DocBauer

In the short term, is Cohen good for baseball? The answer is NO. He is adding to the problems with baseball, and the vast inequity that exists in the game itself. And please, no tired arguements that EVERY ownership could just match the Mets and every team could have a $300M payroll, pay luxury taxes, etc. IF Correa indeed signs on the dotted line, the Mets will pay close to $500M in total payroll and taxes in 2023. The Braves, being publicly owned, are the ONLY team in MLB that are forced to open their books. They earned something like $530M in 2022. So if they matched the Mets, almost their entire earnings would be spent on payroll before paying managers, coaches, front office personnel, scouts, trainers, milb players and personnel, improvements to facilities, etc. And that's while having a TBS as their flag station nation wide. We are NOT talking about an even playing field, regardless of how you feel about billionaire ownership. Is Cohen good for baseball long term? Probably YES. Why? Because he...and to a lesser degree the Yankees, Dogers, Giants, etc...are going to force real change in the game itself. OR, the game will irreparably broken. Cohen is playing within the parameters of the rules, as they have been written by ownership/MLB. But we are headed toward what should be a cataclysm event in about 4yrs when the next collective bargaining takes place. Remember, we're still talking about 30 ownership groups here. At some point...possibly firmly nudged by lack of attendance and dwindling interest in such a maddening uneven sport...the majority of owners are going to be fed up. They will not be competitive. Profits will shrink. Egos will be bruised. Even billionaires will cry out "this isn't right or fair!" Said owners will continue to see the wealth and growth of the NFL...and even college football's popularity in the mainstream of public consumption...and realize they are "losing", despite the $ pouring in. EGO is not a bad thing. It's about pride, confidence, and a feeling of quality and worth, as long as it doesn't become something tainted by pure conceit. I dare say every sports team owner has purchased their team not merely as a future sales investment, not as yet another source of income since their other business ventures undoubtedly earn far more, but because they had the EGO to want to have something to "play with" and be a part of. Personally, I've never begrudged players making $M's, nor owners making $ off their teams. BUT, if you're going to own a pro team, in any sport, you should try to make your "hobby" a fun and winning hobby...even making some profit from it...or you just picked the wrong investment to have fun with. Start a bridge club, play poker, or learn to play D&D if you don't want to "pony up" to try to compete. But yet again, we're not talking about a level playing field. MLB ownership needs to step up, FINALLY, in a few years to realize how crazy this is all becoming. Hence, EGO in their investment in which their very name is attached! MORE EQUITABLE revenue sharing. A solid, quality FLOOR that EVERY TEAM needs to be at. You might even have a floating floor for teams as players age and move and trams re-build. And then you need some sort of CEILING to CAP what is allowed for competitive balance. Said ceiling might STILL include some "soft cap" flexibility for existing talent to be retained, similar to the NBA. Like the NFL...the juggernaut of American sports...some teams will still be more profitable due to various media deals, attendance, merchandise, etc. But it will be up to ownership to hire the right people to run the franchise, make moves, draft and develop smart, sign the right FA, and provide the best team possible to win and compete. So YES, Cohen could be good for the future of MLB as the "other" owners see their investments shrink, their EGO's bruised, lower fan interest due to lack of competitive interest, etc, and say "enough is enough". We need a change or see our sport shrink. Either that, or baseball is going to start a slow death spiral that none of us wants to see, and I doubt ownership wants to see either.

Just my opinion: 1] His medicals and physical were good enough for the Twins to commit 3yrs and $35M per. Any injury or health situation in 2022 was never related to this old injury. He "dinged" his leg once during the season and it appeared to hurt pretty good. But he was fine after that. This appears to be something the Twins are already fully aware of. 2] On the other hand, sure seemed weird that Boras was in such an immediate hurry to make a midnight deal with the Mets for a lesser amount than the Giants, though reportedly slightly higher than the Mets 1st offer. Were the Giants just DONE? Were the Mets the only $300M option? If Boras and Correa do come calling again, I think the Twins should probably jump as long as nothing new has happened to alter what they, seemingly, already previously knew.

Severino? The 2-time bonus baby started to really come on last season at A+ and AA. Not sure if he begins 2023 at AA or is ready to take that next step. Tons of potential. Is this the year he establishes himself as a top prospect? He's still only 23yo. Festa? I could care less that he was a 13th round pick. He flashed at low A, slipped a little at high A, and then finished really strong. Is he for real? Sure looks like the stuff is, and he won't be 23yo until March. Raya? He finally got to pitch! He looked really good in his initial season. He's still very young. Just how good can he be in season 2?

