Diesel

Full ballot. No huge names next year (Mark Buehrle, Tim Hudson, and Torii Hunter are the big newcomers), so hopefully the BBWAA plug their noses and vote Schilling/Bonds/Clemens. The Hall of Fame should be able to tell the story of baseball, and you need those 3 to properly tell it.

In 1974, Mike Marshall threw for over 200 innings out of the pen for the Dodgers. NOT saying the Twins should do that, but it is possible for Graterol to push 100 innings

Graterol can still be transitioned to a starter role. He isn’t stuck in the bullpen for the rest of his career. He’s still only 21. I like this move (for now), as long as they keep the options open in what he is able to do each year.

While I think Eddie does need to work on his defense a bit in spring training, I think some of these metrics can be a little misleading at times. Benintendi was one of the best left fielders in 2018 for crying out loud. I’ve seen this team play Deleon Young, Jason Kubel, and Michael Cuddyer in the corner outfield spots. I’ve seen Kepler being called below average in the field by the stats as well. On defense, I think the eye test is more important than computer statistics.

My favorite Twins squad ever (2009) has 2 players left that will probably ever play MLB again: Francisco Liriano and Anthony Swarzak. Edit: Pat Neshek is the only other current MLB player who played for the Twins pre-2010.

According to the rule book, enough space has to be given for the batter to have a full swing, for the runner to get to first, and for the pitch to get to the catcher. So yeah, you could technically do this.

Pete Rose bet on his team to win. Shoeless Joe played extremely well in the World Series in 1919. Barry Bonds and Roger Clemens were never suspended, and drug testing wasn’t even done until 2003. What the Astros and other teams did was clearly illegal, and should be treated similarly to steroid suspensions. I’m not saying for life: 3 of the best players on the Twins have got busted for drug use in the past, but have came back after a long suspension. The players need to be suspended for a bit. If the legends previously stated don’t make the Hall of Fame, I doubt Beltran and Altuve will have much of a shot in the future.

Her account is hidden now on Twitter, but someone falsely claiming to be Carlos Beltran’s niece has been leaking offseason news all offseason. First, she has gotten the Beltran hiring and firing reports out 1 or 2 days ahead of anyone else. Now she’s claiming that Bregman and Altuve were buzzing devices in their uniforms in 2019 (similar to the trash can banging). When Altuve hit the walkoff in the ALCS against Chapman, Altuve didn’t want his jersey ripped, and Beltran’s niece claims he had a device on at that time......

*The Boston Red Sox and Houston Astros have entered the conversation. The New York Mets have reentered the conversation.* 3 legitimate contenders are looking for a manager in January. This has definitely been an interesting offseason.

It’ll probably be Ryne Harper. BUT, I could see a trade (small or large) that would let go a more significant piece.

January 15th, 2019 written by Diesel (Note: this is a satire piece inspired by many works, including RandBallStu) The Minnesota Twins have signed catcher Josh Donaldson to a 4-year $92 million contract, pending a physical. It is expected that Donaldson’s main role will be being the third or fourth-string catcher, dependent on whether Willians Astudillo is up with the major league club. “We are very excited to have 4 catchers available to play on any given day,” said manager Rocco Baldelli at the press conference introducing the largest free agent signing in club history. “We expect Josh (Donaldson) to pick up a few reps at third, first, and DH, but we’ve got to make sure Mitch Garver gets enough rest throughout the season. 2019 was very strenuous on the kid.” In 2019, the now 29 year-old Garver appeared in 93 games, with now-Angels catcher Jason Castro and Astudillo also having significant workloads. “I haven’t played catcher for a few years, due to being behind some generational talents on the depth chart, like Kurt Suzuki, Russell Martin, and Tyler Flowers.” said Donaldson. Even as Donaldson has aged, he has belief that he can step back behind the plate after so many years playing other positions. “A couple years ago, Joe Mauer went back to playing catcher. Why can’t I?” In other news, there are currently rumors that the Twins are discussing a trade with the Indians for catcher Carlos Santana. “Catchers are known to be some of the smartest guys in the world,” stated team president Derek Falvey. “Having many catchers who can also play other positions will be key in this team’s path to a title. Joe, you can come back too if you want!”

