DocBauer

Tip of the cap to former Husker and I believe still Omaha native Duensing. I followed his career with interest since was a freshman at UNL. Classy guy on the field and off. I wish him the very best and am sorry to see him go...even if it was probably time.

Always a fan. Always hopeful of a resurgence. And always a defender of his value at 1B, and in the lineup, as a non traditional producer. It is my hope, and a possibility, that so far removed from his concussions, with sunglasses and eye therapy, he will find himself again. Even diminishing returns giving him a .290-ish/ ,360-370-ish OB with 35 doubles and 12 HR could make him valuable at a couple spots in the order. However, years behind the plate, past 30, the concussions, two poor seasons of diminishing returns, Mauer's recent confessions and questions about his current state and therapy leave me pessimistic.

Almost as important is this team being more than capable of 300 doubles, and possibly 350. When you break everything down, the projections of 200 HR, or close to it, seems to make logical sense. However, practicality would seem to state that too much has to go according to plan for that to happen. I absolutely believe Sano can jack 30+ and probably even 35. I absolutely believe on his frame, production in Korea, previous scouting reports, and recent reports from Ft Meyers that Park has legitimate ML 30 HR power. I just don't expect it his first year. Just too much everything everywhere to adjust to to expect that. Dozier and Plouffe SHOULD each have 20+. I believe Rosario capable of 20, at some point anyway, but believe he's more of a consistent 15-18 HR guy. Mauer and Arcia are each capable but also big question marks as well. I soooo badly want to argue Escobar just can't be expected to jack 15. And then I look at what he's done the last two seasons...not even getting to be the starter from day one...and I soooo badly want to believe he could do it. But really, at the end of the day, I think this is a legitimate 175-180 HR ball club. And with the amount of doubles they are capable of producing, and any kind of OB% improvement so that runners are on board, I'm really, really happy with that number.

One thing that strikes me is the overall depth of middle infield talent in the system. Now, if there was a comprehensive list only of keystone men in milb systems across baseball, I don't know if the Twins would rank first or last. But I do know that in a few shorts years we've gone from virtually nothing to some nice talent. Dozier is an all star. Escobar has had a pair of really nice years, might actually be improving still, and gives a sense of peace about the SS position we haven't felt in some time. OK, so Santana can't play SS on a daily basis it appears; he can still play it, along with 2B, maybe 3B and the OF, and he still has offensive upside. (Don't let one down year totally replace the good year and the offering of potential) Is Polanco going to settle down enough defensively to play ML SS? Strange question considering he was signed as a glove man with a questionable bat? Should he replace Dozier, (trade), if he can't play SS? Could he be valuable as trade material himself? Could be be anice outstanding utility player? Can Michael play SS? At least well enough to be a quality utility type. Or, as some believe, (Thrylos), should he be the Dozier challenger? We keep expecting Gordon to be the next Twins SS, and very possibly a very good one...but...with any kind of decent bat and some muscle on his bones, is Vielma a stud in the making? Palacios and Javier? We've barely met the one and haven't been formally introduced to the other, and yet, both could be better than anyone mentioned to this point. And just a couple seasons ago we were hoping Florimon could hit enough to keep his job we were so desperate for a solution.

No matter how Twins crazy I am, I swear the best part of the baseball season is waking up in the morning and checking the milb results from the day before on TD. There is just something fun, and eventually rewarding, about following these young men, their achievements and promotions, while speculating on potential and arrival times. It's not just about shiny and new, it's the not knowing, but prognosticating, hoping, and in special cases, the fruition of a career. The lists may not all agree, and may or always be right, but they are part of the information process, as well as their own debatable entity.

And I also don't necessarily disagree with you eithef. Lol And I certainly understand the contract of Nolasco, and I have defended him in the past due to his injury situation. My arguement, attempted in a vacuum for the best possible outcome, is to complete the best and balanced bullpen possible. (With what is on hand and until more talent arrives) Under that provision, IMHO, the balance of a second lefty through audition is more valuable to the well being of said bullpen. I have never been obsessed with hardiness entirely...such as I don't think Milone is important in the rotation because he is left handed per se...but with so many RH options in the pen, that is my arguement against Nolasco. But stepping out of the vacuum, yes, healthy, Nolasco is probably in.

