Metrodome Memories

1)  Miguel Sano  3b/ss
2)  Joe Benson  OF
3)  Eddie Rosario  2b/OF
4)  Aaron Hicks  OF
5)  Oswaldo Arcia  OF
6)  Levi Michael  SS/2b
7)  Liam Hendricks  RHP
8)  Kyle Gibson  RHP
9)  Chris Parmelee  OF/1b
10)  Brian Dozier  ss/2b

The Twins signed journeyman starter Jason Marquis to a one year deal worth $3 million.  At this point, while the Twins pick up the pieces, they need some innings eaters and Marquis is a guy who can fill that role.  Last year he split time with the Nationals and Diamondbacks and had a fair year.  Durability has been a concern because he hasn’t thrown more then 132 innings since 2009 (when he set a career high with 216 innings).

Still, for one year and $3 million, you really can’t go wrong.  You hate to throw it a throw away deal but the downside risk isn’t really much here.  What will be interesting is this will be Marquis’ first year in the American League so it’ll be interesting to see how he adapts.

With Joe Mauer’s catching days in question, the Twins signed a reliable back up in Ryan Doumit to a one year deal worth $3 million.  Officially, he’s the backup to Mauer but my guess is he sees plenty of time behind the plate in 2012.  He does have some versatility as well so he’ll probably play at first base and in the outfielder.

He’s a switch hitter and while he put up nice numbers last year, it was on limited time.  He only played 77 games during the season because of a collision at home plate.  He did hit .303 though and he sported an OPS of .830.  In his career, he’s a .271 hitter.

In general, I like the move.  It gives the Twins a bona-fide option at catcher at a spot where the Twins have plenty of question marks.  Ideally Mauer catches 130 games but I don’t see that happening so Doumit will be there to fill in the gaps.

The Twins found their shortstop.  Jamey Carroll signed a two year, $6.75 million dollar deal with the Twins and he’ll compete to be the teams starting shortstop in 2012.  My guess is, with his experience and the amount of money they’re paying him, he already has the job but I guess we’ll have to wait and see what happens coming spring.

Carroll gets a $2 million signing bonus, $1.75 million in 2012 and $2.7 in 2013.  There’s also a $2 million mutual option for 2014 but it vests if Carroll has 400 plate appearances in 2013.  Carroll has been solid for the Dodgers the past couple of years and while he’s usually played less then 130 games in a season, that trend has been bucked the past couple of season.  There’s not a lot of power, but Carroll has a solid strikeout to walk ratio and a career .356 OBP.

Thankfully, the Twins 2011 season over and it’s time to look ahead.  The prospect lists have coming up and Kevin Goldstein put his top eleven Twins prospect list out recently.  They have one five star and two four star prospects so let’s look at some of the details.

Topping the list is Miguel Sano who pitched in the Rookie League this year.  The third baseman has a ton of power and while he’s listed as a third baseman, he could slip to first base or even end up as a DH sooner rather then later.  Unfortunately, he’s a couple of years away from making the big league squad.

Eddie Rosario comes in second.  He’s the 2010 fourth round pick and he was also in the Rookie League.  He’s another power prospect and the team is trying to decide whether he sticks at second base or becomes and outfielder.  He should be at Low-A next year with Sano.

Rounding out the top five are Joe Benson (OF), Aaron Hicks (OF), and Oswaldo Arcia (OF).  Benson is major league ready and he could be a starter out in the outfield in 2012.