Richie the Rally Goat

I like what you’re smokin’, just don’t pass me the Dutchee, I’m gettin the DTs

reading between the lines here, I’m prepared for a payroll below 140

Iglesias is fine, if they do something with the outfield, and get more out of 3rd base than what Gio provided. They aren’t going to get more healthy in 2023. Need a better hitting RF than Kepler and a decent, CF capable league average or better hitting, 4th outfielder.

Ahem…..

I’m thinking SS and Catcher are not the reason the lineup was awful in ‘22. I’m looking square at the outfield, DH and Gio at 3rd that firmly underperformed in bat first positions. As evidenced by the record, 4-5 hitters can’t be compensated for by one SS. Especially with the shift being mitigated, quality fielding SS is a must. I’d love to see Correa re-signed, I don’t see that as likely. I really like Ahmed as a trade target.

Only slightly used

twenty-first-and-a-half Century!

Over budget?! Is that allowed?

TBH, I wouldn’t sign Hicks to be a backup for Buxton either, but I’d druther Hicks in CF than Wallner

He missed the vesting option because he was traded, right?

Pitchers are limited to 13 roster spots. I like the idea of a 6 man rotation, but Winder can’t be in the utility spot. good job showing your work on a fairly realistic trade.

5 players short of a full roster

Names or it didn’t happen also Jeffers in there twice

Isn’t the catcher Willson Contreras?

What did you give up for Jansen and Roberts?

Absolutely!

2022 was Swanson’s final arbitration year. By outs above average Swanson is the best fielding SS by a VAST margin. 20 outs above average puts him in the 100th percentile of all fielders across the MLB. with a 115 OPS+. Going into his age 29 season Swanson will get PAID! Backup the Brinks Truck! At least 7 years $200M

For those upset that coaches heads didn’t roll this fall, I have one suggestion. It’s a big ask, not everyone can afford it, but if you can, I can guarantee you won’t regret it. Go to spring training in March 2023 I conspicuously notice the people that I see at spring training, most years, aren’t upset that these coaches didn’t get fired. I’ve watched Tommy Watkins work with these players, fairly up close and personal for a few instances, a couple days per year. I’ve missed a couple spring trainings over the last decade, but generally I go. It great! I learn more about baseball in those brief moments, than I ever learned anywhere else, including when I played highschool ball. They do coach fundamentals. Really well! this is two things, one: a pitch to go to spring training, becausd it’s my favorite three or four days of the year. two: it’s an empathy/reality check. Players for the MN Twins get coached by Baldelli and team for a few years, but have been coached by dozens, maybe hundreds of coaches over a decade or more, before they get to the bigs. The Selig ball, where giving it a sharp and discerning stare could knock it out of the park, drove coaching decisions since McGuire, Sosa and Bonds captured the greatest stage in 1998. Baldelli and team can’t undo a decade in one or two spring trainings. we’ve been reading about the minor league affiliates putting more base running tactics into games. While my sample size is small and only my (fairly ignorant) perception, I think the coaching staff is doing the right things. I’m not sure about the FO, but the coaches I feel good about.

Royce had his second ACL surgery in 2 years in June, 2022. He will likely start the season on the 60. not sure what the plan for Larnach is

Lewis blew out his ACL, had surgery June 21, 2022. Planning on starting him 8 months post surgery seems pretty aggressive, especially since that’s his second ACL in 2 years. Cutch in LF makes Josh Willingham look like Usain Bolt. No thanks.

I like the idea of Duran starting. I toyed with this idea, but as @Riverbrianpointed out I was too stuck on labels when I filled my roster out and couldn’t justify the plausibility of Duran going from 60 innings to 120+. whatever label you give him, he needs to pitch more than 60 innings next year

Me too!

Poor Louis, he’s working for free

I believe Ober does have options left, however his career high innings pitched in a season was 2021 at 108 innings. I believe he will never get you the 150 innings per season to be a good mlb starter. agreed on your concern about the ‘24 rotation. SWR, Winder, Paddack (assume he starts season on 60 day) and Varland will all be important reserves in 23 and need to step up in 24.