Brock Beauchamp

Phil Miller reported that Twins President of Baseball Operations Derek Falvey said the bullpen is not a priority right now. The Twins did a good job of addressing the bullpen at the last trade deadline and shuffling some pieces led to the Twins being middle of the pack overall.
But given the acquisition of Carlos Correa, Joey Gallo, and Pablo Lopez, this feels like a re-hash of previous offseasons, the last two of which has gone very poorly for the Twins in regards to fielding a good bullpen in the first half of the season.
Given the availability of marginal but solid relievers and the low cost of acquiring one as insurance against Jorge Lopez, Griffin Jax, Emilio Pagan, and others, I don't see why this decision is being made once again.

Phil Miller reported that Twins President of Baseball Operations Derek Falvey said the bullpen is not a priority right now. The Twins did a good job of addressing the bullpen at the last trade deadline and shuffling some pieces led to the Twins being middle of the pack overall.
But given the acquisition of Carlos Correa, Joey Gallo, and Pablo Lopez, this feels like a re-hash of previous offseasons, the last two of which has gone very poorly for the Twins in regards to fielding a good bullpen in the first half of the season.
Given the availability of marginal but solid relievers and the low cost of acquiring one as insurance against Jorge Lopez, Griffin Jax, Emilio Pagan, and others, I don't see why this decision is being made once again.

Phil Miller reported that Twins President of Baseball Operations Derek Falvey said the bullpen is not a priority right now. The Twins did a good job of addressing the bullpen at the last trade deadline and shuffling some pieces led to the Twins being middle of the pack overall.
But given the acquisition of Carlos Correa, Joey Gallo, and Pablo Lopez, this feels like a re-hash of previous offseasons, the last two of which has gone very poorly for the Twins in regards to fielding a good bullpen in the first half of the season.
Given the availability of marginal but solid relievers and the low cost of acquiring one as insurance against Jorge Lopez, Griffin Jax, Emilio Pagan, and others, I don't see why this decision is being made once again.

The Padres have a glut of talented infielders and their situation only grew more complicated with the signing of Xander Boegarts earlier in the offseason. Unsurprisingly, reports are now emerging that they're taking calls on young shortstop Ha-Seong Kim. The return on Kim would likely be significant. He's 27 years old and under team control through the 2026 season.
In only 267 games played, Kim has accumulated 7.1 bWAR, including 5.1 in 2022 alone. Kim was a standout player in the KBO (Korean Baseball Organization), where he played nearly 900 games while posting an .866 OPS. The Padres signed him out of the KBO only two years ago and it's not a stretch to suggest he may not be happy with a bench role given his MLB production thus far.
What would it take to trade for Kim?

The Padres have a glut of talented infielders and their situation only grew more complicated with the signing of Xander Boegarts earlier in the offseason. Unsurprisingly, reports are now emerging that they're taking calls on young shortstop Ha-Seong Kim. The return on Kim would likely be significant. He's 27 years old and under team control through the 2026 season.
In only 267 games played, Kim has accumulated 7.1 bWAR, including 5.1 in 2022 alone. Kim was a standout player in the KBO (Korean Baseball Organization), where he played nearly 900 games while posting an .866 OPS. The Padres signed him out of the KBO only two years ago and it's not a stretch to suggest he may not be happy with a bench role given his MLB production thus far.
What would it take to trade for Kim?

Okay, I'm not piling on Dan here, I love his work and you should subscribe to The Athletic. In a piece this morning, he quoted some Twins management and sources about what they plan to do in the wake of Correa going to the Giants. And a lot of it is rational, useful information. But holy Moses did this quote stick in my craw:
*uncontrollable gagging*
I mean, what? This is the team that traded Gio Urshela earlier this offseason. Justin Turner is a fine player, I guess, but he's the only name on that list that doesn't make me reel in horror.
My suggestion to Twins officials: if those are the names you're going to mention, don't mention any names.
Anyway, go read the piece, there's interesting information contained within that didn't make me dizzy and nauseous.

