DocBauer

Just to be clear, I haven't the slightest idea how good or bad Gordon actually is at SS. BUT, he has continued to play it in the minors. And the Twins used him there quite a bit in the last 2 ST's. My sentiment is it's time to see how good/bad/average he can be there. NOT as a starter, but can he play there as a utility player? A few pounds of muscle and continued opportunity MIGHT show him as a decent hitter with valuable speed. Being able to play multiple spots, including SS, makes him that much more valuable, potentially. Just boggles my mind they won't let him get the opportunity despite still playing him there.

#1] Some sort of universal profit sharing to all teams. It works for the NFL which remains the most important and influential example of a pro franchise, even with their warts. #2] if there is no salary cap, work on the proposed numbers presented currently and do a $200M and $80M max/minimum that just makes so sense it's crazy. #3] Universal DH. It's 40+ years too late but time. #4] VERY SMALL option, but if someone wants to trade picks for something, let them do it. They already include international $ being traded. #5] 2020 showed that an expanded roster in today's game actually made sense. The game has changed. I loved the 28 man roster in 2020. I'd push for that, or at least a 27 man version with a max 13 pitchers. #6] Just STOP with the idea that an expanded September roster takes away from the game with TWO additions.. It's just STUPID. History has shown that an expanded roster allows teams to bring up prospects to audition and get their feet wet. Some succeed early and some don't. But some BS arguement about the "integrity" of the game down the stretch is RIDICOULOUS! So a good team plays a bad team in September somehow is an advantage if they are playing prospects? So a bad team is somehow better if they don't? COME ON! Hell, I've seen many teams who have glimpsed the future with a prospect or two who added to hope for the future with a good Septmber. #7] Talk to managers and FO and decide if you want to keep the runner on 2nd rule. To me, it would be after the 10th at least. #8] Defensive shifts are fine. But the infield should have TWO guys on each side of the 2B bag. I am not yet ready to adopt robot umps until I see a little more data. So I will leave it as I have. Please tell me if you think I have it wrong.

This is very simple and yet complicated. Work with me here. I'M the mediator here, but YOU can be too! Q1] Gordon is a wonderful athlete with potential still. You've thought enough of his potential...despite illness and injury...to protect him the past couple of years. Athletically, there is no question he still needs to gain weight and muscle to truly advance his career, whether it be offensively OR even bringing strength to his throws as well. He has played a ton of SS in milb AND in ST. But WHY does he NOT play SS at the ML level to see if he can be a viable utility option there? You're kind of talking out both sides of your mouth here while asking him to adapt to CF at the ML level. In a lost season and looking forward to 2022, what's going on here? Q2] Jake Cave seems like a great guy and a good athlete and a "gamer". And I fully get 2020 was just a weird season. And I also understand Cave has been hurt virtually since the season began. And it sucks for him. But unless you really believe he's a perfect fit for 2022 when the roster SCREAMS for a RH OF bat, why is he getting time at this point? Is he getting time as a reward at this point? While Refsnyder may not be the perfect 4th OF for 2022, a similar player is what is needed. But with Buxton coming back soon, will you actually send Cave down and let Refsnyder continue to play and prove his worth? Q3] Any inquiry about Miranda is, I understand, complicated because you are so excited he's actually becoming what you hoped he would be. And I get being just a little more patient because you want confidence, experience, and understand the little things. But some of those things can only be learned at the ML level. And I understand there could be a roster crunch in 2022, but what is your thoughts about Miranda going forward? You simply CAN'T dismiss the most exciting player prospect you've had for years. What are your thoughts/plans? My TD compatriots will have further questions, but position player wise, these are my initial questions that need to be addressed SOON. Because with a month left in 2021, these might be some of the easiest questions to address. Other questions are up to the audience.

I made a long post in another thread about just letting him get readjusted to a routine and time zone changes. And I think that's still smart and fair. Just one more AAA start to settle in. But Maeda's injury may just wreck this idea. Albers may get a start, at least as an opener, to fill a spot/date. I just really don't want to see Gant get another start as I feel if he has any benefit to 2022 it's in the pen. I'd rather he focus on THAT. I still believe a healthy Dobnak has a chance to be a viable back end SP. But he's not close to ready right now. So whether we like it or not, Ryan is probably the next man up. The question is how starts juggle and set up to MAYBE allow him one more AAA start before a debut. Strotman is someone I am really, really interested in. I think he could be a major sleeper. He skipped an entire level post surgery and missed all of 2020. I just DON'T want to risk ruining a potentially fine arm and head out of desperation in a lousy, losing, and disappointing year. Ryan is next man up, and soon. A healthy Winder may be next.

