Seth Stohs

Seth was a guest on Hot Mic with Dom Izzo on WDAY Extra TV (Fargo) on Monday, November 29th. The two discussed the Byron Buxton extension, the search for starting pitching, some Twins prospects and more. (Posted with permission from Dom Izzo, WDAY) View full video

By 7:00 pm tonight, the Twins and the other 29 MLB teams will have to make the decision whether or not to tender 2022 contracts. The decision has been made on several players, including Byron Buxton, but there are still decisions to be made. This article will be updated as we learn about each player's situation. Check each player's section for updates. For more on each of these arbitration-eligible players, you can read much more in The Question: To Tender or Not To Tender. Here is the quick summary: John Gant cleared waivers and became a free agent. Rob Refsnyder was DFAd and became a free agent. Willians Astudillo was DFAd, cleared waviers and was released. Jake Cave signed a one year, $800,000 for 2022. In addition to those four arbitration-eligible players, lefty Devin Smeltzer was DFAd, cleared waivers and was outrighted to Triple-A. You might have heard, the Twins have agreed to terms with Byron Buxton on a seven-year, $100 million contract extension which also includes some creative, interesting incentives. But there is more work to be done, and today (Tuesday) should be an interesting day. The team still have to make decisions on seven more arbitration-eligible players. Here is some information on each of those players (mostly from Sunday's article), but we will have a spot ready to update whenever we hear any news on any of the players. Also, be sure to vote on whether or not you would a.) Tender a contract, b.) Non-tender the player, or c.) Try to reach an agreement at a lower dollar value. If player won't, then non-tender. LUIS ARRAEZ - UT (24) Service Time: 2 years, 121 days Arbitration Year: 1st of 4 MLB Trade Rumors Projection: $2 million Twins Daily Offseason Handbook Prediction: $1.5 million JHAREL COTTON - RHP (30) Service Time: 3 years, 52 days Arbitration Year: 1st of 3 MLB Trade Rumors Projection: $1.2 million Twins Daily Offseason Handbook Prediction: N/A DANNY COULOMBE - LHP (32) Service Time: 3 years, 8 days Arbitration Year: 1st of 3 MLB Trade Rumors Projection: $800,000 Twins Daily Offseason Handbook Prediction: $1 million TYLER DUFFEY - RHP (31) Service Time: 5 years, 74 days Arbitration Year: 3rd of 3 MLB Trade Rumors Projection: $3.7 million Twins Daily Offseason Handbook Prediction: $3.5 million MITCH GARVER - C (31) Service Time: 4 years, 45 days Arbitration Year: 2nd of 3 MLB Trade Rumors Projection: $3.1 million Twins Daily Offseason Handbook Prediction: $3.5 million JUAN MINAYA - RHP (31) Service Time: 2 years, 140 days Arbitration Year: 1st of 3 MLB Trade Rumors Projection: $1.1 million Twins Daily Offseason Handbook Prediction: $1 million TAYLOR ROGERS - LHP (31) Service Time: 5 years, 145 days Arbitration Year: 4th of 4 MLB Trade Rumors Projection: $6.7 million Twins Daily Offseason Handbook Prediction: $7 million CALEB THIELBAR - LHP (35) Service Time: 3 years, 131 days Arbitration Year: 2nd of 4 MLB Trade Rumors Projection: $1.2 million Twins Daily Offseason Handbook Prediction: $1.5 million Again, we will update this article throughout the day on Tuesday until we learn what the resolution is for each player. There may be some agreements, maybe even multi-year deals. There will be contracts tendered without an agreement. At that point, numbers will be exchanged by the team and the player. There are likely to be a non-tender or two as well which will make those players free agents immediately, like happened with Eddie Rosario a year ago. View full article

