Offseason Predictions?

[jud6312]

Many of us are probably still a bit on edge, given the nosedive our favorite team took over the last month of the season, but I'd like to see what everyone's predictions are for the offseason. I'm thinking less a blueprint or wish list of what you'd like them to do or what we'd collectively like to see them do before Spring Training starts, but rather what you think they'll do - whether you like it or not. No prediction too big or too small, too boring or too far out of left field.

 

I'll start: they will trade Royce Lewis to acquire pitching help.

 

I'll follow that up by saying I know this is far-fetched, and depending on the return I'm not sure what I think about it. But given his injury concerns, the questions about his glove, the fact that he wore down after playing half a season at age 25, and a potential rift between him and Correa, I think it's plausible. I also don't get the impression he loves being in Minnesota. The injury and defensive concerns might give pause to some teams, but the upside when he's right is clearly there and would likely outweigh the negatives (perceived or otherwise) for many clubs. Also, aside from exploring deals involving Jenkins, Rodriguez, and any combination of top prospects, he likely has the most value.

 

Again, not sure I'd make a move and I haven't given a single thought as to what the return might be, just a gut reaction I've had.

 

So, fellow TD readers, what have you?

[nicksaviking]

I would say it's possible but still very unlikely Lewis is traded.

I'd guess one of the lefty outfields get moved. Sell high on Larnach instead of Wallner though please.

If they do trade any young controllable players though, I'd prefer they trade them together to level up, instead of trading them separately to tread water. Have to think Lee, Larnach plus something else would get the Mariners attention regarding their pitching. 

[The Great Hambino]

Pablo gets moved for a pu pu platter of middling prospects. Salary savings are reinvested in bringing back Santana and bringing in one starter and multiple relievers with sketchy injury histories

Twins kick in salary to move Paddack and prospect ballast for a serviceable RH ouftielder with team control - sort of a reverse of last year's Polanco trade with Paddack playing the role of DeSclafani

Both catchers are retained

St Peter decides to take whatever table scraps Bally will give him and accepts a carriage deal at a siginificantly reduced rate

Fans continue to right-size their interest in the team

[Mike Sixel]

1 minute ago, nicksaviking said:

I would say it's possible but still very unlikely Lewis is traded.

I'd guess one of the lefty outfields get moved. Sell high on Larnach instead of Wallner though please.

If they do trade any young controllable players though, I'd prefer they trade them together to level up, instead of trading them separately to tread water. Have to think Lee, Larnach plus something else would get the Mariners attention regarding their pitching. 

Who hits if you deal them? Who plays SS? I can't see Lee getting dealt. Imagine the backup SS being WORSE than Lee and Farmer at everything for 50 games......They aren't signing any decent hitters, I have no idea how anyone can think this team is better dealing hitters.

[Mike Sixel]

1 minute ago, The Great Hambino said:

Pablo gets moved for a pu pu platter of middling prospects. Salary savings are reinvested in bringing back Santana and bringing in one starter and multiple relievers with sketchy injury histories

Twins kick in salary to move Paddack and prospect ballast for a serviceable RH ouftielder with team control - sort of a reverse of last year's Polanco trade with Paddack playing the role of DeSclafani

Both catchers are retained

St Peter decides to take whatever table scraps Bally will give him and accepts a carriage deal at a siginificantly reduced rate

Fans continue to right-size their interest in the team

If Pablo is moved, they get at least 2 top 100 prospects, not middling ones. Not even close. 

I do think there is a tiny chance Pablo is moved, to Boston or Baltimore. 

[Mike Sixel]

I think it's a lock Paddock is traded for a low level prospect. 

[RpR]

Far, far less change than expected.

[The Great Hambino]

Just now, Mike Sixel said:

If Pablo is moved, they get at least 2 top 100 prospects, not middling ones. Not even close. 

I do think there is a tiny chance Pablo is moved, to Boston or Baltimore. 

I'd love to be wrong here, but Lopez netted Arraez and a non-top 100 prospect when he cost $5.5 mil.  You think he'll get 2 top 100 prospects costing nearly 4 times as much?  I have my doubts.  Maybe middling wasn't the right word - how about solid-but-unspectacular

 

[Mike Sixel]

1 minute ago, The Great Hambino said:

I'd love to be wrong here, but Lopez netted Arraez and a non-top 100 prospect when he cost $5.5 mil.  You think he'll get 2 top 100 prospects costing nearly 4 times as much?  I have my doubts.  Maybe middling wasn't the right word - how about solid-but-unspectacular

 

The Marlins made a horrible trade. 

[cmoss84]

Buxton, Larnach, Paddock, and Julien get traded...clearing $ and room for our prospects to come up. 

[Craig Arko]

I predict unless Manfred and MLB corporate pick up the ball the TV situation will remain unresolved when Spring training begins.

[Irishman]

Paddock and Thielbar need to be traded or let go.   3B coach Tom Watkins needs to let go, too.  

[cmoss84]

48 minutes ago, Craig Arko said:

I predict unless Manfred and MLB corporate pick up the ball the TV situation will remain unresolved when Spring training begins.

