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After 3 or 4 more weeks of success at AA, Terry should feel comfortable bringing him up. If he doesn't succeed, then he goes back to AA or AAA. If he does succeed, it should help the line-up. How about: Buxton, Rosario. Dozier, Hunter (DH), Mauer, Plouffe, Suzuki, Hicks, Escobar (Polanco???). This puts Vargas as a PT DH and power off the bench, Hunter as a fourth outfielder, and deserving or simply necessary back-up catcher as additional bench player. Depending on whether Polanco comes up determines whether the Twins stick with Nunez, Escobar or both.

Nunez has earned staying here. So, the question is who would be sent down if Polanco and Rosario were both to stay? Release Tim Stauffer and go with 12 pitchers, would be the best option in my opinion.

At risk of starting an armed insurrection: How about Torii Hunter (as a reserve), and, especially after last night's performance, Mike Pelfrey (let the insurrection begin)

So why is James Beresford ignored, when he is bating .317? It looks like he has no power. His career minor league OPS is under .700. Furthermore, he plays second base and we've got one doing well already at that position and signed to a multi-year contract. Then again, shouldn't he get as much of a look at the MLB level as Doug Bernier?

It depends on how you define "future". Danny Santana is certainly the near future, and the Twins have great hopes for Nick Gordon, last year's #1 pick in the draft. Who knows where Polanco lands in the mix and when. Nevertheless, these are the types of "problems" the Twins love to have. Hopefully, the can make some smart trades to fill positions where they are less deep (catcher?)

I'll also attest to the fact that it is a great "game experience" at a Kernals Game. Mr. Shucks is a strange looking mascot, however. On the way there, be sure to stop at the Susie Q in Mason City. Order a "Spic and Span" Pork Tenderloin Sandwich. Check it out on www.roadfood.com Another website named it the second best pork tenderloin sandwich in the nation. My wife and I, Twin City metro dwellers, were very impressed.

I wasn't a big fan of the signing of Ervin Santana to begin with. He's an aging average (potentially above average) pitcher who will block Berrios, Meyer, May, Stewart et.al. from entering the rotation. My biggest hope was for Ervin to have a big first half and then trading him away for value. Now that's pretty much shot because he caries a public relations hit!!!!

With his big-time arm, Sano should be at 3B or RF. It's up to him to keep his weight under control in order to have the speed and agility to play those positions.

Like it or not, you'll see more Joe Mauer jerseys in the stands than anything else. He is to Twins Baseball what John Cena is to the WWE. The goody-goody that the hard-core fan loves to criticize and the favorite of the causal fan and the kids. He'll rebound this year with his casual "aw-shucks" attitude interspersed with a "you know" every sixth word (I repeatedly yell in response to Mauer's TV and radio interviews "No I don't"). He'll also consistently bat over .300 for the next three years but will hit less than 15 home runs, and maybe 10 or less. He'll be out six weeks due to injury during two of those three years. But he's a local boy and former MVP who'll never have a scandal. Overall, that makes him the most marketable Twin at least until Buxton or have at least one good season..

I'm in favor of competition in Spring Training for all spots except Santana and Hughes. None of the others have earned a guaranteed spot. The mere fact that Ricky No-Fastball has a big contract should not guarantee him a place in the rotation - he should earn it. If Kyle Gibson looks lousy in Spring Training, there is no reason he should get preference over Trevor May,Tommy Millone, Mike Pelfrey (yes, Mike Pelfrey), Alex Meyer, et. al. (if one of them looks good enough clearly to earn the job). The Twins should make the starters earn their positions in this year's Spring Training,. This is a team which should have fewer players automatically slotted into a position. The Twins need players who are "less comfortable" with making less of an effort or having less success. A new meritocracy can light a fire and help to promote excellence in this organization. Of course if it's a close call between good performances from both Tommy Millone and Ricky Nolasco, Ricky's contract does mean something and he should win out in that hypothetical situation. However, bad or mediocre performances in Spring Training should not win out over good performances for any of the 25 positions. Let's get RUTHLESS with the ROSTER!!!!!

When (maybe "if") Sano is up here, Plouffe's value would be in a trade or as a Super-Sub bench player: Corner Outfield, 3B, DH, maybe even 1B (I think his days as a middle infielder are over). He has some power and actually has some personality for a clubhouse that needs it. On a good team, he would be a very valuable bench player or to cover for injured players.

Why not competition between Santana and Escobar for the SS position?? And the season long competition shouldn't end there. In Left, the battle should ultimately be between "Last Chance" Hicks and Rosario (.382 and .820 OPS in Arizona Fall League), and in RF, Plouffe and Arcia can ultimately compete for the starting job. Plouffe should start the year at third, but could move to right field if Arcia doesn't cut it or when Sano comes up.. Ultimately, we'll see Buxton in CF - IF HE CAN STAY HEALTHY. If all play well, then we'll have a great bench. I suspect some of these players won't play well or will be injured, another reason to keep Escobar and all of the above (no trades unless the other team comes to us with an decent offer, nobody is untouchable - including Buxton for the right price).