What’s Next for the Twins Following the Jorge Polanco Trade?

[TopGunn#22]

I'm also not content with the rotation.  I wonder if the Twins FO really is and whether the statement they are looking for a bat is a smoke-screen.  What limited resources we have I would like to see used for the rotation.  I like the addition of Topa.  I think Staumont has the potential to be a Brock Stewart type.  I think Varland and Canterino could be factors and I believe an increased workload for Funderburk will be good.

This is why I would like the Twins to take a flyer on Trevor Bauer.  I'm no fan of the off the field stuff and it seems a lot of things were assumed that were unfair to him.  But he just wants a chance and if I had $10 million to spend on a SP (which doesn't get you much nowadays) I'd spend it on him.  He's been an elite pitcher.  He still seems to have gas in the tank.  He would immediately be our #2 SP pushing DeSclafani to #6 and allowing the Twins for 2024 to use Varland as a multi-inning relief pitcher.  

By any metric he's a low risk/high reward move.  That's what the Twins need.  They need UPSIDE, and Bauer could provide that.  The guy just wants a chance and I think would sign for below market.  The Twins would offer him a better chance than many other teams.  A one year deal would be extremely low risk, but I'd even consider a two year deal for the stability of the rotation and to give younger pitchers more time to develop and contribute.  I think he'd have a bigger impact on the Twins 2024 season than a hitter.  

[nicksaviking]

1 hour ago, arby58 said:

With the signings of Miley and Hoskins, Milwaukee appears to be trying to make a deep play-off run rather than shedding near-term assets, which is another reason I doubt a Burnes trade - and with Polanco gone, offering up Lee or Julien as a key part of that trade becomes more iffy. The White Sox are a mess so, IMHO, more likely to center on a package of high value prospects. I assume Jenkins and now Lee are untouchable, but probably everybody else is part of the conversation. I know teams don't like to trade within the division, but if you are the White Sox, you don't realistically expect to be competing for a division title the next couple of years, so what's the big harm?

I don't think Milwaukee is trading Burnes.

But I don't associate Wade Miley with teams making deep playoff runs. He seems like a guy a contender signs if they have no money and need to fill a rotation spot, or a bottom feeder signs to pretend they're trying.

[EGFTShaw]

1 hour ago, miracleb said:

Pass on Pham....we have internal options for all position players....especially if we are looking to save money. (or not spend MORE money.)

You would also have to have Pham commit to arbitration for his fantasy leaque disputes...😆

[nicksaviking]

20 minutes ago, big dog said:

I don't get all the drama about DeSclafani. He's not great, or maybe even good, I get it. Will he cost the Twins the division? Only if a lot of other things go wrong as well. How many fifth starters do anything except mop up in the playoffs?

Right, that's the point though. None of us should be satisfied with just winning a sad AL Central. DeSclafani isn't going to win a game in the playoffs, and the Twins need a pitcher to replace Sonny Gray who will. They don't have that guy yet.

[Twins_Fan_in_NJ]

26 minutes ago, hitterscount said:

The starting pitching, as of today, is not where it needs to be. DeSclafani is a #5 at best. I posted earlier that Varland should be able to take his spot in the rotation coming out of spring training, if not that is very concerning on his potential. 

What will the rotation look like if Paddock gets shut down, Ober and/or Ryan begin to struggle later in the season and we are running out DeSClafani and Varland, the pitcher that couldn't beat him out for 40% of our starts. That is not a playoff winning rotation. 

I am more comfortable with the position players. They should have looked at Hoskins, but that ship has sailed. All focus and resources should be on replacing Gray with another quality arm.   

Yeah, I'm with you on the rotation. There's enough position players in the pipeline. Pitching, not as much.

[JD-TWINS]

DeSclafani isn’t any sort of savior so expectations should be 4.50 ERA, if things go well …….hopefully, he’s able to stay healthy and at least get 120 innings in through the year. He’s not going to elevate into the middle of the rotation. The addition is to protect Varland’s innings total & particularly his stress level……….4.50 ERA is 3 runs in 6 innings as an average - workable & probably the expectation for Varland as well.

