One Year From Now: Predicting the 2025 Twins Lineup

[Jocko87]

On 7/4/2024 at 8:53 AM, IndianaTwin said:

This isn’t the purpose of the article, but when you add a rotation of Lopez, Ryan, Ober, SWR and Paddack, backed up by Varland, Festa, et. al, followed by Duran, Jax, etc., they already have a pretty impressive floor.

This assumes letting Farmer, Santana, Margot and Kepler go, all of which seems likely. What would that make the payroll? 

Who cares what the payroll is if we have a group we are excited about running it back with? 

I been saying, its the most talent Twins fans have had to look at in a long, long time.

[RpR]

34 minutes ago, cjm0926 said:

Good call out, I knew I was forgetting someone. Forgot to include the DH slot, which is where Julien would go, and Lee would take over 2B

JUlien DH -- that would be good on April Fools Day - LOL.

[IndianaTwin]

5 hours ago, Jocko87 said:

Who cares what the payroll is if we have a group we are excited about running it back with? 

I been saying, its the most talent Twins fans have had to look at in a long, long time.

I don’t disagree. Just curious whether such a list would take care of staying within range of where they are this year or even pull off one more starting pitcher. 

[Jocko87]

4 hours ago, IndianaTwin said:

I don’t disagree. Just curious whether such a list would take care of staying within range of where they are this year or even pull off one more starting pitcher. 

I think the high priced mercenary for a short term will fit well for several years to come.

[IndianaTwin]

59 minutes ago, Jocko87 said:

I think the high priced mercenary for a short term will fit well for several years to come.

Correa’s first contract comes to mind. 😄

But I’m generally on board with what you are saying.

We obviously never know what the real “budget” is and how firm it is, beyond the generalities named by front office personnel. But what we do know is…

• They have seemed averse to long-term contracts, particularly for pitchers. 
• Though a decent amount will come off the books in 2025, they have some significant increases coming as well. Namely Lopez and guys starting to hit arbitration (Jax, Ryan, Ober, Duran and Lewis are S1 this offseason.)
• Of current guys, only Vazquez comes off the books in 2026. The big three of Correa, Lopez and Buxton. More guys hit arbitration and that quintet hits S2.  

In that context, it’s really hard for me to see many multi-year contracts to free agents. Maybe two-year deals. With their history, I can see one-years with options. Hopefully some buying out of a year or two of arbitration and a year or two of free agency for some guys.

 

Regarding mercenaries, I joked about Correa. We’ll also never know this, but I really wonder what kind of offers Correa had on the table before he turned to the Twins and said, “What about coming to you guys for a bazillion dollars, but for just one year?” (I recognize that it technically included the options, but realistically both sides knew it was unlikely to be taken.)

Similarly, to use a guy like Patrick Corban, who turns 35 in two weeks, I wonder how much would it take for him to take a one-year deal when he’s probably shooting for at least three or four. Or if a Scherzer ended the year healthy and wanted to play another year. Or a reliever, particularly given that we’re talking $10-$15M for a year rather than $30+. Fun to imagine. 

[RpR]

On 7/4/2024 at 3:54 PM, Jim wyllie said:

With his injury history the seeds are already being planted for lewis to move to first base where his defense will be great and lee will stick at third and as for second base austin martin with miranda dhing and giving rest at 1st and 3rd.  Julien is a ?mark right now and wallner might be traded

Lewis will never be any where but 3rd base and d'h. if he made some of the plays at first Santana made, he would be on the IL very, very, very often.

Neither Miranda or Lewis are good fielders but Miranda has a .957 average right now and Lewis is at .927., best bat wins.

Julien, who went 3 for 4 today, 3 Ks and a walk, may be history next year or  permanent Saint.

Lee has come up with gusto like Lewis did, hope when pitchers adapt to him , he can re-adapt to them.

Wallner, if he is called back, this stint will be one he cannot fail.