TopGunn#22

I agree, GREAT post So.Dak Tom. I've been thinking this way for awhile now. I mentioned in another post that here I was back in November stating that the Twins simply MUST bring Cruz back. He's their BEST hitter !! However if I could sign Rosenthal and Paxton for what it would cost to sign Cruz I'm going for the pitching. SP: Maeda, Berrios, Paxton, Happ, Pineda (Dobnak) There's 6 guys that would be talented and give you some leeway with guys missing a start here or there. Rosenthal caps off a truly talented and deep Twins BP. I'm worried Cruz only has one year (maybe a half a year) of mashing left. But I agree with So.Dak Tom the Twins seem to wait around for 3-run HR's too much. Pitch. Play Defense. Hit better. If Sano, Polanco, Kepler and Garver all don't improve greatly we're in trouble. If Donaldson can't stay healthy...we're in trouble. Why not pitch and play defense and let your offense come back around. I predict Kiriloff is going to be a tough out hitting 6th or 7th. A tougher out than Eddie was.

There are not 100 MLB prospects who are better than Trevor Larnach. Because of his size, I could see the Twins having him play a few more games at 1B. But remember, Twins prospect Sabato is either a 1B or DH (that's it). Kiriloff will probably be the better hitter, but by how much ? In the College World Series that Larnach led his Oregon State team to the Championship, every time the Beavers needed a big hit, Larnach was at the plate. And every time the Kid delivered. I don't consider Jeffers a "prospect" anymore. He was up with the Twins and played a lot. He has nothing left to prove in the minors. So for ME, I include Balazovic in the Top 5. Jeffers is a Big Leaguer. I could very much see the Twins keeping Kiriloff in St. Paul for the first 3-weeks of the season and platooning Arraez and Rooker in LF (I'd rather play those two than Cave or Wade).

The Twins haven't had SS defense like this since Gagne (who in my opinion was ALWAYS underrated) and as good as Gags was Simmons is in a level far above Gags. I would like nothing better than for Simmons to have the kind of year that the Twins braintrust has to seriously step back and consider a 3-year extension.

He's spot on regarding Andrew Vaughn. That's why the Sox aren't signing Ozuna or Cruz. That kid can flat out HIT and he will be up with the Sox sooner than many people realize.

Great point about McPhail Doc. When we needed Jack Morris he went out and got him. When we needed a toolsy outfielder he found Shane Mack. The problem with the Terry Ryan/Billy Smith years was that despite having MVP's (Mauer & Morneau) and CY Young Winners (Santana) the Twins NEVER went out and made that Big, Splashy, trade deadline deal to put them over the top. The Twins were GOOD. But perpetually NOT GOOD ENOUGH. They wasted some good years.

Major League Ready hit the nail on the head with his comment about budget. The Twins haven't really said anything about what it is. All any of us is doing is projecting what we think is a reasonable estimate. For example: If Cruz was to be signed for one year at $10 million with another $3-$4 million in incentives they very well COULD afford someone like Rosenthal to be their closer. Rosenthal would give them a very good overall bullpen. Rogers & Duffy have the 7th & 8th. Rosenthal the 9th. Rogers and Duffey can close if need be. But I agree that one more THUMPER is needed in that lineup and even if it's Cruz when does the fall off begin and at his age he will spend at least 2 stints on the IL and will also need regular rest. Is Ozuna at 4-5 years and $20 million per year a better investment than one-year of Cruz? If Cruz were to hit his Performance Bonus of the additional $3-$4 million than Cruz at one-year $14 million is a better investment than the Ozuna option. But Ozuna is 10-years younger and is undeniably a VERY GOOD hitter. Hitting #3 or #4 in the Twins lineup he would look very good. And he can play a little LF if they need. But as Major League Ready said: "What actually IS the budget" ???

I wish there was a way for the Twins to sign Cruz and still add Trevor Rosenthal but I don't know if it can be done. I LOVE Nellie Cruz. In his two seasons, few Twins have been more fun to watch hit. But his production is going to fall off a cliff sometime. It could be next year. It could be THIS year. And we have so many young hitters that could use AB's----is a significant investment in Cruz wise ?? If I could count on Cruz influencing Sano to hit and produce like he did in 2019 it would be worth it. But I'm just not that sold on Sano anymore. I have serious doubts Sano ever has another year like 2019. But that's part of the "wishful thinking" of bring Nellie back.

Well O.K. The Twins can't get Ozuna for $20 a year. But $20 Million a year ??

What if: Simmons plays so well the Twins would consider bringing him back on a 3-year deal Royce Lewis comes up mid-season and immediately moves into the super-utility role Lewis shows flashes both with the bat and the glove but also frustrates with both occasionally. The Twins, fearful Cruz is too one-dimensional and may be ready to suffer a steep decline offer Ozuna $20 a year for 5 years ? If Simmons hits in the #9 spot Where does Buxton hit ??? If the hitting/fielding roster remains unchanged what is the lineup #1-#9 ??

