J-Dog Dungan

With all the craziness that has surrounded the final day of regular season baseball this year, I thought it would be smart to wait to post the rest of these until I was sure of the matchups. I will now begin a rapid-fire posting over the next day to cover all of the first playoff matchups, and doing new ones when the series advances to the next round. In this my second post, I will continue with the NL and look at the match-up between the Cardinals and Braves in the NL wild-card playoff matchup. vs. Offense: I might be tempted to give this category to the Braves just because Chipper Jones is in his final playing season of baseball. Unfortunately, that would overlook the abysmal 2nd half the Braves are having offensively. Since the All- Star Break, they are hitting a dismal .234, with 65 HR, 288 RBI's, and an OPS of .683. Yeah, not so good in the second half. The Cards have been doing much better since the half-way point of the season, hitting at a.268 clip, with 63 HR, 322 RBI's, and an OPS of .740. Going by the second half stats, which are more likely from my point of view to be the stats that mirror the stats in the postseason, I would say that the Cards have had a much more solid second-half than the Braves have, offensively anyway. Advantage: Cardinals Defense: I would say that these two teams defensively are probably the closest any two teams in the playoffs this year can be. While the Braves are ahead in FP, .986 to .983 due mostly to committing 21 fewer errors than the Cardinals, the Cardinals have turned more double plays, not to mention have Yadier Molina behind the plate, which leads them to give up nearly 16% fewer stolen bases than the Braves, as well as the lead the Cardinals enjoy when passed balls and wild pitches are measured. The Braves commit fewer errors than the Cardinals, but the Cardinal's backstop is a guy you don't want to cross if you are a base-stealer (and a good batterymate for pitchers). Very, very close between these two, but I will take the extra errors over the fewer WP's and passed balls Advantage: Cardinals, but it is sooooo close. Pitching: These stats cover the whole season, and it is very clear from both the bullpen and starting staff who has the better pitching rotation. Let's begin with the two team's starters. The Braves's starters are 69-54 with a 3.75 ERA over 959 IP, with 106 HR given up, and a WHIP of 1.25. The Cards's starters are 71-47 with a 3.62 ERA over 989 IP, with 79 HR given up and a WHIP of 1.27. Now to the relief corp for each team. The Braves' relievers are 25-14 with a 2.76 ERA over 486 IP, with 39 HR given up and a WHIP of 1.19. The Cards' relievers are 17-27 with a 3.90 ERA over 473 IP, with 55 HR given up and a WHIP of 1.27. When it comes to starting pitching, I give the advantage easily to the Cardinals. The problem is, any bullpen in the playoffs has to be the best of the best, and the Cards' pen has been anything but this year, which could give them troubles in late-inning, high pressure situations if they don't have the right guy, and the fact that the Braves' bullpen has been as good as it has been gives me a good feeling about their pitching staff during their postseason run. Advantage: Braves Overall: This is a one-game match, so it is winner-take-all mano-a-mano slugfest. These two teams have this one game to prove their qualities to be better than the other Prediction for this game: Braves win and Chipper has a hand in driving in the winning run to advance the Braves to the next round. Here is the link over to my prediction for the Giants and Reds series: http://twinsdaily.com/entry.php?1975-Playoffs-pt-1

