Brandon

At what point do we start a new thread since we are now in the offseason?

I watched the video though prefer reading. I didn’t like where you put the Twins but begrudgingly think you did a great job putting this list together and may be right more often then not. The one I disagree wholeheartedly with is Ohtani to the Mets. He will stay in SoCal and probably go to the Dodgers. But I agree and accept Giolito as a Twins likely target and Mahle was always a consideration too. I just figured it’s less likely with the TV stuff up in the air.

I guess he is planning on the Yankees overpaying to get Kepler since he is left handed and with Power, I think they would hope to get the same transformation out of him they got out of O’Neil after they got him a generation ago. If he continues to hit next season we should offer a QO and get the comp pick when he signs an above 50 million contract giving us the best possible draft pick outcome available.

I agree the Twins will not be too active this offseason. Though I do think they will sign a starting pitcher to put Varland in the pen and be the 6th starter going into the season. The starting pitcher the Twins will Target would be someone like Wacha, Lugo, Maeda, or Giolito. they would all be on short term contracts and not too expensive. (when this happens that would be the end of Farmers time here as we would offload his contract to help afford a starting pitcher that is signed in the 12-16 million for a season or 2 range. I can also see them dumpster diving for a reliever to compete for a job in spring training. and lastly. I can see a tweak on the bench maybe trade farmer and keep Gordon since Gordon will be 5 million less in cost that can go to a starting pitcher. This puts the payroll in the 125-128 million range. and that should be doable. same positions and bench as above minus farmer + Gordon rotation: Lopez, Ryan, Lugo, Ober, Paddack Bullpen. Duran, Jax, Thielbar, Stewart, Varland, Alcala, Funderburk, + whoever wins from (Winder, Moran, Headrick, Sands, veteran signed to minorleague deal, Canterino and whoever else is competing here). I’ve been thinking about the Twins signing Woodruff to a 2 year rehab contract. If the Twins sign Giolito or Lugo or Maeda or Wacha, I hope they do this if the cost is not too prohibitive whether it be Woodruff or Mahle. Also I want to state my preference for resigning Gray if possible. I prefer him in our rotation over the ones in the tier I think they will sign.

Yes and there are quite a few as non tender candidates. That was my point. It’s like 20% of the reliever list is ex Twins and I added Ynoa and I guess I could say Alcala. Who we should keep anyways.

Have you driven in Atlanta traffic? He could drive back to Tennessee from Minneapolis in the same amount of time due to the traffic there. Gray has several options Atlanta if they have it in their budget, St Louis, Cincinnati, Cubs, and Philadelphia. I like continuity so I hope he stays, but I know lots of money is involved. Of free agents you gamble on I would have thought Bassit last offseason and Gray this one would be likely to be worth their values of their contract.

There are a lot of interesting relievers we could sign, Dereck Law John Curtis Nick Burdi JT Chargois Michael Tonkin Tim Hill Huascar Ynoa

I was just looking at the 8 million then 9 million a season and thinking I wouldn't pay Pagan this much. I do think under 5 million is what I would pay for him. so that's a big gap if the market can approach 8 million for Pagan then good for him. It won't be here. there are too many other options I think to pay that much. we can always add minor league depth to compete for spots if need be.

This guy has a similar career arc that Pagan has. years of almost effective reliever but for this reliever he made strides 2 years ago in Detroit and last year the same ERA or within .05 of Pagan. He got 26 million for 3 years. If Pagan's market is anywhere near this we should look at low cost free agents and hope Canterino makes it up as the next big thing next year and that Moran finds the strike zone as well. Braves Sign Joe Jiménez To Three-Year Deal - MLB Trade Rumors

Canterino to the pen? Well somebody has to replace Pagan. Canterino would help keep costs down in a year when the Twins need to cut corners to make up for lost TV revenue.

To help the Twins deal with their revenue problems from loss of TV revenue, Twins daily needs to sponsor a Twins season-ticket buying event. Lets get the media and news stations and talk radio involved too and maybe make it an event with a Brewery or 3 or 5 and some former players and games and promotions and what not and see if we can help get an extra 200,000 - 400,000 tickets sold to help with their revenue as 2.4 million in attendance will bring in much more than 2,000,000 in attendance. And if Twins daily can get that done sooner rather than later so the Twins can bank that money and feel better about making the spend to bring back Gray.... or someone else. I think though we are more likely to see either Maeda or Wacha or Lugo for the pitcher we sign. better than dumpster diving but not Gray either. And the starting pitcher is really the big expense of the offseason. we may sign a veteran reliever or 3 on a minor league deal or maybe sign a bench player like MAT or Solano and that is it. PS. I see a satire article coming about the ways the twins can replace their missing TV Revenue.

