DocBauer

"In the cathedral that is Yankee stadium, the moment belongs to a Chapel", from the Kevin Costner movie FOR LOVE OF THE GAME, which I admit is a guilty pleasure of mine. Unless it was Hollywood hyperbole, it's been my understanding they filmed the movie and then basically turned the script and movie over to Scully and Steve Sax to provide commentary after the fact. And if true, while a fictional situation, that line is a testament to the greatness and brilliance of Scully. Was thinking about this while driving today.

1] My grade? Definitely an A, though I lean slightly toward an A-. I like Fulmer, he's a beast against RH hitters, didn't cost a lot, especially considering SGL has to be protected and probably doesn't fit in to 2023 for the Twins at all. But I would have liked to toss in a flier and get someone just a notch better who maybe had a little more proven experience in a late inning role. Then again, he's only been a full time RP for 2yrs, and with solid success doing so. Not 30yo until next March, he might be a good re-sign, similar to Romo a few years ago. And newly transitioned, there may be a couple good years of life left in his arm. I'd almost give Mahle an A by himself. He's only 27yo, just entering what should be his prime years as a SP, and has numbers away from Cincinnati that virtually scream top of the rotation starter. I don't dislike Leon as a veteran fill-in at catcher. He's a quality defensive catcher with experience and some post season experience as well. And the #1 responsibility/job of a catcher is game calling and working with your staff, not offense. Still, even for an arm the Twins liked enough to keep for 2yrs and basically NEVER allow him to actually pitch, I was hoping for a solid backup rental who we might expect to hit .200, not hope for it. But I'm splitting some fine hairs here, which is why I grade an A. NOTE: I think it was about a week ago where Nick included a "wild hair" idea of acquiring a cheap back of the rotation SP like Hill from Boston for a flier. I want to say he suggested a recovering Sano??? (Cant recall exactly). There was a part of me holding out hope for a rabbit out of the hat for a similar rental for some low level fliers that might include some A ball players who hadn't put it together yet. Think Sabato or Cavaco and similar. But I think that was a pipedream that would have cost more with zero guarantee to be better than what's on hand. 2] Does this make the Twins better? Hell yes! We can't buy health. Wish we could. But the rotation is better. The pen is better and deeper. Leon gives an actual, bona-fide, experienced, ML catcher to fill in. 3] Are the Twins a better bet to make the post season and maybe win a series? Yes! This IS a good team, but had holes. The largest holes have been plugged with a quality SP to give us 3 guys you can actually feel give you a chance to win a game. (Talking post season). And the pen is better and deeper, which moves other guys down a slot. And they didn't move a single roster player to do all of this. Remember, as ALC champions, we get a 1st round 3 game series at home. How do you like our chances now? Debates about a 4th SP in the post season are valid. But really, except for some truly outstanding staffs, how many times can you recall a 4th starter making or breaking a post season series? 4] How do these moves affect 2023 and beyond? I have a 2-part answer: A] It's easy to say "prospects are just prospects until they prove otherwise". And that might be true. But Buxton, Polanco, Arraez, Miranda, and others were still 'just prospects" at one time. Don't kid yourself, while the ML roster stayed intact, the Twins gave up some quality prospects. I'd bet really money Steer turns out to be a really good ML 2B/3B who can cover SS, and who will hit and produce. CES might end up hurting. While he might not stick at 3B, and he has to prove his bat won't be a 2nd coming of Sano, the hit and power tools look real. I saw him as a 1B/DH option that might replace Kirilloff if injury persists. And while Povich and Hajjar are in A ball and a couple years away, and no clue how good they might turn out, they are intriguing young LH arms in only their 1st full season, and showing promise for an organization short of LHP. The good news is "prospects are still prospects" and the system certainly wasn't decimated for talent. Steer didn't fit in anytime soon as a full time player and there are a couple very interesting guys coming up to fill his roll. The same may be true of CES. 1ST round pick Lee comes to mind as well. I really didn't like giving up BOTH Povich and Hajjar, but the addition of maybe/probably as good or better Priellip mitigates the losses. Have to give up to get. And again, I think we gave up some nice prospects, but the system isn't decimated, and there is a draft and international signing every year to add more talent. B] Barring any more surprise set-backs...and baseball gods know we're do for a little better luck...the roster is looking very good for 2023 and beyond with the only real question mark being SS, which I'm not going to address here. There is also backup catcher to consider, as well as a possible 4th OF, that again, doesn't have to be immediately address here and now. Again, forgoing SS for the moment, the principal, daily roster is set, talented, and fairly young all across the board. These trades, and other previous moves, gives the Twins a 2023 rotation, in no particular order, of Mahle, Gray, Ryan, Maeda, Ober, and Winder, with potential depth pieces in Smeltzer, Dobnak, Sands (who MIGHT move to the pen), and Paddack when ready sometime in June/July. And we're not even talking a rebounded Balazovic, or SWR, or Varland and others. I don't believe the Twins will pick up Bundy's $11M option, but frankly, he's been better than I expected. He's been up and down, but far from a disaster. He's actually been pretty solid, except for a handful of really bad games. And the pen hasn't helped his numbers with a number of inherited runs scored. I'm still confused about Archer's mutual contract, but I doubt he's back. Money to be better spent elsewhere to sign an actual, solid ML SP to compete and provide depth for what those 2 made in 2022 makes tons of sense. (Don't tell anyone I said this, but I kinda hope Aaron Sanchez accepts a AAA assignment and comes back on a milb deal in 2023 as a flier. His velocity and stuff looked pretty good in his Twins start, even if it was against Detroit. Rehab fliers sometimes turn out). The 2023 pen now has Lopez, Duran, Jax, a recovered Alcala, a potential re-sign in Fulmer, Thielbar probably, and Moran as potential starting points. Payroll and just learning from experience that you just can't always trust fliers and prospects suddenly stepping in to a role should make the FO more aware and aggressive to add at least ONE quality arm that doesn't cost a fortune. I deliberatdly left Canterino out of the rotation discussion because as much as it kills me to say it, it just might be best to get him healthy and just transition him to the pen immediately and just see if we don't have another Duran. Maybe he's just better built for that role. Whole point being, this team is better built and better prepared now for 2023 than I dare say it was for 2022. But the deadline moves enhanced 2022, added to 2023 and beyond as long as they stay smart and keep adding here and there and keep drafting as well as they have been doing the past 5yrs.