I think we're sympatico on Kerrigan and Gore. A useful "extra" OF who could be useful and is definitely flying under the radar. And who cares what age Gore is, right? You move to the mound and suddenly you find a role. IF you hit MLB at 28yo or so and do well, does anyone care? Absolutely agree on Whitefield as well. Of course I love his story! A hard softball leaguer from Australia who the Twins sign? How can you not love a story like that? And because of that, he's been a guy I've been following for some time. Just feels like he's been around for a while. And then I rezlize he's still only 24yo and teased us with a solid 2016-17 at rookie and low A ball before a pair of bad seasons in 2018-19. And after a brief 2020 ML appearance and time at St Paul, he's suddenly having a solid year for Wichita. Absolutely agree he is un-refined and needs work. The K's need to come down, better contact has to be made, and he's way too big, strong and athletic to show so little power. But what might he be with an off-season and a return to AA as a 25yo still learning the game? Not expecting greatness here, but could he be a bloomer in 2022?

While I think it's way, way too early to speculate FA at this point...auditions are ongoing for a few guys and "room" and "need" could change via trades still... I'm game! 1] The Twins need a quality SP. "Duh, Doc!" Even with Donaldson on board, even with Sano on board, we can speculate $40-50M to work with. Could this FO pull off another Odorizzi or Maeda trade deal. Yes. They've done it before. But there are so many interesting arms out there, you HAVE to consider the possibilities of $ spent while keeping your system in tact. I can't stress this enough, the Twins made a major move for both Darvish and Wheeler the past few years. Darvish got an extra year guaranteed and the Twins were then out. Wheeler made it clear he wasn't leaving the east coast, so we were toast almost immediately. Thor for 4-5yrs at $20-25M with incentives and maybe an out clause after 2? Intrigued! (Assuming the Mets don't step up with a QO that might change the field for EVERYONE). Gausman, Stroman? Gausman might want to pull a "west coast" version of Wheeler. Stroman has been tied to the Twins for years now. Is it time? Or could we be talking about a short term, high risk but high reward deal for Greinke or Verlander? Many ways to go, and none of them wrong. I am somewhere between 60/40 and 70/30 they will sign a quality FA SP vs pulling off a trade. It just makes too much sense to me. 2] They are going to re-sign Pineda, OR, someone they feel is his equivalent on a 1, 1+1, or 2yr deal to stabilize the #3 spot. 3] They ARE going to sign someone to play SS. But sorry, it's NOT going to be one of the BIG options. (Caveat, Donaldson gone could change thjs approach, but how much $ do we have to eat is a MAJOR caveat as well). The pieces are intact for a quality lineup with depth. They need a placeholder at SS for now. I think Galvis js a great fit. I'm also in on Iglesias. Neither is perfect, but each could be a good temporary fit. Don't shoot me to tell you Simmons could be back on a 1yr deal. His offense before thjs season was at least average. 4] Despite their belief in building a pen, they WILL sign a quality pen arm on a 2yr deal. They WON'T drop $10M to do so! Where it gets complicated is Colome has 2nd year option for around $5M. Except for a recent bad game, he's looked like the veteran they THOUGHT they were signing from about June on. Nobody wants to hear this, but history is important as well as a strong finish. They either keep him, or spend $5-6-ishM on an arm. 5] They will then spend another $2.5-4M-ish on a Robles type arm for depth and competition hoping they guess right. They believe in their ability to build a pen but don't want to risk another implosion. And they don't want to just suddenly convert legitimate SP arms to the pen. 6] When looking towards 2022, I absolutely believe the FO understands and appreciates how much this roster needs a quality 4th OF who can bring a decent offensive game as well as being counted on as a viable defensive option. They HAVE to have somebody to semi-platoon with Kepler, Larnach, Kirilloff and be able to fill in behind Buxton so Kepler isn't the only option. Personally, I think the FO and staff believe the re-invented Refsnyder is for real. Not to the degree he's produced so far, he's going to regress to a more medium norm. But will they bank on him? I'm thinking they will look long and hard at RH OF option. And that shouldn't be an expensive alternative/option. Summary: A $25M SP. Incentives don't count and ANY team gladly pays them. Pineda or similar veteran for $8-10M to stabilize the rotation. A $5-6M RP whether it be Colome or replacement. A secondary RP, possible bounce back, who is $2.5-4M arm. A filll-jn SS that is anywhere from $3M-5M based on what I've proposed. A maybe RH 4th OF for $2-4M. While the SP $ are debatable, the other $ presented safe to maybe high. So we're talking $50M-ish. For a team that talks about competing in 2022, and may yet shed additional salary, anything close to $50M in FA additions should not only be safe, but easy to manage.

