Twins stuff from around the Web (Fangraphs, Twitter, Athletic, non-local news sites, etc)

[Mike Sixel]

Lilith
9:12 Please rank the recent manager hires: Bell/Reds, Montoyo/Jays, Baldelli/Twins, Ausmus/Angels... Which hires do you like the most? The least?
Jeff Sullivan
9:13 With the caveat that I don't know anything, I like Baldelli. I also like Montoyo. I'm open to the idea that Ausmus has evolved since his last opportunity. Bell interests me the least. Which is not to say that he'll be a bad manager, but I don't yet see anything exciting over there

 

John
9:49 Any thoughts on the managerial hires so far?
Jeff Sullivan
9:49 Baldelli seems like the most interesting of the four, but in all honesty I know so little about the managers who are already managing
9:50 Even having talked with beat writers and team people over the years, I don't think anyone knows what to make of a manager

 

https://www.fangraphs.com/blogs/jeff-sullivan-fangraphs-chat-10-26-18/

 

[Mike Sixel]

Baseball Guy
11:02 What do you think the Twins are thinking wrt Buxton? Is he in the doghouse enough for them to cash him in for what they can get? He'd like fine in CF in Colorado ...
Jeff Sullivan
11:02 His stock has never been lower. This seems like it would be a miserable time to trade him
For better or worse, I think he's still part of the Twins' hopeful formula

[Mike Sixel]

Jake: Have you seen Brusdar Graterol in person? Ace potential?
Keith Law: I have not. I’ve talked to multiple scouts about him, and the consensus was more high-end closer potential than starter potential, at least right now.

 

 

Jake: Kohl Stewart hasn’t seemed to live up to his potential so far, but his ground ball rate kept him around the majors… Do you think he ever develops further into a quality starter?
Keith Law: I don’t think so, unfortunately. I was way too high on him as an amateur/young prospect. His stuff regressed.

 

 

[Mike Sixel]

Jeff Sullivan: Twins did well to get Jake Cave

 

https://www.fangraphs.com/blogs/jeff-sullivan-fangraphs-chat-11-2-18/

 

[dbminn]

MLB Trade Rumors has posted their predictions for the Top 50 Free Agents, both price and destination. The put Nelson Cruz, Marwin Gonzalez, and Familia on the Twins. Others, like Grandal, have the Twins as possible competitors. Their predicted prices at the top end are crazy high (Harper, Machado).

 

 

[whosafraidofluigirussolo]

MLB Trade Rumors has posted their predictions for the Top 50 Free Agents, both price and destination. The put Nelson Cruz, Marwin Gonzalez, and Familia on the Twins. Others, like Grandal, have the Twins as possible competitors. Their predicted prices at the top end are crazy high (Harper, Machado).

 

Of course the money predicted is all hypothetical and imaginary, but if we're playing this game, I'd rather see them spend on McCutchen as an offense-focused addition and go cheaper on relief pitching. I like the Gonzalez prediction.

[Mike Sixel]

Vote
12:39 Does Joe Mauer play again?

 

Dan Szymborski
12:39 No

 

https://www.fangraphs.com/blogs/dan-szymborski-fangraphs-chat-11-5-18/

[dougd]

BPro listed Luis Milla in their Deep Dynasty Names to Know article a few days ago. Mostly played CF last year, signed when he was 18 years old. Potential 4th OF, not very impressive stats.

[Mike Sixel]

The Twins and White Sox haven’t landed a big fish in the trade or free-agent markets recently, but both have been close in some major transaction over the last year and may be swimming in deeper waters than some expect.

 

https://www.fangraphs.com/blogs/the-free-agency-analysis-fangraphs-doesnt-want-you-to-read/

[Mike Sixel]

GS(Athens)
1:07 I'm curious about Royce Lewis sticking at SS.  Are there some tangible, concrete skills he has shown improvement on and where would you see his ceiling as a defender there if everything goes right? Also, just moved to Athens, GA and tried Five & Ten. Acheson isn't in the kitchen anymore of course but it's still quite tasty!

 

Keith Law
1:07 No, I'm still a skeptic on him at short.

 

 

[nicksaviking]

I'll believe a move off of SS when I see it. If you're not elite defensively at SS, the prospect writers always think you have to move positions.

 

I'm not singling Law out on this one.

[Thrylos]

"Already this offseason, the Twins have been tied to Detroit Tigers free-agent shortstop José Iglesias"

 

https://theathletic.com/641483/2018/11/08/scott-boras-twins-offseason-plans-thad-levine-derek-falvey-royce-lewis/

 

[Mike Sixel]

Jordan
1:32 Have the Twins given up on Buxton? If so, I'd love to see some team trade for him and give him 500 PA next season.

