DocBauer

Call me naive, hopeful or an eternal optimist. Stuff happens. I have little to zero worry about Nolasco. He absolutely will earn his place and contract. Hey...stuff happens. It just so happened his "stuff" happened in another disappointing season after signing a big contract. I have little to zero worry regarding Perkins. At this point, every report is no damage. Until or unless we hear something more, I'm not going to be a fatalist. I know nothing really about Milone. I know that prior to the Twins, he has an unspectacular but solid track record as a decent, solid ML LH starter. Until you show me a lingering injury issue, I think he's at least an intriguing back or the order/solid pen option. Pelfrey is a mystery wrapped up in an enigma and has been discussed in another thread. Honestly, he's a "who" fill in option and re-invent bullpen candidate. In other words, not probably thinking too much about.

In this post, at this time, I am not debating the values of Gardenhire as the manager next year and his merits to do so, or not to do so. But I AM frustrated than here in September, for whatever reason in a lost season, we aren't just opening the floodgates and letting EVERYONE play and participate. And that means Santana at SS, no disrespect or dismissal of Escobar, Pinto at C, Hicks in CF along with Shafer out there as well. Are we trying to see what we have for 2015 or trying to pad 2014 final numbers?

Agreed. Despite the very best efforts of Seth and others to bring us the best reporting of the Twins milb affiliates, it means a lot to have "reporters" here at TD who can offer us unique first hand perspectives. From the Twins perspective, it kind of sounds like they were either forced to look elsewhere, or simply felt they had to from an organizational point of view with a big cluster, you know what, going on. Part of me is excited from the standpoint I always thought it made sense for the majority of you'd milb clubs to be close to various other complexes, or the parent club. I've heard good things about the Chattanooga franchise before, and it might be a better fit between the Miracle and the Kernals. On a personal note, it sucks that the cap collection I've started for my father and myself now excludes our Rock Cats hats and we're an affiliate behind now.

It's a marriage of pitching and defense. And we can't lose that perspective. Throw an all-star-ish SP staff with statues in the field and I don't like my chances much. They can't strike everyone out. And no matter how well they pitch, there will still be balls out in to play. Likewise, give me an all-star-ish defensive team with a rotation of Correia's and Pelfrey's, and there is only so much they can do to back up HR's and line drive after line drive. I am so tired of the debate and slamming of the "pitch to contact" principles that the Twins have employed and frustrated fans have slammed. Everyone employs this philosophy to some degree. "Pitch to contact" means throw strikes, keep the ball around the zone and don't walk anyone. If a pitcher throws in and around the zone, pitching to contact, it means the batter can't sit there waiting for a walk or a perfect pitch for fear of called strikes. It leads to strikes, foul balls, pop ups, grounders and fly balls you can catch. Now, pitchers not only have to be around the zone, but they also can't groove pitches. Do you think the Dodgers instruct Kershaw to NOT through in and around the zone? To NOT pitch to contact? So preventing runs is a combination of a pitcher throwing to contact, and in some cases being a SO pitcher, and trusting the defense to make plays on the balls popped up and put in to play. So again, it's a combination of pitching and defense. Using rankings as well as they eye test, the Twins defense is pretty solid. Dozier makes a ton of great plays. But the only 2 years at 2B Dozier still has some room for improvement, and probably will. Escobar fits with defensive metrics, but with progress, Santana could be even better with his range, arm and better overall athleticism. Still, we shouldn't discount what Escobar has done. Clearly, the biggest issue is the OF. I don't know if Arcia will ever learn to be great defensively. Maybe. He's young enough, has a great arm, and is a pretty decent athlete. He has shown improvement, is still young, and you'd like to think he will be at least OK out there with a big arm. The problem is clearly CF and LF. And the problem is not necessarily all the Twins doing. Were he actually healthy this year, Buxton might be already penciled in to CF for 2015. But that's not reality. So for at least part of 2015, what do you do? Do you stick with Santana for the short term, further delaying a possible future at SS with the idea of a possible shift to LF at some point? Do you trust Hick and or Shafer in CF for now? Do you spend FA money on a CF who might not have a job a half or whole season from now? Tough questions. The easy one is LF where Willingham will no long be patrolling. I dare say just about everyone with any sort of vested interest has a bro-mance going on with Shafer in LF. Past performance vs SSS is condemning, and yet, look at what he's done? Oh, if only we had a crystal ball that worked! Forgoing that unrealistic option, I think one of the smartest things the Twins could do is make that big commitment to a FA LF who can play defense as well as quality OF. It may not be ideal, but a quality LF, a still improving Arcia in RF, and a CF "patchwork" with Hicks and Shafer with Santana in the wings has to be a huge improvement over Willingham, Kubel, Colabello, Parmalee, and whoever OF that we dealt with for much of this season, doesn't it?

