My 2015 MLB Hall of Fame Ballot

Members of the BBWAA have until today to send in their annual HOF ballots (via fax or snail mail only.)   The results will be announced in two days, so I decided to post my fictional ballot.  A couple of notes:

•  I explain this more in depth here, but I believe that entry to the Hall of Fame should be restricted to the very few select players.   It is ok to have displays on Jack Morris' game 7, as a great game in baseball and a great appearance, but it is not ok to induct the player, just for this.  The same with Mark McGwire and Samy Sosa and their HR title contest.  Thus, my cut offs are more stringent than others.  The Hall has 306 members, some of the players have an under .700 career OPS.  This is not right, unless you want it to be the Hall of Very Good.
• I am going with performance and not proven or suspected PED use.   This witch hunt has to stop.  If someone wants a "clean Hall", Hank Aaron should be kicked out, since he publicly admitted to using "greenies" that are now banned from baseball. A position of not voting for modern PED suspects, but wanting to keep already enshrined PED users, is a hypocritical position.  So is, celebrating Tony LaRussa's induction while not voting for Mark McGwire because of steroid use.   Unless LaRussa was blind or absent, he at least knew what was going on in the Canseco/McGwire/Giambi clubhouse.

With those things in mind, my 2015 HOF ballot would have been:

Barry Bonds
Roger Clemens
Randy Johnson
Pedro Martinez
Mike Mussina
Jeff Bagwell
Curt Schilling

2015 Twins offseason top 40 prospects list: 21-25

Today is the fourth installment in the top 40 Twins' Off-season prospects countdown.  You can find all installments here in reverse chronological order.  Previous rankings: 36-40, 31-35 and 26-30.  You can find the 2014 off-season summary list here   In these listings in parenthesis, I am including their ranking in the last prospect list, which was the 2014 mid-season list, with "--" if not ranked.  You can find that list here.

 25. Alexis Tapia RHP (30) RHSP, DOB: 8/10/1995, 6'2", 195 lbs

Alexis Tapia was signed by the Minnesota Twins from Venezuela on Sept of 2012, and 2013 was his first professional season.   He spent that season (his age 17 season) in the DSL where he playing in 11 games (7 as a starter) pitching 42.3 innings, striking out 31 and walking 5.  His ERA was 2.13 and his WHIP a miniscule 0.874.  Last season we moved on to the Gulf Coast league, where as an 18 year old (2.5 years younger than the league average) he pitched 45 innings allowing 6 BBs and 36 Ks, for a 3.20 ERA (3.22 FIP) and 1.044 WHIP.

The 3 things that you hear about Tapia are: that he is "projectable", with a growing 6'2" frame, that he has a "good feel for the game", and that he is "throwing strikes".  His fastball is plus with plus control, his change is above average, and breaking ball is a work in progress.  Tapia will likely start in the Elizabethton rotation.  The Twins do have a lot of young good arms, but count Tapia as a sleeper, especially if he develops his secondary stuff and increases his 19.3% K%.

24. Rainis Silva C (--) RHB, DOB: 3/20/1996, 6'1", 185 lbs

Rainis Silva is an international free agent classmate of Amaurys Minier and Lewis Thorpe, signed by the Twins as a 16 year old in 2012 for $175,000.  He has been known as a defense first catcher and has represented Venezuela in several international youth under 16 tournaments.  Like Tapia, he made the transition from the DSL to the GCL and improved with the bat from .223/.289/.250 to .270/.294/.342, adding 2 inches and some bulk.  He is strikeout prone (6:25 BB:K in 160 PA) and his bat is a work in progress. 

He is ranked that high because of his defense and game calling skills that they are much more advanced than his 18 years of age.  He is probably the most polished receiver in the Twins' organization (and that includes everyone from the majors down, thus the ranking.)  About a year and a half younger than the GCL average, he will likely move in the Appalachian League in 2015.   The development of his bat will determine his future with the organization, but he is very young right now.

23. Mike Cederoth RHP (18) RHSP, DOB: 11/25/1992, 6'6", 195 lbs

Mike Cederoth was signed by the Twins in the 3rd round of the 2014 draft from San Diego State University.  Cederoth started in his first years at SDSU and he was their closer last year, dropping his ERA to about half (2.29 vs 4.26) and saving 20 games.  The Twins look at him as a starter and he started 10 games (45.7 IP) in Elizabethton where he struck out 42 and walked 18, with a 3.52 ERA, 3.65 FIP and 1.28 WHIP.  Cederoth's command and control are problematic and the source of the issue is his mechanics and large frame.  His fastball is a plus to plus plus ranging from mid to high 90s, but his secondary stuff needs work.  His mid 80s slider is average and a workable pitch, but his mid 80s change and high 70s 12-6 curve are works in progress and ineffective.

He was a half year older than the average in the Appalachian League. Will likely start in Cedar Rapids in 2015 and the Twins will be patient for his development as a starter.  Depending on whether he develops an above average third and/or a fourth pitch, his future could range from a mid to top of the rotation starter or a late inning reliever.  Either way, the next couple of years will be critical for his development, because unless he manages and improves his mechanics, he will not reach his potential.

22. Levi Michael 2B (38) SHB, DOB: 2/9/1991, 5'10", 180 lbs.

Levi Michael was drafted in the first round (30th overall) of the 2011 MLB draft from the University of North Carolina.   His 2012 and 2013 seasons at Fort Myers were lackadaisical (.246/.339/.311 and .229/.331/.340 with erratic play at SS) and Michael was flirting with being added to the list of First Round Busts for the Twins; however his 2014 play established him again as a prospect.  He started the season in Fort Meyers at a league average age now and the third time was the charm: he hit .305/.375/.395, played exclusively at second base and his glove showed major improvement. He moved to New Britain, where he was 1.7 years younger than the league and improved his hitting to .340/.444/.358 and played well at second.

What changed this season?  He finally got accustomed to making contact with the wooden bat.  His discipline has always been fine with a K:BB ratio south of 1.5 in pro ball. However his batting average dropped from .290 and .346 and .289 in college to .246 and .249 in the pros.  Those numbers are similar to his average with the wooden bat as a collegiate in the Cape Code league in 2009 and 2010 (.247 and .252.)   His glove is improving with full time play at second and I do foresee his bat improving.  Will likely start the 2015 season in New Britain.  The Twins did not protect him from the rule 5 draft this off-season, but will likely have to, next off-season.  If he repeats his 2014 performance at the higher levels, he will be knocking at the Twins door by September and might be even thought as a potential Brian Dozier replacement a year from now.  Why is he then not a top 15 prospect?  Because this is a deep organization and because he just had one good season.  Depending on how he starts 2015, he might skyrocket (or drop) in this list...

21. Adam Walker OF (13) RH,  DOB: 10/18/1991,  6'5", 225 lbs

Adam Walker by the Minnesota Twins in the 3rd round of the 2012 Draft from Jacksonville University.  I wrote the following about Walker in the 2014 off-season prospect list:

Power is Walker's most obvious tool (.246 and .248 IsoP in the last two seasons, age 20 and 21) and will likely increase. He played mostly first base in college and made the transition to full time OF (RF) in the pros. Walker is an adequate corner outfielder, even though his arm is weak, and has some speed.   His contact and [selectivity] tools need work; his K% drop from 30.2% in 2012 to 20.8 % is encouraging.  If he improves his contact he can be an All-Star corner outfielder (likely left fielder) in the majors.  Will likely start the 2014 (age 22) season in Fort Myers.

He did start this season at Fort Myers and unless one is looking at HRs (25) or RBIs (94), 2014 was a major disappointment for Walker, regressing at every aspect of the game.  His K% increased to 28.2%, his batting average decreased to .246 and, even his strong suit, his IsoP decreased to .190, dropping .058 points from 2013. Walker needs to improve in all of those numbers in 2015 at get back to at least 2013 levels in AA, to be considered as a top 20 prospect in this organization.  There are major concerns about his ability to make contact and hit for average as well as about his plate discipline.  If those are not addressed, his ceiling will be Steve Balboni...

2015 Twins offseason top 40 prospects list: 26-30

Today is the third installment in the top 40 Twins' Off-season prospects countdown.  You can find all installments here in reverse chronological order.  Previous rankings: 36-40, 31-35.  You can find the 2014 off-season summary list here   In these listings in parenthesis, I am including their ranking in the last prospect list, which was the 2014 mid-season list, with "--" if not ranked.  You can find that list here.

 30. Ryan Eades RHP (19) RHSP, DOB: 12/15/1991, 6'2", 178 lbs

Eades was the Twins second round pick in the 2013 draft.  After he signed he played 10 games in the Elizabethton pen pitching 15.7 innings striking out 13 and walking 12.  He had a 4.60 ERA (4.22 FIP) and 1.596 WHIP.  Eades was ranked 11th in last season's rankings, but he dropped to 19th in the mid-season rankings based on what I saw from him last Spring Training.  His potential is a mid to top of the rotation starter with four good pitches.  He reported had a plus fastball that sits at 93-95 mph and peaks at 97-98, with good command.  However, the Eades I saw was a good 5 mph below those numbers and was pitching really tentatively.

In his 2014 season he started 25 games in Cedar Rapids (133 IP).  He was at an average age with the list and finished with 5.14 ERA (4.44 FIP) 98 Strikeouts and 50 BBs.  His K% fell down to 16.6 %.  His loss in velocity and inability to strike out players his age, further dropped him to number 30 in these rankings. Will likely move to Fort Myers for 2015, but Eades really needs to regain his velocity and start missing bats, because pitching to contact with low 90 mph FB, will result to contact with bad consequences for his teams.