Tommy Pham and the other FA bats (Soler, Martinez, Belt???, etc.) don’t fit because Byron Buxton is on the Club. He’s gotta have room to DH up to 80 games this year to keep his bat in the line-up & to try & ensure he’s available in October. Need to get him in the line-up 75% of the time - that’s 40 games in CF - 40 games off or on IL - 80 games at DH. None of the guys above are affordable nor a fit. Pham is probably affordable but, to me, just isn’t good enough to consider.

Burnes on a 1 year rental ($15.6M) doesn’t seem prudent - then add the fact that they don’t need OF help makes it seem like a near impossibility to pull off.

Cease within the Division is distasteful since we’d be improving the ChiSox future. Can’t imagine coming together on a deal with them.

Still seems to me that Clevinger for 2 years - 2nd year as player option - at $16M is affordable and saves all trade assets for a potential move at the deadline, if needed.

Kepler was one of 4-5 guys in the game to hit .300 or better with 30 XBH or better after the Break last year. Gotta ride that into this season and try to extract a .250 BA with 22 plus HR & good defense in ‘24. Solid - not flashy.

Wallner - Buxton/Castro/Gordon - Kepler

Lewis - CC - Julien/Farmer - Kirilloff/(Miranda or Solano)

2 catchers

That’s the 13……..if anyone is added, they need to be competent in CF (they then could play corner OF as well) to displace Gordon.

I think they sign Solano as insurance at 1B and as a potential DH (Miranda has options) if Buxton gets hurt. Also, DHing Castro doesn’t work when Buxton is in CF because they will want Castro to be flexible to sub defensively & even as a late inning runner.

[Gamblerssoftball]

It's always important to maintain a good clubhouse environment, as well. I don't think adding Pham is a good idea for this reason alone.

[Blyleven2011]

What's next ???

The Front office still needs to add something substantial to the starting staff of pitchers  , the Polanco trade did not make the team better for 2024  ...

It added a arm for the bullpen ( topa ) and a #5 starter for depth ( DeSclafani ) ...

Topa so far is a late bloomer with 1 good season ( reminds me of lopez ) ...

DeSclafani has battled injuries  , last good season was 2021 ( reminds me of Bundy  as an inning eater ) ...

Quality starting pitching kept us in a lot of games during the season and was the reason we won some playoff games ...

Our hitting sucked until Polanco and Lewis came back from injuries  and ignited  our offense in the second half  , Polanco's hitting can be replaced but can his clutch hitting  be replaced  ...

Has our FO failed to see the big picture and not learned anything from their mistakes of 2021 especially  and 2022  alittle better  ...

Before the trade of Polanco we had decent starting pitching to win the division but not enough starting pitching to win playoff series , nothing has changed with this trade for DeSclafani  ...

We also now need a good righthanded batter more than ever ( preferably an outfielder ) , Polanco was a switch hitter , a very valued commodity  ...

[nicksaviking]

2 hours ago, Cory Engelhardt said:

Dan Hayes mentioned this morning that they have talked to Milwaukee and Chicago regarding Burnes and Cease, along with other high impact starters. But that move is on the back burner for now, as they focus on a hitter. He also mentioned that adding Gonzalez, another top 100 prospect, will help those trade talks

Weird he doesn't say the Twins have talked to the Marlins, the one team that has come out to say they are willing to trade top end pitching. And a team the Twins dealt with last year.

I mean it's weird unless one supposes that the very secretive Twins noisily leaked their interest in Milwaukee and Chicago pitchers to prod Miami into action.

[Johnny Ringo]

1 hour ago, Cory Engelhardt said:

Dan Hayes mentioned this morning that they have talked to Milwaukee and Chicago regarding Burnes and Cease, along with other high impact starters. But that move is on the back burner for now, as they focus on a hitter. He also mentioned that adding Gonzalez, another top 100 prospect, will help those trade talks

Dan Hayes is smarter than I am but it makes no sense for the Brewers to sign Hoskins (the ultimate "win now" expression) and then to deal front-line starting pitching. Especially given that the NL Central seems easily winnable. 

