mudcat14

A new hitting coach/staff is a must! I've never seen a group as consistently bad at pitch selection. They watch the pitches that they should attack, and chase the ones they couldn't reach with a broom. It is also time to make some tough personnel decisions on the field. First among them is the end of the Byron Buxton era. Continued uncertainty over his availability looms over every line-up and roster decision that the Twins make, and has for too long. I can't help but think the Braves would take a chance on him in exchange for a couple pretty decent 20-year old arms.

So it sure seems to me that C4 made very positive impression and held major sway in the clubhouse last season. This, in spite of the fact that everyone and his brother knew that Carlos was only here as a 1-year rental. Now that he has committed to the organization for the long haul, I expect his influence to have an even more significant effect an the roster. For this reason I think his signing is a much bigger deal than just retaining a component from last year's 3rd place finisher. I don't think many of the "Talking Heads" I see on the internet are crediting his commitment for the upgrade that it really is.

The only ways the Twins could trade either of those two for a #1 ace is if said hurler was a high ceiling prospect or a pending FA. If the Twins want a #1, they must develop him. More than a generation ago we brought back Blyleven and lured Black Jack Morris home. Each were beyond their peak years, but enjoyed a brief resurgence leading to championships. The only two pitchers we have had since that era who could be considered #1 talents were Viola & Santana. Each were developed internally.

No way. No how. No matter the potential return. Regardless of his current knee status, he has all of the physical tools and proved in his limited AAA/MLB 2022 AB's that he is the type elite talent that contending teams need to retain. At the end of 2019 questions regarding his swing and defensive reliability at SS began to surface. Then between the pandemic and his 1st ACL procedure, he went two entire season's without playing in a single game. The adjustments he made during that hiatus were enough to convince me that he has the head, heart and desire to be an All-Star at whichever position we need him to play. I'll be outraged if the move him in any deal.

I'm all for signing Andrus as a place-holder, until Lewis or Lee are ready. Offer Rodon the 7/200 deal he seeks. Flip Kepler and perhaps Polanco for whatever pitching depth we can get. Go with the youth! Maybe make an offer to JD Martinez as a RH DH, veteran presence.

Dylan F****n Bundy?!?! Maybe we can re-sign Kohl Stewart next. What's Paul Thormodsgard up to these days?

Another example of the failure of this regime's scouting accumen. We've gotten and will now never get any contribution from Anderson, while Wade is thriving with the division leading Giants. Everyone on this board knew that Cave should have been the one sent packing. Not Wade.

Now I know I wasn't imagining it. Thanks. As I recall Kirilloff's arm is not considered more than average, at best. I would assume his path to playing time is in LF, at least initially.

Crap! Either I totally misread the original, or they changed it. Could have sworn it said Kirilloff would play RF. Anyway, it's very unlikely that Kepler would shift over, correct?

The linked post from MLB Trade Rumors suggests that Kirilloff will play RF come opening day. I assumed he would be in LF, since Kepler is so well regarded defensively in RF. What are the odds Max slides to the other side of the pasture? link: https://www.mlbtraderumors.com/2021/02/outfielder-notes-kirilloff-kiermaier-robles.html

I liked Wade as a 4/5th OF, but his only real advantages over Cave are his batting eye and shorter service time. Larnach, Rooker, Lewis or Celestino would all likely jump him if injuries required a regular fill-in at the major league level. 17-years ago, the Twins acquired another RH from the Giants who was also only one season removed from transitioning into a reliever's role. He was a couple years older, but also threw in the upper/mid 90's. Now he's in the Twins HoF. Come on lightning! Strike twice!!!

Justin Wilson seems like a good fit at somewhere below $5mil on a 1-year deal. I also like the idea of adding James Paxton but am uncertain as to his health and projected cost.

I'd much rather re-sign Adrianza at a fraction of the cost of Marwin.

I read that too. Hopefully the Twins will tell them to p*ss up a rope, and hang on to Brusdar. See if we can work out an independent deal with the Dodgers or someone else if we feel the need for another starter. Otherwise, wait til the mid-season deadline and see how desperate we really are with Pineda & Hill due back.

Hold on. Graterol is still a Top 100 prospect by ALL services. You, I & everyone else watching saw him throw multiple 100+ mph strikes in his most recent outings. He spent the off-season at the Twins training facility with no reported setbacks. The Twins publicly announced that he would remain in relief for the foreseeable future, in all likelihood due to concerns over his durability. Obviously the Twins are in the 'Win Now' mode and felt a proven, controllable #3-4 starter was more valuable to them this year than a #5-8 arm in our deep bullpen, despite his tremendous potential. If the deal falls through, the Twins will be more than happy to continue to develop the kid with the most dynamic velocity that they have produced in years.