Grading the Minnesota Twins’ 2024 Offseason

[Cody Christie]

Many national outlets will begin handing out grades based on the moves made by each organization this offseason. So, what grade should the Twins receive? The answer is complicated.

Image courtesy of Kim Klement Neitzel-USA TODAY Sports

In an ideal offseason, the Twins would build off a tremendous 2023 season where the club ended a playoff-losing drought. The front office would be free to stretch the payroll over $160 million for the first time in franchise history while keeping the team’s winning window open as long as possible. Instead, the payroll was reduced by nearly $30 million after uncertainty surrounded the team’s television situation. 

Minnesota’s roster seems set, with Opening Day less than a month away, but multiple grades should be handed out to all those responsible for the current roster. On a recent Patreon episode of Gleeman and the Geek, John and Aaron discussed how to evaluate the team's offseason. Below are grades for the ownership group, the front office, and an overall grade for the offseason. How would you grade the team?

Ownership: Joe Pohlad and the Pohlad Family
Twins ownership made it clear to the front office that the team would cut payroll for the 2023 season. It seemed like a natural consequence, with the team’s television home being in flux for most of the offseason. This decision forced Derek Falvey and company to be creative in their approach to roster construction (see below). In recent weeks, Joe Pohlad has made the rounds on local radio and television to discuss the reasons behind the financial decisions being forced onto the team’s decision-makers. Many pointed to the team's renewal of their deal with Diamond Sports as an opportunity to spend more money. 

Despite the influx of revenue, Pohlad explained that the Twins had been stretched in their recent spending, and a reduction was necessary for 2024. The MLBPA is also considering filing a grievance against the Twins because of comments made by Pohlad. During an interview with WCCO-AM Radio's Jason DeRusha, he addressed the Twins' free-agent plans: "We're not going to go out and spend $30 million on a player right now," Pohlad said. "The players that are out there right now that probably a bunch of fans are talking about, we are not in the market for those players." Combine the dropping payroll, the botched television situation, and other comments, and it’s hard not to give the front office a failing grade.   
Final Grade: F

Front Office: Derek Falvey and Company
Falvey has been known for his patience and creativity in roster building, and those skills were undoubtedly tested this winter. Minnesota’s most significant offseason move was parting ways with Jorge Polanco, the longest-tenured Twins player and an underrated player in the Target Field era. In return, the Twins got a set-up caliber reliever (Justin Topa), a back-of-the-rotation starter (Anthony DeSclafani), and two prospects (Gabriel Gonzalez and Darren Bowen). It might have been easier for the club to hang on to Polanco, but none of the team’s other moves would have been possible without the salary relief acquired in the Polanco deal. 

The team wanted a veteran bat to fit into the first base mix, and Carlos Santana has consistently tormented the Twins throughout his career. Nick Gordon was out of options and didn’t have a defined role on the roster, so the Twins were able to swap him for lefty reliever Steven Okert. Minnesota needed insurance for Buxton in center field but didn’t have the funds to sign a free agent. So, the club flipped shortstop prospect Noah Miller to the Dodgers for Manuel Margo, Rayne Doncon, and cash. Some can argue that the Twins are a worse team now than at the end of last season, but the front office did their best to add depth and make minor tweaks around the margins. 
Final Grade: B-

Overall Grade
From the outside, many national outlets will give the Twins a C grade, but that doesn't tell the whole story as shown above. The team lost Sonny Gray, the Cy Young runner-up, and Kenta Maeda from the rotation without making any critical upgrades to the starting staff. Minnesota’s bullpen added substantial depth and projects to be among baseball’s best, but relievers can be fickle. The Twins are also relying on returns to health for Byron Buxton and Carlos Correa while also hoping their terrific rookie trio from last year can avoid the dreaded sophomore slump. Combined, the front office and ownership had a slightly below-average offseason.
Final Grade: C-

What grade would you give the front office? How does the ownership group stack up? Does the club deserve a C for their final offseason grade? Leave a COMMENT and start the discussion. 

