TheLeviathan

Nick also made clear the track record on players over 30 is spotty but you blew through that to focus on the "should" argument. I'm just over it. New CBA can't come fast enough.

We're discussing the merits of trading Ryan. Fantasy "should" arguments are derailing and annoying. It adds zero to the conversation. Want to start a "bash the billionaires" thread? I'm in. Here? Pointless at best.

I'm aware, that was the point. I'm as sick of the Pohlads as I am of lectures about what they "should" be doing.

The new CBA is such a wildcard but I really want to lean into the team that sports Jenkins, Culpepper, Keaschall and this young wave of talent. Shop Ryan to add to that group. Sad to see him go but it is how teams like the Twins pop through.

"Should" is not a helpful mindset for this. Maybe it ought to be, but it isn't.

Ok folks, I'm going to be unpopular right out of the gate. However, this team isn't going to catch up with the advantages OKC and San Antonio have by playing it safe, so here we go: The number one need for the Wolves is a playmaker who can remove the stagnant nature of their offense and put a more creative element to their game. There is one depressed asset - who has major flaws - that represents a homerun swing: Ja Morant. Yes, his shooting has struggled. Yes, his defense isn't good. But you know what he is good at? Ball-handling and play-making. I'm making the bet that coming to this organization will reignite the all-world player. The Trade: Wolves recieve: PG Ja Morant, Suns receive: PF Julius Randle, SG Donte Divencenzo Grizzlies recieve: PF Royce O'neale, SG Jaylen Green Why each team does it: Wolves get their point guard at the cost of a PF they don't want anymore and an expiring deal for a hurt player (bye DDV, please come back!). Suns have way too many guards and need someone like Randle to balance their front-court. DDV gives them an expiring contract they can flip for another asset. Grizzlies get off the Morant contract for a younger guard and a tradeable PF asset. (It's possible that this deal would need to be Dillon Brooks or Grayson Allen or something like that with picks from Phoenix too) I don't believe Ja has much trade value. Look at the recent Trae Young deal to see what I'm suggesting here. Re-sign G Ayo Dosonmu for 4 years 68M Re-sign Conley to Vet minimum Re-sign Clark Draft: G Meleek Thomas out of Arkansas C: Gobert, Beringer, Rocco PF: Naz SF: McDaniels, Shannon Jr. SG: Ant, Clark, Thomas PG: Morant, Dosonmu, Conley Probably need to sign another forward for depth. Not sure who that would be but some guy with a pulse!

Great link. This definitely feels like a team who has had "puck luck" to put it in another sport's framework. I grant Nick's point that the team has been resilient and continued to come back to play the next day. That's a great sign in a baseball team. However, right now it's a team that is basically 14th or so in every measure. That's not bad and probably a team that can see itself to a .500 record if maintained. It also helps that they've committed to better defense at SS to help keep this narrow win path open. But this is also a pretty soft part of the schedule and there has been a small sample of decent bullpen work. I'm going to need to see that continue along with developing an offensive plan beyond "hope Buxton carries us to this win" to find it sustainable.

Minnesota sports has far too often taken the easy, in-house option. Part of why I liked KAM in the first place was the bold swing it represented. It didn't work, so now we better boldly swing again and not be afraid to do it. The NFL, more than any of the other major sports, can dictate the culture on the field with the culture in the suites.

I'm going to need some help. This article exists and appears to be earnestly arguing that we are "in contention". So question 1: I'm looking at the right year...correct? This team that's 4 under .500 in a terrible division who has managed the super high bar of "not mathematically out on.....May 21st (WTF?)" ....we're talking about this team here right? Question 2: Contender?

Our 2026 season has come to the point where we're extolling the virtues of Ryan Kriedler. Thanks Pohlads.

That's a good point. What I do like about this is there are some GMs from teams that have been successful drafting teams.

When will we finally just embrace that this team needs a complete lineup makeover. I'm ok with some vets on the roster and the bench, but I'm just so tired of turning on the TV to watch my team and seeing these go-nowhere vets eating up so many at-bats. Tonight's lineup had Buxton and 2 guys that had even a marginal chance of helping this team in the future in their starting lineup. (Martin and maybe Lee) Why, as a fan, do I want to tune into this? I'm happy about the Lewis move, can we tear off some more bandaids now too?

I think you should start a fire in a dumpster and slow roast it while wearing a "Sell the Team" shirt.

Zebby having a nice return to the bigs. Good to see, I still think there is a guy there.

We're not good. Is it too much to ask if we're already going to be not good that we at least be younger with some hope? Bring up Fedko and Sabato.

It went away for awhile but it's back for me again.

If you're going to be not good, is it too much to ask we be not good but young with some hope? Sabato. Fedko. Let's bring up some guys and get some juice on this team.

If Julius Randle is still on this team next year they've lost me.

Oh I know....McCarron had the game right there for him and he just crossed himself up so badly. I popped out of my seat ready to celebrate the W.

Yeah, it was not a good look for two periods but they absolutely made mental error after mental error to allow that game to be tied. And Kaprizov....buddy.....shoot the puck!

What a rough last four minutes.

I should add....when the time comes to resign him it will be for the year when Spurgeon's deal expires so we might be able to swap quite a bit of that salary between those two guys.

I think we have three star players, it's hard for me to say which one is the best but you're probably right that it's Hughes. We have to lock him up. That said, the team has Boldy, Ek, Faber, and a few others on pretty team friendly deals. Once they move Gus they have about 20M in cap room with this roster: W-C-Kaprizov Yurov-Ek-Boldy Trenin-Hartman-Foligno Sturm-Stramel-Haight/Heidt Faber-Hughes Brodin-Spurgeon Middleton-Hunt Wallstedt-Backup 20M to go get a wing, a center, and a backup goalie will give you some options. The problem is not having enough trade assets to land one that way.

At the end of the day they really, really need one more big time player. Particularly a center that can drive the play. Hirschier or Hughes in New Jersey might be good targets. Malkin if we want an old guy. Austen Matthews seems to be a likely possibility too. I like Yurov but he's gotta be better at faceoffs. I'd love to see something like this next year: Zucarello-Hirschier-Kaprizov Yurov-Ek-Boldy Trenin-McCarron-Hartman Foligno-Stramel-Some Guy

Good for him. His price-point was smart, glad he hit his goal!