The problem with Pelfrey is that he is such and enigma. He's never been anything close to dominant or outstanding in any way. But from 2008-2011 he enjoyed 4, overall pretty solid seasons. Now, 2 were actually winning seasons with a sub 4 ERA, and 2 not very good seasons, but in each of these years he took the ball and ate innings. And I think it's obvious this is the guy the Twins were hoping to get last season. And in truth, once get got strength and feel back, he actually pitched pretty well until late season fatigue. He was not the signing I wanted last offseason after Nolasco and Hughes. There were several options I liked better, that I thought made more sense, even if you had to toss another 2-3M in to the deal. Still, I couldn't hate the idea of a depth signing based on proposed health and fresher a arm. But two years? THAT was the mistake. Still, we have him. His contract could allow the Twins to cut bait like they did with Marquis a couple years ago. Barring a rash of injuries, or a sudden "find himself" moment, there's just no room for him in the rotation. Despite several young relief options that may be ready to audition from AAA next season, and probably an even more talented mix lower in the minors that might fit in 2015 before the season is done, I feel the Twins really need to shore the bullpen up with one high quality arm to pitch the 8th, and occasionally give Perkins the night off. Could that be Pelfrey? I think it's an intriguing idea and worth investigating. It's not like you're going to be able to trade him for anything at this point. But I'd have a hard time banking on the move. I'd still make the FA move along with the Pelfrey audition. You've got nothing to lose giving him the shot, and you might get a nice payoff out of it.

With what he showed last season, and most of this season, I still have a lot of belief and faith in Dozier. I feel he could have used a few more days off to be sure. Secondly, it can't be easy moving around the lineup from 1 to 2 to 3 at different times. Thirdly, I think he lacked a solid hitter behind him a lot this season, and believe that helped contribute to some of his streakiness as well. I think the BA will begin to climb next season, even if the HR's might regress somewhat. I don't know that he's really a 20 HR hitter. Maybe he'll surprise us. But I could see double digit HR's on a consistent basis, with more doubles and that higher BA. I have a lot of faith in Nolasco going in to next season. Has he been consistently great since his return? No. He's had a couple real stinkers. But he's also, generally, pitched solid to good and I expect a nice rebound. I think Gibson is even better and more consistent next season. Hey, he's practically a rookie and is still learning. While not there yet, I've been impressed with May's growth and think he's got a shot to be part of the rotation next season. Mauer just needs to be healthy. I think he's showing now, once again, how great a hitter he has been and can still be. Still convinced playing 1B will aid his health and overall production and believe we'll see the normal Mauer again last season. He's not done!

Second post: After last season, when it seemed there was a real possibility of a manager change for the Twins, I had very mixed feelings. On the one hand, I was and am a fan of Gardenhire as a manager and good guy, as well as his staff in general. And I didn't, and still don't, feel all the blame rests on his shoulders, or his staff. I don't think Gardy just got stupid. No matter how disappointed we all were in 2011, that season still came out of the blue. Not saying I am...but...you could offer up multiple excuses for 2012. In a different post, someone, I can't recall who, pulled out a very interesting statistic that really surprised me in regard to teams winning 90+ games, then losing 90 the next season, before strongly rebounding in season three. We could argue and debate at great length about roster construction, injuries, lack of talent, waiting for the minors to build and provide talent the past few seasons, etc. And we could probably make as many logical, well thought reasons and excuses as we could points of blame and causality for the string of bad seasons. I was 50-50 on a change last season. I felt it could be time, but felt some smart moves, health and a couple promotions could have out us back on track this season. I still refuse to "blame" Gardenhire for this season. Have I had some real issues at various times? Absolutely! NOT saying we would have been a playoff team, or just shy, if Nolasco was 100%, Buxton and Sano hadn't missed all or most of the season, if/and the team had signed just one more quality OF option. But, things might have been at least somewhat different in the W-L column, and the season might be finishing on a more positive note whereby we weren't writing articles such as this. Thoughts and perspective is all. I still believe Gardy can do a good job. But I have come to the point where I now believe change is necessary simply for the team to grow, turn the page, and begin a new chapter. I don't know if "new blood" is the answer, especially as I feel many of the best options available to the Twins for said change would have Twins ties. I think it's more about a different voice, a different approach, a different perspective. I don't know if it's going to happen. But 50-50 in opinion last offseason has now become an almost MUST to move things forward.

