Who Will Be the Highest Ranked Free Agent Signed By the Twins?

[MeleMouth]

1 hour ago, nicksaviking said:

Agree that finding the right cast-offs pays off frequently, under Terry Ryan in particular. But for this organization, turning the fringy starters to relievers has had an extremely high success rate since about the time they did it with Perkins.

But the one path that does not appear to have much success, is going big on multiple free agents. It's just hard to predict how even a good reliever will fare on a new team with a new manager in a new ballpark and a new clubhouse. And then when you tie a big contract to him, the team is loathe to remove him from a high leverage role if he underperforms. I'd be Ok with perhaps one. With the understanding that if necessary, the team will pull the plug before too much damage is done.

Since 2006, the top four Twins relievers by saves were converted starters - Nathan, Perkins, Duran, Rogers.

Those four, plus Jax, also a converted starter, have the most fWAR. Many other top relievers had been starters, from Duensing to May to Pressly to Duffey to Varland.

So converting a starter has been a good path.

However, all paths should be considered. Note that Nathan had already been a reliever for a couple of when acquired by the Twins, and that Duran and Rogers were relievers for the entirety of their Twins careers. 

And none of it matters if the team can't help the former starter figure out to succeed as a reliever.

[Cris E]

Well they did start doing things differently in 2026. 

 - Guys changed to new positions.  They didn't add a new position, they left the old one and stayed at the new one. Revolutionary.  EDIT: And this was mostly due to a material dissatisfaction with the defense on the field. That's also new. 

 - Guys got a look and were gone if they didn't make the grade.  Wallner was a favorite with a multi-year track record and was essentially cut in May. SWR is gone, Martin was set aside for the kids, Fedko is gone, along with Outman, Arcia, Topa, Orze and a host of other anonymous pitchers. 

 - Pitchers got to stay in longer. Far fewer bullpen/opener games. Everyone got to close if their mom brought treats. 

 - Far fewer IL trips, which sounds good until you realize I'm not pleased with this.  Several guys were allowed to hang around and chew up innings and ABs when they should have been sat down or sent down to figure stuff out or get well. Buxton and Lewis were the worst, but there were many others.  Morris was sucking the chrome off trailer hitches for a month in there, mid-Aug to mid-Sept.

So things are different.  It's not shown up in team building much yet, but let's see how things go. If Tom P is still on his hot yoga high when the free agent season opens we might see some stuff. 

[nicksaviking]

24 minutes ago, MeleMouth said:

Since 2006, the top four Twins relievers by saves were converted starters - Nathan, Perkins, Duran, Rogers.

Those four, plus Jax, also a converted starter, have the most fWAR. Many other top relievers had been starters, from Duensing to May to Pressly to Duffey to Varland.

So converting a starter has been a good path.

However, all paths should be considered. Note that Nathan had already been a reliever for a couple of when acquired by the Twins, and that Duran and Rogers were relievers for the entirety of their Twins careers. 

And none of it matters if the team can't help the former starter figure out to succeed as a reliever.

But Duran and Rogers were starters until immediately before their promotion. 

Converting them has been one of the good things the front office has done. It just takes time as they almost all struggle initially. The only guys who hit the ground running were Duran and Rogers. And I don't think that's a coincidence; they got the good news/bad news routine. You're no longer a starter, BUT, congratulations, you're getting called up!

Meanwhile the other guys were all converted mid-season or in the spring when they not only had to transition physically, but deal with the negative feelings about no longer being a starter. We know Perkins, May and Jax held resentment initially. Surely others did too. Kevin Slowey basically quit when he was told. 

[MeleMouth]

24 minutes ago, nicksaviking said:

But Duran and Rogers were starters until immediately before their promotion. 

Converting them has been one of the good things the front office has done. It just takes time as they almost all struggle initially. The only guys who hit the ground running were Duran and Rogers. And I don't think that's a coincidence; they got the good news/bad news routine. You're no longer a starter, BUT, congratulations, you're getting called up!

