Touch Em' All

Brian Dozier trade rumors have been around for a while now, and we're discussing those on this episode of the Touch 'Em All podcast, just before the MLB winter meetings. Also, what would it take to get you to trade Ervin Santana if you were in the position of the Minnesota Twins?Phil Mackey and Derek Wetmore discuss. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

The Minnesota Twins have re-hired Torii Hunter, LaTroy Hawkins and Michael Cuddyer as special assistants in their front office. It would be easy to be cynical about the "country club" optics of the move for the Twins, but Phil Mackey and Derek Wetmore argue in this episode of Touch 'Em All that it's a smart play for an organization looking to catch up. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

The Twins need an upgrade behind the plate, and Derek Wetmore and Phil Mackey disagree on how they should go about solving that problem. On this episode of the Touch 'Em All podcast, Wetmore suggests that the top free agent catcher on the market is Wilson Ramos. (Matt Wieters is second on his list.) Mackey says he could see the Twins going in a different route, and forgoing the free agent pool altogether. They also talk about Jason Castro, Mitch Garver, John Ryan Murphy, and the Matt Capps trade that was a big failure and hurt the franchise for years. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

The Twins need to boost their payroll -- and not where you might be thinking. Phil Mackey and Derek Wetmore discuss on this episode of the Touch 'Em All podcast the idea that building out the front office is a more important long-term investment than buying the latest free agent. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

SPECIAL EPISODE. This podcast is the latest episode of the Sports Analytics Department podcast, with host Matthew Coller. Check out his podcast on PodcastOne or iTunes. Matthew Coller and 1500ESPN Twins reporter Derek Wetmore discuss how new Twins management has a long way to go to catch up with the top teams in analytics. What areas of the game can they use to gain an advantage over teams that have been using stats for years? How can they use things like pitcher health, defensive metrics and swings at long-shot players to get there? Have a listen and find out... Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

The Twins have a pitching problem. It's OK to admit it. The first step to recovery is acknowledging that it's an issue. Phil Mackey and Derek Wetmore discuss 5 pitchers that could help the Twins solve their awful starting rotation. Mostly, Mackey laughs at Wetmore for 3/5 of his list as Wetmore spars to defend himself. Rich Hill, Jeremy Hellickson, Ivan Nova, Trevor May and Chris Sale. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Chief Baseball Officer Derek Falvey and General Manager Thad Levine have taken office with the Twins. Phil Mackey says it's the smartest hire the Twins have made in his lifetime. He and Derek Wetmore discuss.Plus, a behind-the-scenes observation on Levine. The Uber analogy. And two Sid Hartman stories worth sharing. Oh, and lots of Twins stuff. Buckle up for the offseason! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

The Cubs have won the World Series! And the Cleveland Indians had a terrific season as well, and came up just short of the top prize. What can the Twins learn from the success of those teams?Phil Mackey and Derek Wetmore discuss that in the latest Touch 'Em All podcast.5 trades that shaped the 2016 World Series.The impact of luck.The importance of patience. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

We're World Series obsessed on this episode of Touch 'Em All. Phil Mackey and Derek Wetmore discuss the ultimate sports movie -- will the Cubs win the World Series? Are you willing to admit you teared up when they clinched the N.L. pennant after waiting since 1945? Where's Steve Bartman at? And what is a realistic timeline for the Twins to compete for the top prize in baseball? Two years? Three years? More? Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Would you keep the Twins' coaching staff and manager around for next year?Phil Mackey and Derek Wetmore speculate on what might happen to the team once new baseball boss Derek Falvey takes over. Is Paul Molitor back next year?Is Rob Antony back in some capacity next year?Would you be concerned about the Indians' deep postseason run if you were with the Twins? Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

The Indians have already done something this season that should encourage you if you're a Twins fan. Phil Mackey and Derek Wetmore debate whether Andrew Miller's usage represents a good blueprint for the Twins to fix their leaky bullpen. Plus, some love for Big Papi and and a few unwarranted cheap shots. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

The starting pitching is the first on a long list of priorities for new baseball boss Derek Falvey -- or it should be, anyway. Phil Mackey and Derek Wetmore discuss other things that need to improve with the Twins for the team to avoid another 100-loss season next year. Starting pitching, a better plan in the bullpen, plus an interesting idea suggested by FSN analyst Bert Blyleven. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

The starting pitching is the first on a long list of priorities for new baseball boss Derek Falvey -- or it should be, anyway. Phil Mackey and Derek Wetmore discuss other things that need to improve with the Twins for the team to avoid another 100-loss season next year. Starting pitching, a better plan in the bullpen, plus an interesting idea suggested by FSN analyst Bert Blyleven. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Is Derek Falvey the right person for the job running the Twins' front office? Phil Mackey and Derek Wetmore discuss that question on the latest episode of the Touch 'Em All podcast. Falvey's background, a key insight into his thought process, and his connection to Cleveland's superior pitching are all factors in the Twins' favor. Plus, highlights from the '100 things that have gone wrong for the Twins this year.' Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Is Joe Mauer worthy of baseball's Hall of Fame?Phil Mackey and Derek Wetmore sort out that thorny question on this episode of the Touch 'Em All podcast, with a heavy helping of analytics. What makes a Hall of Famer?What has happened to Joe Mauer in recent years?Does his dropoff in production since moving to first base hurt his chances? Should it matter?What would he have to do to be a sure bet for Cooperstown? Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Brian Dozier has hit 40 home runs (and counting) in a season in which the Twins might lose 100 games. Is that a wasted season? If so, where does it rank? Phil Mackey and Derek Wetmore discuss on the latest Touch 'Em All podcast. Plus, Byron buxton's dimmer switch is getting brighter. And some unsolicited advice for the Twins in the search for their next president and GM. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Brian Dozier is on a tear and would be making more MVP noise if he was on a better team, which is a flaw in the system. Alex Anthopoulos is reportedly a candidate to be the Twins' president of baseball operation. Phil Mackey and Derek Wetmore give 2 reasons he'd be an intriguing hire for Minnesota. Is the light bulb finally on for Byron Buxton? Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

This is just the newer version of the 1990's Twins, right? On this Touch 'Em All podcast, Phil Mackey tells Derek Wetmore that we'll absolutely look back on this era the same way we do the futility from the '90s.The Twins are on pace for 100 losses. How many managers keep their jobs after losing triple digits? What would get you excited abou the Twins this season? And could they contend in the near future? Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

How many people does it take to fix a top prospect? Phil Mackey and Derek Wetmore take explore the humorous and the serious side of the Twins' approach with Jose Berrios, in the latest episode of the Touch 'Em All podcast. Is it unfair to criticize the Twins' development process?Some fun with the 2012 MLB standings.Are you worried for the long-term about Berrios?How running a baseball organization is blending art and science. Plus, the Twins have hereby been awarded the gold AND silver medals in one category. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Should the Twins really go after Alex Rodriguez? Phil Mackey and Derek Wetmore discuss why it could make sense on this week's episode of the Touch 'Em All podcast - and why they probably wouldn't do it. That leads to some interesting Miguel Sano conversation. How the Twins and Sano both have some share of the blame in this situation. Also, an update on the search for the new leader of the Twins' baseball operations department. They finish with three rapid-fire questions about the Twins and one member of the Dodgers front office. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices