Seth Stohs

2B Kamron Willman was released. He joined the organization in the middle of the season out of one of the independent leagues, played for Ft. Myers. 
And while we heard the work was being done, the Twins have officially signed LHP Jovani Moran and RHP Ronny Henriquez to minor-league deals. 
 

I can't wait to see more about Lewis and how he does in 2024. The best thing he has going might be that knuckleball. If he doesn't progress through the minors they can always go to him and have him increase the amount of knuckleballs he throws.  I know it's a gimmick pitch but it would be the key to his future in baseball.

https://liducks.com/lew-ford-named-seventh-manager-in-ducks-history/
The Long Island Ducks announced that Lew Ford will be their 7th manager in team history. The 47-year-old has spent the past 13 seasons with the Ducks, including the past nine years as a player and either hitting coach or bench coach. 
Ford played 494 games for the Twins from 2003-2007. His best season was 2004 when he had such a strong first half that he was involved in the vote for the final All Star spot. He even got MVP votes that year. 

By Friday at 7:00 pm, MLB teams will need to offer their pre-arbitration and arbitration-eligible players a contract for 2024. The Twins have already made their official decision on two arbitration-eligible players and have to make their decisions on seven more players. And those decisions come with several question marks. 
(Article updated Friday, 7:40 pm after roster decisions announced)
Image courtesy of Nick Wosika-USA TODAY Sports Article Update (7:40 pm): On Friday night, the Twins announced that they have tendered 2024 contracts to all seven arbitration-eligible players. It was also announced the Jovani Moran is expected to be having Tommy John surgery in the near future and miss the 2024 season. The Twins are trying to get him to sign a two-year minor league deal. In addition, the Twins did not tender a 2024 contract to RHP Ronny Henriquez.
With Moran and Henriquez coming off of the 40-man roster, the roster is now at 36 players. There are 17 pitchers, three catchers, eight infielders and eight outfielders. 
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When the offseason began, the Minnesota Twins had nine players on their roster that were arbitration-eligible. Since then, the Twins made quick decisions on two of them. Soon after their playoff run concluded, Jordan Luplow and Jose De Leon were designated for assignment and became free agents. 
That leaves seven players that the Twins still need to make decisions about their 2024 status. Below, I will run through these seven players and make some notes on each. Several of them may involve answering some difficult questions. A few are pretty easy decisions. 
Please feel free to ask questions and discuss these decisions in the Forum below. Also, generally-speaking not many pre-arbitration players are non-tendered, but it has happened. We aren't going to try to project which, if any, of those players will be non-tendered on Friday. 
(Players sorted by MLB Trade Rumors Projections) 
2B/OF Nick Gordon
Service Time: 2.136 (two years, 136 days, Super 2)
Arbitration Year: 1 of 4
Age in 2024: 28 
MLB Trade Rumors Projected 2024 Salary: $1.0 million 
Deadline Decision: Tendered

2023 Season: If this decision had to be made after Gordon’s 2022 breakout season, it would have been simple. However, Gordon’s 2023 season started out very slow, but just when he started playing well, he broke his leg and was out the remainder of the season. However, he was an impressive teammate and cheerleader for the team in October! 

Potential 2024 Role: Gordon can play second base and performed well in left field and centerfield over the previous year. In a pinch, he can play shortstop and third base as well. He could be the left-handed side of platoons or a more traditional utility player, capable of playing at least five positions if needed. With the emergence of Edouard Julien, Matt Wallner and Royce Lewis, and the likes of Austin Martin and Brooks Lee potentially ready in the near future, playing time may be more and more limited. 

Biggest Question Marks: Gordon has had several injuries in his career. And while his 2022 season was just as good as Willi Castro’s 2023 season, Castro is the better defensive player at each spot on the field. Gordon is also out of options, so he couldn’t be sent to the minor leagues by the Twins without going through waivers. 

