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tony&rodney

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Everything posted by tony&rodney

  1. tony&rodney
    All attention now turns towards Yamamoto. Where will he sign? If you were a baseball player moving from Japan to the United States, where would you want to work? The move is already going to be a major cultural shift for the 25 year old. (Those of you who have spent time in Japan will know this.) I have no idea about the young man, but I hope he has a strong advisor and makes a choice that works for him off of the baseball field. He should, at the very least, have reached out to a number of other Japanese players who made the move to play in MLB.
  2. tony&rodney
    I can't think of a single reason to object to a player signing a contract to play (work) for a team of their choice in the location of their choice. It's unfortunate that everyone cannot choose their employment location and company, but that's life. We should all be happy for Ohtani. By all accounts (at least anything I have read) Shohei is a terrific human being who actually lives rather simply given his financial worth. In interviews, among teammates, and with his peers Ohtani is almost legendary in his kindness and agreeable nature. Was anyone surprised even a smidgeon that he is still in Los Angeles?
  3. tony&rodney
    All in all it works for the Dodgers and Ohtani. The Dodgers get to invest the $68 million per year which should bring them a bundle of money and then use the money earned to pay Ohtani. Ohtani get a big check each year starting ten years from and there may be significant tax advantages for him depending on several circumstances. Whatever, the Dodgers wanted Ohtani on their team and Ohtani wanted to play for the Dodgers. So everything is fine. Too bad everyone doesn't get to choose where they work.
  4. tony&rodney
    Well, we don't have to worry about the Dodgers having enough money. Still. there are other teams that could abuse this and falter which 100% puts MLB on the hook for the payments. It is MLB that guarantees all contracts, I believe. The irony of a team like the Twins getting a bill to help pay off a large contract signed by San Diego or some other team. Kinda funny actually.
  5. tony&rodney
    BTV is pointless, merely for entertainment, but not advisable for practical usage. Refer to Pablo Lopez for Luis Arraez trade. Of course my example was ridiculous, just like almost every trade offered on that site.
  6. tony&rodney
    I found the perfect trade on BTV. The Twins send Kyle Farmer and Randy Dobnak to the Marlins and Miami sends back Sandy Alcantara, Edward Cabrera, and Max Meyer to Minnesota. The trade is a perfect match on BTV. What do you think about that ? BTV? Me neither.
  7. tony&rodney
    The Twins are not signing a free agent pitcher of note. Turn your attention towards Michael Wacha for 2/$22M. That is as rich as it will get. I'm not suggesting to do this move because I'm still wishing for a trade for a really good pitcher with some controllable years, but the Twins are keeping the coin in the purse this year.
  8. tony&rodney
    Last offseason the Twins spent the entire winter plus trying to find a suitable/agreeable trade for Max Kepler because it made sense from several angles. Now folks are suggesting that it jusy makes sense to trade Jorge Polanco. I cannot disagree if the return is suitable/agreeable. This is almost exactly the same as the scenario last offseason with Kepler. Polanco has value and IF the return is a strong one, the Twins will trade him. If teams are looking for a bargain or offering minor league players of questionable value, Polanco stays and bats in the three hole. Polanco remains the best bat the Twins have when there are runners in scoring position and that still matters. But yes, if the return makes the team markedly better ....
  9. tony&rodney
    The team looks pretty good. Health and how young players respond in their early years are always unpredictable, but this team can win 85 games and the AL Central. While the starting pitching may not be as strong and the loss of Solano may be felt more than expected, the potential return of others (Buxton, Correa, Kirilloff, Miranda, Gordon, Paddack) plus the continued growth and production from the young players (Lewis, Julien, Wallner, Jeffers, Martin, Varland, Funderburk, Alcala) in a full season should make the 2024 team stronger than the 2023 team.
  10. tony&rodney
    The Brewers do have a surplus of young outfielders, similar to how many view the infield group of the Twins. Pitching remains a key focus in any trades, which clouds how these two teams match up right now. I wonder if there is any way for the Twins to work a trade with Milwaukee that brings Jeferson Quero to Minnesota. Is Quero off limits? What would it take to acquire him?
