Steve71

I will say that if they hang on to Kepler, an OF consisting of Gallo-Buxton-Kepler would be very strong defensively, probably the best in MLB. And with fly ball pitchers like Ryan, that is no small thing.

He does have 77 career home runs with men on base, so that is a pretty good sacrifice fly....that goes over the fence.

I am not thrilled by the signing, but I get it. It is a long-shot chance that he re-emerges and likes hitting to the short porch in Target Field. Here is the stat on Gallo that blows my mind: In 2364 at bats, he has 3 sacrifice flies. How is that even possible??????

Rodon rebuffed the Twins overtures 2 years in a row. He was never coming here, folks.

Selected reading much? 1) I think you are in the minority if you think the Twins should have paid the same contract to Correa (assuming he would take it from the Twins, which I doubt; we would likely have to pay even MORE.) 2) At current tax rates, Correa will pay an extra $12.25M in California taxes on that contract. And California is threatening to raise the top individual rate to 27%, which would make the MN offer higher net dollars. Even at the current rates, the Twins AAV was $2.5M per year higher, but of course we were not paying him when he is 41. 3) I said the Twins should consider "candidates" for extensions. You immediately jumped to the second highest such early extension in history, Franco. We don't have a Franco on the roster, so that is inapplicable. 4) Correa is projected at about 4-5 WAR. The Twins were under .500 WITH him on the roster. We are not "on the brink" of contention unless a ton of young players blossom and the injury bug leaves town. None of that is impacted on whether we have Correa or Swanson or Farmer or whomever as SS in any meaningful way. We are many, many pieces from a complete high-level team. 5) Again, please read what I wrote. I would only consider that for the Twins if the Padres ate a big portion of the contract. But if we can get Tatis at a third of what we would have paid Correa, sign me us, even if he plays LF instead of SS in the future.

Well, the Giants have won 3 World Series since 2010, and won 107 games in 2021. The Twins have not even won a single playoff game in the last 18 years. The Twins have won over 100 games one time in their franchise history, 101 in 2019. The Giants spend like a big-market team. The Twins do not. Which team would you rather play on?

Some thoughts: 1) How many of us would say "Yes" if Correa would have signed the identical deal with the Twins? I vote "No". 2) With California's 13% income tax, the Twins AAV deal was actually very, very competitive. I think Correa chose the Giants because he sees them as a better franchise long-term to get him into the playoffs consistently. Difficult to argue with that analysis. 3) Twins should use their financial "cushion" this year creatively. Extend a promising young player ala the Rays. Candidates might be Miranda or one of the young pitchers (not Ryan, too old). 4) Another use of that cushion would be to absorb another team's short-term bad contract and collect some good prospects. 5) I would call San Diego and see if the rumors that Tatis is hated in the clubhouse are correct, and whether they want to swing a deal to get rid of him, paying part of that ginormous contract. That might enable the Padres to sign Rodon or another target. I refer readers to the "Baseball Remains Broken" thread for a complete discussion about how imbalanced MLB has become.

I like Swanson. He is a very, very good player who would make the Twins a better team if signed. He is clearly not as strong a player as Correa based on past track record, but time will only tell as to how they both play in the future. My feeling is that if Correa signs elsewhere, Swanson is hardly a "consolation prize" and Twins fans should be well pleased if he comes to play here. The Twins might have more financial resources and flexibility if Swanson is signed vs. Correa, too. And he could outperform Correa, too.

I personally have not gotten my hopes up on Rodon as I have zero expectation or indication that the Twins will sign him. I think he is the best pitcher on the market, save perhaps DeGrom. I would love to see him on the Twins. I just think it is a massive long-shot. I think we should get a 2 for 1 special from Boros and sign both of the Carlos'.

Cross posting this from other thread, some Rule 5 draft prospects to consider? Some possibilities: Maverick Handley from Orioles; Antonio Gomez from Yankees; Drew Millas from Nat's; Dominic Miroglio from Diamondbacks; Kile Cottam and Stephen Scott from Red Sox. Twins haven't drafted anyone for a while, but they might like one of these catchers....

