DocBauer

The only one on that list that MIGHT sign is Correa. And that's only if he and his family really want to stay and he is OK with a 5yr front loaded deal. I try to be a realist, which is why I expect Correa gone, and his $35M being plugged back in to the budget. The Twins will have both money and opportunity to actually spend on a solid/good FA SP to deepen the staff, despite what's on hand now and a couple nice looking arms like Ober and Winder. It's a unique opportunity to add without blowing up the current or future payroll for a 3-4yr type of deal. Dman listed a few of those arms. A couple may come with a QO, but I don't know that losing a 2023 pick would stop the FO if they could add a really nice piece to the rotation. The pen has a nice foundation, especially if Fulmer is brought back. And the Twins aren't devoid of young arms to help fill the last 3 spots or so in the pen with Moran, Megill, and some starters converted to middle relief. And they HAVE to re-think their BP approach to be something other than a collection of 1 IP arms. Rocco has even spoken up about this, FINALLY. Still, why not drop a few $M for one more BP arm to go along with said FA SP? After that, IMO, and being a realist, I'd be looking for a couple 2 or 3 bats. Do they bank on AK being back? Or do they spend to find a solid 1B/DH bat? Garlick is an OK, solid RH bat who fills a role. But how about a better option that costs a little but doesn't break the bank? Gordon and Celestino can cover CF and provide some offense and have some potential still. But competition wouldn't be a bad thing would it? And we have to find a partner at catcher with Jeffers. It wouldn't be crazy to have Sanchez back, but I'm hoping for a better "fit". Not sure who that might be at the moment. In short: NO to any of the names above. YES to: 1] A quality FA SP. 2] One quality, reliable BP arm and probably Fulmer back as well. 3] A Garlick replacement, or at least competition. 4] A quality catcher to share duties with Jeffers. Doesn't have to hit LH, but it would be a bonus. OTHER POSSIBLES: 1] 1B/DH bat since there are questions about AK. Doesn't have to be an All Star, just a quality bat/player. 2] A possible fill in SS to compete with Palacios since Lewis won't be ready. 3] MAYBE an inexpensive OF option to compete with and push Celestino but really, probably just a depth signing on the milb side of things. That's 4 musts and a couple strong probables. And there will, of course, be a couple raises across the Twins payroll, but nothing outlandish. It can be tantalizing to think about mega-bucks spent on a star player. But I prefer to look at reality. I think there's an awful lot to like how this team is set up for 2023, though there remains some injury concerns. Correa off the books, along with Sano, Rogers, and Sanchez is around $55M. That money can go a long way to add a solid/good SP, add to the pen, bring in a quality catcher to share the load, and at least one decent RH OF bat. It probably wouldn't be enough to cover the 1B/DH option I mentioned. That would require a little stretch of the current payroll if done. I think the foundation, right now as is, looks pretty good. You make those adds, you're still around middle of the pack in total payroll, and have yourself a really good, competitive and potentially dangerous team. I just think the money could be better spent to fill holes as a TEAM vs investing so much in ONE guy.

Sano is an easy no. If the Twins want to add a 1B/DH bat, that $14M could almost assuredly be put to better use for someone who may or may not be as dynamic in regard to pure power, but would be probably be a lot more consistent. Gray is an obvious yes. I have to admit I'm a little torn on Bundy. While not great, he's surprised me for being solid and generally consistent. And as someone else pointed out,,,sorry forgot who now...he's really only had a couple of just AWEFUL games. Maeda gets the end of this year, the offseason, and ST to shake off rust. Will he be as good as he was in 2020 and as good as he looked during ST 2021 before his arm blew up? Very possibly. But even if not quite as good, he's probably a legit, solid part of a 4 man staff along with Mahle, Gray, and Ryan. As good as Paddack looked early, he won't be ready until mid season. I really like both Ober and Winder a lot. On paper, the rotation is set with depth provided by a collection of the Ober/Winder "loser" as well as, possibly, Dobnak, Smeltzer, Sands (if he doesn't move to the pen), a rebounding Balazovic, (I still have faith), Varland, SWR, and an inevitable flier such as Sanchez. But injuries happen. As much as I like Ober and Winder, the Twins very likely will have the $ to add another FA. I'd rather have guys "pushed out" of the rotation than be short. I don't know that Bundy's $11M can actually bring in someone as good or better, as some have stated. But that $11M could be PART of a larger deal for someone definitely better, if not much better. And I think that's the direction I'd go, saying no to Bundy. Now, if the Twins feel really good about Ober and Winder's health, and want to invest in another pen arm and a bat, or two, I could maybe see Bundy's option being picked up. I just think they could do better, especially if Correa does as expected and opt out. I haven't seen the progression with Archer I'd hoped for, nor what I think the Twins hoped for.

