tony&rodney

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.

It is. I never liked Barry Bonds because of how angry and petulant he came across as a person. My dislike wasn't active just one of preferring a pleasant source of entertainment to a person who carried anger. So it wasn't really a dislike. However, I did think he could play baseball at a level rarely if ever seen. As time went on it became obvious that the relationship between Bonds and other people was often difficult, but it was also obvious that he had no tolerance for racism and unfounded criticism. He, right or wrong, felt people failed to give him the respect he thought he had earned through his play. I had the opportunity to see a closed session of batting practice in Spring Training 20 years a go. The display of skill when Bonds went to work was unbelievable: from the half dozen plus bunts to the ground balls to the line drives to the screaming drives off the fences to the lat dozen balls hit 400+ feet to all fields. Everything was crushed in a precise manner of direction with purpose according to a plan. When Bonds walked to the plate on that day every player and coach stopped what they were doing and watched. He wasn't well received by his peers or coaches. Bonds was a complicated individual with a host of ghosts in his life. I don't know him but the vitriol spilled on this guy by the unknowing public was as historic as his numbers. Why do people hate someone so intensely? Why do people separate Bonds from the others of his era for venomous denigration? Bonds was among the best players in the game when he last suited up and was sent off into retirement. I would say he has paid his bill, if there was one, more than any of the other figures of the steroid era. I liked Ortiz and Manny but they don't deserve a seat before Barry Bonds. I do think the time has passed for all.

126 340 75 94 192 14 0 28 66 132 43 54 5 0 .276 480 .565 1.045 1.06 Anyone interested in this player on a minimum pay contract? Released and passed over by every team.

"On the flip side, the Twins still have plenty of solid position players, and they should receive help from top pitching prospects in 2022. A deal for Manaea (and subsequent moves) would give them a fighting chance in 2022." The conversations on TD divide between using the current core with additions and other options. Bassitt, Manaea, Montas, and hopefully a few others offer an opportunity to bridge the gap for prospects. When you look around baseball you can see many examples of prospects who were traded, developed, and contributed positively for their new team. Manaea is just one example. The Twins cannot compete if they are risk adverse. My position mirrors others, such as Doctor Gast and TopGun#22, who want the team to target mostly right-handed pitchers in trade to support the current core. We might be seeing a Falvey strategy play out right now. The Twins are on the sidelines as mid-level pitchers and relievers are signed. Additionally, the Twins have not made an appearance, to my knowledge, in any rumors. Writers have suggested the Twins may see opportunities to trade for a number of pitchers. Oakland and Miami are the best fits. Means from Baltimore ... not so much.

Satire again, right?

FWIW, Barry Bonds was never found guilty of taking steroids and his conviction for obstruction of justice was overturned 10-1 by the 9th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals. Bonds was easily the best hitter in baseball, pre-steroids era. If any members who were ever whispered to have used steroids get into the HoF, Bonds needs to go in first. There cannot be exemptions or ... "But, he was a good guy" stuff. I'm not invested either way - let them all in or keep everyone out - I don't care. The hypocrisy is tough though. We don't like Barry, Alex is ok, Ortiz was a fabulous post season player- great personality, Manny was a jerk, etc. These judgments are just personal nonsense and hyperbole. All or none is simple.

We can cross Sandy Alcantara off any trade lists, although it was an extreme long shot. He is signing a team friendly deal with Miami.

It certainly seems like that might be true. I'm not in for Sixto Sanchez, Jesus Luzardo, or Eliaser Hernandez, but count me open to a trade of either Garver or Jeffers for Cabrera or Meyer. Talent plays. I'm not sure how Miami sees their rotation .... Alcantara, Rogers, Lopez and then what. They have Hernandez, Sanchez, Luzardo, and Cabrera lined up for 4-7 and then Meyer. Additionally, Miami has a true potential #1 star in Eury Perez plus Jack Eder as a pitcher with talent on the mend from Tommy John. Alcantara or Lopez may be too rich in costs but Cabrera and Meyer might be possible.

Worth a shot though. Add a player or two if needed, but at least make a really strong offer.

This is, more or less, exactly the argument the keep Buxton crowd is making. We want to believe. Who has has the talent to replace Buxton? Answer = nobody .... if Buxton is healthy and playing. So, yes, it comes down to taking some risks and losing the gamble would suck but not be as bad as not taking a chance. Take the shot and hit it.

Miami is the team we need to target (no pun intended) along with Oakland. Alcantara is my first choice but most on TD would not trade Lewis or Martin as part of the package needed to haul in Miami's big righthander. Miami may not consider losing Alcantara. My proposal is Garver or Jeffers, Larnach, Vallimont, and Canterino for Edward Cabrera and Max Meyer. Hopefully there are many conversations between the two teams. Garver and Kepler for Alcantara works for me though.

I saw this DFA and wondered if Niko might be worth a small contract risk. Good post and it seems like a lot of money to throw away if Goodrum is cooked, but there should be some scout's analysis out there on him. The current options are not looking better, so yes.

TheTwins farm system is currently rated about middle, #15 or so. The Twins best pitching prospects, which we all look forward to watching, are not among the top ten rated minor league pitchers. Royce Lewis and Austin Martin are the two Twins rated highly (top fifty) and both have questions about their position. While I think the Twins have some solid prospects, there is a glaring lack of defense among those players and without the current core as teammates, specifically Buxton and Polanco, the Twins would suffer growing pains for more than just a year. Berrios struggled, Viola struggled, and most young pitchers and everyday players do until they gain several years of experience. When blended into a lineup of proven players, prospects often do better because of reduced expectations. Like everyone else I'm guessing but a team of prospects doesn't look good to me and it also seems unnecessary because the Twins can navigate through this offseason positively if they are willing to take a few risks through trades. Free agents may fill one or two spots but without making 2-3 trades, the 2022 Twins will be in a world of hurt. I'm waiting, like you, to see what plan is executed over the next few months.

Ouch.

Love is a good thing. Thank you. I am not aware of anyone offering a contract for $30 million per year. The main point in comments has been that a base of near $11 million would be accompanied by incentives. The incentives would raise the salary, yes, but it would also mean that Buxton is playing which has been a winning proposition for the Twins. Those who look back and dwell on the injuries have an argument to make and are fine with going on without Buxton. Those who have watched Buxton grow as a player and see his potential would like to see that potential shine in a Twins uniform. Both sides are entitled to their opinions as fans of who or who not to watch. I do believe TD comments should ease off the FO who are just following orders from above them. Still, the comments by Falvey this week were weak, poorly phrased, at best; not his best day.