This is not directed at anyone, just a comment I have to state in general terms. Everyone just needs to stop focusing on the ages of prospects. Guys are ready when they are ready, whether it be 22yo or 25yo-ish. What matters is what they do when they arrive. But we all have to remember, using Ryan as an example, a 25yo SP is really a 24yo in regard to development time. And that's the same for all of our prospects, pitchers or position players. You just can't dismiss an entire lost season of experience and development even if some kids were at reserve sites in 2020. You just can't dismiss what was lost. As far as Ryan in particular, I'm very excited about him. The FB, location and presence seems legit. Like ANY young pitcher, he's going to have to harness his other offerings. In the 1st inning video clip I saw an amazing change, a bad one, and one that probably should have been called a strike. I want to see the kid getting his feet wet before this year is done. I think there's a reasonable chance we will. But he needs time to get his feet/legs/head re-acclimated. He quit being a milb pitcher over a month ago to prepare for the Olympics. He traveled almost half a world away to do so, got traded to a different organization while there, comes back a half a world distance, and gets a single start at this point. I don't care how much boxy the kid has, that's a LOT to deal with in a month plus time frame. How about we just let him settle in for another start or two and then talk about a promotion to dip his feet in the Ml pool?

Don't even have to comment about AK. Dobnak is a very easy choice and not because he has some committed $. He's still a relatively young and inexperienced SP still learning. We've seen glimpses of what he can do when healthy. You don't walk away from that. Same with Colina. Healthy, there's a good chance he's up with the Twins for about half this year with Alcala, honing his stuff and gaining experience. Smeltzer MIGHT be kept as he's LH and has looked solid at times. Agree his ceiling is a 5th SP and is probably a useful BP piece. I'm going to root for the guy whatever happens. But I think a numbers crunch will leave him off the 40 man. I'd like to see him back on a milb deal. I'd also like Stashak to remain in the organization on a milb deal. He's shown real promise, even in SSS, but I don't think there's enough there to warrant a 40 man spot at this point. Garlick just isn't a fit at this point. Rooker is younger and has more potential. Celestino is better than both, but a different type of talent. And I think it's time we just admit that Refsnyder, a former decent prospect, really has re-invented himself as at least a decent bat with solid OF play.

Anyone have word on Sands? Injuries to pitchers seems to be an epidemic this year. Just amazing to me how missing 2020 and losing that routine has affected so many young arms. Agree with jmlease1, just get as many IP as you can the rest of the year and keep everyone as healthy as you can. Just a couple quick thought: 1] I hope Kerrigan sticks around for 2022. Solid defense everywhere and a decent bat, he's njce to have around as a 6th/7th OF type. Whitefield is having a rezlly nice rebound season at Wichita and is still only 24yo. Athletically, he's a potential 5 tool talent who might need to repeat AA in 2022 to further harness his potential. Not saying he's a top prospect, but he has the potential be a solid reserve in a couple years. 3] Gore doesn't have ideal size, and he's a little long in the tooth after converting from SS to RP, but I don't care about his age for that very reason. Is he part of the St Paul pen in 2022? 4] The turnaround for Sabato is amazing. Was he hurt earlier? Was he putting too much pressure on himself? Or was it simply a young guy taking longer than hoped for/expected to make that initial transition? 5] Kind of ironic that days after an article on TD about Gipson-Long he has maybe one of his best performances. A little more "oomph" and/or movement on his FB and ANY variation of a change pitch and I just wonder if he could be a really fast riser in 2022. 6] I would love someone with more immediate energy than me to break down the monthly records of our affiliates. I might be mis-remembering, but it feels like everyone was hovering around .500 or so early in the season before just taking off.

