TopGunn#22

I'm of the camp that I'm interested in Darvish IF it's a Cubs salary dump and we get him cheap. Otherwise, there are younger, better long term options. Sano traded to Colorado for Marquez (who is only 25) would be one option. That trade allows you to keep Cruz and add BP and a Utility guy. You're shedding Sano's $11 million salary and a TON of strikeouts. Rockies get power hitting for Coors. We get a 25 year old starter with big upside. There will be opportunities for teams willing to spend a little to add talent for next year and beyond. I hope the Twins are one of those teams.

Once again, I'm on the tony&rodney bandwagon. Even with his fade down the stretch Cruz was still our best hitter BY A MILE. In the Playoffs he was the ONLY guy that hit. I firmly believe that Kiriloff, Larnach and Rooker have the goods. But if you watch or listen to MLB TV or Radio those guys are pretty pessimistic on the Twins bringing Cruz back. They think the White Sox will snatch him. With all the dead weight we let go if we also didn't sign Nellie it would be a shame. Unfortunately, we let a good opportunity slip by when we let Texas sign Dahl for $3-million. There is no way Kiriloff, Larnach and Rooker by themselves would approach the production of Cruz. But all three together with Paxton in our rotation and Liam Hendricks closing. Well, that's an interesting scenario. It's tough to see the White Sox strong out of the gate again and us doing nothing. Still, Cody is right, patience is needed when dealing with Cruz. He's not going to rush his decision, and neither should the Twins. So just go out and sign Hendricks.

Kiriloff is the possible 1B. Larnach has only played OF to this point. I'm not ready to give up on Wander Javier yet. Sabato is a BAT. 1B is a possibility but Sano (unless traded) but I would think Kiriloff & Rooker would be better options at 1B before him. The interesting thing to consider is while the Twins were certainly sold on Sabato's bat they should have probably been considering Donaldson at 1B/DH in about 3 years. This is a good examination Mike. To me, it really shows they've got nobody to take over for Buxton. It's also why I'm disappointed we let the Rangers sign David Dahl for $3-million.

Oh, come on. This isn't even close. Bauer has reached a level all we Twins fans have DREAMED Jose would. I'm willing to bet that Bauer will continue to be an Ace for a few more years. He won the N.L. Cy Young ! That's more than an Ace. It's being the BEST ! Jose shows flashes but hasn't turned the corner yet and the annual "I've run out of Gas performance doesn't engender a high degree of confidence. If you ask ANY poster on TD "who would you rather have" 90% would say Bauer. And the other 10% would use excuses like "I'm not sure I'd want Bauer in my clubhouse." Whatever. It's game #1 of the World Series against the Dodgers. Bauer or Berrios ?? Yeah. Bauer.

Hey ! The Rays don't have a 1B-man !! Time to put a deal together with the principles being Sano and Blake Snell. Come on Tampa Bay! You really want that prodigious power, Don't You !!

It hurts to lose Badoo and Wells, but I think the Twins got off fairly lightly. Rijo, Jax and yes, Wander Javier (he still really intrigues me) we my greatest worry about being picked. Let's go trade for Ketel Marte now !!!

Once again, the White Sox are out of the gate quick. Very interested what the Twins will end up doing. Would love to somehow acquire Ketel Marte from the D-Backs. Covers LOTS of positions. Would love to add Liam Hendricks to the BP. Absent Hendricks, would like to see Brand Hand and Bradley added to the BP. Very interested in David Dahl as a full time LF'er and backup CF'er if Buxton gets hurt. Who will the Twins add as another SP? Need a solid vet with Dobnak #5.

Sign Him. NOW !! Indications that there will not be a DH in the NL only mean the Twins should act and lock Nellie up. Then go on to other targets of opportunity. He's our BOOMSTICK. Do it.

I agree with ashbury, I'd sign Dahl for $4-million in heartbeat. Dahl is young, talented and affordable just what the Twins need. Dahl could play all 3 OF positions and I don't care that he's a left-handed hitter. However, one player the Twins should be targeting in a trade in Ketel Marte. He plays 2B, SS and CF and I'm sure could play LF or RF if needed as well as 3B in a pinch. He's a very good hitter and his defensive versatility is just what the Twins need. Arizona will NOT be contending in the near future. An arm like Enlow and someone like Larnach (although I'd HATE to part with him) should do it. Ketel Marte is worth it because the Twins are built to win NOW and Marte can help them more than Larnach or Enlow right now. What does anybody else think would be needed to acquire Ketel Marte ??

