JaleelWhite FanClub

Agreed. But if the 1B is only average, at best, and slugs under .400, the .340 OBP loses a little pizzazz.

Yes, I never considered Mauer being moved. But I think the timetable for transitioning him to a part-time role should be accelerated if it means saving the team from trading away younger, more valuable assets or screwing with a cornerstone's position.

I'm don't want to derail the conversation and turn this into a M___r discussion, but the guy is the elephant in the room no one (with the Twins) is talking about that is causing all the musical chair talks. So the Twins need to trade Plouffe (2.5 WAR) or Rosario (2.3 WAR), move Sano (2.0 WAR over 1/2 a season) to the outfield, bring in a 29-year-old rookie from Korea who's considered to be a "boom-or-bust" prospect who would force Kepler (Twins Minor Leaguer of the Year, Top 20-30) to an already crowded outfield, opening him up to a potential future trade, like with Hicks (1.5 WAR) once Buxton arrives because they can't (won't) do anything with a 0.3 WAR first baseman on the downside of his career? Trying Sano in the outfield over the offseason and spring is fine. But if the Twins decide to trade some of their young core as a result of the move or if Sano's impact is limited by the shift, then it becomes a problem. It's starting to seem like 2019 can't come soon enough.

Awesome! Thanks.

Not to sound needy, but could the TD crew put together a summary of the AFL games like they do for the minor league games during the season? It's a nice way to get a summary of how the Twins prospects do.

The past is the past. What is really important is how the Twins handle Mauer now that he is not a star (which no one at this point can rightly argue against). He is a serviceable major league player, that's it. So, IMO, the first base job should be an open competition next spring. Take his name and contract away (oh, and the "who cares" fact he's a homegrown guy) and his stats this season warrant a competition. Mauer v. Vargas v. Kepler. I guess you could even throw Sano in their, though he'll be in the lineup no matter what (DH if not 1B). Whoever has the best spring starts opening day. If Mauer loses, than he's a backup and PH. I don't care if he's the most expensive PH in history. The best players get on the field through merit, not preferential treatment. If Mauer wins the job, than he plays because we will have deserved it.

Resiliency in 2015 + Minor moves this offseason = Fall back to Earth in 2016. I agree with the posters above. The Twins can't rely on this type of season happening again with the same roster. I'm thinking one big move to improve at catcher and the early promotions of Berrios and Kepler might give the team the boost it needs. Rochester will have talent in reserve in the form of power (Arcia, ABW II), relief (Meyer, Petersen, Burdi, Chargois), interesting pieces (D. Hicks, Harrison, Turner), and Jorge Polanco ready to supplement the MLB roster later in the season. I can also see Vargas and Santana starting in AAA as well depending if they or someone with the Twins haven't been moved. No matter what, it feels good to head into the offseason following a season like this, unexplainable as it is.

Duffey has to be the Twins best development story over the past few years (maybe longer). His comeback after the Toronto start has to show how tough-minded he is. Here's to hoping he can give some advice to Jay next season. Pelfrey can't be back, right? Santana, Gibson, and Hughes are locks. Duffey makes four. That leaves the 5th starter spot open between Milone, Nolasco, Berrios (and maybe May). I like May as a starter, especially his ability to miss bats, but he's made a strong transition to the bullpen, something that's probably harder for a starter than most people initially think. I don't know why we don't let Nolasco and/or Milone try the move to the pen and give Berrios a rotation spot out of spring training. I would also love to see Alex Meyer turn things around and get a look with the Twins out of the bullpen where I think he will end up.

How about 1st base?

BUY HIGH! BUY HIGH! The Suzuki extension was horrible. Here was a guy outperforming his career norms by a wide margin with rumors swirling about the Twins potentially trading him (like any smart, forward-thinking FO would do). But what do they do? They extend him, and he has since tanked. The Hughes deal is looking like another overreaction and misread of a performance that far outweighed his career norms. I can't blame TR for the Nolasco and Santana deals. I'm hoping there was no way of knowing Nolasco would be so horrible. But the move was at least acceptable at the time and fans could see some logic. As for Santana, I think it was foolhardy to believe he'd be able to hit the ground running midyear after the long layoff and perform up to his contract against guys with a 3-month headstart. I'm hoping he'll be fine under the regular schedule next year. Mauer's deal is Mauer's deal. It was the ultimate "BUY HIGH" deal. MVP year, power numbers way askew from career average, one year before FA. Nothing can correct the $/year remaining. All that can be done is to let his perfromance determine playing time, spot in lineup, etc. rather than size of contract.

Yep, I feel like Nolasco and Milone will be the two "we'll take anything for these guys" guys for the Twins. Milone could be the other LHP reliever if he is still around and performs well. Nolasco could start the year in the pen if he's still around (which he'll probably be since any team that would take his contract would be insane). That may give Petersen some time in AAA if needed.

Okay I'm running with this thing. If the Twins can work out a trade for Plouffe (let's say to SD for Hedges), here's a possible 25-man roster next season (probably mid-year). Starters: Hedges © Mauer/Vargas/Kepler (1B) Dozier (2B) Polanco (SS) Sano (3B) Rosario (LF) Buxton (CF) Hicks (RF) DH Platoon/4th OF/#1 PH): Arcia Walker Bench: Escobar (IF, emergency OF, #3 PH) Mauer/Vargas/Kepler (1B, #2 PH) Suzuki © Starting Pitchers: Hughes Santana Gibson May Berrios Relief Pitchers: Perkins Jepson O'Rourke Meyer Duffey (long guy) B. Petersen ??? - go get a stud LHP I'd be pumped to watch that team and impressed with the front office. Minimal moves, which they like, deserving promotions, and a young exciting team, which everybody likes.

