Twins_Fan_in_NJ

I'm still not a big believer in Popkins. I know the players like him, but the on-field results haven't been there. I think the line-up will be prone to prolonged slumps and a lot of strike outs. The division being what it is, the offense will do enough but when the post-season comes around, they'll be exposed (again).

This. It isn't about comparing Varland and Lorenzen. The Twins need pitching depth for the rotation. They were incredibly fortunate last season. If there's an injury to the current group of 5, you have SWR waiting in the wings but who else? Falvey and Levine talked about rotation depth when they acquired Desclafani so I'm presuming that they see the need. Unfortunately, I don't know if the need will be enough to prompt them into breaking the payroll restraints and signing Lorenzen or anyone else.

Silver lining on Duran - no arm troubles. Thielbar going on the IL doesn't bother me too much; keep him fresh until later in the year. Twins have the bullpen depth to survive presuming neither is out for an extended period of time, i.e., June or July. For Desclafani, oof. The trade looks like an absolute dud on its face. I have hopes for Varland. Issue is, does AAA have the starting pitching depth to fill-in when the inevitable injury hits? Twins were extremely fortunate last year with the rotation and when needed, Ober and Varland stepped up. Anyone waiting in the wings?

This sucks. Hang in there, Duff. Got a lot of prayers headed your way.

With you on Winder. Had high hopes for him during the 2022 season but alas...

Ober is probably the best one of late, right?

Perhaps. But I just think he's a likely candidate to get injured pitching extensive innings. The same can reasonably said for any starting pitcher, but some guys are a higher-risk and I think Duran's one of them.

Kirby Puckett passed away. And I was gutted. Growing up in New Jersey being a Minnesota Twins fan in the 1980's - it wasn't the norm. But that was the Kirby Puckett effect. Back then, the only time I got to watch the Twins on television where the 6-7 times they played the Yankees or the rare appearance on ESPN Sunday Night baseball. Starting in the late 80's, I begged my parents to subscribe to the Daily News so that I could check the box scores every morning and see how Kirby did. Every Christmas and birthday, my parents were in a mad dash to call up the Minnesota Twins team store and ask for a catalog so I could pick out more Kirby memorabilia. His performance in game 6 of the 1991 World Series is still a vivid memory. Nearly brought my house down with the jumping and screaming after he hit the homer off of Liebrandt. And the day he retired, I cried like a baby. He was truly one of a kind and he'll always be my all-time favorite athlete. My dad and I went to Cooperstown to see him enshrined in the HOF. I lost my dad in August and hold that trip near to my heart - it's the quintessential father - son trip. Life wasn't necessarily kind or fair to Kirby post-baseball and I tend to not pay much mind to the rumors and gossip. I chose to remember the big grinned, fire hydrant body patrolling centerfield in the Metrodome and getting goose bumps when I heard Bob Casey say, 'Kirrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrby Puckett'. RIP in Kirby.

I'm generally happy with this front office. I think the bullpen additions, trading for Margot, and signing Santana were solid moves especially when you consider the financial constraints. With that said, I do think they need to add another starting pitcher. Lorenzen was my preference but if he's seeking a 2-year deal, then I don't see the Twins going that route. But DeSclafani scares the crap out of me - if they get 120 innings out of him, they're lucky. If your rotation is Lopez, Ryan, Paddack, Ober, and Varland... To me, both Ober and Varland are in the same camp. Talented, have shown they can be successful but I don't think the track record is long enough to be totally confident - and then you add Paddack, who has dynamic stuff, but is the definition of an injury concern. If things don't break right, you have a ton of pressure on Lopez and Ryan. Having a safety net a la Keuchel isn't the worst idea, but I also get that it takes two to tango and some of the depth options currently available might want more of a guarantee than the Twins can currently give.

I'm not as baseball savvy as some other folks here, so perhaps I'm oversimplifying with this take - but considering how hard Duran throws and the amount of pressure that he puts on his arm, I don't understand why anyone would want or why anyone thinks its a good idea to put him into the starting rotation. He seems tailor made for a closer role with 2 innings as his absolute max.