With all the craziness that has surrounded the final day of regular season baseball this year, I thought it would be smart to wait to post the rest of these until I was sure of the matchups. I will now begin a rapid-fire posting over the next day to cover all of the first playoff matchups, and doing new ones when the series advances to the next round. In this my second post, I will continue with the NL and look at the match-up between the Cardinals and Braves in the NL wild-card playoff matchup. vs. Offense: I might be tempted to give this category to the Braves just because Chipper Jones is in his final playing season of baseball. Unfortunately, that would overlook the abysmal 2nd half the Braves are having offensively. Since the All- Star Break, they are hitting a dismal .234, with 65 HR, 288 RBI's, and an OPS of .683. Yeah, not so good in the second half. The Cards have been doing much better since the half-way point of the season, hitting at a.268 clip, with 63 HR, 322 RBI's, and an OPS of .740. Going by the second half stats, which are more likely from my point of view to be the stats that mirror the stats in the postseason, I would say that the Cards have had a much more solid second-half than the Braves have, offensively anyway. Advantage: Cardinals Defense: I would say that these two teams defensively are probably the closest any two teams in the playoffs this year can be. While the Braves are ahead in FP, .986 to .983 due mostly to committing 21 fewer errors than the Cardinals, the Cardinals have turned more double plays, not to mention have Yadier Molina behind the plate, which leads them to give up nearly 16% fewer stolen bases than the Braves, as well as the lead the Cardinals enjoy when passed balls and wild pitches are measured. The Braves commit fewer errors than the Cardinals, but the Cardinal's backstop is a guy you don't want to cross if you are a base-stealer (and a good batterymate for pitchers). Very, very close between these two, but I will take the extra errors over the fewer WP's and passed balls Advantage: Cardinals, but it is sooooo close. Pitching: These stats cover the whole season, and it is very clear from both the bullpen and starting staff who has the better pitching rotation. Let's begin with the two team's starters. The Braves's starters are 69-54 with a 3.75 ERA over 959 IP, with 106 HR given up, and a WHIP of 1.25. The Cards's starters are 71-47 with a 3.62 ERA over 989 IP, with 79 HR given up and a WHIP of 1.27. Now to the relief corp for each team. The Braves' relievers are 25-14 with a 2.76 ERA over 486 IP, with 39 HR given up and a WHIP of 1.19. The Cards' relievers are 17-27 with a 3.90 ERA over 473 IP, with 55 HR given up and a WHIP of 1.27. When it comes to starting pitching, I give the advantage easily to the Cardinals. The problem is, any bullpen in the playoffs has to be the best of the best, and the Cards' pen has been anything but this year, which could give them troubles in late-inning, high pressure situations if they don't have the right guy, and the fact that the Braves' bullpen has been as good as it has been gives me a good feeling about their pitching staff during their postseason run. Advantage: Braves Overall: This is a one-game match, so it is winner-take-all mano-a-mano slugfest. These two teams have this one game to prove their qualities to be better than the other Prediction for this game: Braves win and Chipper has a hand in driving in the winning run to advance the Braves to the next round. Here is the link over to my prediction for the Giants and Reds series: http://twinsdaily.com/entry.php?1975-Playoffs-pt-1

In the ESPN blog that you posted, is there any reason why Revere wasn't even given an honorable mention for all the great catches he made? Is it because he is on a team that hasn't done diddly-squat in the standings the last two years? While I will agree with the blogger that says Trout was one and Ryan was two, Revere should be in the Top 5, in my humble (and extremely Twins-biased) opinion.

Would you be able to live with Dan Haren?

Were these just grades for players that played in the Majors this year?