With all due respect to Herb Carneal... who felt more like family than just a voice on the radio...who was amazing, Vin was the very best ever. God must have needed someone special to call this season's WS. May he RIP.

Right or wrong, only time will tell, the FO has placed a ton of chips on the pipeline, I agree. I also agree it hasn't worked out, at least yet, the way they hoped. I disagree a bit on Ryan as he's now a Twin and his current and future development is on the Twins. Despite being hurt currently, I think Ober is part of the pipeline and has a pretty solid future if he can stay healthy. Duran and Jax are part of said pipeline, even if one was a draftee and the other was a young trade acquisition. The "bet" isn't the issue. It was smart and planned. And I don't know if 2020 is a culprit, and how much at this point, or crazy bad luck, but arms like Balazovic, Canterino, Winder, SWR, and even Enlow aren't surprises. They are well regarded arms that have had injuries, setbacks, and WTH is going on seasons. Is this just so much bad luck it has to turn around at some point? IDK, but I have to HOPE some medical/training procedures and time will get some of these arms back on track in 2023. Does Canterino need to move to the pen? I'd HATE to see it considering his arm talent, but maybe he's destined to be a STUD there. Does Balazovic just need time, and a confidence boost in 2023? Can the Twins find something with Winder that needs a small procedure or a different training approach? I think SWR just needs time. Same with Enlow coming back from TJ. Could we see a BIG movement in 2023 with just better health, more time, and a re-set for some? Absolutely! And there's a NUMBER of really good looking arms in both levels of A ball, and a couple nice arms at AA, lead by Varland. So the isn't barren. But not only do we need to see/hope for the higher level arms to get right. But we also need the FO to recognize they can't just WAIT for the pipeline to produce. They have the opportunity, still, in 2023 to see and wait for additional parts of the pipeline to be ready. But they also can't, any longer, JUST wait. Whether it's trade now or actually making a significant offseason signing, they NEED to add a quality SP arm while STILL embracing the pipeline of the system. Trust and belief and nurturing is one thing. Reality of the bird in hand is another.

I appreciate your perspective. I do. But even if we dismiss Correa coming back, which I do, he is a centerpiece for a team still in 1st place as of August 1st with aspirations to win their division, make the playoffs, hopefully win, and see what happens. When is the last time you've seen a 1st place team trade a major piece while trying to win? Secondly, how many top, potential playoff teams have such a hole at SS that they are going to want to trade anything of value for a Correa rental and over $11M still due? Forgetting the Twins still trying to win and advance and losing a big part of their current team, and very limited trade options, what a horrible PR hit and bad message to be sent to your fans and team to be in 1st place August 1st and just fold the tents. Not going to happen.

Hard to walk the line as a fan as well as an armchair GM, right? I appreciate your "two years of control", and won't disagree with your perspective. But as I tried to state, and re-stated in another post, isn't there a compromise? Any SP or RP with control will cost more. Unless the cost is just nuts, would a good, solid SP with another year to contribute in 2023 be worth it? I keep saying, even rental RP's have value and could be re-signed, and perhaps either or both COULD have control. But then again, you pay more. Sorry, but I keep thinking about 2019 and Romo and Dyson. Romo was re-signed and a healthy and not "problem" Dyson probably would have been as well. I just keep thinking there is a middle road where the FO could make moves to keep 2022 on track to win as much as possible, not give up, see what happens, and still maybe add to 2023 as well.

