CoasterProductions

Give them Matthews, Raya, and Gonzalez with Vazquez and I think it’s a done deal.

I recently saw a report that the Twins and Padres were discussing a trade package for that had Christian Vasquez include. I feel that the Twins could get this done if they package it similar to the Yankees deal for Soto. If this theoretically happens I think Paddack is almost 100% traded. For me the move for Paddack is to pair him with a prospect around the 20-15 range to Baltimore for Mountcastle. It gives us our starting First Baseman and I think Baltimore would be quick to do it since they are wanting to trade Mountcastle.

Ryan Mountcastle would be great fit too

My off season blueprint has the Twins making a flurry of trades in hopes of improving the team and keeping payroll around the same. My first move of the off-season is to trade RHP Chris Paddack and OF Yasser Mercedes (Twins #15) to the Baltimore Orioles in exchange for Ryan Mountcastle. The Twins are getting a cost effective First Baseman and Baltimore is getting some much needed pitching depth in the potential absence of Corbin Burnes and Kyle Bradish. My second trade woukd send C Christian Vázquez and INF Rayne Doncon (Twins #18) for RHP’s Hobie Harris and Quinn Priester. This is simply a salary dump for emergency AAA pitching depth. This however allows for more significant moves later. The third Trade I would make sends LHP Connor Priellip (Twins #21), 3B/1B Rubel Cespedes (Twins #23), and RHP Adrian Bohorquez (Twins #29) for RHP Kevin Kelly and LHP Garrett Cleavinger. The Twins are getting two solid relief options for the bullpen at a bargain price and the Rays are getting 3 prospects including an intriguing one in Connor Priellip who would be perfect for the Rays pitching development. The fourth trade I would make sends RHP Cory Lewis (Twins #14), OF Gabriel Gonzales (Twins #7) and RHP Louie Varland for OF Taylor Ward. The Angels have expressed significant interest in adding pitching having already added Yusei Kikuchi. Acquiring near MLB ready Cory Lewis and already experienced Louie Varland helps boost the Angels rotation. The Twins are getting the perfect outfielder to replace Max Kepler at a lower price than signing Anthony Santander. The fifth trade I would make is a deal sending UTIL Willi Castro to the Royals for C Freddy Fermin and RHP Blake Wolters (KC #4). This deal has the Royals getting another dynamic bat that can play multiple positions including filling their outfield need. The Twins are getting a cheap Christian Vasquez replacement and an intriguing pitching prospect that would slot well in our farm system. The last trade would send RHP Jorge Alcala, RHP Eiberson Castellano (Twins #15), and C/OF Ricardo Olivar (Twins #16) for UTIL Brendan Donovan. The Twins get their Willi Castro replacement in Brendan Donovan who is arguably better and is cheaper. St. Louis receives two cheap pitchers and an OF/C prospect in Olivar. There are only two free agent signings that I would make the first being for Walker Buehler on a 5 year $95,000,000 contract. The deal will also have a no trade clause and an opt-out after year two, however two extra years would be added on if certain requirements are met in the first two years unless he opts out again. The other free agent signing I would make would be for Tommy Pham for one year $2,000,000. I would also sign RHP Brad Keller to a minor league deal. Overall these signings will benefit the Twins while still being within their budget constraints. C: Ryan Jeffers ($4.70M) 1B: Ryan Mountcastle ($6.60M) 2B: Brooks Lee ($0.80M) 3B: Royce Lewis ($3M) SS: Carlos Correa ($36.00M) LF: Matt Wallner ($.80M) CF: Byron Buxton ($15.00M) RF: Taylor Ward ($8.75M) DH: Edouard Julien ($0.80M) 4th OF: Tommy Pham ($2M) Utility: Brendan Donovan ($4.0M) Utility: Austin Martin ($0.80M) Backup C: Freddy Fermin ($0.8M) NA: Brad Keller ($0.80M) SP1: Pablo Lopez ($21.50M) SP2: Joe Ryan ($3M) SP3: Bailey Ober ($4M) SP4: Walker Buehler ($10M) SP5: David Festa ($0.80M) RP: Jhoan Duran ($3.70M) RP: Brock Stewart ($0.80M) RP: Griffin Jax ($2.60M) RP: Garrett Cleavinger ($1.40M) RP: Cole Sands ($0.80M) RP: Justin Topa ($1.30M) RP: Michael Tonkin ($1.00M) RP: Kevin Kelly ($0.80M) NA: Hobie Harris ($0.80M) Payroll is 5.35% over budget

My proposal that I made for my off-season blueprint would Christian Vasquez, Ricardo Olivar, and Josh Winder for Kelly and Garrett Cleavinger (which may help the chances of a trade happening because of his injury history, he is also a lefty so we’d be killing to birds with one stone). While we may need to eat some of Vasquez’s contract the Rays would be getting a significant upgrade compared to Ben Rortvedt, they would also be getting a pitcher who has not lived up to there prospect status which the Rays are famous for fixing pitchers with that type of profile, they would also end up getting a prospect in the top 15 of one of the better farm systems in the MLB.

