stringer bell

I am by no means certain that Polanco is going to be a capable big league player. Despite his cup of coffee with the Twins last year, I see him as both further away and less certain than Sano. On the larger question of extending either Plouffe or Dozier (or both), I see no reason to make such a move. Rewarding them for past and current performance is fine, but it has been pointed out repeatedly that the decline phases of similar players begins during the terms of the suggested extension.

I'll quibble with that answer. The clubs have the hammer of renewing a contract, but a contract is negotiated. IIRC, Trout received a few hundred K extra after his near-MVP season I believe Dozier got a little extra after assuming a regular position in 2013. I checked--Trout received a million after his rookie year, and Dozier got 540K. Escobar, with similar seniority got $507,500. It is peanuts, but there can be a negotiation. These guys are human beings and I think a little sweetener for guys who figure to be regulars is probably a good thing. For instance, Escobar probably should get an extra 50K or more than a simple renewal, giving Dozier a million this year won't break the bank and probably gives him a bit more incentive. Treating guys well who make serf wages is smart and not that costly.

IMHO, if that is the case, they are throwing good money after bad. I've said many times that I still consider Hicks a prospect, but even if he becomes a mid-range outfielder, I don't see much future for him with the Twins. Buxton will start in AA, and other players have made that jump. Buxton is a prospect in a different galaxy than Hicks ever was, so at best Hicks a) builds a little trade value or slides over to a corner where his bat will have to make another quantum leap to be league average. I don't believe Torii Hunter was signed to specifically mentor Aaron Hicks. He may have been acquired to provide an example for young players, but in the end Hicks will have to stand or fall on his own.

For goodness sakes, that option should be used. Turning a first round choice into a right handed Sam Fuld is not really a positive. Let the kid master AAA and come up when he's ready. If Rosario or Buxton is ready first, so be it.

I pretty much agree with the above post. I want to emphasize that the difference between being in major league camp and minor league camp is literally a few hundred feet. If Walker somehow shows he is "too good" for the Rochester group in camp, it is a short walk to the Twins' camp. I've seen him in the spring and at Cedar Rapids and he is an impressive physical specimen with both good speed and strength. Probably the player he reminds me of most is Michael Restovitch, who had a brief career in the majors but never established himself. Walker's resumé includes impressive counting numbers and championships. That is good, but can't totally be attributed to his performance alone. He's been on a succession of good teams and he's stayed on one team for an entire year.

I find this thread very interesting and I also see quite a divergence of opinion about Aaron Hicks. First of all, as usual, an absolutely wonderful analysis of Hicks by Parker. I think it is important to note that he isn't Miguel Cabrera from the right side either. Let's also acknowledge that there are definite advantages to switch hitting and definite advantages to batting left handed. At 25 years of age, one would have to be a really lousy left handed hitter to give up those advantages. Also a word about Hicks' tools--he is regarded as a fast runner, but he isn't off-the-charts fast. He had one good stolen base season, but otherwise hasn't been a huge threat on the bases. The power hasn't developed either and last year I was truly disappointed with the lack of power he showed, he just didn't hit many balls hard--on a line, fly balls or grounders. I agree that a prospect (and I still consider Hicks to be one) should not be platooned, especially as the RH half of a job share. I wholeheartedly agree that for the player and the team, Hicks must be sent to Rochester to start the season. Let him master a level he hasn't yet mastered, build his confidence, and if he is the best outfield option by sometime in May, bring him up. Regarding the lack of a Plan B, perhaps that is Danny Santana. It could happen either way, if the current candidates can't perform at replacement level or if Santana struggles as a shortstop, then he could return to the outfield where he made real strides and hit very well. I wouldn't rule out Rosario either. It is still a long shot for him to make the club out of ST, but in my mind he should be rated on a par with Hicks, since Aaron has not proven very much as a major leaguer.