While the Twins may not be in the Hunt for October legend-status, there are teams around the league that have clinched a playoff spot and are lining up their pitching according to who they will (or might) face in their first game (or series). This will be a series of blogs about the different teams in the postseason, and how they rank up against everyone else (and especially against their first opponent, if that opponent is known yet.) I will start with the National League, because their playoff bracket is more or less set, unless something amazing happens in regards to the Dodgers and Cardinals. There is a divisional series already set in the National League, with Buster Posey and the Giants set to face Joey Votto and the Reds. http://t0.gstatic.com/images?q=tbn:ANd9GcRmDLalKBZeAsnWZxFqbXR3K3T_TLeQsWCB85PikrtWI1EIRA-z:www.homerunchallenge.org/wp-content/uploads/2012/03/Cincinnati-Reds-Logo.gif vs. http://t1.gstatic.com/images?q=tbn:ANd9GcQ27U79eMfztuZW5cvmmZEMDxo9Ve0wjhW-zPBuZHIJoYxP3e0l:images1.wikia.nocookie.net/__cb20100907052304/logopedia/images/d/d6/San_Francisco_Giants_logo_1983-1993.png Offense: Overall, the Giants and Reds are fairly similar in many stats. They have very similar OBP's, Slg %'s, and OPS's, as well as RBI's and walks. But while the Reds may lead in a few categories, like HR's and 2B, they are trailing the Giants by a long shot in 3B (not as big of a deal, considering how big the park the Giants play in "plays" in the gaps), BA (by over .015), SB, and have almost 200 more strikeouts than the Giants. While the Red's offense is built around the home run, the Giants have a much more solid attack. Advantage: Giants Defense: The difference in defense is a little bigger. Giants' catchers have allowed 50 more bags to be stolen under their watch and have had 20 more wild pitches get past them than Reds catchers; the Giants have committed 25 more errors than the Reds, which leads to a fielding percentage .004 lower than the Reds. The Giants, however, lead the Reds in double plays turned, in the number of runners they have caught stealing, number of passed balls, and in assists. They are both average to above-average squads in fielding ability Advantage: Tie Pitching: As well known as the Giants pitching staff is for having good numbers, the Reds actually have a lower ERA, have allowed fewer hits (again, only by two), have given up way fewer earned runs and runs overall, have walked fewer batters, have struck out more batters, have struck out more batters (only by 7) and have a lower WHIP rate than the Giants. The Giants lead the Reds in saves converted %, have throw fewer innings (only by 2 1/3), have given up fewer home runs, and has the same BAA as the Reds. As well known as the Giant's vaunted pitching staff is, the Reds have surpassed their numbers in quite a few categories. Advantage: Reds Overall: Both teams have great pitching staffs, field okay, and hit the ball well. But when it comes to postseason experience, I think the Giants outrank the Reds in this case. Prediction for this series: Giants in 4

While the Twins may not be in the Hunt for October legend-status, there are teams around the league that have clinched a playoff spot and are lining up their pitching according to who they will (or might) face in their first game (or series). This will be a series of blogs about the different teams in the postseason, and how they rank up against everyone else (and especially against their first opponent, if that opponent is known yet.) I will start with the National League, because their playoff bracket is more or less set, unless something amazing happens in regards to the Dodgers and Cardinals. There is a divisional series already set in the National League, with Buster Posey and the Giants set to face Joey Votto and the Reds. http://t0.gstatic.com/images?q=tbn:ANd9GcRmDLalKBZeAsnWZxFqbXR3K3T_TLeQsWCB85PikrtWI1EIRA-z:www.homerunchallenge.org/wp-content/uploads/2012/03/Cincinnati-Reds-Logo.gif vs. http://t1.gstatic.com/images?q=tbn:ANd9GcQ27U79eMfztuZW5cvmmZEMDxo9Ve0wjhW-zPBuZHIJoYxP3e0l:images1.wikia.nocookie.net/__cb20100907052304/logopedia/images/d/d6/San_Francisco_Giants_logo_1983-1993.png Offense: Overall, the Giants and Reds are fairly similar in many stats. They have very similar OBP's, Slg %'s, and OPS's, as well as RBI's and walks. But while the Reds may lead in a few categories, like HR's and 2B, they are trailing the Giants by a long shot in 3B (not as big of a deal, considering how big the park the Giants play in "plays" in the gaps), BA (by over .015), SB, and have almost 200 more strikeouts than the Giants. While the Red's offense is built around the home run, the Giants have a much more solid attack. Advantage: Giants Defense: The difference in defense is a little bigger. Giants' catchers have allowed 50 more bags to be stolen under their watch and have had 20 more wild pitches get past them than Reds catchers; the Giants have committed 25 more errors than the Reds, which leads to a fielding percentage .004 lower than the Reds. The Giants, however, lead the Reds in double plays turned, in the number of runners they have caught stealing, number of passed balls, and in assists. They are both average to above-average squads in fielding ability Advantage: Tie Pitching: As well known as the Giants pitching staff is for having good numbers, the Reds actually have a lower ERA, have allowed fewer hits (again, only by two), have given up way fewer earned runs and runs overall, have walked fewer batters, have struck out more batters, have struck out more batters (only by 7) and have a lower WHIP rate than the Giants. The Giants lead the Reds in saves converted %, have throw fewer innings (only by 2 1/3), have given up fewer home runs, and has the same BAA as the Reds. As well known as the Giant's vaunted pitching staff is, the Reds have surpassed their numbers in quite a few categories. Advantage: Reds Overall: Both teams have great pitching staffs, field okay, and hit the ball well. But when it comes to postseason experience, I think the Giants outrank the Reds in this case. Prediction for this series: Giants in 4

