Three’s Company: 3 Rookies Who Can Join Minnesota’s Young Core in 2024

There comes a time when you have to cut bait with what is holding you back. Buxton is a prime example. He can't be counted on. I know he has a no trade clause but that doesn't mean a compromise can't be worked out. Polanco was one of my favorite Twins the past few seasons but he too is probably holding the success of this team back going forward, as is Kepler. Blocking the path of younger and better players that need playing time only pushes that newfound success down the road another year or two. The young guys need to play at the major league level and get experience if they are to be counted on in 2025, 2026 and beyond. Playing the guys that can't get the job done does nothing but extend being a "pretender" and not becoming an actual "contender". The Twins are flux with talented young players, especially hitters, that only need MLB playing time to become better. The more at bats that guys like Polanco, Kepler, Buxton, Taylor, (Gallo) take away from them only hurts the team in the long run. I'd rather see a committment to getting these guys experience than having them waste seasons in AAA even if it means a mediocre season. Yes the Twins won a playoff series this year. 87 regular season wins however is only 6 wins above a mediocre .500 season. Had it not been for 3 young players, Julien, Wallner and Lewis they probably wouldn't have been a .500 club. Anyone here who thinks the veteran hitters on this team are the answer, isn't seeing the big picture.

1 hour ago, rv78 said:

 Blocking the path of younger and better players that need playing time only pushes that newfound success down the road another year or two. The young guys need to play at the major league level and get experience if they are to be counted on in 2025, 2026 and beyond. Playing the guys that can't get the job done does nothing but extend being a "pretender" and not becoming an actual "contender". The Twins are flux with talented young players, especially hitters, that only need MLB playing time to become better.

Good Grief,  If they are Major League ready they will end up in the majors, some day, only when they are ready.

The Twins are not a --  school for not ready for Prime Time  players.

There is no such thing as blocking, not good enough to come up, they won't; the Twins have had enough situations with Rooker, Celestino, Cave, Hicks time.

The Twins are not a school for learning.

Lee has a worse fielding percentage in the Minors than Julien, at that, he plays Third Base and Short Stop.

He may make it out of the Minors eventually but it won't be next year; there is no spot that does not have better options.

On 10/28/2023 at 4:12 PM, Mike Sixel said:

Six games.... Corbin Carroll was 2-23 in the first six games of the nlcs., was he not good?

Why are people looking at six games and not the season? Wallner played 44 games in LF and accumulated 1.5 fwar.... A pace that was the second best in all of baseball in LF. 

No one is looking at his 6 playoff games. His stats dropped off dramatically at years end. And even worse in the playoffs.   I think 8 K's and 0-13 just compounds it. Its just pointing out that he may not be the answer.  Hopefully he works on those and has an even better 2024

2 hours ago, rv78 said:

There comes a time when you have to cut bait with what is holding you back. Buxton is a prime example. He can't be counted on. I know he has a no trade clause but that doesn't mean a compromise can't be worked out. Polanco was one of my favorite Twins the past few seasons but he too is probably holding the success of this team back going forward, as is Kepler. Blocking the path of younger and better players that need playing time only pushes that newfound success down the road another year or two. The young guys need to play at the major league level and get experience if they are to be counted on in 2025, 2026 and beyond. Playing the guys that can't get the job done does nothing but extend being a "pretender" and not becoming an actual "contender". The Twins are flux with talented young players, especially hitters, that only need MLB playing time to become better. The more at bats that guys like Polanco, Kepler, Buxton, Taylor, (Gallo) take away from them only hurts the team in the long run. I'd rather see a committment to getting these guys experience than having them waste seasons in AAA even if it means a mediocre season. Yes the Twins won a playoff series this year. 87 regular season wins however is only 6 wins above a mediocre .500 season. Had it not been for 3 young players, Julien, Wallner and Lewis they probably wouldn't have been a .500 club. Anyone here who thinks the veteran hitters on this team are the answer, isn't seeing the big picture.

Your sentiment is shared by others. There are some things to consider though. Championships, World Series appearances, division titles, and even wild card entries into the playoffs are never guaranteed. Ask San Diego. Handing positions off to young players can be tough. Ask Kansas City.

Arizona took a 84 win team to the World Series and Texas met them there after dispatching Tampa Bay, Baltimore, and Houston.  The two teams in the series have a blend of veterans and young players. Tommy Pham, Evan Longoria, and our old buddy Grossman are all still contributing to their teams. Baseball is a business and management doesn't hold guys back very long who belong in the lineup.

