DocBauer

IF I were the long-winded type who jumped up on a soapbox once in a while, (wink-wink, nudge-nudge), I'd pause for a moment to just yell out that I'm sick of covid and all that we have lost and all that has transpired over the past couple of years, and then I would rant a bit more specifically about baseball and the lost 2020 milb season and the affect that has had on the game in general, and specifically our beloved Twins and the development of their prospects and their grand plan to build a staff, without leaving out the various position players who have lost so much time as well. And then I'd rant some more about the CBA and both the players and owners further strangling the great game of baseball with their obtuse ways of thinking, especially with how the past couple of years have played out in society in general, and baseball specifically. I might even go so far off the deep end that I might proclaim something to the effect of actually missing Bud Selig as commissioner. Could I really say something like that??? But since I'm NOT that type...(cough-cough)...I will only concentrate on the OP. One of the great travesties about the ongoing lockout and CBA arguements...is "travesty" too harsh?...is the affect on young prospects on the 40 man rosters who have already missed so much time. Now, if things suddenly get settled over the next couple of weeks, things can get back to normal fairly quickly and ST and the season can get underway. But if it drags on, ST will begin for milb and those players will continue on as normal, preparing for 2022. But all the young talent,for the Twins and everyone else that is less important, (hehe), on the 40 man will be stuck sitting at home and losing further rehab and developmental time. Already, there are non-union ballplayers in Ft Myers working out, ramping up, and getting ready for 2022. These may be somewhat informal workouts at this point, but you can bet that guys like Balazovic, Strotman and others would already be hard at work getting stretched out and getting prepared. And Lewis is probably the biggest loser of them all if this drags on. No matter his MVP finish in the AFL at the end of 2019. No matter his work and development in 2020 over at St Paul, he lost 2021 due to his unfortunate knee injury. And above probably any prospect, he needs time, rehab, guidance, and time to ramp up and get ready. And that is a HUGE bummer right now.

I don't like to buy in very deeply as to what numbers say someone "might" have done or "should" have done. Numbers can be skewed and what's most important, usually, is what actually happened at the end of things. Even still, Donaldson DID play and produce. And based on various WAR numbers, that I appreciate but don't always "get" henearned his pay in 2021. And I liked how the Twins rotated him at DH here and there to help keep him fresh. A similar 2022 would be just fine with me. And with everyone around him performing better, his numbers could rise if he plays another 130G. And he's still fine defensively, though his range has slipped some. Sano is just always going to be a streaky player it appears. But he's so good and so dangerous at times that I can live with that, even though I'm not sure I ever want him hitting higher than the 5 hoke. He still brings tremendous value over the course of the year, even though it doesn't appear he'll ever be the hitter we had hoped for. I also don't think he's quite as bad defensively as some numbers indicate. He's still learning 1B and makes some silly mistakes. But he's solid on pop-ups, mostly fields cleanly, and is adept at scoop plays. The biggest issue here might be room with Kirilloff back and healthy and the need for Miranda to play. It's also why we don't need a full time DH. (Areaez also fits in to the DH picture). Of course, we know over an entire season, these things will often work themselves out. Both of these guys are an oxymoron. Each offers real value and real production not only for the Twins, but for other teams as well that would like to have them and could benefit from their presence. (Especially if the DH is adopted in the NL). But there are enough questions about each that there are real questions of return value if traded vs just keeping them and what they can bring to the Twins. Sano may be inconsistent, but remains so dangerous and largely productive at the end of the day. Even healthy, Donaldson isn't getting younger, but is still good and dangerous and provides fire and experience and if traded, do you really get much salary relief considering you will have to eat part of his deal? I think both probably remain with the Twins to open 2022 and I'm OK with that. I'm not in a hurry to move either one. But I'm also OK with doing so if the right deal comes along.

