Estimating the Time of Arrival for the Top 10 Twins Prospects

[Cody Christie]

The Twins had a trio of terrific rookie debuts in 2023, and other top prospects are getting closer to the big-league level. Here’s a timeline of when to expect the team’s top prospects to debut.

Image courtesy of Rob Thompson, St. Paul Saints (photo of Austin Martin)

Baseball player development is a non-linear path, with players facing different obstacles on their way to the big-league level. Organizations can be aggressive with some top prospects and move them through the farm system quicker than expected. Other prospects might suffer injuries or poor play and be forced to repeat a level for multiple years. Every prospect follows a different journey, making it intriguing for fans to follow. 

Below is a look at the top 10 prospects in the Twins organization according to Twins Daily’s end-of-the-season voting. Not every outlet updates its ranking multiple times per year, but Twins Daily updates the player rankings and scouting reports monthly so there is a live view of each prospect's progress. Multiple names below are on pace to impact the Twins roster next season. 

1. Walker Jenkins, OF
ETA: 2026
The Twins took Jenkins with the fifth overall pick in the 2023 draft. He was promoted relatively aggressively during his professional debut by ending the year at Low-A. In 26 games, he hit .362/.417/.571 (.989) with five doubles, four triples, and three home runs. It’s expected that he will start the year in Fort Myers with a chance to play in Cedar Rapids at the end of 2024. That should put him on pace to reach the big leagues in the second half of 2026, at which point he'll be 21 years old. 

2. Brooks Lee, SS/3B
ETA: 2024
The 2023 campaign was Lee’s first full season as a professional after the Twins took him with the eighth overall pick in the 2022 MLB Draft. He started the year at Double-A, posting an .841 OPS in 87 games. Minnesota promoted him to St. Paul in the season’s second half, and his OPS dipped to .731 at a level where he was over four years younger than the average age of the competition. Lee will start the year in St. Paul and be one injury away from making his big-league debut. 

3. Emmanuel Rodriguez, OF
ETA: 2025
Rodriguez will have an advantage over other names on this list due to being added to the 40-man roster this winter. These roster spots are valuable, and it gives him a better chance at making his debut because the team might need to dig into their depth if there are multiple big-league injuries. Rodriguez played the 2023 season at High-A, hitting .240/.400/.463 (.863) with 38 extra-base hits in 99 games. The Twins will plan for him to spend the 2024 campaign at Double-A, which puts him on pace to debut in 2025. 

4. Marco Raya, SP
ETA: 2025
The Twins have taken a unique development path with Raya by aggressively promoting him while limiting his innings pitched. He ended last season at Double-A in his age-20 season. Between two levels, Raya posted a 4.02 ERA with a 1.07 WHIP in 62 2/3 innings spread across 22 starts. He never pitched more than four innings in an appearance and never threw more than 54 pitches. It seems likely for Raya to spend all of 2024 at Double-A unless the team continues to be aggressive with him.  

5. David Festa, SP
ETA: 2024
Festa emerged as one of the organization’s top pitching prospects last season after being taken in the 13th round of the 2021 MLB Draft. He pitched at Double-A and Triple-A with a 4.19 ERA and a 1.39 WHIP. He posted an 11.6 K/9 in 92 1/3 innings across 24 appearances (22 starts). Minnesota faces a self-imposed payroll crunch next season, which may leave the team relying on internal options for added depth. Festa will be at Triple-A, waiting for his opportunity to join the Twins’ rotation at some point next season. 

6. Charlee Soto, SP
ETA: 2027
Soto has yet to make his professional debut after being drafted by the Twins with the 34th overall selection last June. He didn’t turn 18 until after the draft, so he has a lot of time to develop in the organization’s farm system. He will likely be the last player on this list to debut, but he has an exciting future with his pitching profile. 

7. Austin Martin, 2B/OF
ETA: 2024
Martin was the top-ranked prospect included in the Jose Berrios trade with Toronto, and he’s seen some ups and downs during his time with the Twins organization. He struggled during the 2022 season with a .683 OPS at Double-A before heading to the AFL and being one of the league’s best hitters. Last season, he injured his elbow during spring training, and there was some discussion that he’d need surgery. Martin rehabbed the elbow and posted a .791 OPS in 59 Triple-A games. The Twins have an opening in center field, and Martin might be able to take over that role at some point in 2024. 