I would think that a measured view of Cease's value, the asking price and a presumed intra-division "tax" makes signing him improbable. 

My guess (not that I like it) is that this team is pretty fully formed. I would be shocked if the payroll out of the blocks exceeds $120 million, so any further maneuvering will be predicated on the ability to move Kepler and/or Vasquez.  

To be clear, these wouldn't be my choices.

One of my frustrations with this front office (and there are many) is their lack of accessibility to the media. The only time Falvey is interviewed is with one of the Twins friendlies who serve up more softballs than Jenny Lynch.  It would be refreshening if he sat down with a Barreiro (the best interviewer in the TC for my money) or someone of that high impartial quality and discussed honestly the state of Twins nation.   

[bird]

1 hour ago, jorgenswest said:

Sign JD Martinez. I think he will outhit Polanco this year and the lineup will be better than it was before the trade.

Nelson Cruz was a great addition to the line up and the clubhouse. Martinez has a similar work ethic. It wasn’t a problem that our DH hit so well that players cycled to the bench for rest instead of cycling through DH.

I’m in the minority I’m guessing, but I think the need for a RH bat from outside the organization is overstated. My logic is based on a few iffy assumptions I suppose, but hear me out. 
1) Ass. #1 is Buxton and Kirilloff both returning in good condition.

2) Ass #2: Farmer and Castro are back and can spell/platoon when matchups dictate a day off for Julien, Wallner, maybe other LH starters. Good hitters, and pesky.

3) Ass #3: Martin is MLB ready. He can join Gordon and Castro to back up all 3 OF spots.

4) Ass# 4: Miranda, a wild card, has been worked over by the field staff, comes back healthy with an approved approach. 1B when Kirilloff should sit.

Maybe there’s one too few roster spots for this plan. I don’t do arithmetic well. But I don’t want resources spent on Pham, Solano, Taylor, etc. Plus, I like the roster balance of pesky, annoying hitters and baserunners, or decent defenders like Martin, Castro, and Farmer.

[JD-TWINS]

12 minutes ago, nicksaviking said:

Right, that's the point though. None of us should be satisfied with just winning a sad AL Central. DeSclafani isn't going to win a game in the playoffs, and the Twins need a pitcher to replace Sonny Gray who will. They don't have that guy yet.

Playoff staff as of today:

Lopez - Ryan - Paddack - Ober as needed

Varland - Canterino/Alcala? - Jax - Stewart - Topa - Funderburk - Thielbar - Duran

Seems like a solid group of 12 to me.

The Team was 15-18 in Gray’s starts in 2023. Gray won one playoff game and picked off a guy at 2B to escape a jam in his last inning, the 5th. Next outing v. Houston was poor. IMO, the outcomes are what needs to be replaced or improved upon.

I get that Gray typically would give the Team a better chance to be in the game but he wasn’t Bob Gibson. The Twins can be in the mix for the AL Pennant with the arms above.

Lopez had an ERA that was 3.60 plus - around .85 runs per 9 higher than Gray……..ERA is one measurement of a pitcher (important!) but performing in the clutch is something that gets good outcomes. To me, our Pen is what the Club will lean on in the Playoffs to be clutch & help get Wins.

 

12 minutes ago, nicksaviking said:

Right, that's the point though. None of us should be satisfied with just winning a sad AL Central. DeSclafani isn't going to win a game in the playoffs, and the Twins need a pitcher to replace Sonny Gray who will. They don't have that guy yet.

With budget ceiling and potentially filling other needs, can’t see a front line starter being added - at least not until the Break, if needed.

[Major League Ready]

11 minutes ago, Blyleven2011 said:

 

Our hitting sucked until Polanco and Lewis came back from injuries  and ignited  our offense in the second half  , Polanco's hitting can be replaced but can his clutch hitting  be replaced  ...

Before the trade of Polanco we had decent starting pitching to win the division but not enough starting pitching to win playoff series , nothing has changed with this trade for DeSclafani  ...

