24 Questions for the Minnesota Twins with 24 Days Left Until Spring Camp

[Doctor Wu]

19 hours ago, mikelink45 said:

why would another team want Larnach, Jackson, Outman...

No team that wants to contend this coming season.

[Doctor Wu]

7 hours ago, stringer bell said:

I think a couple of trades need to be made. There are too many left handed hitting corner OF/DHs and somebody has to go.

And also too many starting pitchers. Unless we move Matthews and/or Festa to the bullpen, we still have a surplus of starters with Lopez, Ryan, Ober, and SWR, Plus Bradley and Abel that could/should be starting games in the majors. Then we have the Prielipp dilemma too, and guys like Klein waiting for a chance. For the first time in my memory, the Twins actually have a surplus of good arms in the rotation. So yeah, maybe they still move Ryan if they get a sweet deal. But that bullpen is nowhere near being ready to start the season.

[rv78]

13 hours ago, bunsen82 said:

Say what you will,  until the last couple of years our bullpen has effectively been a wet paper bag,  and still held their own.  It was predicated on 1-2 dominant arms.   I  think we can find enough arms for this year to be ok.  Who will be that dominant arm - right now Sands has the upper hand, but I honestly think odds are someone else will or we will sign or trade for someone to take that role and Sands will be the 7th, 8th inning reliever.  

What we have now more than any other time,  is we have a crapload of arms to throw at the bullpen problem.  Festa, Matthews, Priellip, Raya,  Klein, Adams, Ohl, Rojas, SWR.    We have excess starter arms we can throw at the problem.   2-3 will probably turn out to be pretty good.  We will be throwing higher talent at the problem than anyone else we have in the past other than Duran.   We didn't use a lot of the prospects at the end of last year because the intent was to lose.  Now they are trying to win, so we will already have more depth and can run arms up and down to help the bullpen all season and let them find their roles.  

If the bullpen was a wet paper bag then, it is a drowning gunny sack now. Relying on guys like Sands that have had a small sample size of success to be a high leverage guy is not smart. Throwing that crapload of starters at the bullpen to be the answer to the problem is also NOT a good recipe for being a serious contender. These are not even half measures, They are Hope and a Prayer measures.

[rv78]

browser trouble

[rv78]

Browser trouble

[rv78]

Sorry, browser trouble.

[jmlease1]

#15 (Outman) might not be the most pressing or impactful, but it's the one that drives me the craziest. It's the one that feels like the test case for whether the Front Office can move on or be trapped by the sunk cost fallacy.

I didn't like the trade when it happened, because Brock Stewart was worth more with the Twins than they ever going to get for him in a deal, but at the end of the day taking a flier on Outman making a bounce back last season wasn't crazy. But he was awful with the Twins and showed absolutely no real improvement as a MLB player. He didn't hit (the fact that he hit slightly better for Twins than the Dodgers shows how unplayable he was in LA) and his defense looked dreadful. Why exactly should we expect him to improve at 29 after 2 lost seasons?

Everything about him is screaming "Quad A player who had a fluke MLB season before the league figured him out" and with his defense imploding, what value does he add? We have plenty of LH OF bats that need playing time/opportunity. Guys with better upside. Guys who can play a more legit CF.

If Outman makes the roster, it would be a sign to me that the front office prioritizes "being right" over reality, would rather chase value than cut their losses, and a signpost that there's something fundamentally flawed in their player evaluation if they keep giving Outman chances.

I could be wrong. Outman might suddenly put it together again. But the odds are strongly against it. And if the Twins place a bet on Outman as part of how they're going to improve the offense and defense for this team, it looks like a terribly stupid bet based more in arrogance than reality. And if they can't get the easy ones right, why should anyone feel confident they can get the big ones right?

[bunsen82]

1 hour ago, rv78 said:

If the bullpen was a wet paper bag then, it is a drowning gunny sack now. Relying on guys like Sands that have had a small sample size of success to be a high leverage guy is not smart. Throwing that crapload of starters at the bullpen to be the answer to the problem is also NOT a good recipe for being a serious contender. These are not even half measures, They are Hope and a Prayer measures.

You can judge it based on last year.  I am also stating I am not sure I would have gone this route.  I would have signed a legit closer.  

In either case here we are.  If they   can sign a Dominguez and Rogers, with Sands, Topa, Funderburk, Orze, Klein, Festa.    I do like Bash as depth. 

We aren't contending this year,  we are merely trying to put a competent team out there.   You cannot like where we are - but if that bullpen is the outcome -  its better than a wet paper bag and would probably be middle of the road.  

