López and Festa Give the Twins Reason for Optimism This Offseason

[jmlease1]

Lopez being back and healthy is a very good sign for the rotation and the Twins prospects in 2026. It's fair to be concerned that he's going to get dealt for prospects in a salary dump: Cheap Pohlads have given no reason to write this off. But right now, he's our guy, and having him lead the rotation is impactful for sure.

I have trouble getting too excited about Festa at this point, though it is good news that they're expecting him to start throwing soon and be ready for a normal spring training. But it's still hope not reality yet, and his injury and recovery are one to worry about. Until we actually see him throwing in spring training, I don't know how you can slot him into any role.

Twins have talent and depth in the rotation, and it's the best part of the team right now. But they still have questions there, and with the Cheap Pohlads still playing mystery box on payroll, it's reasonable to be fearful that more salary dumps are pending and no effort to compete in 2026 will be coming.

[HrbieFan]

58 minutes ago, Whitey333 said:

Im sorry but I am one of those on the more pessimistic side.  They didn't trade Ryan to Boston mainly because Boston got in on trade talks with Twins way too late.  Rumors continue out of Boston that they will make every attempt to get Ryan.  Mostly involving prospects.  Lopez is a very good pitcher but if they really aren't plan on on contending I can't see why they keep him and his 21.6 million salary for 2026.  All Indications are the salary dump will continue this off season.  There isn't as much talent on this team as people think IMO.  I think the young prospects have been grossly mis managed by the organization.

Where there is smoke, there is fire. Boston is strong in the OF, which doesn't really match up with our needs. Whichever way we go with Ryan and Lopez, hope Galvey takes a page from the Brewers playbook. Go get guys that can contribute next year, not in 2028. 

[tony&rodney]

10 hours ago, #3Killer said:

So tired a depressed by all of you who are so positive Ryan will be traded! Here’s a scenario: pull him in for a conference- share your vision to bring a World Series title to MN - then sign him to an extension! Never trade quality starting pitching. Let’s get him on board!

Sounds great. The Twins could offer 6/$150M (two controlled years plus four add-ons) for a start, but the price could go higher. 

We all have to wonder what limits the Twins will have for payroll, extensions, and free agents. 

One must believe the trades in late July rid the team of unnecessary or superfluous players or that the return from the trades was exceptional if one now thinks money is not a factor.

I'm having a hard time thinking of a direction for the team without any present clue of a financial reality. The July trades seemed to predict further trades but perhaps it doesn't happen. 

When I look at the current 40 person roster I'm optimistic of 75 wins. I can see potential problems that result in 55 wins. Maybe some additions and changes should be considered. However, I don't have a magic crystal ball and many people believe in the current roster. Falvey did the last two years and said so on numerous occasions. I'm not aware of any plan or statements thus far in this offseason. In the dark for now.

[RJA]

IF Lopez, Ober and Festa come back fully healthy, and IF the front office doesn't trade any starters, and IF Bradley, Abel, Matthews and SWR pitch to their potential, the Twins could have a great rotation--Lopez, Ryan, Ober and two of Bradley, Abel, Matthews and SWR.  IF they the front office wants to remain competitive, they could make a couple of adds to bullpen, maybe switch one of the aforementioned starters to bullpen (Matthews?), switch Prielipp and maybe Raya to the bullpen and find one or two long relievers from the bevy of so-so starters in the minors.  They could then accept trade offers offers on any position players on the roster not named Buxton (and maybe Keaschall) in exchange for bullpen arms and position players with defensive chops, especially at first base and the infield.  They could then rely on strong starting pitching, a decent bullpen and a tight defense until Rodriguez, Jenkins, Culpepper and Gonzalez arrive with some punch.  LOTS of IFs.

[Major League Ready]

15 hours ago, Blyleven2011 said:

Purging more salary is the most likely occurrence for a team that doesn't want to contend ....

Key word is doesn't  ....

I don't like it anymore than the next guy , just being realistic and don't want to be very disappointed if it does happen  ...

Alternatively, the key word is rebuilding.  Teams in the bottom half of revenue do it all the time.  Can you name a team in the bottom half of revenue that has not gone through some form of rebuild in the past decade?  Fans don't like it but it's inevitable.  You can stomp your feet and insist it's an unwillingness to spend but that insistence requires we ignore that it's simply part of the game for any team not among the highest revenue teams.  It also requires we ignore this team is not remotely close to contention and the likely result of filling a few holes is mediocrity.   There is an alternative possibility they want to build an actual contender.  That's not likely to happen by propping up what is now a very weak team.

