KL1551

I'm sorry, but if you think that Maeda is just average, we're probably just not going to agree on this. The vast majority of his stats point to being an above average pitcher. Just off of ERA alone, he was 41st. That itself would suggest he's better than just average.

This is not a good take based on actual data.

At the end of the day, you need to ask yourself... "Do I trust Derek and Thad?" I'm behind them 100% and trust that they are making the right decisions.

I wasn't trying to say that Maeda was better than Wheeler, obviously I would rather have Wheeler, but I think their comparison is valid. Definitely not a #5 starter like some on this forum have mentioned. Graterol could be great, but if he's strictly going to be a reliever, I would rather have Maeda.

Here is an interesting comparison. Kenta Maeda: 31 G / 26 GS, 10-8 with 4.04 ERA, 153.2 IP, 114 Hits, 70 Runs, 3.95 FIP, 1.074 WHIP, 9.9 K/9 Zack Wheeler: 31 G / 31 GS, 11-8 with 3.96 ERA, 195.1 IP, 196 Hits, 93 Runs, 3.48 FIP, 1.259 WHIP, 9.0 K/9 Maeda, although he did not pitch as many innings, has similar comps to Zack Wheeler and even has a better WHIP and K/9. Maeda costs $3.125M a year through 2023. Zack Wheeler just signed a 5yr/$118M contract (who every Twins fan coveted in free agency). This is a great move by the Twins! Graterol COULD be elite, yes. But, there are major concerns about his ability to be a starting pitcher that gives you 180-200 IP a year. The Twins just got a solid #2-3 pitcher and are clearly saying that we are in a "Win Now" window. Let's be excited!

I strongly disagree with this. I do not want Kyle Gibson anywhere near this rotation next year. If you want to beat the Yankees and the Astros in a playoff series, you are going to have to sign a guy like Cole and maybe even another top-end pitcher.

They don't have to do anything with Garver for quite awhile. He's not even arbitration eligible until 2021. I love Nelson Cruz, but the fact is that he's going to be 40 next year. I think the year-to-year contracts are best with him. And they signed Kepler to a long extension last offseason.

It would be very shocking if Kyle Gibson gets signed to a contract with the Twins this offseason. For a team with postseason ambitions, I would be very disappointed if he gets re-signed.

Going to be a fun offseason, nonetheless. We have a lot of exciting talent on the way, but lots of holes in the rotation to fill. Is there any chance Alex Kirilloff and/or Rooker or Larnach make the opening day rosters? My gut says Rooker is the most likely. He could play LF (in the event they trade Rosario) or 1st base if they non-tender Cron?

I forgot to include Cruz at DH, so add him and remove Thorpe from my original line up.

Alright everyone - This series has me super depressed. Seeing that we more than likely aren't going to come back and win the series, I've already moved on to 2020. I am anxious to see what the roster might look like next year. Here is what I am hoping the opening day roster looks like next year. I'm trying to be somewhat realistic based on the types of acquisitions the Twins make; however, I realize my roster would be pretty expensive and may not be the most accurate. C) Garver, Austin Romine (free agent signing that shouldn't cost too much) 1B) Jose Abreu on a 3 year deal? (non-tender Cron) 2B) Arraez 3B) Sano, Gonzalez SS) Polanco, Adrianza LF) Rosario (although, I wouldn't be opposed to them trading him this offseason while he still has some value) CF) Buxton, Cave RF) Kepler SP) Berrios, Dobnak, and 3 free agents signings (hoping we can get Pineda back, and would love to get someone like a Hyun-Jin Ryu and Zach Wheeler) RP) Rogers, Duffey, Littell, May, Graterol, Thorpe, Smelzer, Will Harris (free agent signing from the Astros) I see them non-tendering Sam Dyson and CJ Cron and re-signing Pineda. What do you guys think? What does your "way too early" 2020 opening day roster look like?

This teams inability to hit with RISP lately is driving me nuts.