Okay, I'm not piling on Dan here, I love his work and you should subscribe to The Athletic. In a piece this morning, he quoted some Twins management and sources about what they plan to do in the wake of Correa going to the Giants. And a lot of it is rational, useful information. But holy Moses did this quote stick in my craw:
*uncontrollable gagging*
I mean, what? This is the team that traded Gio Urshela earlier this offseason. Justin Turner is a fine player, I guess, but he's the only name on that list that doesn't make me reel in horror.
My suggestion to Twins officials: if those are the names you're going to mention, don't mention any names.
Anyway, go read the piece, there's interesting information contained within that didn't make me dizzy and nauseous.

Okay, I'm not piling on Dan here, I love his work and you should subscribe to The Athletic. In a piece this morning, he quoted some Twins management and sources about what they plan to do in the wake of Correa going to the Giants. And a lot of it is rational, useful information. But holy Moses did this quote stick in my craw:
*uncontrollable gagging*
I mean, what? This is the team that traded Gio Urshela earlier this offseason. Justin Turner is a fine player, I guess, but he's the only name on that list that doesn't make me reel in horror.
My suggestion to Twins officials: if those are the names you're going to mention, don't mention any names.
Anyway, go read the piece, there's interesting information contained within that didn't make me dizzy and nauseous.

Okay, I'm not piling on Dan here, I love his work and you should subscribe to The Athletic. In a piece this morning, he quoted some Twins management and sources about what they plan to do in the wake of Correa going to the Giants. And a lot of it is rational, useful information. But holy Moses did this quote stick in my craw:
*uncontrollable gagging*
I mean, what? This is the team that traded Gio Urshela earlier this offseason. Justin Turner is a fine player, I guess, but he's the only name on that list that doesn't make me reel in horror.
My suggestion to Twins officials: if those are the names you're going to mention, don't mention any names.
Anyway, go read the piece, there's interesting information contained within that didn't make me dizzy and nauseous.

Okay, I'm not piling on Dan here, I love his work and you should subscribe to The Athletic. In a piece this morning, he quoted some Twins management and sources about what they plan to do in the wake of Correa going to the Giants. And a lot of it is rational, useful information. But holy Moses did this quote stick in my craw:
*uncontrollable gagging*
I mean, what? This is the team that traded Gio Urshela earlier this offseason. Justin Turner is a fine player, I guess, but he's the only name on that list that doesn't make me reel in horror.
My suggestion to Twins officials: if those are the names you're going to mention, don't mention any names.
Anyway, go read the piece, there's interesting information contained within that didn't make me dizzy and nauseous.

Okay, I'm not piling on Dan here, I love his work and you should subscribe to The Athletic. In a piece this morning, he quoted some Twins management and sources about what they plan to do in the wake of Correa going to the Giants. And a lot of it is rational, useful information. But holy Moses did this quote stick in my craw:
*uncontrollable gagging*
I mean, what? This is the team that traded Gio Urshela earlier this offseason. Justin Turner is a fine player, I guess, but he's the only name on that list that doesn't make me reel in horror.
My suggestion to Twins officials: if those are the names you're going to mention, don't mention any names.
Anyway, go read the piece, there's interesting information contained within that didn't make me dizzy and nauseous.

Okay, I'm not piling on Dan here, I love his work and you should subscribe to The Athletic. In a piece this morning, he quoted some Twins management and sources about what they plan to do in the wake of Correa going to the Giants. And a lot of it is rational, useful information. But holy Moses did this quote stick in my craw:
*uncontrollable gagging*
I mean, what? This is the team that traded Gio Urshela earlier this offseason. Justin Turner is a fine player, I guess, but he's the only name on that list that doesn't make me reel in horror.
My suggestion to Twins officials: if those are the names you're going to mention, don't mention any names.
Anyway, go read the piece, there's interesting information contained within that didn't make me dizzy and nauseous.

MLBTR did a really nice dive on the possible and likely landing spots for shortstop Dansby Swanson with the Cubs, Twins, and Braves leading the way.
The Cubs have seemingly been high on Swanson from day one but their continued reluctance to spend to their market size could prevent them from nabbing the shortstop whose bat broke out in 2022 (but also lacks the track record to make a 6+ year contract a no-brainer decision).
The Twins... well, I don't think any of us know what to expect from them and I remain unconvinced Swanson is worth a six-year risk, much less the seven or more years he may receive in this wild offseason.
It's also hard to imagine the Braves not making at least a cursory attempt to retain their starting shortstop, especially given their financial flexibility after locking up half their roster at bargain basement prices.

