DocBauer

In that picture, man does he look almost exactly like a younger version if his dad! The Twins have always loved to promote from within and utilize former players for anything from coaches to instructors, to even radio and TV personalities. While not knowing to what degree other organizations do the same the Twins have to be amongst the most aggressive in this area. And I have always applauded such moves. And our current FO has maintained this "tradition" that began decades before they were placed in charge. But this FO also does things very differently than they were done in previous regimes. So any calls of nepotism would be grossly misplaced. Toby is where he is because of who he is and his hard work and knowledge. He's not where he because he was a journeyman infielder with the team or because of any favor to his father. Funny story, that I may have repeated some years ago, but several years ago when Toby was still a young milb infielder within the system, he called up Ron one night to ask him how to hit the low and outside slider. Ron's reported response was, "I'm going to hang up now. Think about what you just asked." Toby called back the next day to state, "You don't swing at it." LOL My favorite story for both men! Obviously Toby has learned a lot since those days.

1] DH: I wouldn't be disappointed in Ozuna, but I really don't like the 4yr commitment. Part of the reason I like Cruz is the short term investment while Krilloff, Rooker and Larnach get their feet wet. No Cruz? I like Brantley for 2yrs because he HITS, gets OB, has 20 HR and 40 Dbls power and can play a legitimate OF. He could hit 1-3 in this lineup and be very valuable. 2] SP: I like Paxton. I like that he's been very good when healthy. I like that he's LH. I like Odorizzi better. Still can't understand what's so terrible about a really good and sometimes great #3/4 SP even if he is only good for 5-6 IP. I also think there's going to be a TON of low cost fliers available late looking for an opportunity. Choose the right flier and you might find a #5 steal. 3] INF: With 3 excellent choices as a new SS, I don't see a trade for one. The question simply is, do the Twins want to make this move? If they do, then make your choice, shuffle Polanco or Arraez around and then one of several cheap options that are still out there for an 11th man role. Example: Cabrera for $2-3M. If you aren't going to make the big SS move, then make your choice for the 10th man role amongst the top choices, and then STILL sign that 11th man. But make a decision! 4] BP: Rosenthal has a big arm and might be had for $7M. Yates might be as good or better and come cheaper at $5M. Soria and Clippard and a few others are still available for $2.5-3M. Just because the Twins aren't going to sign a $10M relief arm doesn't mean there isn't some quality and real value out there.

So reports are that Kluber's rehab trainer works for the Yankees, so that might have nudged him further that direction as well. Paxton yes, though I think I still prefer Odorizzi and a better track record of health, 2020 not withstanding. Everyone else here would be on my list for "cheap" 5th rotation fliers. Not so sure a couple of these guys might not end up being ST invites with incentives and early outs.

Pretty much agree 100% with you, Tom. Not surprising as I've pretty much been saying the same things for two months. Tanaka probably has only 1-5 teams he would sign with and the Yankees a clear #1 choice. Healthy and coming off solid years, I'm interested in both Richardson and Walker. Each offers up a bit of healthy "upside", especially Walker. I think it's about 50/50-60/40 the Twins sign a FA or trade for a SP. But it has to be Paxton or Odorizzi if they go the FA route. They have the $ to afford either and both are clearly the best options available. Good news is each of them are really solid pitchers. Honestly, how can anyone feel bad about either of those guys competing for the 3/4 spot with Pineda? I strongly believe the Twins will also be signing someone from your D and F list for around $3M-ish for depth and to compete for the 5th spot. Just not sure I can offer up a best option list. But there's going to be a lot of guys who want to play and will be looking for work in the next few weeks. Might even be some milb signings with ST invites who could surprise. I also wouldn't be surprised if the "cheap" option was added first, much like Bailey last season. I'm bored to tears right now waiting for things to happen, but I'm still kind of excited about the options available.

