DocBauer

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.

Soooo jealous! Maybe one of these days I can put in a little PTO ahead of time and make the journey up there. How did Launder look? How are his knees? His arm? We could still use a little help behind the dish. Maybe a 1 year deal deal for $3M plus incentives?

Wondering what you think of an idea I tossed out in another thread...speaking of Kepler and Polanco. If Mauer struggles again, (and let's face it, he's been srruggling) or regressess even further in '16, or has another concussion, I could see a big decision being made. Mauer gone, Kepler and Polanco ready, I'm thinking they start in RF and 2B respectively, with Sano moving to 1B and Dozier moving to 3B. I know he doesn't have ideal arm strength, but he has nice reactions and is a quality athlete. Additionally, he already has years of left side of the infield experience. Not saying it's going to happen, but given the above Mauer scenario, what do you think?

Once again, really like Plouffe. (For 2016 the team probably is better with him) And I don't doubt Sano's work ethic or skills to develop as an OF. (Problem is it will probably take a couple seasons to get good and he'll probably change positions again) The objection or reservation is simply how the team is constructed confuses me. Kepler is a top prospect and possibly close. Not wishing ill will on anyone, but what if Mauer continues down his path, or regresses further? What if he has another unfortunate concussion? It is unfortunate, but 2016 could be a big decision for Mauer. I could see a retirement or buy out/retirement if either happens. Then what? Kepler should be ready. Probably Polanco as well. So you move Sano. Where? 3B and move Plouffe? 1B with Mauer gone? How about Dozier to 3B, (even without the requisite arm) Polanco to 2B, Sano to 1B and Kepler takes over RF? Just a thought. Crazy maybe, but a thought.

I hesitate to agree with you on Meyer as he hasn't really been in the majors yet, so my choice for bounce back pitcher would be Hughes. I wouldnt be a bit surprised if his 2016 closely resembled his 2014. Like the choice of Polanco very much as milb hitter of the year, but I'm going with Kepler. Otherwise I like most all your choices. Plouffe? WOW! That is really calling a shot!

The thing I noticed about Gibson in 2014, his first season...and really his rookie season as he missed rookie status be something like 1/3 of an inning or something...was that while he was inconsistent at times, when he was on, the guy was ON! And it's not as simple as just sayingredients that any pitcher having a good day is on. We are talking good to downright dominance at times. While the W-L record didn't improve, as you shared above, virtually every other number did. And while I am not saying Gibson will in fact transform in to an ACE pitcher, I also don't believe we've seen the best of him yet. If he had not missed the one season due to surgery, and was now entering his 3rd season at 27, I wonder if expectation and optimism might be greater.

While not a huge fan of May in the pen, or bringing back Fien, May can be really good in this role. Healthy the previous couple of years, Fien was usually quite good, just often miscast as an 8th inning guy. To state the blatantly obvious, my concern is the left side of things. I'd prefer 2 but really not sure we are even close to saying we have 1 we feel confident in. May be looking at duct tape and baling wire to begin the season, hope it all holds together. Biggest hope is the Twins doesn't hesitate to promote and play the kids.

Nice article Nick. The 4 or 5 people on here that actually ready anything I say... (OK, the 2 or 3)...know I'm more of an optimistic than not, and that I've been pretty supportive of the FO and field management over the years. To me, a competitive and winning team with a chance is what I'm looking for, I don't get all bent out of shape if we don't bring home the prize, (even $200M teams fail), and even the Twins 4 year death spiral was a very short time frame when compared to many, many teams in the league. I think I've also been very fair, however, when I've called out the Twins for such errors as blowing CF for what is borderline 3 years now, and blowing the bullpen situation last season; in each case seemingly banking on the early arrival of prospects. For the most part, I see the Twins STRONGLY moving toward prospects and younger players. Don't let the odd veteran signing fool you now, with their actions and inactions, along with guys already up, they are clearly focused on the youngsters. They simply don't wish to go the whole, "bring 'em up even if they stink now because they'll learn on the job" philosophy. But here is my problem with this roster, especially after wrong signings, no signings, and banking on youngsters not yet ready for the bullpen, or to save it last season. (Pun somewhat intentional) Didn't anyone learn their lesson yet? This team is not the Yankees, but they are not financially strapped either. You are telling me than a couple 1 or 2 year deals that would TOTAL $10-12M isn't affordable? You're telling me that a couple really solid, experienced bullpen pieces couldn't make this a better staff, a better team overall, and that those pieces would be valueless deadweight and untradeable assets when the Burdi's and MelotKis' of the system arrive? So what if we have so much young promote blessed talent at the all star break that we don't know what to do with it? What about the 3+ months before then? You could make various arguments concerning the Park acquisition and keeping Plouffe at this time, but they are nice players, and there are enough questions in the lineup to see the meritsame of both. At least initially. But to me, there is no fundamentally sound arguement for not taking a couple smart and non-bank breaking moves to fortify the bullpen this off season.