Have some Angel buddies here in southern CA...they wont be able to watch for first time. 

[Vanimal46]

I think Kirilloff has played his last game in a Twins uniform. That was a strange situation. 

Paddock will be traded. Gotta free up money somehow. 

Jax gets moved to the rotation 

[Cory Engelhardt]

Not going into financials, as well as not going into who is going to be added to the front office and coaching staff (as applicable.) Just throwing out ideas of things I think would help the roster.

1) Acquiring a solid left handed bullpen option. I don't know if this is via trade or free agency, and I actually think their bullpen is looking solid for 2025 with adding Varland and Topa to the mix.

2) Determine which of the youngish guys who fell off the table in August and September (and there are MANY) were playing through injury, and which ones instead are ones that we won't attempt to build with. I'm not going to list the names, but I do think there is a good chance that one or more of the younger position players who were a part of the team in 2024 won't be a part of the team in 2025.

3) Acquire someone who can be a middle of the order bat. Maybe that's at 1B, or DH, or a corner outfield spot, but this team desperately needs a veteran who can be penciled in the cleanup spot. They've missed that since Nelson Cruz left. They could do this in free agency, or they could do this via trade. They certainly have a LOT of prospect capital.

Beyond that, it'll be interesting to see if they do try and get out of Paddack and Vazquez's salary. I don't think it's a need (as both are signed through only 2025) but it is a possibility. I wouldn't make a point to trade away Vazquez as his defense is certainly a positive. 

I actually am more bullish than some, potentially, on what the rotation will look like and the depth behind it. But I do think prioritizing at least one arm could be important too. Don't want to have to get to the 8th starter in May if possible. 

[jctwins]

The organization will either lean into the idea that they are just a piece or two away from contending, and add a mid level pitcher, i.e. Sonny Gray 2 years after they should have signed him...

Or...lean into the idea that you develop position players internally, and add pitching via trade. If they do that, they're dealing Pablo for 3 AAA prospects, and probably a quality bullpen arm or two for A/AA level talent.

 

 

[Mike Sixel]

Preilipp should  be that LH RP, following the Liriano path, but won't happen is my prediction.

[TheLeviathan]

Pain.

[DocBauer]

Just my opinion, but there are 3 spots 4 spots I see needing to be addressed.

1] Who plays 1B?

2] Who is the primary backup to Buxton?

3] Who is a reliable RH bat for the OF to help against LHP?

4]  Can we find even ONE solid LH arm for the pen?

I believe Paddack is moved to open up $ for an add, unless he himself beibg back that addition. 

Buxton can be backed up by Castro on a limited basis. Keirsey has the defense and speed , with some pop/power, to at least play good defense and contribute at the bottom of the order. Rodriguez will be ready by mid season. Martin can help, but he'd have to improve a lot, IMO. So that's probably covered.

If Funderburk can get back the better control he had in 2023, he helps the pen a ton. Moran comes back from surgery, but how quickly does the command come back? I'd have Headrick move to the pen tomorrow and get him ready to be a reliever. HOPING there's a late 20's type arm that's ready to leave his mediocre rotation days behind and focus on a new and better career in the Twins pen. At least there's a couple options here. So I don't see a major trade or anything resembling a big $ signing.

I'd backup CF is covered short term and long term, could they trade for or sign an inexpensive decent, solid RH corner bat to face LHP that isn't a complete vacuum against RHP? Tired of a ONE WAY RH platoon bat. Can't be that hard or expensive can it?

But about 1B...sigh...I'd like to aim higher than Santana, but don't see the $ to bring someone on, and we don't have anyone at 1B in the system at this point to take the job. While it sounds bizarre to say since it's usually presumed to be the "easiest" position to find someone for, I'm worried about 1B. I'd love an honest to goodness, solid 1B whi can crank 20+ HR with a decent overall bat. I don't think that's the soon to be 39yo Santana who's not very good against RHP. But who else? Do we have someone we can trust? A possible platoon that works?

My priorities are 1B, RH OF, LHRP, reserve CF option, possibly in that order as there are some internal options that might help fill in a couple of those spots already.

[jctwins]

4 minutes ago, DocBauer said:

Just my opinion, but there are 3 spots 4 spots I see needing to be addressed.

1] Who plays 1B?

2] Who is the primary backup to Buxton?

3] Who is a reliable RH bat for the OF to help against LHP?

4]  Can we find even ONE solid LH arm for the pen?

I believe Paddack is moved to open up $ for an add, unless he himself beibg back that addition. 

Buxton can be backed up by Castro on a limited basis. Keirsey has the defense and speed , with some pop/power, to at least play good defense and contribute at the bottom of the order. Rodriguez will be ready by mid season. Martin can help, but he'd have to improve a lot, IMO. So that's probably covered.

If Funderburk can get back the better control he had in 2023, he helps the pen a ton. Moran comes back from surgery, but how quickly does the command come back? I'd have Headrick move to the pen tomorrow and get him ready to be a reliever. HOPING there's a late 20's type arm that's ready to leave his mediocre rotation days behind and focus on a new and better career in the Twins pen. At least there's a couple options here. So I don't see a major trade or anything resembling a big $ signing.