[Paul Walerius]

18 hours ago, DocBauer said:

I really liked the potential Festa showed in 2024. For the most part, he took a step back last season, but his shoulder was seemingly never 100%. At least not past the first month or so when he went on the Saints IL with "tired arm" syndrom.

But so far, in what is still a SSS, he's had a tough time getting past the 5th inning. With his build, and with the shoulder issues he had last season, I really think his future is in the pen. I can easily see him as a late inning, power, high K arm and maybe a potential closer.

In theory, the rotation currently has options that include: Lopez, Ryan, Ober, SWR, Bradley, Matthews, Abel, Morris with Prielipp, Rojas, CJ Culpepper and others at least slightly behind them. And that's me assuming Lewis, Raya, and Klein all moving to a pen role.

There SHOULD be enough depth/talent to place Festa in the pen. And it just might be where he's beat suited.

 

I agree but I also think Prielipp is in pen.  Health issues with him just seem like it is a better option.  

[Rod Carews Birthday]

5 hours ago, old nurse said:

There is a very prolifically posting group of people who see things in a negative light. At the trade deadline and again this off season, Falvey has said the only way Ryan is traded is if they were blown away. 

A bunch of day traders in a long term activity, but they are certainly loud!

[TopGunn#22]

There is no question the Twins have an impressive stable of young, talented arms.  Can the new coaching staff get these young starters to realize their potential?  That's an unknown that we can all speculate on but none of us have the answer.

Unless you're the Dodgers or a handful of other large-market teams who may have one or two questions about their lineup, rotation or bullpen, EVERYBODY has all sorts of questions heading into this off season.  In the A.L. Central, no mountain should ever be considered too high.  We are a LONG way past the days when the Guardian Indians, Tigers and White Sox could afford to have stacked lineups (ala the 2000-2015 time frame.  And in that general time frame, the KC Royals went to back-to-back World Series and won one.

Maybe the White Sox will someday get back to being the highest spending team in the division, but those days seem a long time away.

I think the reality for the Twins is that they would never get reasonable value for Pablo in this current climate, and I think he will get back being healthy and Ace level.  Ryan is solid, he was an All Star last year.  But his value will never be higher and he will be in high demand this winter.  The deepest position we have is SP.  I see a trade.  Ober is kind of a Wild Card.  He still has solid value but there are some big questions.  The Twins, and any pitching needy team will be closely monitoring how he looks.

I'm in the camp that the best move for David Festa is an entire season of being a relief pitcher.  There is PLENTY of depth with Matthews, SWR, Bradley and Abel.  Give Festa a season in the pen and see how it goes.  There is already a HUGE need in the pen.  I'd treat him like Duran or Jax and see what kind of health and talent emerges. 

And never forget, I still carry a torch for that Unicorn of Unicorns for the Twins BP...MATT CANTERINO !! I will not give up hope.  The Twins released him back in April, resigned him to a minor league contract with the Saints and just activated him off the "season ending injury list" on Thursday, 11/6.  The Twins need a veteran Closer, but imagine if Festa and Canterino were able to stay healthy throughout 2026? Canterino has only pitched 85 innings in the minors since we drafted him out of Rice, but his career ERA is 1.44 and he's K'd 130 in those 85 innings.  Everyone get your Rosaries out for Matt Canterino !!

 

 

[terrydactyls]

2 hours ago, Whitey333 said:

Im sorry but I am one of those on the more pessimistic side.  They didn't trade Ryan to Boston mainly because Boston got in on trade talks with Twins way too late.  Rumors continue out of Boston that they will make every attempt to get Ryan.  Mostly involving prospects.  Lopez is a very good pitcher but if they really aren't plan on on contending I can't see why they keep him and his 21.6 million salary for 2026.  All Indications are the salary dump will continue this off season.  There isn't as much talent on this team as people think IMO.  I think the young prospects have been grossly mis managed by the organization.

Please tell me where you are seeing/hearing "rumors continue out of Boston".  I live 90 miles from Fenway and I have neither seen nor heard any rumors about Ryan.