29. Felix Jorge RHP (23) RHSP, DOB: 1/2/1994, 6'2", 170 lbs.

Felix De Jesus Jorge  was signed by the Twins out of the Dominican in February of 2011 for $250,000.  He started his pro career at the DSL where he pitched in 9 games (5 starts) for 27 innings, walking 9 and striking out 26 (2.67 ERA, 2.50 FIP, 1.037 WHIP).   He move to the States and pitched 12 games (7 GS) in the GCL in 2012 with similar results (34.7 IP, 37 K, 12 BB, 2.34 ERA, 2.28 FIP, 1.212 WHIP, .303 BABIP) and moved up to Elizabethton as a 19 year old in 2013 starting 12 games (61 IP) striking out 72 and walking 18, with a 2.95 ERA, 2.25 FIP and 1.213 WHIP (.338 BABIP.)   He started the season in Cedar Rapids (1.5 years too young for the league) and  he did not respond well: 39 IP, 1.974 WHIP, 9.00 ERA (7.70 FIP) 20 BB and 23 K.  He lost command and control and resulted in demotion to Elizabethton again (about half a year younger for the league) were he improved in all aspects, but his K%:  66 IP, 1.091 WHIP, 14 BB, 61K, 22.9% K%. 

Jorge is also one of those rare pitchers who had 3 above average pitches when he signed at 16 and he has been improving them.  He has a low 90s fastball with decent downward movement, which he hides really well with his delivery.  Above average slurvy curveball and change up.  He commands all three pitches well, has good control and he mixes pitches well.  Endurance is a question mark, thus the drop in the rankings.  Will likely repeat Cedar Rapids in 2015.


28. Stuart Turner (--), RH, C, DOB: 12/27/1991, 6'2", 220 lbs

Stuart Turner was drafted by the Twins in the third round of the 2013 draft from the University of Mississippi.   He spend all his season (but one game he filled in for the Rock Cats) for the Elizabethton Twins, where he played at 35 games (146 PAs) and hit .272/.345/.384 with 3 HRs and 19 RBI.  He walked 12 times, struck out 23 and hit by a pitch 4.    Last season he played for Fort Myers, hitting .249/.322/.375 in 364 PAs with 7 HRS and a 31:61 BB:K ratio.

Turner has been always described as an excellent defensive catcher with a great feel for the game, but his bat will determine his potential as a prospect.Turner has a large frame and projectable power that will come as he grows.  He will likely start his age 23 season in Fort Myers again with a mid-season promotion, but bat development (even though there are good signs) is crucial, despite this organization's persistence in promoting soft hitting catchers.

27. Brandon Peterson RHP (36) RHRP, DOB: 9/23/1991, 6'1", 190 lbs

Brandon Peterson is a Burnsville, MN native who was drafted by the Twins in the 13th round of the 2013 draft from Wichita State.  He has been a continues surpise with his ability to strike out hitters at a rate about double than his best at College.  In 2013 he played for the Elizabethtown Twins, pitching 27.3 innings walking 9 and striking out 40, 1.134 WHIP, 2.96 ERA, 2.92 FIP, 36% K%.  He started 2014 at Cedar Rapids (age average) pitching 12.3 innings walking 2 and striking out 19 (0.71 ERA, 0.96 FIP, 39.6% K%, 0.87 WHIP and with a .333 BABIP) before he promoted to Fort Myers where he was a year and a half younger than the league.  In the FSL he pitched 45 innings striking out 65 and walking 5 (36.3% K%) with an 1.80 ERA, 1.64 FIP and 1.00 WHIP.   Peterson has a low to mid 90s fastball, a good slider and working on a change up.  Will likely start 2015 in Fort Myers.  Depending on development and his ability to strike out batters in New Britain, we might see him in the Minnesota pen as soon as 2016 or 2017.

26. Max Murphy OF (--) RHB, DOB: 11/17/1992, 5'11", 195 lbs

Max Murphy is a New Hope, MN native who was drafted by the Twins in the 9th round of the 2014 draft from Bradley University.  Max terrorized Appalachian League pitching at a rate of .378/.483/.723 and 10 HRs in 35 games, making a fine transition to the wooden bat, despite being about 1 year older than his league mates.  He moved to Cedar Rapids where he landed back to reality hitting .242/.314/.395 and 4 HRs in 32 games with 8 BBs and 40 Ks.  The strikeout was his issue in Cedar Rapids (he had a 22:34 BB:K ration in Elizabethton) and pitch selectivity and laying off bad pitches is something that the 22 year old needs to work on.  Very good power potential from a small frame, the ability to play a good CF, might propel him pretty fast, if his bat develops.  He reminds some of Rich Becker, who actually was Murphy's age when he made the Twins...

2015 Twins offseason top 40 prospects list: 31-35

Today is the second installment in the top 40 Twins' Off-season prospects countdown.  You can find all installments here in reverse chronological order.  This is the 31-35 rankings. Previous rankings: 36-40.

35. Mat Batts LHP (--), LHSP, DOB: 7/6/1991, 5'11", 190 lbs.

The Twins drafted Harrison Mathis Batts in the 17th round of the 2014 draft from the University of North Calorina Wilmington.  The Lefty breezed through 3 levels in the organization from the Gulf Coast to Elizabethton to Cedar Rapids and finished the season with an impressive 1.78 ERA, 67 K and 7 BB in 60.7 Innigns Pitched.  His WHIP was 0.775, his FIP 2.34, his K% 29.5%, 10 K/9 and an impressive 9.6 K/BB.  Adding these numbers to his 2014 College numbers (2.68 ERA, 103.7 IP, 105 K, 18 BB, 1.05 WHIP), tells a very impressive story for the 23 year old who pitched 164 innings last season. 

Why isn't Batts ranked any higher?  Well... his pitching style is what described as a "Crafty Lefty".  His fastball tops in the high 80s but has a plus curve and a plus change.  Those are great pitches to fool lower level competition.  Batts might shoot through the organization, but his real test with be at AA.  Likely will start for Cedar Rapids or even Fort Myers next season.

34. Todd Van Steensen RHP (--), RHRP, DOB: 1/14/1991, 6'1", 190 lbs.

2014 was the second tour of duty for Todd in the Twins' organization after being released in 2011 in the heels of a 5.68 ERA, 1.351 WHIP season in Elizabethton as a starter.  Meanwhile, between then and 2014, he mimicked Glen Perkins:  Found a mid 90s fastball and re-invented himself as a reliever.   Started in Cedar Rapids as the closer and moved to Fort Myers (he is age average for high A) in the middle of the season.  He finished 2014 with 1.39 ERA (but 3.22 FIP), 1.063 WHIP, 71 Ks and 24 BBs in 58.3 IP.   His control was an issue mainly at Fort Myers, which, since he has been out of baseball, save for Aussie leagues, for a while, might be a conditioning issue.   Will likely start 2015 for the Miracle again.


33. Zach Larson OF (29) RH, OF, DOB: 10/8/1993.  6'2", 185 lbs

Zach was drafted by the Minnesota Twins in the 20th round of the 2012 draft out of Lakewood Ranch High School in Bradenton FL.  He played only in 15 GCL games in 2012 and his transition to the wooden bat was unremarkable (.250/.318/.325)  However, 2013 was a great season for him.  He started the season repeating the Gulf Coast League where he hit .317/.382/.467 in 137 plate appearances and moved up to Elizabethton without slowing down (.301/.407/.438 in 86 PA).  He declined severely in his 2014 season, thus the drop in the rankings.  In a season marred with injury he hit .265/.325/.358 in Cedar Rapids and had a 3.5:1 K:BB ratio.   Potentially his performance was injury-related.  2015 will be a very important year for Zach, in an organization loaded with corner OFs.  He will likely start 2015 again in Cedar Rapids, where we would be just young for the league.

32. Randy Rosario LHP (40), LHSP, DOB: 5/18/1994, 6'1", 160 lbs

The 20 year old Dominican was one of the Twins' Tommy John surgery victims this season, yet his stocked rose in these listings.  Why? First of all I am discounting his 11.7 injury innings in Cedar Rapids this season and his stuff is really good.  Rosario had a mid 90s fastball with lots of movement that complements with an above average slider and a plus change up.  His only issue has been the command of his fastball.  Based on what I have seen last Spring Training, his command was much more improved.   The question mark that dropped him to 40 was his health and how he will come back from the surgery, but at this ranking I am discount those concerns.   I feel that with correct development, he has the ability to be the top lefty in the Twins' organization.  A couple of years of development and tests in Fort Myers and Chattanooga will tell.  Will likely repeat Cedar Rapids in 2015, depending on elbow health. 

31. Aaron Slegers RHP (26), RHSP, DOB: 9/4/1992, 6'10", 245 lbs

Slegers was drafted by the Twins in the 5th round of the 2013 draft from Indiana University. His first pro campaign was for 19 relief inning in E-town later that season where he baffled younger hitters at the rate of 0.47 ERA, 18 K and 2 BB and 0.947 WHIP.  Last season he moved into a full time starter job starting at Cedar Rapids and promoted to Fort Myers for 3 starts.  Slegers finished the season (132.3 IP - 23 Starts) with a 4.35 ERA (3.82 FIP), 102 K and 24 BB and 1.179 WHIP.  His strikeout rates are of concern, dropping from 26.5% at Elizabethon to 19% at Cedar Rapids and 16% at Fort Myers.  He has a plus Fastball (helps being that tall) that sits in the low 90s and touches 95 or so and a plus change.  He is working on breaking ball.  Depending on development of a third pitch and the ability to miss bats at higher levels, he projects from a mid-rotation pitcher to a middle reliever.  Because of his size, injuries had been a problem previously, so he has to stay healthy.

