Fangraphs (and other national publications) on the Twins

[GP830]

 

Pfft. What can the Yankees offer, that the Twins can't?

Lol. 

But seriously, if the Twins are in fact in the top 3-- the Rangers don't appear to be nearly as appealing as the Twins or the Yankees. 

 

If the Yankees are involved (which of course they are), then they stand to be the favorite-- but the Twins could represent a nice fallback option for Otani due to the fresh competitive window, and uncertainly in the rotation and at DH. He could get legit at-bats and pitch every 5th day here. 

 

 

[Mike Sixel]

I don't think money matters all that much. If it did, he'd stay in Japan for another year or two.

[PseudoSABR]

I can't help salivating at a potential pairing of Darvish and Ohtani.  I don't know how much the Twins should make of it, but I think that having a veteran Japanese player might be attractive to Ohtani should be a factor in singing Darvish...

[jimmer]

 

I can't help salivating at a potential pairing of Darvish and Ohtani.  I don't know how much the Twins should make of it, but I think that having a veteran Japanese player might be attractive to Ohtani should be a factor in singing Darvish...

I'm intrigued by a singing Darvish too, as long as we aren't talking Christmas songs :-)

[Thrylos]

Olney at some point suggested that Otani might enjoy a rebuilding situation vs. the Yankees, and he mentioned the Twins specifically, thus all this talk.

[PseudoSABR]

 

Olney at some point suggested that Otani might enjoy a rebuilding situation vs. the Yankees, and he mentioned the Twins specifically, thus all this talk.

On a random ESPN segment? Or a Insider article?

[Thrylos]

 

On a random ESPN segment? Or a Insider article?

 

Edit.  Was a column.  Here.   From there:

 

There have been rumors that he would prefer to be part of a rebuilding effort rather than joining an established power, but nobody really knows if that means he’d pick, say, the Twins over the Dodgers.

[dbminn]

MLBTradeRumors just released their Twins "Offseason Outlook". 

 

Highlight:

 

It’s an odd feeling to write sentences such as: “The Twins should have money to spend this offseason, and it’d be curious if they didn’t do so in a much more aggressive manner than in recent years.” But, that genuinely seems to be the case for the Twins, whose young core, pristine payroll outlook in 2020 and beyond and presence in a division rife with rebuilding clubs gives them an opportunity to reestablish their presence as an annual contender.

[diehardtwinsfan]

 

Olney at some point suggested that Otani might enjoy a rebuilding situation vs. the Yankees, and he mentioned the Twins specifically, thus all this talk.

 

It seems like that rumor has some legs to it. I've seen it pop up on more than one national outlet. That would be interesting, as we might actually be the front runner to get him in that case, especially if he's allowed to DH.

[SDTwinsFan]

I would love to get excited about Otani signing with the Twins, but I can’t imagine that would ever be his top choice. The Twins are a different organization, but they have also brought in 2 previous players from Japan and Korea and failed to get anything out of them. I realize that Otani is in a completely different world as far as talent, but you would have to wonder if perhaps the Twins didn’t help out enough with the transition? I can’t begin to guess how difficult it could be, and the Twins have failed twice.

 

Again, I hope this wouldn’t be a talking point in negotiations, but it would make me nervous if I was Otani.

[Han Joelo]

I'm mildly optimistic about this Otani deal for some reason. The best part is in my mind, Otani and Darvish are a package deal. This, rather than nibbling around the edges, would be the kind of move that could vault the Twins into the top echelon.

 

What do the rest of the tea leaves say? Does the new pitching coach have Japan connections? Didn't the Twins replace the longtime Asia/Australia scouting director?

 

Mild. Mild optimism. That's all I have.

[nytwinsfan]

 

I would love to get excited about Otani signing with the Twins, but I can’t imagine that would ever be his top choice. The Twins are a different organization, but they have also brought in 2 previous players from Japan and Korea and failed to get anything out of them. I realize that Otani is in a completely different world as far as talent, but you would have to wonder if perhaps the Twins didn’t help out enough with the transition? I can’t begin to guess how difficult it could be, and the Twins have failed twice.

Again, I hope this wouldn’t be a talking point in negotiations, but it would make me nervous if I was Otani.

I had the same thought, but the fact that it is an entirely new front office could make a difference. 

[Vanimal46]

Dave Cameron posted his Top 50 Free Agents list with his contract predictions. Along with crowd sourced median, and average contract terms.

 

https://www.fangraphs.com/blogs/2018-top-50-free-agents/

[gunnarthor]

 

Dave Cameron posted his Top 50 Free Agents list with his contract predictions. Along with crowd sourced median, and average contract terms.

https://www.fangraphs.com/blogs/2018-top-50-free-agents/

Chatwood at 3/30 would be a deal I'd get behind.

[laloesch]

Let's say the Twins do sign Otani.  Would he spend time in Chattanooga or Rochester first before deputing?  He's only 22/23 years old.  

[Teddy]

 

Let's say the Twins do sign Otani.  Would he spend time in Chattanooga or Rochester first before deputing?  He's only 22/23 years old.  

 

Oh, I have a feeling that he wouldn't sign with the Twins if he thought there was a chance of spending time in the minors.

