MNTWINSWINAGAIN

Should have kept Wallner and DFA Solano. Solano is old and league average at best. His “utility” is not necessary with Correa, Farmer, Julien, Castro, Lewis, Kirilloff and Gallo available to cover infield positions. Polanco will be back soon also. Would like to see three LH outfielders starting against RH pitching with Kepler in center. Adds value to showcase Max in CF.

His trade value is pretty high. I think he gets moved.

Winning the World Series is the goal. Houston just proved that a good team does not need Correa to win it all.

After signing Bogaerts, Padres overloaded with middle infielders. Make the trade for Kim. He is a solid SS and only $7m/year for next several years. Spend the dollars saved by not signing a $35m+/year SS on higher quality pitching.

Sans shift, left handed hitters in general should benefit. I’m keeping Kepler and maybe flipping him at the trade deadline next year if his production is good in the first half AND Larnach or Kiriloff are doing well at AAA. I like Wallner as a hitter but I think he needs to play 1B. Celestinos can continue to be Buxtons back up. Need a SS stop gap like Iglasias or trade for Walls from Tampa or Kim from San Diego. Also need a defense first catcher. I’m standing pat on pitching for now and perhaps trading for that “ace” at next years deadline. Stay focused on pitching and defense. Revamp roster to get younger, more athletic and faster. Lose the slow guys who are range bound on defense, strike out too much and clog the bases when they do get on. See Cleveland, Seattle and Tampa for examples of what works.

Many ways Cruz helps and hurts. His offensive production is great but... 1-He won't put more fans in the stands this year because the combination of COVID-19 restrictions and pent up demand will likely allow all available seats to be sold. 2-He likely has helped Sano develop as a human being but the credit for Sano's hitting so much better in 2019 obviously belongs to the now departed James Rowson. 3-The cost is going to be a lot of money, less defensive flexibility and less opportunities for development of other talents. My thumbnail cost/benefit analysis says to pass on this asset and use the savings on more pitching. A guy like Renato Nunez, who was DFA's by the lowly Orioles in November could likely be had on a minor league or two-way contract for very little $$ and given 500 ABs would likely give you a .250 ba and 25 HR's while providing defensive flexibility at 3B and 1B(not good at either but better than Cruz). Speaking of the Orioles, I see that they tried to defer the arbitration contract money owed to Trey Mancini and Anthony Santander. Mancini would absolutely give the Twins a nice bat at DH and good defensive flexibility. He is only owned $4.5m for 2021 and still has one more year for arbitration in 2022. I would also be willing to move prospects to get Santander. What do you think the Orioles would take for Mancini and Santander?? -Lamonte Wade is a local to the Baltimore area -Willians Astudillo gives them a DH to replace Mancini and back up catcher -Nick Gordon might be the young middle infielder they are looking for to pair with Richie Martin -Devin Smeltzer could be a quality starter in their rotation This is likely not enough, but these are all guys that would help the Orioles rebuild as they are MLB ready or AAAA players that are CHEAP and can be productive in Baltimore. Orioles would likely want more pitching but they do have a good number of young arms that are almost ready so perhaps we send some high ceiling A level player or players.

Agree that Lewis is option A. I included all three to highlight Milb SS depth that allows for Polanco to be considered a movable asset. I do not dislike Polanco and think his defense is improved but I want better defense from this premium position. Gordon might not be able to stay at SS. Javier is the best defender at the position but has had a tough time staying healthy. Perhaps 18 months away from the daily grind will have him show up next spring physically stronger? I would tell all of them to be ready to battle for a job in Spring training(if there is such a thing in 2021). If Lewis makes it out of ST, I expect he would be able to play SS, 3rd and OF and make it unnecessary to bring in as many veterans as I previously posted. I suspect Royce Lewis will Eventually replace Buxton in CF if Byron chooses not to sign an extension. Reminds me of what the Diamondbacks did with Ketel Marte to maximize the utility of his athleticism.