First post: I know, and agree, the post isn't about "failure" in regard to the Twins, the Braves, or any of a number of streaking teams. BUT, since it was broached, I feel obliged to comment just the same. I suppose, in sports in general, success vs failure depends on personal position. I have always thought the point in sports was to compete, to win, and as a result, to compete for championships. But in every single sport, there is always ONE single champion. Only ONE team who ends the season on a truly positive note. But again, in any sport, being a winning ball club with a chance, a real chance, to be in the playoffs, a chance to be in THE game(s), is what you can ask and hope for in any season. Our own Vikings had 4 high quality "championship caliber" teams in the Super Bowl. Unfortunately, they never won. But does that truly diminish the outstanding accomplishments of those decade plus dominate teams? The Bills, sticking with the NFL for a moment, went to 4 straight Super Bowls without winning one. But are those teams truly "losers" because they lost? The Atlanta Braves strung together an amazing run of division winning, "championship caliber" teams but only won one. You can say disappointing, but, failure? There are a multitude of examples I could list, of course. The point being simple though; winning and having a shot to be the best is what you can ask for, hope for, build for, and play for. But each and every year, there will only be one champion crowned.

Baseball is still a team sport, despite 1 on 1 matchups. I don't know that anyone has ever declared Mauer the straw that stirs the Twins drink. However, he can be a hugely important cog in the lineup. And while improved power would be beneficial, he doesn't really have to do so to be effective and important. 140-150 games played at 1B and a few at DH here and there will give the plate appearances necessary to see rises in R's, RBI, as well as some rise in said power numbers simply from being in more games with more plate appearances. Mauer with a .320-ish BA and .400 OB with 40+ Dbls and, probably, low to mid teens in HR's gives the team/lineup an import piece in the 3 hole; someone who can move and knock in runners, as well as start and continue innings himself. Healthy, at 1B, only 32, he can still be that player. 2) Defensive improvement can happen simply from internal progression, (Arcia as a prime example), and by simply having a set OF instead of a bunch of patchwork options. No Willingham in LF, a quality offense/defense LF, as has been discussed multiple times already, and an experienced, natural CF to play consistently, even if he isn't gold glove, will improve continuity. (Hicks?) 3) Cal me a naive optimist if you wish, I don't think the 2015 rotation is as bad as some project. I believe Hughes is real. Gibson has stunk here and there, but also been very good, and the good has outweighed the bad. He will be better next year. When did we forget this is his first full season? Take emotional disappointment out of the equation, and there is no reason to be so down on Nolasco for 2015. No questioning the talent of May and Meyer. It's just time. May is doing what Gibson did at the end of last season, getting his feet wet. Very strong chance at least one of the youngsters opens in the rotation. Hopefully Milone rebounds to the pitcher has been until now. I guess Pelfrey might be an ok fill in if needed, but, MEH. It's one thing to say "give soandso a 22M per year deal for 6-7 years and give us an ACE", and another thing to pay that much to a pitcher in his mid to late 30's and fading, possibly quickly. 4) Better overall team, better overall record. Another RH hitter with power could definitely help, but I don't feel it's a big ballpark mystery. 5) Not joining the endless debate on manager and coaches at this point. BIG Gardy fan, think he can still do the job. I just think it's time for that different voice, that different way of doing things now. I'd like to see at least some of the coaches stay. I think we have some good ones.

