The Twins were able to snap their 10 game losing streak today, but the Twins still remain 7 games out of a playoff spot and this season is essentially over playoff wise so now is the time to start calling up this young talent and see what we have.
The first thing the Twins need to do is trade Willingham, Carroll, and Doumit. A majority of the Twins prospects who are ready and who we need to find out who is going to be a part of the future plan are corner outfielders, so moving Willingham makes too much sense. Unfortunately his value won't be anywhere near what it was last year, but the Twins should still be able to get a player or two who can help them in the near future. By moving Willingham that allows the Twins to play the combination of Arcia, Parmelee, and Colabello at left and right field. Arcia seems a definite part of the plan, but Parmelee and Colabello are older and their leash may be a bit shorter. In a lost season it only makes sense to look ahead to next year and the year's beyond.
By moving Carroll, who is in the last year of his 2 year deal with the Twins, the Twins should be able to get a solid player in return. Carroll is very very good defensively at every position in the infield and has been hitting right around 300 this season making him very valuable to a team who could use some help in the infield and at the top of the order. By moving Carroll that opens up playing time for Dozier and Escobar at second base and Florimon at short. You need to find out if these three will be a part of your middle infield for years to come. Florimon seems to have grabbed the shortstop position by the horns with his great defensive play and his solid season at the dish thus far. If he can continue to hit and get on base as well as he has, he could be the shortstop for the next 5 years.
By moving Doumit, who has a very team friendly contract, the Twins will open up playing time at Designated Hitter, Catcher, and corner Outfielder as well. Doumit is a very good backup catcher, but won't be a huge part of this team's future considering we have better younger hitters coming through the system. This would give Arcia, Parmelee, Colabello, and their next top catching prospects in Herrmann and Pinto the playing time they would need to show if they have what it takes to help this team for years to come.
The next thing that needs to be done is the Twins need to decide on whether or not they want to keep Morneau asap. He seems back to his old self outside his lack of home runs thus far this season. The Twins need to either sign him to an extension, which I would be more than open too based on his play thus far this season. Otherwise they need to move him and get something in return unlike when they let Cuddyer and Kubel walk without getting anything in return for them. By moving him it would open up even more at bats and playing time for Colabello and Parmelee.
Last but not least the Twins need to get rid of Pelfrey and Correia regardless of what they get for them. They can hang onto Correia until Worley figures out his control in Rochester. But Pelfrey needs to go because we can get the same production out of another pitcher who will cost us much less. The Twins should go to a rotation of Diamond, Deduno, Walters, DeVries/Worley and GIBSON! All these guys make the league minimum and it's time to figure out which of these guys can help us and which of these guys are a waste of time. Also, it's time for Gibson to come to the majors, he's got nothing else to prove in the minors and is already 25 years old. The Twins need to suck it up and bring him up even if it ends up costing them a little more in arbitration down the road. The Twins will have club control for 6 seasons, so they will have him guaranteed until he is 31 going on 32. They will get the best years of his career, so what's the problem with possibly having to spend the extra money when we have a huge hole in our rotation and he is ready to fill it? Not to mention the Twins have plenty of money to spend thanks to Target Field. It's time to start cashing in on those promises of being able to have a higher payroll thanks to our new stadium.
The Twins need to stop playing with the fans and admit this is a rebuilding year and that they are looking to contend starting next season. They need to go young and get rid of the players who won't be here starting next season and beyond. Show the fan base some of these prospects they keep hearing about. Why would you keep taking vital at bats and innings away from young prospects who can help us for the next wave of years where it'll look like we'll contend? The Twins keep promoting these young talents, start showing us some of them or start spending some cash on proven major league players because this in between mix has become ridiculous and unbearable to watch. At this point is has become laughable.
Written by Nick Calo, follow me on Twitter for more updates and sports thoughts @PRH1987
The first thing the Twins need to do is trade Willingham, Carroll, and Doumit. A majority of the Twins prospects who are ready and who we need to find out who is going to be a part of the future plan are corner outfielders, so moving Willingham makes too much sense. Unfortunately his value won't be anywhere near what it was last year, but the Twins should still be able to get a player or two who can help them in the near future. By moving Willingham that allows the Twins to play the combination of Arcia, Parmelee, and Colabello at left and right field. Arcia seems a definite part of the plan, but Parmelee and Colabello are older and their leash may be a bit shorter. In a lost season it only makes sense to look ahead to next year and the year's beyond.
By moving Carroll, who is in the last year of his 2 year deal with the Twins, the Twins should be able to get a solid player in return. Carroll is very very good defensively at every position in the infield and has been hitting right around 300 this season making him very valuable to a team who could use some help in the infield and at the top of the order. By moving Carroll that opens up playing time for Dozier and Escobar at second base and Florimon at short. You need to find out if these three will be a part of your middle infield for years to come. Florimon seems to have grabbed the shortstop position by the horns with his great defensive play and his solid season at the dish thus far. If he can continue to hit and get on base as well as he has, he could be the shortstop for the next 5 years.
By moving Doumit, who has a very team friendly contract, the Twins will open up playing time at Designated Hitter, Catcher, and corner Outfielder as well. Doumit is a very good backup catcher, but won't be a huge part of this team's future considering we have better younger hitters coming through the system. This would give Arcia, Parmelee, Colabello, and their next top catching prospects in Herrmann and Pinto the playing time they would need to show if they have what it takes to help this team for years to come.
The next thing that needs to be done is the Twins need to decide on whether or not they want to keep Morneau asap. He seems back to his old self outside his lack of home runs thus far this season. The Twins need to either sign him to an extension, which I would be more than open too based on his play thus far this season. Otherwise they need to move him and get something in return unlike when they let Cuddyer and Kubel walk without getting anything in return for them. By moving him it would open up even more at bats and playing time for Colabello and Parmelee.
Last but not least the Twins need to get rid of Pelfrey and Correia regardless of what they get for them. They can hang onto Correia until Worley figures out his control in Rochester. But Pelfrey needs to go because we can get the same production out of another pitcher who will cost us much less. The Twins should go to a rotation of Diamond, Deduno, Walters, DeVries/Worley and GIBSON! All these guys make the league minimum and it's time to figure out which of these guys can help us and which of these guys are a waste of time. Also, it's time for Gibson to come to the majors, he's got nothing else to prove in the minors and is already 25 years old. The Twins need to suck it up and bring him up even if it ends up costing them a little more in arbitration down the road. The Twins will have club control for 6 seasons, so they will have him guaranteed until he is 31 going on 32. They will get the best years of his career, so what's the problem with possibly having to spend the extra money when we have a huge hole in our rotation and he is ready to fill it? Not to mention the Twins have plenty of money to spend thanks to Target Field. It's time to start cashing in on those promises of being able to have a higher payroll thanks to our new stadium.
The Twins need to stop playing with the fans and admit this is a rebuilding year and that they are looking to contend starting next season. They need to go young and get rid of the players who won't be here starting next season and beyond. Show the fan base some of these prospects they keep hearing about. Why would you keep taking vital at bats and innings away from young prospects who can help us for the next wave of years where it'll look like we'll contend? The Twins keep promoting these young talents, start showing us some of them or start spending some cash on proven major league players because this in between mix has become ridiculous and unbearable to watch. At this point is has become laughable.
Written by Nick Calo, follow me on Twitter for more updates and sports thoughts @PRH1987