Add Romero and Gonsalves to Staff!

[Twinfan & Dad]

I know that this is a minority and probably insane idea with our starting pitching construction but hear me out anyways. I think everyone would agree that last season our 3-5 spots in the rotation were a who's on first mystery until Gibson settled in after the All-Star break giving us a respectable 1-3 along with Santana and Berrios. Colon gave us a shot in the arm over a stretch and Mejia was up and down. We have May and Pineda recovering from Tommy John with May estimated to be back by mid-season. Our bullpen is much improved and as we have seen high end pens CAN turn a starters job into a 5 inning night. WHY THEN CAN'T WE TAKE THIS APPROACH WITH THE 4 AND 5 SPOTS IN THE ROTATION? Give the rookies a shot. Low cost, high upside and flexibility to make future trades without buying in to this less than desirable free agent class of starting pitchers. Could the rookies perform any worse than our 4 and 5 last year before the break? WAIT I KNOW THE ANSWER TO THAT-YES OF COURSE IT COULD BE A DISASTER! But it is a option. We can always find another veteran to be an innings eater or use Hughes or Mejia to serve as a fall back plan. THIS VIEW IS BASED ON NOT BUYING IN TO THE FREE AGENT STARTING PITCHING. I am however all in on a trade for starting pitching but not using Lewis as a chip. Just an idea so fire away Twins fans.

[Mike Sixel]

If be ok with this plan, if they don't sign a free agent. Makes them more ready for 2019, and gives the team more data.

[howieramone2]

 

I know that this is a minority and probably insane idea with our starting pitching construction but hear me out anyways. I think everyone would agree that last season our 3-5 spots in the rotation were a who's on first mystery until Gibson settled in after the All-Star break giving us a respectable 1-3 along with Santana and Berrios. Colon gave us a shot in the arm over a stretch and Mejia was up and down. We have May and Pineda recovering from Tommy John with May estimated to be back by mid-season. Our bullpen is much improved and as we have seen high end pens CAN turn a starters job into a 5 inning night. WHY THEN CAN'T WE TAKE THIS APPROACH WITH THE 4 AND 5 SPOTS IN THE ROTATION? Give the rookies a shot. Low cost, high upside and flexibility to make future trades without buying in to this less than desirable free agent class of starting pitchers. Could the rookies perform any worse than our 4 and 5 last year before the break? WAIT I KNOW THE ANSWER TO THAT-YES OF COURSE IT COULD BE A DISASTER! But it is a option. We can always find another veteran to be an innings eater or use Hughes or Mejia to serve as a fall back plan. THIS VIEW IS BASED ON NOT BUYING IN TO THE FREE AGENT STARTING PITCHING. I am however all in on a trade for starting pitching but not using Lewis as a chip. Just an idea so fire away Twins fans.

Berrios in 2016 is the reason why. Mejia, Gonsalves, and Romero with all get their chance, in the not too distant future. Lewis is untouchable.

[Doomtints]

I don't know why the Twins would ever sign a #4 or #5 pitcher, they would overpay for sure. These spots should always go to internal guys.

[nicksaviking]

I'm all for giving the rookies spotlight gigs but I don't think the front office and I know the manager aren't.

 

If this team isn't going to get Darvish and isn't going to trade for a front of rotation arm, they should roll with the youth because their only shot at getting over Cleveland, Boston, Houston and New York is to get lucky that one of the young guys surprises everyone and steps up to be some kind of phenom.

[Dman]

 

I know that this is a minority and probably insane idea with our starting pitching construction but hear me out anyways. I think everyone would agree that last season our 3-5 spots in the rotation were a who's on first mystery until Gibson settled in after the All-Star break giving us a respectable 1-3 along with Santana and Berrios. Colon gave us a shot in the arm over a stretch and Mejia was up and down. We have May and Pineda recovering from Tommy John with May estimated to be back by mid-season. Our bullpen is much improved and as we have seen high end pens CAN turn a starters job into a 5 inning night. WHY THEN CAN'T WE TAKE THIS APPROACH WITH THE 4 AND 5 SPOTS IN THE ROTATION? Give the rookies a shot. Low cost, high upside and flexibility to make future trades without buying in to this less than desirable free agent class of starting pitchers. Could the rookies perform any worse than our 4 and 5 last year before the break? WAIT I KNOW THE ANSWER TO THAT-YES OF COURSE IT COULD BE A DISASTER! But it is a option. We can always find another veteran to be an innings eater or use Hughes or Mejia to serve as a fall back plan. THIS VIEW IS BASED ON NOT BUYING IN TO THE FREE AGENT STARTING PITCHING. I am however all in on a trade for starting pitching but not using Lewis as a chip. Just an idea so fire away Twins fans.

