weitz41

My original list had Correa, Verlander and $198 mil payroll. Which is just as likely as $172 mil. Like I said earlier switch Bell for Arreaz and remove Vazquez for a Sandy Leon type and you hit the $150 mil target. This team was more of a if we spent in the top 10 in payroll what could I do with it.

TY sir, no Vikings game today and already sent texts to my Packer fan buddies to torment them so spending a lot of time on the Twins this afternoon. I totally agree with all of you that $115-$130 is realistic. BUT, (a wise person said ignore what they said before they say BUT) The Padres are likely spending over their actual revenue, Philiies Ditto, Astro borderline and the Yankees...somebody has to spend their way to this point. I think you see my point. The pieces are there. Just got to say I want to go deep and maybe win one. Winning a world series isn't without taking on risk.

OK so I'm smoking something hoping for $172 mil. BUT..he didn't say they wouldn't spend over their actual revenue to put a winning team in Target field. What's another 20-30 mil to a billionaire? A vacation? You like that team as much as I do..

I was looking at that earlier today (Kepler's trade value on BTV) The Rockies just never seen to follow the crowd, so I doubt they'll trade either no matter how bad the contracts are. Bryant isn't someone I considered. There's a lot to like there if he stays healthy and plays LF. BUT. Colardo is like a magic 8 ball when it comes to players and contracts..Not sure what to make of them.

I agree it's unlikely and spending well beyond the 150 mil target. I'm sure there are trades out there that can substitute some of the FA's. Switch Arreaz for Bell and Vazqueaz for a pre arbitration backup catcher and you're at $150. Also, you could replace Montero with Moron at the league minimum. $172 mil probably gets them in the top 10 in payroll. That lineup and starting pitching I think wins a lot of games on paper, at least.

The payroll tool leads me to a lot of wishful thinking. Things like the Pohlad's double down on spending and the FO signing pitchers to multi-year contracts. With that said I added a 6th year to Rodon to outbid others. Meada translates and convinces Senga he'll love Minnesota. Xander because the Pohlad's will only go so far on payroll and Vazquez because to many hitters' parks in the NL central for those catchers' numbers to translate to the AL central parks. Montero replaces Pagan for a little more $. Bell because who doesn't need a switch-hitting 1st baseman. Arraez, Polanco, Bogaerts, Bell, Buxton, Kepler, Miranda, Kirilloff/Larnach and Jeffers/Vazquez 1-9 should score a lot of runs. At the bargain price of only 172.00 million. Dave St. Peter. There'd be a lot fewer empty seats next season... Carlos Rodon 26 x 6 Koudai Senga 15 x 5 Rafeal Montero 3.5 x 3 Josh Bell 15 x 4 Xander Bogaerts 25 x 5 Christian Vazquez 7 x 2 C: Ryan Jeffers ($0.70M) 1B: Josh Bell ($15.00M) 2B: Jorge Polanco ($7.50M) 3B: Jose Miranda ($0.70M) SS: Xander Bogaerts ($25.00M) LF: Alex Kirilloff ($0.70M) CF: Byron Buxton ($15.00M) RF: Max Kepler ($8.50M) DH: Luis Arraez ($4.50M) 4th OF: Trevor Larnach ($0.70M) Utility: Nick Gordon ($0.70M) Utility: Austin Martin ($0.70M) Backup C: Christian Vazquez ($7.00M) SP1: Carlos Rodon ($26.00M) SP2: Koudai Senga ($15.00M) SP3: Sonny Gray ($12.00M) SP4: Tyler Mahle ($8.00M) SP5: Joe Ryan ($0.70M) RP: Jhoan Duran ($0.70M) RP: Jorge Lopez ($3.00M) RP: Griffin Jax ($0.70M) RP: Jorge Alcala ($1.00M) RP: Caleb Thielbar ($2.00M) RP: Rafeal Montero ($3.50M) RP: Bailey Ober/ Josh Winder ($0.70M) RP: Kenta Maeda ($3.00M) Payroll is 14.11% over budget

If payroll is $130-$150 mil and he's our starting SS opening day. Sign me up. We can win with him if we're filling out the roster with other quality free agents. If he's one of our main free agent signings and they run back the rest of this year's team minus Correa...I won't need to purchase any game tickets in 2023..

With the crutch of injuries sunk the 2022 season. My guess is they'll hold onto him till the trade deadline. But if a package that fills the shortstop, catcher position or better yet a high end starting pitcher they may move him based on greater needs elsewhere. Any one of the Yankees, Marlins and Padres look like a good fit for a trade partner.

Well if we can't beat them in the playoffs at least we won this trade. I agree with Doctor Gast: "But if we don't land Correa this off season, I'd like to get both IKF & Rortvedt back in a trade."