Just going to use the Sportrac MLB multi-year payroll list to make decisions and then add players to fill holes. Catcher Alex Avila 2021 UFA- resign him for $4m and use as backup/mentor Mitch Garver 2021 Arb 1- resign and use as C, DH and 1B Ryan Jeffers 2021 Team Control- resign and make primary C 1st Base Miguel Sano 2021 $7m- Trade to NL team that needs DH(Miami) 2nd Base Luis Arraez 2021 Team control- resign and make primary 2B 3rd Base Josh Donaldson 2021 $21m- primary 3b, some 1b and DH Marwin Gonzalez 2021 UFA- goodbye SS Jorge Polanco 2021 $3.84m- utility player at SS, 2B or trade Ehire Adrianza 2021 UFA- ?? depends on other transactions OF Eddie Rosario 2021 ARB3- trade Max Kepler 2021 $6.5m- primary RF Byron Buxton 2021 ARB3- resign, primary CF Jake Cave 2021 team control- trade Brent Rooker 2021 team control- resign and LF/4th OF Starting Pitchers Jake Odorizzi 2021 UFA- goodbye Michael Pineda 2021 $10m- starting rotation Jose Berrios 2021 ARB2-resign, starting rotation Kenta Maeda 2021 $3.125M+- starting rotation Rich Hill 2021 UFA- resign, starter/relief Relief Pitchers Sergio Romo 2021 $5m option- decline and goodbye Taylor Rogers 2021 ARB3- resign and setup/cl Tyler Clippard 2021 UFA- resign Trevor May 2021 UFA- resign Tyler Duffey 2021 ARB2-resign Matt Wisler 2021 ARB2-resign Cody Stashak 2021 Team control-resign Devin Smeltzer 2021 team control- AAA or trade Jorge Alcala 2021 team control- resign Caleb Thielbar 2021 team control-resign DH Nelson Cruz 2021 UFA- goodbye unfortunately Retained/Buried payroll Homer Bailey 2021 UFA-goodbye Ildemaro Vargas-already released Summary- Looks like I keep 22 players from the Sportrac list. Room for additions from inside and outside the organization. 2021 roster Catcher-Jeffers, Avila and Garver 1B-Donaldson, Garver.... 2B-Arraez, Polanco, Adrianza 3B-Donaldson, Adrianza SS-Polanco, Adrianza... OF-Kepler, Buxton, Rooker, Kirillof... Starting Pitchers-Maeda, Berrios, Pineda, Hill... Relievers-Rogers, Clippard, May, Duffey, Wisler, Stashek, Theilbar... With only 3 players to add, I am going after Mitch Moreland 1B/DH, Jose Iglesias SS and Trevor Bauer SP. Why? Moreland is cheaper and more polished than Sano, Iglesias over Polanco because of defense(Polanco can not go to his right and then make a throw with anything on it because he does not plant and throw overhand, he slings it sidearm), Bauer because he is a true ace. If I can trade Polanco and get good value for him, I do it and bring back Jonathan Schoop to play UT at 1b, 2b and 3b and bring up Lewis, Gordon or Javier to back up Ilglasias. Area of extreme concern is getting backup that can play 3B because Donaldson is on the IL too often. Schoop has the arm and can hit. Adrianza does well defensively but is inadequate offensively. Polanco does not have the arm. Arraez might work there in a pinch, but having a guy like Schoop would be better. OF additions come from Milb but would be nice to add a guy like Kevin Pillar to put a good defender who hits RH in the mix and someone who could adequately fill the hole that Buxton regularly vacates. Relief staff shortages are filled by Milb guys that need seasoning and who could swing through the rotation, including Dobnak. Key additions-Bauer($25m), Schoop($6.5m), Moreland($4.5m), Ilglasias($4.5m), Pillar($5m) Key subtractions-Cruz($10m+), Sano(good ridance)($11m), Polanco($4.4m), Rosario($9m), Cave($1m), Romo($5m), Gonzalez($9m), Adrianza($2m), Odorizzi($18m) $45m added, $70m subtracted. Traded players Sano, Polanco, Rosario, Astudillo and Cave used to stock Milb with highest ceiling pitchers that can be attained.

I agree with peterb18, Morneau is bad at providing color commentary. Far too much talk and very redundant. Over analyzing and monotonous. He seems unwilling to allow periodic silence where the game has a chance to speak for itself. His approach is fatiguing and not nearly as insightful as he thinks it is. He needs to become more concise and prescient. He barely gives Bremer space to do his job. He should watch a few old Vin Scully broadcasts to see how less can be more. Would love to see the Twins bring Ron Gardenhire into the booth for all of next years home games. Let Morneau split time with Hawkins and others, on the road.