If the Twins have some players who deserve to play they will get their opportunity. This past season the team had quite a bit of depth, which filled in nicely when some guys went down with injuries or did not perform. I think people worry too much about the younger players getting a chance. Polanco is still clearly better than the other second basemen in the system as is Kepler better than the other outfielders. Now if the Twins can improve the quality of their team by trading some players, which may or may not include veterans, then Falvey should complete some deals. The Lopez-Arraez trade is an example of moving a young guy to fill a need and Ryan-Cruz trade is an example of moving a veteran. Experience is a good thing to have and the prospects always get their shot. When it is time the young fellows push their way up. We shall see what Falvey thinks soon enough.

8 minutes ago, Mike Sixel said:

There is an entire thread about the six games, so we'll disagree that no one is doing that.....I agree, he may not, but that's not at all how posts read. May isn't even implied most of the time.

Gotcha. Well there's always doomsdayers. So I'll just say that's how I look at him.

On 10/28/2023 at 10:28 AM, weitz41 said:

Martin is the one that I think has a real chance to be the 4th OFer to start 2024. Lee does not need to be rushed and shouldn't be. Severino..man I'd like to have that RH power bat on the team but I'm afraid he'll have Gallo like k rate. If Lee or Severino dominate AAA in 2024 I'd bring them up when injuries allow and go from there. 

Totally agree w/ you Weitz. I love Martin's chance to come up & contribute to the team. He's an ideal lead-off hitter. I'd feel better if he had more time in the minors at CF. They should have put him in Cf right away & leave his hitting style alone, he'd be in a better position to step up in '24. I wouldn't rush Lee & Severino, I have him drastically improve his SOs. IMO right now I'd go with Helmon before Severino.

On 10/28/2023 at 9:44 AM, TopGunn#22 said:

The youth movement needs to continue.  I agree with not rushing Brooks Lee and not necessarily adding him to the 40 man when he isn't close to Rule 5 eligible.  However, if Lee shines in spring training, and he very well could, he will give the Twins good reason to add him to the 40 man and play him consistently. 

If I was the Twins GM I'd pick up the options on both Kepler and Polanco but I would certainly consider trading one or both (for me, more likely Polanco) to add pitching.  Trading them moves their salary to other teams, and you don't just let them walk for minimal compensation.  Julien won't embarrass himself or the Twins if he logs some innings at 2B.  He's not a stellar defender, but he's not nearly as inadequate as some seem to think.  And he could still improve.  Guys like Gaetti and Koskie weren't good right away either.

Martin, in my opinion is ready.  He's a 4th OF who we will need to count on as a semi-regular CF if Buxton can't play the field.  Taylor isn't ever going to come close to his numbers this year for the rest of his career.  Take the win of 2022 and move on with Castro and Martin splitting time in CF.  (unless a trade is made for a more permanent solution). 

Severino is a really intriguing prospect.  I also see him as a 1B but in a pinch he may be able to give you some innings at 3B/2B.  He will most likely start in St. Paul but I'd rather have him than Solano on the roster.  At 37 years old, Solano isn't going to duplicate his 2023. He's going to regress.  Once again, move the youth up.  They're ready, or at least REALLY CLOSE to being ready.  I'd like to see how Canterino, Festa and Raya look in spring training.  I'm not sure sure how many innings Canterino has in his arm, but with his stuff and command, I'd like to see it at the major league level ASAP rather than in the minor leagues.  A 2-month stint at St. Paul and if he's dominating, get him up and into our bullpen.

You literally start this post off by saying don't rush the prospects!! Keep them in the minors!! Then go on to say right after "Move the youth up" make up your mind dude.

twinsfan02, you completely missed my point, but I apologize if I didn't make it clear enough for you or anyone else.  I'm not in favor of rushing any prospect.  But I'm even more against holding them back for whatever reason, be that service time or that some small improvement in a facet of the prospects game still needs refinement.

If Brooks Lee dazzles in spring training he will absolutely force the Twins hand.  Polanco either won't have his option picked up, or he will, and then he'll be traded for pitching soon after.  There is sufficient depth at 2B to move on from Polanco, much like there was with Arraez last year.   The Twins have two rotation spots to fill.   Free agency is one avenue.  A trade is another, and the 3rd would be to promote someone from the minors.  I think at least one of those spots is filled via trade and Polanco is a prime piece to move.

So I apologize if I confused you, but I'm all for moving some of these prospects who are "on the cusp" up.  That means I want to see Lee and Martin up, and a parting of the ways with guys like Taylor, Solano and Farmer.