You're The Minnesota Twins GM! Plotting My Offseason: A Flurry of Moves

[Eric Blonigen]

As GM for the offseason, my broad strategy would be to improve the Twins for this season and next, and it'll take a flurry of moves to make it happen. I will try to not remove key pieces from the roster, and I’m hoping to make at least one decent splash on an impact bat.

Image courtesy of Joe Camporeale-Imagn Images (Christian Walker)

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For the purposes of this article, I’m going to make a few assumptions. First, I’m assuming that the Pohlads have not yet completed the sale of the Twins by the time the season starts. Completing a billion and a half dollar transaction takes time, and any ownership group will want to do their due diligence. It’ll be in the Pohlads' best interest to keep fans engaged.

Second, I’m assuming payroll will not increase by more than $5 million. While any increase may a stretch, my goal would be to convince ownership that this (quite modest) outlay will lead to a happier fanbase if fans perceive the team is headed in the right direction. If the Pohlads are still chasing suitors or even working through terms with a likely buyer, they could likely be convinced. So, I’ll be working with about $135 million.

Third, I will assume that only teams expecting to be competitive will be interested in trading for the guys I will lay out.

Fourth, I’ll be using MLB Trade Rumors estimates for arbitration figures and expected free agent contracts to calculate where the payroll is sitting.

Finally, I’m assuming that the sale will have been completed by next offseason, that new ownership will want to compete, that the baseball media landscape will have improved slightly, and that a payroll back around $160 million will be doable.

With all that established, let’s dig in. To begin with, there are a couple clear needs. The Twins need better defense, they need a legit first baseman, would benefit from at least one other solid bat either as a right-handed fourth outfielder or DH, and likely need an additional catching option. They could also use a good left-handed reliever. I will attempt to meet all these needs without crossing $130 million, without giving up key prospects, and still leaving some decent depth in place. However, I will be adopting a bit of a stars and scrubs approach.

Trades

• I’m finding a buyer for Christian Vasquez and I’ll include a C-type prospect or two to not have to eat any salary. Potential fits include the Tampa Bay Rays and the Cincinnati Reds. This move saves $10 million.
• I’m trading Chris Paddack for a lottery ticket. I’m targeting a pre-hype Bailey Ober or David Festa type from the lower levels of another team’s system. I’m looking for tall, funky delivery, or an interesting pitch. Some combination of those would be even better. Here, I’ll take the best offer I can get that doesn’t involve paying any of his salary down, saving his $7.5 million.
• I’ll trade Willi Castro and Jhoan Duran to the Dodgers for Dalton Rushing and Alex Vesia. Rushing would be the backup catcher to Ryan Jeffers (and hopefully the catcher of the future). Vesia is a good lefty reliever with two years of arbitration-eligible control remaining. He’s set to make around $2.2 million in 2025. If I can get another prospect in the deal, even better.

Free Agents

• I'm signing Christian Walker to a 3/$60 million deal to play first base. This is pricy, but he’s been worth an average of 3.6 fWAR over the past three seasons and can hold the position down during the current core’s window. Signing him will also send a message to fans that the Twins are still investing and want to win.
• I'll sign Randal Grichuk and his .913 OPS against lefties to a 2/$11 million deal to be a right-handed fourth outfielder. He can still play all three outfield spots (but isn’t pretty in center) and hits well enough to DH when needed.

Non-Tender

• Michael Tonkin. Sorry.

I move Royce Lewis to second base, and give Brooks Lee third base.

This series of moves upgrades the offense at first base and catcher, improves the defense, gives the Twins a true platoon at catcher, and doesn’t remove any key players from the roster. We then end up with the following roster, which I’ll break out by segment.

Lineup ($82.4 million)

• C - Ryan Jeffers ($4.7 million)
• 1B - Christian Walker ($20 million)
• 2B - Royce Lewis ($2.3 million)
• SS - Carlos Correa ($36 million)
• 3B - Brooks Lee ($0.76 million)
• LF - Trevor Larnach ($2.1 million)
• CF - Byron Buxton ($15 million)
• RF - Matt Wallner ($0.76 million)
• DH - Jose Miranda ($0.76 million)

Look, the lineup has some guys that faded down the stretch last year. Miranda, Lee, and Lewis were all brutal over the final six weeks of the 2024 season. Better times are ahead. Larnach has come into his own, and Wallner keeps putting up monster power despite some worrying strikeout numbers. Adding three good bats will help smooth out the inconsistencies that go along with your players. Including the bench, this lineup features 11 guys that should be average or better at the plate. And, the lineup should take a step forward defensively which will also help the pitching.

