2015-16 Minnesota Twins

I was handed the keys to the Minnesota Twins and asked to drive them through the entire offseason in one week. The ensuing demo derby wasn’t pretty, but we did emerge with engine running albeit somewhat dented and dinged.

My budget was $115,840,875, which was a seven percent increase over the team’s opening day cost in 2015.

First order, decide who to arbitrate. I ended up re-signing Eduardo Escobar, as a versatile utility guy for $1.8M, Edwin Nunez for $1.5M, Trevor Plouffe for $7.2M, and Tom Milone for $4.5M.

Nunez and Milone were close calls and in hindsight I probably should have released them, just because they aren’t special enough, but those are fair prices. I did release Kevin Jepsen, thinking I could replace him for less than his $4M price tag.

I looked over my team and made a few observations:

Joe Mauer is a shadow of his former self and brings a big price tag for many years to come.

Danny Santana is not the shortstop of the Twins future. I needed a shortstop.

I could use some power.

The starting pitching has a potential No. 1 prospect on the way in Berrios, and a solid No. 2 starting prospect in Tyler Duffey, but lacks top arms in Ervin Santana, Kyle Gibson,Trevor May and Tom Milone. I hoped to add an ace via Free Agency.

My problems began with getting a pitcher. I came up short on free agents like Jordan Zimmerman and Scott Kazmir, who I thought I had a shot at because I had added some salary flexibility. How did I do that?

I traded Joe Mauer to Tampa (with Edwin Nunez) for James Loney, Alex Colome, and $12M. This saved me a couple of million in 2016 and lots going into the future. And I figured with Loney and Plouffe splitting time at 1B my production would be close to Mauer’s, if not better. Finally, I have hopes that Colome can start for me, but if he can’t he’s shown himself to be effective in short relief.

I targeted Ian Desmond as my shortstop. The problem was that he was to be bid on in the fourth round of elite prospects, and if I didn’t get him there wasn’t anyplace solid to turn in free agency.

Then the Cubs called, offering Starlin Castro for Aaron Hicks. I’m a big fan of Castro’s, though he’s obviously not developed the way it looked like he might. Still, he’s young and better than Santana. He would hold the spot until Jorge Polanco arrived and allow me to bid on pitchers.

In Round 4 I bid and lost on my pitching choices, but my protection bid on Ian Desmond was a huge overshoot. Interest in him was very tepid. Now I had a second shortstop and not much money left. Desmond had a terrible year, his strike zone control has been awful the last two years, but he’s still hitting for power and is young enough to adjust. He’s not likely to have a big batting average, but on this team I’ll take a shortstop who hits homers.

Or I’ll trade him or Castro for relief improvement.

That last sentence indicates my problems with the Twins this offseason. There is still more to be done. My demo derby isn’t over.

In Round 5 of the free agent bidding I did add Marco Estrada, who is likely an upgrade on Ricky Nolasco, and is coming off a season that was better than that of any of my other hurlers.

This is a team waiting for its prospects to gel. Miguel Sano and Eddie Rosario have already arrived. Byron Buxton and Oswaldo Arcia could become regulars this year. And Max Kepler, Jorge Polanco, Jose Berrios and Tyler Duffey could come at any time. By unloading Joe Mauer and his onerous contract this year, and improving the pitching stock and shortstop options, I hope that this team can continue to compete now while adding real valuable pieces next year.

Anybody need a shortstop?