Nashvilletwin

I’m giving you Jeffers, ok? But he’s the last position player the Twins have developed into a consistent, every day average or better major leaguer. (Btw, how can you even mention Rooker with a straight face? Hahaha). There is no way you can make that claim about any of the other players you mentioned as of today. Looking at the numbers. There probably isn’t a single TDer who would claim that Lewis has had successful career to date. But that’s not to say he still doesn’t have a chance, And very few think Lee can be anymore than a utility player. Heck, maybe he turns it around and proves everyone wrong. Let’s hope so. So, sure, the jury is still out on several players, including Lewis, Lee and, yes, even Martin (who 100% has not to date demonstrated that he fits the definition of success). Throw in Wallner too - Mr. Up and Down the past couple of seasons. Again, the gist of this article was about four prospects who could become our “needed” RH thumper. My only point is that the recent history of this organization would not suggest that is likely, particularly for the three prospects not named Gonzalez. I’m as optimistic as the next guy. I love our prospect list. I hope Shelton will invest in them big time in 2026 and 2027. I’m cheering hard for Lewis and Lee and Martin and Wallner. It’s only my opinion, but I don’t think their careers have been particularly well managed by this organization. But I tend to deal in results and not hype.

Jeffers is about an average major leaguer - at times a bit better, and at times a bit worse. Lewis, to date, is a way below average major leaguer. Let’s hope that changes, but his career to-date, for whatever reasons, has been a disappointment. He’ll get his (last?) chance this season. Lee has done nothing to date to suggest long-term he is anything but a utility player. Heck, Martin, funnily enough against all odds, might actually turn out to be the best example of a modicum of success. Everyone else you mention are all on the come. Sure, they might turn out. But we’ve had over a dozen of similar types of prospects that have turned into ZERO average or better, consistent major league starting position players. That’s the truth That’s keeping things real. The point wasn’t that we don’t have, as you correctly point out, some absolutely fine prospects. Instead, it’s that the recent history of this organization is that it has not successfully transitioned similar accoladed prospects into legitimate contributors. Thus, let’s not hold our collective breaths on GG or the other three (who absolutely are not as highly rated as many others who have failed in the past) to become the great RH bat saviour. Let’s hope the Twins somehow figure out improve dramatically in this area.

All my fellow TDers referring to Rooker must keep in mind that Rooker developed into not only an above average major leaguer but also an All Star after he left the Twins organization. The sad truth is the Twins have not internally developed a position player of that calibre since Arraez and Jeffers - that’s a long time ago and essentially before Falvey and Rocco. Sure, the manager has been changed, but, until proven otherwise, there is little to suggest that any of the four prospects highlighted in this article have a strong probability of developing into an every day major leaguer. Hope that’s wrong, especially about Gonzalez. Hate to be Debbie Downer, but just keeping things real. The track record is what the track record is.

Hope everyone had a joyous Christmas and best wishes to all in the New Year. Would love to see a significant investment at the big league level this season in our three young top OF prospects: GG, Jenkins, and ERod. It would be wonderful if GG could develop into a true difference making RH bat by 2028. Prior to this year’s draft, he’s the only one internally who realistically could be that type of player. If we really want that difference making RH bat and it’s not GG, then next best option (and they are not mutually exclusive, btw) is to acquire that via a Ryan, Lopez or Buxton trade.

Based on the lack of activity since last season’s trade deadline massacre and the recent comments from T3 and Falvey, none of the starting staff appear to be getting moved at least until it’s clear this roster is not going to compete this season. So they will roll the dice on risking current at or near peak term trade values for Lopez and Ryan to get the opportunity to see how the season develops. Is that a good bet? Not clear, but the odds seem to be against them. Let’s review each candidate anyway: Lopez - older, expensive, trade value at or near his peak, surely will not be a Twin post ‘27 even though he seems to like it here. Maybe his trade value goes up a bit once his form is reastablished during spring training and his first handful of starts and we see how starter injuries develop across the league early in the year. Conclusion: Trade. Ryan - a little younger (but age starting to be an issue post ‘27), trade value certainly at its peak. Not clear he wants to be here anyway. Ryan should be treated like Quinn Hughes: if he can’t be extended either before camp or early in the season, he has to be moved. Extending Ryan would be about the best PR move T3 could make right now even if not the best longer term baseball strategy move. Conclusion: trade or extend - its one or the other. Ober - absolutely no reason to trade him now as based on his ‘25 performance he does not have enough value to bring back anyone who reasonably could expect to contribute in ‘28. Way better to wait to see if he can reestablish his form and increase his value. He stays for now, particularly if we need innings post a Ryan or Lopez trade. Conclusion: no trade. SWR - cheap, young, controllable, limited current trade value and has upside - just what the Twins are seeking, He 100% could be a reliable #3-5 in ‘28. Conclusion: he stays. The Youngsters - they are all auditioning over the next season and likely ‘27 as well to be part of the core starting staff or maybe the bullpen, Since they all are cheap and controllable, we keep them all and see what shakes out. Conclusion: no trades.

