Physics Guy

So was Jerry Ryan a way around the filter? Now I understand why I saw Jerry Ryan referenced in threads early on. I was confused and took it as some type of inside joke/slam. Anyways, I am very happy that Brock joined the founders. While I came here for the articles, I found the forums very enjoyable as well. There was a stretch where the forum was a little rough and I am so thankful for Glunn and the rest of the mods for bringing a level of civility. I came close to losing interest in the site. Now, I probably spend more time on the site seeing how my comments have been received and looking to engage in more discussion.

I agree that it should be May. He has had success at the major league level, including a pretty good stretch of starts right before he was sent to the bull pen. He's also older, so if he's a starter he needs to show it this year. It seems the new FO wants to make sure Albers, Dean, etc don't make starts this year. I'd like to see Berrios in the rotation, but doubt it happens to start the season. He is part of the depth, but just hasn't proven it yet at MLB. I suspect he will be up by mid-May.

I'm with Willihammer. I think Kintzler is decent enough to finish off most games. Pitch the better relievers in higher leverage situations.

I guess that depends on your definition of "really struggling". It would be a very nice problem to have (as opposed everyone struggling, besides Santana). I honestly think everyone (Santana, Gibson, Santiago and Hughes) have the capability of being 4.00 ERA starters. The odds of all four of them achieving it, not likely. One of the four will falter. Berrios not being in camp during the WBC likely has him starting in AAA.

I get what you are saying on Berrios, but I would be OK with it if May is ready to start the season in the rotation. I will be shocked if Santana, Gibson, Santiago and Hughes aren't the top four in the rotation. Since May is older, I would rather see him in the rotation than JB. Berrios comes up by May if one of the first four falters or is injured. Conversely, it sounds like May has an option left, so maybe we start May in AAA so he can work his way back into starting again. I think Vogelsong is AAA filler. I see Duffey's future as a setup man and Haley as the long reliever.

Couldn't agree more, especially since Gleeman essentially quit blogging on the Twins (can't blame him). Thanks so much to the creators and all who contribute to great debate that goes on in the forums.

Trevor May starts 30 games and ends up with an ERA around 4. Miguel Sano hits 40 HR and plays passable defense. Polanco starts less than half the games at SS. Buxton has an OPS over .800 during the second half. Berrios struggles the first half of the season but has a sub-4.00 ERA in the second half. Rosario proves he is a 4th OF, Grossman turns back into a pumpkin and Granite becomes LF after the AS break.

Isn't Palka's floor never making it to MLB? He's probably better than ABW, but not by much. ABW will probably never see time in the majors. I get the sense that Palka will get a chance with the Twins, but he better take advantage of it when he gets it. I doubt he gets to hang around as much as Vargas has. From what I've read about Kirilloff, his defense is not an issue and may be above average, not true of Palka. Kirilloff had a 13.7% K rate vs. 32.7% for Palka. That's a huge difference.

I agree it isn't likely to happen, but I think his point is valid. If somebody claims him, I believe they pay his salary and the Twins are off the hook. I don't think it's wise at this point since Mauer is by far the best option as the #2 batter in the lineup.

I attribute the biggest difference on this team as being the addition of Staal. While he has not been as good lately, having two larger centers in Koivu and Staal allowed Granlund and Coyle to stay on the wing where they are clearly better. It has trickled down throughout the lineup. The addition of Stewart on the 4th line hasn't hurt either.

Better for 2017: Sano, Buxton, Kepler, Escobar, Park, Murphy, Gibson, Santiago, Hughes (low bar), Duffey, May, Berrios Worse: Dozier (hard to be better), Santana, Kintzler, Grossman

I'm starting to feel this may be correct, although I want to let him play most of this year (assuming he doesn't regress) to see if he can be a legit starter. Maybe he is the LH half of a platoon.

