stringer bell

Isn't it all about projection? If the Twins can see several season of +.750 OPS, great defense out of Dozier, they might want to hang on to him. If they foresee a .300 hitter with good defense and power comparable to Dozier in Rosario, they might want to keep him. The Twins also have to project positional flixibility. Could Dozier be an above-average or better SS? Would Rosario still be an asset as a corner OF (it doesn't seem to be in the cards for him to play center)? The Twins and teams interested in acquiring one or the other have to make that judgement. A year from now, we could be much more sure or all concerned could know less for sure than they do now. I am optimistic for the future of both players. The one thing I would say is even if the younger player turns out better, it wouldn't necessarily turn out to be a mistake if he is the one moved. I do believe the Twins should learn from the last couple of years and trade players when their value is up.

I'll post that I am a big Dozier fan. I am happy for him having a very good season and breaking through. I will echo what the others have said about waiting to be sure that his hitting really is what it has been since June before locking him in long term as the Twins' answer at second base. However, as Brock said, this is the player we were expecting last year who didn't show up (plus extra base power). I believe he will be good next year and that at that point he should be considered part of the solution when the Twins are back to being relevant.

If, and I repeat if, one of Dozier/Rosario is traded, I would opt for Rosario. I think that since he is younger, his value would be higher. If Dozier's power is legit, I am not sure Eddie will produce those numbers any time soon. Finally, Dozier could regress on offense, but the defense is legit and it is between good and elite in his first year at the position. Of all the facets of both players' games, Dozier's defense at second base is the one thing we can be most sure of going forward. From a player control point of view, Dozier would be one or two years ahead of Sano, Buxton, Arcia and it is probably good to stagger the guys who will cost money in arbitration.

Mauer had a "bad day" yesterday and was sent home. He had a concussion as a kid and is taking a long time to recover from this episode. If you ask me, the Twins should give him a first baseman's mitt and say "that is your position". If he wins a couple more batting championships, it probably would be worth it. It is kind of a risk to start a rookie catcher, but Pinto looks up to the task.

Didn't we have the tying run in scoring position a couple of minutes ago? Ouch, 10 runs in one inning. I guess Martis will get some work.

Two articles here--with different headlines, but the same body--here is what I wrote in response to "Josmil Pinto The Twins Starting Catcher in 2014?" I base my optimism for Pinto on 1) minor league performance--he swung at strikes in NB and Roch. He was very consistent--not many o'fers and a lot of game with a hit or walk. A lot of extra base hits. 2) Eyeball test--compared to Colabello, he looks like Paul Molitor. Quiet at the plate, not off balance, able to adjust to hit off-speed stuff. He hasn't appeared to be fooled very often. 3) Almost all of his hits have been hit hard--when he had three doubles, the ball was stung each time. He isn't dropping bloopers over the infielder's heads. In addition, I would comment about Pinto's defense: While I haven't watched a ton of Pinto catching, from what I've seen I don't see any red flags. Pinto seems to have pretty good communication with the pitchers, throws well enough, and looks like he receives the ball well.

When I was in Cedar Rapids to watch the Kernels, I sat next to a scout for the Mets. I didn't get his name, but I asked him if there was too much hype for BB. He said "not enough" and said that while reports for him were great when he signed, he was far better less than a year later. It is early, but he could be the best ever to wear a Twins uni.

I base my optimism for Pinto on 1) minor league performance--he swung at strikes in NB and Roch. He was very consistent--not many o'fers and a lot of game with a hit or walk. A lot of extra base hits. 2) Eyeball test--compared to Colabello, he looks like Paul Molitor. Quiet at the plate, not off balance, able to adjust to hit off-speed stuff. He hasn't appeared to be fooled very often. 3) Almost all of his hits have been hit hard--when he had three doubles, the ball was stung each time. He isn't dropping bloopers over the infielder's heads.

It is Gene Glynn of Waseca, MN donchaknow! If they dump Gardy, I hope the Twins go outside the organization totally. If ever an organization needed to be opened up wider it is the Twins.

Bringing in a Hispanic coach would be a very good thing to do. I think it is time and the current group might not make it to October 1, although I don't put much blame for this season at their feet.

I can't see Mauer as a full-time catcher next year. His bat is too important to the Twins to let him absorb any more foul tips, to say nothing of the beating that catchers take every day. With no incumbent 1B and the presence of a likely above-average offensive catcher, I think the move will be made next year, at least by midseason.

