The Twins Off season Has Been A Success And I'll Tell You Why

[DocBauer]

Yes I admit it, in all things...Life...or more important things like the Twins...i tend to be an optimist. But I've been through enough and seen enough in life...and the Twins...to also be a realist. I'm also a highly intelligent person. (You will just have to take my word on that last point). I've been described as crazy a few times in my life, by people who know me very well, so any of you who wish to characterize me as such for my opinion here, feel free to do so.

 

But my contention here is that the Twins offseason has been a successful one.

 

Now, I am not saying it's perfect, or exactly to my preference or liking. Nor am I guaranteeing contention for the Central or a potential WS birth. What I am saying is that within context of the Minnesota Twins, who and what they are, and have been for the past several years, the steps that have been taken are good and the right ones.

 

Let us examine first what has NOT been done:

 

1] The Twins did not acquire a front end starter to team with Berrios and Gibson.

2] They did not acquire a top end bullpen piece to shore the pen as a whole, and thus the entire staff.

 

Either of those moves would be considered major "needle movers" to use standard vonacular. Why not? Now that's a loaded question. I have spent hours of personal reflection and debate, along with debate with an equally passionate Twins fan, my father, as well as doing a great deal of reading articles and opinions both here at TD and elsewhere. In fact, I read a whole lot more than I posted as I was reflecting. So why weren't those two major considerations addressed?

 

To me, the answer is simple. And it has nothing to do with ownership being cheap, which is an ongoing, potential straw-man debate for another time and place other than this article. In fact, money spent last year, and funds paid out so far this year, including the recent Gonzalez signing, vs "pocketing" money could provide context against such an opinion. But again, that is NOT the reflection/debate here. So what is the "simple answer" I mentioned?

 

Answer: From ownership to FO on down, the Twins don't know who they are yet!

 

If you are honest with yourself, I think you have to agree with this basic premise, grudgingly or not.

 

From day one, the FO, still on the job for less than three years, has spoken of building the entire organization, and spoken about "sustainability" which fans...US...have sometimes chastised them for. OUR job is to be fans and support them and debate them and blast them. I mean, we want a winner, rjght? THEIR job is to build an organization to support a winning team for themselves and us. Right? [For haters, do I have to state the obvious that a winning team creates more revenue?]

 

We have seen an ownership and FO that has eaten contracts, spent "free international money", made mid-season trades for prospects like we've never seen before to acquire potential assets, embraced analytics and built up that department, made organizational changes from milb managers and coaches to coordinators to medical staff and anything else you could list. It also appears we've had a couple pretty decent drafts thrown in as well.

 

But all of that is foundation. It has little to do with here and now and the impending 2019 season, and money, potentially, left on the table to add to the Twins themselves. I get it. I really do. Truth? I am pissed Parker is the only real BP addition made despite a plethora of available options available, no matter the volatility of RP in general. I have also been very vocal about the signing of Martin Perez because SOMEONE thinks there is magic there to turnaround vs just auditioning available young pitchers for his spot.

 

The Twins don't know who they are yet!

 

Right or wrong, there has been WAY too much attention and pressure attributed to Sano and Buxton. The Twins not knowing who they are yet is a part 1A and 1B scenario. Like it or not, those two 25yo coming off horrendous 2018 seasons, after exciting 2017 years, is part of the identity crisis. 1B is sustained production from Rosario, the further development of Berrios, Gibson maintaining, Kepler harnessing his ability, Polanco doing the same, etc, etc.

 

The Twins may not know yet who they are, but they like what they see. Pull back the curtain and see what THEY see in regards to 2019. And this is why I say the off season has been a success.

 

1] The Twins have an exciting new manager that has drawn rave reviews for his ability to know the game and speak to players. He has a new staff that blends different ideas, with a mix of experience, and even a few "old hands" who know the system on hand and the players within.

 

2] This new manager has taken the time to contact all current players and even spent time visiting both Buxton and Sano in person to speak to them about their future to themselves and the team. From all reports, it meant a lot to both Buxton and Sano. (BTW, the FO has been in contact with both players as well). In fact, Buxton was so juiced after meeting with Rocco, he stated he wished ST was the next day.

 

3] Despite a gash on Sano's heel, which will slow him down for about a week, he's reportedly in great shape. So is Buxton, strong, stronger, and ready to go and eager.

