Bellinger to sign with Twins?

[Schmoeman5]

Just ran across a random post on X formerly known as Twitter saying Twins were finalizing a 3 year deal with Bellinger. Hey, if it's on Twitter it must be true. Haha. I scoured as much as I could but saw nothing on any other forum or any sources to verify. 

[Cory Engelhardt]

What was the source?

[Schmoeman5]

Just now, Cory Engelhardt said:

What was the source?

All I saw was a Twitter post. For all I know it was a fan posting their own personal wish list.

[Cory Engelhardt]

19 minutes ago, Schmoeman5 said:

All I saw was a Twitter post. For all I know it was a fan posting their own personal wish list.

Got it. Yeah I saw a random thing on instagram earlier that the Twins might be interested, but it didn't have an article or link. 

Probably just some random person throwing stuff at the wall. Would be fun though :)

[Nashvilletwin]

We can only dream……

But if we are dreaming, can we move Kepler to help pay for him?  Bellinger would certainly hedge out Buxton for the next three seasons and offer a premium transition to Roy Hobbs (aka Walker Jenkins).  Maybe Boras owes us one and we can get a sweet 3 yr deal.  Maybe something like Correa’s first deal with us (3 yrs with opt outs).  It does make so much sense.

I’d take an outfield of Bellinger, Buxton (when healthy), Wallner, ERod, Castro and Martin over the next three years.

[ashbury]

If the Twins do surprise us all and sign Cody, the short item in the Strib yesterday that "the Twins haven't ruled out a reunion with free-agent center fielder Michael A. Taylor" could indicate a bit of negotiation in public that went on.

[Cory Engelhardt]

See, I think IF this were to happen, it would more be for 1B and having the ability to back up/play CF. Certainly he can play in a corner as well, but I don't know that Kepler would HAVE to go.

It also, arguably, would make it easier to trade someone like Wallner, or Kirilloff, or a few others for a starter.

 

But yeah, I don't see it. Not even sure he would want to play here. Fun to dream though.

[Guest]

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[CRF]

When I saw this header/subject...I just about lost my cookies. There's no way we could sign him. Right? 

[tarheeltwinsfan]

I think it may be that the Twins have signed Clay Bellinger  for added insurance in the bullpen.

[DocBauer]

Sure it wasn't Marco Bellinger, the guy who paints signs?

 

[tony&rodney]

Sure, might as well trade Kepler for Soto too as long as we are having fun. Then, with such a call for Luzardo, just send Farmer and Vazquez to Miami. Offseason complete, unless Snell will sign a minor league contract with a camp invite. Maybe X (formerly Twitter) means something.

[Nashvilletwin]

On second thought, I’m not sure a Correa like deal (the first one) for Bellinger makes sense. Why?

A. If Bellinger has a good season, he opts out, If he has a bad season, we overpaid and are stuck with him for at least the next year. We’ve seen this movie before.

B. We already have a LH outfielder in Kepler whom we’d probably try to move if we signed Bellinger. But Kepler costs 1/3 as much and might produce as much as Bellinger.  And since both would essentially be on one year deals, is Bellinger worth $20MM net for the one season?

C, By mid season ERod as a RHed bat might be a better overall fit on the roster for 1/30th the price.

D.  We signed Santana to play 1B already. Sorry Ghostrider, but the 1B pattern is full.

Yeah, so if we want to up payroll by $20MM this season, we might as well go with a starter.

[Cory Engelhardt]

51 minutes ago, Nashvilletwin said:

On second thought, I’m not sure a Correa like deal (the first one) for Bellinger makes sense. Why?

A. If Bellinger has a good season, he opts out, If he has a bad season, we overpaid and are stuck with him for at least the next year. We’ve seen this movie before.

B. We already have a LH outfielder in Kepler whom we’d probably try to move if we signed Bellinger. But Kepler costs 1/3 as much and might produce as much as Bellinger.  And since both would essentially be on one year deals, is Bellinger worth $20MM net for the one season?

C, By mid season ERod as a RHed bat might be a better overall fit on the roster for 1/30th the price.

D.  We signed Santana to play 1B already. Sorry Ghostrider, but the 1B pattern is full.

Yeah, so if we want to up payroll by $20MM this season, we might as well go with a starter.

Erod is left handed.

Santana is still a great fielder, and can play a lot, especially against lefties.

Bellinger walks a ton and doesn’t strikeout much. And he has power. And he can play a good 1b and a good outfield,

There is a fit here, if he actually would come here.

