tony&rodney

Nothing. However, it is possible, even if not based on past practices, that the Twins view 2020 as a year to change their stripes. Buxton, Sano, Berrios, and Rosario could all easily follow Cruz, Gonazalez, Odorizzi, and others out the door in a few years through free agency, refusal to sign, or demand. Sometimes there is a tipping point and I'm thinking that a failure to attempt strategies different than prior years will cause an unfortunate return to sub mediocrity. 2019 had a very positive vibe for the team and I thought the team enjoyed the games and each other. A push can occur. The question remains - will it happen?

The opportunity to sign a top pitcher has passed. I'm hoping that Bailey is a marked improvement throughout the season from Perez and am especially hopeful he gets off to a strong start in April and May, although not necessarily as strong as Perez was to June. A season of a 4.30 ERA and 180 IP would be a plus.

"You can probably ride this rotation as it stands to another title and move the impact pitching goal posts to a midseason trade." This is the current state of the Twins. Because there really isn't any reason right now for a team to trade away their best pitchers, a signing of Donaldson becomes even more important. In July, someone will be amenable to an offer. Maybe the Mets tank and Thor is available or perhaps San Diego realizes they can afford to trade pitching for hitting. July will come and an opportunity should be there for a rotation upgrade.

If Thorpe is just a little more effective this year than Gibson was last year, then he will have progressed nicely. Pitching takes time as we have seen from Berrios and others. Gibson and Perez had uneven results and the Twins just need a little more consistency and slight improvements from the pitchers who pitch in those two slots. I'm afraid that there will be some pressure on Berrios and Odorizzi to be stronger though. That was a reason to slot someone (a FA signing) above those two. I am optimistic about the depth of the Twins pitching but concerned about their ability to be consistent. If the pitchers keep the scores down, around four, the offense should produce. A most concerning issue for many is the lack of an arm above Berrios, or to slide in above Odorizzi. At some point this season a trade seems likely, but I doubt any team will part with a pitcher the Twins need before July.

The development of Graterol, Balazovic, and Duran will be watched closely as will the further experiences of Rooker, Larnach, Kirilloff, and Lewis. The Twins are heavily invested in these seven players and a few more and the Twins first three months will determine whether trades or promotions are needed for August onward. Hopefully, Bailey can be solid from day one. Hopefully, two of Dobnak, Thorpe, and someone else provide competitive outings until Pineda and Hill are available. Signing Josh Donaldson just became even more important than before because a strong Twins team offensively will provide a boost to the hopes previously mentioned.

Agree, sign Donaldson.

Awesome job! My absolute favorite post of the off-season thus far. I saw most of these. # 1 - Mauer. Watching live via mlbtv on my computer in Vietnam, I actually went from smiling and laughing to crying - pure joy. Thank you for this.

Nothing electric, but I really enjoyed watching Cody Stashek pitch. With an exception or two, he looked to be in control of the at bats. I hope he improves and makes the trip north from Florida on the opening day team.

Donaldson takes really good at bats and crushes mistakes. If Buxton is in the 9 hole, pitchers will have their hands full when he is on base. While I expect JD to sign with Atlanta, it would really be fun to watch the Twins hit. Kepler, Donaldson, Polanco, Cruz, Sano, Arraez, and Garver are pretty patient hitters and Rosario and Buxton are likely the most talented athletes on the team. That would be a lineup worth seeing.

Wow. Another example of using baseball and its profits as business. Except, baseball is a closed club. One must be approved to buy a team. Calvin Griffith had to sell to the Pohlads for MLB. Except, baseball clubs (exception SF Giants) have the public fund their businesses like getting stadiums. Except, the dollars we read are all estimates because these are private businesses and we DO NOT know. The Pohlads are decent citizens by many accounts and I have supported them, but they certainly don't need a legion of apologists for how they handle their money. I can't decide which is worse, ripping the Pohlads or being their public defender. To the topic though ... I would like to see the Twins take a chance once or twice on a player. It sure seemed like there were years when the Twins won the division under Gardy when one or two players could have helped. It sure seems like one or two players now could help now too. The Wild took a chance and even their disappointed fans appreciate that effort. One last item - Kansas City was really a fun team to watch and their fans remember those teams fondly.

Sure, why not?

Who are you suggesting we trade for using only prospects? I'm just curious. Kluber may have been worth a trade but I doubt if Cleveland would trade with Minnesota.

Well, we arrived at a place that everyone hoped would not exist; the free agent pitchers are off the board and trades or rookies are the only options remaining. As much as I did believe there was the money and possibility for the Twins to sign one of Cole/ Strasburg/ Bumgarner/ Wheeler/ Ryu or Keuchel, it didn't happen. I really thought Julio Teheran for 2/$18M would happen, if only because of his track record of throwing innings which keeps a team in the game and saves the bullpen. Teheran seemed a good match with our offense; Twins win 6-5 games. A host of other questions and options now emerge if the team decides to enter the trade market: which of Sano, Buxton, Berrios or other core players are Falvine willing to trade; and which of Lewis, Kirilloff, Graterol, Balazovic, or Larnach are available. For now, the Twins will wait to see what decision Donaldson makes.

Fair. I expect regression from Garver at the plate. I do think he continues to evolve as a tough guy to pitch to who has quality at bats and also expect he gets more plate appearances in 2020. He had an amazing season last year. I do think he and Avila will form an improved catching corps. Despite the fast start by Castro, there is room for improvement behind the plate by the Twins. I was also lumping the infield and catching spots together and while there is no way the home runs repeat, the overall quality of at bats and defense can improve across the board (c and if). Was I practicing positive pragmatism? Yes. The off-season has moved slowly for the Twins and I am trying to channel my disappointment thus far into some optimism.

