Vidal, we hardly knew you....

[bunsen82]

I was going to say when I think of AAAA players I think of Kyle Garlick or Jake Cave,   players that are up and down and just can't make it at the MLB level like Gasper or Jonah Bride from last year.   

[chpettit19]

2 hours ago, bunsen82 said:

I understand but when the claim is 1/2 of our team is AAAA players,  and it wasn't just 1 statement or 1 moderator I am tempted to say,  ok go ahead and name them.  

I'll happily name them. Guys on the 40-man who are AAAA (or worse) players until proven otherwise:

Mick Abel
Travis Adams
Taj Bradley
Kody Funderburk
John Klein
Andrew Morris
Pierson Ohl
Marco Raya
Kendry Rojas
Alex Jackson
Jhonny Pereda
Kody Clemens
Tristan Gray
Edouard Julien
Brooks Lee
Eric Wagaman
Gabriel Gonzalez
Ryan Kreidler
Hendry Mendez
James Outman
Alan Roden
Emmanuel Rodriguez

I have 22. Now that doesn't mean that none of these 22 can't break out of the AAAA (or worse) category, but it's what they are now. Teams don't generally try to build their team around expecting that many guys to "break out." 

And this doesn't include Austin Martin, Royce Lewis, Luke Keaschall, Cole Sands, Eric Orze, Zebby Matthews, or David Festa who haven't exactly solidified themselves as legit big leaguers yet. Let alone any sort of above average players. I didn't count them because I think they've all shown enough to realistically expect them to be major league quality when you're building your team during the offseason.

But now I've listed 29 out of 40 players. I don't think having 11 guys you're fully confident are major leaguers is a great starting spot for a contending club. 

There's nothing about being a moderator that says we have to praise the Twins or sugar coat our opinions on the current state of the team. We're allowed to speak our thoughts on what we feel is a realistic look at the roster just like the rest of you.

24 minutes ago, bunsen82 said:

I was going to say when I think of AAAA players I think of Kyle Garlick or Jake Cave,   players that are up and down and just can't make it at the MLB level like Gasper or Jonah Bride from last year.   

You mean players like

Mick Abel
Travis Adams
Taj Bradley
Kody Funderburk
Pierson Ohl
Alex Jackson
Jhonny Pereda
Kody Clemens
Tristan Gray
Edouard Julien
Brooks Lee
Eric Wagaman
Ryan Kreidler
James Outman
Alan Roden

That's 15 guys. You're not going to want to count the prospects, which is fine, but you also don't get to count them as any sort of sure bet. The team is filled with 75% AAAA players or prospects. You can decide if you think that's better or worse than the 50% AAAA player idea. But I think most of us are happy to name the guys. And the players hear far worse than "you're a AAAA player" from fans. I can promise you that.

[Richie the Rally Goat]

43 minutes ago, bean5302 said:

Depends on what a person considers AAAA. I think it would be reasonable to call any position player or starter who might be expected to generate under 1.0 WAR (depending on the version you like)  in a full season "AAAA"

On the expected 26 man it's fair to project 9 of them: Larnach, Lee, Lewis, Martin, Outman, Jackson, Clemens, Wallner, and Wagaman at that level since they've all demonstrated that level (or very close to it) of performance recently.

For the starting rotation, Bradley, Abel, Matthews, SWR, and Ober all fall into that category as well.

The bullpen is everybody under 0.5 WAR, I'd say. There's not a single member of the bullpen where it would be unreasonble to have a +/- on their 2026 season of "AAAA."

So regardless of whether your opinion is it'll be the Twins having to deal with a 26 way tie for American League MVP next year, forecasting the team as 1/2 AAAA seems like a reasonable opinion. 

You posted what I was thinking faster than I could. It’s reasonable to assume SWR, Ober and Wallner put up 2WAR or higher, but there’s 14 guys on this roster who’ve never exceeded 1 WAR, or like Bell who’s washed and hasn’t put up 1 WAR in a few years and never consistently. When your starting SS put up 0.3 WAR in 139 games last year, things are bleak.