I’d rather not bring Tonkin back when there is a better cheaper option elsewhere. Kevin Kelly (Rays) has posted a 2.88 ERA over the past two years and has thrown over 60IP both seasons. He has the same funky arm angle that Tonkin has and is a million dollars cheaper. I do feel that having some unique arms would be good.

When it comes to left handed relieves I’m actually very intrigued in Garrett Cleavinger from the Rays. He’s only 1.4 mil and even though he has had injury issues he has been solid for them when healthy. I would also look into Kevin Kelly (also from the Rays) he has been very solid (2.88 ERA over past two seasons). Although he is a right handed pitcher he would only cost league minimum.

In my off-season blueprint I have decided to make several trades that may seem a little daring on paper but would end up improving the team significantly. Twins and Marlins swap Infielders The first I would make would send 24 year old IF Rubel Cespedes (#22) in exchange for Marlins UTIL Otto Lopez. Lopez would give the Twins a strong base runner and fielder that Can help back up Carlos Correa and Brooks Lee. Twins acquire their starting First Baseman The second trade I would make would send RHP Chris Paddack and INF Tanner Schobel (#18) to Orioles for 1B Ryan Mountcastle. Mountcastle would give the Twins their starting First Baseman not only for this season but also 2026 for less than any of the free agent options Twins make 3 team blockbuster with Rays and Royals The Twins would send C Christian Vasquez, OF Ricardo Olivar (#15) and RHP Josh Winder to the Rays for LHP Garrett Cleavinger and RHP Kevin Kelly. Along with sending OF Eduardo Beltre (#23) and OF Carson McCusker for C Freddy Fermin and RHP John Schreiber. This trade lands the Twins a cheap backup Catcher with great defense and 3 cheap bullpen arms. Twins swing blockbuster with Cardinals This trade would send 1B Jose Miranda, OF Trevor Larnach, RHP Ronny Henriquez, and C Jair Camargo for UTIL Brendan Donovan and RHP Eric Fedde. This trade lands the Twins their replacement for Willi Castro (who would be non tendered in this scenario) and a depth piece for the rotation. Twins make significant trade with top rivals The final trade I would make would send RHP Marco Raya, OF Gabriel Gonzalez, and INF Payton Eeles for OF Lane Thomas. This trade gives the Twins a dynamic outfielder who can play all three positions but would play in RF most often occasionally filling in for Buxton or Wallner. He also adds a speed/power combo into the lineup Free Agency There are only 2 free agent signings I would make the first would be for LHP Matthew Boyd on a 2 year $26,000,000. This gives the Twins a left handed starter for less than the likes of Blake Snell and Sean Manaea. The other free agent signing I would make would be for OF Tommy Pham. This gives the Twins a solid platoon option for Matt Wallner while also having a solid high energy guy for the lineup. Lineup v. RHP 2B Brooks Lee SS Carlos Correa 3B Royce Lewis CF Byron Buxton RF Lane Thomas C Ryan Jeffers 1B Ryan Mountcastle LF Matt Wallner DH Edouard Julien Lineup v. LHP 2B Brooks Lee SS Carlos Correa 3B Royce Lewis C Ryan Jeffers CF Byron Buxton RF Lane Thomas 1B Ryan Mountcastle LF Brendan Donovan DH Tommy Pham Overall I think that this Twins team could be significantly better than last years and even 2023. C: Ryan Jeffers ($4.70M) 1B: Ryan Mountcastle ($6M) 2B: Brooks Lee ($0.80M) 3B: Royce Lewis ($4M) SS: Carlos Correa ($36.00M) LF: Matt Wallner ($0.80M) CF: Byron Buxton ($15.00M) RF: Lane Thomas ($8.30M) DH: Edouard Julien ($0.80M) 4th OF: Tommy Pham ($3M) Utility: Brendan Donovan ($4M) Utility: Otto Lopez ($0.80M) Backup C: Freddy Fermin ($0.80M) NA: Dead Money Here ($0.00M) SP1: Pablo Lopez ($21.50M) SP2: Joe Ryan ($3.80M) SP3: Bailey Ober ($4.30M) SP4: Matthew Boyd ($13M) SP5: Eric Fedde ($7.50M) RP: Jhoan Duran ($3.70M) RP: Brock Stewart ($0.80M) RP: Griffin Jax ($2.60M) RP: Garrett Cleavinger ($1.40M) RP: Cole Sands ($0.80M) RP: Kevin Kelly ($0.80M) RP: John Schreiber ($1.80M) RP: Kody Funderburk ($0.80M) NA: Dead Money Here ($0.00M) Payroll is 12.04% over budget