Bench ($7.28 million)

• C - Dalton Rushing ($0.76 million)
• UTIL IF - Michael Helman ($0.76 million)
• UTIL OF - Randal Grichuk ($5 million)
• Buxton insurance/late inning defensive replacement/pinch runner - DaShawn Keirsey ($0.76 million)

Keirsey takes Manny Margot’s spot as theoretical Buxton insurance and provides elite defense. I give Helman the utility infield spot, and plan on Luke Keaschall as becoming a high-end utility option by mid-May if Helman gets off to a slow start. That does mean that Austin Martin begins the season back at Triple-A, and I’m okay with that. I’m hoping that he can figure out how to take better defensive routes in order to earn a way back.

Jeffers becoming the backup to a catcher that can hit even better is a luxury most teams don’t have. Grichuk is a decent fielder in the corner outfield spots and is a great platoon bat. Plus, Emmanuel Rodriguez and Eddie Julien are both waiting in the wings in Saint Paul. Overall, Helman and Keirsey may not be high-end options, but giving them a little run to see what they are capable with makes sense until other, higher-upside players force the issue.

Rotation ($31.1 million)

• Pablo Lopez ($21.5 million)
• Joe Ryan ($3.8 million)
• Bailey Ober ($4.3 million)
• David Festa ($0.76 million)
• Simeon Woods Richardson ($0.76 million)

Assuming health, this has the makings of a very good rotation. While lacking a true ace, all of Lopez, Ryan, and Ober can play the part for stretches, and all are absolutely playoff-caliber starters. Assuming both Festa and Woods Richardson take even a small step forward, the entire rotation is average or better.

Bullpen ($10.4 million)

• Griffin Jax (R) ($2.6 million)
• Cole Sands (R) ($0.76 million)
• Brock Stewart (R) ($0.80 million)
• Louie Varland (R) ($0.76 million)
• Justin Topa (R) ($0.76 million)
• Jorge Alcala (R) ($1.5 million)
• Alex Vesia (L) ($1.9 million)
• Jovani Moran (L) ($0.76 million)

So, there are some additional things to call out about this bullpen. Losing Duran will hurt, but it is potentially the last opportunity to sell high. With the Twins getting Justin Topa and Jovani Moran back healthy, they add two impact arms. The trade for Vesia adds another high-leverage lefty. This should be a very good bullpen, assuming even average health.

40-man, Triple-A St. Paul

• Ronny Henriquez
• Brent Headrick
• Zebby Matthews
• Emmanuel Rodriguez
• Austin Martin
• Marco Raya
• Matt Canterino
• Kody Funderburk
• Jair Camargo
• Edouard Julien
• Luke Keaschall

There are a number of depth guys ready for the call in Saint Paul. There’s depth for both starting and relief pitchers (including high-end options in Canterino, Raya, and Matthews), a potentially elite outfielder in Rodriguez, another fourth outfielder in Martin, and a high-end infield prospect in Keaschall. As non-40-man guys they have Payton Eeles as another utility infield option who’s capable of playing shortstop if need be. Daniel Duarte signed another minor league deal with the Twins after being outrighted, and he adds one more bullpen option. Overall, this is a good, solid group of guys able to make an impact.

40-man, Double-A Wichita

• Ricardo Olivar
• Kala’i Rosario

Then, there’s a little bit of dead money ($3.45 million)

• Randy Dobnak ($3 million)
• Jay Jackson buyout ($0.2 million)
• Kyle Farmer buyout ($0.25 million)

So, after all those trades and signings, I came in just under $135 million, and aside from guys getting more expensive in 2026, did not sacrifice the future. Again, I will hope that new ownership is good with a $160 million payroll to keep the team whole in the future. I’m feeling great about the lineup, rotation, and bullpen. I’m a little nervous about a couple of the back-of-the-bench options, but trust that with the high-end depth remaining in the upper minors, I can weather the unexpected.

