Kipp35

I don't see the Twins being able to trade him without eating a lot of his contract, which would then, not make a lot of sense to deal him. That being said; of the the teams listed, SD could make sense if they are still looking for a power hitting 3B... then possibly a Yu Darvish in return...? Darvish had an unremarkable year in 2021 with SD posting 8-11 with a 4.22 ERA. But, his strikeouts were still up there vs. innings pitched and he averaged 5.6 inning per outing in the NL. He had signed a 6yr $126mm deal (two years left) and is set to make $19mm in 2022, and is under contract through 2023 ($18mm). Donaldson is due $21mm in 2022, $21mm in 2023 and $16mm in 2024. We could get a solid rotation guy under control for a couple of years in order to get other talent around him. SD may being willing to part with a 35 year old pitcher that was underwhelming last season. Bring back to the AL where he does not have to worry about hitting. 2017 was is only losing season in the AL. That was the year he was traded to the Dodgers and his last in the AL. We could then look to support him with Rodon and even bring back Pineda.

And with his injury history, he will fit in nicely as a the CF partner, Buxton. I just hope they can coordinate their cycles, I mean injuries. ?

I don't think this is just a question of a 'backup' for Buxton. We need to have someone for about 100 games per season, that's a starter! If we are not looking at handing it to Celestino, then we need to grab a veteran off FA like; Gardner (38) but still has something to offer, and at 38 better not demand a huge contract. Pillar or Hamilton have been solid defensive options in the past and Hamilton still has wheels. I hope a fraction of what Sconnie says comes true, that in the end of his career, Buxton averages 148 games per season. But, he has done NOTHING to show he is trending that way. We need someone who will be prepared to step in and play the rest of the season after about 30-60 games.

I want what you're having!

I hope you are 100% correct, for this season. In the past I feel they believed that they were in contention, but that won't be the case in 2022. Best way to sore up that budget would be: Rodon (SP), Story (SS), Suzuki (OF) and fill in with trades...

The only reason I am suggesting Polanco is, except for the MASH unit that is Buxton (and baby Jesus [Mauer]), we don't throw big money at our own players. If they had a track record at spending to keep their own talent, I would be right there with you, and it would be exciting. But remember, we just let our best pitcher go because we ASSUMED we could not resign him and decided to focus on the St. Paul Saint MVP, Buxton. I would LOVE to bring Story in and let those two play together. we would have the top IF in MLB (if Kirlloff moves to 1B). Still would not answer our pitching, and with who we have, we could play without an IF because the balls will be smashed to the OF anyway. I still want Lewis and Martin up here to see what we have. And it would be amazing to have them fill in sparingly behind that IF, along with Miranda (3B). But, we still have a lot of holes (SP, RP and OF) that cannot be filled in FA due to their inactivity and the focus on Buxton. Kepler and Donaldson are also named as trade bait. But, Kepler isn't someone a team is going to unload a haul for and Donaldson would require us still paying a large portion of his contract, so what's the point? I offered Polanco as a choice due to his teams control and the haul we could most certainly demand for him. Please don't confuse that with me saying I want him gone, because I don't! I would LOVE an IF consisting of: 1B - Kirlloff 2B - Polanco SS - Story 3B - Donaldson That is an outstanding IF. But again, they may just be cut-off persons for all the balls blasted into the OF due to this pitching staff.

If the Twins are serious about anything, they could look at brining in Suzuki on an extended contract and Pederson on a short deal. Lower risk and you would have depth to evaluate: Martin, Celestino, Wallner and if the mood hits them, Urbina, if he hits better. He is very young (19) but he is FAST, plays CF and showing tremendous progress for his little professional experience! Often, those international players are a bit more advanced than our homegrown ones. But another player not mentioned that can play, at least the corner OF, is Trevor Story. Still a lot of money, but would be for a guy that could step in just about anywhere and be solid in the field and have production at the plate. we could be looking at filling a corner spot permanently and 100+ games in CF, not to mention that SS is a hole.

You're making a statement assuming that they even care to spend what they did in 2021. Maybe they decide to roll on the cheep this year and make a bigger splash next year... oh wait, neverminded this is the Twins we are talking about. But, do see them only spending what the CBA dictates that minimally spend.

He would be our only blue chip trade piece to bring in players we would not otherwise be able to acquire. Namely, top pitching.

