Roki Sasaki, Veteran Trades, and Other Big Questions Facing the Twins This Offseason

[Doctor Gast]

44 minutes ago, TopGunn#22 said:

Thanks Doc !  It looks like I'd have to drop Dustin May from that trade to have a chance.  I'm not sure how the Dodgers feel about May.  He's kind of their Matt Canterino except he's actually pitched in the major leagues and was VERY IMPRESSIVE while he was healthy.  

But this information and example shows how expensive Dalton Rushing would be.  You've been on the BBTV's web site, so you've probably seen a number of trades where the White Sox trade newly acquired catching prospect Kyle Teel away.  Teel's value is 32.  The Twins could get him for Julien (16.5) and Zebby Matthews (16.0).  I'd do that in a heartbeat.  We have Brooks Lee or Royce Lewis to play 2B/3B and Festa, SWR and possibly Andrew Morris.  We are bereft of catching prospects who could help in 2025.  Teel will play this year in MLB.

I'm not sure how willing the White Sox are to trade him, but it seems like White Sox fans are initiating some of the deals.  The White Sox would be focused on prospects or MLB ready prospects.  Julien and Matthews fit the bill.  

When it comes to Rushing, the Dodgers are in a posture to defend their World Series Championship.  They would want key contributors like Duran and Castro (and Dustin May if they didn't have to give him up) as part of any deal.  "Prospects" won't cut it for the Dodgers.

I'd much prefer Teel or Rushing.  Teel's defense is superior and while Rushing's offense is better, Teel seems like a Jason Varitek type.  Varitek couldn't hit like Mike Piazza, but he was clearly a better defensive catcher.  I'd much prefer to acquire someone like Teel or Quero for "prospects" rather than give up a Duran or Castro.  

There's a lot of very good young promising MLB-Ready catchers out there. Teel is my favorite because of his defense and he's also a very good hitter who hits the ball hard & doesn't K very often & IMO the HRs will come, Rushing & Jefferson Quero (MIL) are next both are great. The list goes on Harry Ford (SEA), Edgar Quero (CWS) the most underrated is (SH) Drew Romo (CO) a very good defensive catcher who once given the opportunity can hit, his power will eventually come. (SH) Cole Carrigg (CO) has been put on the shelf for a while but IMO has the greatest potential of becoming an elite catcher. I get very excited at the possibility of trading for at least one of these catchers & see the need for 2. I have put in a lot of reasonable trade offers on many different catchers with good responses.

[Jeff K]

3 hours ago, chpettit19 said:

The Twins absolutely should've sent in their presentation. Every team should've. No reason not to. That's not what my comment was about. The author stated "While the odds might not favor a smaller-market team like Minnesota, the Twins are making a serious push. Fans should temper expectations, but remain hopeful that Sasaki could call Target Field home in 2025." That is what I'm questioning. They didn't provide any reasoning for that statement. 

What serious push are they making? They sent in 1 of 20 presentations. They didn't receive 1 of 7 known meetings. There has been nothing publicly reported that links the Twins to Roki Sasaki beyond quotes from the Twins saying they're interested. Nothing I've seen at least. What is this "serious push" the Twins are making? Why should there be hope beyond the fact that they sent in 1 of 20 presentations? It appears the author is doing the same thing people did with the previous agent's statements about the "soft landing" and just trying to find any way to connect them to the Twins. 

As far as I'm concerned there's no reason to be hopeful until the Twins get a meeting with Roki. Until then it's just people reading what they want to into an agent doing agent things and making generic quotes.

With ownership in flux, I don't think the Twins have a snowballs chance in hades to land him.

[JD-TWINS]

3 hours ago, twinfan said:

I can see the Twins trading Paddack but don't expect to get much back for him. I can't see them trading Castro with his versatility and the number of injuries we seem to get every year. I would keep Vasquez unless we are overwhelmed with a deal. The talk of trading Lopez and/or Duran or Jax is just stupid for a team as thin as we are. I'd wait and see how the first part of the season goes before making any of those moves. There are a few sluggers out there still and secondary starters and relievers. I guess we'll see. Alonso is a good one but is a big hit or (mostly) miss in key situations which is why teams aren't paying the big bucks for him yet. Mountcastle would be a good fit. Despite what his agent says, I don't see Sasaki signing with the Twins. And what about Santander who nobody mentions? So we give up a draft choice. Who cares?

Happy New Year.

Gotta fill holes - can’t just wait & see, IMO.

