TNtwins85

I would agree. My term “soft compete” means just that. A calculated move? Yes. Absolutely raises the floor, bridges a gap to Tait and a few other catchers in the minors and opens a door to a Jeffers trade either this offseason if the right deal comes along but more likely at the deadline because the “soft compete” failed for the fact it was a half measure.

This season will determine if he’s on the fast track or the slow 1 level a year track. Definitely an exciting prospect. If he puts it together and really progresses he’s knocking on the 2027 door. Let’s watch and hope!

They simply bridged a gap and raised the floor while opening a path to potentially trade Jeffers if the right deal comes along. They gave themselves options. It’s pretty obvious and simple really whether one likes it or not. It does point the arrow towards a soft “compete” aiming at a deadline sell off more than a strong “compete” this season. Sad but true I believe.

Jackson was the floor they set. Caratini lingered and when they saw his market they jumped when they saw value. Now you’re set at catcher for 2 years bridging the gap to Tait. It makes perfect sense. He’s not Realmuto but he’s the next tier and you need a competent catcher.

Exactly! As much as everyone wants it to happen you can’t just go sign 26 elite players to replace what you’ve got. Everyone thinks Falvey is stupid but he’s simply working with the cards he’s dealt. I don’t agree with what he does and I scratch my head but this signing makes sense. If you follow the breadcrumbs you can see the plan whether you like the plan or not.

What happened Twinsdaily? The bombardment by ads and pop ups has become overwhelming. Trying to read an article or read comments and posts have become overwhelming. As someone who uses a non google browser on a virtually degoogled phone along with a VPN which has always shielded me from any ads whatsoever leaves me puzzled as to what happened to the site. What’s changed? Has anybody else experienced this? Makes it tough to even care about adding to the community or engaging in the community itself when the ads are interrupting browsing of the site. Also, they’re all Minnesota centered adds which does me little good being in Tennessee! lol.

But who are always the teams shopping for SP’s in the off-season? The same teams shopping for it in July. There’s not more participants. The Marlins, Pirates, Rockies, etc aren’t knocking down doors in the off-season or the trade deadline for SP’s. Who are? All the same teams shopping for them at the deadline. Therefore there aren’t “more teams”. Do a few teams surprise people and buy at the deadline? Yes, but those teams typically aren’t trading for SP’s in January. The same number of teams competing in the off-season are probably the same number of teams competing in July. Other than a handful having better than expected or worse than expected. But it’s not 30 in January just as it’s not 30 in July. There are variables yes but it’s likely to be the same number. It’s desperation in July vs. expectation in January.

I’ve heard a lot of takes on the CBA negotiations being more geared towards owners vs. owners. Large market owners vs. smaller market owners and trying to navigate a way that the compensation evens out a bit more and that the players association keeps their mouths shut until the owners and league can get on the same page. I don’t think it’s gonna be as big of a fight between MLB and MLBPA as much as it’s gonna be in the owners box and league office. If they can’t come to a consensus on their plan vs. the MLBPA they may not come to a consensus to lock the players out. I believe they will change the luxury tax structure a bit and MLB will concede on the rules committee by granting more representation for the players. Also, trying to hammer out the TV situation for the league going into 2028. The advent of a salary cap and floor? I think that can gets kicked down the road at least one more time as there’s other things at play despite everyone thinking a cap/floor will be the big issue. I just don’t think it is this time around.

Yes, when you’re talking about rentals. That’s why you don’t get much from a rental. We’re talking guys( Ryan, Lopez, Buxton) that have at least another year before FA. That’s why they cost more. Duran doesn’t fetch you 2 top 100’s if he’s only pitching you 25 innings in august and September. He doesn’t fetch you that in the off-season either for probably half the teams that are on the fence or worse this off-season. Desperation drives the price. That’s the reason nobody’s trading big prospects for big players on June 15th. Teams are more desperate July 29th than they are in June. Which means they’re less desperate in January. When a guy is controlled for longer than that season. The argument that there’s more teams in the off-season competing doesn’t hold water either. There’s not 30 teams who think they’re competing in the off-season just as there’s maybe only 20 teams actually in it July 29th.

I mean any team can be competitive if everything breaks right. But that’s a big if when you’re talking 162 games. That’s what gets you. That’s how you can have teams that compete with these big market teams. A team like the brewers have the depth int heir system to keep throwing guys at the 162 and the hey can win. That’s the thing about baseball is in the regular season you need depth. In the postseason you need big plays in big spots and that’s how the dodgers won. If everything breaks right for the Twins I can see them winning 87-92 games. But that’s a stretch if even one or two things don’t break right. Hell, Cleveland seems to do it every year and as long as Jose Ramirez is healthy and productive it’ll probably continue. That’s what the Twins had in the 2000’s. I just can’t see how the Twins plan to compete without adding one or two more pieces that can contribute. They’re asking for all star years from Buxton, Ryan and Lopez and one of Lewis, Jeffers, and Wallner. That on top of at least a few guys taking big steps forward. Quite the stretch.

I’ve never got the logic that trading in the off-season nets more than at the deadline. Yes there are more teams. Yes teams are trying to head in certain directions. The trade deadline represents more desperation and desperation forces the hand when you’re having to beat the deals of 2-3 other desperate teams though. Also, teams at the deadline know what they want. The season has been played and teams know their weaknesses. What do all desperate teams need? Pitching. I think the Twins are banking on desperation come July because I can barely see a playoff bound team in this group. The big questions are A) do these 3 guys have good enough half seasons to garner a haul? B) are they healthy to be traded? It’s a big gamble with the injury histories of these 3.

“Dream Team!” lol! As each day goes by with the Twins doing nothing I am starting to think this is their dream team. One day at a time I believe you are right on that. If that is the case then Tom Pohlads quote of no half measures leaves one scratching their head because I think this team as is is the epitome of one large half measure.

He had very encouraging numbers in the minors for sure and held his own as an everyday player last year. I’d want more than Shaw though for Ryan or Lopez. Ballesteros and Shaw for Ryan and another throw in or you hang up the phone if you’re the Twins. If you’re trading either of those guys it’s gotta be for a Juan Soto esque haul! “If” they’re trying to compete this year which isn’t looking that way as of yet.

I think you’re right and Ryan or Lopez are the only names that start a conversation. If that’s the case I want to look at all the names as there’s a couple of prospects that I’d like more than Shaw. If Ryan or Lopez are of the Cubs desire then it all starts with Ballesteros. If they’re looking to unload Shaw then you’re starting with Ober or SWR and working from there.

Same. Yet the fact of the matter has been that the last 2 years he’s been so much younger relative to the leagues he’s been in and simply held his own. No numbers he’s put up have been eye popping to say but they’ve been pretty consistent. That’s all there is really. Watching him play though you can see why.