rv78

I question... What is the level of importance for relievers? Too Much? Do we all feel that way about Jeff Reardon (87) and Rick Aguilera (91). Both played major significant roles in winning 2 World Series. Do we then blame Joe Nathan, probably Minnesota's only other elite Closer for not carrying the Twins to a Championship? He was probably better than either Reardon or Aguilera, but you still need other pieces and a Manager that knows what he is doing and has a feel for the game. Tom Kelly pulled all the right punches in '87 and '91. Knowing when to use Aggie and Reardon and when to leave Morris (Game 7) in to finish. Only hindsight will tell you if what you did was right or wrong. If Hendricks helps the WSox to another title was signing him right or wrong? If not signing him and the Twins finish behind the WSox and SAVE money was not signing him right or wrong? Is the whole purpose of playing... to win the World Series or to make money? Where do the Twins stand?

If I remember correctly the reason why the Twins could not work out a contract extension with Santana was because they traded away Luis Castillo, a good teammate and buddy of Johan's. He was upset that the Twins were not adding pieces to get better and losing Castillo indicated to Johan that the Twins weren't committed to winning. Revenue might have been the deciding factor but Johan also wanted to play for a team willing and able to acquire the necessary pieces to win.

Thanks for the work put into this. I would have to disagree with some of the placings though. IMO Maeda and Berrios would have to be #1 and #2. I fully and wholeheartedly disagree with Kepler at #3. He's a career .237 hitting corner outfielder. So what if he can play CF as a backup. I think you value that aspect way too much. A defensive upgrade on the bench to cover CF such as a Pillar is easily attainable. I suspect/expect the hitting of Kirilloff and Larnach (when given the chance) will make us forget Kepler. Sorry, I just don't understand the love for a .237 hitter. I would put Arraez at #3. I like .330 hitters better than .230 hitters. Donaldson #4, because he means so much to the team due to his contract. Jeffers #5 since Garver is a mystery at this point and catcher is such an important position. I'd round out my top 10 with Buxton, Polanco, Pineda, Kirilloff and Sano. Only reason why I'm including Kirilloff is because I fully expect him to fill Rosario's shoes in LF. I can't place Lewis or Larnach in the top 10 when we don't even know if they will be on the big league club in 2021. This is about 2021 right?

Yeah, not overly bummed about this trade at the time but would have to say it is one of the top 5 worst trades all-time for the Twins. Bruno was ok but I thought Puckett, Hrbek and Gaetti were the main cogs and Bruno was just a side piece. Biggest problem was Herr didn't want to be here and that hurt more than the loss of Bruno. I would have to agree that the Capps and Ryan-Murphy trades were worse.

Really think 3 of these guys are really important to the Twins future.... Arraez, Balazovik and Duran. Really think 3 of these guys are really important to the Twins right now..... Arraez, Sano and Duffey. Which 2 are the least important overall..... Sano and Duffey. HomeRun hitting 1st basemen that strikeout a lot are not hard to find and bullpen arms are easily replaceable. Sano is at the time of his career he needs to put it together completely and the best way he can do that is by putting the bat on the ball MORE. He kills a lot of big innings with his huge K rate. If he ever figures out he doesn't have to hit the ball 500 feet every time he swings he will take a big step forward. As for Duff, he's where he needs to be, now just keep it up and he'll probably go the way of Trevor May in 2 years.

Sure, nothing to lose.

Looking good. Would be a position of depth to use as trade bait.

I think Marwin was considered a super utility guy. He never played CF or SS for the Twins, did he? I've never believed in having super utility guys as being that important. If you've got a backup outfielder that can play CF then he's more than qualified to play LF and RF. If you've got a backup SS he should be able to play 2B. If you've got a backup 3B they can usually play 1B. If you've got those 3 backup bench players you've got the super utility guy covered. Throw in a backup catcher and what more do you need on the bench? It is so easy to shuffle guys from AAA to the majors anymore I don't see the need for a super utility guy.

