DocBauer

Great concept and I embrace it 100%! And I understand your parameters, but I feel Berrios and Buxton WILL be given offers...whether or not they accept is to be determined and I'm not going to go down that rabbit hole...and I believe BOTH are off the table at this time with the Twins planning on keeping both for 2022. And I hate to be a downer, especially because it's not my nature, but for a variety of reasons, I don't think the Twins have a lot of ammunition to trade for anything other than fliers and lower level prospects. Where I DO THINK they could come out on top is trying to acquire BP arms at AAA and AA who could contribute soon. "What? That's crazy Doc! Aren't you just talking about a different form of dumpster diving?" Not at all! (And I still hate that term!) But there are bullpen pitchers of at least decent quality in other organizations and SP who either need to move to the pen or are already make the transition. Think Rogers or Duffey a couple years ago or more recent examples like Duran or Stashak or the now gone Chalmers. So here I go position by position: CATCHER: No trades. Period. First of all, I don't see anyone wanting Garver right now post surgery. We're not even sure when he will be back. Secondly, he just might be a primary DH in 2022 as well as a part time 1B and backup to Jeffers. (Keeping his bat in the lineup daily but transitioning him from the dish due to past concussions and this latest surgery). FIRST BASE: Honestly, if I'm a contending team needing a bat, especially in the AL because he can also DH, I could be in on Sano. He's turned in to a solid 1B and despite his "streakiness", I could plug him in anywhere from 4-7 in my lineup and live with the bad moments/streaks because he can carry my team offensively for weeks on end at times. Which is also the reason I DON'T trade him unless the return is a solid player/prospect. He's just too good and too dangerous to "give away" despite frustration and said "streakiness". But he may be replaceable and his loss gains a few $M for roster flexibility and extensions. 2B/SS/3B: IMO, these are intertwined. Unless the return is really good, I keep Polanco. If you haven't been paying attention, despite his ankle barking at him a few weeks ago, he has found his stroke again, after self-confessing he was struggling early, and has once again become dangerous and one of the lineups best bats. He's OK at SS and shows flash at 2B once he settles in more there. Arraez brings something to the table the lineup lacks, that being an OB machine and high quality hitter. Look, he's never going to be great defensively wherever you put him. And I'm OK with that! He is an OK 2B who has been asked to play there, SS, 3B and OF and been largely tossed in to positions he's never played before and been OK. Some bad, some good. And the dude is a GAMER as well as a producer. When did being a "gamer" become a bad thing? I don't trade him unless I get something back tbat I think can really help. Again, be brings something to the table the lineup lacks. Is there a contending team that needs a SS, or believes Simmons could be a utility player that helps them get over the top? If so, trade him and get what you can. But unless Polanco moves back to SS next season, or Gordon suddenly shows ability there with opportunity, the Twins will probably need a SS in 2022. (The kids in the system just aren't ready and probably all need a season of development still). Get what you can if someone wants Simmons. Maybe you sign him again in the off-season or someone else. Lewis won't be ready and even if Palacious gets half a season at St Paul, is he going to be the real deal? He has matured WAY BEYOND from what he DIDN'T do while being in the Rays organization. But can he develop and prove himself that quickly? Donaldson is a very different circumstance. Despite a few gaffs, his defense is still very good. After a slow start and brief injury time, he's been heating up. And he's just the type of veteran player that could carry a team for a time, including winning it all. And the problem with trading him isn't HIM, or what he might produce the next 2yrs, but his contract and his 5th season buyout. You NEVER stop believing in a veteran bat and good defensive player like Donaldson or cut short his potential impact in a lineup. What if he transitions to 1B or DH and becomes the next Cruz? Trade him if you can. But almost certainly, you have to toss in $ to cover the next 2yrs and his buyout. At that point, unfortunately, you only achieve a status quo of $ spent and a decent prospect. IMO, he's going to be hard to move and best case scenario might be trusting in him, hoping for the best, and moving him in 2022 or the next off-season. The financial cost will be less and it gives someone like Miranda a little more time to get ready. Or is the FO and ownership willing to eat $15-20M? DH: Speaking of DH, what to do with Nellie? No matter how great he has been and still is, does anyone see a re-signing of a 41yo DH for 2022? But he could be very valuable to an AL team in contention for 2021. But what kind of return does he bring for a half season? Moving him might be a gift to him to try and go out on top! Move him, absolutely, if you can get a decent young arm with some potential. Again, a AA/AAA BP type arm could be valuable and available. If you can't get that, then screw it. Keep him and let his experience, performance and leadership continue to work for the rest of 2021 on the roster. OF: Unless someone thinks Max is an answer and offers up something of quality, status quo here. There is no reason Kirilloff can't be part of the future OF AND 1B at this point. No need to pigeon hole him there. He and Larnach are here to stay, period, with position status fluid. Absolutely there is depth coming up and I have a feeling Refsnyder shouldn't be dismissed as a replacement for Cave. And I love the idea of Celestino and others coming up to create competition and maybe change the offensive approach with more speed. But we're good here for now. Rooker also fits in here as well as DH. Look, the kid has hit and produced everywhere he has played. He was a "darling" prospect always in the top 10-15 and looked good in his SSS last year. He either has a shot at OF/DH/1B soon or he should be traded to someone else individually or as part of a package. Where and when did he just become a bum or an also-ran? STARTING PITCHING: Get something for Happ if you can. Does someone believe in his history to offer up a decent milb arm for him? Pineda was a smart signing and all he's done is be good/great when on the mound. Unfortunately, as is the case for most of bad luck and injury in 2021, he's on the IL right now. Is there still value? BULLPEN: Sorry if you don't like this idea, but I DON'T trade Robles. He has been everything I hoped he would be when sjgned, a proven BP arm coming off a bad season. Has he been over-extended recently? Yep! I'd keep him and re-sign. A 2022 pen STARTING with Rogers, Duffey, Robles and Alcala makes me feel pretty good. Unless we decide we are going to "blow up" a roster that won back to back ALC titles and went to playoffs and have a system in place that has a lot of young prospects already in place for the future, I think a re-tool is at hand.