If this were a prospect list, and not just a "best of 2014 milb" list, the rankings would be different. We'd have Buxton, Sano, and possibly Rosario listed. Polanco would be higher. But honestly, wouldn't Garver still be right there? He might even rank in the top 10 overall after the season he had. I still have high hopes for Turner based on his defensive reputation, and reports of power and at least decent hitting potential. But don't forget Garver had the better offensive numbers coming in to the draft, and finished second to Turner for the Johnny Bench award for collegiate defensive catcher, if memory serves. Don't be fooled by playing one level lower. As Seth pointed out, they had and wanted to play both kids daily. You can't do that if they are at the same level. I'm watching both of these kids closely in 2015. I'm still convinced the Twins have something quality to work with in Pinto if they will actually "work with him". But these two kids could be the catching future in a couple of years.

I really like this. And I really like Escobar at SS. And to beat a dead horse even further, I still like Santana at SS not only for his offense, but also for his range, arm, and overall athleticism. And I'm willing to live with a little less "perfection" defensively at the position for his range, potential and offense if he can handle the position daily. Is that a big IF? I am also very intrigued by Schafer, also maybe more than I should. I like him a lot as a possible steal 4th OF, possible CF platoon maybe, but keep waiting for Lucy to pull the ball away, or the proverbial pin popping the balloon to disappoint me. I STILL maintain a nice FA LF who can contribute offensively as well as defensively. I think it pays huge dividends both ways. Santana at SS and Hicks at CF, until Buxton arrives, is my ideal. But I am not opposed to a CF signee at all!

When we were in the Metrodome, there were debates as to which corner OF was the most important and hardest to play. RF had the Baggie, but offered shorter routes and less area to cover, while a strong arm in RF is generally coveted. But the consensus, as I remember it, was that LF, despite a reputation, generally speaking, of being a less key defensive position, had more area to cover in the dome. I know the dimensions of Target Field somewhat approximate the old dome, but it's still a different stadium, and outdoors as well. I wonder, with his strong arm but still developing skills, is it better to keep Arcia in RF or put him in LF now?

A few thoughts to contribute: I take defensive ratings with a grain of salt, and always have. The reason being, no matter what metric you use, IMHO, it can be skewed. Over the years, I've seen teams rank at or near the top of league standings in defense, but it was due to errors and fielding percentage, meaning players didn't make as many mistakes. Meanwhile, teams ranked lower "seemed" better defensively due to more athletic players with more range getting to more balls, even making more spectacular plays, but sometimes making more errors while attempting more difficult plays that others couldn't even attempt. I fell that sometimes, defense is more of an eye test, and not always measurable accurately. That being said, I think it's clear the eye test didn't favor the Twins OF this year. I think Santana has done a tremendous job considering he was an Inf tossed in to CF with very little experience. He got better, and can still get better, but long term he seems to be a true SS, or at worst, a LF candidate who can move around. He has the athletic skill set for SS, and I hope he gets the teaching and experience there to, hopefully, improve himself. Good and great ML SS don't just happen overnight. Putting a quality defensive OF in one of the corner OF spots would be huge as opposed to BOTH Willingham and Arcia out there, as we had the past couple of seasons. I don't know that signing a temp CF is the answer or not. It could definitely help! But even if Hicks smooths a couple things out, and can hit well enough to contribute, simply being a more natural and experienced CF would have to be an improvement, would it not? (At least until Buxton arrives) I think Arcia has improved his defense. I think the skills are there to get even better with time and work. I think his biggest problem, as someone pointed out, is running toward CF. I'd rather see a deeper angle used and just get in front of the ball instead of going for the big catch. Strikeouts are great! But they are not a solution. You could rank amongst lead leaders in SO's but still allow way too many hard line drives. Just better, more consistent pitching could help the OF defense as much as better pure defensive players. Three stiffs playing moderately deep could do a solid job with high, even deep, fly balls and "cans of corn" vs. rocket shots to the gaps.