What I would like to see is leave Polanco alone at 2B, especially this season. We are not playing for the playoffs or the World Series this year, anyway. It would be great to have Polanco come out this year and once again show durability and production, as he did last year. No one is going to want to hear this; but he could be a deadline piece to acquire several pieces in return. One of those could be our future 2B, an ACE for the rotation, or BOTH! If we move on without Polanco [trade], we should be able to use Arraez, Gordon and Miranda (who is better suited for 3B) at 2B. This still allows Lewis and Martin to cover SS. We would have a young and dynamic corps, up the middle. Let them build chemistry together. If the Twins go out on a limb and do something completely unlike them and acquire Trevor Story (which would take a multi-year deal for $$$), that is your 2B going forward, especially if/when we deal Polanco. Story could start the season at SS until the deadline. It would add longevity to Story's career moving to 2B, get him to play everyday, and a trade of Polanco would bring back huge pieces while Martin and Lewis can still be evaluated at SS.

I feel that "live human being" should be from their farm system. They have got to figure out what they have. We keep waiting to see Gordon and the like, but just do it already. Martin and Lewis need to play SS and Martin can be used to cover 100+ games in CF, too. Miranda should be given innings at 3B. Kirlloff to 1B and get those young OF'ers up here, too. Embrace the suck for 2022 and be better prepared for 2022 offseason and a push in 2023.

100%, I agree. You are saying what I wanted to, but I don't write as well as you. I feel the priorities could have been managed better. I say again, if they felt the Buxton deal was something that needed to get done, fine; I don't agree but that is beside the point. He was here, and not going anywhere, we had time. We needed to be moving on the guys that were not here, and we wanted to bring in...

I have been stating I see them doing option #3, and it is the only that makes sense with their lack of anything early, before the lockout. They have decided that Buxton is what they plan to build around, but it would be nice in one of those deals to get back a young CF'erd that can step in for 100-120 games a season for Buxton, and not cost too much.

I fully agree with the first part and I am frustrated at who they have been willing to give substantial contracts to. As for the second point, although I can see that, it really doesn't excuse them. Their job as the front office of an MLB team is to know what is happening and potential to happen. The sudden shift didn't seem to stop a lot of other teams, and only fosters more what they have always done... wait. They like to wait to see who else runs out of money and go after the scrap players that are left and try to get discount prices on them. They had blinders on working on a player that we had team control and was not going anywhere, right now. With that continued mindset, we will never compete in the offseason.

Should have money is the BIG sentence. How much money they spend with depend greatly on what the new CBA says they HAVE to as a floor budget. If they have the money you believe they do, why was they only move they made extending Buxton and signing Bundy? In the time that deal [Buxton] got done, numerous fits for the Twins went off the board: Syndergaard, Seager, Baez, Cobb, Gray, Hill, Kluber, Matz, Paxton, Stroman, Wacha... these are just some FA signings, there have been several trades made as well. We prioritized extending an often injured player that was still under team control before we figured out what we could do to fill holes and team needs. I hope we do sign Story. But I agree, that is not a 'Twins' move. We [meaning the Twins] need to accept this is a rebuilding time and bring the young guys up and roll with them through the season. We may lose 100+ games again, but we may also find out for sure what we have for talent. And who knows, a couple or more might surprise people when given the opportunity to play.

Very well said. I too am old enough to remember the last stoppage. It wasn't good then and isn't good now. In a time where this country needs things is can rely on to unite us, we have more division. I am not bold enough to say that 'I will never watch another game!' because I know that would be a lie, I love baseball too much for that. I will say that over the past couple of season's have watch FAR less, as the Twins have their own network you have to pay a premium subscription in order to get, and I just can't afford that. I listen to the games on the radio while I am doing other things or driving in the car, but that is far more passive. I have not been to the ballpark in more than two years, because as you stated, I cannot afford it. I have four kids and 'cheep seats' are still pricey when you have to buy them in a group of six. Add in food, drinks and souvenirs, I'm just not willing on refinance my house for a day out with the family. I echo your statement, get back to the table and do what is best. What is best, is get fans back to the game they love. If you lose us, what difference does it make what the CBA says, you won't be able to do what you do. I think everyone should be paid well for doing a good job, no matter the profession. But, how much more are we actually talking about here? The owners own a company, and I feel they too should earn every dollar they can from the business they presumably love. But again, at what costs? They [Twins] have their new TV deal which has driven Twins fans to radio, the tickets are costly and will only get more expensive now. The costs are always passed onto the consumer, and in this case that is the fans. Very sad times, right now.

