World Series or Bust

[twinscowboysbulls]

Looks that way, doesn't it?

 

We are clearly built for a bright overall future, but Cruz and Donaldson are at the tail end of their careers likely and will provide a big push for the middle of our lineup. 

 

If the Twinkies can get to July with a good record, it's time to deplete the farm system for the right arms. 

 

 

[oregontwin]

It's never time to deplete the farm system. Doing so doesn't guarantee a WS title, but does make future contention problematical for decades for a mid-market team.

[Doctor Gast]

Deplete is a strong word. We don`t need to deplete the farm. I`m sure that the FO can swing a deal for an impact arm w/ plenty of up side w/o affecting the future of the club. Although now w/ the Donaldson deal the FO has given us a path to the WS only piece missing is an arm.

[howeda7]

This irrational exuberance makes me uneasy as a MN sports fan. Wrap the entire roster in bubble wrap until opening day. Skip Spring Training.

[dex8425]

 

This irrational exuberance makes me uneasy as a MN sports fan. Wrap the entire roster in bubble wrap until opening day. Skip Spring Training.

I feel kinda the same way, except that I'm going to ST, so don't skip that. Can't wait for February!

[nicksaviking]

I don't think you need to go anywhere close to depleting the farm. The team needs one big arm and I don't think I've ever seen a deal where more than four prospects move for one player, and the Twins have way more than just four good prospects.

[howieramone2]

As we continue to dominate the Central, we will see our strong and very deep farm system move closer to the mean over time. At this point in time, I expect a blockbuster shortly, followed by at least one solid move at the deadline.

[Diesel]

There’s 6 guys in the top 100 prospect lists. I’m going to assume the system won’t be depleted barring some astronomic trade (Arenado/Trout/DeGrom level).

[tarheeltwinsfan]

 

I feel kinda the same way, except that I'm going to ST, so don't skip that. Can't wait for February!

Me too. First week of games: Blue Jays, Red Sox, Phillies and Red Sox again.

[Number3]

Title of thread is "World Series or Bust". That leaves 2 options. Other than Donaldson, the team is essentially the same one that did win 101 games last year but relied heavily on leading MLB in 4 baggers and a great pre All Star record. Cleveland still was making a run until Sano's memorable slam that took the wind out of their sails. Bust is a real possibility (please see Twins record after Molitor's MOY award.)

Just go out and play games and let the record speak for itself. Teams (or fans on their behalf) that anoint themselves during the off season rarely make it. All you have to do is go no further back than last years Phillies who had themselves drinking champagne after signing Harper.

[SomeGuy]

 

Looks that way, doesn't it?

 

We are clearly built for a bright overall future, but Cruz and Donaldson are at the tail end of their careers likely and will provide a big push for the middle of our lineup. 

 

If the Twinkies can get to July with a good record, it's time to deplete the farm system for the right arms. 

I wouldn't really categorize Donaldson as at the "tail end" of his career.  He will be younger than Cruz is now at the end of the 5 year deal.

 

I expect the Twins to use the same caution with trading prospects going forward. They will pull the trigger on some trades if we are in a position to win but they won't overpay or leave us in a position where the farm system is not a strength.

[Dantes929]

 

Title of thread is "World Series or Bust". That leaves 2 options. Other than Donaldson, the team is essentially the same one that did win 101 games last year but relied heavily on leading MLB in 4 baggers and a great pre All Star record. Cleveland still was making a run until Sano's memorable slam that took the wind out of their sails. Bust is a real possibility (please see Twins record after Molitor's MOY award.)

Just go out and play games and let the record speak for itself. Teams (or fans on their behalf) that anoint themselves during the off season rarely make it. All you have to do is go no further back than last years Phillies who had themselves drinking champagne after signing Harper.

Or the flip side.   Look at the first comment in this video.    

Fact is no one knows what it takes to win a World Series before it happens.    If the playoffs had started a week earlier or a week later it is quite possible two different teams would have ended up in the World Series.    Consider that if instead of old washed up coming off two mediocre season Jack Morris we had acquired 1990 Cy Young winner  Bob Welch or runner up Roger Clemens we might not have won the 91 World Series.    If there was a game 7 odds are the Braves would have likely scored at least 1 run against either one of them.    The only thing you can do before October is qualify to play in October.  As far as gutting the system goes I am all for the long term approach but it depends where we are at the time.   If guys are having good seasons in the minors and are perceived to be major league ready but are blocked at the major league level and we might lose them anyway then yes either trade them for a good current major leaguer or trade to a team that needs current near ready talent for highly rated prospect that are a year or two from ready,, preferably pitchers.   The management of this dynamic is where the front office earns their salt in my opinion.   I know its a little bit of a foreign concept that unproven minor leaguers might actually end up as good major leaguers but Sano, Polanco, Arraiz, Kepler, Buxton, Rosario, Kepler, Garver, Rogers, Berrios, May, Duffey are all one time prospects that were often mentioned on here as expendable.  Maybe we would have been better if some had been traded, who knows.   I just prefer to keep a strong system rather than going all in.

[cmoss84]

 

There’s 6 guys in the top 100 prospect lists. I’m going to assume the system won’t be depleted barring some astronomic trade (Arenado/Trout/DeGrom level).

Have an idea. A ground-breaking one. Trade Rosario and all of our top 100 prospects for Trout. 

 

Trout plays left-center and Buxton plays right center. We play with an extra infielder. Who says they would have a bad infield defense then! Problem solved! 

[Tomj14]

 

Looks that way, doesn't it?

 

We are clearly built for a bright overall future, but Cruz and Donaldson are at the tail end of their careers likely and will provide a big push for the middle of our lineup. 

