JD-TWINS

I’m not sure how to help Pagán nor López since I honestly believe their issues are between the ears. They both have good to exceptional stuff for their roles……they lack consistent command & I don’t know that is linked to mechanics. Attention span, focus, & intestinal fortitude is where I think these two are lacking. Megill is the guy, IMO, that has a real upside in the near-term. He has plus curveball & plus fastball at 98MPH. His command isn’t great but if it were he wouldn’t be hittable now. Guys sit on one pitch and often relentlessly foul it off to get deep in counts. With two pitches to draw on Megill becomes a lesser foe than his stuff would denote! He needs a 3rd pitch……I get it’s easy to say & not as easy to execute. With a change-up OR a cutter he could throw maybe 15% of the time, he’d allow his other 2 pitches some defense and would have a 3rd speed. The 3rd pitch wouldn’t need to be in zone a lot, just a “show pitch” for the most part. He’s got 2 plus pitches & he’s our 7th/8th option in the pen ………need to coach him up!

Don’t see room for Celestino on the roster in ‘23. His almost certainty to put the ball in play from the right 1/3 of the field to RF foul line is an issue. That said, his ability to provide power seems suspect going forward. If he needs more development, it gives Gordon another year to develop further as back-up to Buxton in CF. Assuming others develop to expectations, Larnach - Kirilof - Gordon - Walner - Buxton taking up our 5 outfield spots going forward in ‘24, it doesn’t seem there is a spot for Celestino in our plans forward.m. Obviously, trades of one of the LH guys could change things. This year, if healthy, he seems blocked by Garlick as well.

All good…. don’t want to detract because I saw Aguilera go from 4th-5th starter for the Mets to lockdown closer for TWINS. However, John Smoltz was special as a starter that had success in the Pen, while being innings protected, for 2-3 years is my recollection.

Tough to justify Gallo for sure……particularly since we did nothing to strengthen the Pitching Staff. Was really pissed when it was announced!! However, I was upbeat that Kepler may bounce back so I guess have to give Gallo benefit of the doubt. If he starts 130 games, bats 9th, hits .215, & hits 25 HR’s we’ll live with that. I guess FO was just tired of Max’s lack of punch and recent lack of availability. They chose Gallo at .030 points lower BA and 15 more homers??. HAVE to assume FO is working on moving Kepler with another piece or two for a starter. I saw someone picking at Gallo’s health in another comment,…….he was under 100 games in 2019 but played 57 in 2020 when league total was around 65 games played. Fine in ‘21 & ‘22. Seems as or more reliable than Max. “Maybe” is all we got with Gallo……and about 8 other guys?.

Have only seen a couple commenters put Gordon in LF as the everyday starter for ‘23. After last season, can’t imagine that not being the case. He can still play 20 games at second to help spell Polanco & another 30 games in CF to help get Buxton through the season. That leaves him 95 games in LF unless there’s some significant regression……..That leaves 40 - 50 starts for Larnach…..20 or so starts for Garlick in LF. Jax & Duran are Pen anchors! I’d like to see López moved along with Kepler and a prospect to land a depth starter. Sign Fulmer or Hand or maybe Chafin to bolster Pen. Concerned about expecting too much from a guy coming off his 2nd ACL & another 10-12 months away from the live games. Farmer will suffice at SS & if Lewis can contribute in late ‘23 that’s great. Miranda playing average defense at 3rd with 20 dingers & .265 average and we should all be ecstatic. Has the basis of a “professional hitter.” Would be nice to get somebody behind him for a little protection in the line-up! (not Kepler - Celestino - etc.) An aside, Polanco, and his production this year seems to be a big key for our offense. With Correa & Kepler gone we need a Vet to come through and post numbers that meet expectations. Line-up: Arraez1B - BuxtonCF - LarnachDH - Miranda3B - Polanco2B - VazquezC - GordonLF - FarmerSS - GalloRF Kirilof-Garlick-Jeffers-Walner ……..Kirilof, Gordon & Arraez serve as Infield depth with a number of guys able to DH.

What do you guys think of Megill? I get he’s relegated to Pen, fine, but it seems he has two Plus pitches with his 98MPH & curveball. He’s similar to Duran w/o a 3rd pitch. Seems to me he’d be dominant by adding a 3rd pitch. To me, a cutter would be easiest to work on & master but a change-up would be equally effective. I also get one doesn’t just add a 3rd pitch w/o issues. He just seems to have such good stuff that a 3rd pitch used 15% of the time would not allow or minimize hitters ability to sit on one pitch. His command could be better but nobody’s perfect. Am hoping new pitching coach - coaching staff can get him developed!!! Thoughts on what others see with Megill?

