Baldelli: You Can Bet on a Significant Move Happening Before Spring Training

[Vanimal46]

Rocco joined Dan Barreiro’s show on KFAN today to discuss Mauer’s HOF induction and other things. The title is most important. What’s your guess as to what significant move takes place?

[ashbury]

An hour (minus ads) listening to Rocco.  A nightmare for some, an education for a few, an insight for others.  😀

[USAFChief]

An hour, in studio, on KFAN.

 

That's the key takeaway. 

[Jocko87]

5 minutes ago, USAFChief said:

An hour, in studio, on KFAN.

 

That's the key takeaway. 

He seems very relaxed and open, maybe that leads to some loose lips leading to the headline. The suspense!

[ashbury]

37 minutes ago, USAFChief said:

An hour, in studio, on KFAN.

That's the key takeaway. 

The third/final segment was almost entirely about Rocco's views on leadership.  I'd be interested in knowing your take on what he said.

[Reptevia]

I’d be interested in someone summarizing this, so I don’t have to listen to it. 

[Alex]

Maybe I just missed it somehow, but I didn't hear them talk about Mauer, and I've been curious about Barreiro's thoughts as one of his biggest critics from day 1.

Otherwise, thought it was a good interview and don't know that I've heard Rocco talk that extensively with someone in one sitting.

[tarheeltwinsfan]

Specifically what did 3 things Rocco say that would be the most interesting to us at TD?

[Alex]

49 minutes ago, tarheeltwinsfan said:

Specifically what did 3 things Rocco say that would be the most interesting to us at TD?

That depends on what you want.   

There's not a lot of specific "nuggets" about the upcoming season other than the headline above -- the idea that he thinks a significant trade/move will happen and that he seems genuinely ready for where Buxton is.

The rest of it is a lot of talk about managing players and it's mostly really good insight into who he is and how he does things as a leader.  Dan asks him a lot of questions about "the perception" of him and how he does things of fans and how it contrast with how he actually does things.

Oh, and for those that care, he also talks about hating to pull pitchers.

[Cory Engelhardt]

Here is a question I'll throw out, just for fun.

What is the best/realistic option that would make you the MOST excited for the Twins to acquire? I don't think Burnes is available anymore, so in a lot of ways I would be the MOST excited to get Luzardo. I don't know if that is possible, but for me, that is the best pitcher available (potentially.) I will add, I don't see Chicago trading Cease in division.

Does anyone have someone that would be BETTER than Luzardo that could potentially be available? Framber maybe?

[Major League Ready]

3 hours ago, Reptevia said:

I’d be interested in someone summarizing this, so I don’t have to listen to it. 

No shortage of people who don't want to bother to get informed.  Yet, plenty of people willing to criticize.

[wabene]

I don't like Phish but I do like Baldelli

[Richie the Rally Goat]

1 hour ago, wabene said:

I don't like Phish but I do like Baldelli

I like both!

[Jocko87]

On the topic at hand, I don't think he gave away anything.  That was much more us guys at the bar saying "we gotta make a move, we always do, right?" than inside information. He would bet on it, but so would most of us.  Along with him discussing how involved he is in the decisions I took it as hopeful rather than informing.  We should have an article about his thinly vieled hints to the front office any day now.

On the whole it was a very fun discussion to watch, I hadn't seen that side if him before and the leadership stuff was fantastic.  I was thinking Kepler the whole time he talked about some discussions in his office.  

[tony&rodney]

Not a fan of talk radio or tv talking heads generally (because most are essentially/eventually forced to become or are shock jock types) but Rocco does a good job of explaining what he does, which is communication. Another thing that seems to come off, that he would likely agree with, is that he is still learning and that is a good thing. 

The questions about Rocco and the perception of him being a robotic person are sort of dehumanizing. This general thought of a baseball manager going along in games throughout a season staring at analytics and making calls based on strict numerical thoughts is simplistic. I'm not a huge fan of Malcolm Gladwell despite reading his books but even before his summation of "it takes 10,000 hours" to get a handle on a job, I believed that every job has skills that others cannot really understand completely. Rocco has a ton of knowledge that we could never imagine or at least I could not despite coaching and playing for decades. There is still room for growth for Rocco and sometimes it seemed like Francona brought his team several wins just by his presence. Of course this is impossible to categorize. Still good interview by Baldelli and people should watch it if they are interested in how Baldelli manages the Twins.