Keith Law
1:32 I don't think so. I thought Baldelli might be the ideal manager for him since their on-field skill sets are similar.

[Mike Sixel]

Not exactly Twins' related....but it doesn't bode well if true.

 

Josh: Seems like so many teams are tanking/rebuilding next year in the AL. Could we have 4 teams 100+ wins in the AL alone?
Keith Law: I hope not. Some other team – the White Sox are really in prime position – has to see the opportunity to make a big move and pounce. They could be a 90-win team this year with realistic improvement from young players already there and the right acquisitions from outside.

[Squirrel]

GS(Athens)

1:07 I'm curious about Royce Lewis sticking at SS. Are there some tangible, concrete skills he has shown improvement on and where would you see his ceiling as a defender there if everything goes right? Also, just moved to Athens, GA and tried Five & Ten. Acheson isn't in the kitchen anymore of course but it's still quite tasty!

 

 

Keith Law

1:07 No, I'm still a skeptic on him at short.

It seems like someone asks this same question of Law every week.

[Mike Sixel]

 

It seems like someone asks this same question of Law every week.

 

I was surprised he answered it again, frankly.

[nicksaviking]

 

Not exactly Twins' related....but it doesn't bode well if true.

 

Josh: Seems like so many teams are tanking/rebuilding next year in the AL. Could we have 4 teams 100+ wins in the AL alone?
Keith Law: I hope not. Some other team – the White Sox are really in prime position – has to see the opportunity to make a big move and pounce. They could be a 90-win team this year with realistic improvement from young players already there and the right acquisitions from outside.

 

So far nearly every one of the White Sox young prized prospects they received for tanking look like busts. They may get some big money free agents, but I've rarely been more confident that another team has absolutely dropped the ball on their assessment of young players. 

[GP830]

"Yes, thank you, Mr. Law, but how do you feel about Royce Lewis being able to stick at SS?"

[ashbury]

"Yes, thank you, Mr. Law, but how do you feel about Royce Lewis being able to stick at SS?"

"I'd like to ask two followup questions. First, among SS prospects, do you expect Royce Lewis to remain at that position? Second, Twins #1 draft pick Royce Lewis was taken as a shortstop, but do you believe he'll play there in the majors? I'll hang up and listen, then call back with another followup if need be."

 

_{^{/ I'm sorry, I forgot this was supposed to stay focused, I thought it was a game thread}}

[Vanimal46]

 

Are you excited?!

[Mike Sixel]

Jack
9:24 With the Mariners apparently ready to withdraw themselves, the race for the AL’s second Wild Card next year will consist of the Athletics, Rays, and...?
Jeff Sullivan
9:24 I think the Angels will end up a dark-horse candidate, and then the Mariners and Twins will cling to distant hope
9:25 Depending on what the Blue Jays do, and depending on what Vlad does when he arrives in the middle of April, there's a non-zero chance there as well

 

https://www.fangraphs.com/blogs/jeff-sullivan-fangraphs-chat-11-9-18/

 

[bird]

 

So far nearly every one of the White Sox young prized prospects they received for tanking look like busts. They may get some big money free agents, but I've rarely been more confident that another team has absolutely dropped the ball on their assessment of young players. 

 

 

I see things very differently when I look at the CWS. Eloy Jiminez is the #3 ranked prospect in all of baseball and was among I think 9 Top 100 prospects for CWS. Many of those are among the prized prospects they received for Sale, Eaton, etc. Kopech had TJ but he's an absolute stud. Moncada and Giolito can't be considered busts by any means, and Cease, Basabe, Dunning, and Rutherford are all as promising as anything the Twins have in their system not named Lewis.

 

So I think Keith Law, if anything, is understating the White Sox's case. 

 

In addition to their haul via those trades, they have some draft picks and international signings that are looking like real nice decisions: Luis Robert, Madrigal, Steele, etc. There isn't a FO in baseball that would rank the Twin's pipeline over theirs. Longer-term AND perhaps even in 2019, I fear CWS most.

[Vanimal46]

I see things very differently when I look at the CWS. Eloy Jiminez is the #3 ranked prospect in all of baseball and was among I think 9 Top 100 prospects for CWS. Many of those are among the prized prospects they received for Sale, Eaton, etc. Kopech had TJ but he's an absolute stud. Moncada and Giolito can't be considered busts by any means, and Cease, Basabe, Dunning, and Rutherford are all as promising as anything the Twins have in their system not named Lewis.