I would have let Pagan go some time ago, but certainly after the deadline when the re-shuffle took place. His stuff looks great but he's a tease. Every other time out he pitches a good, solid middle inning. Next time out, or a second inning, and you all but guarantee at least 1 run. There is nothing close to consistent with him but failing to get the job done on a consistent basis. I don't want to sound mean, but it's the truth. The Twins need 3 guys they can depend on to handle the middle innings. Pagan is not one of them.

Super late to this, but have to comment anyway. Surprised by the Holland and Sabato promotions. Numbers say they don't deserve the promotions. Both have been, frankly, disappointments. But age and talent seems to indicate a new challenge. (Not to mention additional moves, promotions, and the influx of draft picks). I'm 100% at this point with both players being challenged. They are both college players, high picks, and talented. Time to show up guys! I remain STUNNED Julien isn't already at AAA. I know there are defensive/best position issues, but his game is ready. NICE to see Lee raking at A+. I expected that. And I'm OK if he stays at CR to finish the year because it's STILL an indoctrination to pro ball and playing daily. He's got about 4 weeks left in this year. I don't see a need to go to AA unless it's to help with the playoffs. He'll go to IL, and probably be at AA Wichita to begin 2023. As to a previous comment about him immediately transitioning to 3B, why would you ever do that this early? Unlike Martin, he's not being asked to learn SS, he IS a SS. Not every good/great SS was a smaller, speedster type. My goodness, current Twin Correa is an example and there are many others. Let him play SS for now and see what happens over more than a couple of weeks. In regard to Enlow, very possible he pitched in a game instead of throwing a bullpen. Also very possible he's now on an every 6th day starting rotation just to monitor IP to finish the season strong. You want to build up his arm. But with the way the milb system works, you only get 1 start a week, and 2 only every few weeks. (6 game schedules). So why not make his bullpen an actual game appearance between starts? Not uncommon, and I like the approach.

Julien has played 1B/2B/3B/LF previously. It would be nice if he could continue to do so as his bat could stay in the lineup daily without having to necessarily have ONE spot in the lineup. Past rumblings about his defense make me wonder if he's better at a single position (or 2), of that means he's actually better served moving around? I know that bat is going to play and he could be a real force at the top of the order with Arraez.

Not directed to anyone in particular, just in general. Mahle looked great! Ran in to some trouble in the 6th and got out of it. Great start! So many complaints about 4-5 IP...mostly about only 4 which I totally get...and we can't be happy with an outstanding 6 inning performance? There are but a handful of pitchers in ALL of MLB that consistently toss 7 full innings in a game, much less average that per. Like it or not, the game has changed. For decades RP were like fill-in guys and long guys. Then RP became LOOGY'S and set-up men and closers. And then the entire "closer" mentality changed to having FIREMEN for high leverage because a 3 run lead save against the bottom of a lineup didn't mean as much as first perceived. Forget the steroid era for a moment, though it had a pronounced affect on pitching changes. Today's ML position athlete trains and lifts weight and works on hitting year round. There is technology assisting batting stance and swing and upper cuts and exit velocity, etc, etc. Pitchers throw harder than ever, but the game has changed. Option and basic power I football has changed in college, and we're decades beyond 3 yards and a cloud of dust in the NFL. I do believe, 100%, that there is room in baseball to "retro fit" the game somewhat to integrate speed again, and to greater value the high BA/OB player. But the game has changed. 5-6 quality IP is the norm now, not just the Twins. Little birdie of Rocco to a Gleeman comment offered recently was something to the fact that with "crunch time" coming that monitoring innings to this point may allow more free reign going forward. We'll see. The starters still need to produce. But I'd take a solid 6 IP most any day. The occasional 7 only helps mitigate the 5 IP starts, and helps the pen. Interesting that Baldelli has commented just recently about the need for a "length" arm or two in the pen. IMO, he's not talking 3-4, but rather, a good TWO innings arm or 2. Fulmer and Lopez add and deepen the pen. But the issue is the middle 3 spots, not Mahle, Gray, and Ryan throwing 6, with the hopeful occasional 7. And believe it or not, Bundy has lead the team in IP most of the year thus far. Hopefully, it's time now for Archer to start delivering 5 IP each time with health, experience, and savy. But it comes down, a lot IMO, to those last 3 spots in the pen. I DON'T like sticking with Pagan as a 2 IP option because we just know how that turns out. I don't know that Sands is ready. I think Moran is needed. Injuries are really cramping options right now, and that imits and stinks. We don't need stud 6-7-8 arms, though that would be nice and the objective. But with injuries factored in, the question/problem is what is the best 1-2-3 the Twins can find over the next month and a half to fill the 6-7-8 spots in the pen?

