Quote:
1. Make sure Carlos Gomez has a complete list of housing options in Rochester, N.Y., so that he will be comfortable while spending the 2010 season as the Red Wings' starting center fielder.
2. Get out from under the last half of Nathan's large contract (two years, $22.5 million) by trading him. The Cubs might take him.
3. The way the Twins treat a closer, it's the easiest job in baseball. Eddie Guardado did it successfully with a slider that broke two inches. With Nathan gone, tell Jose Mijares to show up in shape and he gets the first shot.
And who knows? You might have funky Pat Neshek back as the righthanded half of a closing duo.
4. Speaking of shape: Tell Francisco Liriano to show up 15 pounds lighter in Florida to demonstrate a renewed commitment to pitching, or suggest that he rent the other half of the duplex occupied by Gomez in Rochester.
5. Don't spend any money at third base. Give every inning and every at-bat in exhibitions to Danny Valencia and Luke Hughes; the guy who does the best at the end of March gets the job.
6. Install Nick Punto as the everyday second baseman. He's good all over the infield but he's a difference-maker defensively at second base.
7. Find a shortstop. Cabrera brought a lot to the team in two months, but his average fielding could turn subpar on the Target Field grass.
8. Jon Rauch has a contract. Matt Guerrier remains valuable. Beyond that, it's time to rebuild the meat of the bullpen with guys with serious out pitches, such as Anthony Slama's slider, Alex Burnett's fastball and Carlos Gutierrez's sinker.
9. Play Delmon Young every day -- even day games after night games -- and if he doesn't hit 25 home runs and drive in 85, dump him.
10. Sign a starting pitcher ... a real one, not a Livan.
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#1. Yes, please. He's got the options. Let him spend some time in AAA learning "twins baseball"
#2. I hate the closers role to begin with. Like Nathan...but wouldn't mind trading him.
#3. Mijares? That scares me. I'd prefer Neshek, like he mentions in para 2
#4. Of course...Liriano must be ready for 2010.
#5. YES!! Valencia is the guy. Hughes, if he works, is fine with me.
#6. I'd like to agree...but Punto isn't an every day 2B unless...
#7. We get that everyday SS. Cabrera is NOT the answer for the Twins at SS
#8. Yep. The rest is questionable.
#9. YES SIR!! D-Young needs to play consistently. Not keen on dumping him if he doesn't hit 25/85, but play him.
#10. Of course. No question.
In the end, I guess his article isn't anything special. #2 is the only "questionable" choice. But I agree with it. I'd also lose Cuddyer. If Cuddy and Gomez are gone: Young/Span/Kubel are the OF and that frees up the DH role for a solid FA signing or that hitter the twins have in the minors
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