Your point is both liked and well taken. And I fully appreciate the need for 5 with all the injuries and such. But isn't there a compromise between trading and not trading? Theoretically, the Twins actually DO acquire a good, solid SP to team with Gray and Ryan and whoever else. If said arm has another year, it helps to finish 2022 as well as possible and have another rotation piece set for 2023. If they DO acquire a couple pen arms...whether they have control beyond, or are rentals that could be re-signed, or a combination of both...those arms still help finish 2022 as strong as possible and could, again, help in 2023. Finding some cheap SP rental for next to nothing might be pretty tough, if not impossible. So the 4th and 5th spot will probably remain Bundy, Archer, Smeltzer and TBD. Nick had proposed a PTBNL for SOME veteran catcher to not rely on rookie Hamilton. I think that's possible, do-able, but maybe too late with less than 24hrs to go, and with other more important possible moves. Just saying, not giving up on 2022 might be a mistake, especially if they could move a few guys to add to 2023 as well.

I think what we've been watching is a very talented young hitter just beginning to figure it out. And he's only going to get better. I see him as a fixture for the next several years in the lineup with, HOPEFULLY, an eventually healthy AK and Larnach. IMPO, I think the defense arguements against Miranda have been blown out of proportion. First of all, I've seen a whole lot of rookies, not just with the Twins, struggle a bit with defense at first. Rookies are playing and hitting at an entirely different level, with an entirely different sort of pressure. Secondly, being a young rookie, 21-24yo, and being a top prospect, doesn't mean there isn't work yet to do. Most aren't a finished product, infield in particular, when promoted, and their bat gets them promoted first. And third, while I don't have the numbers in front of me at the moment, he has been primarily a 3B the past few years. So his learning more about 1B at the ML level, and making rookie mistakes, doesn't surprise me. NOTE: I've seen him make a poor play at 1B and then same game, or next, do exactly what he was supposed to. So he's learning. At 3B, reflecting on the Twins ONLY, Gaetti, Koskie, Plouffe, defensive improvement doesn't happen over night. I think the kid is going to be just fine.

There remains a chance that Sano's latest setback is brief and nothing more than a "tweak". Little scar tissue situation or a small hyper extension, that sort of thing. So he rehabs and rests, goes back to St Paul, mashes a couple of days, and then takes a week to settle in and look bad before connecting on a few hits, take a few walks, and hit a couple of bombs. So he just MIGHT give the Twins a month and a half of solid production, maybe a couple big moments, as sort of a "parting gift", not including the possibility of him, potentially, making some noise in the post season at the bottom of the order. But that's it. He doesn't fit this team in 2023, and is now probably untradeable. So we might see him, especially due to other injuries. But if we do, it's a last hurrah.

Regarding the OP, I offer up a COUNTERPOINT as well as a POINT COUNTERPOINT: You never give up when you have a shot to win. It's a disservice to fans and your players. While the ALC might be pretty bad, we've still been the best team for most all the year and remain in 1st place starting tonight, DESPITE injuries and BP failures. If we take the ALC, we get 3 games at home. Who knows what can happen? Isn't winning still the point? And while there are more than a few milb options hurt or having poor years, there is still talent to move, and almost a need to wirh the number of 40 man issues facing the team in 2023. (I know debate rages on this issue). A pair of RP HELPS, and helps a lot. If rentals, they can be re-signed potentially. Considering the probable cost of a SP, he'd have to have at least 1 more year of control. But that helps NOW, and in 2023. I'd rather see a 2022 ALC banner than not. I'd rather try to win that home series to start the post season and then see what happens. I'd like to try and win and establish as strong of a winning culture as we can. POINT: In Maeda, Paddock, Ober, Winder and Dobnak, you have a mostly young, and debatable "decent/solid" rotation all unavailable due to the IL. Only Winder and Ober might be back before the season is done. Could Stashak, Romero, or Coulombe have helped? Hard to say. We're never going to know. I'm pretty sure Alcala WOULD have helped. Lewis is out until sometime 2023. (The sooner the better). Larnach is probably out until mid August if everything goes right. Jeffers probably just as long if not a little longer. Who knows about Kirilloff at this point? Kepler will be back, and hopefully ready to go. Sano is also a "who knows" as well as a "would he make a difference at this point"? The odds are stacked against the Twins right now, but can trying to add and see what happens hurt? No, but trading a TON of quality might not be the right move AT THIS TIME. I'm stuck in between these 2 thoughts. I don't think you go ALL IN at this point. But you can still improve chances to finish the year strong, and "buy" a few pieces that can also help in 2023. So I'm still in BUY mode, but don't sell out at this point.