Skipped a few posts and realized I didn't miss anything at all. (My apologies to posters). This thread is about Oddo. We got him for nothing. He was solid in 2018. He was great in 2019 and earned an All Star invite, FWIW, and finished well after a dip. His 2020 was a NIGHTMARE of injury but just nickel and dime stuff in retrospect. So he's just some 31yo "afterthought" at this point? Forgetting Bauer, who is better out there on the FA market? NOBODY other than possibly Tanaka. And there is a serious debate as to the Yankees, or a west coast team or a return to Japan. Agent hype? Maybe. Oddo is NOT a number 1 and on a contendjng team not a #2. But he is a very solid #3 To compete with Pineda and often pitches like he was a #2. What's not to like at $12M-ish?

Too SSS to suggest he has a career path of anything close to dominance in any way. BUT, in that SSS, he has also shown tremendous control and fortitude. So far, be has done everything he could possibly do to show he could have a great career as a middle reliever. And that is a good thing! IF he did find a decent 3rd pitch, it could move him forward to a role as part of a late inning option. I've seen enough of him thus far to pen him in as part of the 2021 bullpen. He is not Alcala or the potential of Corina at this point, both of whom I think the Twins have faith in, but he doesn't have to be. I've seen, thus far, all I have to see that he can be a quality middle relief option who gets the job done. I think Rocco and the FO feels the same. Now, some sort of change via a cutter or something else developed, he could take a step forward.

Appreciate the sentiment Ash. But the RP is filled with a number of intriguing options. The SP options are Bauer...however you feel about him...and a TON of interesting options that don't excite, but have value. Does not taking a $10M-ish flier mean they are going cheap? (And I've been in for $8-10M as a shot for some time on Kluber). Or does it mean they think Oddo, Walker, Richardson, etc, as good and safe an option? Or are they really looking at trade options similar to the moves they have made for Odorizzi and Maeda the last 2 yrs?

I was interested for $8-10M with some incentives, MAYBE a similar 2nd year option if both parties were interested. Every year there is someone who makes a surprise comeback. And Kluber is the #1 most likely to do that in 2021. He's scary but intriguing as hell! But more than $10M pushes me to the pass category. What does this say about Tanaka? Either the Yankees know something we don't know, or they also are pinching a few $. Maybe they have a secret agreement already? Just find them seemingly moving on very interesting. Does Maeda know Tanaka? Can he put in a good word for the Twins and living in the Midwest?

