tony&rodney

This would be a smart move, especially if the Twins could sign two, perhaps Kluber and Garrett Richards or even a return of Hill. We shouldn'r forget that Dobnal, Thorpe, Smeltzer, Duran, and Balazovic are in the wings; these players are valuable. Kluber is throwing on Wednesday.

Do you expect trades or do you think the Twins will roll with what they have?

Agreed, the Twins are sitting in a solid position with a payroll around $90 million and a competitive team already rostered. Dobnak, Thorpe, Smeltzer, Duran, Balazovic, Colina and a few others can fill their pitching needs quite ably. Likewise, the field players are solid with reasonable reserves, especially if Adrianza would return in his role as a reserve/coach. This does allow the Twins to wait. If there is a budget from $ 110-150 million, the decisions still must be made and I am hoping that the Twins take at least one gamble. Wait too long and the player you want may be gone. Trades are an option too. Personally, I would like to see the payroll expanded or at least match last year, but adding Liam Hendriks and Cory Kluber or James Paxton along with getting Adrianza back in our uniform would be minimum additions if something near $120 is required.

What will Pittsburgh require for Musgrove? I'm interested for a smaller cost. from amjgt- "Gray, Castillo, and Moustakas for Garver, Arraez, Larnach, Duran, Cavaco." This is quite aggressive. Do the Reds hang up? Add Thorpe and/or Smeltzer? Cincy may have some interest in moving Moose and a player who gets on base and doesn't strike out very often such as Arraez would be a very attractive addition in their lineup. Conversely, can the Twins lose such a player? In the nothing new department ... all of these suggestions and speculations do hinge on the ceiling of the budget for this coming season. I can see a mid $140s million roster, but will not be surprised by a ceiling of $ 115-120 million. The higher budget does allow for the Reds trade and returning Nelson Cruz. More likely are less dramatic additions.

Has MLB definitively set rosters at 25 or 26? For some reason I'm not sure of this. I favor 25. Kirilloff/Rooker/Larnach should take a roster spot or two. I'm holding out (still) for Hendriks or Rosenthal. My preference is to then add either Soria or Clippard. Colina or others could slide in as the season progresses and need is apparent. If a suitable trade cannot be accomplished for Sonny Gray or Luis Castillo or Joe Musgrove, then I'm hoping for Kluber or Walker and maybe Hill. They might be bargains. Finally, while not opposed at all to a major addition in the infield, I am fine with a return of Adrianza. The Twins roster is set more than most and they are poised to win the division with just two or three decent moves. There are free agents readily available but we are all still just guessing about any potential big trades. The main cloud that hovers over the Twins is a beast for many teams - health. For the Yankees it is Judge and Stanton, while other squads have their worries too. The Twins are leaning heavy on a return to health for a host of very fine athletes: Polanco, Arraez, Buxton, Donaldson, Garver, Kepler, and Rooker. Can Sano show up at Ft.Myers at a nimble 250 pounds? So many uncertainties lead many to look for changes when a winter of healing might be all that was needed. Lastly, it is entirely possible that we are all vaccinated and ready to move freely by June. The strain of Covid for the players should not be dismissed when evaluating 2020. This summer could be normal.

Arraez, Polanco, and one of Rooker/Kirilloff/Larnach are also locks. Any player on any team can be traded for the right offer. Ok. Except Trout. The other spots you have open remain: 2 reserves (1 may be Cruz at DH), 2 starters, and 2 relievers. Trades or free agent signings will happen to fill the roster. The Twins are highly unlikely to fill the roster with all rookies or released signings. The weeks before Spring Training should be exciting.

A little caution for anyone looking at that trade site - it can be very distorted. Example: let's trade for Baez and send over Smeltzer, Astudillo, and Gordon. This is big overpay by the Twins, but will the Cubs really consider this offer? Would you? The site may be worth a look but it is pretty bogus overall.

Well put Doc Bauer. Baseball needs to get its house in order from collective bargaining that distributes the revenues in order to equitably allow for profits and strong salaries that build the product, labor peace that recognizes the role of milb and those players just gaining a job in their first years as well as public relations to celebrate teams and stars, to standardizing the rules a year or two in advance as opposed to the current shifting status. A plague on both the MLBPA, the commissioner, and the owners for the present condition of MLB. Both sides share blame and the sport suffers.

Trading Ramirez? Bowie Kuhn would have stepped in here. I can't see it. It could happen though. What a crazy thought. What next - Bieber? Lewis, Larnach, and Duran for Bieber? Poor Cleveland. This is how we felt when Rod Carew was traded. Then it was, poor Twins fans.

