Notebook: Instagram Wars, Expanded Rosters, and a New FA Offer at DH?

[Jamie Cameron]

One of baseball's biggest stars was traded (officially), Mickey Callaway is the subject of an investigation for lewd behavior, new Twins SS Andrelton Simmons opened up about his mental health, and Miguel Sano and Eddie Rosario have an Instagram beef. Here’s a rundown of today’s news from around the league.Twins Instagram Feud

Eddie Rosario and Miguel Sano got into a bit of an Instagram feud. This is my favorite Twins content of the day (click link to see the full Tweet thread, translation thanks to Twitter user @Crewsett). Here's the juiciest part of their interaction:

 

 

At the end of the exchange, both Rosario and Sano apologized and said it was a misunderstanding. Let us know in the comments if you’re Team Eddie or Team Miguel.

 

Twins and Nelson Cruz Still in a Standoff?

The Twins and Nelson Cruz seem to be in another staring match, with the sides allegedly still not close enough on money.

 

With Cruz losing leverage from a lack of clarity about universal DH, it is being suggested that the Twins could pivot to other options, Nelly appears to be running out of time and options.

 

 

KTSP reported tonight that the Twins have made Ozuna an offer.

 

 

Andrelton Simmons Opens up About Mental Health

Jeff Fletcher detailed an incredible story of new Twins SS Andrelton Simmons and his battle with depression and thoughts of suicide leading to his opt out at the end of the 2020 season. Simmons reached out to a reporter after not naming his reasons for opting out in his introductory press conference for the Twins.

 

In the article, Simmons states he hopes his openness allows others struggling to seek help and support, in addition to voicing his fears that his story will be misinterpreted by those reading. I’d encourage everyone to read it’s a brave step to take and an incredibly important topic to normalize.

 

Nolan Arenado Trade Finalized

The unbelievable complex of Nolan Arenado from the beleaguered Colorado Rockies to the St. Louis Cardinals is complete. Here is the full prospect ‘package’:

 

Additionally, the Rockies sent around $50 million in salary relief to the Cardinals to complete the deal (yes, you read that correctly). Rockies GM Jeff Bridich commented that he believes the Rockies are ‘not in a rebuild’. Presented without comment.

 

Expanded Rosters

Information about the shape and texture of the 2021 season continues to trickle slowly to its organizations, players, and audience. Today, it was confirmed that expanded rosters are here to stay.

 

 

The CBA and Labor Relations

With labor relations growing increasingly tense, Eugene Freedman provided a useful threadon the nature and status of the CBA.

 

As Freedman notes, the incredulity around the lack of a counter-proposal from the MLBPA is misguided, given that would re-open the current agreement in place and lose the players association leverage for the forthcoming renegotiation of the CBA after the 2021 season.

 

Mickey Callaway

In incredible reporting from the Athletic (subscription required), current Angels pitching coach Mickey Callaway is subject to accusations of lewd behavior towards female reporters when employed by three different teams in a five-year span. The Angels have suspended Callaway pending an investigation, which would seem likely to cost him his job, following a similar story regarding former Mets GM Jared Porter last week.

 

Drew Robinson

Speaking of incredible stories, Jeff Passan’s longform about Drew Robinson is a must read from ESPN today.

 

Transactions from Around the League

• The Phillies signed Hector Rondon and David Paulino to MiLB deals.
• The Padres extended GM A.J. Preller through 2026.
• The Reds signed Sean Doolittle to a 1 year, $1.5 million deal (I forgot he was a FA).
• The Rangers signed Spencer Patton to a MiLB deal.
• The Yankees signed Kyle Barraclough to a MiLB deal.

The Rays signed Chris Archer to a one-year, $6.5 million deal. On initial glance this seems expensive given Archer’s recent performance and injury history. Additionally, it potentially heightens the market for remaining FA SPs (Odorizzi, Paxton) and brings full circle for Pittsburgh, the nightmare that was trading Tyler Glasnow, Shane Baz, and Austin Meadows for Archer in 2018, with the Rays eventually returning Archer anyway.

 

Denard Span Back with Tampa

Lastly, Tampa native and former Twins CF is back with the Rays in a baseball Ops role. Could there be a better place to learn?

 

 

SEE ALSO

Free Agent Market May Push Twins Away From Nelson Cruz

2021 Twins PECOTA Projections: 5 Free Agents Team Could Target

2021 Twins PECOTA Projections: 5 Big Takeaways

STONKS! The 3 Minnesota Twins Player Stocks You Need to Invest In Right Now

 

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[AceWrigley]

Gotta love a good feud.

[Otwins]

The article by Zulgad sure feels like he has access to information from the front office that seems to benefit the front office by leaking it.

[DocBauer]

I am even more impressed now with Simmons for his courage to stand up and tell everyone "hey, I'm human, and I've been struggling hard with something". How many of us not in the public eye would have the courage to admit a similar issue in our lives?

 

In the words of Lou Brown: "go get 'em kid".

[Jamie Cameron]

Couldn't agree more with this. Brave and inspiring.

 

I am even more impressed now with Simmons for his courage to stand up and tell everyone "hey, I'm human, and I've been struggling hard with something". How many of us not in the public eye would have the courage to admit a similar issue in our lives? In the words of Lou Brown: "go get 'em kid".

 

[Shaitan]

Lots of interesting stuff in here. Nice notebook, and I'm excited for real baseball soon instead of all the armchair GM stuff.

 

Span is from FL, isn't he? If so it seems like a good fit for many reasons.

[IndianaTwin]

 

I am even more impressed now with Simmons for his courage to stand up and tell everyone "hey, I'm human, and I've been struggling hard with something". How many of us not in the public eye would have the courage to admit a similar issue in our lives? In the words of Lou Brown: "go get 'em kid".

 

Indeed. Stats on depression and other mental illnesses are notoriously difficult to get. One source names 18 percent of adults being affected each year, but only 37 percent of those getting treatment.

It's cliche, but I'm grateful he's willing to share. I'm one of the 37 percent of the 18, and there are certainly many more of us present on TD. But his story is likely to make much more of an impact on people than any of ours will.

 

I'm even more of a fan of him and this signing than I was before.  

 

[TNTwinsFan]

Would really enjoy them signing Ozuna to a multi-year deal. Perhaps a "glutton" of resources in the OF and the DH position, but, when was having too much offense a bad thing? It wouldn't be at the expense of pitching or defense either. Defense is wrapped up and Ozuna is probably not worse than Kiriloff in LF. Cruz retires after this year and Ozuna/Sano step into primary DH over the next couple of years. Kiriloff in LF full-time then. As for pitching, I trust in the Falvine braintrust to find a couple of cheap gems in this year's RP Free Agent class (if they haven't already.) Come at me bro!

[h2oface]

Tweets like that are not news. Most Tweets aren't. Especially 20 somethings with ego wars. I did not even need to see that. Nobody did, not even Sano and Rosario. 

[TopGunn#22]

I wondered if the "Twins have made an offer to Ozuna" story would be a kick in the pants for Cruz to sign.

Maybe it was, maybe it wasn't.

But Nellie signed...