I'm just going to try and address about everything here because there's a lot of good meat on the bone to chew on. But first, a tip of the cap to Matt for so much hard work and a very interesting and detailed OP! 1] EVERYONE wants that ONE GUY to finish a game or get the crucial outs in a big bullpen moment. But for DECADES the bullpen was just a group of guys to come in and finish things off and HOPEFULLY secure a win. Sometime in the 80's, roughly, the SAVE became a countable and important stat. In those days, 20-30 saves was excellent. A few guys even saved more than 30. Around the 90's and the early '20's era, we suddenly saw 40-50 saves as a benchmark. But then something interesting happened. Some very smart people began to break down what a save actually meant and how empty the SAVE stat actually was. What they discovered was a lot of those saves were given to a guy who pitched 1-3 outs, with a lead, and was at times facing the lower part of the order, possibly facing a PH or two. They also discovered that games were actually won or lost in the 7th or 8th inning not necessitating a "closer" appearance in the 9th. And sometimes, it was the "set-up" man who actually faced a higher leverage situation. Which is also why a lot of closer types began in that role before transitioning to what we know now and define as the "closer" spot. I DO NOT disparage the performances and careers of ANY past closer, especially great Twins such as Reardon, Guardado, Aguiilar, Nathan, etc. But the game changes, as all sports do. Perception and the game within the game also changes. Several years ago, the term "fireman" became something more thzn just the title of an award presented at the end of season. Smart, forward thinking teams realized the 7th and 8th inning were often more important and harder to navigate than the 9th. 2] A traditional closer is no longer what it was. YES, there are times in a game when you want a quality and experienced arm to finish a win in the 9th against the top or heart of the order. But I think what has been proven, and slowly been adopted, is you really want about THREE arms or so that can you can "count on" to handle the final couple of innings. Prove me wrong? 3] Hendricks, Hand, etc, are all fine and proven arms. And I want the Twins to have as many quality pen arms as they can. But the pure "closer" idea is quickly becoming outdated. Don't misunderstand, I'd LOVE a Hendricks, Hand, etc, in the pen. And the signing or Addison Reed...which looked good at the time...should NOT preclude the Twins from signing an "expensive" bullpen arm now or in the future. And true, quality pen arms can maintain viability in to their mid and even late 30's. But if you haven't seen a lot of those arms fade quickly vs $, then you aren't paying attention. 4] Even if you have a top closer for the 9th, he doesn't do much good unless he has opportunity to fulfill his role. Not just a team who can score enough runs, but a pen who can bring a lead to him. This brings us back again to the middle innings and having a deep and capable pen overall. 5] Rocco and the FO have adopted the newer priciple/analytics approach of a deep and versatile pen without defining roles such as primary set-up man or closer. They prefer matchups and fireman roles. THAT you can debate as you will; history vs changes in the game. AGAIN, I have ZERO objection to adding a quality arm to the pen regardless of label. And we know there is volatility in the pen, game to game, week to week, month to month. But hitters are the same. We end up looking at the full season and final results for hitters as well as pitchers. So Rogers, with good peripherals, is suddenly toast? What might he have done in a full season? Now, he might have had a poor/mediocre season in 162G, and we will never know. But to not think/expect he can't be part of the back end of the pen going forward is also being short-sighted. TODAY, with no additional moves yet made, the bullpen has Rogers, Duffey, Robles, Stashak, Alcala, Stashak and Thielbar penciled in. One new addition along with some subtractions, a group of un-interesting milb FA arms that could provide another Wisler, Harper, etc to help and surprise, along with an exciting Colina or Chalmers...even though I dream of him finding a 3rd pitch and sticking in the rotation...plus arms like Smeltzer or Thorpe providing help. (Also hoping a new year allows Thorpe to FIND himself again as a possible rotation piece). There are a dozen RP arms out there still available at different ages who could absolutely be viable additions to the current pen without some huge $45M investment. 6] I still would have brought Wisler back. Not sure I buy $ and no options or a 1yr surprise but Robles essentially replaces either him or Romo at this point. I WANT Clippard back for $2-3M. He proved, yet again, how good and reliable he is. I WANT another proven RH arm. Is Soria the answer? He COULD be. Do we get on Yates or Rosenthal for around $5M-ish? Maybe. Or Colome? I want a deep and versatile pen. But I'm just not sweating a huge RP contract at this point with all that is still available externally and internally.

I thought Bradley would have been a nice addition. Had him on my hope list for $5M. Interesting the Twins didn't even check on him. A Wood flier for that cheap would have been interesting as a second SP signing. I think there are others out there that will still be available in a couple weeks for a similar deal as a 5th rotation option candidate.

Just my opinion but I think the Twins interest in a SS, 1 or 2yr deal format, is real. I also agree the Twins want and need to shore up the infield depth/versatility. While I do believe the organization may trade for a SP, my hunch is that would be the only trade they would make. There are 3 very good and very interesting FA SS available. I think the interest in Semien is real, but all 3 options are intriguing and bring something different to the table. Multiple $ predictions have any or all 3 coming in at around $14-15M. Maybe. But as crazy as this market is, I'm not so sure those numbers aren't a $1-2M high. But I guess we will see. Polanco then, probably, becomes an almost everyday super utility option. But they need one more. Feel like I'm beating a dead horse but if you take time to look through the available "utility" options, the market is very, very deep with a number of guys who can cover 3-4spots and some with decent bats or at least useful bats. And with the depth available, there is going to be $ value there. Sign a SS. Then sign that 11th man option to work with Polanco. You keep your prosoects unless there is a SP option you like more than the FA out there. After that, there is still great BP to still add an arm or two. I'm staying away from the DH/OF option right now as it's been discussed enough and I'm not sure it applies directly to this particular OP. But just to toss this out there, I do find it curious that nobody has been talking about Pillar any longer. Regardless of how the DH/OF bat situation turns out, is Pillar going to be a potentially cheap option as a nice 4th OF option?

