Don't forget the fact that you don't have to do any research on a bunch of new guys. 

Also, we no longer have to worry about who will be pitching in the playoffs. 

The biggest plus is for those who were wary of the Twins trading away the next Cy Young or MVP; the family is intact (err, minus Jay Harry).

8 hours ago, DannySD said:

Also, we no longer have to worry about who will be pitching in the playoffs. 

If they make it that far. Both Cleveland and KC and most of the other playoff contenders improved their rosters so it could be a serous challenge.

29 minutes ago, Karbo said:

If they make it that far. Both Cleveland and KC and most of the other playoff contenders improved their rosters so it could be a serous challenge.

Just because other teams APPEAR to have improved their rosters doesn't mean they have.  How many teams just traded for Trevor Mahle, Jorge Lopez, Sam Dyson or Dylan Floro?  If the ALL hit home runs, congrats, we'll have a dozen and a half teams holding up the World Series trophy at the end of October.  We don't know what the possibilities were or what they would have cost.  No matter how much some "sources" will try to tell you they do over the next few weeks.  Sometimes the best trades are the ones you DON'T make. 

45 minutes ago, dxpavelka said:

Just because other teams APPEAR to have improved their rosters doesn't mean they have.  How many teams just traded for Trevor Mahle, Jorge Lopez, Sam Dyson or Dylan Floro?  If the ALL hit home runs, congrats, we'll have a dozen and a half teams holding up the World Series trophy at the end of October.  We don't know what the possibilities were or what they would have cost.  No matter how much some "sources" will try to tell you they do over the next few weeks.  Sometimes the best trades are the ones you DON'T make. 

That is true. The question is, is this team better than it was in 2023? That team had better overall pitching I believe. Maybe Pohlevey are showing everybody a new way to win.

11 hours ago, tony&rodney said:

The biggest plus is for those who were wary of the Twins trading away the next Cy Young or MVP; the family is intact (err, minus Jay Harry).

The Jay Harry retrospective in a couple years is going to be lit!

1 hour ago, Schmoeman5 said:

The question is, is this team better than it was in 2023?

Yes, this is what one must ask themselves.  

My own thinking believes the league is stronger top to bottom, particularly Cleveland, Kansas City, and Detroit within our division. The Twins don't have anyone approaching a Bobby Witt Jr. in talent, however the 26 person roster comparisons still should favor the Twins in the AL Central. 

Certainly the Twins will need good health, specifically the return of Correa at shortstop. I do think the position side is stronger overall than last season, but Julien and Kepler were pretty consequential last year. Several players will need to step forward in their play.

Pitching? I'm a little concerned about the bullpen this year. Thielbar could actually come around though. He is right there with his stuff but inconsistent on command. Perkins postulated that Caleb is looking much closer to his previous self during the broadcast last night. While I still think Varland might have a future as a starting pitcher, it might be time to put him in the bullpen for the last two months. I like this year's starting rotation, which is debatable. Lopez needs to be less picky at times. Ryan has been good and may be really tough down the stretch. I'm not sure how much better Ober can be because he has been almost spectacular outside of his two games versus Kansas City.  Woods Richardson has been good and it will be interesting to see how he comes back from his rough night in NYC. I think he will be fine. Of note, Logan Gilbert was lit up on the same night. Not a comparison but all pitchers have rough starts. What can the Twins get from David Festa? I have been a big promoter of the tall feller. He needs to command his pitches, for sure, but he does have good stuff and is plenty fresh and capable of giving the Twins a run of good outings. 

86-76 might not cut it this year, so the Twins need a push at home in August.

12 hours ago, tony&rodney said:

The biggest plus is for those who were wary of the Twins trading away the next Cy Young or MVP; the family is intact (err, minus Jay Harry).

And with the saved money we signed our top pick and purchased a box of 250 new Pablo Day jerseys .

14 hours ago, Schmoeman5 said:

That is true. The question is, is this team better than it was in 2023? That team had better overall pitching I believe. Maybe Pohlevey are showing everybody a new way to win.

Doesn't have to be better than it was in 2023.  Needs to get into the playoffs and be better than the team(s) we play in the playoffs in 2024.

9 hours ago, dxpavelka said:

Doesn't have to be better than it was in 2023.  Needs to get into the playoffs and be better than the team(s) we play in the playoffs in 2024.

Oh, so the team that got bounced in Divisional series last year doesn't have to be better this year?  I didn't know that.  So just get in the playoffs. Play out of your mind. Get 1 or 2 guys who normally aren't difference makers come up big. That's more of a hockey scenario. But OK 👍 I hope that works out. 