As to the "Dougie Baseball" nickname, it surely comes from his successful background, as well as his reputation as a "gamer". But I also think it sticks because people just don't want to type, or have forgotten how to spell, Mientkiewicz. Lol

I think Molitor could probably be a fine manager. And I think he's proven to be a fine milb instructor and ML coach. However, while I am by no means suggesting he is "old", I think I'd prefer someone a little younger to grow with the new wave and stick with them. And I won't speak for Molitor, but I always thought I remembered him wanting to be an instructor initially and not confined to a ML traveling schedule. And now, I don't know, maybe he's just more content being a coach at this time instead of being "the man". I don't know if Mientkiewicz or Mauer is the next Twins manager, though I think both are talented potentials. And I do think guys like Watkins, and there are others, just might be really strong coaching candidates. One common theme I feel is prevalent from all accounts I come across is that I think the Twins organization has a lot of really good communicators in their system. Glynn I think would make a nice coach for the parent club. And he has done a nice job for Rochester, and has a really nice resume. Again, I wonder at his age vs a longer term solution. Is it time for a change? I admit I'm still on the fence. I can see real and honest reasons for both sides of the arguement. If the move does take place, I think we have a couple interesting and strong candidates. And I'm sure they would put their own stamp on their coaching staff. I'd like to think at least a few members of the current staff would stick around.

I really like this part of the conversation being brought up. And I don't say this because I advocate or nominate Ullger as the next manager. I like it because I do get a bit tired of sniping at the Twins coaching staff in general. The results the past, almost, 4 seasons has been terribly frustrating and disappointing. But most of the current staff lead the team to winning year after winning year and playoff appearance after playoff appearance. I am not excusing the past four years, just stating a fact that if you look at the men making up the Twins staff, they are good baseball men with quality resumes. Is it time for some more change? Yes, possibly it is time. But I feel it is a bit disingenuous to blast the Twins for staying within the system, but then praise all the possible coaching and management candidates that exist within the system.

Cool. Thanks Seth! Kind of what I thought. Was curious if the "consistency" factor might have played a part. Please, anyone and everyone, correct me if I'm wrong, but is it safe to say that Gonsalves and Thorpe, despite their youth and inexperience, are probably the highest upside LHSP's in the organization? But looking at options like Taylor Rogers, Pat Dean, Jason Wheeler, Sean Gilmartin, Matt Tomshaw and Brett Lee, who and how would you/we view them as a stand alone prospect ranking?

Love the depth of the list, and that is infinitely more impressive and important than just who had the best season. Way, way too early to even speculate if Gonsalves and Thorpe have #1 or #2 SP potential. But I am a fan of both. Despite weighing youth vs talent and early results and trying to fruitlessly project 2-4 years from now in a foggy crystal ball, I DO think these two are maybe as intriguing an option as Stewart, Berrios, and just about anyone else in the organization. Seth, just curious, Meyer, overall, had a very successful season. His ERA and Whip were better than some, not as quite as good as others on your top 6. His SO's are obviously very impressive. Understanding it's a 2014 "good season" list, and not a top prospect list, what kept him out of your top 6?

This! Almost. Every single time I try to lay out the position players for the "start" of 2015 I end up with 14 position players. At some point...July 1st?, August 1st?, September 1st?...I see Sano and Buxton making a move. I keep seeing almost everything you do, except, I still see the team signing one quality OF option to provide a quality, veteran, productive bat. That means Parmelee or the surprising Shafer is on the outs. And while I hate to say it, Parms is probably the guy on the outs. I also like Nunez as a really nice and under appreciated bench player. In regards to Pinto...the Twins have to refrain from being stupid. What? Suzuki has real value, and I was in favor of his signing. But you also can't ignore a talented young player right in front of you.

Actually, your thoughts for a 13 player position player roster is just about exactly how my mind plays it out. I keep coming up with a 14 man roster list because I keep including Parmelee in my head. I may be stubborn, or just foolish, but I just keep seeing "just enough" from him at times when he's given a shot, that I want to include him as a possible. I think people sleep in regard to Nunez. As a nice, versatile player with a solid bat and equipped with some power and position flexibility, I like him. I'd like the Twins to work him more next ST in the OF. Not as an option, but as a fill in. Escobar has done NOTHING to lose his spot as a starter, except being born with less overall talent than someone like Santana. Santana offers even more offense, and even more range and "potential" as a defensive player. And I know the "P" word can be a nasty one, and I don't want to take anything away from what Escobar has done and meant to this team...but...I think he might be better used as an almost everyday player, similar to Nunez. I have been advocating for some time for a quality FA LF, 1 year stopgap or 2-3 year player is to be debated. Not sold on Schafer yet. I want to be. I want to see if how he plays CF, though Santana could also fill in, and KNOW he won't hit long term like he has thus far with the Twins. But I am intrigued by what I see and love him on the base paths. Pinto. Suzuki. Here is where the Twins actually have to get smart. Can they do that? I'm not being snarky! But barring some unforeseen injury factor, there is not going to be a great deal of opportunity for AB's in the DH spot. I was, and am, in favor of signing Suzuki. But you would have to be misguided, stubborn, or stupid to not make room for a player with the potential of Pinto. Offense isn't everything, of course, but the kid has worked hard, and continues to work hard, to better himself, and has a strong arm. You simply can't ignore his potential for the sake of the "safe" and experienced veteran player.