First & foremost we need to compete, like 90% of the other teams in MLB……”giving the kids a shot” is what AAA is all about. Sorry, keep reading this & want us to focus on winning. Obviously, the Show needs to be experienced at some point but making trades with the batting Champ - (4 year career .313 BA) so some kids get a chance, makes no sense. Kepler is going to be traded. Who we can wrap up with him is for debate. Larnach is high end prospect and should command value…..I agree we need more pitching if available. Can’t trade the, arguably, only consistent bat in the line-up. No problem with Kepler - even Larnach - somebody else on the prospect side being lumped together for an arm. Seems Marlins already traded in starter…..not sure how many arms they have to move? Pitching wins games - agreed!!

I understand his compensation is set up that way. If his agreement reads that way it, seems (he has to start if healthy enough to start) gray on who makes the determination of health? Not trying to slight him on $ (if healthy, I would re-work $ if Team beneficial from Pen) - if he can help more & ease back after surgery for 10-12 weeks out of the Pen it seems beneficial for both parties! If he’s locked in as a starter not sure why there’s been any talk about signing FA pitching the last 2 months?

These guys have undeniable upside! I like the fact that we have $ to sign a Vet starter in FA. I think Cueto to start the year as insurance and letting these 2 young guys develop a bit more makes sense. Also, a Vet signing would have enough cache’ to move Maeda to the Pen. I think that’s his best value in ‘23 off surgery. If Ober slips up or anyone is hurt out of other 4 guys, then you bring Varland or SWR. They contribute in ‘23 but are brought in slowly & as needed.

Can we all agree that Kepler should not be considered a candidate for our ‘23 roster!?!? Seems extremely remote unless we trade Larnach &/or Gordon - can’t imagine either of those happening. Sure seems to be an absolute that he is traded with 3-4 different guys from ‘22 roster (Gordon - Larnach - Kirilof - Garlick) battling for LF & then the additional signing of Gallo. IMO Celestino isn’t worth considering a rostered player for Twins either. Not at level we need across the board. Powerless - poor base running - overall defense isn’t special. 70% of balls in play are to straightaway RF to foul line. Doesn’t exude MLB hitter. These two out of the OF picture with Garlick being a not very likely LF (more of a DH) is the only way Larnach & Gordon get enough at bats!

Thanks for Longoria info!!…….how does Miranda get any rest at this point? Arraez at 3B….seems a stretch for more than emergency innings. Gordon at SS & Farmer at 3B? Seems like it may need to be addressed. I guess he plays a bunch of innings until we get Lewis back in July? Kirilof - Gordon - Gallo - Larnach - Buxton - Garlick …………Arraez - Polanco - Farmer - Miranda…….Vazquez - Jeffers…………seems we need that back-up IF, DH until Lewis can go mid-summer. WHO IS IT? Profar?? Farm system guy??

Agreed - Gordon is everyday LF at this point with the ability to play CF & 2B to spell Buxton & Polanco. Larnach - Kirilof - Garlick - Gallo need to split up their playing time in LF when Gordon is playing elsewhere, RF, DH, some 1B. None of them starts in front of Gordon nor Arraez. Time for a number of guys to break out and have availability and start to show productivity! I still like the consideration of Evan Longoria for RH bat at DH & a 30 game back-up for Miranda. VET at 35 and class guy - connection with Baldelli from Rays as well………any thoughts on him for depth?

I’d trade Celestino in combination with just about anyone for some upside in return. Would prefer not to see him in Twins OF going forward! Upside with Laureano though, is blah. Relative to roster, Pagan is less desirable than Celestino. If we could combine them with Kepler (gotta be moved after Gallo signing) for a pitcher, that would be a home run! Polanco is in last year - agreed. Kepler gone somehow. Gallo a one year guy. I’d extend the better performers between Maeda - Mahle - Gray by end of June for best economics. Maeda has a fresh arm after surgery, once strengthened. He may be the best option of the 3? With your core of 10 players plus the 2 catchers, we’d be at $42 million/ year. Add a big bat for $15M. Total is $57M. Arraez at $6.5 ……Buxton at $15……….Vazquez at $10…….everyone else at $750K. Go get a big ARM and sign another shutdown guy in backend. New arm at $25M - BP guy $12M…….extensions Gray at $16M - Mahle at $16M - Maeda at $13M. Rest of staff maybe $25M. GENERALLY: Pitching $97M …….Everyday guys $57M = $154M……….Solid pitching with Ace plus our 3 vets from current squad. A nice young club on the field with a veteran power bat. Right on target with budget for ‘24!!

