Comments on: Off-season chat for the rest of us…

By: lisatwink

lisatwink — Tue, 20 Dec 2011 17:32:13 +0000

How many outfield spots can Willingham play at a time? He seems to have been picked up to replace both Cuddyer and Kubel. In my mind, that has him in both left and right field about 50% of the time, and the other 50% of the time, he’s in right and DH-ing. And the other person filling in that left-field/DH merry-go-round is Del…oh.

I guess I can’t form any expectations about this team until I figure out where they’re going to get 25 guys to play the game.

By: mark

mark — Tue, 20 Dec 2011 15:56:24 +0000

JC, I dont see the Twins signing any impact players before S.T. starts. If anything the Twins might trade a few current roster players. I have heard that they are shopping Span and Liriano. I think it is better than 50/50 that both will be traded in January for future draft picks.

By: Jim Crikket

Jim Crikket — Tue, 20 Dec 2011 03:43:43 +0000

I just think it’s impossible to make a statement at this time with any certainty regarding how competitive the team will be. The pitching staff isn’t even close to being finalized and, as JB pointed out, so much depends on the health of the returning players.

One thing is clear… there will be significantly more turnover in the roster and regular line up than Twins fans are accustomed to. But when you lost 99 games, that’s not altogether a bad thing. Better start studying that new roster earlier this spring than you usually do, Babs!

By: mark

mark — Tue, 20 Dec 2011 03:30:36 +0000

The 2012 Twins will NOT win 90 games. They will be better than last year but I still see this team losing 85-90 games.

By: Smith64B

Smith64B — Tue, 20 Dec 2011 03:24:10 +0000

Considering 99 losses, I’d be happy to see .500. Yeah, lowered expectations.

By: JB_Iowa

JB_Iowa — Tue, 20 Dec 2011 02:34:11 +0000

Nice post.

NOBODY can accurately predict what will happen next season. Until we see whether or not Mauer, Morneau and Span return to health and to playing with some semblance of the ability they’ve shown in the past, all predictions are pretty much wasted.

The best thing I can say about this off-season is that they haven’t made a bunch of expensive long-term commitments. (Even Willingham isn’t that long or that expensive). Frankly, until we see whether Mauer, Morneau and Span can each get back on the field for at least 120-130 productive games next season, I see no reason to spend much more for position players. If, by some miracle, they are all healthy and productive, the team may be able to add talent at the trade deadline.

They do need another starter and some BP help, though. But I’d prefer that they find pitchers who need one-year “redemption” deals who need to prove something on a short-term basis (don’t ask me who this would be).

I will be optimistic in the spring because I’m ALWAYS optimistic in the spring (it is one of the best things about baseball). As for the results next season, I won’t be surprised if they win 90 but I won’t be surprised if they lose 100, either.