Do you actually like any of these options?

[Mike Sixel]

The FA class, is, um, not stellar......I gotta say, I had to go way down the list until I saw a name I would even consider....

 

http://mlb.nbcsports.com/2016/11/03/2016-17-top-111-free-agents/

 

[Loosey]

After watching the World Series, I wouldn't mind having the Twins sign Dexter Fowler as a left fielder and lead-off man.  

 

That essentially turns Rosario into a 4th outfielder, which is where I think he should be.  I don't recall seeing him in the handbook.  But 3 years would bring him to his age 34 season.  Could be nice to have and could still be impactful by the time Twins are competing.  This also helps to ease Buxton into his hopefully future spot in the order at leadoff.  By the time his 3 years are done it could be close to time for Kirilloff to come in as an outfielder.  

 

BTW, where is the General Manager Challenge?  I have steaming hot takes I have to get off my chest! 

[Cory Engelhardt]

Same here on the general manager challenge. I really liked some things about the blueprint in the handbook, and really didn't like others (WHY IN THE WORLD IS DANNY SANTANA STILL ON A MLB ROSTER?!?!?!?!?!)

 

I don't think Castro signs for that amount, I almost think he could double that amount that is listed on the handbook. And if Josh Reddick is available for the amount listed (without a qualifying offer) I'd sign him. Fowler could be good too, but I almost think he is going to get a GREAT contract from someone else.

[Doomtints]

 

After watching the World Series, I wouldn't mind having the Twins sign Dexter Fowler as a left fielder and lead-off man.  

 

 

 

The Twins could have had Fowler twice in recent years.  It was no secret that the Rockies were shopping him around.  To me, Fowler was clearly underrated, young, cheap, and the Twins were starving for outfielders.  For a team like the Twins to pass up on Fowler twice made no sense.  If they didn't want to trade for him, fine, but he was a free agent later on.  

Likely the Cubs will pick up his option and he'll stay in Chicago, unless he decides to go for the big payday that he deserves.  We'll see.

[Mike Sixel]

I still like Castro as an option, if you don't believe in Murphy......or if you refuse to call up Garver.

[Vanimal46]

Justin Turner is an intriguing name. Though the $20 million price tag has me worried. Like that he's an above average fielding 3B with a good bat. 

Derek and Greg Holland, Brett Anderson, and Hellickson have been discussed in other threads. Whoever out of those wants to come on board for a 1 year deal in the hopes they can be flipped to a contender, I'm on board with too. 

[nicksaviking]

Looks like a good year to be a rebuilding team with a handful of desirable pieces with no real comps on the free agent market.

[TheLeviathan]

 

Looks like a good year to be a rebuilding team with a handful of desirable pieces with no real comps on the free agent market.

 

Exactly.  For the love of god look at that list and realize Ervin Santana and Brian Dozier have to be shopped aggressively.  Anything else is just a mistake.

 

There is minimal talent and even more minimal upside on that list.

[gunnarthor]

On the pitching side, I like some of the stuff Ivan Nova brings - ground balls, particularly - and I had hoped that leaving Yankee stadium would let him be a bit better pitcher and that the Twins could nab him on a cheap make good deal. But then he left Yankee stadium and rebuilt his value for the Pirates.  So he's probably going to get something in the 4/50 type deal.  I won't bitch and moan if the new FO does that but I don't want that.  The other guy on the list that sounds interesting in the Cuban FA Norge Ruiz.  I wonder if the new FO will change anything about our approach to international spending.

[TheLeviathan]

 

On the pitching side, I like some of the stuff Ivan Nova brings - ground balls, particularly - and I had hoped that leaving Yankee stadium would let him be a bit better pitcher and that the Twins could nab him on a cheap make good deal. But then he left Yankee stadium and rebuilt his value for the Pirates.  So he's probably going to get something in the 4/50 type deal.  I won't bitch and moan if the new FO does that but I don't want that.  The other guy on the list that sounds interesting in the Cuban FA Norge Ruiz.  I wonder if the new FO will change anything about our approach to international spending.

 

I could see him getting something even bigger than that.  Closer to 3/50 or 4/60.  

[Cory Engelhardt]

I still like Castro as an option, if you don't believe in Murphy......or if you refuse to call up Garver.

Or if you want a catcher who is top 5 in all of baseball in pitch framing

[Loosey]

I also like Volquez as a buy low one year contract type (1/$9M) he nets $12M with his $3M buyout.  

 

If he performs like 2015 he could be flipped at the deadline or god forbid the Twins somehow play better and the few upgrades they do this offseason put them in wild card contention territory in July.

[HitInAPinch]

I'd take a chance on Castro and Ramos.  Castro as a stopgap and maybe a 1-2 year contract on Ramos to see if he recovers from the ACL and can catch.  Greg Holland might be a great pickup.  Maybe a pitcher or 2 to maybe flip later.

 

Not really seeing a lot that would make me swoon...

 

[Ernestfickle22]

Lourdes Gurriel I think they should at least look at him but how much money would he want is the real question. 

