Does This Future Hall of Famer Fit Into Minnesota’s First Base Plans?

[FargoFanMan]

On 10/14/2024 at 8:21 AM, Otaknam said:

I am for trading Vasquez, but doubt that some team will pay even half of his $10 million contract for a part time catcher on the downside of his career. A more likely option for Paddock is they try him as a starter and move him to the bullpen if starting doesn’t work. He could be electric in the bullpen, like he was at the end of 2023. As for Castro, I doubt he would bring a decent prospect and bullpen arm in a trade. But I could see them not extending him to save money. 

 

 

Paddack isn’t a $7M reliever and he isn’t a starter the twins can afford when they have SWR and Festa who cost league minimum. $5M for a superior defensive catcher with good character that pitchers love throwing to is something a lot of teams want with the need for catching across the league. Vazquez will have interest if the twins are looking to simply unload his contract. If we got Seattle to cover most of desclafani’s contract and get a decent prospect and 2 other pitchers you’re telling me they’ll get almost nothing for Castro???? I think they’ll get something decent for him as well as salary relief which is worth a lot when you’re the Twins. 

[FargoFanMan]

On 10/13/2024 at 9:23 PM, stringer bell said:

Yeah, sacrifice all kinds of depth to bring in an aging first baseman. I think having quality behind the starting players is vital to sustaining a good season. 

Well, assuming these guys are bringing “all kinds of depth” is a stretch. Vazquez provided -.2 WAR at a cost of $10M as a part time player. That’s nice to have but not a luxury the Twins can afford. Paddack provided .4 WAR with a 5 ERA in 88 innings at $7M. When you have SWR and Festa at league minimum you’re estimating they can do better. These are the “prospects” everyone keeps clamoring about. Castro, yes he was a good player to have and a good diamond in the rough but he’s your trade chip. Maybe you can get your back up catcher and a BP arm or 2. There’s your depth or you can turn to the young guys to provide your bench. Guys like Kiersey, Hellmann and Camargo. Who’ve put up decent Milb numbers. Also, you clear his expected $6.2M salary. It’s nice to have guys like Vazquez, Paddack and Castro but at $23M when you’re a team looking for payroll space it’s not feasible to improve. You wanna just run it all back? Also, who’s your primary 1B in your scenario? Miranda? Kiriloff? An aging Santana?

[RpR]

On 10/13/2024 at 9:23 PM, stringer bell said:

Yeah, sacrifice all kinds of depth to bring in an aging first baseman. I think having quality behind the starting players is vital to sustaining a good season. 

Twins do not seem to have Any depth.

[FargoFanMan]

On 10/13/2024 at 8:41 PM, Vanimal46 said:

This is actually a classic Twins signing. A couple years removed from his last All-Star appearance nearing the end of his career. If he’s available in January I bet we will be in on a 1 year contract. 

Absolutely! About the same as Santana. He will cost more but he’s not far removed from an MVP and you sign him hoping you get the same magic or at least a another level better than Santana. It’s a move I think they could justify making and if you swing a couple other moves it’s one you could afford. Put him in there with Correa, Buxton and Lewis and maybe he steps up a bit from last year. Also, good defense. I think it’s about all we can hope for this offseason.

[FargoFanMan]

What is everyone’s definition of “depth”? Are we thinking MLB the show in easy mode where you can trade for 26 all stars and win 140 games or are we talking reality? You know, like a mix of all types of players. Some overachieve, some underachieve, some get injured. Some rookies step up and some underperform. A very small sample do exactly what you thought. Guys come up and have a great few weeks. Some flop and get sent back down. You know, like a real baseball season. I’m just wondering so I know what we’re talking about.

[stringer bell]

1 hour ago, FargoFanMan said:

What is everyone’s definition of “depth”? Are we thinking MLB the show in easy mode where you can trade for 26 all stars and win 140 games or are we talking reality? You know, like a mix of all types of players. Some overachieve, some underachieve, some get injured. Some rookies step up and some underperform. A very small sample do exactly what you thought. Guys come up and have a great few weeks. Some flop and get sent back down. You know, like a real baseball season. I’m just wondering so I know what we’re talking about.

To me, depth is what the 2023 Twins had. They withstood injuries to Buxton, Lewis, Polanco, Kirilloff with players like Michael A. Taylor, Kyle Farmer, Solano and Willi Castro--all guys with experience--with Farmer, Solano and Castro able to cover multiple positions. In addition they brought up Wallner and Julien and both thrived.

Unless the Twins bring in more experienced players, they might have nine or ten players who would be considered established major leaguers and that would include Julien, Kirilloff and Miranda who finished 2024 on a down note. I would guess Miranda is a lock to go north after spring training, but not Kirilloff or Julien. In fact many think Kirilloff will be non-tendered.