2015 Twins offseason top 40 prospects list: 36-40

The Rule 5 draft is done, the Winter Leagues are in full blow, Catchers and Pitchers are 2 months away, which means that it is time for the Twins Off-season top 40 prospect list.  Like last year (you can find the summary list here with links to all the posts) I will do a count down 5 at a time starting from number 40.  I will give detailed descriptions of the players and justification why I ranked them where I did when needed.  In parenthesis, I am including their ranking in the last prospect list, which was the 2014 mid-season list, with "--" if not ranked.  You can find that list here.

Unlike several lists, in my list, once a player makes it to the show, it graduates as a prospect.  So, the following Twins' players have graduated last season (2014 mid-season ranking in parenthesis) : Trevor May (4), Kennys Vargas (5), AJ Achter (25).   The one player who is an exception to my rule, is Jorge Polanco, who, while called in the majors twice, barely played, thus I still consider a prospect and will be part of this list when his number comes.

As these posts add up, you can find all the rankings here. 

Here is the Minnesota Twins Prospects 36 to 40:

40. Luis Arraez (--) LHB, IF, DOB: 4/9/1997: 5'10", 155 lbs

Luis Arraez was signed from Venezuela before last season.  The diminutive 17 year old made his debut in the DSL in 2014 and in a pitcher's league he exhibited excellent ability to make contact and great selectivity on the plate, finishing with a .348/.433/.400 slash line.  He also stole 10 bases in 15 attempts.   Not much power, but he is just 17.  Likely will travel North and play in the DSL for 2015. He played mostly second base, but started 3 games in SS as well.  His fielding is a work in progress but he turned 20 double plays in 155 total touches, which is not a bad place to be.

39. Moises Gomez RHP (--) RHSP, DOB: 12/8/1997. 6'1", 192 lbs

Gomez is another 17 year old Venezuelan who will make the jump to the GCL in 2015.  In his first 26 pro innings in the DSL he allowed 6 runs (2.02 ERA), struck out 30 and walked 10.  Nice easy delivery, good movement in his fastball, misses bats and a good feeling for the change.  This is about as good as it gets for a teenager.  He dabbles with breaking stuff but need work.  Lots of potential, will be interesting to see how he responds in the GCL

38. Tyler Kuresa 1B (--) LHB, 1B, DOB: 11/17/1992 6'3", 190 lbs. 

Kuresa was drafted by the Twins on the 16th round of the 2014 draft from the University of California Santa Barbara and was assigned to Elizabethton.  He had no problem trading his metal bat for a wooden, hitting .298/.381/.478.  A big guy with room to grow and power to grow.  Good eye for a big guy, but fields like a big guy.  Reminds some people of a young Justin Morneau, and that is a heck of a compliment.  Likely will start in Cedar Rapids in 2015. 

37. Fernando Romero RHP (39) RHSP, DOB: 12/24/1994. 6'0", 215 lbs

Fernando Romero was signed to an Amateur Free Agent contract by the Twins on October of 2011 with a $260,000 bonus out of the Dominican Republic.  After spending the 2012 season in the Dominican Summer League, he made the jump to the Gulf Coast League in 2013.  He pitched in 12 games (6 GS) for 45 innings to a 1.60 ERA and had 47 strikeouts and only 13 bases on balls.  His WHIP was 1.00 and K% a very impressive 26, while his K/BB was 3.62. He missed 2014 with Tommy John surgery.   It will be interesting to see how Romero will rebound in his age 20 season. He had a heavy fastball is in the mid to low 90s and barely adequate supplementary stuff.  Romero does have mid rotation potential, depending on development of his secondary pitches and staying healthy.    He will likely begin 2014, his age 19 season, in Cedar Rapids where he will alternate between the rotation and pen until extended.

36. Jermaine Palacios IF (--) RHB, DOB: 7/19/1996, 6'0", 145 lbs.

Palacios is the third Venezuelan 17 year old in today's list, who will likely make his debut in the GCL next year, and was one of the most exciting position players in the DSL last season hitting .270/.404/.399 with 11 doubles and 6 triples (and 14 SB) in 49 games.  Very fast, thinner than Alexei Ramirez and still working with the glove (played mainly 3B with some 2B and SS,)  but projects more as a SS than a corner OF.

Next: 35-30.

Remember when the Twins were good?

Sadly, it has been 24 years since they last won...





 

List of Twins Spring Training non-roster invitees

The Twins announced a preliminary list of 2015 non-roster invitees for Spring Training.  I suspect that the list will increase as additional players are signed with Minor League contracts.  Of course, the 40 players on the 40-man roster are included by default.

James Beresford (IF)
Doug Bernier (IF)
J.O. Berrios (RHP)
Byron Buxton (OF)
Argenis Diaz (IF)
Tyler Duffey (RHP)
Eric Farris (OF)
Mitch Garver (C)
Tyler Grimes (C)
Mark Hamburger (RHP)
Heiker Meneses (IF)
Adrian Salcedo (RHP)
Ryan O'Rourke (LHP)
Danny Ortiz (OF)
Shane Robinson (OF)
Dan Rohfling (C)
Taylor Rogers (LHP)
Stuart Turner (C)

Ervin Santana 2014 Highlights

Torii Hunter being a prick

The signing of Torii Hunter might close a big hole for the Twins

On paper the Minnesota Twins' reunion with 39 year old Torii Hunter last night, seems a bit puzzling.  Rational thinking and looking at records and results of games, would suggest that a team coming back from seasons of 99, 96, 96 and 92 losses and hurting primarily in pitching and defense, would need an aging 39 year old outfielder with diminishing defensive skills being the marquee transaction of the season, as much as a painful communicable disease.  Not to mention that the particular outfield added injury (signing with a team withing the Twins division) two seasons ago, to the 2007 insult of leaving the Twins as a free agent for more money elsewhere.  But that is rational thinking. 

Any person who has followed the Twins should know that this is business as usual for Terry Ryan's front office.  There is no need to rationalize Hunter's signing.  It makes perfect sense, if you realize, that this is how Terry Ryan builds a team.  Here is the complete Terry Ryan transaction record from 
the 1995-2006 seasons and 2012.  I posted that before the last two off-seasons.  The Torii Hunter signing fits Ryan's modus operenti like a glove:  Ryan re-signed a 41 year old Paul Molitor in 1998, reunited the Twins with a 35 year old Mike Trombley in 2002 and washed out Matt LeCroy (the player who chose over David Ortiz after 2002) in 2007, re-signed Capps in 2012 and Carl Willing in 2005 (to release them later,) in addition to the last year's washed out trio of Bartlett, Kubel and Guerrier.  This is the same General Manager who brought old and washed out Tony Batista, Tim Raines, Rueben Sierra, Bob Tewksbury, Otis Nixon, Mike Morgan, Michael Jackson and Sidney Ponson (among others) as "solutions".  Old and washed out is Terry Ryan's specialty.  Nothing new here, nothing to rationalized.  Business. As. Usual. 

Back to non-rational thinking.  One of the biggest problems with the Twins the past 4 seasons (and beyond, as far as the post-season goes) is that they seemed to be ok with losing and they seemed not to give 100% all the time.  Last Spring Training, it became painfully obvious to me, and indicated that I just cannot see this team win, no matter what the improvements on paper (and there were a lot.)  Getting Gardenhire and most of his friends who, if not bred, they were at least ok with this attitude, is a step to the right direction, hoping that Molitor and his staff will install a winning attitude among the players.   Torii Hunter, punching short utility teammates while targeting rookie stars notwithstanding, has had the reputation of playing hard and giving it all.  And keep working.  And then work some more.  Hopefully, he will bring the right attitude to the team of so many young players with so much potential.  Hopefully he will be an example for hard work and never giving up.  And never stop working.  Not that I like that signing, rationally, but when it pours lemons...   On the other hand, Torii Hunter was a core member of the Gardenhire teams that went belly up in the post-season or when they were facing winning opponents.  I hope that 2015 is different.

List of former Twins players who are minor league free agents

I don't think that a reunion is imminent with any, but it is interesting to see how many of those have played with the Twins (in bold,) especially in the recent low times...

Joe Benson (OF, Marlins, AA)
Matt Capps (RHP, Indians, AAA)
Matt Carson (OF, Indians, AAA)
Ray Chang (IF, Reds, AA)
Scott Diamond (LHP, Reds, AAA)
Terry Doyle (RHP, Braves, AAA)
Phil Humber (RHP, Athletics, AAA)
Erik Komatsu (OF, Brewers, AA)
Dustin Martin (OF, Diamondbacks AA)
Corky Miller (C, Reds, AAA)
Ray Olmedo (IF, Rays, AAA)
Brock Peterson (1B/OF, Dodgers, AAA)
Tyler Robertson (LHP, Nationals, AAA)
Josh Roenicke (RHP, Rockies, AAA)
Sergio Santos (RHP, Blue Jays, AA)
Anthony Slama (RHP, Dodgers, AA)
J.R. Towles (C, Rangers, AAA) 

Complete list of Twins' minor league free agents

Today, the following Twins have become minor league free agents.  They can re-sign with the Twins or they can sign with any other team:

James Beresford (IF, AAA)
Eric Farris (UT, AAA)
Jim Fuller (LHP, AA)
Deolis Guerra (RHP, AAA)
B.J. Hermsen (RHP, AA)
Edgar Ibarra (LHP, AAA) 
Yohan Pino (RHP, AAA)
Chris Rahl (OF, AAA)
Wilkin Ramirez (OF, AAA)
Dan Rohlfing (C/OF AAA)
Deibinson Romero (3B, AAA)
Dan Turpen (RHP, AA)
Virgil Vasquez (RHP, AAA)
Brandon Waring (IF, AA)
Corey Wimberly (UT, AA)


The ones in italics were on the Twins' 40-man roster at some point and the ones in bold, played for the Twins.