This is me spitballing everything we think we know based on what's happened to Correa in this crazy offseason. 1] I don't think the Twins missed anything. They, and every other team, have access to his records and knew about the 2014 injury. The Twins saw zero concern. 2] There was a game, I want to say in July but I forget for sure now, where he "dinged" himself on a slide and the plate in his leg "resonated" or moved, or did something to cause pain. I have a pin in a finger that caused pain once in a while for years when my hand hit something. And that's a much smaller situation. I know people who have plates or rods in their legs that have issues once in a while, though they are not debilitated, but might have an issue once in a while. Is it possible that time and playing has made Correa's physicals question the "long term stability" of his plate? Has it made insuring said plate an issue? Right or wrong, I think this makes the most sense. 3] It's entirely possible this much ado about nothing. Correa was fine all season in regard to his legs. The Twins would ALSO want a new physical if he was signed, that is just due diligence. 4] I still find it "interesting" that Boras moved so fast to get a deal done with the Mets. I'm not much for conspiracy thinking, but it gives me some pause. But at this point, with the Mets' mad dash spending spree, I wouldn't be a bit surprise if they lowered their offer a bit, ignored the cost of insuring the deal, and still signed Correa. It's what I expect to happen. But I also expected Correa to already be signed, sealed, and delivered twice already. IF the deal with the Mets falls through, or they try to amend the deal to something like 10yrs and $300M or less...a big IF IMO...it is my hope that Boras and the Twins will talk again. The Twins were convinced he was good for 3yrs and $35M per before hand. Is there really something so new and different that they would remove their offer? And with the built in opt outs, Correa can still bet on his future earnings at 31-32yrs old if he wants to. All of these crazy $ amounts are beyond my imagination. Is it possible, at some point, he'd need a 2nd surgery to "tweak" this plate in his leg during an offseason surgery? Maybe. What's the risk vs reward IF this comes to pass? I doubt opportunity comes knocking a 3rd time. But if it does, the Twins might be smart to open the door for the long play.

The Padres DID misuse Rogers based on his history with the Twins. He was reasonably effective against RH hitters, IIRC, and used in high leverage situations but not as a true closer who often pitched consecutive days. I believe his ERA when used on consecutive days rose something like a full run or more. He didn't just stink, but he was less effective to be sure. The Padres, somehow, weren't aware of this and thought he could be a elite 30+ save guy. That's not who he has ever been. I loved having Rogers in our pen. I would have liked him coming back...though I like some of the other remaining LH on the market...but I wouldn't have even considered the contract the Giants gave him.

A well written article Nick, with some great observations. The difference between Rogers and Pagan is Rogers has had a much better career thus far, and was coming off an injury, and probably wasn't used properly. Pagan has been pretty much just bad except for 1yr of his career. Someone who likes his underlying peripherals and pry him from the Twins with a decent offer. Please! I like the base of our pen, especially if we actually account for at least one solid middle man this year. Two would be awesome. I have a lot of belief in Moran and Alcala to be bug parts of our pen. But why lock them in to a spot when we have the opportunity to add at least 1, if not 2, previously proven arms to create the best and deepest bullpen we can? Would be nice if they could still come up with a quality RH batter ad well, but maxing out the pen deepens the STAFF as a whole.

Guess it's time to post in this OP as well as the other, LOL. Let's say the Mets just go for it, even with an adjusted offer. No problem. Probably what ends up happening. But let's say they cut the years and the $ amount, or even want to include some sort of team option. Circle back to the Twins in this scenario. The Twins would have every right to A) want a physical and all pertinent information, and B) considering amending their original offer. Now, amending said offer only goes so far as I doubt the Mets would just low ball Correa. But let's say the Mets drop to around 10 and $290. And even if the Twins have some concerns, they still have an opportunity to add someone special...playing the odds...that's going to probably be pretty good for at least the first half of the deal. They MIGHT still go 10yrs, but front load a bit more, and maybe drop their offer $10-20M, theoretically, and still offer an opt out after 4yrs. The $ are still very close. Correa still has the ability to bet on himself in 4yrs at only age 31. Further, instead of moving to 3B, he still plays SS. Don't think I've heard anyone bring up the difference, for Correa, of still playing SS vs moving to 3B. There's way too many moving parts here. And I can easily see him sticking with an adjusted offer from the Mets. But if the Twins are willing to take a bit of a risk...that might never cause an issue...they might "steal" a top ML SS for the next 4-6-7yrs for their original offer, or a slightly amended version. And Correa, and his family, might just prefer Minnesota vs NY and allow him to continue at SS for very close $, but with the option to still bet on himself in 4yrs.