Heyman jumped out a few minutes ago with a brief tweet that, if correct, means one of only two star (or close to star) free agents remaining has gone off the table. Left-hander Carlos Rodon, by all accounts pursued by the Minnesota Twins, will be donning pinstripes in the Bronx in 2023 and beyond.
Any guesses on dollars and years?

MLBTR did a really nice dive on the possible and likely landing spots for shortstop Dansby Swanson with the Cubs, Twins, and Braves leading the way.
The Cubs have seemingly been high on Swanson from day one but their continued reluctance to spend to their market size could prevent them from nabbing the shortstop whose bat broke out in 2022 (but also lacks the track record to make a 6+ year contract a no-brainer decision).
The Twins... well, I don't think any of us know what to expect from them and I remain unconvinced Swanson is worth a six-year risk, much less the seven or more years he may receive in this wild offseason.
It's also hard to imagine the Braves not making at least a cursory attempt to retain their starting shortstop, especially given their financial flexibility after locking up half their roster at bargain basement prices.

MLBTR did a really nice dive on the possible and likely landing spots for shortstop Dansby Swanson with the Cubs, Twins, and Braves leading the way.
The Cubs have seemingly been high on Swanson from day one but their continued reluctance to spend to their market size could prevent them from nabbing the shortstop whose bat broke out in 2022 (but also lacks the track record to make a 6+ year contract a no-brainer decision).
The Twins... well, I don't think any of us know what to expect from them and I remain unconvinced Swanson is worth a six-year risk, much less the seven or more years he may receive in this wild offseason.
It's also hard to imagine the Braves not making at least a cursory attempt to retain their starting shortstop, especially given their financial flexibility after locking up half their roster at bargain basement prices.

MLBTR did a really nice dive on the possible and likely landing spots for shortstop Dansby Swanson with the Cubs, Twins, and Braves leading the way.
The Cubs have seemingly been high on Swanson from day one but their continued reluctance to spend to their market size could prevent them from nabbing the shortstop whose bat broke out in 2022 (but also lacks the track record to make a 6+ year contract a no-brainer decision).
The Twins... well, I don't think any of us know what to expect from them and I remain unconvinced Swanson is worth a six-year risk, much less the seven or more years he may receive in this wild offseason.
It's also hard to imagine the Braves not making at least a cursory attempt to retain their starting shortstop, especially given their financial flexibility after locking up half their roster at bargain basement prices.

Joel Sherman of the New York Post mentioned today that the Yankees are discussing trading for an outfielder with the Twins and Diamondbacks, possibly to stay under a luxury tax tier.
The Twins have a glut of outfield options currently in the majors and high minors. They need to find spots for the likes of Max Kepler, Nick Gordon, Alex Kirilloff, Trevor Larnach, and Matt Wallner. In case you're not good at counting, that's a lot of outfielders. More than three.
The Yankees system has a bunch of enticing names that surely interest the Twins. And we all know how well trading an outfielder to the Yankees has worked for the Twins in the past. But still, this deal could make a lot of sense for both teams if done well.
John Ryan Murphy was unavailable for comment as this story was published.

Joel Sherman of the New York Post mentioned today that the Yankees are discussing trading for an outfielder with the Twins and Diamondbacks, possibly to stay under a luxury tax tier.
The Twins have a glut of outfield options currently in the majors and high minors. They need to find spots for the likes of Max Kepler, Nick Gordon, Alex Kirilloff, Trevor Larnach, and Matt Wallner. In case you're not good at counting, that's a lot of outfielders. More than three.
The Yankees system has a bunch of enticing names that surely interest the Twins. And we all know how well trading an outfielder to the Yankees has worked for the Twins in the past. But still, this deal could make a lot of sense for both teams if done well.
John Ryan Murphy was unavailable for comment as this story was published.

