Twins Daily Table Setter: December 11, 2023

[Ted Schwerzler]

In the grand scheme, there has been very little action this offseason. With 2023 coming to an end, this might be the last full week of work before holiday time off sets in--and therefore, a busy one.

 

Image courtesy of © Kiyoshi Mio-USA TODAY Sports

Every organization convened in Nashville, and only the New York Yankees did much of consequence, dealing for Juan Soto and lesser outfield light Alex Verdugo. After Shohei Ohtani broke his silence Saturday, though, maybe the windfall we have been told to expect will finally come.

Shohei Gets What?
After Jon Morosi originally set the baseball world on fire with a report that Ohtani was on a plane to Toronto, it was turned on its head, as that report was proven false. A day later, Ohtani himself took to Instagram and announced he would sign with the Los Angeles Dodgers. Playing for Dave Roberts’s team was always the most likely destination, but no one could have predicted the payday.

It seemed that a $500-million deal could be on the table, but there were a few insiders who predicted a pact short even of that. Not only did Ohtani clear the half-billion mark, but he got $700 million over 10 years, with no opts-outs. Yes, there are substantial deferrals in the deal to help out the Dodgers pursuits of other talent, but he blew by Mike Trout, Patrick Mahomes, Lionel Messi, and every other North American athlete ever.

Royals to the World Series!
Kansas City agreed to a one-year deal with left-handed pitcher Will Smith. All he does is win World Series rings, and he’s coming off one with the Texas Rangers. Before that, Smith also won a ring with the Astros in 2022, and Braves in 2021.

The lefty is known for his overhand style and good slider, and Minnesota catcher Ryan Jeffers was ready when stepping in against him during 2023. There is almost no way the Royals actually play in the World Series during 2024, but having Smith on their roster has to up the odds in some way. Maybe, if nothing else, they can trade him to a team who ends up there, come July.

Jorge Polanco Heating Up
Before Morosi had a bad source on Ohtani, he had a good one on Polanco. Minnesota has received interest in their veteran second baseman, and it has become more likely that Polanco will be moved. Edouard Julien has taken over at second base, and the cost-cutting Twins could benefit by flipping Polanco’s $10.5 million salary for something they need more.

The Seattle Mariners remain a great fit as potential trade partners, but the market could be robust given how poor the free-agent landscape is. Jean Segura was expensive and mediocre last year. What Merrifield isn’t what he used to be. Polanco would be the cream of that crop, so the Twins have a chance to profit by cultivating a wide pool of interested suitors. Don't read too much into this, but Polanco is not among the confirmed names for TwinsFest at the end of January.

Tigers Make a Move
Detroit has ample money to spend after the retirement of Miguel Cabrera, and they have young talent in Riley Greene, Spencer Torkelson, and Tarik Skubal. They need to find a way for Javier Baez to produce something,  but A.J. Hinch’s team appears on the verge of overtaking both Cleveland and Chicago in the AL Central. They haven’t made a big splash yet, but bringing back Andrew Chafin Sunday was a good move.

The lefty pitched for both the Diamondbacks and Brewers in 2023, with mediocre results. Now, though, he returns to a Tigers team with whom he owned a 2.83 ERA and 10.5 strikeouts per nine innings in 2022. He posted three saves for them, and his 3.06 FIP suggested the production was legit. Chafin could factor in as their top southpaw setup man in 2024. Kenta Maeda gave them depth in the rotation, and Chafin does the same for their relief corps.

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Minnesota’s last transaction took place on Nov. 20, when they re-signed Jovani Moran to a minor-league deal. They had made multiple trades by this point a season ago, and the Christian Vazquez and Joey Gallo signings followed right behind those. With Polanco and Kyle Farmer as trade chips, it stands to reason their markets could take shape soon. Maybe we see Max Kepler dealt too, but as of now, he’s among the names confirmed to be at TwinsFest.

It has been reported that Ohtani was holding up the free agency market, and a small handful of moves took place following his signing over the weekend, but maybe this is the week we see substantial action before teams hibernate over the holidays.

Joe Mauer continues to poll well in the early going among ballots in the tracker from Ryan Thibodaux. How much does Ohtani’s decision impact a trade partner for Minnesota in the form of the Milwaukee Brewers? What is the first move you’re hoping for the Twins to make?

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[Matthew Trueblood]

My Cubs Twitter buddies are drooling over Polo as a potential solution for third base for them. I've been trying to explain that that experiment didn't go that well, but count Chicago as one suitor, I guess.

