tony&rodney

Does anyone believe that Ryan had any choice on a budget or that he did not spend as much as his boss(es) allowed?

Fun article Nash. The Twins are a good match for Cody Bellinger in many ways and his strong play on both offense and defense should gain him a strong deal. Bellinger, like many of the trade ideas for starting pitchers, is a player worth discussing. Unfortunately, there are reasons for the Twins to pass on Bellinger. Of course money is a factor, but the Twins also have two guys who still hold great promise if they can step over their inconsistencies and injuries. Jose Miranda and especially Alex Kirilloff can be terrific bats. Kirilloff has been missing as much as Buxton but it doesn't exclude him from getting it together and beginning a run of excellent production.

Great to watch you guys exchange ideas and then converse. The Twins are definitely in a tough spot as far as getting a deal done for a really good pitcher. Your comments and hesitations indicate how difficult it would be to pry away someone like Gilbert or Luzardo. Theo just skips to a deal that Atlanta would find attractive. Not a bad plan but also not really needed either. Interestingly, you guys are skeptical about Emmanuel Rodriguez emerging as a true MLB player of value, so see that now is a good time to trade him. I'm holding him. Shift over to viewing the Twins roster from another perspective and you all clearly believe Royce Lewis (the guy who will actually make a Seattle or Miami trade happen) is off the table. This will be the price though unless the Twins overpay which will then surely weaken the team. I fully believe in Varland, as mentioned by Theo, and think the Twins are in a good place right now with their offense and pitching staff. Yes, for sure, Gilbert (or Kirby) is a guy I would want pitching for the Twins. The price may just be too high. I know i have played around with nearly identical ideas but am bullish on the offense for this season and the emergence of Varland. Festa may contribute as well. Fun thoughts though. Thanks.

That is all any fan ever has. How many World Series have the Dodgers won in the last 25 years? How about those Mets? Has Kansas City ever had a good team? Every fan hopes that this will be the year. The Vikings have had its citizens build them two football stadiums and the place is packed, I hear (have never set foot in the new stadium). The fans have hope, quite a bit of it.

Farmer player a terrific centerfield and had pop from the bottom of the lineup. We can hope that Martin is fluid wherever he plays and is a total pest at the plate as well as on the bases. He may not open the year on the 26 person roster but we should not be surprised to see him in Kansas City on Opening Day either.

This seems correct and I really wanted the Twins to add a FA SP. However, it looked really clear early in the offseason that this wasn't going to happen, so I can't worry about it. I don't want the Twins to weaken their lineup with a trade. In fact, I would add Rhys Hoskins for a year if there was money. But that won't happen. Hey, maybe the Twins sign Snell.

The starting five and others: Lopez, Ryan, Ober, Varland, & Paddack plus Festa, Woods Richardson, Raya, etc. will be fine. Any addition will be appreciated if it fills in above Ryan and/or the cost is negligible. We absolutely cannot predict anything with precision but believe Paddack is good for 120 innings and all of the others could go 180 innings. Stuff happens but right now the Twins have a top six starting rotation in the American League. The bullpen will also be fine, although injuries are even more difficult to predict for relievers. The Twins are signing minor league free agents and sifting for some help. I'm not sure why people are so nervous about the position players. None of Kirilloff, Miranda, Polanco, Lewis, or Buxton were healthy to start last season and all are expected to be at full strength to start this season. Correa and Kepler should be fully healed as well. This team has good depth right now. Jeffers and Vazquez were quite a duo last year and i expect Camargo and perhaps another to catch a dozen times this year. Those expecting every player to regress must also believe that none of Martin, Kiersey Jr., Prato, Helman, or others will offer much if they are neded from time to time. The future is unknown but Vegas, Fangraphs, and just about every other prognostication suggests that the Twins will be better this season than last. Last season I guessed +/- 5 wins from 83 with an AL Central title. This year I'm guessing +/- 87 victories with an AL Central crown. It is all guessing but the 2024 Twins look like a better team than the 2023 squad.

