Cory Engelhardt

So you are saying they will have a winning first month, and that's bad?

I do think him learning and having the experience to play multiple positions is good, and I think he can hold his own to at least be average or only slightly below defensively at 3b, along with 1b and dh. Once Lewis is healthy and up, things may change. But flexibility is a bonus, not a curse.

And, the high water mark for offense that Urshela can provide is not (arguably) the high water mark that Gallo can provide right? Farmer and Miranda's offense should more than cover whatever Urshela would hypothetically bring, barring health.

Here is fangraphs WAR for 2019-2022 for each of Urshela, Gallo and Kepler, just for comparison's sake. Urshela 2019 = 2.8 2020 = 1.1 2021 = 0.7 2022 = 2.4 Average per season = 1.75 Gallo 2019 = 3.2 2020 = 1.0 2021 = 4.2 2022 = 0.6 Average per season = 2.25 Kepler 2019 = 3.8 2020 = 1.1 2021 = 2.3 2022 = 2.0 Average per season = 2.3

So trading Urshela to open a spot for Miranda was a mistake because the Twins signed Gallo and haven't (yet) traded Kepler? Is that the gist of this? So if/when the Twins trade Kepler, then the decision to trade Urshela isn't a mistake? I'm confused.

More than Archer and Bundy? 1,000%

That has never been the case when they have had starters who at least #3 starters. Look at Berrios in 2021; before the trade he was leading the American League in innings pitched. If a guy is a quality pitcher they are handed differently.

All of this makes complete sense to me. I really enjoyed the article. Thanks!

I agree with you that Ober definitely has talent. I hope we can see him pitch 120+ innings in a season at some point. IF that happens, I believe good results will follow.

I'm hopeful for a Mahle extension. I don't see Gray or Maeda back in 2024, and I fully expect over the year that Varland and possibly one other (SWR) move into roles where, regardless of if they are a #3 or #4 starter, we know they will be in the 2024 rotation. Maybe someone else can take those reins (Balazovic being fully healthy is exciting to me too) but I'd imagine MOST of the guys you listed will either be converted to bullpen or act as depth, even next year too. Or, frankly, if the saying goes "There is no such thing as a pitching prospect" then maybe they are traded or something over time? It'll be fun to see it play out.

You are right, I forgot minor league innings. I don't know that I can pencil any of these 3 as MORE than #5 starters though. I hope they can be, I guess we'll see. And I'd argue that you can NEVER have enough pitching. But I can't get behind that the Twins are going to be lights out because Ober and Winder may spend time in St. Paul. They do have depth, barring health. That's a good thing, and I will agree to that.

You mean two guys who didn't top 60 innings pitched last year, along with one who has made only 5 career starts at the mlb level? THAT means the expectation should be a deep run in the playoffs?

Also this.

It does feel like they are banking on the rotation giving more innings per start compared to last year. On paper, that actually does make quite a bit of sense. And IF the rotation gives more innings, meaning less innings that the bullpen HAS to cover on a per-game basis, that helps too. I still think they add at least one more arm before opening day. Quotes like this seem more like posturing than anything else.

Came here to agree with this take.

Ok, I am curious what your individual hopes are for the rest of the offseason, prior to opening day. What other moves or changes are you still hoping for, if anything. *I will preface this by saying, hoping for a healthy roster doesn't need to be one of the ideas. That is one that everyone should hope for every player on every team, let alone your home team/favorite team that you cheer for. Ok, if I am going to pick a few things that I want to have happen prior to opening day, here is how I would play out the rest of the offseason. 1) Extend Tyler Mahle. I really do think he is an arm that you build with/build around. I'm hopeful for a 4 or 5 year extension. 2) Acquire at least one more reliever who is setup level good. Someone who can slot in at least as a 7th inning (historically) level good. Bringing Fulmer back would work, but I'd be open to any number of the relievers still on the free agent market or via trade. If they want to bring in more than one guy at this level, great! 3) I still think they could use one more right-handed power bat. I will preface this by adding that I'm not truly in love with Voit or Gurriel on the free agent market, and I don't even truly have a name to go after via trade, but my hope would be it could be someone who could play either 1b/3b or a corner outfield spot occasionally. I'll also say that, I still believe there are too many guys on the 40 man who are left-handed hitters who would fit into this description, but I'd prefer someone with more of a track record. (IF you have a target on who this would work for, I'd love to hear it.) And no, Miguel Sano is not an option for me for this answer.

"Nobody truly loves this trade," Speak for yourself here. I love the trade that brought in Lopez.

This is GREAT Jamie! Super excited to see how his next season or two go. Fun to dream on an arm like his.

I don't agree that, really in any deal, they have traded anything that will come back to truly haunt them. I am hopeful for a Mahle extension. He and Lopez are truly two guys to build around/with. He had shoulder fatigue at the end of 2022, but has had no reported structural issues to speak of. I'm curious what an extension would look like, but I'd be open/hopeful for something in the ballpark of 5/100 give or take. I also fully am ready for Varland and Woods Richardson to make their way to the majors in 2023, and cement their respective status as rotation members for 2024. After that, Prielipp and Raya CERTAINLY have the potential to be playoff level starters down the line.

Gotta say, if he does revert to his 2021 or 2019 form, I would be in favor of trying this too. If he continues to "hit" like he did in 2022, then he won't be long for the majors anyway

I honestly don't really understand the premise this article surmises. Dyson was pitching through pain with the Giants prior to the trade, but didn't have a physical prior to the deal. Were there ANY mention of him being hurt prior to the deal? I don't recall that. Maeda got hurt and needed tommy john more than a year after the deal happened, and was 2nd in cy young voting in 2020. This one REALLY seems like a stretch to say the least. Paddack, there were questions, but we'll have to see how the next 3 years play out too no? They got him for one year of a reliever, and also got a prospect. I never had issue with the trade at the time and still don't. Donaldson, yes they were able to sign him to a solid deal. I'm glad he is "helping" the Yankees now, and I'm glad they were aggressive in moving him after the first portion of his contract. Mahle, he had tired arm, but from all accounts he was healthy prior to the deal, his arm is still healthy, and he was ready to throw late September had the team not just fallen all the way off the cliff. He is healthy now, and should be in line for a strong 2023 season. To say he is hurt or dealing with anything is more guessing than anything, but no injury has actually happened. Even in the article you say "And now there are questions about his health going into 2023" Where in the world has that been reported? Montas, he is a Yankee.

Ok, let’s go down this path and say that Farmer is the right handed 4th outfielder. How would you then round out the bench otherwise (at least to start the year.) Curious minds :)

Love it 100%. Make it happen!

100% the SS job is Correa's until he can't play elite defense there anymore. I'm glad there are options who can back up for rest days, but SS is the reason the Twins extended him.

Love this! Great ideas! What would you think of Mitch Keller from Pittsburgh? Young, controllable, was really good for most of last season. I’ll hang up and listen :)