Suggestion of RH bat depth for DH & security at 3B - Evan Longoria! Relievers for BP depth…….as you mentioned, I to wanted a FA starter to push Maeda into the Pen. Am still in favor of that happening somehow, maybe Varland picking up the 5th rotation spot. Drop Maeda into middle relief & add Fulmer - Hand - Britton or any 2 of those guys and our BP is really solid. No Pagan - maybe no López in bullpen …….offer up their “potential” along with Kepler and a prospect for a SP in return. Dream scenario. Bull Pen to reverse the 27 blown saves (let’s cut to 12) from ‘22: FA (Hand) - Moran - Thielbar - Megill - Jax - Duran - Maeda - FA(Fulmer)……..Winder & Alcala in St. Paul & ready to go.

Love the optimism! We don’t suck & we have a bunch of decent to good players. W/o ridiculous injury problems we also have decent depth. Rays win annually without superstars …….I’m fine with our roster. Don’t see the large chasm between Correa & Farmer. I have not been a critic of the FO. There are 25 FO’s struggling every year - not just in MN! I don’t see our offer to Correa as wildly different than the Mets, $30M less total & 2 less years of service expected by the Twins. ($26.25/yr Mets & $28.5/yr Twins) ……..however, the Gallo signing is difficult to rationalize. To me, the Manager’s handling of pitching staff in ‘22 was pretty standard procedure in today’s game, especially if handling often injured Sonny Gray, Chris Archer, & Dylan Bundy. Mahle arrived & got hurt. Paddock arrived & got hurt. Ober was on the edge all year with injury. Ryan was in his first MLB season. I think Winder had some issues? Watching Maeda re-hab daily. Not sure what he’s supposed to do??? Not his fault Smith, Duffey, Pagan & López joined together to nearly lead the league in blown saves (27 is a bunch….what if only 12?? … that’s still 2 per month)……..it wasn’t “over work”….these guys are professional pitchers just like the starters. Would have liked our splash to have been on a free agent Starting pitcher to then move Maeda to Pen for 2-3 months, or if effective, there all year! I like your continued openness to Johnny Cueto or similar for starter depth!! Lastly, I think we have a Diamond in the Rough with Megill. Plus fastball - plus curveball - slightly different release point with his height……….needs a 3rd pitch to get hitters off sitting on one pitch. A cutter or a change-up used 10-15% of the time would make him dominant. Got my fingers crossed on our pitching development crew!! Add Maeda, Moran, & a more effective Megill and our Pen is solid! How about spending a little on Fulmer - Hand - Britton………please, more arms the better!! Let’s get blown saves down to 12?.

Agreed on Gordon! To me, he’s our opening day LF. Also, agreed that we have too many OF & we didn’t sign Gallo to trade him. Maybe we signed Gallo to play left and expect Gordon to play a lot more 2B with Polanco only being available health wise 60-70% of the time. Polanco also gone after 2023…..could we be grooming Gordon for future at 2B after last year’s uptick offensively? Blend a pitcher we see as serviceable (Sands - Winder) along with Kepler & Celestino for a proven arm or a high end prospect arm. If Jeffers &/or one of the young LH outfielders needs to be involved in a trade with Kepler to get a decent arm in return, do it. In my opinion, Celstino’s “OK defense”, complete lack of power for an OF bat, terrible base running……all put him in a place where we don’t need to see him on our roster in 2023 & forward. Larnach - Walner - Kirilof - Gallo - Gordon, assuming Max is traded, is still one more LH than needed. Gordon & Gallo aren’t trade bait. If somebody is more interested in “upside” than Kepler, keep Max & trade one of the other 3. NEED PITCHING DEPTH & Free Agency starters have sailed.

Gotta assume the medical issue that could shorten Correa’s availability may not have been a concern when signing a 3 year deal last year. If so, 10 years is a pretty bold offer if it’s serious. Maybe just an insurance hurdle they can’t get over at the length Giants & Mets were offering? Those actuaries can mess up what others seem to think isn’t a big deal. I get wanting insurance for sure the last 5 years of a 13 year deal, or “no deal” approach. In my opinion, can sign Evan Longoria to a one year deal for experience, professionalism, and RH bat at DH……..maybe 25-30 starts at 3rd. 37 & not expensive at this point. Assuming there’s a connection with him and Baldelli from the Rays days that may help as well! Eovaldi was too expensive & risky…….he’s had numerous health issues but still gets guys out when pitching. A lot like Sonny Gray. Eovaldi signed for 2 years & $34 million. That’s a deal!!! Kick the tires with Longoria - may be a good fit & not as costly as we might think. He’d be great for $6.5M or less.

All about adding a reliever or 2!! Am stuck on the known - Fulmer. Seems like a practical path for a signing. 2 years for $21M. Worst case. Maybe a lefty - Moore is 42……sensible??? Hand - Britton? My Pen for TWINS: FA we can sign …….Fulmer is choice #1 Jax Maeda Moran Thielbar Duran Lopez …….would like to alter this somehow, stuck for now. No command in zone. Pagan clone - good stuff, no clue how to pitch! Megill …….please develop a 3rd pitch, if only just for show Cap it at 8 guys……..26 man roster Alternates are Alcala - Winder. Gotta move Pagan!!!!