It is a big jump from AAA to the majors for pitchers.  Berrios looked untouchable in AAA and miserable in the bigs.  Some transition better than others.

 

That being said I am not against trying the young guys.  I agree with Mike in that they should gain experience and get better as the year goes on and if they fail miserably there appear to be fall back options for the 4 and 5 starters.

 

Most teams don't like doing that though.  Each win early in the season is precious as the FO wants to keep fan interest up throughout the year.  Money talks.  Best to start with vets until they fail as they have proven they can handle MLB and have stats that give a better indication of performance.  Rookies are generally just to prone to making big mistakes.  So best to take that risk when the season looks lost or injury's force your hand.

[Richie the Rally Goat]

I'd be hesitant to throw a guy to the fire too early, but generally would rather give the 4-5 spots in the rotation to Romero and Gonsalves than Gibson and Mejia.

 

I can't imagine both Romero and Gonsalves are "ready" - maybe, maybe not. Mejoia could start the season in AAA on the Rochester express with Romero or Gonsalves as the 4th spot, Gibson number 5 (so the rookie gets the consistent every time thru rotation starts).

[SF Twins Fan]

The reason the Twins don't do this is because they actually want to win this year. Having a rotation of Santana, Berrios, Gibson, Gonsalves and Romero is a disaster waiting to happen. You don't put two rookies in the rotation to start a season when you have a legit chance, at least on paper, to make a run in the playoffs. Especially when those two rookies have a combined grand total of 5 starts at AAA. Also, as the Romero article that was just posted mentioned he's going to be on an innings limit this season of ~ 140. It's much easier to manage those innings in the minor leagues than it is in the MLB. 

 

There is ZERO reason to not spend money on one of the FA pitchers this offseason as long as the contract they hand out isn't 6 or 7 years. The Twins have plenty of money to spend before they hit their internal salary cap and barely have any players signed past this season.

[Shaitan]

Make them earn it.

 

One of the (many) problems with the 2011-2016 teams is that they handed the job to rookies who hadn't earned it yet, making them feel entitled to the job (in my opinion). Sano is about the only call-up in that period to take the job and run with it, instead of riding the AAA/MLB/AAA shuttle for 2-3 seasons as they figured it out.

 

 

[Richie the Rally Goat]

 

The reason the Twins don't do this is because they actually want to win this year. Having a rotation of Santana, Berrios, Gibson, Gonsalves and Romero is a disaster waiting to happen. You don't put two rookies in the rotation to start a season when you have a legit chance, at least on paper, to make a run in the playoffs. Especially when those two rookies have a combined grand total of 5 starts at AAA. Also, as the Romero article that was just posted mentioned he's going to be on an innings limit this season of ~ 140. It's much easier to manage those innings in the minor leagues than it is in the MLB. 

 

There is ZERO reason to not spend money on one of the FA pitchers this offseason as long as the contract they hand out isn't 6 or 7 years. The Twins have plenty of money to spend before they hit their internal salary cap and barely have any players signed past this season.

You and I have a different opinion of Gibson and Mejia

 

I believe this decision is more about controllability and/or player readiness.

 

I gotta think Romero or Gonsalves have the physical abilities to win more MLB games than either Gibson or Mejia, but don't yet hve the maturity to deal with the setbacks to recover and grow on a continud trajectory, yet... soon...

[Richie the Rally Goat]

Also, as the Romero article that was just posted mentioned he's going to be on an innings limit this season of ~ 140. It's much easier to manage those innings in the minor leagues than it is in the MLB.

 

 

How many MLB 4-5 starters exceed 160 innings in a year? Skip a start in June, one in Aug, and always the normal all star break hoopla, and your problem is solved

[diehardtwinsfan]

I think leaving one spot to be fought over between Mejia, May(eventually), Gonsalves, Romero, and Littell makes sense... not so much about 2. Between injuries and rookies taking lumps, that could lead to a lot of guys in the rotation before they are ready.

