Are the Twins Really Keeping Their Core Together This Winter?

[Parker Hageman]

Image courtesy of © Jerome Miron-Imagn Images

The Minnesota Twins’ front office walked into the winter meetings and did something fans probably needed to hear: they said they are not interested in trading Byron Buxton, Joe Ryan or Pablo López this offseason. Given the smoke surrounding all three in recent weeks, that was no small statement.

And honestly, that is exactly how it should be. These are the types of players competitive teams collect, not unload. You build a core around them. You do not move them unless you are ready to admit that the window is closed and the locks have rusted shut.

But even with that reassurance, fans are not imagining the tension. The Twins looked very much like a franchise walking the line between competing and retrenching. Last year’s deadline, which involved shedding bullpen arms and clearing money, suggested a team bracing for a softer landing in 2026 rather than gearing up to sprint.

That is why, despite the front office’s public stance, it is still plausible to wonder whether the door is completely shut on moving Buxton, Ryan or López. Mid-market teams often operate with different guardrails. They do not have the luxury of outspending mistakes or replacing injuries with premium depth. When payroll projections dip, like this season where the Twins are expected to land well below last year’s post-purge figure of around 130 million dollars and possibly under 100 million dollars, the temptation to convert expensive, high-value players into multiple lower-cost future contributors becomes very real. It is not desirable from the fan perspective. It is not energizing. But it is a reality that front offices in this economic tier confront regularly.

Teams in this bracket build and rebuild in rolling cycles. They hold their stars until they cannot justify the next contract or until the payroll crunch tightens. They trade premium players not because they want to but because the structure demands it. That is the context sitting quietly underneath the front office’s reassurance.

First: Buxton.

He is coming off the healthiest season we have seen in years. He energized the lineup, stabilized center field, showed MVP-caliber flashes and brought the type of charisma and presence that cannot be taught. However, he also carries the lingering reputation of injuries, being on the wrong side of age-30, and the uncertainty surrounding a potential 2027 work stoppage. If a missed season or partial season affects the remaining years of his team-friendly contract, the calculus shifts. For a mid-market team, this winter might have been the moment to capitalize on maximum value if they wanted to.

Second: Ryan and López.

Top-of-the-rotation arms don’t just walk around unattended. If you’re rebuilding, these are your most valuable trade chips. But if you’re trying to compete—even on a budget—they’re the exact pieces you refuse to entertain offers on. The Twins planting a flag here suggests they view 2025 not as a step-back year but as a bridge year they intend to bolster internally rather than detonate.

Third: they understand the fan base.

I mean, it’s hard to believe that this is the case given all the posturing and tone deaf reactions in the recent past. This is not a market that wants to hear about another cycle of waiting for a window to open. Fans want a push toward contention, not a slow retreat in the name of long-term flexibility. The front office knows that trading franchise-level players immediately after trimming payroll would create significant backlash. With attendance dipping into the lowest numbers they’ve seen since the Metrodome years, the front office and potential new partners have to understand they need some kind of revenue stream and unloading star talent would result in Target Field becoming the place where moss collects on empty seats. 

So their stance matters.

Their core stays intact. Their best players remain. 

However, the underlying economics do not go away. The Pohlad family could choose to spend well beyond mid-market ranges, but they have opted instead to operate within them. If the Twins were to reverse course and entertain offers for Buxton, López or Ryan, the payroll projection would collapse quickly. What currently looks like a moderate dip from 130 million dollars could fall below 100 million dollars. That outcome would invite questions about whether the competitive timeline was being pushed further into the future.

For now, the message is clear.

The Twins are saying they are not rebuilding. It is the correct public stance. The next step is proving that keeping this group together leads to something greater than a reassuring sound bite.

View full article

[pistolpete612]

Falvey has stated that his ear is always listening.  I'm hoping that we don't have a winter fire sale like when my mom sold all my GI Joes and Voltron figures at the church swap meet while I was on vacation with nana. This fan base needs what the band Poison would call "Something to believe in".  I don't see  certain names on the Twins fest board which is always cause for speculation.  It's bad enough my snow thrower caught fire last week without national media outlets blowing smoke my way about my beloved team (Stop it ESPN). I see the Cardinals are falling apart and that makes me feel better or it could mean that we aren't that far behind....

