DocBauer

Unfortunately, repeating comments I made a few weeks ago, there is this baseline belief he was seeking a 10yr deal. Was that because someone else got one? Was this his idea? Regardless, even if that was a benchmark, he's playing this year at $35M so we're talking about a 9yr deal now, theoretically. The world went FA SS crazy last year for everyone but Correa. Why? Not because he's not an outstanding player surely. Only one team was willing to go 10yrs, and they did, and for someone else. So this while 8-9-10 year debate may just be a moot point. I think the Twins would go 7yrs. But I dont know they could still afford those last 2-3yrs unless they front loaded the contract. They can afford to do that while maintaining greater flexibility down the road. I just done see it coming together. But I never saw this deal happening either. Were i a betting man, I'd bet Steer/Palacios/Gordon to begin 2023 and the question is if a 1yr place holder is brought in.

High 5er to Dman for stealing my exact thoughts. Great post! If the stars line up just right, Collier or Parada for me and I'm very happy. Assuming those 2 are gone, everything about Neto just scream "pick me". He just seems to have a great balance in all areas athleticly. Not going to be disappointed in Susac as a nice consolation prize for missing out on Parada, and I've come around a bit on Berry. I don't like a 1B that high, but if he reaches projections, he could be an All Star hammer for years to come. That's worth a #8 selection, 1B or not.

Sooo many thoughts. But will have to bullet point them. 1] Every inning matters, as does every mistake or lost opportunity or grandeous moment. Game 1 was not lost by a lost fly ball in the sun. Crap happens for the other team as well as our team. And I absolutely don't mean to pile on, but let's face it, Pagan didn't perform yet again. Seriously, he's got a live arm. Does he have an options left? I doubt it. But if he does, he needs some kind of re-set because a live arm who can't perform is someone who can't perform. I'd rather give his innings to ANYONE ELSE in the system who also has a "live arm" who might perform and grow given a chance. 2] Smeltzer again performed. Do we finally dismiss SSS and just recognize that he's a solid #4-5 SP at this point? 3] Winder was OK the first couple innings and then outstanding. Rocco stated late April, early May that Winder was one of their best arms and was going to stick around. And he did. And he performed. Then he got hurt. And, IMO, there was a bunch of BS about service time as he was sent down to St Paul after his IL stint. I don't understand all the parameters of service time and promotions, but I think it was clear they wanted him 100% healthy and stretched out for today and going forward. I believe he's 100% in the Twins plans going forward, even if he has to be temporarily sent back to St Paul. 4] I'm just not going to post numbers or get in to some extended debate about adding a SP at this point. But a healthy Gray is a stud. So is a healthy Ryan. Ober is out, unfortunately, but he was throwing as well or better than 2021 before his groin injury. Archer keeps improving. Bundy was great, stunk pre and post covid, and has suddenly turned in his best couple of games recently. Then you have Smeltzer just "performing" beyond most expectations. And then Winder comes back with a super impressive outing today. Is the rotation an issue? I say no. 5] I appreciate Winder being pulled after 6 IP today. Don't push him if you don't have to his first game back. And I MIGHT argue letting Duffey pitch an extra inning on only 12 pitches. If there is ANY CHANCE that he's figured something out, with a big lead, I would have given him a shot at an extra inning. 6] Moran looked good. Why is it, not great but good, he's looked better with the Twins than the Saints? After a couple IP today, does he get sent down again? I sure hope not. Maybe he's just ready? 7] 5-4 against the Gaurdians. Should be 8-1. Should have won the Yankees series 2-1. The absolute mitigating factor is not the rotation or the offense, who will always have bad days. Its the pen. There ARE a couple good arms you can work with. But duct tape and bailing wire and not spending SOMETHING on the pen only gets you so far. This team is just a couple dependable BP arms from having another 4-8÷ wins to secure the ALC and be ready for the playoffs. I don't want to wipe out our milb talent, but we have enough depth to make a move ot two, hopefully soon.