No, this display of baseball is almost exactly what I was predicting after they signed Fielder and shifted Miggy to 3rd. They have probably the lowest fielding range in the Majors, and they are relying on their hitting to overcome their severe problems with fielding. They sometimes do, but more often than not their fielding hurts them more than their hitting can overcome.

There is no way in hell a sane manager would put this outfield out on the field. The lack of range and of arm strength is especially disconcerting.

This is an awesome article. See most of your symptoms recognized in myself, and I am currently plotting about the players that the Twins should go after to get better this offseason, although I have less influence on Terry Ryan than Bill Smith should ever have again on this organization. GO TWINS!

I am rooting for the Orioles and Rays, the Orioles b/c of Lew Ford who is awesome, and the Rays because they are the complete opposite of the Yankees. Oh, it would be sweet if the Rays and Orioles kept the Yankees from reaching the playoffs this year and the A's made it in too.

If they can manage to stay in front of the Rays, who are making the wild card/division race a three-team race at this point, I think we do see more of LEWWWWWWWEWEWEW.

I didn't rank Slama #3 on his stats, that is more of a list of guys I feel the Twins should have in their bullpen next year.

Here is what I am seeing for the Twins depth chart with the personnel they have now. I will do another one of these after the offseason ends to compare. These rankings are part stats from this year, part me wanting some of the people on this list to succeed. Also, with the pitching rotation, this is not how the Twins (at least, I hope it isn't) will organize their rotation, it is just the people I think should be in their rotation Bullpen: Should be some fairly obvious ones and maybe a few surprises in here. 1. Perkins 2. Burton 3. Slama 4. Duensing 5. Swarzak 6. Waldrop 7. Alex Burnett/Fien Starting Rotation-Also, these are just guys the Twins have right now. I am not going to give a spot to someone they have not acquired yet. 1. Diamond 2. Baker 3. DeVries 4. Deduno 5. Walters/Vasquez (both of these guys need to show more) Infielders-this includes catchers; Before Nishi on this list is Will Smith, Jon Stewart, and Steven Colbert 1. Mauer 2. Doumit 3. Carroll 4. Florimon 5. Parmelee 6. Plouffe 7. Butera 8. Morneau Outfielders 1. Willingham 2. Span 3. Revere 4. Mastroianni 5. Carson 6. Arcia Any player you don't see on this list I either forgot, or was thinking the Twins will release this offseason, or will not be a factor for most of next year.