Meanwhile the other guys were all converted mid-season or in the spring when they not only had to transition physically, but deal with the negative feelings about no longer being a starter. We know Perkins, May and Jax held resentment initially. Surely others did too. Kevin Slowey basically quit when he was told. 

I think we're having two different conversations. I don't disagree with anything you said in this comment or much of your past ones, but I'm not sure of the point you're making. Is it that converting starters to relievers should be what the Twins do in 2027?

Because I'm agreeing that is a good path to look at. I'm also saying that other paths should be considered and that recent history shows that, regardless of path, confidence should be low that current Twins management will do a good job of identifying or retaining the correct relievers.

[HerbieFan]

5 hours ago, nicksaviking said:

Yup. And the thrifty Brewers and Rays are likely also going to want to spend now, and those spots look more attractive.

So I would rather NOT spend a ton of money in free agency if the team is only going to spend it on whatever random low-level free agents are willing to come here. I'm way more interested in trades. Particularly for another top of the rotation arm.

Have agreed for a long time on trades being the way to go.

[jkcarew]

If there was ever a go-big or go home off-season, this is it. You’re not “close”. Either go for a top needle-mover for the middle of the lineup, or resign yourself to using the season to see what you have with all the ready/near ready prospects. If they spectacularly overachieve, you have the deadline.

Exception…you have to have another competent catcher.

And YES to using trades from organizational glut (high minors and MLB) of middle infielders and left-handed hitting outfielders to at least partially address current MLB holes at C, RP, SP, and/or to upgrade the infield corners, etc.

[SE23]

2 hours ago, HerbieFan said:

Have agreed for a long time on trades being the way to go.

Certainly. Provided you have valuable assets to offer in trade. We might need to acquire some valuable assets first.

[Riverbrian]

10 hours ago, SE23 said:

Certainly. Provided you have valuable assets to offer in trade. We might need to acquire some valuable assets first.

I'm not sure why you got a thumps down on this post. You are right. The Twins need to create value. 

The Brewers have an impressive list of players rostered in 2026 that came from the trees of the Burnes, Williams, Hader trades.

Create value and trade it. The Twins struggle to create it. 

[bean5302]

22 hours ago, Cris E said:

Both are OBP guys with limited power and poor defensive chops leading to a battle to find a defensive position.  Luke has been healthier and shown more power. Luis has only been defensively average once in his career, and since it didn't happen until his age 29 season I'm not confident it's a new baseline that he can be counted on to maintain.  OTOH he seems to have stayed healthy since leaving the Twins, which was a huge knock on him early in his career. But there are far better ways to spend $20m than a slower, weaker Luke Keashall (that also could end up blocking the real Luke Keaschall at 1B or DH.) 

Arraez was one of the best 2B in baseball last year at +12 OAA. Presumably because he changed his approach to fielding in order to maximize the lousy OAA metric. Players are beginning to talk about how OAA is making negative impacts on teams. Other than the severely flawed OAA metric, Arraez has graded out as an average-ish fielder at 2B.

Side note TwinsDaily continuing to use British English for spell check is annoying AF.

 

 

[Mike Sixel]

3 hours ago, Riverbrian said:

I'm not sure why you got a thumps down on this post. You are right. The Twins need to create value. 

The Brewers have an impressive list of players rostered in 2026 that came from the trees of the Burnes, Williams, Hader trades.

Create value and trade it. The Twins struggle to create it. 

Because they have valuable players in the minors to trade if they want. The implication they have no valuable players is ludicrous. They also have valuable MLB players they can trade is they want. 

[Riverbrian]

1 hour ago, Mike Sixel said:

Because they have valuable players in the minors to trade if they want. The implication they have no valuable players is ludicrous. They also have valuable MLB players they can trade is they want. 

The players that have the most current value is our youngsters or players that we still need to develop. 

According to BBTV. And Yes... there are some serious doubters in regards to Baseball Trade Values.

