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You are correct Seth. So signing another x number of players is where the extra +$300,000 came from.

Thanks for all these updates today John, they are appreciated. If Harden could be back by mid-late April to +90% of what he was, he could be the Twins #1 guy and round out a nice starting rotation. Still a big if, but what a great first report.

Thanks for the update A.J. Expect it is nice settling into spring training after an exciting fall/winter. Have a great season!

I have been and remain of the opinion that he is the Twins #1 prospect. Maybe Buxton, Sano or Meyer have a higher upside. But being further away, there is a greater question to their ever achieving it. On the flip side, Arcia could hit well over .300 average with 30+ home runs...how much better can any of the three ever be?

Thanks Seth, appreciated this report. When I first heard of the trade, I immediately thought a right handed Randy Johnson. Remember commenting on that over at TT. Looked up Johnson's numbers at same age/level. It is scarry how similar they were and if my memory is correct, Meyer was actually a bit better. I also think the Twins know a lot about this young man as they certainly have scouted UK a lot with all the players they have from there over the recent past. Was Albers also still there when Myer was a frosh? I wounldn't worry a lot about the Boras relationship. Assuming they bring him up during the season they will have him for at least 6+ years. You all can worry about that in 2021!

Good morning John, and thanks for the message last fall. I didn't see it until several weeks ago, then wasn't able to return a message for whatever reason. I am back to nearly 100%, relaxing out here in the California desert. I don't know if we should read anything into Gardy's comments. I certainly didn't get the same feeling you did. As for the rotation, although I understand I am in a tiny minority I think Mr. Ryan did a nice job this offseason. Worley, Diamond and Pelfrey all should be solid once healthy and pitching. Correia is an innings eater who should be able to compete in the 4th starter slot. And unlike last year, we have a lot of young kids ready to step in with most now having some major league experience. It looks to me that we will need three of them on opening day as reports indicate Diamond won't be ready and it certainly is a question whether or not Pelfrey will be ready. Assuming Hendriks, DeVries and Deduno (with opening day April 1 at Target Field, I see Gibson staying in EST/Fort Meyers for a few weeks before a few weeks in Rochester) are in the opening day rotation, my question is what happens when the three projected starters are ready if say two of the kids get off to a great start? I haven't said this anywhere, but I think Pelfrey and Harden were great signings. If Harden has a nice comeback year and Pelfrey pitches like he is capable of by say June, Mr. Ryan has some attractive options. With a lot of salary available, he could certainly offer either or both a nice two or three year extension. Should they not accept and want to again test free agency (most likely with Pelfrey considering who his agent is), Mr. Ryan certainly has the salary available in 2014 to offer arbitration. Should either accept, he has a nice starter in 2014 on a one year contract coming off a good year. If they don't accept, he will get the draft pick in what many say will be a better draft than this year.

My wife keeps telling me to not read posts like this as it isn't good for my blood pressure. Your title to this post however, is an insult to the men who have dedicated their lives to the Twins organization. As I have said previously to a few totally irresponsible posts...you owe the Twins organization an apology. I doubt that will ever happen, because shooting off ones mouth with whatever comes to mind appears to be to easy to publish in today's world.

Yes, very similar young men at the same age.

Thanks Nick!

I have been a big fan of Rosario since I believe he led the GCL in stolen bases a couple years ago. This was a great read Parker, thanks! The few times I have seen him play, he reminds me a lot of a young second baseman in the Braves organization when I was a kid. Similar build, similar speed, very quick hands/swing with the ball exploding off his bat. That young man was a second baseman in the minors who switched to the outfield for the Braves. Appears Rosario may go the reverse route. Anyway, that is what I see in Rosario and if he ends up being 75% of that player he will be a superstar!

Thanks Seth for again being the voice of reason. I for one am so tired with all the garbage continually thrown at the front office on this site I am at the point that I hate coming here. Yet, this is the only place I can find you and what you have to say about the kids down on the farm. I guess I should listen to Bonnie and stop reading most of it. As for the middle infield, I have often thought that Dozier could become 'Dustin Pedroia lite.' Before everyone cuts me to shreads, I mean a player similar to Pedroia, just not as good. I do however, see Dozier as a solid major leaguer both at the plate and in the field. Maybe the best way to approach this year is to sit back and see what the Twins look like come June or July. Personally, I think they are going to surprise a lot of people. Based on what I have read here, I suspect most!

I read last year that the reason for his improvement in 2012 was the work he did during the offseason, 2011/2012. In addition to doing the normal physical work a pitcher will do, he watch a ton of film and studied his game. That enabled him to learn what he needed to do differently to become an effective major league starter. And he did. If he dedicates himself to a similar program this offseason, I see no reason why he cannot be as good in 2013 as he was in 2012 and maybe, even a bit better.

