TopGunn#22

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.

You make a very good point about Mantle peter. But I think his injuries ultimately robbed him of breaking into this group. In terms of pure talent and athletic ability, Mantle would easily be top 3. Bonds isn't mentioned for a reason Mike. He CHEATED. He's the Lance Armstrong (along with Clemens, A-Rod, Oritz, Manny Ramirez etc... of MLB). Greenies ain't steroids. Sure, slugs like Clemens, A-Rod and Bonds will probably eventually make the Hall of Fame, but they should all have an asterisk.

There's no doubt some REALLY good players would not make the list. Ty Cobb is a tremendous example. My reason for NOT picking him is that for me, Mays, Aaron and Williams are each a little more "modern." Add to that the IMPACT Ruth had on the game vs. Cobb. Cobb was a guy who hit for the highest average ever. He stole bases at an all-time rate---He was #1 for decades before Lou Brock came on the scene. Cobb could hit with power for his era. But Ruth... Ruth changed the entire focus of the game. He hit HR's, drove in runs, walked and scored runs at what we call "Ruthian" levels. People came to SEE Babe Ruth do what he did. (we don't call anything "Cobbian"). Plus, he may have been the finest pitcher of his era. There is no one who will ever be the "total package" like Babe Ruth.

If you're going strictly by the position each played that makes it even MORE difficult. Ruth was primarily a RF who played a little LF Mays was a CF Aaron primarily played RF. Ted Williams was a LF So, It's Mays in CF Aaron in RF Ruth in LF But Ted Williams MUST be in there because he's the only guy who primarily played LF, He's the greatest hitter of all time and when you look at the seasons he missed to fight in WWII and Korea you can't help but wonder what else he could have accomplished. The "Splendid Splinter" is the 4th OF'er and DH (because he's an American League player). I know, I REALLY rationalized this but now I feel better...do any of you ??

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.

I was hoping more for a Paxton signing (at least we have a LHP in the rotation). If they had to pay Happ at 38 yrs old $8 million what is Paxton worth/asking for ? I know we're all hoping for something BIG but this is about what the Twins ALWAYS do With the exception of Donaldson.

I agree Mikelink45 it's time for the Twins to eclipse the Hansel Robles signing. I too am tired of all these "great fits" with nothing happening. To the idea that we should shy away from Simmons because it might hurt the "feelings" of Polanco or Arraez TOUGH CRAP ! The Twins are in the business of winning baseball games, and hopefully their first playoff game victory in 18 years, NOT holding the hands of players who might be "triggered" by someone taking their place in the lineup or on the field. As a matter of fact, trading Polanco to the Reds in a package for Gray and Castellanos might just be in the realm of possibility. Nobody wants to bring Marwan back because he's priced himself out of the Twins plans for what they get in return. There are much better options available.

I had just posted that I thought the Twins should sign BOTH Paxton and Odorizzi to 2-year deals. If they only signed ONE, I'd want Paxton (we need a Lefty in the rotation). If I was going to take a flyer on a guy who could come back to former promise I think I'd go for Mike Foltynewicz. He's still relatively young and he he could probably be had on a 2-way contract. What does Wes Johnson think of him? That would be my take. If Johnson sees something he could fix Folty could pay big dividends at a low cost.

Rod forced a trade after Calvin's infamous comments in Waseca, MN. Based on his career path, David Ortiz comes to mind but I have to agree with Jack Morris. Hometown Boy, comes home, leads the Twins to a World Series triumph only to leave after one-year and help lead Toronto to the World Series title. There's no guarantee the Twins could have duplicated what they did in 1991 with Morris still on the team in 1992, but they just weren't willing to pay Black Jack what he wanted and we lost him.

