I thought we could use a new thread to discuss remaking this team into a contender. I didn't think the Twins in 09 thread was quite the right place.
Anyway, here's what I'd like to see done.
Leave well enough alone:
Mauer C, Morneau 1B, Casilla 2B, Nathan RP, Neshek RP, Breslow RP, Crain RP, Liriano SP, Baker SP, Slowey SP, Kubel DH, Tolbert UT
I would consider offering long-term deals to Mauer (2 year extension), Baker (buy out 1 year of FA) and Kubel (buy out arb, option for FA year) with Baker as the top priority.
Shuffle the deck:
Span LF, Gomez CF, D Young RF, Cuddyer ??
I think this is the best defensive alignment and potentially the best offense leaving Cuddyer out as trade bait. Kubel is the reserve OF and Pridie could be the backup 5th outfielder at all positions. I would consider dealing Span or Gomez for a legitimately talented 3B or SS prospect (Stewart, Vitters, Wood) who could play as soon as next season.
Plug the holes:
I'd keep Buscher as a LHB and platoon guy at 3B but I'd love to see the Twins acquire a legit 3B who can provide some right-handed power. Possibilities include Casey Blake, Adrian Beltre, Garrett Atkins and Melvin Mora. Brendan Harris is a gap filler, someone who can keep a position warm without sacrificing much, but he's not a player that can push you to a championship. Luke Hughes is an intriguing prospect and obviously the Twins know more about him than I do. Matt Macri can't stay healthy enough to make progress in the minors. If the Twins decide to mix and match because they believe in Luke Hughes, then I can see focusing on other areas.
Shortstop is a different area entirely. The Twins should not count on Punto, Harris, Tolbert or Everett or top prospect Plouffe for next season which means going to free agency, trade, or getting creative with the roster. The only potential creativity I can see is moving Casilla from 2B over to SS. That shifts the hole to 2B but it is quite a bit easier to find a 2B than it is to find a decent major league SS. The free agent market has one difference maker (Rafael Furcal) along with one average starter (Cabrera) and a whole lot of stopgaps. In trade there's not much either (Jack Wilson?). I still wouldn't recommend re-signing Punto to more than a 1 year deal. His bat is not going to improve and will probably decline, he gets hurt too often to count on him for a whole season and he's just not worth $3M in outlay. This will be the most difficult hole to fill.
I think the bullpen should be filled primarily by internal candidates. Nathan, Breslow, Crain and Neshek should be back though Neshek may require some rehab. Mijares made a strong bid but Reusse made a good point on the radio with a Rich Garces comparison. Guerrier, Bonser and Humber may all end up in the bullpen since they're all cheap and out of options but they certainly only need one of them to fill the long relief role. There are other possibilities in the high minors also - Duensing, Korecky (not impressive), Delaney. The team needs to sort through these guys and make decisions but it's pretty certain that Guardado and Reyes won't return. Spending big bucks on a free agent reliever rarely makes sense but I could see a veteran signed if he's cheap enough. A trade for a bullpen arm could be a possiblity but they shouldn't give up anything useful.
The rotation seems set except I wouldn't recommend going all-in on Blackburn or Perkins. Blackburn could slip a little and be demoted just like Boof and Perkins doesn't seem to have enough stamina to last a season. Overall though I think the rotation is a strength. Depth is the main concern.
Anyway, here's what I'd like to see done.
Leave well enough alone:
Mauer C, Morneau 1B, Casilla 2B, Nathan RP, Neshek RP, Breslow RP, Crain RP, Liriano SP, Baker SP, Slowey SP, Kubel DH, Tolbert UT
I would consider offering long-term deals to Mauer (2 year extension), Baker (buy out 1 year of FA) and Kubel (buy out arb, option for FA year) with Baker as the top priority.
Shuffle the deck:
Span LF, Gomez CF, D Young RF, Cuddyer ??
I think this is the best defensive alignment and potentially the best offense leaving Cuddyer out as trade bait. Kubel is the reserve OF and Pridie could be the backup 5th outfielder at all positions. I would consider dealing Span or Gomez for a legitimately talented 3B or SS prospect (Stewart, Vitters, Wood) who could play as soon as next season.
Plug the holes:
I'd keep Buscher as a LHB and platoon guy at 3B but I'd love to see the Twins acquire a legit 3B who can provide some right-handed power. Possibilities include Casey Blake, Adrian Beltre, Garrett Atkins and Melvin Mora. Brendan Harris is a gap filler, someone who can keep a position warm without sacrificing much, but he's not a player that can push you to a championship. Luke Hughes is an intriguing prospect and obviously the Twins know more about him than I do. Matt Macri can't stay healthy enough to make progress in the minors. If the Twins decide to mix and match because they believe in Luke Hughes, then I can see focusing on other areas.
Shortstop is a different area entirely. The Twins should not count on Punto, Harris, Tolbert or Everett or top prospect Plouffe for next season which means going to free agency, trade, or getting creative with the roster. The only potential creativity I can see is moving Casilla from 2B over to SS. That shifts the hole to 2B but it is quite a bit easier to find a 2B than it is to find a decent major league SS. The free agent market has one difference maker (Rafael Furcal) along with one average starter (Cabrera) and a whole lot of stopgaps. In trade there's not much either (Jack Wilson?). I still wouldn't recommend re-signing Punto to more than a 1 year deal. His bat is not going to improve and will probably decline, he gets hurt too often to count on him for a whole season and he's just not worth $3M in outlay. This will be the most difficult hole to fill.
I think the bullpen should be filled primarily by internal candidates. Nathan, Breslow, Crain and Neshek should be back though Neshek may require some rehab. Mijares made a strong bid but Reusse made a good point on the radio with a Rich Garces comparison. Guerrier, Bonser and Humber may all end up in the bullpen since they're all cheap and out of options but they certainly only need one of them to fill the long relief role. There are other possibilities in the high minors also - Duensing, Korecky (not impressive), Delaney. The team needs to sort through these guys and make decisions but it's pretty certain that Guardado and Reyes won't return. Spending big bucks on a free agent reliever rarely makes sense but I could see a veteran signed if he's cheap enough. A trade for a bullpen arm could be a possiblity but they shouldn't give up anything useful.
The rotation seems set except I wouldn't recommend going all-in on Blackburn or Perkins. Blackburn could slip a little and be demoted just like Boof and Perkins doesn't seem to have enough stamina to last a season. Overall though I think the rotation is a strength. Depth is the main concern.