 

So I think Keith Law, if anything, is understating the White Sox's case.

 

In addition to their haul via those trades, they have some draft picks and international signings that are looking like real nice decisions: Luis Robert, Madrigal, Steele, etc. There isn't a FO in baseball that would rank the Twin's pipeline over theirs. Longer-term AND perhaps even in 2019, I fear CWS most.

I'm right there with you, Bird. Nick's post about them being busts was wishful thinking IMO. They have been holding back their best prospects until they are ready to make the leap forward into contention. Could be as early as April 2019.

[dbminn]

From Dan Hayes at the Athletic via Connor Byrne at MLBTradeRumors:

 

"Had those two [sano and Buxton] remained strong contributors last season, Minnesota would’ve been more willing to go “full speed ahead” this winter in an attempt to catch the AL Central rival Indians, Hayes writes."...

 

"If Buxton and Sano do rebound, Twins ownership would give the team’s front office “the green light to take more of an aggressive step forward with this unit of players,” general manager Thad Levine said".

 

I've been skeptical about big things happening in the FA market this year. Seems the FO is reinforcing my attitude. I still believe any changes in the offseason will revolve around trades for young players or one-year FA. 

[Hosken Bombo Disco]

There's nothing Pohlad would enjoy more, than a season or two without Mauer's albatross contract inflating payroll.

 

Source: me.

[Riverbrian]

 

From Dan Hayes at the Athletic via Connor Byrne at MLBTradeRumors:

 

"Had those two [sano and Buxton] remained strong contributors last season, Minnesota would’ve been more willing to go “full speed ahead” this winter in an attempt to catch the AL Central rival Indians, Hayes writes."...

 

"If Buxton and Sano do rebound, Twins ownership would give the team’s front office “the green light to take more of an aggressive step forward with this unit of players,” general manager Thad Levine said".

 

I've been skeptical about big things happening in the FA market this year. Seems the FO is reinforcing my attitude. I still believe any changes in the offseason will revolve around trades for young players or one-year FA. 

 

I'm too cheap to pay for access to the Athletic so I'm hoping that there is more nuance to the statement. 

 

Because... My God... If Ownership is waiting for Buxton and Sano to hit the organizational go button? That's kinda like saying... I will buy a boat only after I catch a Muskie. 

 

Does this mean that ownership will not rely on the management team they hired to find players to rely upon... but will instead rely upon players who have been unreliable thus far? 

 

I'm really hoping that Thad Lavine is easily misunderstood when providing information during interviews.

 

[Jim Hahn]

It's kind of easy to be disappointed, frustrated, and concerned about what the future holds for Buxton and Sano. But the incredible talent both of those guys possess. If the FO doesn't have a bit of patience concerning those two, they will likely be making a mistake that could set the franchise back for years.

 

I suppose it is possible that either or even both will never stay healthy or figure it out. I actually think that is unlikely. The easiest, quickest way for the Twins to become a very good team is for the young core to reach their potential. I rather hope this FO is smart enough to give this group a little time to see if that can happen.

[Winston Smith]

 

I'm too cheap to pay for access to the Athletic so I'm hoping that there is more nuance to the statement. 

 

Because... My God... If Ownership is waiting for Buxton and Sano to hit the organizational go button? That's kinda like saying... I will buy a boat only after I catch a Muskie. 

 

Does this mean that ownership will not rely on the management team they hired to find players to rely upon... but will instead rely upon players who have been unreliable thus far? 

 

I'm really hoping that Thad Lavine is easily misunderstood when providing information during interviews.

The Athletic only costs 4 bucks a month, well worth it. Dan Hayes has been doing a really nice job so far on the Twins. 

[dbminn]

 

The Athletic only costs 4 bucks a month, well worth it. Dan Hayes has been doing a really nice job so far on the Twins. 

 

You pushed me over the edge. I signed up for the Athletic.

[Rosterman]

 

It's kind of easy to be disappointed, frustrated, and concerned about what the future holds for Buxton and Sano. But the incredible talent both of those guys possess. If the FO doesn't have a bit of patience concerning those two, they will likely be making a mistake that could set the franchise back for years.

I suppose it is possible that either or even both will never stay healthy or figure it out. I actually think that is unlikely. The easiest, quickest way for the Twins to become a very good team is for the young core to reach their potential. I rather hope this FO is smart enough to give this group a little time to see if that can happen.

They could still be the second coming of Carlos Gomez and Delmon Young, only playing for other teams.