I just don't buy in to every single analytic or peripheral number that's available. I mean, how many are out there to prove so and so is great, or bad, or unlucky? I know there is real value to some of those numbers, BUT AT SOME POINT, there is STILL performance. Case in point, Thielbar has actually been as good as he's ever been except for 3 appearances, if I have it correctly. That's understandable for a RP. You have a couple really bad games, you look awful, it skews things like ERA or W-L and the such. So there is room, to be sure, for a guy who is good to very good 85-90% of the time, but who's numbers get skewed for those few bad appearances. I get it. But still, bad numbers are bad numbers and good numbers are good numbers. Trevino could be a steal on a cheap deal with real upside. But he's only a secondary thought, IMO. HIS team might stink, his defense might stink, but if he's really got good stuff, he should be able to overcome at least some of that. He's a 2nd arm in trade with upside that should come cheap or pass and look elsewhere.

I am NOT being negative, only observant, in regard to some of the tremendous pitching at both A clubs. The Twins philosophy in regard to pitching is smart, and we've been seeing the results last year and this year. They HAVE drafted HS pitchers here and there early they like. They have been adverse to college pitchers in round 1, and they have explained their reasoning, which is, basically, unless there is someone they just can't pass on, there are college pitchers with projectible frames and at least one great pitch and the such, that they feel just aren't fully developed yet. But TOP bats disappear quickly. Said college pitchers SHOULD do well in low A ball quickly and it wouldn't be out of line to be pretty good at A+ as well. The key is how quickly they advance to A+ and how quickly they move to AA at age 22-23 and still perform well. Right now, from Winder at the ML on down, the question is how many of these young prospects are going to advance, and how quickly. When you have this many options, at least a couple will prove true. A couple will switch to the pen. And others will, of course, just not make it. But the quantity is there to create quality, and that's what excites me. And Wallner...sorry Wichita and your second half...but he needs to be in AAA really soon.

I've actually defended Pagan numerous times when he had us on the edge of our seats at times because I saw velocity and some quality pitches and end results and I felt a little more time to settle in, work on his new split change, and we might just have a pretty decent "later" inning guy on our hands. But after so many disasters the past 20+ days....I just never want to see him pitch a high leverage situation again. How about 5th or 6th inning only. (At least until he's replaced by better sooner or later). And if I never have to watch this kind of disaster from a pitcher over and over agian, it will be too soon. I hate to sound harsh....but....damn!

Small correction, I know Enlow is coming off surgery, but I don't believe it involved an arm transplant. LOL. He's not a southpaw.

Remember, the slightly larger bag might give the runner an instant for time to slide in, but it works both ways. The defensive player and his glove for the tag is also that extra inch or so closer to the base runner. Still comes down to the pitcher holding guys on and a decent throw by the catcher. I think more attempts at SB is a reaction to the other forthcoming changes in the rules as well as the natural evolution of recognizing just ONE way of building and offense isn't going to be sustainable.

Personally, I think Urshela is better than average. But that's not the point here. Just to be clear, I don't advocate Miranda replacing Urshela at this time. He has the better bat...period...and is part of the future while Urshela is probably not. And I think we agree on that. In a playoff hunt, I can understand not replacing a good player with one potentially better, but maybe less proven. And again, I'm not saying bench Urshela. I'm just asking for a better balancing act where Miranda gets a little more time at 3B. I mean, have we even seen enough of him to even make a fair judgement as to his defensive potential at 3B? To ramble and digress a bit, I can recall Gaetti and Koskie coming up back in the day, whom I've alluded to previously here and there, as being reported butchers with the glove. Turned out a little time, hard work and experience and they were excellent glove men as well as big bats. Plouffe and Cuddyer are similar examples, to a somewhat smaller degree. A pair of failed SS, one who turned in to a solid 3B for a few years, one who was OK at 3B, but became a much better OF. Of course, there are other examples and other positions. But the point is until someone plays a position and gets a real opportunity, we just don't know how good he might be there. (Or bad). Keep Urshela as the primary 3B for now as long as he's performing. But simply balance today and tomorrow a bit more and let the younger player and better bat Miranda get a few more opportunities at 3B. And keep putting a good bat in at DH, Miranda or anyone else, and not fill a name on the lineup card just because someone is a veteran.