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[Reptevia]

C- seems about right. 

[GKuehl]

I’d give the front office a B+ considering one hand was tied behind their back. They were basically told to keep the payroll where it was, with no room to add any pieces. Subbing out Polanco and Gordon for Carlos Santana, Manny Margot, Okert, Topa, DeSclafani, and Gabby Gonzalez is a pretty good job filling most of our needs without being able to spend any money. 

[Joe A. Preusser]

B-   I'm pretty fine with the off-season, and am very optimistic about the season.

Would have been an easy A+ if we had traded for a cost controlled front end starting pitcher though.

[mikelink45]

These grades - all the evaluators - are premature.  It is like me giving grades to my graduate students on the first day of class.  Baseball is a funny sport that requires more patience than I have (although I like that) and the only real grade for the team is the end of the year.

Is the Pohlad grade because we did not like what we heard?  He told us the truth and no matter how we feel, it is his team.

I am ready for the season!

[Fatbat]

You are being too harsh on the FO.  For what they had to navigate, they didn’t give away the farm or stand still the whole offseason. The FO only brought in enough vets to let the next group of young guns figure out a few things and be able and to push their way into MLB. The FO deserves credit for not log jamming anyone position or player while also getting legit MLB depth. That tightrope has to be given an A. 
 

Ownership only deserves something more than an F if and only if we make a deep playoff run. Someone needs to explain to them that “rightsizing” their business means winning a WS soon. Its been 33 years of “wrong sizing”. 

[Fatbat]

17 minutes ago, mikelink45 said:

These grades - all the evaluators - are premature.  It is like me giving grades to my graduate students on the first day of class.  Baseball is a funny sport that requires more patience than I have (although I like that) and the only real grade for the team is the end of the year.

Is the Pohlad grade because we did not like what we heard?  He told us the truth and no matter how we feel, it is his team.

I am ready for the season!

The F entails a few things. Not fixing the streaming issues. Lying/over exaggerating about the loss of revenue and how to “right size” the business.  They have owned it since 1984.  Accomplished a $1.4B increase in Equity and they can’t find a way in 40 years to figure out when the best time is to step up a run for the WS with or without player salary increase. They simply choose to throw water on the fan fire by a bad choice of words. They have a PR problem that lead to the F. 

[mike8791]

You pretty much nailed it.  Ownership should get a failing mark.  The Pohlad banking mentality seems to permeate the generations.  They simply don't understand that if they want to expand revenue, they must invest first, especially on the heels of a successful(at least for this franchise) 2023 season.  From the contractor(Carl) to the myopic(Jim) to the inexperienced(Joe) Pohlad, this family has exhibited no interest in bringing another WC to the Twin Cities.  As a passionate Twins fan, I'm afraid our only hope is a franchise sale to a non-penny-pinching group.

As far as the FO, you might be a tad generous with your B-.  My grade : C.  They did fine around the edges, but does anyone think this is a better team than the one in the playoffs?  How do you lose guys like Gray and Maeda and think that Paddock/DiSclefani will slot in seamlessly as replacements.  Right now we have one playoff-caliber starter with many question marks attached.  Ryan and Varland are homer prone,  Paddack is totally unproven.  Ober might fit in well as a #2 or3 but again, still iffy.  Why Falvey should get no higher than a C here is simple.  He did not move the needle!  Sure, ownership didn't help but this org. is just not built to spend the $ to bring in a difference maker, particularly for the rotation.  TD has been full of requests for a trade ala Lopez in '23, but FO simply unwilling to pull the trigger on trading one or two of their top prospects.  As recent reports out of Seattle indicate, Miller was their target but the twins refused to pony up.  Question: would you rather have Lee or Miller come postseason?  