I totally get the disappointment expressed on this thread. It's hard not to be after the past 6 years. I remember a thread two or three years ago discussing the Twins being in contention by 2018. That doesn't seem likely at this point, but not out of the realm of possibility. For me, it all comes down to the development of our young players. That is what this year should be entirely about. We need to figure out who can be part of the solution. At catcher, the FO made a good decision in signing Castro that should help the pitching staff. Either Murphy or Gimenez should be the backup, allowing Garver to play most of the games at AAA. This is a positive change. I've stated my opinion on several threads that 1B & DH should be covered by Mauer, Vargas and Park. Park and Vargas should face the tough lefties. IMO we need to see what they can do rather than sign a DH. No reason to make a move here. 2B and SS is where I am disappointed, but I understand what the FO has done. I wanted an IF of Escobar/Aybar SS and Polanco at 2B. Polanco scares me a bit at SS. Hopefully they can flip Dozier for at least two good prospects during the season. I am happy the Twins are giving 3B to Sano. Keep him at 3B as long as he can be serviceable there. Yes, he will eventually be a 1B or DH. He's too young to concede that yet. I love the defense that an OF of Rosario, Buxton and Kepler can provide. I am starting to be skeptical that Rosario can be a full-time starter, but I want him to be given every opportunity to see if he can. I would have liked a better 4th OF defensively than Grossman, but don't see and RH FA that interest me. I don't disagree that the bullpen could use another veteran, but am OK going with the kids. As KLaw has stated, there probably isn't a team with more MLB ready RP in the minors. Kintzler and Pressly are probably my only locks. Then just run out whoever is producing among Duffey, Tonkin, Rogers, O'Rourke, Chargois, Melotakis, Hildenberger, Burdi and Reed. They have many options. Wouldn't mind seeing them sign Blanton. Obviously the rotation needs to improve. Unfortunately, there wasn't anything available in FA that really moves the needle for me. Jason Hammel is still available and I wouldn't argue with signing him. As bad as they were last year, I think the pitchers they currently have are capable of getting a 4.00-4.50 ERA fairly easily. Santana is likely to have a sub 4 ERA. I think a healthy Gibson throwing to Castro gives him a chance to be closer to 4 than 5. He was arguably their best pitcher in 2015. Hughes will get a chance and if he has regained his velocity can be a 4.00 ERA pitcher. Trevor May's last 9 starts before being moved to the BP he threw 50.1 IP, 47K/10BB and a 3.75 ERA. Santiago had 4 straight seasons below 4 ERA prior to last year. If any of them fail we have Berrios and Meija in AAA. Gonsalves could be ready by mid-season. It isn't sexy, but I think their rotation should give them a chance. Their primary focus should be to acquire high upside SP prospects in any trade. Edit: I expect Haley to be in the pen.

I hate to say it, but it reminds a little of the year that they traded Span and Revere and essentially handed Hicks the position. The difference is that Hicks was likely ready defensively but not offensively. The reverse is probably true with Polanco. I'm not sure how wise that is considering how important SS is defensively. The saving grace in this situation is that we have Escobar as a safety net, which I'm not sure we had with Hicks.

I answered that four posts after the one you quoted. Joe should be batting 2nd in the lineup.

Well, I really just threw it out to stir up some conversation. I like Gordon, but I'd like to have options if he isn't ready by 2018. I have my concerns about Polanco as a SS and he's a wasted resource if the Twins don't move Dozier. If the Twins don't move Dozier, theoretically trading Polanco for Gonzalez might make sense. Gonzalez doesn't appear to have the stick Polanco does, but is an upgrade defensively. One major problem with this idea is that the Indians have Kipnis. Can we please just trade Dozier??? Polanco at 2B and then sign a guy like Aybar to compete with Esco. It just makes the most sense, but then again we've hashed this out ad nauseam. I would love it if Gordon was at SS in 2018 and Polanco at 2B. I just worry about what our options are if Gordon isn't ready in 2018.

Agree that Gordon is long-term option, but he is at least a year out. Wouldn't mind seeing a better option at SS in the meantime, especially a good defender. Our pitching staff agrees.

Should we be trying to trade for Gonzalez?

It looks like there are only three IF on Leones del Escogido's roster that are on 40 man rosters. Gonzalez, Polanco and a third guy listed at 2B that is younger than Polanco. If Gonzalez is the better glove, it makes perfect sense since Polanco is probably their best option at 2B.

After thinking about the Castro signing, I think he will help Gibson as much or more than anybody else on the staff. Gibson seems to have a habit of nibbling on the edges of the zone and his walk rate increased last year. Maybe Castro can get that one extra strike to help get Gibson our of those big innings and help him be more like the 2015 Gibson. If that is the case, I can see 200 innings from him.

Not playing SS in winter league is unfortunate, but likely out of their control. Not playing him at SS in AAA last season on the other hand...

If you are referring to Berrios, and I believe you are, I'm pretty sure he exceeded his rookie limits.

Yes, clearly that is true. The starting 2B, SS and 3B on the '91 team all were either drafted or came up to the bigs as SS. Yes, players should play the position in AAA that the team expects them to in the majors. I'm not sure what your point is in regards to my post. I was responding to your post that said he didn't play SS in the minors, which was clearly not the case. Did you mean to say that he didn't play SS in the minors in 2016?

Here's what I want to see happen in the rotation: Santana, Gibson, Santiago, May and Hughes. I would like to see Berrios and Meija start in AAA and get pulled up relatively quickly if any of the top five struggle. If May has options left, I wouldn't mind seeing Berrios in the rotation and May starting the season in AAA exclusively as a starter. I wouldn't be surprised if Hughes isn't ready and Berrios is in the rotation, but he will be given the opportunity to be in the rotation. If he stinks, try him in the bullpen.

Santana is versatile, but not good at one single thing. He can play almost anywhere in a pinch, but don't see the value on this team. Escobar can play 2B, SS and 3B. Whoever is 4th OF doesn't matter because Rosario or Kepler can play CF the few time (hopefully) that Buxton is out of the lineup. DFA Santana and send him to AAA as emergency call up. I don't see him getting claimed and I doubt we miss him if he is. I am really disappointed about the way he fell off from his promise in 2014. I would love to have that guy back. The guy he has become is not worth a spot on the 25-man roster.