5 Realistic Offseason Moves That Would Set the Twins Up for 2024 Success

[mnfireman]

1 hour ago, tony&rodney said:

There are actually a few options to backup Correa at shortstop. I believe Farmer is solid so I'm not promoting other guys to be put into a regular role. Stuff happens though. Sans Farmer, Willi Castro can play shortstop as a stopgap, which we saw last year. Provided the Twins are able to sign them back, both Anthony Pratto and Michael Helman can hold the position for a bit. Both guys are steady and pretty experienced minor leaguers. Nobody would recommend them for regular duty but they are solid bench players. 

When I watch Lee i see a guy who is really polished who may lack the foot speed needed to play shortstop at the MLB level. I think he would be an extraordinary third baseman though. I'm not sure he would be as good at second base. Lee is still an open book with a high floor. His being a switch hitter is great , yet he has struggled as a right handed batter. The jury is still out on Brooks Lee.

I've watched a lot of video of Brooks Lee, and he is closer to MLB defensively than he is offensively. He may not stay at SS due to his size and projected growth, but his defensive game is MLB ready. 

[tony&rodney]

15 minutes ago, mnfireman said:

I've watched a lot of video of Brooks Lee, and he is closer to MLB defensively than he is offensively. He may not stay at SS due to his size and projected growth, but his defensive game is MLB ready. 

I agree because i too have seen him play a ton via video. I cannot definitively state his position because i have not seen him in person a dozen times. I believe that is what I said, "polished". He may have to move to third base at the MLB level and could win a Gold Glove and grade highly there. Lee is no Correa by a long shot at shortstop. He could open Day 1 next year at third base. I too have some concerns about his bat but i think it will be fine from the left side. He gets his bat to the ball mostly. I do wonder if those balls that slipped through the alleys for doubles in the minor leagues will be cut off for singles in the major leagues.

One comment postulated who would step in if Correa went down for a prolonged absence. In that case, I would expect to see Lee. 

Let's hope Correa can play 142+ games and that Farmer is retained for infield depth. Let Lee develop his bat at AAA for now.

[nicksaviking]

I like most of this quite a bit. Hoskins would be my top free agent available with Justin Turner trailing close behind. I don't think they need to sign multiple players this year, just get one good one.

I like the idea behind the Keller trade, but I'm not nearly as in love with him as many are. Pittsburgh is obviously a terrible place to be a starting pitcher, but I don't think it's a given that Keller ascends to top of the rotation status just because he leaves. I'd offer more to get a better starter than him.

[Blyleven2011]

Let the young men play the game ...

We've seen last deadline  the FO do nothing  , We've seen alot of our free agent players sign elsewhere  ... 

We've always seem to see the front office move slowly ...

 

Please bring us a nice starting pitcher  for 2024 ...

A nice Christmas would nice  ...

[JD-TWINS]

1) If Lee isn’t on the 26 man April 1 he’s not ready - no mystery. July is best timing.

2) Keller being available is a thin prospect - why not keep him for another year with 2 yrs of control left for Pittsburgh?

3) Farmer is defensively superior to any options we have fielding ground balls other than CC……..he should be our depth guy, starting at 2B v. LH pitching and spelling Lewis & CC……..80-100 starts!

4) Polanco is too expensive for his probable lack of availability……need to move him with prospect or two for best return……….I’d take a big swing at Devin Williams with Milwaukee - it sets up our Pen for next 2 years. They want controllable pieces - they need 2B help - they want less salary. Polanco, for them to turn and trade for more prospects to whoever they like, Gordon as potential inexpensive upside at 2B, Rodriguez & Festa.

5) No Hoskins - too many $$………..$6.25M to Williams & $13M to Seth Lugo — trade Polanco and the net change is $9M over todays number…….under $125M total.

Our Pen is solid - our outfield is fine with Castro/Buxton/Martin in CF………maybe sign Taylor for $6M……better continuity and stability than Bader……..IF has Farmer for depth & Lee coming.

[Otaknam]

I like the Hoskins idea, a big powerful right handed bat that the lineup needs. Why would the Pirates trade Keller, a decent starting pitcher? 

[Otaknam]

Farmer for Carlson makes sense. Farmer is a big league shortstop with experience who is a solid hitter. And the Twins need to dump his contract, so he’s on the way out somewhere. Carlson would fill the outfield gap with Buxton not dependable.

[Brandon]

21 hours ago, Ted Schwerzler said:

Keller is 27 and a free agent after 2025. Is he really going to be there when they are ready to compete?

I think banking on Kirilloff in any form is about as trustworthy as Buxton at this point. Hoskins is the lone big dollar addition above, and a $138M total bill is still over $20M down from 2023.