[bunsen82]

38 minutes ago, chpettit19 said:

I'll happily name them. Guys on the 40-man who are AAAA (or worse) players until proven otherwise:

Mick Abel
Travis Adams
Taj Bradley
Kody Funderburk
John Klein
Andrew Morris
Pierson Ohl
Marco Raya
Kendry Rojas
Alex Jackson
Jhonny Pereda
Kody Clemens
Tristan Gray
Edouard Julien
Brooks Lee
Eric Wagaman
Gabriel Gonzalez
Ryan Kreidler
Hendry Mendez
James Outman
Alan Roden
Emmanuel Rodriguez

I have 22. Now that doesn't mean that none of these 22 can't break out of the AAAA (or worse) category, but it's what they are now. Teams don't generally try to build their team around expecting that many guys to "break out." 

And this doesn't include Austin Martin, Royce Lewis, Luke Keaschall, Cole Sands, Eric Orze, Zebby Matthews, or David Festa who haven't exactly solidified themselves as legit big leaguers yet. Let alone any sort of above average players. I didn't count them because I think they've all shown enough to realistically expect them to be major league quality when you're building your team during the offseason.

But now I've listed 29 out of 40 players. I don't think having 11 guys you're fully confident are major leaguers is a great starting spot for a contending club. 

There's nothing about being a moderator that says we have to praise the Twins or sugar coat our opinions on the current state of the team. We're allowed to speak our thoughts on what we feel is a realistic look at the roster just like the rest of you.

You mean players like

Mick Abel
Travis Adams
Taj Bradley
Kody Funderburk
Pierson Ohl
Alex Jackson
Jhonny Pereda
Kody Clemens
Tristan Gray
Edouard Julien
Brooks Lee
Eric Wagaman
Ryan Kreidler
James Outman
Alan Roden

That's 15 guys. You're not going to want to count the prospects, which is fine, but you also don't get to count them as any sort of sure bet. The team is filled with 75% AAAA players or prospects. You can decide if you think that's better or worse than the 50% AAAA player idea. But I think most of us are happy to name the guys. And the players hear far worse than "you're a AAAA player" from fans. I can promise you that.

Thats not the team  thats the 40 man, not the 26 man Big big difference.  So you are mad about AAAA players in AAA?  I can't even argue this anymore.   

Abel is still a prospect in my book.   Last year was his 1st season at MLB no different than Ohl, and Adams. 

Brooks Lee is in his 2nd full season as well as Roden, Wagaman, and Funderburk (who has had positive WAR last year).   These 4 is the make or break year on how they are qualified in my opinion.  

Jackson - will either be traded, DFA's or in AAA (otherwise Yes)

Clemens with 1 WAR last year doesn't meet your qualifications.    (Had been but removed by last years perfomance).  

Kriedler, Outman, Gray and Julien  -  AAAA all day long.   But how many of those remain on the 40 man or even with the team through spring training or this season.  

Most likely you have 2- AAAA players on the 26 man as depth pieces and 4 at the most.   

[chpettit19]

13 minutes ago, bunsen82 said:

Thats not the team  thats the 40 man, not the 26 man Big big difference.  So you are mad about AAAA players in AAA?  I can't even argue this anymore.   

Abel is still a prospect in my book.   Last year was his 1st season at MLB no different than Ohl, and Adams. 

Brooks Lee is in his 2nd full season as well as Roden, Wagaman, and Funderburk (who has had positive WAR last year).   These 4 is the make or break year on how they are qualified in my opinion.  

Jackson - will either be traded, DFA's or in AAA

Clemens with 1 WAR last year doesn't meet your qualifications.   

Kriedler, Outman, Gray and Julien  -  AAAA all day long.    

Most likely you have 2- AAAA players on the 26 man as depth pieces and 4 at the most.   

It's not a "big big difference." Unless you expect the Twins to roll out the same 26 guys all year. 24 different players stepped into the batters box for the MN Twins in 2025. And that isn't because of the trades, because in 2024 the number was 21. 21 in 2023. 25 in 2022. 29 guys in 2021. 

