Thread: Mackey on Organizational meetings: Twins may want 3 SPs, noone but Mauer is offlimits

1500ESPN's Phil Mackey has information coming out of the Twins' organizational meetings: (click here)

Twins want up to 3 starting pitchers, with nobody but Diamond currently penciled in to the rotation. Only Joe Mauer is considered unavailable for possible trades, Hendriks and Plouffe are not assured spots if they don't improve, and... oh... yeah... the Front Office is embarassed about the last two seasons. Yeah... Welcome to the club, gentlemen.

Somebody ought to tell Mackey that he needs to make up a name and post his stories about the Twins on this board since people post them all lately.

"The Twins are still holding out some hope that Nick Blackburn can contribute to some degree next year."

---Yeah, I hear that the Pro Shop in Apple Valley is a bit short-staffed, and Hrbek's lost a couple of servers at the end of the season, so there should be some opportunities for him. That's gotta be what they're talking about here, right?

Originally Posted by old nurse

Somebody ought to tell Mackey that he needs to make up a name and post his stories about the Twins on this board since people post them all lately.

Mackey's the first (at least that I've seen) to write about what actually went on during the organizational meetings. Seemed like a reasonable topic for discussion on a Twins forum. And to be clear, what I posted was a LINK to his post, not his actual post.

Every time the Twins say Blackburns name, they hurt their credibility. They could earn more points with fans by just saying he's NOT bein invited to ST and will be AAA depth.
Have my doubt that Diamond is 'truly' a guy goin forward. He definately earned the set spot for next yr, but Im still not sold on him.

I'm encouraged that they want to add three pitchers. However, I'm worried by what the FO views as "competitive" starting pitching--quantity is rarely better than quality.

Originally Posted by PseudoSABR

I'm encouraged that they want to add three pitchers. However, I'm worried by what the FO views as "competitive" starting pitching--quantity is rarely better than quality.

im guessing curly will sign
1)kevin correia
2)jaime moyer
3)kevin slowey
he will concider randy johnson , but anderson will nix the idea because randy misses to many bats and isnt the type of pitcher this team covets

Originally Posted by Jim Crikket

Originally Posted by old nurse

Somebody ought to tell Mackey that he needs to make up a name and post his stories about the Twins on this board since people post them all lately.

Mackey's the first (at least that I've seen) to write about what actually went on during the organizational meetings. Seemed like a reasonable topic for discussion on a Twins forum. And to be clear, what I posted was a LINK to his post, not his actual post.

Should have been more specific. I am not criticizing you or anyone else for posting a link. Mackey's blogs are being referenced a lot lately. At one time it was like Mackey was not viewed very highly on this board. Good work by others should be referenced as a topic for discussion.

I'm disappointed that Mauer is considered off-limits (yes, I know that he has a no-trade clause) -- after the last 2 years, I'd hope that no one is off-limits.

I appreciate the post and I hope that more news dribbles out of the organizational meetings. I'd be especially interested in learning what they are doing to improve things like the woeful defense and questionable base-running we've been seeing. That has to be starting in the minors. What are they doing to try to get back to the fundamentals?

Originally Posted by JB_Iowa

I'm disappointed that Mauer is considered off-limits (yes, I know that he has a no-trade clause) -- after the last 2 years, I'd hope that no one is off-limits.

I appreciate the post and I hope that more news dribbles out of the organizational meetings. I'd be especially interested in learning what they are doing to improve things like the woeful defense and questionable base-running we've been seeing. That has to be starting in the minors. What are they doing to try to get back to the fundamentals?

There is little to no chance the Twins could make a good return for Joe Mauer. You just can't reasonably expect to have a good chance at receiving an all star prospect in return. He's the 2nd best catcher in the MLB and the cornerstone they likely plan to build around. No surprise and not disappointing for me. If Ryan trades him, I think Target Field gets burnt down by crazedTwins fans and 18> Year Old Girls.

Like the idea of 3 starting pitchers, but that would mean a budget (without trades) in the neighborhood of $100 mil. Given that one of those may be Baker on an incentive laden contract, that still leaves two. Good article, interesting. It will also be interesting if the sign a FA infielder that needs a fresh start(Stephen Drew) for example.

Originally Posted by PseudoSABR

I'm encouraged that they want to add three pitchers. However, I'm worried by what the FO views as "competitive" starting pitching--quantity is rarely better than quality.

I was a little surprised by some of the stuff Ryan said in John's interview. I think he's serious about getting some real pitching to help the team next year, however he has to get that pitching. Based on last season, I expect the Twins to strike early and often. Nothing too flashy, but nothing Ramon Ortiz-esque, either.

Originally Posted by Brock Beauchamp

Originally Posted by PseudoSABR

I'm encouraged that they want to add three pitchers. However, I'm worried by what the FO views as "competitive" starting pitching--quantity is rarely better than quality.

I was a little surprised by some of the stuff Ryan said in John's interview. I think he's serious about getting some real pitching to help the team next year, however he has to get that pitching. Based on last season, I expect the Twins to strike early and often. Nothing too flashy, but nothing Ramon Ortiz-esque, either.

Maybe this is finally the year that TR spends a considerable amount of dough on starting pitchers, but I think he'll still sign a bargain-basement starter or two anyway.