Forgive me, I'm going off on a weird tangent for a moment, but bear with me as I have a point here. Here in Nebraska, BIG RED LAND, there is a strange perception that STILL permeates DECADES after the Huskers became nationally relevant and became a college football powerhouse. To this day, recruiting has been contingent on young men, and their families, actually taking a visit. Once here, they realize it's not just cornfields and tiny towns. They realize Lincoln is a small-ish city but not a tiny town. And Omaha is just down the road. And they realize it's a great University in a buzzing town with a great fan base, great facilities, and a tremendous fan base. Perception is everything. So let me backtrack now. The Twins have 3 issues in regard to FA: 1] IMO, regional bias is real, to some degree. There is real truth that California, the SW, including TX, the entire SE, provide a larger majority of MLB talent than the Midwest does, for a variety of reasons not worth getting in to. Money being close to equal, playing "close to home" has to have at least SOME bearing. I mean, if you can live, mostly at least, year round in 1 place that is home, or close to home for wife and kids family relatively close, wouldn't you enjoy that? Milwaukee, Cleveland, Chicago, KC, etc, also share in this situation. Just being honest and real, not everyone wants to live most of their year in the Midwest, even if you aren't spending the winters here. 2] And this refers back to point #1 to some degree, PERCEPTION has a degree of affect. MLB players have traveled all over to small towns and small cities in their milb career. And they have seen EVERY ML city at some point, and EVERY park if they've been around for a few years. And undoubtedly they've been impressed, or not impressed by said ballparks and a few restaurants or bars they may have visited, or had a taste of the fan base. They've been around. But that doesn't mean they know what it's like to part of that community. Is a FA tantalized by LA and NY,etc, without knowing the charms of Minneapolis, KC, etc. Have you EVER heard a single player dis the Twin Cities once they played here? 3] Once again, perception is a key. The current FO lost out on Darvish though they were in the final 3. He signed for almost the same per year the Cubs offered, but Chicago won basically because they offered an extra year. They offered $20M+ just as an initial offer to Wheeler a couple years ago before being told right up front they were out of it because he would only consider an East Coast team. But the initial offers were there! And Donaldson signed for a huge contract. Has Donaldson uttered a negative word about the Twins at this point? Last off-season, there were various reports that the agents for Twins players who were arbitration eligible complimented the FO for their openness and honesty in dealing with their players. And remember, those agents represent more than just Twins players! So again, we're talking about PERCEPTION vs PREVIOUS attitudes and ideas over a decade before and how things were done. So players, and agents, have to re-examine how things are being done. And I think that is happening. And 3 playoff teams, 2 divisional championships, and a new way of doing things is going to bring weight going forward unless we see some surprising downward change, which I don't think any of us expect. I know it sounds kinda crazy in the world of MLB professionalism, but I find myself wondering if the Twins should: A] Just BOUNCE at a #1 target before they settle back and wait...and.... B] Why in hell wouldn't they "recruit" FA prospects and utilize current and past Twins to help them realize what's available for them in Target Field and what's here and what may be coming?

So if he's already pumping his FB 95-97, what happens to velocity and endurance once he's packing 210lbs of muscle on that frame? Of course he needs at least 1 more consistent pitch. And he has to maintain control. But he should be very interesting to follow this year.

Today? Flip a coin between Rodriguez and Petty! If you twist my arm between 1A and 1B, I'll put Rodriguez at 1A simply because he's a little older. Tomorrow? Whatever college SS or C they select in the 2022 draft will join these 2 to create a fantastic top 3!

Kinda stole my thunder because I was thinking about this the last couple of days. The evolution of the bullpen has been vast the last few years. I think there is something to be still said about a traditional "closer" if you have one to finish a game. But I think we have discovered/realized that a save by someone facing the bottom of the order doesn't mean what it used to mean, with all due respect to Reardon, Nathan, Perkins and others. There is ABSOLUTELY a place for a CLOSER. Because there ARE games when the heart of the opposition lineup will come up. And the best bullpen will have some STUD to deal with anyone. But those kinds of arms aren't available to everyone. You're lucky if you have one. Not perfect, Rogers has been pretty close to great. Colome was until he wasn't, ugh, what might have been. As far as 2022? I haven't heard a single word of doubt about Rogers. So I'm riding with this, Duffey started poorly, figured stuff out, adapted, has a young arm, I'm OK. Thielbar allowed too many inherited runners to score, then settled down, I'm OK. Alcala was pressed,flashed but was poor, settled down and was beyond OK. Moran didn't have a great debut, but we know what he offers and at least got his feet wet. He has a chance to be really good. But if everyone is healthy and ready to go, he could ramp up at AAA initially. Does Thorpe, out of options, have a shot at the pen as a 3rd LH? Or is he a waiver option we hope sticks around? Colombe is still around as a roster addition if needed. The left side is OK if Rogers is healthy. No disrespect or lack of conviction, but this pen needs another RH to take the pressure off of Rogers and Duffey and Alcala. And there are a number of options available after the lockout. And it's pointless at this point to pick ONE, But there are a few arms who offer competence if not upside. And we need that! The 2022 bullpen is going to roll through options not just for RP, but for SP getting their feet wet in the pen at times. But assuming good health, and one smart FA signing, the pen could easily have 5 guys to depend on. That, potentially, gives you 3 spots to float with all available arms between St Paul and the ML roster. Think Stashak, Jax, and others who could play and audition in the pen, Cotton, and Garza as current options.

