bwille

With the holiday season upon us and the Hot Stove burning as hot as ever at this week’s Winter Meetings, it is no wonder why they call this the most wonderful time of the year. The presumable free agent waters should finally be flowing now that the major barricade that was Jon Lester has chosen his new home for the next six years. While the Minnesota Twins have been rumored to be kicking the tires on names such as John Axford, Dustin McGowan and Alexi Ogando, it shouldn’t have come as much of a surprise that the Twins were not a part of the Lester sweepstakes and quite frankly, they had no business being in the sweepstakes anyway. Twins general manager Terry Ryan has never shown any willingness to spend top dollar to acquire elite pitching talent and this offseason hasn’t shaped up to suggest anything different. Although I may be in the minority, I agree with Ryan’s approach this offseason as the Twins are not knocking at the doorstep of contention nor have their prized prospects established any currency in the major leagues to suggest they are building blocks for the future. This upcoming season may ultimately answer many of those questions and Ryan can then use the money he saved this year to theoretically spend on top free agent pitchers next offseason when he and his staff have more answers and the youngsters are one year further along in their development. I would like to believe that is true, but for now I will remain skeptical. History has shown that Ryan prefers to acquire talent via trades and since he has regained control of the Twins GM position, he has stayed true to this approach. He went out and acquired what may be the best pitching prospect that the Twins have had in years with the acquisition of Alex Meyer for Denard Span and he also bolstered future pitching depth with the acquisition of Trevor May for Ben Revere. Since then, however, Ryan has remained relatively quiet on the trade front, aside for minor deals at the trading deadline over the past few seasons. I don’t know if it is my Minnesotan bias or if I have simply gotten too close to the preverbal Hot Stove, but I feel like Ryan may be up to his old ways and a trade may be slowly cooking under the surface. As a Twins fan, I want to believe that any potential deal would be for starting pitching, but at this point in the offseason, it is tough to tell. With all the focus this offseason being on elite starters such as Lester, James Shields, and Max Scherzer in free agency and big names such as Jordan Zimmerman and Johnny Cueto being rumored as potential trade bait, one name has gone relatively unnoticed and could possibly be quite the bargain if he were to land in the right place. He would also fit the mold of the Twins finding an underappreciated and second or third tier starting pitcher at the right price and right time. The pitcher I am referring to is none other than Rick Porcello. Porcello’s name has been floated in trade rumors over the past few seasons as the Detroit Tigers have upgraded their pitching staff with marquee names such as David Price, yet the Tigers have refused to part with him up to this point. It is easy to understand the Tigers’ unwillingness to move Porcello as Porcello has posted 10 or more wins in every one of his major league seasons with the Tigers and has averaged almost 179 innings per season with a 4.30 ERA, 1.359 WHIP, and a 2.49 strikeout to walk ratio over six years with the club. Over that time, Porcello also posted a WAR of 10.8. Now I am not here to argue that Porcello is at the level of a Lester, Price, Scherzer, or even Cueto, but I am here to pose the question as to why the Twins have not been rumored to be pursuing a pitcher of Porcello’s ability. Porcello is young, 25, under team control until 2016, and plays for a team that may have a current surplus of starting pitchers after the acquisition of Shane Greene in the Didi Gregorious trade and the potential resigning of Scherzer. He is set to earn $8.5 million this year via arbitration, but still offers many of the qualities that the Twins desire with their pitching staff: talent, controllability, dependability, and durability. While he may not be the headliner or ace that fans may crave for, he may be the most attainable and realistic option for the Twins if they are motivated to upgrade their rotation without sacrificing much of their future assets. The team has been rumored to be looking at the likes of Ervin Santana, but that would come at the cost of a 2nd round pick if he were to sign with the Twins and for a team that is not near contention, I would rather the team save the draft picks they have unless it means a bonafide ace is coming to town. The Twins could garner similar production if they chose to invest in acquiring Porcello over a guy like Santana and Porcello’s age would fit nicely with their present and future plans as long as he continues to perform at the level he has shown he is capable of. Now the main question that fans may be asking themselves is: what would he cost? Quite frankly, I am not sure. I do feel as though the Tigers are looking for upgrades at catcher, the bullpen, and potentially in the corner outfield positions. In addition, Nick Castellanos is by no means a sure thing at third base either and the team could look to add insurance and depth at the position, but the team appears heavily invested in the youngster at the time being. With that being said, would a potential package of players such as Josmil Pinto and/or Trevor Plouffe be enough to secure Porcello or would the team need to add in a bullpen piece in any deal? Losing Pinto would cost the Twins their catcher of the future, but with his defensive liabilities, it is tough to imagine Pinto ever amounting to a starting caliber catcher. He may be best suited in a part-time catcher role and spend the rest of his time as a designated hitter or potentially first basemen. In Plouffe’s case, it would be tough to deal a player that seems to have turned the corner in terms of figuring out how to perform at a major league level; however, there is a mega prospect waiting in the wings at third base and is casting a huge shadow and that is Miguel Sano. Sano, himself, has had his fair share of injury concerns and by trading Plouffe, the Twins would leave themselves thin for options at third with only Eduardo Escobar and Eduardo Nunez remaining. In addition, Plouffe offers long-term flexibility with his ability to play multiple positions in the infield and outfield and could be a second coming of Michael Cuddyer if given enough time; but he is exactly the type of player the Tigers may covet and require in any deal for Porcello. In my opinion, a package built around Pinto would be the most realistic option and with the Twins currently looking at a lineup that may not have room for Pinto due to his defensive shortcomings, he may be expendable. No deal has been rumored between the two clubs and nothing is imminent, but my premise remains: why not? If I am Terry Ryan, I am seriously considering this option and am working tirelessly to make a move like this to improve my ballclub for the upcoming season. The Torii Hunter signing was sentimental and nice, but it won’t translate into anything unless the pitching staff is upgraded. We have heard now for years that young pitching talent is on its way. In addition, it is understandable to think that talents like Meyer and May are and will be in need of an opportunity to start and work through growing pains in the majors and a player like Porcello may get in the way of that; but as we have learned in the past, prospects are never sure things. Even if both Meyer and May work out, the rotation would still benefit from an addition like Porcello who could eventually replace an ineffective Ricky Nolasco long-term and provide immediate depth for the rotation while the youngsters develop. The acquisition of a talent like Porcello is something the Twins are sure to be considering, but now is the time that they act upon these considerations. Porcello, himself, may not be the pitcher the Twins are envisioning in terms of someone that could be acquired and plugged in to improve a porous starting rotation. Instead, it is the idea and caliber of what type of a pitcher he is and would represent to a franchise like the Twins that is important. Porcello alone won’t save this team and pitching staff, but acquiring him will send the right message to fans and players alike that the Twins are serious about contending now and in the future.