It's not Miranda on pace for 126 games played. It's the way in which he's being used for that 126 games that is being called in to question, IMO. I like Urshela a lot. I've seen him fail to make a few plays, but not that many. And I love the big time, standout plays he's made. And his bat is solid. Not great, but solid. And he seems well liked and a good guy. But Miranda is a top prospect. He has a much better bat and is actually part of the future. I'm all in favor of his continuing to learn and play 1B for roster construction and flexibility, but how does a top prospect develop and show how good they can be when they don't hardly play their primary position? Again, I like Urshela. If he can fit roster wise, I'd like to have him for 2023 playing across the infield, (though I know he's limited in experience at 1B/2B). But he's not good enough, special enough, part of the future probably, to just take up 90% of the time at 3B ahead of a top prospect who can only get better when allowed to do so. Don't even get me started on the catcher at DH scenario

I've stated a few times over the past couple of years, here and there, that these things are cyclical in sports, baseball more so, IMO. I don't think the way of the HR is going to go away. It's still the biggest game changer. But you can't always count on the long ball. An ideal offense would still have a guy or two like Arraez who can flat out hit and get OB to a high degree. Said ideal offense would have a couple of guys who can steal bases on a successful percentage to put pressure on the defense and the pitcher, setting the table for mistakes and good hitters knocking in runs with singles. There are a lot of ways to score runs and win, and an ideal offense would incorporate a variety of ways to do so. I think the bygone days of the 80's Cardinals and other teams who lived on speed are just that, gone. But changes in defensive alignments, pitch clocks, robot umps, all of these things are going to have at least some affect on future offensive approaches. I'm not sure how deliberate the Twins are in this area, but they are certainly looking at players who have athleticism/speed and the SB ability. I wouldn't be shocked, with some more development to be sure, if we didn't see Martin in the OF and Julian as a super utility guy, as part of the regular lineup providing a mix of hitting, OB, pop/power and SB ability.

Actually glad I was working today and couldn't watch the game. I don't think my nerves could have taken it after the last two games, LOL. Kudos to Gordon! Every once in a while that bat speed of his will send a ball to the gaps or over the wall. But my goodness, he really tattooed that ball! There's a reason he's on this team, he's very useful as the last man. I liked Smeltzer his rookie year and thought he had a chance. After a pair of poor/injured seasons he looks to be back, and maybe I wrong, but is his velocity up a tick or two? I'm not quite sure how he's doing the job he is with such low K numbers, but he's getting the job done for sure. Except for the AZ game he's throwing 6 IP+ and keeping the opposition at bay. With what's on hand, what's coming back next year due to current injury, what's developing/coming up in Winder, Balazovic, Varland, SWR, etc, plus potential trades and FA, I can't predict his future. But are we still at too SSS, OR, do we tip our cap at this point and just say: "yep, solid ML starting pitcher"?

I haven't even read the OP or anything else at this point. I am beyond disappointed and incensed at the moment. I always try to be even keel and see the big picture. I believe in day by day in a 162 game season. And I have been a a believer in Rocco, even when I've disagreed with him at times. In fact, I've often defended him and shook my head at some of the vitriol sent his way that I think is unwarranted and misguided. But a 13yo little leaguer could have managed Wednesday's game better! Tell me I'm wrong? I actually kinda like Pagan and like the improvements he's made. I just want him in the 6th and 7th, not the 8th or 9th. And while I remain flabbergasted as to the pitch sequence that seemed to cause the lost lead on Tuesday, I give him kudos for coming out tonight and just dominating the 8th. Retribution! But who in their right mind believed Pagan should have been sent out for a 2nd inning after pitching last night? Especially when you had other options, including an already warmed up, veteran arm sitting on the bench presumably ready to go. Pagan is done. Jax is thrown in to an almost impossible situation. Rocco lost the game. He should be apologizing to his team, and the fans, for how obtuse he was. And he should be explaining to his bosses what the hell he was thinking. This is not a personal attack on Baldelli, especially considering it comes from someone who has largely believed in and supported him. But Wednesday's debacle of mismanagement deserves to be rattled out loud on top of a soapbox. (Heavy sigh)

