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DocBauer

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Everything posted by DocBauer

  1. DocBauer
    Not in the HOF but a lifetime Twin? I'd say yes, retire his number. But spending as much time away from the Twins as he did, I just couldn't see retiring his number.
  2. DocBauer
    Because of his age and size, and he need to "muscle up" some more over the next couple of years, I think I would downgrade Vielma a few spots. But despite being younger than average for his level, he seems to have a hit tool and the ability to take a few walks. He has certainly shown speed and SB ability as well. If his defense is as good as advertised...well...he's someone you absolutely have to have at least a little excitement about! Now...a few extra protein shakes to get him to 180lbs.... I understand the idea that Javier is a huge signing, so you assume the Twins knew what they were getting, and therefor he ranks high based on young, raw athleticism and the such. But 16 and having never played...mmm...I think I'd knock him down a couple spots just for so many unknowns at this point. But I can't say either of these kids is ranked vastly out of place. ALL prospects are just that, prospects. Projectability is difficult to fully quantify. What's so interesting about this group of 5 is that there are legitimate questions, of differing sorts, for all of them; age, injury, no experience, bad 2015, etc. But all 5 of them have some really, really nice potential. As much as anyone in the entire Twins milb system.
  3. DocBauer
    Thorpe and Meyer. With Rosario, Sano, Buxton, May and even Duffey arriving...and the huge seasons by Berrios and Kepler, along with speculation about them...it might be easy to forget about Thorpe and Meyer. Meyer is former top 10, and still haas the big atmosphere and potential. A healthy Thorpe in 2015 would have him also in the top 10. These two are very intriguing, and maybe the top two guys to watch in 2016, story wise.
  4. DocBauer
    This is the perfect ending. I felt and stated I thought he had that one special season left in him. That "coming home" season to close out a career and show you can still do it. Now, bash him, his August, his OPS, he defense, whatever you want to say. But he brought an energy to the team along with 22HR and 80 RBI. And those are all things not be ignored. I've always had respect for Torii, even if I didn't always agree with his words or stance on things. The way he played the game, and the way he has tried to bring the game back to kids in the inner cities are the two things I probably respect him most for. I don't know if you remember or not, but about a year ago I wrote a half serious, half tongue-in-cheek article about how the loss of Torii Hunter lead to the eventual downfall of the Twins through a large affecting domino effect with his FA loss. (OK, it was probably 70-30 serious vs not) His coming home to help the Twins jump start their rebuild, especially with Rosario, Buxton and Hicks patrolling the OF with him is a full-circle, baseball gods kind of justice. I'd call this a happy ending. Thank you Torii.
  5. DocBauer
    Oh, and I get this! But if someone offers their AA or AAA catcher who hasn't reached the majors yet in any capacity and they want Berrios and Kepler....I'm thinking NO. So the deal...any deal...just has to make sense. And if it doesn't, you move on to the next option. Possibly the one after that. We don't have a Sano-Buxton-Rosario-Kepler quality catching prospect ready to graduate. At least, not right now. And I'd sure love one! But I also don't want to pay someone $100 for the privilege of having $50.
  6. DocBauer
    Oh the heck with it....once again...a trade for Lucroy would be great! A trade for a talented young catcher with some real potential would be as good in some ways, better in others, not as good in other ways. The problem with any trade...obviously... is what does it cost you? I like the idea of signing AJ as an alternative. He helps. He and Suzuki are better than Suzuki and Herrmann/Fryer. I would rather go this route than pay through the nose for a deal that doesn't make sense. Then next year...with another season to monitor the progress/development/potential of Turner and Garver...we can re-visit both the FA and trade market.
  7. DocBauer
    I really like this post! My one concern with moving Plouffe is the high potential but tenuous OF situation for 2016. Like Leviathan, I believe Buxton should be in CF. Great defense, tremendous tools and potential...he can learn a bit on the fly. (I believe his 2015 experience and talent will allow him to do so) Rosario is obviously in left. And until Kepler is ready, Hicks, or possibly Hicks/Arcia can man RF. I still wouldn't mind a veteran LH bat for a bench role, but that's a rather small piece vs a larger discussion here. But if the Twins are truly intent in their belief of placing Buxton in Rochester to begin the year, and Plouffe IS traded, then DH and RF becomes a whole lot more tenuous. A Davis signing provides another high quality hitter for the DH spot, improves and deepens the lineup, and you mow don't miss Plouffe. (Or Hunter's 22 HR for that matter) Add a reliever from both sides of the mound, and this team looks really good to me for 2016 with some very talented milb depth in the wings.