...Stupid hot stove, making me care and stuff.

[AceWrigley]

11 minutes ago, pistolpete612 said:

It's bad enough my snow thrower caught fire last week. . .

Did it melt the snow? I've always thought a flame thrower could be pretty effective in winter.

[Richie the Rally Goat]

33 minutes ago, AceWrigley said:

Did it melt the snow? I've always thought a flame thrower could be pretty effective in winter.

The running water can be a problem

[Parfigliano]

They aren't interested in trading Buxton, Lopez or Ryan.....until they do.

[pistolpete612]

1 hour ago, AceWrigley said:

Did it melt the snow? I've always thought a flame thrower could be pretty effective in winter.

While I relish the smell of burning plastic and heated steel, this configuration did not clear my drive way.

[tony&rodney]

The San Diego Padres gave out some rich long term contracts in recent years, which isn't something the Twins will emulate at this time. However, Preller also completed a number of trades to improve the team as well and this is something the Twins can do. 

Twins fans (me too) succumb to overrating the guys on our team consistently. It is easy to go through the roster and say if Jeffers, Clemens, Keaschall, Lewis, Lee, Martin, Roden, Wallner, and Larnach all improve ..... If Buxton remains healthy and sets a new personal record for games played ...... If the young prospects like Jenkins, Rodriguez, Culpepper, and Gonzalez can make a smooth transition to MLB ......

That seems like too many ifs but it is, apparently, the plan. 

The Twins were very fortunate in regards to games missed due to injuries last season as compared to the other teams in their division. The team is not fleet of foot, struggles defensively, and has problems hitting. Those factors seem to indicate some changes need to be considered and pursued. 

Generic comments are pretty common and we have seen Falvey repeat himself, nearly word for word, most offseasons. During the seasons he proclaims confidence in the talents of all the players and staff and suggests the performances on the field will shortly see improvement. Reflection is looking like something just to get the hair perfect.

The Twins do not necessarily need a teardown but they need to be in contact with pretty much every team with thoughts of completing transactions which are mutually beneficial to both clubs. Waiting for calls works when Miami is intent on acquiring a batting title winner or Tampa Bay wants a DH for the stretch run and those deals were important; the calls were answered. The front office also needs to reach out to every team in hopes of finding something that works. Baseball clubs are a bit of a puzzle and a team needs to find the pieces that fit. A team really should not carry more than one DH and it is important to have strong defenders at half the positions on the field. 

The current core of the Twins consists of Byron Buxton among position players and Pablo Lopez and Joe Ryan among the pitchers. That's a good start. Now let's add to that solid core.

[jkcarew]

Absolutely! Let’s spend another couple years seeing if we can win 84 games in the ALC. After all, it’s the typical Twin’s fan dream. Sure, later they walk (or become injured) with little or nothing in return. But, hey look! We’re COMPETING!!!

[Riverbrian]

2 hours ago, pistolpete612 said:

Falvey has stated that his ear is always listening.  I'm hoping that we don't have a winter fire sale like when my mom sold all my GI Joes and Voltron figures at the church swap meet while I was on vacation with nana. This fan base needs what the band Poison would call "Something to believe in".  I don't see  certain names on the Twins fest board which is always cause for speculation.  It's bad enough my snow thrower caught fire last week without national media outlets blowing smoke my way about my beloved team (Stop it ESPN). I see the Cardinals are falling apart and that makes me feel better or it could mean that we aren't that far behind....

...Stupid hot stove, making me care and stuff.

I don't care if I agree or disagree. 

I love this post! 

I look forward to your 4th post. 

[Nashvilletwin]

This team competing as basically currently constructed is a complete pipe dream.  Sorry, but it is.  A team consisting of only one above average position player (who might play 100 games if we are lucky), only one average position player (who really has to be traded by the deadline), two solid #2 starters, two solid #4 starters, possibly the most inexperienced, depth lacking (i.e worst) bullpen in the majors, and a manager whose record suggests he is well below average, is not going to contend. And there should be no expectations of any significantly helpful assets being added given the ownership situation.