Not so hard. You can either adopt the NBA concept of having to trade similar $ value and then you just cut players, etc, which I really don't like. OR, you just adopt a provision that you get a re-set before the next season. There should be no reason you hit the $ floor to begin a season, have a poor season....use the 2021 Twins as an example....and then trade off assets for additional assets for the future. You already met the criteria initially. Now it's up to you NEXT YEAR to make sure your payroll hits the minimum. You can make trades, sign FA, offer up extensions, whatever. A minimum floor seems to work for the NFL.

Honestly, I think this is a great INITIAL presentation. I say INITIAL because the $180M "soft cap" is too low and the union will want to keep it around $200M. And from their perspective, they SHOULD want that. And the union SHOULD be ECSTATIC about a $100M floor! But I doubt a lot of owners want it. They'd be much happier with something like $80M. But we're only talking about a swing of $20M both directions and everyone SHOULD be happy and satisfied with that as the $ numbers are the same overall. The ONE PROBLEM I see with this is the union has shown....shall we say "little regard"...for young players previously. They have either been controlled by or solely occupied by the BIG $ of prime players to this point IMO. IF they are TRULY focused on ALL players, then they HAVE to realize a $80M floor and $200M "soft cap" actually RAISES the floor and medium $ of ALL of their members. They HAVE to be intelligent enough to see this, right? Not only does a floor work in other sports, but MLB has NEVER had anything even REMOTELY close to a payroll floor. Second point? If there is a floor, and teams are forced to meet that floor, not only do FA and arbitration players have to be offered more to meet that floor, but there should also be a natural and progressive change in regard to minimum salaries for rookies and 2nd year, 3rdyr players, etc. The luxury tax "soft cap" is around $200-210M NOW. So if we take the $180/$100M proposal and just slide a few $M here and there, how does the union lose anything? They gain massive $M for their membership! And the owners maintain a measure of "soft cap" control for major market teams and attempt to find more competitive financial balance for the league as a whole, similar to the the more successful and very sturdy NFL model. The ONLY way this doesn't work, with a few tweaks, is if the union is pushing for HUGE gains of $250M/$150M numbers which I would speculate serious damage to MLB. Forget the books for a moment, those kinds of numbers would exceed any other sport. This proposal WORKS with tweaks. Third point? There is nothing wrong with the current system for drafting/signing players and your rights to them. Again, an actual FLOOR for payroll means obvious increases for per year salary. Teams can offer up more for FA, or arbitration, and/or the minimums per year can also jump another $50K per year as a starting point. Again, some cost control for the franchises, but how does the union and it's players/members lose anything? They don't! A 4th point? The DH will be universal going forward. Everyone wants it. It's going to happen. A 5th point that shouldn't be dismissed? The union has never given a rat's ass about the milb system, which has always bothered me tremendously! And maybe it's just me as a fan who really understood and appreciated some of the weird dynamics of 2020 and roster construction. But one thing that came out of 2020 that seemed to make sense and WORK was the 28 man roster. Would a full time/universal DH format push the union to jump to a 27 or 28 man roster format? Again, ownership itself has proposed a financial floor. The last couple of spots on most teams would be low impact $ wise. But it COULD improve the game. I am not pro player or ownership, I am pro BASEBALL and the health and development of the sport. And there are more problems to be addressed in regard to public opinion and viewrship than the next CBA. But for TODAY we are only talking about this latest proposal presented. With some obvious tweaks, as presented, tell me the "bad guy" ownership hasn't offered up an olive branch proposal that makes initial sense?