OH YES. Trade for an Ace and let’s gun for a World Series!

I think the Twins may just have the most talented Ohtani-like player in the MLB already, but he came up a few years early to be considered as an outfielder/pitcher. “ As a pitcher during his senior year, he had a 10–1 win–loss record with a 1.90 earned run average and 154 strikeouts in 81 innings pitched. Buxton also threw a fastball that was recorded at 99 miles per hour (159 km/h).” I want to see him pitch in a meaningless game at some point. I’m guessing he can still throw 95+ consistently.

Logan Morrison has accused the Yankees and Dodgers of also cheating in a deleted Instagram post, along with the previously known Red Sox and Astros. Dude is probably not playing baseball much in the future, so I don’t think he has anything to lose.....

Luckily for us, Sano is under Twins control through 2023 (Option year included)

Paul Konerko will fall off the ballot this year, so there is no way Nelson Cruz is a hall of famer. Joe Mauer is the only Twin for a long time that will be inducted.

As a fan of the Vikings and the Twins, at least the Wilfs (and other owners) have actively spent money to improve the team and stadium. and have been competitive throughout their history. The Twins on the other hand...... I know a lot of this was Carl Pohlad, but the team is still owned by the family. 1. After 1991, the Twins did not make the playoffs again until 2002. 2. The Twins were nearly moved to North Carolina, which was only stopped after voters there did not approve a deal. 3. Carl Pohlad offered to sell the team to MLB in a contraction plan (Montreal still deserves a team by the way). 4. Torii Hunter was offered an embarrassing $45 million contract, but instead got $90 million from the Angels. Eventually, Torii was brought back to the team, but merely as a “feel-good” mentorship role. 5. Johan Santana was traded to the Mets after having one of the most dominant stretches ever by a pitcher. (This isn’t as bad as people say, as it was after a losing 2007 season for the Twins). 6. Pitching has been an issue on playoff teams in this era as well as the 2000s teams. The most significant mid season trade acquisition may be Matt Capps. 7. The Twins forced taxpayers to pay for the majority of Target Field. (Forgive me if I’m wrong, but I think the Vikings deal was 50/50). The criticism for the Pohlads is definitely valid. The lack of a fan base is due to long stretches of mediocrity. The “Pohlads are cheap” argument is definitely worn out, but still factual. I’m sick of the “this player doesn’t want to move to Minnesota” argument. This team has the money or prospects to field a World Series contending team, and they are expected to field an equal team or worse on paper this year, despite the front office’s claims of wanting more. Look what happened to the Astros’ value after they won a title! Couldn’t the same thing happen here too?

I’m excited for the “Dick Mountain” jersey during player’s weekend.....that’s about it. Bailey, if healthy, is a #5 starter at this point. Hill can be an “impact” pitcher when healthy. These are good signings if bigger acquisitions happen before spring training.

I’m just not a fan of Frazier’s on base skills or Castellanos’ defense. Wouldn’t be a fan of it, but I don’t think it’d be worth it for what’s left on the market.

If the Twins were to miss out on Donaldson, using Marwin and rookies would be better and cheaper than other options like Todd Frazier and Castellanos (in my opinion).

Uh oh

I think the Twins can get a really good pitcher without giving up any of the top 5 prospects. Get a solid pitcher now, get another at the deadline, and this team will be set.

A trade absolutely needs to happen now....

CJ Cron AND Schoop signed with the tigers. Gonna need something at 1B/3B....

There have been trades that the Twins could have taken without overpaying at the deadline, too. Stroman and Zac Gallen would look great in this rotation.