You want a finished product.     As to throwing a lot of starters at a bullpen problem is a valid solution.  You just don't like it.    If thats the route they go,  I would anticipate some volatility before players begin to settle into roles.  

[Tallguy80]

Honestly it's a sad list, not the author's fault but sad current state of the MLB team. Ownership's biggest question is what do we need to do to bring the fans back! Prospects are great but until they reach the pros there isn't a lot of reasons to watch the current MLB play. 

[rv78]

5 hours ago, bunsen82 said:

You can judge it based on last year.  I am also stating I am not sure I would have gone this route.  I would have signed a legit closer.  

In either case here we are.  If they   can sign a Dominguez and Rogers, with Sands, Topa, Funderburk, Orze, Klein, Festa.    I do like Bash as depth. 

We aren't contending this year,  we are merely trying to put a competent team out there.   You cannot like where we are - but if that bullpen is the outcome -  its better than a wet paper bag and would probably be middle of the road.  

You want a finished product.     As to throwing a lot of starters at a bullpen problem is a valid solution.  You just don't like it.    If thats the route they go,  I would anticipate some volatility before players begin to settle into roles.  

Yes, I want a finished product. That's what contenders do. The Twins are pretenders. They are pretending when they bring in players like Bell and Caratini. They are pretending when they expect Sands, Topa, Funderburk, Orze, and a whole slew of AAA starters that can't make the rotation to be their answers in the bullpen. None of them have ever been top high leverage relievers on a consistant basis. We were told by Falvey, they are going for it in 2026. Joe Pohlad has said they won't be doing half measures. It's go big or go home. All we get from them is BS and the same off-season process that only delivers half measures at best. It's a joke. I agree, they are putting together a competant team. Is that what they promised? Or was it something else? In years past we were told the bullpen was possibly the best in baseball, yet it was the first thing Falvey disposed of at the deadline. You think it's middle of the road? I believe it will be one of the worst in baseball. Especially if they don't add anyone with at least a year or two of high leverage experience in the prime of their career. Knowing Falvey, he'll go for someone that is at the end of his career and has his best days behind him. Hoping to catch a star as it fades into darkness. A Taylor Rogers or Caleb Theilbar, maybe Liam Hendriks or some other washed up former Twin. This is the Falvey way. 

[bunsen82]

41 minutes ago, rv78 said:

Yes, I want a finished product. That's what contenders do. The Twins are pretenders. They are pretending when they bring in players like Bell and Caratini. They are pretending when they expect Sands, Topa, Funderburk, Orze, and a whole slew of AAA starters that can't make the rotation to be their answers in the bullpen. None of them have ever been top high leverage relievers on a consistant basis. We were told by Falvey, they are going for it in 2026. Joe Pohlad has said they won't be doing half measures. It's go big or go home. All we get from them is BS and the same off-season process that only delivers half measures at best. It's a joke. I agree, they are putting together a competant team. Is that what they promised? Or was it something else? In years past we were told the bullpen was possibly the best in baseball, yet it was the first thing Falvey disposed of at the deadline. You think it's middle of the road? I believe it will be one of the worst in baseball. Especially if they don't add anyone with at least a year or two of high leverage experience in the prime of their career. Knowing Falvey, he'll go for someone that is at the end of his career and has his best days behind him. Hoping to catch a star as it fades into darkness. A Taylor Rogers or Caleb Theilbar, maybe Liam Hendriks or some other washed up former Twin. This is the Falvey way. 

Ok then you are swallowing their garbage.  Anyone who is bringing up the go big or go home isn't being realistic.   You are frustrated with the performance so be it.  It can't be fixed overnight.  

You may want to switch your allegiance to the dodgers - they are the only go big go home.  

If you want to place a bet,  I bet the era of the bullpen is between 11-20.   In the middle range.  Are you willing to take that bet?  

[KirbyDome89]

On 1/20/2026 at 5:27 PM, bunsen82 said:

  Now they are trying to win, so we will already have more depth and can run arms up and down to help the bullpen all season and let them find their roles.  

 

9 hours ago, bunsen82 said:

We aren't contending this year,  we are merely trying to put a competent team out there.   You cannot like where we are - but if that bullpen is the outcome -  its better than a wet paper bag and would probably be middle of the road.  

 

Those posts are one page apart...

[rv78]

4 hours ago, bunsen82 said:

Ok then you are swallowing their garbage.  Anyone who is bringing up the go big or go home isn't being realistic.   You are frustrated with the performance so be it.  It can't be fixed overnight.  

