Brock Beauchamp

Yeah, I'm definitely in no rush to trade Lee but given the newly self-imposed payroll limit, if the team wants to improve, they're going to have to make some deals.

I honestly don't know. I had him written off as a DH based on early results but by the end of the season, he had clearly improved at second. I don't think he'll ever be good, or maybe even average, but I think he has a chance to stick at second. Which makes me more willing to trade one of the Lee/Lewis/Julien triumvirate, preferably Lee.

Lee's arm is supposedly stronger and he's less speedy/rangy than Lewis. Their skillsets should match up nicely at third and second base, respectively.

I'm not sure Lewis is interested in playing OF. He absolutely did not want to be there in 2023 and the Twins went along with that. I don't know if that was a one season thing as he recovered from the ACL or if it's a permanent preference. But Lewis's skillset looks nice at second.

I think you have that backwards. Lee should probably slide in at third while Lewis moves over to second. It's a better use of their defensive skillsets.

Bobby Nightengale of the Minneapolis Star-Tribune wrote in his notes today that Derek Falvey, President of Baseball Operations for the Twins, mentioned that the team would likely pursue a first baseman this winter. This is a surprise and also not a surprise. Alex Kirilloff had offseason shoulder surgery, though it was less severe than anticipated and he will likely be back in time for Spring Training. The Twins also have Jose Miranda, a right-handed hitter to platoon with Kirilloff, now left without a position with the return of Royce Lewis last season. Derek Falvey: Edouard Julien could also be without a position entering next spring but given he's also left-handed, it's hard to see the Twins trying to wedge him into a platoon with Kirilloff. Rhys Hoskins is the preeminent free agent at the position this winter but given the Twins' newfound payroll constraints, could easily be priced of the team's comfort range. View full rumor

If the Brewers and Twins align on a deal that sends Lee to Milwaukee, I think it'd have to be in a hefty package for Peralta. The Brewers are absolutely not trading Jackson Chourio under any circumstances.

I think the Twins have plenty of assets to interest the Brewers. They need a third baseman so Jose Miranda and Brooks Lee should be of interest. The Brewers have a really good pitching development system so they're likely interested in guys like David Festa. The Twins need more starting pitching and center field help, which the Brewers have in abundance. If the Twins and Brewers want to play ball, it's a good match.

Garrett Mitchell is a young centerfielder on the Brewers, out with injury for most of 2023. I'm not particularly high on him but lots of people are. He's a legit defensive centerfielder. I just don't see any scenario where the Twins trade Joe Ryan, really. It hurts their chances for contention both today and tomorrow.

They don't need to dump salary, they're moving players in exchange for prospects. They could run everyone back in 2024 and still have a very good chance at the postseason.

That's fair. It's more of a price thing than a performance thing.

Aside from the names mentioned here, I've been an advocate of a Jose Miranda for Joey Wiemer swap from both teams' perspectives.

You're not interested in Peralta?

Okay, the GM meetings are full speed ahead and the offseason has begun. Several teams are considering trades of their frontline starters including names like Tyler Glasnow, Dylan Cease, and Corbin Burnes. This will be a controversial take but I'd prefer to see the Twins steer clear of Burnes. He's a very good pitcher who, when he can suppress home runs, is elite. He hasn't consistently done that since 2021, his Cy Young season. Someone is likely going to pay that "2021 Burnes" entry price and I hope it's not the Minnesota Twins. The Brewers themselves could move a significant portion of their roster. They have several very good players lined up to enter free agency in the next two winters: Corbin Burnes and Willy Adames after 2024 with Devin Williams the following year. Never before have I heard Freddy Peralta mentioned specifically as a trade candidate. He's a very good pitcher with an absurdly team-friendly contract and option years that can carry him through the 2026 season. He has always played second fiddle to the Burnes & Woodruff duo but is only a half-step behind them in performance. View full rumor

I'm running back most of the team. I'd be open to trading Polanco and/or Kepler but am in no rush to do so. I'd even be willing to consider trading Polanco for prospects given we don't really know what to do with Julien if he's on the roster and Buxton plays DH at least half the time. I don't love that Kiermaier is left-handed but I still think he's the best choice at the price point. As soon as it's reasonable to do so, I'd make room for Martin or Keirsey to play the fourth outfielder role, particularly center field. My biggest expenditure is Lucas Giolito. He's a risk but I think at the price, he's the best bounce-back candidate and is almost certainly looking for a one year deal to build value. He's still only 29 years old and will want to get back on the market next offseason, I think. Given payroll constraints, I'm trying to keep the offseason quiet. I'd dabble in bullpen reclamation arms but keep Kyle Farmer; he's just too useful on this roster as both a RHB and a guy who can cover for the oft-injured Correa, Polanco, and Lewis. He's worth the insurance policy at $6.6m. I'd like to move Vazquez but am not really comfortable doing so this offseason. He could be a mid-season trade should Camargo present himself as a 26-man option. C: Christian Vazquez ($10.00M) 1B: Alex Kirilloff ($1.70M) 2B: Jorge Polanco ($10.50M) 3B: Royce Lewis ($0.77M) SS: Carlos Correa ($33.33M) LF: Matt Wallner ($0.77M) CF: Kevin Kiermaier ($8M) RF: Max Kepler ($10.00M) DH: Byron Buxton ($15M) 4th OF: Willi Castro ($3.20M) Utility: Edouard Julien ($0.77M) Utility: Kyle Farmer ($6.60M) Backup C: Ryan Jeffers ($2.30M) SP1: Pablo Lopez ($8.25M) SP2: Joe Ryan ($0.77M) SP3: Bailey Ober ($0.77M) SP4: Chris Paddack ($2.53M) SP5: Lucas Giolito ($14M) RP: Jhoan Duran ($0.77M) RP: Brock Stewart ($0.77M) RP: Griffin Jax ($0.77M) RP: Jorge Alcala ($1.00M) RP: Caleb Thielbar ($3.00M) RP: Louie Varland ($0.77M) RP: Jovani Moran ($0.77M) RP: Kody Funderburk ($0.77M) Payroll is 1.51% under budget

While it's pretty inaccurate at times, going with Baseball Trade Values is still the best and most comprehensive option I know of.

I'm really hesitant to just send Varland to the bullpen given the (lack of) depth beyond the fifth starter. I'd keep Varland as the sixth option, which means there's a 50% chance he ends up in the Opening Day rotation anyway.

I have it in my development queue to add a "save for later" button and totally whiffed on remembering to do that. I've made a note to try to get that working, though I'm not sure if I'll be able to do it in a timely fashion.

The payroll tool has been updated and is read for you to build your 2024 Twins roster! This tool works better on desktop and tablet so we recommend waiting until you have some time to sit down on a large screen and fill out your roster and add commentary. https://twinsdaily.com/payroll-blueprint You can mix and match any players and dollar figures you want. The only thing set in stone is Dead Money, the rest is entirely up to you. The "budget" is set right around expected payroll; this is merely a guideline to gauge whether you're under- or over-spending, there is no penalty for going over the number. After you've built your custom roster, use the Your Comments & Explanation field to explain your decisions and any potential trades you have executed to mold your roster. After you click Submit, your blueprint will appear in the Transaction Rumors & Proposals forum for other members of the community to comment on and discuss your choices. Enjoy, everybody! If you have feedback or questions, ask away.

Oh yeah, I'm still here. This place has a great team in place so you don't see me as often, as my time is spent interacting more with our Brewers and Cubs communities right now. Last year we rolled out the payroll tool during the postseason (I think) because the Twins were out of the postseason. Because they advanced a round and had a decent postseason run this year, the tool is launching Monday morning.

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