rhal

It's kind of silly to make predictions about how these guys are going to perform going forward and then assume your prediction is correct and become adamant one way or the other that it was a great or awful trade. Time will tell and the Twins have examined this in far greater detail than any of us can. But the thing most posters are forgetting is that before you get to win a World Series you need to win a playoff spot. The Twins are far from an established, dominant favorite to do that. This move significantly improves the likelihood they qualify for the playoffs. That is THE first step. It elevates the team floor and not just for this year which is a big deal. To take playoff participation for granted is fool's gold. Trading a great prospect for better stability in getting to the playoff is not a bad deal at all.

The moves made by this front office in the off-season look to be the worst we've seen from the Twins for quite some time. How you start the season without enough outfielders, the easiest position in the majors to fill, is incredible. Is there any sense whatsoever that outfield defense matters? It's hard to comprehend how they are where they are with no credible options for the corner outfield spots. How can you go into the year with no shortstop? Bartlett has been done for over two year, would any other organization even have considered him as an option. Florimon had a short spring training following a poor year last year. That's what you go with for the key defensive position on your team? The pitchers signed were rejects by their prior organizations and if they don't improve will have eaten a substantial amount of budget for the next 3-4 years. Nolasco for 4 years? Really?! Hughes for 3 years? Hughes has gotten simply pummeled since 2012 and now he is on the books until 2016. These appear to be awful, awful choices along the lines of Nishioki. If this is what it looks like a month or so into the season, it's time for the Twins to break with the past and let the entire front office go. The decisions they made this year in building a team look absolutely pathetic.

Seth, what is the current status of Rosario? Does anyone know what is gaining on with him and his personal issues?