This is almost unfair as I could look back on 50yrs of following the team and guys I liked and guys I had high hopes for. Marshall, Morales, Wilfong, Castino, Corbett, Redfern, Engle, etc. But one of my favorites that won't go down in the annals of Twins history is Randy Bush. He played 1B and both OF corners and was a regular DH and one of the league's best PH during his career. And I will never forget how he literally helped steal a game against the Tigers back in '87.

Lots of great points and perspectives here. I am deliberately staying away from the service time debate a couple years ago, despite my own thoughts, as I really don't think it is a factor. What IS a factor is the injuries and the loss of availability in his career. And it can't be ignored by the Twins OR Buxton. He and his representation are fully aware of injuries and missed time. And while it's possible Byron and his reps could posture and speculate what he's worth when healthy and all the numbers he produces when in the lineup and want to "bet" on future health, they also understand reality. You can bet on that even if they won't want to admit it. Levi is also correct to point out that with few exceptions, the 5+ year signings have disappeared. And teams may drool over the potential of Buxton and dream of having him in their lineup and WANT to bank on his being healthy going forward, but they also understand the reality and potential gamble. None of this is to demean Byron's ability, talent impact or potential impact. I'm just talking reality that can't be ignored by either side. While virtually impossible to accurately do, you almost have to try and look at this from Buxton's perspective. At some point, being one of the very best prospects in all of baseball, hard working and convinced of his talent and future he probably dreamed of making over $200M in his career. But life slaps you upside the head at times and you deal with multiple injuries, ONE season so far when you've played more than 92 games, a shift in the market, plus covid having at least some additional financial impact on the game, and you're 27yo and a father and you want security and as much $ as you can despite everything that has happened and changed. So the Twinsm in theory, offer you something like 5yrs and $100M guaranteed with incentives that could be as much as an additional $5M per year. Do you turn that down? Betting on yourself is one thing, but turning down $100M plus guaranteed has to be tantalizing to say the least. If you ARE wanting to bet on yourself then you see that extra $25M just sitting there for you and you would be coming off your age 32 season with the ability to sign another deal as a corner OF, probably, who might even DH at some point. If he wants to bet on himself to the degree where he thinks someone would offer him 5yrs at a guaranteed $150M, I think the Twins may have to pass. There is just too much risk to invest in. But if Buck looks at his past and his future with an honest and realistic eye, if he believes in himself, if he enjoys playing in Target Field, if he enjoys being a Twin and the past two seasons and what still looks like a good future, he would have be looking at a potential $125M GUARANTEED with future earnings available. He seems like a good guy and a smart guy. I could absolutely see him accepting a deal like that. Life changing money for his entire family he can bank on. I could be WAY OFF! But I don't think this kind of offer is something he would just dismiss. Now, I'm also on board with Berrios for a 5yr $90-100M extension as well, but that's a different topic.