Since Garver readily admits that he needs improvement, it should not come as a shock to him when he is sent to Rochester to start the year. No room on the bench for three catchers and Astudillo needs to be on the opening day roster. Will give him a chance to grow/work with pitchers who are next up. Bench will be: Adrianza Astudillo Austin Reed Cave has options so he will also start the year at AAA. Wouldn't be surprised to see them play him some at 1B in Rochester. Marwin will be the starting 3B and Sano will need to play himself back to MLB. Looking for the Twins to make a couple trades from positions of strength(1B, OF, C) soon. Probably get a few more low level "prospects" in return.

Manny won't be signed by the Twins because the FO thinks they have the best MiLB infield "prospects" in all of baseball and they are willing to wait on them. Harper won't be signed by the Twins because the FO thinks they have the best young core of outfielders in the MLB and they are willing to wait on them. On another note, does it mean anything that the MN Twins official website list Garver on the 1B depth chart but not on the catcher depth chart? http://mlb.mlb.com/team/depth_chart/index.jsp?c_id=min

Riverbrian I know Adrianza at 3b is unconventional. Traditionally you want more power and will accept a defender with less range at that position. I believe the new defensive trend toward shifting makes a 3b with SS range a much more valuable asset than ever. Adrianza will hit .250-.260 and steal a few bases. If he can take a few more walks his OBP will make him an offensive neutral player. His glove plays better than Escobar at third. I am not ready to spend for power at third just yet as I have not completely given up on Sano yet. I am not a big Robbie Grossman fan but I keep him for now because his .325 avg. as a RH hitter and his OBP are valuable. Grossman shows the younger hitters the value of staying patient and making the pitcher work. If Buxton figures it out at AAA, I have an easier time DFAing Grossman than any other Outfielder. I think this team hits 160-180 hrs. More power at 1b, less at 3b and about the same everywhere else. Probably scores a few more runs by striking out less and putting more balls in play. Better pitching and defense wins 5-10 more games in 2019. Probably not enough to make the playoffs. Much better if Sano and Buxton figure it out but I’m not holding my breath.

2019 success or failure can not hinge on Sano and Buxton. We all want Miguel Sano to be the next Miguel Cabrera but he could just be another Oswaldo Arcia or Yosmani Tomas. Byron Buxton may only be as good as Keon Broxton. Both Sano and Buxton should start the season in Rochester and should be told they will need to force their way to the MLB 25 man roster by becoming more disciplined at the plate. Take more walks and less Ks. Hit to all fields.... 2019 needs to be about improved pitching and defense. In 2018, the Twins were 21st in team pitching and 20th in defense. Polanco is not the answer at SS. Lewis and Gordon are not ready yet. #1 move is to acquire FA SS Jose Iglesias and move Polanco to 2nd. Make Adrianza the regular 3rd baseman because he had the best advanced fielding stats of any 3rd baseman in all of baseball in 2018. This infield has the gloves needed to excel when utilizing the shifts that are now common. 1B is a platoon position with Tyler Austin and FA acquisition #2 Matt Adams. Castro/Garver/Astudillo all make the 25 man roster. Astudillo can play 3rd or LF on occasion to get another RH bat in the lineup against LHP. Rosario/Cave/Kepler can patrol the OF on a regular basis. Keep Grossman as the 4th OF and use him primarily against LHP(see splits). Might also give Tyler Austin some additional fielding practice at the corner OF spots to see if he can improve enough to be useful. Keeps hit bat in the lineup against LHP should Sano push his way back and take time at 1B. Berrios/Gibson/Odorizzi are a nice start to a rotation. Not sure what we will get from Pineda. Several AAA guys are close to stepping up. FA add #3 is Charlie Morton who still has game at age 35 and will likely not break the bank or get anything long term. Adding a bonafide closer is FA move #4. Jeurys Familia would make a nice anchor to a bullpen that will include Rogers and May as 7th/8th inning guys. The AAA starter that shows he is most ready in spring training gets a spot in the pen as long reliever/spot starter(Pineda may not be ready to go 5+). Reed will be back(contract) and probably not good. Other spots are open for the taking with many in-house candidates(mostly mediocre). Add a couple battle tested situational vets.