This is hard to argue against. 

But, if there are no decent offers forthcoming for what we consider our top assets (and the trade market involving top prospects has been very weak thus far this off-season), then is there much choice but to pursue this strategy? Probably not. So, the strategy is to roll with what we have and hope some players play much better than their skills and history would suggest they are capable of.

Wow, talk about a Hail Mary strategy.

So we will rinse and repeat the past couple of years bringing in a few has-been cheap vets, forgoing investing in playing time and crucial ABs for our true prospects, and being content with a boring roster and most certainly a losing record.  The only difference is this year we are starting with even less.

There may not be a better alternative, but what a snooze this year is going to be - especially if Buxton - the one player worth watching every day- gets hurt.

Lets pray the ping pong balls fall our way tomorrow.

[old nurse]

12 minutes ago, Nashvilletwin said:

This team competing as basically currently constructed is a complete pipe dream.  Sorry, but it is.  A team consisting of only one above average position player (who might play 100 games if we are lucky), only one average position player (who really has to be traded by the deadline), two solid #2 starters, two solid #4 starters, possibly the most inexperienced, depth lacking (i.e worst) bullpen in the majors, and a manager whose record suggests he is well below average, is not going to contend. And there should be no expectations of any significantly helpful assets being added given the ownership situation.

This is hard to argue against. 

But, if there are no decent offers forthcoming for what we consider our top assets (and the trade market involving top prospects has been very weak thus far this off-season), then is there much choice but to pursue this strategy? Probably not. So, the strategy is to roll with what we have and hope some players play much better than their skills and history would suggest they are capable of.

Wow, talk about a Hail Mary strategy.

So we will rinse and repeat the past couple of years bringing in a few has-been cheap vets, forgoing investing in playing time and crucial ABs for our true prospects, and being content with a boring roster and most certainly a losing record.  The only difference is this year we are starting with even less.

There may not be a better alternative, but what a snooze this year is going to be - especially if Buxton - the one player worth watching every day- gets hurt.

Lets pray the ping pong balls fall our way tomorrow.

What true prospects didn’t get AB

[Riverbrian]

I'll wait and see. 

It's a long way to March 26th. Lots of phone calls to decline over the months to come. 

I'll wait and see... but if they hold to this and they augment with IKF and Josh Bell... If i hear them saying they are looking for right handed bats... I will feel rather hopeless. 

[Nashvilletwin]

1 minute ago, old nurse said:

What true prospects didn’t get AB

Over the past several years, several were sent up and down or platooned. Most lost their confidence and none (!) developed into an every day major leaguer despite their minor league performance and/or draft pedigree.  You want Larnach or Wallner to be any every day player in the field or DH, they have to bat against lefties.  We gave AB after AB to clowns like Joey Gallo. Either you invest in your prospects or you quit blowing wind up our rears about how good these guys are.

Twill this year be different? Will Jenkins, ERod, Gonzalez, even Culpepper see ML ABs? Will Wallner get platooned every time a lefty takes the mound? 

[Mike Sixel]

Just like holding Kepler was brilliant....

[old nurse]

30 minutes ago, Nashvilletwin said:

Over the past several years, several were sent up and down or platooned. Most lost their confidence and none (!) developed into an every day major leaguer despite their minor league performance and/or draft pedigree.  You want Larnach or Wallner to be any every day player in the field or DH, they have to bat against lefties.  We gave AB after AB to clowns like Joey Gallo. Either you invest in your prospects or you quit blowing wind up our rears about how good these guys are.

Twill this year be different? Will Jenkins, ERod, Gonzalez, even Culpepper see ML ABs? Will Wallner get platooned every time a lefty takes the mound? 

A direct question gets vague answers and suppositions. Yup draft pedigree means a lot. Every first through 10th rounder develops into a MLP player when given consistent reps.  How many struggling days in a row does a player get? Sending a player down destroys their confidence? Not failure at the big league level? Was there a study on that?

 

Jenkins didn’t hit AAA pitching in the AB he got there. 