Prediction: The dollars are low and Gordon should have value to teams, including the Twins. I would predict that he will be tendered a 2024 contract, although I would think that the Twins front office might be looking to trade him to a team looking for a solid utility option. A trade could happen before Friday’s deadline, or anytime after Friday (assuming he is tendered).  
RHP Jorge Alcala
Service Time: 4.014 (four years, 14 days)
Arbitration Year: 2 of 3
Age in 2024: 28 
MLB Trade Rumors Projected 2024 Salary: $1.0 million 
Deadline Decision: Tendered

2023 Season: After pitching just twice in 2022, Alcala made the 2023 opening day roster. However, after 10 games and 15 innings, he went on the Injured List in mid-May and didn’t return until the final game of the season. However, in that game, he was displaying a fastball between 97 and 99 and a sharp slider. 

Potential 2024 Role: The “potential” for Alcala has been the same each of the past five offseasons. When healthy, he has a big fastball and quality secondaries that are inconsistent but have big… potential. He has the potential and talent to be the top set up man, joining Griffin Jax and Brock Stewart in getting the ball to Jhoan Duran. I’d like to see what he can do in a fully healthy season. 

Biggest Question Mark: Health. That’s it. Yeah, he can work on pitches too and become more consistent, but the only way to do that is to stay healthy and get the innings.  

Prediction: This should be a very easy decision. The Twins should absolutely tender him a contract. If it’s $1 million, that’s fine. A year ago, he avoided arbitration by agreeing to a one-year, $790,000 deal, just $70K over league minimum. With his limited pitching the last couple of seasons, I would think he would happily sign a one-year, $900,000 deal, or something in that range. Sure, the team can still look to trade him if someone sends a quality prospect. However, Alcala hasn’t been optioned in the past, so he’s got three years worth of options remaining which might allow him to work on things and get innings if he’s not with the Twins. 
1B Alex Kirilloff
Service Time: 2.141 (two years, 141 days, Super 2)
Arbitration Year: 1 of 4
Age in 2024: 26 
MLB Trade Rumors Projected 2024 Salary: $1.7 million
Deadline Decision: Tendered 

2023 Season: Because of ongoing wrist pain, Kirilloff’s 2022 season ended after just 45 games. He had a surgery which involved shaving bones in his wrist to help alleviate the pain. The Twins brought him back slowly early in the 2023 season. He missed some time, but generally speaking, his wrist was not an issue. He played in 88 games and posted a .793 OPS with 14 doubles and 11 homers. He struggled in the playoffs and was removed from the roster in the ALDS series against the Astros due to a shoulder injury. He had surgery shortly after the Twins playoff run came to an end.  

Potential 2024 Role: When healthy, Kirilloff will be the primary first baseman. While his surgery turned out to be much more minor than feared, he could still miss some time early in the season. When he’s healthy, he is potentially an All Star bat. Can he still reach that level? 

Biggest Question Mark: That is the question. He will get healthy in time, though that has certainly become his biggest issue so far. He was pretty strictly platooned in 2023 due to some horrific numbers versus southpaws. Can he put up decent-enough numbers against same-siders to be an everyday player? 

Prediction: Easy decision. He will be tendered a contract. Can they negotiate a deal with him and his agent (Boras) to sign a deal for below the projection? Maybe. 
C Ryan Jeffers
Service Time: 3.089 (three years, 89 days)
Arbitration Year: 1 of 3
Age in 2024: 27
MLB Trade Rumors Projected 2024 Salary: $2.3 million 
Deadline Decision: Tendered  

2023 Season: After hitting a combined .203/.277/.384 (.661) in 152 games between 2021 and 2022, the Twins brought in veteran backstop Christian Vazquez on a three-year deal. Early in the season, Vazquez was playing approximately two out of three games. However, Jeffers started playing much better behind the plate and at the plate. In 96 games, he hit .276/.369/.490 (.858) with 15 doubles and 14 home runs. His OPS+ was 134! The Twins played six playoff games in 2023. Jeffers caught all six of them.    

Potential 2024 Role: Aside from “normal” catcher bumps, bruises and pain, Vazquez and Jeffers remained healthy throughout the 2023 season. The two should continue to split time, with Jeffers getting the start in two out of three games. If he’s hitting like he did in 2023, he could get more DH opportunities too. 

Biggest Question Mark: He’s a catcher. That alone comes with inherent risks of injury. That shouldn’t be a consideration in this discussion. So the big question for Jeffers in 2024 will be if he can replicate his 2023 success as opposed to revert to his 2021 and 2022 levels. 