A report has surfaced over the past week indicating that the Cincinnati Reds are exploring trading outfielder Jay Bruce if the right deal were to surface. With the Hot Stove season inching closer with each passing day, it should come as no surprise that trade rumors are floating at increasingly a rapid rate. Unfortunately, the Minnesota Twins have yet to be linked to any big name free agents or potential trade candidates. This should not come as a surprise to most Twins fans as Terry Ryan and the front office have given little indication that they are willing to go out and add any pieces to improve this team, beyond a posssible Black Friday special on the free agent heap toward the end of winter.The Reds are in a precarious position after a disappointing 2014 season that saw them finish 76-86, their worst season since 2008. Injuries could be pointed to as a reason for their ineffectiveness and failure to live up to expectations, but that is an excuse used for many teams across baseball each and every season. Whatever the reason, if the Reds are hoping to turn the tide and return to contention for the 2015 season, they will need players like Bruce to lead the turnaround. The fact that he is potentially being shopped makes little sense on the surface. In his career, Bruce has hit .251 with a .790 OPS, 182 home runs and 551 RBI. His best season was 2013 when he hit .262 with 30 HR and 109 RBI. Acquiring Bruce will not be easy and it will not come cheaply. However, looking more deeply at the situation in Cincinnati, one might be able to understand the spot the Reds are potentially facing and be able to comprehend the rationale of trading one of their most dynamic offensive weapons who is entering the prime of his career. According to Sports Illustrated, the Reds are facing an unsettled situation after next season in regard to bringing back the majority of their 2014 starting rotation. Last season, the Reds signed Homer Bailey to a long-term contract. Outside of Bailey, the other four pitchers in the starting rotation—Johnny Cueto, Alfredo Simon, Mat Latos and Mike Leake—aren't signed past next season, nor is closer Aroldis Chapman. For a team hoping to remain in contention within a division that boasts the St. Louis Cardinals, Pittsburgh Pirates, Milwaukee Brewers, and the rapidly improving Chicago Cubs, having a solidified starting rotation and quality depth at the position is something of a necessity for the Reds. The Reds boasted one of the best starting staffs in all of baseball last season and though their 3.60 team ERA ranked in the middle of the NL, Reds pitchers held opposing batters to a league-best .239 average. Those numbers were largely credited to the starting rotation, whose collective 3.37 ERA ranked third in the NL. Needless to say, the reason the Reds were competitive had a lot to do with their quality starting pitching. If they wish to remain competitive, it will be via starting pitching and an offense centered around Joey Votto. The window for playoff contention may be closing if the team fails to keep this staff intact, so trading a player like Bruce may be a way to free up payroll and also improve the team in other areas of weakness. This is where the Twins come in. No, I have not started putting down the eggnog quite yet and yes, I am of stable mind when I stand behind this thought: The Twins should, can, and need to cash in on some of their young talent in order to acquire an established player this offseason. If there is one thing we know, it is that the Twins’ biggest area of weakness is their starting pitching and, to some extent, portions of their bullpen. However, the latter has a lot to do with the ineptitude of the starting rotation more than it has to do with the bullpen's talent. So why would the Twins want to invest in an area that is in less dire straits than their starting pitching? Because they have enough assets to do so and a move like this would significantly improve a lineup, and an outfield, that drastically needs it. Not to mention, a blockbuster trade like this would create a necessary buzz around the team that would hopefully keep dangling fans interested and buying tickets. In addition, the Twins have a general manager who is willing to take a risk when it comes to adding talent. In my opinion, things are a little too quiet around the Twins' front office which leads me to believe that there may be something brewing. Yet the main questions that Ryan and his staff must ask themselves, and what many fans reading this article are probably wondering is: What would it take to bring in Bruce and is he worth the price? Reports out of Cincinnati indicate that the team is looking to add a left fielder and pitching depth to their rotation and bullpen. If they were to trade Bruce, they’d also have a vacancy in right field as, so that must also be factored into any potential equation. If I were in Ryan’s seat, I would begin the discussion by offering a package of Phil Hughes, Aaron Hicks, and someone from the duo of Ricky Nolasco and Tommy Milone. I know many fans may scoff at trading Hughes after his brilliant 2014 campaign, but his track record does not offer a lot of stability and if the Twins are serious about acquiring a talent like Bruce, it will likely cost them one of their best arms. In Hughes’ case, why not sell high on a pitcher with an unpredictable future? He seems like exactly the type of pitcher the Reds would be looking to add to their already solid rotation and he would come with two years remaining on his deal and a payroll-friendly contract. Hicks has enough potential that the Reds may view him as a reclamation project and could plug him into an outfield spot with many years of control left at a cheap price. The inclusion of Nolasco would be a bit more difficult due to his poor 2014 season and the approximately $36 million left on his deal. But, like Hicks, the Reds could view Nolasco as a reclamation project with a solid track record in the National League who could be had at a reasonable price. Another potential deal I believe the Reds might strongly consider would revolve around Brian Dozier. I’d be willing to part with Dozier, Hughes, and Hicks straight up for Bruce because he has the talent to transform a lineup and is signed through 2016 with a team option for 2017 to a payroll-friendly deal. There is no guarantee that Dozier will continue to perform at the