Where Are We Now? What's Next?

With the addition of Hunter along with the six arbitration-eligible players being tendered contracts, let’s take a look at what the current 25 man roster could look like.

POTENTIAL LINEUP:

SS – Danny Santana

1B – Joe Mauer

2B – Brian Dozier

DH – Kennys Vargas

RF – Torii Hunter

LF – Oswaldo Arcia

3B – Trevor Plouffe

C – Kurt Suzuki

CF – Aaron Hicks

BENCH:

Backup C – Eric Fryer or Josmil Pinto

Backup Infielder – Eduardo Escobar

Backup Outfielder – Jordan Schafer

Utility Player – Eduardo Nunez, Chris Herrmann, Chris Colabello, Chris Parmelee

SUMMARY:

The Minnesota Twins offense was very good in 2013. The addition of Hunter should make it even better. That said, guys like Vargas and Santana will have to fight off a sophomore slump. I put Aaron Hicks in centerfield again, though that isn’t a given by any means. He could platoon with Schafer, the other being the fourth outfielder on any given day. The bench as of today would contain Eduardo Escobar who showed in 2014 that he can be an everyday player. Josmil Pinto didn’t take necessary strides behind the plate, but he could compete with Eric Fryer for the backup catcher spot. He could also get some time at DH should Vargas falter or get a day at first base. I left Eduardo Nunez as their the 25^th man, a guy who could play anywhere in an emergency. A healthy Chris Colabello would be a better offensive option.

WHO IS CLOSE?

First, we also have to take a look at who could be coming. Miguel Sano's and Byron Buxton’s debuts were delayed by injury in 2014 and their timetables for arrival at this point are completely up in the air. Eddie Rosario came back from a terrible year to play quite well for six weeks in the Arizona Fall League. He’s not ready, but he’s fairly close. Who knows? Maybe he could even compete for the centerfield job out of spring training. Jorge Polanco is further away, but he could be a candidate by later in the season to help in the middle infield.

WHO COULD BE ADDED?

If the Twins want Aaron Hicks, Byron Buxton and Eddie Rosario to spend most of the year developing in the minor leagues, which could be beneficial, maybe someone like Eric Young, who was non-tendered by the Mets, would be a good option for platooning in centerfield with Jordan Schafer. The acquisition of Peter Bourjos has not been completely ruled out.

Could they be interested in a veteran backup catcher like Jose Molina? How about bringing back AJ Pierzynski to be the backup backstop?

STARTING ROTATION

RHP Phil Hughes

RHP Ricky Nolasco

RHP Kyle Gibson

RHP Trevor May

LHP Tommy Milone (or Mike Pelfrey, Alex Meyer, Logan Darnell)

SUMMARY:

Hughes and Nolasco were last year’s big acquisitions. Hughes turned out golden. Nolasco struggled mightily. Kyle Gibson got through his first full season and showed he can be a solid middle-of-the-rotation. Should Trevor May be handed a spot on the opening day starting staff based on how well he finished the season, or should he compete with several others for two rotations spots?

WHO IS CLOSE?

Logan Darnell, Trevor May and Alex Meyer were all good at Rochester last year. All three should compete for a starter job or a bullpen spot early in the season, if not opening day. Taylor Rogers, Tyler Duffey and Jason Wheeler all pitched well in AA in 2013 and could be ready later in the season. Sean Gilmartin could be a back-end starter late in the season, if he isn’t lost in the Rule 5 draft.

WHO COULD BE ADDED?

Justin Masterson’s name continues to come up, but all of the AL Central teams and many other teams are also interested. Max Scherzer and Jon Lester aren’t coming here. We know that. James Shields is in the next tier, and I don’t think he would come here. So, who else is in that next tier of pitchers? Masterson is one name, but what about a guy like Brandon McCarthy? The Twins had interest in Ervin Santana last year. Should the Twins be interested in two-time Tommy John guys like Kris Medlin and Brandon Beachy (who were both non-tendered by the Braves this week)? Or should they consider dealing top prospects (not named Buxton or Sano) to try to acquire a Jeff Samardzija or a Mat Latos? Or, do they simply go with Trevor May and Alex Meyer and count on the minor league system that they have been building the last two or three years?

BULLPEN

Closer – Glen Perkins

RHP – Casey Fien

LHP – Brian Duensing

RHP – Michael Tonkin

LHP Caleb Thielbar

RP – Mike Pelfrey

LR – Tommy Milone, Logan Darnell, Ryan Pressly, Lester Oliveros, AJ Achter, Aaron Thompson, Alex Meyer.

SUMMARY

Having Glen Perkins at the end of a very good thing. Casey Fien was terrific through August. Brian Duensing was good through July. Thielbar just continues to get the job done. After that, there are some question marks. Is Michael Tonkin ready to take on a spot for the full season? If Mike Pelfrey is healthy and able to regain his velocity, he could certainly be an asset out of the bullpen. And then there is a log jam of options for the long relief role, including some players already mentioned as back end of the starting rotation options.

WHO IS CLOSE?

Several of the options already mentioned are guys who are close to ready to contribute out of the Twins bullpen, if they aren’t already. In addition, the Twins have other hard-throwing options who could be ready by midseason. Zack Jones missed most of the 2014 season due to an aneurysm and a blood clot, but he can touch 97. 2014 second-round draft pick Nick Burdi and his triple-digit fastball and 90+ mph slider could be up very quickly. 2014 fifth-round draft pick Jake Reed was so impressive that he could be on the fast track. And don't forget JT Chargois. Despite missing the last two years, he was throwing 99 at Instructs and could move quickly.

WHAT COULD BE ADDED?

We’re read reports that the Twins were in on Jason Frasor before he re-signed with the Royals. To be honest, I don’t see a need for adding any major bullpen arms. In recent years they acquired Fien and Jared Burton and others as minor league free agents. I’d much prefer the Twins go that route than spend any extra funds on bullpen options. They need to replace Burton and Anthony Swarzak, but as you can see above, there are plenty of internal options.

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So there you have it, a quick preview of what could be going through the minds of the Twins as the winter meetings approach. They can continue to look at adding free agents and have several options who can still be removed from the current 40-man roster. They certainly have a lot of good trade chips if they are able to incrementally improve their starting rotation. The Twins can also still add a player in the Rule 5 draft if they were to DFA a player.

Torii Hunter was move number one for the Twins this offseason. If it’s the only one, Twins fans should be disappointed. However, there is little reason to believe that it will be. It is clear that the ownership is just fine with spending money if it will improve the team. Having Molitor, and now having Hunter, will give them credibility with free agents.

Will they make moves during the winter meetings? Maybe. If so, I think it would be more likely on the minor league free agent or on the trade front. I think they’ll also make a Rule 5 pick next Thursday. But my opinion is that they should wait out the pitching market at this point and see which quality candidates are interested in playing for the Twins.

What do you think?