DocBauer

Marshall would be my pick. Between he and Runzler, you'd be increasing the likelihood of finding a talented and veteran steal on the rebound. From there, you have the likes of Rogers and others for the second LH in the pen. (Milone?) In the past, the Twins did well converting LH starters such as West, Reyes and Swindell, for example. I haven't taken the time to really look at the LHSP market to see if there is a likely candidate for a move of this nature. But it should be considered.

Perhaps like May in 2016 and then back to the rotation in '17?

Duffey's emergence clearly shows the potential and reward to be had by drafting relievers and experimenting with them. It's not like you get to draft a Clemons or Verlander at the top of the draft board every year. Sometimes you have to groom a pitcher, not just draft one ready made. And to the Twins credit, the list of relievers that were given a starting shot really isn't that long. Tyler Jay appears to be a different sort of experiment. While his velocity will almost undoubtedly dip to "only" the low 90's as a starter, rather than the high 90's as a reliever, the fact that he comes to the Twins with a couple additional pitches already in the fold with potential makes him more of a starting candidate to begin with. If memory serves, didn't he often pitch multiple innings in many of his games? *side note: while Gutierrez was given a shot to start, wasn't that at least partially attributable to having more time to work on his secondary offerings for a relief role?

I read it in a book somewhere. Let me see if I can find it again. I'll forward you the title. "Baseball for Dummies" or something like that.

FWIW...I like Suzuki quite a bit. But I like him as a gutsy gamer of a guy who gets the respect of his teammates as a quality reserve. I don't know how good Murphy is going to be. I don't think any of us do, but we all hope for at least ML average. (which isn't such a bad thing considering how difficult it seems to be to find a catcher of this quality level as of late) But I imagine a lot of the conversations that have been taking place for young catchers that seem to have the big shine on them start something like: "Let's take a look at your top 10 prospect list..." And unless you feel really, really good about a guy, or he's really proven something, I'm not sure I'd pull a trigger on a move like that either. I also think Rosario is the better overall player than Hicks. He may never be the best OB% or contact guy in the world, but he has the look of a quality AVG hitter, has some good pop and power potential as well as speed and defense. I'm just not convinced, despite improvements last year, that Hicks is going to come close to his original ceiling. But remember, comparing an OF and a C based solely on offensive numbers really isn't a true comparison at all.

*A second note on the OF:* I don't see a problem with Arcia as the 4th OF, and I think it likely. He can play a corner OF spot, DH, perhaps PH here and there. With Rosario and Santana both able to play CF, the 4th OF doesn't have to be the classic 3 position player in this case. If you are Molly, you have to be a bit creative, but you move Arcia, Sano, Plouffe, Park and Mauer in and out of the lineup at the OF corner, 3B, 1B and DH so that matchups are favorable, everyone plays, no-one sits often, but you avoid Arcia and Sano in the OF together as much as possible.

Back to the basic title, "what holes need to be filled?"...... If the Twins are truly inclined to have Buxton begin the season in Rochester, obviously ST will sort some issues out, then we MUST find another option that can be a legitimate player there. If we don't, we will literally be starting a 4th straight season with a question mark in CF to begin the season. What kind of winning or competitive team has ever done that? Davis would be an excellent option, though I don't believe he's the only option. But solid, available, not overly expensive, not in a position to expect or demand a permanent gig? He might be the best choice. The team, as currently constructed, has exactly ZERO LHRP options that are proven. This also must change. Bastardo would be a perfect option. His signing will help the bullpen balance and depth immensely and not cost a fortune. Barring that, the team would have to look at lesser option, make a trade, or look/hope for a Swindell or Reyes starter converted to reliever option. Isn't it easier to just sign the proven commodity rather than trade prospects? Rotation speaking, Berrios opens in the minors barring a run of injuries or the such. Not for service time, but because the depth is enough that we probably need to sort a few things out. Does May open in the rotation, where he should be, and where I want him? Or, with Hughes, Santana, Gibson and Duffey already there, does May go straight to the bullpen for 2016 and have Milone and Nolasco fight it out for the 5th starting spot? 5th starter or long relief is the only way Nolasco should be kept around. Solid career pitcher. It just hasn't worked here. It's time to part ways and move on for both parties, whatever that takes. I've read about not wanting to trade low. But, would you dare put him in a higher position just to attempt to raise trade value at the risk of the team's record, or the regression of another younger, better pitcher? I'd sure like to think the answer is no.