The Twins seemed on the cusp of becoming a force in the AL even after losing to the Astros.  They had a good young core, together with two potential All Stars in Correa and Bux who underperformed badly last year but with a probability of rebounding in 2024.  The offense should be improved, but we all know that it is pitching that wins in October.  Yes, the FO has bolstered the relief corps, but the rotation is shaky enough to greatly diminish their championship aspirations next fall.  The off season has been a major disappointment.

[Karbo]

I expected the payroll to drop a little even before the FO told us it would, simply because they now have 3 starters(hopefully) on rookie contracts. I hated to lose Polo, but the FO did get a pretty decent return, on paper at least. I'm OK with the Santana signing, as long as he is primarily a platoon or late inning defensive replacement. I wasn't a big fan of the Margot signing as it blocks the path for some competition from rookies wanting the job. Expecting Desclafini to be the 5th starter may pan out. If it doesn't I hope they are ready cut bait, unlike last season with Gallo. My overall grade would be a C+ with ownership at C- and FO at B.

[chpettit19]

Ownership: F. Whether the payroll decrease was the right business decision or not, the messaging was terrible, and the timing was even worse. They continue to show how much they don't understand their fanbase.

Front office: C. They have a Polanco sized hole in their lineup that they replaced with an injury red flag at the back of their rotation, a bunch of 30 something pen arms with very little track record of success, and a 38 year old short-side of a platoon (even though he'll start plenty against righties) 1B/DH. I think the team is basically the same talent level as the one that came up short in the playoffs so they get a C. I do like their depth, but they continue to be more focused on floor (depth) than ceiling (talent) than I'd like. 

Overall: D. Team got no better while they completely face planted the PR stuff. Team should be the favorites for the central, but that's not saying much, and having the rest of your division be horrible doesn't earn you a better grade.

All that said, these offseason grades don't matter, and lots of wins early will make their PR mistakes go away quickly.

[1985Fan]

Have to give credit to FO for effort in replacing Solano with Santana. Solano was a great addition last year with his right handed bat and his veteran AB’s. Not something easily quantified, but I thought his at bats were impressive, especially early season when most everyone else was struggling.

Don’t discount the part of the Polanco trade that creates a path to the big leagues for Brooks Lee. It seems the FO is planning for him to make the jump this year and be a contributor much like Julien and Wallner. We’ll see if he can hit his way out of St.Paul, but now the path is clearer. 

It would have been great if they would have added a front end starter, but that is very expensive in today’s market. On paper, the FO deserves an A-. The only grade that counts comes at the end of the year. 

[stringer bell]

Given the self-imposed restraints on payroll, I thought Falvey/Levine did a very good job of adding depth to a talented roster that contains a lot of durability question marks. Among the position players, backup roles will be held by veteran players who can step in and there is a deep bullpen. The starting rotation is going to lean very heavily on three guys in their late 20s, and if you are going to lean heavily on a player of a certain age, that is the age range for it. If the Twins can get 80-90% of what they got from their starters in 2023, the club will be in good shape. 

Ownership OTOH really needs to take a seminar in Public Relations. Promising things you don't deliver is a sure way to invite disdain from the fan base. That was done with the new TV deal. Many or most of us will have to wait a year for a more permanent solution and that solution is probably going to cost more than most of us want to pay. Whatever "right sizing" (or rightsizing) is, fans aren't going to like the picture that is being painted while other franchises in comparable markets spend far more than the Twins do. 

[sweetmusicviola16]

I'm not going to differentiate between ownership and the FO. Their one and the same as far as I'm concerned. So I grade it at D+. The bottom line is the team has not been improved and I can't with any honesty tell myself or anyone else that they did. Santana is not better than Polanco. DeSclafani is not better than Gray. Margot is not better than Taylor. Topa may or may not be better than Pagan, jury is out on that. I use the word "better," bottom line is these new players are not as good. I think they will once again win the division, but instead of widening the gap with the competition they allowed it to narrow. 