At nearly 1:00 am central time, a tweet popped up from Jon Morosi that read, "Source: Javier Baez is close to signing a multi-year deal with #Tigers." With a potential work stoppage looming, free agency has looked significantly different than ever before. The Twins, however, have been unable to make a signing to this point. Will that change on Tuesday? Or will they sign players on Wednesday too? Discuss the Tuesday rumors and deals in the comments below. The current Collective Bargaining Agreement (CBA) will run out at midnight, December 2nd. It is possible that the players and owners will be willing to extend the current deal for a week or so, but most likely, there will be a quiet period while the two sides negotiate a new CBA. The hope, of course, is that an agreement can be reached before spring training is set to begin in mid-February so that no games are in jeopardy of being missed in 2022. Because of the uncertainty, it has become clear that many free agents really want to have some certainty about where they will go, and how much they will make, when the agreement is reached. In recent years, free agent signings didn't really get going until much later in the offseason, a month or even two later. Many of the biggest free agent deals have already been reached, and the thought is that the next two days could be fast and furious. If it weren't for the magnitude of what a work stoppage would do for baseball and its fans, it might be funny to point out that maybe MLB should consider having a lockdown/labor situation every year at this time in an attempt to make the offseason more like the NFLs! Will the Twins participate in this flurry of activity, or will their front office show patience and see who is available after there is a new CBA? Many years, that is not a bad strategy. But with so many of the best free agents signing early, will there even be anyone left to sign that can help the Twins significantly in 2022? Of course, the Twins did make the one move that they absolutely had to make. They have an agreement with outfielder Byron Buxton on a seven year, $100 million deal with intriguing, creative incentives. More important for both Buxton and Twins fans, the deal includes a full no-trade clause. The deal also had little, if any, effect on what the Twins can spend on their needs. And they have needs! They need pitching, for sure starting pitchers, but possibly even a couple of solid, veteran relievers. They also need a shortstop. Free agents at those positions have been flying off the availability list. Here's a quick look: Shortstops (ranked by MLB Trade Rumors) 1.) Carlos Correa hasn't signed yet. Will he sign with the Yankees or stay with the Astros? 2.) Corey Seager agreed to a 10 year, $325 million deal with the Texas Rangers on Monday. 3.) Marcus Semien agreed to a seven year, $175 million deal with the Texas Rangers on Sunday. 4.) Trevor Story remains unsigned. The Yankees have seemed like the right fit, but suddenly on Monday the Rockies expressed interest in him returning, which is kind of weird. 5.) Javier Baez reportedly is nearing a six year contract with the Detroit Tigers late on Monday night (or early Tuesday morning is more accurate). OK, the Twins were never likely to sign any of those shortstops and all of the other free agent shortstops remain available and they will be much more cost efficient. The Twins focus is, and should be, primarily on pitching and specifically starting pitching this offseason. Frankly, the free agent market for pitchers has become rather limited, at least in the top tier or two. Here is a quick look at the free agent pitchers that have signed already and the few that remain available. Starting Pitchers (ranked by MLB Trade Rumors) 1.) Kevin Gausman signed a five-year, $110 million contract with the Toronto Blue Jays on Sunday. 2.) Robbie Ray signed a five-year, $115 million contract with the Seattle Mariners on Monday. The Twins were one of five or six teams linked to Ray, but he's headed to the Northwest. 3.) Max Scherzer signed a three-year, $130 million contract with the New York Mets on Monday. 4.) Marcus Stroman is still available. The Twins have shown minimal public interest in him, but hopefully they will have some conversations. 5.) Eduardo Rodriguez signed a five-year, $77 million contract with the Tigers early in free agency. 6.) Carlos Rodon is still available, and some reports have indicated the the Twins may have some interest. Should they? With his injury history, anything more than a one-year, make-good contract would be too much. 7.) Jon Gray signed a four-year, $56 million contract with the Texas Rangers on Sunday. 8.) Anthony DeSclafani signed a three-year, $36 million deal to stay with the San Francisco Giants. 9.) Justin Verlander signed a two-year, $50 million contract to remain with the Houston Astros. 10.) Alex Wood reportedly was nearing a two-year deal worth at least $20 million to remain with the Giants over a week ago, but to this point, the deal is not completed. 11.) Steven Matz signed a four-year, $44 million contract with the St. Louis Cardinals last week. 12.) Clayton Kershaw is still available. With his injury situation, it makes no sense for the Twins to be interested. Also, it makes more sense for the future Hall of Famer to stay a Dodger. 13.) Yusei Kikuchi is still on the market. There have been some reports of Twins interest, but several teams are interested as well, including teams back in Japan. 14.) Noah Syndergaard signed a one-year deal with the Angels. 15.) Alex Cobb has not yet signed, but as of Monday night, he was nearing a deal with the San Francisco Giants. 16.) Zack Greinke is still a free agent. Another probably Hall of Famer may be intriguing, but his complete lack of velocity should be a red flag for the Twins. 17.) Corey Kluber signed a one-year, $8 million with the Tampa Bay Rays. 18.) Danny Duffy is available. Like others this far down the list, there is probably more injury risk than it's worth. That said, there is something to the 'there's no such thing as a bad one-year contract." Those are the starting pitchers in MLB Trade Rumors Top 50 free agent rankings. Beyond that, there are the likes of Tyler Anderson, Johnny Cueto, Rich Hill, James Paxton and Michael Pineda all remain available. None are really very intriguing due to some combination of age, injury history or ineffectiveness. It will be interesting to see if other starting pitchers get non-tendered on Tuesday. It has been leaked that the Tigers intend to non-tender lefty Matthew Boyd who was considered good a couple of years ago. In fact, the Tigers could have traded him for a big trade package. Instead, they'll lose him for nothing. So, I would certainly think that the Twins quest for high-level starting pitching will likely have to be acquired via trade. The Twins certainly have the prospects or big-league players to acquire pitchers. It's just a matter of if they want to give up their own young arms or give opportunities to their internal candidates. So, what's going to happen on Tuesday and Wednesday? Will the free agency frenzy continue over the next two days, and will the Twins make some moves? Discuss the rumors and deals of the day below. Should the Twins sign any MLB deals, we will be sure to post an article quickly. View full article