We also now need a good righthanded batter more than ever ( preferably an outfielder ) , Polanco was a switch hitter , a very valued commodity  ...

Actually, Lewis was significantly better than Polanco and five other guys were more productive in the 2nd half.  (see below).  He was slightly better than Castro in the 2nd half last year so the statement that Lewis and Polanco were responsible for the 2nd half turnaround is not accurate. 

                                          OPS       wRC+

 

[arby58]

40 minutes ago, nicksaviking said:

I don't think Milwaukee is trading Burnes.

But I don't associate Wade Miley with teams making deep playoff runs. He seems like a guy a contender signs if they have no money and need to fill a rotation spot, or a bottom feeder signs to pretend they're trying.

Miley has 18.7 lifetime WAR and 2.5 last year - Corbin Burnes' numbers are 13.5 and 3.5. Miley was 9-4, 3.14 ERA in 23 starts and 120 innings pitched last year. Those aren't bottom feeder numbers. 

[nicksaviking]

Just now, JD-TWINS said:

Playoff staff as of today:

Lopez - Ryan - Paddack - Ober as needed

Varland - Canterino/Alcala? - Jax - Stewart - Topa - Funderburk - Thielbar - Duran

With budget ceiling and potentially filling other needs, can’t see a front line starter being added - at least not until the Break, if needed.

They don't have other needs. The lineup is all but locked, anything else is a luxury. A top of the rotation arm is what they need and they have prospect equity to get it if it's available.

And what's the point of putting together a competitive team if they aren't trying to win in the playoffs? Might as well sell all the vets and tank for prospects if losing in the Wild Card round is the goal. Ryan isn't a #2, they clearly didn't trust him or Ober in the playoffs last year. They need someone to slot ahead of those two.

[jorgenswest]

7 minutes ago, bird said:

I’m in the minority I’m guessing, but I think the need for a RH bat from outside the organization is overstated. My logic is based on a few iffy assumptions I suppose, but hear me out. 
1) Ass. #1 is Buxton and Kirilloff both returning in good condition.

2) Ass #2: Farmer and Castro are back and can spell/platoon when matchups dictate a day off for Julien, Wallner, maybe other LH starters. Good hitters, and pesky.

3) Ass #3: Martin is MLB ready. He can join Gordon and Castro to back up all 3 OF spots.

4) Ass# 4: Miranda, a wild card, has been worked over by the field staff, comes back healthy with an approved approach. 1B when Kirilloff should sit.

Maybe there’s one too few roster spots for this plan. I don’t do arithmetic well. But I don’t want resources spent on Pham, Solano, Taylor, etc. Plus, I like the roster balance of pesky, annoying hitters and baserunners, or decent defenders like Martin, Castro, and Farmer.

I don’t want a platoon bat either.

[Cory Engelhardt]

8 minutes ago, nicksaviking said:

Weird he doesn't say the Twins have talked to the Marlins, the one team that has come out to say they are willing to trade top end pitching. And a team the Twins dealt with last year.

I mean it's weird unless one supposes that the very secretive Twins noisily leaked their interest in Milwaukee and Chicago pitchers to prod Miami into action.

Here is the exact part from the Athletic article...

"The Twins explored trade possibilities for the Milwaukee Brewers' Corbin Burnes, Chicago White Sox's Dylan Cease and other high profile possibilities, but those talks have proved fruitless thus far. It's possible the Twins could still pursue those avenues, especially after adding an intriguing top-100 prospect in Gabriel Gonzalez. The team has four top-100 prospects around which to build a package. For now, it seems as if those overtures are on the back burner. 

But look for the Twins to reinvest the money they received in the Polanco trade soon."

 

They have looked at "other high profile possibilities" as well. I just think it sticks out a little bit that those two were specifically mentioned right?

[arby58]

1 hour ago, jorgenswest said:

Sign JD Martinez. I think he will outhit Polanco this year and the lineup will be better than it was before the trade.

