tony&rodney

For now, the Twins ARE the big spenders in their division. The books are about as clean as possible with a reasonable amount of resources within the organization. New ownership will be looking to increase the profile and public appeal of their purchase through media exposure, attendance, and any other opportunities. At this time there are about 20 MLB teams operating in roughly the same economic neighborhood. A new owner is not likely to thrust the Twins into the upper atmosphere in terms of expenditures. Perhaps the largest difference may be an owner or ownership group that has an active interest in their team.

Well, I don't know what mlb the show is. I think I said it is sorta .... something over the winter. I think people know the Twins aren't the Yankees and very little to nothing will come to pass in an ordinary offseason. It's just passing the time.

Interesting that Boston, needing catchers, trades a catcher.

Prospect rankings have been a money maker for 40 years now. The depth of coverage is better but how many people can actually watch the players 10-25 times. The variables are immense and some of the best potential athletes just get homesick and can't handle the bus rides. It is a tough business and we all need to understand the fluidity of prospect rankings. Since the advent of milb.com streaming minor league games I have felt like those of us who have the time and interest are able to see a number of players more than was ever possible. Watching the games is better than video which is better than just looking over data, but nothing beats watching live. Even scouts and writers who make a good salary writing about prospects don't see guys often enough though.

Do you believe Falvey will make any type of significant trade?

Mickey Gasper - backup catcher? The pitchers will go on strike. The idea for a "play GM" is sort of fun but it needs an open and close time, maybe two times during the offseason if the bosses feel it worthy. The discussion was pretty nonexistent this year however, so perhaps the greater TD community has tired of the idea.

Seems hard to believe anything can be done about Carlos Correa, except to hope for good health for him. He has a big NoTrade contract which would be difficult to move. More importantly, he is the only true shortstop in the system right now. I guess Falvey could sign Andrelton Simmons again if that was the direction chosen.

We are on Page 3 of comments on a nothing trade. Falvey & Sons may have been purposely done putting this roster together last offseason. We are stooges just goofing around having a little fun in our spare time with an entertainment that helps us avoid the continuing tragedies in our world. Thank you Twins Daily.

I agree. First thought though - name a modern Philly shortstop that hit .200 but had a top glove. I don't believe the Phillies placed much value on Caba. Second though - Gabriel gonzalez was in Top 100 slots last year. Have you seen him play? I like to watch the players and place very little status in bottom 100 prospects.

Makes one wonder whether it is better to give those lost plate appearances to EmRod, Keaschall, Eeles, and others versus relying on Gallo, Margot, etc.

What would we do? Clearly, the Twins did not want Luzardo. The Phillies don't roster good field/no hit players so the prospect (Caba) that went to the Marlins was an infield reverse of who Gabriel Gonzalez (good hit/no field OF) was last offseason. In other words, not too valuable. Culpepper is worth slightly more at this time although he is not ranked. In any respect, the Marlins were just dumping Luzardo.

Uh, Cleveland has Jose Ramirez on their team. You would have an easier team getting Judge or Soto. Redo.

K. Culpepper already has received a fair amount of respect. MLB.com has him as the Twins #4 prospect now. I guess you are wondering why Twins Daily writers put Kaelen lower. I don't know. The contact/ ability to hit and arm strength are clear strengths, but Culpepper is not a speedster, has not hit with power, and his glove has yet to be lauded on any level. There is a good chance that Kaelen has himself a decent MLB career as a 2B/3B or strong utility player. The Twins clearly like him. As a first round draft choice he will receive a ton of opportunities to show his skill and this year will answer some questions about how the young infielder adapts to a higher level of professional baseball. I'm looking forward to watching him play next summer. I don't believe he is underrated at this time.

I agree that Diaz would help the lineup and lengthen the lineup. I disagree that the Twins cannot afford Diaz or others. It is a choice. There have been and still are options. I believe, until proven wrong, that Falvey has his team exactly as it is currently rostered. Money has nothing to do with it. Falvey has said that on numerous occasions and we have seen how the team has backed its players and let trade opportunities slide away. The Twins like what they have. Nothing wrong with that. Roll it back and expect improvements through experience, etc. This (at this time) looks like the plan. Has anyone heard anything to suggest anything different?

It didn't only look bad last season, it was in actual real time reality just plain poor. So yeah, something needs to give and break differently in 2025 with this group. Thing is, you just never know.

This was my very first thought seeing the title (Wallner) ... what you said. Falvey has his team. Our thoughts and attempts to tweak the roster were pointless similar to all references to payroll. The roster was already on board. In addition to Lewis, Larnach, and Wallner, it will be important to receive productive rebounds from at least two of Miranda, Julien, and Lee along with continued health from our catchers. While I would love to see Emmanuel Rodriguez and maybe even Luke Keaschall on Opening Day, the Twins will hold them in AAA until at least late May but still hope to get key contributions from the rookies in 2025. The Twins currently rostered will get their shot at proving their worth and that is what every baseball player ever wants, opportunity.