If I am Pittsburg and trading Keller, I want pitching prospects coming back.  Teams only trade pitching when they are about to loose pitcher or when they have too much pitching.  A Frank Viola type return.  Winder, Festa, Lewis and Sands might do the trick.  5/6 years of 2 swing man as the floor and 2 potential starters too.

[TwinsAce]

12 minutes ago, JD-TWINS said:

1) If Lee isn’t on the 26 man April 1 he’s not ready - no mystery. July is best timing.

2) Keller being available is a thin prospect - why not keep him for another year with 2 yrs of control left for Pittsburgh?

3) Farmer is defensively superior to any options we have fielding ground balls other than CC……..he should be our depth guy, starting at 2B v. LH pitching and spelling Lewis & CC……..80-100 starts!

4) Polanco is too expensive for his probable lack of availability……need to move him with prospect or two for best return……….I’d take a big swing at Devin Williams with Milwaukee - it sets up our Pen for next 2 years. They want controllable pieces - they need 2B help - they want less salary. Polanco, for them to turn and trade for more prospects to whoever they like, Gordon as potential inexpensive upside at 2B, Rodriguez & Festa.

5) No Hoskins - too many $$………..$6.25M to Williams & $13M to Seth Lugo — trade Polanco and the net change is $9M over todays number…….under $125M total.

Our Pen is solid - our outfield is fine with Castro/Buxton/Martin in CF………maybe sign Taylor for $6M……better continuity and stability than Bader……..IF has Farmer for depth & Lee coming.

For #4, are you saying that you would trade Festa, Rodriguez, Polanco, and Gordon for Devin Williams?  I get Devin is good, but this seems like a strong overpay.

Maybe you meant Polanco + someone?
If Festa + Rodriguez are going in a deal for someone, it would be a top pitcher like Mitch Keller.

[Brandon]

The Farmer for Carlson trade has merit.  If we get Carson why are we signing Bader?  We have Castro and Gordon already as players who can backup OF and play CF.  Carlson and Bader is an either or kinda of move.  
 

pittsburg is not trading Keller see my post above.

Hoskins is a good idea but I think a platoon of Miranda and Killeroff makes more sense and they can be part of DH rotation for more AB.  
 

I figure the top 2 holes on the team are #2 starter replacement for Gray which also would fill the depth in rotation as well and CF defense.  Buxton may be ready to go and Castro and Gordon could be the fillins which could work.  But if not there are 3 CF on the market.  Bader, Kiermaier and Taylor.  Any of these three will do.  
 

If we need additional payroll then trading Vázquez and Polanco make the most sense.  
 

I like the idea of getting Devin Williams but if Milwaukee is trading him they are in tear down/ rebuild mode and want prospects only..  Why not just trade Polanco for prospects?  

[KBJ1]

I don't understand all this talk about CF & 1B.  With the payroll cut we are going to have to cover those spots internally.

Kiriloff will be fine & Miranda or Julien will have to fill in. Austin Martin is an exciting high contact hitter who can play CF & SS. Don't need CF backup with him & Castro

Farmer is cheap insurance for 3B &SS plus a clubhouse leader should Lewis or Correa go down.

Trade Kepler & Polanco, both are redundant and save $20M in payroll.

The gaping hole in the lineup is and has been LF. Sign Gurriel to a 4yr $60M . Fits in the budget if you dump both Kepler & Polanco and roll with youth at 1B, RF, CF, 2B ,3B. Still money for pitching even after Gurriel

Pitching will have to be traded for.

 

[SteveLV]

I think Miranda's performance in 2024 is one of the biggest unknowns on this roster.  Was his dismal 2023 due to injury, now resolved?  Or was his excellent 2022 a classic SSS that will never to be seen again?

That question impacts any acquisition of Hoskins, as they are both RH power hitters who are essentially at 1B/DH.

On Farmer, I am reluctant to trade him given Correa's PF condition and the high mileage on his body.  I think the Twins should plan to let Correa take more days off and/or use him at DH to help him stay healthier. I know he is a total gamer, but this might make some sense, and Farmer is the only other strong SS on the current roster.

Unless Lee forces himself onto the MLB roster in Spring Training, he is likely to start his year in AAA.  Certainly the likely first call up if there is an injury, unless it is 1B in which case we might see Severino.

[TopGunn#22]

I like the idea of Dylan Carlson as well as his current Cardinals teammate Tyler O'Neill.  I think the Twins should target one of these guys as CF Buxton insurance and additional OF depth.  I'm not interested in Bader.  Zero offense.

O'Neill at one time was considered a cinch 20 HR/20 SB guy.  Carlson is a switch hitter.  Both can play all three OF positions.  However, if I was inclined to hang onto Farmer for 2024 (I think Lewis, Castro and eventually Brooks Lee would be fine backing up Correa) and I realized the Cardinals are far more likely to want pitching in a deal, I'd be willing to dangle Josh Winder for either O'Neill or Carlson.  The Redbirds have an excess of young OF talent and one of O'Neill or Carlson is going to be dealt.

