I was just talking with a "friend in the know". And now my distrust of the Pohlads went to a whole new level. Of course yes I am a conspiracy theorist!! and no none of these thoughts have been proven factual, or even accurate, BUT  when do we need provable facts to form opinions?

I have always factored in the potential of a 2027 work stoppage/lockout when proposing hypothetical trades, and how a potential lockout would impact the cost of players under contract.  One thing I never thought about is... what happens to players currently NOT under contract?

Am I the only one who has wondered why the Twins, claiming to be buyers and wanting to contend keep promoting lesser quality players from AAA, when there are future core pieces ready or near ready???  Of course each of Culpepper and Jenkins have had some injuries slowing their march to the big leagues. Along with Emmanual Rodriguez... although he is not actually back playing yet so a bit of a different story there.

Aaron Sabato has been raking pretty much all year, but really not a place for him with Bell at DH and Caratini and Lewis getting reps at 1B.  and at 27, he may not be a huge future core piece, so I am not questioning that move.  Wallner has been raking (and I have always said he is a notorious slow starter btu always comes on as the year goes on.  But again this is not the type of conspiracy I am now buying into. Where would he play? with Larnach have a good season, Clemens and Keaschall getting OF reps etc.  Wallner is already on an MLB contract and accruing service time.

But what about the first 2 mentioned. They both play positions where we could use a boost, either short term or long term.  with Buxton out again someone who can play CF fits the bill. Keaschall has been decent but Jenkins is the future. Kriedler at SS just isn't major league caliber while Culpepper is a potential future core player back and playing well at AAA.

Are the Twins actually manipulating potential service time on these guys (and maybe a couple others) to protect against a potential lock out NEXT YEAR?  While at the same time claiming to be "buyers" and "committed to winning"? My buddy has said that players will actually get credit for service time even during a lockout/work stoppage. While this in theory cannot be known as next year regardless would be under a new CBA which hasnt been negotiated yet, so you cannot say for certain how players will be treated. But it makes sense that the MLBPA will push for players getting credit, especially if it is an owner imposed lockout. Also, it is the ONLY thing that makes sense as to why the Twins continue to call up people other than the likes of Jenkins, Culpepper, etc.

Why would the cheap Twins want to start the clock on high end prospects, only to watch that clock tick by without them actually playing in games next year? It makes more sense to keep them in the minors to get a fresh clock on them next year and protect against losing controllable time in a lockout. If there is NOT a lock out for some reason, then they get to just start the clock next year anyways.

This could make "good" "business sense" but this is what CHEAP teams do, not what WINNING team do, and "winning" is what the Twins are claiming to be focused on.

Am I just conspiracy crazy? or could this be an actual reason why we are not calling up these guys?

In theory, you could make the "who are you going to take out of the lineup?"  question for Jenkins, with Larnach and Clemens playing well,  and up until now Buxton playing, and even with Buxton out you COULD say Keaschall and his OF development are equally vital.  But our SS position???  that makes zero sense!!!

Can you either talk me off the ledge or push me please?