Santander is a draft choice and about $24M/yr for 3 years at a minimum.

Mountcastle seems to be a realistic acquisition possibility. Can’t send anyone from current rotation though. I’d prefer moving Lewis or Keaschall to 1B…….Castro can play 2B almost daily until somebody else can hit enough to play regularly.

TD readers/contributors repeatedly suggest Julien could be - will be the answer at 1B. I don’t get that thinking at all? From above, “…Julien’s bat struggled in ‘24, but there are signs he will bounce back in ‘25…..”……..What are these signs? How does anyone know this to be true? Why would anyone think this makes sense?………he lead the MLB in strikeouts looking and the next closest guy had over 200 more AB’s…….he hit .199 for the year and his OBP was down 90 points ……his OPS+ was down nearly 60 points. He hit 1 HR after April 27th in his MLB at bats…..through September. I don’t get how he instills any confidence for ‘25 at this point.

[gmwannabe]

Mountcastle is a better hitter than Miranda and he hits home runs, Miranda does not. Better defender also. I'm taking a veteran with a track record and a reasonable contract over hoping for Miranda 's upside which may or may not happen. 

[bean5302]

5 hours ago, Cory Engelhardt said:

Couldn't you also think longer term and know that the market is strong, the pitching development has been solid, and new ownership coming in will be supportive?

Certainly he's not looking at such a small sample size as a minor trade for any team right?

That said, my guess is Seattle.

If he's taking a long term view of things...
I don't know if the people talking to me today will be in the organization at the end of the year.
I don't know if the philosophies being advocated today will still be aligned with the organization at the end of the year.
I don't know if the team will be sold at all.
I don't know if the new owners will be good owners, provided the team is sold.
I don't know if this team will actually make the playoffs in the near future or if it will be burned down and rebuilt.

Poor attendance, lack of recent performance, team up for sale, questionably competitive now. I'd be surprised if the Twins even get the opportunity to talk to Sasaki.
 

[sweetmusicviola16]

Who will sign Sasaki? Easy call, LAD. When will be soon.

[Coach Wheels]

"Minnesota signed Mike Ford to a minor-league deal Thursday, and he has some potential upside."

Lew Ford has more potential upside than Mike Ford.

[tony&rodney]

San Diego or Seattle seem like the best destinations for Roki Sasaki. The weather is decent and these are fine places to live and work 6-7 months per year. 

As tempting as the endorsements are in New York, Boston, Philadelphia, Los Angeles, and Texas these are better places to visit. The fans are crazy. Spend 5 minutes reading the comments from the East Coast teams. That is reason enough to avoid them and we know the players ignore all of that nonsense. 

I'm really wondering how Baltimore and Seattle are going to keep up without making a trade or two. It should be interesting to see what trades occur in the next six weeks.

[chpettit19]

56 minutes ago, sweetmusicviola16 said:

Who will sign Sasaki? Easy call, LAD. When will be soon.

When is a pretty easy question to answer. Between January 15th and January 23rd. 

[sweetmusicviola16]

The Twins should work out a trade with LAD for Diego Cartaya who's was DFA'd. Who knows maybe his career could get resurrected.

[Doctor Gast]

1 hour ago, sweetmusicviola16 said:

The Twins should work out a trade with LAD for Diego Cartaya who's was DFA'd. Who knows maybe his career could get resurrected.

Cartaya was LAD top prospect a few years ago. He has fallen a lot. If LAD has given up on him, He isn't MLB ready, I doubt we can do anything with him. But we can dream.

[Doctor Gast]

We wouldn't get enough for Castro for what we'll lose. After trading Vazquez & quickly finding out that we need another expensive FA catcher we end up saving nothing & still have a bad catching core for years to come with no help in sight. We need that creativity that Falvey has been talking about to move Dobnak. Moving Paddack & Jeffers shouldn't be that hard & can be cheaply replaced.

[Blyleven2011]

10 hours ago, chpettit19 said:

Did the Twins meet with Roki before he went back to Japan? Has it come out that he's had a zoom call with them since being back in Japan? Are there rumors they're scheduled to meet with him upon his return from Japan? Why exactly should we remain hopeful the Twins could land Roki?

His agent's personal thoughts that Roki may want a "soft landing" in a smaller market were blown up immediately. He reportedly met with 7 teams while he was here (Yankees, Mets, Dodgers, Giants, Cubs, Rangers, Padres), none of which share a whole lot in common with the Twins. 