I love these prospect profiles! Let's us really get to know the guys in the system, particularly those that aren't high selections that get all the ink. Agree his future would eventually be in the bullpen as of today. But I stress "as of today". He started 11G for rookie level Elizabethton after signing in 2019 with OK but not great numbers across the board. Fast forward past an entire missed 2020 and he's a stalwart at A+ after skipping low A entirely. Not blowing smoke, but I would think there is a real chance time/coaching could add a tick or two to his velocity and maybe a little more movement to go along with his control and quality slider. Would it be so much of a reach to think a guy in his first full season might harness/adapt the grip on his change to make it a decent offering? Over the years I've seen guys adapt a straight change to a circle variety or even a palmball grip variation to suddenly find success, I've also seen some just abandon a traditional change and learn a split-finger or cutter as their "change". At 6' 1" and 210lbs and still only 24yo, 23yo in prospect terms if you follow me, I don't know if his hands are built for the splitter, (It's always been my understanding you need larger hands/longer fingers to make a splitter work). But a cutter, or other variations on a change I just don't know enough to speculate. Just saying the guy has shown so much improvement in so little time that I'm not going to bet against his FB showing a little bit more life and some kind of refined 3rd pitch offering. And even in the pen, any kind of remotely solid 3rd pitch takes you, potentially, from a candidate to perhaps an important piece. Thank you and keep up the great work!

Having a great eye, and a great stroke, and big power potential doesn't mean you have a golden ticket to ML success with very little milb time. I have always been fluxomed by those who see a very, very few who transition to the MLB level with little to almost zero time at the milb level. So generational players mean everyone else are poor prospects? Larnach has the tools and was rushed. And I guarantee you he learned a lot. So did AK. So did Celistino and Rotvedt with their early arrival which will pay dividends. Larnach is going to be fine. He has a great arm and decent defense and a high offensive profile. Same with AK who is almost the same player. BOTH are going to be FINE and part of 2022 and beyond. It just takes a little time.

Well, I'm always an optomist, but I really like what I see on this list. While it's really too early to make blanket statements, I can appreciate the opinion that position-wise there may only be a couple 2 or 3 potential difference makers. There are a few young athletes only in their first year or two that have the tools to make them reaĺy exciting another year or two. Just s couple general comments: 1] OF: Despite Rooker being on this list, he's going to "graduate" from prospect status soon. AK and Larnach have already graduated. This would seem to leave OF a little light. But I like Celestino a lot and think his floor is 4th OF with a good overall offensive balance. Urbina could be as talented a kid as we've drafted or signed over the past several years. But he's a long way away. I was surprised the Twins only drafted a single OF this year, until you look at the youth just hitting the ML. But you always need depth and don't want to leave any spot short in your system. I could see them grab a few more next year. But there are a few guys not on this list who are very recent selections/signings at A ball and lower who we could be talking about in a couple of years. 2] INFIELD: I read opinions that we're short here, especially at SS, but I'm going to disagree, overall. Opinions differ on Lewis at SS, and I'm not going to get in to a debate here, but the Twins like him there for now and he has the skills, let's just see. Maybe Martin can stick and maybe not. But my goodness, a milb rookie at AA? PLEASE keep him playing there to see! He could end up at 2B, 3Bm CF or LF or super utility with a great BAT. Cavaco has a long way to go, but the potential is there to stick. I like the Miller selection. Steer could end up as a starter somewhere, or a great super utility guy. Julien the same. And there are others. And we signed a couple top international FA last period that obviously aren't on any list yet. So while an arguement could be made we don't exactly have a glut of SS prospects that look tailor made, the infield depth is actually really exciting. Miranda! Do I have to say more? Mmmm....yes. Miranda was a high selection with projectability the Twins liked. Guess what happened? Don't downplay the number of recent selections and signings just because he and Lewis and Martin are the only TOP prospects currently. 3] CATCHER: I'm going to admit at being a little "meh" here. Jeffers and Rortvedt have basically skyrocketed through the system. But there are a couple of kids who are showing some ability and power in the A leagues that are at least intriguing. I'm glad they grabbed 3 In the draft though I'm unsure if they signed all of them at the moment. We're not exactly desperate here, but a top pick next year may be pertinent. 4] PITCHING: PLEASE baseball gods, just a LITTLE luck and grace for health and development! (Aren't the Twins due)? This list is heavy with real arm talent. Some of the best I've ever seen in the system. A couple will wash out. A couple will almost certainly turn out to be good/great pen options. A couple should almost certainly become quality ML SP. The talent is there, and you're never quite sure who they will be. Rememeber the mantra; "The best way to find 2-3 quality SP at the ML level is to have 8-10 arms to work with". We have that. I understand patience is difficult and frustrating. And I understand impatience for the FO to produce a pipeline that was hoped for. But how fast does anyone expect that pipeline to develop? HS or college, you draft and then develop. Results should only take 3-4yrs? Especially with an almost completely lost 2020? Wow! Pipeline results? Have you been watching Ober? He was a decent ceiling, probably low floor, draftee flier who has been advanced very aggressively despite limited IP and no 2020. But he has worked hard to re-build his delivery and has been adjusting and learning on the fly and looking like one of the best rookie arms we've seen in many years. And he wasn't ever ranked as a top prospect. Just a guy the FO liked. I am uncertain about Jax. He was a high pick the Twins saw with projectability and believed would be released from his military obligation. He wasn't. So his first couple of years was nothing more than a handful of games. So he is a potential late bloomer who just may never turn out as hoped for, But in limited action, promoted aggressively, he's been looking like a kid who MIGHT have a shot to actually make it in some capacity. Just saying, a couple guys....leaving Barnes out of any discussion at the moment...have been showing actual potential and they aren't even TOP prospects. I'm feeling very good about what we are going to see over the next year or two from the system. The Twins will say they didn't deliberately draft LH pitchers in this past draft, and that's fine. But I think they did. My hunch? A year from now we may be viewing Hajjar as another Winder. Big 10 baseball is far better than most people realize.