Those of you who have read my comments know this is why I keep saying "Trade Sano." Here's how they rank for me: 1. Kepler 2. Polanco 3. Sano 4. Rosario Had Kepler been hitting #4 or #5 and Rosario leadoff the numbers would have been even more starkly in favor of Kepler. As was stated he's superior defensively and is a year and half younger. He's reached 36 HR's Rosario only 32. Polanco is a SS with below average "D." That's why a trade for Trevor Story or a signing like Simmons/Semian intrigues me. I'd like to see us get better up the middle defensively. Polanco could transition to that Super-Utility guy but so could Arraez. I'd love to see a trade for Ketel Marte. He's a good 2B-man who could also play a little SS and a LOT of CF. If Buxton was to get hurt the Twins could put Marte out in CF and Arraez at 2B for an extended time. Imagine our up the middle "D" with Simmons at SS, Marte at 2B and Buxton in CF. Polanco is only set to make 4.33 million this year. But depending on what that increases to in 2022 he may eventually become a trade or non-tender candidate. Jorge needs to bounce back with a strong year offensively to retain some value. He will always be a liability defensively.

I'm with tony&rodney !! (and by the way, what a great moniker paying homage to my favorite Twin--Tony O and the greatest hitter in Twins history "Rodney"). The Twins need to be aggressive in this "unique" time period. The Pohlads are LOADED. They can afford to be "smartly" aggressive. Sign Cruz (1-year 14 million. Option year $12-$13 million). Sign Hendricks. We need a proven, elite closer on the back end. He makes our BP "Elite." Trade Sano in a package for Blake Snell and put Kiriloff at 1B. JUST DO IT !! I'm very intrigued with David Dahl. Still young, controllable, affordable and potentially VERY GOOD. What does that mean for Larnach and Rooker ? Possible trade bait ?? TRADE for Ketel Marte. He can play SS, CF and 2B. He's a very good hitter and should be leadoff or #2 in the lineup. Give up whatever you have to. Here's why: His versatility gives the Twins protection at CF and SS if Buxton or Polanco are hurt. His best defensive position is 2B, making Arraez our super-utility guy. I'd part with some good prospect capital to add this guy.

Warning ! Warning !! Maybe snub in above comment !!! I left out Pineda from the starting rotation. He would replace Rich Hill who I would still consider bring back at affordable price. Yes, he will get hurt at some time (maybe a couple times) but he's a solid pitcher who gives you quality innings when he's healthy.

Great article. I agree that's it's hard to say "THIS" is what the twins should do when there are so many unknowns yet to be resolved. #1 of those is "Will there be a Universal DH ?? " If there IS, it just got a LOT harder to sign Cruz. If not, Cruz should be back in our lineup at about $12-million per year. He's head and shoulders our BEST HITTER. If Cruz is NOT our DH then that means there IS a Universal DH and the Twins should be spending money on PITCHING. In other words, If Cruz is not our DH we could sign any 2 of: Hendricks, hand, Bradley, Soria. Add Rogers and Duffey and Alcala and THAT'S a Bullpen. A guy like Dahl has always intrigued me. His age, cost and potential scream "TAKE A CHANCE ON THIS GUY!!!" But---When you already have Kiriloff, Larnach and Rooker what are you going to do with Dahl ? I know he played "some" CF in Colorado. He would intrigue me as a potential LH bat to replace an injured Buxton or give Buck a rest against a tough RH pitcher (Bieber). I think one thing is clear to me: The Twins are in a position to contend and the Terry Ryan philosophy should be out the window. I want them to sign Bauer. BAM!! Elite starting rotation with a still powerful lineup. But if that is not in the cards, trade Sano in a package to Tampa for Snell and put Kiriloff at 1B. Sign someone like Hendricks to be our closer. This would give us a proven, elite closer while also hedging our bets on Taylor Rogers. If he comes back strong our bullpen is even MORE awesome (along with a SP rotation of Maeda, Snell, Berrios, Rich Hill--yes Rich Hill, and Dobnak). There is literally 100 different ways the Twins could go. I want Cruz back in our lineup. But if that doesn't happen for some reason they need to turn on a dime and make some impact signings and trades. The window is open.

This has always annoyed me. If Oliva had been a Yankee or a Red Sox he'd be "legendary." He should have been in the Hall years ago. And he should have been A.L. MVP instead of Zoilo.

I think Maeda deserves more, but I agree with LA Vikes fan one of the reasons we gave up Graterol was Maeda's contract. I think he over-performed what any of us thought he could do last season, but he was always a good pitcher that the Dodgers took advantage of to avoid paying bonuses. It's not the fault of the Twins that he's so under paid. And we need that payroll flexibility to add more firepower to a team should be a contender.