Joel Sherman of the New York Post mentioned today that the Yankees are discussing trading for an outfielder with the Twins and Diamondbacks, possibly to stay under a luxury tax tier.
The Twins have a glut of outfield options currently in the majors and high minors. They need to find spots for the likes of Max Kepler, Nick Gordon, Alex Kirilloff, Trevor Larnach, and Matt Wallner. In case you're not good at counting, that's a lot of outfielders. More than three.
The Yankees system has a bunch of enticing names that surely interest the Twins. And we all know how well trading an outfielder to the Yankees has worked for the Twins in the past. But still, this deal could make a lot of sense for both teams if done well.
John Ryan Murphy was unavailable for comment as this story was published.

Joel Sherman of the New York Post mentioned today that the Yankees are discussing trading for an outfielder with the Twins and Diamondbacks, possibly to stay under a luxury tax tier.
The Twins have a glut of outfield options currently in the majors and high minors. They need to find spots for the likes of Max Kepler, Nick Gordon, Alex Kirilloff, Trevor Larnach, and Matt Wallner. In case you're not good at counting, that's a lot of outfielders. More than three.
The Yankees system has a bunch of enticing names that surely interest the Twins. And we all know how well trading an outfielder to the Yankees has worked for the Twins in the past. But still, this deal could make a lot of sense for both teams if done well.
John Ryan Murphy was unavailable for comment as this story was published.

Joel Sherman of the New York Post mentioned today that the Yankees are discussing trading for an outfielder with the Twins and Diamondbacks, possibly to stay under a luxury tax tier.
The Twins have a glut of outfield options currently in the majors and high minors. They need to find spots for the likes of Max Kepler, Nick Gordon, Alex Kirilloff, Trevor Larnach, and Matt Wallner. In case you're not good at counting, that's a lot of outfielders. More than three.
The Yankees system has a bunch of enticing names that surely interest the Twins. And we all know how well trading an outfielder to the Yankees has worked for the Twins in the past. But still, this deal could make a lot of sense for both teams if done well.
John Ryan Murphy was unavailable for comment as this story was published.

Joel Sherman of the New York Post mentioned today that the Yankees are discussing trading for an outfielder with the Twins and Diamondbacks, possibly to stay under a luxury tax tier.
The Twins have a glut of outfield options currently in the majors and high minors. They need to find spots for the likes of Max Kepler, Nick Gordon, Alex Kirilloff, Trevor Larnach, and Matt Wallner. In case you're not good at counting, that's a lot of outfielders. More than three.
The Yankees system has a bunch of enticing names that surely interest the Twins. And we all know how well trading an outfielder to the Yankees has worked for the Twins in the past. But still, this deal could make a lot of sense for both teams if done well.
John Ryan Murphy was unavailable for comment as this story was published.

Joel Sherman of the New York Post mentioned today that the Yankees are discussing trading for an outfielder with the Twins and Diamondbacks, possibly to stay under a luxury tax tier.
The Twins have a glut of outfield options currently in the majors and high minors. They need to find spots for the likes of Max Kepler, Nick Gordon, Alex Kirilloff, Trevor Larnach, and Matt Wallner. In case you're not good at counting, that's a lot of outfielders. More than three.
The Yankees system has a bunch of enticing names that surely interest the Twins. And we all know how well trading an outfielder to the Yankees has worked for the Twins in the past. But still, this deal could make a lot of sense for both teams if done well.
John Ryan Murphy was unavailable for comment as this story was published.

In a rundown of post-Winter Meeting events, Gleeman and Hayes (if you're not subscribing to The Athletic for this duo, you should do so) talk about several items but specifically call out the fact that Kepler is drawing trade interest. Alongside Luis Arraez, the Twins appear to be shopping the right fielder to secure more pitching depth.
To me, this makes a ton of sense. I think teams will be (irrationally) high on Kepler due to his continual under-performance of metrics like BABIP and with the looming shift reduction happening, this might be the time to move on from Kepler. With players like Larnach, Kirilloff, and Wallner looming, having yet another left-handed corner outfielder on the roster makes less sense by the day.