I LOVE ME some Byron Buxton. Offensively and defensively he is just a difference maker and we are just part of his baseball world when he's out there. He's just that good, even being sub-human as he is now, fighting through his knee issue. Not a team in baseball that wouldn't want Buck on their team. But Polanco is so underated its amazing. He plays a good, sometimes great 2B, and only gets better. He hits, gets OB, seldom SO, makes great contact, has power, and comes through in the clutch. CRUNCH time happens, I want Arraez and Polanco up to bat. No disrespect to Buxton or AC4. Kirilloff and Miranda, unless we do something stupid and trade one of them, are going to be part of the heart ofthe order for many years to come. But Polanco is so good, and so versatile, he could hit 2-5 and be just as dangerous and effective. And he's not exactly old. He's a keeper, IMO, and a re-sign the next year or so.

Ash, I do agree with you, to a point. CRAP happens, and sometimes guys just get hurt. For whatever reason, it's happened to the Twins a lot the last 2yrs. Now, is that bad damn luck, the loss of 2020 just throwing things out of whack for pitchers trying to build back up, or a combination of the two? No clue. I DO BELIEVE, as you seem to, that in regard to an acquisition of an arm, draft or trade, you might mitigate injury loss by looking at history. Paddack is a perfect example. Maeda is also a similar example. Despite HUNDREDS of IP, successfully thrown, there was a risk with Maeda. But he sure was worth the risk in 2020. His 2021 ST had him looking like the same pitcher before the wheels came off. I don't expect him to be the same pitcher he was in 2020 to begin 2023. But even at 35, I wouldn't be surprised at all, with his re-built arm, if he wasn't very solid to good before the year was done. More and more we're seeing SMART, experienced arms pitch in to their later 30's as at least solid if not good. (Verlander is a pitching god, so we'll leave him out of the discussion). Right or wrong to make the trade for Paddack, a potential implosion waiting to happen, he's on the opposite end of the spectrum. I'm NOT saying it's going to happen, but there is a real chance he's solid for the 2nd half of 2023. And by the time 2024 comes around, we could be talking about a still young arm that the Twins need to re-sign at still around 28yo-ish. I think you will agree with me that drafting/signing/trading for an arm coming off injury is not the issue. History has shown high quality arms coming of injury/surgery and being as good or better than before. I think the problem you are alluding to, and I agree, is signing or trading for that arm with a checkmark against them already. The risk isn't worth the reward. I think our FO is damn smart. But I think they've banked too much on the past 2yrs for the pipeline to deliver, and it's delivered at about 50%, at best, due to injury and WHATVEVER. I mean, how much better and deeper is this staff with a healthy Alcala, Winder, Dobnak or Coulombe at least filling in, if nothing else? I appreciate building a quality bullpen on the cheap with prospects and under the radar quality arms when you have to manage payroll to some degree. You can do it if you do it smart and can balance young arms and a couple solid veteran arms. And I understand taking fliers to fill out your rotation to deepen it as you want to compete and roll your top arms in. For TWO YEARS IN A ROW, the plan hasn't worked according to THE PLAN. NOW, you need to trade a bunch of the milb depth you've acquired to keep your "competitive" and first place team IN competition. In the future, FO, don't just EXPECT your pipeline to provide. And don't trade for arms that are potentially ready to implode. Quit trying to outsmart yourself. If you want to make a "find" look for someone coming off injury instead of trading for someone bound for injury.

To quote a successful and respected pundit here in the BIG RED state: "things I know and things I think I know". When you are as tall and long as someone like Ober, your body and mechanics just work differently than someone 4-6 inches shorter than you. Honestly, we might reference basketball and all the 6' 9" to 7'+ athletes that there, despite being a different sport, encounter various foot, back, shoulder, etc, injuries that it at least seems to be more prevelant that "smaller" colleagues. But, moving on, Ober changed his mechanics under Twins tutelage and and found both increased velocity, but just "felt better" after starts, while having complained that he previously just never felt good/right earlier in his career. I have read and re-read the issue with Ober through "medical speak" a few times now. And I might be off, but it sure appears that one of his muscles/tendons is, in fact, simply rubbing on bone. At least, more than is normal. I suppose that strength conditioning and different forms of exercise and conditioning might alleviate this problem. Think something like Pilates, even though that sounds silly at first for a 6' 9" athlete. But these kinds of changes are a possible solution when you read and hear about other athletes that have changed their routines at points in their career. I'm just educated, well read, and knowledgeable to be dangerous, lol. But I'm wondering if he doesn't need surgery to "shave down" a portion of bone, or, have a muscle/tendon operated similar to TOS. I'm really, really hoping rest and a different exercise practice will result in getting him back 100% for 2023, if not late 2022. I think the guy has a solid future and there's no question in my mind the Twins have really missed him. As to Winder, who knows? I know it's easy to be frustrated, and I am too, but IIRC, he's never had this shoulder issue until last year. Is this as simple as missing 2020 and his body has encountered some issues to rest and work through while building back velocity and endurance? Or is there something inside his shoulder not quite right after years of throwing a baseball? I know it's unpopular to say this, but the Twins DO CARE about their players from the ML level on down. They changed their training staff a couple years ago, and IIRC, they even changed out some team doctors. Just because nobody has figured out yet what "impingement" Winder has been dealing with certainly doesn't mean they aren't looking to figure it out. It's important for Winder, as well as the Twins. Just frustrating as hell that we have some really, really good arms like Ober, Winder, Alcala, Canterino and a few others that offer up a really nice pipeline, only to spring a handful of leaks and no immediate answers.