If the Twins make a HUGE investment on a 2yr or 5yr deal for one of the top SS on the market, I'm not going to cry. I'll be tickled pink, dance a big, etc, I just don't think that's the direction they are going to go, and not sure they should. There are a whole lot of reasons to look at the Twins right now and feel very optimistic about the offense/lineup/depth next season. And despite all the young pitching talent in the system, if you really want to contend, pitching is where the $ has to be focused on. I don't think we should LOL at Simmons. Even slipping, he's quality defensively. His offense this year has been aweful after April. But for his career, his offense hasn't been dreadfully aweful for a generational defensive talent. I am NOT saying anything NEGATIVE about him as a person, but he has caught a lot of flack for his early covid illness and opinions. And I don't recall anyone ever stating was a problem player in any way for any team he has been on. But sometimes guys just don't "fit in" with a team, I have no idea if he "fits" on this team. But I wouldn't dismiss him as an option so easily for 2022. I think Iglesias and Galvin are both interesting options for next year. I think Galvin might be the better idea. My initial thoughts are a 1yr deal with an option. I am frustrated that Palacios hasn't been promoted to St Paul yet. I guess it's my understanding that despite production and a decent glove, the "hit/contact" ability may not be where they want it just yet.

It's got to be Thorpe, even if they decide to be careful with him just coming off rehab and hold him to 4-5IP. He's next man up. He's worked hard for the opportunity. Now, I'm disappointed as I thought up until recently he was a viable SP option and now believe his future is in the pen. I think he could be valuable there, and that's not a bad thing. He could be a lesser version of Rogers, or a younger, maybe better version of Thielbar. But for NOW, let him start. I want to see Ryan. I bet we will. But he just got back from the Olympics, hasn't had time to really settle back in, and it would be pretty unfair at this point to put him out there for his debut.

I think the obvious answer for Simmons still playing is defense that is still quality. We can argue about the value if wins to finish a poor season, but I think it's more about better leather at SS for Ober, Jax and Barnes, and anyone else who gets auditioned with Pineda out. Now I think there is value from that perspective, arguably. But I am 100% on Gordon getting real time at SS to finish the year. I have no illusions he's going to suddenly morph in to a quality ML SS. But what he CAN DO is show that's he's solid, passable at the spot. That can be important. The Twins have protected him, and even played him rather extensively at SS in past ST. The kid is a fine athlete with speed that is useful. He seems to have bat to ball skills. He could obviously use some weight/muscle to drive the ball better. IDK, might even give him a little more velocity on this throws. It's TIME to see if he can really be a viable utility player, and protected, even if wouldn't open 2022 with the team.

