What if the Twins Don't Make Any More Offseason Moves?

[Major League Ready]

20 hours ago, dxpavelka said:

As long as Alonzo remains represented by Boras don't rule anything out.

 

That's a good point.  I guess it could be a Cody Bellinger type deal.   Alonso has not been good not great the last 2 years.  He might not get anything close to what he was asking for in years or total dollars.  Alonso/Boras might take a Bellinger type deal a hope he has a big year while being able to fall back on two player option years like Bellinger.  I would not have wanted the Bellinger deal last year or Alonso on the same type deal this year because if he is good he is gone and if he is not you live with the deal for 2 more years.  

[DocBauer]

On 1/7/2025 at 5:05 PM, Bigfork Twins Guy said:

In addition, I have hope that the new coaches that they brought in can also make a difference and the young guys who regressed last year recover and improve this season.

I don't disagree with your sentiment. But the problem wasn't just injuries...though that played a part...and it wasn't regression of Julien or the adjustments/injury that held Lee down...that also played a part...it was a lack of offensive consistency that was a major issue.

The Twins were in the top 10 in total run production...maybe 4th or 5th??...but it was the up and down inconsistency that held them back. They'd score 7 runs each game in a series followed by 1-3 per game the next series. A quality opponent and a good SP can make you look bad of course. But too many poor series, and too many wasted opportunities with runners on base and in scoring position and sometimes we couldn't even get a decent fly ball to score a runner from 3rd with less than 2 out was maddening at times. 

If you read between the lines from comments made here and there, it felt like there was a disconnect between the "game plan" that was laid out and what the players did or didn't do. I think the talent and ability to hit, get on base, hit doubles, hit HR, score runs, is there. You don't finish near the top in runs scored and NOT have that ability.

I don't know if it's better planning, better communication, or something as simple and old fashioned as "choking up on the bat with 2 strikes" that has been the issue. But if the new coaches can just "unlock" a better approach in situational hitting, then greater consistency should hopefully come. I've just seen way too many well pitched games turn in to losses due to a lack of clutch hitting the past couple of years.

[dxpavelka]

4 hours ago, Major League Ready said:

That's a good point.  I guess it could be a Cody Bellinger type deal.   Alonso has not been good not great the last 2 years.  He might not get anything close to what he was asking for in years or total dollars.  Alonso/Boras might take a Bellinger type deal a hope he has a big year while being able to fall back on two player option years like Bellinger.  I would not have wanted the Bellinger deal last year or Alonso on the same type deal this year because if he is good he is gone and if he is not you live with the deal for 2 more years.  

[dxpavelka]

4 hours ago, Major League Ready said:

That's a good point.  I guess it could be a Cody Bellinger type deal.   Alonso has not been good not great the last 2 years.  He might not get anything close to what he was asking for in years or total dollars.  Alonso/Boras might take a Bellinger type deal a hope he has a big year while being able to fall back on two player option years like Bellinger.  I would not have wanted the Bellinger deal last year or Alonso on the same type deal this year because if he is good he is gone and if he is not you live with the deal for 2 more years.  

Let's not forget the constructs of the first Correa deal.

 

[Riverbrian]

After listening to Jeremy Zoll.

Barring a trade... Like for example someone really important to us to Boston for Cases.

I don't see many fantastic options for the Twins to add at 1B.  

So I'm almost ready to assume that Miranda and Julien will pair up to handle the position with the Gaspers and Fords and Severino's to slide into a 1B role if necessary... when necessary.  

It's sure sounding like the Twins are planning on Lee at 3B and it sounds like Lewis will at least try to become our 2B in 2025. 

I really don't believe that Keirsay will break camp with the club because of his left handedness so that leaves Helman as that last 26th man option if they do nothing.

I don't think the Twins will allow Helman to fill that role. I'm still guessing that they will continue on the search for RH hitting OF and they will find some cheap Connor Joe to bounce Helman down.   

Leaving the opening day roster at:

Jeffers, Vazquez at Catcher (2)

Correa SS, Buxton, CF, Lewis 2B, Lee 3B and Castro (LF plus other places as needed) as the primary (5) that play every day apart from maintenance days.  

Wallner RF, Larnach DH (and LF), Julien 1B as the full allotment of platooned left handed hitters.

And Miranda, Martin and RH OF type addition as the full of allotment of short side handcuffs to Wallner, Larnach and Julien. 

There's your 13 coming North barring injury. When injury starts to occurs, I'd imagine that Miranda would be the first player to gain the extra AB's. 

If an injury occurs to Buxton - Miranda goes full time 1B. Julien and Helman would pair at DH, Larnach would pair with Martin in LF and Castro slides to full time CF. 

If an injury occurs to Correa - Lee slides to SS, Lewis goes full time 3B, Miranda full time 1B while Julien and Helman pair at 2B. 

If an injury occurs to Lewis - Miranda goes full time 1b while Julien and Helman pair at 2B. 

If an injury occurs to one of our left handers - I'd guess that Erod is the call up... not Keirsay. Erod would simply slide into whatever platoon role is vacated. 

This is what I'm thinking right now. I will allow for the off-season to conclude so the front office still has the opportunity to surprise me.