tony&rodney

The Twins can still sign Story, trade for three good pitchers, and have a roster budget below $120 million. Falvey needs to work throughout the lockout, maybe some cocktail parties with Oakland, Miami, Cincy, and Milwaukee.

Jamie, these are sound ideas. The key is not what we want, although this is important, but what Oakland or another team sees as important for their team. There is some good for both teams in a MN-OAK trade. Bassitt and Montas might require a bit more than Larnach, Arraez, and Cavaco. Add Canterino and Strotman, even add Dobnak to close the deal, although I might agree to add even more. I'm also still wishing to pry away a young Miami pitcher too (unlikely) by trading Lewis and Duffey for Cabrera and Meyer. This trade would only be done with the Twins signing Trevor Story to a contract for 6/$132 million. The current roster plus these changes result in a roster for about $120 million. The Twins still have a number of other options too. They could bring in an experienced reserve corner outfielder quite inexpensively. They also have retained minor league players such as Kirilloff, Rortvedt, Martin, Miranda, Celestino, Wallner, Miller, Sabato, Rodriguez, Urbina, and pitchers such as Ryan, Ober, Duran, Winder, Balazovic, Woods-Richardson, Sands, Petty, Enlow, Raya, and Varland. The Twins can afford to part with a few pieces if they can find the partner who looks favorably on our offers. The core of Buxton, Polanco, and others are ready and just need a little boost from the pitching staff. Falvey will unfold his plan in time. The money is not a problem in any way. A roster for less than $120 million is affordable for the Twins franchise.

This all goes right back to the budget, where we were when the World Series ended. Use $130 million. Take the current roster (@$85-88), add suggested trades from TopGun#22 that includes Montas ($5.2) and Bassitt ($8.8), sign Pineda ($7-8), and there is still room for a 6/$120-132 million contract for Story. Additionally, if Story is signed the Twins could use either Martin or Lewis in a trade for the right return. There are options and it will be a matter of how Falvey is able to communicate with agents and others. Will the Twins take some risks via trade and a few free agent signings? Or back to the beginning - is the budget for 2022 really closer to $100 million than $130 million?

Opinions differ. They are similar. The money will almost surely favor Berrios though. Berrios is no longer a Twin, but he did everything possible to succeed and i wish him well.

The post was good, a reasonable suggestion. Thank you Nash. Internet trolls - not needed and boring. Twins fans will need to wait until the CBA is finalized to see if the team can be put together in ways many have mentioned, such as this post by Nash Walker. Unless, .... there is a last minute deal tonight.

Maybe, but the Twins pitchers need to protect Buxton in kind. I'm not a fan of this but the reality has always existed.

Nash, I'm all in on this post - great idea for the Twins. I would want one more pitcher too in a trade. I did chuckle at your last sentence though ... one of the best .. since last year; good sense of humor there. Despite the reputation of the Twins always struggling with pitching staffs, they have had some really good pitchers some years. Let's see it get done. The Twins have about $85 million on the books right now and $35 million more for pitchers wouldn't kill them.

I also believe that Stroman will get a 5/$100 contract. Stroman is a solid pitcher but not as accomplished as Berrios. It seems unlikely that the Twins would pay Stroman more than $17-18 per year when they were not interested in a long term contract with Berrios like 6/$120. I'm not so sure that avoiding Stroman is unsound. I preferred Berrios. The better value is via trade if that can be accomplished. Twins Daily commenters keep churning out ideas and I'm sure the Twins are sifting through scenarios as well. We will need to wait but I sure hope they can pry away a few good pitchers in trades.

I'm more inclined to trade some prospects than others. My basis is pure speculation based on projectable value; a pitcher's stuff and a hitter's barrel tendencies. So not very scientific. I keep Winder, Balazovic, Woods-Richardson, Ober, Miranda, and Martin. I'm willing to trade Duran, Ryan, Lewis, and others in the right situation. Castillo is likely worth Lewis and Kepler, but would try to offer someone else in place of Kepler. I'm still wondering about Montas and interested in what Oakland wants for Bassitt. Apparently, it seems there may be widespread interest in Kepler as a CF. This may produce something. I would want a good return for Kepler. He is very athletic and I do see him improving. But, Castillo, Montas ... yes, we still need good starting pitchers.

