TopGunn#22

Nicely put Riverbrian. Great insights. It's the classic sell high scenario. In either case, I'm comfortable with Camargo as our backup catcher. What if...The Twins offered Jeffers 33.3 value to the Marlins for Alcantara 15.3 and Cabrera 8.5 26.1 value. The Marlins would still have a rotation of Jesus Luzardo, Eury Perez, Braxton Garrett, Trevor Rodgers, and Max Meyer. And they'd have their catcher of the future. If they balked at Alcantara how about Trevor Rogers 17.4 and Max Meyer 16.7? I'd throw Thielbar in (2.9 value). One guy...Jeffers could plug the rotations holes left by Gray and Maeda. To your point, that is the value of catching. If you can catch AND hit a little, you're GOLDEN. Do you sell high? This is what makes or breaks front offices. It's such a crap shoot. If Jeffers hits .285 with 24 HR's in 2024 somebody (either the Twins or Marlins) has a HECK of a player. But how about a Twins rotation of Lopez, Alcantara, Cabrera, Ryan, Ober and Paddack? OR...Lopez, Trevor Rogers, Ryan, Ober, Max Meyer and Paddack? In these trade scenarios Varland has moved to fortify an impressive bullpen with a REALLY GOOD rotation. At the cost of Jeffers with Vasquez and Camargo behind the plate I do this in a heartbeat.

I think our FO doesn't really want to spend much on bullpen arms and will only pony up the dollars as Duran becomes eligible for bigger paydays. It's high time to get the Funderburks and Varlands in there. It's also why I look at Thielbar at$2.9 million and see that he is by far the highest paid bullpen arm and at age 37 going into the 2024 season I could see him packaged in a deal with Seattle or Miami. I'm not interested in any of the listed pitchers. Trevino will be out half of 2024.

I like the idea of Dylan Carlson as well as his current Cardinals teammate Tyler O'Neill. I think the Twins should target one of these guys as CF Buxton insurance and additional OF depth. I'm not interested in Bader. Zero offense. O'Neill at one time was considered a cinch 20 HR/20 SB guy. Carlson is a switch hitter. Both can play all three OF positions. However, if I was inclined to hang onto Farmer for 2024 (I think Lewis, Castro and eventually Brooks Lee would be fine backing up Correa) and I realized the Cardinals are far more likely to want pitching in a deal, I'd be willing to dangle Josh Winder for either O'Neill or Carlson. The Redbirds have an excess of young OF talent and one of O'Neill or Carlson is going to be dealt. If Milwaukee was willing to give us Garrett Mitchell for Polanco I'd consider that to acquire our CF of the future. It's possible the Brewers blow everything up and would consider trading Devin Williams. If they're just looking to cut payroll and the Twins were willing to add payroll a deal of Garrett Jax straight up for Williams is numerically even up on BBTV. The Brewers get a guy who could become their closer and affordable control for years and we have a devastating back end of our bullpen. Varland stays in the rotation as #5 in this scenario. I think Hoskins would look good in the lineup but with Kirilloff and Miranda on the 40-man and money needed to replace a Sonny Gray level pitcher I spend that money on Sonny's replacement and Devin Williams. We won the division last year because of pitching. Correa will have a bounce back year. You may actually get something out of Kirilloff and Miranda. The Winter Meetings start this weekend. Anybody think the Twins will make a major move during them?

Ever since Johan Santana the Rule 5 Draft has taken on a "bigger than it really is" attention of Twins fans. And I don't mean that as a negative, I just think it's importance is "outsized" due to that. I imagine Old Time Pirates fans are like us as they got Roberto Clemente from the Brooklyn Dodgers that way. Johnston is the shiniest one of them all and it's kind of surprising to me given the offensive shortcomings in Miami and how we're always talking about acquiring pitching from them on TD by trading them offense. Still, Johnston will be long gone before the Twins pick and I think our team will just sit this one out.