Jenkins, Keaschall, Bradley, Lackey and Culpepper are our most valuable trade pieces. However, an organization like ours shouldn't want to trade them because if you trade prospects... you trade them for established players and that will drive payroll beyond our range. This is what the Dodgers do, The Mets do.

To be more like Brewers... we want to develop and try to maintain their value so they become trade options that bring back players like Lackey when the they get closer to free agency. 

Jenkins 61.3

Keaschall 36.8

Bradley 36.4

Lackey 36.0 

Culpepper 30.4

In regards to older players that cost money and can be traded for younger prospects.

Joe Ryan 17

Buxton 13.1

That's a huge drop in regards in value on tradable assets. Joe Ryan should have been dealt last off-season.

To put this in perspective. Riley Quick has more trade value than Joe Ryan does now with just 1 year remaining before free agency.

To put this further in perspective. Joe Ryan last off-season had a value of 55. That's how much we lost from one off-season to the next. Last off-season Joe Ryan probably brings back two Culpepper type talents or one Jenkins type prospect. Now we get a Riley Quick type talent and that's all if you want to reload like the Brewers do with their developed assets. (Again... I understand BBTV and some people's reservations with it). In my opinion... it does a pretty good job of identifying the top trade value.  

Looking at the Brewers. 

Chourio has a value of 162. 

The Miz has a value of 104

Made has a value of 76.8

Henderson has a value of 60.1

They have 4 players just as valuable as Jenkins. Including 2 that are excessively more valuable. Chourio is basically untradable his value is so high. They will eat some years off his years of control. Trade him at about 60 value and just keep reloading. 

If the Brewers want to cash in develop assets like Turang... His value is currently 43.3. He is going to return some nice prospects to reload with and then they develop the return and cash out, develop the return and cash out. 

When Burnes was traded his value was 33.3.

The Twins are simply not very good at developing trade value. Part of the reason I'm screaming about the strip mining of players and the reduction in value it causes. It's important they stop doing this right now. 

The Twins are even worse at cashing it in... if they happen to develop someone like Ryan that other teams would like to acquire.

How do we all know this... beyond the mistake we made with Ryan.

It's simple... We don't cash them in... We let them reach free agency and very few teams want our free agents. We use them up for our benefit and nobody wants them. Ask yourself this question. How many developed Twins have signed a huge deal in free agency in the past 20 years. Most organizations have produced players that get the big pay day. Our Brian Dozier and Max Kepler's did not get paid. The biggest deal in our History was Torii Hunter 20 years ago. Where is our Machado? Where is our Soto? Where is Kyle Tucker? 

It's this today mentality they have that some other teams don't have and they are still beating us today. 

A GM's primary job is to increase the value of their players. Yes... Win's are more important but the Wins take care of themselves if they are able to increase the value of their players.  

Develop or Die. 

[Mike Sixel]

4 hours ago, Riverbrian said:

The players that have the most current value is our youngsters or players that we still need to develop. 

According to BBTV. And Yes... there are some serious doubters in regards to Baseball Trade Values.

Jenkins, Keaschall, Bradley, Lackey and Culpepper are our most valuable trade pieces. However, an organization like ours shouldn't want to trade them because if you trade prospects... you trade them for established players and that will drive payroll beyond our range. This is what the Dodgers do, The Mets do.

To be more like Brewers... we want to develop and try to maintain their value so they become trade options that bring back players like Lackey when the they get closer to free agency. 

Jenkins 61.3

Keaschall 36.8

Bradley 36.4

Lackey 36.0 

Culpepper 30.4

In regards to older players that cost money and can be traded for younger prospects.

Joe Ryan 17

Buxton 13.1

That's a huge drop in regards in value on tradable assets. Joe Ryan should have been dealt last off-season.

To put this in perspective. Riley Quick has more trade value than Joe Ryan does now with just 1 year remaining before free agency.