In the fantastical landscape of millionaires vs billionaires we all have to "suspend belief" in these kinds of activities the way we are forced to do in a Michael Bay film. Pretty hard to feel sorry for either side really. We just want baseball, and we want the game to be good, healthy, and on as equally level playing field as possible. But neither side is asking me, or any of us, for an outside and practical view. Personally, I thought some of the initial BPA asks were pretty outrageous and not good for the game. And while I didn't say it, I found myself wondering if that wasn't a very deliberate tactic they knew would ever fly and would then allow them to back off from those demands and give the appearance of acquiescence in the negotiations. I think that theory has been born out by recent changes. And look, I have no problem with any athlete looking to earn more money. I think we can all appreciate that sentiment. My only, personal, issue with any athlete has been the argument of "only having a few years to make my money before I retire", as if they couldn't do anything else the rest of their lives from mid 30's on or struggle in their retirement financially. And if that sounds petty, please understand I don't mean it to sound that way. It's just a rub of mine as a fan who wants the best for my favorite teams/sports and the growth and health of such teams/sports. Even in this rather absurd sports society of $20 parking, and $12 beers, I am wholly supportive of any player making as much money as they can. But in baseball, particularly in this regard, I remain more concerned about the milb players, and the young players getting a "fair" salary. I am much more in favor of ANY new design where the 1-6yr players receive greater salaries than I am a 30yo receiving $300M in a bidding war amongst a handful of teams vs them making more earlier in their careers and then having to "settle" for a $200M deal amongst a greater number of bidding teams. I'm not talking some "social spending" in baseball. I'm simply talking about a greater spreading of wealth amongst all players, as well as all teams. And where I see the biggest problem is actually amongst the owners at this point, though the players definitely share part of the blame. If the owners actually give a damn about baseball in general, it's appeal and growth, then they should earnestly care about greater competitive balance. That would only create better competition and greater public/fan interest, which would only increase further value/revenue generated! But they can't even get their own house in order. Revenue sharing should be greater and broader. But there is nothing in place to prevent a smaller market team from keeping salaries and spending low and pocketing said revenue dollars. This is why I believe the owners need to allow for greater revenue sharing with some sort of floor, or floating floor. Unlike the NFL, MLB has guaranteed contracts, which is why high and firm resolutes aren't going to work. But a general, semi-even, equitable playing field means you have to run a smart organization and not just write checks, or feel OK eating millions of dollars here and there because you can "afford to do so". The owners are OWNERS of the business that is MLB. The players are employees. That is a fact. And if the owners want to be successful owners, make money, and see their "business" grow, then they need to get their collective heads and backsides together and on the same page and do what is best for their sport/business. The players SHOULD care about their milb brethren because they ALL came from that system one way or another. But even if they continue to ignore that side of their business, as a union, they should be working harder for yearly salaries and yearly raises for ALL players, and not just the elite. (Don't forget the part about initial demands and penalty cap raises and the such). ALL players making more money is a good thing. Isn't that what a union is supposed to do? And they should be pushing for the aforementioned floor or floating floor as much as the owners should be! Again, same but still different, an NFL team can rebuild and turn things around by running their organization well and making smart decisions. Doing so can have a team wining, even in contention, in a couple of years. Right now, based on history, small market teams have to "blow things up" and go through lengthy rebuilds for their next opportunity. Why? They often lack the same finances to sign players or keep their own. Think the Royals. The opposite side? Think the Cubs who have about as much money as anyone and struggled for years before going "all in" and then falling apart. But the choices they made were organizational, and not because they didn't possess the resources. So the players SHOULD care about how money is distributed, and floors in place, for the sake of their members. If the sport grows, then so does revenue and salaries. Especially if there is a check and balance system in place. IF the original proposals by the BPA were indeed absurd ideas presented as a power play to then back down from, fine. Your bluff was called and seemed obvious. But it doesn't mean they don't have real issues and gripes to fight for. If anything, it should have signaled to ownership that NOW we can sit down and have a real discussion how we proceed. Instead, ownership has virtually laughed in their face with condescending counters or no counters and have asked for a federal mediator to be involved. I've heard the BPA rejected that idea. IMPO, that was a mistake. I think a federal mediator, baseball fan or not, would have come in with a clear head and looked at both sides and said "WTH?" And they probably would have kicked a little ass and just might make the owners look a little silly. NOT a federal employee much less a professional mediator, but I'd gladly take the job for a day and tell both sides: OWNERS: Put in a floor or floating floor but share your profits equitably or nobody is going to buy your product in a few years. If an owner has a problem with that,then his franchise needs a different owner. The comments made by the Rockies owner is beyond "sheesh"! It's in the "WTH" category of commets. Then raise the yearly average salary for your employees based on production commensurate with experience and production and stop low balling. You'll be compensated later when you don't pay for over the hill and retires. And your sport will be better when their is more competition, and fan interest and more money comes floating in. PLAYERS: You need to worry about being a union and paying the 1-6yr players more so they can make more money in their career. STUD p,ayers will ALWAYS make their money. They might make a little less when they turn 30yo, but they will make more earlier in their careers. And if you help keep ownership to standards, then as your sport grows, so does payroll and earnings for all of your members. That's what you want, isn't it? BTW, despite some improvements made in the lives of milb players...a place and life you ALL came from, whether it be 1yr or 6yrs...you might want to push for further salary and benefits for those coming up behind you. CONCLUSION: You ALL have a SILVER EGG that needs some shining! Did I say SILVER EGG? Why yes I did indeed! Why not a "GOLDEN EGG" Why that's simple. Pull you're collective heads out of your butts and just do things fair and right! OK, so I'm long winded at times. Sorry, not Sorry, that's me. I have a high soapbox to stand on when I care about something. Going to step down now. But I believe in what I rambled about.