 

8. Brandon Winokur, OF
ETA: 2027
Minnesota went well over-slot to sign Winokur for $1.5 million as a third-round pick. Winokur played 17 games during his professional debut and hit .288/.338/.546 (.884) with five doubles and four home runs. He has shown flashes of being a potential five-tool outfielder, but he is far from Target Field. Like Soto, he won’t debut for multiple seasons, and many things can go wrong with development along the way.  

9. Luke Keaschall, 2B
ETA: 2026
The Twins love to draft college bats, so the club targeted Keaschall with their second-round pick in the 2023 MLB Draft. Minnesota was aggressive after signing him by having him play at three different levels and finishing the year with Cedar Rapids. In 31 games, he hit .288/.414/.478 (.892) with 14 extra-base hits. The Twins will likely have him return to High-A to begin 2024, which puts him on pace to debut during his age-23 season. 

10. Tanner Schobel, 2B/3B
ETA: 2025
Schobel was selected in the second round of the 2022 MLB Draft, so his development path shows what the Twins might follow with Keaschall. He split time in 2023 between High- and Double-A while posting a .776 OPS in 126 games. Minnesota continues to play him at second and third base, and this defensive flexibility might help him reach the big leagues even sooner. 

Do you agree with the ETAs listed for each prospect? Which player will have the most significant impact on the Twins next season? Leave a COMMENT and start the discussion. 

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[Cory Engelhardt]

Agreed with most timelines. Just came here to say that the list is exciting to me, and I'd also be willing to bet that Jenkins pushes closer to end of year 2025 instead of mid year 2026. 

[mikelink45]

I enjoyed the review.  I do not like the high ranking of Soto - I need to see him play first, but otherwise it is a nice list with a lot of youth.  As far as arrival - that is really tough, I cannot argue with your choices, but we have seen so many things happen - how many years were we waiting for Lewis and then all the fluke accidents.  

With the Buxton situation we have Martin projected as a CF, but his career has been more 2B so wait and see.  We have already burned out one CF prospect by calling him up to early and now he is no longer even a prospect if he is still with us.

And arms!  Does it matter that they have allowed Raya to only throw 4 innings?  Is it frequency, pitch selection, physiology, or innings that harm their rotators and ulners?

[Dman]

I think those time frames look rock solid unless injuries change the timeline.  The only two that would be wobbly for me are Rodriguez and Schobel.  If Rodriguez is his typical .900 OPS self at AA to start the season and the Twins have a need in the outfield I do see a path for him in 2024 but lot's of things have to go right for him for that to happen.

Schobel was very up and down last year.  He really struggled at AA which is the toughest leap for hitters until they hit the Majors IMO.  Given the struggles it might take more than one year to conquer AA and then AAA.  Will just have to wait and see.  If he starts AA like he did High A then he too has an outside chance at the Majors in 2024 although the clogged infield makes that less likely.

I like the proposed dates if things turn out as expected.  Still there will likely be variance because development doesn't always work the same way for each player. 

[chpettit19]

I know the 2026 timeline is probably the most realistic for Jenkins, and debuting at 21 is very nice, but it feels like a disappointing timeline at the same time. If his debut was any real sign of his talent, and not just a flash in the pan of beginner's luck, I think it's pretty darn realistic to think he could end 2024 in AA. And if he does that the 2nd half of 2025 would be a pretty reasonable debut timeline. And if he's the superstar we all hope he is, that's the timeline I think we should be hoping for, even though we shouldn't necessarily be expecting it.

Jackson Holliday just went from Low-A to AAA in his first full season. I'm not even expecting that from Jenkins, but being 1 step below that at AA feels doable after his debut this year. For comparison: Jenkins in 26 games between rookie ball and A ball .362/.417/.571 (.989) at age 18. Jackson Holliday in 20 games between rookie ball and A ball .297/.489/.422 (.911) at age 18. So I'm not being too crazy here. I just think only advancing from A to A+ would be a slightly disappointing result for 2024.

[4twinsJA]

Exciting list, will be fun to watch development. There are not as many on verge of making MLB debut with so many prospects getting the call the past 2 years.

[Nashvilletwin]

Let’s review position players by year.