To put this further in perspective. Joe Ryan last off-season had a value of 55. That's how much we lost from one off-season to the next. Last off-season Joe Ryan probably brings back two Culpepper type talents or one Jenkins type prospect. Now we get a Riley Quick type talent and that's all if you want to reload like the Brewers do with their developed assets. (Again... I understand BBTV and some people's reservations with it). In my opinion... it does a pretty good job of identifying the top trade value.  

Looking at the Brewers. 

Chourio has a value of 162. 

The Miz has a value of 104

Made has a value of 76.8

Henderson has a value of 60.1

They have 4 players just as valuable as Jenkins. Including 2 that are excessively more valuable. Chourio is basically untradable his value is so high. They will eat some years off his years of control. Trade him at about 60 value and just keep reloading. 

If the Brewers want to cash in develop assets like Turang... His value is currently 43.3. He is going to return some nice prospects to reload with and then they develop the return and cash out, develop the return and cash out. 

When Burnes was traded his value was 33.3.

The Twins are simply not very good at developing trade value. Part of the reason I'm screaming about the strip mining of players and the reduction in value it causes. It's important they stop doing this right now. 

The Twins are even worse at cashing it in... if they happen to develop someone like Ryan that other teams would like to acquire.

How do we all know this... beyond the mistake we made with Ryan.

It's simple... We don't cash them in... We let them reach free agency and very few teams want our free agents. We use them up for our benefit and nobody wants them. Ask yourself this question. How many developed Twins have signed a huge deal in free agency in the past 20 years. Most organizations have produced players that get the big pay day. Our Brian Dozier and Max Kepler's did not get paid. The biggest deal in our History was Torii Hunter 20 years ago. Where is our Machado? Where is our Soto? Where is Kyle Tucker? 

It's this today mentality they have that some other teams don't have and they are still beating us today. 

A GM's primary job is to increase the value of their players. Yes... Win's are more important but the Wins take care of themselves if they are able to increase the value of their players.  

Develop or Die. 

Um. I hope you didn't think you're arguing with me? I've been saying this for years. 

[Riverbrian]

5 minutes ago, Mike Sixel said:

Um. I hope you didn't think you're arguing with me? I've been saying this for years. 

I don't know if I am or ain't. 

I'm just saying I didn't understand the thumbs down. 

[SE23]

2 hours ago, Riverbrian said:

I don't know if I am or ain't. 

I'm just saying I didn't understand the thumbs down. 

Apart from Ryan, we have no MLB-ready talent to deal -- other than the handful of young, controllable guys who we DON'T want to trade. And Ryan's value is sadly depleted in the marketplace. We are multiple seasons away from being in position to make a meaningful, winning trade.

So let's learn to make the most of our internal solutions at almost every roster slot. Develop our young players! Maybe a solid FA signing can be part of the formula. But trades will not play a significant role on our MLB roster for the next year or two.

[Riverbrian]

1 hour ago, SE23 said:

Apart from Ryan, we have no MLB-ready talent to deal -- other than the handful of young, controllable guys who we DON'T want to trade. And Ryan's value is sadly depleted in the marketplace. We are multiple seasons away from being in position to make a meaningful, winning trade.

So let's learn to make the most of our internal solutions at almost every roster slot. Develop our young players! Maybe a solid FA signing can be part of the formula. But trades will not play a significant role on our MLB roster for the next year or two.

100%

I read your post and that's exactly how I interpreted it and I thought your post was a spot on obvious point. 

In order for trades to work for you. You have to have value to trade to get value back.  Trading low value gets you low value. That's not going to produce talent. 

We all know free agents are not going to work for us because we don't have the budget to make it work.

So we got to develop players that have trade value to make trades work for you and we are not doing that. 

You were completely correct when you said

12 hours ago, Riverbrian said:

Certainly. Provided you have valuable assets to offer in trade. We might need to acquire some valuable assets first.

 

[tony&rodney]

1 hour ago, Riverbrian said:

In order for trades to work for you. You have to have value to trade to get value back.  Trading low value gets you low value.

Can we know what value players have for other teams much less to their own team? 

