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DocBauer

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Everything posted by DocBauer

  1. DocBauer
  2. DocBauer
    My problem with Plouffe, and keeping Plouffe around, is not Plouffe. You can nickel and dime complaints about him all you want because he isn't an All Star player. But since Koski left town, how desperate have we been for a quality fielding 3B that could hit a little and bring some power and RBI potential? But because his numbers are pretty much middle of the road to top 25% depending on the year and stat, he's not seen as special enough to embrace by some. Solid to good, but not great, I think we're pretty luck to have him. Now, that doesn't excuse the Twins from a potential roster conundrum next year, if not this one, when Kepler is ready and Sano needs to move back to 3B, 1B or DH. Plouffe is not a great hitter, but I think he's better than last season's numbers: .256/ .317/ 36Dbls/ 24HR for 2016.
  3. DocBauer
    After their past couple of outings, it's looking like Nolasco could be in the rotation to begin the season with Duffey in AAA. (Which brings back the whole "why is May in the bullpen" issue/debate) But we don't know what we don't know. We don't know what Molitor and his staff are thinking, nor do we know if Duffey has been under some strict pitch selection regiment at this time. But I am begining to think/believe more and more that the Twins may carry a pair of lefties out of the gate. Without looking back at every inning they appeared in and who was in the game at the time, Abad, O'Rourke and Runtzler have all shown pretty well. Darnell and Bosses have also flashed. (There is room to play with the 40 man spots)
  4. DocBauer
    I don't want Nolasco in the rotation. I want Duffey as he's part of the future, and I want him part of the present as well. But if he's struggling and needs some time, and Nolasco is pitching well...which he seemingly has of late...this is not necessarily a bad thing. Any player or pitcher that goes out for the Twins and performs well is a good thing. It helps them win games. And it can also make a guy like Nolasco possibly tradable for when Duffey, or Berrios, is ready to come up. No need to find the closest bridge just yet.
  5. DocBauer
    Pressly. He's earned it. IMO. If he doesn't get hurt last season, are we even talking about Tonkin? Been rooting for Tonkin. I think he's been yo-yo'ed way too much between Rochester and the Twins. But for the most part, the consistency hasn't been there, and isn't there this spring either.
  6. DocBauer
    What a difference a more productive Mauer could make, hitting 2nd or 3rd, and there are reasons for both. (Even 5th in certain scenarios makes sense-contact, OB, line drive power and RISP AVG) I think it's beyond optomistic to believe we'll ever see the Mauer of old. But what a help he brings to the lineup as a quality LHP bat who can get on base, show some pop, and just give the lineup depth and options, wherever he is placed. As I have stated before, this is a huge year for Mauer. Every player/human body functions differently. This includes dealing with, hopefully recovering from, concussions. However, I think it is reasonable to recognize/assume a 2 year pattern for recovery. If not, I think it would, unfortunately, signal that he simply never will recover anything resembling his past self. Saying that he will, based on roughly 150 games again as a 1B/DH: .288 AVG/ .368 OB%/ 35 Dbls/ 12 HR.
  7. DocBauer
    Santana has been largely consistent in his career, posting solid overall numbers year in and year out, with a couple very good/outstanding seasons mixed in. Hughes, on the other hand, hasn't been so consistent. But he's still under 30 and has good stuff when healthy and a very strong bounce back candidate after a down 2015. (To be fair, there were stretches where he looked like the same guy) Gibson is still getting better. I don't want to hijack this as a "May" thread, but I think it's pertinent to bring him up. I was confused, confounded and kind of ticked off when he was placed in the pen last season. I still don't want him there, even if he helps for now. I still want him back in the rotation. But...and this is a good problem to gave...there us simply no room for him right now. You've also got Duffey and Milone, who is OK underated and LH and a Molitor choice for now. And this doesn't even include Berrios. You want your best arms, hopefully with balance, filling out all 12 slots. Until or unless someone is moved, one if these arms needs to be in the pen. I mean, seriously, if you could move a guy tomorrow, wold it be Santana? Hughes? Gibson? Almost impossible choice and a nice predicament to have.
  8. DocBauer
    Thank you Seth for your "sacrifice" at spring training in Florida in March for the rest of us. Lol But seriously..thank you for your envious reports. I really do think the Twins Daily and Twins World in general is something pretty awesome!
  9. DocBauer
    Hmmmm...curios. Duffey has only gotten better and better each milb season before his outstanding third of a season in 2015. He is young, filled with potential, and I would claim has vastly out performed Nolasco thus far. We read and hear how pitchers spend much of ST working on innings, control, and other pitches. While Duffey hasn't been great this spring, he seems to have organizationall support, and there have been various reports that he has been working hard on his change up, and throwing lots of them. Nolasco has been anything short of consistent in his Twins career thus far, including this spring, while Duffey has shown great flashes of potential, as well as doing the "spring training" thing of working on another pitch. Is your opinion based solely on contract? I have argued that based on current depth, without a move of someone, either May or Duffey should be in the pen. At least for 2016. May appears to already be the guy, right or wrong. So again, curious why Duffey in the pen at this point?