level he had this past season and his value may be at its height. Also, he is due a hefty pay raise in the coming years and with suitable replacements potentially coming up through the minors (Jorge Polanco, Eddie Rosario), the Twins could use this as a perfect opportunity to flip Dozier for maximum value. A package of Dozier, Hughes, and Hicks could even fetch a lower level minor leaguer or two in the deal, but Bruce would be the centerpiece for any such deal. In addition, the Reds have been rumored to be shopping Brandon Phillips over the past few seasons and could be looking for his long-term replacement in the near future, which would make Dozier the ideal fit in this deal. So why do I believe this would be a great deal for the Twins and their future? For one, in either deal that I have presented, the Twins would not be sacrificing any of their prized prospects such as Alex Meyer, Miguel Sano, Byron Buxton, J.O Berrios, Kennys Vargas, etc. Whether or not the Reds would be willing to trade Bruce without the inclusion of at least one of those prospects remains to be seen, but there is no guarantee that any of these players will ever live up to the hype that has been bestowed upon them throughout their minor league careers. With that in mind, why not trade for a proven commodity who is entering the prime of his career? If these stud prospects are kept, Bruce would be a cornerstone in place when the majority of these players make it to the majors. This may be one of the only times that the Twins have enough assets to get a player of his caliber without sacrificing numerous talented prospects. With Bruce in the fold, the Twins could trot out a lineup that looks like this as early as next season: 1. Danny Santana SS 2. Joe Mauer 1B 3. Kennys Vargas DH 4. Jay Bruce RF 5. Miguel Sano 3B 6. Oswaldo Arcia LF 7. Trevor Plouffe/Eduardo Escobar/Nunez 2B 8. Kurt Suzuki C 9. Eddie Rosario/Jordan Shafer CF And still have a pitching rotation of (in no particular order): 1. Kyle Gibson 2. Trevor May 3. Alex Meyer 4. Nolasco/Millone/Pelfrey 5. Free Agent starter (Justin Masterson, Brett Anderson, etc.) Under this scenario, the Twins still will be waiting on Buxton, Berrios, etc. to be making their way to the majors. Much like the Twins of the early 2000s, the time has come where if the Twins are unwilling to spend money via free agency to bring in top-flight pitchers and if they are confident in the prospects that they have coming up, they should bring up the young pitchers (with a few veterans thrown in) and grow with them as they learn to pitch at the big league level. The Twins will then have the best evaluation information as to what they truly have with these kids and it will allow the front office to take the next step into turning this franchise around as the youngsters gain experience and learn from their mistakes. Maybe the prospects crash and burn when they get to the majors and the team is back to losing 100 games again every season. At this point, who really knows for sure? At the same time, if the Twins were to begin losing 100 plus games every year because of the youth movement, they’d at least be doing it with players who are young and hopefully improving instead of cheap veterans who are on the last legs of their career. Trading for Bruce would not solve the Twins problems overnight. If anything, it would likely make the situation worse in the short-term. However, if the Twins are ever again to become a serious contender in this league it will rest on the arms of their young starting pitching that is developing in the minors and the bats of a productive lineup that can provide the starters with run support. Bruce improves the potential of any future Twins lineup immensely upon arrival and gives new coach Paul Molitor a masher who can anchor the lineup while the youngsters develop and provide stability at a position of great current concern. All that is needed now is for management to be willing to step outside their comfort zone and take a risk by making a blockbuster deal. Until then, we sit and wait as the Hot Stove adds one more coal to the fire. Click here to view the article

If I made it sound like the Twins were taking back Phillips as part of the deal, that was not my intention. I meant to say that the Reds would then look to trade Phillips for other help if they could acquire Dozier in a deal for Bruce. I agree that taking on Nolasco and Millone would not make much sense, but I took it from a sense that they would be receiving a player under control for a few years at a rate that they may need to pay to keep one of their current starters long-term. I also think Dozier's value is over-hyped here in Minnesota and if the Twins could find someone to overvalue him, such as the Reds, they could receive a nice compensation for him such as a player like Bruce. I agree that going after a player like Bruce is a long-shot, especially with our front office. I am merely floating the idea that trading players like Dozier while their value is high may be a good move for an organization that may be looking to make a splash this off-season to save plummeting ticket sales and to energize a new coaching staff. I did state at the end of the article that any deal would likely hurt the Twins in the short-term, but I think long-term it could reap huge benefits as it would improve the long-term potential of the team. Bruce would be a fine upgrade, but I agree that it'd be a tough sell to many people.

I agree with your logic and I would love to keep Hughes as well, as I believe he has great upside and may have turned a corner in terms of development. However, I am concerned he will continue to pitch well and price himself out of the Twins organization and/or may revert back to his New York form when he was erratic every other year. Under that logic, I was suggesting we sell high with the hopes of growing with what we have. I personally would rather see them package Dozier, Hicks, and someone such as Nolasco and see if they can get Bruce, but I doubt the Reds would consider that as they are looking for solid young pitching or an established veteran in return for an established middle of the order bat. The last thing I want the Twins to do is deal one of their young pitchers for Bruce so I naturally suggested Hughes as he has the most value in any trade; however, I would agree that in an ideal world, I'd love to keep Hughes.

