2019 priorities. Literally, a group wide priority list

[DocBauer]

Our current FO has almost, to the day, been on the job, for 2 years now. And we've seen 2 drafts, 2 off season's of work, changes on the field, changes in the office, changes in milb staffs, manipulation of dollars, trades of those dollars and personnel, FA shots, and now a new manager...and a coaching staff to yet be put in place...after said FO was "saddled" with keeping the existing manager in place. (This is NOT about the merits of Molitor).

 

The coaching staff is not yet in place, the HOT stove is not even warm yet. The 40 man isn't even in place yet! But from TD ownership on down, there have been multiple opinions offered up as to how to build the Twins for 2019 and beyond. The FO has stated from day 1 they are looking to build a stable and competitive franchise. I'm not sure any of us truly knows their vision as they sure have made a ton of moves to bring in milb talent through various options, as well as a "somewhat" failed exercise in FA in 2018 to build on 2017. (Though even those additions brought back options for the future in several instances.

 

Please, this is not a pro or con about the FO in general. This is, honestly, an attempt to examine what is on hand, what is coming up, what options may be available for now and going forward. Think of it as coalescing all the various "blueprints" offered in to a more singular idea.

 

WHAT ARE THE GREATEST PRIORITIES FOR 2019? (And beyond)

 

It's really easy to say "sign or trade for an ACE SP" or "sign or trade for the best bat available". There are still real world constraints in regard to finances, (don't just play some "cheap card" after a record payroll), or the trading of quality prospects.

 

We all the names and where hope and potential could end up meeting. And we simply don't know how that will turn out yet.

 

In MY personal opinion, here is how I see priority rankings:

 

1] Bullpen: The game has changed, especially if you aren't fortunate enough to have a stud rotation. There are quality pieces here, others who deserve shots, but traditional starters or not, we need a couple quality arms here.

 

2] Infield: Do we move Polanco to 2B now? There are a ton of 2B options available to fill the spot and even improve the lineup, especially in the new age SO heavy launch angle HR game we are seeing.

 

3] Big bat: Someone to provide real power and production is needed. If for no reason than protection for the talent on hand and their continued development. Said big bat could be productive anywhere from 1-5 in the lineup.

 

4] Infield/OF/Big bat: Someone else, going back to #3, who can provide a legit bat and play a position, or multiple positions, to provide depth.

 

5] Rotation: I still believe in a quality rotation and pitching overall to build a winning team. But the game is changing. IMO, I am of the belief that the Twins have SP options present, and soon to arrive, to build a pretty nice staff if the pen is built up. I don't have any problem with a trade or quality FA signing, and would surely do a happy dance. But roster wise, all things considered, and I can't believe I'm saying this, rotation may be my 5th priority.

 

So there it is, my opinion. But overall, how do you rank the greatest priorities for 2019 and beyond?

[Jacksson]

Throw the budget out of the window. Build a winner but don't exceed the Luxury Tax.

1) Trade with the Reds for Raisel Iglasias

Sign Joe Kelly

Sign Zach Britton

Sign Jeruys Familia

2) Sign a Free Agent placeholder to play 2B until either Gordon or Lewis are ready.

Either an established MLB like Logan Forsyth or a Minor Leager like Kelby Tomlinson,

OR trade with Miami for Starlin Castro.

Position Polacnco 2B,SS, 3B based on the success of Gordon/Lewis.

3) Sign Bryce Harper = 12 years $501 Million. Will make points with Boras.

4) Trade with SF Giants for Brandon Belt.

5) Sign Patrick Corbin

Sign Dallas Kuetchel

Sign Derek Holland

Trade with SF Giants for Madison Bumgarner

 

Priority List resolved.

[rdehring]

I almost always like what you have to say, Doc.  And today is no exception.

 

Was awake at 3 this morning and made the mistake of thinking about the Twins, so I never got back to sleep.  But it was an interesting conversation I was having with myself.

