tony&rodney

Turns out that somebody does not like Helman. Hmmm.

The players given the the highest amount of dollars in bonuses almost always find their names on a list. If they are really young it will be in the back half of Top 100. The Twins have some comparable players to the prospects sent to Miami: Eduardo Beltre, Dameury Pena, and Yasser Mercedes to name three. It's best to see how a player does after a couple of hundred plate appearances at A and A+ before getting too excited. My guess is that the recent Luzardo physical sent Miami into sell now for whatever mode. Philadelphia didn't really need a pitcher, but it's a gamble worth the price. The Twins could have sent Beltre and Mercedes.

They have Michael Helman.

That's ridiculous. There is no way I'm giving up my avocado toast slathered with Sriracha (the Huy Fong Foods original and not some cheap copy) just so the Twins can acquire a Chris Paddack clone. Next we will be asked to give up our Volcanica Free Range Kopi Luwak coffee to drink Folgers from the big round tin once again and suffer their commercials. No way. I'm suddenly more content with fourth place finishes in the AL Central. Also, you have enlightened me to how the Twins management makes choices; it's clear now.

Caba is 19. He did well in the Dominican League. Clearwater (FSL-A ball) was a little tough the first go around for him with an OPS of .493. Caba was signed for a big number and that is most of the reason he is on any list at this time. He looks good at shortstop. The only Rookie or A ball players ranked are always from the top of the signing pools in terms of dollars spent. It is a good idea to wait until a player has a decent run at A/A+ before getting too high on them. The Twins similar players might be Eduardo Beltre, Dameury Pena or even Yasser Mercedes. The Jesus Luzardo physical that ended all conversations with the Cubs must have pointed to something amiss. The Marlins took two lottery tickets who are four years away for their #2 SP. The optics are bad on this. I don't think anyone can compare a prospect who just came to A ball and struggled in a small sample to Luke Keaschall who played D1-AA baseball, putting up solid numbers in his age 21 season at AA. Caba may prove himself yet, but he has a ways to go.

Two A ball prospects, a 50 and a 40 grade return to Miami. Guess the physical must have been less than stellar on Luzardo. This is a minimal return on a guy who was highly sought lafter last offseason.

You may be exactly correct on this opinion. I'm seeing teams fill their needs at backup catcher, backend rotation starters, relievers, and reserve players. Seems like there are fewer teams looking for players that cost $6-10M for their team than there was in November. I am interested to read any ideas or suggestions of how the Twins can fill their needs.

This is what the Twins want to do, not necessarily anyone else's idea.

More and more signs point to the Twins rolling out the current roster. I'm not convinced that ownership has a strict $130M payroll as often is suggested and which I used both last year and now. Perhaps Paddack is retained. He would be easy to trade and useful on the team, but I fear Paddack in the rotation. Front offices and managers have distinct thoughts and philosophies on players and game strategy. This makes my preference for defense and better team speed pretty pointless versus the Twins choices. Each of us views separate ballplayers through our own personal bias. Julien was a sad hole last season. None of Lewis, Lee, or Miranda can be pointed to as players who put up a fair performance last year either. Yet there is a constant refrain that all of Lewis, Lee, and Miranda will lead the team forward in 2025. It seems like Falvey and Baldelli share this belief. As such it might be best to accept an infield of Miranda-1B, Lewis-2B, Lee-3B, and Correa-SS. There a few people (very few) ready to hand an outfield position to Emmanuel Rodriguez because he plays outstanding defense and is ready. I would play ER. The Twins are quite unlikely to take that plunge, leaving an outfield of Larnach, Buxton, and Wallner. If management sees this squad as their optimum lineup, it is what it is. Perhaps the only change may be a trade of one or more pitchers and a couple of prospects. I have to admit that the Twins "wait and see" and "we are listening" approach doesn't seem like a plan. Never a fan of billionaires, I am tired of any references to "owner imposed ..." The Twins have had numerous options and continue to have opportunities if they see a need to make a few changes with their roster. They will have the highest payroll in the division and quite a bit higher than Milwaukee. Money is not an issue. I'm entering my wait and see, but I'm listening phase too. Change can still occur but I have no idea how Falvey & Sons view talent or roster construction.

Have we seen this before or not?