Pitchers? 26 last year. 27 in 2024. 26 in 2023. You get the idea.

The 26 man roster is not at all "the team." And, yes, I do have a problem with AAAA on the 40-man in AAA. I'd much rather have prospects in AAA than guys who've proven they can't play in the majors like Ryan freaking Kreidler. It's why teams get 3 option years.

I accounted for prospects. That's why I said 75% of the team is AAAA players or prospects. And I very clearly said that being on the list now doesn't mean they can't get off the list. But I'm not going to just assume they're suddenly going to be players they've never been before.

1 WAR wasn't my qualification. But the other poster's qualification was "it would be reasonable to call any position player or starter who might be expected to generate under 1.0 WAR (depending on the version you like)  in a full season." If you want to make a bet on Kody Clemens hitting 1 WAR this year, I'll be your huckleberry. 

That's what team building is about. It's doing your best to predict the future. The thing I responded to was you saying you'd start asking for names as if people wouldn't want to do it. I have no problem doing it. My opinion on the state of the current 40-man roster of the Minnesota Twins is that 75% are either AAAA players or prospects. I feel confident the Twins have 10 major leaguers. 

So, even if you want to just do the 26-man, my opinion is the Twins are at below 50% of their roster being guys I'd be comfortable calling sure thing major leaguers going into 2026. 38.5% if you want to be a little more precise. 

[KirbyDome89]

15 minutes ago, chpettit19 said:

It's not a "big big difference." Unless you expect the Twins to roll out the same 26 guys all year. 24 different players stepped into the batters box for the MN Twins in 2025. And that isn't because of the trades, because in 2024 the number was 21. 21 in 2023. 25 in 2022. 29 guys in 2021. 

Pitchers? 26 last year. 27 in 2024. 26 in 2023. You get the idea.

The 26 man roster is not at all "the team." And, yes, I do have a problem with AAAA on the 40-man in AAA. I'd much rather have prospects in AAA than guys who've proven they can't play in the majors like Ryan freaking Kreidler. It's why teams get 3 option years.

I accounted for prospects. That's why I said 75% of the team is AAAA players or prospects. And I very clearly said that being on the list now doesn't mean they can't get off the list. But I'm not going to just assume they're suddenly going to be players they've never been before.

1 WAR wasn't my qualification. But the other poster's qualification was "it would be reasonable to call any position player or starter who might be expected to generate under 1.0 WAR (depending on the version you like)  in a full season." If you want to make a bet on Kody Clemens hitting 1 WAR this year, I'll be your huckleberry. 

That's what team building is about. It's doing your best to predict the future. The thing I responded to was you saying you'd start asking for names as if people wouldn't want to do it. I have no problem doing it. My opinion on the state of the current 40-man roster of the Minnesota Twins is that 75% are either AAAA players or prospects. I feel confident the Twins have 10 major leaguers. 

So, even if you want to just do the 26-man, my opinion is the Twins are at below 50% of their roster being guys I'd be comfortable calling sure thing major leaguers going into 2026. 38.5% if you want to be a little more precise. 

[bunsen82]

22 minutes ago, chpettit19 said:

It's not a "big difference." Unless you expect the Twins to roll out the same 26 guys all year. 24 different players stepped into the batters box for the MN Twins in 2025. that isn't because of the trades, because in 2024 the number was 21. 21 in 2023. 25 in 2022. 29 guys in 2021. 

Pitchers? 26 last year. 27 in 2024. 26 in 2023. You get the idea.

The 26 man roster is not at all "the team."

I accounted for prospects. That's why I said 75% of the team is AAAA players or prospects. 

1 WAR wasn't my qualification. But the other poster's qualification was "it would be reasonable to call any position player or starter who might be expected to generate under 1.0 WAR (depending on the version you like)  in a full season." If you want to make a bet on Kody Clemens hitting 1 WAR this year, I'll be your huckleberry. 

That's what team building is about. It's doing your best to predict the future. The thing I responded to was you saying you'd start asking for names as if people wouldn't want to do it. I have no problem doing it. My opinion on the state of the current 40-man roster of the Minnesota Twins is that 75% are either AAAA players or prospects. I feel confident the Twins have 10 major leaguers. 