Not a bad list but Winder OR Ober would work for the pitching side, for me. But Garlick is a huge miss right now. Even with Larnach back, we could really use his RH bat against LHP, something we are strangely dominated by. We're too LH heavy in the OF, and despite his HR against the Angels, Celestino isn't exactly an ideal "platoon" partner with Gordon or Cave.

Not thrilled slipping out of 1st place due to a recent bad stretch. Not happy at all. But if you told me the Twins would be in 1st place August 1st after the disaster that was 2021, I'd be thrilled just knowing that. So I'm going to remain positive/optimistic that a losing stretch will reverse itself and the Twins are going to win the ALC and get that pennant and have a shot to win at least the 1st round playoff series, 3 games at home. To quote the immortal Nuke LaLoosch: "Man, I F-ing love winning. It's like, better than losing, you know?". But specific things I'm looking at: 1] Arraez winning a batting title. 2] Watching the rotation to see if it finally gels. Mahle, a healthy Gray, and a still learning/growing. A little interested to see if Archer ratchets his game up a notch after finally being healthy for the first time in years. Is there more to unlock? Bundy? Just be solid and give the team a chance, all I ask. 3] Really want to see Miranda and Gordon continue to improve. Miranda is part of the future, a big part. Can Larnach, and maybe Jeffers, come back healthy and finish strong? 4] I want to see Duran finish strong and Jax get back to being as solid as he's been before a recent slump. 5] For a playoff push, and getting ready for 2023, I'm VERY interested in the final 3 bullpen spots. Megill has actually flashed a little and has some stuff. Can he find some consistency? Can Moran establish himself as a big part for the stretch and the future? Do the Twins finally give up on "fixing" Pagan and just audition someone who has a chance to actually succeed? Do they commit to Sands as a middle/long guy? Is there any chance veteran Sanchez...horrible with Washington but surprisingly solid since joining the organization...maybe re-inventing himself after injuries and bad years to find a role in his late 20's as a successful mid/long man who could make a difference? Really interested to see how the Twins figure out those ,ast 3 BP spots because they're also important. 6] September call ups are now limited to just a couple guys. Not sure who might come up as prospect wise, who else is ready to come up that hasn't already got a shot? But whoever does, I'm going to watch the choices, whoever they might be to see if they might be part of 2023. 7] Not Twins, but the entire milb system. Who finishes strong? Who just got promoted and how do they do? Even SSS, how many draft choices debut, and where, and what do they do? 8] And this is a BIG ONE, I'll be in the Cities for the Vikings preseason game against the Niners with my father and see the stadium for the first time. Whether it's the Friday night before, or Sunday, we're going to catch a Twins game against the Rangers and I will be able to see Target Field in person for the first time! Maybe we'll run in to someone. Friday or Saturday night, we're planning on exploring Forgotten Star Brewing. Again, maybe we'll run in to someone. Should be a great weekend!

Get off my lawn!