Meyer should be starting...PERIOD. Other than Berrios, there is no one he can't replace. You just give up,on an arm like that after one down year. Yeah....the Fort is fortified! May belongs in the rotation of this still rebuilding/retooling team...SECOND PERIOD. I am also more optimistic in regard to the Twins rotatio, even without Berrios to start the season. We have a difficult enough time trying to describe and agree on the criteria of an Ace or #1 SP, much less get I to what actually makes a true #2...but...IMHO...a healthy Hughes, Santana pitching like his normal self, an improved/improving Gibson are all 2-3 types who often/usually throw the way I'd expect a #2/top rotation starter to perform. Duffey...well...let's see if he can pitch at close to the way he did last year. If he can...oh my!

OK, but that is painting a limited picture isn't it? His AAA experience consists of 23 games. The season before that was 50 games short following his suspension, and he never seemed to get on track. His AA experience in 2013, 70 games, he hit .284 with a .330 OB. The first 52 games of 2013 was in Ft Myers where he hit .329 with a .377 OB. 2012 was spent almost exclusively at Beloit where he was .296 & .345. 2011 and 2010, Elizabethton preceeded by time in the GCL, his numbers were .337/.397 after .294/.343 in his debut. So what does this mean? Isn't everything supposed to get harder as you move up the ladder? Yep. But the player is also expected to adjust and improve as well. So in his first 4 seasons Rosario hit, then hit some more, and always had an OB at least 46 points higher than his BA. He hit at AA, and didn't stumble until the 50 game suspension that seemed to screw him up. He flashed in the AFL, flashed in ST, then jumped to the majors and stuck after only 23 AAA games.

Either Marshal, hoping he is healthy, or O'Flaherty on a bounce back. Both? A pair of 1 year contracts wouldn't be outrageous or financially dangerous, would give the pen a huge lift, and wouldn't force any rush of Rogers or Melotakis to such a prominent role. Marshal would pretty much be on a make good deal. We all know how quickly the fortunes of a RP can change. O'Flaherty is a big bounce back candidate.

Blast me if you think I'm wrong...and you will...but Rosario, the former milb CF seemed to play a very nice CF in his limited time there in 2015 for the Twins. Given an opportunity to play there regularly, he might just look pretty comfy there. But there is absolutely, positively NO DOUBT that CF is better defensively on a daily basis with Buxton in CF. In fact, with all the chagrin in regard to Sano and/or Arcia in one corner of the OF, remember that both jacks are decent athletes with strong arms to go along with the defensive aces of Rosario and Buxton. And the Twins aren't stupid. Come on now! They have certain expectations for next season. Here are things I think I know: 1) Unless he blows ST, Buxton is the Twins CF. And not just because of his great defense. (He and Rosario cover 3/4 of the OF) And not just on potential. He could be an asset hitting .225 with defense, speed and flashes of power. But don't forget just how talented he is, or how well he hit in his second go round. 2) I was tickled to Elmo giggles when the Twins re-signed Allen. This is a potential story that is just SOOO good. Top talent with 4-5 tool ability gets cut loose and comes home to find himself once again with his parent club before he is too old to lament "what could have been". I believe this could be a perfect storm to find an outstanding 4th OF, but he won't make the club immediately. No room, for one thing. I suppose, if the Twins really think Buxton needs to begin the season in AAA, he has a shot...but it would seem that Sweeney, Mastroianni or Santana would be the better short term answer. 3) Starter or more probable reserve, Arcia is not done. He will rock it when in the lineup...with inconsistent bouts I'm afraid. But if the stars align just right, and his playing time, DH or OF, becomes consistent, people will quickly remember why he excited them, and feel a bit embarrassed they doubted him. 4) Sano has the ability to play the OF OK. He has the ability to develop in to a better than OK OF. He won't have to. It's a waste. With all due respect to Plouffe, by the break if not way before, he will be gone to make room for Sano at 3B and someone else in the OF. I understand TR trying to put the best team on the field...but this just makes too much sense not to happen. (Any Mauer or Park situation could make this moot, of course) 5) We haven't heard the last of Vargas. 6) A corner OF spot, probably RF, is just waiting for Kepler. The wait won't be long.

