FlauerPauer

Well that sucks.

Why does Molitor continue to bring Reed in? He's been struggling mightily over the last two weeks. Give him some lower leverage situations. Rogers has been lights out lately, bring him in!

How much longer will Grossman, Adrianza, Wilson, and Lamarre be in the lineup? That's a rough four hitters to have in your lineup.

I thought the same thing when I saw that on MLBTR. I feel like the FO has a weird affinity for players that were once in their organization. Napoli is a bum player right now; there is no reason for any team to sign him and give him a roster spot. Don't even see how he fits onto the Indians roster...

Excellent signing that could pay huge dividends if he hits like he did last year. Suppose this means the end of Vargas. Tough break for the guy as he’s never really gotten a fair shot with the team, in my opinion. Maybe they can trade him, probably not. Sucks to lose a guy like that for nothingnif that’s the case.

Learning that it was just Palacios makes this an incredible deal. Odds are that Jermaine never makes it to the majors and to get a guy that you can plug into the rotation and makes it better is a great trade. Solid job, FO. While he is not an ace, he makes the team better. Does the FO have more moves in store?

Solid move especially if Palacios is the headliner in the deal. Welcome to the Twins, Jake!

I think this is ultimately what it comes down to. We don't know what the terms of the contract were and probably will never know. At the end of the day, Darvish is a human being and can decide to do what he wants. Maybe Minnesota isn't his cup of tea? Maybe he doesn't actually have a good relationship with Lavine or Falvey? Maybe he thinks he has two or three years of competitive baseball left in his arm and wants what he thinks is the best chance for him to win a title. Lots of factors going on here than simply money. The Cubs have shown the initiative to go out and make deals at the deadline to put their team over the edge; the Twins have not. The Cubs have the history on their side; the Twins do not. The Cubs have Wrigley Field; the Twins do not. I think he simply did not want to come here. Let's at least look at the fact that the Twins actually made an offer to the considered top player on the FA market which is something they have not done in the last 20 years. Let the boys regroup and let's see what happens. I, for one, am glad that Darvish didn't sign. Really have never been impressed with him as a pitcher.

I'd probably make a push Archer hoping that he turns into a stud with an improved defense behind him and (hopefully) better run support. If the Twins front believe he is going to be more valuable over the next four years than Kepler will then pull the trigger. I agree that it is easier to replace position players than it is to obtain or develop starting pitching. I'm a Kepler believer, but you have to give up something to get something. I do think the roster looks better with Archer on it than Kepler on it. I also think that in four years looking back at how Archer and Darvish perform, we, as fans, won't be too disappointed. Offer the Rays Kepler, Gordon, their pick of Gonsalves/Romero, and their pick of a wildcard Thorpe/Graterol/Baddoo/Enlow/Palacios for Archer and maybe a wildcard from their system. If they pass, they pass and at that point we know the asking price is too high and probably not worth the plunge. I'd look to sign Maybin or Gomez to a one year deal with a team option for 2019. No way they sign Martinez, although that would be a pretty nice addition to an already solid offense.

The only thing not to like about this guy is he is only 5-11. Hard to get too much bigger to add power without sacrificing speed and agility. Maybe he still will grow a couple inches, but another Matt Lawton wouldn’t be a bad thing.

I'm surprised that Tyler Jay and Kohl Stewart weren't invited. Seems like a low risk move as you wouldn't be wasting any option years.

What do you disagree with? The fact that Darvish is in decline and has had elbow surgery? Arrieta has had two great seasons up to 2015 and has been in decline ever since? Hosmer might be the best player left to be signed that doesn't really have any major question marks. How many big time free agents have the teams that have won the world series recently signed? Cubs signed Lester and yes, while that signing definitely pushed them over the edge, that is beginning to look like a mistake. How many other $100+ million have worked out? Do you disagree that GMs and owners are trying to spend for what the player will bring to the team in the future instead of paying for past performances? Do you disagree with the my opinion that athletes are overpaid? Does it suck that some good players are unsigned? Absolutely. Do I want the Twins to sign Yu Darvish to a six or seven year contract? Absolutely not. I have a ton of baseball cards, that to me, are worth a lot of money, but if I put them on eBay or try to sell them some other way, I definitely would be disappointed in my return. "Things" are only as valuable as people are willing to spend. It's cool that you disagree; you are entitled to that as I am entitled to my opinion, but to not add anything to the conversation seems odd.

This is an interesting idea. Have a base salary of whatever league minimum is and get paid extra for performance. You’d have to set it so that players who don’t hit home runs would be equally compensated for stolen bases or defense. With all the advanced stats out there, I don’t see why this couldn’t happen. Cool idea.

I just think these players want too much money when they aren’t worth it. Every player available has question marks attached to them. I think owners and gms have seen too many long high dollar contracts not work out and thus don’t want to have another bad contract or players into their late thirties on their teams. There is no collusion, simply the players aren’t that good anymore and the agents, specifically Scott Boras, think they’re players are fantastic and should be compensated for past performances. How many big time free agents have the Astros signed? How many have the Indians signed? It just doesn’t work to build through aging players. I for one am glad the owners are taking a stand. In reality, these players all make too much money for what they do. Stop being greedy and you will get a contract. Pretty simple.

