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The SS market is setting up to be very exciting this offseason but the Twins better have the SS of the future in house. I'm afraid the Twins won't allocate the resources to sign a frontline guy. After seeing what Lindor got from the Mets (10yr/$341M) that, or something close, has to be the target for Seager, Story and Correa who all have a higher career OPS. Maybe somebody slips through and wants a one-year deal but then you're in the same predicament next offseason.

I’m worried that Duran’s write up reminded me of Fernando Romero.

Im hoping between Semien, Story, Seager, Correa & Baez that at least one of them isn’t going to get the big payday they’re looking for and will look for a one-year deal to re-enter the market for 2023.

I hope the Twins can find some space on the 40-man to protect Miranda from the Rule 5 draft this year.

Baseball Trade Values pegs this as a pretty big overpay by the Blue Jays but rationalizes it because of the level of competition.

If Berrios is looking to go to free agency and receive a market-level contract there's nothing wrong with that. The last time the Twins were serious about signing a top of the rotation pitcher, before the 2020 season, they were out of the bidding before it even started. Gerrit Cole because he was going to get 30M/year and they were out of it for Madison Baumgarner and Zack Wheeler because they already decided they would be happier playing near their homes. If the Twins can get him for market-level at least the Twins would have a chance before being eliminated before the bidding even starts.

It'd be like Monty Brewster and the Hackensack Bulls playing a 3-inning exhibition against the Yankees

Instead of trading for Bell, give Rooker a chance at 1B and make a trade with the Pirates for Starling Marte to play LF and back up Buxton in center. Right now, what’s the plan for when Buxton has another extended stint on the IL? Kepler was OK but didn’t playing CF damage him so much he went on the IL late in the year too? Rosario can be shipped somewhere for a minor league prospect.

Save the $$$ for trade flexibility and free Brent Rooker to play 1B. Seems like he’s earned a chance.

Who plays RF in 2020? An outfield of Rosario, Kepler and Kiriloff/Rooker seems scary to me. The window for contention is open now. Also, I’m sorry for the lack of optimism, but Lewis is far from a sure thing to be ready by 2021.

I've been reading a lot of blue prints, but I haven't seen anyone address having a backup plan in CF. Buxton is great, really great, in CF but he's just not there very often and it puts a huge stress on the rest of the team when he's not. I would present a team that could minimize the impact of another Buxton injury while fielding an all-world defensive outfield while he's out there - making all of our pitchers better in the process. How would I do that? Rosario is traded. Doesn't really matter where - try to get a lottery ticket type A-level prospect.Sign a free agent pitcher - I'd love Cole or Strasburg and an expanded budget approved by Mr. Pohlad would allow it, but Wheeler or Bumgarner are more realistic. Of them, I'd prefer Wheeler. I'd let CJ Cron go. He's a nice player, but replaceable and I'd prefer another left handed bat so I go with similar production from the left side and Eric ThamesThis is where it might hurt. I love following Jhoan Duran and I hate to move him, but I trade Duran, Enlow, and Gordon to the Pirates for Starling Marte and Chris Archer. The two years remaining on the Marte and Archer deals allow time for the next wave of Twins prospects Lewis, Larnach, Graterol, and Balazovic. I'm not completely sold on what Archer can do but what I really want is Marte in LF and as an insurance policy to move him to CF if Buxton gets hurt. This would allow Kepler to stay in RF full time and wouldn't put the extra strain of CF on his body. If, and it's a big if, Buxton stays healthy I'd expect one of the best defensive outfields in baseball. As a bonus, Marte had a great year at the plate last year posting an .845 OPS, he runs well, and he gets on base more than Rosario. This also assumes Graterol is being stretched out to be a starter and a candidate for a June call up if Archer can't figure it out. Kiriloff and Rooker are available if someone goes down in the OF or Thames isn't working out at 1B. Lewis is getting some extra seasoning in the minors and I really hope he has a breakout year. Hitters: C - Garver = .6 1B - Eric Thames = 5 2B - Arraez = .6 3B - Sano = 5.5 SS - Polanco = 4 LF - Marte = 11.5 CF - Buxton = 3.5 RF - Kepler = 6.25 DH - Cruz = 12 BUC - Castro (or similar) = 6 OF - Cave = .6 IF - Adrianza = 3 UT - Gonzalez = 9 Hitter Total = 67.55M Pitchers: SP - Berrios = 4.5 SP - Odorizzi = 17.8 SP - Wheeler = 20 SP - Archer = 9 SP - Thorpe/Dobnak = .6 CL - Rogers = 4 RP - Duffey = 1.25 RP - May = 2.5 RP - Littell = .6 RP - Stashak = .6 RP - Smeltzer = .6 RP - Romo (or similar) = 3 RP - Alcala (or Spring Training performance winner) = .6 Pitcher Total = 65.05 Team Total = 132.6M The Twins were a different team when Buxton wasn't patrolling CF and it had a ripple affect on the pitchers, Kepler, and the lineup was devoid of speed without him. By adding Marte I think ads some insurance. What does everyone think?

