Czelgert

I’ll be the wet blanket here but the Twins haven’t hit a lick since the ASG. If you take out a three error game and a four error game by Twins opponents they’d be averaging 2 runs a game since the ASG and many of those opponents were bad. Walker Jenkins is the only top 7 2023 pick not to get promoted to the big leagues. It’s time for him to get promoted to The Show because this team needs a shot of adrenaline. Alex Jackson, it’s been real.

Whether Zebby is in the BP or the rotation, he needs to develop an out pitch. He fills up the zone which is commendable but way too many long counts and solid contact even when ahead. Let’s work on that out pitch first.

Keep Larnach. He’s a veteran presence on the team that takes quality ABs more often than not. I feel like most posters didn’t want Larnach on the team before the season and haven’t changed that attitude regardless of his play on the field. We need to be realistic about Larnach will fetch which would likely be low level prospects. In a wide open AL I’d rather keep the steady presence he brings even if it means he walks after the season. My thoughts might be different if he could bring a haul but that’s not going to happen,

Every once in a while when you rummage through the Goodwill bins you’ll find a gem. It almost makes you forget about the garbage you also take home. I’ll give Falvey a small amount of credit but this appears more luck. If the Patriots really thought Brady was going to be good they would’ve used a higher pick. Likewise the Twins would’ve acquired Clemens earlier than a break glass emergency for cash considerations if they thought he was that good.

The Twins delay promotion of players way too long in hopes of retaining control of them through the most years possible. While this may seem smart, it stunts their growth. Despite having a highly graded minor league system, how many successful position players has the organization churned out in the last five years? How many flameout after the league makes its first adjustment? Promote players when they show requisite talent and worry about paying them IF they succeed.

The trade deadline is organizationally the most expensive time of the year to fix a bullpen. Guys who can be picked up for low to medium salaries in the offseason are traded for solid prospects. I deeply want this team to improve its bullpen for my own entertainment but now is not the time to move prospects to cover for poor offseason planning.

The QO framework for free agency this year would still fit under the current CBA that goes until the end of the calendar year rather than the season. I agree that it likely won’t be a part of the next CBA but it is part of the current CBA, which will apply to Jeffers.

The Twins blew this season when they did nothing to shore up a decimated bullpen in the offseason. An investment of $25M would’ve made a huge difference while still keeping the Twins in the bottom third of payroll. The Twins should mostly stand pat and learn from their mistakes. It makes no sense to trade assets for rental bullpen talent. On the flip side, I’d rather take the comp picks for guys like Jeffers unless the Twins are absolutely blown away by an offer.

I’ll be the voice of dissent here. Larnach is one of the more professional hitters this team has, which is why he’s often elevated to the 1 hole. His upside is limited, but this organization sorely needs professional players to provide stability and model behaviors for its younger players. I’d argue the lack of solid veterans is one of the reasons for so many prospect flameouts at the big league level. Buxton is nice, but he can’t carry the whole load. This team has turned into a revolving door and develops very little as result. Larnach is likely worth a contract of $8Mish a year. Big whoop. His trade value can’t be much higher than a couple of C level prospects when judged against what the Twins acquired last year for players like Varland. Trading him for that kind of haul isn’t worth the squeeze.