I really can't disagree. But my caveat would simply be, I'm still less concerned with the opening day staff than where we would/could/should be 30 days later. I get May in the pen for now, though I don't like it and think it's a mistake. Depth wise, you figure for 2016 either he or Duffey needs to be there though. And I can also get Berrios at Rochester to begin the year, not for service time, but for time for a few scenarios to play out, and maybe a trade or two.

FWIW, I still like the Sweeney and Benson signings. Sweeney as a low cost, no risk, sold reward investment at some point this year. And Benson for next year. He still has talent and youth on his side. Healthy and maybe learning to relax and just play the game,and accept failure, he could still develop in to a very useful addition. Maybe even the perfect 4th OF.

Pretty much right on. The one change I would make is the second lefty in the bullpen instead of Nolasco. I'm not sure who that is, because to be frank, I'm not sure we really have a clue who the first one is yet. But if your intention is to put together the very best team, and very best bullpen you can...(isn't that why May is there instead of the rotation where he should be?)...then completing your mass LH audition, maybe STILL signing one more arm, a d sorting it out for 2 guys to begin the year makes a whole lot more sense that running a 30yo veteran former SP out to the pen to see if he knows what to do there. Could he do it? Yeah. But it's supposed to be about putting the best pen together, and not "could he do it".

Berrios will be a front of the rotation starter. And that's not just hope. From reports and results, I think he's got the stuff. And his work ethic is outstanding. He has a real bulldog mentality. And he has shown the instincts and ability to recognize when changes need to be made and he's made them. I just think he really knows how to pitch. I think the entire Jay experiment could work, I just think it's way too early to predict how well. I feel frustrated that Stewart just doesn't show enough yet to warrant everything written and spoken. And I just get this feeling that something isn't right there. But then I remember his age and see at least OK numbers to this point and I relax. I really think he should start the season back at high A again. We need and want high quality players, not just fast risers. I'd start Meyer. One off season shouldn't define him or restrict him. Seems to me a lot of power/SO pitchers have a bit of a BB problem, but they compensate with those SO's as well other areas of dominance such as ground ball and weak contact rates, etc.

Very jealous of you! Thank you so much for your reports. They are a real treat!

Great take SD. The exact things I've been thinking about all day now. This is some serious stuff way beyond the baseball diamond. Or, perhaps, it's even more serious because of the baseball diamond.

I believe the bullpen should be better simply because Jepsen and May will be there from day 1, and I believe the rotation will be stronger overall. It's not just about the number of IP by a reliever or pen, but when they are needed, for how long, how often days in a row, etc. And no...I still don't May there. But for now, I get it. By this time next year, he'll maybe mid-season this year, we're going to look at someone like Burdick and Rogers and Melotakis and just love the stuffing out of our bullpen. There are some good options here. There are good options on the way. But my problem remains, what about the meantime? Please don't tell me there isn't financial room and flexibility to have added a couple solid, proven arms for $10-12M that could actually make a real difference. And that money spent, probably for only 2 year deals, 3 max, would not only not handcuff the club, but would probably be tradeable assets.

I hope this isn't too off topic, but while I have accepted May in the bullpen for now, and think he'll do great there, he absolutely needs to be in the rotation umtil or unless he proves he better and offers greater value as a reliever than as a starter. Probably not going to happen this year. What about next season? Barring injury, looking ahead to 2017, Hughes, Santana, Gibson, Berrios, Duffey and possibly Milone. (I'm already counting Nolasco of as gone through whatever circumstance), are all in play. So someone has to go somewhere. So I guess my question is, does that happen? The Twins have a large number of strong RHRP arms about ready to make their presence kmown/felt. So does May go back to the rotation in 2017? Do you see him getting a real chance?

I am pleasantly surprised by EE and his development. Not so sure he doesn't still have growth potential. And while I too favored the more gifted Santana, the right guy ultimately got the job. I don't have milb numbers available at moment, but as I recall, they weren't bad. He was called up to the Chisox young and before fully ready to fill a role. Somehow, young and not hitting, promoted too early, he got labeled a utility guy prematurely. Now, could he be a great one of those? You bet. And maybe he will be eventually. But he is a very solid starter.