I promised myself that I was done commenting about Aaron Hicks, but I just can't help myself. Being charitable, Hicks was a failure in 2013 and a disappointment in 2014. He displays commendable tools, but so far his performance has not been of major league quality. Hicks is 25 years old, and I still consider him a prospect, but after his performances of the past two years, Hicks needs to go back to the minor leagues. His pattern had been to struggle at a level, return and master that level. Hicks skipped Triple A and twice has failed to master big league pitching. He has performed well in the spring, only to struggle when the games count. It makes no sense to start him with the Twins in 2015, both for the team and the player and spring training can't serve as a measuring stick of his readiness, as evidenced by the last two years. As mentioned, Hicks has nice tools, but none of them are game-changing and his hit tool hasn't developed to play at the highest level. He isn't going to change many games with his speed and his defense isn't as good as advertised. Nick is certainly closer to the Twins' decision makers than I am and perhaps he has indications that Hicks will be the starting center fielder. I can't imagine that they would keep Hicks in the majors to be a RH half of a platoon, starting less than 30% of games.

Don't forget All-Star Kurt Suzuki!

I have a generally favorable opinion of the Santana signing because I really believe you can't have too much pitching. It pretty much takes care of spending for other needs (outfielder w/ above average defense), but the position player side of the equation is in much better shape than the pitching side. It seems to me that something always happens and guys who weren't in the top six or seven to start the season make multiple starts. The trick is what to do with all of the starters until the inevitable breakdowns occur. Terry Ryan is a good GM (IMHO), so I think he can find a way to get all of the guys innings and work either in the starting rotation, the bullpen or Rochester. Also, I think having a tradable commodity isn't a bad thing.

I'm not a fan of the Hunter signing and I am skeptical of him providing intangibles to make the Twins a winner. Hunter serves as a great example and he does compete, but the key is performing on the field. I disagree with the veiled reference that the Twins don't try or that they give up. Just because they are, by and large, "nice guys" doesn't mean they want to win more or less than vocal, emotional players. I don't think that judging by spring training appearances is a good idea.

I am not sure if Pinto might be moved or if he simply loses out to another catcher acquired in the next month. If the Twins acquire a better complement to Suzuki, Pinto could end up in Rochester waiting to be traded or for an injury. I guess it won't be Masterson according to media reports (of course according to media reports, Torii would not have signed in Minnesota), but getting someone in the rotation that has a chance to be as good as Hughes was in 2014 is something that should be done.

The signing of Torii Hunter has brought off-the-field issues back to the fore for the Twins. Part of the reason for signing Hunter has been for clubhouse leadership, mentoring of young players, and also bring back fans to the park. Hunter's pros and cons in these areas have been analyzed more than the break on Phil Hughes' spike curve. I weighed in on several threads saying that it wasn't possible to measure if there would be any effect and I doubted there would be much effect anyway. This commentary does bring up questions about the Twins' clubhouse and whether a lack of leadership has been at the root of the Twins' struggles for the last four years. I am of the opinion that talent and winning are much more a component than whether Torii Hunter or Kirby Puckett are a positive clubhouse influence. I think that some of the guys who have been looked at as clubhouse leaders are more likely just the gregarious guys who give good quotes to the media. The Twins have had a succession of nice guys who are accessible such as Dozier, Cuddyer, Hunter and Puckett. I don't know if all of them were truly leaders or just media darlings. Guys like Joe Mauer have never been vocal, but they might be leaders just as well. To me, it is still much more about talent than it is about attitude.