We put all of our eggs into the Lewis, Julien, Jeffers and Wallner will be as good or better basket. And into the Buxton and Correa will be healthy and good basket. The moves we made are the same type of moves we made in 2013 when we were a last place team. That's my opinion.

[Doctor Gast]

We had only one pressing need going into the offseason & that was 1 postseason SP to improve our team this year. All other positions were well-covered by our own players. We didn't have to worry about losing our Central Division Champion title so our focus is on postseason.

The Bally situation affected our FA money. So Snell & Montgomery was out of the question & even if they'd ever want to come to MN. IMO a trade would have been possible (much like the Arraez/ Lopez) if they had pulled that off I'd give them a A+. If they had done nothing I'd give them a C. The additions did nothing but backed fill & replaced capable inhouse players that needed the MLB experience. Those positions were often filled with waiver-wire, minor-league contracts & low FA pick-up at most

But trading away a healthy, clutch hitting, club leader Polanco weakened us considerably. Even if Topa contributes, I'd still have to grade this offseason an F because they let Noah Miller slip away.

[D.C Twins]

I think finding a way to add another #3 level SP or higher was crucial to be a truly competitive team deep into the playoffs.

Given the injury history of Paddock, the dearth of talent for our #5 (can't spell it and I don't think he'll be around long enough for me to need to), and Ryan/Ober having yet to definitively declare themselves as reliable above average piticher year/year, we really needed another good reliable option.

If all SP maximize their potential and stay healthy, it could be an impressive rotation (well minus #5-whats-his-name) but ideally the job of the FO is to minimize the 'ifs"

Whatever the cost of another #3 SP or better would come back and then some if the team did make deep runs in the playoffs over the next couple years. 

You have to spend money (wisely) to make money.... 

[sftwinsfan]

Pretty spot on, I'd be right in that C-/D+ range. Still excited about the season as they have what should be a pretty solid team, but the disappointment stems from them having a chance to be a legitimate World Series contender, but they replaced some very good players with largely salary dumps from other teams. I acknowledge the challenges with the TV deal, but it was never going to be zero, but they seemingly operated like it would be. I didn't expect them to sign someone for $30M a year but didn't expect moves reminiscent of the 90's and a large decrease in payroll after the way last year ended. 

This team will still be exciting to watch, more so than the first half last year. Before the young guys came up the way Gallo and Buxton were going, they were almost unwatchable, and I think that played a role in the attendance being low. I think the offense will be solid, especially if Buxton and Correa are healthy. The bullpen should be good. The rotation is where they will sink or swim. As it looks now, it should be good enough to win a weak division, but they look like a team that'll be quickly bounced from the playoffs. That could change of course. Maybe they acquire a legitimate #2 starter at some point. Maybe someone else steps up, hopefully. 

[Hawkeye Bean Counter]

The team is B+, A-,   Management B to B+,  Front Office C- to D,  The front office gave the management the freedom to sign Correa last year as a a 1 year higher salary with the realization they wouldn't have any big money for this year.  I am ok with that, especially considering next year will be much higher.  We have a nicely constructed team, and tons of assets on the farm.  Right now, what version of Disco we get will be a big determination on this year.  If we get the 2021 or early 2023 version it will be very good and if Paddack performs well be may actually have a better pitching staff than last year.  However we got Disco as a throw in because of the elbow, and he was already shut down for 2 days and ramping back up.  I feel good he is ramping back up, but I don't have high confidence he can get through the year.   

[Jocko87]

1 hour ago, Bigfork Twins Guy said:

I'll give the team an "Incomplete" grade and revisit it at the end of the season.

I'd also suggest that we must take into consideration that the money saved this year may allow us to not have to lose out on one of our premium talents in the future.  If it allows us to extend or retain for example, Lewis, Julian, Wallner, and others who may develop into excellent players then this may be a BIG win in the long run. 