The Twins will make a trade if it benefits their team but I'm not so sure we should expect a challenge type deal like the Lopez-Arraez transaction. My current thinking is that other teams need to meet the Twins needs if they are to reap the value in a deal for a Twins player who is important to their team's goals. I like the Twins position right now.

[Hosken Bombo Disco]

Excellent interview! Rocco is a very likeable guy, great conversation,. The “significant move” comment didn’t sound like anything specific was behind it, to me. 

[JD-TWINS]

On 1/25/2024 at 10:50 AM, Cory Engelhardt said:

Here is a question I'll throw out, just for fun.

What is the best/realistic option that would make you the MOST excited for the Twins to acquire? I don't think Burnes is available anymore, so in a lot of ways I would be the MOST excited to get Luzardo. I don't know if that is possible, but for me, that is the best pitcher available (potentially.) I will add, I don't see Chicago trading Cease in division.

Does anyone have someone that would be BETTER than Luzardo that could potentially be available? Framber maybe?

Gotta say it, why would Houston consider trading Valdez?…….they are obviously in “Win Now” mode with Bregman - Tucker - etc. getting to end of control………just signed Hader for 5 years.

Agree with you - Luzardo would be #1 for me due to the fact that he has 3 years of team control left & we aren’t making an AL foe better.

A close #2 for me would be a trade for a guy with 2 years of control in NL league as well. Devin Williams of Milwaukee could be had & would make our Pen elite - particularly in the playoffs!! Through the regular season he’s primarily a set-up guy that can close whenever Duran isn’t available……he can affect 55 games per year at a minimum. 2 years of him at $7.25M would be a great value.

Clevinger signing from FA market would be simple…….a worthwhile 3rd option.

[RaoulDuke]

On 1/25/2024 at 7:50 AM, Cory Engelhardt said:

Here is a question I'll throw out, just for fun.

What is the best/realistic option that would make you the MOST excited for the Twins to acquire? I don't think Burnes is available anymore, so in a lot of ways I would be the MOST excited to get Luzardo. I don't know if that is possible, but for me, that is the best pitcher available (potentially.) I will add, I don't see Chicago trading Cease in division.

Does anyone have someone that would be BETTER than Luzardo that could potentially be available? Framber maybe?

Luzardo is up there, not sure he costs an Arraez but it won't be cheap.

I still think the most logical deal is Julien to Seattle. 

Is there someone to poach from the Dodgers now that Yamamoto and Glasnow are in the mix there?

I did like the Nestor Cortes idea someone posted at one point, doubt the Yanks would listen without a vast overpay.

Bieber still intrigues me as a buy low rental, even if it is in division.

Valdez would be interesting but I see no reason Houston moves him.

[Richie the Rally Goat]

Is the Polanco trade or Santana signing “significant”. Has Baldelli been vindicated? Might there be more moves coming?

[Squirrel]

1 hour ago, Richie the Rally Goat said:

Is the Polanco trade or Santana signing “significant”. Has Baldelli been vindicated? Might there be more moves coming?

I’d say the Polo trade was significant given he’s been with the org for so long and a fan favorite. I think it was inevitable, but still significant

[nicksaviking]

Polanco, sure, it was a sizable move. As for Santana, I think a good rule of thumb is, if the Pirates signed a player one year, and you signed him the next, no, it’s definitely not a big move because the Pirates will never make a big move in free agency.

I think another trade happens though.

[Hawkeye Bean Counter]

If you want a big deal

Twins - Luzardo, Arraez

Marlins - Julien, Ryan, Gonzalez  

Maybe need a throw in on top.   Marlins gain and extra year of control on Ryan, 4 on Julien,  and get a solid prospect.  

Twins get another ace or high end #2.  Arraez pairs up much better with Lee.  Can keep Lee down this year.  Have as utility to get feet wet, then take over second base.  

[ICTwin25]

41 minutes ago, Hawkeye Bean Counter said:

If you want a big deal

Twins - Luzardo, Arraez

Marlins - Julien, Ryan, Gonzalez  

Maybe need a throw in on top.   Marlins gain and extra year of control on Ryan, 4 on Julien,  and get a solid prospect.  