Well, fair question, but Martin and Lewis won't be ready until at least halfway through the season. Larnach struggled mightily and probably needs some time at AAA to get his swing back (and he certainly will and will be a star corner outfielder). Buxton's a starter. If Kepler is not traded, he is a starter. Rooker should probably be given an extended run with significant playing time. Kirilloff can play the corners. Did Celestino do enough late in the season at AAA to tell us that he is ready to contribute offensively and defensively in the big leagues? He's only 22 years old. If he beats out Cave, cool, bring him up, but I would want him to play at least 3-4 games per week (and yes, he can play all three spots and did so all 2021 at each level). Maybe they can get him two starts in right field against lefties? Maybe they start him twice a week in left field for defense? Maybe they play him once every other week in center?

I don't want Celestino to be a backup and play once or twice a week. I want him playing every day in Triple-A. Now, if Buxton did get hurt and be placed in the IL, I'd call Celestino up and play him there every day. Gordon is at the point where he can be a part-time player and be a utility guy.

Robbie Ray just agreed to a 5 year, $115 million with the Seattle Mariners... Uggh!

Nick Gordon would be the choice for me...

MLB and the Players Association agreed last week to move the deadline for offering 2022 contracts to arbitration-eligible players from Thursday, December 2nd, to Tuesday, November 30th, and 7 pm central time. The Twins have several decisions to make. What should they do? What would you do? The Twins have already made several transactions that have altered their list of arbitration-eligible players. Early in November, the Twins decided to put right-handed pitcher John Gant on waivers. When he cleared, he elected to become a free agent. Gant came to the Twins at the July trade deadline as part of the J.A. Happ trade. He was set to make approximately $3.7 million in his final season of arbitration. Outfielder Rob Refsnyder played like a Legend for a while after the Twins called him up, even playing a lot of center field. However, after a couple of injuries, including a concussion, he wasn’t able to repeat that performance. The minor league veteran was projected to make about $800,000, but the Twins DFAd him this month too. It became a talker, but the Twins signed outfielder Jake Cave to a one-year, $800,000 deal for 2022. Like all arbitration deals, it isn’t completely guaranteed. Finally, just last week, the Twins DFAd the fan-favorite, Williams Astudillo. Set to make a projected 2022 salary around $1.2 million in his first arbitration season. Since he hasn’t hit since his debut season in 2018 and has little defensive value, it was an easy decision to remove him from the roster and after he cleared waivers, they simply released him. And then the Twins claimed right-handed pitcher Jharel Cotton from the Texas Rangers in early November. Let’s take a look at him and the other arbitration-eligible Twins players that the Twins have a decision to make before Tuesday’s deadline. (in alphabetical order, note: age on April 1, 2022) LUIS ARRAEZ - UT (24) Service Time: 2 years, 121 days Arbitration Year: 1st of 4 MLB Trade Rumors Projection: $2 million Twins Daily Offseason Handbook Prediction: $1.5 million Why Tender? Though Arraez struggled late in 2021 and ended out with a batting average below .300 for the first time in his professional career. He can play in left field and second base, and actually had a solid season playing third base in 2021. On the other side of his case, he had several IL trips again due to his knees and legs. Likelihood to be Tendered: 10 Summary: Just over the weekend, we learned that MLB had set the “Super 2” line at 2.116 (two years, 116 days) service time. Fortunately, the Twins' brass doesn't need to spend much time thinking about whether or not to tender a 2022 contract to Arraez. It's a given. What is his future with the organization? Could he be traded? If not, what position will he play, or will he continue to play all around the diamond? All to be figured out... after that contract is tendered on Tuesday. BYRON BUXTON - CF (28) Service Time: 5 years, 160 days Arbitration Year: 4th of 4 MLB Trade Rumors Projection: $7.3 million Twins Daily Offseason Handbook Prediction: $8 million Why Tender? Because he’s Byron Buxton. Because his 2022 salary will be minimal relative to the value he will and has provided. Because they can then continue negotiating a potential long-term deal. Because even if they don’t reach a deal, he can easily be traded for a very nice return. Likelihood to be Tendered (1 unlikely to 10 very likely): 10. Easy choice. Summary: This one will require very little thought. What happens beyond tendering hims a 2022 contract has been the topic of debate for the past six months. JHAREL COTTON - RHP (30) Service Time: 3 years, 52 days Arbitration Year: 1st of 3 MLB Trade Rumors Projection: $1.2 million Twins Daily Offseason Handbook Prediction: N/A Why Tender? Because he showed some good stuff out of the Rangers bullpen in his return to the big leagues following Tommy John surgery. Because of what he had shown as a starter in Oakland early in his career. Because he’s got a good fastball, but a great changeup. Likelihood to be Tendered: 5 Summary: There are reasons to believe that Cotton could be a solid middle-relief pitcher option, and who knows, maybe the Twins think that he could be healthy enough to get back to starting and be an option for a back of the Twins rotation too. However, the Twins may also ask for Cotton to agree to a 1 year, $900,000 or $1 million deal, and if he accepts, great. If not, non-tendered and he becomes a free agent. DANNY COULOMBE - LHP (32) Service Time: 3 years, 8 days Arbitration Year: 1st of 3 MLB Trade Rumors Projection: $800,000 Twins Daily Offseason Handbook Prediction: $1 million Why Tender? Coulombe isn’t an exciting