So, even if you want to just do the 26-man, my opinion is the Twins are at below 50% of their roster being guys I'd be comfortable calling sure thing major leaguers going into 2026. 38.5% if you want to be a little more precise. 

The argument as originally constructed was 1/2 of the MLB team is AAAA players its just false.   Regarding Clemens I would say its 50/50 he hits 1.0 WAR or better.  Generally with those odds I wouldn't take my bet.  It this case.  Deal me in.  

The theory has always been replacement players are those below 1 WAR which is why the argument came up with the 1 WAR  which is still worth approximately 10 million of worth.   The other stipulation has always been 3-4 or more seasons of continued under performance and up and down from AAA to the major leagues,  IE Cave.  

Yes you will have AAAA players that get time at the MLB level,  primarily due to injuries.  Hence Jake Cave for multiple years.  Having a few players that are AAAA players as depth in AAA is the standard practice so why would this be considered a negative?   Again I don't see the argument why this is a bad practice.  

We can have differences of opinion but even as of right now here is who I have as major leaguers (or prospects still considered MLB as AAAA not yet earned)- 

Abel, Bradley, Festa, Funderburk, Lopez, Matthews, Ober, Orze, Ryan, Sands, Topa, SWR, Jeffers, Caratini, Bell, Clemens (graduated), Keaschall, Lee, Lewis, Buxton, Martin, Wallner Larnach.   

So I am at 23 out of 26.      

 

[chpettit19]

7 minutes ago, bunsen82 said:

The argument as originally constructed was 1/2 of the MLB team is AAAA players its just false.   Regarding Clemens I would say its 50/50 he hits 1.0 WAR or better.  Generally with those odds I wouldn't take my bet.  It this case.  Deal me in.  

The theory has always been replacement players are those below 1 WAR which is why the argument came up with the 1 WAR  which is still worth approximately 10 million of worth.   The other stipulation has always been 3-4 or more seasons of continued under performance and up and down from AAA to the major leagues,  IE Cave.  

Yes you will have AAAA players that get time at the MLB level,  primarily due to injuries.  Hence Jake Cave for multiple years.  Having a few players that are AAAA players as depth in AAA is the standard practice so why would this be considered a negative?   Again I don't see the argument why this is a bad practice.  

We can have differences of opinion but even as of right now here is who I have as major leaguers (or prospects still considered MLB as AAAA not yet earned)- 

Abel, Bradley, Festa, Funderburk, Lopez, Matthews, Ober, Orze, Ryan, Sands, Topa, SWR, Jeffers, Caratini, Bell, Clemens (graduated), Keaschall, Lee, Lewis, Buxton, Martin, Wallner Larnach.   

So I am at 23 out of 26.      

 

Yeah, sorry, but "still considered MLB" for the prospects doesn't impress me. I'm glad you're excited and are expecting the Twins to hit on an incredibly high number of prospects this season. I hope you're right. But they don't get credit for being "considered MLB" from me simply because they haven't failed yet. Some will succeed, but going into a season where you claim to be trying to compete with so much of your season relying on guys who haven't succeeded in the majors suddenly succeeding in the majors is a bad strategy.

The Twins were bad last year. Before the deadline. The roster is worse now than it was before the deadline. They will need about half a dozen prospects to hit on their 80th percentile outcome to be successful next year. Is it possible? Of course. Is it probable? Not at all.

I mean, you're counting Orze as a reliable major leaguer despite him being a 28-year-old with one reasonably successful season under his belt. And he's a vital part of this pen. That's all I need to know.

[bunsen82]

27 minutes ago, chpettit19 said:

Yeah, sorry, but "still considered MLB" for the prospects doesn't impress me. I'm glad you're excited and are expecting the Twins to hit on an incredibly high number of prospects this season. I hope you're right. But they don't get credit for being "considered MLB" from me simply because they haven't failed yet. Some will succeed, but going into a season where you claim to be trying to compete with so much of your season relying on guys who haven't succeeded in the majors suddenly succeeding in the majors is a bad strategy.