  10. DocBauer
    I like this. But the problem is I think all 4 of these guys have the IT factor.q and ability...though I allow a season or so for everyone to mature and find their groove and their spot. So given this "problem", even though depth is great and you can play with the daily roster to fit everyone in, sooner or later the Twins are going to have to move someone to make room daily for this 4-some. IMHO, I ignore Rossrio's early propensity for swinging freely. Give him time. He reminds me a little bit of Puckett in regard to his swing. But in his milb career he has shown the natural ability to hit, including being a bit of a free swinging nature, but he has also shown the ability to get OB at at least a decent ability. Again, give him some time. In reality, he was rushed a bit. I seriously doubt Park is going to wash out or go somewhere else. This means Mauer or Plouffe is going to have to move within the next year or so. If not, Molitor is going to have to be REALLY creative with his lineups.
  11. DocBauer
    Methinks Burdi is a name we've all been obsessed with. And with good reason. Unless he loses his control again suddenly, as he did for a time last season, and I don't believe he will, he will make his appearance and mark on the 2016 season. But at this point, IMHO, I rank Chargois amongst the Twins top prospects. Despite his previous injuries and limited innings, I think he's shown an arm and do the stuff that can't be ignored. The crowd could push him to AA, where he finished 2015, but, despite being a reliever and not a starter or position player, I could easily rank him with Kepler and Berrios and Burdi as the top players in the system to make an appearance and impact on the upcoming season. I hope limited innings won't scare the Twins in holding him back. I have a feeling the guy has the IT factor.q
  12. DocBauer
    I'd be interested in your take, but two things come to my mind in regard the the Twins milb situation in regards to the catcher position the past couple of years: A} They have been aggressive in drafting and signing (or trading for) options at the position. B} Milb numbers of said prospects have been somewhat skewed as the Twins have also been a bit aggressive in level promotion of some of these prospects. Catcher is STILL a vital position of defense, game calling, staff control and leadership. Quality offense is still a bonus. I actually think the Twins have some nice future options available, but some are too focused on offensive numbers at this point.
  13. DocBauer
    Little surprised on Berrios and Burdi, but not shocked. There are still a lot of arms to sort through to make final determinations. Both these guys can be brought up at any time. Once you cut a guy, he's gone. Polanco does surprise me a bit. He's playing well, close, and it doesn't seem like there's a whole bunch of infielders in camp
  14. DocBauer
    Thanks Thrylos! Love the reports. Next best thing to being there.
  15. DocBauer
    To me, I am not going to state May is definitively better than so and so and is defiantly one of our top 5 starters. I'm not going to say that because NOW at least, I don't know that he's better than Hughes, Santana, Gibson, Duffey and Berrios. (Or Berrios soon) Do I think he's as good and potentially better? Yes. Probably better than Milone, who I admit to not giving enough credit to. And part of me gets having a lefty in the rotation. I really do. But until or unless a guy or two gets moved, SOMEONE has to go to the pen for now. That someone is May, though you could make an equally strong argument based on pitch selection and bullpen experience that Duffey is as good or better choice. What ticks me off is how well May was throwing as a starter when the move was made last year. But, as I said, SOMEONE has to move to the bullpen for now. It's May. For NOW I will be OK with the move, though disappointed. But I'd be disappointed if it were Duffey too. To make room for both of these guys, and Berrios, at some point, someone will need to be moved.
  16. DocBauer
    {Facial expression of feigned shock} Whhaaat?
  17. DocBauer
    Marty Cordova and Jason Kubel are two of the most disappointing Twins I've ever seen. I hope Arcia doesn't end up joining that duo. Now, Marty was principally an OF, but reading about Kubel reminded me of him. Now, I can't say either was a washout, both did well, though Kubel's career obviously was the longer one. And I'd never blame Kubel for the serious knee injury he endured. But man, didn't you just feel like both of these guys would be building blocks in the heart of the lineup for years to come? It's one thing to be frustrated or disappointed by someone who never makes it, despite maybe being a top prospect. But it's just so painful when he see what someone appears capable of doing...and somehow...it just slips away.
  18. DocBauer
    Youth. Absolutely. We are talking about 6th and 7th inning guys...for now...not the back end of the bullpen. It's a perfect opportunity to break in to the majors with less overall pressure. As previously stated, the overall numbers are such that the train can keep busy running from Minnesota to Rochester all season if guys need time or work.
