DocBauer

Is the system broke? No. Not remotely, but it is undergoing a renovation at the moment, and the final results are not yet known. I will not give credit to Ryan for everything...for one thing he wasn't here for all the moves...but the Twins have one of the top 3 milb systems around by all experts, and have had for a coupke of years now. We've seen a ML graduation for several talented youngsters, graduation with regression but still upside for a few others, and several just as talented youngsters about ready to make the move. And the overall depth in the system is still very good. Is Ryan responsible for all these moves/choices/selections? Of course not. But his people, his administration has been in charge for a lot of it. Someone mentioned Ryan and the Twins coming to the decision to acquire power arms late. But then again, this change has occurred with Ryan at the helm. And while I don't have the numbers available to me right now, there were some eye opening stats given during a Twins radio broadcast last season that had virtually each and every Twins milb affiliate in the top 5 of their level in ERA, SO's and CG. I want to say they were similarly ranked in quality starts as well. The whole point being, there has been a major shift the past few years in pitching drafting, acquisition and develolment. On top of these organizational changes, there have been several manager and coaching changes the past couple of milb seasons, as well as a significant changes to the Twins manager and coaching staffs. Thus, a desire to be non-complacent. I'm not going to argue McPhail vs Ryan as they are somewhat different eras, and the economics of the game have changed. But in the past couple of seasons, there has been a dramatic shift in the Twins spending for FA. But like a new toy or gadget, I think Ryan and the Twins are still learning what to do with this new toy. Overspend here, underspend there, they are learning. You can make the arguement that franchise success in best or only defined by WS victories. It's similar to the NFL arguement that an all time great QB is lesser or greater based upon Super Bowl victories. I just don't subscribe to theories of this nature. While winning it all is great, in any sport, there are 30+ teams every single year with the same goal. Finances make things easier, but there is no single, sure-fire way to insure success every season. At the end of the day, all you can do is build the best, most competitive team you can that can win, and have a shot at the grand prize on a yearly basis. Hail the Royals. Hail the up and coming Astros and Cubs. But how many down and out of contention years have franchises like these endured? And the Twins had 4 lousy years before a fun, interesting and competitive season? No, the system is not broken. It's under renovation. There may be some more tweaks needed. But right now, it doesn't look broken at all.

Man...how can you not like this! There's even a reasonable chance, IMO, that the next Twins SS, 2B AND 3B are in this group. (Assuming Sano as an OF or 1B)

Outstanding article! Really, one of the best I think I've read on TD. Even if someone should not agree, and I happen to, the logic to your stance is pretty foolproof. It's easy sometimes to say "SPEND!" But it is far more difficult to say on who and what and why. The truth is the Twins spent when they thought they had a team that could win. (Not arguing spending MORE at that time to help win-just stating the fact that they DID SPEND) Now, I'm not sure I can refute the option of the Twins spending to KEEP that team intact, though it could be debatable as to whether spending the money to keep 30-somethings like Cuddy error and Kubel and others at that point was the right idea. But the truth is seemingly everyone got hurt, Mauer got hurt again, Morneau nevèr recovered until gone, Kubel and Cuddy left, and Valencia seemed to be a 1 year wonder. At that point, honestly, I'm not sure what you could spend, or on who, to recover. In a change of organizational philosophy, the Twins have begun spending on FA, and not just the journeyman type. Now, I could go on about CF and the bullpen the past couple of years, and I have before, and I could probably name some names. But i agree with a strong point made in the article which is to avoid getting caught in a financial trap. To a degree, this has happened with Nolasco. If you could look in a crystall ball or hop in a time machine, you'd save the $12M and possibly use it on a $20M man. The Twins have never mentioned a rebuild, but come on, we all know that's what's been going on. And it's continuing this season as well. The Twins made some smart moves, got nice contributions, and won/challenged in 2015, probably a year sooner than expected.

What a surprise! A young 20 something athlete being asked to move to an entirely different position...one considered "easier" to play overall...but having difficulty because it is new and not as much fun. This NOT a blast at Sano. In fact, we have heard nothing in the past to suggest anything but a dedicated worker. In fact, perhaps this was just a bad day. It could be. And I can't see any way to blast the Park signing...but...it still begs the question, doesn't it, as to why the Twins are even messing with one of the top young talents in all of baseball?

I agree on W-L. But I'm trying to play along with the numbers game. Lol

Twins, I agree on Sano and Buxton. You could convince me on Santana. How about this one? Gibson continues to improve, wins 15-17 with 200 IP. Ditto,for Hughes who rebounds to look like his 2014 self. With Santana, the Twins front 3 starters all win 15 games plus with 200 IP. We may not have a true #1, gut we have 3 #2's

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.