Ortiz is a real shortstop. He only played third base because Adames was entrenched at shortstop for Milwaukee. Turang would also be a very good shortstop but is more valuable and comfortable at second base. Brooks Lee projects quite nicely at third base for either the Twins or Brewers. I think the Brewers would like Lee but may take Woods Richardson. The harder question is whether Milwaukee is open to trading Quero at any price. He is a gamble because he is coming off of a shoulder injury suffered while sliding back into first base on a pickoff. Ford may be available for a Julien or Miranda plus Varland deal. I'm not sure Falvey is willing to trade anyone due to his belief in his guys. Hard to guess what the Dodgers want for Rushing. Pitching always, but i get the sense LAD likes Rushing's bat at LF/1B/DH/C enough to keep him. Cartaya has seen his stock plummet after a tough year with the glove and less than expected results from his bat. Seems like the Twins need to take a shot for a catcher this year but I'm afraid Falvey has lost a sense of whether the team needs any movemt in their roster. Plenty has occurred with the Twins on the sidelines. On the other hand, a ton of Twins Daily folks seem like the talent on hand is fine. I don't see it right now. Call me skeptical but the team needs 2-4 moves to be competitive.

The payroll limitations are less of a problem than the will or vision. The Twins may see their team as complete with zero additions necessary. Then again, the Twins may want a few changes but are hesitant to make a deal. Look around baseball and you will see many teams making some changes. All of the teams hoping to find themselves in the playoffs have made some moves, more or less.

Perhaps Ryan, Miranda, Vazquez, and Yasser Mercedes would bring back Jarren Duran.

It is pretty complex. We don't even know how much concern is present, much less attention to specific details. The sale process is hired out likely.

Is that The Plan? We haven't seen much movement and teams are already closing up the holes on their rosters. The Twins are ...... listening?

I'm a little surprised to get a thumbs down on suggesting a Spring Training invite for these players if they are unable to sign contracts. Seems like a gamble worth taking to give them a shot.

Cleveland, Detroit, Kansas City, and Chicago have all made attempts to improve their rosters for 2025. We can debate whether their teams are improved but we cannot refute that each of those teams have made some moves. The Twins added a few non roster players who hope to shine bright in the Florida sunshine as well as a roll of the dice Rule 5 player. In other news Joe Pohlad put down 100K on red at a local casino (JK). Who has better odds to smell like a rose?

Agree totally and have plugged him in a major point of business for the Twins to consider. What is the price. Is it a few prospects like The Culpeppers (Kaelen & C. J.) or higher? I am not a fan of trading any of Jenkins, EmRod, Keaschall, Festa, or Matthews. Open to ideas but Tampa Bay is always a little mysterious with their asks.

It might be time to retire any idea that all trades made by any front office of the Twins are bad. Falvey & Sons have made a number of really good deals. Trades of good players always contain an element of gambling, especially when one considers injuries; the unknown can be tricky.

The most exciting player, hands down, that I ever watched in baseball from my era (1961-2024) of following baseball. Not my favorite but the most exciting. I loved the first person Ricky interviews. RIP #35. Wearing #24 later was a tribute to Say Hey.

I read that the Twins already completed their coaching hires for next year.

That ship has sailed. The determination on spending needs to be made by the close of the World Series. Perhaps the team owners are not totally set on exactly $130M or less, which allows for something in the neighborhood of $135M. We can be pretty sure though that nothing significant will added to payroll and live with the loss of Paddack's contract via a trade as a minimum reality.

Correa and Lopez are not only different people playing different positions but their contracts are also far different affecting their different value. Add that the Twins do not have anyone to play even passable shortstop and all conversations stop there with Carlos. Pablo should be held tight unless another team wants to get stupid with an offer. Yes, that happens. Mostly, these threads are throwing out ideas which is always ok.

It will be interesting to see what happens to Pete Alonso. He may just go for a one year deal if nothing materializes. As far as the Twins go, they should just stay away from any of these players unless they manage to deal current options like Miranda, Julien, and Lewis making a reunion with Santana a possibility.

The Twins don't have a direction now, so no long term contracts. I don't think anyone knows yet what the Twins have in any of Walker Jenkins, Emmanuel Rodriguez, or Luke Keaschall. At this point they are prospects and the Twins are in limbo on money.