#1] Barnes has been promoted more aggressively than I ever expected. I just can't believe this is convenience simply because they needed a AAA arm. Not NOW, but you have to consider giving him a shot before the year is done. Maybe Jax as well. There will be holes and opportunity. #2] Winder is just about ready for a AAA stretch promotion and a late season audition. Don't hold him back. Let him get his feet wet, much like Ober, and take some lumps if necessary, and get him ready for 2022. Hopefully the same for Duran if his injury is mild. Really hoping Sands will be OK and get at least a 2nd half at AAA. There are a trio of RP at Wichita that need to move up, at least after the draft, and get AAA work with the idea of at least progressing. #3] Play Gordon, and play him at SS as well. You see enough in him to protect/keep him. SSS notwithstanding, you are seeing potential and ability at this point, worthy of keeping him on the 26 man roster. Athletically, he would seem to have the ability to play SS. He was drafted as a SS. He has continued to play SS in the minors as well as ST just this year. He supposedly doesn't have the arm to be a pure SS. And yet, he continues to play SS in the minors and ST. Could an offseason of gaining his weight and strength back help his arm as well as his bat? I fully appreciate the idea of a contending team, or even a team shooting for .500 plus thinking Polanco is the 2nd best SS option. But aren't we now coming in to the evaluation and development phase for the rest of the year? How can you possibly play him at SS at AAA and ST, and then believe in his athleticism enough to transition him to CF with ONLY practice time and NOT also play him at SS to see what you have? I am NOT saying I believe Gordon is a starting ML SS. But I believe the ability is there to be at least a viable backup option there. If not, if he truly stinks, then why has he been playing the position in the first place the past few years? Let the kid play 2B/SS/CF and see what you have. This is the perfect time to see who he is and might be. If you don't, NOW I begin to wonder what the FO and coaching staff are thinking.

I get you 100%! But other teams have scouts and, presumably, they are competent. Watts has shown flashes and some projection. Lynch was largely a disappointment, but is only in his 2nd year. Twyman opting out and then getting overweight and blowing his testing is what shoved him down the board, not his potential or what he did previously. Look, I am all about the Vikings building the best defense and DL they can! I'm just worried that if everyone is healthy, in shape, and working with Patterson with actual camps and pre-season that we are going to lose a quality DT to someone with real potential. And I just hate losing young talent.

Sticking only to the OP.... 1] Agreed it's way too soon to speculate but I appreciate John's efforts with the trade deadline comingup. 2] Part of the reason it's too early is 2021 revenue is impossible to determine at this point. And I don't have current projections and goodness knows what the Twins are speculating only 1/3 of the season gone. And yes, it appears the Twins are done from a competitive standpoint this season. But with better health and better overall play this team may be able to reach .500. Further, with 100% capacity and fans just wanting to do to the park after not being able to in 2020 has to have some affect, not to mention a team featuring a group of talented youngsters they may want to see. So this is going to be fluid. However....and I hate to reference John's and Aaron's podcast but I need to....I believe the Twins will be taking a "re-load" view for 2022 and not a "re-build". And I've stated this myself as well previously. The difficult part of this is the delayed and shortened milb season and now some injuries and potential set-backs that affect the "re-tooling on the fly" aspect that the FO clearly had in mind. Allowing for at least decent gate receipts, the debuts of some promising prosoects, and a few more that will inevitably follow, and a roster that is by no means devoid of talent, a re-tool seems in order. So with all of that being said, I believe the FO/ownership will push the 2022 payroll back up in to the $140-145M payroll area. That gives them about $45+M to spend barring trade surprises. Had this team just done what was expected of them, I could have argued higher, but that's not what happened. I say pending surprises because I just don't see Donaldson or Sano moving unless the Twins kick in substantial $, especially in the case of Donaldson. And at that point, I don't know that you've really gained enough value and flexibility to even make a move worthwhile. And it's not like Donaldson, in particular, is a bad player. I am not going to break down an entire roster at this point, it would be a sloppy back of the napkin to be sure. But I just don't see a 41yo Cruz back. But I do see Robles back to combine with Rogers, Duffey and Alcala to allow for the nucleus of a solid pen. And I'd keep Garver as a backup catcher and 1B who also DH a lot to keep him in the lineup almost daily. Larnach and Kirilloff are here to stay and will only get better. Gordon is getting a long and deserved look as part of the 2022 roster as a utility player. Rooker still has a shot. Refsnyder MIGHT have changed his approach enough to be a viable RH bench ootion who could fill in a lot of places. I'm sure not counting on he and Gordon, but we have 2/3 of a season to see if they could be real bench options for next season. ASSUMING for just a moment that either Berrios and/or Buxton were signed to extensions, they might eat up part of the $45M I'm saying the Twins have to spend. But most of their $ would be for 2023 and beyond. Unless there is another Odorizzi/Maeda trade out there, the FO will need to spend a legitimate $14-18M on a SP. The $45M starts to be whittled down rather quickly, but there's still room, IMO, for an OF depth piece and a couple RP arms to add to the nucleus in place and the "other" arms currently on hand. I'm confused/concerned about an ever day SS, but maybe Simmons again or someone like a Galvis, though I'm not sure what he signed for last off-season. Just spitballing. You have to be smart. You have to see what the remaining 2/3 of the season brings you if course. Do Ober and Dobnak continue to advance and look like options? Is Duran OK and finishes the season strong? How about Winder, Sands and Balazovic finishing strong? Is Barnes at least a solid option? (He's surprised me in performance and advancement thus far). Too many variables! But I'm sticking with "re-tool" and about $45M to spend.