2024 (2): Martin, Lee (but let’s no forget Larnach, Miranda, Wallner, Julien,  plus Lewis and Kiriloff) 

2025 (5): Rodriguez, Schobel, Rosario, Severino, Camargo

2026 (4): Jenkins, Keaschall, Miller, Andrade

That’s 11 debuting position players (plus 6 already debuted youngsters) over the next 3 seasons who could carve out a starting or supporting role on the roster. I’m sure I’m missing a few as well.

Some subset of these players will be the core of the Twins over the second half of this decade.  It certainly appears to be a solid foundation.

The question is: are there any true superstar players among them? You know, real difference makers who can carry a team if need be and who are likely to make several All Star teams.  Our best bets (in order) are probably: Jenkins, Lewis, Rodriguez, Lee, and Julien.

[DJL44]

9 minutes ago, Nashvilletwin said:

Let’s review position players by year

2024 (2): Martin, Lee (but let’s no forget Larnach, Miranda, Wallner, Julien plus Lewis and Kiriloff) 

2025 (5): Rodriguez, Schobel, Rosario, Severino, Camargo

2026 (4): Jenkins, Keaschall, Miller, Andrade

I would expect Camargo in 2024. He's on the roster and catchers get injured. I also expect to see Severino next season.

[JD-TWINS]

Seems like fairly logical progressions for the group………Soto is young & seems like a blue sky guy but am not close to the details.

The MOST encouraging thing is that it seems to me, we need no action regarding CF help in FA or trade market. Obviously, need live bodies in ‘24 but the future looks solid!! Castro/Buxton/Gordon can hold it together, I hope!

CF options going forward:

Martin - ‘24 …Rodriguez - ‘25 …Jenkins - ‘26

Wallner moved to RF & Martin drifts to LF over time?

With CC in place for 5 years……Lewis - Lee - Julien - Kirilloff - Severino as additional IF pieces, how are we serious about any other IF prospects we have in our system due to be ready in next 3-4 years?

 

[Brandon]

12 minutes ago, Nashvilletwin said:

Let’s review position players by year.

2024 (2): Martin, Lee (but let’s no forget Larnach, Miranda, Wallner, Julien,  plus Lewis and Kiriloff) 

2025 (5): Rodriguez, Schobel, Rosario, Severino, Camargo

2026 (4): Jenkins, Keaschall, Miller, Andrade

That’s 11 debuting position players (plus 6 already debuted youngsters) over the next 3 seasons who could carve out a starting or supporting role on the roster. I’m sure I’m missing a few as well.

Some subset of these players will be the core of the Twins over the second half of this decade.  It certainly appears to be a solid foundation.

The question is: are there any true superstar players among them? You know, real difference makers who can carry a team if need be and who are likely to make several All Star teams.  Our best bets (in order) are probably: Jenkins, Rodriguez, Lee, and Julien.

And Lewis

[arby58]

17 minutes ago, Nashvilletwin said:

The question is: are there any true superstar players among them? You know, real difference makers who can carry a team if need be and who are likely to make several All Star teams.  Our best bets (in order) are probably: Jenkins, Rodriguez, Lee, and Julien.

If you're going to include Julien, you need to include Lewis as well - IF he can stay healthy, he looks like the Twins number 3 hitter in the lineup, maybe until Jenkins displaces him.

[Brandon]

These are all expected best case scenarios for these prospects.  I would recommend a range for the prospects below AA.  
 

AA players you can project will be on the MLB team within a season or two.  A ball players have farther to go and it’s harder to project when a player will succeed.  Case in point a few years ago Enlow was a top prospect.  We would have him up by now and we would all be wrong.  But he could still make it up as a reliever.  Or spot starter or swing man.  And it could be next year but when he was a top prospect it was 2018 and 2019with a 2 year expected arrival time when it will take closer to 5 years.  

[Whitey333]

Very nice well researched and written article.  Well done.  Can't argue with any of your predictions.  These are all just prospects at this point.  Nothing more and nothing less.  Hopefully a couple of them work out and stick with the Twins.  Most prospects don't make it as we all know.  But good luck.

[Trov]

I agree with the estimated timelines, but that is always based on general linier progression of the player.  Some players will not progress, and some will progress faster than expected.  Also injuries always play a roll.  For example, if Jenkins tears up both levels of A ball this year, and some injuries set in on OF in 2025, he could get an early call if he is tearing up AA.  Not saying likely, but possible.  I would say if he tears of up all levels he will be possible at starting 2026 out of camp. 