I believe they will be fine. I liked both Gray and Maeda but there was never going to be any assurance that they would repeat their performances, although they easily could. I'm ready to see what Ober, Varland, Paddack, Festa, and others can do from the mound. More to the point, the Twins were not going to sign Gray and/or Maeda or any FA SP. Why worry about that which is beyond your control?

Let the individual games create some entertainment for you. Fans have no control over the finances. As far as corporate goes, sports organizations might be the most accountable of all large businesses. You can vote for whomever you please but representatives vote how they please. A baseball fan enjoys watching little league, high school, amateur teams, the minor leagues, and MLB. Your choice as a fan is the level of expertise you wish to see and the time, effort, and money you wish to spend. Falvey was given far larger budgets than Ryan ever was allowed but he has limits too. There isn't any reason to be a fan of or criticize either guy as they do what they do within the walls of their job. Leave the money side alone before it ruins whatever joy you ever found in the game. The Twins should be a fun team to watch this summer and pretty good too.

The Twins had very little depth two years ago and they were a team waiting to fall apart in July. Trading was a plan to avert the inevitable and the 2022 season turned out about how they looked, even early in the year. Having a Correa may have had some influence on how Falvey saw that team. The addition of depth with the signings of Vazquez, Solano, Stewart, Gallo, and a few other pieces along with the trades for Taylor, Farmer, and Lopez gave length to the team. This allowed for the younger players to sift into the lineup as their talent and performances shown. The story for this coming season is unfinished but right now the Twins look stronger to me than in prior years. The hope for the Pohlads to sign a FA starting pitcher, cost be damned, has never been a thing for this ownership even if it looks now like an easy upgrade that doesn't disturb the current depth. The team should be better this year. No angst for me at this time. Sure it would be nice to add a #2 SP, a decent additional reliever, and a guy like Rhys Hoskins but the risk of losing players via trade might tip or disturb the reasonable depth and have unseen consequences. Hopefully a good media deal evolves in the coming weeks, one fair to the team's finances and to fans. The Twins do need to consider the coming increases in player salaries over the next few years as they build the roster. There are a few prospects waiting for a chance who could make significant contributions when their opportunity arrives. This offseason the team may be better off by letting the roster develop on its own.

FWIW, Puckett was given the largest contract in baseball history when he signed it. The Twins were happy to sign Correa and Correa was happy to return. The idea that he had no other options is absurd. Why do people pay such negative attention to player's salaries. They make far less than many corporate executives (not to mention trust fund folks) and have to earn their pay in a short window before ... poof ... the career is over. Baseball is entertainment, enjoy it.

Agreed about total absolute stances. Lewis & SWR for Kirby & Ford seems fair or EmRod for Gilbert. Fine. Seattle doesn't want prospects though so trading EmRod is a moot point. I can't think of a pitcher worth trading for that would involve Rodriguez. Can you?

Ryan Jeffers is a really decent catcher. I do not believe he is underrated. Part of his worth is how he has been used. When Baldelli divides the catching duties evenly Jeffers does a really good job. I'm not convinced his load could rise above 110 games. Vazquez is a very good catcher and I expect he will hit a bit better this season. Any offense from the catcher is a bonus. We saw what happens when Jeffers is used everyday during the playoffs. Still I'm a big fan of Jeffers. The Twins do need to work on developing more options for the catching position.

I read this comment as you are saying this is what would be needed and not what you would actually accept. I can agree that Luzardo, Gilbert, or Kirby would be costly additions. The trade you suggest would guarantee the Twins to finish in 2nd place in the AL Central, so not a good idea. Still your point is valid that the cost may be more than the Twins are able to meet.

For just this coming season, how have people felt understanding that Max Kepler is easily the best Twins outfielder on the roster and one not easily replaced? Shivers?

I thought you had eliminated yourself from any Kepler comments after DHing him last June? Naughty.

Did the Mafia force Correa to play for the Twins? Don't be silly, dude, he had choices. Of course he took the larger salary. Is that a first in MLB history?