Paul Molitor is the Twins manager

It seems that the Minnesota Twins, will continue the tradition of hiring within and will offer their manager's job to Paul Molitor.  It will become official next week.  From the three finalists, Molitor was my third choice, Torey Lovullo was the first, mainly because I value outside modern thinking and winning ways.  Lovullo is fresh off a World Championship (2013) with the Red Sox, Doug Mientkiewicz, the other candidate is fresh off leading the Fort Myers Miracle to a championship, and has a ring with Red Sox World Champion team that broke the curse of the Bambino.  Paul Molitor?  He is  a Hall of Famer, he is local, and people like him.   I hope that he surrounds himself with good coaches who understand the nuances of the game in the 21st century, and, other than Brunansky maybe, goes outside the organization.   The key will be the pitching coach.   

I wish Paul Molitor all the luck in the world and hope he leads the Twins to multiple World Series Titles.

Is a Nolasco for Buehrle trade imminent for the Twins?

Nick Cafardo of the Boston Globe indicated that the Toronto Blue Jays, are shopping Mark Buehrle.  Knowing the infatuation of the Twins' General Manager, Terry Ryan for the former White Sox' slow tossing, fast working Lefty, I suspect that he might be interested.   Could the Twins also show buyer's remorse and trade disgruntled and ineffective Rick Nolasco, who after the season was over, indicated that he wish he were in LA, even further away from there, for Mark Buehrle?  I am not sure that this will be a win for the Twins, other than saving some money and getting a potential headache out of the clubhouse.

Time will show, but it might be an interesting off-season.

Full Press Conference Video of the Ron Gardenhire Dismissal

Catchers at the Outfield? The 2014 Twins and respectability

If anyone thinks that playing shortstops, first basemen, catchers and DHs at the outfield did not hurt the Twins, here is a pretty astonishing set of numbers allowed to us by the new technology that tracks hit balls.   I am just showing the significant departures from league averages:

Up the Middle RHB:

Twins: PA against: 1339 Slash line: .336/.330/.498 (.826 OPS)
AL: PA against:  19461 Slash line:  .308/.303/.439 (.742 OPS)

Opposite field RHB (i.e hit at the Twins RF):
Twins: PA against: 404 Slash line: .332/.326/.532 (.858 OPS)
AL: PA against: 6191 Slash line: .279/.274/.408 (.682 OPS)

That is a huge difference (from average and not from league best too).  I hope that someone at the Twins looks at that and adjusts accordingly.  If you are a defensive stats minded person, here are plus/minuses (which is actually appropriate for the sample size; devised by Bill James and indicates runs saved from average) and UZR/150 (which is not appropriate for numerical calculation, but the direction gives a sense of what is going on.) 

Santana (CF) plus/minus: -2, UZR/150: -12.2
Mastroianni (OF) plus/minus: -3, UZR/150: -9.2
Hicks (OF)  plus/minus: -6, UZR/150: -8.2
Schafer (OF) plus/minus: -3, UZR/150: 1.2
Herrmann (OF)  plus/minus: -4, UZR/150: -21.9
Kubel (RF)  plus/minus: -7, UZR/150: -29.1
Parmelee (OF)  plus/minus: -7, UZR/150: -7.4
Colabello (RF)  plus/minus: -6, UZR/150: -73.8
Bartlett (OF)  plus/minus: -2, UZR/150: -293.1
Arcia (OF)  plus/minus: -12, UZR/150: -6.9
Willingham (LF)  plus/minus: -5, UZR/150: -6.6
and
Escobar (OF) plus/minus: -1, UZR/150: -27.2
Nunez  (OF) plus/minus: -1, UZR/150: 19.9

Adding those plus/minuses is 57.  Which means that the Twins' outfield gave up 57 more runs than an average outfield.  In 2014 the Twins scored 715 runs and gave up 777 for a 62 run differential.  If they had an average outfield, that differential projects at -5, which projects to an 80-82 record, which, albeit not competitive, is respectable.

The 2014 outfield defense was not the reason the Twins did not compete, but it was the reason the Twins were not respectable. 

I really cannot believe that anyone should use the adjective "solid" to describe any of the above players - maybe with the exception of Schafer - as outfielders.  Some of them are young enough and they can learn and improve, but "solid" they are not.   Nope.  Mr Parmelee is not a solid outfield.  . Mr Herrmann is not a solid outfield.  Mr Santana is not a solid centerfielder.  Mr Hicks is not a solid centerfielder.

Yes, starting pitching beyond Hughes and Gibson (and maybe Pino, his FIP and WHIP are close to Gibson's) was a problem, but it was not the only problem in opponent scoring.   The Twins need to address outfield defense in 2015 as a top priority.

Interview with #MNTwins managerial candidate Paul Molitor

Interesting interview from a few seasons ago

The ball is on Terry Ryan's court: The aftermath of the firing of Ron Gardenhire by the Twins.

Today Terry Ryan held a press conference, in absentia Jim Pohlad & Dave St. Peter, who apparently had better things to do, to announce that Ron Gardenhire will not be returning as the Twins manager in 2015.   The news were so unusual that might be the reason that former Twins manager Tom Kelly suffered a minor stroke today (best wishes Tom.)  Ron Gardenhire's dismissal was long overdue.  It should had happened after the 2006 post-season.  And, as I indicated previously,  I felt that it was done deal at least a month ago.

There are a few strange things about this and I don't think that they are coincidental:

• The Twins' owner and president were not around in the press conference
• Gardenhire was and allegedly was offered a position within the organization (rumors that it is for the roving grouch instructor are not substantiated.)
• There was no word about his coaches, however their contacts are all expired and no renewals were announced and it looks like they are all gone, pending new manager's whim.
• When asked, Ryan said that he knows what type of manager he wants (and went to a great detail describing characteristics) but admitted that he has no list of candidates.
• The kicker is that Terry Ryan was adamant and on the record as late as 8/22 saying that Gardenhire will be back. 

This does not seem like a General Manager who a. wanted to do this and was ready to do it,  b. has the support of his bosses (who did not even bother attending) and c. is facing a serious health issue.  If Gardenhire's firing was demanded and imposed by Ryan's bosses recently, several things could be explained (especially his unpreparedness for a replacement.)  However,  no matter what, Ryan looks like a liar right now.  I would not be surprised if Terry Ryan resigns shortly, before he names a manager and this will probably be better for both him and the Twins. 

Rick Anderson is about to get fired Sunday night...

... and it will be the tip of the iceberg of the changes.  As I indicated before, Ron Gardenhire is as good as gone, and Terry Ryan with his inability to be around every day because of health issues, will likely resign.

Here is the sphinx-like words that TR uttered about Anderson.  But what the Twins really need is a baseball man on top.  It is not a coincidence that the Twins have been anchored to the basement starting the season that Jerry Bell retired and David St. Paul, who is more aware and interested in concert acts and food and beverage selections, was promoted on the top of the organization.

Changes are needed, does Jim Pohlad have the fortitude to make them?

We will find out in 3 days.

Chris Tillman Has Turned Into The Ace Baltimore Needs

Guest post by Matt Jenkins
----

With the 2014 MLB playoffs just around the corner, the Baltimore Orioles are pretty much a lock to represent the American League East. Not a lot of people expected them to be at the top of the division at the start of the year, but here they are with a sizable lead. They have quite a few players to thank for their outstanding season so far, but one big surprise has been Chris Tillman on the mound.

The American League Cy Young Award has pretty much been wrapped up by Felix Hernandez. However, if it was not for Hernandez having such a special season on the mound, there is a very good chance that Tillman would come away with the award. He has been able to the very solid on the mound, and he has also been very consistent. His numbers and fantasy baseball illustrate just how valuable he has been for Baltimore.

Among playoff teams, Baltimore certainly looks like a franchise that does not have the same type of top-tier talent on the mound. Most people agree that in order to win a World Series, pitching needs to be the key for any franchise. Tillman is hoping that he can carry over his regular season success to the postseason. He might not have a huge track record, but nothing seems to be holding him back at this time.

Tillman was pretty good at the beginning of the year, but he has been very solid since the beginning of June. In fact, he has not allowed more than 3 earned runs in any of his starts since June 5, and that has put Baltimore in contention every single time he takes the mound. He might only have 12 wins on the year and a slightly bloated 3.36 ERA, but Baltimore will be counting on him quite a bit during the most important part of the year. If he can take his game to another level, Baltimore has a fighting chance to go all the way.

Hey Twins fans, do you remember the latest moment of glory?

666 The number of the beast, and higher than the OPS of about half of the Twins' hitters

In addition to the Iron Maiden song, .666 is the lifetime OPS of Hall of Famer Ozzie Smith.  Rumors that he sold his soul to someone to get to the Hall of Fame have not been substantiated.  Interestingly enough, in his case that .666 OPS translated to an 87 OPS+.  Right now for the Twins, Jordan Schafer is just missing the list with a .668 OPS and he has an 88 OPS+.  The more things change...