Emmanuel Rodriguez spent most of the summer injured once again. Out until late in August.  I am just so sure it is a conscious decision to block his development by injuring him

Gonzalez made it through 3 levels last season. So yup, the Twins are slowing his development too. 

The Twins did nothing to impede any of these 3 players in 2025, Yet you want to cry the Twins will impede them in 2026.  There is no arguing with your logic there. Totally ****ing pointless 

[SteveLV]

Soooo, if the Twins are serious about retaining their core, then RETAIN the core.

Extend Jeffers.

Extend Ryan.

Until that happens, this is just so much hot air.  Might be true, may be trade posturing, may be whistling in the dark.  

As the very old adage says, Actions speak louder than Words.

[Nashvilletwin]

I wonder if one of our fellow TDers could explain how this team is better positioned to compete than last year’s team.  Maybe position by position.

Buxton ‘26 better than Buxton ‘25? Not likely, sadly.
Lee better than Correa? No. Not close.
Jeffers/Jackson better than Jeffers/Vasquez? Draw. 
Keaschall better than Julien, et al? Yes. Please.
Martin better than Bader? Hope so, but by how much?
Lewis ‘26 better than Lewis ‘25? Better be for his sake.  
Wallner ‘26 better than Wallner ‘25? Hope so, but by how much?  
Clemens/Julien better than France? Certainly not in the field. 
Larnach ‘26 better than Larnach ‘25? Meh.

Starters? Should be if Lopez is healthy and Abel shows up.

Bullpen? Not even close with Duran, Jax, and Varland gone.

Shelton better than Rocco? Can’t be much worse.

Unless something miraculous happens, would any person expect the ‘26 Twins to score more runs and give up fewer runs than the ‘25 team?  Hard to see.  Just keeping things real.

 

 

[Nashvilletwin]

8 minutes ago, SteveLV said:

Soooo, if the Twins are serious about retaining their core, then RETAIN the core.

Extend Jeffers.

Extend Ryan.

Until that happens, this is just so much hot air.  Might be true, may be trade posturing, may be whistling in the dark.  

As the very old adage says, Actions speak louder than Words.

Do you really think either one wants to sign an extension with the Twins?  Ryan can’t wait to leave.  Both will do way better than what the Twins would be willing to pay them.  And Boras, their agent, knows that too.

[Blyleven2011]

3 hours ago, Parfigliano said:

They aren't interested in trading Buxton, Lopez or Ryan.....until they do.

I'll believe it when they break camp in spring training  ...

It's a business ploy at the moment to tell other teams we are holding on to our valued players , so other teams that are interested throws us a trade offer we can't refuse  ...

Never ever going to believe what this organization says , never ...

[jorgenswest]

I do appreciate that they didn’t trade Kepler when he had two years of service time for a couple of middling prospects. He was one of their WAR leaders among position players in 2023 and was critical to their success that led to their first series win in two decades.

The Twins acquired Duran in a rental deal for Escobar. The acquired Ryan in a rental deal for Cruz. Unless they are going to get someone in the top 15 to 20 of the FV55-70 group they were wise to wait until the deadline. In the 2025 updat there are 252 players that are FV45-50. It matters most that they identify the ones that will outperform that future valuation rather than feeling the pressure to deal early.

I would add that I also appreciate the deal for Berrios where they sold his 1+ year of control in a lost season. The key to that deal was reinvesting and acquiring 2 years of Gray who fit in that same salary range. They moved 1 useful year of Berrios for 2 of Gray added two promising players and a comp pick while losing Petty.

Those three deals and retaining Kepler all mattered for the 2023 success. For me each game this season matters. If someone wants to give them an elite prospect I won’t argue otherwise I look forward to seeing Ryan, Lopez and Buxton in a Twins uniform this year.

[ashbury]

1 hour ago, SteveLV said:

Soooo, if the Twins are serious about retaining their core, then RETAIN the core.

Extend Jeffers.

Extend Ryan.

Until that happens, this is just so much hot air.  Might be true, may be trade posturing, may be whistling in the dark.  

As the very old adage says, Actions speak louder than Words.

