What if Enver Pasha never became the Ottoman war minister?
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/İsmail_Enver
He was responsible for some of the greatest disasters suffered by the Ottoman army and also contributing to the poor harvest of 1914, thanks to ordering all military age men to report to the army where they could not all be processed (according to wikipedia that is).
His biggest mistake in 1914 was the battle Sarikamish, which cost the Ottomans a major part of their army, many of whom were veteran soldiers, irreplaceable.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Battle_of_Sarikamish
This is something I thought would be a better option (from the article): "Hasan İzzet Pasha was not in favor of an offensive action in the harsh winter conditions. He was planning to remain in defense. He wanted to pull the Russians to the Erzurum Fortress and launch a counter attack at the right time."
Even the Germans supported waiting until spring/summer, but Pasha pushed for it, ultimately destroying his 3rd army in the Caucasian mountains. Had he waited some of the logistical difficulties could have been rectified by new rail construction, ensuring a better situation for the 3rd army when the battle started. This disaster opened up the Eastern part of the empire to a Russian riposte, causing the campaign to be fought on Ottoman soil leading to massive destruction and civilian casualties in eastern Turkey.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Caucasus_Campaign
Other failed schemes he let go through included the assaults on the Suez canal and the army of Islam operation, during which he tried to take the Turkic areas of the Caucasus, meanwhile neglecting the collapsing middle eastern fronts.
I am suggesting the Enver instead becomes a diplomat or liaison with the Germans, letting the Turkish general staff conduct operations. The Caucasian campaign holds up better, repelling the Russians in the winter, perhaps counter attacking at a viable point, inflicting a reserve loss on the Russians opening the Russian Caucasus up to attack, drawing forces off of other theaters and perhaps even keeping the Russians from operating in Persia.
This could also head off the Armenian revolt in the Ottoman areas if they feel the Russians weren't winning. Thoughts?