Here is what I am seeing for the Twins depth chart with the personnel they have now. I will do another one of these after the offseason ends to compare. These rankings are part stats from this year, part me wanting some of the people on this list to succeed. Also, with the pitching rotation, this is not how the Twins (at least, I hope it isn't) will organize their rotation, it is just the people I think should be in their rotation Bullpen: Should be some fairly obvious ones and maybe a few surprises in here. 1. Perkins 2. Burton 3. Slama 4. Duensing 5. Swarzak 6. Waldrop 7. Alex Burnett/Fien Starting Rotation-Also, these are just guys the Twins have right now. I am not going to give a spot to someone they have not acquired yet. 1. Diamond 2. Baker 3. DeVries 4. Deduno 5. Walters/Vasquez (both of these guys need to show more) Infielders-this includes catchers; Before Nishi on this list is Will Smith, Jon Stewart, and Steven Colbert 1. Mauer 2. Doumit 3. Carroll 4. Florimon 5. Parmelee 6. Plouffe 7. Butera 8. Morneau Outfielders 1. Willingham 2. Span 3. Revere 4. Mastroianni 5. Carson 6. Arcia Any player you don't see on this list I either forgot, or was thinking the Twins will release this offseason, or will not be a factor for most of next year.

1) No way in hell the Reds trade Billy Hamilton for Denard Span. 2) I like DeVries. Not just because he is from EP, like me, but he has done fairly well with the shot he has been given in the Majors, so he will definately have a shot to win a roster spot in ST next year. 3) The way having 3 catchers on the roster this year has worked, wouldn't be surprised if they kept Butera around until they have a prospect that they feel can take over for him. 4) I would give Dozier longer in AAA to season. He didn't show me enough while he was up with the Twins this year. 5) Agree with buying out Capps' and Bakers' options, then trying to resign Baker at a lower price. 6) Kyle Waldrop, I believe, will stay with the Twins. He has a sinkerball that Nick Blackburn wishes he could have. 7) In the bullpen, I would have Slama. To me, Hendriks is under DeVries in the depth chart because he has only had one good outing up here in the Bigs. 8) Haven't seen enough of Perdomo, Walters and Carson to say that we take them off the 40-man, but they are probs the first ones off. 9) I would have Gibson, unless he has a monster spring, start off in AAA. He hasn't been back from TJ for that long, and they want him to show that he has come back to the form that he was showing before he was injured. 10) Because of that, I would sign another SP besides Guthrie, whom I do believe the Twins will try to go after, mostly because of the lack of price as he isn't a "top-tier" pitcher. 11) I suppose anything is possible, but I see a very low chance of anyone anywhere taking Nishi off of our hands. 12) I think the Twins hang on to Span for a while. He has been oft-injured, and we haven't been able to show him to teams that might be trying to trade for him, and therefore has lower value than any of us are probably thinking. 13) I do think the Twins non-tender Casilla, but I don't think Escobar or Dozier is the answer to getting rid of him. Like Terry Ryan has been saying, this is a position where we could stand to upgrade on the offensive side. 14) I would agree with the guys who you would add onto the 40-man, but if Slama isn't on there, I hope to god that he will be. 15) Also, with Baker, he has also been injured too much to really deserve a two year deal. If I am TR, I would make him an offer of 1 year, $3.5 million to try and get some value for him in the upcoming offseason.

Was Beloit's game yesterday a playoff game? or do the playoffs start soon?

Good article; Sums up the feelings of most people around what should be done with Morneau.

I heard on the radio that the only reason that Diamond was tossed was because he went over the head, which is an auto toss, and if he had gone for and hit the body he would have been part of the two-team warning.

What? There are Slama haters on TD? Have you seen the guy's numbers down in AAA? He is pitching like Hendriks is down there, and has had a much smaller window up in the bigs to show us what he can do.

I think Revere has earned a little more than a bench role; his arm is improving, I think he even threw out a guy trying to take a base on him this year; yes, he will likely never have much if any power but he gets on base like a machine. I think it is more likely that Span is traded than the Twins keep him for a long period of time. I think from what I've heard Arcia's ceiling is higher than Kubel, especially in the defensive department. I agree with you that Mastro is a prototypical 4th outfielder, but what options do the Twins currently have for RF outside of keeping their outfield lineup together? Carson appears to have the arm of Ichiro, hits all right, and is probably another 4th outfielder. I think Benson is going to have to show some monster improvement to get to the Bigs with the troubles he has been having the last few years. Wait a minute, there was a catcher that was a non-human? Who was he, and how can I get a baseball card of that guy?