[Nashvilletwin]

21 minutes ago, Brandon said:

And Lewis

Oops.  Duh.  My bad. Thanks.  Edited my comment above.  👍🏻

[Nashvilletwin]

17 minutes ago, arby58 said:

If you're going to include Julien, you need to include Lewis as well - IF he can stay healthy, he looks like the Twins number 3 hitter in the lineup, maybe until Jenkins displaces him.

100% correct - I stupidly forgot Lewis.  Edited above.  Thank you.

[terrydactyls]

12 minutes ago, Brandon said:

These are all expected best case scenarios for these prospects.  I would recommend a range for the prospects below AA.  
 

AA players you can project will be on the MLB team within a season or two.  A ball players have farther to go and it’s harder to project when a player will succeed.  Case in point a few years ago Enlow was a top prospect.  We would have him up by now and we would all be wrong.  But he could still make it up as a reliever.  Or spot starter or swing man.  And it could be next year but when he was a top prospect it was 2018 and 2019with a 2 year expected arrival time when it will take closer to 5 years.  

Near the very beginning of the article, it says that injuries may change the ETA for any prospect.  This is just one person's best guess at when these prospects might arrive.

[FlyingFinn]

52 minutes ago, 4twinsJA said:

There are not as many on verge of making MLB debut with so many prospects getting the call the past 2 years.

Not from our top ten but there are some pieces at AAA that could be ready to fill in for the Twins in 2024 - Prato, Helman, Kiersey to name a few (they do have to make it past the Rule 5 draft which I am predicting that they all will do that).

[old nurse]

32 minutes ago, Nashvilletwin said:

Let’s review position players by year.

2024 (2): Martin, Lee (but let’s no forget Larnach, Miranda, Wallner, Julien,  plus Lewis and Kiriloff) 

2025 (5): Rodriguez, Schobel, Rosario, Severino, Camargo

2026 (4): Jenkins, Keaschall, Miller, Andrade

That’s 11 debuting position players (plus 6 already debuted youngsters) over the next 3 seasons who could carve out a starting or supporting role on the roster. I’m sure I’m missing a few as well.

Some subset of these players will be the core of the Twins over the second half of this decade.  It certainly appears to be a solid foundation.

The question is: are there any true superstar players among them? You know, real difference makers who can carry a team if need be and who are likely to make several All Star teams.  Our best bets (in order) are probably: Jenkins, Rodriguez, Lee, and Julien.

Debut versus regular player. There is a difference. To have 11 players over 3 years is not an unreasonable hope. They might not all make it for some reason, like an inability to hit a major league off speed pitch.. There may be some who lose time to injury. 

[mickster]

59 minutes ago, Nashvilletwin said:

Let’s review position players by year.

2024 (2): Martin, Lee (but let’s no forget Larnach, Miranda, Wallner, Julien,  plus Lewis and Kiriloff) 

2025 (5): Rodriguez, Schobel, Rosario, Severino, Camargo

2026 (4): Jenkins, Keaschall, Miller, Andrade

That’s 11 debuting position players (plus 6 already debuted youngsters) over the next 3 seasons who could carve out a starting or supporting role on the roster. I’m sure I’m missing a few as well.

Some subset of these players will be the core of the Twins over the second half of this decade.  It certainly appears to be a solid foundation.

The question is: are there any true superstar players among them? You know, real difference makers who can carry a team if need be and who are likely to make several All Star teams.  Our best bets (in order) are probably: Jenkins, Lewis, Rodriguez, Lee, and Julien.

A set of these players will not be directly part of the future, but will be traded away to fill immediate needs in the rotation.

[Jeff K]

58 minutes ago, DJL44 said:

I would expect Camargo in 2024. He's on the roster and catchers get injured. I also expect to see Severino next season.

I agree about Camargo.  I actually think with payroll being cut, there is a chance that Vazquez gets traded as it is a luxury to carry two starting catchers.

[saviking]

1 hour ago, DJL44 said:

I would expect Camargo in 2024. He's on the roster and catchers get injured. I also expect to see Severino next season.

I was thinking the same ..

[saviking]

With the young hitting talent on the current roster, all we need is the following

 

2024

Martin, Lee, Camargo, Severino

2025

Rodriguez

2026

Jenkins, Wonokur (with Scoobel, Keaschall, and Miller at AAA to call up in case of injuries)

My big concern is the dearth of available pitching prospects. That's where we should spend any free coins jiggling around in the owners' pockets.

