Out with the Old? Twins Embrace Youth Movement on Pitching Staff

[Doctor Wu]

Regarding the bullpen this year, I think that having a healthy Alcala is going to make a huge difference.  With him and Lopez and Duran in the late innings the Twins SHOULD be in good hands!

[Reptevia]

9 hours ago, Danchat said:

As I said elsewhere, I think Sands making the team has more to do with options remaining. If Hoffman and Coulombe had options, there would have likely been more consideration for holding onto them. 

Is it smarter to roll with veterans that had a better spring and track record, or roll with a young guy who has only been marginal, while losing said veterans, because of options?  Twins could have waived those guys at any time. Now we have all eggs in one basket. Seems like a strange approach. 

[nicksaviking]

3 hours ago, Reptevia said:

Is it smarter to roll with veterans that had a better spring and track record, or roll with a young guy who has only been marginal, while losing said veterans, because of options?  Twins could have waived those guys at any time. Now we have all eggs in one basket. Seems like a strange approach. 

Smarter to go with the young guy with options. We know the front office struggles cutting bait on struggling vets. If they struggle, they'd struggle for months. Neither is getting cut next week if/when the team needs a fresh arm. Not just because the front office gives vets too long of leashes, but because it would be a total jerk move to the player. They have zero qualms optioning young players though.

[stringer bell]

4 hours ago, Doctor Wu said:

Regarding the bullpen this year, I think that having a healthy Alcala is going to make a huge difference.  With him and Lopez and Duran in the late innings the Twins SHOULD be in good hands!

Specific to the bullpen, the threesome of Jax, Alcala and Moran can transform the bullpen from so-so to first rate if all three are able to take a step forward. Six guys capable of shutting down good lineups with the lead would be awesome. Gardy's 2006 BP was the deepest I can remember and this group could be better.

[Fatbat]

On 3/29/2023 at 8:14 AM, Whitey333 said:

If the Twins stay relatively healthy they should have a good chance of winning the division.  If with this roster turnover and another record Twins payroll the results should be there.  Not win ing the division or not making the playoffs with this team is not an option.  If they fail, the FO and manager must be held accountable.  Let's all hope for a fun summer of Twins baseball.

Holding the players accountable if they suck would be my first step. Like say Pagan giving up a dinger every time he pitches. 

[old nurse]

On 3/29/2023 at 11:40 AM, nicksaviking said:

But you know he was referring to controllable starting pitchers, and not specifically their ages. They can't keep trading for starters with two years of control left every year. At some point they have to let their own young arms have a real run at roster spots.

Joe Ryan should then fit as a young starter. When the season is done, if Ober, SWR and Varland are options 6,7,and 8 combined they will likely have more starts than Maeda or Gray. The gamble the FO took is on winning. If the team wins resigning Lopez and Mahle will not be a problem. A pennant winning team should draw well enough to cover their salaries unless they get next to nothing from the cable tv deals blowing up.  I don’t think anyone saw that coming this soon. Gray’s contract should not be onerous, either given his age and history.  We shall see how the year goes