I don't think it's just a matter of the physical. I fully understand all of these teams pausing when their medical experts come back with concerns. This is a huge and long obligation we are talking about. But a team can still decided it's worth the risk and go right ahead and sign him. BUT, it might be more about the insurance you'd like to place on the contract. It might be refused, or so expensive it's not worth paying for. If things start to fall apart in NY, as I stated previously, it MIGHT be an opportunity for the TWINS to take a worthwhile shot for a great player on a shorter/smaller deal of their own and just live with the risk. The reward might be too great.

Don't want him on the Twins in any way, shape, or form. Not everyone has to be a saint, but I do think it's OK to just avoid someone who seems to be a lot of trouble. Never really cared for the guy. Always hoped we weren't somehow, distantly, related.

Yes, the Twins still need at least some pitching. To repeat a boring but accurate mantra; the Twins have the best available pitching depth they've had in years, rotation and pen, if they are healthy. You can view this in 2 very distinct ways: 1] The Twins don't have a true #1, so their rotation is mediocre at best. And if you're betting on better health, your a fool as there are too many questions right now to place that bet. And the depth is young and unproven. The pen lacks a true closer, still has Pagan, and middle relief is still a question, 2] Virtually EVERY ML team has injury questions regarding their staff, more so their rotation, usually. Lacking some kind of ACE or PROVEN #1 is also something most teams struggle with. For the first time in a couple of years we will have an actual, normal ramp up to the season. This means pitchers will actually have team personnel working with the pitchers even before ST starts. (Mahle in particular spoke about this previously). Could a normal ramp up and a normal ST make a big difference for Gray and Mahle to not have hamstring issues and a tired arm by mid season? Could Ober, and his new-found mechanics in 2021 keep him, at least mostly, healthy for a year now that things are normal in 2023? Can Maeda continue to build himself up, even with a few off days here and there during the season, be relied on? How about a healthy Alcala building on what he did to finish 2021 and his start to 2022 before injury? How about 5 guys in the rotation that are all #2-#3 and at worst a solid #4 with a solid pen? The #2 option is not longer by design. It's just a fact that naysaying is easier and thus shorter to extrapolate than the positive aspects. I just don't want to trade any more talent in the system, or off the ML roster, to add Lopez, or similar. But I'm not paid to make these decisions. And frankly, I'm not knowledgeable enough to know/understand if the Twins got a STEAL by doing so. But I do object to continuing to trade away talent for 1 or 2yr options on a pitcher and depleting the system when some of those "unproven" arms might be really good in a year or two. At some point, you have to trust in what you have and let them learn, and grow, and shine. If you could tell me for certain that Eovaldi would be healthy enough for 25-28 GS for 3yrs at $18-20M per, I'd jump on that, monitor his IP, and make sure he was fresh for the playoffs because he CAN be a difference maker. He's as good, or slightly better, than what the Twins have now. But I'd better have the 6-8 SP that it APPEARS the Twins might have. I trust in the potential of Alcala and Moran. I trust in the group of Winder, Sands, Henriquez, Varland, SWR, and others to provide rotation depth and middle relief as bridge options to the back end of the pen. I still don't trust Pagan in any way, shape, or form and still think he's a huge mistake to keep around. But other than a POTENTIAL deal with Eovaldi, once again, there's nothing left on the FA market that could make any kind of difference. And there is ZERO sustainability as a franchise if you keep trading away the future. I'd trust in what we have, talent and better health, use the young depth, and add a couple quality bullpen arms still available, and build my STAFF that way. Drop or trade Pagan for a bag of balls. Sheesh! I just can't believe we're still talking about him! Add a Rogers or Hand from the LH side. Add Fulmer or similar and make Moran and others earn their spot. At some point, you will have to promote due to injuries and the such. But why not make your pen as deep as you can to comment a solid but not great starting staff?