Yes. 5DT. No problem. But Watts actuallyshows real potential. Lynch was rather disappointing as a rookie, but also has real potential and was tossed in to a weird season with NO camps or pre-season to develop. Then we draft Twyman late who would have been a 2nd round pick last year if he came out. But sitting out and a poor performance in workouts made him slide. I'm OK with the Richardson signing because it makes us deeper and better! But from a futures perspective, who from Watts, Lynch and Twyman do you see going unclaimed in order to be part of the PS? I'm thinking we'd be very lucky to keep any cut.

Well played Broc...well played! Just my opinion, but I ABSOLUTELY believe Astudillo is a ML player. And I have watched his defense closely every single time I've watched him, except that I have missed him at 2B and CF. And I ABSOLUTELY believe he brings something to this team beyond being an OK hitter and OK/solid/decent defender wherever he plays. He is that last guy on a MLB roster who can fill in wherever you need. He is that last guy on an NFL roster who is a great ST player and brings energy. And he is that last guy on an NBA roster who seldom plays, but brings that passion and energy to play who sits for days and then comes in to play hard and give or get fouls and sets a tone. Astudillo is more than a decent/mediocre player. And if you've ever played on a team at any level you understand what I mean. Hell, just being a fan of any sport at any level you knkw tbere are just those guys who contribute and fill in here and there and help but also are part of the construction of the TEAM . I've said for a while, however, that I thought the Turtles time with the team was limited simply due to an eventual roster crunch. 40 man or not, I can still see a place for him yet this season and maybe 2022. And while I like him and appreciate all he does and brings to the team, I am also very surprised and happy to see him sent down to allow Gordon to remain. My feelings on Gordon have always been mixed. Despite his lineage, his draft report card had him 50/55 in all categories. That's a top 5 pick??? But then he put up solid numbers. And like a lot of young prospects, he started slow at his next level and then acclimated and did well. He made steady progress. And then he was hampered by an intestinal disorder. As a father of a child with Crohn's Disease, I can assure you that an intestinal disorder is nothing to dismiss. But he get's his life habits under control, has a great start to 2019, and then has a bum ankle just when the Twins need someone. Enter Arraez with about 2 weeks of AAA time and the rest is history. Gordon then misses ALL of 2020 due to Covid and is hospitalized and loses....by reports...25lbs....which he couldn't afford to lose to begin with. So he finally gets his shot in 2021, this mixed up season, and hits, plays defense OK, steals bases, and adapts at least decently to CF on the fly. Wow! How mixed up could this kid's life, much less his baseball career life be, and he's here NOW showing there might actually be a reason the FO stuck by him? I know it's SSS, but how can you not be excited for this kid? He's one of just a few we've seen in this lost season with others to come. I feel bad for Astudillo, but I feel GREAT for Gordon. My hope for him is not only continued playing time....you played him at SS in ST so let him play there there now in a lost year to see if he could be at least decent there....but I hope he will work with a strength coach to add good muscle and get his body back to what it should be and could be. A few more pounds of man-muscle, still only 25yo and his past considered, he could find a little more power and maybe his arm even gets stronger.