The Twins have several needs this offseason. Pitching is the big one, getting a few MI's who can consistently hit is another. Also, don't expect me to analyze contracts, because that is currently beyond my limited baseball intellect, just FWI. They currently have two-three big trade chips that they are willing to listen on: Willingham, Span, and Morneau. If they are to trade Morneau or Willingham, one team they should focus on is the Rays of Tampa. They have the pitching we need, we have the offense (and 1B/LF) that they would die for. While they (the Rays) have done a great job developing pitching, they could clearly use some offense, and I think Morneau could provide them with that. Span has been most consistently tied with the Nationals, who do need a CF'er/lead-off hitter, and kinda have the pitching we need, if they are willing to deal either one of their prospects or one of their starters (none of which are Strasburg.) Out of the three players on this list, I see Morneau and Span as the most likely to be dealt. Now then, the rest of the team. While for a long time I haven't been a big fan of Nishioka, only recently have I decided that Nick Blackburn isn't major league worthy either, and I was really happy that they were demoted from the Bigs and cut from the 40-man roster. So let's start with the starting pitching side of things. I fully expect the Twins to trade one of Morneau and Span for SP. The question is is how good the pitcher is/will be. The problem for the Twins is that not only do they need one starting pitcher, I believe that they need at least one more that they can pick up in FA (but looking at the FA list on MLBTR, not seeing many guys under 32 on the list. Yikes). I believe that they will buy out Baker's option, and make at least a lukewarm attempt to sign him to a smaller deal to try and get him back on his feet. Another pitcher that I could see the Twins going after is a Brandon McCarthy/Edwin Jackson type (with McCarthy's somewhat low profile, I could see the Twins trying to acquire both of them; I think they will have the money to do so.) I believe this is what the Twins rotation will look like in 2013: 1. Edwin Jackson? for sure a FA pitcher 2. Scott Diamond 3. Gibson/McCarthy 4. Scott Baker 5. Pedro Hernandez/AAAA guys stored down in AAA On the relief pitching side, the Twins are a little more secure. They resigned Perkins to a multi-year deal, they have uncovered Jared Burton as a reliable set-up man, Alex Burnett is starting to show flashes of the talent that people have been expecting from a guy who has held a 25-man roster spot for the last several years, Fien hasn't been terrible, Capps has been all right when available, and Duensing, Swarzak and other guys have been all right in long-relief spot start roles. Unfortunately, Twins Territory has still been deprived of large doses of Anthony Slama. So, barring any major pickups over the trade wire/FA market, this is what I predict the 2013 bullpen to look like (assuming a 12-man pitching rotation, so 7 bullpen guys and in no particular order): 1. Glen Perkins 2. Jared Burton 3. Brian Duensing 4. Casey Fien 5. Slama 6. Swarzak 7. Guerra/Burnett On to the Starting Lineup. With the assumed departures of Denard Span and Justin Morneau, I am assuming several things beyond that. One, Ben Revere becomes one of the best center fielders the Twins have ever had. Two, Parmelee would take over for Morneau at first. Three, their RF spot could be filled by guys like Arcia, Mastroianni (although he seems like more of a prototypical 4th-OF kinda guy), Hicks, or possibly even Carson. Also a possibility is Carroll being dealt to a team with a need for a veteran presence in their infield to give guys like Eduardo Escobar, Pedro Florimon, and Dozier a chance in the Bigs. Fourth, the Twins non-tender Alexi Casilla, given his extreme inconsistency at the plate, although if they did, they would probably keep Carroll around so he could handle 2B. I also see the Twins keeping Drew Butera around to handle catching duties when Doumit and Mauer aren't available. Therefore, I see a starting lineup, while not perfect by any means, looking something like this, and again, not in any order: 1. Ben Revere CF 2. Chris Parmelee 1B 3. Joe Mauer C 4. Ryan Doumit Wherever the heck we need him to stand for a day 5. Josh Willingham LF 6. Trever Plouffe 3B 7. Carroll 2B 8. Dozier SS 9. RF-Don't have any guesses; could stick Parmelee here if they keep Morneau till the NW-trade deadline next year, could be a platoon of AAAA/4th outfielder types, or could even be Arcia, if the Twins are feeling he is ready. Guys I think are done with the Twins Nishi; Not even going to get started Gray; hasn't been great, hasn't been (too) awful Robertson; might deserve a second chance next year, but wouldn't be on any playoff team's roster Capps; been fun, bro, but it's time to leave. We really hope the Twins don't overspend on you again. Pavano; good veteran presence, but probably not worth the money we are spending on you Casilla; hasn't done enough at the plate, like, ever, to deserve to be with the Twins next year. Blackburn; again, most certainly not worth the money we threw at you. Liriano; yeah, you're already gone; the equivalent feeling of you being gone is like not having to deal with the drama that was constantly surrounding Brett Favre when he was with the Vikings Maloney; yeah, you kinda threw away a great chance to be one of the lefty relievers for this team Marquis; didn't entirely agree with your signing, so glad we got rid of you after watching (and throwing up) every time you took the mound for us. Valencia; again, not even going to get into it Clete Thomas; made quite the initial impression with us, then your reputation went south from there Sean Burroughs; I really wanted you to make the team, but I am not sure you impressed enough people to warrant a return next year. Although you might warrant a September call-up and I would be interested in seeing how you perform in that. I wait to be impressed/unimpressed by the moves Ryan will make this offseason/next year.