Just wanted to add to your post. I think we all have to realize it's not only a potential service time matter. (Which I understand but dislike). Many times it's about ramping up a young player, or pitcher in this case. Throwing intermittently early on vs staying on a routine is an issue. When someone, Winder in this situation, comes up you want them confident, on a roll, and ready to STAY up hopefully. Right now it's debatable between Winder and Strotman as to who is first man up considering age and innings. I think Winder is going to be very good and part of the rotation at some point in 2022. And I can't wait to see him. But he's probably not going to pitch 150+ innings this year. And we will see plenty of the young guys throughout the season. But Winder, or anyone, getting a couple of starts to stay on course is much more important, IMO, than a projected service time issue that is years away and may be resolved by then anyway.

I love Kepler and have been a follower and fan since the day he signed and have followed his career closely. But even as a fan, I've just never understood how a guy with his athleticism, a decent eye, and such a smooth stroke with power simply can't find a way to spray the ball better. He's young enough, talented enough, smart enough that there is still room to improve. And maybe he just needs the right coach to help the light bulb crank up to full brightness?? And I don't know that laying down some bunts are the answer. And I don't expect him to magically develop an Arraez kind of ability to control his bat. But couldn't he still get "old fashioned" and choke up a bit at times? Couldn't he learn to just decrease that smooth thing velocity wise and go the other way once in a while? If so, he BA and BABIP suddenly changes. What does he have to prove otherwise? Simply that while he may never be the 2019 version of himself again...and we all hope he does...he's NOT the 2021 version of himself, fully healthy, going forward. His "normal" self is a .240-.250 BA with power, defense, and an OK OB. His numbers are probably better if he can sit once in a while against strong LH pitching. The "normal" Kepler is a good and valuable player. Facing fewer LHSP makes him better. Approaching 30, learning and adapting a little different "spray" approach makes him a great player.

Totally get your concern! The BA and SO numbers aren't good. But the BB and OB% and power numbers and OPS are impressive for an 18yo getting his first taste or stateside pro ball. It's those numbers that indicate he has an eye and approach that gives real promise.

Obviously it would be silly to pick guys like Steer or Julien who are just getting their careers started. But there are two guys I ALMOST want to add to this list. Jordan Gore completed his transition to the mound as a RP and had a pretty great 2021. Yunior Severino seemed to take a step forward last season, especially after his promotion to CR. Gore is "old enough" and newly transitioned he will hopefully go undrafted if there is a rule 5 this year. And Severino is "young enough" and still unproven enough to also, hopefully, also go undrafted. I can't include them in the same category as the other 3, but I was impressed by the development of both.

Once again, we are the same page in most everything. As I just rambled on about regarding Rortvedt, I wish he was AJ part 2. I see him as a cross of Butera and Castro. And if I'm right, that makes him an excellent #2 and platoon partner with Jeffers for the future. Again, I just hope he gets most of 2022 at St Paul to work on his bat and his power because the defense is already there. Agree also with Garver getting time at DH because I think there's enough offense/depth to NOT have a full time DH. Arraez, Donaldson, Miranda, Sano, Garver, we don't need a full time DH. I'm higher on Gordon than you are though. Once again, the kid needed to add a title weight/muscle vs losing what he had and now have to gain that back. I felt like I was watching him wearing his father's uniform as a 16yo last year. Someone please feed this kid some massive protein and get him in a gym! But his history has always been one of learning and adapting to each level. I expect at least a slightly better hitter in 2022. I love his speed and base running. He's OK/solid at 6 spots defensively. I DO AGREE that his time with the Twins might be limited due to Arraez, Steer and Julien already present and maybe a year away. We also agree on Celestino, though again hopefully he gets a couple months of AAA to continue his development. Larnach probably needs the same. Wallner probably needs a full year before he's ready. And Martin? He's going to be our LF, and soon. He will get over his hand/wrist issue that plagued him some last year, and he will make adjustments on his power potential, and he will be able to also play CF and cover 2B and 3B and MAYBE even some SS as a full time player who has great versatility as needed. But just being honest, he needs some time. It's pretty tough to go from college to not playing for a year, going straight to AA with a nagging injury, and then straight to MLB. I'm 100% OK if he needs a full season to adjust and ramp up and get himself right.