Are there reports out there about the Twins "making a serious push?" I don't recall seeing them connected to him in any way besides them saying they're interested and were putting together a presentation for him. Like at least 19 other teams did. Until the Twins get an actual meeting with Roki Sasaki there shouldn't be any hope or excitement for their chances because they don't have any chance. They very well may get a meeting, but I haven't seen any talk of it at all so I'm very confused why the news of him meeting with 7 teams that spend at a whole different level than the Twins or have one of his closest friends on the team (Darvish on the Padres) should give Twins fans hope that he's calling Target Field home in 2025.

I would have to agree  that there has been no mention of the twins having a meeting , not by FO  or the athletic or trade rumors  ...

I'm surprised that a few other teams didn't get one ( Atlanta , Boston or Philadelphia , they still may )  ...

It's been the 7 you have mentioned   , when sasaki was mentioned as a possible posting , in another article  I stated Sasaki would sign on the west coast and I'm still sticking to it  ...

[sweetmusicviola16]

11 minutes ago, Doctor Gast said:

We wouldn't get enough for Castro for what we'll lose. After trading Vazquez & quickly finding out that we need another expensive FA catcher we end up saving nothing & still have a bad catching core for years to come with no help in sight. We need that creativity that Falvey has been talking about to move Dobnak. Moving Paddack & Jeffers shouldn't be that hard & can be cheaply replaced.

When Falvey is on the phone talking to LAD about Cartaya, who I propose getting for a low level prospect, he talks to them about Rushing. Actually he needs to do more than talk he needs to act. Bring in another team that could take Jeffers and help meet LAD's price on Rushing. A three team trade would be creative. Vazquez could be kept to tutor Rushing. Then you find a backup next season.

[sweetmusicviola16]

Falvey get your thumb out of your rump. Dodgers don't need Rushing. They are going for it this season again.

[$tryf4Life]

My concern is that this front office gives off the vibe that they wait for business to come to them as opposed to being agressive. Perhaps I am biased or have a mispercption but after a full season of nothing its hard for me to imagine anything substantial happening for these twins- very much feels like autopilot. I would be utterly shocked if Roki signed with us or if their camp is aware of interest. Many teams have been outright in stating they have met with him or are waiting to hear if there presentation will lead to a meeting. I have a hard time believing the Twins put together a pitch but hopefuly I am wrong. This FO seems to passive to land this FA. 

[Doctor Gast]

12 hours ago, sweetmusicviola16 said:

The Twins should work out a trade with LAD for Diego Cartaya who's was DFA'd. Who knows maybe his career could get resurrected.

I've changed my mind on Cartaya, his defense has improved. His hitting is slow to come around but IMO it's there. Just need a lot of patience until it does. He has 1 more option. If his defense wasn't that good, no way. Maybe trade them a newly selected draftee catcher & let them see what they do with him.

[chpettit19]

13 hours ago, sweetmusicviola16 said:

Falvey get your thumb out of your rump. Dodgers don't need Rushing. They are going for it this season again.

Despite people around here not liking the Twins moving guys to new positions to get their bats in the lineup, that's what teams do, and that's what the Dodgers are doing with Rushing. The Dodgers may not "need" Rushing, but they're going to use Rushing. The Dodgers love defensive versatility. It's why Cartaya is available now, because they wanted more defensive versatility so brought in Kim. They moved Rushing to LF towards the end of last year so he'd have more versatility and they could get him in their lineup. 

The Twins, or any team, could get Dalton Rushing if they really want him, but they better be prepared to give up a big time piece. Because he's not some helpless piece trapped behind Will Smith. He's a top 50 global prospect. You're probably looking at trading Pablo Lopez, Joe Ryan, or Bailey Ober if you want Dalton Rushing. Ready to do that? Maybe you can talk them into Duran being the big piece. Or Rodriguez or Jenkins if you're doing your 3 team trade idea to get our own top 50 prospect involved. But you're not getting Dalton Rushing for scraps just because it says "catcher" next to his name. Because it also says "outfield" next to his name now. 

[DJL44]

23 hours ago, nicksaviking said:

I get it, and he's not bad. But I'm not looking to add defense, I'm looking to add offense or add nothing at all. Offense is this team's biggest problem at the moment.

This team's defense is at the bottom of the league. Offense is not their only problem. That said, there are other places to add defense that are more important than 1B.