Great interview! Thanks Seth. Absolutely one,of my favorite and most followed Twins minor leaguers. I remember reading about him before the draft and hoping against hope that somehow he would slide to the Twins in the second round. Absolute steal in the 4th round! When word finally came out as to why he was suspended his senior ssason, and thus dropped in the draft, reportedly, I have to tell you, I was imore seed with the kid'so loyalty to his teammate. And I love his attitude as a professional. His answers here, what he did in the minors, he reminds me of Berrios. Not physically, but in makeup. I think he has that hard working, determined, bulldog mentality. And both have shown the ability to move a level...get hit...and then make adjustments in order to pitch as well S, if not better than, the level they just came from. His length, a 4th pitch, a little more polish-knowledge-command, and maybe 10 more pounds or so of man muscle, he could be wicked!

As has been mentioned, Kepler could regress. But he could also regress while improving. In other words, maybe the SO climb some and the OB slips a bit but more power comes. Each season needs to be taken on its own accord. I see him hitting 3rd for our beloved Twins in the very near future and being an all around producer, though I don't know that he will ever win a batting title or jack 30. As to Arcia, what I feel I saw in 2014 was slight improvement defensively. That isn't high praise, but praise still the same. He does have a strong arm, and believe it or not, the Twins have put worse out there before. (As has everyone to be fair) I still think we see a resurgence this season. He is just too young and too talented not to.

Christensen was actually a SSS who moved to the OF and then moved back to SS due to injuries/team need. He was once named all big 10 SS, FWIW. I am, of course, a dyed in the wool Husker fan, but regardless, I think he has a chance to be a very useful and versatile role player. I don't want to hinder his progress, but I joke the Twins continue to play him around the field and don't let his infield abilities stagnate.

To be fair, there are a lot of power pitchers who struggled with BB/control, at least early, in their ML career. This includes Randy Johnson, who Meyer has been compared to more than once. Some guys figure it out. Some never do completely. Pure stuff and SO ability tend to offset the walks and slips in control. I just think it's way, way too soon to say he can't do it or won't ever get it figured out.

Ideally, IMO, is to move him any way possible. Cash, prospect, whatever to get something of at least some value back, move on, live and let live...peace out. But if he does stick around, the Nolasco we saw last season looked as though he was still effective on a limited basis, including some SO ability. He would be overpaid for the role, but he may be able to re-invent himself.

Start him. Start him. Start him. Look, the Twins see and work with these guys daily. They see things and have knowledge way beyond us. But I am flabbergasted that a top SP talent like Meyer...right on the cusp in 2014, and arguably deserving of a September promotion...has a poor year/start to the year, and with a snap of the fingers is now a reliever. Weren't we told last year that the bullpen move was temporary? A chance to work on repeating his delivery over fewer pitches and innings to get in a rhythm? Kepler is a top 10/100 prospect coming off his breakout season and on the cusp of making it. If he has injuries or struggles this year at Rochester, does he suddenly become a 4th OF?

I didn't read the article, but I did read Nick's. I agree the job should be Perk's, and with good, proven, reason. He's 33 now, and his head and body are used to a certain type of usage. I think he can still be very successful for a few more years. But much like Dozier perhaps being overused and needing a couple days off the first half of the year, there is one reason Jepsen can't come in to face a RH 9th inning lineup when Perk has pitched two days in a row, or 2 out of 3, etc. While Nick isn't going in depth on the bullpen here, focusing more on the closers role itself, is it just me, or does it seem kind of ridiculous that a month before pitchers and catchers report we are STILL concerned with the bullpen? Come on Terry...forget the prospects of talented prospects for a moment and make a move. There are still some decent, functional FA available. Build the strength. Giggity.

Actually, I was trying to help make your point. Lol