Absolute no to Ozuna. He's shown none of the consistency Cruz has shown. Further, we are talking about a long term commitment, which I am against. I support the DH, always have, for many reasons, but you just don't LOCK UP a DH unless he's a special bat. I think Rooker is going to be an OK player. Maybe even a good one, I think Kirilloff is going to be great. I think Larnach is also going to be good to great, which is why I hope any trade the Twins MIGHT make doesn't include AK OR Larnach. Those two could be our corner OF for years to come, or a combination of 1B and OF. Why, unless a trade opportunity came our way would we part with either? Cruz for 1yr makes so much sense for both sides it's almost ridiculous it hasn t happened yet. But I get it. But as great as Cruz has been, If you want to buy into MLB TRADERUMORS, Brantley could be had for the same projected salary or less and could actually play the OF giving the roster flexibility. OR, you could sign one of the top 3 SS options, move Polanco to super utility, STILL sign an 11th man amongst the many options available, and still sign Bradley or Pillar for OF depth and versatility to go along with a SP and possible RP move and forgo a direct DH signing. Of course, IF you buy in to a $135-140M payroll, all bets are off. You can STILL sign or trade for a SP, potentially bring in an 11th man AND another solid BP arm and STILL bring in Cruz or Brantley. I believe the Dirty Sox are about $120M right now. They MIGHT make a move or two to augment their roster and push it it $130M. Do the Twins actually do less than that? No to Ozuna long term because there is so much talent on hand. Yes to Cruz on the short hand to let the roster and prospects come up and play. YES to a signin of Bradley or Pillar on the cheap to fill out the OF and DH spot with Kirilloff and Rooker and everyone else on hand.

The Twins have needs, of course, to still address. But they also need a bat and not just a SS with offensive ability/potential. And with a super slow off-season and ST only 5 weeks away barring a change to delay, most every team still has moves to make a d rosters to flesh out. And, as of now, there is NO DH for the NL. Yes, that could yet change last minute, especially if they use it as leverage to gain something else such as a shorter season, etc. IF, there is no sudden NL DH addition, Cruz has little to no market. IF MLB suddenly shifts gears and add the DH, there still aren't 15 teams added as suitors. There will still be teams with enough depth to not need a 41yo DH, or up against a payroll wall, or simply re-building and have no room or need. I WANT Cruz back on a 1yr because I think they need a bat, I think he has ONE MORE really good year left in him, though I would expect some slippage of his total OPS. And one more year of his experience and leadership is a good thing. I see multiple ways he fits in $ for 2021 even with additions to be made, but won't go in to all of them right now. Why I DON'T want Cruz back is because the Twins CAN afford to wait for a few bargains to fall to them, but CAN'T wait for EVERYONE in order to complete their 2021 roster! Trade or FA, they need to bring a SP in while still needing to bring a decent bat in. And they are primed to add a SS and have 3 FA options that don't cost prospects. Further, unless Rooker, Larnach or Kirilloff are involved in a trade...and I hope they aren't but we can survive if any of them are...the Twins have a nice glut of options to handle OF/DH/1B along with Sano and Donaldson spending time at DH. Think about this for a moment: The Twins actually trade for a SP. Let's say Musgrove, which makes sooo much sense. No guarantee, but he could really thrive with an organizational change and better coaching. The Pirates know the Twins system and said trade COULD include Larnach or Rooker, but COULD also include something like a ready made OF like Cave, Enlow or Canterino plus an OF like Wallner or Urbina, etc. BOTH teams win. Suddenly, the Twins have their SP addition with $23-28M to spend IF the $125-130M IS reality. (I'm still doubting that). So you bring in your FA SS for $12-14M. That's another $9-11M for one more "proven" BP arm and and another 11th man INF and even a possible OF in a market deep in all 3 spots. Sound crazy? Maybe. But think something like Clippard and Cabrera for $5M total. Now you can look at something like $4-6M for Bradley or Pillar. The Twins COULD do a $135-140M which I'm still betting on. Where there is smoke, there is fire. If so, NOW you have the ability to sign Cruz or Brantley, etc. But no Cruz, do you like the team as presented?