You could do worse than IKF at SS and allow Farmer to be a super utility guy, but why trade for him instead of a possible 1yr deal for a similar player in Iglesias? For that matter, how about a 1yr deal with an option and $1M buyout on an Andrus gamble that the return of his bat in 2022 wasn't a 1 shot deal? I don't think I see a fit. Escobar still has value as a utility player and solid bat with some power. But he'd have to come cheap otherwise, roll with what you have I guess. Are there FA options at utility that are worth anything? I'd have to go looking at the list of available again, but not sure there's much left there of interest. Everything else is a no. Looks like Garlick is going to be our RH role playing OF after Myers was signed to a cheap deal. Ugh!

As I stated previously, I never expect3d Correa back. But I fooled myself in to thinking there was a real chance for a while this offseason. But I just don't understand how any of this was handled. 1] Apparently, the FO really and truly believed anyone else interested was in the $290-300M range so they were right in it. And maybe they were right initially. But when it became obvious it was going to have to be an offer at $300M plus, they had the option to walk away or stay in. 2] The 3yr deal they gave to Correa was real. If he didn't opt out for any reason, he got another $35M in 2023. Same for 2024. So if they were willing to pay him $35M per year initially, then why not in the new offer? Or front load the first few years while payroll is so flexible? 3] We'll probably never know what happened at midnight and if the Twins were even kept in the loop or not. But if Correa really wanted to stay, and the FO had actually offered him 10yrs and $300-310-ish, he might be a Twin right now. But then again, the Mets could have just gone $330 or more...since they seem to be printing $ these days...and blown the Twins out of the water as the Giants did. None of this makes any sense and that's my biggest issue.

The reality is he played mostly 3B and 2B in college but is a great athlete so the Jays decided they should try him at SS. And the Twins have carried on this idea. And it's not a stupid idea. He's a wonderful athlete with at least a decent arm. It's sort of the reverse draft idea where you draft and sign a bunch of SS knowing most will transition to a different spot eventually, with some turning out to be solid utility players. I've always stated that if there is any chance a prospect could play SS, you play them there as long as you can in hope they just might STICK. And let's be honest, except for some truly GREAT glove SS, most still struggle a little at the ML level initially. So I wouldn't abandon Martin still being a SS. But this kid has been behind the 8 ball since drafted. He's drafted, sits out a whole year, then goes straight to AA and is asked to play a different position. I'm encouraged by Martin after his AFL performance not because it's a mostly hitter friendly league, but because he continued his upward trend in the last month or so what he did in AA, reportedly healthy again. He can play 3B a d 2B. The Twins have stated he's a "natural" in the OF. But at some point, despite all of his athleticism, you have to come to the conclusion he's just not a starting ML SS. And that's OK. I've compared him many times to Alex Gordon of the Royals. He was a top 3B prospect who just didn't turn out to be the 3B that they thought he would be, for whatever reason. And I would never say DON'T continue to play him at SS as he could be a viable backup there, but at some point you have to be smart enough as an organization to realize what you have. Martin is a LF/CF, top of the order hitter who can cover 3B/2B and be an emergency SS. Deal with it and watch him explode as a hitter and producer, potentially. I hate to compare greatness with a prospect, but Lee is a Ripken, Correa type of SS. Great intelligence, instinct, hands and arm. He could just settle in at SS and never look back. But I think we agree that Lewis has the ability to be a quality SS. And he doesn't have to be great. And who knows, very good to great only happens with time. I don't know if Lewis is ready June or July. I think the Twins will be somewhat guarded. But he's their guy moving forward. My thought is, for the immediate future, maybe they should grab an Iglesias or Andrus short term to allow Farmer to be a solid super-utility option.