Winder may just be the best young pitcher the Twins have. i would trade Ryan before giving up Winder. Bassitt is a good add and may not require such a high price. Trades may also be on hold as roster decisions are made, meaning we wait until February to see what happens to complete the 2022 team.

The idea of adding pitching via trades is good. One thing that sticks out is the salary for Knebel. He will get $9-11 million most likely based on contracts already signed by relievers. The Yankees may bite on a trade for a catcher. Do they see Kepler as a CF? This is an interesting look.

Waiting for "The Plan" is difficult.

Manaea is looking better after a few signings and the Pirate-Marlins trade.

Trade market seemed like a way to go, specifically Oakland and Miami. Miami opportunity has sailed and "The Plan" might unfold after the whole CBA tussle.

If the Twins do sign Ray, it is a contract for years, at least five. This makes it easier to blend in their pitching prospects; good news. It also means that the Twins could add a pitching prospect to sweeten the pot in a potential trade. I'm still thinking that Miami wants something we have and we could use one or two of their pitchers. Oakland also remains a real solid trade partner. A signing of Ray would really open the possibilities for adding less expensive but additional excellent pitching via trades. It is not a stategy that i expected due to the cost of Ray, Rodon, or Stroman but it would be wonderful.

Buxton is way more talented than any of the players mentioned. I'll take the over on 135 games.

This seems about right. Someone on an invite or inexpensive, like Niko Goodrum, might also work.

Ray would be sweet as would Stroman. I love watching Rodon but the failure of Chicago to offer raised concern, even if it is uninformed worry on my part. Trades remain the ticket. With Buxton signed, the Twins have the need and the right collection of parts to gain a couple 2-3 starting pitchers.

Who knows about the rumors (see the copy/paste below), but I am feeling it was very likely that a number of teams were talking with the Twins and had their hopes up. Buxton is a rare talent. Byron took a bet on himself signing for incentives. A good deal all around. According to informed sources, The Marlins were in on trading for Byron Buxton right up until he signed the deal to stay with the Twins.. The Marlins made a “strong” trade offer, but not one that could persuade the Twins to part with the center fielder. The Marlins could have matched the terms of the Twins ’ financial commitment should their trade efforts been successful. The Marlins weren’t the only team to be interested. - FWIW - mlbtraderumors

We are looking at crystal balls into the future play of Byron Buxton, all due to the injuries and games missed. His talent is unmistakeable and irreplaceable though and my bet is taking the over at 130 games per year for the contract. I love that Buxton bet on himself with incentives. The Twins must be thrilled and the teams reportedly in discussions to acquire Buxton must be bummed.

Yes. Step #1 is complete. Time to take a nap and then get busy talking to Oakland, Miami, and Milwaukee.I don't think other teams have as much to offer as the Twins. The future is now; great signing.

Or, the most likely of all ... none of us has any idea what is going on in any of the conversations between Buxton's people and Pohlad's people. We get to wait for an announcement or press release of some sort.

This theory has been advanced before but still seems odd. Jose Canseco and Mark McGuire are clearly the leaders of the steroid era by a large margin. They were ahead of their time with others players like Caminiti, Clemens, and Sosa. Bonds involvement came later. I guess we each have our theories of how some took more blame than others.

San Francisco was not considered a remote possibility to be competitive in 2021. They just won in one of the most competitive division races in recent memory, winning 107 games. The path to amazing seasons begins with collecting a semblance of talented players, belief, and the drive and leadership to win.

Loved the pre-pitch horselike routine blowing out his breath to focus to the batter. Nathan was a great player and a fun guy.