Some possibilities: Maverick Handley from Orioles; Antonio Gomez from Yankees; Drew Millas from Nat's; Dominic Miroglio from Diamondbacks; Kile Cottam and Stephen Scott from Red Sox. Twins haven't drafted anyone for a while, but they might like one of these catchers....

I hope Ryan is a stud. But the Twins can't sign every young pitcher to an extension or they will end up with a roster of Dobnak's. If waiting a year or two costs the Twins money, it means Ryan is worth it. Happy to have him well compensated if he proves he is worth it. The Twins certainly need young SP's. Too soon.

I like Ryan, but there is absolutely no reason to give him an extension at this early stage of hopefully, a long and fruitful career. This topic *might* be something to consider after next year, when we will all know a lot more about the young man's trajectory.

Perhaps the Twins have their eye on a Rule 5 catcher, too. There are a couple interesting options at that position.....

Well, in response to Nick's post just above, there are 3 other "premium" SS options in the FA market that might be available at lower cost/shorter terms. This might stretch their self-imposed budget to acquire other assets. Turning back to Correa, I for one would rather offer him 5/$200 than these 9 and 10 year contracts being discussed. He is a wonderful player, but he may not be when he is 36-38 years old. Pay a very healthy AAV for his good years; if he wants an opt-out at some point (not in 1 year like last contract), sure. Perhaps with a team option to extend him an additional year for $40M.

This might be what it takes, but I would only do this deal if Mr. Joe Pohlad is going to increase the budget a moderate amount to the $160-70M range. Otherwise, I would be concerned that we would have too many financial eggs in one basket for the long run. What happens if Correa falls off after 2 or 3 years? Twins with a sub-$150M budget would be hamstrung.

If I were to try and sign Rodon, I would go bigger and shorter, say 3/$90. I hate to be tied to a big contract when he is 35.

They CAN get both Correa and Rodon, it is just unlikely they WILL sign both. Therre is no rule that the Twins can't spend more than their self-imposed budget, as there is no hard cap like in the NFL (although there should be). It would certainly be refreshing if they signed both, and perhaps flip Kepler and his small contract for a starting Catcher with any other assorted smaller pieces. No one thought they would sign Correa last year, so it is possible, especially when they have this vaunted "good relationship" with Boros, who represents both Correa and Rodon. Make is a 2-fer!

I would also do that trade. Hardly ridiculous, 2 pitchers who have good raw stuff and can't stay healthy, and a player on last full year of contract who many here want to send out.

I would wait another year before making any extension decision on Luis. Very fun player, but this team's infield in roster is in quite a state of flux at this time and the FO should get another year under their belt before making a call. Just my 2 cents.

I would rather "overpay" Rodon on a shorter-term contract than pay a lesser AAV over 5 years. In other words, I would prefer something like 2/$70 vs. 5/$125. That way we don't have a boat anchor contract in 2026 still killing our budget.

Why is "Rodon not the answer"? Honestly curious, as he looks like a much better SP than anything on our roster and is another Boros FA. Maybe we can package both Correa and Rodon?

We are all just guessing at this point. Until Maeda toes the rubber and gets some work in ST, we do not know what his future will be and his role on the staff. And comparing him to Verlander is huge stretch. Verlander has been the prototypical workhorse for a long, long career. Maeda, whom I do like and admire, not so much. I hope he does brilliantly. Lack of SP slots is a problem that pitching staff health will sort out.

I would present 2 offers: 1) 3 years, $38M per year. Mutual option for a 4th year at $36; OR 2) 7 years, payable $40, $39, $38, $37, $36, $35, $35, total of $260M. Something along those lines. And I agree with posters above that the Twins need to put a deadline on the offer so they are not left holding the bag when the music stops. And while you are at it, offer Rodon and Boras 4 years at $27.5 and get both of them!

On Urshela, I certainly tender him and pencil him in to play SS until and if Lewis/Lee or someone else arrives. This all assumes we don't get one of the big FA SS's, which seems a likely outcome but you never know. I would cut Paddack, unless there is insurance to pay the salary for another year. The roster spot has value, and he is now a long shot to ever contribute. I would NOT extend Mahle and let him play out his contract year. Pagan needs a change of scenery....like Japan.