I am assuming that this is about the Mountcastle trade. The proposal that I saw (Between Baltimore and Houston). Had them sending JP France and AJ Blubaugh (#9 on MLB Pipeline). I really don’t know how much of an overpay the trade with Houston would be but it seems to have a very similar base (back of rotation starter plus prospect). I did contemplate trading one of our pitching prospects but I feel that they would be more of an overpay than sending them an infielder who is probably blocked by other prospects and veterans.

Here is my Off-season plan for the Minnesota Twins. I decided to take a more realistic approach to how the off-season happens by making more trades than free agent signings with the only big free agent signing being for LHP Sean Manaea on a 4 year $75,000,000 contract and Tommy Pham on a 1 year $3,000,000 contract. Both of these moves would give the Twins much needed depth as well as veteran leadership. Pham could also be shipped off at the deadline as part of a package for other needs. The first trade I would make would be a trade with the Orioles sending RHP Chris Paddack and 2B/3B Tanner Schobel (#19 MLB Pipeline) for 1B Ryan Mountcastle. This trade ends up being a win for both sides as the Orioles are getting some help on the back of their rotation in the potential absence of Corbin Burnes and Kyle Bradish and the Twins are getting a capable First Baseman without breaking the bank. The second trade I would make would be sending C Christian Vasquez, OF Ricardo Olivar (#15 MLB Pipeline), and 3B Billy Amick (#11 MLB Pipeline) for LHP Garrett Cleavinger and RHP Kevin Kelly. This trade gives the Rays their starting Catcher along with two prospects and the Twins receive two incredibly underrated relievers in Garrett Cleavinger and Kevin Kelly the latter being a fantastic addition to the pen. Kelly has posted a 2.88 ERA over the course of 138IP over the past two seasons and is only making 800K. The last trade I would make would be with a division rival in the Royals which would be a need for need swap. The Twins would send RHP Justin Topa for C Freddy Fermin. While Fermin is not necessary an improvement over Vasquez he is 1/10 of the cost and gives us one of the stronger defensive catchers in the MLB. Justin Topa would give the Royals a solid Middle/Long relief pitcher for cheaper than most of the Free Agents. The last thing I would do would be to sign Royce Lewis to a multi year extension at 8 years $132,000,000 starting at $4,000,000 this year and increasing throughout the deal. C: Ryan Jeffers ($4.70M) 1B: Ryan Mountcastle ($6.6M) 2B: Brooks Lee ($0.80M) 3B: Royce Lewis ($4M) SS: Carlos Correa ($36.00M) LF: Emmanuel Rodriguez ($.8M) CF: Byron Buxton ($15.00M) RF: Matt Wallner ($0.80M) DH: Edouard Julien ($0.80M) 4th OF: Tommy Pham ($3M) Utility: Willi Castro ($6.20M) Utility: Jose Miranda ($0.80M) Backup C: Freddy Fermin ($.8M) NA: Dead Money Here ($0.00M) SP1: Pablo Lopez ($21.50M) SP2: Joe Ryan ($3.80M) SP3: Bailey Ober ($4.30M) SP4: Sean Manaea ($15M) SP5: David Festa ($0.80M) RP: Jhoan Duran ($3.70M) RP: Brock Stewart ($0.80M) RP: Griffin Jax ($2.60M) RP: Jorge Alcala ($1.5M) RP: Cole Sands ($0.80M) RP: Kevin Kelly ($.8M) RP: Garrett Cleavinger ($1.4M) RP: Kody Funderburk ($0.80M) NA: Dead Money Here ($0.00M) Payroll is 5.87% over budget