The Twins were bad last year. Before the deadline. The roster is worse now than it was before the deadline. They will need about half a dozen prospects to hit on their 80th percentile outcome to be successful next year. Is it possible? Of course. Is it probable? Not at all.

I mean, you're counting Orze as a reliable major leaguer despite him being a 28-year-old with one reasonably successful season under his belt. And he's a vital part of this pen. That's all I need to know.

Then every team  will by over half of the team,  except for the Dodgers.   Its a dumb argument and exercise.  

So are Braves a crap team since they underperformed last year.  Orioles, Rays, Rangers, Braves, Cardinals, Giants, Diamondbacks -  guess since all those teams underperformed they all must have a bunch of crap players.  

Orze is a prospect - this is his second year in big leagues.  Last year had a .6 WAR.  In my opinion relief pitcher WAR below 1 doesn't really count as AAAA pitcher.  By that standard,  Jax, Varland, Stewart,  Coloumbe, Thielbar, are all AAAA pitchers because they don't consistently get over 1 WAR.   If we are saying those aren't MLB players this is stupid.  The only reliever who the Twins have had consistently over is Duran.  

 

[KirbyDome89]

38 minutes ago, bunsen82 said:

Thats not the team  thats the 40 man, not the 26 man Big big difference.  So you are mad about AAAA players in AAA?  I can't even argue this anymore.   

Abel is still a prospect in my book.   Last year was his 1st season at MLB no different than Ohl, and Adams. 

Brooks Lee is in his 2nd full season as well as Roden, Wagaman, and Funderburk (who has had positive WAR last year).   These 4 is the make or break year on how they are qualified in my opinion.  

Jackson - will either be traded, DFA's or in AAA (otherwise Yes)

Clemens with 1 WAR last year doesn't meet your qualifications.    (Had been but removed by last years perfomance).  

Kriedler, Outman, Gray and Julien  -  AAAA all day long.   But how many of those remain on the 40 man or even with the team through spring training or this season.  

Most likely you have 2- AAAA players on the 26 man as depth pieces and 4 at the most.   

I agree that Kyle Garlick was a AAAA player - late 20s when MN scooped him, multiple organizations over the previous few seasons, little if any actual MLB success in limited playing time. Sounds a lot like Clemens and Wagaman. What's separates Garlick from the other two?

A) .225/.277/.438

B) .206/.263/.403

C) .250/.293/.381

Without looking it up, can you tell me which one of those lines is AAAA Kyle Garlick? 

[chpettit19]

9 minutes ago, bunsen82 said:

Then every team  will by over half of the team,  except for the Dodgers.   Its a dumb argument and exercise.  

Find me a team expecting to compete that is relying on a Taylor Rogers and Eric Orze style leverage tandem. Or whoever you think are the 2 best relievers on this squad. 1 team. Any team you think compares to that level of 8th/9th inning pen strength that is unquestionably trying to win this year. If your argument is "well one of the kids will step into those roles," then find a team trying to compete by relying on rookies or newly converted starters to be their most important pen arms going into the season.

Then see if they're also relying on 3+ position player prospects being immediate impacts to their team on top of that.

Then see if they're also relying on a 110 OPS+ DH and a 101 OPS+ backup C/1B/DH and an 86 OPS+ 1B/DH as the most important bats added to a bottom 8 scoring team from last year.

Find me that team and I will absolutely admit I'm wrong right here and now and start talking up the Twins chances to win this year.

 

[bunsen82]

21 minutes ago, KirbyDome89 said:

I agree that Kyle Garlick was a AAAA player - late 20s when MN scooped him, multiple organizations over the previous few seasons, little if any actual MLB success in limited playing time. Sounds a lot like Clemens and Wagaman. What's separates Garlick from the other two?

A) .225/.277/.438

B) .206/.263/.403

C) .250/.293/.381

Without looking it up, can you tell me which one of those lines is AAAA Kyle Garlick? 

