Cory Engelhardt

I would imagine they will treat a major league signing, with Paddack, as working together for make sure the 5th spot is covered. It's always good to have depth. But maybe that is too much? 1) Lopez 2) Playoff level starter via trade 3) Ryan 4) Ober 5) Paddack 6) MLB free agent signing 7) Duran 8) Jax 9) Varland 10) Stewart 11) Thielbar 12) Funderburk 13) Rotating arm from St. Paul

This is a GREAT idea. Make it happen!

JUST to compare to Ober, I do not at all think Ober's stuff would play up as well as Varland's in a setup caliber role. That's why I'm excited for Varland and his transition to high end reliever. I do see Ober as a #3 or #4 level starter. I'm not certain at all that his stuff translates to being more than a middle reliever if there is a need. He is good in a starting role. I also see Varland as being a #5 starter, but can be a high leverage reliever. I truly believe he can slot in with Jax and Stewart after Duran and frankly be ahead of them in some ways. That is super valuable to a team trying to win, barring health. And no, I'm not expecting every single minor league pitching prospect to be able to have fingers snapped and have a starter out of thin air. But I am confident in the coaching and development staff to know when guys are ready. They will probably have, at minimum, 11 guys make at least one start next year (that's pretty typical) and if Varland is one of those, that's not the end of the world at all. I just think his value is stronger to the team in a setup role compared to a back-end rotation role, depending on health.

I'll reply to your comment here @wabene. I appreciate the back and forth. I do think they will add a playoff level starter via trade. I also think they will add a major league free agent AND at least one minor league starter via free agency. With that, I'm saying I'd prefer to have Varland in the major league bullpen compared to having his arm getting AAA hitters out. If he is successful in the bullpen, and there becomes a need to stretch him out later on, then I am behind that too. But I'd prefer he is on the major league roster opening day, not in AAA. I don't see any value in him not on the 13 man pitching staff come opening day. There isn't an argument that I can get behind that says he is not a major leaguer at this point. His arm talent is much more valuable in the 6-8th innings than it is getting out Durham Bulls.

First things first; I more meant, when (yes, I expect when) Varland isn't one of the top 5 (or even 6?) starters at the start of the year, I meant it would be malpractice to not have his arm as a weapon in the bullpen. He has too much high leverage arm talent to be using it against AAA competition. He can be a weapon in the bullpen, and IF a lot of people get hurt, then they can send him at that point. Opening day is not that time. But for depth, here is what I see... Starting with the Twins... 1) Lopez 2) Trade addition, playoff level starter 3) Joe Ryan 4) Bailey Ober 5) Chris Paddack 6) TBD, Major League free agent starter With this, I also think there is a decent shot that they both A) Trade for a playoff level starter and B) Sign a free agent to a 1 year deal or 1 year with an option. That would bring the list to 6 here. Then at St. Paul (in no exact order, I'm not certain how they view these guys, but...) 1) David Festa 2) Simeon Woods Richardson 3) Josh Winder (is he still getting a chance to start, or is he moving to the bullpen too?) 4) Pierson Ohl (check out his AA numbers from 2023) 5) Randy Dobnak (don't laugh) 6) Brent Headrick 7) Minor League Free Agent Starter I also think they will bring in at least one veteran minor league starter who will begin the year at AAA, and probably slot above Dobnak and Winder. Then at Wichita, you have Marco Raya and the rest of last year's Cedar Rapids rotation. This rotation will be super fun to follow on the year, and a few could make it to the majors in 2024 to be honest in some capacity. Anyway, the Twins have depth to cover the back-end of the rotation, especially with Varland being able to move to the bullpen. The Twins, as of now, have only 36 spots on their 40 man. Plus with all of the chatter of Polanco/Kepler/Farmer being moved, there will be a LOT of outside additions to this roster prior to spring training.

Varland in St. Paul any longer is absolutely malpractice

My hope/expectation still is that they trade for a playoff level starter. I also hope that they look at bringing in someone like Frankie Montas (or similar) on a 1 year type deal. I think Varland is a good #5 starter. I think he is a weapon as a setup man. Frankly he might be our 2nd best reliever behind Duran. I don't think it is malpractice if he is a high leverage setup man. I'm happy he will be on the Twins in 2024.

MLBTraderumors put out that Kiermaier is close to resigning with Toronto for 1 year and about 10 million.

Well, we will see how it all plays out right? It's not like Seattle is the only team that would want Polanco on their roster. That includes the Twins.

First, I hope you feel better asap. Colds are no fun. That said, this response feels like it would have been read by George Costanza on December 23rd :)

I see Wong as going… 2020 = 90 2021 = 110 2022 = By far career year of 116. Polanco 2020 = Injured, 92, worst of his career 2021 = 125 2022 = Pedestrian for him 115 Wong is a fine player. Career wise, his best ever season is more an average year for Polanco. Even Polanco’s injury filled years are more like 92, not 47 or worse than Wong has shown

Just to add; Wong’s career ops+ is 96. His career high is 116. Polanco’s career ops+ is 111, 15% better

We are talking about going into 2024 though right? And Wong over his career has been under 100 much more often than not. It’s been much more rare for Polanco to be well under 100, which I dare say hasn’t happened. Polanco’s worst full season he was 92. Wong’s average season is closer to that

This was excellent. Thank you!

I would love to have him in our rotation

Wong has been a better defender than Polanco for a few years now statistically. Polanco is a far superior hitter

I’d argue he is a good fit with any team. He is not at all a salary dump if they do trade him

Healthy (relatively) and playing in the playoffs at a high level. And not just at dh

Cincinnati is SO analystics driven, employing a number of staff who helped develop Driveline. I'd be curious why he is striking out under 7 per 9 innings. If there is something to tap in to, I'd be open to it. I'd also be nervous as to why the Reds were ok with moving him in this scenario. That said, if it took the offer you listed, I'd very much be open to it. I don't know that I'd put him ahead of Ryan or Ober, but he is healthy and young.

I do think this is one that doesn't need satire listed out at the top. I'm already doing all of these things. Especially laughing about the White Sox.

Last year he was clearly not right from the previous offseason’s knee surgery. He tried to play through and couldn’t. All the reports now are he is healthy, but we will see what that means come spring training. But yeah, it was hard watching those at bats

I'm HOPEFUL a healthy-ish Buxton also won't strikeout at the same rate as last year. He has been better in the past when both his knees were healthy. Also, Julien; he struck out looking all the time it felt like. I'm curious if that is something he is working on this offseason?

I do think personnel will play a part here too. Approach can be the same, but that’s one reason I’m excited to see both Martin and Miranda on the team this year. Both of them are more contact oriented than (presumably) their counterparts from last year (Taylor and Gallo) so that change alone, if the plate appearances are the same, should drop the team total for strikeouts quite a bit, right?

Jeepers is not used nearly enough @Seth Stohs :)

Seattle websites disagree with your assessment of Polanco. He would be a good addition to their lineup when he is healthy, especially compared to the players you listed.