A report has surfaced over the past week indicating that the Cincinnati Reds are exploring trading outfielder Jay Bruce if the right deal were to surface. With the Hot Stove season inching closer with each coming day, it should come as no surprise that trade rumors are floating at rapid rates. Unfortunately, the Minnesota Twins have yet to be linked to any big name free agents or potential trade candidates so far this offseason. This should not come as a surprise to most Twins’ fans as Terry Ryan and the front office have made little indication that they are willing to go out and add any pieces to improve this team, beyond a Black Friday special on the free agent heap towards the end of winter. The Reds are in a precarious position after a disappointing 2014 season that saw them finish 76-86, their worst season since 2008. Injuries could be pointed to as reasons for their ineffectiveness and failure to live up to expectations, but that could be an excuse used for many teams across baseball each and every season. Whatever the reason, if the Reds are hoping to turn the tide around and return to contention for the 2015 season, they will need players like Bruce to lead the turnaround; so the fact that he is potentially being shopped makes little sense on the surface. In his career, Bruce has hit .251 with a .790 OPS, 182 home runs and 551 RBI, with his best season coming in 2013 when he hit .262 with 30 HR and 109 RBI. Acquiring Bruce will not be easy and it will not come cheaply; however, if you look deeper at the situation in Cincinnati, one might be able to understand what situation the Reds are potentially facing and be able to comprehend why trading one of their most dynamic offensive weapons who may be entering the prime of his career. According to Sports Illustrated, the Reds are facing an unsettled situation after next season in regards to bringing back the majority of their 2014 starting rotation. Last season, the Reds signed Homer Bailey to a long-term contract; but outside of Bailey, the other four pitchers in the starting rotation—Johnny Cueto, Alfredo Simon, Mat Latos and Mike Leake—aren't signed past next season, nor is closer Aroldis Chapman. For a team hoping to remain in contention within a division that boasts the St. Louis Cardinals, Pittsburgh Pirates, Milwaukee Brewers, and the rapidly improving Chicago Cubs, having a solidified starting rotation and quality depth at the position is something of a premium for the Reds. The Reds boasted one of the best starting staffs in all of baseball last season and though their 3.60 team ERA ranked in the middle of the NL, Reds pitchers held opposing batters to a league-best .239 average. Those numbers were largely credited to the starting rotation, whose collective 3.37 ERA ranked third in the NL. Needless to say, the reason the Reds were competitive has a lot to do with their quality starting pitching and if they wish to remain competitive, it will be via starting pitching and a offensive centered around Joey Votto. The window for playoff contention may be closing if the team fails to keep this staff intact, so trading a player like Bruce may be a way to free up payroll and also improve the team in other areas of weakness. This is where the Twins come in. No I have not started putting down the eggnog quite yet and yes I am of a stable mind when I stand behind this premonition: the Twins should, can, and need to cash in on some of their young talent in order to acquire an established player this offseason. If there is one thing we know, it is that the Twins’ biggest area of weakness is their starting pitching and, to some extent, portions of their bullpen however that has a lot to do with the ineptitude of the starting rotation than it has to do with the bullpen's talent. So why would the Twins want to invest in an area that is less dire than their starting pitching? Because they have enough assets to do so and a move like this would significantly improve a lineup, and an outfield, that drastically needs it; not to mention, a blockbuster trade like this would create a necessary buzz around the team that would hopefully keep dangling fans interested and buying tickets. In addition, the Twins have a general manager that is willing to take a risk when it comes to adding talent and in my opinion, things are a little too quiet around the Twins' front office which leads me to believe that there may be something brewing. Yet the main question that Ryan and his staff must ask themselves, and what many fans reading this article are probably wondering, what would it take to bring in Bruce and is he worth the price? Reports out of Cincinnati indicate that the team is looking to add a left fielder and also add pitching depth to their rotation and bullpen. If they were to trade Bruce, they’d also have a vacancy in right field as well, so that must also be factored into any potential equation. If I were in Ryan’s seat, I would begin the discussion by offering a package of Phil Hughes, Aaron Hicks, and someone from the duo of Ricky Nolasco and Tommy Milone. I know many fans may scoff at trading Hughes after his brilliant 2014 campaign, but his track record does not offer a lot of stability and confidence to it and if the Twins are serious about acquiring a talent like Bruce, it will likely cost them one of their best arms. In Hughes’ case, why not sell high on a pitcher with an unpredictable future? He seems like exactly the type of pitcher the Reds would be looking to add to their already solid rotation and he would come with two years remaining on his deal and a payroll friendly contract. Hicks has enough potential that the Reds may view him as a reclamation project and could plug him into an outfield spot with many years of control left at a cheap price. The inclusion of Nolasco would be a bit more difficult to complete due to his poor 2014 season and approximately $36 million left on his deal; but, like Hicks, the Reds could view Nolasco as a reclamation project with a solid track record in the National League that could be had at a reasonable price. Another potential deal I believe the Reds would strongly consider would revolve around Brian Dozier. Personally, I’d be willing to part with Dozier, Hughes, and Hicks straight up for Bruce because he has the talent to transform a lineup and is signed through 2016 with a team option for 2017 to a payroll friendly deal. There is no guarantee that Dozier will continue to perform at the level he had this past season and his value may be at its height as well; not to mention that he is also due a hefty pay raise in the coming years and with suitable replacements potentially coming up through the minors (Jorge Polanco, Eddie Rosario), the Twins could use this as a perfect opportunity to flip Dozier for maximum value along with Hughes and Hicks. A package of Dozier, Hughes, and Hicks could even fetch a lower level minor leaguer or two in the deal, but Bruce would clearly be the centerpiece and motive for any such deal. In addition, the Reds have been rumored to be shopping Brandon Phillips over the past few seasons and could be looking for his long-term replacement in the near future, which would make Dozier the ideal fit in this deal. So why do I believe this would be a great deal for the Twins and their future? For one, in either deal that I have presented, the Twins would not