Thank you for a quality post and kind words. Of course, it seems we're mostly on the same page too, LOL. I also don't want "dumpster dives" for the rotation, though I really don't like that term. I have ZERO inside information as to the workings of the FO. But I like to think I'm pretty intelligent. (Some would agree...some might argue, lol). To me the pitching staff was put together in a very intelligent way, despite the results. We all have to remember that Happ has been pretty good for his career and was coming off a very solid 2020 despite being a LH in Yankees stadium. He was, it appeared, a smart 1yr replacement for Odorizzi to compete for the 3rd/4th spot. Shoemaker was a cheap flier 5th spot arm who has been good/very good when healthy. Clearly, the FO saw depth options available in a handful of guys while buying more time for Duran, Balazovic, Winder, Sands, Canterino and others. Not a bad plan/idea. In fact, though it's hard to remember when wearing glasses colored with disappointment hues, Happ looked pretty good early. There was even a little optimism from Shoemaker initially. But a funny thing happened on the way to the Forum. The old nursery rhyme talks about the wheels on the bus going "round and round". Well that bus, carrying our 2021 Twins, hit a number of post-winter potholes the size of sinks and bathtubs to not only flatten a few tires but also break an axel. I'm pretty sure there's even a tire down in the ditch somewhere. And I'm ONLY talking about the pitching right now. Totally agree Dobnak is a SP and needs to be left in the rotation to develop and work. What's he going to do, be worse than Happ or Shoemaker? I hate but understand protecting Ober while also making sure he gets a regular turn and stretches out and builds himself up. Just being 100% honest, he's been far better and shown far more potential than I ever thought. We still have 2/3 of a season to play and work toward. 500 and 2022. But for those who want the Twins to jump-start careers, just remember the milb season started a month later than normal. They have already been very aggressive with Ober. As bad luck would have it, both Duran and Balazovic began their seasons late due to nagging but limited injury. Just give them a little time. Again, we have 2/3 of the season to play and audition yet. And Winder will be at St Paul very soon. He may be joined by Sands. I think the Twins will sign a quality FA SP next off-season or pull off a Madea/Odorizzi type of trade and HOPEFULLY feel good about the development of both Ober and Dobber the rest of the season. And whether 40 man adds or non-roster invites, they are going to have another 4-6 live/decent/good arms from the system to compete. And at least a couple of those arms should at least get their feet wet before this season is done. I firmly believe this team is in re-tool mode and not break down and re-build mode. The talent on hand tells me this. Just sucks the original plan of re-tooling on the fly turned in to a massive bus accident where even AAA is shaking their heads. Colome is probably done no matter what happens. But he was signed for a very good reason, and earned an option year for the same. But even if he suddenly finds himself again...and their have been recent glimpses...sometimes you have to move on for the sake of doing so. Rogers has found himself again, Duffey is looking more like his old self. We are seeing Alcala grow. Again, is a low level prospect better than keeping Robles? There is at least a foundation to build on with the pen. A few weeks ago, we weren't so sure. Pitching wise, I don't think we need a new bus, I think we need repairs and a few new tires to keep those wheels going "round and round" for next year. Fortunately, we have some new tread to try out over the next few months.

Yes to trading Happ, Shoemaker and probably Colome, assuming you can get anything for them. (I say probably on Colome as he's been unusually poor but is showing life as of late. Can he build trade value yet?) I don't WANT to trade Cruz but he may have value to a handful of contending teams and couple bring a decent A level prospect or a AA level pitcher with a live arm transitioning to the pen. IMO, nobody will want Donaldson, not because he isn't z fine player, but because of the contract. And by the Twins kick in enough $ to make a trade palatable, I'm not sure the return is better than keeping him. He's actually, probably, more tradeable in 2023 with some cash to cover a potential 2024 buyout. Sano, IMO is a more likely enticement to teams that woukd be willing to gamble on his production and age, 29yo in July, and some upside knowing how good he can be. But like Donaldson, are the Twins better off then just keeping him? Or do they feel enough roster crunch and want to free up some $ for 2022? Pineda might actually bring back a decent A or AA prospect of similar nature as Cruz, but only if he gets healthy again. Will probably need a SS for 2022. There will be options in the off-season to consider, including bringing back Simmons. If you could get something for him now, take it. Personally, I think re-signing the 30yo Robles for next season will bring greater value than whatever they might acquire via trade. In a year where everything that could go wrong and seemingly has gone wrong, the Twins, unfortunately, don't really have many/any valuable trade assets unless they begin to gut the roster. And even if they wanted to do that, I would expect it to take place in the off-season to allow for better evaluation of the roster and the system. Plus, we still have 2/3 of the season to play. I don't see a gut of the team at this point, if at all. I know it's an unpopular position with a lot of people, but considering the total aberration that I feel this season is, I'm pretty much in favor of bringing back anyone not on a 1yr deal while continuing to play the prospects on the roster right now, and continue 2nd half promotions to AAA for a number of players and auditions for at least a handful of pitchers once Happ, Shoemaker and potentially others are gone. THEN we consider a couple keybp FA signings and maybe a trade or two if it makes sense.