 

4] I really wanted McCutchen or Brantley for roster flexibility. But I can't blast them for Cruz due to his production, experience, and ability to help the entire lineup, as well as the young players on the roster. (Hello Sano). This is something Falvey talked about shortly before the signing.

 

5] In my dream off season blueprint, Gonsalves was part of it after Escobar was gone. I argued and posted about someone being brought on board for depth and roster flexibility. I have always believed in that even before Brian began to bang the drum so loudly. Just always believed we'd have to settle for one of the second tier options.

 

6] The signings of Kepler and Polanco. The FO obviously believes in these two, as do I. Are Berrios and Rosario far behind? We don't know, as even these were a bit of a surprise, even though there were advanced reports they were looking at extensions.

 

7] Cron and Schoop. I will miss Mauer for a ton of reasons we won't get in to here. And 1B with 20+HR power are a dime a dozen. Except, with all due respect to Joe, we haven't had that in a while. Was Cron's 2018 an illusion? Or did his adjustments and his first ever 500 AB make a difference? The 2015-16 Schoop was very nice. His 2017 version was awsome. We didn't get a really, really nice bounce back for 2019 here?

 

8] With health and additions, roster depth looks much better than in 2018. Anyone from Cave, Astudillo, Adrianza, OF newbie Michael Reed, Austin, Torreyes, a healthy Granite and Wade provide potential depth at Rochester we didn't have this time last year.

 

9] Addison Reed has history, and a solid 6 last season appearances to state he will rebound. Parker should help. May, with great stuff, an acceptance of the bullpen role, should be good to great. I dislike any sort of pigeonhole for Romero or Mejia in the pen vs a rotation option, but they are good arms who could/should help and can still be transitioned if handled correctly.

 

I'm OK without a major SP addition, at this point, waiting to see about prospects and trades for a frontline SP in the future, with Berrios, Gibson, and a rebounding Odorizzi and Pineda, full of potential, leading the way.

 

This is still a team learning who it is.

 

There are holes and questions to be answered.

 

But I have to mention a recent article where Gibson was interviewed and he spoke about Sano and Buxton and commented on their talent and potential and who you would bring in to replace them. (I am paraphrasing here). Now, you'd expect him to be positive about his teammates,of course. But his answers of "no" in regard to brining in someone who is more talented for replacement is hard to argue with.

 

To me, this is a team with vast potential still finding itself. And 2019, right or wrong, may be a make or break season for a few guys. But I feel the off season has been mostly handled well.

 

Feel free to blast me and express your opinions.

[Joe A. Preusser]

Wow, that was the Twins daily version of War and Peace! Well done, well thought out, lucid. I enjoyed the read. Agreed with much. Very excited foe the season.

[TheLeviathan]

 

Wow, that was the Twins daily version of War and Peace! 

 

I see you've just met our resident DocBauer....

[gunnarthor]

Ownership has yet again failed to provide support for the players. Everything else is just window dressing.

 

[IndianaTwin]

I'm with you throughout --.I've stated this elsewhere, but I think the M.O. for the front office is to make a fairly high volume of moves, hoping to nudge the needle more times than not.

 

I would have liked them to get at least one more legit arm for the bullpen (my preference was Robertson). Particularly when it comes to starters, I hope the message to other GMs in doing their due diligence has been, "We're not sure of who we are. We think we can be pretty good, and if see that's the case, we're going to be in the market for a rental by May or early June rather than waiting until July. I'm looking at you, MadBum.

 

 

[Kelly Vance]

Thanks Doc. I think you are right  about this. And I think the Twins think they have youngsters that are about ready. 

[diehardtwinsfan]

I'm fairly happy with the offseason. They got upside at most positions of need (Perez being the one thing I'm not to fond of). My only real gripe is not getting a shutdown reliever. Though Kimbrel is still out there, so perhaps that's an option still. 

[Dman]

I am optimistic about this team as well.  I think the FO likes what they have in their young core and expect most of the young guys to improve this year.  If you are a believer in Buxton, Sano, Kepler, Rosario, Polanco, Berrios, then you aren't spending money to replace them but investing resources to make them successful.  

 

I liked most of the moves the FO made this offseason.  I liked the potential bounce back Schoop signing.  Didn't mind taking a chance on Cron, and really liked the Marwin and Cruz signings.  I think all those move strengthened the team.  Some feel riskier than others but they all make sense.

