farmerguychris

I think its ok for every team to have a few untouchables - not many, but a few. He would be one for me.

Would our FO really spend money now on relievers? They didn't when they were increasing payroll, why would they now? I expect a pen full of AAAA arms in addition to our existing crew.

Perfectly said - I fully agree.

Agreed - I love the idea of this article looking at back some random Twin in history. I can think of a few I'd be curious to know whatever happened to them.

I absolutely think he will bounce back, just elsewhere. We have enough IF depth already.

I still think that we need our assets spent in other areas. We know we'll need more than 5 pitchers. I'd include Vazquez in trade conversations, but in return something I'll be seeking is a 'normal' back up level catcher who has minor league options still available. Vazquez is a borderline starter, and Carmago appears ready to be the back up now in the majors. I'm afraid $10M is just too much when we need to spend that money elsewhere.

As fans, we always want to compete for a World Series title every single year. However when we look at it from an owner's perspective, we also recognize this "is a business" and often it appears decisions are made strictly from a business standpoint (like lowering payroll, what other company does that?)- not based on trying to win a title. My question is this - Do you feel the Pohlad family actually wants to win another world series if it limits the amount of revenue they can generate? We know some ownerships are all about the dollars and cents. If they win, they win, if they lose, then they lose. I have often felt the Twins owners want to win, but not at the cost of losing any money. Somewhere in the middle between the owners of the Padres, and the owners of the Pirates. What are your thoughts?

Agreed. We know what the best of Maeda could look like. I feel taking a flier on someone like Severino (who started a playoff game against us a couple of years ago) has potential to be someone who still has lots left in the tank if we can get him out of NY and could very likely equal or exceed what Maeda would have given us at this point in his career.

I really don't think the team will add anyone near the salaries these guys will require. We have young internal options like Miranda that they will likely turn to instead to try and add a right handed bat.

I'd rather go with Martin.

I don't think they will give up a young stud for an 'ace' with 1 year of control. They would consider trading a young IF for someone they feel has the potential to be an 'ace' in the future - ala Lopez. Even with that being the goal, I would not be interested in moving on from Lewis or Lee.

I sincerely believe he would be a first ballot HOF IF he didn't have injuries move him to 1st base. But, with that said, nothing wrong with going in on the 2nd ballot either - as long as he gets in. Glad he's voted on by national media and not only Twins writers and fans where he was never looked upon as favorably as he should have been.

Based on this article, if we were ever hoping to 'sell high' on either of these guys, now would appear to be the time to do so. If we hold onto them fine - but selling from a position of strength for a position of weakness (need pitching again) sounds like a good plan to me.

I have no interest in trading Lee, Rodriguez, Jenkins, Lewis, or Julien. I think it would be a mistake to move so much future talent that could extend the current open window.

1- Trade away Vasquez for money savings, bring up Camargo to be the backup. 2- Trade away Polanco for a starting pitcher. Julien starts at 2B. Get Keller from the Pirates with 2 years left of control. 3- Trade away Kepler for a prospects. Move Walner to RF and put Larnach in LF 4- Bring up Lee to be a utility IF and DH. 5- Give Miranda another shot 6 - Castro is 4th OF 7- Is Dobnak no longer on the 40? I think this may be his year to return to the majors if he's healthy. That money needs to be earned this year. Starter or reliever - I'm fine with him being here either way. C: Ryan Jeffers ($2.30M) 1B: Alex Kirilloff ($1.70M) 2B: Edouard Julien ($0.77M) 3B: Royce Lewis ($0.77M) SS: Carlos Correa ($33.33M) LF: Trevor Larnach ($0.77M) CF: Austin Martin ($0.77M) RF: Matt Wallner ($0.77M) DH: Brooks Lee ($0.77M) 4th OF: Willi Castro ($3.20M) Utility: Jose Miranda ($0.77M) Utility: Byron Buxton ($15.00M) Backup C: Jair Camargo ($0.77M) SP1: Pablo Lopez ($8.25M) SP2: Joe Ryan ($0.77M) SP3: Bailey Ober ($0.77M) SP4: Chris Paddack ($2.53M) SP5: Mitch Keller ($3.00M) RP: Jhoan Duran ($0.77M) RP: Brock Stewart ($0.77M) RP: Griffin Jax ($0.77M) RP: Louie Varland ($0.77M) RP: Caleb Thielbar ($3.00M) RP: Simeon Woods Richardson ($0.77M) RP: Jovani Moran ($0.77M) RP: Kody Funderburk ($0.77M) Payroll is 36.74% under budget