---

What do you think? Did I earn the job? I hope so, ‘cuz this team is gonna win the whole thing.

What do you think of this offseason plan? Do you think you can do better? Then build your own Twins roster and hit the button below!

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[old nurse]

Grichuck turned down a 6 million option. I doubt he is coming here for 5. Topa made 1.25. I doubt that he would make less than that even though he was injured last year. The arbitration process does not seem to work that way.  2 c prospects for 10 million in salary relief seems like an overpay for the receiving team . The pre hype prospect for Paddack with no money going out is another dream. The team would do your trades and signings in a heartbeat, but the reality of the players or other teams doing it is quite the stretch 

[SteveLV]

The Dodger's trade embedded in this blueprint I find very interesting.

Does anyone who knows the Dodgers well think this has any viability?

[bean5302]

Big payment for Rushing, but I can see the logic in it. With Graterol slated to miss a lot of next year after shoulder surgery, and the Dodgers needing some versatility, I think the move works for them, too. I think the bullpen will suffer pretty hard from the move, in productivity and depth, though. I wouldn't be willing to bet on Grichuk being much better than Manny Margot, to be honest. A career wRC+ 102 guy after having the best expected metrics of his entire career at age 32. There's a reason you can get him at $5.5MM AAV on a short contract. Walker, at age 34-36 is a signing I can't get behind at all. Way, way too much money is tied up long term for a team with a ton of pre-arb and arb eligible players, and an aging Walker likely in decline makes a very bad situation far worse. $37MM + $22MM + $15MM + $20MM = $94MM of a $135MM payroll tied up in 4 guys with $90MM on the books for them in 2026 when tons of guys will be making way more.

Henriquez is out of options so you can't stash him in AAA, though I think he's fairly interchangeable with Varland, who does have an option.

I'm also skeptical the Pohlad family is interested in a sales pitch to expand payroll. They've checked out and are ready to move on. From my many years of experience working directly with executives and corporate investment, it doesn't follow normal business practice. I'd suspect any additional spending is considered profit reduction and the Pohlad's are just looking to avoid cutting the payroll significantly to avoid blowback.

Assuming the Pohlad's are on board with the expanded payroll, I'd think this is a 88-89 win team with a very good shot at the playoffs provided the Twins get lucky with bullpen health. This is also a team where I don't think there's a snowball's chance at addressing any injury depth issues at the deadline in general.

[Cory Engelhardt]

I like the value of Rushing and the reliever. I also really like the idea of getting Walker. I’m not certain we would sign someone who turned down the qo and give up the draft capital though. Agreed that 1b is a definite need though 

[old nurse]

1 hour ago, Cory Engelhardt said:

I like the value of Rushing and the reliever. I also really like the idea of getting Walker. I’m not certain we would sign someone who turned down the qo and give up the draft capital though. Agreed that 1b is a definite need though 

The third round draft pick doesn’t seem like a steep price but Drew n a half season get MLB. Com top 30 status, 35+ FV from fangraphs.  Winokeur is a top 30 prospect, 40 FV, Povich and Steer made it to the major leagues. Alas, 2025 is an odd year, they will get the supplemental first round. They would have to give up their second rounder. Thats Canterino, Soulare, Jeffers, Keashall, Prielipp, among a couple others. So they are finding talent. Walker is getting up in years but power is the last thing to age out.  Still, for half the money the could resign Santana  and still have a promising player 

[Cory Engelhardt]

1 hour ago, old nurse said:

The third round draft pick doesn’t seem like a steep price but Drew n a half season get MLB. Com top 30 status, 35+ FV from fangraphs.  Winokeur is a top 30 prospect, 40 FV, Povich and Steer made it to the major leagues. Alas, 2025 is an odd year, they will get the supplemental first round. They would have to give up their second rounder. Thats Canterino, Soulare, Jeffers, Keashall, Prielipp, among a couple others. So they are finding talent. Walker is getting up in years but power is the last thing to age out.  Still, for half the money the could resign Santana  and still have a promising player 

I kind of hope they trade for someone to play 1b that they like instead of relying on the free agent market. Just my opinion 

[gmwannabe]

I think Duran and Castro for Rushing is the best proposal likely to be done. Dodgers need to replace Grateral and Ki'ke Hernandez and we need a catcher, although my priority is to trade prospect capital for Casas and his 40 HR potential because free agent money for Walker isn't going to happen. Yes, I would trade Lopez and Duran for Casas, Teel, and Rafaela. I think Boston will miss out on Crochet and won't pay for the few top free agent pitchers making this deal more likely.