The Twins have several needs this offseason. Pitching is the big one, getting a few MI's who can consistently hit is another. Also, don't expect me to analyze contracts, because that is currently beyond my limited baseball intellect, just FWI. They currently have two-three big trade chips that they are willing to listen on: Willingham, Span, and Morneau. If they are to trade Morneau or Willingham, one team they should focus on is the Rays of Tampa. They have the pitching we need, we have the offense (and 1B/LF) that they would die for. While they (the Rays) have done a great job developing pitching, they could clearly use some offense, and I think Morneau could provide them with that. Span has been most consistently tied with the Nationals, who do need a CF'er/lead-off hitter, and kinda have the pitching we need, if they are willing to deal either one of their prospects or one of their starters (none of which are Strasburg.) Out of the three players on this list, I see Morneau and Span as the most likely to be dealt. Now then, the rest of the team. While for a long time I haven't been a big fan of Nishioka, only recently have I decided that Nick Blackburn isn't major league worthy either, and I was really happy that they were demoted from the Bigs and cut from the 40-man roster. So let's start with the starting pitching side of things. I fully expect the Twins to trade one of Morneau and Span for SP. The question is is how good the pitcher is/will be. The problem for the Twins is that not only do they need one starting pitcher, I believe that they need at least one more that they can pick up in FA (but looking at the FA list on MLBTR, not seeing many guys under 32 on the list. Yikes). I believe that they will buy out Baker's option, and make at least a lukewarm attempt to sign him to a smaller deal to try and get him back on his feet. Another pitcher that I could see the Twins going after is a Brandon McCarthy/Edwin Jackson type (with McCarthy's somewhat low profile, I could see the Twins trying to acquire both of them; I think they will have the money to do so.) I believe this is what the Twins rotation will look like in 2013: 1. Edwin Jackson? for sure a FA pitcher 2. Scott Diamond 3. Gibson/McCarthy 4. Scott Baker 5. Pedro Hernandez/AAAA guys stored down in AAA On the relief pitching side, the Twins are a little more secure. They resigned Perkins to a multi-year deal, they have uncovered Jared Burton as a reliable set-up man, Alex Burnett is starting to show flashes of the talent that people have been expecting from a guy who has held a 25-man roster spot for the last several years, Fien hasn't been terrible, Capps has been all right when available, and Duensing, Swarzak and other guys have been all right in long-relief spot start roles. Unfortunately, Twins Territory has still been deprived of large doses of Anthony Slama. So, barring any major pickups over the trade wire/FA market, this is what I predict the 2013 bullpen to look like (assuming a 12-man pitching rotation, so 7 bullpen guys and in no particular order): 1. Glen Perkins 2. Jared Burton 3. Brian Duensing 4. Casey Fien 5. Slama 6. Swarzak 7. Guerra/Burnett On to the Starting Lineup. With the assumed departures of Denard Span and Justin Morneau, I am assuming several things beyond that. One, Ben Revere becomes one of the best center fielders the Twins have ever had. Two, Parmelee would take over for Morneau at first. Three, their RF