[Twinfan & Dad]

By not buying into this free agent class and using the rookies initially in the rotation with Hughes and Mejia as fallback options if they falter, it also allows us to be buyers at the trade deadline. Look at what our 4 and 5 guys did pre All-Star last year. A disaster. IF,IF IF we are still within striking distance at the break, we can be buyers if the opportunity arises plus hopefully May is back as another shot in the arm. KEEP THE FLEXIBILITY AND DONT OVERPAY FOR THIS GROUP OF FREE AGENTS!

[mikecgrimes]

If you know berrios and Santana will be fine then sure. There's a 50% chance one will suffer a long term injury or have an era around 5. We need depth until your 8 quality starters deep with no question marks you need more.

[diehardtwinsfan]

 

By not buying into this free agent class and using the rookies initially in the rotation with Hughes and Mejia as fallback options if they falter, it also allows us to be buyers at the trade deadline. Look at what our 4 and 5 guys did pre All-Star last year. A disaster. IF,IF IF we are still within striking distance at the break, we can be buyers if the opportunity arises plus hopefully May is back as another shot in the arm. KEEP THE FLEXIBILITY AND DONT OVERPAY FOR THIS GROUP OF FREE AGENTS!

 

We might not be in it at the ASG if this is the primary plan. I think they need to spend some cash. Had they done a better job developing talent, it wouldn't be, but this is what it is.

[ashbury]

For me it comes down to, "what is our window of contention?" If you think it starts, in earnest, in 2019 or even 2020, then you'll make different decisions than if you believe we're already well into it, and in that case much depends on how long you think that window remains open.

 

I say we're in that window now, and it will be a lengthy one, say five years. The latter half of the opinion means I wouldn't go all-in, in the usual sense (such as trading lots of prospects for MLB-ready talent), because that would make for a self-limiting outcome. But the first half means not taking steps that sacrifice the present too much, in hopes of "player development" or whatever. Moreover, human performance is fickle and unpredictable, so bad seasons can occur and still not change the overall window, ditto anomalous successes - the GM has to tack into the prevailing winds, each season.

 

So with that preamble, no, I wouldn't promote a rookie to this year's starting rotation, unless I am convinced that it won't cost even one win in April while the kid gets his bearings. Let the best prospects develop at AAA, like God intended.

 

Last spring would have been a different story.

[Dantes929]

There is plenty of anecdotal evidence of you guys coming up and thriving so I have no problem with one of these guys starting the season with the Twins but both?   First off, I think Meija has earned a spot and the top three are set.     If we get a guy then it is Santana, said guy, Berrios, Gibson and Meija.   If we don't get a guy then I think it is Gonsalves that gets first shot and see how Romero and May do after 2 months.

[SF Twins Fan]

 

By not buying into this free agent class and using the rookies initially in the rotation with Hughes and Mejia as fallback options if they falter, it also allows us to be buyers at the trade deadline. Look at what our 4 and 5 guys did pre All-Star last year. A disaster. IF,IF IF we are still within striking distance at the break, we can be buyers if the opportunity arises plus hopefully May is back as another shot in the arm. KEEP THE FLEXIBILITY AND DONT OVERPAY FOR THIS GROUP OF FREE AGENTS!

 

Every year teams are going to have to overpay for free agents....that's just the name of the game. If the Twins go into the season with Santana and Berrios and then 3 spots up for grabs they're completely shooting themselves in the foot from the get go. Even if they sign one free agent they still have plenty of flexibility because there will be injuries - there always is and Gibson and Mejia have been been good and bad in the MLB. Absolutely no reason to hand two rotation spots to rookies who haven't earned anything.

[bird]

If all you can trade for or sign is a guy whose performance peak is as a #3, forget it. Go front line starter or don't go at all.

 

We need a front line starter from outside the system. A guy who's at least a #2/3. 

 

We have to expect that as many as 8 guys will get ten or more starts because of injury or ineffectiveness. We have more and better candidates to fill out the final two rotation spots. 

 

What we don't have is third starter on the 40-man who inspires confidence of much better than #3-4 type performance, and frankly, there's a real possibility that Santana and even Berrios won't give us much better than that.

[Twinfan & Dad]

If all you can trade for or sign is a guy whose performance peak is as a #3, forget it. Go front line starter or don't go at all.

