Grading the Twins Offseason

[Brandon]

Don’t forget to go here https://www.mlbtraderumors.com/2023/03/offseason-in-review-minnesota-twins-15.html

for a recap of our offseason transactions and to grade out how you feel the Twins did.  

[danielp19653]

I would call it a B+ for the way too early grade. Getting Correa back at a price way less than expected and with team options in the late part of his career is nothing but a massive win. Farmer, Lopez, and Taylor trades all feel like they pushed the team into a better spot with reasonable prices on each. Don't love the Gallo or Solano signings as it pushes prospects into longer waiting periods at ages they should be established as part of the future or not, but again provides depth on one year deals without any massive negatives. If prospects are really pushing and either isn't good it's easy enough to release or look for a trade partner. Would have liked another bullpen arm with some more upside then Pagan but we all knew that wasn't going to happen. Health and performance this year could easily push this anywhere from an A+ offseason to a D+ offseason for me. Lopez coming out with a shutout on opening day, and Farmer and Solano reaching base as PHs definitely starts to push towards A territory out the gate. 

[ashbury]

Grade A from me.  I felt like I understood the rationale for each move, and that they were gearing for post season success, and I couldn't really say that about every off-season lately.  They had some luck, but were ready to capitalize.

[dxpavelka]

B-

Added pitching depth but not a a true ace.  Biggest accomplishment on the offensive side was only losing one key piece from and offense that scored fewer than 700 runs.  No major upgrade. 

[cHawk]

A, because I'm an optimistic homer.

[nicksaviking]

Well, I was very worried that the Twins OF of Kepler, Taylor and Gallo would doom the team offensively, but looks like that isn’t the case, as Gallo is playing 1B!

so what grade is 33%?

Kidding, kind of. Hate the defensive emphasis, but loved the aggressiveness with Correa and Lopez.

[wsnydes]

On 3/31/2023 at 3:24 PM, ashbury said:

Grade A from me.  I felt like I understood the rationale for each move, and that they were gearing for post season success, and I couldn't really say that about every off-season lately.  They had some luck, but were ready to capitalize.

The capitalizing is key to me.  Correa fell into their lap and then they pounced, taking full advantage of the gift they received.  Would I have preferred they be more proactive earlier in the offseason?  Yes, but I'm not sure that they would have been in as good a position as they are now if they did.  Weird how that worked out.

[Major League Ready]

It’s an A- for me.  I did not like Correa on a 10-12 year deal.  Like him a lot on a 6 year deal.  Farmer is a great fit.  His OPS against LHP was almost identical to Correa last year (948 vs 945)  What a weapon to bring off the bench especially when he can play so many positions.  The Arraez trade made sense, especially long-term, because we have several guys that are better two way players at 2B and his lack of power does not profile well at 1B/DH.  Replacing a #5 SP with someone like Lopez is going to make a team a better.    

Keeping Pagan and signing Solano is the most questionable move. I see the upside potential with Pagan but like most others have a hard time believing it comes to fruition.  I also would not have added a free agent given the number of guys we have waiting for a shot like Henriquez, Winder, Megill, and Sands.  I just don’t see blocking these guys given how unreliable RPs are in general.

It's an A+ if one of Salas or Chourio turn out to be above average MLB players.

[Bodie]

13 hours ago, nicksaviking said:

Well, I was very worried that the Twins OF of Kepler, Taylor and Gallo would doom the team offensively, but looks like that isn’t the case, as Gallo is playing 1B!

so what grade is 33%?

Kidding, kind of. Hate the defensive emphasis, but loved the aggressiveness with Correa and Lopez.

I think you might rethink "the defensive emphasis" especially up the middle now that the infield shift rules are modified. SS and 2B with subpar range will be exposed as 3B (hopefully with 3B's arms for their sake).

Defense travels and almost never slumps.  