Just adding my $.02. I really appreciate the work and the opinions presented. For the most part, I think your grading is largely fair, though, of course, arbitrary. Obviously a lot of thought and consideration is applied here. I do agree that ignoring drafting and development beyond the 3rd round is missing and important in the grand scheme, but also almost impossible to rank and quantify without making it a full time occupation, so I get that and recognize the structure of what you are looking at. I think your grade on Lewis is too low. There is nothing to predict his 1st knee injury vs his 2nd. In fact, he should almost receive "bonus points" for missing 2yrs of competitive play for what he's shown in 2022. I also think you are too low on Jeffers, as has already been discussed, debated, and argued at length, so I'm not going to go there other than to say...I see better defensive value than you do. College player or not, he was pushed up on 2020 and did great and is now a "victim" of his success that season. I never bought in to that year for 2021 when pundits speculated the Twins had the best catching tandem in MLB. I expected regression and future growth. Only 25yo and less than 600 PA, I still expect growth. Like Garver, he hit in college, he hit in milb, he's going to hit at the ML level. How well he hits is open to debate. But as a hitter, he is NOT a finished product yet. I never liked the Cavaco pick, despite helium and athletic talent. I thought it was a reach. Youth, covid, injury, still very young and talented, he might still harness ability at 3B or OF, but, he was a real reach/flier IMO. And I never got the Sabato selection. OK, I DO understand drafting BPA and projection. And his bat projected well. But IIRC, there was a collection of at least a few arms who projected as being at least mid rotation talent. I like a lot of the choices the FO has made, early and late. But I agree they reached on Cavaco and Sabato and may get burned by both.

Not crazy about Wallner's proclivity for SO. But for the most part, I think you generally accept a certain amount of SO for a power hitter. But as Dman alludes to, there is a difference between SO vs also "accepting" the BB a pitcher offers you. In other words, don't swing at stuff out of the zone when being pitched around. As much as we question Wallner's SO and contact ability, he has a career OB of .370 before his .408 thus far in 2022. Career AVG is .264 vs .270 so far this year. I'm OK with the SO if he keeps walking when the BB is offered. I think the bat plays, and the power is certainly there. It's not so much the SO, but to keep hitting and still maintain the BB to the degree where you take what's offered and not flail. (Hello Mr. Sano). I confess to never having been able to watch him live or see his defense. I know from all reports he's got a gun for an arm, as a former pitcher. A large individual, I just don't know his range. And routes and reads are about as important as range. But even with pitchers not holding runners well at AA, or lesser arms from catchers, if a man as big as he is can steal/sneak 7 SB, I'd like to think he can move well enough to play the OF to an acceptable degree. He doesn't have to be Kepler to be a solid RF. He needs to read and react and move decently and use his arm as needed. Personally, I think Wallner is a part time OF and DH as Larnach will EVENTUALLY move to RF and Martin, or potentially someone else, will take over LF with AK being the primary 1B. But that's all so very fluid and at least one year away, if not two. But Twins or someone else, he's going to be a regular in a lineup by 2024.

Sorry, years and dollars are just too much for this to happen, much as it would be fun and I've turned in to a big Correa fan. But I can and will play along. I understand the whole 10yrs and $35M per since it's been handed out to a similar player. But I have to say, just because it's been doesn't mean someone will do it again. I mean, you only need one team, but that team might have been the team that did so last year. Plus, you may have your choice of 3 very good ones again this year. Regardless, Correa is already playing this season for $35M, so he's really looking at a 7-9yr deal if/when he opts out. If the market just isn't there for 8 or 9 years, the Twins could go 7 and not feel bad about themselves. And as Brandon addressed earlier, the Twins would be in a position the next few years to front load the contract. This allows greater flexibility down the road for extensions and signings, and doesn't handcuff the payroll in Correa's final seasons when he will inevitably begin to decline. That's about the only way, 7yrs and front load the first few years.

Absolutely not on Hendricks. 32yo, expensive and pitching poorly with low velocity....firm NO. Rogers is very intriguing if the cost isn't TOO high. But young, LH, controllable and remaining options...why on earth would they even consider moving him unless they just think he's beyond fixing. Of course, being desperate for offense COULD motivate them to be sellers. I do have some interest in Marquez, but it's kind of midling. He was good...not great...in 2018 and 2020. I hadn't realized he was still only 27yo. If the Twins and Johnson see something to unlock in him, similar to Maeda and Paddack, I think he'd come relatively cheap prospect wise. There's certainly the potential to unlock more with him. But if you guess wrong, he's really no better than anything we already have.