Walker JenkinsBrooks LeeEmmanuel RodriguezGabriel GonzalezMarco RayaCharlee SotoDavid FestaBrandon WinokurAustin MartinLuke KeaschallKala'i RosarioTanner SchobelSimeon Woods RichardsonYasser MercedesCory LewisYunior SeverinoConnor PrielippDanny De AndradeJose RodriguezCJ Culpepper

The Twins have Reinstated Jhoan Duran. DFAing Matt Bowman to allow a roster spot

The Twins have reinstated Carlos Correa and sent down Austin Martin to AAA. Per MLB.com

Royce Oliver Lewis was born on June 5, 1999. He is currently 24 years old and was born in Aliso Viejo, CA. Minor League Career He was selected with the first overall pick in the 2017 MLB out JSerra Catholic High School in San Juan Capistrano, CA. The Twins announced his signing on June 17 and he made his professional debut with the Gulf Coast League Twins on June 26. Lewis was promoted to the Cedar Rapids Kernels on August 12. He played 75 games for them hitting .315 with 9 home runs and 22 steals. In mid 2018 he was promoted to Fort Myers where he made the all-star futures game and was ranked as the 10th best prospect in the MLB. He was invited to spring training in 2019 as a non roster invitee but was assigned to Fort Myers. Mid season he was called up to AA. On February 24, 2021 Royce Lewis tore his ACL and would miss the whole season. Major League Career On May 6, 2022 Royce Lewis was called up to the MLB. He became the second ever Twins player to have a grand slam as their first home run joining Danny Valencia. On May 29, he re-tore his ACL. About a year later he was reactivated and played most of the remaining games in 2023 hitting 15 home runs and leading the Twins to the postseason. During the postseason he hit 4 home runs tying Kirby Puckett for the franchise record. View full player

Honestly I would rather have Varland in the rotation then DeSclafani

Unfortunately yes. I had a hard time determining whether or not to paddock or varland but i ultimately decided on paddock since varland is younger and has less of an injury risk. He was also fantastic out of the pen last season. It was a very tough decision if I had it my way I’d have both. But there wasn’t enough roster spots.

Some of the extra money would be used to sign these extensions: Lewis: 11 year $183M making $3M this year Julien: 7 year $65M making $3M this year Lee: 9 year $69M making $3M this year Duran: 8 year $70M making $3M this year

C: Ryan Jeffers ($2.3M) 1B: Edouard Juilen ($.77M) 2B: Brooks Lee ($.77M) 3B: Royce Lewis ($.77M) SS: Carlos Correa ($33.33M) LF: Alex Kirilloff ($1.7M) CF: Byron Buxton ($15.00M) RF: Matt Wallner ($.77M) DH: Harold Ramirez ($4.4M) 4th OF: Willi Castro ($3.20M) Utility: Jon Berti ($3.6M) Utility: Kyle Farmer ($6.60M) Backup C: Garrett Stubbs ($.85M) SP1: Pablo Lopez ($8.25M) SP2: Patrick Sandoval ($5M) SP3: Joe Ryan ($0.77M) SP4: Bailey Ober ($2.53M) SP5: Trevor Rogers ($0.77M) RP: Jhoan Duran ($.77M) RP: Brock Stewart ($0.77M) RP: Griffin Jax ($0.77M) RP: Louie Varland ($.77M) RP: Caleb Thielbar ($3.00M) RP: Josh Staumont ($0.95M) RP: Shawn Armstrong ($1.8M) RP: Kody Funderburk ($0.77M) Payroll is 25.20% under budget

Which of the young Twins players deserve a contract extension the most? Here are some of the contracts that I signed in OOTP 24 (I may have lost my mind and turned into the Braves) Royce Lewis: 11 years $183,000,000 Edouard Julien: 7 years $65,000,000 Brooks Lee: 9 years $69,000,000 Jhoan Duran: 7 years $70,000,000 Joe Ryan: 8 years $100,000,000

If I am trading Polanco my replacement is Lee. I am also moving him for good pitching

Emilio Pagan just signed with the Reds on a two year contract per MLB Trade Rumors. The dollar value is not yet known.

Here is another option for some bullpen help to

Here is one more for another rotation arm and a Vazquez replacement. The angels would probably eat some of Stassi’s salary for 2024

Here are two trade proposals. The Mariners one might seem like a lot but if we want one of there starters (especially Gilbert and Kirby) without trading our top 100 prospects it’s gonna probably take a lot.