I don't believe the Twins don't have some good pitching prospects, in a vacuum. I think they do. The problem is some are very new and at lower levels, and with the exception of Varland, almost everyone has been battling SOMETHING, whether injury or control, or returning from injury. Pretty hard to be the trading team and trade for someone having a rough season, no matter any potential. A couple BP additions, rental or otherwise, shouldn't deplete the system. And while I don't necessarily believe the Castillo trade sets a bar, it's going to be hard to acquire what is perceived as a true top of the rotation piece. A Rodon trade might just work, IF the Giants are in sell mode. And to me, that sort of brings us back to Mahle, who I like. He's only 27yo, in his 3rd consecutive SOLID season, and has room to develop, potentially, away from Cincinnati. I'm still wondering though, if the Marlins aren't the best option. They seem to need offense. And they have a number of arms. And while I don't like to play the "who" game in regard to trades because it's so subjective, I do look at Steer, Wallner, Julien, CES and some other, younger options they may be interested in. Some of whom haven't hit full stride yet, but have talent. And there is enough pitching depth to offer up a couple interesting arms with potential to make the deal work, potentially. Maybe a 2 for 5 or 6 type of deal. And while it might sound crazy on the surface, I wonder about including Sano in the deal as sort of a throw in flier. I mean, think about it from Miami's point of view. He's not yet 30yo, has a career OPS of .800+, can carry a team for stretches, might start a season better playing in warmer weather, and if the Twins ate the remainder of his 2022 and maybe his $3M 2023 buyout, (and they've done similar before), would he make the Marlins bite and push them over on a 6 for 2 kind of deal? I mean, they get him for free to finish the season, audition him, and can re-sign him if they want without having to pay for the buyout. Hell, they might get 5 good prospects and a $7+M potential steal in Sano.

100% I just don't understand Colorado AT ALL. Re-signing a 37yo closer for when you might compete again? I'm not sure what confuses me more, their wanting to hold on to Bard, or Bard wanting to stick around. I actually thought German Marauez, 27yo with some stuff and some previous good results, might be a perfect under the radar trade option for the Twins. I'd like to see him away from Coors Field, and with a better run organization, and see what he might do. And the Twins have depth to offer the Rockies a decent package that would include a couple interesting arms to make the deal. Now, do you even pick up the phone? Seattle got a little under a year and a half for a very good SP. They are a good team fighting for a WC. Good for them. But I just can't buy in to what they sold, were we to look at a similar package from the Twins. Looks like an "all in" buy that scares me.

We heard the Twins had conversations with Rodon this past offseason. We now here they were "right there" before he signed with the Giants. We can only speculate what "right there" means. While listening to the latest Gleeman and the Geek, somewhat distracted, if I heard correctly the reason the Twins didn't land Rodon was, paraphrasing, was length and annual value, meaning they were probably "in" for 1yr, or 2yrs, but not the combined value of the full 2yrs. And I can see that due to past injury concerns and some question as to why the Dirty Sox passed on him. Losing 7 in a row and perhaps uncertain if they have a team ready to make a run, I could see the Giants being sellers, though it might be 50/50 or 60/40 against. Hard to say. But I'm interested and calling to see what it would cost, and if they're in sell mode. His ERA has risen over the past few weeks, but his numbers are solid across the board from what I've seen. So I don't know that he's winding down and SF has necessarily gotten the "best" of him in 2022. And the Twins do a good job of mitigating IP for their SP. (Open opportunity for someone to make a negative comment about SP usage by the Twins). Nothing says the Twins can't re-sign Rodon to an extension if he continues to look good and healthy. The payroll isn't bad, and have some $ coming off the books, even without Correa opting out. But if he does, there's a TON more to use somewhere meaningful. I'd be kicking the tires for sure.