To some degree the market is shifting. We've seen it the last few years as franchises get a little bit smarter and smarter and look at data. Some scream collusion, but I see FO's just recognizing cost vs production and pulling up the reigns and just saying "whoa". Of course, there will always be certain teams in certain markets that are willing to live with $ value losses in last years of contracts vs gain the early years. Not everyone can afford to do that. Few in fact. Of course, everything from arbitration, service time, etc, is going to change in the next CB. But for NOW, as far as the Twins are concerned, the dilemma is what Cruz is worth post 2020 amidst a covid situation and 2021 speculation. Brock broke things down very succinctly in an earlier post, as Gleeman and John have also done previously. But Cruz is is in that unique and rare category. You can accept a super strong first 30 days in 2020 and a not so great last 30 days plus age and say no way. Of course, he was also the only hitter to produce in the embarrassing playoff loss. Repeating myself yet again, 2020 was a "mixed up" year for a lot of guys. I want to use a word beginning with "F" because that's how crazy it was. I believe Cruz HAS ONE MORE good season in him. Based on history and reality, he may have an decent to good 2nd season available. Do the Twins bank on history or Cruz? One more time again, an honest 1yr deal. A buyout for a 2nd year, if necessary.

I vote for both!

Great OP idea! But betting on potential trades is a fools errand at this point. Assuming a 26 man roster, which could easily change, 18 spots are currently filled. Kepler Buxton Cave/Wade Donaldson Polanco Arraez Sano Garver Jeffers Maeda Berrios Pineda Rogers Duffey Alcala Robles Thielbar Stashak Despite angst and holes, that's a hell of a place to start! Said it in other threads and will re-state it here, the final position roster can't be fixed until the FO makes a determination on Cruz and SS. Trust Polanco, you bring in Hernandez or Profar and then one of many cheap alternatives that should be available for the 11th man spot. And there are some good options available! Don't trust/want Polanco as the primary SS? Then you sign one of the 3 FA SS available and sign as quality bat as you can to play the field and rotate DH. And then you still need an 11th man who can fill in different spots. Either way, Cabrera anyone as your 11th man? Do we believe the reports on Odorizzi getting a $13-14M multi year deal? Then unless payroll matches 2020, we have to look at a trade option or lower cost FA. Musgrove in trade? What about Walker, Richardson or Kluber for $8-10M? Soria for the pen? Reportedly, he's been offered about the same as Robles but slightly more. The Twins banking on their ability to develop a pen and waiting for Alcala and Colina to step forward? Is there any way to save $2-4M for a 5th SP invite? Doubt it. But hoping. Might be a few invites available to potentially surprise and compete. Would love to see $1-3M available, which might not be, to sign a veteran catcher for an invite and opt out. Again, might not be possible. Besides any "fluid" payroll set of anywhere from $125-135M-ish, the biggest determination is SS and Cruz. If and when they make a commitment to either or both spots, everything else starts to fall in to place.

I work for a communications company. That being said, I have no dog in this hunt. And I have total understanding for anyone who is a cord cutter. I get it. But what you are seeing is an expected evolution in the process. If you actually pay attention to the process...and why would you normally because it's frustrating, confusing and fluid...all the other "options" keep adding and deleting while raising rates. And you shouldn't be surprised. Media in all forms remains fluid and will be for years to come. Even if some dream of free internet becomes a reality some day, we will all have to make decisions as to what "package(s)" we want to subscribe to. And *hint* they won't get cheaper, lol. I'll be following the Twins on the MLB app for video and audio on my car and WNAX 57.0 from Yankon SD as well as right here on TD!

