Notebook: Closer Leaving the Fish

[Ted Schwerzler]

As of today, we are now in the single digits (today was truck day!) until the Minnesota Twins report to Fort Myers for Spring Training. Signings will slow, but a former closer found a new home.Brandon Kintzler Bets on Himself

 

 

After working as the closer for the Miami Marlins a season ago and faring well to the tune of a 2.22 ERA, the former Twins reliever is headed elsewhere. Per reports, Kintzler turned down a guaranteed deal with the Marlins in hopes of making more money should he make the club with the Philadelphia Phillies. Given the disarray that Philadelphia had in relief last year, he shouldn’t have any issue factoring into the equation.

 

Royals Swing Deal

 

While the night attempted to close, Jon Heyman had some breaking news out of the AL Central. Kanas City swung a deal with the Boston Red Sox that will send left fielder Andrew Benintendi to the Royals. He'll take over for longtime fan favorite, Alex Gordon. It appears there's plenty of pieces in play here as the Mets are also joining in the deal.

 

 

Twins Open Virtual Hall of Fame

 

 

Yesterday Twins Daily’s own Seth Stohs got to take a test run with TwinsXR, and today the Virtual Hall of Fame Experience opened to the general public. Seth put together a nice piece detailing what fans can expect from the experience, and with the offseason dragging on for a few more days, there should be plenty here to pass some time.

 

Topps Launches Series 1

 

 

Last night was the teaser for the real thing as Topps produced their Virtual Rip Party. Today though, 2021 Series 1 Baseball hit shelves in retailers and hobby stores across the country. This offering is packed with more big-name rookies than normal coming off an unprecedented season, and the card market is booming to heights we’ve never seen before. Juan Soto is the cover player for the product and the flagship product kicks off a new season in collecting.

 

Holdovers Hanging On

 

Former Twins reliever Blake Parker is narrowing down his options per Jon Heyman. David Robertson is also going to be holding a showcase soon and should have some suitors. The Twins appear to be done with big ticket signings, so that would likely rule out a Jake Odorizzi reunion. Darren Wolfson's KSTP had Minnesota with an offer out to a starter however.

 

 

Minnesota Making Moves

 

Although the Minnesota Twins already agreed to a pact with Nelson Cruz, the move became official today. The designated hitter was added to the 40 man roster, which is now full at 40. Alex Colome has yet to be officially announced, and there will need to be a corresponding move in order to create a roster spot.

 

Transactions

Here's a roundup of of transactions from around the league on Wednesday:

 

The Phillies signed Brandon Kintzler to an MiLB deal (worth $3M plus $1M in incentives if he makes MLB)

 

See Also

Twins Daily 2021 Top Prospects 16-20

Revisiting the Kenta Maeda Trade a Year Later

Keep Plundering the Pirate Ship

 

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[Danchat]

Benintendi to the Royals? Huh. Didn't see that move coming.

[MN_ExPat]

I couldn’t figure out why the ball kept getting bigger....

 

Then it hit me.

[mikelink45]

KC has become an interesting club again.  Not ready to compete, but still some fun moves this off season.  

 

[Dawgzilla]

Dodgers win World Series again. Champs until someone beats them, just like Bucs (and Lightning in hickey) again in football=rinse and repeat.

[TopGunn#22]

I'm hopeful the Twins are going to sign Mike Foltynewicz to a two-way contract with incentives.  I think Johnson could help him find his 2018 form and he could be a sneaky good signing.

[nicksaviking]

I don't get the Benintendi deal at all. He only has two years left so I don't know why the Royals wanted him, do they expect to compete this year?

 

Also, he's been average at best the past two years and really he's only been an ordinary corner OF his entire career outside of one 3 month stretch in 2018. It's not like his 6.6M arbitration figure is a steal either. The Marlins just signed Adam Duvall for 2M and the Cubs signed Jake Marisnick for 1.5M.

[Shaitan]

 

I'm hopeful the Twins are going to sign Mike Foltynewicz to a two-way contract with incentives.  I think Johnson could help him find his 2018 form and he could be a sneaky good signing.

He signed with TEX.

[jmlease1]

 

I don't get the Benintendi deal at all. He only has two years left so I don't know why the Royals wanted him, do they expect to compete this year?

 

Also, he's been average at best the past two years and really he's only been an ordinary corner OF his entire career outside of one 3 month stretch in 2018. It's not like his 6.6M arbitration figure is a steal either. The Marlins just signed Adam Duvall for 2M and the Cubs signed Jake Marisnick for 1.5M.

 

i think the Royals are adding some players to raise their floor so their young talent doesn't just experience constant losing at the MLB level. They may not be ready to compete during benintendi's contract, but they've got the payroll room and then they can use the space to get a better player at the end of it. might help them win a few more games and keep their fans engaged?

[Heiny]

With my crystal ball turned up to maxi-vision I am seeing the Dodgers winning the world series in 7 games over the underdog Minnesota Twins.  But you never know with the Twins.  Possible upset here.

 

 

[whosafraidofluigirussolo]

The Twins appear to be done with big ticket signings, so that would likely rule out a Jake Odorizzi reunion. Darren Wolfson's KSTP had Minnesota with an offer out to a starter however.

 

The language Falvey used in that clip definitely suggests that they're done with big signings, but it's a little vague and slippery in a sports executive way. Maybe I'm projecting my own take onto that, but it feels like there's no point to bringing in a starter who isn't either at Odorizzi/Paxton's level or available on a minor-league deal. With spring training so close and given the Twins' penchant for the late offseason strike, I still wonder whether Odo and/or Paxton might be the starter with an active offer.

[twinfan]

I'm surprised that noone signed Kintzler before. He doesn't strike out everyone but he is a proven reliever with save experience. A good signing by the Phils. KC and the Angels are my surprise picks in the AL to move up and contend. The Royals need for their young, talented staff to come through. Not signing Odo would be a mistake if the Twins pass on him. At least see if he'll take a deal with incentives. If healthy, he will win. I hope we sign him but, if not, at least get another starter if Hill hasn't signed yet. I'd love Paxton but he's out of our price range.