Do the Twins need 8 relief pitchers? I always thought 7 is pretty typical. As far as PHs go, whoever doesn't between Arcia and ABW would be a big power-bat option. I'm thinking someone among the trio of Mauer, Vargas, and Kepler will be next year's starting 1B, leaving one of the other two as a really good option as well. The other utility infielder could be Escobar in the case Polanco gets the starting job. With those options, who needs the backup catcher (Suzuki if the Plouffe-for-Hedges trade goes through) to pinch hit? As far as a 4th, defense outfielder goes, do you need one with a starting three of Hicks, Buxton, and Rosario?

(8) starting position players (1) regular DH = Arcia (5) starting pitchers (1) backup catcher (2) infield utility guys (1) DH / 4th outfielder = ABW (7) bullpen (25) Total - active roster So what's the problem?

The outfield train may have left the station. The defensive potential of the Hicks, Buxton, Rosario trio is too great. A combo of #2 & 3 would be ideal. Trade Plouffe to SD for catcher Austin Hedges. Arcia makes the Twins as a DH next spring. Then, by the middle of next season, we could see a DH platoon of Arcia & ABW in Minnesota. WHOA!!! MATCHUP MASHING!!!

Wow! I was just about to post a question asking what was going on with Pinto. I hadn't heard anything since April or May (whenever he suffered his concussion). Considering the Twins and upper minor lack of quality catching options, here's to hoping Josmil advance quickly and maybe (just maybe) get a September call up.

I love the Nolasco note. Couldn't agree more. Out of the list provided, Nunez and Pelfrey make the most sense. All of the starters have looked terrible lately. Moving Pelfrey and having Milone on the DL should mean two spots open for May and perhaps Berrios. A move with Suzuki, I think, would be great. Having his contract for next year may make it tough. But a trade would open up the possibility of looking for a quality FA in the offseason.

Huh, well then the Twins should just give up on him then. They should trade him then for another setup guy. Who needs homers? Let the Astros and Blue Jays take all of them and see how they end up. Meanwhile the Twins can keep running out a #3 hitter with a .375 SLG. Sounds like a solid plan to me.

I'm curious for a comparison, in terms of stuff and workload during their college careers, between Duffey and Jay. Did Duffey have any special characteristic coming out of college that you can point to now and say that was a sign of his success to come? Are there any well-known similar success stories among pitchers in the majors currently? In the past?

I'm happy for Duffey. I agree with the article. His story has to be one of the best development stories to come out of the Twins system (one that has had very few in recent years). Good luck to him tonight. I can't imagine having the first four batters to face in a pro debut being Tulowitzki, Donaldson, Bautista, and Encarnacion. SCARY!!! At least the Twins bats have been rolling lately. (hahha)

The comparison was really with the trade of a reliever, any reliever, off a bad team for prospects that could help with a rebuild. On Willingham, with some foresight, after a 35 homer, 110 RBI year, he probably could have been traded for something. As for 3-month FA trades, ask Yoenis Cespedes if that doesn't happen. I am criticizing the Perkins extension when it came after a missed opportunity to move a premium lefthanded closer. Perkins is obviously not the problem. He's a big-time performer. But last year, when the Twins were horrible, seeing what the Braves got for Kimbrel, or even what Papelbon went for, I can't help but imagine what the Twins could have gotten if they swayed away from their typical REACTIONARY mindset.

Let's stop the whole "Ryan would have been damned if he did, damned if he didn't" talk because it's junk and missing the point. All you TR-defenders who think everyone today who is griping about the Jepson-Hu/Tapia trade would be the same people complaining if he did nothing are wrong. The problem with Ryan and the Twins front office is not in how many moves they make, but what types of deals they make. They are never progressive, never forward-thinking, never "ahead of the game." For an example, let's turn today's deal around. The Twins were terrible the previous 4 years. However, they got great performances from a number of relievers during those seasons (Burton, Fien, Perkins twice). The most worthless asset for a losing team to hold on to is quality relief pitching, most significantly a dominant closer. The Twins had the opportunity to "sell high" on these relievers but instead stood pat and watched as each (with Perkins as the exception, but his time could easily come over the rest of his deal - an extension from TR by the way - a "buy high" move) had their skills and value quickly diminish and get nothing for them. Now take the Rays. Their front office, often cited as one of the most innovative in the sport, took the opportunity to flip a decent reliever for some intriguing prospects. God the Tigers just did the same thing with Soria. The A's with Clippard. Jeez, even the inept Phillies got rid of Papelbon and got potential in return. The same Twins FO mindset has held true for position players. Think Willingham in 2012. The Twins have also continued to "buy high" with extensions, like Perkins's, to Suzuki and Hughes last year. The frustration is in the methodology being shown, not in the activity or lack thereof.

That's the part I don't get. How did the Twins have to give up a 2nd pitcher? At that, a lottery ticket harm (good potential) rather than an older, established AAAA-type.

I don't need an answer. The question was rhetorical. I do need somebody though to talk me down from the ledge.

I'm losing my adopted prospect for a 31-year-old relief pitcher with a 1.30 WHIP and 7.3 K/9, huh?