Prediction: Another easy decision. In fact, these two sides should spend time this offseason working on a four or five year deal to keep him in a Twins uniform for a long time. 
LHP Caleb Thielbar
Service Time: 5.131 (five years, 131 days)
Arbitration Year: 3 of 3
Age in 2024: 37 
MLB Trade Rumors Projected 2024 Salary: $3.0 million
Deadline Decision: Tendered 

2023 Season: Since returning to the Twins before the 2020 season, Thielbar has been remarkably consistent, and remarkably effective as a setup man for the Twins. 2023 was the first time in his career that he missed significant time due to injury. He strained his oblique, probably came back too quickly, strained it again and then took longer to return the second time. So, he only pitched in 36 games, but in his 30 2/3 innings, he had 36 strikeouts and just six walks. For the first time since his 2013 rookie season, he had a WHIP of under 1.00. 

Potential 2024 Role: More of the same from Thielbar. Yes, he will be 37, but he hasn’t lost velocity, and his curveball continues to be a great pitch. He should continue to get crucial spots anywhere from the sixth through ninth innings. He can also continue to be a mentor in the bullpen.  

Biggest Question Mark: Can he stay healthy throughout most of the season? And obviously can he remain effective for another year? And on some level, how much longer does he want to continue pitching? 

Prediction: Sure, there are questions, but this is another easy decision for the Twins’ brass. Thielbar will be tendered a contract for 2024. And I would like to see the two sides come together and discuss a longer-term deal. Maybe it’s a series of options. $3 million for 2024, then an option for 2025 at $3 million that vests with 50 innings. If he is between 40 and 49 2/3 innings in 2024, the option vests at $2.5 million. If he’s under 40 innings, there could be a club option at $2 million but if they decline it, there could be a player option at $1.5 million. And, of course, Thielbar would have the right to retire at any point. The lawyers could get involved to creatively work through a one-year deal with a couple of options that would keep Thielbar pitching for his hometown team until he retires. 
UT Willi Castro
Service Time: 4.017 (4 years, 17 days)
Arbitration Year: 1 of 2
Age in 2024: 27 
MLB Trade Rumors Projected 2024 Salary: $3.2 million
Deadline Decision: Tendered  

2023 Season: Following the 2022 season, Castro had accumulated just over three years of service time with the Tigers. He was projected to make $1.7 million in his first year of arbitration, so Detroit non-tendered him. The Twins pursued him aggressively and he quickly signed a minor-league deal with the Twins in which he would make $1.8 million if he was with the Twins all season. Because of injuries and more, Castro made the Twins Opening Day roster, and after not playing for the first several games, he found a way to spend the entire season as a very valuable role player with the Twins. He was fantastic defensively at three infield positions. He did a nice job filling in left and center field as well. In his parts of four seasons with the Tigers, he accumulated 0.4 bWAR. In 124 games with the Twins in 2023, Castro ranked third among Twins hitters with 2.6 bWAR. He played strong defense. He hit .257/.339/.411 (.750) with 32 extra base hits. He stole 33 bases in 38 attempts, an element the Twins haven’t had for a long time. 

Potential 2024 Role: His role in 2024 should be very similar to what it was in 2023. He can play three to five times per week all over the diamond. The fact that he is a switch hitter allows him to give guys off at different spots regardless of that day’s starting pitcher.  

Biggest Question Mark: He was well worth the $1.8 million in 2023, and we can all picture him continuing to be valuable, but his 2023 production was significantly better than it had been the two previous seasons when he played over 110 games. Won’t the real Willi Castro please stand up? And, how does the front office see the combination of Castro and Gordon in the organization? Can they both be on the roster and provide value? Castro is a year younger. 