[saviking]

Slow news cycle 

[sweetmusicviola16]

43 minutes ago, Major League Ready said:

Alternatively, the key word is rebuilding.  Teams in the bottom half of revenue do it all the time.  Can you name a team in the bottom half of revenue that has not gone through some form of rebuild in the past decade?  Fans don't like it but it's inevitable.  You can stomp your feet and insist it's an unwillingness to spend but that insistence requires we ignore that it's simply part of the game for any team not among the highest revenue teams.  It also requires we ignore this team is not remotely close to contention and the likely result of filling a few holes is mediocrity.   There is an alternative possibility they want to build an actual contender.  That's not likely to happen by propping up what is now a very weak team.

Like it or not this is the reality. This team as it stands is a 75 win team at best. That's at the most optimistic view that I can have. Though the performance of the team since the all star break of 2024 suggests that 75 is far better than it is. So is sitting on Ryan, Lopez and Jeffers to be a 75 win team wise? Spending 30mil to fill the holes to make it an 81 team wise? The wisest decision is to retool and look ahead and take the short-term lumps and bumps. My own personal biggest distaste is watching a 70 some win team that you know is maxed out. 

[JD-TWINS]

17 hours ago, Cory Engelhardt said:

I am. It’s me. Lopez will be on the team in 2026.

Ryan on the other hand. 

So, do they keep Lopez just because he’s a high character guy? Both of them are under Team Control for 2 more years……why keep the $22M (x2) guy and trade the maybe $20M to Ryan over next 2 seasons? Pay Ryan a few million in ‘26 & then trade him …… trade Lopez over the Winter……this seems to be the frugal path. Can see how things go and jettison one or both at deadline in ‘26 ….. if things fall apart. I’d like to keep them both and try to reap the benefits, to be clear.

If money is a big issue, I do not get why most here think Ryan, for some offensive help in a trade, makes more sense than Lopez?

I wonder what you - most - think the budget will be for salaries in ‘26? I still cannot get past the fact that “a group” spent $400M plus for 20+% of the Team, and somehow they do not care if the product on the field is competitive, immediately.

$125-$135M gets them to a Division Contender with current roster. Could trade young arm(s) for a bat but FA is more probable.

[terrydactyls]

Without any indication from the front office concerning....

1. Payroll

2. Specific long-term and short-term goals

3. Information about the new minor stakeholders (who they are and if they have a voice)

4. A definition of "contender".  A chance for a meaningless wildcard or Central Division title, or an actual World Series title?

.... it is difficult for me to even attempt to envision what the Twins may look like on Opening Day or what the next few years hold.  I am spending far less time reading Twins Daily than usual and more time searching for news about the Wild, Vikings, Gopher football and mens hockey (although all these have their own level of disappointment attached.  I'm glad my local library is well stocked with mystery/murder novels.

[Cory Engelhardt]

4 minutes ago, JD-TWINS said:

So, do they keep Lopez just because he’s a high character guy? Both of them are under Team Control for 2 more years……why keep the $22M (x2) guy and trade the maybe $20M to Ryan over next 2 seasons? Pay Ryan a few million in ‘26 & then trade him …… trade Lopez over the Winter……this seems to be the frugal path. Can see how things go and jettison one or both at deadline in ‘26 ….. if things fall apart. I’d like to keep them both and try to reap the benefits, to be clear.

If money is a big issue, I do not get why most here think Ryan, for some offensive help in a trade, makes more sense than Lopez?

I wonder what you - most - think the budget will be for salaries in ‘26? I still cannot get past the fact that “a group” spent $400M plus for 20+% of the Team, and somehow they do not care if the product on the field is competitive, immediately.

$125-$135M gets them to a Division Contender with current roster. Could trade young arm(s) for a bat but FA is more probable.

Yes, because one of them is at the height of their trade value and the other isn’t.

Lopez being a high character guy isn’t a bad thing.

 

[JD-TWINS]

24 minutes ago, TopGunn#22 said:

There is no question the Twins have an impressive stable of young, talented arms.  Can the new coaching staff get these young starters to realize their potential?  That's an unknown that we can all speculate on but none of us have the answer.

Unless you're the Dodgers or a handful of other large-market teams who may have one or two questions about their lineup, rotation or bullpen, EVERYBODY has all sorts of questions heading into this off season.  In the A.L. Central, no mountain should ever be considered too high.  We are a LONG way past the days when the Guardian Indians, Tigers and White Sox could afford to have stacked lineups (ala the 2000-2015 time frame.  And in that general time frame, the KC Royals went to back-to-back World Series and won one.

