Offseason Status Update: Polanco Out, Santana In

So topa is the second highest paid reliever on this team and fifth highest pitcher?

I think the Twins want to pick up their impact starter at the trade deadline.  Montas could be available again if he excels and Cindy back steps. As one example.

If they don't sign a competent center fielder I'm going to lose my ****.

Nick, I had two immediate reactions. 

1. Are these the moves you (others) expected to improve the team for 2024?

2. Do you believe the payroll is more or less finished at or around $120-125 million?

These moves are not what I expected and no one mentioned any of these players among about 100+ names put forth. I did make my 2nd payroll blueprint for $120 million which is what I expected for a budget. My first budget was a silly $150 M joke (included Juan Soto for fun) one for the initial TD blueprint.

Naturally, I hope the team comes together and has a successful season and that the new players have good years.

3 minutes ago, Cory Engelhardt said:

What if Buxton is actually healthy though?

I will say, I have more faith in Castro and Martin, but I get where you are coming from.

Is there someone you want them to bring in?

Taylor is the logical choice. Twins know what they're getting with him. Taylor knows he's going to get AB.

Even in Buxton's healthiest year he missed plenty of time. I'm also certain Kepler, Wallner, or Gordon will also cycle through the DL.

I want absolutely no part of ever having to run celestino, cave, or mark Contreras types out there ever again. I could do without Gordon on the roster at all.

I just get this feeling that they aren't done. Remember, they have made trades right up until camp breaks. Whether it's for a number 2 starter or a bigger rh bat, I don't know. But I think it is coming. Maybe It's just a belly ache 😕 

DeSclafani as the third highest paid player on our roster is BONKERS! (yes... I understand money came back to us and that salary goes up when team control is lost... but still in a vacuum.... BONKERS!)

Alcala is listed as the eighth reliever.  That would mean Balazovic, who is out of options, is released or traded.  It could be Balazovic gets first shot at the last bullpen slot.

Of course Varland really has first dibs on that spot, but it’s assumed he stays stretched out in St. Paul waiting for his eventual call up.  Having said that, who’s to say a double starter game every fifth start - pairing DeSclafani and Varland - isn’t the best way to limit their innings and save the pen. 

Gordon gets the last position player spot because he’s out of options and the Twins will likely give him a chance to replicate 2022.  So, unless things change via injury, additions, or some incredibly hot spring from Martin, Larnach or Miranda,  it looks like that last bullpen slot is the only real battle.

Also, this lineup, other than losing Gray, will be way more fun to watch than last year’s.  Bring on spring training!

I've held out on complaining about my disappointment in the Twins for several weeks, but it's getting late early.  I'm still awaiting something even remotely significant to be done,  Despite the grandiose announcements, so far, nothing has moved the needle. The Twins are treading water...at best....

DeSclafani...really? (With that said, Polanco had really nowhere to go, so I am not sure they could have done much better. Nevertheless. who is riskier considering cost versus potential, DeSclafani or Maeda?)

Santana? I'm sorry, but it's hard not to expect significant regression...

Staumont? It's a rescue case. It's hard to imagine him being better than Pagan (I'm not saying Pagan was worth the money, just that it's hard to believe Staumont is the answer.)....

Duarte? He needs a strike zone as big as a barn door...(I confess that he could be fixed, but it is another hope upon hope project...)

Securing one solid starter and someone who can man centerfield would cause me to do a mea culpa, but I'm not impressed to this point. (Of course, the probabilities that Buxton makes it a month without injuring himself (in CF or as a DH) are so low, they should not be counted on under any circumstances, so they have to get someone to play there.)

Got to be honest I don't get the signing of Santana, unless they know something about AK. (Seems like the exact thing I said about Gallo last year, but at least he could play multiple positions.) You trade Polanco to save money and spend that savings on a 38 year old 1B/DH?

16 hours ago, Brandon said:

I think the Twins want to pick up their impact starter at the trade deadline.  Montas could be available again if he excels and Cindy back steps. As one example.

Trading for an impact starter at the deadline is expensive & you don't know what condition the SP's arm is in? And we haven't had very good luck with it. I'd rather trade for an impact arm in the offseason with a clean slate. But it doesn't look possible now.

Twins reshaping went the wrong way, I'd preferred they did nothing & depended more on our young players & give them the opportunity to take that next step. & to focus on the true need of a postseason SP. Than fill up our 40-man with nothing burgers. The way things look, Varland, Miranda, Martin & Canterino will break camp for AAA no matter what kind of spring training they had. IMO is a waste.

3 hours ago, TwinsDr2021 said:

Got to be honest I don't get the signing of Santana, unless they know something about AK. (Seems like the exact thing I said about Gallo last year, but at least he could play multiple positions.) You trade Polanco to save money and spend that savings on a 38 year old 1B/DH?

Gallo was signed as a knee jerk reaction to not signing Correa after he signed with the Giants….. getting Correa was why the Twins went over budget last year since they were already making moves because he “signed “ somewhere else.