Thanks for keeping things real. Why in the world is betting on this position player lineup with the projected BP a good idea? Sure, lightning can strike, but how can T3 credibly claim that this lineup could compete for the division? He actually doesn’t understand his market. Minnesotans are incredibly provincial and noted fair weather fans. Promoting and investing in their prospects is a strategy that the fans would get behind even with losses. Adding more one and done retreads and losing is something the fans will despise and reject. Does anyone honestly think signing Bell sold a single additional ticket? If any thing, it’s turned me off even more from investing any more emotional fan capital in this team.

So, we need one more season of the same approach to then have some true accountability? “We are going to develop our young prospects” says the brand new manager who has zero track record of doing so and took the opposite approach playing vets in his first (and dismal) managerial stint. And if that’s the new motto, why the ridiculous and not payroll effective Bell signing? And it sounds like Tough Talking Tom approved both. Actions will speak louder than fan pandering bromides. Another chance for Falvey while we squander the value in Ryan, Lopez and Buxton? Either extend Ryan or trade him. Period. Take a page from the Canucks gm and owner. If Ryan won’t sign, move him. Duh. Good leaders come in with a vision and implement. To this point over TTT’s first month or two it’s all hat and no cattle. These articles should be about demanding a strategy and action, not speculation about how long a proven failed regime can endure.

Tough Talking Tom. He says what he thinks the fans want to hear (and those are good things), but he has yet to put any specifics behind a strategy that go beyond his bromides. Supposedly, he has been in charge for at least a month. That means the very uninspiring and business as usual additions of Shelton and Bell (as well as the refusal to trade our valuable but most likely to be deteriorating assets) are on his slate already. Based on these actions, his comments (i.e.“we owe the vets”, “we can compete this year”) and no commitment to expanded payroll, it very well appears that no significant change is on the way, certainly in the near term. Ok, we all get it. The Twins are going to roll out this team with a few marginal, low cost additions, possibly primarily in the bullpen, and see what happens. But if things go south, does Tough Talking Tom have the balls to make the tough calls on trades and the baseball leadership? Hmmm, perhaps. But the more he actually talks, the less confidence we fans should have. Let’s give him the benefit of the doubt for now. He deserves a honeymoon. But let’s also be realistic in that nothing he has said or actually done to date represents any sort of fundamental shift in the critical baseball strategy part of all this. In fact, it seems to support more of the same. Here is one idea to show that you are different and to demonstrate to the fans that there is commitment to building a winner: extend Ryan now. That would send a very clear message.

This is the most depressing post I’ve read this year - and that’s saying a lot. If Tough Talking Tom were the driving force behind this unrealistic nibble strategy, the hiring of Shelton and the signing of Bell, this franchise is in even worse shape than we thought. What if, heaven forbid, it’s actually Tough Talking Tom who is under the spell of Falvey Rasputin and Joe actually was the smart one trying to make big changes? Good Lord.

2nd derivative question from the takeover by Tough Talking Tom: how does this impact player morale and commitment? Specifically, how do Ryan (could he be enticed to sign an extension) and Buxton feel (willing to stay)? Too early to tell - there are no indications as to any change in direction yet.

1. The Pohlads are basically no different than any other extremely wealthy family trying to navigate running their businesses post the death of the patriarch. They actually have done better than most as they essentially made it to the grandchildren generation before things really got ugly. Palace intrigue? Meh. Standard operating procedure. 2. The investors invested because of Tom taking the helm. They were never going to invest with Joe running the show. It’s very possible that Tom actually personally recruited these investors after earlier efforts with them or others failed with Joe leading the charge. 3. All the quotes are great. Really great. Let me reiterate: Really, really great. But they mean absolutely nothing without action. Zippo. It could be the Bell signing and the Shelton hiring were done before Tough Talking Tom (new nickname until change is apparent) was in charge. However, those moves, coupled with no trades of our valuable but eroding assets, indicate that there is no altering yet of the strategy that the original Nephew led. 4. Falvey has to go. Period. If Tough Talking Tom wants to both prove he’s not full of baloney as well as put the franchise on a new path, that has to be the one move he makes. Until that happens, Tough Talking Tom is just The Nephew Part Deux. 5. Tom in charge also sounds a lot better when the Twins’ views in the lockout negotiations commence. Better to have Tom in the corner with the other small/mid market revenue owners. 6. Building toward developing a true contender post the lockout feels way more likely this morning. 7. Go get ‘em Tough Talking Tom - make some decisive, major moves so you can lose the moniker and we can call you Tom or, better yet, Tom the Deliverer. The future looks much brighter this morning.

I get that Leipold hasn’t done much with the Wild franchise since he’s be the owner. But at least he has a GM now that knows what he’s doing. Could the best part of this announcement is that we now have a new Nephew in charge? Seriously, could Nephew Part Deux be any worse than the original?