Very, very hopeful Lewis' rehab and healing will be outstanding and he will be ready to resume his career very quickly and have the kind of career he's capable of and everyone hopes/believes he can. Also very, very hopeful Rodriguez will be ready early in 2023 to resume his development. Kid looks like might be special. I'm very torn on Canterino. You just never want to see anyone injured, and you never want to see anyone have to go through surgery. But something wasn't right going back to last season. And I totally understand and agree that surgery should always be the final resort if rest and rehab don't work first. But I'm glad he's having the surgery. His arm is probably every bit as good and electric as Duran's. But he had zero chance at a career the way things were going. Now, while there are never guarantees, a healthy rehab can allow him to pursue his career again. While he's going to lose time, he will still have the opportunity to become a good/great pitcher in the rotation or the pen. Debuting at 26yo stinks due to said lost time. But it doesn't mean he can't still have a nice career and fulfill his dreams. And a chance to do that is better than no chance. In retrospect, you almost wonder if it shouldn't have happened sooner, but hindsight is just that. Here's hoping for a healthy and speedy recovery for him.

Too much starting pitching? No. Some very good starting pitching? Yes. Some potentially good depth? Yep. Need to add more? Mmm...debatable. Let's just get this our of the way first and foremost, there are some health issues that need to get settled. Maeda needs to be 100? Winder needs to get figured out with this re-occurance shoulder issue. Ober needs to get right. It would be nice to see Dobber also get right. In the minors, how about Canterino gets figured out and Enlow just keeps building up the rest of 2022 and at least the first part of 2023. And IMO Balazovic IS STILL a good prospect. You aren't a very good prospect and keep climbing the ladder and are then suddenly dismissed because of one bad year. Is it physical? Is it mental? He's still a prospect until someone happens to prove he's not. No way I'm bailing after 1 yr. Mahle, Maeda, Gray, and Ryan is a great start and a fine 1-4. Mahle is at the age where stuff and experience meet for potential growth, as I've often stated, and is already good. Ryan is already good, but a rookie, and has room to grow. Paddack won't be ready until mid season, but is young, looked good in the rotation, and can be the equivalent to a mid year addition. Winder or Ober would be the 5th starter looking at things today. Smeltzer, and yes, even Dobnak, could provide depth. So could a couple of the kids, though I'm starting to think Canterino is going to the pen. Just thinking his arm might respond better there. Sands? I think he might still stick as a SP, but I'm also seeing real opportunity in the pen. There is depth, and opportunity for some young arms if we don't have another "bottom falls out" year. But if WE KNOW you can't just trust health and what's on hand, you know the FO understands as well. I don't know there's enough to make a trade for a "top of the rotation" starter, even though I like our system still, without starting to "deflate" the system more than the FO, or anyone, wants to see happen. I could see a FA of at least some significance. And I think someone better than the Shoemaker/Happ type, and probably better than Bundy. I still don't see a 6-7yr deal for anyone. But they don't have to go that big or long to get someone who is still good to really round things out. Darkhorse? We've been tied twice to Rodon now. A 3yr deal if/when he opts out? Could happen, especially if Correa were to leave. Might even do it if he sticks around considering current payroll and some more $ coming off the books. Side comments: 1] Ease up on Dobber. He was solid in his 2019 before being thrown to the wolves in the playoffs. Healthy, he's a potential solid depth piece. 2] Ober was good and got better in 2021 and looked good to begin 2022. Don't forget about him. 3] There aren't a lot of SP across the league who consistently go 7 innings. The game has changed. That horse has mostly rode out of town. 5-6 is the new normal with more an "every now and then" occurrence. Its eliminating the 4 IP games that's important.