Interesting and a bit sad when you look at the history...especially recent history...of the Twins that they have had so few SS that were truly great/very good players. When I was a kid growing up and learning baseball and falling in love with the Twins, Smalley was the SS. And he was pretty damn good. The next really good SS was Gagne, who never won ANYTHING, but was damn good with the glove and OK with the bat. Heck, even Pat Mears was pretty good for a few years, as was Guzman. Since then it's been poor production, glove only, promising but traded away, etc. I am in the camp that wanted Correa because he would change all of that. I think, despite probably retiring with enough $ to make his great grandkids rich, he's so damn smart he could make a fine manager one day if he wanted to stay in the game. But, alas.... Unless something with Lewis is just "wrong" or chronic with his knee going forward, I believe he's our SS at some point in 2023 and going forward. Maybe I'm just a super optimist, but I believe in him 100%. My wanting Correa back wasn't about a disbelief in Lewis, but to add someone special to the organization and let Lewis be great somewhere else, probably 2B, allowing Lee to play 3B, Miranda sharing 1B and 3B and DH, etc. I've seen enough of Lewis at SS in milb highlights, ST games, and his brief 2022 at the ML level to know he can handle the position. Can he become a Gold Glover at SS one day? Who knows? That's like trying to predict a top pitching prospect to challenge for or win a Cy Young. With his bat potential, do we care if he's GG worthy? Who knows, with time he might be. But how about just really good defense, making all the normal plays, a few great ones, and let him learn and develop and see how good he might be? Reminder, he's an amazing athlete who lost nothing athletically after his last surgery. This latest setback was only a partial tear with the new re-inforcement techniques being used. IMO, he's going to be fine. And even if he loses a half step of elite speed and quickness, he's still got plenty left.

I believe the answer is yes. Technically, Correa is still a FA. Nothing is actually signed yet, there is only an agreement in place. IF the delay was brought about due to something questionable physical and not just the insurance company wanting another look or more details...ankle, back, neck, heart question, etc...the Giants and Correa would then have the option of re-working the agreement. So, in theory, the Giants might say 10-11 years and $300M. He and Boras could call up the Twins and see what they think. THEN, it would be up to the Twins, or any team for that matter, to look at the findings and decide what they'd be IN for. Again, just in theory, the Twins could feel the risk is worth the reward and say their offer is on the table, OR, even offer a bump. Similar, but not quite exact, think about Rocker and the Mets. He was selected, a contract was agreed on, but there was a physical question there as well. The Mets offered a lower deal and Rocker decided not to sign. The obvious difference is Rocker wasn't a FA, and Correa is. More than likely, this will only be a mild issue that the Giants want to look at again, and he will be cleared and signed. Still, it is an interesting situation.

Wouldn't be the first time a physical discovered something previously undetected like a heart murmur of similar. And agree it might be more of a second look/opinion on a previous injury for insurance of the contract. I'm sure it will amount to nothing and he will be signed shortly.

I like Eovaldi, but health risk and reward when he's healthy vs cost scares me. I think I might be put. Drury is intriguing, but 2022 was his first good/full season since 2017. I think Pollock made a huge mistake opting out of his deal, but a like him as a reserve/platoon RH bat. I don't believe he's going to cost much. But I think Myers or Mancini might be better choices. Go grab one of them! Please, no more trial and error with Pagan. Bring in someone to replace him. And while I think Alcala has a chance to be a difference maker, why not TWO RP so that our biggest problem is a roster crunch vs trying to flesh out said roster. Lastly, I'm really thinking someone like Iglesias for SS might be smart. Nothing special, to be sure, but experienced and solid and it allows Farmer to be a super utility instead of locking in to one position.

The current FO had no obligation to him. But they kept him on the 40 man pretty much since they took control. He would have been an easy target to move on from. But they kept him. And he's actually spent a lot of time at SS in ST games to see what he can do. He's OK there, but nothing you want long term. But this FO has done nothing BUT protect him and keep him thus far.

Thank you for the info on his split. I wasn't aware of that until you posted it and I also heard it on the Patreon today. Once again, I've been changing my opinion on this signing. More than willing I was a but knee jerk at first. While I still am not excited about Gallo, and I don't know that I would have gone this route, I see a method to the madness now: 1] Kepler is moved for a player, (packaged?) or a prospect of decent quality, and gets a change of scenery. 2] Gallo also gets a change of scenery after probably just not being a fit in NY. Meanwhile, Kepler's defense is replaced by Gallo, who can also be a part-time option in CF, and a spare 1B if needed. Gallo has way more power, and we don't have the enormous splits that Kepler is known for. Further, we still have a veteran bat to not "force" Wallner to the ML level, and allow Kirilloff...if/when ready to go...to focus more on 1B and needed less in the OF. The #1 issue is, of course, do we get the Gallo of 2022, utterly useless, OR, do we get the 2 time All Star that was good, and productive, as recently as 2021 and has a career OPS+ of 109 even after bottoming out for a career poor season in 2022? No question there's a bit of a gamble here, but again, I'm seeing the method to the madness in this move. Everything goes as "planned/hoped", Larnach in LF, Buxton, Gallo in RF, Gordon as a super-utility, and a healthy AK covering 1B and can still play some corner OF as needed. Celestino and Wallner begin the year in St Paul as both are talented, but have rough edges to SS smooth over. What's still missing? A RH bat for this lineup that can help make a difference. I just don't see Garlick as the answer, more of a fallback. The $ is there to still add. How much better does depth, options, and potential production look if they add Myers, Mancini, or maybe even Pollack? Some have mentioned Profar, and while I'm not crazy about him, I could see a potential fit. But $ available, need, opportunity, and potential roster construction still screams at me to add a RH bat to the mix.