[old nurse]

6 hours ago, SteveLV said:

The Dodger's trade embedded in this blueprint I find very interesting.

Does anyone who knows the Dodgers well think this has any viability?

Would you give up your top prospect and  a stud left handed reliever with 2 years of control for 3 years of Duran and one of Castro? That could be a lopsided  trade. They might trade one of their other near ready catchers, but not Rushing 

[old nurse]

2 hours ago, gmwannabe said:

I think Duran and Castro for Rushing is the best proposal likely to be done. Dodgers need to replace Grateral and Ki'ke Hernandez and we need a catcher, although my priority is to trade prospect capital for Casas and his 40 HR potential because free agent money for Walker isn't going to happen. Yes, I would trade Lopez and Duran for Casas, Teel, and Rafaela. I think Boston will miss out on Crochet and won't pay for the few top free agent pitchers making this deal more likely.

They were interested in Montgomery last year and he is available in a trade

[darin617]

Rushing bat looks too good to be a catcher. I would end up moving him to 1st base and would pass on Walker for $20M. I honestly wouldn't feel bad bringing back Carlos Santana for another year.

[Riverbrian]

I understand that we would all like the 10 million attached to Vazquez back. 

I also understand that many are willing to give up A LOT and I mean A LOT to acquire a rookie catcher.

Over Pay to acquire Vazquez. Over Pay to acquire Rushing. 

Just want to make sure that everyone understands that neither Vazquez and his 10 million or Rushing who cost us Duran PLUS will not play full time. 

Catcher's are consistent over pays and I understand that many on TD are willing to just keep committing resources toward it. Resources (Money to spend or talent to spend) that are seemingly beyond tight at the moment. 

If the Twins front office takes this approach to the catching position. We would have Lloyd Christmas in charge of the rations. 

[LambchoP]

I would love it if we could get Walker or someone with pop to play first base, I just don't see it happening. My guess is, if everyone is healthy coming into spring, it'll be a platoon of Miranda and Julien at first, with someone like Keaschal as backup. An IF of....

1b - Miranda, Julien

2b - Lee, Castro

SS - Correa, Lee

3b - Lewis, Miranda, Lee

Utility - Castro, Keaschal, Eeles

 

Doesn't look to bad but if we don't upgrade first base than we need to upgrade the OF somehow. I know we can't afford to do both, but we need either an offensive first baseman, or a good RH outfielder, preferably who can play a good athletic center field.

[bean5302]

@old nurse caught something I somehow totally overlooked. The trade isn't 
Jhoan Duran + Willi Castro for Dalton Rushing
the trade is 
Jhoan Duran + Willi Castro for Dalton Rushing and Alex Vesia (excellent results lefty reliever)

Vesia and Castro are pretty much a wash so that winds up essentially being Duran for Rushing directly. I don't think there's a chance the Dodgers do that.

I didn't mention it earlier because the "C grade prospect" is a very gray term, but what I consider a "C grade prospect" probably isn't going to be able to bury the negative equity in Paddack or Vazquez. The Padres trade for Phil Hughes is a good example. The Twins still ate $5MM of Hughes' 2019 salary and threw in a Comp B pick to move him. If you want to move dollars off the books this year with all the RSN issues, I think for Vazquez, you might be talking a top 15ish prospect like Ricardo Olivar or Cory Lewis or something of that nature. Paddack is going to require a little less, but it's not going to be a non-prospect. At least in my opinion.

[nicksaviking]

• I'm signing Christian Walker to a 3/$60 million deal to play first base. This is pricy, but he’s been worth an average of 3.6 fWAR over the past three seasons and can hold the position down during the current core’s window. Signing him will also send a message to fans that the Twins are still investing and want to win.

 

Even if there is a few dollars to throw at free agents, I don't see this team giving out a multi year deal unless it's something marginal. Maybe they'll prove me wrong, but I don't see a deal like the one suggested for Walker even being considered this year.