"It doesn't matter who's right or wrong, the future's now and the past is gone." Yes, the Twins missed on being proactive the last two years in trades and on the free agent market. The ship has sailed on Cole, Wheeler, Bumgarner, Teheran, Bundy, and Grandal. The team has some real strong possibilities still: Ryu and/or Keuchal on decent contracts; Donaldson; trades for someone like Alcantara; and maybe a shot at Alex Wood are fair choices.There is a good chance that the Twins play 2020 with their outfield intact and not the tattered, injured mess it was from late August to the end of the year. I think the infield and catcher spots will be better too. The young pitchers could blossom as well. Now is a good time to add a few pieces to the stocking. It can be done.

My favorite Twin when they first played in Minnesota was Lenny Green and in 1964 in April I became a Tony Oliva fan. Tony O is really the only hero I ever really had, although Halsey Hall was a hoot. Still, I agree with the Twins Mount Rushmore Four. Harmon was my brother's favorite player and we argued endlessly; Carew was such a smooth player and gentleman, Puckett was a charm; and Mauer was a gift whose career was abruptly disrupted by the concussions, but still managed to end as a top ten catcher in the history of baseball. It's a great list. One addition: although memory is faulty and I'm not going to search for it, I seem to remember a game that I attended in the 1970s where Catfish Hunter totally owned every Twin except Sir Rodney and Hunter intentionally walked Carew late in the game with a one run lead. That's respect.

1. Still try to sign Ryu for 3/67, but also try to sign Alex Wood and Julio Teheran for 2/18 contracts. 2. No to Betances, but Harris for 1/7 if he would - I like the flexibility of our bullpen. 3. A trade for Bryant does nothing in my view; I like Sano better, Arraez is good and if the Twins are going big at 3B they should just sign Donaldson.

There is one thing we can be certain of - our collective knowledge of how Falvine operates or their plan is a secret to us. If you follow the Twins, not too much has changed from Ryan to Falvine. I mean, it appears the money is still pretty tight and a Pohlad makes the decisions. Fair enough because they are the owners. What is disingenuous to me is how many "fans" are Pohlad apologist and cast negative thoughts towards the players. Mauer was the 21st century version of Harmon Killebrew - a great player and an amazing human being. But, to the total amazement of baseball fans from outside of Twins Territory, there are those who constantly throw shade at Mauer even after his playing days. Imagine a player landing on your team and being recognized as one of the top ten at his position in the history of the game. The Twins and their fans were lucky to have Mauer and Ryan signed him to retire a Twin. The question is - do we need to wait for another top ten player at their position before the front office jumps in? It appears that this decision rests with the Pohlads and in the meantime Twin fans wish for their team to be stronger and guess about what trades are possible; that is what fans do. I wanted Cole at any price but accept that it may be Wood or Archer or Teheran filling a spot and Thorpe emerging. I enjoy the day to day and pitch to pitch competition and what Falvine and Pohlad decide is out of my hands, which is my cold reality.

Hard to think of a single reason to even think about Seager and it would actually be shocking if Falvine had mouthed his name in any fashion.

Somebody has a talent evaluation out on Alcantara. Would Larnach and Enlow be enough for Miami?

Sure, why not. I hoped that all the bucks could gather a top pitcher but shifting strategies is a good option if the Twins management is stymied. JD should get 3/$75M, but he could really be ok at 4/$100M. He could play some !B and DH occasionally. I would like to see Sano signed to a three or four year contract too. If he is not looking like he is amenable to signing long term, attempt to talk Atlanta into a deal: MS to Atlanta for Pache, Wright, and Toussaint or Anderson.

It never hurts to sign a pitcher for a minor league deal with the understanding that a strong spring training gains each a spot on the roster or a release. This would be somewhat similar to the Sanchez tryout from a couple of years ago.

Disappointment is natural but this fan from 1961 always keeps hope moving forward, sometimes despite all odds. There are still options, albeit reduced from last week. Ryu, Wood, and Teheran can be signed. I would advocate not going over the top on these three. The trade front is still possible too. There aren't any aces to be handed out but the Twins should be able to turn something over with any luck. Archer and Price should be available for less than any top prospects. Maybe Miami will talk about Alcantara or Smith. The next stage would be difficult - trades from players on the current starting roster. Sano, Gonzalez, and May to Atlanta for Fried, Pache, and Wright; Garver, Buxton, and Berrios to San Diego for Paddock, Gore, Patina, Mejia, and Hedges; and this sort of craziness. I'm hoping the Twins can hold the core and prospects while adding two or three of Ryu, Teheran, and Wood. Something everyone agrees on is that the team needs a couple more pitchers.

I like Mike ... to hold down the number four spot in the rotation. This was a very good signing by the Twins, credit due to the front office.

Moreland is more than enough for 1B. It's possible to cover 1B with those currently on the roster if the Twins need the $5M for pitching or the roster spot. The bullpen depends on what starting pitcher is signed. I think Treinen is worth a call but I like the young Twins pitchers to cover most of the relief pitching. A signing of Alex Wood and/or Julio Teheran could be promising and hopefully could be accomplished for around $12-16M for both. The Twins should check on Pittsburgh and the possibilities of adding Marte and Archer via trade. Heck, for that matter talk to Boston too. My gut says the Twins should hold their young guns and add a couple of pitchers via free agency. Sign Cole and be done.