What can he do for an encore? How about just do what he did last year as a super utility player? I'd take a repeat 100%! What might he be capable of? 1} A little higher OB% as he continues to adjust to the league and learns to lay off just a little more on the stuff he can't get to. 2} Experience and a little more "man muscle" to go along with his quick swing might see a slight uptick in his SLG%. 3} Don't over-slide bases so often so you can be a better threat as an actual basestealer. Not sure he WILL do any of those last 3 things, but now that he's gained some experience and settled in, I see room for possible improvement as well.

After a lot or reading, listening, and contemplating, I have somewhat changed my position on Gallo. To be clear, I wouldn't have made this move, regardless if the Twins move/moved Kepler or not. I mean, we're looking for both to rebound in some fashion in 2023 right? Kepler has LOST all power for whatever reason. But at least he doesn't strike out at the highest pace in ML history...or recent history...and if he finds his power again...wherever he lost it...he might be the better all around player. But I can see the Twins playing the "change of scenery" card for both of them; move Kepler for something and bank on Gallo returning to previous form. I like that Gallo is a find defender who can play all 3 OF spots and some 1B. I like that he's still a dangerous power threat. So again, I've somewhat changed my stance on this move. Time for that aforementioned change of scenery. BUT, I WOULD HAVE brought in the best RH bat I liked and trusted in Larnach and Wallner (and Gordon) along with him and not made this move. But then again, considering the CRAZY injury situation last season, OK, keeping a LH veteran is not such a bad idea. I still don't think I would have done this deal.

First and foremost, if Larnach is healthy...and his injuries have been of the freakish nature and not chronic...he makes a big difference going forward. IF...and it's a big IF at this time, Kirilloff could be a huge difference maker based on potential and what he's shown. And if he needs a month or two to get settled and ready, I'm OK with that. Wallner needs to work some on his defense. His bat can play, and at some time you HAVE TO PLAY your top prospects. But it's OK if he spends a little more time at St Paul to just round of the rough edges. The signing of Gallo....(shudder)...allows Wallner the luxury of rounding those rough edges. (Still want to trust in the kids at this point and hate the Gallo signing). Dare I say it, Julien ALMOST appears to be a clone of Arraez after two milb seasons with more power and speed. Not exact, but similar. While the AFL is hitter friendly, he was robbed of MVP. Still not sure why he spent the entire season at AA. And he's not yet ML ready, but he's damn close. Just need to find his best spot. Seems to be 2B, but it would be awesome if he could be OK at least another position. I was down on Martin. And then he finished his AA season strong. He was also very good in the AFL, again, a hitters environment. But he just might be ready to explode playing the OF, with the ability to cover 2B/3B and be an emergency SS. But he's not ready yet. We're looking for #1? Lewis all day long. Athleticism, guts, determination, skills, he's my #1. The Twins will be cautious, which is fine, but June or July, I believe he's going to be fine even if outstanding speed and quickness drops half a point. I believe Lee is a sort of Correa, Ripken type at SS where smarts, instinct, positioning, arm, makes him a viable ML SS. But Lewis should be just a little better. And despite a great debut, there is no reason to rush him. He's going to force his own way. Let him start at AA and let's see what happens. Lewis is #1, Lee a close #2. Miranda will turn out to be a good 3B, But he will give way to Lee at 3B, Lewis at SS, and swap back and forth at 1B and 3B along with, hopefully, Kirilloff at 1B.

Dear Twins FO, Sorry about the Giants playing bully and snatching Correa away. That contract was NUTS! While it's disappointing, you are forgiven. Thanks for a quality catcher in Valdez. He should be a big help! You have begun to redeem yourselves. Yeah...about that Gallo signing...are your resumes up to date?

