tony&rodney

Agree: May is a possibility for a year at 3-4; Odorizzi could return to form at 10-12; Avila will decide if he wants to accept 2-3; and Adrianza is worth his current deal. Gonzalez has value but he will need to sign for half or less than his current contract as money will be tight. Payroll seems like it might come down but hard decisions could be made on Rosario, Odorizzi, and Gonzalez, but hopefully not Cruz. Others are most likely out: Bailey, Hill, Romo, and Clippard. Payroll thinking is best put off until November but it will be a tough winter for free agents and budget cuts will certainly occur.

My last comment is my way of saying, I hope that the Twins play well tomorrow.

I love watching these games after a long summer without baseball, but I can't help feeling some empathy for the teams. Yes, they make money and eat well and sleep in 5 star hotels but the confinement and protocols must get to some of these guys. I think I read that they have to make appointments to meet teammates in a lobby or are expected to stay in their rooms and have a host of strict rules. Play, take a bus to the hotel, hang out, eat, go to room, sleep, get up, bus to field and repeat. When a few guys decided to meet up with lifetime friends they got sent out, traded, and roasted. Maybe they deserved it, I don't know. Man, sometimes I look at Kepler and wonder if he just wants to hop on his bicycle and take a little ride around the city for some mental release ...nope ... not part of the protocol. I get that this is what is needed to accomplish a season, even one only 60 games in length, but I do wonder how difficult this is for young people full of energy and ready to enjoy life when their work day is done. I remember when I was 20, 30, 40, 50 and so forth and even now the restrictions get to me. I wear a mask and social distance and try to do my part but when I watch these guys play in empty stadiums I sense a loss on their parts even as they manage to compete at a high level and manufacture all of their own adrenaline. I'm watching the games interested and critically thinking along with the pitcher and catcher and manager but my criticisms are really muted by the present circumstances; I'm just feeling lucky to be watching baseball again.

Morneau and Dick had never heard of it and it is their job to be aware of all the intricacies to inform the listeners. Clearly, Rosario did not know. That one is on Baldelli.

Eddie is a player. Simple as that. He does things and sometimes those things don't work out. In his Twins tenure he has shown up day in and day out. Fans don't know what injuries players play through or incapacitate them for a trip to the IL. Rosario (and Polanco too) play through, seemingly. Last year, it was obvious that Eddie was injured but there just wasn't anyone else to put out there. I don't remember the quote, but Paul Molitor spoke to Rosario's fire to play baseball. If one of the most intelligent and knowledgable players of the last half century speaks on your behalf, it's worth noting. It seems pretty bold to question his character and attitude when he routinely goes to the post. He just makes mistakes sometimes. Rosario may be moved this winter and when I saw Kirilloff swing the bat I thought that he has a bright future in baseball and wondered how he would get his chance with the Twins. I'm excited to see Kirilloff and others in the future. In the meantime I look forward to every at bat that Eddie Rosario takes, even though I groan and curse on many occasions. He is the best outfielder we have right now, despite the great game by Wade today. The Twins' bullpen got lit up today, pure and simple. That's not on Rosario.

Maybe he can take some pointers from Sergio and Joe on responses.

Totally agree with above two comments. Thorpe presents an interesting case. He appears to be on the verge of a strong career, however the entire Spring rose up as an obstacle. The Twins would be foolish to move him at this time and Thorpe certainly could resurrect his position quickly when he gets the opportunity. Now is a good time for the young left hander to recover his pursuit of being a starting pitcher in the major leagues. I see promise of a strong number three pitcher from Thorpe. Although there is little information to lead to such speculation, I wonder if he has some difficulty with U.S. culture. Australia is definitely different, yet to play at the highest level foreign players must leave their home culture. The Twins have a number of players in such a situation which may provide support for him but individuals each face their own personal dilemmas. Let's hope Lewis Thorpe is a mainstay in the Twins rotation for a decade.

The initial year of using a system to keep players fresh was quite encouraging. Ironically, the Twins were really banged up in September. The entire outfield was injured. Buxton was out, Rosario played on one leg, and Kepler had a bum wing. Polanco played through an injury and Cron was nearly incapacitated with his thumb hurt. Injuries happen. Let's hope for the best down the stretch this season.

A good effort to play Devil's Advocate and it is always good to look at both sides. My take is that the Twins saw Josh Donaldson as a win / win or no lose signing. The Twins have always been very cautious and the team has been a model of profitability. Last season was very successful and interest and attendance should be boosted in 2020 as a result. This put the Twins in a mode to add salary to boost the expected positive line. Debilitating injuries are always possible but the depth of the organization has been improved. There are so many plausible arguments that have been thoughtfully advanced in opposition to adding JD, but the Twins clearly saw this as a no brainer. They may have even bid against themselves in the end because of their internal analysis of the benefits of adding Donaldson.