Maybe the White Sox will someday get back to being the highest spending team in the division, but those days seem a long time away.

I think the reality for the Twins is that they would never get reasonable value for Pablo in this current climate, and I think he will get back being healthy and Ace level.  Ryan is solid, he was an All Star last year.  But his value will never be higher and he will be in high demand this winter.  The deepest position we have is SP.  I see a trade.  Ober is kind of a Wild Card.  He still has solid value but there are some big questions.  The Twins, and any pitching needy team will be closely monitoring how he looks.

I'm in the camp that the best move for David Festa is an entire season of being a relief pitcher.  There is PLENTY of depth with Matthews, SWR, Bradley and Abel.  Give Festa a season in the pen and see how it goes.  There is already a HUGE need in the pen.  I'd treat him like Duran or Jax and see what kind of health and talent emerges. 

And never forget, I still carry a torch for that Unicorn of Unicorns for the Twins BP...MATT CANTERINO !! I will not give up hope.  The Twins released him back in April, resigned him to a minor league contract with the Saints and just activated him off the "season ending injury list" on Thursday, 11/6.  The Twins need a veteran Closer, but imagine if Festa and Canterino were able to stay healthy throughout 2026? Canterino has only pitched 85 innings in the minors since we drafted him out of Rice, but his career ERA is 1.44 and he's K'd 130 in those 85 innings.  Everyone get your Rosaries out for Matt Canterino !!

 

 

I was with you until Canterino came up……..he needs to throw 40-50 innings in St Paul before he gets ANY consideration in the Show. He may not achieve 50 more innings, with reasonable success, until sometime in ‘28. He is a bigger stretch than re-signing Chris Paddack for $4.5M for a middle reliever role.

[jorgenswest]

11 minutes ago, sweetmusicviola16 said:

So is sitting on Ryan, Lopez and Jeffers to be a 75 win team wise?

They have time with Ryan and Lopez. The return they will get will not be that much different if they wait. Ryan and Lopez will also help the other develop. Their innings will help the bullpen. I think their is wisdom in holding in to them to begin the season and reassess at the deadline or next winter.

They don’t have the same time with Jeffers. They can wait until the deadline. He will be helpful to the young pitchers. I am not sure how much value he returns either. He may be more valuable helping this staff develop.

All 162 matter to me. 

[JD-TWINS]

12 minutes ago, Cory Engelhardt said:

Yes, because one of them is at the height of their trade value and the other isn’t.

Lopez being a high character guy isn’t a bad thing.

 

Obviously, high character is always sought after!! I do not think, if money is an issue, that the organization wouldn’t get flooded with interest in Lopez if he was dangled in the market, pretty hard to argue they would not ……. not an easy thing to do & maintain relationship. ………”we are willing to discuss any potential offers, blah blah, blah” is a possibility.

Ryan was hurt at the end of the year for 3 straight seasons prior to ‘25. Other organizations pay attention and know all the details on injury risks with any potential acquisition.

In ‘25, his last 10 starts after the deadline, he threw 49.2 innings ……..15 walks & 50 hits for a 1.32 WHIP. Maybe he was distracted/disinterested after the trades were made? He had 6 good outings and 4 poor outings. …….. I get he was an All-star and he’s a great $$ value in near term! Based on his history, he’s at a career high trade value. If he has his typical good first half, to me, his trade value is maximized at the deadline in ‘26.

Again, I don’t want either to be traded. The thought of trading either of them “for prospects” makes me sick to my stomach.

If $$ aren’t driving the move, the ability to remain competitive over next 2 years is higher with Ryan remaining with the Club v. any trade acquisition. Does new ownership % (invested $$) deem it’s necessary to be competitive? To me, that’s the question.

[Cory Engelhardt]

8 minutes ago, JD-TWINS said:

Obviously, high character is always sought after!! I do not think, if money is an issue, that the organization wouldn’t get flooded with interest in Lopez if he was dangled in the market, pretty hard to argue they would not ……. not an easy thing to do & maintain relationship. ………”we are willing to discuss any potential offers, blah blah, blah” is a possibility.

Ryan was hurt at the end of the year for 3 straight seasons prior to ‘25. Other organizations pay attention and know all the details on injury risks with any potential acquisition.