 

Will leave thinking about the pitching staff for another night, just thought about the hitters last night.  The Twins have 12 active roster spots for position players, and 13 when they can cut back on an extra pitcher.  I will leave that 13th spot for Astudillo, who I really want to see more of in a Twins uniform.  Of those 12, you have a utility infielder, Adrianza is a good choice, and a 4th outfielder, Cave is also a good choice...that cuts it to 10 spots.  You also need at least 2 catchers with the Twins currently rostering Castro and Garver...cutting it to 8 spots.  There are some health concerns here as Castro missed almost all last year and Garver had the concussion at the end of the year and I just don't know how concerned they are with Garver being available for 162 games.  Do they do something here?  Maybe, but having Astudillo at Rochester is good insurance.

 

So that cuts it to 8 spots for 8 players that will play every day, 4 infield, 3 outfield and a DH.  The Twins have 5 young players, all with the potential to become stars or superstars...Kepler, Buxton, Rosario, Sano and Polanco.  Moving any of these would be a mistake as you would be to some extent selling low on a potential perennial all-star.  Maybe next year, but not now.  So that cuts you to 3 spots remaining, first base, middle infield opposite Polanco, and a position player who can also DH.  You have another young player who did well enough last year to merit consideration at first base, Austin, and I would stick with him for another year.  If he doesn't pan out, you can replace him next winter or move Rooker or Kirilloff into that slot. in 2020.  

 

So as I see it, the Twins have no choice but to wait another year to give this young talent time to mature.  Fill those two spots, middle infield and corner infield/DH, however they best can.  As for spending money, it doesn't make sense to even think about a payroll approaching what most people are talking about.  I would think that something in the $100,000,000 range or a bit less is all they can spend considering the few open spots on the every day roster.  And that also makes sense, cause if these kids do turn the corner, it is gonna cost a lot to keep them together.  And if these kids do turn the corner in 2019, they will be winners, and I am not talking about one game and out.

 

What's the saying some of us old fahrts have heard way too often, something about keeping your powder dry for when you will really need it?  Well, I think that may make some sense for the Twins this winter.  Not only do I not get joy out of spending the Pohlad's money, but this winter I think it would be a mistake. 

 

 

[DocBauer]

rdehing, I hear what you are saying concerning roster size. And barring trades, there are guys that you can conceivably write in ink for the 2019 player roster, even though we haven't exactly seen everyone play and fire on all cylinders yet.

 

But even then, there are holes and opportunity; 2B, a nice bat regardless of position, perhaps another quality utility player unless you pencil Astudillo in, etc.

 

I'm just looking for a group opinion as to what the order of priorities appear to be for 2019.

[gunnarthor]

I think Nelson Cruz should be our #1 priority. He's 38 so he won't cost us many years. I think we could easily do 2/35m or so. I'm not sure someone else wouldn't offer him 3 years but ....  Cruz would fit in nicely.

 

Generally, the Twins are going to need an infusion of talent as opposed to shuffling chairs around and there isn't a lot of talent on the FA market whereas there are a lot of chairs. Cruz isn't a chair, yet.

[scottz]

Bullpen and Middle Infield are my 1 and 2 priorities. I don't hate the "trade for Starlin Castro" angle above as a bridge to Lewis joining the big league team. He's signed through 2019 with a club option for 2020. Bullpen I expect that we'll sign 1 guy, not 2 or 3 like some want or think we need.

 

That's not everything, but that's a big start. If they can sign/trade for a good starter, I'm on board with that, but I'm starting to wonder if they will run out a bunch of our pitching depth as openers and attempt to legally manipulate the DL and/or 40 man shuffle to staff that kind of approach.

[tarheeltwinsfan]

I think the Twins are finally in a position to sign several quality FA's. We are all sorta struggling with what the Twins need the most, because the future looks very bright. I say sign a quality 2B I suggest LeMahieu (3 gold gloves, including the Wilson award for best 2B fielding last year) and  a batting championship). He can field and hit (even away from Colorado) for 3 years for 27 million. Sign Familia for 3 years at 27 million. Sign  David Robertson 2 years at  18 million. That is 9 million a year for each of the 3 of these additions, which is $27 million for each of the next 2 years and 18 million for the 3rd year. When Lewis is ready shift Polanco to super utility (remember Polanco is a switch-hitter,  or Polanco to 3B and put Sano at 1B).. Hope we get full seasons and improved power from Sano and Kepler. Defense and speed and a .250 average from Buck., and a similar year to 2018 from Rosario. Our catching will need to stay injury free. Our SP's need to improve a bit. And if a mouse had wings, he could fly. Go Twins. 