For just a few examples - how does one compare Ober, Roden, Larnach who seemingly have low value to Lawlar who would seem to be in the same boat? Where does a promising but unheralded rookie like Bernal fit as compared to Matthews? Elly DLC is a superstar with only 3 years left. Is he sky high?

Valuations are difficult to determine.

[Riverbrian]

8 hours ago, tony&rodney said:

Can we know what value players have for other teams much less to their own team? 

For just a few examples - how does one compare Ober, Roden, Larnach who seemingly have low value to Lawlar who would seem to be in the same boat? Where does a promising but unheralded rookie like Bernal fit as compared to Matthews? Elly DLC is a superstar with only 3 years left. Is he sky high?

Valuations are difficult to determine.

Can we? Us mere mortals? It's tough for us regular folk. We typically don't take everything in. We debate talent. We can't even decide amongst ourselves who is talented or not. 

However... I will bet a large amount of money. That front offices have an exact dollar amount attached to every player. Sure... you'll get variance between baseball clubs based on how they weight certain data sets based on individual team preferences - one teams assigns more value to spin rates and another team assigns more value to speed or defense etc. Add in positional depth, scarcity, where the teams are in the competitive window, the financials of each team and the valuations will have ripples. 

But... for disciplined front offices? I don't believe those variances are ever going to be enormous causing Larnach to double in value because the Padres really need a left handed hitting DH. They may value him a tick higher but they won't blow past the guardrails. The Math is the math. 

Back in my radio days. It was Cume X TSL. That was it. That was how ratings were determined., Cume was how many individual listeners and TSL was time spent listening (How long did they listen). How many and how long determined revenue and who was hired and fired?

I assume baseball would be similar. How good and for how long. 

[DJL44]

13 hours ago, SE23 said:

Apart from Ryan, we have no MLB-ready talent to deal -- other than the handful of young, controllable guys who we DON'T want to trade. And Ryan's value is sadly depleted in the marketplace. We are multiple seasons away from being in position to make a meaningful, winning trade.

So let's learn to make the most of our internal solutions at almost every roster slot. Develop our young players! Maybe a solid FA signing can be part of the formula. But trades will not play a significant role on our MLB roster for the next year or two.

I actually think we are about to see a lot of trades. Ryan in the offseason. Ober, Lopez, Kremer, Hoffman at the deadline sell-off. You are right that we won’t see the payoff from those trades for a couple years.

[Major League Ready]

11 hours ago, tony&rodney said:

Can we know what value players have for other teams much less to their own team? 

For just a few examples - how does one compare Ober, Roden, Larnach who seemingly have low value to Lawlar who would seem to be in the same boat? Where does a promising but unheralded rookie like Bernal fit as compared to Matthews? Elly DLC is a superstar with only 3 years left. Is he sky high?

Valuations are difficult to determine.

Very little about baseball or roster management has certainty.  It's quite possible to have a substantive conversation without certainty as long as we acknowledge the uncertainty.  We don't need certainty to understand the Twins had assets with value to trade and they managed to squander that value about as badly as possible.  We don't need certainty to compare the way the Twins manage assets to the Brewers / Rays, and Guardians.   We don't need certainty to understand the Twins have failed to put a contender on the field and that is in part due to their inability to create value as Riverbrian has pointed out.

[tony&rodney]

5 minutes ago, Major League Ready said:

Very little about baseball or roster management has certainty.  It's quite possible to have a substantive conversation without certainty as long as we acknowledge the uncertainty.  We don't need certainty to understand the Twins had assets with value to trade and they managed to squander that value about as badly as possible.  We don't need certainty to compare the way the Twins manage assets to the Brewers / Rays, and Guardians.   We don't need certainty to understand the Twins have failed to put a contender on the field and that is in part due to their inability to create value as Riverbrian has pointed out.

I agree with that. Can I remind you that I pushed for the Twins to trade several players last offseason, especially Joe Ryan and Bailey Ober. Ryan is my favorite Twins pitcher to watch but he had value last November. Now? Still some value, but perhaps that is greater for the Twins now. We shall see.