 

We need a front line starter from outside the system. A guy who's at least a #2/3. 

 

We have to expect that as many as 8 guys will get ten or more starts because of injury or ineffectiveness. We have more and better candidates to fill out the final two rotation spots. 

 

What we don't have is third starter on the 40-man who inspires confidence of much better than #3-4 type performance, and frankly, there's a real possibility that Santana and even Berrios won't give us much better than that.

 

Agreed but do you push your chips into the middle and go all in on Darvich or Arrieta as they are your only 1 and 2. We are the Twins and we wont have the opportunity to do this again until this contract would expire or do you keep what you have and see where things are at the trade deadline. I think the trade avenue could bear higher returns as long as Lewis is not included in the package.

[Physics Guy]

The Twins absolutely need to acquire a starter that slots into the top 3 of the staff.  This likely means one of Darvish, Arrieta, Cobb or Lynn.  I would love them to sign Darvish, Arrieta scares the hell out of me, and Cobb would be my second choice over Lynn.  I am not a fan of trading our assets from the minors to acquire one, but would be OK with a trade that doesn't involve Lewis or both Romero and Gonsalves.

 

I want to believe in Gibson's second half turnaround and Mejia's promise, but the odds that both pan out this year are at best 50/50.  Gonsalves and/or Romero will most likely get their chances during the season, even if they do sign one of the above FA's.  I don't want them both in the rotation to start the season as that severely limits pur depth.

[Twodogs]

I think one of my problems with trading right now is that if you are trading for pitching you will need to trade pitching for pitching along with some good hitters.  So as a result we get a guy like Archer and a couple of years of control and then 2 - 3 years from now the Twins are in the exact same position as they are in right now because they wont have anything ready in the minors to come up and take spots.  So I feel that if they have the money they might as well sign a top flight starter and let those young guys develop and in 2 or 3 years you can trade the top flight starter at a trade deadline once you have your own guys developed and as a result you get some young pitching to put right back into your minor league system.  Right now the Twins need to get someone to pitch for them now and maybe give them some value later.

[bird]

 

Agreed but do you push your chips into the middle and go all in on Darvich or Arrieta as they are your only 1 and 2. We are the Twins and we wont have the opportunity to do this again until this contract would expire or do you keep what you have and see where things are at the trade deadline. I think the trade avenue could bear higher returns as long as Lewis is not included in the package.

 

I've been under the impression that the consensus opinion is that any one of Lynn, Cobb, Arrieta, or Darvish would give the team better odds of getting #2/3 performance than Gibson, Mejia, et al. This may be an unpopular opinion with some, but I believe that if they're outbid for any of these guys, it will be a function of either player preference or a function of an intelligent calculation that tells them the risk is too high to put in a higher bid. If Darvish really gets 6/150, good for him, but I'll not be critical of Falvey stepping away. I don't have a clue myself about what constitutes an acceptable risk, but 5/120 sounded better to me by $30M. Then again, I'm perplexed all the time. For example, they're willing to go to battle with Gibson over zero years and $300k. Why? So maybe I'm naive in trusting an office full of smart baseball people to "know" where to draw the line, in both years and price, on these four pitchers.

 

A couple of days ago, I was a whole lot more hopeful that the market was cooperating and that one of these four would sign with the Twins for something less than the years and numbers being bandied about. But I still doubt that if they fail to sign any of these guys it will be because Jimmy Pohlad put a padlock on his money clip.

 

Somehow, I just have to believe that Falvey strongly believe they have to start the season with a third starter who inspires more confidence than Gibson or Mejia or Hughes or Gonsalves or Slegers. I have a hard time believing they won't figure something out here.

[Riverbrian]

I'm sitting here praying that the front office can see the (what seems to be) bright neon sign that indicates that the moment is RIGHT NOW!!!

 

I think the original post is an interesting argument, it's a great thought/discussion producing post and I tip my hat.

 

However... To answer the OP question posed: In my opinion the answer is both Yes and Emphatically NO at the same time. 

 

It's Yes: Because the Rookies are going to get that shot you are suggesting. It's nearly 100% guarenteed. It doesn't matter if they break camp with the club. By the time the season is over... We will need one or two or three or four of... Gonsalves, Romero, Jorge, Littrell, Thorpe, Enns, Duffey and Slegers to show up and do something for us during the season. Pitchers just don't stay healthy for an entire year. We will be counting on the rookies on the mound this year. 