Nash, love the post and your ideas. Earlier you suggested a trade for Ketel Marte that was very intriguing. I'm still curious if there is any chance if the Diamondbacks could be talked into a reasonable trade. Certainly Story and Baez are both worth looking at in the trade market. Colorado or the Cubs may be more interested in Josh Winder, but this is the year to take a chance. I am a big Jorge Polanco fan and have stated a defense of his position as our shortstop on numerous occasions. However, there are strong reasons to take on a one year contract for either Baez or Story. Extensions would be icing if at all possible for the Twins. While I'm not convinced at all that Chicago would part with Baez, neither his down 2020 nor Story's stats at Coors worry me in the least. These guys are both outstanding players. Any trade for either Baez or Story would affect the dollars available to fill SP and RP. Unfortunately, a play for Story would almost certainly mean that Nelson Cruz doesn't return. There should still be enough, however, to fill out our pitching needs. The next seven weeks promise to be exciting. Who knew this week would be so much fun.

How do you value starting pitching? If Odorizzi is worth 3/$39-45, then Berrios will get 4/$60. Nobody on Twins Daily has thrown around the Twins' money. I haven't seen a budget yet that equals the San Diego Padres. The simple decision is where management sees the roster construction opportunities, especially because a significant number of teams will not be signing players to contend. Essentially half of the teams are looking to be in the playoffs and nearly half of those are watching their payroll. This might be a good year to sign a couple of free agents or make a few trades. The Twins are in a great spot. Conversely, Berrios may want to bet on himself and a renewed interest by more teams in 2022. If Jose holds up and continues to be a steady factor as he had demonstrated thus far in his career, there will be a rich market for him in a couple of years. Either way, Berrios is set. It sure would be mighty fine to watch him churn out 15 victories and 200 innings per year as the Twins #3 starting pitcher. There's value in that arm.

Agree about the timing, but the Twins might need to forget about team friendly and think market, need, and trust in Berrios. Do they want him for 4-5 more years?

Let us all hope the Twins don't wait too long. There is plenty of budget for Cruz, Hendriks, and starting pitching. I would love to see a trade for Sonny Gray, but I see a Odorizzi and Kluber combination as viable. So many on TD are concerned about the roster dollars but I think that if the right players can be talked into Minnesota, Pohlad will match or even slightly exceed last year's initial budget. The wonder pants execs need to convince the right players to sign up now or get lucky with a trade or two. It can be done-think positive.

Right on Ted-pay him. I'm not attuned to contracts but 4/$64 might be a starting point. The Twins have the money, now they need to make their choices.

Wait. Robles is better than Liam Hendriks? The Twins need to sign a strong arm. Robles might be good for the 7th inning. He isn't bad. I'm higher on Stashak and Alcala at the moment and remain hopeful of a Hendriks signing. Why not?

Alright everyone, let us all agree - if the Twins go to the World Series in 2021 the wunderkind boys are lauded and receive an attaboy each . But if they fail to trade or sign those players the Twins need and develop their young kinder, we all boo and refuse to defend them any longer. Ok?

To 2021. here, here.

Do we all evaluate Baez going forward as the player of 2020? If yes, we don't want him. Do we evaluate Polanco going forward as hobbled forever? If yes, get a shortstop soon. Until I hear that Polanco is no longer a capable player due to injuries, he is my starting shortstop and could easily be the pick by the players and managers to start at shortstop in the 2021 All Star Game.

Does anyone else wonder when fans will follow and support players again as opposed to the current knowledge of and positive attitude toward owners and management? While I have no rancor whatsoever against those positions and understand their importance to a team (witness San Diego this week), I much prefer discussing and watching the players.

The trade site has some crazy exchanges. The two trades yesterday may have provided a price. Depending on specific needs by a team there may be a call for quantity, which was my premise. Perhaps swap in Duran for Enlow. I'm not at all clear from any comments what the Rockies are thinking as they hold some intriguing talents. Musgrove is down a notch and at that point free agents look more desirable.

IF Robles is worth $2 million to the Twins, the payroll budget must be reasonable because a minor pickup for that much means a $135+ team. Liam Hendriks fits and belongs.

I see what San Diego did yesterday and find it really hard to know what is viable for a trade. Can the Twins trade something like Enlow, Gordon, Cavaco, Holland, Thorpe, Rortveldt, and Urbina for Luis Castillo? I'm just throwing our a crazy idea. I can't put my finger on the market.

The reserve clause anti-trust exception hurts baseball. There is nothing wrong with profit though. The post asks what is left? Lots. Now is as good a time as any to sign a player or become active in the trade market. I really think the Twins want to see Kluber throw for fifteen minutes before they move forward on to other free agents. The trade market is fluid depending on what NL Central teams are thinking. The one player that should be offered a contract by the Twins is Liam Hendriks. The other additions will all be frosting.

Now we turn to offers for other pitchers. Are Castillo, Sonny Gray, and Marquez available at a price? How much? Hansel Robles just took Clippard's money. Next?