 

That being said if the FO truly does believe in this team they really should have tried harder for a front line starter or at least strengthened the pen.  I just can't wrap my head around where we are with the pitching staff.  Granted we might have the best rotation we have seen in quite some time but if they were going to make moves that seemed like the best place to start.

 

They must have some sort of plan for pitching.  But if not then Gonsalves, Littell, Thorpe and Stewert could end up deciding how far we can go this year.  I hope they are ready.

[Blackjack]

Good read Doc!!!

 

People are tired of hearing it, and so am I, but the Twins really need to see how Buxton and Sano perform this year, how they do will make or break their season.  In the meantime the young core of Berrios, Kelpler, Polanco, Rosario get another year to develop, management can determine what they truly have.    Plus all the young starters, they need to see what they have.     And if you really LISTEN to what Falvine says, they are willing to jump in and sign a player or two when it will make a difference and get them over the hump, but that time is not here yet.    They need to see what they have. 

[Otto von Ballpark]

 

The Twins don't know who they are yet!

But, by the Dennis Green Principle, if they are who *we* thought they were, we can still crown their asses.

 

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nAN9ORwsiVA

[twinsfansd]

Starting to see some trends from the front office. First they don't like players that are injury risks. They have shoved out players that have injury histories and ones who are starting to age. (Think Burdi, Chargois, J. Reed,  Curtiss, Slegers, Dozier). They like to gather talent and wait for it to mature. Most of the young talent they have acquired in trades is a collection of players with skills that have yet to emerge. But there could be considerable upside in a lot of them.

They like  to have a lot of options for pitchers. Even if they are fringy, if they are still young enough to suddenly have a breakthrough, they are interested. Look at all the non roster pitchers they have stocked on Rochester's roster. And some of the signings they made during the season last year in the minors. And the continual flow of waiver claims that got shots during the season with the Twins. Some might even work (Magill for instance).

I think they fully intend to use their entire 40 man roster during the season. They want to have enough good young optionable players that they can shuttle players back and forth as needs arise, injuries, refreshments for the bullpen, and giving young players time to play and adjust as they ride the shuttle to Rochester. Somewhere I remember I remember Levine saying something along these lines.

They covet power, but also flexibility amongst their players(and even their coaches). Look for players to be tried at new positions to increase their value, look for pitchers to move to different positions on the staff.

So far I haven't seen them show much desire for speed other than the 2 young center fielders they acquired last summer. Other than Lewis I haven't seen a lot of speed taken in the draft.

[Otto von Ballpark]

 

Answer: From ownership to FO on down, the Twins don't know who they are yet!

I'm not sure I see it. This sounds like another way to phrase "they can't be aggressive yet because they don't know what they have in their core."

 

But I think they do know what they have in their core, as many observers have known since they took over. They don't have any/many stars, but despite the awful 2016, they had a bunch of cheap young players who are collectively pretty competent (Berrios, Rosario, Kepler, Polanco). Throw in a few older competent assets they inherited too, like the now-departed Escobar, Pressly, Dozier, and Ervin.

 

The results bear it out -- we've been right around a .500 team each of the last two seasons, because of this competent core.

 

Which is why it's frustrating to see the front office to add to the MLB roster, almost exclusively, with short-term competent upside veterans. Those types of players can serve a purpose, but for this club it seems be an over-reliance. I won't say we've "wasted" the last two years, but we've basically spent the cheapest years of the Berrios/Rosario/Kepler/Polanco core content to float around .500, flip veterans for prospects at the deadline, and looking at any pennant race action as a bonus. And if we're really waiting for some guys to become bonafide "stars" before we get aggressive, we're likely looking at another couple seasons of this too (at least).

 

They've done plenty of good things with the org too, so I won't call them failures, or call their offseasons failures -- but I'm not sure I'd call them successes yet either. At best, ownership and the front office seems to be settling into that .500-ish competence reflecting what they're content to put on the MLB field too.

[Otwins]

I still think (hope?) they will try and land Kimbrel. Why spend on Cruz and Gonzales and then not fix the biggest problem. I do agree they have improved the depth on the roster.  I also like that a number of their signings are still below 30.  If they prove to be a good fit then they can try and extend them. Bringing  in the number 1 starter will have to wait until the trade deadline.