In ‘25, his last 10 starts after the deadline, he threw 49.2 innings ……..15 walks & 50 hits for a 1.32 WHIP. Maybe he was distracted/disinterested after the trades were made? He had 6 good outings and 4 poor outings. …….. I get he was an All-star and he’s a great $$ value in near term! Based on his history, he’s at a career high trade value. If he has his typical good first half, to me, his trade value is maximized at the deadline in ‘26.

Again, I don’t want either to be traded. The thought of trading either of them “for prospects” makes me sick to my stomach.

If $$ aren’t driving the move, the ability to remain competitive over next 2 years is higher with Ryan remaining with the Club v. any trade acquisition. Does new ownership % (invested $$) deem it’s necessary to be competitive? To me, that’s the question.

I wouldn’t want Ryan traded for prospects either. Acquiring players for either of them that might be in the majors in 2028 is an absolute non-starter

For players that can actually help in 2026 id very much listen. Even then the bar to trade him is high. 

[jmlease1]

4 hours ago, TopGunn#22 said:

And never forget, I still carry a torch for that Unicorn of Unicorns for the Twins BP...MATT CANTERINO !! I will not give up hope.  The Twins released him back in April, resigned him to a minor league contract with the Saints and just activated him off the "season ending injury list" on Thursday, 11/6.  The Twins need a veteran Closer, but imagine if Festa and Canterino were able to stay healthy throughout 2026? Canterino has only pitched 85 innings in the minors since we drafted him out of Rice, but his career ERA is 1.44 and he's K'd 130 in those 85 innings.  Everyone get your Rosaries out for Matt Canterino !!

My brain knows it's not logical or realistic, but my heart can't give up on Canterino either. It'd be great if he could finally somehow stay on the field. The stuff has been awesome whenever he's actually been able to throw. Don't know if that damaged wing will ever be able to hold up enough to let him show is talent in The Show, but I keep holding out hope. 

I freely admit it: it's totally ridiculous to bet on Canterino being a real contributor to the Twins in 2026. And yet...

[Major League Ready]

2 hours ago, JD-TWINS said:

So, do they keep Lopez just because he’s a high character guy? Both of them are under Team Control for 2 more years……why keep the $22M (x2) guy and trade the maybe $20M to Ryan over next 2 seasons? Pay Ryan a few million in ‘26 & then trade him …… trade Lopez over the Winter……this seems to be the frugal path. Can see how things go and jettison one or both at deadline in ‘26 ….. if things fall apart. I’d like to keep them both and try to reap the benefits, to be clear.

If money is a big issue, I do not get why most here think Ryan, for some offensive help in a trade, makes more sense than Lopez?

I wonder what you - most - think the budget will be for salaries in ‘26? I still cannot get past the fact that “a group” spent $400M plus for 20+% of the Team, and somehow they do not care if the product on the field is competitive, immediately.

$125-$135M gets them to a Division Contender with current roster. Could trade young arm(s) for a bat but FA is more probable.

People that have amassed $400M don't think short-term when it comes to investments.

[old nurse]

8 minutes ago, Major League Ready said:

People that have amassed $400M don't think short-term when it comes to investments.

If you have amassed 400K it is dumb luck if it was done with short term thinking.  

[Major League Ready]

2 hours ago, Cory Engelhardt said:

I wouldn’t want Ryan traded for prospects either. Acquiring players for either of them that might be in the majors in 2028 is an absolute non-starter

For players that can actually help in 2026 id very much listen. Even then the bar to trade him is high. 

Why would teams looking to improve their chances for contention by trading for Ryan,. trade away really good players that can contribute immediately.  It's a marginal net gain for them so the return is diminished. Would you rather get a guy that will contribute 2.5 WAR per season immediately or 4 WAR per season starting in 2027?  I will take the later knowing that we are not going to be a contender immediately.  Take the premium talent over immediate gratification.  Now, if you can get a prospect similar to Walker Jenkins that is very close to ready, great but prioritizing immediacy over production is not a winning strategy.

[tony&rodney]

3 hours ago, jorgenswest said:

They don’t have the same time with Jeffers. They can wait until the deadline.

FWIW, catchers are rarely traded during the season; it just doesn't happen. The Twins either trade Jeffers this offseason or he plays out the 2026 season and then goes free agent. Jeffers will not be offered a qualifying offer and he will leave unless he collapses completely next season. I think the Twins keep him.

