Andy MacPhail

I have to admit that I don't know a lot about CWS, but I've liked how they have focused on young promising catchers. This year, they didn't have a very good pitching group but they instead of sending their future SPs to AAA (wasting their bullets), they have plugged them into their MLB BP. They became one of the best BP in MLB that aided their ailing rotation. Almost every pundit predicted CWS, who have had consecutive 100 loses, to finish last in the AL Central. I predicted that they'd surprise many, Pat Murphy early this season said "Mark my words right now: That Chicago White Sox team will be something to be reckoned with in that division” I have advocated for years for Twins to focus on promising young catchers, finally they are doing this (better late than never). Together, I've advocated to get our promising MLB-ready SPs feet wet by plugging them into our MLB BP, to aid our rotation by using long relief in tabu ways. I have advocated for us to poach MIL's staff. CWS have poached MIL's Matt Roffe to head their scouting staff while MN has reduced their scouting staff, I admire how MIL has run their org., I see CWS heading the right direction & I agree with Murphy that they're a force to be reckoned with, I'm frustrated about how slow MN has transitioned from the old mindset. If the Twins weren't so much in my blood, I'd change my allegiance; but they are, so I'll have to suffer through this.

It has taken a while, with a lot of pundits' critique, MIL has put together a team the right way, that can become a dynasty for years to come.

You put in the right order. Culpepper should step in & contribute. Jenkins was developed right; he might have his up & downs & wonder about his ability to stay on the field as well as Emma. I like Emma best as Buxton back up, but how his hitting translates in MLB is questionable. In the MiLB, he may think he doesn't need to change but, in the MLB, he'll need to see that he'll need to adapt. He can be a force once he does.

I'd say that I'm in the extend a QO camp. And that it'd be irresponsible not to. It's a gamble I'd take because I believe that Boras won't take it. "Of course, one thing that held down Jeffers's playing time totals during his Twins tenure was outside his control. In the last two seasons of Rocco Baldelli's tenure, the team used the most careful alternating pattern of catcher starts in the history of the sport." Twins always looked to Jeffers as their primary catcher, but he never stepped up to do so. & even under the tandem situation, Jeffers petered out the 2nd half. It's has become uncommon for a catcher become a primary catcher.

I selected the Brewers to win it all. The best series was the MIL/ SD, the best against hottest teams. IMO, SD came into the postseason as the 2nd best team. TD played MIL tough. I rank 3nd, Most every "pundit" predicted the loaded LAD to win it all, some said easily, I'd rank #4. CWS & CLE were impressive, IMO, the best WS I've seen for a while, MIL have done everything well, they deserved to win. Congrats, Brewers!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Transactions are a gamble. Twins have been between a rock & hard place. Like last year, Twins need to field a winner to draw back fans. My stance is the same; I'd gamble in trading away regular players who should be traded for young players who can impact the team now (not maybe 4yrs. from now) in a way that we still compete now & in the future. So, I'm for trading away both Ryan & Ober in the offseason or at the deadline if can come up with good trades, even if we are competing. We'd need to obtain promising young MLB-ready SPs to compensate for their loss. IMO, Lopez will come back & will be open to sign a very reasonable extension. I'd pursue that. Ryan & Ober's careers have been intertwined from the beginning.

Normally so, especially in catching, but IMO, Lackey has enough talent to supersede that. & the hope that the development process has improved.

I'm not a big early extension fan but Lackey would head my exception list. Injuries are always a concern but development is not.

Scouting is good for gathering intangible information. International scouting is where the Twins are proportionally the weakest. Twins' philosophy have little scouting, just get a bunch of prospects & throw them against the wall & see who sticks. Scouting is only as good as the decision makers,

Rortvedt played almost 2X as games as Jackson, that qualifies him as a primary catcher. Rortvedt had .8 WAR, Jackson -.4. As I said Rortvedt was doing great until the primary duties got too much for him, Coming off injuries & only had spot catching duties, that'd be understandable. Only other time he had quality ABs was with LAD, when Will Smith was down before the WS; and he did well. He's a very good defensive catcher & if you throw out his spotted MLB catching duties & when he was overextended; his hitting would be somewhat impressive. IMO, Rortvedt isn't a primary catcher, his sweet spot would be strong or weak side tandem. I don't see Jackson anything more than a 3rd catcher.

I trust LAD's superior evaluator's judgement & they have overwhelmingly chosen Rortvedt. I don't get how so many except Twins' pitching evaluators' selection, who chose pitchers with bad #s while state how they can change their role, pitch selection & mechanics; claiming to find their sweet spot & key. Yet quickly reject position players, who are very good defensively who had bad past overall hitting stats & completely ignore how they were previously used. Rortvedt is a far superior catcher if used correctly.

I'd do that too.

I like all your predictions. They should trade, Lewis, unfortunately, but not this offseason, he's not worth much right now. I'd wait at the deadline, IMO, he could put up some #s the 1st half. I'd also trade Ryan. I'd trade both of them even if we happen to be in contention for young players that can impact the team now.

For years we have drafted 1B/ DH type players. Where are they? Fizzled out. But still, we have plenty of in-house players. Let's stop the expensive FA merry-go-round, where we never develop the position & never solve the problem. Let's put Keaschal at 1B, make him a strong fixture for a long time.

I'm a big fan of managing the pitchers' workload. Overextending them tends to injuries & tired arms. Even when we make it to the postseason our arms are shot. That's because of mismanagement. If Ryan were to sign an extension, he'd be signed already, so, he's in his last season. It's too late to be concerned about his 2nd half because he should be gone by then.