beckmt

I would try and extend Buxton as the first option. If that is not possible, then you have to look at trading him, and not seeing him go to a big city in two years for maybe a comp pick. What I would want is a front line starting pitcher and then tweeking the deal to make it work. One that is young with upside. Clubs might be Miami, cleveland, and others that might have a surplus of young pitching with two or three with larger upsides. Anything you might do is dangerous, but if Buxton will not sign here, you have to be open about getting a good return for him.

I am guessing Hand gets to a two year contract (maybe with a option) in the 7 - 8 million a year range. He is a difference maker.

I would also like the Twins to sign Brad Hand, he is a local boy and maybe would give a slight discount. Also like Walker and would kick tires on Kela (do not know if his clubhouse presence is toxic). All should be possibilities as the Twins should take advantage of the current market to find some players needing to rebuild value or just good(Walker). I would prefer Walker over most of other names here.

How about Liam Hendricks? I think there is one more, but can't think of the name at this time. Pressely was decision on what he was worth in two years.

Rosario is as good as gone, as is Gonzales and a few others. I might bring Clippard back, but not Romo. Cave and other possible outfield options will be sent packing. Needs good 4th starter on one year term, and more bullpen pieces. A good share of Tampa's bullpen throws high heat and a second breaking pitch. That should be the Twins model. Would like to see May back, but probably too expensive. Should be a fair number of relievers on the open market as many command excess dollars for small market teams. We shall see.

I would also like a look at Jake Reed. It seems like our genius FA has missed on a few really good players. I do not claim to know the problem, but some organizations are seeming to get more out of Twins reclamation projects than the Twins (Tampa Bay for one). Command of high velocity, plus a good breaking pitch, seem now to count more than spin rate.

I would take (within Reason) what I could get for Rosario, even if it was a couple of decent lottery tickets. Can't see with payroll reduction, his number being workable. If you keep him then Cruz is almost certainly gone. We still need starters and cannot see how numbers will work, unless we think the two Twins minor leaguers will be in the rotation (not Smeltzer, and probably not Thorpe).

Not opposed, since I don't see Odo coming back unless you are talking around $5 million and don't think that is going to happen. Again the medicals are going to be interesting.

A lot depends on the Rosario decision. Can you get anything for him?. For me, too many clubs will cut payroll and think Twins will let Rosario go to offer much. Cruz needs to be brought back unless he wants a two year deal and if the NL has the DH, he will probably get just under $30 million for the 2 years. He likes it here, so maybe he will take a bit less. May will probably get more elsewhere and Romo, Gonzalez, and Adrianzia is also gone. Gordon might be able to handle one UT position, and I would expect the maybe you can get one starter (not Smeltzer) from the minor league rosters. Hill or Odo, might be in play, but expect more that Hill might be the choice. Twins need one more or two more A relievers in FA, and then hope some youngsters make it. Interesting offseason.

Interesting point, but with the CBA up after the 2021 season, wonder how many clubs will game the system and start their younger players in the majors this year, with the expectation that service time may be a bargining chip in the talks, with the possibility of dropping to 4 or 5 years in return for other concessions.

Am also interested how it will play out when Duran and the other starter arrive in the next two years. Or this year as the need may be.

Relief pitching is a year to year proposition. Rogers had an off year. Don't read a lot into it. I would try and resign May, but it may get too expensive. Remember those playoff rosters had several ex Twin relievers on them, most in prominent roles. Clipard and Romo should be gone, and the Twins need to find other options or give tryouts to some of their depth. Cruz is a great mentor and I think you try and resign him, do not know if I want to give 2 years and if the NL has the DH, he will get that. It is probably going to run 14 with a least a second year option. Rosario, I would guess they are gauging his value in a trade. If all he can bring you is a B+ prospect or a couple of lottery tickets, you may have to non tender him. There will be a lot of outfielders in his class that may well be non tendered. Problem is he earns too much money for small market teams. so trading him with a Smeltzer or another pitcher for a better pitcher or prospect is difficult. Plus you have Kirloff who looks ready and Laurach who was big time clutch in college. You can send Cave with him, and use Wade as the 5th outfielder, with Rooker being 4. Middle infield backup, maybe it is time to see what Gordon has, Lewis will be here by 2022 so Polonco may be the backup by that time. (or Traded). 5th MI can probably be found cheap on the open market. Pitching I am comfortable with one of Dobnak or Thorpe filling one hole and seeing what the farm system brings for the second. Do not mind Oderizzi, but will probably be out of our price range. Relief, you should be able to find some options between the minors and FA's. Am not too worried here.

