Twins offseason

[Eric Wettschreck]

Playoffs are over for the Twins and the Twins are done.

What do they need to do/acquire to get over this hump? I'll start it off.

1. Starting pitching needs to improve, a LOT.

2. Flush the bullpen toilet and bring in some real middle relief.

3. 3rd base is still a quetion mark. Crede was good but the fears of back problems became true.

[harvey lee]

I believe we also need to get a few more hitters other than Gomez, Casilla and Harris that hit in the 220 range. If we want a team that can really compete in the play-offs, we cannot have 2-3 guy in the line up that are 220 hitters in a clutch situation.

Trouble is, I doubt the owners will cough up the money to compete with the money it will take to sign Mauer and Mornau in the future.

[UdeLakeTom]

Sign Pravano and Cabrerra.

The rest will take care of itself. With a veteran pitcher, the other pitchers will come around.

We could use a decent 3rd baseman, but who knows what is available??

Gomez and Young will always be works in process, waiting for Rivera to make it.

Harris has proven to be a good bench player.

[SledNeck]

Yes, keep Pavano and Cabrera

Pick up a high dollar relief guy as insurance for Joe Nathan (incase he doesnt return to early season form).

Cut ties with Crede.

[bassNspear]

They need to get some huge huitters in to help M& M boys. Cuddy will help again next year, but when are they goign to figure out there pitching staff as well!

[Swimbait2009]

Our pitching staff was set to be very good this yr. Unfortunately, a couple key injuries and Liriano's struggles hampered their performance. I think we need to try and assess Liriano's situation sooner rather than later and make a decision on what his role should be. Should we trade him? Should he be in the pen? Should he start again? I think he'll come around eventually...his talent is too great for him not to. But when? Let's hope our coaching and management staff has a plan for that.

I agree that we should keep Pavano and Cabrerra, and we should let Crede go. Has Crede played a full season in a while?

We need a true third baseman, like Crede but without the health concerns. We would have been a pretty formidable offense with crede healthy down the stretch.

Here's another interesting observation that some people may disagree with: When Morneau went out, our team actually seemed to gain momentum from the outfielders in. Moving cuddy to first allowed Gardy to have a much more consistent outfield and Delmon responded well with his hitting, as did Span and Kubel. Kubel was surprisingly (maybe only because I haven't seen much of his defensive talent) good in right field! We need to find a way to keep that continuity in the outfield while still getting all the talent on the field. Do we need three catchers right now with Morales swinging like a rusty gate? Is Redmond still spry enough to be Mauer's only backup? Morales hit well at times throughout the year, but did not in the final weeks. Redmond has a World Series to his credit for a reason. He's a good player, but how much is left in the tank?

Gardy has acknowledged the need to solidify the outfield, but we'll just have to wait and see what comes of it. Tolbert and Harris gained some valuable experience this year, and either one of those guys may show up next year as quality talent on the left side of the infield.

Can't wait for outdoor baseball next year...even though today's playoff game would have been a little miserable!

[harvey lee]

With some pitching, we will not need to score more runs. Just give up less.

I really believe Nathan was very tired by the end of the season. We used his arm to death. The guy is not perfect as with any other reliever.

Nathan has to stay. It would be years before we could get another like him. The Pohlad family won't spend enough to do what we all wish. Thats just the way it is.

[First Ice-Mike]

Priorities should be in this order:

1. Sign Joe Mauer to an extension

2. Sign Orlando Cabrera to a new contract

3. Go get Garret Atkins

4. Go get a solid middle-relief pitcher

FI

[Barony]

I read Sid yesterday and threw up in my mouth a little bit as he talked about Bill Smith's assessment on the season. Smith felt that the $70 million payroll (which is actually $67 m) was competitive and the Twins did a great job hanging with the Yanks. I am so sick and tired of this "small market" [PoorWordUsage] and that we never need to spend money. If the payroll stays at $67 m and Mauer gets the 5 year/$100 m extension, they can say that payroll is at $90 m and we have spent money. Who have we added? Nobody. Just kept what we had and are fortunate to play in the weakest division in baseball.

