Seth Stohs

At noon (central time) Wednesday, Seth chatted with Minnesota Twins infield prospect Travis Blankenhorn. The discussion was available live on the Twins Daily social media platforms, Twitter, Facebook or YouTube pages, and are available to watch again now. Travis Blankenhorn was the Twins 3rd round draft pick in 2015 out of high school in Pennsylvania. He has gradually worked his way up the team's organizational ladder. In September, the Twins had a need, and Blankenhorn got the call. He made the start, and he went 1-for-4 with a double. He was sent back to the taxi squad the next day, but we will discuss his big-league debut and much more. Again, if you weren't able to watch LIVE on the Twins Daily Twitter, Facebook or YouTube pages live, check it out now. Also feel free to ask questions in the comments below and we'll ask them. Subscribe to the Twins Daily podcast on Libsyn, Apple iTunes or anywhere you download podcasts. Here is the YouTube link: More on Travis Blankenhorn Get to Know: Infielder Travis Blankenhorn (October 2015) Catching Up With Twins Infield Prospect Travis Blankenhorn (November 2016) 2017 Twins Daily Prospect #9 (February 2017) 2018 Twins Daily Prospect #17 (February 2018) 2018 Twins Daily Midseason Prospect #13 (July 2018) 2020 Twins Midseason Prospect #20 (June 2019) Episode 6: Get to Know Travis Blankenhorn, LaMonte Wade (October 2019) Duran Headlines Twins Roster Additions (November 2019) 2020 Twins Daily Prospect #18 (February 2020) 5 Questions with Twins Prospect Travis Blankenhorn (April 2020) Play Blankenhorn Everyday! (September 2020) Travis Blankenhorn Makes MLB Debut, Doubles (September 2020) Follow Travis on Twitter at @tblank7. Check out his Instagram page at @travy_bags. Previous episodes Episode 1: Tom Hackimer Episode 2: Matt Canterino Episode 3: Aaron Whitefield Episode 4: Spencer Steer View full article

At Monday at noon (central time), I will be chatting with Minnesota Twins infielder prospect Spencer Steer. Join the chat live on the Twins Daily Twitter, Facebook or YouTube pages to watch it live. Spencer Steer was the Twins third round draft pick in 2019 out of the University of Oregon. The infielder debuted with the Elizabethton Twins but wasn't in the Appalachian League long. He moved up to Cedar Rapids for the rest of the season. In late August, he had two walk-off hits for the Kernels in a week. https://twitter.com/JimCrikket/status/1167631572369125376 Despite just a partial season, he was voted the Twins Daily Minor League All Star third baseman after the season . https://twitter.com/twinsdaily/status/1179135144009113602 He had moved up prospect rankings and most reports were telling me that I was ranking him too long. So let's find out even more about an exciting Twins prospect, Spencer Steer. We'll discuss being drafted by the Twins, making his pro debut, and this strange 2020 season. We will also take any questions that you may have. Find out more about Spencer Steer, his story, and what else he's got going on Twins Spotlight. More on Spencer Steer: Get to Know: Twins Infield Prospect Spencer Steer (August 2019) Follow Spencer on Twitter at @spenc__er. Check out his channel on Twitch at SpencerSteer7. Previous episodes Episode 1: Tom Hackimer Episode 2: Matt Canterino Episode 3: Aaron Whitefield Subscribe to the Twins Daily podcast on Libsyn, Apple iTunes or anywhere you download podcasts. View full article

On Saturday morning, I chatted with Twins outfielder Aaron Whitefield about a variety of topics, including getting a big-league opportunity. Join the conversation live on the Twins Daily Twitter, Facebook or pages. The Twins signed outfielder Aaron Whitefield out of Australia despite very limited baseball experience. He was a star fast-pitch softball player and represented his country internationally in that sport. He's a great athlete with lots of tools, and he's gradually worked his way up the Twins organizational ladder. He reached Double-A Pensacola in 2019. He was likely headed there to start 2020, and then came a global pandemic. However, Whitefield was a surprise late addition to the Twins Summer Camp in July, and he made the Twins Opening Day roster. His big-league time was short-lived, but even in his two games played, his most elite tools were on display. Aaron Whitefield is fast. Really fast. And he's very good in centerfield. He also runs the bases well. Find out more about Whitefield, his story, and what else he's got going on Twins Spotlight. https://twitter.com/twinsdaily/status/1322569586970013696 More on Aaron Whitefield: Get to Know: OF/2B Aaron Whitefield (Dec. 2015) Aaron Whitefield: From Softball Diamonds to Diamond in the Rough (May 2017) Previous Episodes: View full article

Every team makes moves like these every offseason...