  19. DocBauer
    Count me with the general universal of no on Suzuki. It's just not necessary. You should be able to re-sign him for $2 or less before next season. (Not necessarily a bad option for a backup catcher) However, while I respect and like Suzuki, if Turner or Garver or not yet ready, I still favor signing a solid backup who swings a decent LH bat. It just makes roster sense. Dozier? Sure...if this time you gain a couple FA years. Otherwise it's just not necessary.
  20. DocBauer
    Maybe I'm just a fan of his and want him to succeed, but I have such a good feeling for Kepler. I really think he's close to reaching the league and staying, even though he's still developing his power. I see him as the Twins next #3 hitter. It might sound odd, but I'm thinking a poor man's Mauer hitting wise, but with more power and speed. Talent, a little ML exposure last season, and a quality last couple of weeks makes me think Buxton is ready to begin the season in the majors. I believe it could a couple years yet until he becomes the offensive player we hope and expect, but that doesn't mean he can't still perform solidly and contribute. I wasn't a big fan of Gordon at the time of the draft. All the scorecards I read had his skills rated 45-55, and that just didn't sound like a top 5 pick to me. But I've become a convert. I believe he will be hitting at the top of the order with Buxton in a couple of years. Call me crazy, but I just can't shake this notion of an infield of Dozier, Gordon, Polanco and Sano, with an OF of Rosario, Buxton and Kepler.
  21. DocBauer
    I really liked the Jay pick when it happened. As I recollect the last draft, there were a couple "top" prospects and then various question marks up and down the line, high school and college alike. IMHO, he offers the best of both strategies:1] he's a quality arm with nice upside, though there is risk involved, 2] he's ALSO a very safe pick as it would almost seem a certainty that at worst he becomes a top LH set up man. And even if that becomes his destiny, a high quality, LHSU guy is not easy to find, and highly valuable. Just examine all the tremendous consternation and hand wringing taking place on the forums for the Twins not signing Sipp or Bastardo to finish off the bullpen. Again, Jay being that guy is probably a worst case scenario. Drafting a high quality ML end of the bullpen reliever is the floor of your draft pick? Hey....I'll take that.
  22. DocBauer
    This. Sano may not be the next Gatti or Koski...each a stiff defender early on who turned out excellent...but he may be even better offensively. Both of these guys probably could have been fine at 1B or the OF. Maybe even excellent. But their ability to play 3B and be big offensive producers, made them even more valuable as it allowed other quality players to assume the 1B and OF spots. So while Sano focusing on the OF at this point is probably smart, I sure hope this doesn't turn out to be permanent.
  23. DocBauer
    I know I'm guilty of wanting Stewart to be that #1 type, high draft choice, SO, dominating front of the line pitcher so badly that I lose some perspective. It now seems to me that he was/is just more raw than we knew or imagined. 40 innings as a high school senior is crazy. But his velocity, his age, the vast number of ground balls and the almost utter lack of HR allowed has me encouraged again. He should absolutely begin the season back in high A.
  24. DocBauer
    Plouffe: like him, but thought he'd be gone. Not so sure he shouldn't be, for the best deal available and let the incumbent,Sano, take the job and find someone else to play RF or platoon RF. Actually, that would be the Twins way. But keeping Plouffe for now, while jamming up the works a bit, because he's insurance over unknowns just doesn't get me badly worked up. Moves vs non moves: I don't think the team is complacent either, just risk adverse and a bit conservative in nature. Some of that isn't just Ryan, but years of actually being the little team that could playing in the dome. While the Twins will never have the finances of a NY, Boston, LA, Chicago, etc, they are no longer the sisters of the poor either. The checkbook is bigger now. But I think they are still learning how to spend their new wealth. Nolasco was a solid signing. I can't play revisionist history now. But it didn't work, the Twins still lost, and maybe better moves with Hughes and Santana. If only you could go back in time! The rebuild isn't totally done yet, but there have been trades, FA signings and promotions. I think we're close. And I think you will see more moves made to suplement. But I do feel as though they don't know yet exactly HOW to spend.
  25. DocBauer
    While you make a very sound arguement, and the KBO is clearly not MLB, the Twins have been scouting Park for some time. They seem pretty convinced. Further, reports I've read, and a couple videos I've seen, seem to show a pretty decent swing. I've read that KBO batters are encouraged to swing. I hope this is true, and a habit than ParK can break, rather than just having poor contact skills. It's going to be fun. It's going to be interesting. But I think Park will win the job. That being said, I believe if he gets regular playing time, not just a couple AB a week, that Arcia will surprise and contribute. I also believe Vargas is in for a big year at Rochester, and will have all of us wondering how to fit him in to the lineup at some point.
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