It is very unlikely Mauer gets elected on the first ballot. Catchers very rarely get elected on the first ballot. Piazza and Berra didn't get elected on the first ballot. I think the whole list of first ballot catchers is Johnny Bench and Pudge Rodriguez.
I wouldn't call Kiersey a bust. It was always a long shot he would contribute as a major leaguer. It's still kind of a long shot. He's 26, this might be his career year and he's still only an .850 OPS in Double-A. That won't play as more than a 4th outfielder. He could be a fun addition when rosters expand as a pinch-runner, he can steal a base.
Those are the odds for every MLB team, including the Braves. What odds would you give me to bet on the Twins? 200-1?
If the Twins just sneak into the playoffs they will not be the favorite but sometimes the underdog wins, especially in baseball. I'm fine with rooting for an underdog this October. Beats the hell out of watching football.
That full list includes Severino, Camargo, Chris Williams, Bechtold, Prato, Martin, Laweryson, Funderburk, Kiersey, Salas, Hidalgo and Regi Grace. That's the group they're selling hard.
Probably because many of the veterans (Sonny Gray, Kenta Maeda) are a lot better than the younger players (Varland, Woods-Richardson) who would take their place. I'm fine with clearing out dead wood (Gallo) but that's not "selling".
Give up very little and get two above average soon-to-be free agent relief pitchers. Hopefully ones with expensive salaries so they cost almost nothing in talent.
Balance the OF by dumping a LH batter and adding one from the right side.
If the Twins add a RH hitting OF bat he should take playing time away from Kepler anyway. If Wallner fails in a platoon RF role they can try Larnach or Kirilloff or Gordon or more Willi Castro.