Twins get another ace or high end #2.  Arraez pairs up much better with Lee.  Can keep Lee down this year.  Have as utility to get feet wet, then take over second base.  

Man, I dont know why the Twins would give up three young, promising players for Luzardo and Arraez. Especially when Luzardo is similar to Ryan in value. While I love Luis, Julien and Gonzalez give me way more comfort as they don't have shattered knees.

[FilthyMogwai]

45 minutes ago, Hawkeye Bean Counter said:

If you want a big deal

Twins - Luzardo, Arraez

Marlins - Julien, Ryan, Gonzalez  

Maybe need a throw in on top.   Marlins gain and extra year of control on Ryan, 4 on Julien,  and get a solid prospect.  

Twins get another ace or high end #2.  Arraez pairs up much better with Lee.  Can keep Lee down this year.  Have as utility to get feet wet, then take over second base.  

Not touching this one. I like Julien and Ryan better now and in the future than Arraez and Jesus Lizard.

[tony&rodney]

1 hour ago, Hawkeye Bean Counter said:

If you want a big deal

Twins - Luzardo, Arraez

Marlins - Julien, Ryan, Gonzalez  

Maybe need a throw in on top.   Marlins gain and extra year of control on Ryan, 4 on Julien,  and get a solid prospect.  

Twins get another ace or high end #2.  Arraez pairs up much better with Lee.  Can keep Lee down this year.  Have as utility to get feet wet, then take over second base.  

Hey, good to keep looking. Falvey said he would add one player on the position side with the money saved by trading Polanco. Falvey signed Santana. I think the offseason may be complete for the Twins. But, who knows, right?

[nicksaviking]

1 hour ago, Hawkeye Bean Counter said:

If you want a big deal

Twins - Luzardo, Arraez

Marlins - Julien, Ryan, Gonzalez  

Maybe need a throw in on top.   Marlins gain and extra year of control on Ryan, 4 on Julien,  and get a solid prospect.  

Twins get another ace or high end #2.  Arraez pairs up much better with Lee.  Can keep Lee down this year.  Have as utility to get feet wet, then take over second base.  

I'm not really interested in the Julien/Arraez aspect of the deal, but I've long thought adding Ryan to a package to upgrade to Luzardo or Garrett would be a great move for both teams. 

Ryan, Festa and any non-top prospects would be pretty tempting I'd think.

Or Ryan and Lee. Heck, that might even be an overpay. Could be Ryan and someone lesser, though I'm Ok with Ryan and Lee to get back to something similar to the Lopez/Gray combo this team had last postseason.

[FlyingFinn]

26 minutes ago, nicksaviking said:

Ryan, Festa and any non-top prospects would be pretty tempting I'd think.

What about Ryan, Schobel and E-Rod? If Luzardo is that good, the Marlins do get their potential future 2B and OF in a couple years with a SP who should be good as well then. Twins get the upgrade at the top end of our starting rotation, which I think is needed in the playoffs.

[nicksaviking]

3 minutes ago, FlyingFinn said:

What about Ryan, Schobel and E-Rod? If Luzardo is that good, the Marlins do get their potential future 2B and OF in a couple years with a SP who should be good as well then. Twins get the upgrade at the top end of our starting rotation, which I think is needed in the playoffs.

I'd do it, but personally, I'm more willing to trade Lee than E-Rod. With the way the Twins are built, I'll rather keep the low floor high ceiling guy over the high floor low ceiling guy.

[Major League Ready]

11 hours ago, nicksaviking said:

I'd do it, but personally, I'm more willing to trade Lee than E-Rod. With the way the Twins are built, I'll rather keep the low floor high ceiling guy over the high floor low ceiling guy.

or at least switch Gonzalez for E-Rod.  I much prefer the guy with a good approach at the plate.  

[BSLinPA]

On 1/25/2024 at 11:33 AM, Major League Ready said:

No shortage of people who don't want to bother to get informed.  Yet, plenty of people willing to criticize.

MLR.......on point!  Last week we had a very regular poster comment that he did not read an article, then proceed to place "the blame" (his words) on the front office.  The article had NOTHING to do with any "blame", it was an observational conversation regarding the impact of Scott Boras on MLB and, most specifically, the Minnesota Twins.

Thanks much for your tap on the shoulder!  I spent the past hour listening to this interview.  No remarkable news, but did provide insight into Rocco's personality, style and mindset.