Originally Posted by Jim Crikket

1500ESPN's Phil Mackey has information coming out of the Twins' organizational meetings: (click here)

Twins want up to 3 starting pitchers, with nobody but Diamond currently penciled in to the rotation. Only Joe Mauer is considered unavailable for possible trades, Hendriks and Plouffe are not assured spots if they don't improve, and... oh... yeah... the Front Office is embarassed about the last two seasons. Yeah... Welcome to the club, gentlemen.

Thanks for posting the info, it's cool to read...but their actions speak louder than their words. They know what the fans want to hear...let's see what they actually do

Originally Posted by Boom Boom

Originally Posted by Brock Beauchamp

Originally Posted by PseudoSABR

I'm encouraged that they want to add three pitchers. However, I'm worried by what the FO views as "competitive" starting pitching--quantity is rarely better than quality.

I was a little surprised by some of the stuff Ryan said in John's interview. I think he's serious about getting some real pitching to help the team next year, however he has to get that pitching. Based on last season, I expect the Twins to strike early and often. Nothing too flashy, but nothing Ramon Ortiz-esque, either.

Maybe this is finally the year that TR spends a considerable amount of dough on starting pitchers, but I think he'll still sign a bargain-basement starter or two anyway.

Given payroll restraints, I think there's a good chance we see JR take a flyer on one or two "marginal" guys. Hopefully, he'll be able to get enough on the trade and free agent market to make those guys compete for the fifth spot, not the 3-5 spots.

Taking flyers on guys is fine if they're you're not relying on them to be a large part of the team's success over the course of a year. In fact, it's generally a good idea. Look at Baltimore this year and guys like Burton for the Twins. It's possible to strike gold with a guy on the scrap heap but relying on scrap heap guys to be gold is only going to lead to failure. I'm confident that JR understands that as well as anyone here.

I agree, there's nothing wrong with picking up some cheap SPs trying to re-establish themselves. The problem comes when that's all you do. Even if Ryan is able to add a couple of legitimate mid to upper rotation arms, he still needs to not only fill out a five-man rotation, but also have enough arms to stash some in Rochester for the inevitable injuries, etc. People talk sometimes like adding one or two decent starting pitchers will "fix" the rotation, but when Scott Diamond is the only guy you're willing to say deserves a spot in your rotation, you have more problems than can be fixed with one or two guys, no matter how good they are.

I do hope Ryan strikes fast and aims high. If he also picks up some reclamation projects in January or even February, that's good, too.

Originally Posted by Jim Crikket

I agree, there's nothing wrong with picking up some cheap SPs trying to re-establish themselves. The problem comes when that's all you do. Even if Ryan is able to add a couple of legitimate mid to upper rotation arms, he still needs to not only fill out a five-man rotation, but also have enough arms to stash some in Rochester for the inevitable injuries, etc. People talk sometimes like adding one or two decent starting pitchers will "fix" the rotation, but when Scott Diamond is the only guy you're willing to say deserves a spot in your rotation, you have more problems than can be fixed with one or two guys, no matter how good they are.

I do hope Ryan strikes fast and aims high. If he also picks up some reclamation projects in January or even February, that's good, too.

1 resign scott baker to an incentive ladden contract
2 accuire 2 front of the rotation starters ( we have 19-20 player on our 40 man roster and in our top 20 prospect list who will be non factors,
use these guys to go get what you need....shields and johnson,once you have these 2 on board, the rest of baseball will think we want to win , not just fill the owners pockets, and signing free agents will be easier.
3 sign roy oswalt to a simular contract as bakers , with say a 3-4 million base salary(why? if hes good he helps, or can be traded for young arms later in the season , and if hes bad send him down to rochestor and stop paying him)

Originally Posted by johnnydakota

Originally Posted by Jim Crikket

I agree, there's nothing wrong with picking up some cheap SPs trying to re-establish themselves. The problem comes when that's all you do. Even if Ryan is able to add a couple of legitimate mid to upper rotation arms, he still needs to not only fill out a five-man rotation, but also have enough arms to stash some in Rochester for the inevitable injuries, etc. People talk sometimes like adding one or two decent starting pitchers will "fix" the rotation, but when Scott Diamond is the only guy you're willing to say deserves a spot in your rotation, you have more problems than can be fixed with one or two guys, no matter how good they are.

I do hope Ryan strikes fast and aims high. If he also picks up some reclamation projects in January or even February, that's good, too.

1 resign scott baker to an incentive ladden contract
2 accuire 2 front of the rotation starters ( we have 19-20 player on our 40 man roster and in our top 20 prospect list who will be non factors,
use these guys to go get what you need....shields and johnson,once you have these 2 on board, the rest of baseball will think we want to win , not just fill the owners pockets, and signing free agents will be easier.
3 sign roy oswalt to a simular contract as bakers , with say a 3-4 million base salary(why? if hes good he helps, or can be traded for young arms later in the season , and if hes bad send him down to rochestor and stop paying him)

This team simply does not have the bullets to pull off getting Shields AND Johnson.
Also Oswalt is awful, no thanks.

Also do you understand how contracts work? You can't just send a player down to the minors and stop paying them.