Agree and disagree. And while I don't believe he belongs directly as a discussion point in this particular OP, he was brought up and I couldn't resist commenting. For the record, I also believe in him and still value him pretty highly at this point. NOT meaning to hijack this thread in any way, but again, his name was brought up. 1] Despite frustration with his career thus far, he won't be 28 until May 11th of this new year. 2] Despite a late start to 2019 due to a freak and poorly addressed injury, from new conditioning and continued maturity..some of which may be attributed to Cruz's influence...he had the best season of his career with a .923 OPS. 3] His career OPS is .829 at this point! 4] He not only embraced his move to 1B to make room for Donaldson, he made a video encouraging him to sign on. While we all saw flaws in basic things such as covering 1B instead of going for a ball he shouldn't have, or trying to flatten teammates chasing foul pop-up, (3B instincts and trying too hard), he generally played a good to great 1B. 5] 2020 saw vast abnormalities all across baseball with hitters. Can we at least give the maturing Sano a full and "normal" 2021 season before we make any sort of final determination concerning his value? Maybe he will never be the #4 hitter we dreamed about and will settle in, instead, as a very dangerous #5-6 hitter who is streaky but highly productive while playing a quality 1B and also DH. But again, can we just give him 2021 before we chastise or give up on him?

I can't agree with this more! My hunch/belief is the short 2020 season works in Cruz's favor, leaving more tread on the tire, as it were. I have a strong belief he bas one more really good season left in him. After that, should any sort of 2nd yr option be involved, it would be of the belief he would be at least decent-good while no longer being what he has been. I prefer a 1yr deal. But agreed a nice buyout 2nd yr option with lower salary wouldn't be killer. If he performed well enough to earn the 2nd yr being picked up, it would be a decent risk. At that point, we're talking a 1yr deal. As the old saying goes, is there such a thing as a bad 1yr deal?

Which why the 10th and 11th man spots are so important for 2021. The good news is there are so many viable options. The bad news is there are too many questions to be answered at this point. And we are stuck in a "what is best" and "what does the FO REALLY think/feel at this point. And part of that does revolve around Cruz. If the FO rolls with Polanco at SS, and believes a normal ST and normal season will happen and Polanco is expected to be healthy and ready to go after a "minor" procedure on his ankle, you can find $ room for Cruz and sign a pair of quality 10th and 11th guys to flesh out the roster. And while OF depth doesn't mean those guys HAVE to play OF, let's just say Hernandez or Profar were brought on board for around $6M. There are so many really solid options floating out there that could help by bringing a decent bat and 3 position flexibility for $2-3M. Example: Hernandez covers over half the field and you then sign from a list of Gyorko, Frazier, Miller and Cabrera, amongst others, for the 11th man spot. Or, you could go cheap for a return of Adrianza even. This actually the easiest and least expensive option. NOW, let's say the FO interest in one of the top SS on the FA market it legitimate, it's going to cost $12-13M with Polanco moving to the 10th man role and you still need an 11th man option you feel good about. Reference the same names I've listed above. With additional needs to be addressed, you've cut in to $ enough you probably can't afford Cruz. And if do, then you have to find a quality SP on the cheap via FA or trade as well as at least ONE more solid BP piece, maybe two, on the inexpensive side. You can't lose the power and production of BOTH Cruz and Rosario in a single off-season. SOMEWHERE a bat has to be added or kept. But until the FO makes some sort of decision at SS and on Cruz, projections of any sort are folly.