You may want to switch your allegiance to the dodgers - they are the only go big go home.  

If you want to place a bet,  I bet the era of the bullpen is between 11-20.   In the middle range.  Are you willing to take that bet?  

You are the one swallowing their garbage by believing they are actually improving the club with the moves they are making. I bet they don't win is many games as last year. Are you willing to make that bet?

[Lasorda_This_Out]

Why is the raciast Diamond Centric allowed to post on Twins Daily?

[knothole61]

On 1/20/2026 at 9:10 PM, twinstalker said:

The only Edouard Julien question is why?

Agree 100%...what a strange cat he is! I'm not sure that I care if he clears waivers.

 

[knothole61]

On 1/20/2026 at 9:35 PM, stringer bell said:

Nice article Nick. The Twins have several huge question marks and many of them can sink the season with a disappointing answer to the question. The plan, such as it is, revolves around strong starting pitching and an offense blending some acquired veteran pieces with homegrown talent that hasn't yet thrived. There is also hope for a prospect or two to break in like a star. The Twins have had decent success building bullpens with failed starters and low-priced free agent arms. There are eight guys with big league experience competing for five starting spots plus Raya and Prielipp, so they could add three or more from that group to the 'pen. Adding one big arm to move to the closer role or a couple of good relievers would change the picture quite a bit.

I think a couple of trades need to be made. There are too many left handed hitting corner OF/DHs and somebody has to go. Trading and getting a proven infielder or a relief pitcher would correct some of the roster imbalance. Trading a starter (including Ryan or Lopez) could bring in both talent ready to contribute and prospects or maybe trading Jeffers could fill a soft spot in the roster plus add a prospect. 

Maybe trade Wallner to the Yankees? They might be able to get the most out of his lefty power especially with that short porch (314' down the line) in right field.  

[bunsen82]

11 hours ago, rv78 said:

You are the one swallowing their garbage by believing they are actually improving the club with the moves they are making. I bet they don't win is many games as last year. Are you willing to make that bet?

Odds are they win more games than last year.  Yes I am willing to take that bet.  

As currently constructed the over/under is currently 74 games (higher than the 70).  

[bunsen82]

12 hours ago, KirbyDome89 said:

 

Those posts are one page apart...

Trying to win games and not be realistically contending to win the World Series is not diametrically opposed and not the gotcha moment you think.   

Remember I am the one stating they were actively trying to lose after the deadline and had posted a Tank thread.  

[jmlease1]

7 hours ago, Lasorda_This_Out said:

Why is the raciast Diamond Centric allowed to post on Twins Daily?

why do you keep posting this ridiculous complaint on every thread? 

[rv78]

40 minutes ago, bunsen82 said:

Odds are they win more games than last year.  Yes I am willing to take that bet.  

As currently constructed the over/under is currently 74 games (higher than the 70).  

When they sell-off Ryan, Lopez, and Jeffers, and Buxton departs as well at the trade deadline, they will crash and burn worse than last year. It will take more than 4 games of improvement before July 31st to make 74 wins for the season. They will be in the 60-70 range.

[bunsen82]

22 minutes ago, rv78 said:

When they sell-off Ryan, Lopez, and Jeffers, and Buxton departs as well at the trade deadline, they will crash and burn worse than last year. It will take more than 4 games of improvement before July 31st to make 74 wins for the season. They will be in the 60-70 range.

Buxton won't be traded.  Likely only 1 of the pitchers, and Jeffers I have no idea on.  I could see Jeffers being traded in the next 2 weeks, I could see him traded at the deadline, or I could see him playing out his contract with the Twins.  If the Twins are around .500 though they will be in the playoff hunt and likely won't be sellers.  

Again 74 is as is currently constructed.  I still think there will be some additions to the bullpen.   Likely not as much as we want,  but the bullpen will also perform better than anticipated,  like it has done much of the Falvey area.  Its an area that has been continually neglected.  

[KirbyDome89]

9 hours ago, bunsen82 said:

Trying to win games and not be realistically contending to win the World Series is not diametrically opposed and not the gotcha moment you think.   

Remember I am the one stating they were actively trying to lose after the deadline and had posted a Tank thread.  

The mental gymnastics are impressive. It doesn't matter if you or I think this club has a realistic shot at contending, if they're trying to win games they're trying to contend. 

[Jacksson]

Brudal is no longer a Twin.  Update your story,

 

[thelanges5]

Down to 14 days until pitchers and catchers report. Still the same questions. ⏳