jmlease1

I'm a fan of Moran. he's always going to be a little wild at times, but that change-up is ridiculous and can bail himself out of trouble (that he usually creates for himself). He's a risky pitcher to bring in with men on base, but I have a fair amount of confidence in him to hold down any part of an opposing lineup.
(I'm less inclined to think Castro has much of a future, despite him doing solid work as a stop-gap lately)

I'm a fan of Moran. he's always going to be a little wild at times, but that change-up is ridiculous and can bail himself out of trouble (that he usually creates for himself). He's a risky pitcher to bring in with men on base, but I have a fair amount of confidence in him to hold down any part of an opposing lineup.
(I'm less inclined to think Castro has much of a future, despite him doing solid work as a stop-gap lately)

I'm a fan of Moran. he's always going to be a little wild at times, but that change-up is ridiculous and can bail himself out of trouble (that he usually creates for himself). He's a risky pitcher to bring in with men on base, but I have a fair amount of confidence in him to hold down any part of an opposing lineup.
(I'm less inclined to think Castro has much of a future, despite him doing solid work as a stop-gap lately)

I'm a fan of Moran. he's always going to be a little wild at times, but that change-up is ridiculous and can bail himself out of trouble (that he usually creates for himself). He's a risky pitcher to bring in with men on base, but I have a fair amount of confidence in him to hold down any part of an opposing lineup.
(I'm less inclined to think Castro has much of a future, despite him doing solid work as a stop-gap lately)

I'm ready for adding something in to address the errors. electronic strike zone, a challenge system...let's just get it right. Clearly there are ways to do it without it slowing the game back down and the technology is there. It's not going to cost any umpiring jobs, so there's no real reason to object.
Challenge system is probably fine: as Morneau was saying on the broadcast, we're really only looking at about 10-15 misses in a game, and most of those aren't going to be particularly egregious or in a situation that's very impactful. (smart) teams are going to hold their challenges for when it matters, i think. But it fixes something like Cuzzi's bad day.
(Cuzzi's misses on Kirilloff were pretty bad just in absolute terms. but to get him on both sides of the plate in the same AB is pretty much inexcusable)

I'm ready for adding something in to address the errors. electronic strike zone, a challenge system...let's just get it right. Clearly there are ways to do it without it slowing the game back down and the technology is there. It's not going to cost any umpiring jobs, so there's no real reason to object.
Challenge system is probably fine: as Morneau was saying on the broadcast, we're really only looking at about 10-15 misses in a game, and most of those aren't going to be particularly egregious or in a situation that's very impactful. (smart) teams are going to hold their challenges for when it matters, i think. But it fixes something like Cuzzi's bad day.
(Cuzzi's misses on Kirilloff were pretty bad just in absolute terms. but to get him on both sides of the plate in the same AB is pretty much inexcusable)

I think it's a fair list, regardless of their actual rankings. I mean, personally, I'd have Lewis higher but I understand the setbacks he's had. And by next season...knock on wood...he will have graduated off any prospect list.
I am as high on Lee as anyone, and can't wait for him to develop and reach the Twins. And despite a recent mini-slump, I think he's right where he should be. I think he's just making adjustments to the league, as they make adjustments to him. I think there's a reasonable chance he reaches St Paul at some point this year. But am I the only one who smiles and shares his head that he'll be in Minnesota soon? That infield has Polanco, and Correa, and Lewis pretty soon. Then there is Julien, and a hopeful bounceback from the pretty talented Miranda. Lee can, of course, force the issue, but I don't see him added to the 40 man and in a Twins uniform until sometime in 2024, after the season begins. It's just natural development time and numbers.
The entire Cedar Rapids team is basically a collection of really young players being pushed to that level. I don't have numbers, maybe someone does, but by age and professional experience both, it has to be one of the youngest and least experienced teams in the league. We have to remember how young Rodriguez is, and he didn't even get a full season at Ft Myers last year. I wouldn't be disappointed at all if he spent most or, or all of, this season at A+. Not saying that as a negative...kid had tremendous talent and power and a natural feel for the game...he just needs to stay healthy and gain experience.
I have a bromance with Julien as I like his story and think his hit tool and offensive game is LEGIT. And I can't wait for him to be a fixture with the Twins, probably at the top of the lineup most days. Problem is room for him, even when ready. I seldom disagree with the FO, but sometimes I do and don't understand their process. I can "get" him focusing on 2B to just "settle in" and grow his bat. But he needs to play 1B as well. And if he just isn't any kind of 3B option...which he's played previously... I get it. But unless he's just a butcher with no tracking skills at all, he should also be worked in to LF. All he has to be is decent/average, or at least "acceptable" in order for him to be versatile enough to be in the lineup almost daily SOMEWHERE. I mean, AK at 1B most days, Polanco at 2B...unless moved...Lewis and Lee, eventually, and Miranda getting his act together again. Gotta find ways to get Julien in the lineup when ready.