"Paging Mr. Serling, Mr. Rod Serling...you're wanted in the Twlight Room." The Twins have won 3 In a row and have generally been playing much better the past few weeks, even with a few bad losses. They're also get healthy again. Now, it's far too late for any 2/3 of a season "back in contention" miracle, but what a possible .500 finish while building confidence and momentum for 2022? And how about continuing to get experience for Jefffers, Rotvedt, Kirilloff, Larnach, Gordon, Alcala, Dobber, Ober and anyone else we haven't seen yet but will? Three quick thoughts: 1] Despite some HR issues, including the one he gave up Friday night, Alcala is gaining trust and growing up right in front of us as a legitimate BP option. 2] I think you are either a believer in Dobnak that he can be a reliable back of the rotation bulldog who will always take the ball every 5th day and give you a solid chance...eventually...OR, you just aren't a fan. Service time-wise, I believe he just lost rookie status. But he still only has around 120IP in his young career and has shown stretches/games of being quite good. He gets a little more consistent I like him at the back of the rotation. 3] Except for 2020 and a few appearances early this year, Robles has been a fine RP. And he's still 30yo until August 13th. What is his future worth to the Twins? Is he more valuable being traded for an A level prospect or re-signed for 2022? Personally, I'm in favor of keeping him for next season. FINAL NOTE: I have really enjoyed listening to Perkins in the booth the past couple of games and would enjoy hearing him more.

My only problem was choosing to give up on Anderson so soon. I liked a lot of things about Wade and if he was a little better in CF and RH I might have been upset about the trade. But really, with Kirilloff and Larnach joining the ML club now, where would Wade have fit? I just think the 40 man roster game hasn't been played nearly as well as it's been played before and should have found some way to keep Anderson for at least the rest of the season. It does seem like the Hamilton kid has supplanted him in the Twins mind.

A good list and very little arguement. I would bump Canterino up a spot or two and drop Sabato a spot or two. Nothing against Sabato, who I think hcould be dangerous, but I want to see a little more production and I think being a 1B/DH knocks him down slightly at this early point. Wondering, considering youth and past rankings, where would you place Javier now that he's healthy and looking like he might finally be growing in to the productive player everyone has always dreamed of?

Look, Maeda is NOT himself right now. He may or may not be the pitcher we saw in 2020. But career numbers and his ST performance and injury would tell you he's going to rebound. Berrios has been a rock, despite some ups and downs. For the 100th time, he's still 27yo plus and is a 2 time All Star. Again, for the 100th time, he and the Twins have changed his work out routine to allow for a full season of endurance and performance. And we haven't seen the results yet after the weird season that 2020 was. He may or may not ever achieve the ACE status that so many wish for. Me included. But despite some very good prospects rising, you can't ignore what you already have. If the Twins don't give him a 4 or 5yr deal for something close to $18-20 per they are being stupid. Someone else will.

I like your post but am going to slightly disagree. I've read, heard and seen in regard to AK at 1B. I keep hearing he could potentially be a Gold Glover at 1B and carry on a great tradition of outstanding Twins 1B. And there's nothing wrong with that! I just think he's undersold as an OF. I've seen nothing negative to tell me be can't be a solid corner OF. And right now, I just don't want to pigeon hole him at 1B exclusively. What's wrong with letting him continue to play both and we'll see what the future brings? I believe in roster flexibility.