[MMMordabito]

My favorite reaction on MLBTR regarding the big market teams:

Yankees to Acquire two 40-man players from Dodgers

[Doctor Gast]

We won't get back what Polo is really worth to us, we'll come to regret it this year and I still don't like Julien at 2B, he's way to overrated at that position. We don't need to cut where it hurts, we mainly can't spend. People say we are short of depth in the OF. Buxton, Castro, Gordon, at some time Martin in premium the position of CF,  at the corners all those mentioned before plus Kepler, Wallner, Larnach & Kiriloff. That's not to mention a possible addition people want.

Our INF; Correa- SS, Lewis- 3B, Polanco- 2B, Farmer- utility, Castro will be very busy in CF but on rare occasion he could fill in & Julien- 2B fill in.

OF depth We have 4 (possibly 5) viable candidates at the premium position of CF we have that position pretty covered, cOF we have 8 (possibly 9), that should cover 2 positions right. (more than likely Buxton & Martin will not be on the field the 1st month/) That seems not being short to me.

INF depth  4 players to fill in 3 demanding positions, with one fill in at 2B & cameo appearances from Castro & don't even think about Gordon. That's walking a thin line. definitely not abundance that people think

With an already sparse INF we trade away our most reliable clutch hitter Polanco plus we'll never get what he's worth to us. & if that's not enough they want to trade away another viable INFer Farmer. That leaves Correa at SS, Lewis at 3B & fill in 2B man Julien as primary 2B man. (I'd rather have Castro as our primary CFer throughout the season than Julien at 2B.) Who do we have as utility? Castro will spread too thin in CF. PLease rethink this out, Think what a depleted INF will do for our pitching which BTW they want to trade Vazquez which will lower our pitching effectiveness further plus reducing the level of our catching. Yet the one that they can afford to lose (Kepler, $10MM) they want to keep. Can you see how fast this team will free fall if this insanity starts, Even though we have a lot of talent we can end up like '22 & '21 because of bad decisions. I warned you in '21 & '22 & I'm warning you now.

[DJL44]

Quote

What Merrifield

Second base

[rv78]

A headline reads: "We need to chill" :The offseason is going to take a while to develop. 

All that really means is, the Twins FO will let other teams dictate the market. They are not leaders but followers. It is too much too ask for them to take the initiative and go out and get what this team really needs before other teams take the cream of the crop, Their overwhelming patience will once again mean they will have to take from the leftovers or over-pay with in-house talent or top level prospects to actually improve the major league roster. Of course, maybe "improving" the roster is not a goal, Saving money is the real goal and we should be happy they are being cautious. Amazing what a difference 1 year makes.

[PatPfund]

I literally lol'ed at the Cubs yearning for Polo at third; love the guy, but he was brutal over there. I'm also fairly amazed at someone who isn't happy with Julien at 2B, but is fine with our CF situation (an injured guy unable to play there for 18 months come spring, our utility fielder whose value decreases to sub-average bat if you lock him to one spot, another guy I love but who may not even be an MLB bat playing sub-par D, and an untried rookie who is probably my choice of this crop).

The clear depth of this team is infield (including Brooks Lee coming on), so I hope the moves are an SP (at least #3 quality), a depthier SP, and a veteran OF (or two if you trade Max). Jorge is great, but there are a ton of replacement options, and if the market is there, this is the time...

[sweetmusicviola16]

No way the Grinch will be able to steal Shohei's Christmas. If he does that will be one rich Grinch.

[Whitey333]

It's always interesting how we throw prospects names out there like they are superstars.  Be realistic here.  Most of the minor league players mentioned have proven little to nothing to be counted on.  This team had holes last year and won the Central mainly because no other team was interested in competing.  This coming season shows a lot more holes.  We already have teams in the central making moves.  Yes even Kansas City.  Apparently it's not too early for them to add players.  We know the reason is payroll reduction to some degree.  As of now this team has more holes than the perverbial piece of Swiss cheese.  I hope we start filling up those holes with mlb ready talent.  As far as ohatani contract is concerned I think it is very bad for baseball as a whole.  That huge contract will continue to increase the salaries of the mediocre average mlb player.  I think we will again see ticket and concession prices increase making it too expensive for a family to attend a game.

[DJL44]

14 minutes ago, Whitey333 said:

As far as ohatani contract is concerned I think it is very bad for baseball as a whole.  That huge contract will continue to increase the salaries of the mediocre average mlb player.  I think we will again see ticket and concession prices increase making it too expensive for a family to attend a game.

You have your economics backwards.