Pete Rose's suspension was absolutely justified. He broke a very clearly written, no questions about it, long-time baseball rule. He himself. AJ Hinch broke the not-yet-written rules that have since been much more clarified.

I have no problem with the Hinch hire.. makes sense. Larussa is ridiculous. I wonder if he'll go to his old White Sox tactics and use the centerfield technology to help his players, or if he'll use his tactics from his Oakland days and "not know" why Canseco and McGwire and all those Bay Areas got so good and so big.

There has been a flurry of roster decisions made by all 30 MLB teams in the days since the end of the World Series. Today, the Twins announced that they have claimed right-handed pitcher Ian Gibaut from the Rangers and left-hander Brandon Waddell from the Pirates. Since the completion of the World Series, the Twins' roster has already seen change. On Wednesday morning, their impending free agents became free agents. That includes Nelson Cruz, Alex Avila, Ehire Adrianza, Jake Odorizzi, Rich Hill, Tyler Clippard, Trevor May. On Wednesday, the Twins bought out the final season of Sergio Romo's 2021 contract, making him a free agent as well. On Friday, the Twins claimed two recently DFAd players, RHP Ian Gibaut and LHP Brandon Waddell. That puts the current Twins 40-man roster at 34 players. IAN GIBAUT The right-hander was the Rays 11th round pick in 2015 out of Tulane University. He made his MLB debut with one game for Tampa in 2019. Before the July trade deadline, he was sent to the Rangers. He pitched in nine more games out of the Texas bullpen. This season with the Rangers, he pitched in 14 games, though just 12 1/3 innings. In his 24 MLB games, he is 1-2 with a 5.84 ERA. In 24 2/3 innings, he has walked 17 but struck out 28 batters. Gibaut is a big kid, standing 6-3 and weighing in at 250 pounds. He throws a fastball that has averaged 95.3 mph. He also throws a slider in the mid-to-upper 80s, and a mid-80s changeup. Here is a 6 1/2 minute review of ONE of Gibaut's pitches in the big leagues. BRANDON WADDELL The southpaw was the fifth round pick of the Pittsburgh Pirates in 2015 from the University of Virginia. He split both 2018 and 2019 between AA Altoona and AAA Indianapolis. He made his MLB debut in 2020 with just two games and 3 1/3 innings pitched. He gave up just one run on two hits and a walk, and he struck out two batters. While there isn't much big-league sample, his fastball clocked in at 93 mph. He throws a lot of sliders (41%) at 86 mph, and also throws a changeup. Here is some video of Waddell's MLB debut: Both pitchers are 26-years-old. Clearly the Twins scouts and research and development group like something they see. Now they will get the opportunity to work with Wes Johnson and his coaching staff to see if they could be the 2021 Matt Wisler. View full article

Oh, for sure... I guarantee any Twins media that has read this article have thought about who they would vote for this year and over years past.

It's satire... Check out RandBall Stu's weekly articles every Friday morning for more.