[TopGunn#22]

I agree.  Bellinger would be an interesting signing and certainly would be helpful due to his versatility.  But Santana has 1B covered and Kirilloff just might stay healthy and deliver on all the potential this year. 

Centerfield is where Belly could come in the handiest, but maybe Buxton really IS feeling better than he has in years.  Otherwise, Adam Duval as a RH hitter makes more sense (as he did in 2023 vs. Gallo).  Plus, I agree that Kepler could come very close to equaling whatever offense Belly provides this season.

Finally, if we've got that kind of money to throw around (and we DO since our TV contract will be adding $47-$48 million to our coffers) why not just sign Snell or Montgomery and have your #2 SP locked in for the next 3 years??  

 

[NotAboutWinning]

53 minutes ago, Nashvilletwin said:

On second thought, I’m not sure a Correa like deal (the first one) for Bellinger makes sense. Why?

A. If Bellinger has a good season, he opts out, If he has a bad season, we overpaid and are stuck with him for at least the next year. We’ve seen this movie before.

B. We already have a LH outfielder in Kepler whom we’d probably try to move if we signed Bellinger. But Kepler costs 1/3 as much and might produce as much as Bellinger.  And since both would essentially be on one year deals, is Bellinger worth $20MM net for the one season?

C, By mid season ERod as a RHed bat might be a better overall fit on the roster for 1/30th the price.

D.  We signed Santana to play 1B already. Sorry Ghostrider, but the 1B pattern is full.

Yeah, so if we want to up payroll by $20MM this season, we might as well go with a starter.

All very good points. I suspect lots of teams have settled their plans. Boras may have misread the market conditions. Bad for his clients, but ultimately good for baseball if his influence is curtailed.

[Nashvilletwin]

Erod is left handed.

What was I thinking.  Of course he is, duh.  My bad. 

[Hawkeye Bean Counter]

This is most likely a smokescreen, and other than being a left hand bat he would be a perfect fit here.  The issue is do you skyrocket the payroll this year be damned.  At that point you are 1 high level pitcher away from being a contender.  

[Blyleven2011]

I just don't see it , we are covered at every position  bellinger can cover  , we can cover those positions with a cheaper cost  , in house candidates  ...

I would like another solid bat added to the lineup but bellinger had 3 bad seasons in a row and then put together 1 good make good season for a chance at a big payday   , I'd be really surprised if we can afford another contract over 100 million  ...

The FO said they are lowering payroll and I'm sure they are sticking to their gun as they view 2025 with the same problem  ( uncertainty of TV revenue )

[Cory Engelhardt]

1 hour ago, Blyleven2011 said:

I just don't see it , we are covered at every position  bellinger can cover  , we can cover those positions with a cheaper cost  , in house candidates  ...

I would like another solid bat added to the lineup but bellinger had 3 bad seasons in a row and then put together 1 good make good season for a chance at a big payday   , I'd be really surprised if we can afford another contract over 100 million  ...

The FO said they are lowering payroll and I'm sure they are sticking to their gun as they view 2025 with the same problem  ( uncertainty of TV revenue )

I’ll only say, if this were to happen (and I don’t at all expect it) to me it signals that they both 

A) Think Bellinger is a large upgrade over what they trust Kirilloff to be able to do, and

B) Make it easier to trade a different young hitter, or prospects, for pitching.

Bellinger easily could be our primary 1b against righties, as well as dh or outfield against lefties right?

[Heiny]

This looks like BS.  And I actually think Bellinger is being grossly over-rated and not worth anywhere near the money being talked about.  How about having a few consistant seasons above average before paying him like a superstar.  If we're going to spend that kind of money, then go after Montgomery or Snell.  If they are not signed by now, we may be able to get one of them on a two year deal with options. 30M dollars is alot of money for anyone to turn down.

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[Cory Engelhardt]

39 minutes ago, Heiny said:

This looks like BS.  And I actually think Bellinger is being grossly over-rated and not worth anywhere near the money being talked about.  How about having a few consistant seasons above average before paying him like a superstar.  If we're going to spend that kind of money, then go after Montgomery or Snell.  If they are not signed by now, we may be able to get one of them on a two year deal with options. 30M dollars is alot of money for anyone to turn down.

 

I’d love Montgomery too. 

[jkcarew]

Zero chance. But if it DID happen, I’d trade Kiriloff the day after (or the evening of) his first good game of the season.

I do find it amusing that some here consider him so overrated. I trust it’s not folks who, at the same time, think Buxton is a superstar “when healthy”. Bellinger is a much better hitter than Buxton, he has a better track record of health, he is nearly 2 years younger than Buxton, and he…more than likely…will provide MORE defensive value than Buxton going forward.