Marte wouldn't be much of an upgrade over Arraez in fielding. He has more pop in his bat but for the money I'd much rather they keep a cheap Arraez and use the money for some other position or pitching. I'd also rather have a Pillar than a Villar or a Puig. As for Story, if you want another basher that strikes out a lot then have at him, but I think the Twins have more than enough of that already. Sure he's an upgrade defensively over Polanco but I think Poo will have a bounce back year offensively in 2021 and with Story costing an arm and a leg the money would be better spent elsewhere. Start by resigning Cruz. Hope Donaldson returns to form in 2021. Let Kirilloff fill Eddies shoes. I'd be more inclined to try to trade Buck and Kepler than anybody. Have Larnach/Rooker take Keplers spot, and get Pillar and have him fill CF. I can live with Sano at 1B if a trade there is out of the question but he's only got 1 more year to improve or bye bye to him too. These guys that the Twins have been counting on for the last 5-6 years have got to start showing improvement. Batting averages of .230 or only playing half a season due to injuries just doesn't cut it. I'd be interested in spending that extra money not on Story or Marte but on Tanaka and Wood. That's a shutdown pitching staff right there. Add a couple quality arms for the pen, maybe Rosenthal and Clippard and piece the rest of that with returning arms should be good. You'd have a rotation that shouldn't need a lot of top arms in the pen.

Arguments can be made about who is ruining the game. The Players, the Owners, the Commisioner. I would say they are all to blame. But don't forget the Agents. Greed kills in more ways than one. The players and owners both deserve to get their fair share of revenue but what is really fair? How many players reach Free Agency and sign with the team that gives them the most money? In turn what does that do? In a way, it forces higher prices for those hotdogs, beer and TICKETS. How many Kirby Pucketts are there anymore that have the opportunity to go elsewhere for MORE money but say they love playing for their current team and stay for less? Players are greedy too. Is the $324M that Gerrit Cole signed for a good thing for anyone other than him? The ramifications of contracts like that doesn't help the game and Agents like Boras are to blame just as much as anyone. How many expensive contracts have caused Owners to raise prices? I'm not saying they had to, but to maintain their revenue they raised them to help cover it. It's a domino effect. Why do hotdogs cost $6 and not $4? Why does cost beer $8 and not $5? Why are ticket prices for a lower level seat by 1st or 3rd base $80 and not $30? Why does the baseball package on cable cost extra to add it to your package? Why does the public have to help pay for new stadiums for the owners? Why are casual fans turned off to all professional sports anymore? It's not because the game is slow or the Commisioner can make a decision on goofy rules. It's GREED!

1st base shouldn't be a problem with or without Sano. Garver and I think Kepler even played a little there. With Kirilloff and Rooker that makes 2 more options. I wonder if Arraez would fit there with a Sano move to DH, a Polanco move to 2B, and a new shortstop or Lewis promotion?

Not interested. 1.Too old. 2.Salary is too expensive. 3.Would cost too much in trade to acquire. 3 strikes and you're out!

Do they really need 2 more guys that swing for the fences and are limited defensively? Seems to me they have enough of those type of players already.

Member 225 posts Posted 15 November 2020 - 08:55 AM Just a couple more observations: Story is not just a "slightly better" hitter than Polanco.He's epically better. Sorry TopGunn but he IS NOT EPICALLY BETTER. In 5 years he has a .277 BA to Polancos .278. His OBP is .343 to Polancos .335. Yes he has hit more HR but he has also played in 100 more games and he plays half of them in Colorado. He's also struckout 726 times compared to 340 for Polanco. HARDLY EPIC!

This! There are a lot of options to fill CF if Buck would be traded. I like Springer or Brantley or Pillar. All Free Agents. So if you go that route to replace him then you almost have to think a Pitcher would be acquired in a return trade for Buck. Yeah, do it.

No reason why both couldn't be on the opening day roster. If they depart ways with Rosario AND trade Sano or Kepler or both. Am I the only one here who thinks Kepler is over-rated too. Both Sano and Kepler are a drain on the lineup. Between Sano's K's and Kepler's career .237 batting average both need to be replaced. I'd be taking a look at the bats of Kirilloff, Larnach and Rooker. Unless we want to continue the playoff futility we need to find some guys that can HIT!

#1 Definitely NO. Polanco is 1 year past(2019) a .295BA 22HR season. He made 2 Errors in 53 games in 2020. Sure his range isn't great but with Story at $18.5M and only 1 season at that it is not enough of an upgrade IF Polanco can comeback in 2021 with a season like he had in 2019. Don't forget, defense is NOT what lost the playoff games in 2020. It was hitting and while Story may be a slightly better hitter than Polanco it isn't anything great enough to warrant a change for that purpose and that kind of money. They'd be better off throwing that money at Nelson Cruz. Besides Polanco is signed thru 2023 with options for '24 and '25. I don't envision the Twins making him a utility player. #2 Will never happen. Sure the Twins were able to pry Maeda away from the Dodgers only because the Dodgers were already loaded with top pitchers. Milwaukee isn't. Woodruff would cost a whole lot more than you suggest even without Hader. Period. #3 Not interested in super utility guys. I'm fully committed to a Polanco and Arraez combination up the middle and I'd rather see the Twins pursue someone like Kevin Pillar as a 4th outfielder. He'd easily replace Buck in CF when he gets hurt. The Twins need to improve their hitting and Pillar would give them a major upgrade over Cave.