[nicksaviking]

https://www.fangraphs.com/blogs/general-managers-view-who-flies-below-the-radar/

 

I love it, Fangraphs asked ten GMs to name a player and a member of the baseball personnel who flew under the radar. To summarize Falvey's answer regarding the player- You kidding me? Only a schmuck would tell you who he thought was an under-valued asset.

[gunnarthor]

 

https://www.fangraphs.com/blogs/general-managers-view-who-flies-below-the-radar/

 

I love it, Fangraphs asked ten GMs to name a player and a member of the baseball personnel who flew under the radar. To summarize Falvey's answer regarding the player- You kidding me? Only a schmuck would tell you who he thought was an under-valued asset.

That was Levine.

[gunnarthor]

Just saw a chat from Longenhagen the other day - https://www.fangraphs.com/blogs/eric-longenhagen-prospects-chat-open-the-pod-bay-doors-please-trackman/

 

In it he says the only prospects the last few years that were better than Otani were Buxton, Lindor, Seager (Trout and Harper excluded).

[drjim]

 

Just saw a chat from Longenhagen the other day - https://www.fangraphs.com/blogs/eric-longenhagen-prospects-chat-open-the-pod-bay-doors-please-trackman/

 

In it he says the only prospects the last few years that were better than Otani were Buxton, Lindor, Seager (Trout and Harper excluded).

 

He also rated Lamonte Wade as an everyday player.

[ashbury]

To summarize Falvey's answer regarding the player- You kidding me? Only a schmuck would tell you who he thought was an under-valued asset.

I dunno, teams like the Yankees and Red Sox tout one-dimensional prospects and then trade them for established players. Call Felix Jorge undervalued, and then see if he can be a key piece in a swap for a high-end pitcher.

 

That was Levine.

Wait, they're two people?

[nicksaviking]

 

That was Levine.

 

Geez, still hard to get used to the idea that this team's GM isn't the guy running the show any longer.

 

Apologies to Mr. Levine.

[Vanimal46]

Not Twins-related... Dave Cameron posted "2018 Free Agent Bargains" saying these would be the 5 names he would look at if he ran a contending team. 

[gunnarthor]

 

Not Twins-related... Dave Cameron posted "2018 Free Agent Bargains" saying these would be the 5 names he would look at if he ran a contending team. 

Fister signed a one year, 4m deal with the Rangers. I thought that was a pretty good get by Texas before seeing this article.

[nicksaviking]

I'd be interested in Tommy Hunter.

 

I also was asking for Carlos Santana a couple of months back but he seem to be getting more steam. I liked him as a DH/1B (maybe occasional corner OF?) with an eye on him being the full time 1B once Mauer is gone in 2019. The more steam he gets the less likely he'll end up being mostly a DH in 2018.

[Twins33]

Fister signed a one year, 4m deal with the Rangers. I thought that was a pretty good get by Texas before seeing this article.

He was an option I wanted if the Twins were going to sign a one year guy. Definitely would have done 1/$4.

[nicksaviking]

I've never been a big Fister fan. He was cheap though so it's not a big issue I guess.

 

But the Twins need two free agents better than Fister, heck better than Santana so I'd have no interest in his type at this point in the offseason. If the Twins accomplish the task of adding two big-time pieces to the rotation and there's a Fister-ish vet they can sign in February to compete with Gibson, Mejia, Gonsalves, Slegers, Jorge and May for the 5th spot, sure go ahead. Just don't make the vet any promises about a rotation spot just because he's making more money than the controllable younger arms.

[drjim]

 

I've never been a big Fister fan. He was cheap though so it's not a big issue I guess.

 

But the Twins need two free agents better than Fister, heck better than Santana so I'd have no interest in his type at this point in the offseason. If the Twins accomplish the task of adding two big-time pieces to the rotation and there's a Fister-ish vet they can sign in February to compete with Gibson, Mejia, Gonsalves, Slegers, Jorge and May for the 5th spot, sure go ahead. Just don't make the vet any promises about a rotation spot just because he's making more money than the controllable younger arms.

 

Twins aren't adding two pitchers better than Santana this offseason.

 

I would like a second starter signed on a one year deal, but would target an upside/rebound play over floor, so I don't have a huge problem with passing on Fister.

[nicksaviking]

 

Twins aren't adding two pitchers better than Santana this offseason.

 

I would like a second starter signed on a one year deal, but would target an upside/rebound play over floor, so I don't have a huge problem with passing on Fister.

 

Well my view of Santana appears to be quite a bit less than most, so it's not as big of an ask as it may appear. If they're unwilling to make those upgrades, then why are we wasting our time placing high expectations on this club anyway? They're not bringing home a WS trophy with Ervin Sanatna as one of their top arms. Not that I need to argue that, every report from the front office this off season appears to show they agree and are working on fixing the issue.

 

But I don't see how it's out of the question if the Twins truly are interested in Darvish. Sign Darvish and make a trade for another arm. They don't even have to go over their record payroll and they have the depth to trade away a few decent prospects.

[Mr. Brooks]

Twins aren't adding two pitchers better than Santana this offseason.

 

I would like a second starter signed on a one year deal, but would target an upside/rebound play over floor, so I don't have a huge problem with passing on Fister.

You're probably right that they won't, but I don't think it's much to ask. I don't expect Santana to be better than league average in 2018, and fear he could be significantly worse.

They'll need 2 more better than what he'll be, at a minimum, IMO.