[Fatbat]

Roki would be the best FA signing for the twins in a decade. It would open up our ability to make several trades, not for salary dumping but for upgrading talent. Several guys are already redundant and potentially in the way of higher upside rookies.  The couple of minor deals that have been done are simple AAA depth insurance.  The real deals may never get done but there are sone that should and would have significant impact on the franchise.  Signing a big time talent in Roki would be the catalyst to get it all started.  The Pohlads won’t get it done tho. 

[Twodogs]

I see the Dodgers cut Diego Cartaya, a Catcher who was a top 100 prospect?   Would he be worth a flier?  Stick him in the minors and see if he pans out?  I mean the Twins need catchers right?  Also I was listening to MLB channel on Sirius and one of their experts said even he thinks the Dodgers are about 3rd in line.  He said Saski probably doesn't want to sign with the Dodgers because he would lose all of his endorsement power because shohei is there.  He said there are a lot of Yankee fans in Japan.  So he thought t saski would end up in New York, Darvish is kind of like a mentor to him so he figured the padres would be number 2.  Then he figured the dodgers would be third

[tony&rodney]

1 hour ago, chpettit19 said:

The Twins, or any team, could get Dalton Rushing if they really want him, but they better be prepared to give up a big time piece. Because he's not some helpless piece trapped behind Will Smith. He's a top 50 global prospect. You're probably looking at trading Pablo Lopez, Joe Ryan, or Bailey Ober if you want Dalton Rushing. Ready to do that? Maybe you can talk them into Duran being the big piece. Or Rodriguez or Jenkins if you're doing your 3 team trade idea to get our own top 50 prospect involved. But you're not getting Dalton Rushing for scraps just because it says "catcher" next to his name. Because it also says "outfield" next to his name now. 

Rushing swings a big bat. I'm not that sure he ever pans out beyond a DH/1B/ poor LF though because he looked horrible with a glove on his hand whenever I watched him. I don't think the Twins are interested in Rushing.

Rodriguez and Jenkins are in an entire different category. EmRod strikes out a ton which may be a problem. Otherwise, those two run, throw, and field at a high level with better power and really good hit tools. 

You are correct when you say the Dodgers would demand a ton for Rushing. I don't think it happens.

[chpettit19]

5 minutes ago, tony&rodney said:

Rushing swings a big bat. I'm not that sure he ever pans out beyond a DH/1B/ poor LF though because he looked horrible with a glove on his hand whenever I watched him. I don't think the Twins are interested in Rushing.

Rodriguez and Jenkins are in an entire different category. EmRod strikes out a ton which may be a problem. Otherwise, those two run, throw, and field at a high level with better power and really good hit tools. 

You are correct when you say the Dodgers would demand a ton for Rushing. I don't think it happens.

Totally agree. He's a bad defensive catcher, although has a solid arm. If you're someone who cares about defense behind the plate he's not someone you should be hoping the Twins are chasing. He's a bat first player. Could be a very nice bat, though. 

I don't have any desire for the Twins to give up what it likely costs to get him. I think people just see the "C" next to his name and think he's available at a discounted price because the Dodgers have Will Smith. That isn't the case. They aren't going to just give away a top-50 global prospect. They'll do what people hate that the Twins do and move him to another position. Which they've already started the process of. As they say, if you can hit, they'll find a spot for you. Getting Dalton Rushing is going to cost a ton. Way more than I'd pay.

[Blyleven2011]

11 hours ago, $tryf4Life said:

My concern is that this front office gives off the vibe that they wait for business to come to them as opposed to being agressive. Perhaps I am biased or have a mispercption but after a full season of nothing its hard for me to imagine anything substantial happening for these twins- very much feels like autopilot. I would be utterly shocked if Roki signed with us or if their camp is aware of interest. Many teams have been outright in stating they have met with him or are waiting to hear if there presentation will lead to a meeting. I have a hard time believing the Twins put together a pitch but hopefuly I am wrong. This FO seems to passive to land this FA. 

The auto pilot is broken and the plane has crashed due the wait and see attitude and lack of creativity ...

[TopGunn#22]

The news on Cartaya is VERY interesting.  The word on Cartaya is that he struggled mightily in AA (Tulsa).  He hit .189  .278  .379 in 93 games.  Evaluators in 2022 thought his hit tool was much better than it actually was, as is often the case with hitters in the low minors.  In AA at Tulsa, his swing was far too long and his hitting mechanics fell apart.  Sliders down and away just killed him.