 

It's also an emphatic NO: Because... what other skies need to open up before the Twins spend some money that could theoretically help a progressing team? 

 

1. A young team just made the playoffs and exhibited clear signs that they have some offensive and defensive talent that can produce wins. Go Get a difference maker... The time is now!

 

2. The Tigers, White Sox and Royals are all either rebuilding or starting a rebuild and therefore potentially weaker (on paper of course). It's also important to note that if we wait for our youngsters to fully mature like 2019 is the real year. The White Sox young core will be maturing along with us. There will always be a team to contend with... no matter how well you try to time that window. Go get a front line starter... The Time is Now!

 

3. We have actual starting pitching replacement depth for once. This is huge... it shouldn't be wasted. We need to consider that considerable depth in Rochester a huge plus. It shouldn't be compromised or rushed. A lot of people tend to look at spots 1-5 and mistakenly think that's all we have room for. History has shown that Spots 6 through 10 are also critical. The problem is that you can't store experienced non-AAAA arms in Rochester... you can only store players with options. With all the talk about windows of opportunity. The context is always: Is it 2018 or 2019 when that window begins? I look at this way. Having actual starting pitching depth possibly MLB ready in Rochester should be considered a WINDOW by itself. That's the true Window because very rarely do the stars align where an organization can say they have 5 or 6 MLB ready guys with options waiting in line stashed in AAA. We seem to be coming out of the darkness. We used to call up guys like Matt Fox, Cole DeVries, PJ Walters, Esmerling Vasquez, Andrew Albers, Johan Pino, Logan Darnell, Kris Johnson and Pat Dean to fill in for the injured. In 2018... we are looking at rookie replacements who are actually held in high regard, actually considered to be legit prospects. We have the luxury... (I can't believe I used the word luxury in context of the TWINS) of watching 5 young arms compete in Rochester for the next man up. We have the luxury of trying the next man up after the first next man up... if the first next man up doesn't get it done. This is a WINDOW that should not be taken for granted because it doesn't come along that often and it is very hard to replicate. You augment this window by signing someone at the Top End!!! Adding an average arm with experience doesn't augment this window. It just adds to the depth that is already there. Go get a Front Line Starter... A difference maker. The Time is NOW!!! 

 

4. Teams are watching their pennies this year. The big boys can always make a free agent signing cost prohibitive for us in normal years. With the Dodgers and Yankees trying to stay under the cap, with other teams saving some financial space for next years class. It's reasonable to assume that the Twins don't have to be blown away outbid by those money bag teams this year. Next Year... If we want to go get that guy in FA... Somebody isn't going to get Harper and Machado and have some extra cash to plunk down and blow us away like normal years. This year isn't the year to come up with some sort of algorithm that determines the true metric value of someone. It isn't time to worry about what kind of shell of an athlete will be left over at the end of the contract. The Free Agent Price is the Price, Supply and Demand will determine the Price just like it always has since Chief invented Money back in the old days. If you want a boat... you have to go into the boat store and pay what they are asking. Trying to determine how long the boat will last will only prevent you from getting a boat. There might be a boat sale going on right now and your organization is moving to lakeside property!!! This year is the year to pay the price and go get that front line starter... The time is now. 

 

5. Long Range Plans are in constant need of adjustment and typically long range plans are in such need of adjustment that they need to tossed in the waste basket, forcing you to draw up a new one on the fly. I fully expect that Falvey and Lavine have a long range plan... I really hope they do because good sensible management dictates that a long range plan is drawn up. However... If I thought for a second that either of them actually felt that the long range plan they have drawn up will actually happen... I would tell them that they are wasting their powers of clairvoyance on more profitable opportunities like the stock market or lottery. They will have to make adjustments... not making adjustments on the fly and just sticking to a plan is hubris and I'll have none of that. They shouldn't sign Darvish for the long term implications. They should sign Darvish for the immediate need and fully expect the possibility that Darvish might get hurt, he might regress, or even give up a 5 run 1st inning in game two of the World Series. You buy the boat because that is the price of the boat and you need a boat. You have enough Canoes. Go Get a Front Line Starter... The Time is Now. 