We don't know if this was a decline or just the opposition teams deciding Cruz was not going to beat them. I don't know which, but am in the camp of teams deciding Cruz was not going to beat them, plus the pressure of the lineup not being all together and Cruz possibly trying to do too much.

Remember David Ortiz, that is the scenario I am very afraid of if we trade him

I expect they will part from Romo. I would like May, but he might be too expensive. Unfortunately Relievers are a year to year proposition, unless you are in the very top tier. Hendricks will probably cost more than May, Alcaca may also be a low leverage long man option to start. I would use him in 2 inning groups. Hill I would see what it would take, He still gets the job done. Ozzo only on a team friendly deal, he probably can get more elsewhere. Rosario will probably only bring B type prospects or I hope maybe a decent reliever. Problem is a lot of clubs that need outfielders don't want to pay that much, so Twins to get a decent prospect out of them would probably have to kick in 5+million.

I agree with some of the above, and maybe taking a step back and retooling a bit. Rosario is probably gone, they need to make a decision between Garver and Jeffers (I prefer Jeffers), Gonzales will probably go to a club that is closer to winning, and knows how, same with Cruz if the Twins cannot retain him. Pitching, would like to see them resign Hill, and maybe extend Pineda. See what they can do with Berrios and if nothing shop him. Twins need to find leaders in the clubhouse, seem to be lacking except for a couple of veterans. Should be an interesting offseason.

Rogers needs to be moved to low leverage situations until the command comes back. We have many relievers and just need to give some of the other ones a chance. I like Duffy and Alacla and lots of other choices, maybe even flip Tielbar and Rogers for a while until he clears his head. Lots of relievers have off years and on years, that is why people like Rivera and Chapman and the like are so special.

Hopefully Rooker is fine and Wade is sent down. Twins need to package some of the AAAA prospects for lower prospects that have a chance from another system. This could be close to the end for Rosario here if Twins get a decent offer offseason.

For the next few years we will be drafting in the last 1/3 or last 1/4. That makes it difficult to find top of the rotation pitching. Here is hoping the FA can trade some assets this winter for high upside pitching, and more of the Twins draft picks come through. It can be done, just asking a lot.

You never know what you have until they are in the big leagues for a year or three. Pipeline looks good at this time, we will know more a few years from now. Pitching if you are not the Yankees and just buy it, is the hardest commodity to find. Twins now look good in that area, but will have to see. Remember Oderizzi is not likely to return and good chance Hill and Bailey will not either. We are going to need the depth and hopefully we are like Cleveland and just keep churning them out.

Clevenger was supposed to be toxic, bad person, not real good in the clubhouse, and had poisoned his relationship with a lot of players on the club. Cleveland did not get a great return, but time will tell.

I also have seen a number of moves on the Athletic, most involved sending out Royce Lewis for immediate help, 3 players in a Lance Lynn deal. I could see the Twins moving Rosario for help, if the pitcher was very front line. One rumor had them moving Polanco and lewis for Borgarts. Who knows, we shall see, I also expect no or a small move. Lots of PTBNL moves, which suggest some of the contending clubs are giving up lower prospects with more upside.

Twins had better score early and often. Royals bullpen is very tough

There will be sellers, you just have to know whom. Diamondbacks, Pirates, Red Sox, Royals, Marianers, maybe Texas. There look to be several sellers (to about 10). You just need to identify sellers, see how you match up, and make the moves. Twins have a lot of farm system depth, so making moves should be looked at. If a farm hand does not look like part of the 2 - 3 year or maybe a bit farther for the lower rungs, they should be looked at as trade bait and get help for now and in the future.

When Hill comes back, I think you jettison Smeltzer (If you believe that Thorpe is better), you don't need 2 mops. You also have Bailey and Odorizzi so have enough starters, Alacia needs to be used and see if he also can become a part of the solution. WIth all this pitching go with the hot hands and do not use Rodgers on 2 days in a row(just does not work). If need be Duffey and Romo can handle those spots. Twins hitting will make some games not stressful and can use lesser bullpen arms.