You stoll my thunder Stringer! LOL I have literally been thinking about the EXACT same topic a lot recently but hadn't sat down to post. I think...word for word...you just about nailed every thing I've been thinking about. I will say I disagree on the catching time share. I think we have too SSS this season to say it can't or wouldn't work. Remember, Jeffers is still a rookie and has stated recently he wasn't feeling great at the plate and found his stroke, with a couple small adjustments made, when he was over in St Paul. And let's not forget Garver was coming off a poor and injury plagued 2020 to begin the year and just seemed out of whack. Further, Garver did just fine when file-sharing with Castro previously. So I think there is merit to the time-share idea, I just don't think we need to use it the way originally planned. That all being said, I think Garver should be the backup catcher and see most of his time at 1B and DH come 2022. And understand, I think Garver is just fine behind the dish. I have little problem with him as a catcher. I'm not looking to "demote" him, simply looking at logical roster construction for the future and the best use of talent. The fact that Garver has had a couple concussions and then had this recent, awful injury just fuels my idea of transitioning him. But, of course, this is a non-starter arguement if we didn't have the young, talented and promising Jeffers on hand. *Note: I am not including Sano in this discussion for a variety of reasons not the least of which being that he's not really part of Stringer's original OP intent. Whether he's traded or kept for the duration of this season, I think it's a very safe opinion that Cruz will not be back in 2022 for a variety of sound and reasonable reasons. And with Larnach and Kirilloff and Garver, as we are discussing, I'm really not sure the 2022 Twins should be necessarily entertaining the idea of adding a replacement. Get Garver in the lineup daily as a DH/1B and backup catcher. Let the DH spot be fluid with the talent on hand, even if Garver might get a majority of the time there. Who ever said the DH had to be ONE GUY? I think back to the days....NOT playing "old man back in my day" game...where TK had Bush and Larkin as primary DH's but each played in the field and regulars also got half days off by being a DH here and there. Again, if you have good talent on hand and a deep and versatile roster, why do you have to have just one guy fill that spot? Worried about having to lose your DH in a game if you make moves? Nope. Because you might still have Astudillo as the last man on the bench. Or, you may just keep Rortvedt as your true #2 while still having Garver available. Depending on roster construction, while it may sound crazy, there is a chance you could have 4 guys on the roster who could catch. And I know that's not a popular idea, but just think about SOMEONE being the SS, Astudillo is on the bench, Garver has more or less taken Cruz's spot and you keep Rortvedt as a true #2. (Don't hate, I'm just spitballing here). Rortvedt could also be at St Paul as he's still so young and may be better served playing daily there to begin 2022. Barring trades we can't even begin to speculate on at this point, I believe in keeping proven talent that is cost controlled. I just wouldn't trade Garver unless blown away. Transition him to DH/1B and backup catcher. Let Jeffers be the primary. Right now, we have tremendous depth at catcher, 1B and OF. While we have questions about a true SS for 2022, we have some depth and versatility there as well, especially if Gordon continues to be healthy and continues to develop. (Someone PLEASE get him on a weight program and feed him some extra protein that works within the framework of his new diet)! The pitching is a different arguement for another day. And hitting coaches and approach is also a different arguement for another day. But we know and have seen what a healthy Garver can do. Transition him, keep him, and let him rip.

Protecting Ober's arm, which I kinda get. But only to a degree. I would have given him one more. But protecting his arm and a chance for Thielbar to get back in a groove with a day off tomorrow? I get it.

Ober confuses me. TREMENDOUS numbers and peripherals for his career but injuries hold him back. He misses ALL of 2020 in regard to the secondary site and the instructional league but works hard on his own to find and refine a delivery that maximizes his delivery and prevents injury and soreness the next day. Suddenly he's in the 90's with control and movement on his stuff and looks like the best young pitcher we've seen in a couple years. I know it's SSS, but I haven't seen anything yet to tell me this kid isn't an actual ML SP option. I honestly think this kid may be a keeper. But other than protecting his arm for the duration of the season, he should have pitched another inning, even with a day off tomorrow.

Garver as a backup catcher and at 1B and maybe primary DH in 2022?

Jeffers!!

Hiya gang. Not sure I can stick around to the end, but had time to pop in and say howdy. And I will take credit for good karma for that Cruz HR. Lol

I am and have pretty much always been OK with pro athletes earning as much as they can. (I've ALWAYS objected to the "this is it " mantra that I can't do anything the rest of my life at 35yo BS). And Hunter is AMAZING and may be the best DE in the NFL. And he's still young! Healthy, he may be a HOF player who re-writes records. But come on, after a serious injury and missed season that could affect your entire career you want a raise? Sorry, but that bothers me. And despite the millions and billions that is the NFL....and the salary cap will absolutely rise next season.....you can only have so many $20M players on your team before the cap implodes. But I'm glad he's "in the fold" again. Richardson is unexpected. I really thought they would spend some $ on a veteran DE to help with the defense rather than trust Weatherly and a bunch of kids with potential. This is all very exciting to me. We COULD have an amazing DL. But we are suddenly 6 deep at DT with no room for Watts, Lynch or Twyman? Are we only baking on 1yr vs the future? And does signing Richardson mean we don't have $ for another OL signing to compete/delete Dozier and add to OL depth? Or does the FO and coaching staff really and truly believe we have a collection of players to actually put together not only a quality OL, but they believe the guys on hand to provide real depth? Hey, I think Hinton has a chance to be a legit interior OL. I think he may have been a major steal. I think Brandel has a chance to be a quality reserve. I'm tired of the FO telling us Odo has amazing potential without playing him. Cole is a legitimate contender for a starting spot or quality reserve spot? Love my Vikings but still not sure I see them addressing all needs at this point.