I want this team to add, be better, not fold the tent, and to make the playoffs, and hopefully make some noise. But as much as I would love to have a guy like Castillo...WOW...3 of the Mariner's top 10 for a little under a year and a half just sounds crazy to me. I just can't see doing that unless you really believed a guy was the final piece to the puzzle.

Just wanted to post my general thoughts and opinions on Nick's OP and the state of the Twins in general. It's going to be long, but follow me here. 1] Overall, I think the Twins have a good team and a lot of quality talent. It's not ALL "ALL STAR" caliber but nobody has ALL STAR talent EVERYWHERE. And I know a piece of two could be moved, but when I look at a daily team of Larnach, Buxton, Kepler, Miranda, Polanco, Arraez, Kirilloff, and yes, even Jeffers, I'm excited about what I see, with a few more bats getting really close and some solid bench/role players. Yes, SS is a question mark, and one that's not going to be answered until the offseason. A healthy Gray is a very good pitcher, not only in the past, but this year as well. Ryan is a very good looking young arm with a good future, though I don't know just HOW GOOD he might end up. But how could anyone know right now? I think Ober has been missed, is good, and has a nice future, even if he's only a solid #4 type. But again, I think the Twins are really missing him right now. I think Winder has a real chance to be good, and maybe very good. And no way he's traded right now with a re-accurance of his shoulder issue. And I don't know if that's still a result of 2020 and loss of natural maturation and usage and build up, or something physical that needs to be taken care of. But the Twins need to FIGURE IT OUT and get him right. A healthy Paddack is a 2023 mid season "acquisition" with another year of control and potential to be a solid piece of the rotation. He's talented and very young and his early work with the Twins in 2022 was encouraging. A healthy, experienced, and savy Maeda might not approach his 2020. But he has the ability to still be very solid, if 100%. The pitching "pipeline" HAS brought the Twins some arms, but for various reasons, it's behind the lineup to be sure. And as much as we bang on the bullpen, we've seen Duran make a serious mark. We've seen Jax make a great transition, and we've seen Alacala at least tease the same. Moran looks at least useful, if not potentially good. 2] All of this to say there's a lot of good here, including a system that is very deep with a lot of talent, even if it's not flush with projected top 100 NAMES that scream difference makers. But then again, not all top 100 players turn out, and "difference makers" aren't always top 100 players. Arraez, on the Twins now, is a perfect example. 3] The Twins aren't smoke and mirrors. They are a good team with a lot of talent and a very nice projectible future with a nice window, still open, after a poor 2021. Crazy how a last place team is suddenly winning and doing well and all to often we can only see the "bad things" in a FLIP season. There are NEEDS to take this team to the next level. Some of those are purely health related. Some are related to continued development and promotion. Some are trades, or FA related to augment what is on hand. There! Done! Now to the OP! This team, and organization as it stands now, is built for the future. But it's also built for NOW with some additions. That's why Correa was signed and Gray was traded for. I don't like to participate in the "trade game" because while it might be fun, it's such a complete mystery we might as well try to predict the next draft. 1] The Twins need a SP as good as Gray and Ryan. That could be a "so called" #3 who is really good. I think we need to just STOP with the trade for some #1 SP. How many, guaranteed #1 SP are available to acquire??? There's a handful of very good SP that are available, such as Castillo and Montas. And they are very good pitchers. Are they that much better than a healthy Gray or Ryan? Opinions will vary. But they are at least equivalent. But they are not the only available arms that are good, experienced, and as good as Gray and Ryan. Mahle and Marquez are a pair of arms that could be as good with a change of scenery and give the Twins a trio of legitimate playoff arms. I don't hate Nick's idea of adding Thor, but he's not the pitcher he has been before. He just might be closer to his old self in 2023, and a possible re-sign, but he wouldn't be a bad "cheap" trade option for an experienced and solid #3 for now. 2] Bard is my dream #2 RP trade target, but I just can't see trading a top 15 pitching prospect in Povich. I just think think that's too rich for a rental. Love to have him as my #2 choice and maybe re-sign him, but I'd rather see a slightly lesser prospect or a 2 for 1 deal. I like Robertson from the Cubs more, but splitting hairs. Everyone is looking to add BP pieces? I get it. But do rentals really cost top 10-15 prospects to do so? Has a single WC addition really escalated the value of a rental that much? If so, it's worth it IF the FO really likes what they acquire and recognize they have the payroll to re-sign to make it worthwhile. 3] Texas flier on Matt Moore for Julien and SGL? Again, a top offensive player and a solid arm for what I believe is a rental. Are you ready to give up that much, knowing you have a deep system, for a 1 year surprise that you MIGHT re-sign? I could see this one happening and I think I'd do it in a heartbeat because of immediate return and what should be an easy re-sign if we like him. 4] Hill from Boston for Sano? Sounds crazy. But honestly, we're talking about fits and non fits and the "good, bad and ugly" if it was a Western. I don't know that Hill does anything better than the "solid" Bundy. In fact, with $ thrown in, Boston might win the deal in long run. But I don't think Sano to ANYONE makes or breaks anything of value unless he's tossed in, along with $, as part of a deal. Personally, I see him as a part of a deal to Cincinnati, Colorado, or Miami as part of a 3-5 deal with $ for a SP AND a BP arm. A not yet 30yo 1B/DH with a career. 800+ OPS could be very interesting to at least a few teams looking to re-build and needing a dangerous bat, as a piece of a trade. Not a centerpiece, of course, but as part of a trade with $ thrown in. 4] No shade intended toward Hamilton, who might aquit himself well, but the idea of ANY experienced ML catcher for a low level PTBN could be very smart addition just to handle the staff at a ML level. SYNOPIS: Nick isn't wrong, though I disagree somewhat with his proposals. DON'T blow up the roster, or the system, just for 2022, and beyond because the team is primed to move forward. DO trade from within the team and system, and a deep system, and you can't keep everyone, unless asking prices are just exorbitant, to add a SP, 2 BP pieces. Add a catcher on the very cheap if you can. And don't worry about a 4th or 5th SP addition unless it comes very cheap. This is good team. It's a primed team with a widow that is still open even after 2021. Injuries have sunk part of their competitive capabilities. Now it's time for the FO to show what they're we made of to make additions without screwing up the future.

