I watched the video earlier tonight. If Oakland comes calling with the type of prospects described for Nelson Cruz, I’d be underwhelmed. He may easily be able to play another season for whoever acquires him.
This may not make good baseball sense but I’d hate to part with Cruz. It would hurt. He’s been a blessing for the organization, classy and one of the best hitters in Twins history pro-rated. I also feel he;’s lent a measure of prestige to the Twins, who don’t often acquire a hitter of his stature in free agency. Before this season went off the rails, I really wanted him to retire a Twin - after the 2022 season.
If a team wants an impact bat of that magnitude, they need to pay a top 8-10 pitching prospect. I’m very leary of them fishing in the A+ arena for Cruz. No. We need guys like Winder, Balazovic, maybe a healthy Canterino. The sooner the starting pitcher rebuild for 2022 starts the better, especially as sluggish as Falvey and Levine get in the offseason. If they could add a couple good near ready, pitching equivalents of Kirilloff and Larnach now, and then get the job done on an impact starter in the early to mid offseason, either trade or free agent - then the Twins might have a fighting chance.