TopGunn#22

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.

So much of this comes down to what the Twins are willing to spend compared to the rest of MLB. I believe there are unique opportunities to upgrade the roster, but there are many different ways to do it. I'm all for trading Sano. I see the Rockies have a terrible rating at 1B. How interested would the Rockies be in having someone with Sano's power hitting in Coors? How about solidifying the infield defense with one of the best SS bats in baseball with a package for Trevor Story ? I'd like to trade Sano to CUT our salary so we can use $$ elsewhere. Story would ADD to the payroll but he'd be a heck of an addition. You only do this if you can sign Story to another 6-7 year contract but our lineup would be even BETTER with Story replacing Sano. I believe Story is GOOD and NOT a product of Coors Field.

If the Twins traded Sano and his $11.5 million dollar salary and made Kiriloff the 1B-man that would open up ALL SORTS of possibilities. I believe the Twins offense would be fine without Sano and Rosario and we would be better defensively. Also, there is no way on God's Green Earth that Trevor May is in the same conversation/classification as Brand Hand. Just no way. Hand is far superior and has a track record that puts May to shame.

Good question. And a relevant one as well with Buxton's continual injuries. I've heard it "speculated" just as you put it, that Kepler's offense suffers. Yet I can't remember reading or hearing the evidence that this is actually TRUE.

I need some clarification guys. I've read that Kiriloff is actually an above average to good defensive 1B-man. I've also read he decent in the outfield. Not Buxton/Kepler good, but better than Rosario and Rooker. I haven't heard much about Rooker as a 1B-man. It's nitpicky but in any scenario without Rosario wouldn't we have have one of Kiriloff and Rooker in the lineup ? Also, if Sano was traded (yeah, I know I'm a broken record on this) wouldn't Kiriloff and Rooker BOTH be in the lineup? Who is at 1B and who is in LF ?? I just think both kids have shown they will HIT. In order to sign a free agent SP and/or RP the Twins MUST welcome the youth movement. BOTH Kiriloff and Rooker should break camp with the team.

This is why I'm hoping the Twins trade Sano. I want to shed his $11.5 million in salary and put Kiriloff at 1B. Better fielder, more consistent hitter with the expectation of "better" at-bats. Not as much power...I think we'd be fine. I'd like to use the roughly $11-million in savings to make our favorite baseball team BETTER. A true closer---Brand Hand? Liam Hendricks? It would be interesting to see what the Twins could do with that $11-million.

Nicely laid out and reasoned. I have a couple of changes, one of them big. C Gaver & Jeffers 1B Kiriloff 2B Arraez Schoop SS Polanco Adrianza 3B Donaldson OF Kepler, Buxton, Rooker, Cave DH Cruz SP Maeda, Berrios, Pineda, Ray, Dobnak RP Hand, Duffey, Rogers, Alcala, Wisler, Stashak, Clippard, Ed. Colina In this scenario I trade Sano and put Kiriloff at 1B. I save 11.5 million. I'm not going to say WHO we trade Sano for, that could make for some good discussion elsewhere. But in not having Pillar, Sano and Soria we free up an additional 24.5 million. Rooker and Kiriloff are about 1.2 million total Brad Hand costs us 7.5 million. We still have about 7 million to play with. We could have a better backup SS, we could add another veteran piece to the bullpen or look for a bigger piece than Robbie Ray in the rotation. Having Rogers and Duffey for high leverage situations and a proven closer in Hand makes for a great bullpen.

I also am a big fan of Javier. At least his potential, since he hasn't played much for a couple of years. I protect him, Rijo and Jax. I also think you gotta protect Colina. Guys that throw 100 mph with wipeout sliders are what every team is looking to pick up. Sure, his one appearance was not so good. But I was impressed with his "stuff.' He just looked REALLY jacked up for his first ever appearance.

Great points, as always Doc. Not much more I could add. Thanks for contributing good stuff.

Hmmmm, so why not be bold and offer Trevor Bauer 3-years, $25 million per year. Take some "uncertainty" and make it "certain." That contract could be $5 to $10 million below his market value but it offers Bauer "certainty." It also offers the Twins certainty as they then prioritize their payroll for 2021-2023. They lock up an Ace at the top of their rotation and suddenly, instead of having to "Homer" their way to wins, they can pitch. Then the Twins can decide to move on from Sano and Rosario with Kiriloff at 1B and Rooker/Larnach in LF. There needs to be a youth movement for the Twins. They need to get some of these prized prospects up to the show. That will allow them the payroll flexibility to add a stud Ace like Bauer. Rather than wait for the market to freeze you out, be bold, and set the market and make a BIG statement.