Hicks would be right on the cusp if he spends no more time in the minors. He is going to have to be pretty special to avoid being optioned to start 2014. I think the Twins have decided that the time is now for Hicks to produce in order to play for the Twins. I really doubt they'll be swayed by a strong spring given what happened this year. It kind of makes sense to give Presley a long look, so Hicks wouldn't have had much playing time anyway.

Laz Diaz with another "good" call. As a matter of fact, Diaz was right.

Other teams' backup players make mistakes too! C'mon Trev, find a good pitch and drive it!

Ex-Twin note: Sean Henn is now pitching for the Giants. How many remember him?

Where is Camp Olson? Near Rochester?

Not bad Plouffie! Two RBI and hustling into second. Colabello, OTOH, had almost no chance.

Pinto looks like a really solid hitter. It looks like he is capable of hitting fastballs, off-speed stuff and breaking balls. He doesn't seem to be off-balance ever and doesn't seem to get fooled very often. I am 100% more interested when he hits than when Colabello is up, even though Colabello is a better candidate to hit it out of the park.

While I wouldn't say I'm excited, I would rather see Parmelee play than the alternatives. He's a better hitter than Clete, Mastro is banged up, and Doumit isn't an outfielder and hasn't hit much better than Chris.

Thry was misinterpreted (I think). He was speaking only of the year+ guys, some of whom would be eligible for Super 2 arbitration after the 2014 season. We have enough disagreements without having fights about things that weren't said or at least weren't intended to be said. It is really close to impossible to project the Gibsons, Pintos etc.

MLB Trade Rumors said that for this year's arb. it will be 2 years 121 days. I wouldn't expect the number to go down much further, but it will be a gamble every year to see where the line is drawn. BTW, I drew heavily on the Roster and Payroll Thread to get service time numbers for this year. Thanks to Jeremy for keeping that up.

I would call Romero's numbers middling at best. Glynn used him as a DH in the playoff games, so I doubt his defense is anything special. I think it is fair to give Plouffe the month of September to finish on a high note and perhaps make himself more tradable or make some money through arbitration.

I would say it is a long shot that Hicks will start 2014 with the Twins, winter ball or not. He will need to make his case for recall from Rochester. If he earns a recall, Presley fits nicely as a fourth outfielder and perhaps partial platoon partner for Hicks. Hicks is much younger and has a bunch more upside than Presley, but Presley is a far better placeholder than Clete Thomas.

I'd quibble with your designation of Diamond--he was 5-0 with a low 2 ERA, I think he earned his recall. De Vries earned a spot in the rotation this spring and after rehabbing, he has pitched very well. I'm hardly a fan, but De Vries was pretty effective last year and as stated, has pitched very well since his rehab.

Players who spent less that the whole season with the Twins. Here is where they stand going forward when looking at arbitration and free agency. Darin Mastroianni--Gets a full year of service time. He will have one year plus 149 days meaning he would be eligible to be a Super 2 after the 2014 season, but not eligible for free agency until 2018. Scott Diamond--With his option, he will have one year plus 161 days. Presuming he stays in the majors going forward, he will be in the same situation as Mastroianni. Caleb Thielbar & Oswaldo Arcia--both accumulated over 120 days. If they stay in the majors, they would be eligible for Super 2 in two years, but have six more years before free agency. Samuel Deduno & Chris Parmelee--Now have approximately 1 year + 100 days. Wouldn't be eligible for Super 2 next year and five more years to free agency. Clete Thomas--Now over two years service time. In the unlikely event he stays in the majors going forward, he'll be arb eligible in one year and eligible for free agency in four years. Pinto, Albers, Herrmann, Kyle Gibson, Tonkin, Colabello, Bernier, and Pedro Hernandez--None have accumulated enough time to get Super 2 status two years from now. So all would need three years of service to get arbitration and six more for free agency. Aaron Hicks--With his 124 days of service, if he spends no more time in the minors, he would be eligible for Super 2 in two years. However, just a week on option would put him below the threshold. Vance Worley--He is over 2 years, but won't be eligible for Super 2. Not eligible for free agency until 2017. Eduardo Escobar--He is at one year, 127 days. If he stays in the majors, he will most likely be eligible for Super 2 after 2014. If he spends three weeks in the minors, he would not be eligible for Super 2.