I'm OK with this. I think Larnach is going to be an excellent player for us. But he's a rookie who is slumping and pressing right now. This provides him a little re-set and get in a groove and come back up again in a couple of weeks.

BTW, yes I'm obviously a homer, but 30yrs the memory fades a bit until reminded of some things. I remember 7 games and Puckett and Morris and Larkin, etc, with a little prodding I remember more. I don't know if history will mark this as the best WS ever...but it has to be in the conversation. It was incredible!

A perfect win on a celebration night! It couldn't have gone better. Two quick comments: 1] Don't dismiss Maeda for 2022. He's probably not a Cy Young runner up, and maybe not the equally amazing pitcher he was in ST this year before the entire season went to crap. But don't think he isn't/can't be a top of the order pitcher next year. 2] Is there a chance Rooker is starting to look like a real force as a DH and fill in OF/1B bat who can make a difference? I'm starting to lean that way.

Great post and great questions! For a moment, we have to forget a trade could happen and, of course, guys do end up on the IL list from time to time. Donaldson is a key for 2022 and nobody can deny it. He COULD be healthy, as he's been most of this year, and provide a positive influence and transition to 1B and DH and allow progression of the prospects or he could a negative for a re-tooling team. His future absolutely agree influences initial roster construction. But let's get back to your questions. Larnach is absolutely an OF, and he plays either corner. Mostly LF with Kepler in RF. No reason he can't play both. Kirilloff is also a decent corner OF and the only reason we are talking about him at 1B is because of depth and because he looks so good there. Garver should have 600PA as a C/1B/DH. Arraez can play multiple positions AND DH. Never said he should only be a DH. People are obsessed that the DH spot should be a slugger. How about a good roster/lineup where you just put a great bat/OB hitter there? Just saying, the offensive line-up posibilites are interesting and not resteictive.

I love good defense. I want good defense. I still believe it's important in today's game. I have seen enough of Polanco at SS that I still feel he's fine as the backup. And while I don't mean to disparage anyone, much less a former great Twin, what we need is another Gagne for just a year or two. Simmons was supposed to be that guy but other than the first couple of weeks of 2021, he clearly was not that guy. It would be awesome to sign one of the top FA SS that will be available this offseason. But really, position wise, there is a ton of optimism for the offense in 2022. And $ should be spent on a SP and a couple high quality BP arms to add to the few guys we already have. Who is a SS we can get to play quality defense and not stink at the plate for 2022? We have seen Polanco be outstanding. We have seen him injured, depressed, and suspended and everything in between. But we have absolutely seen what a healthy Polanco can do. And despite a few bad plays while still adjusting to 2B on a daily basis, he's looked good to great. And yes, the best of him is still to come. STOP that Arraez doesn't have a role! Still young, bounced around position to position, he's still growing and learning. He can play multiple positions "OK" and that's fine. He can also be a DH at times. What's wrong with that? More time at 2B will only make Polanco more comfortable and I wouldn't be surprised if he won not only a Silver Slugger but a Gold Glove, FWIW. And even more time just gaining experience, I wouldn't be surprised if Arraez turned out to be at least a solid defensive player at multiple positions as well as DH at times. I mean, just be honest, you've seen Arraez make some bad plays. But you've also seen him make some great plays as well. What the Twins need in 2022 is a quality SS who can just be quality defensively and contribute offensively. Second base is locked in.