If Milwaukee was willing to give us Garrett Mitchell for Polanco I'd consider that to acquire our CF of the future.  It's possible the Brewers blow everything up and would consider trading Devin Williams.  If they're just looking to cut payroll and the Twins were willing to add payroll a deal of Garrett Jax straight up for Williams is numerically even up on BBTV.  The Brewers get a guy who could become their closer and affordable control for years and we have a devastating back end of our bullpen.  Varland stays in the rotation as #5 in this scenario.

I think Hoskins would look good in the lineup but with Kirilloff and Miranda on the 40-man and money needed to replace a Sonny Gray level pitcher I spend that money on Sonny's replacement and Devin Williams.  We won the division last year because of pitching.  Correa will have a bounce back year.  You may actually get something out of Kirilloff and Miranda.   

The Winter Meetings start this weekend.  Anybody think the Twins will make a major move during them?  

[Fatbat]

With a salty attitude, I see the FO getting Matt Gorski from Pitt in the rule 5 draft. Just to get everyone on here tweeked saying that CF and 1B now has depth 🤣

[stringer bell]

I've been on the Dylan Carlson bus for quite a while. I don't think the Cards would have much, if any, interest in Kyle Farmer at this stage in his career. The Cards have a lot of versatile players and having Farmer as a regular is not something that improves a last-place club significantly. Also, he'll make more than $4M more than Carlson, so the salaries don't really match up. I think the Cardinals would want a young prospect or a closer to mlb live arm (maybe someone like Kalai Rosario).

If free agent pitching is crazy expensive, trading for a good starter is probably also going to cost a lot. I don't see picking up Keller for the haul listed and I suspect the Twins are looking for someone they think they can turn into a solid rotation piece, but who isn't highly regarded now (or at least not on the radar of most fans).

 

[by jiminy]

19 hours ago, tony&rodney said:

How many people ever thought you would see Pagan in this sentence? Emilio sure closed out his time with Minnesota on a positive note, didn't he?

Yeah, I agree, it's weird! 

Truth is I probably shouldn't have included him in the same sentence as Gray and Maeda, but they all signed about the same time and had headlines next to each other.  ;-)

[tony&rodney]

Those who have reservations about 1B have justification for their thoughts. Alex Kirilloff and Jose Miranda are definitely questions and AK can be moved to the outfield as well.

Miranda was a guy who never missed many games coming up through the farm. It is possible that his injury heals and Jose returns with a very effective bat. Same for AK as far as hope, but it has been a long time since Alex posted all season. So there is a gamble there at 1B. Perhaps 1B waits until a trade occurs. If I was trading with the Twins I would want to pick up Miranda on the cheap for DH/1B/3B. A healthy Miranda keeps a lineup moving.

[tony&rodney]

3 minutes ago, by jiminy said:

Yeah, I agree, it's weird! 

Truth is I probably shouldn't have included him in the same sentence as Gray and Maeda, but they all signed about the same time and had headlines next to each other.  ;-)

No, it was fair to include him. Not only did they all sign about the same time, but they all got good money which is an indication of their value and the demand for their talents.

[darin617]

16 hours ago, nicksaviking said:

I like most of this quite a bit. Hoskins would be my top free agent available with Justin Turner trailing close behind. I don't think they need to sign multiple players this year, just get one good one.

I like the idea behind the Keller trade, but I'm not nearly as in love with him as many are. Pittsburgh is obviously a terrible place to be a starting pitcher, but I don't think it's a given that Keller ascends to top of the rotation status just because he leaves. I'd offer more to get a better starter than him.

Keller would easily be the second best pitcher in MN. And if Pittsburgh took that weak offer it would make it even a better trade.

[nicksaviking]

26 minutes ago, darin617 said:

Keller would easily be the second best pitcher in MN. And if Pittsburgh took that weak offer it would make it even a better trade.

Unless he improves, which I don't think can be assumed, Keller would still be closer to the Ryan/Ober/Paddock group. That's not good enough.

[tony&rodney]

11 hours ago, KBJ1 said:

The gaping hole in the lineup is and has been LF. Sign Gurriel to a 4yr $60M .

I like the idea of adding Gurriel Jr. quite a bit and have included it in a number of posts. There are issues with him fitting into the budget right now. The Twins cannot add a guy like Gurriel Jr. until Kepler is traded. They cannot just trade Kepler for nothing to free up money because he is less expensive than the proposed outfield addition and still has value himself. Also, I think the first move will need to be for a pitcher. Dominoes. Hopefully the pieces all get put together correctly, but it is complicated.