Bingo. If you are giving a F to ownership it's because you assume you know more than them. The hubris is astounding. To give an F you have to ignore that they are probably doing the right thing for the long term health of the franchise. Getting a splash of Bally money for this year doesn't change anything. Much like the real estate market, having dry powder is going to be very handy in the next few years.

I'll give a D on messaging. It would be an F except for the fact that they were communicating honestly and accurately. It's a tough message to deliver but a PR hire would be handy.

The self-imposed modifier needs to stop. Bring back word filters! IYKYK

Again, when was the last time Aaron complained his very good, possibly great MSG chicken cost too little to make?

As for the front office, it's an A minus. I'm still waiting to hear what they wouldn't give up to Seattle but overall, sometimes doing nothing moves the ball forward better than a move to make a move. All spots have been addressed in a very difficult environment.

This roster is better than last years playoff roster. Period.

[Brandon]

Evaluating the offseason.

Ownership has gone out of their way to botch everything they set out to do this offseason in terms of improving a growing fanbase and fan morale.  Lowering payroll was ok.  What they should have done is let the fan base know last year they were going well over their limits for the team last season to compete.  This would have set us up for the blow this year that payroll has to come down.  The way they went about it was less so.  I think their biggest mistake is the cable situation.  Keeping games away from those who can’t go or get whatever channel they are on limits their ability to grow their fan base and makes the base they do have happy.  I do give the front office points for being honest.  I would rather have an honest front office rather than watching the offseason unfold where I keep thinking I am seeing missed opportunities all around.  Ownership gets a solid D.  I think Joe will get a better handle on this as he gets more experience.   

The Front Office on the other hand had a great offseason.  Let’s look at their objectives going into the offseason.  Their biggest need was to replace the production of Sonny Gray.  And while many would also say Maeda that was already done and planned for before last season began.  Paddack was already acquired and signed to an extension and is ready to replace the 100 or so innings and then some from Maeda.  The Twins went into the offseason with decent depth in their bullpen, so the expectation was maybe signing a reliever for the midlevel innings to replace Pagan.  There were also several depth players who were free agents including OF Taylor, IF Solano, and they were told to lower payroll 20-30 million this offseason which meant trading one of Polanco or Kepler.  It’s the last item on their to do list that makes what the front office did, such a great job. 

To start, the Twins needed to replace the innings from Gray.  How did they accomplish this.  From several sources.

1.  If Paddack manages 120-150 innings this season, then essentially 20-50 innings go towards replacing what Gray did as Maeda had 100 innings last season.

 2.  The Twins traded Polanco for a top 100 OF prospect #79 on MLB.com and DeSclafani and cash to lower his cost to 4 million (gotta budget to keep here).  If healthy DeSclafani can be a mid-3 ERA starting pitcher.  The question is if he is healthy.  I think its pretty impressive the Twins could get someone with a floor of Bundy and a ceiling of pre-Twins Gray for 4 million cost.

3.  The Twins went absolutely crazy signing and claiming relievers this offseason.  We are now 14 or 15 or 16 relievers deep.  This will do several things for us.  Now we can start Paddack out with a lower pitch count into mid-May when it warms up to protect his arm.  4-5 inning starts.  We can also throw competitive bullpen games and not gas out our pen.  And with what should be more quality innings from an already strong pen, they will replace many innings that Gray was going to pitch.

4.  The Twins acquired the #79 prospect and the Dodgers 12 ranked prospect and there was another prospect in the Mariners trade and we get an extra draft pick for losing Gray.  With what we already had in our system we have more ammo to trade for an ace starter at the trade deadline.  We should have extra payroll space to add a starter too.  This part gets an incomplete until the trade actually happens.  It may not be needed but we have the extra capability if we do.