Castro is such a luxury to have on the roster. He can play multiple positions and do so without being a net negative. He always murdered the Twins when he was on the Tigers, or at least it seemed like he did. I think it is hard to say what his role will be because a lot of it will depend on the health of other players - with that said, wherever he slots, he'll more than hold his own.

Headrick strikes me as being an AAA+ pitcher. Good enough to do well in the minors but not good enough to consistently get major leaguers out. Hopefully he takes a step forward this season but I would think other prospects will be more impactful...

And sorry to belabor the point but there is a reason why Snell and Montgomery remain unsigned. Even the big market teams are reluctant to throw big $$$ and long-term deals at two pitchers that while productive have their flaws.

Sigh... This is becoming a recurring theme of the off-season. I'd be curious to know what free agents people expected the Twins to sign... Perhaps I'm really naive, and I don't think I am because I've been rooting for the Twins since 1986, but with the quirkiness surrounding the TV deal and with SEVERAL homegrown players on the verge of becoming much more expensive, I think Falvey and Levine did a solid job of fortifying the roster and keeping an eye towards 2025 when the TV revenue should normalize. Health allowing, the Twins will win the division. And you know what, if something happens to Correa, Buxton, Lewis, Lopez, or Duran - then the Twins are going to be in trouble and they would still be in trouble even if they committed big $$$ to one of the Boras' four. That's the reality of their situation and I think the FO knows it. There's enough talent on this roster to win the division and compete for the AL pennant. Spending for the sake of it doesn't do anything but win headlines in January and February.

Solid move. Can folks lay off the front office at least until tomorrow morning?

Some of the posts read like the Twins are the Oakland A's or Chicago White Sox. Despite the lack of spending this off season, IF (and yes, its a big IF) the Twins are healthy in October, they have a legitimate chance. When you have a legitimate chance at post-season success, you want someone like Hernandez on your roster. When the Twins signed Solano and Gallo last year, at face value, those moves could've been perceived as blocking the paths of Julien and Wallner. It's a marathon, not a sprint. Having veterans with a proven post-season track record - it's a good thing - and doesn't necessarily preclude prospects like Martin from having an impact.

Neither Snell nor Montgomery will be taking a deal similar to what Carlos Correa took in 2022. For the Twins to sign either one, they'd have to commit guaranteed money for multiple years. Would anyone want them to go that route if it potentially prevents them from signing Ryan, Duran, Lewis, or another young player long-term? I'd venture to say the answer is likely to be NO. Buyer beware on Bellinger. Two horrific seasons followed up by a big season in a contract year. We've seen that before. Matt Chapman. Meh. Don't see an immediate fit or need for this team. Sure, it is nice to win the off-season with splashy headlines and big names but that doesn't always equate to winning games. This roster, as it currently stands, is good for 85-90 wins (health allowing). Making moves on the margins, and those moves are still out there, are more than enough.

And Pohlad's comments, meh, no surprise. Snell is going to get 5+ years from someone. Montgomery as well. Correa hates Bellinger so he was never going to be in Twins' plans. And Chapman, no real spot for him. I give him credit because he's kind of falling on his sword for no reason. Twins' fans shouldn't have had expectations for those players and if they did, welp, reality called...

Pham and Lorenzen. Not what I want to happen, but what I think will happen.

Well, yeah, of course it becomes a good story only if he has success. If the comes makes it back to the bigs and is lit up like a Christmas tree, then no, it is not a good story.

Subjective to say that there's zero risk in signing Bauer. The moment he signs with an MLB team, there will be a ton of media scrutiny and likely backlash from the fans. For most front offices, that's enough of a risk to say, no thanks.

Yup. It makes for a really good story.

Starting to think that we're not going to see any other moves out of the front office. Whether that's the right move, or not, time will tell. In terms of pitching, I wanted another starter to go with Descalfini and have Varland go to the bullpen because I think he can be absolutely dominant in that role. And position players, a right-handed bat for the OF is close to a necessity but perhaps Austin Martin is ready for that role.

Dobnak's career arch has just been insane. Uber driving to starting a playoff game at Yankee stadium and earning a contract extension to a finger injury and being stuck in the minors.

What's everyone think about Tommy Pham...