Twins need a first baseman and a fourth outfielder who can play CF as Buxton insurance. Someone needs to win the second base job between Julien and Lee. We could use a veteran SP. I don't think Festa is quite ready, but he'd be great as a first man up injury replacement. Bullpen also needs at least one solid lefty. Aroldis Chapman shouldn't be too expensive should he?

1 hour ago, LambchoP said:

Twins need a first baseman and a fourth outfielder who can play CF as Buxton insurance. Someone needs to win the second base job between Julien and Lee. We could use a veteran SP. I don't think Festa is quite ready, but he'd be great as a first man up injury replacement. Bullpen also needs at least one solid lefty. Aroldis Chapman shouldn't be too expensive should he?

I think Yandy Diaz would be the best possible outcome at first base, like mentioned above, but do not expect it at all and will likely end up seeing a cheap vet there instead. Adell fills in that 4th OF slot as a right handed hitter, and can cover centerfield better than Margot did this year, so I guess thats a plus. I don't think 2B is a huge worry, I think both guys will bounce back fine. With all the depth we have in the upper minors, Id rather give the young guys a shot, and you'd sure think at least one or two or them will stick. Id rather have that than a one year bargain vet like Paddack who will be gone next year, as we all know that is the likely alternative.

My only suggested adjustments from what you've done don't trade for Diaz sign loan moncado to play 3rd move Lewis to firstbase and trade for Jesus lazardo for the rotation 

1) After yesterday lefty relievers available in FA are Hill of Yankees - Chafin of Texas - Coloumbe of Orioles………would go this way v. volatile Chapman at more $$.

2) Trade Jeffers and Duran to Boston for First Baseman Casas……they need to replace Kenley Jansen at the back end. Casas was hurt some in his 2nd year in ‘24 and still put up 120 OPS+. Stretch for Sox to trade him.

3) Take some of the $8.5M saved on the above trade and sign Travis D’Arnaud as a FA from Atlanta. Maybe $6M? Braves refused to spend $8M on option.

Everyday 1B - lefty reliever - upgrade defense at Catcher with offensive wash……get a bunch of Braves Catcher/Pitcher background as well, relating to organizational approach.

Might need to move Castro to afford lefty reliever? I’d keep him and possibly move him at the deadline if Lee/Keaschall/Lewis are playing OK. He may be needed?

I keep Paddack and get him into the Pen & try to make that a strength!

Paddack - Alcala - Sands - Henriquez - Varland - Lefty FA OR Headrick - Topa - Stewart - Jax…………Funderburk - Moran - re-sign Blewett …..,maybe couple young guys I’m unaware of………Canterino later in summer if healthy……. Raya in September?

I’m rolling with Buxton/Kiersey/Martin as CF depth chart…….for budget sake……maybe Castro as well if he’s still around.

I think you need to cut your roster budget down to between $120-130 million. Mine would be just under $120M.

On 11/1/2024 at 9:11 PM, Jim wyllie said:

My only suggested adjustments from what you've done don't trade for Diaz sign loan moncado to play 3rd move Lewis to firstbase and trade for Jesus lazardo for the rotation 

Moncada is trash. And I certainly don't want White Sox leftovers.

I think $143MM is way outside the realm of reasonable expectations for the Twins. Falvey has been pretty clear the $130MM figure from opening day last year is almost a hard cap.

I will disagree about Lopez, Ober and Ryan being the best top 3 in the league.  Actually, before Ryan went down, they WERE.  And you think the Angels might be interested in Paddack because he has upside?  Why wouldn't we want that?

On 11/10/2024 at 11:21 PM, dxpavelka said:

I will disagree about Lopez, Ober and Ryan being the best top 3 in the league.  Actually, before Ryan went down, they WERE.  And you think the Angels might be interested in Paddack because he has upside?  Why wouldn't we want that?

Because the Angels currently don't have much of anything as far as a rotation goes, as well as the Twins trying to save some money. Also benefitting in the long term, as Festa certainly has more upside than Paddack on a one year deal.

Nice exercise going through this cjm.  This is always fun to speculate and agree/disagree on certain ideas.  Here are a couple of things I agree with:

Jo Adell would be an excellent "value" for 4th OF.  He's a plus glove and would be an adequate backup plan for Buxton as a RH hitter.  I think Keirsey should be on your bench somewhere or if not, he's the call up when Buxton goes on I.L.  

I think your idea of Yandy Diaz at 1B is very good.  He's somewhat affordable at $10 but your $143 million budget is way out of line.  In order to have a chance to make a deal for Diaz, we need to clear Vasquez and Paddack and probably Castro as well.  There is no circumstance where the Twins will pay a bullpen guy $7.5 million.  Not even if he was the closer.  You need to trim the fat before you can make a deal for Yandy Diaz.  Castro has value.  Vasquez, while vastly overpriced has value, especially to a catching starved team like Miami.  Paddack has value to the right team in the right role. 

But with the exception of Castro, the primary objective with Vasquez and Paddack is to shed the $17.5 million in salary to free funds up to repurpose elsewhere.  Anything of value gotten in deals for those two is a bonus.

Caleb Ferguson is a decent LH RP.  He had some good years with the Dodgers.  But I would sign Chapman.  I'm not sure what his price tag would be, but I'm guessing $3-$4 million.  He has closing experience.

I like the ideas JDTwins added.  Travis d'Arnaud is a great target for catcher if the Braves refused his $8 million dollar option.  If you traded Jeffers and Duran to the Red Sox for Tristin Cases that fills the Red Sox hole at closer and gives them a catcher to pair with Connor Wong.  The Twins get their 1B for the next 10 years.  Would the Red Sox do this?!?  They might.  There has been talk of moving Rafael Devers to 1B.  Playing 3B has been kind of hard on his body and above all else, the Red Sox want Devers healthy and mashing.  Adding Casas saves the $10 million needed to trade for Yandy Diaz. 

There would be a need to come up with another catcher if both Jeffers and Vasquez were moved.  d'Arnaud could be the everyday catcher for the Twins probably getting 2/3 of the starts.  And d'Arnaud can play 1B and DH as well.  But somebody else would need to catch about 60 games.

Maybe Yoan Moncada IS TRASH.  Or maybe he just needs to get out of the hell hole that is the Chicago White Sox.  He only played in about 10 games last year and is always hurt.  How cheap would he need to be to be a decent gamble.  Considering him is moot if Casas or Diaz were acquired. 

Looking at your $143 million dollar budget it's clear you need to cut it.  Vasquez & Paddack are easy.  Castro would be difficult to replace.  Would the Twins gamble that Helman or Eeles could be the utilityman?  Would they look for a veteran infielder who wouldn't cost much like Jose Iglesias?  If Castro was moved, they'd almost have to.       

Some publication just rated the Twins as the 4th most talented roster in the American League.  That really drives home the point how badly the Pohlad family has lost this fanbase, bringing on the sudden announcement of the team being up for sale.  And what does that assessment say about Rocco as a manager???  He has the 4th most talented roster in the A.L. and he leads the team to a 4th place finish in his DIVISION?  

The Twins should contend next year.  They can try to run it back or make some blockbuster moves and re-tool/redistribute how that talent is spread out on the major league roster.  It's going to be fun discussing this ALL WINTER LONG !!  :)