Looking at this list, If the Twins are saying that they can't afford Gray, They probably can't afford anyone else above him on the list. if anything I could see a 2 year 28 - 30 million for Wacha. also, they might front load it so its 16 million the first year and 12 million the second year. since 2025 is the big budget crunch year. I can also see them going after Maeda on a similar contract. A 1 year deal may be more preferable for management with the hopes one of our prospects are ready to step into the rotation in 2025.

They should have Bremer broadcast a few games a year so he can get to 5000 games called. He could do that over the next 3-5 years. That way we get the annual nostalgia.

I figured Severino being added is a given. If there is space, I hope they keep Enlow. I would like to see him in a Twins uniform someday. Bechtold is making himself into the baseball Swiss Army knife. 3rd C, reliever, back up IF. I hope he plays in the majors for someone in this backup type role. But this gives me a question, Does a player like him count as one of the pitchers on the roster as I keep hearing about a limited number of pitchers?

In the Al we were first or tied for first not counting NL

We were 1rst I think in team HRs

Severino in LF is best power acquisition or at DH or everyday utility player. He doesn’t cost more than league minimum and we can horde talent. Soto at 33 million is too much. If not resign Gray and have a strong rotation again. Soto would cost Wallner and Varland and something like Winder as the Padres would want major league talent so the can use that and 33 million in savings to get Gray….. I mean a starting pitcher or two and be able to compete next season.

Of Taylor, Solano, and Farmer, we should be able to bring 2 of them back and insert Gordon as a replacement since he is a capable backup and is cheaper. If one of the bench players falter we have Austin Martin ready for an opportunity. Wait if Buxton is back we can only keep 1 of those three because Buxton replaces 1 and Gordon the other. Unless of course we keep 2 and let Gordon go….. I’m not sure where Castro plays better or more often in the IF or OF? But we should keep the player who is backing up positions he doesn’t. I do like the idea of Taylor coming back. Defense is top priority in a backup spotty offensive is usually the goal for a back up as there is a reason they are back ups. The bench is the least of my concerns for the offseason as I believe the bench will come from within and possibly whichever players we bring back from last year’s bench and I am good with any and all of the 3 coming back.

Both are on a 1 year contract for about the same money. They are pretty equal. Kepler can still play CF if needed.

Mlbtraderumors just posted an article on candidates to trade for Verdugo from Boston. In looking at potential matches, Verdugo is similar to Kepler in that he is a good fielding RF with average offense and a 9 million estimated salary the season before becoming a free agent. Sounds very similar to a Kepler situation if we decide to go the route of trading him this offseason. I’m not advocating one way or another. Just saying below is an article that lays out potential trade partners for Verdugo who you could easily substitute Kepler and see where to start in a trade. who would you trade him to and what would the return look like? https://www.mlbtraderumors.com/2023/10/looking-for-a-match-in-an-alex-verdugo-trade.html

I wonder what Varland’s stuff plus is as a reliever?

Since you brought them up, what is the stuff + for Winder, Sands, Headrick, and Varland? SWR could be this generations Matt Guerrier. While not as ideal as a solid 3 starter, still not a loss either.

This!

I saw a pitcher in AA Pierson Ohi. Does anyone know the story on him? Is he a solid pitching prospect? He has solid numbers.

I’m ok with bringing him back but it would need to be in the 2-4 million range. And hopefully this year he would get around 250-300 ABs. Primarily because Buxton is getting more time in the OF and Solano gets some DH ABs. His OBP was an Arraez replacement, though not quite as good. His XBH were similar too. He makes a nice Pinch Hitter DH and occasional IF mostly 1B at this point but emergency at 2nd or 3rd. I would still expect a .330+ OBP from him and doubles. I’m also fine if we move on. Luckily our offseason is primarily restructuring our bench and finding a Sonny Gray replacement. This team is mostly set beyond this. So we can debate this all winter. 🤔