You are not incorrect. But honestly, take a moment to look at his milb numbers year to year. He was young at every level, promoted fairly aggressively, and showed gradual but real improvement year to year. And his OB will show he wasn't exactly an automatic out. And there's power still residing within him. 21yo at AA and 23yo in 2021. I'm not saying he's another AJ...though I wish he was...but if you look at age and development, you might be surprised.

At some point all 3 of these guys are going to be and contribute, even assuming/hoping Buxton escapes bad injury as is good for 120+ games. (He's not the only OF that could end up hurt at some point after all). Celestino's floor, IMO, is that of a valuable and versatile 4th OF who provides a bit of everything. His ceiling is a solid/quality starting OF who again provides a bit of everything. The question is just how well and consistently he hits, gets OB and how much pop/power he develops. I think he's got a nice future either way. Hopefully he's not needed for a couple of months so he can continue the groove he had to end 2021 at AAA. I think Rortvedt is being understood a bit as a hitter, and I hope I'm correct on that. He's never been old for any level he's played at and he has shown some growth as a batter and some gradual improvement at each level. He's had some poor BA performances and some decent ones. In 2019 he got half a season at AA and was OK at .239/.332/.355/.687. Acceptable for a young 21yo, defense first catcher, but not exactly anything to salivate over. But still, only 21yo at AA. Obviously he missed 2020. As a 23yo he was forced to play more, and early than probably expected, at the ML level due to Garver's surgery. I think it speaks to the Twins belief in him they passed over the veteran Telis in favor of him. His numbers at AAA were just fine for a young player getting his first sampling of that level. I have no clue how good of a hitter he may become, or how much XB power he might develop despite being a strong and well built young man, but he's shown enough improvement level to level in his milb career to believe he isn't done growing yet. I think he's going to be better than just a defensive catcher wit some pop who only hits .190. Even if he only becomes a .225-.230ish hitter with defense and power he can be a valuable piece. I am hoping for a bit more, but I'd take that kind of production from my #2 catcher. Like Celestino, the best scenario for him is ML health and he can sit at St Paul most of the year and just work on his bat and gain additional experience, filling in when necessary. Barring a poor ST I think Gordon is a lock for opening day. No need to rehash missing 2020 entirely due to covid and the weight/strength loss that he couldn't afford. While never a great hitter or OB guy at any level, he seldom embarrassed himself and showed improvement at every level he's played at. Despite looking like he was in a uniform a size too large with the Twins in 2021 he again didn't embarrass himself despite pedestrian numbers. His bat is quick enough to turn on and drive a pitch once in a while. If he gains weight/strength back and gains a little more plateawareness, wch has been his previous MO, he might actually be a fairly decent hitter for the super-utility role it looks like his destination will be. And there is real worth in that despite disappointment in his initial draft status. I love his speed when on base and was completely surprised at how well he learned CF/OF on the fly, despite some bumps in the road. He and Kepler can both provide some backup CF play for a Buxton day off provided it's not extended. That could mean an extra bat is kept. And I'd like to add my own #4 to this list. I've said before and say again, I think people may be sleeping on Strotman because he's not 23yo and pitched poorly after coming over in the TB trade. I remind again that he was rated above Ryan before his TJ surgery in the Ray's system. Healthy again, post the lost 2020 season, he bypassed AA and went straight to AAA where he posted fine numbers across the board except for higher BB rates. Not sure that should be a surprise considering the layoff, the jump, and the general belief that touch/control comes later than velocity after TJ. As to his poor performance at St Paul? He says he was trying too hard. Maybe. But maybe it was that, the transition, plus running out of gas. He has the frame and consistent mid 90's velocity, a few solid secondary offerings, and has reported he's working on a 5th possible offering to add or replace something else in his repertoire. I wouldn't be shocked if he's in the rotation at any point in 2022 and shows potential there. I think the "bullpen option" is very premature at this point and is a possibility for almost ANY young arm.