At spring training, we were all excited about the Bomba Squad with Josh Donaldson. How many runs would the offense score? Instead, to all of our surprise, the Twins success in 2020 largely came as a result of very good pitching. The team has a Big Three going into the offseason, but how might they replace Jake Odorizzi and Rich Hill in their starting rotation? Free Agent Starting Pitchers at a Glance The Need: The Twins have Kenta Maeda, Jose Berrios and Michael Pineda at the top of their 2021 rotation board. Randy Dobnak had one of the best ERAs in baseball through the first five or six weeks of the season. While the likes of Lewis Thorpe and Devin Smeltzer are options for the team’s fifth starter job, and the Twins have some very intriguing, exciting prospects getting closer, there would appear to be a need for one, and maybe two, starting pitchers this offseason. The Market (This list is not comprehensive): Trevor BauerMasahiro TanakaMarcus StromanJames PaxtonJake OdorizziJose QuintanaRobbie RayKevin GausmanMike MinorAlex WoodJulio TeheranTyler ChatwoodGarrett RichardsRick PorcelloRich HillMike FiersJeff SamardzijaDrew SmylyBrett AndersonTaijuan WalkerMichael WachaBrad Peacock Our Targets: Mike Minor Age: 32 Former Team: Oakland 2020 Stats: 56.2 IP, 5.56 ERA, 1.24 WHIP, 9.8 K/9, 3.2 BB/9 Why He’s a Fit: Coming off of an All Star 2019 campaign with the Rangers, Minor struggled to a 1-6 record despite a career high in strikeout rate. The former first-round pick from Vanderbilt features four pitches. He saw his velocity dip a bit in 2020. Estimated 2021 Salary: $10 million Marcus Stroman Age: 29 Former Team: NY Mets 2019 Stats: 184.1 IP, 3.22 ERA, 1.31 WHIP, 7.8 K/9, 2.8 BB/9 (opted out in 2020) Why He’s a Fit: Stroman stayed on the Mets roster (Injured List) just long enough so that he could opt out and still become a free agent. The former top pick from Duke debuted in 2014 has consistently put up solid numbers and, when healthy, he eats innings. His 7.8 K/9 in 2019 was easily the best of his career, but he gets good fastball movement and gets a lot of ground balls. Estimated 2021 Salary: $13 million Trevor Bauer Age: 29 Former Team: Cincinnati 2020 Stats: 73.0 IP, 1.73 ERA, 0.80 WHIP, 12.3 K/9, 2.1 BB/9 Why He’s a Fit: Because he is one of the Top 3-4 pitchers in baseball. Bauer should be the NL Cy Young winner for 2020 when he put up the remarkable stats for the Reds. He will still be just 30 years old in 2021. There is the perceived Derek Falvey connection as well. Basically, how would a rotation of Bauer-Maeda-Berrios-Pineda-Dobnak look? That said, could the Twins do anything else this offseason if they signed Bauer? Estimated 2021 Salary: $30 million Drew Smyly Age: 31 Former Team: San Francisco 2020 Stats: 26.1 IP, 3.42 ERA, 1.10 WHIP, 14.4 K/9, 3.1 BB/9 Why He’s a Fit: Smyly came up as a top prospect of the Tigers, got traded and then the injuries came. He missed the entire 2017 and 2018 seasons. He returned in 2019 with a 6.24 ERA over 114 innings, though he struck out 120 batters. He pitch adjust 26 1/3 innings in 2020, but he had an incredible 42 strikeouts. His fastball velocity was up nearly three mph compared to the rest of his career. Estimated 2021 Salary: $4 million Kevin Gausman Age: 29 Former Team: San Francisco 2020 Stats: 59.2 IP, 3.62 ERA, 1.11 WHIP, 11.9 K/9, 2.4 BB/9 Why He’s a Fit: Gausman was a top pitching prospect from LSU when he was the 4th overall pick in the 2012 draft. He spent years in Baltimore unable to take his talent to a next level. In his time with the O’s, he topped out at 8.7 K/9, a solid number. The last two years, that number has increased to 10.0 K/9 in 2019 and 11.9 K/9 in 2020. He’s always had good control and he still throws 95 mph with the fastball and throws four pitches. Estimated 2021 Salary: $10 million Robbie Ray Age: 29 Former Team: Toronto 2020 Stats: 51.2 IP, 6.62 ERA, 1.90 WHIP, 11.8 K/9, 7.8 BB/9 Why He’s a Fit: Ray had a rough 2020 season posting an ERA and a WHIP well worse than anything previously in his career. However, his K/9 rates since 2016 are 11.3, 12.1, 12.0, 12.1, and it was still 11.9 in 2020. Ray threw 93.7 mph fastballs, consistent with his entire career. He threw 31% sliders and 16% curveballs, so I am quite intrigued by what Wes Johnson and the Twins pitching gurus might be able to do with him. Estimated 2021 Salary: $10 million Brett Anderson Age: 32 Former Team: Milwaukee 2020 Stats: 47.0 IP, 4.21 ERA, 1.28 WHIP, 6.1 K/9, 1.9 BB/9 Why He’s a Fit: Anderson has always been an intriguing pitcher going way back, but he just was unable to stay healthy most years. In 2019, he made 31 starts. It was just the third season in which he had more than 19 starts since his debut season in 2009. And in 2020, he made ten starts. It sure sees he’s been around forever, but he’ll spend the entire 2021 season at age 33. He rarely hits 90 mph (though that’s not new) and his 6.1 K/9 was higher than all but one of his previous six seasons. Estimated 2021 Salary: $4 million Tyler Chatwood Age: 30 Former Team: Chicago Cubs 2020 Stats: 18.2 IP, 5.30 ERA, 1.66 WHIP, 12.1 K/9, 4.3 BB/9 Why He’s a Fit: It’s fair to say that things didn’t go as he’d hoped when he signed a big, three-year contract with the Cubs. That first season, he walked way too many. The next season, he worked out of the bullpen. In 2020, he made just five starts before experiencing a forearm/elbow injury. So, why is he a fit? I mean, those strikeouts were nice. Estimated 2021 Salary: $6 million Mike Fiers Age: 35 Former Team: Oakland 2020 Stats: 59.0 IP, 4.58 ERA, 1.37 WHIP, 5.6 K/9, 2.4 BB/9 Why He’s a Fit: Veteran of 10 big league seasons has gone 21-7 over the past two seasons, though his numbers in 2020 with the A’s were not great. He throws strikes, and he is a veteran. He could be a Homer Bailey type signing for veteran leadership, but will his “tattling” on his former Astros teammates hurt him in the industry now that he is a free agent? Could that bring down his asking price, and if so, he’s not a bad #5 starter for any team. Estimated 2021 Salary: $5 million Let us know in the comments who you like at these positions, or if you'd rather stick with Rosario and Cruz. In the meantime, check out previous episodes of Offseason Live and see what's upcoming: Ep 1: (Thurs, 10/8)Ep 2: (Tues, 10/13)Ep 3: (Thurs, 10/15)Ep 4: (Tues, 10/20)Ep 5: (Thurs, 10/22)Ep 6: (Tues, 10/27)Ep 7: Free Agency – Starting Pitchers (Thurs, 10/29)Ep 8: Free Agency – Relief Pitchers (Thurs, 11/5)Ep 9: Twins Trade Targets (Tues, 11/10)Ep 10: Offseason Blueprints (Thurs, 11/12) MORE FROM TWINS DAILY — Latest Twins coverage from our writers — Recent Twins discussion in our forums — Follow Twins Daily via Twitter, Facebook or email Click here to view the article