Before the Arizona Fall League began I started beating the drum for Eddie Rosario to make the Twins out of spring training in 2015. The signing of Torii Hunter as a free agent makes an already long shot into a near impossibility, barring injury. That is all right because we can project and predict all we want on Twins Daily and only highlight when we are right! Since Hunter's acquisition has occurred, I decided I would try to project again who will come north with the 2015 Twins. Here's my latest take: Pitchers: (12) Phil Hughes, Kyle Gibson, Rickie Nolasco, Alex Meyer, Justin Masterson, Mike Pelfrey, Lester Oliveros, Brian Duensing, Caleb Thielbar, Michael Tonkin, Casey Fien, Glen Perkins. Catchers: (2) Kurt Suzuki, unknown backup catcher acquired in Pinto trade Infielders: (7) Joe Mauer, Brian Dozier, Danny Santana, Trevor Plouffe, Kennys Vargas, Eduardo Escobar, Eduardo Nuñez. Outfielders: (4) Oswaldo Arcia, Jordan Schafer, Shane Robinson, Torii Hunter I originally was going to include Milone in the starting rotation and Meyer or May in the bullpen. Milone has an option remaining and I think the Twins will want to see what they have with Meyer, who has still not thrown his first major league pitch at age 25. They've seen a bit of May and both he and Milone will get a shot. I also believe the Twins will sign one veteran for the starting rotation. I have been calling for Masterson since before the '14 season was over. He's my pick to have a Hughes-like breakout. In the bullpen, two hard throwers are in line to get a real shot this year--Tonkin and Oliveros. Pelfrey succeeds Swarzak as the long man, hopefully getting little work in the first month or so. It wouldn't surprise me to see Big Mike get another shot at starting. If he's fully healthy, Pelfrey can be more than serviceable. That just hasn't happened in his two-year tenure with the Twins. Young reinforcements are on the doorstep for the bullpen. I hope the Twins are willing to transition to younger, harder throwers as the season progresses. I have not named a backup catcher to Suzuki. I think the Twins will be looking to trade Pinto or trade for a backup catcher that fits with Suzuki--that would be a youngish defense-first LH hitter. I don't know if such a guy exists, but if the Twins can find such a player, they can and should snap him up. Barring a trade, the starting infield is set. Santana gets the nod at short, although other factors could move him back to the outfield. Escobar is the utility guy, who gets starts at second, short and third. Nuñez is the 25th man, capable of starting at short, third, and left, also right and second in a pinch. I have stated that Aaron Hicks must have AAA time to prove himself, rebuild his confidence and master the next level that he hadn't handled up to now. That means a platoon of minor league signing Shane Robinson and waiver claim Jordan Schafer are my center fielders. I expect Rosario or Hicks to claim the job from Schafer by Memorial Day, but when the Twins open in Comerica Park on Bert Blyleven's birthday, I'm going with the non-prospects to start the season. I expect much better performance from the back end of the rotation, enough the negate any regression Hughes might suffer and enough to lift the Twins close to contention and with a surprise or two, above .500. Here's my opening day lineup assuming Verlander gets the nod for the Tigers: SS Danny Santana RF Torii Hunter 1B Joe Mauer 3B Trevor Plouffe LF Oswaldo Arcia 2B Brian Dozier DH Kennys Vargas C Kurt Suzuki CF Jordan Schafer P Phil Hughes

Why is the time past? Dozier was 25 when they sent him back to AAA and he came back the next year and performed very well. I'll be charitable and say that Hicks failed once and disappointed the next time on the big stage. It makes no sense to me to try a failed strategy a third time. I still believe he could be a good major league player, but it will take more than a tweak or magical mentoring from Torii Hunter to make him a productive major leaguer. Because he still is a prospect, it is ridiculous to pencil him in as the right-handed half of a platoon. BTW, I think we have found the Twins' fourth outfielder/platoon partner for Schafer. In minor league talk, it is reported that the Twins signed Shane Robinson, a 30-year old with 452 plate appearances with the Cards spread out over five years. He is a capable outfielder who doesn't hit much (plays all three OF positions). That kind of guy will do until Hicks/Buxton/Rosario take over center either this year or next.

Ricky Nolasco last year was exactly what you are advocating for this year--a proven arm with a history of at least being adequate or better and providing innings. That didn't pan out. Just two years ago Masterson was an All-Star. He suffered injuries and was terrible last year. If he regained his 2013 form, he would be #1 or #2 on the Twins staff. That is exactly what I think the Twins should look for.

So this is a two-fer? They sign Hunter and he fixes right and center field? Nonsense! If Hicks can play, he should play, but he needs to master AAA. No showing in the spring can change what happened previously. I think the Twins paid Torii Hunter market value (and ignored his age) to play right field. The intangibles may have helped to make the price tag easier to swallow, but if Torii doesn't perform, no amount of mentorship and leadership is going to make his pay check worth it.