Here are the (non-pitcher) Twins' hitters whose bats are not quite as hot as Hell (I guess that might be a good assumption) :

Chris Colabello  .662
Eric Fryer .635
Eduardo Nunez  .632
Jason Kubel .607
Aaron Hicks .600
Kendrys Morales .584
Chris Herrmann .343
Pedro Florimon .310
Jason Bartlett  .250
Darin Mastroianni  .083

It is worth mentioning that only two of these guys are with the club right now (Nunez & Fryer) and a few more (Colabello, Hicks, Hermann, Florimon) are still with the organization.  If I were to pick, I'd think that only the 2 previously high ranked prospects with a history of success (Hicks & Herrmann) will see some playing time in the majors next season.

The Twins Trade Kevin Correia to the Dodgers and get...

...exactly the same when they traded Jim Thome (who was traded the next season for not one but 2 minor leaguers, one of whom looks like a decent reliever) within the division to the Cleveland Indians:

...exactly the same when traded Jamey Carroll within the division to the Kansas City Royals last season:

Absolutely nothing. Nada. Zilch. 

At least he is not taking a spot on the rotation blocking younger pitchers any longer, he was not trading within the division (even though on Correia's case that might had been a good thing) and this move has suggested that Rob Antony does not always say the truth.  (Hopefully Willinghman is next.)

The Twins (who are on pace for about 90 losses in 2014) will recall LHP Tommy Milone (of Sam Fuld trade fame) to take Correia's spot on the 25-man roster and the rotation.

Where is Twins' General Manager Terry Ryan?

The 2014 non-waiver trading deadline passed and went.  There was minimal activity, namely the trade of Sam Fuld, and the only media statements were issued by the latest Twins' titular head, Rob Antony.    And those statements around the deadline were to offer (lame) excuses on why veterans have not moved in a rebuilding team.  Recently, Antony's statements have been of more substance, discussing Kennys Vargas' food and dietary situation, among other things.   Really high priority for a team that is on the way to a fourth season in a row on the bottom of the stands.

Where is this teams' General Manager?  And who is going to answer about the Twins' inactivity at the deadline?  Terry Ryan's last statement was on July 27th (that is 12 days ago), and that was to support Twins' manager Ron Gardenhire and say what a great job he has done (to lead his team to the last place again.)

I hope that there is nothing serious health-wise about Ryan, but his absence from the public eye in trying periods for his team is akin to that of certain late Soviet leaders.

Sounds like business as usual in the Twins' land, since there seem to be about 5 people or so who really care about the Twins and the shape they are in, any more, but something is really wrong and questions need to be asked...  

Ron Gardenhire is out as the Twins' manager, now what?

The writing is pretty much on the wall.  From this to this, and everything in between, the biggest question in the Twins' Territory is not if this will be Ron Gardenhire's last season as the Twins' manager, it is when will he be replaced.   Enumerating reasons about Gardenhire's replacement right now will be pointless (it was not after the miserable 2006 post-season, when this place was one of the few week voices suggesting that this team will not go anywhere with Gardenhire and Ryan at its helm.   It took the four most miserable consecutive seasons in franchise history, since the move to Minnesota, to actually have some sort of a majority thinking that this might be the case.)  It did not had to take for Ron Gardenhire to accumulate 1000 losses and be one of only seven managers in baseball history to achieve this feat, for this to happen.

As far as the "when" goes, it looks like it will happen sooner than later.  It might happen as soon as this series is over or it might happen after this season.   I suspect that Gardenhire will be allowed to leave on his own terms and retire riding into the sunset like Clayton Moore, instead of being forced out.  This franchise does things this way (and it is fine.)   For the record, my bet is that Gardenhire does not finish the season and for practical reasons (like not enough bodies to sit in the dugout) they will wait until minor league play is over to do it.  It has a bit more oomph if it is done during the season and that's what I think they will do.  I have never seen so many main press sources either re-iterating how sick and tired Gardenhire is lately, or how sad and "remote" Ryan seems lately.  Something is about to happen, folks, in the land of ten thousand lakes, and it does not involve soaking cod in lye in a bathtub.

The "what" is more important:  What will happen after Gardy is gone?  Potentially, this would be another case of rearranging coaching chairs (c. 2012, when they blamed the lost season on Jerry and Stelly and did a round robin with the rest.)  If Tonto is still around when Kemo Sabe is gone (utterly love the sarcasm of the advertizing copy placement on that shot in so many levels, btw), it will be another failure.   It will also be a failure is Scotty and Vavry and Steiny and Bruno were kept.  They are part of the problem as well.  They need to go.  The jury is still out on Paul Molitor, who has instituted some improvements already, like the defensive shifts, and Bobby Cuellar, who I think has not given an opportunity to do what he can do with this staff in the shade of Anderson.

Fresh thoughts and ideas are needed in this Franchise.  And, of course, this starts in the front office.  I think that Terry Ryan will also retire after this season, and health issues will be sited.  He does have a bigger battle than the Twins' to fight at this point and wishing him the best.  If I were the Pohlads, I would offer someone like Joe Maddon a position similar to what Nolan Ryan had with the Rangers or Tony LaRussa has with the Diamondbacks and give him carte blanche to fix the team (and if he still likes to manage, let him manage as well.)

But this is another long story, better saved for later...

Ron Gardenhire is out as the Twins' manager, now what?

The writing is pretty much on the wall.  From this to this, and everything in between, the biggest question in the Twins' Territory is not if this will be Ron Gardenhire's last season as the Twins' manager, it is when will he be replaced.   Enumerating reasons about Gardenhire's replacement right now will be pointless (it was not after the miserable 2006 post-season, when this place was one of the few week voices suggesting that this team will not go anywhere with Gardenhire and Ryan at its helm.   It took the four most miserable consecutive seasons in franchise history, since the move to Minnesota, to actually have some sort of a majority thinking that this might be the case.)  It did not had to take for Ron Gardenhire to accumulate 1000 losses and be one of only seven managers in baseball history to achieve this feat, for this to happen.

As far as the "when" goes, it looks like it will happen sooner than later.  It might happen as soon as this series is over or it might happen after this season.   I suspect that Gardenhire will be allowed to leave on his own terms and retire riding into the sunset like Clayton Moore, instead of being forced out.  This franchise does things this way (and it is fine.)   For the record, my bet is that Gardenhire does not finish the season and for practical reasons (like not enough bodies to sit in the dugout) they will wait until minor league play is over to do it.  It has a bit more oomph if it is done during the season and that's what I think they will do.  I have never seen so many main press sources either re-iterating how sick and tired Gardenhire is lately, or how sad and "remote" Ryan seems lately.  Something is about to happen, folks, in the land of ten thousand lakes, and it does not involve soaking cod in lye in a bathtub.

The "what" is more important:  What will happen after Gardy is gone?  Potentially, this would be another case of rearranging coaching chairs (c. 2012, when they blamed the lost season on Jerry and Stelly and did a round robin with the rest.)  If Tonto is still around when Kemo Sabe is gone (utterly love the sarcasm of the advertizing copy placement on that shot in so many levels, btw), it will be another failure.   It will also be a failure is Scotty and Vavry and Steiny and Bruno were kept.  They are part of the problem as well.  They need to go.  The jury is still out on Paul Molitor, who has instituted some improvements already, like the defensive shifts, and Bobby Cuellar, who I think has not given an opportunity to do what he can do with this staff in the shade of Anderson.

Fresh thoughts and ideas are needed in this Franchise.  And, of course, this starts in the front office.  I think that Terry Ryan will also retire after this season, and health issues will be sited.  He does have a bigger battle than the Twins' to fight at this point and wishing him the best.  If I were the Pohlads, I would offer someone like Joe Maddon a position similar to what Nolan Ryan had with the Rangers or Tony LaRussa has with the Diamondbacks and give him carte blanche to fix the team (and if he still likes to manage, let him manage as well.)

But this is another long story, better saved for later...

Twins' weekly organizational transactions: 7/19-7/25/2014

Here are this week's Twins' organization transactions.  All these weekly transaction lists are here.  When transactions involve a Twins top 40 prospect from my most current prospect list (here), that will be indicated next to the player's name by his ranking (see Max Kepler below for example).