be sacrificing any of their prized prospects such as Alex Meyer, Miguel Sano, Byron Buxton, J.O Berrios, Kennys Vargas, etc. Whether or not the Reds would be willing to trade Bruce without the inclusion of at least one of those prospects remains to be seen, but there is no guarantee that any of these players will ever live up to the hype that has been bestowed upon them throughout their minor league career anyway. With that in mind, why not trade for a proven commodity that is entering the prime of his career? If kept intact, Bruce would be a cornerstone in place when the majority of these players eventually make it to the majors and this may be one of the only times that the Twins have enough assets to get a player of his caliber without sacrificing numerous talented prospects. With Bruce in the fold, the Twins could trot out a lineup that looks like this as early as next season: 1. Danny Santana SS 2. Joe Mauer 1B 3. Kennys Vargas DH 4. Jay Bruce RF 5. Miguel Sano 3B 6. Oswaldo Arcia LF 7. Trevor Plouffe/Eduardo Escobar/Nunez 2B 8. Kurt Suzuki C 9. Eddie Rosario/Jordan Shafer CF And still have a pitching rotation of (in no particular order): 1. Kyle Gibson 2. Trevor May 3. Alex Meyer 4. Nolasco/Millone/Pelfrey 5. Free Agent starter (Justin Masterson, Brett Anderson, etc.) Under this scenario, the Twins still will be waiting on Buxton, Berrios, etc. to be making their way to the majors; but much like the Twins of the early 2000s, it has come to the time where—if the Twins are unwilling to spend money via free agency to bring in top-flight pitchers and if they are confident in the prospects that they have coming up—the Twins should bring up the young pitchers (with a few veterans thrown in) and grow with them as they learn to pitch at the big league level. The Twins will then have a great evaluation as to what they truly have with these kids and it will allow for them to take the next step into turning this franchise around as they gain experience and learn from their mistakes. Maybe the prospects crash and burn when they get to the majors and the team is back to losing 100 games again every season; at this point, who really knows for sure? At the same time, if the Twins were to begin losing 100 plus games every year because of the youth movement, they’d at least be doing it with players who are young and hopefully improving instead of cheap veterans who are on the last legs of their career. Trading for Bruce would not solve the Twins problems overnight; if anything, it would likely make the situation worse in the short-term. However, if the Twins are ever to become a serious contender in this league again it will rest on the backs of their young starting pitching that is developing in the minors and a productive lineup that can provide the starters with run support. Bruce improves the potential of any future Twins’ lineup immensely upon arrival and gives new coach Paul Molitor a masher that can anchor the lineup while the youngsters develop and provide stability at a position in the outfield of great concern. All that is needed now is for management to be willing to step outside of their comfort zone and take a risk by making a blockbuster deal. Until then, we sit and wait as the Hot Stove adds one more coal to the fire.

Download attachment: Appel.jpg The Major League Baseball Amateur Draft is fast approaching and the Minnesota Twins are slotted to pick fourth overall. With the way the season has been going for the Twins, many fans are setting their sights on the years ahead and the draft is a good place to drum up optimism and hope for a struggling team’s future. Last season, the Twins took outfielder Byron Buxton with the number two pick in the draft and early indications are that the Twins hit a “home run” with their selection.[PRBREAK][/PRBREAK] Buxton has lived up to the hype, hitting .324 with 59 hits, seven HR, 38 RBI, an astounding 35 walks and an OBP of .432 in 182 at-bats for low Class-A Cedar Rapids. Buxton has certainly embraced playing at this level, but it soon may be time for the Twins to send Buxton to high Class-A to see how he matches up against better competition. Might the Twins have a fast-track outfielder on their hands, like the Los Angeles Angels did with Mike Trout? It’s possible, but time will tell. ~~~ Originally published on www.rantsports.com ~~~ When the Twins selected Buxton, he was widely considered the “best available” player on the board and some even argued that he was the most talented player in the draft. By getting him with the number two overall pick, the Twins were very fortunate. Often, however, teams debate whether or not to draft for need and major-league readiness or to take the best player available. With their high picks the Twins have often claimed to subscribe to the “best player available” paradigm and last year’s draft fits that model; but with another season underway and the Twins still struggling with a talent-deficient starting rotation, will need and major-league readiness overcome best available this year? There are plenty of pitching prospects that have been rumored to be on the Twins radar: this group includes Mark Appel, Jonathan Gray, Ryne Stanek, Sean Manaea, Braden Shipley and Kohl Stewart. Lately, Stewart has been a hot name associated with the Twins; but no matter which prospect the Twins take from this list—if the they decide to go in that direction—each comes with a certain amount of risk, weakness and talent. The same goes for position players like Austin Meadows, Kris Bryant and Reese McGuire who all have obvious talent, but are still raw and have their own fair share of question marks. With all this in mind, what should the Twins’ strategy be? Do they draft a pitcher because the rotation is in such bad shape or do they take the best available player and then continue to build pitching depth in the later rounds? For a team that is starting to restock its minor league system with some very talented players, I would advocate for the “best available” theory for the Twins. Although money will play a significant role in who the Twins decide to choose, the positions they play and their immediate readiness for the majors should not. The question the Twins should ask themselves, regardless of position, is: which player is going to have the best overall career when all is said and done? Which player will get here the soonest should not be the deciding factor. (I think a pitcher will still be the best player available when the time comes for the Twins to draft at number four.) The Twins are couple years away from returning to contention; not a few years from returning to the World Series, but a few from just returning to contention. With that in mind, the team has time to draft the best available prospect and let him develop in a timely fashion. There seem to be several talented starters in the organization—albeit, mostly at the low levels—who, we hope, will soon be coming up to improve the major league staff; given this, drafting additional talent for the lineup would be OK as well. It is a crucial draft for the Twins, make no mistake about it; but if they can continue to practice their theory of drafting the best available prospect, they will continue to inch closer to contention and dominance. Brian Wille is a Minnesota Twins writer for RantSports.com. Follow him on Twitter @BeeWill15 . For more articles by Brian Wille check out his latest articles about Carlos Gomez's Departure from the Twins Nearly Three Years Later or Kyle Gibson Not Getting a Call to the Majors Image courtesy of: Jake Roth-USA TODAY Sports Click here to view the article