I push back on the idea that the Twins currently on the 40 roster have little to no value. There are still opportunities. I'm uncertain where the demand is (from what teams) but believe there is interest and it is up to Zoll and the front office to manage transactions that improve the roster.

[TheLeviathan]

On 10/28/2026 at 8:01 PM, Vanimal46 said:

Go sign the Japanese triple crown winner Soto. 

I'm far more interested in this path than any other listed here.

[Major League Ready]

1 hour ago, tony&rodney said:

I agree with that. Can I remind you that I pushed for the Twins to trade several players last offseason, especially Joe Ryan and Bailey Ober. Ryan is my favorite Twins pitcher to watch but he had value last November. Now? Still some value, but perhaps that is greater for the Twins now. We shall see.

I push back on the idea that the Twins currently on the 40 roster have little to no value. There are still opportunities. I'm uncertain where the demand is (from what teams) but believe there is interest and it is up to Zoll and the front office to manage transactions that improve the roster.

I agree there are always opportunities to trade someone like Larnach or Ober / Kremer.  Those players are not bringing back a player likely to be an impact player.  However, the teams we keep talking about manage to find value.  We thought Megill had no value and the Brewers found a closer on a WS teams.

 Their best opportunities to trade for really good prospects were Ryan, Lopez, and Jeffers.  They managed that as poorly as possible.  Who do you think remains on the 40 man that has significant value that would not be trading a year or two now for the chance to build a sustainable team?

[tony&rodney]

28 minutes ago, Major League Ready said:

Who do you think remains on the 40 man that has significant value that would not be trading a year or two now for the chance to build a sustainable team?

It is really difficult to read what other teams want. Does Arizona still want starting pitching? All teams do, but is Ober or Kremer an acceptable player for them. I would suggest that teams need 4th/5th SP. Does Arizona still want a LH bat? Larnach has very limited value. What about Alan Roden? As such, there may be a world where Arizona is wiling to trade Lawlar for a Roden and Ober or Kremer package. Maybe Zebby Matthews for Lawlar. I have heard too many insults that Lawlar is too highly valued. He wasn't used much. Lawlar is not that valuable given his struggles and propensity to wind up on the IL, but I target him as a talented reserve outfielder who could play on the dirt in an emergency and he can run. The specifics here are not that important. The identification of potential roster help is though and the Twins have been over balanced and sat on their assets too often. 

I would be in conversations with other teams on all sorts of players. It only takes 5-10 minutes. Trades should be mutually beneficial. St. Louis is flush with young catchers. So, what do they want? Even outlandish impossible ideas can be discussed for 5 minutes. The Reds are frustrated because Elly De La Cruz will not sign long term. Is there any possibility of a deal there? I think it is close to 1%, but I would ask. While I know Ryan has seen a large drop in his value, there are bound to be numerous clubs still interested in him. I think the Twins should hold Ryan until July but listen on ideas or offers. The Dodgers, Padres, and others could offer decent returns. Zoll needs to be active in November. The last thing I want to read or hear is that the Twins had some good conversations that laid a foundation for further contact after the CBA is settled.

[Mike Sixel]

1 hour ago, TheLeviathan said:

I'm far more interested in this path than any other listed here.

Or Roh from Korea. 

[Riverbrian]

7 hours ago, tony&rodney said:

I push back on the idea that the Twins currently on the 40 roster have little to no value. There are still opportunities. I'm uncertain where the demand is (from what teams) but believe there is interest and it is up to Zoll and the front office to manage transactions that improve the roster.

I understand your point a little more now.

Of course there is trade value on the Twins roster. It's just not going to fetch a big fish. 

If they ever decide to go young. Re-whatever. There is nobody on the roster who could propel the Re-Whatever. We could get some real decent major league talent for Jenkins that sellers would absolutely be interested in. The Rockies might even give up Hunter Goodman for Jenkins. But... the Twins can't do that. It would be unforgiveable. Jenkins and his young band mates are the key to everything. 

