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tony&rodney

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Everything posted by tony&rodney

  1. tony&rodney
    Are we aware of some permanent deficiency with Polanco at shortstop or were the players and coaches wrong to pick him in 2019 for the starting position in the All Star Game? Until some new knowledge is brought forth, I am hoping that Polanco will be fully recovered from ankle surgery and a pain to every pitcher at the plate. Somehow, and I'm not understanding this, Polanco has become vastly under-appreciated here in Twins territory. This reminds me of how many fans viewed Greg Gagne decades ago. I did love how hard Nick Punto played every day, but can we please stop wishing for a similar player and be stoked to have an actual shortstop like Jorge Polanco.
  2. tony&rodney
    Realmuto might be a smart free agent signing. Add Liam Hendriks and Tyler Clippard as well and one trade for a pitcher and the Twins are in a sound position for next season. A rotation of Berrios, Maeda, the trade, Pineda, and Hill/Duran/Dobnak/Balazovic. The bullpen is strong with: Hendriks, Rogers, Duffey, Clippard, Alcala, Stashak, Thielbar and a young guy not starting held here for middle relief. Finally, the lineup looks really strong with Sano, Realmuto, Kirilloff, Arraez, Donaldson, Polanco, Larnach/Rooker, Buxton, and Kepler supported ably by Jeffers, Adrianza, and Cave. This comes in at around $130 million and allows Baldelli to look smart when he looks stoically out at his forces. There are so many free agent options that are very appealing this offseason and the Twins can really move forward with just three or four signings. Trades might be trickier. It is nearly 2021 and I am willing to think positive for next year. I'm super hopeful that management sees opportunity in the options available. Finally, despite 2020 being very tough, a budget similar to last March makes sense.
  3. tony&rodney
    The continued mention of shortstop requires inside knowledge concerning Jorge Polanco's recovery from surgery. If he is well, the Twins are set and only look to add a shortstop in a move that qualifies as a steal. There is no way a deal (Lindor or Story) is made for a one year deal. Likewise, the discussions of Sano necessitates a report on his ongoing winter regime. Is Sano working on his agility and conditioning? He needs to play at 250 pounds in my view. The extra weight reduces his considerable athleticism and results in increased strikeouts. The Twins are in a great position to trade or spend. The measure of cost will determine how the front office proceeds. Free agents are very appealing and should be a focus at this point. Trades may open up as teams look to create flexibility in their positions moving beyond 2021. The Twins have a strong case to win next summer and we can expect some action. This, more than anything substantially discussed, is why Rosenthal suggests the Twins as players in the market.
  4. tony&rodney
    The post makes sense: a reliever (Tyler Clippard) for $3 million, a starting pitcher or two (Kluber and Walker or Hill) for $8 and $4 million, and a unknown big contract for $15-$30 million. Nelson Cruz was such a dynamic force the past two seasons that it seems tough to imagine the Twins moving forward without him on board next summer. Free agent signings seem more advantageous to the team, but trades are likely being tossed around every week and could be an important part of building the next roster. History might lean toward Soria/Clippard, Kluber and Hill/Walker, plus Cruz, but we should not be surprised by a big trade and signing.
  5. tony&rodney
    Trevor Story would be a fantastic addition to the Twins. The issue revolves around the ability to sign him for a 3-5 years. The only other player of interest there is German Marquez and he is already signed, making him a tough grab. The Rockies would be asking for plenty. What are we thinking? Lewis, Larnach, Enlow? Tough to trade more. Is there room to fit Story and Marquez into a 2020 budget? The payroll would need to reach near $140 million, which is possible.