  8. DocBauer
    Except for Rogers past the 3rd inning, another very good week for our AFL prospects! On a downer note...I think losing out on Cody this past draft is going to come back to bite us in the posterior.
  9. DocBauer
    Nothing too surprising in all of this. Once again, I think Buxton builds on this past season and shouldn't be counted out of his spot with the Twins right out of camp so soon. Sano to the OF makes absolutely no sense whatsoever. It's totally counter productive and counter intuitive to his entire baseball career. Arcia would probably be a better option! And no pun intended, but he's out of options, and needs a spot, even as a role player to begin the season. Cotts? Meh. It could be a good signing. But I think there are a couple of better options out there. Santana really isn't much of an issue either. The Twins will keep 2 catcher, 4 or 5 OF's, 3 middle INF's, 2 or 3 corner INF's. In most any way you configure the 13 man player roster, there is room for a 13th player who could fill almost any role. In this case, Santana as an INF/OF utility type. I don't know...I didn't listen to the interview so I may be missing something...but I'd like to hear a little more imagination and a little more aggressiveness in the Twins thinking. I'm not say go hog wild and blow up the roster with major moves, but, it's not the time to just limit yourself either.
  10. DocBauer
    Hmmm....I see your point here but I am going to disagree. Big and strong with a big arm, it appears to me he's been promoted very aggressively despite being a little young for his level, and while his bat is behind, he hasn't been allowed to repeat a year, or part of a year, to let his bat catch up. (The same arguement could be made for Turner as well I think) Without getting a true fix on his hitting potential, I'd say speculation puts him pretty close to where he is.
  11. DocBauer
    Sooner or later, don't the Twins have to slow Navaretto down and let him spend a second year at a level to let his bat catch up a bit?1
  12. DocBauer
    This would be the FA I would target and persue IF I were to persue one. But in addition to getting Nolasco off the books, I now need to get Santana or Hughes off the books. Or, move Hughes to the bullpen as some have suggested. But I am not fully convinced he would be an upgrade over a healthy Hughes or Santana. Or enough of one to warrant the investments when I have Berrios, May and Duffey plus Gibson.
  13. DocBauer
    Palacios is almost scary. Forget the errors. They happen for young infielders and for lots of reasons. To hit that well this soon is scary. He could be scary good. Or we could be scared if he was a one season wonder.
  14. DocBauer
    I like this point made by Nick. I would like the Twins to have an Ace. I think they are downright awesome to have. But I would argue that having one does NOT guarantee you anything in the post season. To me, the primary benefit to said Ace pitcher is during the regular season, taking his turn in the rotation, giving your team a better than average chance to win the game. That better than average chance can be especially nice if it ends a losing streak, or comes near the end of the season with a big series on the line. This can be somewhat negated, however, by having a deep rotation. But in the post season, if everyone needs an Ace to get there, and be there, and win there, then you are pitting your Ace against the other team's Ace, thus negating any benefit or advantage in your favor. See the part about a deep rotation again.
  15. DocBauer
    There is no question Gray is an excellent young pitcher and would seem to have a bright future. "Ace-Dom"? Maybe. And yeah, I want the Twins to have an ace. I also want to be 5 deep in the rotation as 1 or 2 top starters and lack of depth doesn't do anything to guarantee success and victory either. It's easy to be flippant and just say "do it" and invest $200M for 6 years on a FA pitcher and speculate that he guarantees something, and that he won't get hurt, or lose his stuff early, or that he'll be worth at least a portion of his money the final year or two, or that his contract won't be an albatross. But the investment in years and dollars are real. And they can affect the structure of a team. Likewise, trading for someone like Gray carries the value of top prospects that could, potentially, outweighs the value of the one player you acquire. No guarantees either way. There is definite reason to believe a healthy Hughes will be close, or closer, to his 2014 self. And there is nothing to indicate Santana won't be ready to pitch as well as he ever has. (Debate whether that is as a 3 with 2 potential, or a 2 with occassional 1 moments) We still haven't seen the best of Gibson, and more to the point, May. And while I'm not going to say Berrios will develop in to an ace.....the possibility exists. I believe as a TEAM, the Twins are better off upgrading at catcher, adding a couple real quality arms in the pen, and maybe another bat, (whether as a primary or good bench option).
  16. DocBauer
    I don't know, I just can't get excited about Harrison. I want to be but just can't get there. I find Slegers very interesting. I find it rather odd that at his size he only sits in the low 90's. But the control is excellent, obviously. And I have to believe his length gives an illusion of greater velocity and helps hide his pitch a moment longer. I know he's no teenager, but I keep wondering if a few more ticks might be added to his FB as he builds up innings and arm strength.
