The Twins' 12 Biggest Offseason Questions (& Their Answers) - Part 1

[Riverbrian]

1. Byron's health is going to determine how much Byron and where. I hope and pray that he is healthy enough to play CF and I hope and pray that if he isn't healthy enough to play CF that he doesn't roadblock that DH spot. We will have too much depth to not have the DH spot available for utilization across the roster. Buxton is going to be on the roster and I am very happy that he will be because the guy is a game changer when healthy. but... please... Healthy means being able to play CF. If he can't... He's not healthy and he needs to spend time on the DL until he can. Sign or trade for a CF that can capably man the position in case Byron can't. If Byron can... There are no issues having two capable CF'ers on the roster. 

2. I don't like hearing anything static coming from Rocco in regards to a Lewis and 3B... it sounds like lack of consideration of the unknown future challenges that will occur. I like hearing the possibility of fluidity coming from Falvey because it sounds like... we understand that the future is unknown. WE DON'T KNOW WHAT WE WILL NEED when injuries or Gallo type performances rear their head. The context of the team may abruptly change and now Lewis might need to be moved to the OF. There is no room for definitive answers when the questions are yet to be asked. 

3. Sign or Trade for a good CF. Having two capable CF's on the roster is wonderful and should be strived for... especially when one of those CF's has been a career long injury issue. If both are healthy and performing... one can play LF or RF. Depth is never a problem. Not having Depth is always a problem. 

4. I didn't expect Correa to sign with us and he did. I don't expect Sonny Gray to sign with us and... umm... let's see what happens. I hope he comes back. He's a great pitcher and there is room on this roster for a quality pitcher and Sonny is quality. If he signs elsewhere... I won't blame him. He finally gets a chance to choose. If it was me... there is no way I give up that opportunity to choose. 

5. I think they need to add a big bat. 1B or OF are the positions that you concentrate on for this big bat... whoever it may be. We want to be better than we were last year. Offense is the most obvious place that requires betterment.   

6. I don't care where payroll is. If it goes down... it goes down. We have enough young talent on our roster that we should be able to throw together some money for some one more costly.  

[Mike Sixel]

22 hours ago, Morland said:

I expect that Polanco and Larnach will be traded. Hopefully for a good right handed hitter and some pitching. Lee should start in AAA and earn his way to the majors. It sounds like the Twins expect Paddack to be a starter next year. If both Grey and Maeda leave and they don't trade for a starter then Paddack and Varland will probably be the replacements. That means the likes of Winder/Festa/Dobnak/SWR are the backups. As we've seen this year, backup starters are needed. I don't think those four are good enough so that's why another pitcher is needed.

What does "earn his way mean?" What would he have to do to unseat Lewis, CC, or Julien? Because OPSing over .900 in AAA isn't it, clearly....heck, Julien only made the roster because Polanco was hurt twice.....

[Mike Sixel]

1 hour ago, Riverbrian said:

1. Byron's health is going to determine how much Byron and where. I hope and pray that he is healthy enough to play CF and I hope and pray that if he isn't healthy enough to play CF that he doesn't roadblock that DH spot. We will have too much depth to not have the DH spot available for utilization across the roster. Buxton is going to be on the roster and I am very happy that he will be because the guy is a game changer when healthy. but... please... Healthy means being able to play CF. If he can't... He's not healthy and he needs to spend time on the DL until he can. Sign or trade for a CF that can capably man the position in case Byron can't. If Byron can... There are no issues having two capable CF'ers on the roster. 

2. I don't like hearing anything static coming from Rocco in regards to a Lewis and 3B... it sounds like lack of consideration of the unknown future challenges that will occur. I like hearing the possibility of fluidity coming from Falvey because it sounds like... we understand that the future is unknown. WE DON'T KNOW WHAT WE WILL NEED when injuries or Gallo type performances rear their head. The context of the team may abruptly change and now Lewis might need to be moved to the OF. There is no room for definitive answers when the questions are yet to be asked. 

3. Sign or Trade for a good CF. Having two capable CF's on the roster is wonderful and should be strived for... especially when one of those CF's has been a career long injury issue. If both are healthy and performing... one can play LF or RF. Depth is never a problem. Not having Depth is always a problem. 

4. I didn't expect Correa to sign with us and he did. I don't expect Sonny Gray to sign with us and... umm... let's see what happens. I hope he comes back. He's a great pitcher and there is room on this roster for a quality pitcher and Sonny is quality. If he signs elsewhere... I won't blame him. He finally gets a chance to choose. If it was me... there is no way I give up that opportunity to choose. 

5. I think they need to add a big bat. 1B or OF are the positions that you concentrate on for this big bat... whoever it may be. We want to be better than we were last year. Offense is the most obvious place that requires betterment.   

6. I don't care where payroll is. If it goes down... it goes down. We have enough young talent on our roster that we should be able to throw together some money for some one more costly.  

Good luck signing a good CF.....

[Riverbrian]

31 minutes ago, Mike Sixel said:

Good luck signing a good CF.....

Agreed

It's a good thing that isn't the only option. Trades, development or shifting players to CF are also possibilities.