A good post. And let me say I have a lot of belief/faith in our FO. And previously, they have found some arms that have helped make a difference in the pen previously. Guys who were let go by other organizations and done well here, even for a short run. They've also done a good job developing arms on hand....no pun intended. But I do believe you can end up trapping yourself from previous results/accomplishments in to being "too cute" in your roster construction. Or as you put it, believing too much sometimes that you're the smartest person in the room. Look, the honest truth is that for every journeyman "prosoect" the Twins let go, we could probably show an equal signing of someone let go by someone else. And NO FO EVER hits on alk moves. You hope they do so 70-80% of the time. But when you have a plan....like 2021....that seems smart but goes astray, you have to re-evaluate what you've done. For a team that believes it is a contender, you simply can't believe you can just rely and promote milb BP arms and expect them to perform in outstanding fashion. And you don't have to make a crazy contract move like the Dirty Sox did with Hendricks. What you CAN DO in a lost season is talk to your managers, coaches and scouts and promote and audition certain arms that show real potential to see if they can stick or be ready at some point in 2022. But we can't forget that there only a certain number of milb RP who make and succeed at the ML level as high quality/leverage relievers. Some do. Most were SP who adapted to the pen to excel. Doesn't mean you shouldn't look at high potential arms in your system.

These topics are really off topic and probably need a different thread...and will probably get one at some point...but the discussion is so interesting that I can't help address it. Lol Winder is ahead of Balazovic right now due to their individual starts to the season. Winder will be up at AAA fairly soon and could join Duran in August/September. Sands is more of a 2022 mid to late season or depth option, IMO. By that time, and no insult to Sands, Balazovic and Canterino could easily surpass him for "next guy up". The SS situation is VERY interesting. ASSUMING the Twins find a fill-in SS for 2022, POTENTIALLY there is room for all of Polanco, Arraez and Gordon on the ML roster depending on how it's built. In other words, Polanco can backup SS, MAYBE Gordon also can but he needs a chance to show what he can do. He actually has a healthy off-season, maybe he re-gains weight/strength and his arm may even improve, and he doesn't stink at SS and CF, we MIGHT suddenly have a former top prospect who develops in to a useful utility player. And no reason to re-address the value and usage of Arraez yet again. On the milb side of this discussion, we all realize Lewis isn't going to be ready in 2022 barring some miracle or maybe a late season shot. And to be fair, the delayed milb season hasn't even reached the half way point yet, but assuming/hoping Palocious and Javier continue to perform, BOTH HAVE to be promoted mid-season. To those who might have forgotten, Palacious brought us Odorizzi but couldn't hit in 2yrs at AA and was cut by the Rays and re-signed by the Twins, he's only 24yo just might be ready for AAA in a few more weeks. Could he be a "late" developing player at only 24 who could be a factor? And we all know Javier's story so no need to go there. But the obvious secondary move is to give him half a season at AA. Right now, he's one of the best milb stories in a season where the ML team is disappointing but the system is offering some good feelings. It never used to be that the promotion of milb RP brought attention, much less hope. But since the game has changed so much, the bullpen has become far more key to the fortunes of the parent club. So when we look at the current state of affairs at the ML level, the ideas of Anderson, Hamilton, Cano, Moran, Mason, and Neff....who you mentioned....getting promoted shouldn't be easily dismissed. Really stinks Colina may be out for the season because he might already be up.

You bring up some interesting points to consider. 1] I thought Colome was a quality signing at the time, and as you mention, he was coming off 5 fine seasons, including his best season ever. Is he toast at 32yo? Maybe. But he's never been about velocity. Considering he has ZERO trade value, you either need to DFA him at some point to audition someone else, OR....and I can't believe I'm saying this....you need to see if he can find himself again the rest of the season and maybe warrant a look-see for 2022 if he looks like his old self. (I'd probably dump him and audition other arms at some point]. 2] Conversely, I thought the Robles signing was a possible key addition for this year coming off a terrible 2020. And he's been, largely, quite good. So what is his trade value vs keeping him and maybe re-signing him to a 1yr deal? And I'm not saying they should trade him or keep him, just that there are things here to consider. (I think he's a possible re-sign on a 1yr). 3] The "loss" of giving up on Littell too soon...which I think they did...may not have any long lasting implications. But it does make me reflect on the future of Stashak. While not possessing a long history of success, he was good in 2019/2020 so does he get dumped this off-season vs a similar growth bounce back in 2021? Just a few things to consider.