lee_the_twins_fan

From a pure hitting perspective, it's easy to see why Manager Ron Gardenhire has put Danny Santana in center field twice. He's hitting better than CF Aaron Hicks, although he does not cover as much ground. Eduardo Escobar has also seemingly found his bat. So to have Escobar at SS and Santana in CF makes the most sense from a hitting perspective. Although neither Escobar or Santana are as good at fielding as say, Pedro Florimon at SS or Hicks in CF, both appear to be adequate defensively. Santana has played 23 games in CF out of 523 games in the minor leagues. He has handled 40 chances there without an error, and with one assist. Escobar has zero experience in CF in the minor leagues; he played one game in RF. But he has played a lot in the infield at 3B, SS and 2B. The real question is, can their bats consistently provide enough offense to outweigh their defensive shortcomings? Certainly with Byron Buxton injured this year, it might be 2015 before the anointed superstar athlete makes it to the bigs. In the meantime, the Twins need a CF. When Buxton does make his grand opening, Santana will likely be at SS and Escobar on the bench again.

The Twins signed Kurt Suzuki to a one year deal, pending a physical. They have three other catchers on their roster: Josmil Pinto, Chris Herrmann and Eric Fryer. My question is, how many catchers will the team want to take north? Barring injuries, Pinto and Suzuki are the two top favorites to make the team. But will the Twins carry a third catcher? Reading other posts on this site, many seem to think Herrmann is the third catcher; I'm not so sure. I think Fryer would actually beat him out in ST. However, I believe the Twins will only carry two catchers, Pinto and Suzuki. Pinto will be the primary, getting maybe 60 percent of innings, with Suzuki getting 30 percent of innings and Herrmann or Fryer or both getting the remaining 10 percent. (Just because they start the season with two catchers does not mean they go all season long with just the two.) Here is my thinking: The Twins need to get off to a very quick start. They need to prove to their fans, the central division and most of all, themselves, that they can and will compete in the division. To do that they need options – on the bench. Having a defensive-minded catcher (Suzuki) and an offensive-minded catcher (Pinto), makes for a logical progression. If Pinto starts and the team is leading late in the game, Suzuki can come in as a late-inning defensive replacement. If Suzuki starts, Gardenhire has the opportunity to use Pinto as a pinch hitter, with or without replacing Suzuki. Adding either Fryer or Herrmann to the equation does little to give them flexibility elsewhere. The Twins will need at least two reserve infielders and and two reserve outfielders/DHs. Now that they have traded Doumit and signed Suzuki and Pelfry, I envision a roster looking like this: SP: Nolasco, Coreia, Hughes, Pelfry and Deduno. RP: Perkins, Swarzak, Thielbar, Pressly, Fien and Burton That leaves 14 position players: CA: Pinto and Suzuki. IF: 1B Mauer; 2B Dozier; 3B Plouffe; SS Bartlett; reserves: Escobar and Florimon. DH: Willingham. OF: LF Arcia; CF Presley; RF Parmelee; Reserves: Hicks and Kubel. Hicks and Presley are interchangeable at CF, depending on how they do in ST. Parmelee will back-up Mauer at 1B. That's how I see it.

I question whether it will be Fryer or Herrmann who is designated for assignment. I suspect it will be Herrmann, not Fryer.

The Twins have apparently made some changes in their official team depth chart. Rumors have swirled about Ryan Doumit not wanting to catch; that may be confirmed, because he is no longer listed as a reserve catcher on the Twins depth chart. Also, the two Chris' are not on the right field depth chart list; both Parmelee and Colabello are listed on the 1B depth chart under Joe Mauer. However, Doumit is listed at catcher on the active roster, and Parmelee is listed as an outfielder on that list as well. Insight into the future? We shall see.

It's quite possible the Yankees will target Omar Infante. He's the best remaining FA 2B. But remember the Yankees are trying to stay under the payroll tax limit of $189 million. And they need probably a couple of pitchers, and may need someone at 3B to replace A-Rod. My point is, the Yankees really need a better 2B. What are they willing to give up to get one? Would it be worth a couple of top prospects? And should the Twins bite, if they do make that offer?

Now that Robinson Cano has reached his huge contract with the Mariners, could the NY Yankees come calling on the Twins next week at the Winter meetings, for a trade – to get Twins 2B Brian Dozier? Brian Dozier .244/.312/.414/.726 Kelly Johnson .235/.305/.410/.715 Brendon Ryan .197/.255/.273/.528 Eduardo Nunez .260/.307/.372/.679 Dozier 2B 147 games 2013 .992 fld% 5.22 RF/9 Johnson 2B 22 games 2013 1.000 fld% 3.86 RF/9 Ryan 2B Has not played 2B since 2009 Nunez 2B Played 2 games there last year I'd say Dozier is a better defensive 2B - even after only one season there, than any of the three on the Yankees list. And he's better offensively. The Yankees are going to have to find someone to replace Cano. So the question is, what could the Yankees offer the Twins for their 2B? The Yankees' top prospects include CA Gary Sanchez, SP Jose Campos and SP Rafael De Paula; could say two of these prospects woo the Twins enough to give up Dozier? Of course the Yankees know the Twins have two high 2B prospects somewhat close to making the team - Jorge Polanco and Eddie Rosario (although Rosario is facing a 50-game suspension)? If Brian Cashman offers two of these top prospects for Dozier next week, what will Terry Ryan do? What should he do?

