Buford_T_Justice

Buxton replaces Grossman, and Santana replaces Hughes eventually. Not counting on May to be anywhere near what he was, but it’s nice to dream. Can Gordon play 3rd? If so, move Sano to DH and Morrison to bench bat. Grossman is odd man out.

I'll echo the Ron Davis love here. I was in high school when he was destroyed our playoff chances, including an epic meltdown against Cleveland at the end of the year. More recently, I would nominate Kendrys Morales. Good player, but absolutely horrible after a layoff to start the year. .234/.259/.325 in 154 AB with 1 freakin' HR. Then, of course, he's torching us the last 2 years in a KC uni. Schmuck!

Hi everyone, sorry I haven't commented in a while, but I remain a faithful reader. Part of me is bummed. I thought what happened last year (the .500+ record) should have occurred this year, but improvement (and degradation) are rarely linear. This is especially informative when considering prospects, which is something that Seth and so many others in this community have taught me. I'm a consultant, so I love change. I embrace the bejeezus out of it. So I'm ready for Ben Cherington. I'm ready for Kim Ng. I'm ready for whatever is next. Because being a fan isn't always easy and is never fair. We all signed up for this, and now we wait. #WorldSeries2019

I have read all of the commentary to this point. You are all correct and on point. Hughes needs the 2015 Nolasco treatment -- "Ricky? Haven't seen him. Have you checked the DL?" ********This comment brought to you by New Amsterdam gin********

Let's give one of the young guys a chance. We can pair Hey Didn't You Used To Be Phil Hughes and the washed up remains of Ricky Nolasco every 5th day, then the bullpen will only have to cover 3 more innings. Who's with me?

Watching the young players struggle reminds me that someone really wise (like Seth-wise but maybe not Seth himself) said that progress is rarely linear. Success in AA doesn't mean success in AAA and so forth. Still, I've been reading about and rooting for these guys for so long and feeling like this could be a great year...it just makes me want to drink more IPAs.

Does it work better if we swap Arcia out for Kennys Vargas? Milwaukee traded Adam Lind, so they need a 1B. Still, I would rather use Vargas in the probably-will-never-be-proposed trade for Lucroy...Murphy (because I don't think they want Suzuki at any price), Vargas and a decent prospect? Thanks to Jeremy for the mental exercise!

Agree, with the caveat that Buxton won't necessarily open with the Twins so we can all be a part of the service time tomfoolery. For the first few weeks, then, the regular starting OF would be Arcia, Rosario and Sano. If I'm Shane Robinson, I would think I have some incentive to sign with the Twins. Buxton coming up permanently and playing full-time might be the trigger to trade Arcia or Plouffe. BTW, if I'm a Rochester Red Wing fan, I'm dreaming of opening day with Buxton, Kepler and ABW as the starting OF. That would be fun!

I have a proximity bias on Hicks. I've been watching and waiting for 3 years, and there was finally a glimmer of hope this year. I didn't want to see him go, and, in my tiny little mind, had him starting in CF to start 2016 and then becoming a pretty stellar 4th OF with plus defense, plus arm, decent on base skills and a little pop. I didn't even buy my |^|€}£¥ing Offseason Handbook yet and my little reality is shattered. Is this guy an upgrade on Herrmann? Sure. But at what price? It seems we're putting a lot of stock in this Park guy who isn't here yet, too much stock in Sano playing OF (and I'm not sure he plays 3B anyway), and one of Arcia or Vargas turning a corner. Am I prepared to see a Sano/Rosario/Arcia OF configuration on Opening Day? Sorry, everyone. I'm not a fan of this trade. However, I am convinced that Ryan is smarter than I am, and that he has purposefully made these moves well before the Winter Meetings. There must be more moves coming. Strap in my friends, and uncap another Fulton Ringer American Pale Ale. The Hot Stove season is upon us.

Absolutely, utility guys should definitely be able to pick it! Anyone know what Nick Punto is doing these days?

In order of your fine posting, here are my hopes. 1. May gets an honest shot at the rotation. 2. The Twins add catching depth from outside the organization and allows Stuart Turner the benefit of a full season at AAA. 3. Torii sees the writing on the wall, retires, and then gets a job as a roving minor league instructor focusing on hitting and outrageous dance moves. 4. Plouffe stays. If Sano was ready to field at a major league level, he would have at least started on the last day of the year. 5. Nolasco is traded because we man up and eat some of the contract. Good chance that he'll be our version of Carl Pavano, but so be it. If 3 of these things happen, I'll be happy. If none of these things happen, then I will grouse about the Twins Way but remain a fan because that's what fans do.

I don't think Pelfrey goes anywhere except the bullpen. Give him a chance to show value and then see if we can get anything for him at the August deadline. Have to wonder what Mauer thinks about our catcher woes...

It sounds like you're asking if I would like to be a Marlins fan. World Series champs one year and then comic tragedy the next. No thanks. I've been a fan of this team since my family moved to Minnesota in 1973. I remember Rod Carew chasing .400. I remember a Kirby Puckett homerun that landed 5 rows in front of me and thinking, "that's cool, he doesn't hit many homers" back when he really didn't. And of course I remember the World Series victories, but they are just part of the long history of the Twins. I don't need the Devil for one glorious season. I have faith that the Twins can take down the Damn Yankees without any help.

I wondered as Dozier was scoring all those runs last year how many times Mauer had moved him along, if not driving him in. Are there advanced metrics for productive outs?

I know, right? Why does he succeed? I don't get it. Too much beer for me...can someone explain Boyer's success in small words?