BBTV's has dropped his "value" all the way to 4.3.  That's dirt cheap.  For an organization that is bereft of ANY high potential catching prospects this screams "GET A DEAL DONE WITH THE DODGERS !!"   NOW !!

It's likely that with the catching position locked up for the foreseeable future in L.A. and the rise of Rushing in the system, Cartaya just tried to do too much, got in a rut, and it ate him alive in 2024.  The Twins should make a minor deal and bring him in and show him we will be patient in getting him back on track.  His defensive skills didn't fall apart...his hitting did. 

He very well could see a resurgence in 2025 but the Dodgers don't have the patience for that.  This is an opportunity the Twins should exploit.  There is no guarantee the shine will come back, but this seems a lot like when the Twins picked up Shane Mack for a song and the gamble paid off.  Cartaya is just 23 years old.  He's got time on his side.  

The Dodgers signing Hyeseong Kim for 3 years probably kills any interest they would have had in Willi Castro.  I admit, the idea of adding Rushing's bat always appealed to me.  But he may very well push his way into the Dodgers lineup primary as a LF and eventual possible replacement at 1B for Freddie Freeman (provided Freddie ever shows signs of slowing down).  A long term spot as a catcher on the Dodgers is not likely for Rushing.  

[tony&rodney]

Perhaps the Twins can swing a deal for Cartaya but it would need to be a lower level prospect. Maybe returning Doncon to LAD for Diego works.

[Doctor Gast]

25 minutes ago, TopGunn#22 said:

The news on Cartaya is VERY interesting.  The word on Cartaya is that he struggled mightily in AA (Tulsa).  He hit .189  .278  .379 in 93 games.  Evaluators in 2022 thought his hit tool was much better than it actually was, as is often the case with hitters in the low minors.  In AA at Tulsa, his swing was far too long and his hitting mechanics fell apart.  Sliders down and away just killed him.

BBTV's has dropped his "value" all the way to 4.3.  That's dirt cheap.  For an organization that is bereft of ANY high potential catching prospects this screams "GET A DEAL DONE WITH THE DODGERS !!"   NOW !!

It's likely that with the catching position locked up for the foreseeable future in L.A. and the rise of Rushing in the system, Cartaya just tried to do too much, got in a rut, and it ate him alive in 2024.  The Twins should make a minor deal and bring him in and show him we will be patient in getting him back on track.  His defensive skills didn't fall apart...his hitting did. 

He very well could see a resurgence in 2025 but the Dodgers don't have the patience for that.  This is an opportunity the Twins should exploit.  There is no guarantee the shine will come back, but this seems a lot like when the Twins picked up Shane Mack for a song and the gamble paid off.  Cartaya is just 23 years old.  He's got time on his side.  

The Dodgers signing Hyeseong Kim for 3 years probably kills any interest they would have had in Willi Castro.  I admit, the idea of adding Rushing's bat always appealed to me.  But he may very well push his way into the Dodgers lineup primary as a LF and eventual possible replacement at 1B for Freddie Freeman (provided Freddie ever shows signs of slowing down).  A long term spot as a catcher on the Dodgers is not likely for Rushing.  

It's down to 2.6 now

[Twodogs]

On 1/4/2025 at 9:36 AM, tony&rodney said:

Perhaps the Twins can swing a deal for Cartaya but it would need to be a lower level prospect. Maybe returning Doncon to LAD for Diego works.

Yeah I feel as if the Dodgers DFA'd him why would the Twins trade anyone good?  I just think if the Twins offered a flyer and a couple bags of balls maybe the Dodgers would give him up.  I mean they have 7 days and then they'd need to release him outright, correct??

[Twodogs]

On 1/4/2025 at 7:41 AM, Twodogs said:

I see the Dodgers cut Diego Cartaya, a Catcher who was a top 100 prospect?   Would he be worth a flier?  Stick him in the minors and see if he pans out?  I mean the Twins need catchers right?  Also I was listening to MLB channel on Sirius and one of their experts said even he thinks the Dodgers are about 3rd in line.  He said Saski probably doesn't want to sign with the Dodgers because he would lose all of his endorsement power because shohei is there.  He said there are a lot of Yankee fans in Japan.  So he thought t saski would end up in New York, Darvish is kind of like a mentor to him so he figured the padres would be number 2.  Then he figured the dodgers would be third

Hopefully he works out?  I guess the big thing is he really didn't cost anything.  So if he does have some of that high prospect ranking still in him it could work out for the Twins.