I'm almost indifferent whether the FO chooses the particular direction you suggest.  But what I do want to see is this: Pick A Lane for 2026.  Lately their actions seem to vary depending on which way the wind happens to be blowing.

[TNtwins85]

Well, it’s put up or shut up time for Falvey and the Pohlads. The bar is low for them and the central division so if they are competing they need to sign or trade for 1 bigger bat and 2 solid relievers. If this doesn’t happen then it’s been a sham the whole time and they can welcome a lot of empty seats for this generation. If they swing for the fences and bring in the pieces to compete then everyone’s been wrong about Falvey this whole time. Those 3 moves signal that this isn’t a rebuild and was simply a reload. If they’re right there in July they buy. If they’re out of it come July I can be content with them selling at the deadline. Strap in and let’s see what happens!

[Nashvilletwin]

1 hour ago, old nurse said:

A direct question gets vague answers and suppositions. Yup draft pedigree means a lot. Every first through 10th rounder develops into a MLP player when given consistent reps.  How many struggling days in a row does a player get? Sending a player down destroys their confidence? Not failure at the big league level? Was there a study on that?

 

Jenkins didn’t hit AAA pitching in the AB he got there. 

Emmanuel Rodriguez spent most of the summer injured once again. Out until late in August.  I am just so sure it is a conscious decision to block his development by injuring him

Gonzalez made it through 3 levels last season. So yup, the Twins are slowing his development too. 

The Twins did nothing to impede any of these 3 players in 2025, Yet you want to cry the Twins will impede them in 2026.  There is no arguing with your logic there. Totally ****ing pointless 

I’m not talking about those three.  Just the half dozen or so that came before them.  Larnach, Julien, Wallner, Kiriloff, Miranda, Martin, etc, etc.  Each of those players struggled under the Twins regime and none have made it (two are out of baseball).  Don’t bother with the injury excuses and the oft used “most prospects don’t make it” refrain.  The fact is none of those players and none since Jeffers and Arraez have made it.  Lewis and Lee are next.

So many want Larnach and/or Wallner to be an every day corner OF or DH.  Do you think they might be better prepared for that role if they actually had more ABs against lefties?

The point remains: if you want your prospects to transition, you have to be able to make the investment in them - even when they are slumping or when the matchup isn’t ideal. You have to build their confidence. The Twins under Rocco never did that.  
 

Hopefully that changes when the next crop (the three you referenced) come up.  We will see.

[tony&rodney]

1 hour ago, old nurse said:

A direct question gets vague answers and suppositions. Yup draft pedigree means a lot. Every first through 10th rounder develops into a MLP player when given consistent reps.  How many struggling days in a row does a player get? Sending a player down destroys their confidence? Not failure at the big league level? Was there a study on that?

 

Jenkins didn’t hit AAA pitching in the AB he got there. 

Emmanuel Rodriguez spent most of the summer injured once again. Out until late in August.  I am just so sure it is a conscious decision to block his development by injuring him

Gonzalez made it through 3 levels last season. So yup, the Twins are slowing his development too. 

The Twins did nothing to impede any of these 3 players in 2025, Yet you want to cry the Twins will impede them in 2026.  There is no arguing with your logic there. Totally ****ing pointless 

I'm not sure how much Wallner or others currently on the Twins 40 roster were hurt by the way they were used or passed by with vets  like Manuel Margot. Patience was not something shown to the inexperienced players. This is as simple as looking at who was getting plate appearances.

Jenkins didn't hit in AAA? Clearly you are just looking at statistics. After a slow first week, Jenkins hit .296 in September with a .830 OPS. Much more importantly was that Jenkins hit the ball very hard. 

I have to ask in fairness how many times did you watch Walker Jenkins play? I would say I saw half of his at bats. He is really good.

Emmanuel Rodriguez was injured quite a bit. Injuries are a part of the game. From May to the end of the season EmRod hit .287 with a .460 OBP. that's not bad in AAA for guy missing so much time he was rusty at times. Rodriguez has real talent.

Again, how many times have you watched Emmanuel play?

Young players are more apt to suffer slumps and bad habits in addition to questioning their abilities when they get benched after failures. That is pretty much shown over time.