The service time issue with Berrios is more of an extra benefit, IMO. If he is what we think he will be, he'll be signed to a longer term deal and the extra year really won't matter. But I suspect he will begin the year in the minors simply due to the presence of Milone and Duffey. They can do the job, have done it, and letting them begin the season let's all the pieces fall in to place with movement options available later-trade, injury, etc. I know he's getting paid, but I just don't see Nolasco erasing 2 tough seasons and bypassing Duffey and Milone at this point. (Plus May and Berrios) At some point this season, 2017 at the latest, May will be allowed to start again. He shows real promise. And I think that's more important than a bullpen role. Especially with the options on their way.

Don't have hus numbers available at the moment, but despite his yo-yo status and such, didn't Tonkin put up his best ML numbers in 2015? I worry about Arcia as a true "off the bench" player. He needs AB'S on a semi regular to be effective, IMHO. I think this can be done. I find it kind of strange when I see so much focus on 2015 in regard to Arcia and Santana, their poor seasons, and what they can't do. But I don't feel there is enough reflection back to 2014, or earlier for Arcia, to show what they can do. One bad year doesn't define a young career at this point.

Some good points. I'd like to expand and "opinionate" if I may. A) Not that you are speaking poorly of SP depth...as some do vs having the proverbial Ace...but considering its a very long season, and you can't win BIG until you win enough small to reach the post season, I am ALL IN on rotation depth of quality 1-5 vs a top 2 or 3 and not much else. Now you CAN win that way, and the Twins did in 1987, BUT I prefer knowing I have good chance every night to win vs a big chance 2 days and a poor chance the other 3. Yes, you'd prefer both options, but how often is a staff that good? I also buy the Twins rotation being better in '16: better Hughes, full season of Santana, Gibson STILL getting better, Duffey, Berrios etc. Nunez is solid. His best two seasons hitting have been with the Twins. If he was a better overall player, he'd be a starter. Could he be replaced by even better options in the near future like Polanco or Michael? Sure. But he's a solid bench guy. BB) I don't believe it was stated that Santana was being moved to the OF exclusively. He can/should/will be a multi-position utility player. Overall, based on experience, work and ability, I would expect his defense to continue to improve. He is absolutely NOT as bad offensively as he showed last season. He's probably somewhere in between, as has been routinely suggested. But I have to say, I absolutely would not bet against him, or production being a little closer to the 2014 version. C) Arcia is way too young and way to talented to give up on. And while I don't think there is anything to suggest he is a bad egg, I think there have been suggestions he is hard headed. Not quite reaching potential, a poor 2015 and out of options, despite promise and youth, he may be on his final shot in Minnesota. It would be borderline tragic were he to find his promise elsewhere. But I think he went through a reality check in '15. We've heand recently about the hard work he's been putting in this offseason. I still believe in the guy. I don't know that he reaches full potential in 2016, but I think he shows what he's made of and what he's capable of. (Part of the reason some of us wanted a quality RH OF to work with him and let Sano take over 3B) Defense? Not great. But not as bad as some make it out to be. With decent athleticism and a strong arm, but not great tracking skills and a somewhat slow read off the bat, he needs to be in RF, and playing a bit further back to keep the play in front of him. D) I like and appreciate Suzuki. The man is a tough competitor and has a lot of brass and seems to command respect. But unless the twins are just wrong about Murphy, he's going to be the guy, sooner or later. SSS or not, he absolutely appears to be the better offensive player. Defensively, he can't be any worse. That's no insult, just a reflection of criteria freely expressed here on TD. Long and short of it...bullpen is still a BIG question mark...but the rotation is just fine. The bench is solid, with better re-inforcements on the way, but solid.

Buxton. Because of his talent. Because we need him. Because he doesn't have to play at an all-star or ROY level initially to be beneficial. And because he looked much better at the end of last season after his return.