Prediction: This is really the first one where I’ve had to think about how much I buy into Willi Castro’s 2023 season. That said, I think the Twins will tender him a contract, try to come up with a little lower than projected number, and use his switch-hitting and defensive versatility in 2024.
IF Kyle Farmer
Service Time: 5.129 (five years, 129 days)
Arbitration Year: 3 or 3
Age in 2024: 33 
MLB Trade Rumors Projected 2024 Salary: $6.6 million
Deadline Decision: Tendered  

2023 Season: Farmer came to the Twins after the 2022 season from the Cincinnati Reds in exchange for RH RP Casey Legumina. At the time, he was technically the Twins starting shortstop. As you all know, after a long and winding road, Carlos Correa came back to the Twins which meant it was back to the bench for Farmer. That said, Rocco Baldelli kept his bench active all season. Farmer got extended time at second base early in the season when Jorge Polanco was out. He got quite a bit of time at third base in between the Jose Miranda demotion and the return of Royce Lewis. And late in the year, he played shortstop most every day when Correa was resting his plantar fasciitis. In between, he was a platoon player, often splitting time with, and mentoring, Edouard Julien at second base. Solid defense around the infield. Fantastic leader and teammate. Generally mashes left-handed pitching. Took a fastball to the mouth and went through multiple surgeries.  

Potential 2024 Role: It would be the same general role for Farmer in 2024. Depending on how the right side of the infield shakes out this offseason, he could platoon at first and/or second base. He can pinch hit, DH, and even be that emergency catcher. Depending on health, it is likely his playing time would decrease. 

Biggest Question Mark: Payroll. Just what will the Twins payroll be in 2024. We know it’s going to drop, so can the Twins afford to pay a utility player over $6 million? Unfortunately that is the reality because my sense is that everyone associated with the Twins would love to bring Farmer back. 

Prediction: This is by far the most difficult decision for the Twins front office. As noted, if payroll remained the same, he would very likely be tendered, but with payroll down, we can’t assume that. We know his value to a big-league roster. You would hate to non-tender him and lose him for nothing. So, I don’t think they’ll do that. I do think that they will try hard to trade him for something over the next 24-36 hours, but if they can’t before Friday’s deadline, I would guess that they will tender him a contract and continue to try to deal him throughout the offseason. 
There are quick glimpses at the seven remaining arbitration-eligible cases that the Twins front office have to make decisions on before Friday evening. Will they tender all seven? How many do you think they will, or they should tender? Could they be looking to make a trade or two, either of these players or of some pre-arbitration players to make additional room on the roster? How many of these players should be considered for multi-year contract extensions? Feel free to discuss below. And again, check back over the next couple of days to find out what the Twins decided to do. 

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Great analysis of the situation, Seth.  Thanks.
I don’t see both Gordon and Castro on the roster come opening day.  My guess is Gordon goes.  How, is anyone’s guess.
Expect their veteran depth is gonna take a hit this winter.  Makes sense to me to keep Farmer.

I don't look at Farmer as $6m for a utility player.  It's $2m for the utility player, $4m for the insurance policy around the field.  I've said many times he's the most important guy to bring back of this group, even if everyone is healthy and productive he gets in 120-130 games as a plus factor replacement.  I would also expect to see him fool around in left field at some point in the spring.
He makes perfect sense for a team in this position and veteran dollars can't be spent much better.

If so, they could get a TON for him. He's a top 30ish prospect in the game, catches, hits, just won a minor league gold glove. Dude is a stud. 

Indeed. But I want to see them do it on the Twins' budget!

A bean counter doesn’t understand sales pitches?

I haven't counted or verified, but if they're at 36 after adding Camargo and Severino, then there isn't much reason to drop too many. They'll add Martin and E-Rod which would put them at 38. At that point, those four new adds will not be able to be removed from the 40-man until spring training. 
As for Gordon, he might get DFAd. I'd say it'd be more likely that he gets non-tendered when that needs to happen later in the month. But, I'd also say that as well as we thought Willi Castro played in 2023, Nick Gordon's 2022 was nearly identical. I don't think that he should just be passed off. 

I haven't counted or verified, but if they're at 36 after adding Camargo and Severino, then there isn't much reason to drop too many. They'll add Martin and E-Rod which would put them at 38. At that point, those four new adds will not be able to be removed from the 40-man until spring training. 
As for Gordon, he might get DFAd. I'd say it'd be more likely that he gets non-tendered when that needs to happen later in the month. But, I'd also say that as well as we thought Willi Castro played in 2023, Nick Gordon's 2022 was nearly identical. I don't think that he should just be passed off. 