Garlick (5 years)  is the 1st -  the middle is Clemens (4 seasons, but broke out) - thats easy performed poorly every year other than last year.    Wagaman (1 full season other cup a coffee) is the last who isn't set to be on the MLB team.  Last year was his 1st year of full year experience.  No different than a Brooks Lee.   

[bunsen82]

24 minutes ago, chpettit19 said:

Find me a team expecting to compete that is relying on a Taylor Rogers and Eric Orze style leverage tandem. Or whoever you think are the 2 best relievers on this squad. 1 team. Any team you think compares to that level of 8th/9th inning pen strength that is unquestionably trying to win this year. If your argument is "well one of the kids will step into those roles," then find a team trying to compete by relying on rookies or newly converted starters to be their most important pen arms going into the season.

Then see if they're also relying on 3+ position player prospects being immediate impacts to their team on top of that.

Then see if they're also relying on a 110 OPS+ DH and a 101 OPS+ backup C/1B/DH and an 86 OPS+ 1B/DH as the most important bats added to a bottom 8 scoring team from last year.

Find me that team and I will absolutely admit I'm wrong right here and now and start talking up the Twins chances to win this year.

 

1.  The team isn't fully constructed.  

2. Multiple teams have a Rogers or Orze,  we don't know that they are being counted on for leverage

3.  I dislike our current bullpen,  I wanted more - I don't think we will get it.   

4.  The Twins have consistently outperformed in the bullpen based on the talent other than last year.  

 

[big dog]

5 hours ago, GCTF said:

Quite possibly the greatest major leaguer with the initials VB since Vida Blue

Hey, you might be on to something there.

[KirbyDome89]

7 minutes ago, bunsen82 said:

Garlick (5 years)  is the 1st -  the middle is Clemens (4 seasons, but broke out) - thats easy performed poorly every year other than last year.    Wagaman (1 full season other cup a coffee) is the last who isn't set to be on the MLB team.  Last year was his 1st year of full year experience.  No different than a Brooks Lee.   

I'd argue that Garlick being the most successful of that bunch makes the others AAAA as well. 

[chpettit19]

24 minutes ago, bunsen82 said:

1.  The team isn't fully constructed.  

2. Multiple teams have a Rogers or Orze,  we don't know that they are being counted on for leverage

3.  I dislike our current bullpen,  I wanted more - I don't think we will get it.   

4.  The Twins have consistently outperformed in the bullpen based on the talent other than last year.  

 

1. Of course not, but let's be honest and realistic right now. Do you think they're sitting on some massive move that is going to drastically change anything with this roster in the next month or 2? It's not November 1st, it's the end of January.

2. Yes, they have Rogers or Orze types, but they aren't the top of the food chain. And, no, we don't know that, it's why I said you could pick whoever you think the 2 best relievers in the pen are. Sands? Topa? Funderburk? Ohl? None of them deserve to be an 8th or 9th inning arm going into the season. But 2 of them will be.

3. We agree here.

4. What is this based on? The last 2 offseasons have had Gleeman writing articles about how the Twins are expected to be the best bullpen in baseball. Not a good bullpen, the BEST bullpen. I don't know where you're coming up with this narrative from. And the bullpen before the deadline last year was full of absolute studs who were doing incredibly well. It's why they were able to be traded. And the team was still below .500 with a better roster. Now they have a worse offense and worse defense than the first half of last year to go along with a pen full of nobodies and you're arguing they've got a good chance to win more games. That doesn't add up to me. But that's why they play the games.

[ashbury]

On one hand someone calls 28-year old Eric Orze a prospect, while on the other hand someone else terms 23-year old Emmanuel Rodriguez and 22-year old Gabriel Gonzalez AAAA before their first major league game.

 

 

[chpettit19]

1 hour ago, ashbury said:

On one hand someone calls 28-year old Eric Orze a prospect, while on the other hand someone else terms 23-year old Emmanuel Rodriguez and 22-year old Gabriel Gonzalez AAAA before their first major league game.

 

 

That's not what I said. I said AAAA (or worse). They're not even AAAA players yet, they're AAA players. I listed the prospects with the AAAA players as a group of players that can't at all be considered true major leaguers going into this season.