Doc Bauer laid out a very good case why trading Vasquez could be beneficial to the Twins. I agree with his take that Camargo is probably ready and probably deserves a chance. One thing we ALL agree on is that we're not going to just give him away in a salary dump. I think the self-imposed payroll reduction is short sighted. But in reality, this is so true to form for the Twins after a division winning season that I'm expecting it. #1 Our catching tandem is solid (though not as good as the Braves with Murphy and d'Arnaud). #2 We're not just giving Vasquez away #3 BBTV aside, last year, Lopez was valued higher than Arraez and we still got a couple of lottery ticket prospects in addition to Lopez because the Marlins WANTED Arraez. The Marlins NEED a catcher. (the Mariners do not. They have Cal Raleigh). Would the Marlins do a Vasquez for Edward Cabrera straight up? Would they take Kepler and Vasquez for Cabrera and another pitcher? (Sixto Sanchez?) If I'm the Twins, I'm doing that. I get one or two young pitchers. Cabrera fills the Maeda rotation spot immediately, and I shed $20 million in future salary while promoting Camargo. The Marlins are overstocked with pitching and have needs elsewhere. They made the playoffs last year in a stacked division. The Braves and Phillies are tough. The Mets will certainly be better. Steve Cohen will spend the money to make it so. But the Marlins LIKED being in the playoffs and even with pitching being at a premium they part with some to improve their team. Kepler and Vasquez for Cabrera and Sanchez is something I would do. But if the Marlins or anyone else thinks they can get Vasquez for a Class-A marginal prospect, forget it. I'll hang onto Vasquez and consider trading him next off season.

I think jorgenswest has phrased this well when saying we would never trade Duran for a decent, back end starter, but he would trade Jax for a #3 starter. Let's say the Twins traded Garrett Jax 19.1 BBTV "value" Polanco 8.8 Kala 'i Rosario 2.2 for a 30.1 Total Value to the Mariners for Bryce Miller 25.8 and Ty France 3.6 29.4 Total Value. Varland then replaces Jax as the primary 8th inning guy. Miller slots in as our #3 SP with Lopez, Ryan, Ober and Paddack. Ty France is 1B insurance for Kiriloff and a solid RH bat. Varland wouldn't be spending any time "wasting bullets" in St. Paul, he'd have a solid role and would probably pitch 70-75 innings. And he could be VERY good doing it. I'd be on board with this, but I'd still want to either sign Giolito (Severino just signed with the Mets for a very affordable 1-year $13 million deal) or trade Kepler to the Marlins for Edward Cabrera to make sure I have enough depth for my rotation.

You're exactly right Cory. My feelings about turning Varland into a lethal bullpen weapon are clear. I see a trade of Kepler or Polanco to Miami for Cabrera. That fills one rotation spot. But I could see the Twins making a trade for at least one other young and controllable SP and/or signing a mid-level FA like Severino or Giolito. Somebody like Glasnow just seems out of their budget and too risky. Sonny Gray ALWAYS took the ball. Aside from how effective he was while on the mound, he consistently took his turn in the rotation. That can't be under-appreciated at all. We really need 2 or 3 SP acquisitions for depth alone. But I want Varland breathing fire in the 8th inning or high leverage situations with Stewart, Jax and Funderburk. Pagan won't be back. Theilbar is breaking down (his $2.9 million dollar salary is by far the highest in our pen, trade him). We need Varland in the pen MORE than as a 5th starter. I get that SP's pitch more innings. I just think 70-75 EFFECTIVE innings out of the pen is almost as valuable as 100-110 not nearly as effective innings as a 5th SP. Using Varland as a bullpen arm doesn't "end" him as a SP. Johan Santana began pitching for the Twins out of the BP. Varland is not Santana, I'm just making a comparison.