Now I will grant anyone that not every young prospect has the requisite skills to succeed at the MLB level, but that is where management needs to identify talent. 

Two recent examples of management sticking with talent are Jackson Chourio (MIL) and Jackson Merrill (SDP). Both went through bad slumps and their teams/management stuck with them. If you want examples from a half century ago, look up Willie Mays, who wanted to quit and go home because he couldn't hit. Management told him, you are our centerfielder, just play.

So yes it is difficult to decide how many days a player gets. In some cases it is 4-6 weeks or more of hitting below .100. 

Closer to home, the Twins have stuck by Royce Lewis and are still waiting for him to produce. He has talent. A much more contentious player who wasn't even given a month to fail was Edouard Julien. I'll let someone from the Twins management explain that one. Naturally, everyone has an opinion but it is at the very least interesting that teams expecting to win playoff slots (MIL and SDP) can stick by their guys for months until they come around while other teams tap out pretty quickly. 

Here is a thought. Joe Mauer is in the Hall of Fame. He hit .182 and .225 versus LH pitchers in his first two years in MLB. Would the current Twins management have platooned Joe Mauer. He wound up as a .290 batter for his career versus LH pitchers. Some things take patience. I would have much more confidence in the decisions if I knew that the dugout manager and coaches were solely responsible for playing time. You will have to ask Joe Madden about that.

 

[Nashvilletwin]

6 minutes ago, tony&rodney said:

I'm not sure how much Wallner or others currently on the Twins 40 roster were hurt by the way they were used or passed by with vets  like Manuel Margot. Patience was not something shown to the inexperienced players. This is as simple as looking at who was getting plate appearances.

Jenkins didn't hit in AAA? Clearly you are just looking at statistics. After a slow first week, Jenkins hit .296 in September with a .830 OPS. Much more importantly was that Jenkins hit the ball very hard. 

I have to ask in fairness how many times did you watch Walker Jenkins play? I would say I saw half of his at bats. He is really good.

Emmanuel Rodriguez was injured quite a bit. Injuries are a part of the game. From May to the end of the season EmRod hit .287 with a .460 OBP. that's not bad in AAA for guy missing so much time he was rusty at times. Rodriguez has real talent.

Again, how many times have you watched Emmanuel play?

Young players are more apt to suffer slumps and bad habits in addition to questioning their abilities when they get benched after failures. That is pretty much shown over time.

Now I will grant anyone that not every young prospect has the requisite skills to succeed at the MLB level, but that is where management needs to identify talent. 

Two recent examples of management sticking with talent are Jackson Chourio (MIL) and Jackson Merrill (SDP). Both went through bad slumps and their teams/management stuck with them. If you want examples from a half century ago, look up Willie Mays, who wanted to quit and go home because he couldn't hit. Management told him, you are our centerfielder, just play.

So yes it is difficult to decide how many days a player gets. In some cases it is 4-6 weeks or more of hitting below .100. 

Closer to home, the Twins have stuck by Royce Lewis and are still waiting for him to produce. He has talent. A much more contentious player who wasn't even given a month to fail was Edouard Julien. I'll let someone from the Twins management explain that one. Naturally, everyone has an opinion but it is at the very least interesting that teams expecting to win playoff slots (MIL and SDP) can stick by their guys for months until they come around while other teams tap out pretty quickly. 

Here is a thought. Joe Mauer is in the Hall of Fame. He hit .182 and .225 versus LH pitchers in his first two years in MLB. Would the current Twins management have platooned Joe Mauer. He wound up as a .290 batter for his career versus LH pitchers. Some things take patience. I would have much more confidence in the decisions if I knew that the dugout manager and coaches were solely responsible for playing time. You will have to ask Joe Madden about that.

 

Excellent post 

[LastOnePicked]

Well, they've made the wrong move at every step, so I expected them to keep that streak intact. 

Selling high on Ryan, Lopez and Buxton is EXACTLY the RIGHT THING to do at this time. This is a nothing club. They'll be signing no one. They are going nowhere in the near future.

So, of course they're going to keep the "core" together and let them moulder in the AL Central. It's the worst move possible, and they've proven a knack for pulling all the wrong levers.