Assuming, of course, that he actually does return to school. There's a whole lot of money still available on the proverbial table for another signing, or two.

And that's what I've been reading for some time now, solid stuff, room for growth/improvement, and might do better just getting out of Cincinnati and their ballpark.

Going to echo great thanks for some amazing hard work by you Jeremy, and Jamie. Much appreciated! Lee is going to stick at SS for at least a couple of years. And why wouldn't you see what he can do there? Arm and hands and instincts all say he can play the spot well, if not really well. Lack of great speed or, supposedly, great quickness says he moves one day. But I've seen a lot of really, really fine SS that lacked that extra quickness factor that were fine ML SS due to those instincts, hands, arm, and good positioning. Names like Ripken, Blauser and Correa pop in my head. Totally understand some scouts and pundit experts looking at Prielipp and thinking possible BP piece. But every single draft pick for as long as I can remember...with only a few exceptions every draft...is almost always "mid rotation starter with BP floor". Prielipp was an outstanding HS performer and top prospect. What he did at Alabama in his one year was SICK. Yes, it's going to take a couple years to be 100% physically, 100% in regained feel, 100% for a solid 3rd offering (or more), and a few years to rack up the innings. So what? Kid is quite young and has amazing potential. Still stunned he lasted until the Twins pick in the 2nd. Should have been gone late 1st, or top of the 2nd. Also surprised he didn't demand $2M+, which is what I thought. No question the Twins probably drafted at least a few guys over slot in order to under-sign to give them flexibility. Doesn't mean they drafted poorly, or guys who don't have futures. Very interesting to me that virtually all the position players, despite different levels of experience, seem to have good "hit" and contact tools, usually with some power. There's even some speed mixed in there. The Twins love their power, as all teams do, but over their last 5 drafts, they've also drafted some athletes with hit/contact. Just felt like a little more concentration this year. I just love drafting so many SS because they will stick or move to 3B, 2B, OF, and use their skills to starters or good utility players. And again, no way to predict who will turn out, but all these guys show athleticism, hit tool, and some projectability. Nice! But big shout out to 6th round pick, 2B, Jorel Ortega. One year wonder? Or a finally healthy hitting stud? Potentially huge steal there. 3 catchers selected in 2021 and 2 more this year. This organization values catching. They understand the importance, even if they aren't dropping TOP draft selections for them. But then again, who is? And how many TOP, can't miss catching prospects are there each year? Not sure I don't like Cossetti and Baez more than the 3 guys picked last year. Said it before and will say it again; you can more easily teach a catcher who hits to be better defensively than you can teach a defensive catcher to be a good hitter. I understand OF Sayre was a small school 17th round pick and his conference player of the year, but I'd sure like to know if there's something to like there. Nothing just seems to stand out from the small reports I've read other than solid hit tool. Untapped potential? Johnson and his entire scouting department could fall out of bed tomorrow, hit their heads, have concussions and amnesia and still know more than I do about scouting and projection. But why is it I look at numbers, and length, and reported stuff, and past examples, and find myself more intrigued by Matthews and Lewis than Morris and Jones, drafted before them? I kinda like the long, young, and less experienced Culpepper a bit as well. Possible surprise? Tell me LHP Zachary Veen and his amazing control didn't make you wonder for a moment? A couple MPH on his fastball has to have you thinking LH BP help, right? Pleasantly surprised it looks like both HS SS, Daniel and Ortiz, are both in the fold. Both well recruited and projectile. I thought the injury to Daniel might push him to a pro **** and some bonus $. But thought it would take more. And to get both? Awesome! Not sure what to think of SP McMillan from Alabama. He was their Friday starter, but his numbers were nothing special. A flier considering, as mentioned in the OP, because the Twins have a good relationship with the school and think he's ready to take another step? HS OF Dickerson sounds like a great recruit that might be a stud in 3yrs. But you draft him on a WTH whim "just in case". Well, based on available $ left and the 5% allowable overage, there is some REAL $ left to sign either McMillan or Dickerson, or both potentially. And I well remember Julien signing for over slot money at the last moment. Turned out to be a good move for the Twins, right. I wouldn't be surprised if at least one of these guys still signed. Overall, liked the approach of arms and SS and a pair of catchers with some worthwhile HS talent worth taking a shot on. Time will tell if this draft is anything beyond the first two selections, but the plan looks to have been a good one.