Gray will regress. We got 2 solid years out of him but now we don't have to pay him $25 million for 3 years he won't come close to his Cy Young runner up. Maeda at $24 million for two years of his 37 and 38 year old seasons...no thanks. I'll sign Giolito or Severino to $14 million dollar contracts and have better upside.

I could very much see him sign with Seattle to play 2B (if we don't trade them Polanco) or with the Dodgers to play SS or 2B depending on where the Dodgers want to play Lux. Anderson WILL bounce back with the bat in 2024. Two other interesting trade targets with the White Sox would be: Michael Kopech--Great arm with a negative 3.6 value. I'd trade Nick Gordon even up just for the chance to work with that arm !! Eloy Jimenez 27 years old, good hitter, LF/DH type of middle of the order bat Negative 7.3 value. We don't need to ask who the Twins leaders are. They're Correa and Lewis (Buxton if he can play). I'll bet Chicago might even pay for a bit of Eloy's $13 million contract in 2024. There are club options for $16 million in 2025 and $18 million in 2026 but depending on how quickly Emmanuel Rodriguez develops you could spin Jimenez in a trade at the deadline of just decline the option.

DocBauer, I think you're on the right track with us needing to lower our expectations somewhat. I'm glad your comment was the last while I read through everyone else's and researched a bit. I think CoasterProductions pretty much gave a highlight reel of all sorts of trades the Twins could make by giving very little up and getting TREMENDOUS value back. It's like we should set some ground rules. No, Seattle is NOT trading Kirby (98.6 value). The Twins would have to offer Lewis and Walker Jenkins to come close to that "value." Not happening. Neither is Logan Gilbert at a 73.9 value. He's out of our league. Luis Castillo, due to the contract they gave him after acquiring him from the Reds has a of 20.8. Seattle isn't trading him either, he's their Ace. Then you have Robbie Ray who after his Cy Young season the Mariners signed to a contract that will pay him about $25 million per season for the next 4-5 years and just missed the 2023 season with an injury. They can't give away him away with his "negative" 30.2 value. With the news that Yamamoto would prefer to pitch for Seattle and Washington native and defending National League Cy Young winner Blake Snell also favoring Seattle, assuming the Mariners actually sign one of them, it appears Seattle would have two rotation pieces to move for hitting. (Seattle still has lefty Marco Gonzalez for depth. Enter Bryce Miller 25.8 value 25 years old and Bryan Woo 24.6 value and 23 years old. The Twins could go big and offer a blockbuster of Julien, Max Kepler and Marco Raya (Total Value 50.50) for BOTH Miller and Woo (50.40 Value). Lopez at the top of the rotation, controlled for 5 years. Miller, Woo, Ober and Ryan, all controlled for several more years. That's a big swing, and highly unlikely. But going after ONE of Miller or Woo makes sense. Maybe Polanco, Miranda and Festa gets one of them. Kepler (8.9) even up for Edward Cabrera (8.5) or a bigger deal Kepler & Nick Gordon for Cabrera and RHP Sixto Sanchez. Sign a Giolito/Luis Severino type. Those are probably more what you might see. Solid moves, reducing the payroll (Polanco and Kepler both move to teams looking to contend). The Jeffers situation is interesting. I'm not so sure he's a sure thing to hit like this next year or even ever again. You sell when your asset is at its highest. Jeffers at 33.3 is at his peak. I too expect Vasquez to bounce back with the bat next year and his defense and handling of a pitching staff is excellent. Am I the only one who wonders if a catcher like Vasquez was a big reason our pitching staff, especially the rotation performed so well last year? So who could we trade Jeffers to? A straight up deal to Cleveland for Tristen McKenzie would work, but the Tribe/Guards have a young Naylor behind the plate. Seattle doesn't need Jeffers unless they would like to DH Raleigh more and I don't think that's the case. MIAMI is the best fit. But their Pitchers and values are a tough match. Sandy Alcantara 15.3 value 28 y/o 5 yr. contract $56 million. Braxton Garrett 52.0 value 26 y/o Jesus Luzardo 54.7 26 y/o Eury Perez 67.8 value 20 y/o Edward Cabrera 8.5 value 26 y/o Trevor Rodgers 17.4 26 y/o Max Meyer 16.7 24 y/o Sixto Sanchez 0.0 value 26 y/o Ryan Weathers 0.0 value 24 y/o. Guys are either REALLY expensive and out of our league (Perez, Luzardo, Garrett) or are affordable like Cabrera or have no perceived value but diamond in the rough potential like Sanchez and Weathers. You can get Cabrera and maybe a throw in like Sanchez straight up for Kepler or Polanco. To get Luzardo or Garrett you'd have to trade Jeffers AND Emmanuel Rodriguez. 33.3 + 19.7 =53.00. Here's a wild idea: Why not offer Jeffers straight up for Alcantara? He's a former Cy young winner who is still young at 28 years old and has an attractive 5-year $56 million dollar contract that would fit into the Twins future budgets perfectly. He had a down year last season and saw some diminished velocity. But maybe Miami feels Perez, Luzardo and Garrett are their future Aces and would be glad to cut payroll? The Twins might have to overpay for a former Cy Young winner at 28 years old but maybe not considering how loaded with young pitching the Marlins are. I'd start the talks by offering Jeffers 33.3 and Josh Winder 4.9 Total 38.2 for Alcantara 15.3 and either Trevor Rogers 17.4 26y/o or Max Meyer 16.7 24 y/o Total value 32.7 or 32.0. Heck, I'd even ask for a Sixto Sanchez throw in. We're still overpaying based on BBTV estimates. A Vasquez and Jair Camargo catching tandem doesn't look bad at all if I've got affordable pitching like THAT coming back in the deal. The Twins will NOT be in on Blake Snell, Yamamoto or anyone else priced $25 million or higher. They won't even be in on Eduardo Rodriguez at $18-22 million a year. But there ARE ways to improve this club even with the foolish self-imposed budget cuts.