The transactions from 7/19 to now were:


 07/25/2014 LHP Jason Wheeler assigned to AAA Rochester Red Wings from AA New Britain Rock Cats.
07/25/2014 A+ Fort Myers Miracle placed RHP D.J. Baxendale (Twins prospect ranking: 37) on the 7-day disabled list.
07/25/2014 A Cedar Rapids Kernels placed RHP Kohl Stewart (Twins prospect ranking: 7) on the 7-day disabled list.
07/25/2014 LHP Josue Montanez assigned to A Cedar Rapids Kernels from Rk+ Elizabethton Twins.
07/25/2014 LHP Stephen Gonsalves (Twins prospect ranking: 20) assigned to A Cedar Rapids Kernels from Rk+ Elizabethton Twins.
07/24/2014 MLB Minnesota Twins designated RHP Matt Guerrier for assignment.
07/24/2014 MLB  Minnesota Twins traded 1B Kendrys Morales to Seattle Mariners for RHP Stephen Pryor.
07/24/2014 MLB Minnesota Twins recalled SS Jorge Polanco (Twins prospect ranking: 6) from Fort Myers Miracle.
07/24/2014 1B/OF Reynaldo Rodriguez assigned to AAA Rochester Red Wings from AA New Britain Rock Cats.
07/24/2014 MLB Minnesota Twins optioned RHP Stephen Pryor to AAA Rochester Red Wings.
07/24/2014 MLB Minnesota Twins recalled RHP Ryan Pressly from AAA Rochester Red Wings.
07/24/2014 A+ Fort Myers Miracle activated 2B Levi Michael (Twins prospect ranking: 38) from the 7-day disabled list.
07/24/2014 Rk GCL Twins placed LHP Reyson Zoquiel on the 7-day disabled list.
07/24/2014 Rk GCL Twins placed LHP Onas Farfan on the 7-day disabled list.
07/24/2014 Rk GCL Twins placed RHP Miguel Gonzalez on the 7-day disabled list.
07/23/2014    AA New Britain Rock Cats placed LHP Taylor Rogers on the 7-day disabled list.
07/23/2014    2B Rafael P Valera assigned to A+ Fort Myers Miracle from Rk GCL Twins.
07/23/2014    A+ Fort Myers Miracle placed CF Max Kepler (Twins prospect ranking: 12) on the 7-day disabled list.
07/22/2014    MLB Minnesota Twins recalled Yohan Pino from AAA Rochester Red Wings.
07/22/2014    MLB Minnesota Twins optioned Kris Johnson to AAA Rochester Red Wings.
07/22/2014    AAA Rochester Red Wings placed RF/C Chris Herrmann on the 7-day disabled list with Right thumb contusion.
07/22/2014    RHP Alex Wimmers assigned to AA New Britain Rock Cats from A+ Fort Myers Miracle.
07/22/2014    RHP Alex Muren assigned to A+ Fort Myers Miracle from A Cedar Rapids Kernels.
07/18/2014    MLB Minnesota Twins optioned Chris Herrmann to AAA Rochester Red Wings.

Twins' Ron Gardenhire is in a rare company among managers, and not because of the 1000 losses.

Today Ron Gardenhire achieved his 1000 loss as a Twins' manager.   In an interview with Mike Berardino, Gardenhire said that 1000 losses is an indicative of longevity, as is 1000 wins.   Is it so?

Here is a list of all managers who have lost 1000 games in their career, with Gardenhire being the 50th:

1 Connie Mack (HOF) 3948 - 9 AL Championships, 5 World Championships
2 Tony La Russa (HOF) 2365 - 3 AL Championships, 3 NL Championships, 3 World Championships   
3 Bucky Harris (HOF) 2219 - 3 AL Championships, 2 World Championships   
4 Gene Mauch 2037 -----    Minnesota Twins (1976–1980)   
5 Bobby Cox (HOF) 2001 5 NL Championships, 1 World Championship               
6 Joe Torre (HOF) 1997 6 AL Championships, 4 World Championships
7 John McGraw (HOF) 1948 10 NL Championships, 3 World Championships   
8 Casey Stengel (HOF) 1843 10 AL Championships, 7 World Championships   
9 Sparky Anderson (HOF)    1834 4 NL Championsips, 1 AL Championship, 3 World Championships   
10 Jim Leyland 1769 1 NL Championship, 2 AL Championships, 1 World Championship   
11 Bill McKechnie (HOF)    1723 4 NL Championships, 2 World Championships
12 Lou Piniella    1713  1 NL Championship, 1 World Championship   
13 Leo Durocher (HOF) 1709 3 NL Championships, 1 World Championship
14 Walter Alston (HOF) 1613 74 NL Championships, 4 World Championships   
15 Bruce Bochy    1573  3 NL Championships, 2 World Championships
16 Jimmy Dykes    1541 -----
17 Ralph Houk 1531 3 AL Championships, 2 World Championships   
18 Dusty Baker 1504 1 NL Championship
19 Dick Williams (HOF)     1451 3 AL Championsips, 1 NL Championship, 2 World Championships
20 Tom Lasorda (HOF) 1439 4 NL Championships, 2 World Championships
21 Wilbert Robinson (HOF) 1398    2 NL Championships
22 Chuck Tanner     1381 1 NL Championship, 1 World Championship   
23 Clark Griffith (HOF) 1367  1 AL Championship   
24 Joe McCarthy (HOF) 1333 8 AL Championsips, 1 NL Championship, 7 World Championships   
25 Bill Rigney 1321 ------ Minnesota Twins (1970–1972)   
26 Tom Kelly 1244 2 AL Championships, 2 World Championships       
27 John McNamara 1233 1 AL Championship       
28 Lou Boudreau (HOF) 1224 1 AL Championship, 1 World Championship
29 Fred Clarke (HOF) 1181  4 NL Championships, 1 World Championship
30 Frank Robinson (HOF)     1176 -----
31 Mike Hargrove  1173 2 AL Championships,    
32 Bobby Valentine 1165     1 NL Championship   
33 Ned Hanlon (HOF) 1164 5 NL Championships
34 Buck Showalter 1138 -------
35 Art Howe 1137 --------
36 Miller Huggins (HOF)    1134 6 AL Championships, 3 World Championships
37 Whitey Herzog (HOF)    1125 3 NL Championships, 1 World Championship   
38 Jim Fregosi 1094 1 NL Championship       
39 Frankie Frisch (HOF) 1078  1 NL Championship, 1 World Championship
40 Mike Scioscia 1072  1 AL Championship, 1 World Championship    
41 Davey Johnson 1071 1 NL Championship, 1 World Championship    
42 Charlie Grimm 1067 3 NL Championships
43 Earl Weaver (HOF) 1060 4 AL Championships, 1 World Championship    
44 Joe Cronin (HOF)  1055 2 AL Championships
45 Phil Garner 1054 1 NL Championship   
46 Terry Francona 1032    2 AL Championships, 2 World Championships
47 Felipe Alou 1021 -------
48 Billy Martin    1013 2 AL Championships, 1 World Championship
49 Al Lopez (HOF) 1004    2 AL Championships   
50 Ron Gardenhire  1000 ------  

So Ron Gardenhire is the 7th among 50 managers who managed long enough to lose 1000 and have never led their team to a World Series.   This dubious company includes Gene Mauch, Jimmy Dykes, Bill Rigney (along with Mauch, former Twins' managers,) Buck Showalter, Art Howe and Felipe Alou.

For his 1000th win, Ron Gardenhire received a custom humidor as an award.  Being in this select company among the 7 biggest loser managers, Gardenhire deserves another award:

Twins' weekly organizational transactions: 7/12-7/18/2014

Here are this week's Twins' organization transactions.  All these weekly transaction lists are here.  When transactions involve a Twins top 40 prospect from my most current prospect list (here), that will be indicated next to the player's name by his ranking (see Engelb Vielma below for example).

The transactions from 7/5 to now were:

07/18/14 MLB Minnesota Twins activated SS Danny Santana from the 15-day disabled list.
07/18/14  MLB Minnesota Twins optioned C/OF Chris Herrmann to AAA Rochester Red Wings.
07/17/2014 AA New Britain Rock Cats placed OF Lance Ray on the 7-day disabled list.
07/17/2014 AA New Britain Rock Cats activated RHP Matthew Summers from the 7-day disabled list.
07/17/2014 A+ Fort Myers Miracle sent SS Levi Michael (Twins prospect ranking: 38) on a rehab assignment to Rk GCL Twins.
07/16/2014 A Cedar Rapids Kernels activated SS Engelb Vielma (Twins prospect ranking: 21) from the 7-day disabled list.
07/16/2014 A Cedar Rapids Kernels released C Bo Altobelli.
07/14/2014 MLB Minnesota Twins sent SS Danny Santana on a rehab assignment to A+ Fort Myers Miracle.
07/13/2014 AAA Rochester Red Wings activated RHP Trevor May (Twins prospect ranking: 4) from the 7-day disabled list.
07/13/2014 AA New Britain Rock Cats placed RHP Matthew Summers on the 7-day disabled list.
07/13/2014 AA New Britain Rock Cats activated C Matt Koch (Twins prospect ranking: 28) from the temporarily inactive list.
07/12/2014 AAA Rochester Red Wings released LHP Scott Diamond. 

Twins' weekly organizational transactions: 7/5-7/11/2014

Here are this week's Twins' organization transactions.  All these weekly transaction lists are here.  When transactions involve a Twins top 40 prospect from my most current prospect list (here), that will be indicated next to the player's name by his ranking (see Fernando Romero below for example).