I am supportive of Chris Colabello making the squad. I really think he can hit and field either 3B or 1B. When Plouffe is injured (note I said when, not if) Colabello would be my 1st choice for 3B. I hope he gets some reps there this spring.

Shane; I agree with your MI analysis. But I doubt the Twins will bring up Ramirez, Boggs or Colabello, unless one of them excels in spring training. I agree I'd rather see Herrmann over Butera – but I doubt the Twins FO sees it that way. Your pitching staff looks right, except I think Pelfrey WILL be ready. If Harden is also ready, Robertson will the odd man out. The OF situation is more complex. Arcia and Hicks appear ready or near-ready to start. I think the Twins would want them to play every day, however – at whatever level. One of the two of them I expect will be brought up about June 1 to extend their control. Here's what i suspect the Twins will do: Use Willingham, Mastroianni and Parmelee in the outfield for the first two months. if one needs a break, they have Plouffe, Doumit and others who can play in the outfield. It doesn't give much backup for CF, but Mastroianni can handle it for two months. Then around June 1, either Arcia or Hicks will be brought in – either as an injury replacement, or as a replacement for ineffectiveness. Then Mastroianni becomes the fourth outfielder. That leaves two roster spots open. One goes to Escobar. The other goes to someone who is a spring training invitee. I'm going to say it's someone we haven't even signed yet. Of those on the ST invite list, yeah, Boggs might be it. I'm guessing he won't be there yet. Even with Benson's talent, he bombed last year. I don't think he's ready yet for the big show, at least not right out of ST. Arcia and Hicks will be with the team sometime in 2013. I think the ONLY reason Hicks is not up at the start is to not begin his ML service. One will be up by June 1; the other may be up even before then, if there's an injury. Hicks has more experience in CF, and therefore has the edge. Without any ML injuries, I expect Hicks to be the one called up about June 1. But if there is an injury, Arcia could be up before then. It's a complicated mess. And yes, the roster is not settled.

Carroll and Florimon are lined up as the Twins middle infielders. I don't see that changing. Could we use a better SS who hits better and fields better? Sure – but you can say that about every non-pitching position. I agree with you on Jurrgens. Mastorianni will be the Twins' CF to start the year; come June 1, we'll see Hicks or Arcia or Benson or – as a long shot – Nate Roberts ready for the Big Show. We have a lot of OF talent in the minors, almost ready. Buxton won't be up this year, but he just adds to our OF strength.*

Twins Manager Ron Gardenhire needs to put Josh Willingham at clean-up. This would: • Put Willingham between Mauer and Morneau. • That would protect Willingham better, as he is the hottest Twin right now. • It would separate the team's two best left-handed batters with a strong right-handed batter. • It would make it harder for opposing teams later in a game to bring in one pitcher to face Mauer and Moneau, and another to face Willingham. • Morneau could then be protected with Valencia, or Doumit or Parmelee. I think this would be the strongest offensive setup for the Twins.

Twins Manager Ron Gardenhire needs to put Josh Willingham at clean-up. This would: • Put Willingham between Mauer and Morneau. • That would protect Willingham better, as he is the hottest Twin right now. • It would separate the team's two best left-handed batters with a strong right-handed batter. • It would make it harder for opposing teams later in a game to bring in one pitcher to face Mauer and Moneau, and another to face Willingham. • Morneau could then be protected with Valencia, or Doumit or Parmelee. I think this would be the strongest offensive setup for the Twins.

Josh Willingham has had his struggles playing the outfield this year. But there's no doubt he's starting the season fast. Six games. Four homers. Seven RBIs.* IF he were somehow able to keep that pace up for the whole season, he would have 108 homeruns and 189 RBIs.* I believe his defense will improve. He might have to move to right field at Target Field, but Praise the Lord he's hitting the ball hard and well. Keep it up!!!

Josh Willingham has had his struggles playing the outfield this year. But there's no doubt he's starting the season fast. Six games. Four homers. Seven RBIs.* IF he were somehow able to keep that pace up for the whole season, he would have 108 homeruns and 189 RBIs.* I believe his defense will improve. He might have to move to right field at Target Field, but Praise the Lord he's hitting the ball hard and well. Keep it up!!!