I won't argue with that deal DJL44. The Twins could still make a trade of Kepler to Miami for Edward Cabrera and they'd then have two rotation spots covered with young, talented pitchers. And they would still have Julien at the top of their order as well.

O.K. Twins Daily fans, here is the solution to the Twins off season pitching woes. It is rumored (I'm in trouble already) that Yoshi Yamamoto wants to sign with Seattle. One problem: the Mariners already have Castillo, Kirby, Gilbert, Ray, Miller and Woo plus Marco Gonzalez. What could the Mariners possibly do to remedy that? Sir, the Twins are on line #1... Mariners Get: Edouard Julien 35.3 Max Kepler 8.2 and Marco Raya 6.9 Total 50.5 value. Twins Get: Bryce Miller 25.8 value 25 yo SP and Bryan Woo 24.6 23 yo SP. Total Value: 50.4 The Mariners might prefer Polanco but can't pass up a slugging, young 2B who is an on base machine for their moribund offense. Plus, he helps budget wise to fit in Yamamoto. They add a Gold Glove caliber RF and solid bat in Kepler and replace the loss of 2 young arms with a good prospect in Raya. The Mariners rotation is Yamamoto, Castillo, Kirby, Ray and Gilbert. That's quite a staff. The Twins add two, young controllable and talented arms to their rotation which now features Lopez, Miller, Woo, Ryan and Ober. The Twins now hang onto Polanco until the trade deadline and await the imminent arrival of Brooks Lee to play 2B. With a staff like that, with Paddack to provide depth and Varland in the pen the Twins are set on the mound for the next 5 years. There is no need to gamble on a free agent arm like Severino, Giolito, or Montas. It would be BIG. It would be BOLD. But if Yamamoto REALLY wants to sign with Seattle they need to clear room. They would have a staff for the ages and an improved offense with Julien and Kepler. The Twins have an affordable pitching staff through the years of arbitration and Brooks Lee has always been destined to move Julien off 2B.