I'm not sure I buy it. Yes, it's been done. But I think it's the exception vs. the rule. Mike Trout. Bryce Harper, Wil Myers, Kris Bryant, Carlos Correa, Francisco Lindor... All spent time at AAA before getting the call to the majors. Joey Gallo went straight from AA to the Majors... and now from the Majors back to AAA.

It seems like Chattanooga is full of top prospects having strong seasons at the AA level and they are, on occasion, being called up to Minnesota (Buxton, Polanco). But, once they arrive in Minnesota, I hear about them being "rushed" because they didn't spend any time at AAA and that there is such a HUGE difference in the level of play. My question is, who are the prospects at AAA and are they good enough to stand in the way of Sano, Berrios, Polanco, Kepler, or Walker when it seems that these guys are ready for the next challenge? And, people (Molitor) are talking about Sano being close to MLB. Is there really no room at AAA to take that next step, instead of a giant leap to the Majors?

If I had a vote, it would be to play Sano at 3rd and use Plouffe as a super utility - most often platooning with Arcia in the OF.

Is it still too early to compare minor league numbers? Granted it's unfair to compare anyone to the career of Pedro Martinez, but... Also, question, does anyone have an opinion on the difference between Berrios this year vs. last year. Not that last year wasn't any good, but this year is superb. My stat sheet scouting says strike outs are up and walks are down. Did he learn to control the Cuellar change up?

Why is it assumed he would not clear waivers? Wouldn't the claiming team have to take his contract? Didn't he sign with the Twins because no one else offered to give him as much money?

At first I was not excited about a reliever in the 2nd round thinking they don't carry as much value. But now I'm remembering how much the Twins were willing to give away for Matt Capps. How much would you have given up to get Drew Storen when those rumors were circling around a couple years back? With a big fastball, if he's MLB ready very soon he could be a very valuable trade chip sooner rather than later.

Talking about the risk of drafting a college pitcher with TJ surgery... Is it more risky than the floor of a high school position player? The more I think about it, the more reasonable it sounds to target Hoffman (provided Rodon, Aiken, and Kolek are gone). What is Hoffmans floor now? Is it similar to Nola's? Hoffmans ceiling is still much higher.

Benji, I agree about the added bonus for Hoffman. Even with TJ he still probably reaches the majors before a high school SS or P. My dream is for Kolek to somehow fall to 5. But, I think Gordon is the guy. I've read/heard of an advanced plate approach, added muscle for better power, and a lock to stick at short with good instincts and a plus arm. A great consolation for a team searching for their first SS to go to multiple all-star games since Zoilo Versalles in 1965.

I went with Hicks based on minor league track record. You'd expect someone to struggle jumping directly from AA to the majors, though his struggles in 2013 were beyond what anyone could have predicted. If Hicks can struggle his way to a .240 - .250 average, his minor league track record suggests that his OBP could be around .340 - .350. And that would add a lot of value to the twins at the bottom of he batting order. Also, he's supposed to be really fast and have a really strong arm so I would assume his defense will improve to be an asset as well. As far as defense goes, he couldn't be worse than Willingham/Doumit/Parmelee/Arcia anyway.

I'm not that hIgh on Kepler so I'd start there. For me Rosario is not an option. With all the trouble the twins have had developing middle infield players, if they traded the one that worked out I would be very sad. back to Kepler. He plays the two positions the Twins have some high end talent. First base is manned for the next several years by a guy named Mauer... He's not going anywhere. And in the OF, the twins have a lot of talent and a decent outfielder is easier/less expensive to find in free agency than quality starting pitching.

It's hard to get a handle on how to grade the Japanese players. For pitchers, there are a couple places to start. One, what's his fastball velocity? I'm sure there are radar guns in Japan, but you'll have to convert it from metric. Next, has Tanaka ever faced Tsuyoshi Nishioka? If he has bad results...it's a pass. If he has good results, he could be an average MLB pitcher.

I don't get the concern with the 40 man. After 180+ losses over the last 2 years, I hope there's someone fans can live without.

I like the move. The situation reminds me a lot of Kyle Lohse. Good stuff but never really put it together with the Twins. Lohse moved on at age 27 and with the change of scenery had a very good career.

Maybe I got dazzled by the ERA, K and WHIP stats but I don't know much about him beyond the stat sheet. Though a low HR rate when you call the Great American Ball Park home is pretty impressive. Is there an "Ace" worth going after? It would take at least a Buxton or Sano plus something else to get Kershaw and the privilege to pay him 20M+ per year. I think that's too steep. Same scenario for David Price. I would have considered Bundy before TJ, but certainly not for either of those guys now.