 

If the Twinkies can get to July with a good record, it's time to deplete the farm system for the right arms. 

Going to assume this is sarcasm?

Donaldson is 34, and NOBODY is saying deplete the farm system.

[Twins1964]

 

Looks that way, doesn't it?

 

We are clearly built for a bright overall future, but Cruz and Donaldson are at the tail end of their careers likely and will provide a big push for the middle of our lineup. 

 

If the Twinkies can get to July with a good record, it's time to deplete the farm system for the right arms. 
 

Respectively disagree. Not worth it for very low probability of WS champs.

 

[Platoon]

I bet the Yankees are shaking in their boots? Truth is this is a fairly decent baseball team, but it’s not a team which in its present state should cause intense disappointment if it doesn’t hit the 95 win mark. Just the loss of the White Sox cupcake will hurt. Maybe someone will replace the Sox . Maybe they won’t. The Twins likely over performed last year. That’s not easy to do twice in a row. 

[bighat]

Here's hoping that Odorizzi, Berrios, Bailey and a combination of who-knows-what can keep this team above water until the end of May.

 

Would be a shame to fall into a deep hole early in the year due to the fact that this team only has 3 legitimate starting pitchers.

[Craig Arko]

I'd like a bust of Cicero. In his uniform for the Roman Orators.

 

One heckuva pitcher.

[diehardtwinsfan]

 

Have an idea. A ground-breaking one. Trade Rosario and all of our top 100 prospects for Trout. 

 

Trout plays left-center and Buxton plays right center. We play with an extra infielder. Who says they would have a bad infield defense then! Problem solved! 

nah... softball style... go with a rover up the middle in shallow OF... 

[TouchEmAllGuy]

Agreed. Let go get ourselves a WS.

[Platoon]

 

nah... softball style... go with a rover up the middle in shallow OF... 

sonce the hitting has become all or nothing fly ball style, may as well put that rover out their to complete the transition. 

[ewen21]

 

I'd like a bust of Cicero. In his uniform for the Roman Orators.

 

One heckuva pitcher.

You're dancing, but I don't hear any music

[cardsfan]

I wouldn't really categorize Donaldson as at the "tail end" of his career. He will be younger than Cruz is now at the end of the 5 year deal.

 

I expect the Twins to use the same caution with trading prospects going forward. They will pull the trigger on some trades if we are in a position to win but they won't overpay or leave us in a position where the farm system is not a strength.

In 2017 and 2018 JD had major calve injuries. Last year in late April he took some time off for a sore calf.

 

So, at age 34 his calves are like a broken finger that has healed? I doubt it. Great player, but, you needed starting pitching because you are going to win the Central or should unless Cleveland's pitching wins out.

 

Someone pointed out Cleveland lost 14 more games than they won for teams that were under .500, but won 93 overall. Whereas the Twins lost 5 more than they won against .500 teams. What a terrible division. 7 teams that lost 89 games or more in AL. If yo

 

Get another top starter to go with Berrios to get out of first round. Price is aging, but, may have it in him for an expensive year.

[jud6312]

Personally, I'm nervous that they're not going to live up to the expectations that many seem to be placing on them.

 

The offense is nice, but everyone seems convinced that the players are going to be exactly what they were last year, if not even better. 

 

And then there's the issue of possibly going back to an "unjuiced" ball.

 

The very real threat of regression (age, injury, ability), ball, and lack of top-end rotation depth has me more than a little skeptical.

 

I hope I'm wrong.

[SomeGuy]

 

In 2017 and 2018 JD had major calve injuries. Last year in late April he took some time off for a sore calf.

So, at age 34 his calves are like a broken finger that has healed? I doubt it. Great player, but, you needed starting pitching because you are going to win the Central or should unless Cleveland's pitching wins out.

Someone pointed out Cleveland lost 14 more games than they won for teams that were under .500, but won 93 overall. Whereas the Twins lost 5 more than they won against .500 teams. What a terrible division. 7 teams that lost 89 games or more in AL. If yo

Get another top starter to go with Berrios to get out of first round. Price is aging, but, may have it in him for an expensive year.

Those "major calf injuries" are listed as Left calf tightness and left calf strain. Sounds like you're over-selling them. Last year, he did not hit the IL with any calf injury.  If you are referring to him missing a game or two with soreness in April and he went on to have a healthy and great season then what is the big deal? Players miss a day or two with soreness all the time.

[Number3]

Twins will begin the 2020 season as a contending team. That is good enough. Then let the games begin and all of a sudden the speculation ends and the record speaks for itself. Clearly what separates the Twins from being one of the favorites to go deep into the playoffs is that they don't have established true stars on the pitching staff. All that means is that the pitching staff has to prove itself on the field, not that they aren't good enough. I am very satisfied that they haven't ham strung themselves with a long term multi $10mil/year contract. There is a team in NY that, if they stay healthy and perform up to expectations is odds on to play in the last week of October no matter what the Twins do. They still have to prove it on the field too. Can't wait to see how it all plays out.

[cardsfan]

Those "major calf injuries" are listed as Left calf tightness and left calf strain. Sounds like you're over-selling them. Last year, he did not hit the IL with any calf injury. If you are referring to him missing a game or two with soreness in April and he went on to have a healthy and great season then what is the big deal? Players miss a day or two with soreness all the time.

From tsn.ca dated September 1, 2018. Donaldson said he completely ruptured his calf muscle. He's had problems with both.

[SomeGuy]

 

From tsn.ca dated September 1, 2018. Donaldson said he completely ruptured his calf muscle. He's had problems with both.

Listed as an acute strain which he appears to be completely healed from....