If they're unable to resign Correa this would make a lot of sense.

If not for the excessive amount of 2nd base prospects in the Twins system and on the big league club. I'd be really happy with his progress. Parting with Steer and Strand for Mahle makes him sand out. If the FO wanted to part ways with the three true outcome plan and go with OBP guys and actually use the running game. Wow are they sitting pretty for that. But that's expecting them to zig while everyone else continues to zags...

I saw Lewis and Kirilloff playing together in 2019. They just stood out. The hits were louder, the speed they played with and so on. So I'm going to be a bit of a homie, in spite of the injuries, and say Lewis is the guy. The interesting part to me is in a few years this could and likely is three fifths of the starting infield. Add Jeffers, Miranda, Arraez and hopefully Kirilloff. Assuming they play to their abilities that should be a pretty good team for a long stretch.

I have to admit Padres fans have to be enjoying seeing him on our roster. I'm going to go against the grain though and say we keep him. 1st off the FO doesn't spend on the bull pen. So Pagan's projected 3 mil salary for 2023 is in line with what they MAY spend on a fixer upper they'd pick up if not for him. 2nd I can't think of any trades at the moment the FO has thrown up the white flag and moved on from. And finally no one is going to part with much more then a lottery ticket or two for him. Then they sign another Joe Smith...What's that saying...Better the devil you know then the devil you don't. Another thought if not for the trade that sent Pagan and others to us we would have had Rooker on our 40 man likely all season. I can't help but think that would have affected Gordon's playing time and possibly Miranda's call up. If you think that made a difference, We won that trade just on that alone. Whether Pagan's poor performance cost us games or not those two made up for it and much more.

I like Jeffers but like a few others see him as a back up catcher. With no standout catching prospects we need to pay or trade for more catching. The Twins have a lot of LH everyday (if healthy) players. I get a LH catcher platoon but wonder it another RH bat is more important to the line up. Jansen or Contreras make the most sense to me.

We need more reliable quality players not less. If the season falls apart you can get something for him at the trade deadline.

I made another list earlier this week but made some changes after seeing other lists. I went with Kirilloff as my starter in left. Could switch for Larnach depending on health. I'm hoping Kirilloff regains his swing. Luis Arreaz and Josh Winder plus a lottery ticket for Woodfuff - Like the Hader trade payroll makes the Brewers make this move. Let's face it the Twins have way too many 2nd basemen. Something has to give and Arreaz is at the top of his trade value. I want Meada as a starter, But I don't think that is realistic coming off of TJ I went with Jose Iglesias at short expecting the FO to learn from the mistake of playing Lewis in center. 5 Mil was his pay in 2022. So went with that. Willson Contreras 4x 20 or 5x 20. There's just nobody on the horizon as a catcher. So, I spent a bit here. Michael Fulmer 2@4.75 or 3 @4.5 the 3rd being a club option. This FO doesn't spend on risk without some protections. Andrew McCutchen (LF/DH) - I live in Brewers country...NOW.. I heard plenty from my co-workers about him last season. Plays left field, can fill in in center and hits lefties. Sounds like Garlic but a bit to maybe a lot better..been healthy the last few seasons. 2@15 3 @20 club option. Same as Fulmer Emilio Pagan I believe the FO is convinced they're smarter then everyone else on this guy. So just deal with it..until the trade deadline 2023 he's a Twin. Maybe they're right, but the last few years for results point another direction. Just to clean it up..If they did actually get Woodfuff I'd want to do a contract extension. Something in the 5 @ 115 range. I'd also extend Mahle shoulder issues or not. Something in the 15-18 mil range per season for Mahle. They've both been pitching in extremely friendly hitters ballparks their whole career and have been good to great. Definitely some risk there on both but good probability of hitting a jackpot also. So that's my hopefully realistic Wishlist. Just to throw in something unexpected. Austin Martin wins Al ROY for 2023 for his play at SS to start the season and LF the rest of the way. C: Willson Contreras ($20.00M) 1B: Jose Miranda ($.70M) 2B: Jorge Polanco ($7.50M) 3B: Gio Urshela ($9.00M) SS: Jose Iglesias ($5.00M) LF: Alex Kirilloff ($0.70M) CF: Byron Buxton ($15.00M) RF: Max Kepler ($8.50M) DH: Jose Miranda ($0.70M) 4th OF: Andrew McCuthen ($7.50M) Utility: Nick Gordon ($0.70M) Utility: Gilberto Celestino ($0.70M) Backup C: Ryan Jeffers ($0.70M) SP1: Brandon Woodruff ($12.00M) SP2: Sonny Gray ($12M) SP3: Tyler Mahle ($8.00M) SP4: Joe Ryan ($0.70M) SP5: Bailey Ober ($0.70M) RP: Jhoan Duran ($0.70M) RP: Jorge Lopez ($3.00M) RP: Griffin Jax ($0.70M) RP: Jorge Alcala ($1.00M) RP: Caleb Thielbar ($2.00M) RP: Kenta Maeda ($3.00M) RP: Michael Fulmer ($4.75M) RP: Emilio Pagan, ($3.00M) Payroll is 8.39% under budget

Somebody hit enter while editing like I did on my 1st try

As frustrating as it may be. This is what I fear will happen..More of the same and fingers crossed...