I honestly hadn't thought of Miranda being used in a trade. I guess in my head, he was part of the next wave and wasn't going anywhere. But he does make sense with Urshela around, Arraez able to play a solid 3B, Steer's development, as well as the possibility of Lewis changing positions if the almost unimaginable happens and Correa ends up sticking around. Miranda's bat is real. He's probably going to be a solid AVG hitter with decent contact and should give you 55-60 XBH every year. He's got the arm and enough athleticism to be a solid 3B, though he needs polish. Most young guys do, especially when they're swimming in the deep end for the first time. 1B is a fallback option. He's not going to bring a TOP SP without being paired with at lest one more top 10-20 prospect. Period. And I think he's too good with too nice of a future to trade for a RP unless you're getting a dynamite one with at least a couple more years of control. Even then, with the volatility of the profession, a toss in might be needed. So yeah, it makes sense to list him as a viable trade option. But either he's part of a great deal, or you probably keep him for now.

Thanks for a great OP Jamie. I think you pretty much nailed things right on the head. I want to say I really like a lot of the comments and opinions presented here. I'd like to add a couple of thoughts overall before addressing the 3 points in the OP: 1] The goal is to win as much as you can and make the playoffs. That goal has never changed in the history of MLB, regardless of the post season structure. You can't win anything unless you make it that far first. Period. From there, anything can happen. We've seen that with our own Twins previously, the Braves last season, and various winners of the years. If the very best regular season, highest winning teams won all the time, there would be no reason for playoffs anyway. The Dogers would be a great example over the past 5-10yrs, not to pick on them. 2] I hate when the Twins offense is inconsistent. But who's offense is always consistent? Nobody's. Players and teams have good days and bad days and hot streaks and cold streaks. And I agree with Trov that perspective needs to be used in reference to the Twins having the most shutouts so far in 2022. Losing 5-0 or 1-0 remains a loss no matter what. If another comparable team has fewer shutouts but is lower scoring and has a lesser run differential, who's offense is really worse? There's a whole lot of context there to debate and disseminate. As to the OP, in reverse order of need: 1] Taking in to account what I previously stated, I question the need for a bat, as well as what it would cost and who you'd replace. AK and Garlick added, and the roster healthy, I just don't see any major holes. Sorry, I just don't with what we have now and how they produce overall. Right now the biggest problem is figuring out who to remove to get those 2 on the roster. That's a good problem to have! The only real issue I see is a number of young players such as Larnach, AK, Celestino, Miranda, who are just young and haven't been through the grinder. Talent isn't the problem. 2] Unless the Twins make a pretty MAJOR SP acquisition, I don't know that you vastly improve the rotation enough to warrant the move IF the guys on hand are HEALTHY. Fortunately, the Twins have about 6 weeks to see Ober and Winder healthy and to see if Smeltzer is for real as an option. And I'm not opposed to improving, don't get me wrong! But at what cost and to what degree of any improvement can you trade for? It better be pretty big if you do. 3] The pen is clearly the most obvious answer to seasonal and post season improvement. Getting by and being solid with what you have is different than crunch time, and that's not a shot at the guys who have gotten us here. I feel good about Duran, Jax, and Thielbar. I have questions about Pagan, but he's been looking pretty good as of late. I have a fair amount of faith in Smith if not overexposed. Barring a surprise or two over the next 6 weeks, what the pen needs is a pair of quality, veteran arms to lead the way. And I don't think you need to mortgage the future for some losing team's #1 pen arm who is All Star caliber. As i.mentioned in a different thread recently, in 2019 the Twins brought in a pair of solid, proven, veteran rentals in Segio Romo and Sam Dyson for a single top 30 prospect, another maybe top 40 one, and a couple of A ball fliers. Unfortunately, Dyson arrived injured and washed out. Romo was great, and was brought back for 2020. But something similar, two quality, proven arms as a rental would do wonders to deepen and strengthen the pen without sacrificing the future. Surely 4yrs later the cost of a pair of similar moves shouldn't suddenly be vastly more expensive should it?