I'd like to think that Mejia can be a pitcher who gives the team a chance to win more often than he doesn't. If he can control the fastball and work on improving his conditioning, he should be a decent back-end of the rotation pitcher.

I think you have to have a spot for Morneau. Guardado over RIncon. Gaetti over Koskie; although I really like him. Cool idea and a fun read.

I'm over Darvish. I think that is going to end rather badly for the team that eventually signs him. He may be really good for two years, but his trend is downward the last couple years; I don't see that changing anytime soon. Is he better than what we have? Yes, he is. I like this idea if they brass isn't sold on Cobb or Lynn...

I really do think that MLB is beginning to lose their younger fans. I work in a high school and talk to my kids about sports among other things, and there are just not many baseball fans. Could be the area that I am in (Syracuse), but our district has five high schools and only one baseball team. Little leagues are still somewhat popular, but I do feel that the sport needs to adapt a little. I think a pitch clock could be effective, but it doesn't seem to be the main aspect that is hindering popularity of the sport. I go to many minor league baseball games a year, and have not really noticed the game being any quicker due to the pitch clock. I actually really like the clock between innings. I think limiting the amount of times a catcher can visit the mound will help. Perhaps even restricting the amount of times a pitcher can step off the mound or a batter can call for time; this probably wouldn't work for obvious reasons, I am just trying to think where time can be saved. Maybe they look at the umpires and expand the zone to get outs "faster" and make the batters swing the bat. When I watch a game, I don't necessarily feel like it's the game that is slow, more so that the pitchers aren't that good (not throwing strikes, walking guys, giving up hits/runs, etc...) and causing the mound visits and pitching changes that actually do extend the time. As far as Dozier goes, I think giving him a 4-5 year extension is a mistake regardless of money. Where is he going to play in two years? I don't think he has the arm for third nor the reaction time needed. Realistically his next position is as a first baseman and that seems to be the place most suited for Sano if they keep him that long. I know Dozier is a solid player and 30+ home runs and positive leadership are difficult to replace, but sometimes a guy gets squeezed out. Difficult decision to make. I play OOTP baseball on a yearly basis and my team has never really been worse for not signing Dozier to an extension; I also know that a video game doesn't equate real life.

Definitely Lewis on the SS list; maybe Javier sneaks in there, doubt it, but could see him getting on the list. I could see them including Gordon on the 2b list. Potentially Rooker on the OF list even though he is more likely to end up at 1b or DH.

It's tough to speculate on trades with the Rays. Like many have said, we don't know how they value within the Twins system. If they want high ceiling guys, maybe they value Lewis, Javier, and Grateral more than others. Maybe they want MLB ready players maybe they value Gordon, Gonsalves, and Romero more. The Twins also have to figure out if they think Polanco is capable of holding down short for the next three years. I don't think Gordon is a future SS; probably more of a 2b. Do the Cardinals want to give in to Tampa's price tag given their rotation pieces and pitchers in the high minors? I think, ultimately, the Twins end up with one of Archer and Darvish. Maybe both; who knows.

Bernadino is a pretty poor reporter, in my opinion. His articles are mostly rehash of what others have said either nationally or in other local publications. He rarely breaks Twins news and I highly doubt he has the pedigree to be judging prospects and compiling a ranking. I tend to take what he says with a grain of salt. With that said, the BA rankings clearly stated that they were based on ceiling. Gordon is probably a major league player with the ability to show flashes, but won't be THE guy in a lineup or team. Hopefully he turns into a solid second baseman and helps the Twins win baseball games, but he was never a guy that I was hanging my hat on that he'd be a major contributor the way I looked at Sano, Buxton, Kepler, and Rosario. At the end of the day, the rankings are just that; they don't really mean anything until the players begin to produce.

Not a bad signing, but this doesn't address any area of need for 2018. Unless they come away from the winter meetings with Archer, Cole, or a badass reliever one would have to call the winter meetings this year a loss.

If that was the package for Cole, I think it would be a done deal pending physicals. I would create a package around Lewis to get Archer with very, very little hesitation. Lewis, Gonsalves/Romero, Granite/Wade, Jay. Lewis may be a stud five years from now, but Archer is a stud today. Gonsalves is a projected 3. Romero is likely headed to the bullpen. Granite and Wade are extremely replaceable; I don't see either hitting MLB pitching at a high enough level to be more than a fourth outfielder. Jay is a wildcard that could bounce back and become a backend rotation starter or become a nice bullpen guy. I'd imagine there'd be a player coming back from Tampa as well; maybe a bullpen guy? After you make this trade, sign Lynn or Cobb or even better, trade for Cole as well. Use the money saved by not spending it on a starter by putting that into the bullpen and maybe a bench bat. Now we're staring to cook with gas here, boys. Archer Santana Lynn/Cobb/Cole Berrios Gibson/Mejia Pitching staff looks a whole lot better.

Cole, Lynn, Santana, Berrios, Mejia/Gibson seems legit. I think the only untouchables in the system right now would be Lewis and Gonsalves. Gotta give up something to get something. Cole/Nicasio for Gordon/Romero/Baddoo/Wade My dream target is Carlos Martinez. I'd go Gordon/Gonsalves/Romero/whomever for him.

Do replays count as commercials?