tony&rodney

Greinke is likely less interested in the Twins than the other way. He has had an amazing career and has forged his own path every step of the way. Zack Greinke is nearing the end of a fantastic career, still managing to pitch a ton of innings and leave his team in a position to win nearly every game. He may retire if the Astros win the World Series. He also might just want to keep playing baseball and sign for a lesser contract. Your post is correct - Greinke is not a TOR pitcher any longer but rather a back of the rotation innings guy. This year he pitched 171 innings. Your post was well done and accurately points out how Greinke has declined in effectiveness. Nevertheless, Greinke holds a special place as a former opponent with Kansas City and while we should not look to sign him for 2022, he can still be productive as a #4/#5 pitcher for 150 innings on another team. Thank you for the complete analysis at what Zack Greinke might look like going forward. I just wanted to acknowledge what a special player he has been for baseball.

Since the 1950s. Jay Jaffe writes on HoF rankings. The third paragraph applies, apparently. Rosario was my favorite Twin recently. Enjoy the playoffs.

Yes, Holy Cow - that was fun. Eddie! Eddie!

Where was it that there was an article stating that the actual correct number for WAR was just over $4 million? Fangraphs? Buxton would be wise to sign for 7/$140 million. If the Twins can get a 7/$80 million base, they should absolutely go really high with incentives.

Makes good sense if it ever happens and I suppose it does happen actually. The Pohlad family, by most accounts, have been terrific community members and this is laudable. What we should remember is that the club of MLB owners is by invitation only. If you had $10 billion and wanted to pay $2 billion cash for the Twins, the sale would need to be approved and those not deemed worthy are not allowed at the table. So I am fine with owners making profits because it is none of my business, but I'm not worried about their welfare. I mean I want any normal business to make money so the employees get paid and money cycles through the economy. This doesn't apply to baseball because there are a ton of people to bail out any team. The final call on what to do with payroll is strictly with Jim Pohlad and how that budget gets used is on Falvine.

Well, we have no idea what another team looks for in a potential trade with the Twins, but there could be opportunities. I accept reality but do wonder if something along Garver or Jeffers, Larnach, Celestino, Sands, and a lower minor league prospect for Alcantara and Meyer would be acceptable. The initial thought is that the Marlins would never trade either pitcher but perhaps an overpay could work. Oakland has three starters worth looking at and Arraez, Rooker, plus two or three others might return one of these guys. Both Twins pitching prospects ready for the major leagues did ok this year and we hope one of them pans out next year. I would not bet on Ryan, but Ober looks decent. Throwing the other prospects out before they are ready will be difficult. To be real, the Twins will have to break the roster down if they cannot sign Buxton and choose to keep the budget well below $120 million and then the minor leaguers might as well play. Additionally, it is not really reasonable to expect the Twins to go above a budget of $150 million. The decision on budget directly affects the roster construction and the direction of the team for next year and thereafter. Would everything have to right for the Twins to win next year? Yes. That was true, really, in every season in which the Twins have won and it is true for any other team that wins for that matter. Baseball is very competitive and the teams still playing this year are all very good. Tampa Bay and San Francisco had terrific seasons and are done for the year. I think a $130-150 million budget could bring a decent competitive team to Target Field next year. A few trades and a few free agents and a more athletic team would be nice. I'm not thinking that rolling with rookies will necessarily make the Twins better in 2023. Lastly, I understand how people look to San Diego as an example of the woes of going too fast but we don't have to worry about Pohlad using a budget of $170+ million, nor do we have similar prospects to throw away or such a mess with management. The Twins move at a slower pace. I'm thinking positively about the future of the Twins.

Did anyone else think Roberts had a frantic depressed look on his face in the bottom of the 8th inning down 2-5? Managers face some serious stress seemingly. Meanwhile, Bellinger is swinging out of his shoes on a pitch low in the zone where he likes it and then again on a pitch right down the middle and then again at an unhittable high fastball and ..... bam, Roberts is healed. Baseball.

Oh no, where's Tony Oliva. He looked really good wearing #6 and the sweetest line drives ever.

Kirilloff would be an ideal #3 hitter, but the Twins have Jorge Polanco in that spot. I would like to see him hit behind Donaldson and in front of Sano. I'm also not going to worry about injuries too much because they were different injuries to the wrist and Alex will have worked hard by Spring Training to strengthen the areas and get ready for a big year.

What if the players received in trade have multiple years of control left and can perhaps be signed to 4-5 year contracts? The Twins have a glut of corner players, some enticing minor league pitchers, and could make some good trades. When I look, optimistically, at the Twins pitching prospects I also need to recall how many pitchers the team has developed and conclude that a couple or three trades for pitchers is a good idea and possible.

Quick exercise. Name a player from the Washington/Minnesota baseball franchise that is regarded historically as among the top ten in baseball history at their primary position. Joe Mauer is among the top ten catchers in baseball history. I'll go first - Walter Johnson. Leave Joe Mauer out of any discussions about Eddie Rosario, contracts, etc., because it only makes you look foolish, jealous, or worse. Eddie Rosario is an absolute joy to watch right now and his bases loaded walk was precious. He looked almost sheepish taking ball four as if he knew what a free swinger he has always been but deferred to the situation. Fun.