I don't like this idea. It's good for off-season conversation but that's about it. The players union would never agree to it. You'd have a key hitter on a team (think Nellie Cruz) effectively neutered. And while I'm glad the American League teams are all the Twins would have to bid against for Nellie, I'm 110% in favor of the N.L. getting on board with the DH permanently. I want both leagues to have the same rules.

Good point oh Wise One. I concur.

Boy, I think it's obvious. Put him back on the 40-man. Do they really have so many guys who are better prospects? And at his age? 2020 is/was a very "odd" year. Other than my determination to move on from Rosario and Sano I wouldn't make too many knee-jerk decisions. Littell has too much potential (and he's already demonstrated what that potential is) to just let him drift away (like Nick Anderson)!!

Great Title !! I would trade Eddie for Hernandez (but I'd be willing to take any of the guys you mentioned). Eddie would give the Marlins a solid bat in LF or RF. The Marlins proved they are a young team on the rise and a solid major league hitter like Eddie may be just the thing they need. But the Twins should never have let Zac Gallon get away to Arizona, they need to add a young Marlin arm in a Rosario deal that allows Kiriloff, Rooker and Larnach significant AB's.

I actually LIKE a Twins lineup WITH Cruz but WITHOUT Rosario. Give me a Kiriloff or Rooker in Eddie place and I'm fine with that. Simmons intrigues me because he's such a great fielding SS. What would it take? That would make Polanco our super-utility guy in the infield. If our OF'ers are Buxton, Kepler, Rooker, Kiriloff and Cave/Wade we're O.K. Larnach could be part of the mix if Sano is traded (I hope so) and Kiriloff becomes our 1B-man. With his injury history, what would Simmons cost? What about Jose Iglesias ? I think we're fine with Garver, Jeffers and the Turtle.

As usual, Doc Bauer nailed. I concur. He's our best hitter. it's not even close. We MUST have him. But the market isn't going to get him $15 million. The Twins and Cruz will come to some sort of arrangement and Nellie Boomstick will be back. I'd be very interested in having him as a future hitting coach. He's going to need more rest going forward to get the most out of him, which seems counter-intuitive and tough on the Twins as much as they will be depending on him in their lineup. But with guys like Kiriloff, Rooker and Larnach the Twins should be able to keep Nellie rested and productive for certainly one more year and possibly two.

I'd inquire about a Sano to the Rockies trade for Story. We'd have to give up much more, but I've got to believe the Rockies would be tempted by Sano's power in that thin air. The Twins could play Kiriloff exclusively at 1B or even move Donaldson over there for a game here and there. But their defense would improve substantially at SS and Story in front of or behind Cruz in the lineup would be exciting. The Rockies wouldn't be interested in Polanco as they have a young SS (Brendan Rogers) who would step in, so this might entail dealing Polanco in a separate deal. How about Sano and either Duran or Balazovic?

I certainly trade Sano. He's the most likely guy that SHOULD be moved (Rosario, alas will probably get released, which is unfortunate that you wouldn't get anything for him but also needs to be done. We have young talent that we need to employ). 1. Sano has tremendous power potential. True he has holes in his swing but the power is undeniable. Several teams should be interested. Trading Sano would free up payroll to employ elsewhere on the roster. Putting Kiriloff at 1B gives the Twins better defense. It would put a more consistent at-bat-by-at-bat hitter in the Twins lineup. 2. How would we use the $20 million dollars saved by moving on from Sano and Rosario? We push all our chips into the middle of the table and we sign Trevor Bauer and KEEP Nelson Cruz for another year plus a mutual option. Cruz is the most professional hitter in our lineup. We don't become any kind of a better lineup without Cruz in the #3 or #4 spot next year. Bauer, Maeda, Berrios, Pineda (Hill, Dobnak, etc... as #5). Solid starting pitching with the core of a solid bullpen (Taylor Rodgers needs to bounce back, but he will). 3. Moving on from Sano and Rosario allows the Twins to keep Cruz and go get Bauer. 4. Let the Youth Movement begin ! Jeffers, Garver, Kiriloff, Arraez, Rooker, Lewis, Blankenhorn, and a bunch of guys in our bullpen are VERY payroll friendly. So are Kepler, Polanco, Buxton and even Berrios and Maeda for that matter. Larnach is GOOD. He will be up pretty soon as well. The Twins have a bunch of young players that will be very payroll friendly for several years. It's time to leverage that so that Cruz, Donaldson and someone like Bauer can be fit into a payroll structure. 5. Getting something decent for Sano would be good. Waiting for someone to over-pay or the "perfect" deal would be a mistake. Getting anything for Rosario would be nice. But moving these two talented yet terribly inconsistent hitters out of our inconsistent lineup would be addition by subtraction. And what have the Twins got to lose ?? What they have hasn't been getting the job done (18 straight post season losses is NOT a mirage). Possible Twins Lineup in 2021 without Sano and Rosario: 1. Arraez 2B 2. Donaldson 3B 3. Cruz DH 4. Kepler RF 5. Polanco SS 6. Kiriloff 1B 7. Garver C 8. Rooker LF 9. Buxton CF Starting Rotation: 1..Bauer $30-$35 million one year deal (3-years if he'll do it). 2. Maeda 3. Berrios 4. Pineda 5. R. Hill/R. Dobnak That's a pretty good lineup. That's a GREAT rotation. If somehow Bauer gets away, go after James Paxton. Change is coming to the Minnesota Twins. With Falvey and Levine it will not be the moribund "treading water" philosophy of the Terry Ryan regime. Falvey & Levine are probably determined to break that 18-game post-season winless streak. They know they aren't going to do it with the status quo.