Vargas has an option for mow, thankfully. I am telling you, don't write him off! I don't begrudge the Twins signing Quentin. It's one of those, "what the heck, just in case we hit lightening and end up with an unexpected opening..." kind of deals. But how does he fit? He fits if Park isn't ready, Vargas is hurt or has a bad spring, and if Kepler isn't ready, if Arcia is hurt, and Mastro, Benson and Sweeney all have poor springs. Then he fits in as a possible platoon DH or OF. In other words.....he doesnt.

Concerning point #2...at the moment...I discount Thorpe and Stewart. I so with all hope for both of them, but, Thorpe is not only still very young but missed a whole season now. Stewart is also quite young...something people forget that grow impatient too quickly...and not only needs to show a little more, but might actually benefit in the long run from another 1/2 year or level repition. Further, I'm not so sure the pieces aren't just about all there RIGHT NOW, save for a little more experience. I agree Gibson is very close to being a true #2, and often pitches now like it. I absolutely believe Berrios will be a 2 in a season or two. The jury is still out on Duffey to be sure, BUT, he got better and better with each level and each year in the minors before his roughly third of a MLB season in '15 when he was outstanding. That is impressive! May absolutely deserves to be in the rotation, until or unless he PROVES he's got a better future in the bullpen than as a starter. Gonsalves is a full season ahead of Stewart and Thorpe both, IMO. Not unreasonable to expect a Berrios type season in 2016 from him. And none of this even includes Hughes. Your criteria may be as little as a season away from fruition.

I like Suzuki and respect what he does as a catcher and teammate. I do have doubts as to his ability to hit at this point, rest or not. Anxious to see what Murphy does on all respects and I hope he gets a real shot, not the token/usual backup catcher treatment. I echo the 50/50 split to begin the year. Maybe I'm just an optomist who looks at quick promotions and strong second halves of seasons, but I still like Turner and Garver. A year or two, I am hoping we have an extra catcher to move somewhere.

Still wonder at the possibility of Dozier at 3B with Polanco taking over 2B, as we briefly discussed the other day. Not ideal, to be sure, especially with Dozier's average arm strength, but as a now experienced ML veteran and a quality athlete, I think he could handle the fundamentals. I think it is at least a valid arguement/possibility. But back to Polanco....the defensive conundrum confuses me. When he was signed we were told he was a legit SS (with average arm), and questionable hitting ability. However it happened, the concerns seem to have reversed themselves. But he is still young. As I have pointed out and documented in previous posts, a review of even the best SS's show high error totals at the milb level as well as early ML seasons. I would like more information on the source of Polanco's errors. Can he just not field? Does he have a scattershot arm? Or is this as simple and fixable as a young man needing to slow down and continue polishing basic fundamentals?

Also a big fan and follower. I have had an eye on him for a ciup,email of years now as a BIG part of the end of the bullpen. I believe he has the makings of a legitimate LHSU man. When he had his TJ, I was as bummed as when Gibson and Thorpe went under the knife. And while confident he would make a comeback, I felt it woulooks be late in 2016. But to hear the things we'really hearing...well...I don't want to be TOO optomistic, nor do I want to absolve TR for a 2 year lack of productive moves, (save Jepsen) But it's hard not to be excited about Melotakis and the future of the Twins bullpen.

I know I'm biased as a lifelong Twins fan, but I swear the only broadcaster, at least for baseball, that I ever heard better than Herb Carneall is Vin Scully. The man was absolute class and a true professional. But with all do respect to Cory, I miss Gordon. I don't know why there are those who dislike him. Oh, he named the wrong player once in a while, but that happens in every sport here and there. Imagine a 162 game schedule, and all the games and players over the years. I found Gordon to be professional, but with a few homespun rough edges that I alays appreciated. And his love for the game, and the Twins, was obvious. Sincere congratulations to Gordo, he absolutely deserves his enshrinement and I wish he'd make some kind of comeback, even on a limited basis. BTW...FWIW...IMHO...I love Gladden. In the button down, suddenly and annoyingly corporate, tie wearing, politically correct, vanilla "what was your name again" world of today's broadcasters, unpolished or not, Dazzle is just what he is. Same as when he was a player. And I love that.