I'm actually kind of relieved the Twins didn't sign Maeda. They should be able to do better. Severino would interest me if i knew more about his health, his fastball and spin rates. He has the best track record of the 3 pitchers you listed and he's a year younger than Montas. He might not be a bad gamble as a #4 or #5 guy that pitches like a #3. But the way the Twins FO always watches the world pass by with free agents, I have to believe their first move will be a trade for a SP that could be the #2 behind Lopez involving Kepler or Polanco or BOTH so they see their payroll reduction desires realized with the $10-$20 million in salary moving out. The question then becomes: Who do they think we match up best with for a trade? Seattle? Miami? Milwaukee?

$24 million over two years is much better than the $36 million over two years MLB trade rumors was estimating. Still, I'm looking for someone with bigger upside and who will throw at least 150 innings as opposed to 70. I see Cleveland as the primary division rival due to their tremendous starting pitching and Clase to close games out. The Tigers are getting better as well. I would have to think a pitcher will be our first move. Will it be a free agent or a trade? Your guess is as good as mine. The M.O. of this front office, and in fact most Twins front offices, has been to dilly-dally around while the best options are snapped up by other, more aggressive teams. I'm afraid they're going to put us fans through the same grinder again. I would almost expect a trade to be made for the first SP addition involving Kepler, Polanco or both so that the FO achieves their cost cutting up front. Then they can decide if they can afford a Montas/Giolito/Severino/Wacha type signing.

Nice column and the trade you listed of Sandoval 29.4 BBTV 27 years old, for Wallner 22.9 and Festa 8.7 would be a slight overpay for the Twins but fair. I don't think I would do it though. I'd have different targets with teams the Twins would match up better with. For example: Bryce Miller of Seattle is 25 years old and a 25.8 value. Seattle's Bryan Woo is 23 years old and valued at 24.6. Both are cheaper and younger and arguably have higher upside. I would rather build a trade around Polanco or Kepler than Wallner. In fact, either Polanco or Kepler straight up could bring back Edward Cabrera from the Marlins. That would move $10 million in salary and add a young, controllable pitcher. I don't see the Angels contending for anything other than the basement of the A.L. West. Ohtani is moving on. Trout will probably be traded for prospects. Two of our best trade chips are vets (Kepler, Polanco) who a rebuilding Angels organization wouldn't be interested in. Sandoval could certainly be traded, but to a team ready to give up prospects, not vets like Kepler and Polanco (and maybe Farmer and Vasquez) like the Twins are likely to do.

That kind of defense is eye catching. I see Correa playing 2-3 more years at SS. Imagine a future team with Correa at 3B, Noah Miller at SS, Brooks Lee at 2B and Kirilloff at 1B. Cue the Hue and Cry at the thought of Royce Lewis moving to the OF but between Lewis, Wallner, Emmanuel Rodriguez and Walker Jenkins the OF is covered. Lewis, Jenkins and Rodriguez can play CF even though all three could project to a corner. Wallner is a COF with a cannon for an arm and power. That leaves Julien and one of those OF for DH. With the youth movement coming you can see why Kepler, Polanco and probably Larnach are getting traded. Miller can spend the next 2 seasons (maybe 3) working on an offensive approach that favors contact and a good eye at the plate with strong hit and run and bunting skills. If he can do that he's closer to A. Simmons than Jack Wilson. But defense like he would bring always plays. Mark Belanger was never an offensive juggernaut but he was solid. Greg Gagne is probably a good comp minus the footspeed and occasional power. Miller could finally ascend to the Twins once he's ready to become the regular SS or as an infield defensive replacement for his first year. Correa will determine how long he stays at SS but to imagine a glove like that taking over for him in a seamless transition is exciting.