[Ernestfickle22]

 

I'd take a chance on Castro and Ramos.  Castro as a stopgap and maybe a 1-2 year contract on Ramos to see if he recovers from the ACL and can catch.  Greg Holland might be a great pickup.  Maybe a pitcher or 2 to maybe flip later.

 

Not really seeing a lot that would make me swoon...

what do you think of that Norge Ruiz if we're looking for pitching he could be a guy to look at.

[gunnarthor]

 

I could see him getting something even bigger than that.  Closer to 3/50 or 4/60.  

Yeah, that could happen.  Weak SP market is only going to help him.  Santana at 2/23 looks great.

[Cory Engelhardt]

#14 Josh Reddick, 23 Norge Ruiz, 31 Greg Holland, 36 Jason Castro and 45 Brett Cecil, please. That sounds like a powerball ticket, but that would be an on base machine in the outfield, a potential good starter at some point, two potential strong bullpen options and a great defensive/framing catcher.

[Mike Sixel]

 

what do you think of that Norge Ruiz if we're looking for pitching he could be a guy to look at.

 

Very expensive, but if they have the money, yes.

[gunnarthor]

Reddick would be a nice get.  Gives the team a bunch of options.

[TheLeviathan]

 

Reddick would be a nice get.  Gives the team a bunch of options.

 

I'd be good with that.  I think spending on one of the guys who wants to record saves is the way to go too.  Like a Cecil or a Holland or a Feliz or a Storen.

 

We'll have to pay, but those are the guys that have upside.

[dgwills]

 

#14 Josh Reddick, 23 Norge Ruiz, 31 Greg Holland, 36 Jason Castro and 45 Brett Cecil, please. That sounds like a powerball ticket, but that would be an on base machine in the outfield, a potential good starter at some point, two potential strong bullpen options and a great defensive/framing catcher.

That's how you extend the rebuild another 3 years. Other than Ruiz of course. This team needs players who have not hit their prime yet. 

[Mr. Brooks]

That's how you extend the rebuild another 3 years. Other than Ruiz of course. This team needs players who have not hit their prime yet.

I think the idea is to grab a few lottery tickets with at least some bounce back potential and try to flip them if they work out.

That is a philosophy I agree whole heartedly with, one that Terry Ryan didn't seem to belive in, and one that would potentially have us in better shape now had we done it the last 5 years.

[Cory Engelhardt]

That's how you extend the rebuild another 3 years. Other than Ruiz of course. This team needs players who have not hit their prime yet.

 

None of the guys I am listing would be for super long deals. The twins absolutely need a catcher (Castro) Reddick might be 2-3 years, and the bullpen guys would be at most 2 years and could be flipped. How in the world would this in anyway stop a rebuild?

[mikelink45]

stick with the minor leaguers, trade the perceived excess and move on.  Nothing here but players who will get in the way in the future. 

[Cory Engelhardt]

stick with the minor leaguers, trade the perceived excess and move on.  Nothing here but players who will get in the way in the future.

[/quote

The twins do not have a major league caliber catcher who is ready to play. Just "sticking with the kids" in this instance could absolutely be seen as a disservice to the development of the pitchers on the major league roster, as well as the kids who are coming up to pitch. Maybe in every other instance we stick with the kids, but getting a few guys who have done good things in the majors before, while not breaking the bank (and not holding anyone back whatsoever) is a good thing.

[Thrylos]

The Twins do not need to look at that list.  They should look at the list of the 100 best players & prospects under 25 and go after a couple of them in trades.

 

Aging free agents will not help them rebuild...

[darin617]

i would think only names to chase are possible value plays like Luke Hochevar & Travis Wood. If anything sign some middle of the pack players you can get and flip at trade deadline to rebuild.

[Cory Engelhardt]

The Twins do not need to look at that list.  They should look at the list of the 100 best players & prospects under 25 and go after a couple of them in trades.

 

Aging free agents will not help them rebuild...

If nothing else, who should the twins acquire at catcher? I view a free agent as only needing money to acquire, where a trade you would have to give up a prospect. I would be ok with that route too, depending on the player. The position needs to be addressed.

[DocBauer]

I say a veteran 4th OF, a back of the bullpen arm to stabilize things initially, and both could be flip candidates.

 

I wouldn't be opposed to an under 30yo LH arm on the rebound, or converted to relief, for the bullpen. Flip or no flip.

 

Just not sure I see anything SP wise that excites me in any way, even as a sign low possible rebound candidate.

[nicksaviking]

On the pitching side, I like some of the stuff Ivan Nova brings - ground balls, particularly .

Groundballs sound like a negative attribute to me. If the new front office is like the old one in that they don't realize that targeting groundball pitchers and pairing them with poor defensive infielders is a bad idea, I'm going to be disappointed.

 

Groundball or flyball regardless, I think Nova is an NL only pitcher now. I don't want another one of those guys on a long term deal. Same goes for Hellickson. For my money when it comes to free agent pitchers, go big or go dumpster diving. There's nothing to go big on this year.