IMHO, the Twins have to send Hicks to the minors to start the season. His performance has been poor at the major league level and he hasn't mastered AAA. He has shown that spring training stats (for him) should be disregarded. It doesn't make sense to platoon him as the RH component (they only start between 20-30% of the games) because he still needs development. Find a 4A player to platoon with Schafer to start the season. If Hicks tears up AAA, recall him as the full-time CF, if Rosario or Buxton jump ahead of him, so be it.

I didn't hear Torii's press conference, but according to Barriero, Torii will finish his career as a Twins, so (if true) all this talk about a trade at the deadline is a non-issue. I still don't like the move, especially moving Arcia and probably hurting the already-porous outfield defense. I wrote this earlier, but Hunter has been a marvel, producing at a high level in his late 30s. However, he could fall flat at any time and I have to believe that hitting between Kinsler and Miggy offered him a huge lift in his numbers. I want to yell "BS" about leadership. I don't think the Twins have had bad chemistry, they've had bad pitching and overall talent. I think Souhan's column is illustrative. Torii is interesting and quotable. That in and of itself doesn't make him a leader, but it sure makes reporting or writing about the Twins a lot easier. He does provide a great example of what staying in shape and working on one's craft can do for a career.

But how do you really feel about it Levi? I tend to ignore some of the off-field stuff, but I don't think leadership is the #1 problem with this team. Hunter doesn't fix what is wrong and I'm scratching my head trying to figure out what Ryan and Molitor are thinking.

First of all, Torii has been a marvel since he left Minnesota. He certainly can be an example on how to take care of himself, and probably how to prepare for each and every game. Obviously, his hitting has remained strong despite his advanced age. However, the move smacks of a blind spot or willfully ignoring Hunter's regression in the field. Further, I liked leaving Arcia in right field and I think putting him in the larger corner is a tactical mistake and moving him back and forth depending on whether Hunter is in the lineup is the worst idea. I think Hunter's value off the field is real, but a mixed blessing. The $10.5M is real money, but it only becomes important if it means the Twins check out of all free agent shopping for this off-season. Now, what happens if Buxton, Rosario, and/or Sano tear it up in Chattanooga or Rochester? Hunter takes at-bats from the future and most likely isn't enough of a positive to make the Twins a contender in 2015. It also means we're stuck with Schafer as Plan A in center fielder or giving Aaron Hicks another chance after failing/disappointing the last two years. No, I can't buy into this move. I would much rather have seen the Twins trade for Chris Heisey from the Reds and save the money spent on Hunter for pitching.

Now I like the deal even less.

Does he play left? Where will he hit in the order? How much will he play? Don't like the move.

If the Twins add no position players, I have Nuñez making the team and serving as a platoon left fielder. Is that ideal? Absolutely not, but until the Twins add someone who offers what Nuñez provides (versatility, RH bat, speed) I think he stays with the Twins. On the pitching front, injuries and ineffectiveness happen. Milone and Pelfrey currently slot as starters #6-7 and I think one of them (Pelfrey) fills the role vacated by Swarzak. Milone has an option remaining, so if he doesn't make the rotation in the spring, he could be sent to Triple A. Specifically regarding this thread, I think his track record is too strong to non-tender him.

I think the article reflects the consensus of TD posters this offseason. This is probably pretty close to an accurate prognostication, as well. However, while I am intrigued with Schafer's base-stealing tool and his decent hitting with the Twins, I wonder if his career numbers speak louder. I also like Nuñez as a utility guy, particularly if he could play a decent left field (the metrics were pretty good last year, my eyes saw an infielder playing outfield). He also offers very good speed and a righty bat.

Jorgenswest, I used actual age at arb and also said that Plouffe could sign and play (about half the season as a 31 year old). Same with Dozier, now Dozier's BD is in May so he'll only play six weeks of each season at the younger age.