Baltimore has a few prospects (Basallo & Mayo), but I'm not really interested in either one of those guys for Pablo Lopez. I think Falvey is unplugged; he has his team. It has nothing to do with money. He just wants to see what his guys can do next season.

The Red Sox are done shopping for pitchers, so Twins fans can rest easy on Pablo Lopez. The trading scenarios are dwindling, which might be a good thing.

One of the reasons I like Lewis at 1B is because I believe it would free three things: Lewis' mind and the ability to possibly trade both Julien and Miranda who I think still have value. Miranda and Varland to Seattle for Harry Ford Duran, Castro, and Kyle DeBarge to Arizona for Jordan Lawler Brooks Lee to Milwaukee for Jeferson Quero Sign Julio Iglesias for $2-4M Trade Chris Paddack Maybe something like SWR, Julien, Topa, Vazquez, and $3M in international bonus money to San Diego for Dylan Cease Just some talent added. Sadly, the Twins may already have their roster and it is not a bad team. As is: Lewis, Castro, Lee, Correa, Larnach (EmRod here), Buck, Wallner along with the others and catchers.

Love that you are proposing ideas to improve the Twins roster. My opinions below are just that, mine. They are not criticisms. You asked and I'm answering. #1 The Twins say no. Casas is a DH who cannot run, field, or throw. That makes him about as valuable as Jose Miranda, who is already on the team. If the Red Sox sign Bregman, I think the Twins could acquire Casas for Miranda and Matthews. I'm high on Matthews and would not trade him. #2 The Marlins say no. Sandy Alcantara would command either a better player than Brooks Lee or a set of a couple of Julien(Miranda and Paddack) plus 3-4 prospects along the lines (or better) than Gonzalez. #3 Both Scherzer and Verlander say no. These guys have made a boatload of money playing baseball and will be very select about where they go. Unfortunately, this excludes the Twins. I wish Verlander could make a miraculous return as a Twins but no way it happens.

Billy Amick could well be a guy who hits a ton. He may also be a very good add-on in a trade.

If your goal is to acquire Tristan Casas, Duran is enough on his own. If you want to send Vazquez away in the deal, just add Varland or Topa. If you think Boston wants Miranda and Matthews and you want to send off Vazquez you add either Varland or Topa. Your deal is a pretty big overpay in talent. I understand that many feel that MLB may be too tough for Zebby Matthews but I'm thinking he will really develop in the next year plus. Zooming from A+ to MLB was a pretty drastic experience last summer. i would not trade Matthews for Casas. Again, I'm not high on DH only players, Casas does have a big bat for home runs, ala Matt Wallner. Wallner can run and throw and is much more athletic which gives me hope he will improve defensively. So we will disagree on Casas which is part of these discussions. I really think Royce Lewis would be a terrific first baseman.

I think the Guards would suggest that their loss at 2B is made whole by the improvement at 1B strictly for measuring defense. Cleveland is not afraid to make moves and added some pitching in an attempt to improve the 2025 roster. You are correct in positing that we shall see. I'm curious to see the Guards next move.

Yes. The Twins have some talent. I don't dispute or overlook that there are good players on the roster. I saw the Twins in the beginning of the year too and was also cognizant that they feasted on the hapless White Sox. Their record versus winning teams left room for improvement. The pitching is good in my opinion. The team lacks speed and the gloves are poor as a team. Thus, I'm of the thought that to compete above a .500 level the Twins need to make a few changes. Specifically, the team needs to address the defense at two or more positions. I'm aware that many people on Twins Daily have focused on the big middle part of last season as more representative of the team looking to 2025. I wish that were true and I actually hope it happens. I just don't see it. It very well may be that the Twins believe totally in the current roster, leaving minor peripheral changes to the roster. I'm also not at all impressed by the limited payroll escape excuse. The Twins have the largest payroll in the AL Central and also have a much bigger payroll than the Brewers. The Guardians made a trade of their 31 home run hitting first baseman among other moves. MLB is a brutally cut-throat business. Teams have options and opportunities all around them. It is up to management to build the best roster. Again, I understand that there is a stance that strongly believes the current guys are the way forward. Hope it works.

I saw a comparison of Luke Keaschall to Mike Trout. Please don't shoot the messenger. Also don't ever expect a Mike Trout out of Keaschall. Baseball loves to compare teenagers to superstars. Thankfully all mentions of Emmanuel Rodriguez being Juan Soto were flushed a couple of years ago. We can watch Cabo this coming year via milb.com and gain a clue how he is progressing.