  17. DocBauer
    I do not want to be all Dougie-Downer here or anything, and I know it is only a very, very SSS at this point, but I have to wonder if ABW2 is showing a much better eye...has made an adjustment to his stance that is letting him see better (longer)...or is he just not swinging right now in hopes of walks?
  18. DocBauer
    I've been on this bandwagon for a while now. While I have absolutely no objection whatsoever to going out and making an aggressive move for a young catcher, not being able to fully pinpoint exactly who that guy should be, much less the cost, I feel that for at least 1 season, though it might take and make sense for a 2 year deal, the signing of AJ is the smart move. As you state, his throwing and overall defense are still solid. He actually hit this season above his career norms. Even with regression, he would be a better than average hitter, with some power, and a perfect compliment to Suzuki. Further, his veteran presence as a backstop shouldn't be ignored. This provides a pair of veterans to help manage the staff. It improves the offense, and AJ even offers a decent PH option when not in the starting lineup. His signing allows tradeable assets to be used elsewhere, and allows at least one more season to see if the Twins actually have some viable young options in Turner and Garver in the system.
  19. DocBauer
    Personally, because he's a catcher, because of his big year last season and a much stronger second half this year vs his disappointing first half, I'd have Garver higher. I had almost forgot about Williams. He and/or Melotakis could provide a huge lift to the Twins bullpen. Hopefully soon. Speaking of...seems as though there was some very, very bad mojo going through the Twins system last season and it only targeted top RHRP. If fate reverses itself, the Twins could have 4 or 5 top RH arms pounding on the door before the year is done. Seth, If I'm not mistaken, when Bard was drafted, he was to be a SP yes? Is there any word as to a return to the rotation? Is his future now in the bullpen? Or is the pen simply the best place for him to continue his journey back for the time being?
  20. DocBauer
    I read lists like these and the first thought is, "Really? This guy is in the 30's (or 40's)?" And my second thought is always, "Man, despite graduation of some top guys, there is still a lot of potential talent in this system!"
  21. DocBauer
    Agreed. And really, it depends on what Ryan does. IMHO, he should bring in a LH arm, (unless he just brings Cotts back which isn't terrible) and a power RH arm to team with Jepsen, and probably one of May or Duffey. That leaves one spot between Tonkin and Pressly. I do believe, however, that Pressly has an option left?
  22. DocBauer
    Hicks is a given, and so is Arcia I'm sure, barring a trade. Not sure I agree on Tonkin and Pinto as automatics, (or close to). I can absolutely see scenarios where either or both make the club, but I don't think either is better than 50/50 at this point.
  23. DocBauer
    I agree on Wade showing promise with his tools and his early plate discipline. If he didn't have that, coming from college ball to rookie ball, I'd certainly have my doubts. He could be fun to watch this season. I wonder if he could end up being a mid-season promotion candidate to Ft Myers? Wheeler and Lee, like Rogers and a couple others, give this Twins a few different LH candidates that seem...at least initially...to lack that something to be a top SP prospect. Sure hope at least one of them can find a real niche in the bullpen at least. I am also a bit higher on Michael, though not as high as Thrylos. I don't feel he is a top prospect by any means, but speed, OB, decent hit tool and defense at a few different positions makes me feel he has a chance to be a solid ML utility player. Goodrum is a guy I've always been rooting for. I'm actually surprised to see he is still only 23 as it just seems he's been around for a long time. It seems the Twins have bounced him around a bit, position to position and the such, and I've always wondered if that has slowed his progress a bit. I hope he is a late bloomer, because with his athleticism, even if he's an age 26 ML'er as a utility type he could be very useful.
  24. DocBauer
    I agree with Seth here. There was an obvious attempt on the Twins part to separate these two in order that they could play daily. (And possibly not suffer from any direct, personal competition?) While Turner certainly hasn't set the world on fire with his bat thus far, I find it encouraging that despite the full level skip, that he has adapted, learned, and improved each second half of the past 2 seasons. And improved rather substantially from first to second half. I was disappointed in Garver's bat this season. But again, he did advance a level. And he did perform better in the second half of the season. So I choose to be an optimist in regard to '16. In fact, I think we've hear and read enough of these guys, since drafted, that a solid AFL from...hopefully... both, could make us all feel a lot better about the Twins catching future.
  25. DocBauer
    Sorry...my POS computer at work took Jake Reed and made James out of it. Literally, the system used is called POS. lol
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