I'd love to add someone like Jordan Lawler to our 2027. He'd be perfect.

However, I don't think it can be done with a Larnach/Kremer package. He didn't have a bad year. He's not a  distressed asset. Getting hit by pitch shouldn't represent injury prone. He has years and years of team control. If the those two get it done. Get it done and smile. I just don't think that would happen. 

I think it's Joe Ryan that would have to be traded just to get the D-Backs to bite. If you trade Ryan... are you still going for it? 

[tony&rodney]

1 hour ago, Riverbrian said:

However, I don't think it can be done with a Larnach/Kremer package. He didn't have a bad year. He's not a  distressed asset. Getting hit by pitch shouldn't represent injury prone. He has years and years of team control. If the those two get it done. Get it done and smile. I just don't think that would happen. 

I think it's Joe Ryan that would have to be traded just to get the D-Backs to bite. If you trade Ryan... are you still going for it? 

My suggestion of Lawlar is not in stone. I base it on the DBacks wanting pitching and LH bats. Lawlar offers talent and has years left. He can run and field and it is an unknown whether he can hit. My offer was either Ober or Kremer and Roden. I would add Larnach if it helped. I would also be willing to trade Matthews straight up for Lawlar (one for one). Again, I have no idea if that works for either team. It is just an idea and I'm not counting on Lawlar for regular playing time, but he would be used and used quite a bit fitting in with ideas you have promoted.

Ryan is a different thing. I believe people on TD really underrate him. Yes, he has faltered in the second half but Joe is still a top 20-25 starting pitcher. A team like the Athletics would be wise to get a jump and add him. I can see both the Dodgers and Padres having interest. The Twins can justifiably ask for more than he seems worth although assuredly Ryan has lost value from a year ago. I'm one to keep Ryan unless the offer is really good. 

The fans on Twins Daily want the Twins to be relevant and fun next year. They were better this year but it was not a team that was going anywhere. We also are all wondering if Tom Pohlad will support signing 3 free agents or support a budget of close to $140-150M.

[Riverbrian]

12 minutes ago, tony&rodney said:

My suggestion of Lawlar is not in stone. I base it on the DBacks wanting pitching and LH bats. Lawlar offers talent and has years left. He can run and field and it is an unknown whether he can hit. My offer was either Ober or Kremer and Roden. I would add Larnach if it helped. I would also be willing to trade Matthews straight up for Lawlar (one for one). Again, I have no idea if that works for either team. It is just an idea and I'm not counting on Lawlar for regular playing time, but he would be used and used quite a bit fitting in with ideas you have promoted.

Ryan is a different thing. I believe people on TD really underrate him. Yes, he has faltered in the second half but Joe is still a top 20-25 starting pitcher. A team like the Athletics would be wise to get a jump and add him. I can see both the Dodgers and Padres having interest. The Twins can justifiably ask for more than he seems worth although assuredly Ryan has lost value from a year ago. I'm one to keep Ryan unless the offer is really good. 

The fans on Twins Daily want the Twins to be relevant and fun next year. They were better this year but it was not a team that was going anywhere. We also are all wondering if Tom Pohlad will support signing 3 free agents or support a budget of close to $140-150M.

My wishes to sign Lawlar are also not set in stone. I'd like them to make phone calls and sign someone similar. 

Matthews straight up might work. We might need Matthews more though. We will need that depth this year and we will really need Matthews in 2027. 

In regards to Ryan. I'm a big fan. Tom Pohlad had said he is going for it. If that's the case Ryan is probably staying. If you are going for it... you pretty much have to put him front and center of the charge. The rotation has a chance to lead the way. 

I did check myself for a fever in case I'm hallucinating. It was 98.3 and I can see a path.

Optometrist visit has also been scheduled.

But... the time to spend is now on a couple of key pieces and the time to commit to youth is also now. It can be done simultaneously.  

[Dawgzilla]

Front office will probably give Miguel Sano 10 mil. for another shot!  Not funny, but this is how they roll!  😉