Measuring defense for a catcher is the hardest defensive metric to evaluate. I've always said the best part of being a catcher is how you handle the staff. There's a reason guys have played 10÷years in the league despite average or poor offense. How big of a list do you want? Forget pitch framing for a moment, does your catcher block the plate, does he receive well, does he have the confidence of your staff? I'm sorry, I don't have the link right now, but I just read recently...believe it might have been here on TD...regarding how many games Jeffers has caught this year that resulted in 3 ER or less and it was impressive. He's a quality defensive catcher, and I'm just not sure how anyone can dispute that just watching him and the results. His arm is average at best. But in the re ent Ray's game, which has been brought up, the pitcher (Sands I believe), virtually ignored the runners at 1B. That makes the job of the catcher pretty damn hard. He'll never be great throwing guys out, but work, experience, and a little help from his pitcher can hopefully make him at least decent. I NEVER bought in to his offensive success when he first came up. Too much too soon, IMO. His 2021 numbers weren't great, but there was power and production, from a position you seldom see. I didnt expect greatness here in 2022, but I expected more than we've seen so far. But much like Garver, he hit in college. He hit in milb. He was pushed aggressively through the system. Hes only 25yo with 500 AB under his belt. The offensive ability is still there, the power is certainly there. Have the Twins made a mistake? IMO, absolutely not even though he has hasn't hit yet hit like hoped for. I might eat crow, but I think his bat will come around to be at least decent with power over the next year or so. Been impressed by the improvements of Sanchez. I'd be happy to have him back next season with Jeffers, and never thought I'd say that when the trade was made. I'm not happy with what I'm seeing right now, but like any young player, I think time, experience and coaching, we're going to see a better hitting Jeffers over the next year plus.

Completely understand your frustration. I'm as big of an AK believer and fan as you will find. I think he's a major part of the Twins lineup for the next 5-8+ years along with Larnach and probably Miranda as well. But I applaud the Twins for being patient and just letting him "feel good" mentally and physically and just rake at AAA to get ready. But there is a roster crunch/concern that is real right now. Whether the Twins go to 13 position players NOW, or when they are forced to in a week, there is ONE position player spot open. Unless someone goes on the IL, or is just moved, it's either Kirilloff or Garlick for the last spot. AK seems like the immediate answer because of his numbers and his importance for the future, but Garlick is an OK OF defensively who RAKES against LHP, which remains a confounding issue for the Twins in which there is no immediate answer.

Really, daily and weekly, there's not a lot to not like with these reports. The Twins system is having resounding success and so many guys are having good/great seasons. I understand the Twins aren't exactly top heavy with TOP 100 types, but the depth is outstanding. And FWIW, top 100 players don't always turn out, or turn out to be the best. So quantity of prospects is a very good thing. Only big bummers I can come up with is Balazovic not yet looking like his expected self, Canterino on the DL, and Rodriguez now hurt for the year. A few bullet points: 1] I've been disappointed in Sands this year. After his first couple of turns at St Paul, he just hasn't looked the same. For whatever reason, the consistency isn't there like I expected. I NEVER give up on a rookie pitcher at the ML level after their debut season. History has shown it can take a while to settle in. Berrios is a great example. I've seen enough of him to know he has the stuff to succeed at the highest level, but I'm starting to see him as potentially another Jax, his stuff playing up better in shorter stints. Still, he really looked solid at times in his last start against Tampa. Not going to give up on him yet. 2] Loved what I saw of Palacios defensively when he was up. He actually hit in the low minors before his trade to Tampa for Odorizzi. And while he didn't hit a lick there, he suddenly started hitting back in the Twins organization in 2021, and even flashed some pop/power. And he's been doing the same with St Paul this year. I think his ability to hit at the ML level is clearly TBD. As is any future role with the Twins, all the more complicated by the injury to Lewis. I'm glad there was no rule 5 this year as we may have lost him. He's absolutely going to be a 40 man add this offseason for many reasons. 3] The Twins are going to have a very interest conundrum, but a good one, in 2023 in regard to bench spots. Arraez is really a regular, and isn't going anywhere, of course. Gordon has become a very useful multi-purpose player who shows potential to still get better even. But Steer is going to force his way on to the club sooner or later. I'm not saying he's better than or is going to push Miranda, but he potentially could. I think there's room for both. I wish I knew how well he can fill in at SS, because that really increases his value if he's at least OK there. I'd like to think he can learn a little 1B, despite being just under 6 foot. If so, he's a 4 position player with a bat and power and potential. And Julien is just behind him. Again, I'm uncertain as to his defense, but he's 1B/2B/3B/LF who can hit, has an amazing OB ability, speed, and decent power. He could be an excellent 10th man, potentially, with all around offensive ability. And while a bit of a late riser, and after a solid 2021 and AFL, Hellman is suddenly reaching new heights of consistent production here in 2022. The Twins are about to be flush is versatile bench options who have real offensive and potential starting ability. Might as well throw Palacios in to that group as well. 4] I really hope the Twins stick with CES at 3B for as long as possible. I understand he's not a great athlete and is a bat first player. But from all reports I've read he's got a strong arm and fairly soft hands. Are his errors due to footwork? Wild throws despite a strong arm? Lack of basic fundamentals? This is only his first year of full season work. I would never want to compare a 2nd year prospect to great players like Gaetti or Koskie, but one had hands of stone and the other was too stiff to play 3B. IMO, keep him at 3B for as long as possible and keep working with him before transitioning him to 1B. 5] I really have NO CLUE what to expect from Hamilton, Isola, or Camargo as potential future catchers in the system, but I'd sure like "someone in the know" to offer up an honest breakdown of their potential. I understand catchers are often "built" rather than drafted as high prospects. It's one of the most difficult positions to draft and project. But these 3 seem to be rising up as the cream of the prospect crop in the system right now. 6] I know that most draftees play little, if at all, once signed their rookie years. And the elimination of the traditional rookie leagues has changed normal procedures we took for granted in the past. But I'm frustrated by the draft being pushed back to July. It feels like kids are going to get a late introduction and it might make mid year promotions more difficult.