I'm assuming we are talking about finishing the season strong and not the playoffs. A lot of things change once the playoffs happen. But different discussion for a different day. So weaknesses as of NOW: 3] You can't "fix" something as abstract as clutch hitting. Those kind of things can vary so much week to week, month to month, season to season based on everything from hot streaks to opportunity to lineup protection. I believe what you CAN do is present the best lineup possible. Correa is just so good that you have to believe he will get hot again. Keep him in the top 3 with Arraez and Polanco, most days, and Miranda and Kepler probably "platoon" at the 4th spot. Let Buck hit around 5 or 6 at this point as a dangerous hitter. Hopefully, we get a healthy Larnach back to finish the season doing what he did before he got hurt. If not, we have to get the best we can from Gordon, Celestino, and maybe even Cave in the bottom 3rd of the lineup. A healthy Garlick could really help against LHP. If he can't get back, is there anything left to pick up that could help??? In other words, weakness is OF right now. Have to hope for health. Otherwise, while you won't re-invent anyone at this point, you can at least "practice" some bunting and contact situations. 2] NOT going to get in to a SP debate. Minor injuries and covid has affected Gray and Ryan. I can see watching their IP to a degree to keep them strong at the end. Losing Ober hurt the rotation. Losing Winder, at least for now, hurt the rotation. Mahle changes the entire complexion a TON. Bundy is what he is, which is solid and gives a chance most days. Archer is what he is. There is SOME hope he might yet move to 5 IP daily at this point. Talking playoffs, just for a moment, they might be a 1-2 punch piggyback, maybe even before the playoffs. Good health and IP monitoring might just see Mahle, Gray, and Ryan start to consistently throw 90+ pitches and lengthen out. We're not perfect, but we are improved. And a return to health for Winder or Ober, (Not betting on Ober), could really help. 1] The pen still needs assistance. The back end is not great, but vastly improved. I have real confidence in our last 5. Yes, I even feel good about Thielbar, who has generally been very good after a few bad early outings. Youth in Jax and Duran might be the only real weakness here. The problem remains the last 3 spots and middle relief. That's all the more with the back end of the rotation. Haven't heard about Pagan's status. I never want to see anyone getting injured. But his "loss" might be a blessing for the pen in the long run. I believe Moran has a chance to help the pen in 2022 and beyond. He's still a rookie, but early returns are good and his future is potentially bright. There is room and NEED for 2 guys to successfully fill a middle innings role. Is Sands ready for that? How about Smeltzer? A healthy Winder? Despite a very poor start to 2022 with Washington, Sanchez has pitched well for St Paul and looked very good in his one start. Could he be a guy? Lopez and Fulmer were great additions! And they deepened the pen. But the staff is 13 men and all can and are important. And right now, despite the additions/improvements being great, they need to make the middle 3 spots GOOD, and not just questionable. That's why Duffey was released. Short: 1) Adjust the lineup for best results, hope for Kepler. Larnach, and Garlick. MAYBE check out the waiver wire but is there really anyone worthwhile? Never too late to spend some time working on bunts or contact plays. 2) Find a middle of the pen that is good and reliable because it helps BOTH the rotation AND the pen usage.

As I stated in the other "goodbye Sano" article, his career is a disappointment due to potential, hype, and hope. But I can't say he's a failure as he's enjoyed ML success where so few ever do. And he's enjoyed some success, earned an award or two, been on playoff teams, and earned millions of dollars for himself and his family. Failure, no, disappointment, yes. He's a big human being and will remain one. Despite various reports over the years he was working hard to get in to great shape, I don't feel he's ever really invested himself in doing so. But beyond that, I just feel he was never willing to "mentally" develop his approach. I never expected him to completely re-invent himself. At some point, you are what you are. But his natural power is so significant that I've always felt if he just "held back" his stroke for better contact, ALL of his "good" numbers would have risen while still hitting a ton of HR, just more 400' shots and fewer 430' plus bombs. I could see him going overseas on a deal, though who knows how that works out. But I'm betting someone offers a small deal with incentives to play 1B and DH. And remember, everyone has the DH now. And more than likely, someone is either going to A] believe they can still "fix" him, or, B] be OK with his "streaky" hitter history and accept that as a dangerous #7 type hitter.

Don't forget, with little exception, most young infielders move around to 2 or 3 spots in order to get everyone on the field and at least introduce and watch them at other positions. And some of the college SS, if not all, have already played different spots at some point in their college careers.

Reminds me somewhat of when Canterino was picked. He wasn't coming off surgery, but there was a usage question. There were rumors he might not throw until instructs. Instead, he started 7 games at rookie ball and low A, but he only threw 25 innings in those starts. As I understand it, Priellip is now about 14 months post surgery and has already thrown some "bullpens" as an audition before the draft. So I could see him just work on the side until instructs. But I wouldn't be surprised to see him throw a dozen or so innings just to shake off rust and get introduced to pro ball.