Nelson Cruz was a great addition to the line up and the clubhouse. Martinez has a similar work ethic. It wasn’t a problem that our DH hit so well that players cycled to the bench for rest instead of cycling through DH.

I'm not averse to it, but the expectation is that Buxton is going to DH when he's not in CF. Given Martinez is also a right handed hitter, he becomes superfluous in those situations. Given the 26 man roster limitation, I'd expect they're looking for somebody with a little more positional flexibility (such as can play 1B and/or OF when tough lefthanders tempt them to sit Kirilloff or Wallner).

[nicksaviking]

1 minute ago, Cory Engelhardt said:

Here is the exact part from the Athletic article...

"The Twins explored trade possibilities for the Milwaukee Brewers' Corbin Burnes, Chicago White Sox's Dylan Cease and other high profile possibilities, but those talks have proved fruitless thus far. It's possible the Twins could still pursue those avenues, especially after adding an intriguing top-100 prospect in Gabriel Gonzalez. The team has four top-100 prospects around which to build a package. For now, it seems as if those overtures are on the back burner. 

But look for the Twins to reinvest the money they received in the Polanco trade soon."

 

They have looked at "other high profile possibilities" as well. I just think it sticks out a little bit that those two were specifically mentioned right?

I agree that it seems to stick out. Maybe the Twins don't like the Marlins pitchers, but maybe those talks haven't been fruitless so they didn't want to spoil the apple by specifically calling that club out.

[stringer bell]

No TV deal as of today, right? I think the Twins are keeping their chips tight until they have some idea of how much to spend. They appeared to be comfortable with $120-125M, which is where they were before dealing Chulo. From what I can see, they only want to spend the $5M they netted in the Polanco deal. That doesn't make for much high impact--Solanco, maybe or someone like Duvall or (mentioned elsewhere) Carlos Santana. I think the Twins should get a good enough hitter that the guy is a starter, not a platoon piece, or not even go there.

As far as a playoff starting pitcher, I don't see them competing to get Cease, Burnes or any other top starter, certainly without a TV deal. Maybe they can find an undervalued asset from a bad team or someone coming off an injury, but not someone who was healthy and productive last year.

Polanco netted a good prospect (I know TINSTAAP), a reliever coming off a really good season, but with a questionable health history and a perhaps serviceable starter. Kepler, with a year less of control, would net less IMHO. I don't see the Twins as having the pieces to acquire a top starter at this time. I don't like it, but that's what I see. 

[Major League Ready]

5 minutes ago, bird said:

I’m in the minority I’m guessing, but I think the need for a RH bat from outside the organization is overstated. My logic is based on a few iffy assumptions I suppose, but hear me out. 
1) Ass. #1 is Buxton and Kirilloff both returning in good condition.

2) Ass #2: Farmer and Castro are back and can spell/platoon when matchups dictate a day off for Julien, Wallner, maybe other LH starters. Good hitters, and pesky.

3) Ass #3: Martin is MLB ready. He can join Gordon and Castro to back up all 3 OF spots.

4) Ass# 4: Miranda, a wild card, has been worked over by the field staff, comes back healthy with an approved approach. 1B when Kirilloff should sit.

Maybe there’s one too few roster spots for this plan. I don’t do arithmetic well. But I don’t want resources spent on Pham, Solano, Taylor, etc. Plus, I like the roster balance of pesky, annoying hitters and baserunners, or decent defenders like Martin, Castro, and Farmer.

That's a mighty optimistic set of assumptions.  Even if 1,2, and 4 come true, they still could use an OFer that is great against LHP.  Martin could definitely fill that role, but he is the only in house option with perhaps the exception of Anthony Prato.  They gave him some games in LF so he might be an option as well. 

Castro / Farmer and Vazquez are locks for bench roles.  Someone that can mash LHP and play 1B/LF would fit in great.  

[Major League Ready]

7 minutes ago, nicksaviking said:

They don't have other needs. The lineup is all but locked, anything else is a luxury. A top of the rotation arm is what they need and they have prospect equity to get it if it's available.