I have the exact same Mauer jersey hanging in my basement with all my other Twins, Vikings, and Husker memorabilia. I've only worn the jersey a couple of times as it's expensive and I have a bad habit of spilling stuff when I wear white. It's like a curse! LOL. My X bought it for me and reminded me of my weird habit of wearing white, so it's been hanging since I wore it at KC a few years ago. And man do I miss the pinstripes! We could regret it, but I think any trade of Cantarino could end up as a mistake. Duran is slightly behind my belief in Canterino. I'd really like to see the Twins "baby" those 2 arms for 2022 rather than give them up too early. You have to give something up to get something. And I don't know exactly what that is right now. I think the Brewer's trade is nuts for a 5th SP. And I'm not crazy about trading for anyone who is under control for only 1 or 2yrs, unless the FO realistically thinks they will do a re- sign. I am SO HOPING for another Oddo or Maeda out of the hat trade!

2I honestly hadn't heard our FO was IN on a number of trades pre lockout until just recently, though I've been expecting one for months now. And if the Twins really expect to be competitive in 2022, then SOMEONE HAS to be added. You can't just audition the prospects and expect to be competitive. (I still think they blew the opportunity to add JUST ONE GUY on a 3-4yr deal that wouldn't blow up anything! But water under the bridge at this point). I still wouldn't be surprised to see Pineda, Kikuchi or maybe Tyler Anderson brought in on a cheap deal. I just don't think this FO really believes Bundy is some sort of great steal. And when you have a full 162G season, hopefully, you will have many opportunities to audition the prospects as we all know you will need 8-9SP throughout the season. Especially after limited IP for prospects in 2021, time is needed, but opportunity WILL BE THERE. Adding 2 arms will NOT prevent the young arms from getting their feet wet and getting opportunity. I'd really like to see, and expect, a quality, experienced RHRP to add to the back end of the pen. There is opportunity and need and payroll room to do so. That's 3 of 5 spots to fill. The remaining hole is SS. I absolutely agree Polanco at SS is not ideal. He's a perfect fit at 2B and a potential GG winner there. But while I want to keep him at 2B, he's just not going butcher some make him out to be at SS. He's OK/decent there. And if his ankles are OK...which they appear to be...I don't see how his ankles are any less stressed at SS than 2B. In fact, he probably twists and turns his ankles more at 2B than SS. Now, I don't want him to be the full time SS on a 1yr fill-in, but it's not some sky is falling scenario. I think the potential of the lineup is such an offensive hole at SS is acceptable, even though I don't want that. Iglesias has the bat, and past defensive rep, to be a great 1yr fill-in. I know we don't want to say this, but Simmons is a potential bounceback option who only has to hit to his career numbers to be an asset. I have come around that the Twins need to make a trade with the Cardinals for DeJong. Not a great hitter, but acceptable for a great glove SS. He has some power for the spot. My u derstanding is he's going to make over $6M as a reserve as he's been replaced by their young kid who's name escapes me at the moment. I'm thinking he comes pretty cheap for a power bat or A pitcher. I wouldn't be opposed to a 4th OF who can maybe play CF. But do we need that? Maybe. But Kepler plays a good CF. Gordon can play a decent CF based on what we saw while learning the position on the fly. Celesino could be fully ready by mid season. I'm not 100% sold we need an OF, but I wouldn't object if it happened.

I never like to compare prospects to proven players directly, but I've never been afraid to as a reference point or potential comp. And in this case, I'm going to stick within the Twins organization, even though it wouldn't be hard to look elsewhere as well. Gaettit was, IIRC, a SS when drafted but placed at 3B. He wasn't a bad athlete and had a strong arm, but hands of stone initially. Koskie was probably an even better athlete, but larger, and considered potentially too large and stiff to remain at 3B. Both turned out to be outstanding defensive 3B with time, work, and experience. I'm going to accept CES's arm ...and hands as legitimate 55 rankings. That tells me he sticks at 3B, and should be kept there as long as possible, to work on his defense. The most important thing he can do defensively...even if he has questionable range...is catch what he gets to and use that arm. Good positioning can help some, and a strong arm can help cover limited range to a degree as well. Offensively he surprised me as a rookie in Ft Myers which can be a tough place to hit at times. (See Sabato, but he also pretty much had a year off). I almost wonder if he should have been pushed to Cedar Rapids, but hard to argue a rookie, even a college rookie, not getting half a season at A- to begin his career. The power is real. He seems to have a solid hit tool and makes some decent contact despite the SO numbers. Right or wrong, my initial thought is a smaller and potentially better defensive version of Sano. I don't see how that would be a bad thing at all. Now, it's very possible Miranda could block him at 3B, but that's down the road and not a concern at this time. You need to draft bats as well as pitchers and SS. I think he's a potentially exciting 4th rounder with some defensive aptitude. I don't think he's JUST some 1B/DH bat. I'm a little unsure about the 2020 draft right now, even though there's some interesting guys there who have been limited so far, but I'm pretty excited about 2019 and 2021.