Great topic, great opinions. I am mostly in chpettit19's corner, with a couple of changes. I start with Cruz. We haven't won a post season game in our last 18 tries. Our offense seems to desert us come the post season. Cruz was the ONLY hitter who showed up. I HAVE TO HAVE HIM. $10-$13 million-1year with a $10 million dollar 2nd year option. He wants to be here...we need him. Bring him back. Rosario is traded or DFA'd. Sano is TRADED. $10 million saved. Someone will be intrigued by his power. I have Buxton, Kepler, Kiriloff, Rooker, Wade and maybe Cave in the Outfield. Garver & Jeffers are my catchers. Donaldson, Polanco and Arraez are 3B, SS, 2B. I get Royce Lewis up here as my super utility guy. Maybe he can play Winter Ball and play all over. But the youth movement MUST begin. Maeda, Berrios, Pineda and Dobnak are 4 starters. I offer Rich Hill one more year at 2-3 million. And then I pay $30-$35 million for Trevor Bauer. The Twins CAN afford both Cruz and Bauer. Kiriloff, Rooker, Lewis (and Larnach not too long after) need to be around Cruz and Donaldson. it's more important to get them up to the show than risk another lost of limited minor league season. I keep Rogers at $5-$6 million---He's much better than what he showed this year. He'll be back. All this could have a payroll of roughly $115-$120 million. Start the youth movement. Retain valuable vets. In 2-years we will know if Buxton should be our CF or if Lewis supplants him. If Kepler sticks and Kiriloff, Larnach and Rooker replace him. If Polanco is our SS or if Lewis or Wander Javier or somebody else is. And sometime in 2021 or 2022 Balazovic and Duran are knocking on the door. The Braves and Dodgers, the Rays and White Sox ALL have young players ready to emerge if they haven't already. We have to trust our young guys.

There may not be a LOT of FA Starting Pitchers we should be interested in, but there is ONE GUY that would be a difference maker...Trevor Bauer. If you want to go head to head with Gerrit Cole, Walker Buehler, Blake Snell/Tyler Glasnow, ETC...you need a guy like Bauer. I would argue that the idea of dealing Sano, dealing or releasing Rosario, parting ways with Marwan allows the Twins to offer Bauer $30-$35 million in a one year contract. With Kiriloff, Rooker, Jeffers, and possibly Blankenhorn or Royce Lewis on the team (and possibly a Colina or Chalmers in the BP) there is ALL SORTS of payroll flexibility. I don't disagree with the idea of trading for additional starting pitching. I don't want to take anything off the table. But I see the Twins entering a period of a "skinny" rebuild by aggressively promoting young talent to play and learn next to guys like Cruz, Donaldson etc...

Great takes everyone. I see the need to move on from Eddie. A non-tender is a distinct possibility. I'd trade Sano for a bag of baseballs right now, but honestly, there are teams that WILL be intrigued with his power. Look at the Indians making a deal for a similar player in Franmil Reyes. With young bats like Kiriloff and Rooker we're a net better offense. They take BETTER AB's than Eddie and Sano. Larnach is close and Royce Lewis will either be the future SS or CF'er depending on how soon he's ready.