I think they want to declutter to make the financials look more flexible for potential buyers. If they do spend 20M, it's more likely to be one year deals. I don't think the Twins are as interested in sending a message to the fans as they are to a new ownership group. 

[jmlease1]

It's a creative and fairly bold plan. 

Do we really see Christian Walker getting 3/$60M? The defense is quality and he's been a consistent hitter, but he's also seen a decline in his bWAR each year for the last 3 and will turn 34 next season. If there's really a monetary crunch from the collapse of the RSNs league wide this offseason, he looks exactly like the sort of player who won't get a big deal. I guess we'll see on him? 

It's interesting that you have the Twins grabbing 2 players from the D-Backs.

I'd be worried about the bullpen under this design, as it relies on Stewart, Topa, and Moran all being healthy and betting on more than one of them being healthy seems to be unlikely. That said, Varland and Alcala are both capable of handling higher leverage situations, so it's not like the back-end is going to be bare. But I'd have to bet that no more than 1 of the three is healthy out of spring training/makes it through april, which means dipping down into the depth early in the year.

I'm not sure we can pry Rushing loose without giving up more, but we do have the prospect capital to add to this deal without needing to drop in one of our top ranked guys. he certainly would be a good fit.

I think having Helman and Kiersey on the bench kind of insures the bench doesn't hit enough. If we think Helman could fill in at CF well enough I'd be more interested in having Julian on the opening day roster. I still think he can hit. Not so sure about Kiersey.

[bean5302]

1 hour ago, jmlease1 said:

...Do we really see Christian Walker getting 3/$60M?...

That's probably directly from MLBTR's free agent predictions.

https://www.mlbtraderumors.com/2024/11/2024-25-top-50-mlb-free-agents-with-predictions.html

[JD-TWINS]

20 hours ago, Cory Engelhardt said:

I kind of hope they trade for someone to play 1b that they like instead of relying on the free agent market. Just my opinion 

Jeffers - Henriquez - Matthews to AZ for J. Montgomery (AZ covers $11M) & Moreno (C) …….teams exchange a decent Catcher for a good catcher - take Montgomery off their hands and for 1 year of salary relief they get young relief arm and young, fringe starter to soften the loss of Moreno.

Duran - Montgomery - Miranda to Boston for Tristan Casas (1B)

Maybe Castro & Julien are added in these moves if needed.

Payroll is reduced by Jeffers $4.7M leaving & Duran $3.7M leaving…..Castro probably sweetens one of the trades so that’s another $6.3M saved. Total of $14.7M gain. I keep Paddack in the Pen …… it now costs $16M. Rotation stays at $31.1M.

This leaves $83-$88M for 13 guys. 

C - Moreno & Vazquez

1B - Casas & Keaschall

2B - Lewis & Keaschall

3B - Lee & Lewis

SS - Correa & Lee

OF - Larnach - Buxton - Wallner - Kiersey

DH is a rotating spot for 4-5 guys.

11 guys totaling around $71M

This leaves $10-$15M for an upgrade over Grichuck……..or Team spends $6.5M on Grichuck & remaining $3.5-$8.5M on a lefty reliever…….maybe they retain Castro? $130-$135M payroll.

 

[Cory Engelhardt]

14 minutes ago, JD-TWINS said:

Jeffers - Henriquez - Matthews to AZ for J. Montgomery (AZ covers $11M) & Moreno (C) …….teams exchange a decent Catcher for a good catcher - take Montgomery off their hands and for 1 year of salary relief they get young relief arm and young, fringe starter to soften the loss of Moreno.

Duran - Montgomery - Miranda to Boston for Tristan Casas (1B)

Maybe Castro & Julien are added in these moves if needed.

Payroll is reduced by Jeffers $4.7M leaving & Duran $3.7M leaving…..Castro probably sweetens one of the trades so that’s another $6.3M saved. Total of $14.7M gain. I keep Paddack in the Pen …… it now costs $16M. Rotation stays at $31.1M.

This leaves $83-$88M for 13 guys. 

C - Moreno & Vazquez

1B - Casas & Keaschall

2B - Lewis & Keaschall

3B - Lee & Lewis

SS - Correa & Lee

OF - Larnach - Buxton - Wallner - Kiersey

DH is a rotating spot for 4-5 guys.