The Twins replaced Solano and Taylor with Margot and Santana.  Santana is a good defensive 1B with a league average bat and can DH occasionally.  This is good insurance for the injuries we keep getting from Killeroff. Santana also deepens the lineup by giving us a competent bat at DH when the Twins are not rotating players through the DH and need a consistent bat.  Margot can be a good defensive OF if his knee injuries are behind him.  He is also the RH hitting OF we wanted that doesn’t K all of the time.  This allows us to keep Martin in the minors for now.  If Buxton goes on the DL, we will have Martin and Margot available for CF.  As a whole our bench is deeper than last year as we even have Larnach, Martin, Lee, Miranda, Severino and Carmargo available in AAA if needed. 

And on top of all of that they lowered payroll from 156 million to around 128 million.  For that they get an A-.  (They still didn’t get a CY Young level replacement in the rotation) but they were able to get more done then what others like Preller did who also was working to lower payroll. The Twins are well positioned to go back to the playoffs this year. 

[DocBauer]

For purposes of what I'm about to state, let me begin with the following: X=$30M and Y=$15M.

I don't feel comfortable giving ownership a grade because I feel there are 2 DIFFERENT areas to grade. And for one of them, I just don't have enough information to  properly grade.

OWERSHIP#1; Their PR this offseason was atrocious! If the payroll was going to have to lower, I appreciate the honesty, but it was delivered at the worst possible time and in a poor way. Some of the comments made by St Peter were almost belittling to the fan base, though I doubt that was his intention. But it sure came across that way. And while I personally fail to see anything Joe Pohlad said as being incendiary concerning not being in on the remaining FA, and truthfully/technically he didn't name any names, I really don't see anything that has teeth for the union to criticize. But again, it sure could have been phrased better. And he should have been smart enough to not even tempt fate.

GRADE: F

OWNERSHIP#2: It is MY OPNION, that when a sports business ownership has a team on the cusp of having a real chance to win, they should invest in that team, and their overall franchise, at that moment. That means...refer to the top...instead of profiting $XM, they should be willing to accept a lower amount of $YM for a couple of years. It's good for the success of the team, their opportunity, and for the overall wealth of the team as an investment. And I am very, very disappointed in ownership cutting the payroll, or at least cutting it as much as they did, for 2024. They ask us to just trust them that it was necessary. But how on earth could we possibly know total income and total outlay numbers? There is speculation out there that the Twins might have brought in as little as around $270M last year. Others have speculated it's closer to $350 when you add in MLB contributions in addition to Bally, and projections for attendance and sales, etc, but we still don't know. But if it's $300M or less, I can see them having to cut to some degree or face a potential loss. I did say potential**. So can I really give the FO an "F" grade when I really and truly have ZERO concrete information on the final $ numbers? I just can't. So I can only "trust them" and assume that they are at least being mostly truthful. But I have my doubts as they have been consistently steady in building the payroll for years now. And without concrete information from them, I'm forced to give them a "D" for doubt, but not a complete "F".

GRADE: D

FRONT OFFICE: I mostly like what they did with what they had. I do think things might have played out differently had the Bally arrangement been made earlier in the offseason. It might have not made a huge difference, but it could have been a $5-10M swing in opportunity in various areas.

Would they have signed someone like Wacha instead of DeScalfini, who might be more of a sure thing, and then moved Polanco's deal for something different? I think Polanco needed to go just to address other areas and because of INF depth, but I don't know it was the RIGHT trade. I like the depth of the pen, even if a couple of the options there might not turn out. There is real opportunity in depth. I like the Gordon trade. I'm not crazy about 38yo Santana finding a fountain of youth, but I like him on a cheap 1yr deal to fill a role. I liked the addition of Margo for 1yr as well. He fits a role on the 2024 Twins quite well. But I'm not going to rehash all of these points in depth as I've done so previously.

The only way they could have added a top 3 starter, it appears, would have to have included a good handful of top 20 prospects, and possibly an already existing player we all really like. For now, right or wrong, they've made a conscious attempt to keep almost the entirety of the milb system in place. I'm not so sure that isn't the smart play for NOW. Mid season things may change.

FINAL GRADE: B-B+ (based on what they had to work with and what they were able to accomplish).