And what's the point of putting together a competitive team if they aren't trying to win in the playoffs? Might as well sell all the vets and tank for prospects if losing in the Wild Card round is the goal. Ryan isn't a #2, they clearly didn't trust him or Ober in the playoffs last year. They need someone to slot ahead of those two.

Do the rangers get to the WS without Jordan Montgomery?  I doubt it.  Just saying waiting until the trade deadline is an option.

[Doctor Gast]

23 minutes ago, Blyleven2011 said:

What's next ???

The Front office still needs to add something substantial to the starting staff of pitchers  , the Polanco trade did not make the team better for 2024  ...

It added a arm for the bullpen ( topa ) and a #5 starter for depth ( DeSclafani ) ...

Topa so far is a late bloomer with 1 good season ( reminds me of lopez ) ...

DeSclafani has battled injuries  , last good season was 2021 ( reminds me of Bundy  as an inning eater ) ...

Quality starting pitching kept us in a lot of games during the season and was the reason we won some playoff games ...

Our hitting sucked until Polanco and Lewis came back from injuries  and ignited  our offense in the second half  , Polanco's hitting can be replaced but can his clutch hitting  be replaced  ...

Has our FO failed to see the big picture and not learned anything from their mistakes of 2021 especially  and 2022  alittle better  ...

Before the trade of Polanco we had decent starting pitching to win the division but not enough starting pitching to win playoff series , nothing has changed with this trade for DeSclafani  ...

We also now need a good righthanded batter more than ever ( preferably an outfielder ) , Polanco was a switch hitter , a very valued commodity  ...

Our absolute need is a postseason SP but now because of this Polo trade, IMO has seriously jeopardized our chances of landing a front-line SP. Because they refused to put Julien where he belonged at 1B, it'll give this FO an excuse to get a Gallo-type 1B/ DH they are enamored with.

[JD-TWINS]

3 minutes ago, nicksaviking said:

They don't have other needs. The lineup is all but locked, anything else is a luxury. A top of the rotation arm is what they need and they have prospect equity to get it if it's available.

And what's the point of putting together a competitive team if they aren't trying to win in the playoffs? Might as well sell all the vets and tank for prospects if losing in the Wild Card round is the goal. Ryan isn't a #2, they clearly didn't trust him or Ober in the playoffs last year. They need someone to slot ahead of those two.

I agree on the “other needs” but 40% of the TD crowd say they, and the organization, thinks that a RH bat is needed. Either at 1B or Corner OF “they need a RH bat.” $$ spent there?? Hope not!

……….. Ober & Ryan were both in their 2nd year in The Show & in their 1st playoff starts - guys evolve, IMO.

With the Pen above, I think that if they can only get through 3 plus innings with 2 of the 4 starters in the playoffs, they’re OK.

I’m a big proponent of signing Clevinger!

Also, a big proponent of trading for Devin Williams with 2 years of control at $7.25M. Could be a huge addition for stability - depth - shutdown innings through the year & huge weapon in playoffs.

I don’t think there’s a trade out there (while keeping Lee - Jenkins - all young guys on 26 man) for a #2 or #3 starter. Am assuming we’ll make the best of what’s currently rostered.

[nicksaviking]

6 minutes ago, Major League Ready said:

Do the rangers get to the WS without Jordan Montgomery?  I doubt it.  Just saying waiting until the trade deadline is an option.

A mid season trade will cost more.

Plus, this team has nailed the offseason trades while blowing the midseason trades (not blaming, I liked them at the time). Get a guy now and have him for 162 games.

[Parfigliano]

42 minutes ago, JD-TWINS said:

DeSclafani isn’t any sort of savior so expectations should be 4.50 ERA, if things go well …….hopefully, he’s able to stay healthy and at least get 120 innings in through the year. He’s not going to elevate into the middle of the rotation. The addition is to protect Varland’s innings total & particularly his stress level……….4.50 ERA is 3 runs in 6 innings as an average - workable & probably the expectation for Varland as well.