I'd backup CF is covered short term and long term, could they trade for or sign an inexpensive decent, solid RH corner bat to face LHP that isn't a complete vacuum against RHP? Tired of a ONE WAY RH platoon bat. Can't be that hard or expensive can it?

But about 1B...sigh...I'd like to aim higher than Santana, but don't see the $ to bring someone on, and we don't have anyone at 1B in the system at this point to take the job. While it sounds bizarre to say since it's usually presumed to be the "easiest" position to find someone for, I'm worried about 1B. I'd love an honest to goodness, solid 1B whi can crank 20+ HR with a decent overall bat. I don't think that's the soon to be 39yo Santana who's not very good against RHP. But who else? Do we have someone we can trust? A possible platoon that works?

My priorities are 1B, RH OF, LHRP, reserve CF option, possibly in that order as there are some internal options that might help fill in a couple of those spots already.

This org wants us to believe they are 3-4 players away from contending, but that's highly unlikely.

[knothole61]

9 hours ago, The Great Hambino said:

Pablo gets moved for a pu pu platter of middling prospects. Salary savings are reinvested in bringing back Santana and bringing in one starter and multiple relievers with sketchy injury histories

Twins kick in salary to move Paddack and prospect ballast for a serviceable RH ouftielder with team control - sort of a reverse of last year's Polanco trade with Paddack playing the role of DeSclafani

Both catchers are retained

St Peter decides to take whatever table scraps Bally will give him and accepts a carriage deal at a siginificantly reduced rate

Fans continue to right-size their interest in the team

Hambino,

I love the tone of this...it's both cynical and insightful. Well done!

[tony&rodney]

10 hours ago, jud6312 said:

they will trade Royce Lewis to acquire pitching help.

 

Falvey had his chance last November. Lewis stock has dropped too far. He could still be a decent DH or !B for a couple of years. Lewis likely stays.

Paddack will need to be offloaded somehow.

Castro should bring back a potentially useful prospect.

Twins need a bat but I'm not seeing one available for free.

The Twins are looking up at three teams in the AL Central, but they do have the makings of a good pitching staff.

The defense and athleticism needs to be addressed though. Too many outs become base hits because of the weak defense and too many outs are made on the bases because of timidity or lack of skill.

[tony&rodney]

9 hours ago, nicksaviking said:

Have to think Lee, Larnach plus something else would get the Mariners attention regarding their pitching. 

The Mariners were ripe last November but they have prospects as good or better than Lee and Larnach now. They will look for a bigger bat via free agency, despite a long resistance to signing hitters, and hold their pitching. Always hard to predict Seattle's guy - he likes to trade. The Twins no longer match up with them.

[mnfireman]

https://www.startribune.com/patrick-reusse-column-twins-rebuild-derek-falvey-thad-levine-carlos-correa/601157332

 

[CRF]

Ownership and FO will continue to scream poverty...and we make a handful of nothing burger moves. I don't see them doing much of anything, and we get a whole lot of the same middle of the road team next season. 

[KirbyDome89]

On 10/4/2024 at 1:34 PM, Mike Sixel said:

Who hits if you deal them? Who plays SS? I can't see Lee getting dealt. Imagine the backup SS being WORSE than Lee and Farmer at everything for 50 games......They aren't signing any decent hitters, I have no idea how anyone can think this team is better dealing hitters.

Lee didn't hit this season. Larnach had a breakout of sorts with the bat, but he's a negative defender, who has been basically an average hitter across 4 seasons with a decent sized injury history to boot. How confident are you that he'll build on, or even replicate his 2024 offensive performance? I'd certainly deal a backup SS with prospect luster and a lower end corner OF for a solid SP with team control. 

[KirbyDome89]

22 hours ago, Vanimal46 said:

Jax gets moved to the rotation 

That would be wild. 

[Parfigliano]

On 10/4/2024 at 12:31 PM, nicksaviking said:

I would say it's possible but still very unlikely Lewis is traded.

I'd guess one of the lefty outfields get moved. Sell high on Larnach instead of Wallner though please.

If they do trade any young controllable players though, I'd prefer they trade them together to level up, instead of trading them separately to tread water. Have to think Lee, Larnach plus something else would get the Mariners attention regarding their pitching. 

Definitely Larnach goes before Wallner.

Keep Lee

 

[Parfigliano]

On 10/4/2024 at 12:33 PM, The Great Hambino said:

Pablo gets moved for a pu pu platter of middling prospects. Salary savings are reinvested in bringing back Santana and bringing in one starter and multiple relievers with sketchy injury histories

Twins kick in salary to move Paddack and prospect ballast for a serviceable RH ouftielder with team control - sort of a reverse of last year's Polanco trade with Paddack playing the role of DeSclafani

Both catchers are retained

St Peter decides to take whatever table scraps Bally will give him and accepts a carriage deal at a siginificantly reduced rate

Fans continue to right-size their interest in the team

Excellent use of "right-size"

[Parfigliano]

20 hours ago, jctwins said:

This org wants us to believe they are 3-4 players away from contending, but that's highly unlikely.

It's delusional