[USAFChief]

1 hour ago, Jocko87 said:

The self-imposed modifier needs to stop. Bring back word filters! IYKYK

 

It's NOT self imposed??

Look, feel free to shill for ownership to your hearts content, but at least don't scold the rest of us using bald faced lies.

[wabene]

I'm giving ownership a D-. It is not a fail because the team still exists to play games in beautiful Target Field. The Pohlads previous experience owning a media company did not go well. Here they are again somehow not getting ahead of the changing broadcast metric. To have Cory P going on record about improved access, only to make him the fool while accepting a mystery low ball deal in the eleventh hour. That is bush league. At a crucial juncture with an aging fan base and no way for the younger crowd to access the games in their preferred methods is just simply bad business. Add to that cutting payroll after the most successful season in decades killing momentum with an excited fan base, not a good look. Top it off with the continued tone deafness of DSP. How does this guy have this job?

I'll give the front office a B+, for their maneuverings while being clearly hamstrung. This grade will go down if:

Carlos Santana is getting plate appearances against rightys after the all-star break and not producing. 

Other cheaper veterans are not producing, but kept around to block performing younger players. 

[Schmoeman5]

3 hours ago, Doctor Gast said:

We had only one pressing need going into the offseason & that was 1 postseason SP to improve our team this year. All other positions were well-covered by our own players. We didn't have to worry about losing our Central Division Champion title so our focus is on postseason.

The Bally situation affected our FA money. So Snell & Montgomery was out of the question & even if they'd ever want to come to MN. IMO a trade would have been possible (much like the Arraez/ Lopez) if they had pulled that off I'd give them a A+. If they had done nothing I'd give them a C. The additions did nothing but backed fill & replaced capable inhouse players that needed the MLB experience. Those positions were often filled with waiver-wire, minor-league contracts & low FA pick-up at most

But trading away a healthy, clutch hitting, club leader Polanco weakened us considerably. Even if Topa contributes, I'd still have to grade this offseason an F because they let Noah Miller slip away.

Yeah. Noah Miller was definitely the foundation for the future. 

[Fatbat]

7 minutes ago, Schmoeman5 said:

Yeah. Noah Miller was definitely the foundation for the future. 

Beat me to it.  @Doctor Gast Noah Miller might be a gold glove MLB’r after he finds his bat and gets to the show. Some time after 2025. We will likely draft 2 more SS in ‘24 that will have the same or better chance as Noah.  Sorry for your loss and that you will have to root for him in Dodger blue. Life is really cruel sometimes. 

[Doctor Gast]

12 hours ago, Fatbat said:

Beat me to it.  @Doctor Gast Noah Miller might be a gold glove MLB’r after he finds his bat and gets to the show. Some time after 2025. We will likely draft 2 more SS in ‘24 that will have the same or better chance as Noah.  Sorry for your loss and that you will have to root for him in Dodger blue. Life is really cruel sometimes. 

I appreciate your sarcasm. Fatbat. I realize that maybe 95% of my TD brothers & the Twins staff can't appreciate my appreciation of Noah. People love big bats, But in reality, have you noticed how many acclaimed All-Star SSs get moved off of SS in their prime because their bats can't overcome the lack in their gloves?

After Correa we need someone to shine at SS. Lewis & Lee are good, but their glove isn't as good as Miller's. Twins have drafted tons of SSs, How many ever make it at SS (I never considered Polanco as a SS)? The % has to be close to nil. We will likely draft 2 more SS in ‘24 that will have the same or better chance as Noah. That has to be another one of your jokes. IDK if I've ever seen anyone in the Twins' system with a glove as good as Miller's or if there has been anyone who has won the minor leagues GG at SS. I trust LAD's evaluation & development so that's some consolation. 

 

[Jocko87]

3 hours ago, USAFChief said:

It's NOT self imposed??