[jmlease1]

2 hours ago, chpettit19 said:

I know the 2026 timeline is probably the most realistic for Jenkins, and debuting at 21 is very nice, but it feels like a disappointing timeline at the same time. If his debut was any real sign of his talent, and not just a flash in the pan of beginner's luck, I think it's pretty darn realistic to think he could end 2024 in AA. And if he does that the 2nd half of 2025 would be a pretty reasonable debut timeline. And if he's the superstar we all hope he is, that's the timeline I think we should be hoping for, even though we shouldn't necessarily be expecting it.

Jackson Holliday just went from Low-A to AAA in his first full season. I'm not even expecting that from Jenkins, but being 1 step below that at AA feels doable after his debut this year. For comparison: Jenkins in 26 games between rookie ball and A ball .362/.417/.571 (.989) at age 18. Jackson Holliday in 20 games between rookie ball and A ball .297/.489/.422 (.911) at age 18. So I'm not being too crazy here. I just think only advancing from A to A+ would be a slightly disappointing result for 2024.

That's fair. Jenkins is a major talent and so far has met every challenge with seeming ease. But a high school draft pick debuting at 21 is still pretty fantastic. That's the Joe Mauer path, and Jenkins is already a little ahead of that (Joe spent his first season in rookie ball, Jenkins has low-A games under his belt). He's been so good so far that it's easy to see him rocketing up tp AA in 2024, but it would still be a huge success if he finishes the year in Cedar Rapids.

Keaschall and Schobel have the same problem in front of them to get up to MLB by 2025/26: lot of guys in front of them. Hard not to see Julien, Lee, and Lewis owning 2B/3B for a while and I could see either of them being used as trade bait at some point. So while I think the timeline might be realistic, I also think there's a real chance it'll be with someone else for one of them.

Lot to feel good about in the top 10 prospect list: you have high-end talent, guys that have emerged through development, and relatively few with low ceilings. It's going to be exciting if the really young guys advance fairly quickly; always better to be adding guys to the 40-man when they're in AA/AAA rather than having to sort out whether they need to be protected while still in A-ball.

Soto is the wildest wild card of the bunch: he's got oodles of talent, but he's also a high school pitcher and we literally haven't seen him throw a professional inning yet.

[weitz41]

With I believe the norm of hoping for one position player per season for debut and stay on the roster, there is a lot to be excited about on the position side. Of course, some of the top 10 may not make it to the bigs. The pitching side could use a few surprise players. Like Varland. Maybe Canterino and Prielipp get past the injuries and become what we had hoped they would be. If a few pitchers take a big step forward the Twins could be in for a long run of strong teams.

[chpettit19]

7 minutes ago, jmlease1 said:

That's fair. Jenkins is a major talent and so far has met every challenge with seeming ease. But a high school draft pick debuting at 21 is still pretty fantastic. That's the Joe Mauer path, and Jenkins is already a little ahead of that (Joe spent his first season in rookie ball, Jenkins has low-A games under his belt). He's been so good so far that it's easy to see him rocketing up tp AA in 2024, but it would still be a huge success if he finishes the year in Cedar Rapids.

Keaschall and Schobel have the same problem in front of them to get up to MLB by 2025/26: lot of guys in front of them. Hard not to see Julien, Lee, and Lewis owning 2B/3B for a while and I could see either of them being used as trade bait at some point. So while I think the timeline might be realistic, I also think there's a real chance it'll be with someone else for one of them.

Lot to feel good about in the top 10 prospect list: you have high-end talent, guys that have emerged through development, and relatively few with low ceilings. It's going to be exciting if the really young guys advance fairly quickly; always better to be adding guys to the 40-man when they're in AA/AAA rather than having to sort out whether they need to be protected while still in A-ball.

Soto is the wildest wild card of the bunch: he's got oodles of talent, but he's also a high school pitcher and we literally haven't seen him throw a professional inning yet.

Yeah, I don't expect AA, but I'm hoping for it. The difference, for me, between Jenkins and Keaschall/Schobel types are that Keaschall and Schobel aren't expected to be heart of the order stars. They absolutely could become those guys, but I think their most likely ceilings are Spencer Steer types who have to bounce around the diamond to find playing time (for the record that's no shot at Steer as I'd very much take him back on the Twins) while trying not to be pushed out by the Jenkins types. Which then makes them likely trade candidates, as you said. Or they become the excellent "bench" options you want when you play as many guys as regularly as the Twins do. 