1 hour ago, Schmoeman5 said:

Oh, so the team that got bounced in Divisional series last year doesn't have to be better this year?  I didn't know that.  So just get in the playoffs. Play out of your mind. Get 1 or 2 guys who normally aren't difference makers come up big. That's more of a hockey scenario. But OK 👍 I hope that works out. 

You’re describing last year’s NL representative Arizona Diamondbacks. So yes, the scenario works. With the expanded playoffs, 3 game wild card series and 5 game division series, the format is more of a coin flip than ever before. 

44 minutes ago, Vanimal46 said:

You’re describing last year’s NL representative Arizona Diamondbacks. So yes, the scenario works. With the expanded playoffs, 3 game wild card series and 5 game division series, the format is more of a coin flip than ever before. 

Did they win? Better yet, did they stand pat at the trade deadline? They added Pham and Sewald who both contributed down the stretch. 

On 7/31/2024 at 10:30 AM, Patzky said:

And with the saved money we signed our top pick and purchased a box of 250 new Pablo Day jerseys .

Or a 3 year supply of soda for the clubhouse. 

14 hours ago, dxpavelka said:

Doesn't have to be better than it was in 2023.  Needs to get into the playoffs and be better than the team(s) we play in the playoffs in 2024.

You mean  -- Post Season.

I think you spoke to soon, because now we're getting a slew of articles crying about the trade deadline.

14 hours ago, Schmoeman5 said:

Oh, so the team that got bounced in Divisional series last year doesn't have to be better this year?  I didn't know that.  So just get in the playoffs. Play out of your mind. Get 1 or 2 guys who normally aren't difference makers come up big. That's more of a hockey scenario. But OK 👍 I hope that works out. 

Need to be better than the team(s) we play in 2024.  Nothing more.  2023 has NOTHING to do with anything.

On 7/30/2024 at 8:12 PM, DannySD said:

Also, we no longer have to worry about who will be pitching in the playoffs. 

/ obligatory

2 hours ago, dxpavelka said:

Need to be better than the team(s) we play in 2024.  Nothing more.  2023 has NOTHING to do with anything.

So the Twins need to be better than teams that got better. And they do this by doing nothing and having less to do it with. Pretty solid logic. All athletes should just strive to be better by doing less or having less than the previous year when they came up short. 

5 hours ago, Schmoeman5 said:

So the Twins need to be better than teams that got better. And they do this by doing nothing and having less to do it with. Pretty solid logic. All athletes should just strive to be better by doing less or having less than the previous year when they came up short. 

You assume those other teams got better.  They got different players.  That does not, in and of itself, make them better.  The Twins got different players as well.  They just got those players in the off-season and sooner than the other teams.  Not all of those teams that made deadline moves will get better.  Some of them acquired the next Tyler Mahle, The next Dylan Floro, The next Jorge Lopez.  The next Sam Dyson.  And only one of them, or us, will end up holding the trophy.  Many, if not most, will end up regretting the moves they made this week when the players they gave up are tearing it up in a few years. 

I think KC got better with acquiring Lorenzen.  He solidifies their starting rotation.  But they did not address the elephant in the room as far as they are concerned.  Their offense is terrible.  They needed to get 2 above average hitters to help the 4 who are carrying the load.  
 

Cleveland got Lane Thomas who is a solid 4th OF but not a difference maker.  They could use a better hitter and a starting pitcher or two.  Looking over their roster, I’m surprised they made it this far.  Their bullpen is saving their team and their 3 big hitters Naylor, Kwan, and Ramirez.  I forgot who else they acquired at the deadline but overall, I feel the division is there for the Twins taking if they want it bad enough.

On 7/31/2024 at 5:13 AM, dxpavelka said:

Just because other teams APPEAR to have improved their rosters doesn't mean they have.  How many teams just traded for Trevor Mahle, Jorge Lopez, Sam Dyson or Dylan Floro?  If the ALL hit home runs, congrats, we'll have a dozen and a half teams holding up the World Series trophy at the end of October.  We don't know what the possibilities were or what they would have cost.  No matter how much some "sources" will try to tell you they do over the next few weeks.  Sometimes the best trades are the ones you DON'T make. 

Very true.

Trades have ripple effects often.  Roles change among other players. Playing time gets cut.  So it is not a simple matter of one player replacing another.  It is said, "be careful what you wish for, you might actually get it."