You had me until you mention Timmy Laudner as a catcher that could hit "pretty well". He's a career .225 hitter with 77 HR's over 9 seasons. He did make the All Star team in 1988 by batting .251 with 13 HRs. but would call him one of out better hitting catchers. I do agree with everything else you said, I just would have swapped Laudner for someone like AJ Pierzynski or Terry Steinbach ?

No problem, thanks for the opportunity. And again, all of this is just my opinion and I in no way believe anyone will listen to anything I have to say, (opinions and buttholes; everyone has them) but here goes: First, the budget is going to depend greatly on what the floor of the cap is decided during the CBA. But, I believe strongly the Twins will, and should stay pretty close to that base for 2022, because I feel we are not just one or two pieces away from a championship... we need to rebuild. As of now, the Twins are sitting at roughly $74.5mm. I am not sure what that base will need to be for 2022, but if it is $80 as many have projected, I would say the Twins will/should do very little more going forward aside from trading. I have commented that I like the trade suggestions on this site with the Mets. But, I would say we move into 2022 (rebuilding) by seeing what we have in the minors before we leverage too much capital at aging players. Rodon would make some sense if the contract could factor in protections for injuries he is already know for with incentives. We could have him through the rebuild as an anchor of the rotation, if healthy. 1B-Sano, 2B-Polonco/Arraez, SS-Lewis/Martin, 3B-Donaldson/Miranda, C-Garver/Jeffers LF-Kirlloff/Larnach, CF-Buxton/Martin/Celestino, RF-Kepler/Rooker SP-Bundy/Balazovic/Rodon*/Jax/Ober/Woods-Richardson/Canterino BP-Alcala/Cotton/Duran(SP)/Enlow/Moran/Strotman/Thielbar/Thorpe/Duffy/Dobnak This is without trades, which is the only way I would see the Twins brining in talent. This way, the Twins would not be heavily leveraged (except for Buxton and Donaldson and the later should be dealt) going into 2023. They would then be able to hit FA early and hard to fill true holes on the team with actual money in reserves to do so. If we sign Trevor Story and/or Rodon, it is not like those two are going to plug into this team and all of a sudden catapult us into the playoffs and past the Yankees... or anyone in our own division. If the floor established by the CBA is closer to $110-120mm, I would say let's go after both Story and Rodon, but would still shy away from taking on bad contracts, unless we can get a haul. As an example, I am thinking of a lot of Toronto's farm system (Groshans and Lopez) or Seattle's young crop of studs like Handcock, Rodriguez and Williamson. If they want us to take on bad deals, then they need to give us players that make us believe this is a marriage and not a one night stand. Story can play a lot more than SS and could be a huge asset as we rebuild, but not unless the Twins have to spend that money. I would still like to see trade with the Mets and even the A's at that point, but still feel we would be renting the A's pitchers for a rebuilding year, and that makes no sense. I hope this answers your ask about what my vision is of the team. It changes a lot after this season when we can really know what we have spent years "developing" in our farm system. At some point these players need to **** or get off the pot. We keep hearing how this player or that player is SO close, but we need to wait. Now is the time to see if they really are; ready, close or, not at all...

I love the Mets option. I think that would bring solid return.

Valera - Decent hitter with a little pop and a + fielder. I like him but it would being adding another project to what we have in the minors, now. Perez - I think an overall better hitter than Valera with better speed and still + fielding. Livon - The only one I would say hard pass as he reminds me (and his metrics say) he is similar to Simmons who didn't do that great for us last year. He may need to develop just to get to Simmons status.