Look, feel free to shill for ownership to your hearts content, but at least don't scold the rest of us using bald faced lies.

Are not all baseball payroll limitations self imposed?

I'm stupidified that long time fans of the team thought anything else was going to happen. Like what did you expect really?

[Fatbat]

3 hours ago, Doctor Gast said:

I appreciate your sarcasm. Fatbat. I realize that maybe 95% of my TD brothers & the Twins staff can't appreciate my appreciation of Noah. People love big bats, But in reality, have you noticed how many acclaimed All-Star SSs get moved off of SS in their prime because their bats can't overcome the lack in their gloves?

After Correa we need someone to shine at SS. Lewis & Lee are good, but their glove isn't as good as Miller's. Twins have drafted tons of SSs, How many ever make it at SS (I never considered Polanco as a SS)? The % has to be close to nil. We will likely draft 2 more SS in ‘24 that will have the same or better chance as Noah. That has to be another one of your jokes. IDK if I've ever seen anyone in the Twins' system with a glove as good as Miller's or if there has been anyone who has won the minor leagues GG at SS. I trust LAD's evaluation & development so that's some consolation. 

I wanted to use a Dodger quote here but it wouldn't let me paste it. To summarize it states this was an upside grab. Someone who was drafted with high contact skills, the potential of having a higher walk percentage & once he starts to hit could climb the prospects list.

Im with ya on Noah, Im just glad he is in the NL. 

[Jocko87]

9 minutes ago, CCHOF5yearstoolate said:

I give ownership and F because I'm not so gullible to think they're really hurting badly after maybe 1 or 2 years of losing a little. They've got more money in the bank than you and your next 10 generations. 

Not one time have I said I thought they were hurting.  I'm quite sure they are comfortable.  People don't become billionaires by throwing $30m around cause the internets told them to.

And don't speak for my 8th progeny, that's where we hit it big.  All the financial teachings of Twins Daily will come together for magic.

[Paul D]

I have to give the Pohlad Family a higher grade because:  1) they started the offseason talking about reducing payroll and that is exactly what happened and 2) Falvey and Company deserve a B+ for the second year in a row because, outside of the rotation, they have filled the 26 man roster with players who will be contributors this season.  To find a Castro last year and to have stocked the bullpen with so many options shows a great ability to evaluate players who they seem to find in the trash bin.  They are almost always correct and, except for the Mahle trade, they seem to come out ahead.

[rv78]

1 hour ago, Paul D said:

I have to give the Pohlad Family a higher grade because:  1) they started the offseason talking about reducing payroll and that is exactly what happened and 2) Falvey and Company deserve a B+ for the second year in a row because, outside of the rotation, they have filled the 26 man roster with players who will be contributors this season.  To find a Castro last year and to have stocked the bullpen with so many options shows a great ability to evaluate players who they seem to find in the trash bin.  They are almost always correct and, except for the Mahle trade, they seem to come out ahead.

Unfortunately pretty much anyone can contribute. Even Joey Gallo..... Did he make the Twins better or did he take at bats away from someone (Wallner) who could have helped them even more. Not to mention that his $11M salary could have been spent on something better. I liken the efforts of this FO to dumpster diving in hopes of catching lightning in a bottle. In case anyone hasn't noticed, Carlos Santana is NOT an average hitter anymore. The last 3 seasons he's hit .222. Is that really someone you want taking at bats away from Kirilloff who hit .270 last year. Everyone knows Rocco will platoon those two guys every chance he gets. Santana is just Joey Gallo/version 2. And the bullpen arms they added are either one year wonders (Topa, Jackson, Staumont) or HR prone (Okert). Nothing like taking chances there. Margot will be fine if he is just a backup to Buck but if he ends up having to cover for him everyday due to another Buck injury, it will be a step backward as well. Last but not least is DeSclafani and Paddack in for Gray and Maeda. That is not even close to being a better situation. 

Edited March 3, 2024 by Richie the Rally Goat