11 guys totaling around $71M

This leaves $10-$15M for an upgrade over Grichuck……..or Team spends $6.5M on Grichuck & remaining $3.5-$8.5M on a lefty reliever…….maybe they retain Castro? $130-$135M payroll.

 

I think you are really undervaluing Casas. I do that deal in a millisecond, but Boston would probably need a LOT more added. I like the thought though.

[JD-TWINS]

18 minutes ago, Cory Engelhardt said:

I think you are really undervaluing Casas. I do that deal in a millisecond, but Boston would probably need a LOT more added. I like the thought though.

They need to replace Jansen - Duran is every bit of that at a great $$ reduction.

Montgomery & Boston had talks last year, I think he’s a really nice add at $14M with potential long-term signing.

Miranda is a .265-.275 hitter with doubles capability to the gaps - maybe a 15 HR guy with the Monster…….3B & 1B compliment to Devers & can DH.

Maybe Castro goes as well to help their depth at 2-3 positions?

That’s a pretty fair amount of impact for Boston. They have other young bats coming from AAA……..🤞🤞

[JD-TWINS]

57 minutes ago, Cory Engelhardt said:

 

[JD-TWINS]

Just now, JD-TWINS said:

59 minutes ago, Cory Engelhardt said:

 

What if they are less active and just trade to get $$$ to spend on a guy?

Trade Paddack - trade Castro - Jeffers to a contender for a reasonable young catcher……take those $18M and sign Grichuk - Santana - former Yankee lefty Hill with those $$.

Staff is at $46M.

13 Everyday guys at $83M.

To me this is a move toward the future with the Catcher along with OF bat improvement & reasonable depth move for 1B and right handed PH with Santana. Solid lefty in Pen.

Problem is it’s a playoff team with health & not a very deep run capable club……,,very ‘24 Guardians like - all based on the budget at $130Mish

[jmlease1]

2 hours ago, bean5302 said:

That's probably directly from MLBTR's free agent predictions.

https://www.mlbtraderumors.com/2024/11/2024-25-top-50-mlb-free-agents-with-predictions.html

Yeah, so it falls in on the articles assumptions, which is a fair place to work from when doing this kind of exercise. I just have trouble seeing this kind of contract, especially when they cite contracts that were...bad, as precedent. (Abreu's was awful, Encarnacion & Santana's were both below par on average). If there's any kind of market contraction this year, which seems likely...why would any team sign up for a 3 year deal at $20M per on a player who has shown signs of decline? (I'm also finding it impossible to believe that teams are going to be throwing 5 years and a $25M AAV at Pete Alonso, who is 5 years younger than Walker, but seen a similar decline in bWAR from 2022 to 2024...but MLB teams have been stupid before)

I'm intrigued by a player like Walker, but not at $20M AAV for 3 years at his age, no mater how many people say he's underappreciated.

[TopGunn#22]

I think it's a pretty good plan.  Certainly within reason.  But of course, I have a couple of things I would do differently.

First, regarding the trade with the Dodgers.  The Dodgers are my 2nd favorite team behind the Twins, so I think I'm qualified to share my thoughts on this trade.  The Dodgers just won the World Series and they did it with their closer the last 3 years, Evan Phillips, left OFF the World Series roster.  The Dodgers have a HUGE need for a closer and are probably very interested in getting a productive Utility Player like Castro to move on from the Chris Taylor types on their bench.  That trade in my plan is a go!!

I trade SWR and Jorge Alcala to to the Orioles for Jordan Westburg.  I'm not sure what BBTV would have for a deal like that, but the Orioles rotation is in a shambles even if they bring Burnes back and even with their closer returning from TJ surgery they could use a depth arm like Alcala.  The Orioles are over flowing with prospects and don't have enough open spots to play them all.  If a top 10 prospect like #8 outfielder Gabe Gonzalez or Marco Raya needed to be included, I'd do it.  They may even be interested in someone like Paddack at the price.

I take ALL $7.5 million of my International Signing Budget and make a STRONG bid for Roki Sasaki.  Here, the Twins are swapping out Paddack's $7.5 million to add a 23 year old fire baller who hits 100 mph and has the requisite breaking stuff to be a very good SP.