I'll take it when it's giving me positive feedback... Ha!

No surprise, but the Twins are declining the 2021 option on RHP Sergio Romo's contract. He will receive $250K for the buyout rather than paying him $5 million for 2021. https://www.startribune.com/twins-decline-2021-option-on-pitcher-sergio-romo/572904701/ Your thoughts?

With the completion of the World Series, Jake Odorizzi and Rich Hill are no longer Twins. How will the Twins try to replace them in the rotation for 2021? On Thursday night, we will dug into some of the potential starting pitcher options on the free agent market.The Twins have three starters at the top of their 2021 rotation that are locks. Kenta Maeda, Jose Berrios and Michael Pineda are an exciting trio for the Twins. Maeda was the Twins Daily choice for both Best Pitcher and MVPof the 2020 Twins. Berrios is a two-time All Star, and Pineda returned late in 2020 to the form we saw before his suspension a year earlier. Randy Dobnak was fantastic through the first five or six weeks of the 2020 season before struggling late in the year. Lewis Thorpe and Devin Smeltzer both pitched in bullpen roles in 2020 after encouraging debuts in 2019. And pitching prospects such as Jhoan Duran, Jordan Balazovic, Dakota Chalmers may be ready sometime in 2021, and pitchers like Blayne Enlow and Matt Canterino could soon follow. With that as the backdrop, how active do you think the Twins should be in searching for a free agent starting pitcher? Who are some of your favorites for the Twins to consider in free agency over the coming months? ----------------------------------------------------------------------- Thursday night, I was joined via live-stream by Nate Palmer and Tom Froemming to discuss several options for the Twins to consider in free agency. Each of us brought a few candidates to the discussion table and argued about each. We shared many of your thoughts as well. You can tune into future live broadcasts via Twins Daily's Twitter, Facebook, or YouTube page. It'll be an interactive show where viewers help steer the conversation via comments and questions. You'll also be able to watch the replay tomorrow here on the site, or via audio by subscribing to our podcast. Who are the names to watch in free agency this year? Watch and find out. In the meantime, check out previous episodes of Offseason Live and see what's upcoming: Ep 1: (Thurs, 10/8)Ep 2: (Tues, 10/13)Ep 3: (Thurs, 10/15)Ep 4: (Tues, 10/20)Ep 5: (Thurs, 10/22)Ep 6: (Tues, 10/27)Ep 7: Free Agency – Starting Pitchers (Thurs, 10/29)Ep 8: Free Agency – Relief Pitchers (Thurs, 11/5)Ep 9: Twins Trade Targets (Tues, 11/10)Ep 10: Offseason Blueprints (Thurs, 11/12) Click here to view the article

It'll be available right after it is complete on the same sites.