SUSTAINABILITY is a very key word in all of this. 1] I think it's very easy to point to graduated player X and Y and say "but they were drafted by the previous FO". True. But the current FO has made developmental changes from the bottom up. So how can we not accept that "graduated" players from the previous FO haven't perhaps improved under the tutelage of said changes throughout the system? 2] Recent "graduation" of a large group of players, some absolutely the result of the current FO, despite maybe not yet finished products, will "weaken" any sort of prospect pool rankings. 3] There are a handful of players that have been highly ranked as draft choices or high ranking trade acquisitions, who have not yet raised their game, or suddenly regressed. Balazovic and Martin are great examples. If we don't want to give credit to Falvey and Levine for what they've built and promoting and developing "inherited" players, then we can't necessarily blame them for an acquired player who was perhaps rushed, played out of position, and will HOPEFULLY still turn put. Same with Ryan. We traded for him, and have been working with him and developing him. So as good as he might be, is that on TB or the Twins? And if Balazovic turns it around in 2023 and looks like the prospect everyone believes, where's the "mulligan" for rankings when he does? I'm just saying these rankings are so very fluid not only from year to year, but even mid year to mid year Other teams sure thought enough of our prospects to trade some quality ML talent for milb prospects, some of them only in their 1st full seasons. So, they are young and weren't yet in our top 10 or someone's top 100, but they were good enough to trade ML talent for? And isn't using your milb system part of building your parent club, no matter how your system might be "ranked"? How much better might put system be ranked if we just kept everyone and didn't trade for quality ML talent? 4] Where I DO have questions and worry is the pitching pipeline. I have no problem making trades to acquire talent, including good arms. But for a mid market team, you simply HAVE to produce a few good ones on your own, whether you draft them, sign them, or trade for them young. I am of the opinion a few of our arms were set back by covid, and we're not the only ones. I understand the principle idea of the FO that elite hit talent drops off early but arms who have not yet developed might be available a little later. It makes sound sense. Bring in a solid arm with something good to work with and make it better and add. The problem with that is too many Rooker and Sabato selections instead of a pitcher that may have more upside than a bat only player or "helium" flier like Cavaco. It's OK to take a risk once in a while on a "toolsy" player because if you hit, you might hit pretty big. But you can't fall in love with the bat philosophy so much that you draft too many too early vs arms Canterino and Enlow and now Prielipp are examples of "early" arms. You can't deny Canterino's talent, even if he now turns in to a quality BP arm with major potential. Enlow was just starting to look like the exciting arm we all heard about when he went through TJ. Prielipp is too new to accurately comment on. They haven't "ignored" arms early all the time. But reflection of some of their drafts has to give at least some pause that maybe they glossed over an arm one too many times over a bat. I haven't given up on a pipeline as of yet. There's still some good arms coming up, and a couple who have arrived in different capacities. And I'm not nearly as down about the system as the OP states for all the reasons I've just stated. But I think I would like to see a better balance of arms and batters in the top half of future drafts.

I'm still not certain how good of a hitter he might turn out to be, nor how much pop/power he might yet develop. I'm always surprised how the ball jumps off his bat. I think he's still developing as a hitter. So a few more walks and some continued power growth would be welcome and not totally unexpected at this point. His defense keeps improving, IMO. I think we often forget not only his battles with illness, and then covid, but he was having probably his best season in 2019 and was probably going to be called up before an injury, an ankle I believe. Instead, Arraez was brought up and good for both Arraez and the Twins! But it just goes to show his trajectory to MLB hasn't been anything close to a straight, upward line. I love watching him play as he seems to just genuinely love the game. And he's been, mostly, very good and exciting on the basepaths. Personally, I'd like the Twins to run him more. I think he's a very nice guy to have around, is still improving, and should have a nice career as a roll player. But he does have to keep improving because I think there's a couple of guys coming up over the next couple of years who might just be even better. But I am definitely a fan of his.

Look, I like the guy. I've become a fan. He's been gracious, hard working, team oriented and a leader. And even while his defensive stats are down, I've loved watching him play SS and he's made a real difference there. But his offense has not been anything close to what was expected by the FO, I'm sure, or fans. or Correa himself I'd bet. Slow start, hit streak, then slow again. Hey, maybe it's just a weird year for him due to the one injury and covid break. I don't know. Guy might just RAKE next year for the Twins or someone else. And he has time to get hot the last month and a half plus and make everyone eat their opinions. But as of now, his numbers simply aren't that of a SUPERSTAR $35M player. They just aren't. And past and future doesn't speak to NOW. And the now is his bat has disappointed based on expectation. Now, past leads us to believe what he's capable of doing yet again. But the OP and what we're discussing is the player he is in 2022. And that player is not a $35M superstar.