1. Lewis is going to get every chance to prove he’s the 3B of the future or at least part of the future core (1B?) 2. Lee is going to have a similar opportunity this year to prove he too can be part of the future (more likely though at 2B or utility). 3. It’s possible we draft Lebron at #3 this June and our core future infield is Culpepper and Lebron handling 3B and 2B, Houston at SS and ideally Keaschall and Lewis at 1B and DH. 4. Flexibility is great (and the infield in point 3 with Lee in the utility role exemplifies that), but should not be the end all goal. Ideally the kids learn to play one position at an exceptional level and come to the park each day knowing that is where they are going to play. That alone will do wonders for their confidence and performance both in the field and at the plate.

Let’s run through all the usual suspects: Lewis - he is in a prove it year from both sides’ perspectives. Wallner - the Twins think so much of him as a potential DH they signed a 33 year old to take a lot of those DH ABs, especially against righties. Lee - destined for a (easily replaceable) super utility role at the absolute best unless he somehow catches fire. Martin (let’s not forget him) - see Lee above. But it’s not clear who might be the more valuable of the two - it could prove to be Martin. Jeffers - given the hype surrounding Tait, he’d be too expensive to be a back up; besides, he’s only 10 months from free agency through which he’ll get paid way more than what we’d pay him. Ryan - would love to get him extended, but a) he’s too much moolah and b) he has no interest in staying here; he’d much rather be traded. So, in conclusion, no extensions make sense at this time.

Buying season tickets today…….lol.

……..but the relief corps will make up for our poor defense….

I’ll take the under on Bell outperforming Santana. With respect to him outperforming France and Clemens, I’d still take the under, but the difference one way or the other won’t matter much anyway. At least France could play defense.

1. We simply have a difference of opinion on Julien. At least he might have some upside as Bell really does not. 2. Bell’s presence might prohibit Keaschall getting an innings at 1B - which given our glut of existing and upcoming OFs, might be his best long term position. In addition, if Julien and Clemens need ABs and Bell is at 1B, they may have to get those innings at 2B, thus impacting Keaschall. 3. Please check your data. Bell cannot hit lefties. At all. He can’t field either, but that’s a different point. There is no reason for Bell, despite being a switch hitter, to DH against lefties. Therefore, if he does DH, he will do so against righties, thereby taking valuable ABs from Wallner, and possibly Larnach if he’s still around. Cody wrote a good piece that in a roundabout way points out the impact of Bell’s signing on the roster and many reasons why this isn’t a very good signing. Just out of curiosity, is Bell - an aging one year rental - going to make you buy more tickets?

Cody, thank you for so clearly pointing out how poor this signing is. He can’t field. He’s really only usable against righties (don’t we have enough of that already). He’s 100% going to take ABs away from Wallner, Julien, Larnach and Clemens. He will limit the possibility of getting Keaschall reps at 1B. His presence could contribute to delaying bringing up Jenkins, ERod and/or Culpepper. He cost $7MM - money that could have been spent on the relief corps. He’s 33 and on the downside of his career. He has no chance of being here for the post lockout core in ‘28. No one could possibly expect him to add more than a win or two at best to a team where one or two more wins are inconsequential. The only positive attribute you pointed out is that he might be tradable at the deadline. Bell is an absolute Falvey special. Nothing more or less. I, for one, have zero desire to commit my fan emotional energy to him or any of the other one and done retreads Falvey signs. I’m certainly less likely to buy a ticket today than yesterday

Yes, I agree, 1B/DH was our most obvious position player of need. But there are cascading effects to these signings. Here are a few, many of which with I’m sure you will disagree: 1. Wallner DH opportunities. 2. Julien ABs. (some of us would like to see what he has under new leadership). 3. Possibly Keaschall innings at both 2B and 1B. 4. Delayed call ups later in the year around the fringes. He’s just one more guy who will 100% not move the dial taking innings and ABs. Like so many before him.

A “substantial addition”? Seriously? C’mon, we can do better than that Matthew.

You just can’t make this up. Just what we need - a 33 year old on the last legs of his career blocking critical innings and ABs from our younger players. This is a great signing. Our win projection in ‘26 just skyrocketed to 72 from 71. lol. Are we honestly supposed to get emotionally invested as a fan in another one year rental retread player? Haven’t we seen enough of this? I’m done blaming Falvey. He is who he is and you can’t blame him for trying to save his career, let alone his job. Moves like this are the fault of the Nephew. What a clown show this franchise is.

One of the things I’m most interested in watching this season is how many of our young players who could still develop to be part of the next core perform under new managerial/coaching leadership. The list includes Lewis, Lee, Martin, Wallner, Julien and even Larnach - with Lewis at the top of the list. I just hope Falvey doesn’t sign a bunch of retreads that take away that opportunity. Oops, too late. Falvey signed Bell. Sorry Julien. Sorry Clemens. Keaschall you’d better watch out too.

Not so sure this is satire - lol

Falvey should call the Vancouver Canucks GM and the Nephew should call the Canucks’ owner. That’s how you trade a star on a roster that can’t compete who has two years left on a decent contract and 100% will not sign an extension (he doesn’t want to and the Canucks can’t afford him anyway).