Just didn't have time to comment on the 11-15 list but have time now for this list. I think that we can even debate THIS list with the PREVIOUS list is pretty awesome. The simple fact that 1-15 seems so fluid/debatable in our minds is indicative of the overall talent and depth of the system despite "graduation" of several prospects in 2021. And I am NOT concerned about a few guys dropping a spot or two, It just further reflects the depth that still exists and the guys just brought in. I also pay little attention to age right now for some if these guys after a lost 2020. We have to realize virtually every prospect is a year "behind" where they would probably be RIGHT NOW without that missing season. So things are going to be skewed a bit, with no reflection in age. Potential and talent vs proximity to the ML level and in season production will always be an understandable debate. But that's also why these are "prospect" lists and not "who is closest to helping" lists. Also why this is an amalgam list. Cavaco: I'm OK with him at 10, though I might have slotted him a little lower. While his numbers aren't outstanding, the talent is there, and he is already leaps and bounds better than his rookie 2019 campaign. I think that's relevant. The FSL is notorious for being a tough hitting level. Is that good or bad thing for being the Twins A+ level? I guess if you can hit there, it should be that much easier to advance? The talent is there. I think he can stick at SS if he doesn't outgrow the spot. He's a few years away, but you can't deny the talent, A Javier clone if he stays healthy? Petty: Looong way to go for this kid. But what I can't figure out is how a HS pitcher who hits 100mph and has a good slider, a good frame, and was committed to a top program, and has great projectability lasted so late? While I can't recall body type, how different is he from Greene, who the Twins didn't draft a few years ago? Kid is talented and confident and seems to have just the right amount of cockiness you'd love to have in a SP. Regardless, this was a tremendous value and I'm fine if be takes 5yrs to make it. Love the huge upside pick so late. Canterino: One of my favorite prospects! Electric stuff that just needs a little more work and HAS to have a 3rd pitch to reach his potential as a SP. Some worry about his delivery. I'm not for 2 reasons. (And I'm NO expert)! He is comfortable with his delivery. He's been doing it for years now. He seems "herky-jerky"? Maybe I'm wrong, but his "herky-jerky" motions seem to come before a relatively easy release. He may be easy to steal on, but I just don't see the problem some talk about. And I think his recent IL stin is more in keeping with what we are seeing across milb and the system, guys just needing time off after missing a season. Easily top 5 mid season next year if he just stays healthy. Ryan: I just don't know enough about him before joining the Twins to say how accurate his ranking is or how to project him beyond what I've read and heard and seen to this point. Crazy as it sounds I'm giving him "moxy" points for his Olympic performance. He was pitching against mostly professionals in the Olympics. I think his stuff plays. I think his mental approach plays. Like every single SP prospect, you have to bring more than 2 pitches. And he will probably take some lumps initially. But he's been promoted in a quality organization who is known for pitching, you performed excellently on a world-wide scale, and your IP aren't too high. I'd be surprised if he didn't see time with the Twins to finish 2021. Miranda: He was a high pick out of PR as a HS player. The only negative you ever heard about him was the power potential to develop along with a good eye and solid approach. He used 2020 and winter league ball to make something out of nothing. He is not a sudden surprise out of nowhere. He is a guy they've just been waiting to put it all together. He has. I get keeping him at AAA while Donaldson was missing time to continue development and success. But he absolutely needs and deserves to be up before this season is done. You just DON'T deny a talented, young prospect with helium his opportunity! His greatest obstacle at this point is Donaldson. Can they move him this offseason and live with potential growing pains? Donaldson is still quality. Does he transition to 1B, despite depth there, or DH, again with depth there, and Miranda is initially a super-utility player? Keeping Donaldson for 2022 is a good thing. Moving him is also a good thing. Regardless, the Twins need to make room for the best and most immediate player in the system.

Strotman really intrigues me. Has a good frame, good velocity and the makings of solid secondary pitches. He misses all but a handful of rehab games at the end of 2019 due to surgery, then misses allnof 2020, and skips over AA to head straight to AAA. He could be a real gem with just a little more time and patience.

Just a couple quick comments: 1] I am a believer in Ober and his potential. The league will make adjustments. He will have to make adjustments as well. But his rookie numbers are better than any rookie I can think of in recent memory. 2] With due respect to all of us wanting changes in the pen, and super disappointed with how the pen turned out this year, there is a reason the FO grabs guys to audition. We all know the volatility of RP. And they NEED to bring in a couple good arms for 2022. But isn't it crazy that the quality veteran Colome who we all wanted gone a month ago is suddenly looking like the guy we THOUGHT we were signing? So maybe he suddenly finds himself, too little too late, but has an option year. Is it a mistake to see if maybe the initial signing wasn't so bad after all? And there are a couple others like Farrell, if and when he gets healthy. I don't expect a lot of these guys to be protected as there will be a 40 man crunch and need for 2022. But when you see Minya suddenly look like the decent arm he was a couple years ago, and see Colome suddenly look like the guy we THOUGHT we signed, you understand why the FO makes some of the moves and auditions they do.