[tarheeltwinsfan]

The FO gets an A from me. C4 for 6 years is an organization changing coup. P. Lopez showed why he was obtained in the opening day masterpiece. While I enjoyed watching Arraez bat, the logic for trading him out weighed the loss of Arraez. The Twins are have capable 2B and 1B position players currently and are crowded with prospects for 2B and hopeful for 1B to be filled by Kirilloff, this year and/or Kirilloff or Miranda next year, when Lee/Lewis/Julien will need to play in the majors at some position. Vasquez is amazing behind the plate and in calling pitches. Just what the Twins pitchers needed. Farmer and Taylor bring much in the way of competent back-up experience at the 2 key defensive positions and allow for Rocco to be creative in so many positive ways.  Farmer is an amazing pickup defensively and offensively. He would start at SS for numerous major league teams. Gallo needs to show offensively why he was given a chance to play for the Twins. His defense is really good in the OF and his play at 1B was impressive, especially in starting the double play at home in the opening day game with KC. That was a game changing, beautiful play. Very impressive. Plus Rocco said Gallo is very good at 1B already. Finally, the FO was wise to not over spend on a free agent starting pitcher and frankly, not to over spend on a free agent reliever. On my report card, that adds up to an A. 

[nicksaviking]

3 hours ago, Bodie said:

I think you might rethink "the defensive emphasis" especially up the middle now that the infield shift rules are modified. SS and 2B with subpar range will be exposed as 3B (hopefully with 3B's arms for their sake).

Defense travels and almost never slumps.  

I might rethink my Gallo take if he keeps this up, but I won’t rethink prioritizing offense over defense. Offense will always be more important, even if that’s not the popular take.

[Mike Sixel]

B+

Loved the trades. I would have liked Kepler or polanco dealt, but no way they were doing that.

Can't give anyone an A that keeps pagan on the roster. 

[Major League Ready]

4 hours ago, Mike Sixel said:

B+

Loved the trades. I would have liked Kepler or polanco dealt, but no way they were doing that.

Can't give anyone an A that keeps pagan on the roster. 

Pretty easy to change that one and right now it has very little impact on our ability to win games.  They use him in low leverage situation for a while.  If they don't like the progression, move on to Winder / Megill or Henriquez.  The dark horse could be Ortega.  He looked pretty good this spring.  

[ashbury]

1 hour ago, Major League Ready said:

The dark horse could be Ortega.  He looked pretty good this spring.  

Not good timing with that comment. Ortega vultured a win in the game at Toledo today, by coughing up the late lead only to have our guys score a couple in the top of the next inning to take it right back. 

[Doctor Wu]

I liked almost every move that the front office made over the off-season, including the much-maligned Gallo signing. My only "regret" was not signing a veteran relief pitcher and hanging on to Kepler,  But by the end of spring training, I had less concerns about the bullpen, and was even hoping that Kepler had found his stroke again (but please don't use him as a leadoff batter!). All things considered, I'd give them a B+.

[Major League Ready]

8 hours ago, ashbury said:

Not good timing with that comment. Ortega vultured a win in the game at Toledo today, by coughing up the late lead only to have our guys score a couple in the top of the next inning to take it right back. 

Actually, I knew he had blown a lead but that does not change his raw stuff.  This is why he is still in the minors and that's why he is a "dark horse".  Can he harness his ability is the question.   Perhaps more to the point, I just am not at all worried about the Pagan situation.  A low leverage RP is just not consequential especially when you have guys like Winder, Megill and Henriquez that need to get a chance.  Give Pagan a look in low leverage spots and move on if he does not get his act together.

[tarheeltwinsfan]

21 hours ago, tarheeltwinsfan said:

The FO gets an A from me. C4 for 6 years is an organization changing coup. P. Lopez showed why he was obtained in the opening day masterpiece. While I enjoyed watching Arraez bat, the logic for trading him out weighed the loss of Arraez. The Twins are have capable 2B and 1B position players currently and are crowded with prospects for 2B and hopeful for 1B to be filled by Kirilloff, this year and/or Kirilloff or Miranda next year, when Lee/Lewis/Julien will need to play in the majors at some position. Vasquez is amazing behind the plate and in calling pitches. Just what the Twins pitchers needed. Farmer and Taylor bring much in the way of competent back-up experience at the 2 key defensive positions and allow for Rocco to be creative in so many positive ways.  Farmer is an amazing pickup defensively and offensively. He would start at SS for numerous major league teams. Gallo needs to show offensively why he was given a chance to play for the Twins. His defense is really good in the OF and his play at 1B was impressive, especially in starting the double play at home in the opening day game with KC. That was a game changing, beautiful play. Very impressive. Plus Rocco said Gallo is very good at 1B already. Finally, the FO was wise to not over spend on a free agent starting pitcher and frankly, not to over spend on a free agent reliever. On my report card, that adds up to an A. 

I guess Sunday Gallo showed why he was signed by the Twins.