[Scott K]

We have a very good 3rd basemen in the minors, Daniel Valencia, he has a great bat, and is expected to be our long term answer at 3rd. He doesn't have A-Rod numbers, but he deserves his shot this coming year, and would assume he will get it. Here is his 4 season averages.

AVG OBP SLG OPS

.299 .354 .480 834

[SledNeck]

I read Sid yesterday and threw up in my mouth a little bit as he talked about Bill Smith's assessment on the season. Smith felt that the $70 million payroll (which is actually $67 m) was competitive and the Twins did a great job hanging with the Yanks. I am so sick and tired of this "small market" [PoorWordUsage] and that we never need to spend money. If the payroll stays at $67 m and Mauer gets the 5 year/$100 m extension, they can say that payroll is at $90 m and we have spent money. Who have we added? Nobody. Just kept what we had and are fortunate to play in the weakest division in baseball.

I would say the weakest division in the AL, but the AL is alot better than the NL. How do you explain the AL central's stellar record vs the NL in interleague play?

[genegodawa]

Sled, did that dead horse wake up or something? Stop beating it please.

Signed,

An NL fan....

[JBMasterAngler]

As already stated, we have a good 3B coming up from the minors, so just keep 3rd occupied until he's ready, which should be next season. Get rid of Crede, it just didn't work out.

I would also say shop Gomez, Casila, and Liriano around and see if we can get anything for them.

Bring back Cabrera for sure! He is perfect in the #2 spot. Also gotta bring back Pavano. We'll have a pretty good rotation with him, Blackburn, Slowey, Duensing, and Baker.

We have to get rid of Mijares, Crain, and Guerrier. I can live with keeping Guerrier if need be, but the other 2 have to go!

And I also say bring back Rauch and Mahay. They weren't on the team long enough to make too much of an impact, but they had pretty good numbers, so I think they'll be really helpful for us. Is Neshek gonna be back next year? What happened to him?

[Juneau4]

I may be the only one who says this and many may disagree with me. I don't think that Cabrera is the type of ball player that will help the twins over a year long season. Reasons: LOOK at the number of teams he's played for in the past 5 years.

The most errors of any short stop in the major leagues in 2009.

Argues with managers and team mates.(probably the main reason he hasn't had much longevity with any one team in recent years.

[SledNeck]

Crane has shown improvement this season.

Guerrier pitched well like always until the end of the season

[Cicada]

I tend to agree with Juneau4. Cabrera did a nice job at the plate, but if the Twins are going to improve next year they need a player on both sides of the ball. Without Cabrera, they might have set a team record for the fewest errors in a season. The problem I see is that if the kid in the minors isn't ready to play third base everyday, they may feel the need to spend money and fill 3rd base and will keep Cabrera around for the right price.

[AWH]

I don't think it'll ever happen, but I would love to see the Twins sign Figgins to play 3rd. Get a guy like that and they can continue to essentially platoon the hot hand at second and short and let Cabrera sign elsewhere. Orlando was a good fit for the stretch run. But his defense is definitely going in the wrong direction the last couple of years. A batting order of Span, Figgins, Mauer, Morneau, Cuddyer, Kubel at the top would be killer.

If they're willing to make a committment on a guy like Figgins they can then use Valencia as an assett to trade for another middle infielder, starting pitcher or reliever.

That being said, I would be more than shocked if that happened. Resigning Pavano or another veteran for the rotation is definitely needed. That and a solid reliever or two would go a long ways for this team.

Aaron

[Trainman]

Here's my vote...