Good for Varland! I hope he finishes strong! Glad to see Lee bypass Ft Myers and go straight to Cedar Rapids. I think he's just too good, too talented not to push him a little to end 2023.

So Pagan has almost inarguably been the worst RP in all of MLB over a 3yr time span. He's very possibly the Twins #8 reliever now, 7th at best and is confined to a middle inning role. And he has no future with the club. Literally, would ANYONE be worse? At least someone younger could learn on the job and gain experience at the ML level for 2023 and beyond.

Palacios will need to be protected. You don't just give up a talented glove like his, position flexibility, and a potentially decent bat for nothing. At worst, he's probably a nice utility player. At best, he might be a starting SS for someone. If Correa leaves, he's the Twins starting SS to begin 2023, IMO. Really nice to see Enlow take a step forward. He was just turning a corner before he got hurt. A positive finish sets him up for a nice 2023. Is Sisk flying under the radar? Low A in 2019, no 2020, jumps to high A and then AA in 2021 before coming to the Twins in trade. Great start at Wichita this year and almost as good at St Paul so far. But to be fair, only 16IP at AAA so far. But he's shown nice, normal, steady progression. I'm sure he's behind Moran for now, unless the Twins want 3 LH in the pen. But I'd think he's a keeper for 2023 even if he doesn't audition this year. Can't risk losing a mid 20's LHRP showing promise.

The OP is about Correa, but I think bringing in discussion of Lewis and Palacios is relevant. IMO...and it's a combination of hope and belief in the kid...Lewis will recover and be an excellent ML player for years to come, even if he doesn't achieve the grandiose level of SUPERSTAR. If Correa is one and done, I could still see the Twins brining in a placeholder. Why wouldn't you? You'd be crazy not to have depth and options. A refresher on Palacios. He was traded for Odorizzi before 2018 as a good glove SS who could hit. Except, he didn't for 2yrs and was released after those 2yrs, and re-signed by the Twins following the missed 2020 season. And suddenly, he had learned to hit again. 2021 at AA: .259/ .340/ .439/ .779 with 17dbls, 19hr, and 18-8sb 2022 at AAA, so far: .297/ .360/ .477/ .837 with 24dbls, 10hr, and 10-7sb. His glove appears to be legit from reputation and what we saw in limited action. He's actually improved as a hitter despite jumping up a level in 2022. Really, only his SB % has dropped. All of that coming off a very strong winter league performance. Is he a late bloomer after 2 failed years and a missed season? Kind of looks that way. You could knock 40-50 points off each of his quad slash line numbers and still have an effective "contributor" offensively while playing great defense. I know I'd take that over what we saw in Simmons in 2021. Understand, I'm a fan of Correa and NOT saying I wouldn't like him back. I just don't, as of now, see a reality where he is. And I'm not trying to blow goofy smoke of illusions to anyone that a late blooming Palacios is a long term answer or that the Twins shouldn't look at a veteran fill in option should Correa actually leave. I am only trying to look beyond tomorrow to say that if he does, indeed, move on, a single spot in the lineup doesn't have to mean automatic depression or incompetence. There may be options and the $35M saved, plus Sano $ saved, plus Rogers $ saved, and possibly Sanchez $ saved, just might be better spent on extensions and additions. It would be great to have Correa back, somehow, some way. I'd be happy. But the sky won't fall if he does leave. It might even open up some new opportunities. In the meantime, I'm going to enjoy having him around and hope his recent struggles reverse themselves and he will help the Twins win the ALC and some playoff games and then we will see what happens from there.