Arraez is no where near the defender Oquendo was for the Cards but is probably a better hitter. I'm a BIG fan of Arraez but he's NOT Tony Gwynn O.K. ? (he'll never run like a young Gwynn). Polanco WILL be a better defender at 2B than Arraez. In 2019 Arraez moved all over the place and he still HIT. If the Twins don't trade Arraez he should be the leadoff hitter whenever he's in the lineup. If I was to trade Arraez there is one scenario I would consider: Ketel Marte is a CLEARLY superior player. He's young and still has a couple of years of team control. He's got more power than Arraez and he's much more athletic. His value is 61.40. I trade: Arraez 43.4 Dobnak 10.00 Cavaco 7.60 Total Value: 61.00 (I'd throw something else in if I had to. Marte would be our 2B-Man and Polanco would be our super utility. (Marte is a very good 2B-man). But Marte is also a good fielder in CF, 3B, either corner OF and could even play SS. Marte is REALLY the super utility but because he's CLEARLY better defensively at 2B than Polanco that's where he starts. However, when Buxton, Donaldson, whoever, get's hurt and needs some time MARTE can step right in and Polanco starts at 2B until the injured player comes back.

No Doc, Castillo pitches for the Reds. Baez and Bryant are Cubs. Did Jon Paxton sign somewhere? Did I miss that ?

Very happy with the signing of Simmons and at practically half the price it took Toronto to sign Semien. There's always a bit of an empty feeling when nobody makes the Hall of Fame. Bonds and Clemens don't bother me. They were cheaters, plain and simple. But Schilling is a different story. Not once have I ever read of a former teammate accusing him of being a racist. Not one former teammate has described him as the most vile person he ever knew. Schilling's sin apparently is that he has political beliefs that offend many in the press Is THIS where we are as a country now? Apparently so. Cancel Culture to the max Reverse Schilling's situation for a moment. "Lebron James is probably not going to get into the Basketball Hall of Fame. LeBron's obvious "sellout" to China to enrich himself when he declined to call out the Communist Chinese Government for their oppressive treatment of many ethnic groups as well as his outspoken support for far left groups like BLM and Antifa and his obvious vote for Joe Biden in the 2020 Presidential Election have effectively disqualified James from ever being voted into the Basketball Hall of Fame" said many NBA Hall of Fame voters who consider themselves the ultimate arbiters of what is good and decent and what is immoral and deplorable in a human being." "Though LeBron's on court accomplishments are undeniable, he just doesn't measure up" said Hall of Fame voter Blizten McGurdy. I have to admire Schilling's statement basically telling the hall of fame voters "go take a flying leap at a rolling donut." "I don't need you to validate my life.'

Well, I was hoping for something like this. Short of trading for a Story or Baez this move allows the Twins to vastly upgrade defensively at SS. 2B is not as vital a defensive position as SS (this is why Kolten Wong, while a nice addition for some teams isn't as necessary for the Twins). If Simmons has a GOOD year for the Twins it will depend on how Buxton does this year and when/if Lewis makes it up and how he shows at SS. Simmons is looking for the one-year deal to build his value back up (I can't believe the Blue Jays signed Semien for one-year and $18 million---Twins got the better player at half the cost). Simmons may make it tough for the Twins NOT to bring him back. But a lot of that will depend on the year and health he has as well as Buxton & Lewis I'd still like to see Rosenthal and Paxton signed (that would cost us Cruz) but with all the potential DH guys we have I'd kind of like to see the $$$ spent to shore up more needed areas. DH's could be: Arraez, Rooker, Sano, Donaldson, Kiriloff, Polanco, Garver and even Larnach at some point. Maeda, Berrios, PAXTON, Pineda & Happ ROSENTHAL, Rogers, Duffy, Robles, Alcala, Theilbar, Stashek, Colina That's a pretty good starting staff & BP.

I agree with Minny505 Where is the "pessimism" on Twins daily ?? I would like to see improved infield up the middle defense for the Twins but I'm more focused on SS than 2B. Arraez should be at the top of the order for years to come. The ONLY scenario I can envision in which he's NOT is if we traded him to the D-Backs to acquire Ketel Marte. Marte is a clearly superior player in every regard and would plug a LOT of holes for the Twins with his excellent "D" at 2B and ability to play SS, CF, 3B, LF & RF. But a guy who gets on base at nearly a .400 clip at the top of your order is always a significant asset.

The other, similar option is making a trade for Baez. Same scenario, different player that the Twins would need to be committed to playing at SS for 5+ years or more.