I don't know if you can call them a great core or not...but you are making my memory take a stroll down the lane. Bostock, Larry Hisel, Ford, Smalley, Wynegar were all some pretty good ones. Unfortunately, they didn't fimish their careers in Minnesota, with the exception of Smalley coming back of course.

What baffles my brain right now is what to do about CF. Davis, who is solid but unspectacular, is used to being more of a role player than full timer? Revere? A lot of people want to blast him, and he doesn't have much of an arm, but he's got real speed in the OF and on the base paths and was solid at the plate last year with a decent OB. That can't be said about a lot of the Twins bats last year. Assuming they would have interest in signing, do you go heavier in your investment for Span or Fowler? They could play CF for now, then slide to a corner spot later. At the absolute worst, they see time as a multi position role player. They have to be interested in signing, and they would take more dollars and years, unless they are on a make good 1 year.

I wanted to like this, but I just can't agree with the "until it blows up in their face" part. I'm just not there yet. We still have to find someone to help cover CF, allowing Buxton to begin in Rochester since that seems to be the plan as of now. I think that clears the way for Arcia to begin the season as the 4th OF. It gives us a dangerous LH bat off the bench and to play OF and DH, and allows time to see if Arcia can fully rebound. At least until such a time that Buxton and/or Kepler are ready for promotion, at which time some adjustments would have to be made.

As I stated in the first thread, one of my all time favorite Twins. Right up there with Puckett and Hrbek. Cuddy was good. He was classy. And he always seemed to put the team above himself. While there was a but of negativity surrounding his last go round with the team, I'd have to include Kubel in that list of recently retired players that brought hope and winning back to the Twins.

alarp33, forgive me if I attempt to be brief. I posted concerning this matter a couple weeks ago in the forums section, and hit high points a couple pages ago in this thread. As of NOW, to repeat, I see a versatile and diverse role player. But the potential for more absolutely exists. Santana was never in a Twins top 10 prospect list, but he was in various top 20 lists. He was always, at worst, in the "keep an eye on" lists with reference to speed, power for his size/position, and overall athleticism. He turned 25 just a few weeks ago, was 24 during his disappointing 2015 season, and only 23 during his rather outstanding 2014 season...skipping AAA almost entirely, playing only 24 games total. He was 22 in '13 at AA, 21 at Ft Meyers and 20 at Beloit. He split 2010 between Beloit late and Elizabethton early as a 19 yo. He made his debut in the states in the GCL as an 18 yo. Look at his steady and rather aggressive progress through the system and you will see a player generally young at each and every level. Career milb AVG/OB of .276/ .319 and 6 straight seasons of double digit SB with a high of 30 in '13 at AA before making his ML debut in 2014. Milb OB 43 points above his BA. Yes, we want the OB higher, but again, consider the relative youth and potential. And when we talk potential, reflect on his 2014 rookie season at 23 yo...forget the awful and out of whack 2015 for a moment...and put it all together. At just a recently turned 25 yo, with his speed, decent pop, quick hands and some compromise between his milb numbers and his rookie campaign, I feel it's not unrealistic to think he could become an exciting and solid top of the order producer.

Well thought out. I think your numbers make sense. However, I disagree with your comments regarding greater value based on defense. If Sano actually goes to the OF and sticks, yes. But either now, or say next season after some roster shuffling, he were to play 3B, he'd be at worst even in defensive value, more than likely, or greater simply by being a 3B vs an OF. Yes?