For the last time, move on from Eddie. He's become too expensive. His defense is not what it used to be. He likes throwing to the wrong base. He swings and misses at too many pitches above his head. He runs the bases with reckless abandon. There are at least 3 other CHEAPER prospects waiting for their chance to play, that will probably play SMARTER than Eddie. (Kirilloff, Larnach, Rooker).

If the front office "knows their stuff" and were willing to show confidence in him why do they wait until the playoffs to bring him up? Surely he would have given the Twins a boost over a Cave batting average of .221 or a Marwin average of .211 or Wade Jr at .231? Want to take it a step farther? How about a weak Kepler batting average of .228? Plenty of opportunity there that they missed out on.

If the hitting coach can get them to quit swinging for the fences every time that would make them better. Trying to replicate 2019 in 2020 was the mistake. All 4 of the Garver, Polanco, Sano and Keplers struckout or hit lazy weak fly balls way to often for that very reason. It's great when it works but it shows a glaring weakness when it doesn't. 9 singles, a couple of doubles, some sac flies and bunts and 1 home run will win many more games for you than 3 solo shots.

Moves like this is why the Twins fall on their face in the Playoffs. Is it their goal to win Minor League Championships? It would be really good to move away from the Terry Ryan theory of Hope and A Prayer acquisitions.

I think the one thing that is continually over-looked with players that left the Twins and became successful after doing so, no matter the circumstance, is that a new coach or manager or fellow player maybe helped them become better. Maybe the Twins organization didn't have what they needed to succeed, no matter what that was. I have commented previously about Sano being compared to Ortz. Ortiz may have never become the player he turned out to be had he stayed with the Twins. Honestly the Green Monster turned him into a different hitter but someone probably told him to hit the ball off that wall and he found success doing so. It doesn't take much for a successful player in high school or college or the Minors to fail at the major league level if they don't make adjustments or just plain ol' simply don't get the help they need. Sometimes it takes someone in a different organization to find it. How many Hitters would be great instead of pathetic if they would get 3 hits every 10 at bats verses 2 hits? That could be something as simple as bunting down the 3rd base line when a shift is on. Yet 99 out of 100 hitters won't do it. If your talent is limited to hitting the ball one way and only one way then you are hurting yourself and your ballclub. Players today need to get better and smarter. I guarantee you if Pete Rose or Rod Carew were playing today they'd make any shift put on against them their lunch.

There isn't anyone that can/will replace Cruz at DH. If the Twins don't resign him they will go backwards in production at that spot. Of the players you list for the outfield, I like Brantley, Springer, Bradley Jr, and Pillar. Unfortunately only Pillar will come at a cost savings over Eddie. He'd be a good fit even if it's only for piece of mind knowing you have a centerfield replacement for when Buxton breaks a fingernail and has to go on the IR for 2 months. I still say it's time for the youth movement of Kirolloff, Larnach, Rooker, add Celestino and Wade Jr as backups.

Sorry, I don't understand the continuous camparison of Sano to Ortiz. They are hardly the same players. For #1 Sano is a dead pull right-handed hitter. Ortiz was a lefty that hit to all fields once he went to Boston. In Sano's 1st 6 seasons, he had 2256 plate appearances and struck out 834 times. Ortiz in his 1st 6 seasons which got him to 2202 plate appearances he struck out 422 times. Almost half as often. Will Sano ever learn to hit to the opposite field? To use the short Green Monster wall to hit opposite field HomeRuns and doubles like Ortiz did when he went to Boston? I would guess NOT. I don't see any ballparks with a Green Monster in right field. If you don't think the Green Monster changed how Ortiz hit then you are mistaken.

I wouldn't make a move for a catcher. With Garver, Jeffers and Astudillo(emergency use only), there are other positions of greater concern. As far as utility guy, if money is an issue then you have to go with the youth movement now. I know everyone says Lewis needs another year in the minors but he can play multiple positions and will be the cheapest option. Maybe the Twins should quit babying their prospects and let them learn at the major league level. Other teams do it. My bench would include him with Blankenhorn, Gordon and Wade Jr. Larnach, Buxton, Kirilloff/Rooker in the outfield. New 1st baseman or Rooker/Kirilloff, Arraez, Polonco. Donaldson in the Infield. Resign Cruz for DH. Trade Sano, Kepler, Cave, Let Rosario, Marwin, Adrianza walk.