Great post! While I am also more interested in Musgrove as the "cheaper" alternative, and my preference, I think it behooves us to take a moment to at least consider taking on Moustakas or Castellanos in a deal for Gray or POSSIBLY Castillo. The POSITIVE is pretty simple. Moose gives us a nice, veteran, proven bat to play 2nd and 3rd base with the idea of fitting him at 1B as well and he can obviously DH. While we still need a glove man to cover SS and other positions...whether or not Polanco remains the full time SS or moves to utility is up for debate in this context...Moose becomes one of our two 10th/11th man options we need. Castellanos, on the other hand, provides a decent option at both OF and 1B though I think his 3B days may be over, and can obviously DH. The NEGATIVE is pretty obvious as either contract now eliminates Cruz. Now, that elination is and has been open to debate. Many have objectively and rightly stated that betting on another season may be fools gold and it may be time to cut ties now vs doing so too late. On the other hand, a short 2020 may actually work in Cruz's favor in the Father Time eventuality of decline and we could/should expect at least one more season at or close to his previous level of production. And none of us has to debate the experience and leadership factor he brings. I think these considerations are worth examining. But IF we go the trade route, my thoughts/hunch/preference is Musgrove and the belief Cruz has one more really good season left in him and possibly one more decent/good season after that should a 2nd yr option MAYBE being involved.

So we, and others, tend to really like the Musgrove idea. Again, I'm buying in to low cost prospect wise...though it will take a couple good ones...and some upside Johnson and the Twins can unlock. Like you, I am not a fan of keeping prospects as much as possible. Yes, absolutely in favor of trading some in the right deal, but the milb system is always the lifeblood of any team, especially for mid-market and below. To use an old but yet fitting axiom, the more bullets you have the more shots you can take. The Twins can't...nor do I believe they ever will...move half a dozen or so prospects within their top 25-30 in a given off-season simply because they can't afford to long term. With all due respect to his talent, current ability and projection, I don't think I'm in on Castillo though. I think the cost simply may be more than we want to pay. If the prospect cost lowers due to us taking back salary for a veteran, the ramifications could eat up too much salary for another addition. In other words, no Cruz. Which, I know, is also debatable. If Duran and Balazovic weren't so tantalizing, and potentially so close, I might change my mind. And I fully appreciate a prospect is just that, a PROSPECT, but each seems to carry the expectation of at least a solid mid-rotation SP. We haven't had a duo like this for a long time.

I don't know...the more I think on it the more I really like Musgrove as my #1 pitching trade candidate. Solid stuff, relatively young, controllable, he could really thrive with the Twins without causing a major disruption to the milb system.

I see your point but will also have to disagree. There are a couple major points the NBA AND the NFL have over baseball. (Though popularity and viewership has been declining somewhat recently). Revenue sharing in these sports, particularly the NFL, are much more balanced than they are in MLB. That creates a more solid floor and ceiling for each franchise. And it becomes even more important for each franchise to draft and sign smartly and just run said franchise better. I refuse to take sides in MLB labor situations because I think both sides need to "smarten up" to understand the future health of the sport. If profit sharing was more equal in MLB, a salary cap actual works, because you then also have a concrete floor that all teams have to maintain. Today, forgetting covid adjustments, just think of a $200M payroll cap but a $75M floor. There might be fewer 5-7yr deals for $25-35M per, but like the NBA...who's roster size is closer to MLB...minimum contracts would be closer to $1M plus. Shorter FA regulations, which I would endorse with a new system, means players reaching FA status earlier. They might not get the HUGE contracts we talk about, but they would also gain at least as much $ in the long term by signing smaller contracts in their 20's vs the current arbitration years, etc. Both sides need to be smart enough to realize change takes place. I DO place some onus on the MLB union. What's more important? A small collection of players making BIG $, or EVERYONE seeing a rise in their potential $ earnings? I personally feel the union is absolutely focused on a power play for top earners vs a more balanced system and earnings for everyone.

IMO his only downfall is his previous late season swoons. He rebounded in late 2019, as recall, because he backed off his routine to bring about more late season endurance. We never got to see those results in the short 2020 season. I think he's vital going forward for the Twins, even if he never develops in to a #1. Everyone else would love to have him.