 

6. We have been under 100 million for long enough!!! We have pinched our pennies for long enough!!! I swear to everyone... I have never been a money guy. I have never said that the Twins should just go pick up a couple players at high dollar for the hell of it. I firmly believe that a team in the bottom third of payroll can win it all. I firmly believe that money isn't the answer. But we've been under 100 million long enough!!! We are in contention... we have a clear need for a front line starter... a difference maker... the Time is Now. 

 

 

[Richie the Rally Goat]

There is ZERO reason to not spend money on one of the FA pitchers this offseason as long as the contract they hand out isn't 6 or 7 years. The Twins have plenty of money to spend before they hit their internal salary cap and barely have any players signed past this season.

sorry I keep coming back to this post. There’s so many things going on here.

 

Do agree w/ this clause. Go spend the free agency dollars, or make a wise trade trade for an Archer type if you can swing the right deal.

 

My ideal scenario

 

Sign Darvish

Santana

Berrios

Romero

Mejia

 

Gibson long man

 

If not Darvish, Cobb slotting in #3 behind Berrios

[Twinfan & Dad]

Gordon, Romero or Gonsalves, plus 1 more prospect or Kepler for Archer. I'll take his contract totalling 30mm thru 2021. Last 2 years are team options. 4 years of control. We are already having trouble protecting everyone on the 40 man roster so we have the option to start cashing in on some of the prospects.

[Vanimal46]

 

I'm sitting here praying that the front office can see the (what seems to be) bright neon sign that indicates that the moment is RIGHT NOW!!!

 

I think the original post is an interesting argument, it's a great thought/discussion producing post and I tip my hat.

 

However... To answer the OP question posed: In my opinion the answer is both Yes and Emphatically NO at the same time. 

 

It's Yes: Because the Rookies are going to get that shot you are suggesting. It's nearly 100% guarenteed. It doesn't matter if they break camp with the club. By the time the season is over... We will need one or two or three or four of... Gonsalves, Romero, Jorge, Littrell, Thorpe, Enns, Duffey and Slegers to show up and do something for us during the season. Pitchers just don't stay healthy for an entire year. We will be counting on the rookies on the mound this year. 

 

It's also an emphatic NO: Because... what other skies need to open up before the Twins spend some money that could theoretically help a progressing team? 

 

1. A young team just made the playoffs and exhibited clear signs that they have some offensive and defensive talent that can produce wins. Go Get a difference maker... The time is now!

 

2. The Tigers, White Sox and Royals are all either rebuilding or starting a rebuild and therefore potentially weaker (on paper of course). It's also important to note that if we wait for our youngsters to fully mature like 2019 is the real year. The White Sox young core will be maturing along with us. There will always be a team to contend with... no matter how well you try to time that window. Go get a front line starter... The Time is Now!

 

3. We have actual starting pitching replacement depth for once. This is huge... it shouldn't be wasted. We need to consider that considerable depth in Rochester a huge plus. It shouldn't be compromised or rushed. A lot of people tend to look at spots 1-5 and mistakenly think that's all we have room for. History has shown that Spots 6 through 10 are also critical. The problem is that you can't store experienced non-AAAA arms in Rochester... you can only store players with options. With all the talk about windows of opportunity. The context is always: Is it 2018 or 2019 when that window begins? I look at this way. Having actual starting pitching depth possibly MLB ready in Rochester should be considered a WINDOW by itself. That's the true Window because very rarely do the stars align where an organization can say they have 5 or 6 MLB ready guys with options waiting in line stashed in AAA. We seem to be coming out of the darkness. We used to call up guys like Matt Fox, Cole DeVries, PJ Walters, Esmerling Vasquez, Andrew Albers, Johan Pino, Logan Darnell, Kris Johnson and Pat Dean to fill in for the injured. In 2018... we are looking at rookie replacements who are actually held in high regard, actually considered to be legit prospects. We have the luxury... (I can't believe I used the word luxury in context of the TWINS) of watching 5 young arms compete in Rochester for the next man up. We have the luxury of trying the next man up after the first next man up... if the first next man up doesn't get it done. This is a WINDOW that should not be taken for granted because it doesn't come along that often and it is very hard to replicate. You augment this window by signing someone at the Top End!!! Adding an average arm with experience doesn't augment this window. It just adds to the depth that is already there. Go get a Front Line Starter... A difference maker. The Time is NOW!!! 