pitcher, but he’s long been a solid MLB left-handed reliever, and he pitched well for the Twins in the second half. Had quite a bit of MLB success before injury including being used very often for Oakland for a couple of seasons. He is very similar to Caleb Thielbar, so again, is it necessary to have another lefty in a ‘pen that already should include Thielbar and Taylor Rogers, with Jovani Moran in the near-ready position as well? Likelihood to Tender: 6 Summary: Coulombe has been better than most Twins fans probably think. He’s just solid with limited upside. For $800,000, little reason not to tender him. That said, they may do what they did with Thielbar a year ago and lock him up to a deal below projection. TYLER DUFFEY - RHP (31) Service Time: 5 years, 74 days Arbitration Year: 3rd of 3 MLB Trade Rumors Projection: $3.7 million Twins Daily Offseason Handbook Prediction: $3.5 million Why Tender? Duffey’s velocity may have been down a little bit in 2021, but he still put up solid numbers. He ranked right up there with the top relievers in baseball over the past three seasons. Hasn’t received many Save opportunities, which certainly keeps his arbitration salary down, but he’s been used in high-leverage situations. Can they reach an agreement on a one-year deal before an arbitration hearing? Could they look to lock up Duffey for two or three seasons? (maybe a two-year, $7 million deal, or even a three-year, $12 million deal). Likelihood to Tender: 9 Summary: Another easy decision because even if things go poorly, he should have some trade value so non-tendering makes no sense. With so many question marks in the Twins bullpen, losing Duffey would make things even more difficult. MITCH GARVER - C (31) Service Time: 4 years, 45 days Arbitration Year: 2nd of 3 MLB Trade Rumors Projection: $3.1 million Twins Daily Offseason Handbook Prediction: $3.5 million Why Tender? Remember his 2019 season? Well, after a poor April, Garver returned to that high-level, 2019 form for much of the rest of the season. The lone concern is an injury history that really hurt him in 2020, but also a couple of times during the 2021 season. Garver’s name shows up in some trade rumors this offseason, and teams would likely line up if the Twins made it known he was available. Likelihood to Tender: 10 Summary; An easy decision to tender him a contract. Likely a much more intense conversation has likely occurred regarding the future of the Twins catcher position. While the idea of a Garver/Ryan Jeffers even split of playing time makes a ton of sense in theory, would it work in reality? Or, could the fact that they have both of them, along with Ben Rortvedt in Triple-A and clearly the best defensive catcher of the three, maybe one could be dealt in the offseason for some pitching. None of that alters how easy the decision will be to tender Garver. JUAN MINAYA - RHP (31) Service Time: 2 years, 140 days Arbitration Year: 1st of 3 MLB Trade Rumors Projection: $1.1 million Twins Daily Offseason Handbook Prediction: $1 million Why Tender? Minaya came up to the Twins in the season’s second half and really performed well. He showed good life on his pitches and was put into some big situations. The interesting thing is that he pitched much better for the Twins than he did in his time with the Saints. He had some good years with the White Sox. He has had some control issues in his career, but he’s also very capable of racking up strikeouts. Likelihood to Tender: 6 Summary: Minaya was certainly a nice surprise for the Twins in the second half of the season, but was that enough to tender a seven-digit deal? Like Cotton and Coulombe, it might be another case where the Twins offer him $900,000 to $1 million for 2022, and if he takes it, great. If not, he can be non-tendered. TAYLOR ROGERS - LHP (31) Service Time: 5 years, 145 days Arbitration Year: 4th of 4 MLB Trade Rumors Projection: $6.7 million Twins Daily Offseason Handbook Prediction: $7 million Why Tender? I think we would start with the fact that he has been one of the best relievers in baseball over the past four or five seasons. Aside from some struggles in the shortened-2020 season, he’s been very good. He also has been very healthy until his late-July finder injury that cost him the final two months of the 2022 season. The lone question regarding Rogers will be how he recovers and returns from the finger injury since he did not have surgery. Likelihood to Tender: 9 Summary: Another easy choice. Reports indicated that teams were still interested in trading for Rogers, even after he got hurt. They certainly can trade him in the offseason or in July should they choose to do so. I personally think there should also be extension thoughts with Rogers. He’s become a leader on the team, and has earned it based on production. Of course, Aaron Loup getting two years and $17 million might tell us that Rogers should get quite a bit more than that. However, I would offer him a three-year, $24 million deal with an option at $9 million for a fourth year. CALEB THIELBAR - LHP (35) Service Time: 3 years, 131 days Arbitration Year: 2nd of 4 MLB Trade Rumors Projection: $1.2 million Twins Daily Offseason Handbook Prediction: $1.5 million Why Tender? By the end of the 2021 season, the Minnesota native was Rocco Baldelli and Wes Johnson’s most relied upon, if not reliable, bullpen arm. He really increased his ability to miss bats. His fastball sat between 91 and 95 mph, and that slow, 68 mph curveball is a good pitch to go with a strong slider. Likelihood to Tender: 8 Summary: Another easy choice. Just offer it to him, work on a good deal and call it good. Because of his age and that he’s got a few more seasons before free agency, there is no reason to do anything but go year-to-year with him. How long will the Twins be able to keep Thielbar away from a college coaching career? Your turn. If you’re in charge, would you tender contracts to all of these players? What kind of deals would you like to see? Discuss. View full article