  11. tony&rodney
    Everyone likes Devin Williams and his changeup is a thing of beauty. The Twins are not going to trade Emmanuel Rodriguez for Devin Williams straight up. I love your commitment to getting Williams. Polanco and Williams both have two years left on their contracts. That might work.
  12. tony&rodney
    You are not alone with that thought/comment. Did you see Julien play 2B in September at all? However, I wonder if you have considered how the Twins look at who plays where. Who do you believe will play second base? Would you bet $5 that Falvey agrees with you?
  13. tony&rodney
    Yamamoto is 25 years old and he needs to finish his contract details within the next month, so we can expect him to sign within a week or two. From there, the contract limits will be pretty much set which will direct those teams willing to commit big money to finalize their offers. The trade market is so unpredictable due to the limits of risks inherent in big trades. It is likely that teams who are willing to trade pitching will wait out the free agent market to see if the demand goes up even more. January and February are months to expect some trades. Because the asking prices will be high for pitching one wonders whether some teams, such as the Twins, will sit this offseason off and go with their current squads. We should continue to see signings of minor players on a daily basis.
  14. tony&rodney
    I don't think that Jose Miranda was ever fully healthy in 2023. The Twins will want to see what he can do when healed and at full strength. Don't forget that Miranda hit very well in the minor leagues and in large stretches in his rookie year. A huge unknown for Minnesota is how Kirilloff and Miranda look when the bell rings.
  15. tony&rodney
    Gordon and Balazovic need to stick on the 26 person roster or they can be claimed. I have put Austin Martin in the lineup batting 9th in a number of iterations for the Twins in 2024. Martin is the one rookie who I hope can make a big contribution next season.
  16. tony&rodney
    For sure, Miami still needs to upgrade their offense. I'm not sure the Twins have any players of interest. They are specifically looking for an experienced DH, SS, and 3B. While it might have been 90% of TD against trading Jeffers, it might be 10% added to that to trade Royce Lewis. Perhaps you were thinking that the Marlins would be interested in Brooks Lee? Maybe. That's it though. Their outfield is covered as is second base.
  17. tony&rodney
    Miami got their catcher today, which takes any trades with the Marlins for pitching off the board.
  18. tony&rodney
    I think if you are going to follow the Twins, you need to be a realist and recognize the types of players and strategies that the team follows. You don't need to agree with Falvey's designs, but reality happens nonetheless. The Twins are not focused on defense in their scouting, development, promotions, or trades. That doesn't mean that they do not favor good defenders or teach it, it just means that their priorities are placed in other areas above defense. This is also true on contact. Remember, two things can both be true. The justification by the Twins is that their decisions bring the team a greater chance at winning games. Again, one does not have to agree with the Twins ideas. If you are referring to Julien at second base (right?), and assuming he is the primary second baseman in 2024, he will rarely be lifted next season for a defensive player. Now, in fact, Julien may be traded or not be the choice at second base, but if he is then fans need to know he will complete the vast majority of games he starts in the field. Don't let this bother you because as fans we just watch while Falvey runs the show, for better or worse.
  19. tony&rodney
    Slow down there ... My position has been trotted out all too often (by me and sometimes by others in replies) and sometimes misunderstood badly. 1. Are the Twins hurting that badly for money and do not feel they can carry the team they currently have? While I do not believe this to be true, some have suggested this. In this case, the Twins trade players for prospects, but do not really expect to win in 2024. I'm opposed to that move. 2. The Twins are able to trade one or more of their guys making from $6-11 million, possibly in combination with other players or prospects to improve their team (markedly) for 2024. In this case, the Twins trade 2-3 players which may include Polanco or others plus a potential prospect, etc. for a starting pitcher like Logan Gilbert. I don't think Gilbert is available but used his name. I am in favor of trades that make the Twins better in 2024 and into the future. 3. While I do not want the Twins to trade certain prospects (Festa, Emm-Rod, Jenkins), any trade of any player in the Twins system is acceptable for a clear improvement for the team. 4. I am in favor of and hopeful for a challenge type of trade that improves the team, similar to the trade of Arraez for Lopez last year. 5. Lastly (I promise), I do not want the Twins to trade any of Polanco, Kepler, Vazquez, or Farmer just to clear payroll. I have zero illusions of the Twins signing a top dollar player, which means clearing salary is pointless if the team does not receive a very good return (see #2). The Guardians just signed Austin Hedges for $4 million. A couple of relief pitchers just signed for @$5 million. The clock is ticking and opportunities are passing but the Twins would be foolish to just trade players to save money.