The Twins seemed to have found the ability to produce at least average major league talented bats. Not what we were expecting when they hired Falvey as it was the "pitching pipeline" that was supposed to be built, but if they can keep producing bats they can find the arms through non-developmental means if needed. If they can turn Soto, Raya, Festa, Prielipp, whoever into a frontline arm or 2 then they'll really be onto something. Exciting times ahead! (Hopefully)

[DJL44]

1 hour ago, Brandon said:

These are all expected best case scenarios for these prospects.  I would recommend a range for the prospects below AA.  
 

AA players you can project will be on the MLB team within a season or two.  A ball players have farther to go and it’s harder to project when a player will succeed.  Case in point a few years ago Enlow was a top prospect.  We would have him up by now and we would all be wrong.  But he could still make it up as a reliever.  Or spot starter or swing man.  And it could be next year but when he was a top prospect it was 2018 and 2019with a 2 year expected arrival time when it will take closer to 5 years.  

It's up or out for most prospects. Either they debut on a pretty predictable timeline or they're not going to make it. Injuries can cause delays (Royce Lewis) but otherwise it's make progress or go home.

[DJL44]

With the depth the Twins have on the current roster I don't expect to see anyone added unless they force themselves onto the roster or they're forced to add them. That may keep Festa in AAA for most of the year since he doesn't need to be added to the roster until next offseason and they will want to keep his 3 options for 2025-2027. Kalai Rosario, Pierson Ohl and Marco Raya will all wait until 2025 to get added the roster.

That's also a reason why we probably won't see Schobel, Miller, De Andrade or Cory Lewis until 2026, 

[Brandon]

And to think the Twins have the 10th or so ranked minor league system.  if this is the case and we are developing half of the leagues future 2B (Julien, Polanco, Keashal, Schobel, Martin, Lee, Lewis....)  and others as well.  There are about to be too many quality major leaguers that may be a way that MLB keeps salary down by shortening a players career or salary due to cost control options.  

[TopGunn#22]

Great post, insights and observations.  I think Cody's ETA's are pretty accurate.  I agree with chpettit19 that the Wild card is Jenkins.  To have him up at age 21 would be pretty impressive.  But he could actually get here sooner and if he does, we have a HECK of a prospect.  The comparison with Jackson Holiday was illuminating.

One other player not mentioned was Noah Miller, he of minor league Gold Glove ability at SS.  It's one thing to win a Gold Glove in the minor leagues.  It shows EXCEPTIONAL defensive ability and future potential.  Defense always plays with just "enough" offense.  To win it at SS makes him a cream of the crop piece going forward.  We all know Correa's time at SS is limited.  He won't stick there through the life of his contract.  Miller's Gold Glove should boost his value.  Assuming Julien learns how to play some 1B, and Lee can handle SS, 2B and 3B.  Miller is a potential Gold Glove major league SS.  Where does that leave Lewis?  Lewis is the cornerstone.  He's hitting #3 or #4 in our lineup for the next 10 years.  Kirilloff could always play LF or 1B if Julien ends up being a 1B/DH type (and he probably will).  Where does Royce Lewis play if Emm-Rod or Jenkins is in CF for 3-4 years?  

There are certain players we will see the Twins move on from either this off season, at the trade deadline, or before the start of next season.  Larnach, Kepler, Polanco, Farmer, Vasquez, all fall in this category.  Gray and Maeda are already out the door and ain't coming back.  

The number of BATS we have in this 3-year pipeline is impressive.  However, we're pretty short on pitchers and none of our pitching prospects are at the level of a Lewis, Julien, Wallner, Lee, Jenkins or Emm-Rod.  That leads me to believe that SOME of these elite bats might be/could be, moved in an effort to add quality starting pitching in trades.  Also consider that this equation would be different if we had drafted Skenes instead of Jenkins (but Skenes went before we had the chance).  

This is a great position to be in.  It's always better to have more talent than less.  It gives you more options.  But I wonder what moves the front office will make this winter in FA and trades.  They have a LOT of different directions they could go.  Let's hope they make the right ones.