I'm not sure the haul would be as high as you project. Reading MLB trade rumors or other sites, it seems like the Mets are able to acquire all sorts of guys for one good prospect and then their #11 and #20 prospect. On one hand, it's never productive to assume you can get someone like Snell for your #4,#11 and #20 prospect. On the other hand, it seems like you shouldn't have to assume that it will take Kiriloff/Larnach and Balazovic. There was a article written on this site about whether the Twins should trade for Snell. It was very informative. It pointed out how good Snell can be while also pointing out he's basically a 5-Inning pitcher. Now, when I watched him in the playoffs I didn't think he was a 5-inning guy. And I think Tampa royally screwed up removing him not once, but TWICE. That said, PITCHING covers up a LOT of deficiencies. Witness the 1965/1966 Dodgers (the 1988 Dodgers for that matter as well). Getting Snell just fortifies an already solid area. I still think you could offer Sano in a package for Snell and use Kiriloff/Rooker/Larnach in a 1B/LF rotation. The hell with service time!! The Braves move their prospects up the ladder in the system, so why can't we?? Maybe one of the three doesn't pan out, but let's find out. Tampa should be intrigued by Sano's power. It's not like I want to GIVE him away. But we will be a better lineup with those 3 kids top to bottom and Tampa can enjoy the occasional 3-run bomb. Otherwise, trade Sano to Colorado for Marquez or Gray (or in a package for Story) and let him hit 40 Bombs for the Rockies. The Dodgers and Padres have put Colorado waaaay back in the rearview mirror. The Rockies are going to have to tear down and rebuild. We should be talking to them.

I still maintain that a big free agent signing (Bauer) is possible if the Twins GO with the youth: Kiriloff, Rooker and Larnach. Trading Sano ($11 million) Get a SP, Bullpen and/or prospects. Non Tendering Rosario ($8 million) And paying rookie salaries to Kiriloff Rooker and Larnach puts the Twins in that kind of position. You have $17 million come off the books and you plug in your youth. You've already saved by not paying Romo, May, Adrianza, Marwan etc... You can also pay rookie salaries to Alcala, Dhuran, Colina etc... Maybe it's not Bauer Maybe it's someone like Paxton (we could use a LHP in our rotation). Paxton would allow you to retain Cruz (a must) and add a Bullpen piece and someone like Profar or Zeke Hernandez as your super utility guy. It's just that Paxton is a LONG ways from Bauer.

If I have to choose between Cruz or Rosario, I take Cruz 11 out of 10 times Also, when you have talented players like Kiriloff, Rooker and Larnach who would be playing for the minimum and you could use the savings to strengthen the team in other areas you do And when I'd rather have Kiriloff at 1B and in my lineup and I can trade Sano for something needed as well as use the $$$ saved to strengthen the team in other areas, I do it The Twins haven't won a playoff game in how long ??? It's time to shake things up. Less strikeouts, more contact, better AB's, new blood and a stronger team top to bottom. Change is needed.

Hard to disagree with who the Twins added. Ober is intriguing, and I have to admit I don't know much about him. His stats are IMPRESSIVE. But I don't know how hard he throws, what his spin rates are, what kind of change up he throws etc... The Twins see something in Ober. That's enough for me. I still have high hopes for Wander Javier. He won't get selected. He just hasn't been able to show anything the last couple of years. Maybe this is the year he flashes that talent, we will have to see.

My first thought would be to see if we could sign him to an extension like we've done with Kepler, Sano and Polanco. That way you have payroll certainty and it also makes the player more tradeable because the team acquiring him has that certainty. I like what Buxton gives the Twins, they just have to find a way for him to play 140-150 games consistently. He's our CF'er. This is why I talk to a number of teams about Sano. He's cost certain for several years. He's got tremendous power. Teams like Boston and Colorado could use help at 1B. Cleveland will probably be without Santana. I move Sano for an elite SS (Story, Bogaerts) or a SP who is at worst a solid #2. I've got Kiriloff and Rooker RIGHT NOW. And they have the power hitter they drafted #1 from North Carolina? Can't remember his name right now, but he projects as a 1B/DH kind of guy. They could replace Sano. They can't really replace Buxton right now.

I totally agree with this. Larnach is NOT that far behind Kiriloff. I believe these Twins prospects are ripe and need to be picked before they spoil on the tree. The youth movement allows the Twins to keep Cruz and spend if need be for a better SP or closer. This is why I'm bullish on trading Sano. I believe multiple teams would be interested in his power potential. I wouldn't give him away. I'd need value. But Kiriloff, Larnach and Rooker are ready to hit. Move them on UP !!

That's an interesting "arbitration swap" Rosterman. If Gardy was still the Tiger skipper it would probably have more steam, but Eddie would give the Tigers a veteran, middle of the order bat and Boyd as a #4 or #5 would be very interesting.