  6. tony&rodney
    The news is this: nobody knows if the Twins are playing at $90 million or $125 million. The itch is to think positive and go with a $125 million payroll; a fun exercise. I'll play. I'm using money on Tyler Clippard and Liam Hendriks to cost me $25 million for relief. Hendriks - Rogers - Duffey - Clippard - Alcala - Stashak - Thielbar - Dobnak. Jake Odorizzi and Dobnak/Duran round out my starting staff which costs $39 million. Berrios - Maeda - Odorizzi or Kluber & Hill - Pineda - Duran. My squad will miss Cruz but add Ketel Marte and resign Adrianza for $61 million to fill out the batting side. Garver/Jeffers-Kirilloff-Arraez-Donaldson-Polanco-Marte-Buxton-Kepler-Sano with a bench of Rooker-Larnach-Adrianza. I would like to find a trade with Colorado as do others. Kluber, Hill, Walker, and others are all interesting picks too. It would also be a fun exercise to see what the Twins do at a $100 million.
  7. tony&rodney
    If the Twins go with the same opening day payroll, Bauer fits. It's Pohlad's baby.
  8. tony&rodney
    Jorge Polanco was the American League starting shortstop in the 2019 All Star Game. I agree that his ankles have been a real hindrance in his performance, both in the field and at the plate, but unless the Twins doubt his ability to regain the strength needed for a full season he is our shortstop. If there are reports that Polanco is diminished or that his speed or agility is compromised and the evaluator's view of Royce Lewis puts him in the outfield, then Falvine better get to work on a trade (Marte, Story) or signing (Semien).
  9. tony&rodney
    When Eloise died Carl lost all interest in the Twins. There are issues and complexities to front office dynamics that we cannot imagine or fathom. Often it is small nuances that affect the funding and decisions made in wake of said moods which direct the GM's player acquisitions. The comparisons between Ryan and Falvine don't work. A criticism or boost for either is best made within each era and related to the directives of the man who holds the wallet. Batista was terrible, really bad. I think he was gone after around 50 games and then someone gave him another shot a year later. Tired Tony was hardly the worst player in Twins history though and we didn't suffer with him the entire year .
  10. tony&rodney
    Passan has a great job. Here we go: sign Realmuto, Bauer, and Hendriks for a St.Louis type payroll of $150+. Sure, not my money. I do promise to watch or listen all season, buy a hat, and go to a few games. Go Twins. I wanted Springer too but didn't think we should block Rooker/Larnach/Kirilloff. Real - Dodgers like Hendriks, which is a reason our team needs him.
  11. tony&rodney
    Cruz may be risky to sign for two years but any ideas that a combination of rookies or others taking a turn through the designated hitter slot putting up the numbers we saw from Nelson Cruz are pure folly. I am ok with a team sans Cruz if that money is spent to prop up the bullpen or rotation. It sure seems like he earned another contract despite our knowledge that business is not run on performances from the past. The decision is can he still hit? Yes - pay him. Nervous - move on.
  12. tony&rodney
    This would be quite a gamble due to the size and length of the contract, but especially set against the uncertainty of the unknown budget for the 2021 season. There isn't much room for Darvish in a vastly reduced roster expenditure, but there is a chance if the Twins hold the line. I would not expect a trade for Darvish to return one of the Twins top prospects but other options may be available. While I really like the idea of Darvish pitching for the Twins, the obstacles are numerous at this time. Who knows what direction the Cubs are going in at this point.
  13. tony&rodney
    Randballs Stu sure creates some fun satire ... chuckles all around - good stuff.
  14. tony&rodney
    Followed Wells and like his competitiveness - hope he has a fine career. He needs to be healthy and just get an opportunity to pitch.
  15. tony&rodney
    Growing up we noted that people from Minneapolis had limited intelligence and thus the alphabetical and numerical streets/avenues to allow for their citizens to find the way home from their Protestant churches. In St. Paul we had neighborhoods and the streets were just randomly named and the numbering system was whatever because any kid could remember where he was and knew where to get to from there. The individual parts of the city had cliches aplenty too. Finally, it was a sin to cross into Minneapolis, where the boys were weak and the girls ....