I've become a fan. From day one he's just been a great teammate and leader for the team in general, and the infield in particular. He's done and said everything right, even to the point of taking a real interest in the trade deadline. His offense has not been as expected or hoped for, and the numbers bear that out. Still, he's been good. I have learned to understand and appreciate various statistics and analytics. But my goodness, there are so many that at times I'm just wondering what new defensive or pitching metric comes out next! Not everyone even agrees or supports some of the ones in existence now. Errors may be up, and his metrics might be down, but I've just loved watching him play defense and have not been disappointed. I've been very happy to have him, despite a good season being a "down" one. He's said and done all the right things to the Nth degree. He and his family like it here. I'm sure those statements are true. And maybe, just maybe he DOES want to opt in, help the Twins win, and bet on himself for a 6-8yr deal following a better 2023. I can see a path where that could happen. But here's the reality, he's getting paid almost $70M if he stays. He's getting over $100M if he stays all 3yrs and then hits FA near 30yo and will still probably get a solid offer of 4-5yrs from someone. But if he opts out for a new 7yr deal at "just" $25M...for conversation sake...that's still $175M GUARANTEED. Simple math shows he has an additional, approximate, $75M more locked in vs playing out his Twins deal and then looking at FA again. And I think my $25M is probably conservative. No matter what way he goes, he and his family are set for life and beyond. But I just don't see sticking around...making great $ to be sure...and then trying again in a year or two when he can opt out now and play the field for even more guaranteed money even if it's never going to be $35M per. COULD the Twins re-work his deal and add years? Absolutely. They could take on another 2yrs, keep the deal front loaded as it is now for around $35M, and then drop what would be years 4 and 5 to something around $30 and $25M. That means he can hit FA again at age 31. Is he still a viable SS then? Maybe. That gives roughly $160M in 5yrs with the Twins. So, again, he comes out ahead getting a new deal from someone else. He only stays if he and his family truly want to stay, and he's content with a deal re-worked for $160-175M because money doesn't always buy happiness and that's enough for him, with the opportunity to still sign another 3-4yrs elsewhere to finish out his career for $X, for age 31-34/35. I just don't see it happening.

Glad to see Sanchez back to fill a roster spot for the Saints. And as well as he's pitched since coming to the organization, he might be finding himself again. Might be a 6th starter for us at some point. Nice to see Wallner get going. What on earth is going on with Palacios? WOW!

Two of my all time favorite quotes: George Carlin: "You can't have everything. Where would you put it?" Rolling Stones: "You can't always get what you want" I really like the way this team is constructed position player wise. IMEDIATE CAVEAT: I like/love the position players and lineup with a healthy AK. Without him, it's still good. But without him, we need to add a bat somehow, some way. And I don't necessarily mean a DH. There is no reason, especially how this team is built, to have ONE GUY filing a non defensive position. Period! Larnach, Buxton, Kepler, Miranda, not sure but Lewis eventually, Polanco, Arraez, Kirilloff, Jeffers is a great starting lineup. I like the ability and potential of Celestino as a 4th OF, but that wouldn't stop me from adding competition. Not sure what Gordon has to do to prove he's a really nice 25th man. I would bet Ursela is brought back for 2023. Despite trades made, there are a couple of very interesting prospects from Palacios, (a possible fill in at SS to begin. 2023), to Hellman to Julian moving up and a couple others. Can Wallner continue to grow and develop? Is there any chance Isola can continue to it and play good defense behind the plate and be a viable catching option soon? Could Williams suddenly climb the latter as a 1B/DH/C? The roster looks very good with the exception of SS to still be figured out. And there are some interesting pieces getting close to at least provide depth. Am I the only one who's been intrigued by Correa's recent comments about making additions? Is he only being a great teammate and wanting to win? Or is he really sincere about sticking around? Just something to contemplate and fantasize about I guess. The lineup is just fine with heath and questions about SS being the only main issue. After that, it's backup/shared catcher and competition for the 4th OF spot. Pitching wise, how can you not be exited for Mahle, Gray, Ryan, Maeda, Winder, Ober, etc, with depth from various arms even before the FO MIGHT make a move. And Paddack comes back June/July. If the FO is as smart as I think they are, they will learn from their mistakes and add at least one solid arm to this group, if not a great one. Rotation and bullpen, it's awesome to have a plan that makes sense in your blueprint. But when 2020 happens...and I know some are tired and dismissive, but it happened...you have to adjust. And the FO has done that, much to their chagrin I'm sure. There is a real chance that guys like Balazovic and SWR and others will rebound in 2023 and we will wonder WTH suddenly happened from one year to the next. I know he's not a pitcher, but think about Martin for a moment. He was drafted in 2019, missed an entire season of ball, went straight to AA, and we wonder about developing and urgency. SWR was moved very early, lossed half of of a year due to the Olympics and we wonder how such a talented young arm isn't ready yet. I'm not yet a dis-believer in the pipeline yet. I've seen early returns. And I hope to see more soon. But I haven't yet lost faith in the plan or some of the arms. And I don't want the FO to be complacent. But I'm still holding out real hope for some arms that could make a difference