[ashbury]

14 minutes ago, chpettit19 said:

That's not what I said. I said AAAA (or worse). They're not even AAAA players yet, they're AAA players.

Someone else claimed literally "forecasting the team as 1/2 AAAA seems like a reasonable opinion" and, when they were called on it, you piped up with your list.  Your caveat makes me wonder what you were trying to say, if you're now claiming it to be tangential.  Why even include them?

[chpettit19]

35 minutes ago, ashbury said:

Someone else claimed literally "forecasting the team as 1/2 AAAA seems like a reasonable opinion" and, when they were called on it, you piped up with your list.  Your caveat makes me wonder what you were trying to say, if you're now claiming it to be tangential.  Why even include them?

Because I did the entire 40-man roster. I said in that post that 75% of the roster is either a AAAA player or prospect. Then said the other poster could decide if that was better or worse than the original idea of 50% being AAAA.

[bean5302]

18 hours ago, bunsen82 said:

The Yankees then only had 13 players with a WAR above 1.1.   Guess they have 50% AAAA players.  If thats the justification,  then what are we making a big deal about this then.    I thought by this point most of the fans would have gotten over the trade deadline.  Its clear they have not.  Better I just go on my way and cheer on my team like I have the last 40 years.   Looks like its going to be a lonely group.   

So there are 7 every day lineup players of 9, right there. Stanton could be forecasted as AAAA due to recent performances and injury history. Nobody else, IMHO.

So that's 17 non Quad-A players, and I didn't even review their bench guys.

The projection of all the Twins players/prospects reaching their potential is unreasonable to most people from what I've seen. 

[bunsen82]

23 minutes ago, bean5302 said:

So there are 7 every day lineup players of 9, right there. Stanton could be forecasted as AAAA due to recent performances and injury history. Nobody else, IMHO.

So that's 17 non Quad-A players, and I didn't even review their bench guys.

The projection of all the Twins players/prospects reaching their potential is unreasonable to most people from what I've seen. 

Stanton (If you are willing to state he is AAAA) , Bendan, Cruz, Leiter and Gil would not make the cut per the previous rules others have already created.  Not even 1 WAR on those relievers.  Not worth it per multiple people on here.  So we are left at 13 out of 26.  

Ultimately its a silly exercise.   We can either try to box players to categories to ultimately try to go after Ownership and Falvey.  After every signing we get - "Go Big or Go Home"   quote.   

I think most are ok with some low wattage moves to fill the bench or AAA roster moves - but the frustration continues to be on the bullpen trades from last deadline.   They are unwilling to give the benefit of the doubt to Falvey.  Right wrong or indifferent.  He effectively did the same thing that Milwaukee or Tampa Bay has done, but our fans are unwilling to give him or Pohlads the benefit of the doubt,  and I can admit lot of the distrust is earned by the Pohlads.  Falvey came into a job where the Twins had no MLB team or farm system - yet has .521 winning %   which is about as good of a 10 year run as any other decade in Twins history.    At some point you have to try something different - and will let Falvey go.    The new Pohlad says they need to win this year.   What does that mean,  .500,  winning the division?  Thats the confusion and mixed messaging when the best high leverage reliever we currently have in the bullpen is Cole Sands - who is a mid to back end reliever on most teams.  Now the bullpen is the one area where you can build quicker and cheaper than pitching or position players.     

So ultimately yes there a certain players that deserve to have AAAA label,  but a majority of these players and just people chasing their dreams.  I am not here to limit them on their goal, and the bullpen is the one area where players suddenly in their 30's can become good assets - (ie Coloumbe, Stewart - 2 of the arms we traded last year).  This will not be a great bullpen as currently constructed,  you will need things to go right to even get to mid tier.   So thats where I am going to leave this at.  I am ok watching players try to make the team and trying to win for my enjoyment.  And the closer to .500 great and maybe you have the stars align and we have a 2019.   Ultimately we are building for 2027 and later and arguing whether players deserved to be called MLB players and be labeled AAAA players doesn't seem right,  but also isn't worth my time any more.