Personally, I think much ado about nothing. A stupid survey prepared stupidly by someone that the Twins were stupid enough to actually pay for. Big deal. I've spent most of my life in some sort of retail or sales environment. And I've seen THOUSANDS spent on surveys that were similarly ridiculous, or to "consultants" who managed to pull the wool over managements eyes to spend money on what they had to offer. A small, stupid, silly survey that someone made a joke of. Not a big deal in the end. However, here is a really out of the box, off the wall idea. Jim Pohland seems to be firmly behind management to make some changes, and has himself made a few pointed comments at times that would seem to indicate he is not yet satisfied. Is this silly incident...perhaps...additional fuel for the fire of action? Just wondering.

OK, I know this isn't wholly accurate over time. Things change. But if, like me, and a few other "old timers" on here, LOL, ...don't hate me for saying that!...you can remember the Twins history back 10...20...even 30 years perhaps. In that time, you've seen a hell of a lot. You've seen 2 owners, multiple managers, and if we ignore Bill Smith's short tenure, only 2 GM's since 1987. Top of my head, right now, I just can't recall GM's before that. In those older days, guys like Oelkers and Viola and Anderson, amongst others, were promoted quickly. More recently were Milton, Radke, Denny Neagle, Erickson and Santana, a rule 5 pick stuck in the pen to keep him. NOT saying the Twins have been overly aggressive in promoting pitchers over the years, but these are a few examples of where it has taken place. I don't know if it's his nature or not, but I think Ryan is conservative by nature. Previously, he made some very aggressive moves with prospects as well as trades. I think when he came back, he was stuck in a cautious mode. His trades for May and Meyer, however, as well as a general philosophy draft change in to drafting power arms, seems to indicate some progression in his approach. We can argue all day long about May and Meyer, but at the end of the day, both of these kids were in their first season of AAA ball. Berrios was progressed aggressively. Despite massive talent, so were Stewart, Thorpe, Gonsalves and others. I have been a HUGE fan of Berrios since drafted, and have compared him to Pedro Martinez, though in truth he's probably thicker, more muscular, and a better overall athlete. And I've read many times, possibly fairly, where Meyer compares to Randy Johnson in size, ability and potential. I absolutely do not have all the answers, and don't pretend to. Perhaps there really are 3-4 teams out there that know something nobody else does...and knows that promoting 21 y.o.'s to the majors works. Perhaps they just got lucky drafting super high, and perhaps those pitchers will burn out. Who knows. But I also think it's kind of crazy to compare every prospect to every other prospect. I would still rank Meyer ahead of Berrios to this point, based on pure stuff and his length. But I would also put Berrios as a top 5 Twins prospect. Saying he is behind Buxton, Sano and Meyer is no small thing! His stuff, his approach and work ethic seem outstanding. And as reported, despite average height, he seems to do an outstanding job of keeping the ball low. If all of this continues, he could surpass Meyer. But for now, I'd say #2 behind Meyer in the Twins organization for pitchers.