If you truly had a chance to sign Bellinger on a shorter-term deal…and PAYROLL was the dealbreaker, you’d certainly entertain trading several veterans…including Buxton…for a young controllable arm and or right-handed hitting OF prospect.

[Cory Engelhardt]

27 minutes ago, jkcarew said:

Zero chance. But if it DID happen, I’d trade Kiriloff the day after (or the evening of) his first good game of the season.

I do find it amusing that some here consider him so overrated. I trust it’s not folks who, at the same time, think Buxton is a superstar “when healthy”. Bellinger is a much better hitter than Buxton, he has a better track record of health, he is nearly 2 years younger than Buxton, and he…more than likely…will provide MORE defensive value than Buxton going forward.

If you truly had a chance to sign Bellinger…and he wanted to come, and PAYROLL was the dealbreaker, you’d certainly entertain trading several veterans…including Buxton…for a young controllable arm.

I wouldn’t trade Buxton. But I get what you are saying. 
And I agree, if Bellinger is even 80% of what he was in 2023, that’s a VERY good player, regardless of his position.

But yeah, if they were to sign him, then it would open up more options for trading young position players for a pitcher. 

[mnfireman]

On 2/16/2024 at 5:22 PM, ashbury said:

If the Twins do surprise us all and sign Cody, the short item in the Strib yesterday that "the Twins haven't ruled out a reunion with free-agent center fielder Michael A. Taylor" could indicate a bit of negotiation in public that went on.

Sign 'em both!!

[mnfireman]

5 hours ago, jkcarew said:

Zero chance. But if it DID happen, I’d trade Kiriloff the day after (or the evening of) his first good game of the season.

I do find it amusing that some here consider him so overrated. I trust it’s not folks who, at the same time, think Buxton is a superstar “when healthy”. Bellinger is a much better hitter than Buxton, he has a better track record of health, he is nearly 2 years younger than Buxton, and he…more than likely…will provide MORE defensive value than Buxton going forward.

If you truly had a chance to sign Bellinger on a shorter-term deal…and PAYROLL was the dealbreaker, you’d certainly entertain trading several veterans…including Buxton…for a young controllable arm and or right-handed hitting OF prospect.

Again, for the people in the back, Buxton has a full no-trade clause...

[mnfireman]

Trade, don't trade/sign, don't sign, but the line-up/possible line-up looks LH/RH balanced - OF is LH heavy, IF is RH heavy. 

RH - Jeffers, Vazquez, Correa, Lewis, Buxton, Farmer, Miranda

LH - Julien, Kepler, Wallner, Larnach, Kirilloff

SH - Castro, Santana

[dxpavelka]

All I've seen is a MLB Rumors article that talks about scenarios for each of the 30 teams to sign Bellinger.  This is the Twins synopsis:  "Like the Mariners, the Twins have been working to reduce payroll. Their current projection of $123.5MM is right around the bottom end of their reported $125-140MM target range for payroll. Minnesota has been open to adding a right-handed-hitting outfielder and further rotation depth. They did this with Correa, so let’s not rule them out entirely. But if they were to, say, trade Kyle Farmer to free up $6.3MM and then make one more notable addition, a pitcher like Montgomery seems much more plausible than another lefty-swinging outfielder."  So basically it IS possible.  About the same as me dating a Karsdashian.

[Bodie]

On 2/16/2024 at 4:45 PM, talkintwins said:

There is no Sports Illustrated report or rumor linking Twins + Bellinger.

That said, if it did happen... Bellinger would be an ideal fit, as he'd be able to play CF whenever Buxton isn't, and then play 1B the rest of the time.

Didn't know SI still existed, let alone was relied on for actual (i.e. non-freakshow swimsuit issue) information...

[John Belinski]

On 2/16/2024 at 4:46 PM, Nashvilletwin said:

We can only dream……

But if we are dreaming, can we move Kepler to help pay for him?  Bellinger would certainly hedge out Buxton for the next three seasons and offer a premium transition to Roy Hobbs (aka Walker Jenkins).  Maybe Boras owes us one and we can get a sweet 3 yr deal.  Maybe something like Correa’s first deal with us (3 yrs with opt outs).  It does make so much sense.

I’d take an outfield of Bellinger, Buxton (when healthy), Wallner, ERod, Castro and Martin over the next three years.

Boras is a A--hole and has ruined baseball.  He gets too many teams to overpay players and the teams have to raise ticket prices so many people do not go to games.