I'm a little surprised to see Julien on the list. Not because I don't think he's a very talented hitting prospect, but these lists always seem to favor projection over production and are much less interested in prospects who are 24 and in AAA.
4 prospects on the list for a team that's currently in contention is pretty good, especially when we have the #5 pick in the upcoming draft.

I'm a little surprised to see Julien on the list. Not because I don't think he's a very talented hitting prospect, but these lists always seem to favor projection over production and are much less interested in prospects who are 24 and in AAA.
4 prospects on the list for a team that's currently in contention is pretty good, especially when we have the #5 pick in the upcoming draft.

I'm a little surprised to see Julien on the list. Not because I don't think he's a very talented hitting prospect, but these lists always seem to favor projection over production and are much less interested in prospects who are 24 and in AAA.
4 prospects on the list for a team that's currently in contention is pretty good, especially when we have the #5 pick in the upcoming draft.

I'm a little surprised to see Julien on the list. Not because I don't think he's a very talented hitting prospect, but these lists always seem to favor projection over production and are much less interested in prospects who are 24 and in AAA.
4 prospects on the list for a team that's currently in contention is pretty good, especially when we have the #5 pick in the upcoming draft.

I'm a little surprised to see Julien on the list. Not because I don't think he's a very talented hitting prospect, but these lists always seem to favor projection over production and are much less interested in prospects who are 24 and in AAA.
4 prospects on the list for a team that's currently in contention is pretty good, especially when we have the #5 pick in the upcoming draft.

I think he might have challenged for Castro's spot without the injury in spring training. This latest injury stinks for him because until Lewis is ready, he might have gotten a chance if someone else had gone down. He doesn't have a big window in which to impress, unfortunately, because there are a lot of prospects that play his positions with a better pedigree and higher upside.

I think he might have challenged for Castro's spot without the injury in spring training. This latest injury stinks for him because until Lewis is ready, he might have gotten a chance if someone else had gone down. He doesn't have a big window in which to impress, unfortunately, because there are a lot of prospects that play his positions with a better pedigree and higher upside.

I think he might have challenged for Castro's spot without the injury in spring training. This latest injury stinks for him because until Lewis is ready, he might have gotten a chance if someone else had gone down. He doesn't have a big window in which to impress, unfortunately, because there are a lot of prospects that play his positions with a better pedigree and higher upside.

I think he might have challenged for Castro's spot without the injury in spring training. This latest injury stinks for him because until Lewis is ready, he might have gotten a chance if someone else had gone down. He doesn't have a big window in which to impress, unfortunately, because there are a lot of prospects that play his positions with a better pedigree and higher upside.

I think he might have challenged for Castro's spot without the injury in spring training. This latest injury stinks for him because until Lewis is ready, he might have gotten a chance if someone else had gone down. He doesn't have a big window in which to impress, unfortunately, because there are a lot of prospects that play his positions with a better pedigree and higher upside.

right about where he should be. wOBA: .356 xwOBA: .361 He's crushing the ball when he makes contact (exit velocity is in the top 2% of the league), his hard hit % is the top 1% of the league. and he misses a lot: bottom 1% in the league in xBA and bottom 5% in K rate. Draws his walks. Might not be the most aesthetically pleasing player in baseball, but he's adding pretty good value for the Twins. (The fact that he's a plus defender in the OF and quality at 1B makes the Ks a lot easier to swallow for me) He hasn't been particularly lucky or unlucky this season, he's just looking like Joey Gallo.

