Rick Nolasco doesn't like what he smells in Minnesota, but he's getting paid just
south of the Great White North.
26. Minnesota Twins
by Hayden Hughes
In Blondie’s 1980 cover/hit single “The Tide is High,” Debbie Harry sings “The tide is high, but I’m holdin’ on / I’m gonna be your number one.”
Experts, today, still debate whether she was reassuring Twins fans of Byron Buxton or Miguel Sano, but scientists have concluded that it doesn’t matter. Both can rake the ball. Buxton’s comparable, according to Baseball Prospectus 2014, is a 20-year old Andrew McCutchen or Mike Trout. Sano’s comparable is a 21-year old Jay Bruce or Giancarlo Stanton. Twins fans, please take a moment to pick up your jaw.
The future isn’t bright in Minnesota. It’s blinding. With an improved pitching staff, the Twins could will soon take the crown of AL Central division champions. But that may come in 2019 or 2020. In the meantime, a now-healthy Oswaldo Arcia should find comfort in hitting behind Joe Mauer and Josh Willingham. Potenially with an outfield of Buxton, Arcia, and German-born prospect Max Kepler, Minnesota will have solid offensive production outside of converted, full-time first baseman Joe Mauer and Sano. Again, with the Twins the mind tends to wander into the future. A future without .221-hitting Pedro Floriman Jr. and Chuck Knoblauch-impersonator Brian Dozier.
Three and four-year commitments to Phil Hughes and Ricky Nolasco, respectfully, have somewhat solidified the Twins rotation. I mean, at least you know Nolasco go out there…and…try. Okay, he’ll be XX-XX. We can’t predict his exact win-loss record, but both wins and losses will be in the double digits. Just look at his past. Nolasco also got rocked in his final three starts as a Dodger. Thanks to Minnesota, somehow, Ricky Nolasco – who is much more like Tommy Hanson – is now getting paid more than James Shields. As for Hughes, he could have been a change-of-scenery guy as he changes teams for the first time in his career. Anyone who starts 32 games in 2012 and 29 games in 2013 for the New York Yankees has to have some talent. Unfortunately for Hughes, he started 29 games for the Yanks in 2013 and won 4 games with his 5.19 ERA.
And kids, that’s how Phil Hughes made $8M annually from 2014 – 2016…
…
– Wait, what?
1. Last Season & Offseason
a. 66-96
b. Broke up Mauer + Morneau
c. Signed Ricky Nolasco, Phil Hughes, Kurt Suzuki, and Jason Kubel
d. Traded C Ryan Doumit to Braves for P Sean Gilmartin
2. Lineup/Rotation
Lineup:
1. Alex Presley CF
2. Brian Dozier 2B
3. Joe Mauer 1B
4. Josh Willingham LF
5. Oswaldo Arcia RF
6. Trevor Plouffe 3B
7. Jason Kubel DH
8. Kurt Suzuki C
9. Pedro Florimon SS
Rotation:
1. Ricky Nolasco
2. Kevin Correia
3. Phil Hughes
4. Mike Pelfrey
5. Vance Worley
6*. Samuel Deduno
7*. Scott Diamond
3. Favorite / Least Favorite
a. Nick's Favorite - Committed to minors and rebuilding
b. Hayden's Favorite - Mauer move to 1B (and minors)
c. Nick's Least Favorite - Uniforms
d. Hayden's Least Favorite - No alternative at SS or 2B
4. High Heat Impact Player
a. Josh Willingham
i. Trade asset, Free Agent at season's end
ii. Pull-happy RH hitter could be great fit in Boston or Texas.
iii. If healthy, could have a bounce-back year and be dealt to a contender.
Source: FanGraphs
5. Prospect to Make an Impact
a. Miguel Sano
Miguel Sano is baseball's best power-hitting prospect and best smile.
b. Elbow issues
c. Average defender at third, but still needs to improve.
d. Some trouble hitting for contact, but does walk.
i. ~2/1 KK/BB ratio
e. But just absurd power
i. Just STUPID power
f. Potential midseason call up
6. Midseason Status
a. Fighting for 5th with White Sox
b. Fielding offers for assets like Glen Perkins and Willingham
c. Looking forward to Buxton and Sano
7. Bold Predictions
a. 69-93
b. Sano has early May arrival
c. Trade Willingham to Baltimore for Henry Urrutia
d. Trade Glen Perkins to STL for LHP Jaime Garcia
i. STL has pitching depth; Garcia only pitched 55 innings and still made World Series
ii. May have lingering arm issues
1. Minnesota could still take the risk; He's still cheaper than Hughes and Nolasco
**ALERT: TREVOR PLOUFFE TRADE POSSIBILITIES THAT HAYDEN SPENT FAR TOO MUCH TIME ON**
e. Trade Plouffe to BOS for SS Deven Marrero (maybe cash to BOS involved, too)
f. OR trade Plouffe to CLE for SS Mike Aviles
g. OR trade Plouffe to LAD for RHP Ross Stripling and cash
i. If neither team doesn't make play for Chase Headley in SD
ii. Clears room for Sano to get at-bats
iii. Plouffe is a rental for contender
iv. No room for Plouffe as anything but utility guy once Sano establishes his presence.
Podcast Playlist:
"Blew" - Nirvana
"About a Girl" - Nirvana
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