Following the sweep of the Chicago White Sox, the talk around Minnesota water coolers has been whether or not the Minnesota Twins will be buyers or sellers on the July 31st trade deadline. The Twins are currently 33-36 and are entering a stretch of games that could bring them to or over .500 when the trade deadline approaches. With that in mind, does it make sense for the Twins to become buyers if they continue to play well and are firmly in contention as the trade deadline approaches? In a word: no. Download attachment: Minnesota Twins.jpg Photo courtesy of: Jesse Johnson-USA TODAY Sports When the Twins entered the season, expectations were low and fans and analysts thought that if the Twins could find a way to stay around .500 for the majority of the season, it would be a successful year. Many around the organization and media were looking toward the future due to the immensely talented farm system the team had assembled. As a result, the team was not very active this past off-season. The front office made cheaper and shorter-term moves, assembling stopgaps on the roster until the next wave of talented prospects becomes ready to take over full time in the majors. ~~~ Article originally published on RantSports.com ~~~ The fact that some of these stopgap moves have worked out and the team is suddenly approaching contention should not alter the strategy and plans under which this team has operated. The Twins have assembled a talented farm system by trading away big league pieces for prospects, making great international signings and drafting solid high school and college players. Now that the pieces are beginning to fall into place in the minors, the Twins must now play the waiting game for these prospects to mature and make it to the majors. Once that vision materializes, it is expected that the Twins will, yet again, become perennial contenders. Why would the Twins jeopardize that vision and progress for a team teetering on being simply relevant? Typically, trade deadline deals are made for teams who believe they are one player or one trade away from becoming a legitimate playoff or World Series threat. As they are currently constructed, the Twins are not one player or one trade away from that unless that trade is historically lopsided. Even so, a trade that would make the Twins “instant contenders” would certainly cost their entire farm system, leaving the team bare in the future and setting themselves up for future failure and mediocrity. Thus, becoming buyers at the trade deadline makes little sense for the Twins. If the Twins were to rattle off a run where they win 30 out of 40 games—or something similarly impressive—the temptation will be for the team to add another piece to solidify this team; in my opinion, if the team goes on a run of that caliber, I’d rather stand pat with the guys assembled and see what happens while waiting for even more improvement once the talented prospects contribute. If the team is good enough to get themselves in contention via a long winning streak, they’d be good enough to go to battle with in the playoffs where—I believe—the Twins would still be huge underdogs because of their lack of starting pitching depth; one player or trade cannot and will not alter that perception. Standing pat and not selling out the future for a minimal post-season run is how a team can become a perennial contender. By not sacrificing the future and operating with the model “what is best for the franchise long-term”, a team can continue to compete without relying on free agency or trades to supplement its talent; the team would essentially become self-sufficient like the St. Louis Cardinals. They, despite losing Albert Pujols and other stars before him, have remained a perennial contender and legitimate threat at winning a championship year in and year out because they remain committed to not sacrificing the future for the present. While it may take restraint by the Twins’ front office, the team must resist the urge to make a deadline trade to improve a team that is not constructed to win a championship. Winning championships is the ultimate goal in professional sports, not simply contending. If the Twins become buyers at the deadline and sacrifice their future in the process, they will never reach that ultimate goal. Brian Wille is a Minnesota Twins writer for RantSports.com. Follow him on Twitter @BeeWill15 or “Like” him on Facebook or add him to your network on Google To view more articles by Brian Wille, click here Click here to view the article

With all the hype and excitement surrounding the Kyle Gibson promotion, the Minnesota Twins, behind closed doors, are likely pondering a more complicated question: who is going to get the axe to make room for Gibson's long-term presence in the rotation? Twins’ General Manager Terry Ryan has stated that once he promoted Gibson—barring some historically awful performances—it would likely be for good, which means that someone is going to have to be removed from the rotation, absent going to a six-man rotation or moving Gibson to the bullpen. Download attachment: Scott Diamond.jpg Photo Courtesy of: Jesse Johnson-USA TODAY Sports Moving Gibson to the bullpen would save some of the innings the team plans on limiting since this is his first full season back from Tommy John surgery. That could mean pitching longer into the season, but Ryan and manager Ron Gardenhire have given no indication they have plans for putting Gibson anywhere but the starting rotation. The Twins could opt to go with a six-man rotation—which I have discussed in a previous Twins’ article accessed by clicking here—to limit the wear on Gibson’s arm and keep their current starters in the rotation at least to the trade deadline. Then they then could trade a starter and open a spot that way. However, Kevin Correia is currently the only one in the rotation with any real trade value and trading him isn’t likely until the deadline gets closer and the price for him hopefully goes up. ~~~ Article originally published on RantSports.com ~~~ With Correia the most likely trade candidate—which could happen before the deadline once Mike Pelfrey returns from injury— Pelfrey, P.J. Walters and Scott Diamond are the three most likely candidates for demotion to Triple-A due to Gibson’s promotion. Samuel Deduno seems safe for now and I’m inclined to believe that Diamond also will be kept around, which essentially cuts the choice for the Twins down to Walters or Pelfrey. With Pelfrey—who has been pitching better of late, but still hasn’t pitched great—on the disabled list for the next week or more, the Twins can use the time as an audition period to see who ought to be sent down or traded to make room for Gibson, long-term. This could mean either demoting a player or waiting for the right trade possibility to present itself. Don’t forget also, the Twins have Trevor May rising through the minors and he could be challenging for a spot in the rotation by season’s end; the rotation might be undergoing even more changes after the Gibson situation is settled. It also wouldn't be out of the realm of the possible to see the Twins promote Vance Worley if he continues to pitch well in Triple-A. While the Twins may fall out of contention at some point this season, watching youngsters like Gibson pitch and develop is something to look forward to. Watching how the game of musical pitchers works itself out might also be quite entertaining during the dog days of summer. If I were a betting man, I’d say the rotation will be Gibson, Diamond, Deduno, Worley and Walters by the July 31 trading deadline, with May replacing Walters by September. While the Twins may not be actively pursuing a division title come August and September, they will certainly have plenty of pitching intrigue,making them an interesting team to follow as the season trudges on. Brian Wille is a Minnesota Twins writer for RantSports.com. Follow him on Twitter @BeeWill15 or “Like” him on Facebook or add him to your network on Google To view more articles by Brian Wille, click here Click here to view the article