I split this off. The other thread was really for during the 23 season. It doesn’t make sense to have part of the off-season in one thread, and part in another. And when the season starts, we will start a new transaction thread to keep track of the up and down. It’s a little different because in season we are looking more at the 26-man and and the transactions that affect that. During the off-season it’s mostly the 40=man with an eye to next spring of who will make the 26-man.

He's half a year younger than Martin and Julien and two year's younger than Wallner. He reached AAA a month after Martin, and as far as his promotion path goes, he is ahead of Julien and Wallner considering neither got bumped up to AAA in 2022. If those guys aren't considered prospects, then I really could care less about prospects and only care about which minor leaguers can come up and contribute.
Same goes for Camargo. And should any of Prato, Williams and Kiersey remain after the draft, I'm not closing the book on them either.

Severino and Camargo added to the 40-man, avoiding minor league free agency for both players. 

Here is the start of the minor-league signings for the offseason. It starts with the news of which Twins minor leaguers have elected free agency. The biggest name of the group is RHP Blayne Enlow. 
This forum thread should be used to share news of players the Twins sign to minor league deals, or when former Twins players and prospects sign elsewhere. 
 

How do you replace a legend?
Earlier this week, we learned that, after 40 years, Dick Bremer will no longer be the Twins TV play-by-play voice. But who will replace him? The short answer is, “Somebody.” Yes, somebody will get the job. Maybe it will be one of these people. 
Image courtesy of © Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports The general belief is that Cory Provus is the odds-on favorite to replace Dick Bremer in the TV booth. But let’s not stop there. Let’s throw out some other candidates (from the sane to the insane) with ties to the Twins. 
The Frontrunner
Cory Provus
Provus joined the Twins as their radio play-by-play voice a dozen years ago as a fresh-faced announcer. He had already worked with legends in the field, such as Bob Uecker with the Brewers and Jim Hughes and Ron Santo with the Cubs. For most of that time, he’s called all spring training games and all games throughout the season. Over the past couple of years, he has missed Saturdays in the fall, calling college football games for the Big Ten Network. 
Most agree that Cory does a terrific job of communicating to all generations of Twins fans through his ability to discuss and appreciate the history of the Twins while at the same time understanding and communicating current trends in the game. 
It should be a seamless transition from Bremer to Provus. Provus has relationships with Justin Morneau, LaTroy Hawkins, and Glen Perkins. He’s fully ingrained in the Twins media and community. 
Frankly, I can’t help but assume that Cory Provus gets job offers reasonably frequently. Moving from the #1 guy on the radio to the lead on the TV broadcast would mean a higher profile in a more secure industry and a decent pay raise. 
Radio Chops
The next group could also be in consideration for the position, but if Provus lands the TV broadcast, these next candidates should be in line for Provus's radio role. 
Kris Atteberry
The best Twins radio broadcasts are when Provus and Atteberry share the booth. Frankly, it’s time for Atteberry to take over the #1 spot on the radio. I don’t think there is more to say than that. It should be clear. 
However, this wouldn’t be a fun article if we only mentioned the favorites. We need more names. So, these next guys should be interviewed and strongly considered for the #1 spot, but with a mind that if Atteberry is #1, they need a quality #2. 
Sean Aronson
The radio and TV voice of the Twins Triple-A affiliates does a fantastic job calling Saints baseball games. Having seen more of his work in recent years, it’s clear that he is remarkably prepared for both the season and individual games. He is a good communicator. He knows the game and the history of the game. And he has had a unique view of Twins players who have spent time with the Saints over the past three seasons. 