Agreed. As of now, that is also how I see him, super utility, versatile help offensively off the bench. But if you look at his milb track record and his rookie year, and for a moment ignore his disappointing 2015, you can see the potential. He certainly wouldn't be the first guy to not be able to handle ever day duty in the infield but find himself in the OF. At that point, I could see him bloom with just a little more discipline. Based on talent, previous results, but again, ignoring '15. LOL

Absolutely. But you don't look at the construction of a roster, especially at this point, with the expectation or knowledge of when someone might be injured. So in a vacuum...opening day lets say...there is no room for everyone. Obviously there will be starts missed for some reason or another, or extra starts. But at that point, doubtful you'd pull a May out of the bullpen for that situation. More than likely, it would be your long reliever or someone from Rochester. In a dream scenario, though I intend no ill-will toward any of our players, the older Santana, (or someone) might be traded at some point to allow for all the younger arms to be in the rotation.

Further, I think we also have to keep the positions of these two players involved in their proper context. There is at least a decent chance that Hicks will hit for a higher AVG and OB than Murphy. He may have more power and more speed as well. But Murphy will be the guy behind the plate calling a game for the staff and receiving 90+ MPH fastballs and crazy breaking balls and balls in the dirt while also trying to catch base runners. All while trying to produce a league average OPS or greater. Context.

For the record, I've never been a "Plouffe must go" believer. Depth of talent is a great thing, and there is no reason you couldn't move guys in and out of spots and the lineup here and there. Also, I'm excited about Park's potential and think the move was a great one. But put these two ideas together, and there is a bit of a conundrum. I know these things often have a way of simply working themselves out, but there is a bit of an oddity to the roster right now. To be fair, there is still time to work these things out. There are still CF options out there if the Twins feel Buxton is better served spending time in Rochester. There is still time for a Plouffe move if the right offer/opportunity comes along. And there are still some solid options for a RH hitting OF to mix and match with Rosario and Arcia if Sano were to be moved back to 3B with said theoretical Plouffe move. I don't think it's time to hit the panic button on anything just yet. I'm still more concerned, at this point, with the bullpen, particularly from the left side.

Bingo! Barring injury, or an unexpected trade, I think there is a good chance May is in the bullpen for all, or most of, 2016. I don't like it, but he could be good at it, and he could shift back to the rotation in '17. The problem isn't even Milone, it's Hughes, Santana, Gibson, Duffey and Berrios. Remove Milone, promote Berrios, and you have one too many starters. So either Duffey or May works out of the pen. I just don't see Hughes or Santana (or Gibson) going anywhere at least untill next year. Even with May, or Duffey, in the bullpen, I could still see a vet RHRP on a 1 year deal to bolster things. But we don't have one guy from the left side we can really trust or bank on right now.

Pretty much this. It's only a bad trade if Murphy stinks and Hicks sets the world on fire. (Or if TR just sits on his hands from here on out) I don't really see anything wrong at this time. At the very least, I'd like to see how this plays out for a season (at least half of one) before making some determination.

When is the printed version going to be available?

Great question! Santana's quad slash as a minor leaguer stands at .276/ .319/ .399/ .717. His batting average has always been solid. And while the OB% hasn't been great, it is 43% points above his BA. That shows potential, especially considering he's never been exactly old for any level he's played at. Quite the opposite actually. The power is a little lax, but we heard about power/pop potential on the way up that might develop. And in fact, his 2014 rookie year he certainly showed some of that potential. He also hit double digits in SB for all 6 milb seasons. In his rookie 2014 season, while he did maintain an almost unsustainable BA and BBIP AVG, he held a 34 point higher OB%. 34 is, of course, less that 43, LOL. It's all fancy way of saying that despite being young, despite being a bit undisciplined, he HAS SHOWN previously in the minors, and to a lesser extent his rookie season in 2014, that he isn't just a SO machine. Looking at his athleticism, looking at numbers, looking at what he was capable in his rookie ML season, it's not hard to project some pop, see his speed, and believe he has the potential to be a decent hitter with an OK OB% and the potential for better with experience and just a little more discipline. And if he simple can't do the job daily at SS, he wouldn't be the first one to move to the OF and see his game take off. (kind of like it happened when he played mostly OF in '14)