Download attachment: jack-morris.jpg On Wednesday afternoon, it was announced that the Baseball Writers Association of America (BBWAA) elected Greg Maddux, Tom Glavine and Frank Thomas into the Baseball Hall of Fame as the Class of 2014. While each of the candidates were worthy of election (as each were some of the most dominant players of their own or any other era in baseball), there remains a glaring omission from the class that should offend baseball historians and fans of all ages. That omission has nothing to do with the PED era. Instead, I refer to St. Paul, Minnesota native Jack Morris. Morris has garnered a lot of attention over the past few years regarding his candidacy for baseball’s Hall of Fame. Most recently, Morris’ attention has stemmed from his inability to get elected to the Hall in his final year on the ballot. The argument presents many conflicting points. On one hand, had Morris been elected, his ERA (3.90) would have been the highest ERA ever allowed in the Hall of Fame, ousting Red Ruffing’s career 3.80 ERA. According to Sports Illustrated’s Tom Verducci, Morris also gave up so many hits and runs that he never finished among the top four in his league in ERA or WAR and only once did so for WHIP. On the other hand, over his 18-year career, Morris compiled a 254-186 record over 549 games—527 of which were starts—which places him 43rd on the all-time wins list. For comparison, Ruffing (whose aforementioned 3.80 ERA is the highest among Hall of Fame pitchers) had a career 273-225 record over 624 games—536 of which were starts—and he was elected into the Hall of Fame. As it currently stands, one of the 50 winningest pitchers of all-time will not be in the Hall of Fame and if you consider the thousands of pitchers who have pitched throughout the game’s history (some good, some bad), leaving out one of the top 50 (based on wins alone) is questionable. Morris was only 19 wins behind Ruffing, started 9 fewer games, had a 0.10 higher ERA than he did, and pitched in an era with a designated hitter; yet, Ruffing is in the Hall and Morris is not. At the very least, Morris requires serious consideration. Within his era, he further shines. According to Verducci, from 1979-1992, Morris threw 18% more innings than any other starting pitcher and made it through the 8th inning in his starts 45% more often than any other pitcher. In an era where five men rotations were becoming more common and pitchers weren't being asked to pitch more than six innings very often, Morris’ accomplishments during his career represent a dying breed of pitchers who pitched deeper into games on a more regular basis and accumulated more innings over the duration of their careers. More impressive, he accomplished this all while pitching in the American League with a designated hitter in every lineup. Among all starting pitchers who debuted between 1970 and 1984, Morris won the most games (254), completed the most games by far (175, or 22 percent more than the next closest pitcher), posted the second best winning percentage (.577) and had the second most strikeouts (2,478) (Verducci). Those stats, however, do not give justice to the complete profile that Morris has assembled over his illustrious career. Morris made 14 Opening Day starts, six Game One playoff starts (of which he went 4-2), one unforgettable Game 7 start in 1991, was selected to five All-Star teams, and finished in the top five for Cy Young Award voting five times in his career. Although Morris only had three seasons of 20 or more wins, his perception as a staff ace and bulldog on the mound garnered him a reputation around the game as one of the most durable and productive pitchers of his era. In a culture in which a player is equally judged by the number of championships they won as they are by their individual achievements, Morris’ playoff resume is equally impressive. Morris won three World Series titles and sported a career 7-4 record with a 3.80 ERA in the playoffs and a 4-2 record with a 2.96 ERA in the World Series. These statistics reflect a pitcher who excelled on the biggest stage where players careers are often judged most critically. No pitcher has ever pitched their entire career in the American League during the designated hitter era and been elected into the Hall of Fame. Shouldn’t Morris be the first? Sure you can point to his high ERA and his lower win total compared to other Hall of Fame pitchers, but that shouldn’t deter voters from electing Morris into the Hall of Fame. The Hall of Fame is made for players who left an impact on the game of baseball and were among the elite players of their era. Morris fits the bill for both of those characteristics. His 10 inning masterpiece in Game 7 of the 1991 World Series has gone down as one of the greatest outings in Major League history and his statistics rank among the best pitchers from the era that he came from. A lot of the skepticism surrounding Morris’ candidacy is related to the lack of quality pitchers coming out of the era in which he pitched in. Despite the lack of elite pitching talent during this era compared to other eras in history, Morris shouldn’t be punished for pitching at the time that he did. The fact of the matter is this: Morris was one of the elite pitchers of his time and thus, he should be recognized for it. When Kirby Puckett was elected to the Hall of Fame in 2001, there was little arguing among baseball minds that Puckett deserved to be in the Hall of Fame. I would tend to argue that Puckett was one of the greatest players who ever lived. He dominated the era that he was in and gave several lasting memories that will stand in baseball history forever. However, if you look at his stats and judge Puckett solely by those stats, one could argue that Puckett’s stats aren’t completely “Hall of Fame worthy” by comparison to other players already in the Hall. Puckett may have been a 10-time All-Star, 6-time Gold Glove Award winner, and 5-time Silver Slugger Award with career totals of a .318 batting average with 2,304 hits, 207 HR and 1,085 RBI over his 12-year career, but those statistics don’t rank among the game’s elite. At the time of his election in 2001, Puckett ranked 24th in career batting average, 47th in career on base percentage, 50th in runs, 25th in home runs, and 34th in RBIs out of the 59 total outfielders in the Hall of Fame. Since Puckett’s numbers ranked among the middle to lower end of