FanPost

How to fix the Twins: An objective approach



Any approach to fixing the Twins will fail unless it is grounded on this reality: The Twins are going nowhere this season. Not only does Minnesota have the worst record in the American League, it isn't even close. So fixing the Twins has nothing to do with this season's won-loss record; it is all about positioning the team to have greater success in future years.

How should that shape the Twins strategy? Here are some fundamentals:

(1) The Twins are a small market team who will not prevail because they can outspend other organizations. More than most teams, then, the Twins must develop prospects in a way that maximizes their chances at success rather than sacrificing those chances in a foolish attempt to eke out an extra win or two this year. Certain practices must change:

a. Stop promoting meaningful prospects to Minnesota unless they will play every day. The Twins have already done this to Max Kepler and Jorge Polanco, using them as bench fodder rather than allowing them to play every day.

b. Don't promote prospects prematurely, them see-saw them up and down. That is the route the Twins took with Oswaldo Arcia, which set him back a couple of years, and Bryon Buxton.

c. Place prospects in positions where they are most likely to succeed. That means taking Sano out of the outfield to play a position where his offensive development can once again be his focus. Put him at DH for now and work him at 3B and 1B in practice. He weighs more than 260 pounds; you simply don't see men that large in the outfield. Last one that heavy in the OF was Frank Howard but he was 6'8". Playing outfield places Sano at risk of injury, wears him down (there is much more running), and leave him unduly worried about defense, all of which can interfere with his development as a hitter. That means the Twins have to clear up the logjam as soon as possible by trading Plouffe and/or Park.

(2) Recognize that the biggest weakness for the Twins,long-term, is starting pitching. The Twins have good, young outfield talent. If developed properly, Buxton and Kepler make up two-thirds of a well-rounded outfield. They have two strong shortstop prospects, one of whom could shift to 2B should Dozier become a major trade chip. It is always easier to find arms for the pen. The Twins have one high-end, young pitcher in Berrios and a second solid young pitcher in Duffey. They have some potential in arms such as Tyler Jay and Kohl Stewart, but they lack top talent. Pitchers are a fragile lot; no where else will you see so many talented prospects derailed by injury. You need to stockpile talent knowing some won't work out. That should be a focus in the draft and in trades.

(3) Be sellers on the trade market. The Twins need to exchange present value for future value. That means entertaining offers on anyone who can bring back a meaningful return and who is not part of the Twins' future. Who fits that description. At the top of the list is Trevor Plouffe, who becomes a free agent at the end of 2017 and who produces some value at a reasonable cost. After, the choices become more problematic. Mauer is too costly to generate any real return. Perkins and Jensen don't hold much value. Dozier and Park are cheap with team control; they would generate a return, but they have some future value too. The same applies to Oswaldo Arcia, whose production is less certain but who is even cheaper, But with Park in particular, the Twins need to consider if they can make a lateral trade -- moving him for someone with equal talent/value but who fits better into the Twins roster. His presence, along with Plouffe, have pushed Sano to the outfield.