Tyler Mahle to undergo Tommy John Surgery

Sucks but better to have Ober and Varland waiting in the wings than a whole lot of other dregs we'd have had waiting over the last decade plus.

Just what we have coming in the future,  I don't think a deal with Mahle makes sense unless he does a very team friendly deal and even in that case I think its better for the Twins to move on.  Pitchers for next year - Lopez, Ryan, Ober, Varland, Winder, Paddack and possible QO to Sonny Gray.   That ignores SWR and a few other prospects if they made large jumps between now and next year.   

On 5/11/2023 at 11:12 AM, DJL44 said:

The prospects are a sunk cost but an extension isn't a bad idea. Mahle hasn't had a chance to make the big bucks (career earnings of $16M). He's looking at a minor league deal in the offseason now. The downside for the Twins with a contract extension is carrying a player who won't help on the 40 man roster all winter.

And, even if he's fully recovered after a year, the following winter.

A failed trade necessitated by another failed trade a year prior.

You can see why pitchers depend so heavily on physical preparation and perfecting their mechanics. They are operating right on the edge of injuring various parts of their body, particularly the elbow tendons and the shoulder joint. Even "little" things like a finger blister, strained finger tendon, impingement, groin pull, or various lower leg problems can sideline a pitcher for weeks, if not longer. 

weitz41 mentions Paddack regarding Mahle's case. Paddack is supposed to return sometime in August, I believe. Twins should hold off on contract talks with Mahle until they see what they  have in Paddack. If he looks good, then Mahle becomes just one of several pitchers on the outside looking in for 2024. 

On 7/7/2023 at 4:22 PM, Mike Sixel said:

100% if they have money to spend next year, it should be on pitching. Because it make your eyes hurt to look at the hitter choices outside a few.

Chapman and nothing IMO. the next year as of now is looking pretty stacked. Seems like don't spend this offseason, figure out what they have (hopefully a new FO) and get ready to spend the following offseason.