Minnesota Twins prospect Jose Miranda hit 30 home runs in 2021. Here are highlights of all 30 of them. View full video

True, but Barry Bonds and Roger Clemens not being first ballot guys also just isn't right.

Should he be a Hall of Famer? Absolutely. Will he be? My sense is no... Like Wagner, he will likely remain on the ballot... or at least he should. But then again, Johan should have been on the ballot for awhile too.

My mom's favorite player! Vic Power... I hate two-handed catches, but on pop-ups, it's not a bad thing and clearly shows how much the no-no meant to the players.

Always enjoyable chatting with Saints broadcaster Sean Aronson. The LA native grew up a big Dodgers and Vin Scully fan. Find out his broadcasting journey, one that came to St. Paul via the Ft. Myers Miracle. Find out his thoughts on the Saints transition from independent ball to affiliated ball. Lots of fun stories... and his offering a rose to the bachelorette.

His dad played in the minor leagues. You'll want to hear about the first batter he faced... Christian was part of the College World Series champions at Mississippi State. 5th round pick by Twins. Lots of topics! This is fun!

Seth chats with Minnesota Twins left-handed pitcher prospect and 2021 fifth-round pick Christian MacLeod about his baseball journey, winning a College World Series with Mississippi State, getting drafted and much more. View full video

Seth chats with the voice of the St. Paul Saints, Sean Aronson, about his love of baseball, his journalism journey, time in Ft. Myers, move to the Saints, the team's move from independent to affiliated ball and some great stories along the way. View full video

My point would be to sign Goodrum instead of Simmons (for probably less $$ and to probably get more production). Pretty sure there was no mention of Goodrum becoming Jeter anywhere...

The Tigers didn't want to pay him $3 million. I'm sure they'd be fine paying him something like $1.5 million to play 7 positions.