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.

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.

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.

The question on Musgrove is this, Would you be willing to part with Kiriloff and a lesser prospect to get him? I'm pretty sure it would take at least that much. Alex could be especially enticing for them with his Steeltown roots.

You're right Chief. 'A bit more,' is an understatement of what would be required to land Gray, who is controllable at a relatively cheap rate for two more years. However I truly believe that the two player package I proposed for Arenado isn't that far off, provided the Twins absorb the entire $234mil remaining on his deal. Lewis and Kiriloff are Top 15 overall prospects, and Balazovic is on everyone's ask list when the Twins are in trade talks. Perhaps a 'B' level prospect or two would need to be added to appease the Rockies fan base, but I wouldn't plan any anyone significant.

Agree, completely. If I were Falvine, I'd give the Rocks the choice of Kiriloff, Larnach or Lewis plus Balazovic and eat all of Arenado's contract to get it done. Including Gray would cost a bit more, but is worth exploring.

Personally, I'd give up Lewis & Kiriloff if the deal netted both Syndergaard & Diaz. They are two experienced yet controllable, dynamic, young arms that could thrive outside of the NY spotlight. Plus they fill glaring needs on a potential World Series team, right now.

The Giants only shot is a 1-game Wild Card play-off, and their farm is weak. They've been auditioning OF's all season and Crawford & Panik ain't getting any younger (or better.) Add Badoo/Celestino or Maciel to that package and I think it's a better offer than you're giving credit for. We've already seen that the QO compensation isn't a guarantee for the Giants, with the way Keuchel and Kimbrell played out this year. I think the Giants would give it strong consideration.

I don't think we can solve our mound issues with one deal. I think we need to make a rental deal for Bumgarner/Smith. Maybe Gordon, Duran & a couple lesser's get that done. We also need two RH guys for the pen. Giles for Larnach/Rooker & Balazovic. Then finish with Kennedy for Jaylin Davis, if the Royals eat some salary. None of those deals are worth including Royce Lewis unless we can get a piece to flip into one of the other deals.

I don't see the Twins making any deal that includes anyone on the Major League roster. Possibly one of Astudillo or Arianza, but it's unlikely that a team in rebuild mode would covet either of them. Perhaps Cave might have value, but the Twins won't make any move that upsets the core that they have in place. They are looking to supplement what they have, not subtract.

I agree, Greg. I don't think that either Met starter is a realistic target for the Twins. I'm hoping a MadBum/Smith or Stroman/Giles package could be made without including any of my 3 hands-off candidates.

I'm not giving up Kiriloff, Graterol or Lewis for any deal, realistic or not. Everyone else is fair game, within reason. I wouldn't give up more than a couple of our top mound prospects, but would have no trouble parting with multiple IF/OF candidates where I believe we have an abundance. I'm a big fan of Lewin Diaz, and would hope he can be retained to compete for the 1B job in '20 or '21.

It was just a bad (and hopefully learned from) decision by Baldelli to bring the rookie into that situation. Rocco was influenced too much by the fact that the pitcher was leading off the next inning. As we all know, games can be decided in any inning. Protecting the lead was the priority, not setting up the next four innings when presumably everyone was available. I'm more worried about Odorizzi than the 'Pen. He finally has a start where he is largely efficient with his pitch count, and he still can't manage to get past the 5th inning. We've seen short starts from him way, way, way to often to have any hope that this will change before he mercifully departs at season's end. Maybe, just maybe he can be one of those miracle reclamation stories of a failed veteran starter who thrives in the pen. I'm done with him as a starter. I'd rather start auditioning arms from AAA & AA to see if we can catch lightening in a bottle than wait for Jake to finally put it together.

I love Astudillo. There, I said it. He needs to be a part of this team. If he were 40-lbs lighter there wouldn't even be a debate. Because of his appearance, people can't fathom him being able to sustain. If Castro is catcher #1, I think our best roster is a 4-man bench consisting of Gonzalez, Adrianza, Garver & Willians. Three of them can play almost anywhere and provide the luxury few teams have of carrying a 3rd catcher. I like Cave, but he has an option left and would be merely a phone call away in case of injury. Austin has great power, but offers little else. Maybe he could net us bonus money or a prospect, or we risk that he clears waivers.