It's kind of a double edged sword to have a whole lot of good players/pitchers who have potential, but not enough room to protect all that you want. While I think it's safe to say the Twins had a great first couple of picks here in 2022, and there is the "just opened presents" in regard to hope for the remaining selections, they also have seen a lot of quality from the 2021 draft so far. But if you look a little further back at 2019 and 2018 you also see a pair of very good looking drafts. It's those 2 drafts that are the issue here as a large majority of the names mentioned throughout the discussion come from those two years. There are some HS kids still in the lower minors who aren't close to ready yet, and who don't need protection yet. And I know people are tired of the whole lost 2020 season debate, but the truth is, for the Twins and everyone else, it WAS a lost season that has affected so many and yet the clock didn't stop ticking. I think we all get wrapped up in prospect rankings and our team. And it's probably true right now the Twins aren't as highly ranked as other franchises since they don't seem to have those TOP prospects that appear to be elite. But those things can change quickly. Arraez was never considered anything close to elite. Nor was Miranda until last year. Steer is putting up similar numbers this year. Wallner may have jumped a couple levels, etc. So I would never discount DEPTH of talent in the system. With the exception of the HS kids, and a couple guys who were basically drafted hurt as potential steals and working themselves up just now, 2018 and 2019 FILL AA and AAA. Some look great, some OK, a couple we're not sure yet. There's enough DEPTH of talent to move a number of pretty decent to good looking prospects in the system for help without devastating anything. You just hope you end up keeping the best ones. But letting a number of those young players go for nothing is far more damaging than actually trading some as part of packages to get something in return.

And they drafted 3 guys last year out of the college ranks. And while all 3 got in a handful of games, have to remember that really, thus season is really their first real exposure to pro ball. (Along with instructs). Winkel has had a solid year at the plate, and at CR to boot. That's a pretty solid jump, IMO. Cardenas hasn't done a lot with the bat initially, but his numbers have risen of late, and I'd like to believe the high OB he's got shows hit potential. Tatum has struggled the most with the bat, to be sure. But he also has a much higher OB vs his BA. Is that also an indicator he may get the bat rolling eventually? I think there's a lot to like about both Cossetti and Baez this year. But I don't expect anything dynamic initially. The nice thing for them is the milb season going in to mid September now. They might each get a full month introduction.

Agreed. Even if they wanted him back, it would be on a re-negotiated deal. But even then, I just don't see a fit for 2023 unless the FO makes an intense, groundbreaking BOOM of a thunderclap type of deal and move a couple guys off the ML roster. Out of character and doubtful, but it's the only way I see room for him going forward. Have to admit, I wonder what the rest of the league thinks about him. I mean, he won't turn 30 until next May, an .800+ career OPS, 1B/DH age better than other positions....if the Twins throw cash in with prospects on a deal, could he tantalize a team needing offense AND some quality prospects?

Bard or Robertson from the Cubs are my top two as an add, WITH another solid, 7-8th inning arm with experience, regardless of which arm he uses. I understand Bard and Robertson are long in the tooth, but they are experienced, getting the job done, and shouldn't cost much as rentals. I think rentals may be the smartest way to go, at least for 1 of the 2 arms that are probably needed. Nothing says you can't re-sign a rental. And even with or without a re-sign, you "re-set" the table for 2023 where you look at further trades and FA, as well your system, and then still have a short term re-sign available. Think 2019 when the Twins grabbed Dyson and Romo. Unfortunately, Dyson ended up hurt and a headcase. But if Dyson hadn't been hurt, and not a problem, the Twins probably bring back BOTH. So rentals are not a bad option.