And yet, another well thought out thread with lots of arguments and opinions that are well argued and thought out. I really enjoy both parts of the 2015 thread Nick, and wish to be yet another to compliment you on them. Sorry to inform you that the two of us seem to be of similar thought most of the time. Lol I still agree, in principle, that the roster is mostly set for 2015. Again, this does not mean there isn't room for improvement, internally in the current roster proposed, as well as top prospects in the system, a few who are approaching quickly. And it doesn't mean there isn't room for improvement externally as well. You can approach the Twins rebuild from two different perspectives. One is that they still aren't a playoff team yet, and we should sign and trade wherever we can to blow most of the roster up. Of course, there is no guarantee that approach will work. There are injuries, regression, poor fits, bad chemistry, and then you've lost prospects and committed multiple millions and lost financial flexibility. Two is that you continue to develop the young talent that has come up this season, is on it's way, and supplement. Of course, there is also no guarantee this will work either. The Twins are no longer just a cute little try hard "small market" team revenue sharing and Target Field have done a lot to change that. But the Twins are also not, nor ever will be, a NY, Boston, Chicago, LA franchise with the resources to burn cash. The Twins, and their young prospects, are not "THERE" yet, however you want to define that. But they have and are promoting and playing youngsters of varying potential: Arcia, Vargas, Santana, Dozier, Escobar, Gibson and May. You could toss Hick in there depending on perspective. They spent real money on the rotation in Hughes and Nolasco, and even tried to sign more in Garza. Other than LF, and potentially CF, where, honestly, does this team spend real money, on a decent length contract, to improve itself long term over the player currently there, or really close? CF is short term due to Buxton, but said player could slide to LF or be a really good 4th OF player. SS? So you'd spend big money or trade quality prospects for who? And over the options of Escobar, Santana and soon, possibly Polanco? We already have the most production and talent at that position in years, with the possibility of more to come. LF is really the only option to sign or trade for someone more talented than what we have in place, and without blocking a top prospect or solid player in place. Yes, I AM an optimist. Still, the Twins didn't sign Nolasco to a Twins record FA contract because he was Pelfrey or Correia. He is a big notch or two above those guys. And you have to believe a healthy Nolasco will provide a solid season next year after an unfortunate and mostly lost season this year. Odds and past production alone state this. May has kind of sucked so far. Honestly, who cares? I was hoping for a dynamite start, but it doesn't always work that way. Even when he has sucked, he's struck guys out. (Remember, we don't have anyone who can do that) He's growing, learning, eating up experience and lessons to prepare himself for 2015, much in the same way Gibson did last season. His last start didn't turn out great, but showed improvement. Tonight was clearly his best start and a real boost! Will he pull a Gibson-sized move next season? Unknown, but the parallel and the talent are there to do so. Milone has kind of sucked thus far, and been generally disappointing...BUT...his previous track record is solid. Let's give him at least a small break shall we? Meyer could be a future stud, but is still young, developing, searching for the hated C-word, consistency, but could be a big part of 2015 at some point, if not immediately. Pelfrey? I don't know. Finally healthy, pitching like he did at times with the Mets and the Twins in 2013, he could be a nice fill in, or a possible pen option. His contract is not big, and could be gone without pain. Point is, there is hope and options for 2015. The Twins actually made a concerted effort to sign Garza last season even after signing Hughes and Nolasco. That tells me they are not opposed to doing so again. Though I do think it's naive to just state; "go sign or trade for an ace pitcher". They have the money to spend, no doubt. Is it prudent to tie up big money and years in to another SP along with Nolasco, and Hughes, who you might want to sign to an extension? That's really the question I think. I simply don't buy that a high end SP wouldn't sign with the Twins after 4 losing seasons. Why? Because said pitcher is not only getting paid, but he and his agent also recognize they are deepening what could be a quality rotation, would be playing in one of the best ballparks in all of baseball, and have a talented group of youngsters around them, with more on the way. I'd love to just throw open the bullpen to massive competition with no single spot spoken for except Perkins a and probably Fien. That might be impractical, but it would be fun. If we want to build this team the right way, I'd sign a LF and keep my prospects. I'd sign one quality FA setup guy for the pen. I have to admit, I'm intrigued and excited, but wary, about that one big SP signing. The money is there. But long term, is it prudent?

Berrios goes to AA next season for many reasons. And that anything but a negative! Most kids his age are down somewhere in A or low A ball. The call up to Rochester was out of necessity with normal rotation days and May's promotion to the ML level. This incredibly talented May see the Twin Cities before next year is done.

No, the rotation is not "fine". (Bullsh*t! Hair is "fine")...brought to you by George Carlin in attempt at humor and brevity. Nobody has claimed we have an all star starting staff immediately. The question/concern is to whether in the long term, perhaps short term as well, committing a high salary 3-4 year contract is a wise and prudent move when you already have 2 solid options in place, 2-3 top prospects either ready or nearly ready sometime in 2015?