I could see a trade for Jensen and Biggio. I'd like to count on Kirilloff but that's seems like a long shot. Correa @33 long term doesn't fit this Fo's MO

I'd be happy with any of them on a short term high AAV contract. That being said with 2-3 SS that may be ready soon between Lewis, Lee and even Martin it would seem like a waste of recourses to spend heavily on one of them.

With this FO and there lack of signing SP's to contracts and how they've spent in the past on bats I went with an offensive approach. This wish list is with expecting Correa to optout and trading Kepler. Willson Contreras-5 yrs $116 mil. The FO is aggressive and does this early for a change..Do we have any catchers in the minors even 2-3 years away? Mitch Haniger-2 yr $25 mil. The FO waits this one out and get their patience signing..Injury concerns leave him looking for a job..That hasn't bothered this FO before. Maybe they can get him a little cheaper like 2 yr $20mil Marwin Gonzales-1 yr $1.25. Its a name we know. It doesn't have to be Marwin but a utility guy from outside the organization. Micheal Fulmer-3 yrs $16.5 mil. I know a reliever and multiyear contract..Hey it's my wish list. Rafael Montero- 2yrs $9.5 mil. Same as above. Emilio Pagan....Got to keep the FO in mind..They won't give up on him so just grin a bare it.. Austin Martin, SS/OF- No way!! I get it, but I believe our starting SS is already in the organization. C: Willson Contreras ($23.2M) 1B: Luis Arraez ($4.50M) 2B: Jorge Polanco ($7.50M) 3B: Gio Urshela ($9.00M) SS: Austin Martin, SS/OF ($0.70M) LF: Trevor Larnach ($0.70M) CF: Byron Buxton ($15.00M) RF: Mitch Haniger ($12.5M) DH: Jose Miranda ($0.70M) 4th OF: Alex Kirilloff ($0.70M) Utility: Nick Gordon ($0.70M) Utility: Marwin Gonzales ($1.25M) Backup C: Ryan Jeffers ($0.70M) SP1: Sonny Gray ($12.00M) SP2: Tyler Mahle ($8.00M) SP3: Kenta Maeda ($9.00M) SP4: Joe Ryan ($0.70M) SP5: Bailey Ober ($0.70M) RP: Jhoan Duran ($0.70M) RP: Jorge Lopez ($3.00M) RP: Griffin Jax ($0.70M) RP: Jorge Alcala ($1.00M) RP: Caleb Thielbar ($2.00M) RP: Micheal Fulmer ($5.5M) RP: Rafael Montero ($4.75M) RP: Emilio Pagan ($3.00M) Payroll is 8.43% under budget

Hard to argue with you. I agree bats seem like a bigger issue then pitching. I doubt there's enough $ to sign all players you mentioned. Contreras and Haniger I agree on. Especially if they trade Kepler. I think they'd leave LF open for one of Larnach, Kirilloff or Gordon to take. Switch-hitting Bell would be a nice 1b/DH upgrade. I think Bell and Contreras have played some LF the last couple seasons as well.

I guess I'd start with is ownership willing to match this years payroll? My guess it will go down a bit with lower attendance this season and so on. But if it stays the same I'd want them to go out and get Willson Contreras, Tommy Pham and a couple of quality relief pitchers..say Fulmer and Taylor Rogers. I'd like to add a frontline starter or Aaron Judge but outside of Correa type of contract I don't see either happening. I could also say the same for them signing quality relief pitchers. Give me one of the better catchers, a right handed hitting left fielder and a couple of quality BP arms to cover the excessive amount of innings our 5 innings and a cloud of dust pitching philosophy creates.. Add a starter if there's any payroll left. I want to believe Kenta Maeda will be a starter but I'm not convinced that will happen right away coming off TJ.

Guardians vs Padres...Padres in seven. Cleveland's drought continues even with a new name. Padres win their 1st ever. This would help me feel a little better about the Twins season and is probably the least likely outcome. Which again would remind me of the Twins season.

SWR gets my vote. I think he's got the highest ceiling of the starters. Duran if he ever goes back to being a starter. Not that a great BP arm isn't something to get excited about. 4-6 good to great innings trumps 1 outstanding inning. IMO