Just a couple more observations: Story is not just a "slightly better" hitter than Polanco. He's epically better. Story's defense is Gold Glove worthy. He would be a MAJOR upgrade over Polanco. The key with any deal for Story is to sign him to a long-term extension. I agree, you don't give up what we would in a deal for him to let him get away after one season. Story would be the position player the Twins build around. If there was any doubt on an extension, you don't make this trade. To afford Story's $18.2 million I include Sano in the trade and ask for a SP back Marquez or ?. The Rockies would be intrigued by Sano's power in Coors and they have a hole at 1B. Sano's $11.5 plus the departure of Rosario's $10 million makes Story affordable. And having Story is better than having Sano/Rosario. I understand the "why" for the Brewers in the trade. But if I was able to acquire BOTH Woodruff and Hader I'd be willing to give up a little more. Until Berrios takes that BIG step, Woodruff would be our #2 behind Maeda. Hader is certainly needed to hold down the 9th inning and let Duffey & Rogers own the 7th and 8th. I think some people posting don't understand what a special player Ketel Marte is. He's tremendously versatile. He would be a big upgrade over Arraez at 2B. He could play extensive games in CF if Buxton was injured. He's a really good hitter. He would be a "starter." An everyday lineup guy. He could play 2B, CF, SS, LF or RF. I like his defense at 2B much more than Arraez. But I also want Arraez in the lineup everyday and at the top of the order. So Marte is playing different positions frequently and hitting 2nd behind Arraez in our new lineup. The White Sox are building a team to contend for an extended period of time. The Indians, even if they trade Lindor will always compete because they PITCH. The Twins need to make some bold moves this off-season to remain the Big Dog in the division. The current cast of characters has flopped in the post-season. New blood is needed. Arraez 2B K. Marte LF N. Cruz DH T. Story SS M. Kepler RF Donaldson 3B Kiriloff 1B Garver C Buxton CF Rooker LF/1B/DH Maeda, Woodruff, Berrios, Pindea Rich Hill/Dobnak Hader, Duffey, T. Rodgers, Alcala, Theilbar, Colina, Wisler, It's an interesting team.

Assuming each of these trades is viable (and I get the skepticism of some on this site) I do all three. I've been pining for Story for quite awhile. Polanco is a below average glove and an above average bat (when his pull happiness is under control). Story might be the best SS in baseball and that's saying something when you consider how much talent there is at that position. You make that trade and you sign Story long term. He would be the cornerstone of our franchise. I make trade #2 because I want Hader. He's a legit closer who we could limit the innings he's pitched, taking better care of him long term, because guys like Duffey and Rogers would own the 7th and 8th inning. Woodruff AND Hader is probably too much, and as good as Woodruff is I don't think the Brewers give up both. You get something else back instead (just trying to be realistic). Hader's contract makes it possible to give Story a BIG Time contract. Ketel Marte would be a regular player. Where does he fit best. Well before we get to that, he's the insurance for Buxton getting dinged. He plays CF and we leave Max Kepler in RF. But Marte looks to be BEST at 2B and that's where I would play him. What does this do to Arraez ? I love Arraez and think he should be the team's leadoff hitter. He's average to below average as a 2B-man. Certainly he's not in Marte's league defensively. Do we make Arraez our super-utility guy? And if we have Story and Marte what need have we for Polanco ? And we still haven't offered Sano in any trades, which I think we certainly should. I want Kiriloff at 1B next season. So possibly Sano and Polonco are included in some of these deals. Either way you'd have something like this: C Garver Jeffers 1B Kiriloff 2B K. Marte Arraez 3B Donaldson Blankenhorn SS T. Story LF Rooker CF Buxton RF M. Kepler DH Cruz SP Maeda, Berrios, Pineda ________ ______ BP Hader, Duffey, T. Rogers, Wisler, Theilbar, Alcala, Etc... The Twins haven't won a playoff game in forever. Make some BIG moves and become a REAL contender.

Great article Mike ! Still, I haven't changed my mind. Gotta keep Buxton because he's our CF'er. Kepler doesn't have the overall success with the bat that Eddie has, but he's a better overall player in my mind. I've been banging the drum all off-season and will continue throughout the winter It's time to TRADE Sano !! We have Kiriloff and Rooker who are ready and frankly will be more "consistent" offensive threats than Sano. They will have consistently "better" at bats. Eddie is the odd man out. With Kiriloff, Rooker and Larnach he is not cost effective. The Twins need to use the money saved from moving on from Sano and Rosario on other areas. For Sano, Colorado and Miami would be a couple of GM's I'd be calling. For Eddie, it's time to just let him go. That doesn't mean we can't cheer him on while he plays for another team. However, the Twins cannot move on from Sano and Eddie AND fail to bring back Nellie Cruz. They need Cruz in that lineup more than ever before. If they have the courage to move on from Sano and Eddie, I think they will find a way to bring Nellie back.