Absolutely no way on Gallo! We already have 3 LH corner OF, and that's not even including Gordon. We NEED that RH bat and there are a handful of logical options to still help us in that way. But I'll be honest, I like Pollock as a 4th, quasi-starting RH OF option. He had a bit of a down 2022, but he's had a solid career and provided pop and speed throughout his career. I was under the impression he had a player option with the Dirty Sox, so I never thought he might be available. Have I been misinformed? Turner is interesting depending on cost. What the Twins really need is either another SS (maybe Iglesias or Andrus or similar) to let Farmer be a super utility, OR, add another super-utility option to fill in across the diamond if Farmer remains the primary SS. The Urshela move stands on it's own. Three weeks or so later, things have changed. They now need another infielder from somewhere. I see these moves as being independent of one another. The intervening 3 weeks have seen to that. I don't know who the mystery man who made these comments is, but I don't know that he was necessarily that far off, if not exactly correct.

First, I want to thank Jack for his time and his insight! Wonderful! Yet another example of the tremendous work done by TD! I also want to give kudos to Ash for his post, graph, and work he put in. Some great comments and we'll done sir! (As always)! I fully understand and appreciate the poignant and somewhat loaded comment of: "They aren't cheap-they are disciplined". Personally, even though I've disagreed with certain aspects of moves, lack of, or payroll, I've never believed ownership was "cheap". They have invested in foreign academies, albeit with other organizations. They built a wonderful Ft Myers complex for ST and their lower level affiliates and the players involved. They've sustained the cost for various changes and improvements in Target Field at times. "Disciplined" to me can also mean "frugal". And neither is a bad word. I could add "responsible" . Again, nothing wrong with that. In the ordinary world of business, ownership that IS NOT disciplined, frugal, responsible, ends up with a business that usually fails. But MLB is not a normal business. Even in the NFL, with salary caps and salary floors, ownership can still make a difference in spending $ for quality FO personnel to run their team to build a competitive and winning team. And if you aren't smart in your hires, and don't spend $ to put together a FO and coaching staff of quality, you flounder. But again, MLB remains very different until/unless major changes happen on some fantasy day where revenue sharing is equal and there is more equilibrium in the sport. I am disappointed Correa isn't a Twin. But I never expected him to be one. We can argue back and forth all day long about the Twins initial offer, vs being higher, or jumping once they saw how the market had dramatically changed during this offseason. There ARE organizations, mostly the top 5-8 market wise, that could actually afford to make the kind of move the Giants did, and absorb the spread out losses they will/would incure over time. The Twins are not one of them. And we could argue a team or two, Padres, who's ownership couldn't seem to give a damn if they make a $1 profit, just give me a winner! The Twins payroll was SET to make a major move like this for Correa, even if they front loaced the dezl, gave him options and control, and offered up a second option of $315-320. The Giants just said, "what the hell", and still blew that kind of offer away. They can afford to do that, theoretically. Can you imagine ANY mid market team matching that kind of offer? The Cardinals might be the best run mid market franchise in all of MLB, and have been for decades. They are what I, as a fan, aspire the Twins to be if they can boost income through media deals and the such to meet their $170-180M payroll. But can you imagine them doing $350M for one player? Forgetting, for a moment, about the vast disparities in finances between the top clubs. The Twins, for once, had the opportunity to make a MAJOR statement going forward. Would Correa have "settled" for $315-320 if offered? We'll never know. I'm betting not due to ego, Boras, etc. I don't hate our FO for missing out on this crazy deal for a very good player. I don't hate our ownership for maybe wanting Correa more than the the FO. I don't hate them for being disciplined or frugal in their approach to build the team and the organization as a whole. And I don't hate them for all the improvements they've made in the system and their forward thinking. What I DO object to is swimming in the deep end not knowing how to swim, or looking for a logical life preserver. Re-do your TV and radio deals. DON'T sit on your hands to do nothing when opportunity presents itself to add a player or two who could make a difference to push your team forward. DO push payroll forward to keep what you have and make those couple moves that can make a difference here and there. I don't expect a $200M payroll. They need to develop their talent. They need to trade smart here and there. They also need to re-sign what they have. Thats how you achieve consistency. But they also need to accept dipping their toes in the FA pool once in a while to add. Being disciplined/frugal/responsible is great. It should keep you from making major mistakes. But you also have to stretch your payroll once in a while to actuality be competitive. I'm not speaking about Correa right now. I'm talking about tomorrow.