Tommy Pham and the other FA bats (Soler, Martinez, Belt???, etc.) don’t fit because Byron Buxton is on the Club. He’s gotta have room to DH up to 80 games this year to keep his bat in the line-up & to try & ensure he’s available in October. Need to get him in the line-up 75% of the time - that’s 40 games in CF - 40 games off or on IL - 80 games at DH. None of the guys above are affordable nor a fit. Pham is probably affordable but, to me, just isn’t good enough to consider.

Burnes on a 1 year rental ($15.6M) doesn’t seem prudent - then add the fact that they don’t need OF help makes it seem like a near impossibility to pull off.

Cease within the Division is distasteful since we’d be improving the ChiSox future. Can’t imagine coming together on a deal with them.

Still seems to me that Clevinger for 2 years - 2nd year as player option - at $16M is affordable and saves all trade assets for a potential move at the deadline, if needed.

Kepler was one of 4-5 guys in the game to hit .300 or better with 30 XBH or better after the Break last year. Gotta ride that into this season and try to extract a .250 BA with 22 plus HR & good defense in ‘24. Solid - not flashy.

Wallner - Buxton/Castro/Gordon - Kepler

Lewis - CC - Julien/Farmer - Kirilloff/(Miranda or Solano)

2 catchers

That’s the 13……..if anyone is added, they need to be competent in CF (they then could play corner OF as well) to displace Gordon.

I think they sign Solano as insurance at 1B and as a potential DH (Miranda has options) if Buxton gets hurt. Also, DHing Castro doesn’t work when Buxton is in CF because they will want Castro to be flexible to sub defensively & even as a late inning runner.

40 games combined off or on IL for Buxton---I'll take the over.

[bird]

11 minutes ago, Major League Ready said:

That's a mighty optimistic set of assumptions.  Even if 1,2, and 4 come true, they still could use an OFer that is great against LHP.  Martin could definitely fill that role, but he is the only in house option with perhaps the exception of Anthony Prato.  They gave him some games in LF so he might be an option as well. 

Castro / Farmer and Vazquez are locks for bench roles.  Someone that can mash LHP and play 1B/LF would fit in great.  

You’re probably right. My expanded optimism is Lewis moved to the OF and Lee bursting onto the scene at 3B. :)

[stringer bell]

26 minutes ago, Johnny Ringo said:

One of my frustrations with this front office (and there are many) is their lack of accessibility to the media. The only time Falvey is interviewed is with one of the Twins friendlies who serve up more softballs than Jenny Lynch.  It would be refreshening if he sat down with a Barreiro (the best interviewer in the TC for my money) or someone of that high impartial quality and discussed honestly the state of Twins nation.   

You took the words out of my mouth until the part of your post that I quoted. What good does it do for the Twins to reveal more to the public about "the state of Twins nation"? Will it sell more tickets? Allow the clubs to get a better TV deal or acquire better players? 

Yes, I'd like to know more, to be an insider on future moves, but IMHO it doesn't serve the team to publicize what they might do, hence they do not reveal these things. 

[JD-TWINS]

11 minutes ago, Major League Ready said:

That's a mighty optimistic set of assumptions.  Even if 1,2, and 4 come true, they still could use an OFer that is great against LHP.  Martin could definitely fill that role, but he is the only in house option with perhaps the exception of Anthony Prato.  They gave him some games in LF so he might be an option as well. 

Castro / Farmer and Vazquez are locks for bench roles.  Someone that can mash LHP and play 1B/LF would fit in great.  

To me, Duvall is the only FA that may make sense as he would displace Gordon on the 13 position player list. Gotta have any additional OF capable of playing CF. Buxton will be limited & Castro should be able to be used in a flexible role at least some of the time and not an anchor in CF.

Martin is an option as well but am assuming he’ll be slotted to be at AAA for at least the early months of the season. Not sure they can assume he’s ready?

[Cory Engelhardt]

I wonder if the trade route to add a bat could make sense compared to who is available on the free agent market.

For example, if we want someone who kills lefties, Harold Ramirez of Tampa makes sense to me. He also probably wouldn't cost THAT much via prospects/players to trade. Just a thought, and his salary is only about 4million for 2024.