I never had any personal dislike for Correa, even with the Houston scandal. But I've become a huge fan. He is an absolute joy to watch in the field! He makes almost every other SS look mediocre. The bat is good. The work ethic and clubhouse attitude is excellent. He seems to bring a real professionalism and leadership. I would enjoy him being a Twin for some time. And with all his tools, I can see him being a real asset until 32-33yo or so. But even if the market is flooded a bit and down a bit and he would have to "settle" for 8yrs and $30M per, we're still talking $240M minimum and $30M per while he's 35yo. Now, you might be able to front load that deal for the first few years while such of the roster is young and cost controlled. That's the only way I see Correa sticking around. I'm just being realistic. Palacios will never be a great hitter. But last season and this one he's turned a corner and showed that some of the early potential he showed when first signed is real. He can hit and run a bit and has a little pop. The glove is legit. I'd probably run with him, probably give him some competition on a 1yr option with someone, and let it ride. I've got Gordon, Urshela, and Steer to all provide some back up. But it's only June, the Twins are having a fine and and fun season, so I'm going to enjoy them and Correa and not worry too much about 2023 at this point.

It's really easy to get wrapped up in one bad game, one bad moment. Losing game 3 to the Yankees was an absolute gut punch! Watching it, it felt like just ONE reliever steps forward and does their job the game was ours. But that loss is just one loss, albeit a bad one. Illness and injury abounding, a weakened squad went through a tough stretch against 3 very good teams and came out 5-4. So they absolutely CAN play with and hang with the best teams. We knew Maeda was out for 2022, more than likely. But in Gray, Ryan, Ober, Paddack, and Dobnak you have an entire rotation on the DL. Then you can add 3 RP, one of which might have been our primary set up man. Then add covid and Canada/covid on top of that, (plus AK basically hurt and out for most of the season so far), and we're in 1st place and headed for more than 90 wins?? Color me happy and eager for playoff time. Just give me some better health and 2 RP from SOMEWHERE/ANYWHERE and the playoff win drought may be over.

I'm not going to put lipstick on a pig or paint a psychedelic silver/rainbow cloud, but despite some poor performances and keystone cops plays, the Twins went 3-3 against a pair of very good and talented teams. And they did this with a lineup just getting healthy, an FOUR SP on the IL. The pen needs help, no doubt. But that same pen helped win 2 games against the Jay's, and one against the Yankees, and could have won game 3 with the Yankees if ONE GUY stepped forward that night. So while I am MASSIVELY BUMMED about game 3 with the Yankees, I can still see some light at the end of the tunnel. The lineup is working. A few days from now, we should have some of our best arms back. Duran will be fine, Jax is looking good, Pagan can be a solid middle and set-up guy with Thielbar and Moran....but somehow, someway, they need a couple more RP for the pen for this team to truly contend.