The transactions from 7/5 to now were:

 07/11/2014 AAA Pino Minnesota Twins optioned RHP Yohan Pino to AAA Rochester Red Wings.
07/11/2014 MLB Minnesota Twins recalled LHP Kris Johnson from AAA Rochester Red Wings.
07/10/2014 AA New Britain Rock Cats placed C Matt Koch  (Twins prospect ranking: 28) on the temporarily inactive list.
07/10/2014 AA New Britain Rock Cats activated 1B Kennys Vargas  (Twins prospect ranking: 5) from the temporarily inactive list.
07/10/2014 A Cedar Rapids Kernels sent LF Zack Larson (Twins prospect ranking: 29) on a rehab assignment to Rk GCL Twins.
07/10/2014 Rk GCL Twins placed RHP Wilfredy Liranzo on the 7-day disabled list.
07/09/2014 A Cedar Rapids Kernels activated 2B Logan Wade from the 7-day disabled list.
07/08/2014 MLB Minnesota Twins placed RHP Ricky Nolasco on the 15-day disabled list retroactive to July 7, 2014 with Right elbow strain
07/08/2014 AAA Rochester Red Wings activated C Josmil Pinto from the 7-day disabled list
07/08/2014 MLB Minnesota Twins recalled C/OF Chris Herrmann from AAA Rochester Red Wings.
07/08/2014  C Jairo Rodriguez assigned to AA New Britain Rock Cats from A+ Fort Myers Miracle.
07/08/2014 A+ Fort Myers Miracle activated SS Aderlin Mejia from the 7-day disabled list.
07/07/2014 AA New Britain Rock Cats placed 1B Kennys Vargas (Twins prospect ranking: 5) on the temporarily inactive list.
07/07/2014 RHP Jose Berrios  (Twins prospect ranking: 9) assigned to AA New Britain Rock Cats from A+ Fort Myers Miracle.
07/07/2014 LHP Mason Melotakis assigned to AA A+ Fort Myers Miracle.
07/07/2014 RHP Todd Van Steensel assigned to A+ Fort Myers Miracle from A Cedar Rapids Kernels.
07/07/2014 RHP Ethan Mildren assigned to A+ Fort Myers Miracle from A Cedar Rapids Kernels.
07/07/2014 A Cedar Rapids Kernels placed SS Engelb Vielma (Twins prospect ranking: 21) on the 7-day disabled list.
07/07/2014 OF Jeremias Pineda assigned to Rk+ Elizabethton Twins from A Cedar Rapids Kernels.
07/07/2014 RHP Chih-Wei Hu assigned to A Cedar Rapids Kernels from Rk+ Elizabethton Twins.
07/07/2014 RHP Jake Reed assigned to A Cedar Rapids Kernels from Rk+ Elizabethton Twins.
07/07/2014 LHP Matt Batts assigned to Rk+ Elizabethton Twins from Rk GCL Twins.
07/06/2014 RHP Mark Hamburger assigned to AAA Rochester Red Wings from AA New Britain Rock Cats.
07/06/2014 A+ Fort Myers Miracle activated CF Byron Buxton (Twins prospect ranking: 2) from the 7-day disabled list.
07/05/2014 OF Lance Ray assigned to AA New Britain Rock Cats from A+ Fort Myers Miracle.
07/05/2014 A Cedar Rapids Kernels activated C Mitch Garver (Twins prospect ranking: 17) from the 7-day disabled list.
07/05/2014 A Cedar Rapids Kernels placed CF Zack Granite on the 7-day disabled list with a left quad strain
07/05/2014 Rk GCL Twins activated RHP Jhon Silva from the 7-day disabled list.

Can the people who are running the Minnesota Twins fall any lower?

This is what has been happening at Target Field this weekend.  The Twins' staff who made that decision and the ones who are running this team should really be ashamed of what they did to an once proud franchise, just to get $100 or so.

I hope that the Twins' fans are paying attention. 

Twins' weekly organizational transactions: 6/28-7/4/2014

Here are this week's Twins' organization transactions.  All these weekly transaction lists are here.  When transactions involve a Twins top 40 prospect from my most current prospect list (here), that will be indicated next to the player's name by his ranking (see Fernando Romero below for example).

The transactions from 6/28 to now were:

07/03/2014 RHP John Curtiss assigned to Rk+ Elizabethton Twins.
07/02/2014 MLB Minnesota Twins recalled 1B/DH Chris Colabello from AAA Rochester Red Wings.
07/02/2014 MLB Minnesota Twins placed 1B Joe Mauer on the 15-day disabled list. Right oblique strain.
07/01/2014 AA New Britain Rock Cats placed OF Corey Wimberly on the 7-day disabled list with a hamstring injury
07/01/2014 A Cedar Rapids Kernels activated C Michael Quesada from the 7-day disabled list.
07/01/2014 Rk+ Elizabethton Twins activated C Jorge Fernandez from the 7-day disabled list.
06/30/14 MLB Minnesota Twins activated LF Eduardo Nunez from the 15-day disabled list.
06/30/14 MLB Minnesota Twins activated 3B Trevor Plouffe from the 15-day disabled list.
06/30/2014 AAA Rochester Red Wings activated RF Wilkin Ramirez from the 7-day disabled list.
06/30/2014 MLB Minnesota Twins optioned SS Pedro Florimon to AAA Rochester Red Wings.
06/30/2014 A+ Fort Myers Miracle placed SS Aderlin Mejia on the 7-day disabled list retroactive to June 29, 2014.
06/30/2014 A+ Fort Myers Miracle activated LHP Brett Lee from the 7-day disabled list.
06/30/2014 MLB Minnesota Twins optioned SS Jorge Polanco (Twins prospect ranking: 6) to A+ Fort Myers Miracle.
06/30/2014 3B Rafael P Valera assigned to Rk GCL Twins from A+ Fort Myers Miracle. 

Separated at birth: Twins' 3B Trevor Plouffe and...

Separated at birth:   Twins'  3B Trevor Plouffe 

and: 

 

(Food Network's Star hopeful Ruben Ruiz.) 

Twins' weekly organizational transactions: 6/21-6/27/2014

Here are this week's Twins' organization transactions.  All these weekly transaction lists are here.  When transactions involve a Twins top 40 prospect from my most current prospect list (here), that will be indicated next to the player's name by his ranking (see Fernando Romero below for example).

The transactions from 6/21 to now were:

06/27/2014 AAA Rochester Red Wings placed C Josmil Pinto on the 7-day disabled list retroactive to June 25, 2014. left hip flexor strain
06/27/2014 MLB Minnesota Twins recalled RHP Yohan Pino from AAA Rochester Red Wings.
06/27/2014 A Cedar Rapids Kernels placed RHP Fernando Romero (Twins prospect ranking: 34) on the 7-day disabled list retroactive to June 24, 2014.
06/27/2014  RHP Nick Burdi (Twins prospect ranking: 14) assigned to A Cedar Rapids Kernels.
06/26/2014 AAA Rochester Red Wings placed RF Wilkin Ramirez on the 7-day disabled list retroactive to June 23, 2014. Illness
06/26/2014  3B Nate Hanson assigned to AAA Rochester Red Wings from AA New Britain Rock Cats.
06/26/2014 MLB Minnesota Twins optioned RHP Yohan Pino to AAA Rochester Red Wings.
06/26/2014 MLB Minnesota Twins sent LF Eduardo Nunez on a rehab assignment to AA New Britain Rock Cats.
06/26/2014 A+ Fort Myers Miracle activated LF Nate Roberts from the 7-day disabled list.
06/26/2014 IF Rafael Valera assigned to A+ Fort Myers Miracle from Rk GCL Twins.
06/26/2014 MLB Minnesota Twins recalled SS Jorge Polanco (Twins prospect ranking: 6) from A+ Fort Myers Miracle.
06/25/2014 RHP Mark Hamburger assigned to AA New Britain Rock Cats from AAA Rochester Red Wings.
06/25/2014 RHP Lester Oliveros assigned to AAA Rochester Red Wings from AA New Britain Rock Cats.
06/25/2014 MLB Minnesota Twins optioned CF Aaron Hicks to AA New Britain Rock Cats.
06/25/2014 A Cedar Rapids Kernels placed C Mitch Garver (Twins prospect ranking: 17)on the 7-day disabled list. Concussion symptoms.
06/25/2014 A Cedar Rapids Kernels activated LF J.D. Williams from the 7-day disabled list.
06/25/2014 OF Tanner English assigned to Rk+ Elizabethton Twins.
06/23/2014 OF Tyree Davis assigned to GCL Twins.
06/21/2014 RHP Mark Hamburger assigned to AAA Rochester Red Wings from AA New Britain Rock Cats.

Twins get snubbed in the All-Star Futures game

The rosters for the All-Star Futures game (that takes place at Target Field) were announced and the Twins have only 2 players Kennys Vargas, the Twins' number 5 prospect, and Jose Berrios, the Twins' number 8 prospect, participating in the World Squad. 

No Twins are in the US Team.  Hard to believer that the selecting pitching prospects are more deserving than Alex Meyer and Trevor May, Twins' number 3 and 4 prospects. 

A bit hard to stomach.    

Weekly Twins Organizational Transactions

All three Rookie Leagues are in full play, draft picks get singed and this is a good time to start keeping tract of the Twins' organization transactions in a weekly basis, since a lot of player movement will be occurring in all levels.  I am not going to list the transactions and assignments that formed the Rookie Leagues' Team's Rosters.  You can find the Advanced Rookie Elizabethton Twins' Roster here, the Rookie GCL Twins' Roster here and the Foreign Rookie DSL Twins' Roster here. 
All these weekly transaction lists are here.  When transactions involve a Twins top 40 prospect from my most current prospect list (here), that will be indicated next to the player's name by his ranking (see Sean Gilmartin below for example).