Good opinions al around, even some I disagree with in part or mostly. Here's one thing I know for sure: The Twins will have a hard time defending their division championship if they don't find a way to acquire at least TWO "good" starting pitchers. The youth movement needs to continue, both in the field but also on the mound. Young guys can more than adequately replace guys like Thielbar (Funderburk) Polanco (Julien--his defense is not horrible. In fact, it was looking better toward the end of the year. Polanco's strength was never defense, no matter where he played. We're not needing to replace a Gold Glover). Kepler (Wallner). I'd even consider dealing Jax to get a bigger piece as I would replace him with Varland. So here's a couple deals that could be done to start moving some pieces around the chessboard: Kepler 8.8 BBTV and Bret Headrick 1.7 Total value: 10.5 to the Marlins for Edward Cabrera RHSP 8.5 26 y/o and Sixto Sanchez RHP 26 y/o. Cabrera moves into the #4 or #5 spot in the rotation. Sanchez is a Wild Card with a 99 mph fastball and a 96 mph sinker who works at St. Paul to begin the season and can be called up to start or relieve later in the season. Polanco 8.8 Festa 8.7 Winder 4.9 and Miranda 5.1 Total Value: 27.3 to the Mariners for Bryce Miller 25.8 value 25 y/o. (You could substitute Bryan Woo at 24.6 value 23 y/o if you want). Seattle WANTS Polanco. Festa is a good get for the Marlins because they don't need to REPLACE Miller immediately, they already have 5-6 SP's in addition to Miller. Winder gives them a swing arm for the major league team or at worst a AAA arm they can call up. Miranda gives them a young hitter who could bounce back. The Twins now have a young arm in Miller (or Woo) who they can plug in at #2 behind Lopez. Ryan, Ober, Paddock and Cabrera fill out the rotation. Every arm but Lopez is still young and controllable for several years. Paddock is affordable. Varland moves to the pen and adds depth and a scary good power arm in shorter stints. (The Twins would still have Sanchez from the Marlins and Matt Canterino, both good power arms with electric stuff if they can stay healthy. The Twins would have promising, controllable pitching for the near future. They could sign Adam Duval and Nick Senzel for a couple RH bats that cover all 3 OF positions and Senzel can cover 2B & 3B. I wouldn't trade Vasquez until next year. You "MIGHT" even have enough money to make a play for June-hoo Lee to play CF. Cutting payroll is short-sighted and disappointing. But it doesn't preclude the Twins from still having a good off season if the right moves are made. It also doesn't allow for much margin for error. With

I would caution anyone thinking the Twins will win the division in a breeze. Cleveland has great pitching. A lot of it is great YOUNG pitching. They should have Tristen McKenzie back and may or may not trade Shane Bieber. All Cleveland needs is better health and a little more hitting. So don't dismiss them so easily. The White Sox and Royals are terrible. But Detroit is getting better. The Tigers had a LOT of pitching injuries last year, but if their young pitching gets healthy, they have some emerging offensive talent in Greene, Torkelson and Carpenter. That's why this self imposed salary reduction is a poor plan for the Twins. It's not like they will be out the entire $55 million from Balley in 2024. And with a defending division championship and a good start next April, attendance should be solid for the Twins. They really don't need to be "limiting" themselves so quickly.