How does a poor signing from the Giants prove the Rogers trade was a poor decision. He was terrible in MN without at least a days rest between appearances. Every year with TWINS!! They lost half of ‘21 productivity due to his finger issues. Still paid him. They let him go due to lack of availability and he was brutal blast year ……..worse than Pagan somehow. We have the potential (low expectations) of Paddock coming back from surgery & contributing. How is this a “4x really poor” trade????

#5 Mahle - health & decent performance is necessary for Team success. #6 Larnach - needs to step up and play 110 games & realize potential with teens HR’s & 50 plus RBI. Lots of DH at bats I believe. #7 Maeda - need to feel his positive presence on the staff whether from the Pen (hopefully) or as a starter. #8 Nick Gordon - he’s on a track to be an All-Star left fielder. Speed - doubles power - plugs holes on defense as needed - .270 BA ……..walk a few more times and he’s a SOLID every day player for next 8 years!

Lopez was not a good pitcher at any point in his career prior to first half of last year…..4 pitches - decent to plus stuff, not good results. Desperation move to bullpen in Baltimore last year…….don’t think he has mental makeup to pitch in majors at a high level. Why would Baltimore trade him with his level of success & his contract unless they didn’t believe the results? He also had 44 appearances with 55% of season gone in ‘22 - that’s a lot. Lopez & Pagan are mirror images, good stuff, no bulldog in them. They should both be rolled into trades with a bat like Kepler for whatever we can get. Can’t keep Gallo & Kepler with the 3 young left handed bats behind them. #1 Joey Gallo - obviously can’t do what he’s done last couple years or he’ll be DFA’d…….Miranda’s production was & will be fine for this point in his career. #2 Jorge Polanco……….Getting paid to play 130 games per year at 2B and drive in runs while getting near to 20 HR’s. #3 B. Buxton & A. Kirilof………gotta play & play to capabilities. Buxton needs to hit .240 or more with 85 plus RBI & 33 plus HR. Kirilof needs to play 110 games and hit .270 plus with 50-60 RBI. #4 Wildcard - Trevor Megill……..his plus curveball & 98MPH fastball need to yield better to dominant results 1 inning at a time!! He needs a 3rd “show” pitch to keep hitters from sitting on 1 of the other two. Change-up or cutter would make him devastating. Get to work with him! Original Article Choices: Miranda will be fine - López may not have the guts to pitch consistently in MLB, an insignificant piece for Twins - Jeffers is almost insignificant as well with Vasquez on roster so don’t understand this choice?

I think it’s possible that not worrying about SS any longer would be healthy for the whole fan base!! Farmer is here for up to 2 years until our youth is ready from the Farm System. Trading for a non-offensive threat is not an option. Trading for a SS is senseless. Spend $ on pitching - sign a couple free agent arms, maybe 3. Still experienced value in arms left to sign. Trading for pitching solely, without signing any free agent pitching is a mistake. Spend any available budget $ on extending current veteran pitchers (Maeda - Mahle - Gray) (Kepler - Sands - Winder - Walner - Larnach - Jeffers - farm system pitchers) These are guys that are understandably available for trades. All upside guys, potentially. All in roles where we have depth. All could be bundled in some combination for A PITCHER.

Hand (need back up plan for Thielbar) & Fulmer for $17-$20 million/year total. Kluber for another $7-8M for starter depth so Maeda can start in Pen for couple months. On paper, our staff would be stacked! Extend Gray - Mahle - Maeda as deserved after May…..completely agree! Everyday lineup is fine unless 3 guys get hurt & Larnach/Kiriloff are way over-rated.

Arraez can split time at 2nd & DH in Boston but he can’t do both of those things & play some 1B for the TWINS??? Polanco has bad knees as well - missed a bunch of time in ‘22 and has one year left on contract. Trading Arraez’ flexibility in the Infield along with a .313 lifetime (4 seasons) batting average seems nuts to me. Trade prospects and guys we don care to have on our roster for pitching or pony up with a Free Agent pitcher or two - don’t trade away consistent productivity. (Keppler - Larnach - Celestino - Walner - maybe an unproven arm)

He’s 33 - 4th best WAR last year of all free agent starting pitchers …..he’s a risk, but he’s 100-140 innings of decent quality performance. Spots of high end performances here & there. Sounds a lot like Sonny Gray. I am concerned though that after Vázquez signed he hasn’t been able to get much activity on this front as his former battery mate. Maybe telling FO to go elsewhere?