The transactions from 6/14 to now were:


06/21/2014 RHP Mark Hamburger assigned to AAA Rochester Red Wings from AA New Britain Rock Cats.
06/20/2014 A Cedar Rapids Kernels sent 2B Logan Wade on a rehab assignment to Rk GCL Twins.
06/19/2014 MLB Minnesota Twins selected the contract of RHP Yohan Pino from AAA Rochester Red Wings.
06/19/2014 C Jairo Rodriguez assigned to A+ Fort Myers Miracle from AA New Britain Rock Cats.
06/19/2014 LHP Jason Wheeler assigned to AA New Britain Rock Cats from A+ Fort Myers Miracle.
06/19/2014 IF Stephen Wickens assigned to AA New Britain Rock Cats from A+ Fort Myers Miracle.
06/19/2014  C Alex Swim assigned to A Cedar Rapids Kernels from A+ Fort Myers Miracle.
06/19/2014 A Cedar Rapids Kernels placed C Michael Quesada on the 7-day disabled list.
06/19/2014 A Cedar Rapids Kernels sent OF Jeremias Pineda on a rehab assignment to Rk+ Elizabethton Twins.
06/19/2014 RHP Dallas Gallant assigned to A Cedar Rapids Kernels from Rk+ Elizabethton Twins.
06/19/2014 LHP Josue Montanez assigned to Rk+ Elizabethton Twins from A Cedar Rapids Kernels
06/19/2014 MLB Minnesota Twins placed LF Eduardo Nunez on the 15-day disabled list retroactive to June 15, 2014. Right hamstring strain
06/19/2014 MLB Minnesota Twins transferred RHP Mike Pelfrey from the 15-day disabled list to the 60-day disabled list. June 2014 right elbow surgery
06/18/2014 Minnesota Twins sent CF Aaron Hicks on a rehab assignment to AA New Britain Rock Cats.
06/18/2014 2B Jonatan Hinojosa assigned to Rk+ Elizabethton Twins from A Cedar Rapids Kernels.
06/17/2014 LHP Sean Gilmartin (Twins prospect ranking: 32) assigned to AAA Rochester Red Wings from AA New Britain Rock Cats.
06/15/2014 MLB Minnesota Twins recalled SS Pedro Florimon from AAA Rochester Red Wings.
06/15/2014 MLB Minnesota Twins placed 3B Trevor Plouffe on the 15-day disabled list. Inflammation between the ninth rib and the costal cartilage on the left side.







 

Preliminary Twins mid-season top 40 prospect list (including 2014 draftees)

I released my extensive off-season 2014 Minnesota Twins top 40 prospect list last winter.  You can find the full off-season 1-40 list and links to individual reports on each prospect here.  The 2014 draft is over,  I have seen several Twins' prospects play for the first time last Spring, and the full season 2014 minor league seasons are close to mid-point, so it is time to revisit the Twins' prospects and release my mid-season top 40 list.  This is a preliminary list, which means that there are not full reports about each player, as I do that during the off-season, and several players have not even appeared in a single game.

Housekeeping notes:  in parenthesis there is the off-season prospect ranking.  When a player was with the Twins but not ranked in the top 40, there is (---) and if a player was not with the Twins then, there is the (NEW) indication.   Players who have played in the majors (Danny Santana, Logan Darnell and Mike Tonkin notably) are not included in this list.   Also, as a reminder, my criteria are slightly different that others' (e.g I value actual results at a higher competition level more than most) and the Twins have such a deep system, that some players who are listed in other lists and/or have been drafted in early rounds recently or have received large international signing bonuses will be conspicuously absent from this list.

Without further ado, with some one-liner commentary about my thought process:

1. Miguel Sano 3B (1)

2. Byron Buxton OF (2)

I felt I should not punish these guys for getting hurt.  On the other hand, having Tommy John surgery due to repetitive injury, and re-injuring you wrist sliding and being out because of it, are two different situations.  I did think hard about dropping Buxton to number three because of injury prone-ness and lack of execution in the games he played so far, but I did not.  However, the distance from Sano, which was not much before, is larger now because of those reasons. 

3. Alex Meyer RHP (3)

The best arm in this list and in the organization

4. Trevor May RHP (9)

The second most MLB-ready pitcher in the list and the first starter.  Made the jump up here because he finally broke through to the next level as a pitcher in AAA

5. Kennys Vargas 1B/DH (7)

The most MLB-ready bat in the list, Kennys will likely replace Kendrys as the full time DH in 2015 and his bat can play in the majors right now.

6. Jorge Polanco SS (6) 

Playing full time shortstop and while there are some concerns about his sure-handedness with the glove, he has one of the best contact tools in the organization

7. Kohl Stewart EHP (5) 

He dropped simply because of the strikeout rate decrease and because he has proven that he is touchable in Cedar Rapids.  There is time to remedy that the rest of the season 

8. Nick Gordon SS (NEW)

The 5th overall draft pick for the Twins in 2014.  Good tool set.  If he can stick at SS and show that he can make contact in the pros, he will stay a top prospect

9. Jose Berrios RHP (8)

If anything, Berrios has been better this season.  Just there are others ahead of him in this deep organization at this point.

10. Eddie Rosario OF (4)

The drop is not as much about the suspension, it is mostly about the position change.  A second baseman with his contact skill and speed is much more rare and valuable than an outfielder.  So part on Rosario, bigger part on the Twins. 

11. Amaurys Minier 1B/3B (14)

Fully expect that he will have a monster season coming up

12. Max Kepler OF/1B (16)

13. Adam Walker OF (17)

14. Nick Burdi RHP (NEW)

The Twins' 2014 second round pick, is ["upset"] that he was selected that low and he is the most MLB-ready pitcher in this list.  With an 103 mph fastball and low to mid 90s slider he can probably be as effective (or more) as any RHP in the Minnesota Twins' bullpen today.  If he harness his changeup, he will be a dominant closer for a long time.  I should probably have ranked him higher in the list, and this might happen in the off-season.

15. Lewis Thorpe LHP (18)

Highest LHP in this ranking and in most Twins' prospect lists

16. Travis Harrison OF (13)

Change in position hurts his ranking

17. Mitch Garver C (---)

The Twins' 9th round pick in the 2013 draft was not much on the radar this off-season.  Really impressed my this Spring Break with his bat, his athleticism and his ability to handle pitchers, and is the best position player in Cedar Rapids so far, thus he is my highest ranked catching prospect in the Twins' organization

18. Mike Cederoth RHP (NEW)

The Twins' 3rd round pick in 2014 is another triple digit FB/slider pitcher who has drawn comparisons to Stephen Strausberg.  Unlike Burdi, he has the potential to be a starter, but his stuff is a tick lesser than Burdi's.  Signability is an issue.  If he signs and turns into a starter and develops a third pitch, he will jump up in this list 

19. Ryan Eades RHP (11)

20. Stephen Gonsalves LHP (10)

These guys suffered a sizeable drop because they really did not show me much during Spring Training and Eades has not performed in the Midwest League as expected.

21. Engelb Vielma SS (---)

Another player who was flying under the radar last season who impressed me this Spring.   Excellent speed and great instincts both with the glove and on the base paths.   He can be a starting shortstop in the majors right now, but his bat will look like Florimon's, if not like Deduno's.  He needs to cultivate his hitting ability.  Young and very slim, he can fill in.

22. Nico Goodrum IF (27)

Starting as the every day third baseman for the Miracle, the former 2010 second round draft pick who has disappointed so far, might actually start to show his potential making solid contact and being fine with the glove.  

23. Felix Jorge RHP (12)

Same situation as Eades.  Disappointing season, but his spring was excellent.  Might be a temperature issue.

24. Lewin Diaz 1B (NEW)

The seventeen year old who was signed as an international free agent last July has started his pro career in the DSL and it will be a good one.  A lot like Minier with the bat

25. AJ Achter RHP (---)

Achter has been quietly turning into one of the best arms in the organization and might finish the season in Minnesota.  Better pitcher than Mike Tonkin at this point.

26. Aaron Slegers RHP (---)

Another 2013 draftee (5th round) who impressed me last spring.  Very tall pitcher with potential to add velocity if he works with his mechanics

27. Jose Abreu  RHP (23)

28. Matthew Koch C (22) 

These guys got caught into the numbers game

29. Zach Larson OF (36)

I think that my off-season prospect list was the only one that Zach was in, but I am sure that he has opened a few more eyes with his Midwest League performance.

30. Alexis Tapia RHP (21)

Might jump back up depending on E-town play

31. Zach Jones RHP (19)

Lost season, the emergence and draft of other relievers drop Zach, but the potential is there.

32. Sean Gilmartin LHP (NEW)

When the last list was made, Ryan Doumit was still a Twin

33. Brian Gilbert RHP (20)

Proven hitable in Fort Myers.

34. Argenis Silva RHP (---)

The 18 year old will finally show his ability injury free in his third DSL season

35. Sam Clay LHP (NEW) 

The Twins' 4th round draft pick in 2014 projects as a starter, might end up as a long reliever.

36.  Brandon Peterson RHP (---)

All the 13th round pick in 2013 does is strikes hitters out and does not allow runs to score.  Moved 4 spots in 2 seasons, he is fast-tracked and ready to jump these rankings the off-season

37.  DJ Baxendale (15)

One of the biggest drops in this list. He has not figured out AA or AA has figured him out. The 23 year old is back at Fort Myers for fine tuning.  Needs to prove himself the second half, but hard to give up on him at this point, because I have seen him do amazing things

38. Levi Michael 2B (---)

Is the former first round draft pick figuring it out finally with the stick in his third FSL stint?  He is leading the Miracle in Batting Average and OBP.

39. Fernardo Romero RHP (34)

40. Randy Rosario LHP (---)

Excellent skills have not translated in results in 3 games started at Cedar Rapids, but there is a lot of potential. 

Graduated:

Danny Santana, Logan Darnell

Dropped: 

DJ Hicks (24)

JD Williams (25)

Stuart Turner  (28)

Josh Burris (29)

Mason Melotakis (31)

Deibinson Romero (32)

Mike Gonzales (33)

Logan Wade (37)
Tyler Grimes (38)

Tyler Jones (39)

Alex Wimmers (40)