tony&rodney

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.

Trades. It is all about trades at this point. Stroman or Ray would be quite rich.

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

Apparently there is plenty of money in MLB. I hope the CBA can be resolved reasonably (within two months). Neither the players nor the owners win in a work stoppage.

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.

These two teams are arguably the two best teams in Washington/Minnesota franchise history. Of course, that team and bringing them up has nothing to do with the post, but ......

Apparently, no current MLB player is a fit for the Twins. In a startling development, free agents appear to be signing contracts for more than $8 million per year. Starling Marte is (was) a fantastic fit for the Twins. Canha also, but less so. Pitching is the mantra, but we wait and hope for ??? The initial conservative nature of our Twins roster construction held the budget to $130 million. Some people hoped for a larger budget, possibly $150 million. Although it is early this may have been too high of a limit. Everyone might need to consider a roster construction near $110 million. Trades could still bring in some good players. We may be waiting for several months to see any changes due to the impending CBA closing. Patience is a virtue ....

Manfredball must be deleted ... even if Manfred stays.

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.

Simmons was a really good player to acquire about 5-7 years ago and was fun to watch when he played for Atlanta. Simmons can still play a decent shortstop but his glove no longer covers his weaknesses. He makes a fair signing for a team wanting a fill-in shortstop or can stick him in the last spot in the lineup with no concern about the results. The fly balls changed the game, which explains why it makes more sense to have a Starling Marte, Byron Buxton, and Max Kepler outfield. Leave Polanco at 2B and try to trade for Taylor Walls, another, or sign a stopgap until a decision is made on Lewis and/or Martin.

"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.

What exactly are your expectations and when do you hope to see a .500 season at Target Field?

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.

Greene has resurrected his status, #47 last year but up to #26 now after being #1 once. Still time for him, for sure. Keep Bank's autograph, and Adam Johnson's too. Prospects are fun, fairly relative. Willie Banks was the best ever: great name. looks, everything - like Willie Norwood.

Maybe, but not massive for near $100 million. Feel free to substitute another for the same price. What is your plan?

Giants had a good season and want to spend some of that do-re-mi from full stands to show interested in remaining competitive. The relationship in San Francisco is really solid between the organization and their fans.

Great move by the Marlins - congratulations to them. I wanted Alcantara but was 99+% sure he was unavailable even for Lewis added to three or more additional players; not a fit because he is too good.

My plan includes Donaldson at 3B with time as needed at DH. Trades? So speculative and reaching, goof around like most of us ... My first plan if Miami had problems reaching a long term agreement with Alcantara was to flood Miami with people in a futile attempt to return him. I never had any real expectation of that and was happy to see he signed. I am wondering if Miami can be coerced into losing Meyer and maybe Cabrera as well. I would offer Garver or Jeffers, Larnach, Vallimont, and Canterino and consider adding another lesser piece for those two. Talent plays. My other trade would be with Oakland and may be seen as ridiculous by some. I want Bassitt and Montas and would later consider trying to keep them. Bassitt is older and may be less expensive. These two would be stabilizers on a young staff. In return Oakland gains some valuable pieces: Luis Arraez, Tyler Duffey, Joe Ryan, Brent Rooker, and a lesser player, perhaps Drew Strotman. This might get the A's attention. Does it seem a little much or superfluous for the other teams? Looks something like the below, but the team needs to add a LF (Canha for $12 or Marte for $20 or ?). Falvey should have options even if mine look silly. Sorry if I answered too long.