We will all continue to debate this until the day comes that the Twins trade Kepler. Or trade Larnach. Or trade both in addition to Polanco. My thoughts on this have been clear. While Kepler is one of my favorite Twins on this team, you sell high in a case like this. If you don't trade him and he has a 2024 like his 2022 you missed an opportunity. If you don't trade him, and he has a 2024 like his second half last year you've had the benefit of him for the short term, but he's priced himself out of your plans in any scenario. You sell high on him now because you need 2 rotation spots filled and a CF as well. Signing Adam Duval and Nick Senzel gives the Twins two RH hitters who can cover any OF spot and Senzel can play 2B & 3B. Even if Twins ownership wasn't mandating a salary reduction for 2024 you'd still be looking to sell high on Kepler and Polanco. It's time for the youth movement. It began last year with Julien, Wallner and Lewis and it should continue in 2024. Where is it etched in stone that Castro only has value as a super utility guy? His defensive metrics in LF were tremendous last year. He brought an element of speed on the bases that has been missing since Rocco became manager. Honestly, Rocco would have stuck to twiddling his thumbs waiting for 3-run homers for all eternity despite the rules changes that opened up the running game in 2023. Castro started stealing bases. Putting pressure on the defense. Good things started to happen, and suddenly Rocco decides two months into the season, "Hey, maybe I should be a little more aggressive, I've only attempted like, 5 SB's and it's the end of May!" Castro in LF and batting 9th isn't a bad thing. If the price to pay to get us to a couple good SP's and a CF is Kepler, Polanco, some prospects and Castro in LF for 2024 I can live with that.

I can't disagree with that Finn, but even with the price of pitching expected to be high with so many teams not only looking for one but even two SP, I would NEVER have expected $18 million annually for Maeda. I would have topped out at $9 or $10. This is also "Exhibit A" to the Twins ownership and FO that CUTTING payroll is just a poor and shortsighted move. In my years as a TV Sales Manager, even COVID-19 never resulted in LOWERING the expected sales budget revenues year to year. It's not like they won't see ANY TV money this season, they will. But if DETROIT is willing to throw 2 yrs and $36 million at Maeda, that should open the eyes of Twins ownership and FO that if they want to defend their divisional title and be a player for the next 5 years, they better re-think this "CUT" in a hurry. "The Business" is not going to go under if they stretch the budget for 2024. Attendance will be solid and the TV contract money will get figured out.

MLB Trade Rumors is projecting Maeda gets a two year $36 million dollar contract. That's $18 million per. If I'm supposed to spend that much for a 35 year old pitcher who appears to be breaking down I'd rather spend $20 million on someone younger and with a higher ceiling.

I hope so. Detroit would be great.

Great suggestions Ted, I'm with Doc Gast and tony&rodney . Carlson and Moniak are the two best suggestions. Moniak is a LH hitter while Carlson is a switch hitter. I like the deal for Carlson the best. Not a bad idea to gamble on some upside. I'm not sure which side of the plate Carlson is better but with Castro also being a SH we could make something work.

Carew moved to 1B. So did the diminutive Matty Alou when his speed started to diminish and his arm became so bad he was an even bigger liability in the OF. Alou could certainly make contact. A glorified Donovan Solano from the left side. That said, Polanco to 1B doesn't solve any of the Twins problems for me. I'd rather start working Julien out at 1B and put Kirilloff in a corner OF spot with Wallner. Polanco and Kepler are going to be needed in a deal or two separate deals to fill holes in the Twins rotation and maybe add a CF.

If anything, this post demonstrated that some of these guys wouldn't be nearly as expensive as we think to acquire in a trade prospect-wise. Exhibit A is Alonso. As much as I like Goldy, I wouldn't do that trade. The others are intriguing. But the most pressing NEEDS of the Twins remain SP & CF. I can see a platoon of Castro and Nick Senzel in CF for the Twins. Works for me for 2024. Austin Martin is also a possibility if Senzel disappoints and he's playing well in St. Paul. It's time to sell high on Kepler and Polanco to fill the rotation question marks. I'd like to see the Twins trade for for SP and sign Frankie Montas. That should fit within their self-imposed budget reduction. Correa will have a bounce back season offensively in 2024. But we struggled against LH pitching and Lewis is the only other RH hitter to fear on the roster at this time. I'm not counting on anything from Buxton. So if you moved Kepler and Polanco. Went with a Castro/Senzel platoon to start the season in CF and or added Adam Duval for another RH power bat and OF depth you could maybe make that trade with the Mets and play Kirilloff in LF with Wallner in RF. It's going to be an interesting and probably at times frustrating off season as players land on teams not called the Twins.