Mike Sixel

Are there better free agents available?

Now the Athletic writers are carrying water for the frugality! I won't be renewing.....

The only time I miss my subscription to Insider (or whatever it is called now)....but when you get laid off, you make choices.

I think Romero is that high leverage guy. He'd be wasted as a long reliever (unless they stack them).

https://mlb.nbcsports.com/2019/01/27/the-banality-of-cheap-baseball-teams/ concur.

https://mlb.nbcsports.com/2019/01/27/add-indians-twins-to-list-of-teams-defending-payroll-thriftiness/ Not a positive look ....

Dave 3:17 Is Martin Perez really in the Twins starting rotation? Or did they just tell him that so he would sign, and then they’ll put him in the bullpen. It seems like Gio and several other better SPs could have been had for similar money. Steve Adams 3:18 Gio won't get similar money, but I don't think there's any real debate that, say, Drew Pomeranz is just plain better than Martin Perez. And he signed for less guaranteed money. The Perez signing is obviously small scale, but it is one of the most baffling moves of the offseason. I don't see how he's an upgrade over any of the 6-7 in house options they already had for the fifth spot. If you're going to sign a starter, at least sign someone who is either a clear upgrade or, with the proper bounceback, could be deemed as such (e.g. Pomeranz) Pohlads 3:28 How much longer can we get away with being cheap before our fans turn on us? Steve Adams 3:29 (That's Jim Pohlad, current owner of the Twins) 3:32 I've never bought into the "Pohlad is cheap" narrative as much as others; they dropped a $130ish million dollar payroll to open last season, and the Twins spent $40MM+ from mid-January through Opening Day. Previously they spent a fair bit on Ervin, Hughes and Nolasco (woof), and they ponied up for Mauer. It's a known fact that their TV deal sucks, which hurts in today's game. All of that said, the fact that you have Derek Falvey saying the Twins believe in their core in the same interview that Thad Levine says "We're eagerly awaiting the point when our window opens and we plan to be aggressive then" is flat-out doublespeak, and the Twins' reluctance to be more aggressive when the division is full of recent tankers and an Indians team that is stepping back seems ridiculous. If you believe in the core, then the time to act seems like right now -- before the White Sox suddenly have Eloy Jimenez, Michael Kopech, Dylan Cease, etc. all at the MLB level. https://www.jotcast.com/chat/chat-with-mlbtrs-steve-adams-1-29-19-4441.html

If they don't extend or QO Gibson, who are the pitchers? It's not like they actively tried out guys last fall..... Gibson, Sano, Buxton in that order. I'd consider Rosario, but if you believe in Kirriloff and Lanarch and others....maybe not. Given I have no idea what their budget is, it is hard to say with any certainty.....

Not quite right......because Garver will play about the same amount with Realmuto as Castro, so the delta is between Castro and Realmuto.....so the delta is more like 2.5 WAR. But, the real point is........they can afford to add a great player if they want to.

I forgot about the option. Yes, it's better than nothing. I'm not in love that it is a DH, but it is what it is.

People ignore the self fulfilling prophecy all the time. Don't add great players, then say, see, they weren't ready.... All we are asking for is using their assets on two established players. Heck, start with one. Not on a one year deal.

I'd rather Garver was the main catcher, but otherwise agree with all this. Great stuff, as always.

This. Except if you believe in Kirilloff, I don't extend Rosario. Frankly I trade him at this deadline, I bet.

I would have done it for three years of control. I'm slightly less likely for two.... But yes, he's being criminally under rated in this thread.

This. More worried about bargains than fair wages and winning. Which, that's fine, if you don't care about winning.

An excerpt.... https://www.mlbtraderumors.com/2019/01/quick-hits-prospects-grandal-twins-davis-as.html The Twins’ pursuit of Grandal is interesting in light of recent comments from Derek Falvey and Thad Levine about the team’s rather conservative approach to spending this offseason, though obviously Minnesota (like any club) would be interested in larger multi-year deals if it felt it was getting something of a below-market price.

Which, in fairness, is what the owner said when Ryan was here. But, we'll see, hopefully soon, if this FO is different. So far, nope.

Whether you think they are good or not, Machado is 26 (I think), and should be very good to great for 5-10 more years. If they aren't competitive in that timeframe, it won't be because they have a great player in Machado (or Harper)...... This isn't some 30 year old we are talking about here.

The healthcare in this country is an abomination compared to most of the rest of the first world countries. Significantly more expensive, and less effective. Not to mention the millions of children and adults not even covered. Try buying insurance if you are self employed...... Did I mention I used to work in the industry? High up?

It can be better, and not work. Not to mention they were incredibly lucky in seventeen.

Did anyone say that? I suggested it needed better balance. And, it isn't about my agenda, it's about democracy. And representative government, both of which I believe in rather strongly. Right now, the Senate isn't representative at all, and it's only going to get worse.

Except not in hindsight, many of us asked for guys in the top fifty.... Either way, we should be happy Lewis is here, I believe.

Yup. The Senate needs to be changed. Going to keep saying it to my grave. Not totally proportional, but closer. Tyranny of the minority in full force right now.

Clearly, but that's not the tone on this site at all......they are heaped with tons of praise for such an awesome pick. Which, that's fine, feel free. But, it was the first overall pick, they could choose any of several players and be getting the same praise, which I thought was clearly the point of my post.

BE: With the slow moving FA market, would it make sense for a team in a winnable division to load up on bargain deals and try to steal one? Keith Law: I think you just subtweeted the Twins and White Sox. Justin R: Is next year finally going to be Max Kepler’s breakout? Keith Law: I dreamed last night that Kepler was in the middle of a breakout season. Not even joking.