farmerguychris

Good article. I know a lot of people don't like 'analytics', but this is exactly why they should play a role in today's MLB. I'm liking this signing even more after this article.

Bummer - I was hoping to see if Susac could push Jackson for a MLB spot.

Why can't we invest the time in making one of these guys a competent 1st baseman? Instead of putting guys over there like Donovan Salano or Arraez, or La Torguga - Lets put someone over there who can catch high throws? Would also be nice to not have to 'find' a new first base player every year. Fill that spot, lighten the depth chart in the OF.

I HATE this. But, I expect this is music to the Pohlads ears. Another way to save money and get cheap replacements who may never pan out to be half as good as Buck. Sounds like a great way to alienate a generation of fans who are just starting to get into baseball back in 2023, and even those of us who have been around and supporting the team for decades. Money over everything else. And no, I don't blame Buxton if this is true. How can I expect him to want to play for this team when as a fan with no skin in the game can barely want to watch this team - especially if he were playing for someone else. Sickening.

I think 3/30 would be great, but probably low since they already did that with Vazquez and we saw his skills. Jeffers is better at this point, will likely need to go maybe 3/36 if he'll take that instead of testing the waters. Three years is long enough to hopefully see if the young due of catching prospects can make it to the bigs and possibly allow us to trade Jeffers while he can still play behind the plate.

I see no reason to even consider someone like Arcia. He's been one of the worst hitters for 2 year? I would expect we can't see anyone like Culpepper, or even Houston hitting any worse than Arcia would for us - and save the few valuable dollars for different roster spots.

I just hope the Front Office lets the coaches coach the way they know how, and Falvey and Co stay out of the way. They can share their thought with them, but let the coaches determine how they want the hitters to hit. I think they tried to make each of the last 2 hitting coaches (who had success before and after the Twins) fit a round peg into a square hole. The FO doesn't know everything, so I say again, let the coaches coach!

I feel pretty good about the chances that they'd prefer to not field a team. If they didn't have to actually play the games - no need to hire anyone to work during games, etc. The only thing that matters to the owners is money - full stop

I expect even the owners can see Ryan is a good value at 5.8. Worry is if they feel they can get the world for him for 2028 and beyond, then he's gone. Will move Lopez for less than they would take for Ryan, just to get his salary off the books. I anticipate the FO being forced to fill the pen with internal options making minimum salaries. For the hitters - I think Jeffers will be traded as he won't get any better as he plays his age 29 season and his salary is expected to increase. I expect they'd prefer to play someone with a minimum salary, but I can't find a starter worthy at that rate of pay - so I'll bring in McCann at only $100K higher than he made last year. Larnach is traded, Gasper is our back up C, and will go with a star rookie to be our DH/bench player. On the fence about Julien, but as long as making minimal money - I'll keep him on the team. I feel bad for Buxton, but I expect we'll come in at about $66.3M for this year as the owners prepare to lose a big amount during the 2027 lockout. C: James McCann ($1.10M) 1B: Kody Clemens ($1.10M) 2B: Luke Keaschall ($0.80M) 3B: Royce Lewis ($3.00M) SS: Brooks Lee ($0.80M) LF: James Outman ($0.80M) CF: Byron Buxton ($15.00M) RF: Matt Wallner ($0.80M) DH: Jenkins/Cullpepper/ERod ($0.80M) 4th OF: Alan Roden ($0.80M) Utility: Austin Martin ($0.80M) Utility: Edouard Julien ($0.80M) Backup C: Mickey Gasper ($0.80M) POS: Add Dead Money Here ($10.00M) SP1: Joe Ryan ($5.8M) SP2: Bailey Ober ($4.0M) SP3: Simeon Woods Richardson ($0.80M) SP4: Zebby Matthews ($.80M) SP5: Mick Abel ($.080M) RP: Justin Topa ($1.75M) RP: Kody Funderburk ($0.80M) RP: Cole Sands ($1.30M) RP: Pierson Ohl ($0.80M) RP: Travis Adams ($0.80M) RP: Connor Prielipp ($0.80M) RP: Marco Raya ($0.80M) RP: Andrew Morris ($0.80M) POS: Add Dead Money Here ($0.00M) Payroll is 48.43% under budget

You surely said that with sarcasm, but I wouldn't be surprised if he's our opening day 1st baseman. He's already on the team (they value depth) and he's making the minimum salary (most importantly). This would be a very bad outcome for us, but I think more possible than we want to admit.