I dunno. Steer doesn't look like he has that much of a ceiling to me. He's playing ok right now, but he's looking like a below average hitter and average defender, and would be behind Miranda, Julien, Lewis, Martin, and Lee in the infield prospect pecking order. Hajjar may or may not ever be anything; he's only got 52 innings of pro baseball so far, none above A ball and hasn't pitched this season because of injury. (and has already been dealt a second time) CES was the best prospect of the bunch, and might have a special bat...but as much as he's torn up AAA so far, it's only been 16 games (he's already missed almost 20 games this year?) and he's a butcher in the field.
It was a risk that didn't turn out, but at least the process made sense. This wasn't dumping our only catching prospect for a mediocre reliever or a massive overpay. It's a miss on the front office's ledger for sure, but at least it's one that was a calculated risk with upside to the play.
regarding the "we could have had Castillo for basically the same amount!" comment: No, we couldn't. Marte was a consensus top-20 prospect; we would have needed to put Royce Lewis in the deal to get Castillo and still have Hajjar and at least Steer or CES to get that deal done. None of the guys we had in the Mahle trade were near Marte's rating at the time, and Arroyo was well thought of as well (a consensus top 100 prospect going into this season) and Moore is pretty even with Hajjar.

Well, in retrospect, this ended up being a bad trade. But I liked it at that time and felt like it was a trade that needed to be made. I'm assuming the Twins front office did their due diligence on Mahle's so-called history of shoulder issues, so I can't fault them totally for that. And it's not like we gave up our best prospects. Sure, Steer is looking like a steady starter with the Reds, and CES will no doubt be called up before the year is out, and Haijer hasn't pitched yet this season. So, I'll just repeat the same thing others have said; live with the trade and move on to more important matters. 

Of the talent that they 'bled' who would be playing for them right now, and who would be expected to get in front of their current crop of 'almost ready for prime time' players? Many of the rankings suggest the Twins have a pretty good crop 'down on the farm.' The thing that gets lost in these discussions about prospects is you can't keep them all - eventually there are only 40 keepers, and 26 of them go to the players already on the MLB roster. Some of the prospects given up were getting close to 'the clock is ticking' decision time when the Twins could lose them without any return.

I dunno. Steer doesn't look like he has that much of a ceiling to me. He's playing ok right now, but he's looking like a below average hitter and average defender, and would be behind Miranda, Julien, Lewis, Martin, and Lee in the infield prospect pecking order. Hajjar may or may not ever be anything; he's only got 52 innings of pro baseball so far, none above A ball and hasn't pitched this season because of injury. (and has already been dealt a second time) CES was the best prospect of the bunch, and might have a special bat...but as much as he's torn up AAA so far, it's only been 16 games (he's already missed almost 20 games this year?) and he's a butcher in the field.
It was a risk that didn't turn out, but at least the process made sense. This wasn't dumping our only catching prospect for a mediocre reliever or a massive overpay. It's a miss on the front office's ledger for sure, but at least it's one that was a calculated risk with upside to the play.
regarding the "we could have had Castillo for basically the same amount!" comment: No, we couldn't. Marte was a consensus top-20 prospect; we would have needed to put Royce Lewis in the deal to get Castillo and still have Hajjar and at least Steer or CES to get that deal done. None of the guys we had in the Mahle trade were near Marte's rating at the time, and Arroyo was well thought of as well (a consensus top 100 prospect going into this season) and Moore is pretty even with Hajjar.