Earlier this morning (Wednesday), Seth chatted with Twins right-handed pitching prospect Matt Canterino on a live episode of Twins Spotlight. You can watch it live on the Twins Daily Twitter, Facebook or YouTube pages. (or below)With their second-round pick in the 2019 MLB draft in 2019, the Minnesota Twins selected right-handed pitcher Matt Canterino from Rice University. After signing, he made a couple of tune-up appearances in the GCL before joining the Cedar Rapids Kernels. he went 1-1 with a 1.35 ERA in five starts. In 20 innings, he struck out 25 batters. While the 2020 minor league season was cancelled, Canterino did spend the last couple of weeks at the Twins alternate site in St. Paul. From there, he went to Ft. Myers for Twins Instructional League. We discussed several topics from his introduction to pro ball, his strange 2020 season, and what he's hoping to do this offseason. Find out his thoughts on the draft, his short spring training, quarantine work, getting the call to work at the Twins Alternate site in St. Paul, and instructional league. Feel free to leave some questions below in the comments or you can include comments when you watch live on these social media platforms. You can watch the show LIVE on YouTube here: More on Matt Canterino: Twins Select Matt Canterino with 54th Overall Pick (June 2019)Matt Canterino: Pitcher and Problem Solver (Sept 2019)Matt Canterino Highlights (Tom's YouTube page, Jan 2020)Twins Daily Top 20 Twins Prospects: 11-15 (Feb 2020)Follow Canterino on Twitter at @cotton_cante. Click here to view the article

I think they were "wrong" on Nick Anderson and John Curtiss. Who else? They've also been right on several from other organizations. Every team is going to have a couple of misses and a couple of success stories.

Maybe... but his 'breakout' was longer than the 2020 season, which included arm injuries.

The Dodgers have a 2-1 series lead in the World Series as I type this. It’s possible that the World Series is over as early as Sunday. Even if the series goes seven games, the series will be over Wednesday and the offseason will begin. Teams will have decisions to make. The Twins will have to make one interesting decision pretty quickly.Roster management is such a key component for a front office. There is a 26-man roster (or 28 in 2020). 40-man roster spots are precious, and in 2020, there was a 60-man player pool to keep tabs on too. On September 17th, the Twins announced that right-handed relief pitcher Zack Littell had been outrighted from the team’s 40-man roster. It was a translation that certainly created some discussion among Twins fans. And the six weeks since then hasn’t really clarified things. Did the Twins really DFA a then-24-year-old Littell to give Homer Bailey one start at the end of the season before DFAing him too? As a 23-year-old in 2019, Littell went 6-0 with a 2.68 ERA in 37 innings over 29 games out of the Twins bullpen. He became one of the Twins most reliable relievers over the final two months of the Twins season. But 2020 was not a good year for Littell. He pitched just six games for the Twins and gave up seven runs in six innings. He was especially hurt by five home run balls. He clearly wasn’t the same, and a couple of Injured List stints with elbow issues likely tells much of the story. The bigger surprise to many, at least to me (and several others I’ve talked to), is that he went unclaimed. 29 teams had the opportunity to claim him, a 24-year-old reliever just one year from having his breakout season. That is the way-too-quick summary of what brings us to today. But one other piece of information is important as it relates to right now. Zack Littell was the 11th round pick of the Seattle Mariners in June of 2013 out of Eastern Alamance High School in Haw River, North Carolina. That means that five days after the World Series is complete, Littell will (or could) become a 6-year minor league free agent. He will spend the entire 2021 season at just 25 years old. What are the options at this point regarding Littell, or any of the other Twins six-year minor league free agent candidates)? ADD HIM BACK TO THE 40-MAN ROSTER If the Twins don’t want to lose Littell, and feel confident in that fact, they could simply add him back to the 40-man roster before he becomes a free agent five days after the World Series. TRADE HIM The Twins could try to trade him to another organization and that team would then have the same set of options. That said, if that team is acquiring him within a week of him becoming a free agent, two things are clear. First, the Twins would not get much in return. Anything more than “Cash Considerations” would be fortunate. Second, that team would certainly want to add him to their 40-man roster. LET HIM BECOME A FREE AGENT If the team allows him to become a free agent, a few different scenarios could take place: If they beat other teams to the punch and sign him to a minor league contract quickly, that would be a positive. However, he would also be subject to the Rule 5 draft so he could still be lost in December. They could agree to terms with the player, but not officially sign the minor league contract until the days following the Rule 5 draft. If they aren’t interested in bringing him back, or aren’t willing to offer what other organizations are, he could simply sign elsewhere. So if you’re Derek Falvey and Thad Levine, what would you do? BUT WAIT, THERE'S MORE Any of the players that the Twins signed as minor league free agents before the 2020 season will also be free agents five days after the World Series. The following players have now been in the Twins organization since at least 2014 and are also not on the 40-man roster. RHP Jake Reed LHP Sam Clay RHP Andro Cutura RHP Moises Gomez RHP Jose Martinez For more on each, refer to this article from August in which each was discussed. Should any of the pitchers be added to the 40-man roster? Would you prioritize bringing any of them back as minor leaguer free agents? Click here to view the article