At this point I'd have to go with Kiriloff. His bat is just much more consistent than Lewis. And it remains to be seen just where exactly Lewis will end up defensively. If Lewis had shown a little more consistent hitting ability this would be much tougher for me to judge. And I agree with the idea that Larnach isn't really that far behind Kiriloff as a hitter. Unless Kiriloff becomes a 1B-man exclusively (and with Sano, Rooker, and Sabato that seems unlikely) and even as much as I like Kepler it's hard not to imagine Larnach and Kiriloff in the corner OF spots. Signing Buxton to an extension is very important in that scenario. UNLESS: You make a trade for Trevor Story and sign him to a long term extension making him the Twins SS for the next 7-8 years. In that scenario, Lewis takes over for Buxton in CF and the process of developing a SS for 5+ years from now begins. Will Wander Javier EVER deliver on his promise ???

A trade I had done on baseballtradevalues with the reds looked like this" Reds Get: Dobnak, Gordon , Urbina and Blankenhorn---23.10 Twins Get: Sonny Gray, Castellanos, Lorenzen and Garrett---23.2 In this deal the Twins get a pitcher to finish off their Starting Rotation They get a solid bat in Castellanos who can play corner OF, and maybe some 1B or 3B. (I know he was a poor 3B-man in Detroit, could he play there a game here or there)?? And they get a LH in Garret and a RH in Lorenzen to finish off the BP. That may be the only move the Twins would need to make the rest of this off-season. Possibly trading Polanco in a deal for Story. It's tough to say and that would depend on where the organization is on Royce Lewis. Is he coming up later this year?

No, If we acquired Baez AND Bryant, Bryant would be the regular LF with him moving to 3B or 1B as needed. Bryant would never be the everyday "utility" guy. Polanco or would Arraez would be whoever wasn't the regular 2B-man. I'm afraid this just isn't the kind of thing the Twins do. Taking on all that salary, even for just one season just is not typical of the way the Twins operate. I would also offer that if a trade was made for Baez AND Bryant, a trade of Sano to acquire pitching would be in order so Kiriloff could be installed as the regular 1B-man.

I actually had the chance to meet Hank Aaron and interview him for a radio station in Rochester I was working for right out of college in 1981 (KWEB Radio). I had to drive to Mankato to do it. I was young, and I was nervous, but Aaron answered all my questions. I shook his hand afterwards and as I drove home I couldn't help think "I just met, interviewed and shook the hand of HANK AARON ! Man, is his 1971 Stat-O-Matic card awesome !!" I know, stupid thought from a star-struck 22 year old.

Alcala is the heir apparent to May's role. Rosenthal would be our closer, plain and simple until Rogers can prove he has "it" again. They should have been the winners in the "Yates" bowl, but somehow let $5-5.5 million for one season prove to be too much for them. So now to make a meaningful move for the bullpen it's 2-years and $14 million.

Allen, you are on the right track. #4 spot in the rotation filled. Now where do they go ? At the end of the season I couldn't imagine them moving on from Cruz. Now, I'm much more in favor of spending a little bit more for a slugger whose 10-years younger and is a pretty darn good hitter. Marcel Ozuna would look REALLY good in the #3 or #4 hole for the Twins lineup for the next 5-6 years. I'm convinced they need to trade Sano at some point. Kiriloff, Rooker and Larnach have 1B and corner outfield positions covered. Kepler will be a Twin for several more years. Sabato is a 1B/DH slugger who looks to make more consistent contact than Sano. They SHOULD be looking to improve at SS from a defensive standpoint. Polanco and Arraez would be pretty effective as 2B/UT guys. I'd LOVE to see them sign Rosenthal and have the makings of a lock-down bullpen. But you're right, the Twins just don't spend big on Bullpen.

I agree Tom F I REALLY thought Yates was a sneaky "value" signing. Especially at $5-5.5 million. Now I think they MUST go get Rosenthal to have that flame-thrower at the back end. And if the F.O. is seriously thinking about bringing Marwan back---I just don't know. What the HECK is their plan ???

Well, it looks like it's being reported the Twins signed Happ to a one-year $8 million dollar deal. They've GOT to sign Rosenthal. He takes over the closer spot allowing Rogers and Duffey to nail down the 7th & 8th. Rogers and Duffey could close when Rosenthal needs a night off. Then for me it comes down to Clippard or Soria. Clippard is the more cost-efficient. Not sure what I actually think of Colome.

It's too expensive to trade for Luis Castillo (no matter how much I would love to see him in our rotation). Getting Sonny Gray and Castellanos may include dealing Polanco but we'd upgrade our rotation and Castellanos would be a nice fit in our lineup. Holy Cow ! For $2.5 million more in salary Ozuna gives you DOUBLE the WAR Cruz does. And he's TEN years younger. I love Nellie but that is compelling---plus, Ozuna could play a "little" LF.

I like Simmons because of the glove. I like a trade for Story or Baez because of Glove and Bat. I do not like our current situation. And now with rumors of Marwan and the Twins talking I'm even less enthused. There are better options than Marwan who would be more cost-efficient.