I am often a defender of Ryan, though not afraid to call him out if I disagree with him. And he still has time, via trade or FA to make moves to help the club. And there are players available. But as of now, I am very disappointed with the lack of events this past week. While I applaud several moves TR has made the past couple of years, CF and the bullpen have had the feel of "hope and cross fingers" the kids are ready soon. Strong, LH set up men do not grow on trees. To have access to a couple on the market that wouldn't cost a fortune, that could have a huge impact on the depth and functionality of your bullpen, and to do nothing about it has me rather ticked. There are a handful of experienced RH relievers nearing the end that could possibly be had on fair 1 year deals, that along with a quality LH set up man, could mesh well with what we have on hand to build a really top end bullpen for 2016. We can't make the mistake of just waiting for help to arrive.

1* Trades are apples and oranges. I don't know that you can say with any true certainty that that is "all" the Twins would get for Plouffe. However, apples and oranges both being fruit, you can see situational parameters that bare out possible similarities. If that is the case, then a similar trade return for Plouffe would be a waste and we are better off keeping him. At least for now. (and I'm a known Plouffe fan) But I have been in favor of moving him to clear room for Sano. It looks like it's just not prudent to do so. 2* I haven't been in favor of Sano moving to the OF not because I don't think he can't do it, but how long will it take? Do we move him back to 3B in a year or two? What happens when Buxton and Kepler are both ready? Not to mention Walker? I'm not going to scream bad roster management, as rosters can become fluid for various reasons, and it's never a bad thing having "too many" good players. But there are challenges here, to be sure. 3* NOT going to get in to a Mauer debate for the up-teenth time, but, if he doesn't rebound towards the player he has been in the past, the truth is, both offensive and defensively, his presence in the everyday lineup compromises the best team that could be placed in the field/lineup. Would the Twins be bold enough to make him a part time/reserve player? 4* I still have real hope for D Santana. I think he could be a really nice role player. I think it wouldn't be out of the question he develops in to a top of the order hitter as a full time LF one day. (for the Twins or someone else) But I don't believe he is the CF to begin the 2016 season for the Twins if Buxton really and truly is headed for Rochester to begin the year. The powers that be simply can not afford to make the same mistakes they have made previously in regard to CF...sitting around waiting and hoping doesn't cut it. I don't know if Rajai Davis is the answer, or if some of the SD "trade a bad contract for another bad contract" rumors for Upton are an option. But especially with Sano in the OF and learning, we need a legit CF option.

IMPO, Sipp or Bastardo are absolute musts for this team and this bullpen. Either provides a legitimate LH set up man for the late innings. Williams and Molotakis could do that...but not yet. We have some decent options to audition for the second LH in the pen, and I think Milone could be one of those options depending on how the rotation shakes out. The team also needs another RH. With so many good, young, live arms on the way, I had my sights set on someone like the Hawk or Benoit; a hard throwing vet who could get it done for one more season. As discussed in another thread, Rodney could be that guy. Kelley would be a great second addition, and I'd be very happy to have him. And either he, or some of the young kids, could be traded in a year or so with value attached to them. But it might be simpler, cheaper, and prudent to go the 1-year veteran route.

I repeat what I said in another thread, I think Sano has "enough" speed and overall good athleticism along with a strong arm that he could probably learn to be a good OF. But how long are we talking? He's got it down by the end of the year to be at least OK? Two years? What about the state of the OF defense in the meantime? And what if Plouffe is let go two years from now when he is past team control? Who plays 3B then? I like Plouffe. I think it would be cool to see both he and Sano in the lineup together along with Park. I just don't know if it can really work properly.