body, and Mauer aging out of full time catching duty, there could be a logjam at 1b and DH. And then there's the 6 or 7 all stars we'll need to find room for in the outfield. Luckily we'll have 3-5 aces in the rotation so we will be able to roll with a 9 man pitching staff to free up roster space.

[Twins Fan From Afar]

Who's playing first base?

 

I figure first base will be a default -- a converted corner outfielder, a converted third baseman, catcher, something like that. I hope the Twins don't draft or trade for a first baseman.

[diehardtwinsfan]

I'm curious how people are so casual with the year 2016 to be the first year of "winning". Cue the Tigers: 2003 this team was wretched winning only slightly more than 1/4 of their games; yet by 2006 they are in the World Series. No one is even making a comparision of the methods used by these two teams to rebuild. There is simply blind acceptance of the Twins methods with a "wow isn't it neat they have two great minor leaguers".

 

Honestly, I think they will flirt with .500 next year and make a failed run in 2015. I think 2016 is more or less the point when they will have enough experience to do it.

[Mchans24]

Pretty amazing that in one year o. The job TR has the farm system back on top and the big league club is at least competitive. A far cry from most of this board calling for him to be fired for signing our ACE Kevin Correia in the offseason!! LOL

[Thrylos]

That's good stuff.

 

As far as 2016 goes, I would keep Deduno and Diamond off that list, btw

And I would add Florimon instead of Dozier. Color me impressed.

Kepler, Harisson, and a handful of relief pitchers from the 2011 and 2012 drafts will be there too.

 

Also I suspect that there will be 2-4 veteran and/or not infusions in the roster and maybe a college kid from the 2014 draft in there. I think that the Twins can win the Central next season if they play it smart (and get rid of certain older players) and if 3-4 pitchers currently at AAA and AA develop the remainder of the season and get rotation spots next season. I think that a Baxendale, Gibson, Meyer (alphabetically), Worley (better) and Diamond/Correia rotation might make this a competative team, but the first 4 need to improve between now and April 2014 and the ones who are running the team (hopefully new people) trust them enough to go with them. I'd also suspect that late 2014 will be the ETA of both Sano and Rosario and late 2015 the ETA of the kids who are in Cedar Rapids right now.

 

And Mauer will be the first baseman (and his brother the third base coach)

[ScottyB]

I'd keep Parmelee around as PH, 1B, RF, DH - as I've said before he's Randy Bush (10-14 HR's, 50 RBI's off the bench), and by then a veteran presence. The list of pitchers shows how weak we are from the left side (the reason I'd keep Diamond on Thry), I'd also add Albers and Melotakis, just for balance.

[dcswede]

Who's playing first base?

Of course, it's easier to find a first baseman than a third baseman, but if Sano keeps growing and/or his glove doesn't get any better at third, I've gotta think he's a logical successor to Morneau.

[RIP BYTO]

Almost every franchise, if they are looking ahead to the 2016 season, can say about the same things this article is saying. They just insert their players where the Twins players are. I agree that things seem to be on the upswing with this franchise, but I don't know if I would be predicting a dominating team in 2016.

[TheLeviathan]

Pretty amazing that in one year o. The job TR has the farm system back on top and the big league club is at least competitive. A far cry from most of this board calling for him to be fired for signing our ACE Kevin Correia in the offseason!! LOL

 

I'm not sure how proud one should be about that ace designation, but it has been a surprising positive. That said, TR didn't put this team at the top of the farm, that was a mutual effort with his predecessor.

 

I'm happy Ryan is back too, but criticism/credit should still be accurate.

[johnnydakota]

No offense taken! I just had a back-of-the-napkin idea and threw it up on paper.

I did leave off first base. No idea who will be our everyday starter there. Any ideas?

 

 

Vargas?

[Siehbiscuit]

I could see guys like Vargas, Harrison or Adam Walker in the 1B/DH discussion. All have impressive bats.

[Mike Sixel]

When they feel really confident in Sano, will they move one of these guys to 1B? I would, but I don't know which one.

[Oldgoat_MN]

I am not on the 'Sano to 1B' bandwagon.

 

Someone out there (Keith Law?) suggested that if Sano cannot stick at 3B they should put him if RF. His point was that Sano has such a great arm that you shouldn't hide it at 1B.

[ThePuck]

I'm not sure how proud one should be about that ace designation, but it has been a surprising positive. That said, TR didn't put this team at the top of the farm, that was a mutual effort with his predecessor.

 

I'm happy Ryan is back too, but criticism/credit should still be accurate.

 

I think it's funny that one waits until after he finally has a good game again (relatively speaking...5 innings) to start patting Ryan on the back for signing him. He had an ERA over 6.00 in May. Where were all the TR is a genius for signing him posts then?

 

Yes, we should be happy he's had some good games, but it's not like him pitching against a bad offensive team like the Phillies is a sign he's turning back into April Correia. It'll be a miracle if his ERA isn't really close to if not over 5.00 by the end of the season.

 

Like you said, being our 'ace' is no kind of praise.

[ThePuck]

I am not on the 'Sano to 1B' bandwagon.

 

Someone out there (Keith Law?) suggested that if Sano cannot stick at 3B they should put him if RF. His point was that Sano has such a great arm that you shouldn't hide it at 1B.

 

A good arm can be useful weapon at 1B. Pujols' arm and fearlessness helped him set a MLB assist record for 1Bs.

[Mike Sixel]

I am not on the 'Sano to 1B' bandwagon.

 

Someone out there (Keith Law?) suggested that if Sano cannot stick at 3B they should put him if RF. His point was that Sano has such a great arm that you shouldn't hide it at 1B.

 

If that is in response to what I said, I was talking leave Sano at 3B, and move others to 1B......Yes, KLAW has suggested RF, Sano has some speed, and a great arm. Regardless of Sano, they don't have anyone really sitting at 1B in the minors right now that people love, do they?

[dcswede]

I am not on the 'Sano to 1B' bandwagon.

 

Someone out there (Keith Law?) suggested that if Sano cannot stick at 3B they should put him if RF. His point was that Sano has such a great arm that you shouldn't hide it at 1B.

 

Isn't Hicks the right fielder of the future - with Buxton in center? (Arica in LF?)Looking ahead, the Twins have more outfielders than 1B. The preference, clearly, is for Sano to anchor 3B. But it that isn't viable, 1B seems a better choice than supplanting somebody in RF.