the spectrum when compared to all of the outfielders in the Hall of Fame, does that mean he shouldn’t be in the Hall? No way. Puckett was judged by so much more than simply his statistics. His legacy had just as much to do with him getting in the Hall as his play on the field did. What created and solidified Puckett’s legacy among the game’s greats were his performances on the biggest stage, the World Series. His infamous catch and walk-off homerun in Game 6 of the 1991 World Series is firmly implanted in the minds of baseball historians and fans forever and it undoubtedly had an impact on how the voters perceived Puckett when his “Hall of Fame Judgment Day” came in 2001. With that in mind, why shouldn’t Morris’ strong performances in the World Series (i.e. Game 7 of 1991) hold the same kind of impact on his candidacy? If you rank Morris statistically among some of the pitchers already in the Hall of Fame, his rankings might be similar in comparison to that of Puckett’s and the rest of the Hall of Fame outfielders, but does that make him any more or less worthy of election? The answer to that question is no. While some of the statistical categories clearly show that Puckett is Hall of Fame worthy and ranks among the game’s best to ever play the position, others rank him among the bottom of the group when it comes to particular statistics; however, Puckett was still elected to the Hall and so should Morris. Morris' timing isn't doing him any favors. Puckett was elected in 2001 when there weren’t as many viable candidates jockeying for position as there are in 2014 when Morris is trying to get in. Morris had to compete for votes with PED era holdovers and stalwarts such as Barry Bonds, Roger Clemens, Mark McGwire and Sammy Sosa whereas Puckett had to compete with Gary Carter, Morris, Goose Gossage, Jim Rice, and Bruce Sutter for votes. Although many of the players Puckett had to compete with for votes eventually were elected into the Hall, the situation and voting attitude is much different now than it was back then. Voter’s opinions are more diversified now than ever before and it has resulted in a declining number of players getting elected each year. If the Hall of Fame is truly the sacred place that the BBWAA is trying to uphold and build upon by adding the greatest players in baseball history—while keeping out the players who tarnish the game’s integrity—then Morris deserves to be a part of it. If you look at his complete body of work considering his statistics, reputation, and performance during his specific era, he will remain among the best pitchers who ever played the game. Sadly, it seems as if the BBWAA has their own hidden agendas behind their voting that may stem from personal experiences or perceptions of the players instead of their performance on the field. These hidden agendas are costing players like Morris—who deserve to be in the Hall—a chance to be recognized for the greatness of their careers. I shudder at the thought of who else may be left out because of such nonsensical reasoning. By not electing Morris in his last year of eligibility, the BBWAA hasn’t upheld their duty to elect the best players into baseball’s most sacred place. Should the system be changed? I’m not sure; but if you ask me, a Hall without Jack Morris is no Hall at all. Photo Courtesy of Rick Stewart-Getty Images Click here to view the article

After a drama-filled game on Tuesday evening in which the Minnesota Twins rallied to beat the Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim in 10 innings, the teams were back at it Wednesday afternoon with the Twins having a rare opportunity to sweep a road series. The game was an old-fashioned pitcher’s duel, but it was a blown call by an umpire that ultimately stole the show in the Twins’ 1-0 defeat. [PRBREAK][/PRBREAK] Download attachment: Justin Morneau.jpg The Twins had runners on first and second base with Justin Morneau at bat and nobody out. Angels’ closer Ernesto Frieri had been struggling mightily with his command and the Twins were poised to scratch across a few runs and steal another game on the road; all of that changed in the blink of an eye due to a crucial “judgment” error by the umpire. Morneau hit a soft, broken-bat pop-up that was heading towards Frieri, who had plenty of time to make what appeared to be a routine play, when he suddenly let the ball drop in front of him before throwing to first for the out. ~~~Originally published on RantSports.com~~~ Now why would Frieri let the ball drop you may ask? Well, it’s pretty simple: if Frieri lets the ball drop, he can then pick it up and turn a double play because the runner at first—if he is a smart base runner—will freeze on such a slow and low-level pop-up and will head back to first. By letting the ball drop and throwing to first base, Frieri ensured he would get Morneau out and also catch the runner at first—Doug Bernier—in a run-down for the second out. You may be asking: where did the umpire make the error? The answer is that Frieri should never have had the opportunity to let the ball drop in front of him. The umpire should have ruled the play an infield fly, which would have held the Twins to one out, and the runners would have returned to their respective bases. Too often, fans and media members believe that an infield field fly can only be called if there is a pop-up that has occurred in the confines of the infield, to one of the four official infielders, with runners on first and second base and less than two outs; but that understanding is mistaken. According to the MLB Official Rules, by definition, “An infield fly is a fair fly ball (not including a line drive nor an attempted bunt) which can be caught by an infielder with ordinary effort, when first and second, or first, second and third bases are occupied, before two are out. The pitcher, catcher and any outfielder who stations himself in the infield on the play shall be considered infielders for the purpose of this rule.” In addition to considering the pitcher an infielder, the key phrase to pay attention to in the infield fly definition is “caught by an infielder with ordinary effort.” The fact that Frieri had time to see the ball in the air, decide to let it fall and be able to make a double-play should be evidence enough that something wasn’t right. With ordinary effort—or below ordinary effort for that matter—Frieri could have easily caught the low-hanging pop-up; thus, the umpire should have called an infield fly because it was a play that the infielder could have made with ordinary effort. This missed call may seem insignificant due to the fact that the Twins are so far out of contention, but the fact remains that this type of blunder could cost a team a decisive game down the stretch and thus, it needs to be called correctly. Of course, it needs to be correctly called in any event. Contrarians will argue that the play was a “judgment call” by the umpire. Well, it was, and his judgment that it was not an infield fly was wrong. The additional judgment by Frieri to let the ball drop should have been rendered irrelevant if the ump had made the right judgment. Brian Wille is a Minnesota Twins writer for RantSports.com. Follow him on Twitter @BeeWill15 or “Like” him on Facebook or add him to your network on Google To view more articles by Brian Wille, click here Click here to view the article