Josh Whetzel 
For those who have followed Twins minor-league baseball over the past decade or more, you know Josh Whetzel’s name. He is the play-by-play guy for the Triple-A Rochester Red Wings. He is also the voice of the University of Buffalo’s men’s basketball team. Since the Red Wings joined the Washington Nationals organization, Whetzel has joined the MLB broadcast for a weekend each year. He would be an incredible addition. 
Out of the Box
Erik Bremer 
A sentimental choice, Erik Bremer is the son of Dick Bremer, so how cool would it be to keep Twins TV’s voice in the Bremer name for another three or four decades? However, this is not solely a sentimental choice. 
Erik Bremer has put together a robust portfolio for himself. He has done radio play-by-play for minor league teams and other sports. He has called college basketball and high school football. He has broadcast games in the Cape Cod League as well as minor-league games in cities such as Biloxi (Mississippi), Colorado Springs, Woodbridge (Virginia), and Fredericksburg (Virginia). He spent a winter in Australia calling Brisbane Bandits games in the Australian Baseball League. He has spent the last couple of seasons calling games for the Pensacola Blue Wahoos and also does television for the Pensacola Ice Flyers. 
While he is not yet 30, young Bremer has paid some dues already in his career. He is certainly deserving of an interview and a genuine opportunity. 
Marney Gellner 
She has been a part of Twins Baseball TV broadcasts for a long time. She has done in-studio work. She has done sideline reporting. She has been in the booth a couple of times. In the last couple of seasons, her summer focus has been Minnesota Lynx basketball. She is the play-by-play voice for their TV broadcasts, and she does the sideline reporting and in-studio work for the Wolves. 
Out of Our Minds?
Nash Walker 
Walker is maybe not the #1 choice for this job if Vegas has such wagers available, but he’s #1 in the hearts and minds of Twins Daily. As you know, Nash is from Minnesota, and a year ago, he graduated from the University of Missouri with a degree in journalism. He has been writing for Twins Daily for several years, and I think you would agree that he has put together some great content. He is a fantastic writer. He is terrific with video. 
In addition, he spent the summer of 2022 calling games for the Palm Springs Power. He was a broadcaster with the Triple-A affiliate of the Arizona Diamondbacks, the Reno Aces, in 2023. Since the season ended, he has become a full-time Communications Coordinator and will call games for them again in 2024. I mean, unless the Twins go to him. 
Gleeman and the Geek 
It would fit the idea of taking the broadcast in a different direction. Aaron Gleeman and Twins Daily’s John Bonnes have one of the most popular baseball podcasts in the world. Most Fridays, you can listen to their free podcast. In addition, they have one or two Patreon podcasts each week during the season and less frequently in the offseason. 
Well, along with that, how about the two of them chat while watching the ballgame from the booth? Who knows where the conversation will go? Would the graphics team be ready for their statistical analysis? Will they be able to avoid swearing for three straight hours, 162 times per season? 
The Trevors
Trevor Plouffe has successfully made the transition from ballplayer to the media. His involvement at Jomboy Productions is fantastic. Plouffe also joined the Twins TV broadcasts at various times throughout the season in 2023. He was fantastic. Most who listened would likely agree. 
Following the end of the regular season, Trevor May went on his viral Twitch stream and announced that he was retiring from baseball. He will remain active in the game on his Twitch site, and I would think he would have more opportunities because he is good at it, and he’s always been fan-friendly. 
How interesting would it be to hear the analysis and conversations between Plouffe and May? How would they incorporate Morneau and Perkins into their broadcasts? I have do not doubt that they will figure it out. All four of them provide stellar informative content. 