C: Ryan Jeffers ($2.30M) 1B: Alex Kirilloff ($1.70M) 2B: Jorge Polanco ($10.50M) 3B: Royce Lewis ($0.77M) SS: Carlos Correa ($33.33M) LF: Matt Wallner ($0.77M) CF: Byron Buxton ($15.00M) RF: Max Kepler ($10.00M) DH: Edouard Julien ($0.77M) 4th OF: Willi Castro ($3.20M) Utility: Trevor Larnach ($0.77M) Utility: Kyle Farmer ($6.60M) Backup C: Ryan Jeffers ($2.30M) SP1: Pablo Lopez ($8.25M) SP2: Joe Ryan ($0.77M) SP3: Bailey Ober ($0.77M) SP4: Chris Paddack ($2.53M) SP5: Louie Varland ($0.77M) RP: Jhoan Duran ($0.77M) RP: Brock Stewart ($0.77M) RP: Griffin Jax ($0.77M) RP: Jorge Alcala ($1.00M) RP: Caleb Thielbar ($3.00M) RP: Cole Sands ($0.77M) RP: Jovani Moran ($0.77M) RP: Kody Funderburk ($0.77M) Payroll is 18.73% under budget

This FO has never spent anything on the pen. Why would they now when payroll is going down for the first time in their tenure. I expect a pen full of existing guys (Duran, Jax) and young guys from AAA.

Is he offering to work for free? If not - I don't expect him to be here.

You're not wrong. The only item I may have concerns with that you list is that yes, the Pohlads run multiple businesses, and yes, they have the ability to handle losses in one area that will be offset by gains in another. I just don't think they (or most multi-business owners) run their larger corporation that way. Each business generally runs independently of their other ones and each one is expected to make a certain amount of bottom line revenue. Could they cover any Twins losses by the excessive profit on their other holdings - Absolutely! Will then? I really don't think that is something they are interested in doing - the more I listen to the new news of lower payroll coming - I really feel this is ONLY a business for them, and the fact that fans are getting excited about the team again doesn't really count for anything. I've not be one of the 'cheap Pohlad's' crowd - but I can understand how they got that moniker.

I know this is what we're supposed to do in the offseason. Look at who is available that matches our possible needs. But I just can't see them spending anything until they know whats going to happen with tv revenues. I run a business, and I can't imagine setting my future expense budget until I know what my next year's revenues will be looking like. My business is not baseball, and its not apples to apples, but with us already having about 90M committed, I can't imagine they'll be in any rush (not that they ever are) to sign up for the first FA off the board without knowing how much new tv revenue we'll have coming in. I'd be surprised and pleased if they signed one FA over $10M. Otherwise may be a year of young guys (Martin?) getting a shot and hopefully making a splash - IMO.

I wouldn't give him a roster spot - but maybe now is the last chance to trade him while he's hot?

I agree its time to find the next time full CF for our team. Buxton has to be considered a backup due to health issues. Not sure if I like Kiermaier over Taylor simply since he's another lefty OF when we already have a bunch of those. Would ultimately like to see Martin grab this role and run with it, but not sure the likelihood of that just yet. If between Kiermaier or Taylor - I think I'd prefer Taylor until Martin is ready to roll.

Pass for me. We ranked in the top 10 for HR didn't we this past year? With the uncertain financial situation we will be in due to Bally's - lets keep our prospects in-house as we may need cheaper talent in the next few years.

Big Castro fan, but worried if he's already reached his ceiling? Would Martin someday be someone who could make him expendable, just like Castro made Gordon expendable this off season? Good problem to have where talent keeps getting better to push players to be their best.

I don't think the term 'comeback' is accurate. When he was healthy he was an above average starter. Keep him healthy, he'll be fine again.