The future of the Twins as far as being competitive in 2022 is solely in the hands of Falvey with the blessings of Jim Pohlad. It is as simple as that really. Going by past practices, you are likely correct in being realistically pessimistic. However, some of us are pain in the ass hopeless optimists that look for trades that both teams are amenable to and a few simple free agent signings. A little juggling of resources and a $150 million dollar budget. Of course, you could be right.

Sorry prouster, I did misunderstand.

Considering the contract and the way Polanco responded to better health with a fantastic 2021 season, the Twins would need to get back quite a haul. His at bats are generally tough for the pitcher and he could easily maintain his production throughout the length of his contract. My sheet always includes Jorge Polanco at 2B, but the Twins might find a trade possible if another team offers the right collection of talent. I have not thought about what a Polanco trade would generate because I'm keeping him.

Well researched argument, realistic, and these players would all look good in a Twins uniform. Correa is likely too far a stretch but possible and we shall see what Falvey's plans are to reshape the roster.

Yes, I did. Thank you for the link. I stand corrected. While I wanted to trade Sano in 2019 for pitching, I'm going to put him on my 2022 team and hope for the emergence of the best Sano. Once more sounds like addiction.

Mauer is among the 7-10 greatest catchers in the history of baseball as judged by many writers such as Jaffe (ranks JM as #7). Can you name another Twin who ranks in the top 7-10 at their position? Rod Carew? Hmmm? All references to Mauer should be avoided unless you want to compare him to those catchers currently in the Baseball Hall of Fame.

Water, Over the dam. Sanity tonic: 1.) Tune in and enjoy every Rosario at bat this post season - hope for continual heroics. 2.) Surly Furious, stop at two ... or three. 3.) Be happy that Rosario was a Twin but don't begrudge the past.

Dear Nick, Earlier, I began a post a post as "Nice Nash" Sorry and oops, but you did get a ton of people going. What do the Twins have in mind? We have been disappointed by how conservative the Pohlads have run the team but it is possible that something will change. There is a ton of pent up energy for good entertainment because of the unfortunate Covid-19 debacle of the past two years. 2022 is a key year going forward, for the Twins and many businesses. People like to get out with friends, neighbors, and family and the Twins could draw really well with a fun team. Nice Nick!

Just a thought for Twins fans to consider - the Royals consider Mondesi a lesser version of Buxton, a player with big upside who has been off the field too often. Clearly, Buxton has shown much more than Mondesi but the Canterino and Strotman trade isn't likely too far off. The Royals are wondering who else will the Twins add. Mondesi is worth a conversation but seems a very difficult trade to complete for the Twins. Still, I'm intrigued - he has talent and that is a good thing. Remember, our hope is that the Twins sign Buxton because he is very talented. Mondesi makes sense.

Oh, to the post - JD stays.

Personally. I agree with these numbers. I'm hoping for a ceiling of $150 million but expecting just under $140 million. The Twins can field a really decent team at those prices and Falvine needs to use his phone often to complete at least two significant trades and then he can use the company checkbook. Please $150.

Wow. Edie, Eddie, Ediie - what a great thing to see him swing the bat so impressively.

Rodario has been so much fun today - what a day for Eddie. Elite speed to beat out a hit and the temperament to go for it.

Nice Nash. The key is exactly as stated - What are the true intentions of management? We don't need sound bites, quotes, or explanations at any point from Falvey or Pohlad. We need decisions and direct action. Looking at a number of other teams' sites, the Twins and their players are seemingly dismissed. I wonder if other teams see the Twins as competitive? 1.) Right on with the conundrum at shortstop. Lewis in 2023? When? It almost seems like Semien is the only real option amongst the top free agents. The other choice is an extremely unlikely trade for Mondesi and sign Adrianza to fill in. Shortstop is a difficult topic for the team. 2. ) If the Twins are going to avoid 90-100 losses the option to just use prospects and maybe Pineda won't work. There are trade possibilities and the Twins may have to overpay to get their guys. Miami and Oakland look like fair partners. 3.) If the medicals look good, the Twins have to bring back Rogers. 4.) Thielbar, Alcala, and Minaya looked good. Two additions should suffice in the bullpen. 5.) Everybody loves Cruz, but the Twins can fill DH with any number of players. 6.) The Twins need pitching but they must absolutely try to sign Buxton. If traded ..... hopefully not, but I wonder how many teams are looking for a CF with his power, speed, and upside? I have no idea of value but I'm thinking Atlanta (Anderson & Waters), San Diego (Abrams & Gore), NYY (Loaisiga, Dominguez, & Peraza), and others should be willing to talk. I have no idea but Buxton has mad skills. This offseason could be anywhere from tragic to spectacular and certainly risky.