I agree, Simmons on a 2-year $12.0 million per year deal works better. I'm not sure when Lewis would be up in 2021 (if at all) and then 2022 would give you a chance to see Lewis as your "Super Utility" guy. I'm a HUGE Nellie Cruz guy. But I think while Nellie WANTS $16 million, he's not going to get that from anybody even if the N.L. adopts the DH (and it's sounding like the owners are holding that back until 2022 for leverage). I see the upside of Paxton as higher than Odorizzi but Odo is much more of a sure thing durability wise. I'd go 2 years for both with Odo getting 2 yrs $26 million and Paxton 2-years $20 million. That way I've got a very solid staff top to bottom in 2021 and I've got a replacement for Pineda in 2022 and I'm ready to give a shot Duran or Balazovic (or both if things get sticky with Berrios). This is also why I don't spend $16 million for Cruz. I can have BOTH Odorizzi and Paxton for $23 without giving Cruz $16. I think Rosenthal would be a GREAT signing and I'd go 2-years with him as well at $7 mil per year. But here's a BIG departure I have with Nick. If I can actually get Yates on a 1-year $5 million dollar contract why would I even consider Clippard at $3 million ?? What is the ceiling of Yates vs Clippard at just $2 million more ?? No-Brainer. And there's no reason the Twins couldn't have BOTH Rosenthal and Yates if we have to give serious consideration to the rampant speculation that the Mets, despite having Diaz are ready to sign Brand Hand. 5 guys: Simmons, Odorizzi, Paxton, Rosenthal and Yates add $47 million. That's doable. We fill DH with a combo of Kiriloff, Donaldson, Sano, Garver, Rooker, Polanco, Arraez and Larnach. (that's 8 guys) !! As ToddlerHarmon pointed out, up the middle "D" with Buxton, Simmons, Jeffers is tremendous. Polanco and Arraez are 2B, Super UT guys who are regular bats in the lineup. You build a great rotation with an awesome BP and count on bounceback years from Kepler, Sano, Garver, Polanco and you give enough AB's to Kiriloff, Rooker and Larnach to see what you've got with the young guys. Maybe later in the summer Lewis is up and in the mix. Here, you're not trading a bunch of promising prospects for a Castillo or Marquez. And you're giving your young hitters a chance to show you something. Simmons hasn't been the most durable guy lately but you still have Polanco able to fill in at SS. (and Lewis waiting in the wings) You would need to commit to bringing Rooker and Kiriloff north (service time be damned with Kiriloff) right off the bat. This would be a team that could compete for a Central Division title and make a deep run in the playoffs. And let's face it if Kepler, Sano, Garver and Polanco don't return to 2019 form no matter WHAT the Twins do it won't be enough. Depending on how they do and how other players like a Jeffers, Lewis, Taylor Rogers, Kepler develop/bounce back you could even rebuild trade value on a Sano, Polanco or Garver.

Since TD doesn't recognize punctuation: Castellanos and Moose are NEGATIVE values. Lorenzen is a 4.70 value. Twins give up 101.4 in value Reds give up 99.90

I like this thought process, so let's roll thru a couple of possible trades" To get only Marquez 91.2 trade value: Larnach 35.9 Duran 17.9 Jeffers 23.8 Dobnak 10.0 Smeltzer 4.7 TOTAL 92.30 Marquez 91.2 + Trevor Story 33.70 = 124.9 Arraez 43.4 Larnach 35.9 Sano 12.2 Duran 17.9 Dobnak 10.0 Smeltzer 4.7 TOTAL 124.10 Neither of these deals make any sense for the Twins unless they sign both Marquez and Story to extensions. Polanco moves to 2B. But the starting staff, infield "D" and lineup is improved tremendously. Maeda, Berrios, Marquez, Pineda, sign Jon Paxton--great starting staff Still need a BP arm & UT guy. The Reds Luis Castillo and either Castellanos or Moustakas to take on salary and add a little more THUNDER to the lineup. You have to take one of these guys back just to lower the cost for Castillo. Castillo 114.8 (yup, that's right, 114.8 !) Castellanos -17.60 Moose -19.6 TOTAL Reds value 96.20 Twins get Castillo and either Moose or Castellanos and Lorenzen RP 4.70 99.90 total. Reds Get: Polanco 32.8 Larnach 35.9 Garver 18.0 Dobnak 10.0 Smeltzer 4.7 TOTAL 101.4 Castillo, Maeda, Berrios, Pineda and sign Jon Paxton. That's quite a starting staff. Lorenzen is a solid arm deepening the BP.

If I could get Paxton for $6 million I'd do it. We need a LH Starter. He's got tremendous upside. $6 million is not too big a risk. But unless Dobnak is involved in a trade for someone like Ketel Marte he's the #5 until Dhuran or Balazovic show they're ready.

It is odd that the best SS's the Twins have ever had (other than Zoilo) have all been acquired via trade (Cardenas, Gagne, Guzman come to mind). It is also true than Polanco was an A.L. All Star due to his bat, not his glove. I want to see the Twins get better "D" up the middle. That's why I'm not against looking at a FA signing (Simmons, Didi) or a trade for someone like Story. However, if a BIG move was made for someone like Story, I want the Twins to work out an extension much like the Mets did with Lindor. I don't want a one-year rental. I have no superior knowledge, I just see Lewis more as an outfielder. I still have hope for Wander Javier but this is pretty much a make or break year for him. He either stays healthy and puts himself back in the serious SS of the future conversation, or I fear he will never turn the corner and drift into the dust bin of forgotten prospects.

Neither. I'd work a trade for Ketel Marte

I think Bauer would not only be FUN but he'd be a RIOT. Osuna would be REALLY FUN. He will NEVER be the "K" machine Sano is. NEVER. Story would be more fun for me than Baez. I don't need the "flair" but I'll take a .290 BA with 35 HR's and 110 RBI along with solid, Gold Glove caliber defense. (But I wouldn't turn my nose up at that Baez "flair" either. I agree about Rosenthal. There's something about a guy coming in at the end of a game and hitting triple digits.