[Joe A. Preusser]

This sounds real.  You get a feel for media information, and this sounds exactly like what it says: The Twins will not trade the "big 4" and will look to add (efficiently of course.) 

I for one think this has been the best news of the offseason.  Everything that came before was doom and gloom conjecture and theory.  

Not saying we'll be world beaters next year by any stretch, but I now feel strongly we will push some chips in instead of folding and waiting for another pot.

[tony&rodney]

8 minutes ago, Joe A. Preusser said:

This sounds real.  You get a feel for media information, and this sounds exactly like what it says: The Twins will not trade the "big 4" and will look to add (efficiently of course.) 

I for one think this has been the best news of the offseason.  Everything that came before was doom and gloom conjecture and theory.  

Not saying we'll be world beaters next year by any stretch, but I now feel strongly we will push some chips in instead of folding and waiting for another pot.

So, like many, I hope the Twins keep Buxton, Lopez, and Ryan because they are really good baseball players. However, I don't believe anything the front office says is news until they actually say something specific and don't simply repeat exactly what they said the last several years. So I wait hopefully.

[old nurse]

1 hour ago, ashbury said:

I'm almost indifferent whether the FO chooses the particular direction you suggest.  But what I do want to see is this: Pick A Lane for 2026.  Lately their actions seem to vary depending on which way the wind happens to be blowing.

The wind came out of sportswriters, some who have no connection to the Twins 

[old nurse]

28 minutes ago, tony&rodney said:

I'm not sure how much Wallner or others currently on the Twins 40 roster were hurt by the way they were used or passed by with vets  like Manuel Margot. Patience was not something shown to the inexperienced players. This is as simple as looking at who was getting plate appearances.

Jenkins didn't hit in AAA? Clearly you are just looking at statistics. After a slow first week, Jenkins hit .296 in September with a .830 OPS. Much more importantly was that Jenkins hit the ball very hard. 

I have to ask in fairness how many times did you watch Walker Jenkins play? I would say I saw half of his at bats. He is really good.

Emmanuel Rodriguez was injured quite a bit. Injuries are a part of the game. From May to the end of the season EmRod hit .287 with a .460 OBP. that's not bad in AAA for guy missing so much time he was rusty at times. Rodriguez has real talent.

Again, how many times have you watched Emmanuel play?

Young players are more apt to suffer slumps and bad habits in addition to questioning their abilities when they get benched after failures. That is pretty much shown over time.

Now I will grant anyone that not every young prospect has the requisite skills to succeed at the MLB level, but that is where management needs to identify talent. 

Two recent examples of management sticking with talent are Jackson Chourio (MIL) and Jackson Merrill (SDP). Both went through bad slumps and their teams/management stuck with them. If you want examples from a half century ago, look up Willie Mays, who wanted to quit and go home because he couldn't hit. Management told him, you are our centerfielder, just play.

So yes it is difficult to decide how many days a player gets. In some cases it is 4-6 weeks or more of hitting below .100. 

Closer to home, the Twins have stuck by Royce Lewis and are still waiting for him to produce. He has talent. A much more contentious player who wasn't even given a month to fail was Edouard Julien. I'll let someone from the Twins management explain that one. Naturally, everyone has an opinion but it is at the very least interesting that teams expecting to win playoff slots (MIL and SDP) can stick by their guys for months until they come around while other teams tap out pretty quickly. 

Here is a thought. Joe Mauer is in the Hall of Fame. He hit .182 and .225 versus LH pitchers in his first two years in MLB. Would the current Twins management have platooned Joe Mauer. He wound up as a .290 batter for his career versus LH pitchers. Some things take patience. I would have much more confidence in the decisions if I knew that the dugout manager and coaches were solely responsible for playing time. You will have to ask Joe Madden about that.

 

So with call ups , how many decent pitchers did he face in September?  

Would have they platooned Joe Mauer or not. Since you looked that up, I bet you checked his minor league stats to see if he hit lefties down there.

Different era, different game. For Mays

How many people here have said to get rid of Julian? Not a peep in response out of any of you that they needed to stick with him on the major lrague level?