Agree with your selections mnfanforlife. Don't see Pelfrey or Gibson going north for opening day. Pelfrey won't be ready for another month or two and I see them bringing Gibson along slowely by pitching 20 innings in EST/Rochester during the first six weeks to two months. He then joins the Twins around June 1st for the rest of the year. The only other change I see would be if they pick up one position player/bench bat (most likely someone who can play some 3B) and Escobar begins the year in Rochester.

Great analysis Nick, thanks! I have my fingers crossed that he will be better. I expect we will see a performance not as good as he was during those two months, but better overall during the season with another 25 or so home runs and a higher average. If Plouffe can do that, one of the young outfielders steps up by early June and a few of the many starters vying for the rotation pitch relatively well, this team can be competitive.

Good list Seth. Like everyone else, I would probably move a few guys around a bit. But your list is as good as anyones. I would probably have included one or two of the GCL pitchers in a top 30. The only problem is, which one or two of the ten who were awesome last year? Bonnie checked my facebook account this morning and saw it is a bit cold on the border, eh? Was 79 here in Palm Desert yesterday. Will be here thru mid February.

I really like Lo and Jorge. Another one to like is Gibbons. He was more than solid in his first trip away from home in Australia. Have heard that he also could be special.

Actually, I am a bit envious of you living in Cedar Rapids. As a Twins fan, it is going to be exciting. When I looked at the GCL Twins staff at the end of the year, I saw the best group of young arms since I have been following the organization these past seven years. Of the ten who pitched more than 25.0 innings, only Chen had an ERA over 2.43. Granted it was only 25+ innings and they are a long way off, but that struck me as special!

I look for the Kernel's to have a special first year as part of the Twins organization, a team that will be led by a strong starting rotation. Added to the above, one must ask if Tomshaw or even Wheeler will return to start the year. Fort Myers rotation is overstocked and could force the Twins to hold back a few starters worthy of advancement on opening day. I see Boyd as being a potential anchor for the rotation. I hear what you are saying about last year at ETon, as I often felt the same. Yet, when his year was over he had the third best ERA in the league. And a 2.95 ERA as a first year pro in a hitters league could indicate an exciting future. I see several others picked in last year's draft as potential starters for the Kernels, led by D. J. Baxendale. Others could include Melotakis, Bard and Chargois. There also was a special group with the GCL Twins last year. Although unlikely, could one of their top starters jump up to Cedar Rapids? Perhaps Lo, Rosario or Jorge?

Although few, if any, of us know where players are scheduled to be each spring, it is my understanding the Twins have a good idea where players will play. That would seem to indicate that A.J. has been told he will very likely be in Fort Myers. If he hadn't, I don't see his new wife leaving her nurses job in Rochester, MN for a new job in Naples, FLA.

Hey A.J., Some of us were happily wearing our 'green and gold.' After all, there are a ton of loyal Twins fans living in the Twin Cities who are Badgers at heart. Have a great coupld months in the SW Florida sun as you get ready for spring training.

The 8 players added to the 40-man roster before the Rule 5 draft can't be removed from the roster at this time. That would include Wood and Thielbar. Players such as Pedro Hernandez, Alex Burnett, Casey Fien, Roenicke and Butera would all be eligible for some type of move.

Are you aware that the Twins did recently sign Clete Thomas to a minor league contract?

I need to side with Seth on this one, ie, I am on record from several months ago stating that Joe Benson will have a break out season in 2013. Thus, I believe he can and will be the starting centerfielder on opening day. It is my understanding that he went in for knee surgery expecting a minor cleanout. When in his knee, the surgeons learned there was a lot of damage and did a much more serious procedure. We don't know how long that injury had been affecting his play. Yes, he got off to a more than slow start at Rochester which weighed on his psyche. But the effect of his injuries (hamate bone and knee) certainly was a major reason his entire season was a disaster. With that said, I believe the Twins believe he is a legimate candidate to be in center on opening day. He has the skills that in many ways are equal to Hicks. Unlike some, I don't believe his play with the Twins in September, 2011 was a disaster. I saw a tremendously skilled young man getting his first glimpse of the 'show.' I remember the game he almost hit for the cycle as a glimpse of what could come. Does he have some things he needs to work on, certainly. But when it happens, he could become a superstar!

Will Joe Benson be starting in center field on opening day? Whereas Hicks may be the centerfielder of the short-term future, I doubt the Twins believe he will be ready on opening day. More likely sometime next summer. As for Benson, everything possible went wrong last year including two serious injuries (hamate bone and knee). What effect that had on his dismal season is unknown, however, one has to assume it had a real effect. If 100% healthy in spring, he just could report to Fort Myers and 'win' the starting centerfield job. On the other hand, Mr. Ryan will probably scrounge around for someone to compete with Mastroianni for center/4th outfielder should neither of the close kids win the job.

See he was a starter last year at high A ball, then a reliever when he moved up to AA. If they like him in spring training, see him stashed in the bullpen as the long relief guy. The hope would be that he get some time in AAA in 2014 and hopefully beccomming a member of the rotation later that year. If he does work out in spring training, he could replace Swarzak's role with Swarzak moving to either short relief, a starter or be moved in a trade.