I know you're right - I'm just trying to ignore them and hope my gut is wrong.

I'll be honest - I generally get pretty interested and excited when reading about potential draft picks when we know we're likely to get a high pick. But with all the uncertainty about having a rosy future for our team - is anyone else kind of disengaged or not feeling a real passion for the team in regards to this stuff yet?

I also prefer the Phillies deal - in part simply because I never want anyone good to play for the Yankees.

If they proceed and trade Jeffers, I expect 2 minimum salary guys back there as its a signal we know we won't compete. If we keep Ryan, then some cheap vet is one direction they could go, but I would expect a more likely result would be bringing up someone from our farm system to be his back-up with Ryan playing 90% of the time behind the dish.

The development mandate was only a talking point to appease the fans. The manager doesn't develop players - thats the role of the coaches in the minors, and the position coaches in the majors. Hopefully the development mandate portion of improving this team takes place with the next set of hires as the rest of coaching staff is assembled.

I like what Maki has done with our pitchers. Not all of them are near their ceilings yet - but we have some examples of what they could become. However, if Maki has some other offers on the table - do you think he's like the challenges the Twins job offers him, or would he prefer greener grass elsewhere where payroll limitations may not exist?

I read an article on the Athletic regarding the projected power rankings for 2026. They had our Twins 4 spots below the Pirates. Ugh - this could be a long few years.

It just seems sketchy to me. Popkins did fine with the Dodgers before we hired him. He did better than fine with the Jays after we let him go. While our talent may not be at the level of either of those teams, we aren't dirt either. I suspect the Front Office told him what he should be coaching the players to do during their at bats. This basically took away what Popkins has proven he can do. I believe the FO micromanaged him to fail here. No evidence of this - just my theory.

As much of a S**T show the Twins ownership is - the Pirates is even worse. I don't have high expectations for Shelton as our new leader, but I also expect his winning percentage to be higher than it was with Pittsburgh simply because we have at least a few pieces in place (for now).

Lets look at it from the other perspective - why would any of these pitchers want to play for the Twins unless they really had no other options?

I also want to know more about his assistant coaches. Who will have the final say on who the assistant coaches will be. Shelton, or the Front Office? I have trouble with the Front Office holding Shelton accountable for hires he did not make if that ends up going poorly.

Agreed - Pittsburgh is an even worse environment than the Twins will be for him. Also agree that holding the manager accountable for player development is a stretch. The manager in 2025 isn't out there teaching people how to hit or pitch - thats what his position coaches are for. BUT - One serious question about player development. Will Shelton be allowed to pick his own position coaches, or will they be assigned to him by the Front Office? I fear the latter, but doubt we'll ever really find out who makes the final decisions on who will be the ones actually selected to develop the future 'stars' of the Twins.

As Skenes has demonstrated - the players on the roster matter more than who the manager is. Until ownership spends the money, and the FO selects the right players - it won't matter who the manager is.

Is there anything stopping the team from trying to get out of that debt? Maybe if we sent the Astros someone like Lopez we could see that wasted money go away? NOT ever what i would wish for, but also something i wouldn't put past the Pohlads from exploring? Give them Lopez and in return they'll give us back $10M per year?

I was thinking about this as the Jays beat Seattle. What a difference 2 years makes. Our owners pull back and put money over winning. The Jay's owners invest more, seeing the opportunity ahead of them. No, money doesn't ensure wins. But - despite some lower payroll teams in contention, they never seem to make it over the hump to win it all. Over the past 5 years, the World Series winners ranked the following in payroll: 3rd,4th, 8th, 11th, and 1st. Good for the Jay's owners and fans. I'm envious.