Finally, I trade Vasquez, Larnach and Marco Raya/Gabe Gonzalez to the Marlins for either Sandy Alcantara ($10 million) or Jesus Luzardo ($6 million).  By including Larnach and Raya, the Marlins make the trade by accepting all $10 million of Vasquez's salary.  If the pitcher coming back is Alcantara, it's practically a wash salary wise.

I sign Tyler O'Neill (30 y/o) as a FA for 2-years, $28 million.  I sign Caleb Ferguson  (28 y/o) for 1 yr. $1.50 million.  I sign Jose Iglesias SS/2B/3B for 1 yr. 1.7 million.  

Here's my team and it's salary structure:

LINEUP:  $74.28 Million 

C    Jeffers  $4.7  1B Royce Lewis $2.3  2B  B. Lee $0.76 3B  Jordan Westburg $0.76  SS Correa $36

LF   O'Neill $14  CF  Buxton $15  RF  M. Wallner  $0.76  DH  Miranda $0.76/Rushing

BENCH:  $3.98 Million

Iglesias 2B/SS/3B  $1.7  D. Keirsey $0.76  D. Rushing $0.76  A. Martin $0.76

STARTING ROTATION:   $45.1  (averaging the difference of Alcantara/Luzardo at $8 million). 

P. Lopez  $21.5   (Alcantara $10 or J. Luzardo $6) J. Ryan  $3.8  B. Ober $4.3 R. Sasaki $7.5  (Festa $0.76)

BULLPEN:  $10.33

Jax $2.6  C. Ferguson $1.5  Vesia $1.9  Sands $0.76  Topa $1.25  Varland $0.76  Stewart $0.80         (Festa, Canterino, Moran, Funderburk, Prielipp, Henriquez all at $0.76)

TOTAL PAYROLL:  $133.69    ($121.49 if I subtract O'Neill for Adam Duval).

A Couple of Notes:  I'm a little over budget at nearly $134 million but I have to believe the Pohlad Family would understand that stretching the budget a little to have a team ready to contend in a competitive A.L. Central for 2025 and beyond will maximize their sale price. 

If this team is spinning its wheels in July and August in 4th place they are going to have a much harder time getting what they want.  Spending $8-9 million more for their last season of ownership isn't and shouldn't be a deal breaker.   To bring it more into line I could swap out O'Neill for Adam Duval 1 year, $1.80 million.

The Lineup is power laden and the defense with O'Neill in LF and Iglesias rotating between SS/2B/3B helps the infield.  We don't over spend for a 1B.  With the acquisition of Westburg, we simply move Lewis over.  Miranda can back up both 1B & 3B and without a full time DH, Rocco can rotate people through.  Kiersey can get a little more of an opportunity to show what he can do before E-Rod arrives about mid-season.  

The starting rotation is LOADED with Lopez, Ryan, Ober, Sasaki and either Alcantara or Luzardo.  Festa could be in the pen throwing long relief with spot starts to protect his innings and Matthews is gaining additional seasoning at St. Paul and also available for spot starts.

The biggest worry is the BP with the trade of Duran.  Jax takes over as closer but Ferguson and Vesia add two solid LH options.  You also have Funderburk, Canterino, Moran, Prielipp, Henriquez and Headrick as depth.  Maybe you make a bigger bullpen signing if you go with Duval over O'Neill.  

The lineup doesn't have a true leadoff guy, but with Lewis, Correa, O'Neill, Wallner and Westburg there is plenty of power.  Maybe Buxton moves back to leadoff.  And Rushing should get a look at DH'ing some games he doesn't catch.  He's got a bat that will play.     

This would be MY plan.  I stuck with certain things from Eric's and also think his plan is good as well.  My biggest difference is 1B where I go with Lewis and the starting rotation where I go hard for Sasaki and make a deal with Miami for Alcantara or Luzardo.  

 

 

[TopGunn#22]

I also like the alternatives that JD-Twins proposed.  There are certainly things the Twins COULD and SHOULD be considering.  Some things (usning all our International Money to sign Sasaki) may be a long shot and would be up to the players preference.  Others, like signing O'Neill or being aggressive on a trade for Alcantara or Luzardo is something the Twins FO could and probably should commit to.