Starting pitching:

#1 Baker

#2 Slowey

#3 Blackburn

#4 Pavano (sign)

#5 Perkins / Liriano (duke it out in preseason)

Back-up / fill-in for injuries: Perkins / Duensing

BP long relief

Duensing

Liriano

Manship

Set-up

Rauch

Mahay

Guerrier

Mijares

Dump / trade

Keppel

Crain

Dickey

Bonser

Minor prospects

-Mulvey

-Humber

-Swarzak

[SledNeck]

I think Duensing will be a very solid starter one day, maybe he should be next year.

Glen Perkins gives me a headache just thinking about him.

Youd keep liriano? OMG

[greebs]

would love to see a power type starting pitcher on the team next year but know they go for way too much money so probably should be content with signing Pavano and getting Slowey back healthy and living with what they have.

I really didn't think the relievers that we had at end of year were that bad and don't know what else out there can be had for Twins type budget. I've never been a Crain fan but he really did well after his stint in the minors and could live with him if he can pitch like he was last 2 months and still think theres a place on the team for Guerrier, Mijares, and Nathan too despite some year end miscues. Not sure what type of $ Rauch needs to be paid but think they could use him back. Suppose though there will need to be some sorting because there's also Liriano, Perkins and Duensing too so can't keep them all.

I am with those that say there are better options than Cabrera. He was a good #2 batter but not that strong on the field and he's declining in his skills. JJ Hardy might be available at a decent price since he had a down season this year. Alternatively, a 2b like Dan Uggla would be a nice addition to the team and then could use Punto, Harris, Tolbert at ss and 3b. (Although I've got a feeling that Harris may be out of here. I liked him as a player but seems he was always in Gardy's doghouse for one reason or another.)

All in all, think the team is not that far off from being a serious contender if they can get a couple more puzzle pieces in the offseason. Of course there is that catcher situation that will be the #1 priority in the offseason. But I hope if they can sign him that they have some $ left for a little new blood on the team.

[Gopher_Man]

Here's another interesting observation that some people may disagree with: When Morneau went out, our team actually seemed to gain momentum from the outfielders in. Moving cuddy to first allowed Gardy to have a much more consistent outfield and Delmon responded well with his hitting, as did Span and Kubel. Kubel was surprisingly (maybe only because I haven't seen much of his defensive talent) good in right field!

This is a very good point and I think that the Twins 3rd baseman for next year needs to be Cuddy! I know he has been there before and Gardy really likes him in Right, but he proved this past three weeks that he can play the infield, remember he did come up in hte minors as a Short Stop. Let Crede go and move Cuddy there!!!

[AWH]

Not sure what type of $ Rauch needs to be paid but think they could use him back.

Rauch is under contract for next year. He'll be back.

Aaron

[Cicada]

Playing first base and third base are not the same thing. Cuddyer did not feel comfortable at third and his offense struggled due to that.

1. Sign Mauer

2. Find a decent third baseman.

3. If you still have any money, look for a shortstop.

4. Get current players healthy and try to stay that way.

[CodyDawg]

I heard Gardy talk about Valencia as a potential Sept callup and he basically said his glove isnt that good and his bat is nowhere near ready for the majors. The reality is, if he was anywhere close, he would have been here. Did you know we had some cat named Huber riding the pine in Sept? Yep, there was room for Valencia if he was anywhere close to ready.

Sign Mauer. Rauch, Mijares, Gurrier, and Crain are locks I think for the pen. Mahay...someone mentioned him...c'mon, he was let go by the Royals and his ERA was well over 4. Mijares was much, MUCH better over the season (although he tanked after Young got mad at him). I would love to see another starter but doubt it will happen. I think we would be best off maybe trading Gomez (that locks in your outfield) for a quality 3B or SS or 2B.

The problem is, our farm system if pretty devoid of talent. That is big problems for a small market team.

And on the small market team thing, the Twins PROMISED to spend money if they got their new stadium. The media better hold them to that promise.

[greebs]

I think Gomez is probably worth more keeping him and doubt he has much trade value at all. Get him playing every day in the minors and see how much he can improve. Having him in the majors playing only part time and making mistakes does nothing for him developing or confidence wise.