  20. tony&rodney
    Yah, the Twins are in a difficult position for adding any starting pitcher of significance. Guys like Lewis, Lee, Julien, Emm-Rod, Festa, and Jenkins should not be traded unless the return is someone like George Kirby. So, not happening. The team is actually in reasonably good shape as it sits. Falvey will add a few pitchers to compete for bullpen jobs, but it is likely that pitchers are the ones to fill the 40 person roster. The Marlins are still a possibility. You mention Rogers as a possibility, but the big known is that we don't know where Miami is headed; total guessing. We do know that Miami needs a catcher. How far would Falvey go to gamble on acquiring pitching? Is Miami still looking to save money? Perhaps the Twins could pry away a potential future asset like Sandy Alcantara along with Edward Cabrera for Ryan Jeffers. Too risky? This entire exercise of trying to guess where the Twins might improve their team has become Groundhog Day.
  21. tony&rodney
    Baseball more closely reflects what is the experience of the United States than football, basketball, and particularly hockey. There is a massive amount of money in all of these corporations but the largely shared revenues and regulated limitations of football, basketball, and hockey are not in play in baseball nor in the corporate U. S. to the same degree. Individuals are left to make of it as they wish but it is what it is. The ownership of baseball franchises has been carefully controlled but one wonders if the allure may fade somewhat for a very few certain ownership groups as they realize that their assets, the players, are worth more than they are. Same as it ever was, money will drive the business and the direction of the corporation we call MLB. I think we are all aware of that as we follow the conundrum of how the Twins will attempt to build a better team in 2024. I find it is best to just enjoy the games as individual contests of competition.
  22. tony&rodney
    Sorta ironic that there is a post on missing Pagan. For two years he blew up, but then managed to be good in the low pressure situations which gained him a beautiful new multi-year contract with Cincy. Good for Pagan. I'm glad he got his payday. The Twins will search around and sign some guys for February and March. Perhaps a Brock Stewart clone arrives, but the team is fine with Alcala, Winder, Sands, and Sons.
  23. tony&rodney
    MLB doesn't have money? The Ohtani signing might disagree. No matter what, business makes money when it comes to big business.
  24. tony&rodney
    ..... and me as I have stated dozens of times on TD.
  25. tony&rodney
    People want to trade with Milwaukee and Miami. Ok, here are a couple of trades that Milwaukee and Miami might consider. I hear calls for pitching coming to Minnesota. Now, I'm not suggesting these trades as let it happen, but attempting to put out what the other teams may find agreeable. Milwaukee: Joe Ryan, Griffin Jax, Marco Raya & Jorge Polanco for Jeferson Quero, Abner Uribe, & Corbin Burnes. The Brewers are unlikely to trade Quero or even listen to offers for him. Miami: Bailey Ober, Ryan Jeffers, Trevor Larnach, & Josh Winder for Max Meyer, Sandy Alcantara, & Edward Cabrera. Nobody seems to know how the Marlins value Cabrera, Meyer, or Alcantara. Alcantara is out for 2024. I will add one more - Seattle: Brooks Lee Or Ed. Julien, Max Kepler, plus two A or AA pitchers for Logan Gilbert. None of these will happen but are more or less a reflection of the demands for pitching. I do think the Brewers might accept a trade of Mitchell for Polanco, which was suggested by TopGun#22. Polanco is a good player and if a trade returns a player that makes the Twins better in 2024, they have to trade him. The paltry $10.5M will not be enough to pay for a pitcher that makes a difference unless it is Burnes. The Rays will trade Glasnow for Jeffers but that is it and the Twins cannot pay Glasnow. Twins won't do that deal. Falvey has his work cut out for him, but there will be opportunities and the team as it is now can compete too.
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