  16. tony&rodney
    Josh Donaldson was a great move last winter. Of course I say this because I shamelessly put on every post, "Why not Donaldson" and "He makes the Twins team better." Still feel that it was a solid move - didn't anticipate Covid-19. This year i feel like Liam Hendriks is the player to sign. A reliever is more of a risk but Rogers and Duffey are really tough in the 7th and 8th inning. Joe Nathan redux. The other player that seems interesting to me may not be as good as the picture. Ketel Marte might be a real good player in a lineup like the Twins. He can spell three important positions in the middle of the field and spot start elsewhere twice a week. In any event, the Twins do need to make a splash in 2021, whether through a dramatic signing (Bauer), modest (Hendriks), or through a trade. We can hope. Right?
  17. tony&rodney
    Big boy.
  18. tony&rodney
    Sign Bauer, have him pitch the day after Berrios and then we shall see who is better. Why not?
  19. tony&rodney
    The post concerns non-tendered outfielders and both Almora and Dahl are good baseball players. They may blossom with fresh starts. DocBauer makes it simple though - payroll. What will payroll be next season? If it is around $110+ million .... hmmm? I foresee troubles. If it is $120-130 million range, the Twins have excellent options. If it is the same as last year, then the team should be really good. I'm hoping the Twins proceed aggressively toward a $120 million minimum payroll. This allows for a few trades and signings and hopefully soon. Almora works at any price, but Dahl only works with a higher payroll.
  20. tony&rodney
    Time will tell if Lynn is the difference for the White Sox. Dane Dunning is NOT to be compared with either of Duran or Balazovic. Both of the Twins prospects have better stuff: velocity and movement-visual test. Dunning is more aptly compared to Lewis Thorpe. Decent pitches with modest upside, most likely to fill in the back side of a rotation. I'm not sure the Twins trade Thorpe for Dunning if they each had the same number of options left. Weems might be something. The Lynn trade is definitely good for both teams. Chicago loses nothing that they would use this year. The real danger this week is if the Twins let Liam Hendriks get away. It is one thing if he signs with a National League team, but another if the White Sox haul him in. In my mind, Hendriks is a must at any budget from $120 to150 million. If the Twins are going with a roster that comes in at or below $110 million, then old Liam is too rich. At some point a team will take a chance. Last year Donaldson was the choice. Failure to act this winter will negate his signing to some extent. I love the odds of the Twins top prospects producing at the major league level, just not all of them at the same time. The Twins needs to add a difference-maker.
  21. tony&rodney
    The Twins will need to hope that those who insist that Lance Lynn is worthless are correct. Lynn as a #3 for the White Sox looks like a decent move for them to me.
  22. tony&rodney
    Put Kirilloff in the 3 hole, with Donaldson right behind him. Both of these guys will take a walk but are not afraid to swing on any count.
  23. tony&rodney
    That's all we got. I took your comment to mean we should keep dreaming. Why not? If the Twins can't invest in a winter where uncertainty provides some unusual opportunities, then the team will slide down the standings, attention to the games will diminish, and it is back to the dark years. Kirilloff and the other wunderkind need a strong set of veterans to help them succeed. I absolutely want to see a few rookies on the team next April. Profits can be made with a choice to overlook the caution that is prevalent from Covid-19. The larger picture of the Twins finances show strength in both valuation and running profits versus loss over the past decade. Successful businesses do lose money on occasion and look for the chances to recoup their investments at the proper time. My idea is that the budget this year ranges from $135-145 million. That's my dream. Why not?
  24. tony&rodney
    I liked a suggestion by Nash Walker some time ago for Ketel Marte, but agree wholeheartedly with any possibility at Chris Martin as well. Love Martin, an excellent ballplayer, but he does K often. You can't wrong if you have Chris Martin as a utility player. Why would the Dodgers trade him?
  25. tony&rodney
    I just signed Trevor Bauer for a team budget of $146 million. Think Big - Yes.
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