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How do you replace a legend?
Earlier this week, we learned that, after 40 years, Dick Bremer will no longer be the Twins TV play-by-play voice. But who will replace him? The short answer is, “Somebody.” Yes, somebody will get the job. Maybe it will be one of these people. 
Image courtesy of © Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports The general belief is that Cory Provus is the odds-on favorite to replace Dick Bremer in the TV booth. But let’s not stop there. Let’s throw out some other candidates (from the sane to the insane) with ties to the Twins. 
The Frontrunner
Cory Provus
Provus joined the Twins as their radio play-by-play voice a dozen years ago as a fresh-faced announcer. He had already worked with legends in the field, such as Bob Uecker with the Brewers and Jim Hughes and Ron Santo with the Cubs. For most of that time, he’s called all spring training games and all games throughout the season. Over the past couple of years, he has missed Saturdays in the fall, calling college football games for the Big Ten Network. 
Most agree that Cory does a terrific job of communicating to all generations of Twins fans through his ability to discuss and appreciate the history of the Twins while at the same time understanding and communicating current trends in the game. 
It should be a seamless transition from Bremer to Provus. Provus has relationships with Justin Morneau, LaTroy Hawkins, and Glen Perkins. He’s fully ingrained in the Twins media and community. 
Frankly, I can’t help but assume that Cory Provus gets job offers reasonably frequently. Moving from the #1 guy on the radio to the lead on the TV broadcast would mean a higher profile in a more secure industry and a decent pay raise. 
Radio Chops
The next group could also be in consideration for the position, but if Provus lands the TV broadcast, these next candidates should be in line for Provus's radio role. 
Kris Atteberry
The best Twins radio broadcasts are when Provus and Atteberry share the booth. Frankly, it’s time for Atteberry to take over the #1 spot on the radio. I don’t think there is more to say than that. It should be clear. 
However, this wouldn’t be a fun article if we only mentioned the favorites. We need more names. So, these next guys should be interviewed and strongly considered for the #1 spot, but with a mind that if Atteberry is #1, they need a quality #2. 
Sean Aronson
The radio and TV voice of the Twins Triple-A affiliates does a fantastic job calling Saints baseball games. Having seen more of his work in recent years, it’s clear that he is remarkably prepared for both the season and individual games. He is a good communicator. He knows the game and the history of the game. And he has had a unique view of Twins players who have spent time with the Saints over the past three seasons. 
Josh Whetzel 
For those who have followed Twins minor-league baseball over the past decade or more, you know Josh Whetzel’s name. He is the play-by-play guy for the Triple-A Rochester Red Wings. He is also the voice of the University of Buffalo’s men’s basketball team. Since the Red Wings joined the Washington Nationals organization, Whetzel has joined the MLB broadcast for a weekend each year. He would be an incredible addition. 
Out of the Box
Erik Bremer 
A sentimental choice, Erik Bremer is the son of Dick Bremer, so how cool would it be to keep Twins TV’s voice in the Bremer name for another three or four decades? However, this is not solely a sentimental choice. 
Erik Bremer has put together a robust portfolio for himself. He has done radio play-by-play for minor league teams and other sports. He has called college basketball and high school football. He has broadcast games in the Cape Cod League as well as minor-league games in cities such as Biloxi (Mississippi), Colorado Springs, Woodbridge (Virginia), and Fredericksburg (Virginia). He spent a winter in Australia calling Brisbane Bandits games in the Australian Baseball League. He has spent the last couple of seasons calling games for the Pensacola Blue Wahoos and also does television for the Pensacola Ice Flyers. 
While he is not yet 30, young Bremer has paid some dues already in his career. He is certainly deserving of an interview and a genuine opportunity. 
Marney Gellner 
She has been a part of Twins Baseball TV broadcasts for a long time. She has done in-studio work. She has done sideline reporting. She has been in the booth a couple of times. In the last couple of seasons, her summer focus has been Minnesota Lynx basketball. She is the play-by-play voice for their TV broadcasts, and she does the sideline reporting and in-studio work for the Wolves. 
Out of Our Minds?
Nash Walker 
Walker is maybe not the #1 choice for this job if Vegas has such wagers available, but he’s #1 in the hearts and minds of Twins Daily. As you know, Nash is from Minnesota, and a year ago, he graduated from the University of Missouri with a degree in journalism. He has been writing for Twins Daily for several years, and I think you would agree that he has put together some great content. He is a fantastic writer. He is terrific with video. 
In addition, he spent the summer of 2022 calling games for the Palm Springs Power. He was a broadcaster with the Triple-A affiliate of the Arizona Diamondbacks, the Reno Aces, in 2023. Since the season ended, he has become a full-time Communications Coordinator and will call games for them again in 2024. I mean, unless the Twins go to him. 
Gleeman and the Geek 
It would fit the idea of taking the broadcast in a different direction. Aaron Gleeman and Twins Daily’s John Bonnes have one of the most popular baseball podcasts in the world. Most Fridays, you can listen to their free podcast. In addition, they have one or two Patreon podcasts each week during the season and less frequently in the offseason. 
Well, along with that, how about the two of them chat while watching the ballgame from the booth? Who knows where the conversation will go? Would the graphics team be ready for their statistical analysis? Will they be able to avoid swearing for three straight hours, 162 times per season? 
The Trevors
Trevor Plouffe has successfully made the transition from ballplayer to the media. His involvement at Jomboy Productions is fantastic. Plouffe also joined the Twins TV broadcasts at various times throughout the season in 2023. He was fantastic. Most who listened would likely agree. 
Following the end of the regular season, Trevor May went on his viral Twitch stream and announced that he was retiring from baseball. He will remain active in the game on his Twitch site, and I would think he would have more opportunities because he is good at it, and he’s always been fan-friendly. 
How interesting would it be to hear the analysis and conversations between Plouffe and May? How would they incorporate Morneau and Perkins into their broadcasts? I have do not doubt that they will figure it out. All four of them provide stellar informative content. 

