Cory Engelhardt

Agreed. Their mold has been guys with MORE experience with a year (or more likely 2) remaining in arbitration.

I'll just add, I would be open to Cabrera if his medicals check out. I know walks have been an issue with him, but I also believe that the infrastructure and coaching here could work with him and his stuff to get it more under control. Or at least, if they were to pull off a deal with Cabrera coming back, that's what the plan would have to be right?

I THINK there could be a chance here that Polanco could be moved for prospects to a team, and then some of those prospects could be added to a deal for a starter somewhere else. Like, if a team really likes a pitching prospect from a team that wants Polanco, then it could almost be a 3 team type deal in that sense right?

Mostly I just use apple podcasts on my phone, so that's where it didn't finish the episode all the way that one. I haven't had issues with any of the other episodes so far. @Jamie Cameron

Ok, I'm only sharing this as a nagging thought I've had over the last few days. I THINK the Twins are waiting to see if the White Sox or Astros (or even Cleveland bites first with their 3 starters (Cease, Valdez and Bieber) make a move first, either to them or to another team, to get the floodgates open a bit. Think about this; All 3 are very heavily available this offseason for the right price, or at least Cease and Bieber are. Valdez, I guess we will see, but his name has been out there. I'd argue, at least Cease in particular, is VERY MUCH a perfect fit for the Twins, even if it would be trading in-division. He is still young, he is coming off (for him) a down year, but also very much as a ton of upside that could be tweaked into a top of the rotation arm. He also is only team controlled through 2025, so theorhetically he will be cheaper to acquire than Jesus Luzardo, in comparison. Plus, Chicago does need just more in terms of overall talent in the organization. I don't know what it would cost, but I wouldn't be shocked to have the name they acquire be more of a NAME compared to a younger prospect. And I'm someone who would love Bryan Woo or Max Meyer. I compare to the pitchers they've acquired in the past; Maeda, Odorizzi, Gray, even Lopez. None of them were PROSPECTS, and all of them had a smaller number of years of control. Just has me thinking, maybe they go down this road again.

My guess is to the NL. I also think it will be someone a little more established than the (mostly) prospects that were listed in the article or as targets, and I would guess we send a prospect (or multiple) with Polanco to get someone back. I don’t know who that is though, but I fully expect the majority of people who comment on the trade (whenever it is announced) to be underwhelmed. And maybe that’s ok too

https://www.mlbtraderumors.com/2023/12/looking-for-a-match-in-a-jorge-polanco-trade.html

All of these are actual positives. It does lend credence to the idea that if his knees feel ok, he isn’t cooked. Just remember though; if this gets shared anywhere on social media, don’t read the comments. :) Happy New Year!

Interesting move

1 year deal, 15-16 million, per montage rumors. Healthy and getting out of New York, we will see if he can bounce back

RIP

10/10, perfect.

Having him as an option would be awesome.

Depending on how Miranda looks with a healthy shoulder, I’d be open to this idea. And I suppose, even if Miranda is back to his 2022 form (again, we will see) having someone else who is solid and can crush lefties isn’t a bad thing

I think Varland can be that multi-inning bullpen option, that's why I like him there. IF that means he is going in the 5th or the 8th, I don't care much about that. Whatever the high leverage situation is, I like him as a "fireman" of sorts.

Oh man, just saw this now. His stuff was VERY good not that long ago. It's interesting he got a major league deal with his injury issues last year. IF he can get back to anything close to 2021 levels we have something. Certainly worth a look.

That could be. I keep coming back to, they have 4 open 40 man roster spots, and that's before potentially ALSO trading away Polanco or others. Where are those spots being filled? What positions are taking those roles? My guess is a playoff level starter, at least one other major league pitcher contract (is that a reliever, or is that someone who can start?) Maybe someone who can play CF? Another hitter? I can also see a minor league signing, like you mentioned similar to Sanchez. I just think there is more opportunity there for additions outside of payroll concerns.

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.