[Minny505]

On the position player side I'd like them to sign Machado. The payroll space is there for the next couple years and if this current core fulfills it's potential and they get expensive, then that's a good problem to have. Signing a bat first SS is about the best skill set you could ink to a long term deal as they have so far down the defensive spectrum to slide as long as their bat holds up.

 

That said, while we should be one of the final three teams in on Machado, I'm fine with the team bailing when the AAV gets to $39mil or so. Let the Yankees and Phillies fight for him at that point.

 

Once that dream has passed, sign Iglesias to a 2-3 year deal to play SS. That gives us two stud defenders up the middle. Iglesias slides flawlessly into a utility role once one of our SS prospects are shoving that door open.

 

Then sign Daniel Murphy as the strong side platoon for CI and DH. The squad has no one in the IF to swing a dedicated left handed bat...anywhere near the major league squad. He's a stellar hitter and has a smidge of positional flexibility.

 

The bullpen is a glaring hole. We really only have two reliable options in Rogers and May, three if you are counting on a bounce back season from Addison Reed, which is certainly possible provided security doesn't allow Molitor break thru and start making calls to the pen.

 

That means we could use 2-3 more reliable options. I just don't know how well that works to sign tier 2 or tier 3 guys in free agency. The results around the league are suspect at best. Maybe we make some trades? I'll get behind anyone not a Terry Ryan type (if those guys even exist in the league anymore).

[rv78]

I agree with everything Doc says as far as priority. 1.Bullpen, 2.Infield, 3.&4..Big Bat, 5.Rotation.

 

Bullpen, would have to be the best and easiest area to improve with the number of Free Agent relievers out there. 

Infield, everyone is thinking of Iglesias but I'd like to see a bit of an upgrade there and target either Asdrubal Cabrera or Alcides Escobar instead. Offensively they give you a bit more IMO than Iglesias and shouldn't be a whole lot more expensive. A 2 year deal is all that's needed. Lewis should be here by late 2020.

Big Bat, I'd lean towards Donaldson or Moustakas, that would provide some insurance at 3B if Sano is a bust again next season and also helps fill some DH time. I'd also let Grossman go and sign Michael Brantley to play RF. Again, 2 year deal should be plenty with Kirilloff due by late 2020. Kepler, Buxton and Cave can battle for CF. Whichever one is odd man out, well Sh!t happens. The other gets to be 4th outfielder.

Rotation, I like what we have, believe it or not. Berrios, Gibson, Odorizzi locked in, Let Pineda, Romero, Mejia, and the rest battle for spots 4 and 5. I think signing any Starter via Free Agency is just too expensive for what you get. Look at how well Lance Lynn worked this year. Pffft...

[nicksaviking]

Start using the farm to acquire strong bats and a frontline starter. Use the oodles of availabke free agent money on three relievers who can miss bats in the AL and use the rest of the money on the he best bats possible. These guys should be well rounded, extra base power AND good on base skills, not the either or lineup we’ve seen the past several years. Versatility all around is a big plus.

Don’t worry about the defense at this point. Get the bats and sort out positions/platoons later.

[Number3]

Machado and Murphy.......No, No, No, and no. Murphy is a total front runner; not a rebuilder. Machado is a hot head and, BTW, was useless in the playoffs for the Dodgers except for stomping on first basemen and making arrogance an understatement.

[RatherBeGolfing]

Clone Mike Trout as much as possible and somehow acquire all of them through trades

 

I solved it

[tarheeltwinsfan]

Can you imagine Joe Mauer acting like we saw Machado act on the field and saying the things Machado said in interviews during the playoffs and series? I want good players on the Twins, yes, but remember what some other players said about Mauer in their tributes to Joe:  "He is an even better man".  I don't know Mauer, nor Machado, and what I have stated is my perception... based on interviews and actions on the field. I could be wrong, but I didn't fall off the turnip truck on my way to town this morning.