JADBP

Yeah…they could have just hung on to Varland… now the best closer in MLB. As I said before, it will take years to clean up the F’in mess left behind by Falvey.

You are 100% right! Trading Varland was a disaster from the moment it happened and, worse yet, it was absolutely unnecessary! It was an catastrophic self-inflicted wound. There was just no reason to trade him. Other than that the BJ's pulled the wool over Falvey's eyes. He was so wrapped up in tearing down the pitching staff that he just couldn't stop himself. Every team was calling and banging on the desk with trade deals to pry some of the remaining excellent RPs from Falvey. It was just insanity to fall for this trade offer. FALVEY DESERVED TO GET FIRED. Maybe Falvey really thought he was smarter than all of these other GMs. But the last ten years have proven that he was wrong. I do NOT see any other teams jumping to offer him a job. He might find a role in A-ball. But I am pretty sure, after the last deadline nightmare, he will never again be a GM. And, yeah, there is absolutely no was that Lackey is linked to the Varland deal.

Lot said here, Doc. Yeah, at the end of the day, this is a swap of a lottery ticket for a project. Maybe the Twins pitching staff can eke out some magic for a couple of months? Maybe not. Maybe Reyes flames out? Maybe not. But the bigger point is that yeah, the Twins are at least doing something. That's a world of difference from last year's nightmare! That said, I am still waiting for the news on Larnach, Jeffers, and Wallner. I really just want Wallner out of the org. Not sure he will ever play in Target field again. And, I would hate to see Jeffers go, but it really is the only sensible path with him. Larnach is a maybe. Ryan, Lopez, Lewis and all of out top AAA guys should be untouchable. The better news here is that these moves can help to motivate the rest of the team. I hope it motivates them enough for some of them to sign extensions...like Ryan!

I’m really happy to see Randy doing well. OK maybe against another team. But good work, Randy!

7 at 30 is not a bad starting point. That’s a lot of years but I believe he’s the best SP the Twins have had since Johann. I think the Twins can start negotiating by buying out his last arb and 4-6 more. With the looming minimum payroll the Twins will need him to get the salary levels up! And to WIN games! He’s one of the top 10 SPs already and getting better every year.

Right. So trade him. But at least TRY to sign him first. Not even trying to sign him is irresponsible (to the org) and disrespectful (to Ryan). Show some stones and genuinely TRY.

While I agree that moving Duran for such light talent is egregious, nothing compares to the Varland Trade for absolute idiocy! Someone had a total brain collapse when they accept that trade! Imagine if we had Varland today.....instead of Roden and Rojas? No wonder Falvey got fired!

We’ll call me a dumb fan I guess. I’ve long said this about Ryan: Try to sign him to a 3-4 year deal. If he won’t sign, then trade him. Tom Pohlad can put his money where his mouth is by signing him. That’s a great PR move. If Ryan refuses (which I sadly believe is likely) then Tom can say so publicly (also unlikely, because it’s rude, so he might just have to leak it) and thus can avert the PR nightmare after the trade.

Sure. Now do you trust Zoll to make good decisions this trade season? Based on his track record this season, I DO NOT. Maybe Tom has to look over his shoulders a bit. If he left everything up to Zoll…Zoll could crush this team. As we saw last year, almost any good team is ready to jump on bad decisions by the Twins!

Yeah…hmmmm…didn’t they just do that last year? No, anyone is NOT available. Some are. Would you trade away Jenkins, Emma and Buxton?

YAWN....when will this lame, unoriginal BS end? Is this really the best that Zollie can do? If so, then we need to rethink the GM position. Because this is pretty embarrassing..... I am thinking that a lot is resting on how Zoll performs in this trade deadline. Not so much for the team but definitely for Zoll. He could have a short leash if he messes up this trade season. I realize that he faces an extremely narrow path to improvement. He doesn't really have a lot of star power to trade away (Larnach, Jeffers, Bell) but has some tremendous holes and every trader is going to want to raid our young, controllable assets (just like last year). The chances of doing significant harm to the team is very high. What will he do?

Uhhhh....I think we are missing the boat here if we don't sign Ryan to a new contract first! Lock him up for another 3-5 years. Right now, he is one of the best pitchers in MLB (top ten, maybe even top 5). Lock him up if at all possible. After you clear up Ryan, then you can talk about Taj.

I am personally high on Young. If he continues to refine his hit tool and power (which he is doing in earnest), he could become the next Nelson Cruz. He has a long way to go and may not get there, but it is up to the Twins to develop his hitting skills. He has enormous power for a 19 year old. He might lead the next wave in 3-4 years.

I really hope they sign him but I believe it is 50/50. Sounds like he has a strong commitment. He could be top of first round in 3 years if he really blossoms at Wake. Or he could be another Wake flameout with an overused arm. Either way, he is 5-6 years before he starts in The Biggs and maybe 8-9 before he has a chance to make money like this again. Tough call.