The main obstacle to adding a SP to slot above or between Berrios and Odorizzi remains the paucity of opportunity. Can they afford to wait? Yes. Should they add an ace? Yes. What is the ceiling for a Twins budget? No idea, but likely not more than $150 million. Wishing for a trade now seems futile. Nobody has forwarded anyone available that is reasonable at this time. By July things should be more clear. The Twins do not have a history of adding someone like Verlander near the trade deadline. Then again, the signing of Josh Donaldson may have loosened up that philosophy to some extent. A poster mentioned adding someone like Snell in July and that may be possible. Everyone agrees that pitching is a key area where the Twins need strengthening for a solid postseason run. That argument applies to most teams. Unless some dramatic major trade shocks everyone, I think the Twins front office has already arrived at an answer to the question - the roster is set.

Exactly that, and Kluber, Carrasco, and Bauer were brought along in trades but not as aces. Cleveland has developed pitchers. We should agree on that. I am all for trades for pitchers like Alcantara knowing he is not that great right now and needs to develop, but the Twins might even have trouble gaining these #3-5 slot pitchers right now. I would love to get an ace in a trade but there hasn't been a single credible proposal. I want to be surprised too. Does anyone know of an available ace right now? The Twins will need to bring along those prospects who they identify as good, hopefully soon.

It is not that I do not agree with your assessment that the Twins could trade any or all of the prospects, it's that there doesn't seem to be any actual proposals to bring in an ace and that seems understandable because teams are holding on to what they have right now. A Syndergaard is not available and it will almost certainly be a few months before teams re-assess their direction. Like many, I am willing to be surprised by an acquisition of Gray, Syndergaard, Snell, Castillo, or others.

I admire Ehire Adrianza for the same reasons. Rocco showed his respect for EA by having him manage the final game of the regular season. That says plenty. These two are really good baseball players and teammates.

You funny

... still waiting for a sound proposal for a trade that brings a "good" SP before the season begins. It could happen!

My guess is 92-95 wins takes the division. That's good. It should be an exciting season.

With all due respect, you do know that half of the current brain trust was hired from Cleveland precisely because of that organization's ability to develop pitchers. The hope was for that ability to identify pitching and coax it to the team. Cleveland has gone well past their financial limits in recent years and have carefully groomed young pitchers and put them in a place to succeed. Trading Bauer and filling holes in their offense was because they believed in the next guy up. Cleveland is still a tough squad and will vie for the division due to their ability to develop their young pitching. As a vocal proponent of adding pitching (Cole) and Josh Donaldson all winter, I have never confused the two teams financial resources. I haven't read a single proposal to add a pitcher in trade to slot above either Berrios or Odorizzi that another team would accept. Rosario and Gordon for ??? isn't happening.

Mike Clevenger, Shane Bieber, Adam Civale - why didn't the Indians go get another starter instead of using these guys? At some point the Twins either need to see if one or two young pitchers has what it takes to succeed at the highest level of baseball or they need to abandon drafting pitchers in the first five rounds and just trade for or sign free agent pitchers. There will be a really good pitcher available in July. The Twins have the depth to make a trade, if necessary, even if they relinquish more than seems necessary. Thorpe, Dobnak, Graterol, and maybe someone else should be given a shot this April and May. If we have confidence in our bullpen, let these guys throw six innings and analyze their potential for a competitive spot on a winning team. I would like to see one young pitcher added to the rotation each of the next three seasons.

This is true. The game changes. Mark Belanger and Ozzie Smith might not even get their chance today. I see Buxton as the most important player on the team. When he is running down everything in centerfield the entire outfield defense is really solid and when he is on offense the entire defense is under pressure. Buxton had more doubles on routine singles just last year than any player I can ever recall. It is a different type of pressure than Ricky Henderson but a healthy Buxton all year gets MVP votes (runner up to Trout).

The only aces available were Cole and Strassburg. Those didn't happen. LAD and Buehler - not happening ... and so on. We all wanted pitching. Time to move on and look for a trade in the summer when one or more teams are ready to change directions or see a trade as beneficial. The Twins look really good on paper right now and their ability to improve also looks good. A little patience is warranted. I don't expect the Twins to win 102 games again, but i believe they are a better team and they will win the division. It is a long season and it all starts with optimism.

Agree. Sano should be better at 1B than 3B; win, win.

A question to consider - What team is willing to trade a pitcher at or above Berrios quality right now? A number of TD posters have called for a new shortstop. Would you trade Berrios for Trevor Story? I can't fathom a trade of a top pitcher at this time. I do think a TOR pitcher is important and believed Cole was worth $36 million. Even that wasn't enough it turns out. The Twins have what they need for now. There may be an ace available from a team that wants a load of prospects or is willing to gamble on change by July. The beauty of a luxury of riches allows the Twins to explore trades and wait for the proper time.

Adrianza is an excellent player and his ability to come off the bench has been a noteworthy part of the Twins success recently.

The 2001 Seattle Mariners won 116 games and lost to the Yankees in the postseason. Their disgruntled fans who wanted more were much happier in 2004.

I think a move to first base was definitely a topic of discussion between the Twins, Sano, and his agent.