[sweetmusicviola16]

35 minutes ago, Major League Ready said:

Why would teams looking to improve their chances for contention by trading for Ryan,. trade away really good players that can contribute immediately.  It's a marginal net gain for them so the return is diminished. Would you rather get a guy that will contribute 2.5 WAR per season immediately or 4 WAR per season starting in 2027?  I will take the later knowing that we are not going to be a contender immediately.  Take the premium talent over immediate gratification.  Now, if you can get a prospect similar to Walker Jenkins that is very close to ready, great but prioritizing immediacy over production is not a winning strategy.

What kind of deal gets it done? Like with the Red Sox? Does Arias and Witherspoon pique their interest? I know, Arias is another SS.

[Cory Engelhardt]

1 hour ago, Major League Ready said:

Why would teams looking to improve their chances for contention by trading for Ryan,. trade away really good players that can contribute immediately.  It's a marginal net gain for them so the return is diminished. Would you rather get a guy that will contribute 2.5 WAR per season immediately or 4 WAR per season starting in 2027?  I will take the later knowing that we are not going to be a contender immediately.  Take the premium talent over immediate gratification.  Now, if you can get a prospect similar to Walker Jenkins that is very close to ready, great but prioritizing immediacy over production is not a winning strategy.

They’ve already said, via Dan Hayes, that the starting conversation will be a top 50 prospect who is close to the majors and another top 50 prospect who could be more of a lottery ticket. Probably more with that. That’s the cost for this level of starting pitcher. Seattle and Milwaukee and the Mets and Dodgers, among a few others, can meet that price. That’s the starting point. 
If they don’t get those offers he isn’t traded. But I imagine they will get those offers if he is truly available

[Cory Engelhardt]

37 minutes ago, sweetmusicviola16 said:

What kind of deal gets it done? Like with the Red Sox? Does Arias and Witherspoon pique their interest? I know, Arias is another SS.

I don’t think that’s enough on its own no. I like both of those players; but I imagine it would be those two along with Rafaela or Casas if it were Boston. As an example

[SteveLV]

The more I think about it, the more I believe the Twins will trade Ryan and keep Lopez as a veteran, calm presence to anchor their other young pitchers.

They can always move him at the deadline if they are out of contention.

By all accounts Lopez is a consummate professional and a credit to the team.  I wish him all success.

(This all assumes someone does not offer a massive overpay for Lopez that the Twins cannot resist.)

[sweetmusicviola16]

1 hour ago, Cory Engelhardt said:

I don’t think that’s enough on its own no. I like both of those players; but I imagine it would be those two along with Rafaela or Casas if it were Boston. As an example

Agreed, alone not enough. It looked like this pair would be the baseline of what we're rumored to want though. Or get a 3rd guy could be Jhostnxon Garcia. Made the ML and he's a RH OF for a change. But that seems like the kind of deal we need. One that has the future fully in view and gives us someone to plug a hole now who would still fit in with our present prospects. 

[Major League Ready]

2 hours ago, sweetmusicviola16 said:

What kind of deal gets it done? Like with the Red Sox? Does Arias and Witherspoon pique their interest? I know, Arias is another SS.

It's so hard to predict.  The team that has what we want might not be the team that wants him the most.  IMO, the most important thing is to get a high impact player back.  Think of it this way.  When we're looking for a piece to add to what we thought was a good core, we wanted the highest impact player we could get, not two pretty good guys.  Moving Ryan needs to accomplish the same thing.  The goal is to give up two years of Ryan when we are not contending for 6-7 years of an equivalent or better player when we have a shot at being a contender.  Obviously, we don't know that we will be a contender 3 or 4 years from now, but we can be quite certain we won't be one next year.  

[tony&rodney]

5 hours ago, Major League Ready said:

Obviously, we don't know that we will be a contender 3 or 4 years from now, but we can be quite certain we won't be one next year.  

This may be the crux of the problem for the Twins and Twins fans. Perhaps (and we can be certain we don't know) Falvey believes the Twins will be contenders. A fair number of people on Twins Daily also believe in the roster and see bounces from guys like Lee, Lewis, Wallner, and so on and on. So while I may agree with you about next year, there are plenty of folks who might not. Differences are not a bad thing and exchanges of ideas are good. Only the POBO knows. Or does he? Thus the problem or issue for the Twins. What is the plan? I have no clue where the team is headed.