I've thought about the title and general intent of this OP for a little while now before commenting. My answer is NO, the Twins haven't let Donaldson down any more than he let them down in 2020. It's still a team game, injuries and sh*t happens, and as stated above me previously, 1 guy doesn't make an entire season one way or another. (Granted, 1 guy can make a difference). In the 2020 season the Twins were on a 100 win pace, adjusted, for the second consecutive year before a brief poor streak. I believe they ended on an adjusted 96 win equivalent. So Donaldson "letting the team down" is as arbitrary as the Twins letting him down in 2021. In other words, a healthy Donaldson in 2020 might have increased the win total slightly. He might have had a key hit in the playoffs and things MIGHT have turned out differently. But as a whole, the Twins did just fine without him for the collective that was the 2020 season. Fast forward, or rewind, to 2021 with revisionist 20/20 vision. I can't wait to stop re-visting 2021 and I'm even making MYSELF cringe doing so, but here we go again. A healthy Maeda may have changed the entire construct of 2021, and was MONEY in ST before his elbow gave out once the season started. If Happ just pitches the whole season on his 1yr like he has most of his career, like he did his first few games, close to what he did in 2020, we're 4 deep in the rotation. And in THEORY, we would have bought time for the development for our young pitchers coming up. If a healthy Shoemaker...a cheap flier intended to bridge the gap only...OR a healthy Dobnak simply performs as expected, we're 5 deep. If Colome pitches just like his normal self, not even like his career 2020, we get off to a better start. If Duffey and Rogers don't get off to sow starts, we are better. If, if, if....the entire 2021 season is a season of injuries and poor performance, or at least poor initial performance, the likes I'm not sure I've ever seen! IF those IF'S were the reality and not what really happened, then Berrios and Cruz are never traded. And who knows how many games the Twins win and what happens in the playoffs. Look at Atlanta. They had a lot of bad "if's" but some very good/lucky "if's" that lead them to a WS very reminiscent of the 1987 Twins. Best laid plans sometimes just don't work out. Sh*t happens. Think the Dodgers over the past 5-6yrs or so despite 2020 and their payroll and talent. (Not even going to address the new talent brought in to the Twins system recently BECAUSE of what happened that could open the next window. Different discussion). So neither party here has let the other down. And while Donaldson IS a "red ass" and I don't always like some of what he says and does, he IS a leader on this team, though in a different way than Cruz was. But like Cruz, from day one when he was in ST, players have been flocking to him to pick his brain, watch him, ask questions, and he's been happy to offer up his perspective and experience. There is no measurement for that, but experience and leadership are real. I don't know if trading Donaldson is a possibility or not. For HIS sake, a trade to a contending team could be a blessing in the twilight of his career for another shot. And I don't belive he, his agent, or anyone else would hold it against the Twins to do so mid contract at this point. But I'm really uncertain as to not only what the Twins might receive in players/prospects back, much less how much salary relief they might actually receive as they'd probably have to kick in some $ to get the deal done. But does that really help the Twins in2022? And how much? The OP shows how good his numbers were, and could have been better with just a little more luck. And if you don't believe at least a little bit in luck regarding baseball then you either haven't been watching the game close enough, or long enough, or haven't seen Bull Durham, LOL. I'm OK if a trade is available and makes sense. But Donaldson is still a great and productive hitter who is primed to repeat his 2021 usage between 3B and DH to keep him fresh. And he's still a fine 3B defensively, though his range has slipped. And there are young options in Arraez and Miranda to fill in and get their time in. I think the Twins will be better off keeping him. Things could change come mid season trade options and the play of Arrzez and Miranda, etc. So neither side has let the other down. Sh*t happens. And maybe that should have been the byline.

I had actually forgotten Larnach had only 13AB at St Paul before his promotion. I think he just wasn't prepared as of then once pitchers made adjustments. I know each step up the ladder is tougher than the level before, and MLB is the hardest. But Larnach hit in college...it was the power that took a little while to develop...and he's hit so far in his milb career. So I'm still all in on him being a quality ML hitter once he acclimates and makes somes adjustments. My only concern, and it's minor, is that he didn't finish strong at AAA. But then again, he also became injured. As for his defense, my understanding when he was drafted was that he had plenty of arm for RF. I believe part of the reason he played RF when Kirilloff was in LF was he has the stronger arm of the two. He won't be Kepler, but I think he has enough ability to play the spot we'll enough. I do think AK is just fine in the OF. And I believe he was going to have a solid year until he hurt his wrist. But I think he will slide to 1B eventually, if not soon, because he just looks so natural there and there are other options for the OF corners. That includes the mentioned Martin. Celestino was brought up because there was literally no-one else to play CF due to all the injuries. Remember, even Refsnyder got hurt after Buxton, and after Kepler. He WAS healthy and finished AAA strong. I think Larnach is going to be fine. I just don't know if he's going to be ready day 1 for a job, of he's going to take a few weeks, or a couple months before getting his next opportunity.

