High Expectations: Are The Twins In Win Now Mode?

Here's the deal: Dozier, Mauer, Morrison, Rodney and Lynn should be considered year-long rentals. These are the types of players the Twins will be trading for in 2019 and 2020 at the deadline. The fact that the Twins enter this year already HAVING these guys on the roster means that this team is uniquely positioned to make a serious run here in 2018. Of course, the young players are a bit greener than you'd like.

It'll be an interesting year. The Twins signed some big names this offseason for peanuts, essentially eliminating the need to trade for these guys in July. The 2018 Twins are a step ahead of every other contender in that regard.

I think every team thinks they are in "win now" mode.  To me, the interesting part of this season revolves around the in division games.  There have been years in the past when the Twins were clearly not the superior team and yet won the in-division series.  The same could happen this year vs. the Pale Hose, Royals, and Tigers.  We need to win against those teams.  We can't afford to split the season series 9-9 or something like that.  We need to be more in the 12-6 range and then split or better with Cleveland.  Remember a number of years back when the Twins had some ridiculous interleague record?  Something like that could win the division....now!

This might be an emotional statement as opposed to using sound logic: sign both Dozier and Mauer to new contracts.

No Dozier should not accept anything.  That is not my point, my issue is that there has been no offer of any kind from the FO for the last year or more.

Reminds me of how Hunter was never offered an extension/new contract until like August of his last season with us.  That low ball offer did it's desired effect: Made some fans praise the FO efforts to keep him and turn on Hunter because he didn't sign with us.  It was a nothing offer compared to the market.  Add that to the fact he pushed for a new contract while the Twins did nothing to sign him before the last season made his choice the right one (for him not us).

A few things

#1  I am convinced Jim is more of a baseball fan than Carl was, thus more willing to open the pocketbook to a degree,

#2 Being in the fray for a playoff berth increases the gate revenue but usually the 2nd year is when it gets really noticeable.

#3 I doubt that every FA that is on the list will walk at the end of the year with nothing other than the minor league guys to replace them.

#4 Falvey/Levine have proven to be pretty savvy at this game. Credit where credit is due.

#5 Money coming off the books is not an indicator of a 90-100 mil payroll next year.

#6 If number 2 is right then I expect one of the core to get signed to a massive extension before next year. That is my only beef right now is I wanted somebody signed by now. Polanco, Sano, Rosario, Buxton, Keplar and Berrios all have question marks. Maybe they are using this year as a prove it year but I want AT LEAST 2 to not hit free agency at their first opportunity. Yes there is risk with every big deal and if you make the wrong decision you might (rightfully) be fired but that is what you sign up for by being a front office executive and why they get paid like they do.

Done deal! I want at least 6 playoff berths in the next 9 years, at least 1 of the core still here and no more than 1 season of under 75 wins. And if I was in the interview room when they interviewed that would have been put on the table as expectations. If you want the job convince me you can do it!

So far I am convinced but my glasses are a bit rose colored!

It's impossible to say this team is primed for the future. Most of the players we know will be gone in one to two years. 

 

This is "win now" mode, Twins-style.

Buxton, Sano, Kepler, Polanco, Rosario make it so the position players are stable. You can add Adrianza, Grossman and Granite if you like. Wade and Rooker if you are optimistic. Mid to back of rotation starters always seem to be available as well as a bullpen. That being said Berrios isn't going anywhere. Names that we know that might not be gone include  Hildenberger, Moya, Odorizzi, Rogers as well as the promise of Curtis, Gonsalves,  Jorge, Mejia, Reed, Romero and some other pitcher I am blanking on. These are names that people should know.

This is likely Dozier's one and only shot at big money free agency. What makes you think he'll take a short extension? Back when he signed his current contract, he wouldn't allow the Twins to buy out even a single year of free agency.

 

Frankly, Dozier would have to be kinda insane to accept anything less than a four year extension right now.

This is likely Dozier's one and only shot at big money free agency. What makes you think he'll take a short extension? Back when he signed his current contract, he wouldn't allow the Twins to buy out even a single year of free agency.

 

Frankly, Dozier would have to be kinda insane to accept anything less than a four year extension right now.

How many position players got more than a 3 year deal last winter? Not many, and fewer every year.  How lucky would Dozier be to find an organization that wins, needs a 2b, and freely spends?

Youre assuming that the most bizarre offseason of the past two decades is the new standard going forward. That’s a huge assumption.

Youre assuming that the most bizarre offseason of the past two decades is the new standard going forward. That’s a huge assumption.

Not really. 2014  Sandoval, Hanly Ramirez,  Russel Martin, Yasmany Tomas,  V-Mart, Nelson Cruz,  Headley and Markasis all signed contracts for  four years or longer at 10 million a year or more.  What percentage of those contracts really worked out? Think that  maybe enough GMs got calls to take on  bad contracts they might grow a little cautious? 2015  Heyward, Davis, Upton, Alex Gordon and Zobriest, 4+ years. Quite a few less position players getting the years and dollars.  Not really up to the dollars signed for either.  Is this year the aberrant one or evidence of learning?  Dozier has had the bat, but not the fielding chops. He should get good to great AAV, I would doubt the years

I have no idea why a quote  is posting twice.

Pretty much a self fulfilling prophecy, no? If you don't acquire better players, you won't get better results. The Sox are not far behind the Twins, have money coming off the books, and have spent much more in the past. How aligned would the stars have to be for you to go all in?

The Pale Hose GM is starting his 6th year and just finished his tear down at the trade deadline. You won't see them for quite some time. 

I don't disagree but I said Dozier would be insane to accept less than four years today.

 

Come next season, I see him easily getting 3-4 years at a good AAV. He may have to settle for three seasons at a higher per year rate given his age but he'll almost certainly start the bidding at 4-5 years.

 

Dozier has shown in the past that he's willing to bet on himself in a big way (he could have easily made $10-12m more in that contract with one free agency season buy out). He didn't do that, he demanded the ability to become a free agent. I don't see why he'd alter his mindset now that he's been very good for three consecutive seasons.

I would not doubt that Dozier wants 4-5 years. Many players did last winter.  Not many got that.  Good for him if he gets it.  He could get a Martinez deal, or a Frazier deal. Only time will tell.  Heck of a risky bet, a year's worth of payroll for the Rays.  Much more risky than one year of free agency.