spot could be filled by guys like Arcia, Mastroianni (although he seems like more of a prototypical 4th-OF kinda guy), Hicks, or possibly even Carson. Also a possibility is Carroll being dealt to a team with a need for a veteran presence in their infield to give guys like Eduardo Escobar, Pedro Florimon, and Dozier a chance in the Bigs. Fourth, the Twins non-tender Alexi Casilla, given his extreme inconsistency at the plate, although if they did, they would probably keep Carroll around so he could handle 2B. I also see the Twins keeping Drew Butera around to handle catching duties when Doumit and Mauer aren't available. Therefore, I see a starting lineup, while not perfect by any means, looking something like this, and again, not in any order: 1. Ben Revere CF 2. Chris Parmelee 1B 3. Joe Mauer C 4. Ryan Doumit Wherever the heck we need him to stand for a day 5. Josh Willingham LF 6. Trever Plouffe 3B 7. Carroll 2B 8. Dozier SS 9. RF-Don't have any guesses; could stick Parmelee here if they keep Morneau till the NW-trade deadline next year, could be a platoon of AAAA/4th outfielder types, or could even be Arcia, if the Twins are feeling he is ready. Guys I think are done with the Twins Nishi; Not even going to get started Gray; hasn't been great, hasn't been (too) awful Robertson; might deserve a second chance next year, but wouldn't be on any playoff team's roster Capps; been fun, bro, but it's time to leave. We really hope the Twins don't overspend on you again. Pavano; good veteran presence, but probably not worth the money we are spending on you Casilla; hasn't done enough at the plate, like, ever, to deserve to be with the Twins next year. Blackburn; again, most certainly not worth the money we threw at you. Liriano; yeah, you're already gone; the equivalent feeling of you being gone is like not having to deal with the drama that was constantly surrounding Brett Favre when he was with the Vikings Maloney; yeah, you kinda threw away a great chance to be one of the lefty relievers for this team Marquis; didn't entirely agree with your signing, so glad we got rid of you after watching (and throwing up) every time you took the mound for us. Valencia; again, not even going to get into it Clete Thomas; made quite the initial impression with us, then your reputation went south from there Sean Burroughs; I really wanted you to make the team, but I am not sure you impressed enough people to warrant a return next year. Although you might warrant a September call-up and I would be interested in seeing how you perform in that. I wait to be impressed/unimpressed by the moves Ryan will make this offseason/next year.

Well, if we did hit better and got better pitching, we would be in contention. With the success that Bruno has had down in AAA, wouldn't mind bringing him up to the Bigs and giving him a shot as the hitting coach. And it isn't Gardy's fault, he isn't the one being paid millions upon millions of dollars to do what they have done since childhood and mostly doing it like they are a child facing grown men. And what do you expect? I would imagine most people want the Twins to succeed, especially those who are the announcers for them. How hard do you think it would be if you were the one who loved a team and had to announce most days that they stink? Pretty hard, I would imagine.

Uh, not much. He just came off of TJ surgery, so nobody knows which way he will go, to the dark side or to the light side.