weitz41

It's October 2026. Hoffman as the closer sound pretty good now. By June 2027 (if they're playing games) who knows. Bring back Minter and maybe get another top notch set up guy (Abreau?) and you can look at it as matchup based. Hoffman, Gomez, Morris, Minter and Abreau

A little different thought on this that may or may not fly.. Your competition plays a part in this as well. Playing in a division that has the Yankees, Red Sox for the Rays and the Cub and Cardinals for the Brewers. That old saying beat the best to be the best...or something like that. Don't get me wrong of course you need to be good to great at the things being mentioned and yes payroll does make a difference. Just a little different tid bit is all

Seems pretty simple to me. QO him. If he accepts great, you get one more year at a 30% premium of what a 4-year deal will likely cost per season. If the Brewers can afford a player accepting a QO the Twins sure as heck should be able to. The article mentioned $110 mil payroll, but that doesn't account for none-tenders or trades. I could see them clearing out plenty of payroll that way and still having plenty left over for other FA players. I would think 4 years @ 18 mil (to top Raleigh) should be the sweet spot for a contract. 5 years, I would guess they pass.

Well, if Festa is being mentioned as a starter, Morris should be as well. I know he had a decent run in the BP. That doesn't mean it's permanent. (A little Johan Santana scenario) It's more like a situation then a "crisis" for 2028. Easy enough to fix. Sign a FA starter, extend one of the Vets or trade one or more of the Vets to give the young guys the opportunity to further establish themselves. Better yet, I saw a projection today for Skubal of 6 for $360. That'd solve some of this and put butts in the seats. Keep in mind it isn't my money. I'll happily spend TP's dough.

1st off great article. It's an interesting situation. I don't see many soon-to-be free agents (who may get a QO) that make sense for the Twins to go after. But it's still a possibility. Looking at the Twins starting roster...Draft picks are a big thing to part with. The Jeffer situation though...$23.1 mil is pretty steep for a catcher if he accepts. There is a real need to upgrade catcher for 2027. Probably the next best FA catcher is Stephenson (Reds). I doubt the Twins can sign him without a multi-year commitment. I don't care for that because of Diaw, Lackey and even Olivar. It may end up that an overpay for Jeffer is the best possible outcome.

I don't think they do. If a player is traded during their final year of control the cannot get a QO.

I'm of course in on a bigger payroll. But when I look at the FA class and what the Twins have in place going forward say 3 or more seasons. Plus, where there are glaring holes. I really don't see any difference makers in free agency in 2027, not many in 2028 either. By that I'm saying someone you would sign for 4 years or more. Sure, Skubal is one. After that who? In 2028 Murakami? Then a ton of 40-year-old starters. By increasing payroll maybe, a pricey veteran or two from a team looking to go younger and cheaper may be the way to go.

I'm going to root for the upside and say other than 1B the next 4 years or more of the infield looks very promising. The outfield does as well, just not as comfortable with thinking all of them will turn out as projected. Just need a younger 1st baseman who has some slug and plays at least average defense. Culpepper may or may not be the long-term SS for the Twins. But I believe he's a long-term member of the Twins.

I think they need to keep him around and on the active roster. It they start the OF we're all expecting, there will be 90 games with at least one outfielder on the IL. The 1B idea makes sense until Houston is the starting SS and Clemens gets shifted there. But you cross that bridge when you get to it.

He makes this off season a bit more complicated IMO. Do you invest in the IF? The OF, with all the prospects? Starting pitching? Probably the only safe place to invest is the BP. Was this his career year?....Like I said it's complicated.

The down season definitely didn't help. But before that he's stuck in a system that is bursting with OF prospects. Not ideal for a guy teetering on mlb/AAAA. Similar to Mendez. I think there's room for a RH OF but not for a RH DH.

Or this

Sign 2 of Minter, Morejon, Abreu and Matsui. Leave room in the BP for 1 of Matthews, Rojas and Festa.

There will likely be 31 other teams trying to move a few guys before Dec 1st. Tender and trade.

True, but couldn't DFAing a bunch of guys without replacements end up being as bad or worse. I guess I'd rather have a floor of what's already here than no floor.