I was legitimately impressed by the MLBPA when they pulled back and made concessions in order to facilitate negotiations. I was appalled by the counter offers from the owners. Additionally, I think it's about time for the union to look out for the young and mid-tier players with a raise in salaries. Again, the counter from ownership just seemed ridiculous and counter productive to me. I have issues with both sides, and have in past negotiations. But I'm amazed at how unintelligent a billionaire business owner can be. Just feels like they are OK with killing the sport instead of nourishing its growth. Monfort's comment is so egregious I can't even laugh at it.

I am with ownership on a slight and gradual increase. The financial disparity is real in MLB and doesn't have to be increased. There should also be a greater and more even revenue sharing amongst the lower revenue teams for greater competitive balance. That's good for the growth of the game. The problem is the owners have to clean up their own dysfunctional, collective house and force those teams to actually spend that revenue share money. And that's where some sort of floor, or floating floor based on revenues or a 2-3 window for a rebuilding team, etc, can be put in to affect. I completely object said floor FORCES teams to add players and salaries just to meet said threshold. Teams wouldn't be FORCED to sign player 'X' just to meet that floor unless they were just bad at doing their jobs. (But that's also why a floating floor might be in place for a team wanting to rebuild). It allows those lower market teams to add an arm in the rotationnor pen, or even a good bench player or two, to just put a better product on the field, even while in a rebuild cycle waiting for prospects. Further, it gives them more flexibility to retain their own players vs having to trade them or let them walk. If you are a lower market team who has money handed to you for your payroll to add and keep and be more competitive and you can't figure out what to do with those extra millions, then your problem is how your organization is run.

Chpettit19 stole my thunder and basically said everything I was going to say. And Maeda and Oddo have to be part of the discussion topic. Those were very good moves. I think context is very important. And while I'm repeating what's already been stated, Happ and Shoemaker...at the time of their signins...were very sound decisions. As was Colome. We have to remember Happ has had a very solid career and was coming off a very good year. Ditto Colome. Shoemaker was a cheap flier with a track record of being good when healthy. He was supposed to be depth and a fill-in option. Where I think the FO has missed the mark is not firmly engaging Berrios earlier for an extension. Now, we don't know all the details or how hard they tried, to just be real. Maybe they were just rebuffed by Berrios despite honest attempts. I also think the one area they need to improve is to target one or two guys they really like and jump in quickly. Their patient strategy has paid some very nice dividends, especially as they have worked so hard to rebuild the entire system from the bottom up, and not just in regard to prospects, but in practice and approach. But there's nothing wrong with identifying someone you like and think fits a real need and just go get them, THEN sit back and see how the market plays out.

Agree on the incentive for some teams to not spend and just pocket their revenue share money. And that's an absolute farce. And that's one if my biggest grudges against ownership right now. The revenue sharing should INCREASE and not DECREASE in order to spread the wealthy and allow for better opportunity for competitive balance. But that's why it's so important to have some kind of financial floor...or floating floor if they simply must...in order to force those teams to actually spend. And again, while I have problems with both sides in these negotiations, it's kind of hard to side with the owners when they don't seem to even have their own collective house in order.

Going to 3rd the idea Kepler shouldn't be on the list. He hasn't become what I thought and hoped he would be, but he's still a solid ballplayer and valuable in many respects. He's young enough where I keep wondering if a slight adjustment here or there might help him take another step and be closer to the 2019 version we were so excited about. Hoping that happens. But I think he's better served hitting lower in the order instead of at the top. Would be nice if he could sit once in a while against LH pitching. Benson, Stewart and Jay are already mentioned but definitely in my group of disappointments. I thought Jay would at least be a quality BP piece. I don't want to list Thorpe as he's still with the Twins and there's still hope he finds a role. But right now, very disappointed.

Next to Petty, Povich is my most intriguing early prospect. (And just because he's a Husker, lol). I could easily see him at 205-210lbs in a year or so and throwing consistently and maintaining 95-ish velocity to go along with his secondary stuff and great control. I think he's a fast riser with some real potential.