I dunno. Steer doesn't look like he has that much of a ceiling to me. He's playing ok right now, but he's looking like a below average hitter and average defender, and would be behind Miranda, Julien, Lewis, Martin, and Lee in the infield prospect pecking order. Hajjar may or may not ever be anything; he's only got 52 innings of pro baseball so far, none above A ball and hasn't pitched this season because of injury. (and has already been dealt a second time) CES was the best prospect of the bunch, and might have a special bat...but as much as he's torn up AAA so far, it's only been 16 games (he's already missed almost 20 games this year?) and he's a butcher in the field.
It was a risk that didn't turn out, but at least the process made sense. This wasn't dumping our only catching prospect for a mediocre reliever or a massive overpay. It's a miss on the front office's ledger for sure, but at least it's one that was a calculated risk with upside to the play.
regarding the "we could have had Castillo for basically the same amount!" comment: No, we couldn't. Marte was a consensus top-20 prospect; we would have needed to put Royce Lewis in the deal to get Castillo and still have Hajjar and at least Steer or CES to get that deal done. None of the guys we had in the Mahle trade were near Marte's rating at the time, and Arroyo was well thought of as well (a consensus top 100 prospect going into this season) and Moore is pretty even with Hajjar.

I agree with the thought but not your conclusion. Trading Cruz for Ryan, big win. Lewin Diaz for Romo, win. Three prospects for Sam Dyson, major rip off by the Giants, but nobody got much value there. The prospects have done very little, although Jaylin Davis is hitting for Boston this year, 3 years later.  Berrios for Martin and SWR? Too early to tell what value we got, if any, but not signing Berrios to a long term big money deal was the right call. He's been poor at best in Toronto. Graetrol and Raley for Maeda and Camargo? Win -Win, Maeda good for Mn before TJ, Graterol ok but not as good as hoped for in LA. Petty for Gray? Short term win for the Twins, too early to tell overall.  Arraez for Pablo Lopez and Salas -  win for the Twins.  A solid #2 starter with upside to possibly be your #1 who can then be signed long term at what I would say is a below market price is much more valuable than a very good singles hitter who can't run or play much defense. Add in what appears to be a good SS prospect makes it even better. 4 MiLB pitchers for Jorge Lopez? Right now, win Twins but we'll see how Povich does ( decent now at AA) and Cano is pitching a lot better there than he did in MN. Rogers and Rooker for Paddack and Pagan? Looking better for us now with Pagan actually contributing this year, and Rogers and Rooker no longer with SD.  Depends on if Paddack comes back and becomes a solid mid-rotation starter. If he does, win Twins. If not, we lose. Finally (and I'm sure I missed some), Urshela for Hidalgo. Hard to say - Urshela is a singles hitter with no power for the Angels who doesn't play every day and leaves after this year as a free agent. Hidalgo looks pretty good in High A but is a long ways off. Too early to tell, unlikely to move the needle much either way.  
My point is that the track record is far from perfect but actually is pretty good. We traded away a quality hitter with little defensive value (Arraez), an as of now struggling starter on a big contract (Berrios), a decent but not great reliever (Graterol), a quality reliever coming up on free agency (Rogers), a 40 year old DH who has tanked since he left (N Cruz), a decent 3B who really is a utility guy because of his no power bat and limited fielding range (Urshela), a bunch of prospects who so far haven't really panned out for the teams that got them with possible exception of Steer, CES (hated to lose him) and Cano, and 2 prospects who are a long way away but may be good in Povich and Petty. In return, we got three now #2/#3 starters (P Lopez, Gray, Ryan - the guts of our rotation), a good back end reliever ( J Lopez), three solid starters now hurt who may come back to make a contribution (Paddack, Maeda, Mahle), whatever we want to call Pagan (awful in 22, not so bad in 23), and prospects we still have who may or may not become something (SWR, Martin, Henriquez, Hidalgo). I think it's a little unfair to say this FO's trades are a long line of mistakes. Overall, I think we've done better than 50/50.  
 

From my count Falvine have made 70 trades since they took over. The vast majority are nothing trades of minor leaguers for cash or PTBNL that we never even really notice. I grade a trade as a 1 (clear win), .5 (got a little more than they gave up), 0 (all those nothing trades, or trades that were even), -.5 (got a little less than they gave up), or -1 (clear loss). The average grade I came up with was just over .04. I had 7 trades with negative grades and 11 with positive grades. I don't think they're anything to write home about, but I don't think they've been terrible either.