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The Twins had an option on Max Kepler's 2024 season at about $10 million. 
However, he is included in Keith Law's Top 50 Free Agents rankings at The Athletic. 
I obviously won't post all that Law writes, but here is how he ends the section on Kepler: 

What do you think? I think most would agree that the Twins were going to pick up Kepler's option already anyway, but I would have put him more in the 3 year, $36 million range for a deal... not a 4-year, $80 million or even 5 years, 120 million range is crazy. 
Sonny Gray, Kepler, and Kenta Maeda are in the top 25. List also includes #OldFriends such as Mitch Garver, Kyle Gibson, Eddie Rosario, etc. 

The Twins had an option on Max Kepler's 2024 season at about $10 million. 
However, he is included in Keith Law's Top 50 Free Agents rankings at The Athletic. 
I obviously won't post all that Law writes, but here is how he ends the section on Kepler: 

What do you think? I think most would agree that the Twins were going to pick up Kepler's option already anyway, but I would have put him more in the 3 year, $36 million range for a deal... not a 4-year, $80 million or even 5 years, 120 million range is crazy. 
Sonny Gray, Kepler, and Kenta Maeda are in the top 25. List also includes #OldFriends such as Mitch Garver, Kyle Gibson, Eddie Rosario, etc. 

And you rolled over in absolute shock! 

And you rolled over in absolute shock! 

The Twins had an option on Max Kepler's 2024 season at about $10 million. 
However, he is included in Keith Law's Top 50 Free Agents rankings at The Athletic. 
I obviously won't post all that Law writes, but here is how he ends the section on Kepler: 

What do you think? I think most would agree that the Twins were going to pick up Kepler's option already anyway, but I would have put him more in the 3 year, $36 million range for a deal... not a 4-year, $80 million or even 5 years, 120 million range is crazy. 
Sonny Gray, Kepler, and Kenta Maeda are in the top 25. List also includes #OldFriends such as Mitch Garver, Kyle Gibson, Eddie Rosario, etc. 

The Twins had an option on Max Kepler's 2024 season at about $10 million. 
However, he is included in Keith Law's Top 50 Free Agents rankings at The Athletic. 
I obviously won't post all that Law writes, but here is how he ends the section on Kepler: 

What do you think? I think most would agree that the Twins were going to pick up Kepler's option already anyway, but I would have put him more in the 3 year, $36 million range for a deal... not a 4-year, $80 million or even 5 years, 120 million range is crazy. 
Sonny Gray, Kepler, and Kenta Maeda are in the top 25. List also includes #OldFriends such as Mitch Garver, Kyle Gibson, Eddie Rosario, etc. 

The Twins had an option on Max Kepler's 2024 season at about $10 million. 
However, he is included in Keith Law's Top 50 Free Agents rankings at The Athletic. 
I obviously won't post all that Law writes, but here is how he ends the section on Kepler: 

What do you think? I think most would agree that the Twins were going to pick up Kepler's option already anyway, but I would have put him more in the 3 year, $36 million range for a deal... not a 4-year, $80 million or even 5 years, 120 million range is crazy. 
Sonny Gray, Kepler, and Kenta Maeda are in the top 25. List also includes #OldFriends such as Mitch Garver, Kyle Gibson, Eddie Rosario, etc. 

There's an all-new Celebrity Jeopardy on... I'm sure I'll flip it on later.