 

4. Teams are watching their pennies this year. The big boys can always make a free agent signing cost prohibitive for us in normal years. With the Dodgers and Yankees trying to stay under the cap, with other teams saving some financial space for next years class. It's reasonable to assume that the Twins don't have to be blown away outbid by those money bag teams this year. Next Year... If we want to go get that guy in FA... Somebody isn't going to get Harper and Machado and have some extra cash to plunk down and blow us away like normal years. This year isn't the year to come up with some sort of algorithm that determines the true metric value of someone. It isn't time to worry about what kind of shell of an athlete will be left over at the end of the contract. The Free Agent Price is the Price, Supply and Demand will determine the Price just like it always has since Chief invented Money back in the old days. If you want a boat... you have to go into the boat store and pay what they are asking. Trying to determine how long the boat will last will only prevent you from getting a boat. There might be a boat sale going on right now and your organization is moving to lakeside property!!! This year is the year to pay the price and go get that front line starter... The time is now. 

 

5. Long Range Plans are in constant need of adjustment and typically long range plans are in such need of adjustment that they need to tossed in the waste basket, forcing you to draw up a new one on the fly. I fully expect that Falvey and Lavine have a long range plan... I really hope they do because good sensible management dictates that a long range plan is drawn up. However... If I thought for a second that either of them actually felt that the long range plan they have drawn up will actually happen... I would tell them that they are wasting their powers of clairvoyance on more profitable opportunities like the stock market or lottery. They will have to make adjustments... not making adjustments on the fly and just sticking to a plan is hubris and I'll have none of that. They shouldn't sign Darvish for the long term implications. They should sign Darvish for the immediate need and fully expect the possibility that Darvish might get hurt, he might regress, or even give up a 5 run 1st inning in game two of the World Series. You buy the boat because that is the price of the boat and you need a boat. You have enough Canoes. Go Get a Front Line Starter... The Time is Now. 

 

6. We have been under 100 million for long enough!!! We have pinched our pennies for long enough!!! I swear to everyone... I have never been a money guy. I have never said that the Twins should just go pick up a couple players at high dollar for the hell of it. I firmly believe that a team in the bottom third of payroll can win it all. I firmly believe that money isn't the answer. But we've been under 100 million long enough!!! We are in contention... we have a clear need for a front line starter... a difference maker... the Time is Now. 

 

 

http://s3-ak.buzzfeed.com/static/enhanced/webdr05/2013/9/18/10/anigif_enhanced-buzz-3888-1379516040-6.gif

 

 

You've unlocked my child-like excitement for sports with this post, RB! 

 

So... LET'S DO IT!!!! What are we going to do?! I'M REALLY REALLY EXCITED!!!!

 

DARVISH!

[FormerMinnasotan]

As much as I like both Gonsalves and Romero I don’t agree. I do believe Gonsalves will spend a good amount of time with the Twins, but with some of his struggles in Rochester last year I want to see him dominate AAA, like he has done at every other level till I bring Gonsalves up. I also believe he’ll be here between June or July as I think he’ll do what he needs to get called up.

 

As for Romero I think he is further behind Gonsalves in his timetable to be called up to the bigs. Yes, he has a powerful fastball, but from what I have herd he still needs to work on command/control and to improve his slider and change up. Now if he flat out dominates in AAA he’s going to force the issue, but for now IMO I feel Romero has more to learn and improve on. After seeing Berrios get shelled in ‘16 I don’t want a repeat with either Gonsalves or Romero.

[Danchat]

I'm more of a "play the rookies" guy, but I'd wait for Gonsalves and Romero to ready themselves in AAA before we give them a spot in the rotation. If Gonsalves is dominating in AAA from April to May, then I would prepare to call him up - injuries happen and it'll be more than likely that a roster spot will be opened up. Romero's a little more difficult as he has the innings limit and he hasn't pitched in AAA yet. I don't think he cracks the major league roster until late summer at earliest. He might end up being like 2017 Mejia - somewhat effective the majors but unable to go deep into games.

 

Speaking of Mejia, perhaps we'll see him take a leap forward in his sophomore year like Berrios did. His ceiling is obviously much lower than Berrios' but I think it will happen.

 

And I'm all aboard with what Riverbrian is saying. Whether we like it or not, our #6-10 starting pitchers will probably be pitching extensive innings so they might as well stock up on options and create a "logjam". The more the merrier - they definitely need to add at least one starter.