I can see the Twins going after any of these guys, they all have something the Twins like. I have my preferences, which I don't really like pitch to contact guys, which for me eliminates: Cate - A 1.32 WHIP but K's less than one (1) per 9. Although he's the only lefty on the list. Doyle - Had just two innings to go off of last year and they weren't good, but the Rockies pick good pitchers. Feigl - Again a 1.29 WHIP, but K's less than one (1) per 9 Murray - Not a bad player but coming off an injury that saddled him May and wasn't activated again until October. Again, just personal preference, but I'd love to see: Hernandez, Pina and Hill

Because, for $15mm the St. Paul Saints are going to have a heck of a CF'er for rehab assignments, but that doesn't help the Twins. So, $15mm to Buxton and what to another guy to play 100-120 games per season in his absence? Maybe in the next seven years we get one (1) full season from him; try to remember he has played over 100 games (140 in 2017) just once in the past seven years! If he would have been paid $15mm this couple of years, he would have made: 2021 = $245,901.64 per game 2020 = $250,000 (60 games, played in 65%) 2019 = $172,413.79 per game... maybe a deal? Still only 87 games. 2018 = $535,714.29 per game Not sure about you, but that is not good economics for a 'small market' team in the middle of rebuilding. Someone has to play that position in his absence. I also hate the idea of having him DH. That is NOT why he was given this contract, it was supposed to be due to his ability as a five tool player. The past is our only way of judging what the future will bring. The past seven years shows a guy with HUGE potential, if not for.... We are paying non-Twins money for a player that is projected (based on past seven years) of playing in just 48% of games. That is less than half! That money could have gone toward pitching or to someone with less "potential" but far more production having played in far more games over the past seven years.

I am with you as a lifetime Twins fan. But, being a lifetime Twins fan has proved to me that as long as the Pohlad's own this team, we will be working with coupons in regards to signing FA's. We constantly attempt to get everyone at a 'deal' and to do that means we wait until all the other teams with money take who they want and we get what's left. I have gone on record that the Buxton signing will go down as one of the top 5 worst decisions the Twins have ever made, but it's done, we have to figure out what we can do with what we have left. I would say fans should not hold their collective breaths for a competitive team in 2022, but we should look for signs that we are improving.

Lets not forget, along with a SS being key, we are going to need a solid CF to play the 100-120 games that Buxton will miss each year. We're talking big money for position players!

First, "I simply cannot see a team extending an MVP-caliber center fielder and not continuing to build around him." This quote from the article is in reference to the Buxton extension. The answer to this non-question is; we cannot build around him with anything but scraps because we are now financially tied to him. He will be playing rehab games in St. Paul for the next seven seasons, so not only are we going to have to find players for the holes we currently have, we are going to have to find a suitable fill-in for all the time Buxton is going to miss, Cave was apparently not the answer to that, Kepler needs to remain in the corners. We will have to sign someone to play around 100 games per season in place of Buxton. That is not going to be cheap! Next, "Twins trade OF Trevor Larnach to Oakland for RHP Chris Bassitt". So, we are to trade one of our rising, power hitting stars for a rental? He [Larnach] played in just 79 games last year and was just getting his feet wet with MLB pitching. I know the Twins don't want to admit they too are rebuilding, but they are. Part of rebuilding is ensuring you hang on to the young talent you have. That brings me to the next option... "Twins trade INF Luis Arraez and INF Keoni Cavaco to Oakland for RHP Frankie Montas". Luis Arraez needs to stop being treated as a 'utility guy' and just be given an opportunity to take a spot, everyday. The guy is a pure hitter and should be an anchor at the top of our lineup. I would not mind at all acquiring Montas, but again, not at the expense of tools and young talent the Twins desperately need. Finally, "The Twins trade C Mitch Garver to Oakland for LHP Sean Manaea". Can someone tell me a power hitting catcher we can get to replace Garver? They must be a dime-a-dozen if his name is being added in a trade for a guy that has injury issues (maybe he could share a room with Buxton during rehab assignments) and at 91MPH, that is the equivalent to underhand throw now in MLB. We will really need CF help with Buxton repeatedly out (see first paragraph). Just seems we are offering suggestions of trades for the sake of trades. What betters the Twins? What makes them competitive now and in the future? What can we acquire that won't strap the team? These are questions that other clubs ask all the time, not 'I want to make a deal because I want a pitcher... you, you look nice and I will give the team something I will never get back for you!' A team like the Rays trade players they know they cannot resign when they have two years left, because that adds value for that player. They don't want to see that person go necessarily, but it is a decision they has to be made for the betterment of the club. And, in return, they typically get a haul. That is why they can continue to compete in a division with the Yankees and Red Sox that over pay for everyone and Toronto that has drafted incredibly well.