Good that you enjoy Correa. The reality of contracts for MLB teams is that rarely does any contract actually hinder their financial approach. Of course, we can look to Tampa Bay and the pathetically run Athletics as a couple of examples where contracts are dumped. The Twins have the money by the tens of millions. I don't care how the Pohlads spend their money because there is no way I can control their habits. I'm also fine with them doing their mega big business deal approach to profit because .... again, i have no say in the matter. We should never confuse any contract, Mauer, Buxton, Correa, etc., for a drain or some minimal limitation on the Twins financial decisions simply because none exists. This has been argued endlessly but I will just close by saying, enjoy Correa for what he brings to the game and completely forget about the money because you have no say in the matter.

Don't give a #*&@ about the Hall of Fame, but Carlos Correa is a mighty fine baseball player. The amount I pay for a game is not determined at all by his salary, so forget his contract and try to enjoy a magnificent shortstop playing for our Minnesota Twins.

I agree that the Twins need to hold their best prospects (top five - Jenkins, Lee, EmRod, Festa, Raya). Of course, every prospect "may" have reached their ceiling but EmRod could explode this season to Dylan Crews status/value. I don't see the value as very important when the organization plans to develop and put a player into their own lineup. The value for trading is all over the place. Where does Falvey see EmRod in two years? I think he sees him on the grass at Target Field.

This season should tell people where Correa is headed for the next few years. Hopefully, the foot and all minor aches, pains, and little injuries are completely healed and that Carlos enters the year at 100% health. Plantar fasciitis is brutal, but Correa managed to fight through the year. Fully healthy and with a stronger lineup all around him, perhaps we see CC go back to career averages or better. Then folks can revisit his candidacy in five years time.

Bailey Ober is a large human and tall pitchers often develop more slowly. Last season Ober was pretty good and it often seemed like he could throw all day. There are still questions about whether Ober can repeat his success of last season for a full year and beyond. Reasonable. I'm thinking Ober has a great shot at settling in as a really good #3 pitcher for several years. Ryan is a different type of pitcher. He needs to have his control working for him. I do think he can be a really good #4 pitcher a decent run and have confidence in him. Both pitchers are good but were a bit rundown by the end of last year. I'm expecting more durability this year.

Last year my range was plus or minus five from 82 wins. This year it may be too early to guess, but i will say plus or minus five from 88 wins. I'm taking the over on 86.5 victories. At this time, the offense looks solid and there is good depth as well. The pitching is always an unknown but I'm good with our starting five and bullpen. A big addition would be nice but there is a concern about the cost given for any transaction.

When was the last time Falvey traded a top ten organizational prospect before that player had reached the majors? Perhaps this is important .... or not, but at least we should be aware of how Falvey has worked in the past. Spencer Steer topped out as a #11 prospect for the Twins. He was behind a ton of players. Good for him that he has received an opportunity with the Reds. Steer would not have received a promotion with the Twins. Luck and circumstances play into careers. The guy the Twins should not have given up to Cincinnati was Encarnacion-Strand. The Twins need Emmanuel Rodriguez to develop into a star. He might not but Falvey is unlikely to risk the young slugger reaching his potential with another team and there should not be anyone blocking his path as soon as next year. Who knows what will happen between now and May. I'm open to improvements, but do not see using EmRod as a trade chip as a good idea. Besides, the point is likely moot because teams like Seattle are trying to win now and not looking for prospects.

Some have wondered if EmRod is too patient and whether he takes strikes right down the middle. Based just on about 75 at bats that I have watched, the knowledge of the strike zone is real. I cannot comment on whether he is too patient. He does, in fact, take a number of pitches middle middle in the zone. These are rarely with guys on base or late in a close game. I wonder (we will not hear) what his coaches say about his concentration at times. He seems (as i said above) to give away at bats. I expect this potential issue to go away once he sees the prize and money of MLB; he will grow considerably in his attention to details IMHO.