DocBauer

Not comparing the two guys directly, but coming off the WC season a couple years ago the Twins offered Darvish over $100M. Now, coming off a 101 win season and plenty of financial room, there is no reason not to expect a major signing. Now exactly who is hard to predict. There are other teams offering and the pitcher has to decide he wants to play for our Twins and can see success coming here. Not sure how anyone couldn't see impending success at this point.

I think all 3 "what ifs" are valid points. (I still don't understand the Jays not playing the Mets against the Twins and looking for a counter. Ridiculous!) When a team has such a good season and wins 101 games and sets records, it's a little hard to play the "what if" game over the context of a full season. It does, however, hold a little more weight when narrowed down to the post season. I'm a little tired of hearing how the Yankees had it so bad but overcame odds to have a good season. Good for them. But the Twins run of injuries happened the second half of the season, along with the Pineda suspension. And some of the guys who played in that series were hurting or at least rusty. An excuse? No. Just a fact. To me, both teams, healthy were a very even matchup. The Yankees had more post season experience and were healthier at the time. They won. Now to tweak a very good team and get 2020 going and get back to the post season again!

Agree with your thoughts. But will disagree with you from a perspective analysis. The Twins may simply get lucky by signing Wheeler at this time due to experience and stuff coming to fruition as he gets ready to turn 30. Major injury now 2yrs behind him, there is a very good chance his best 3yr+ window is going to open. Additionally, sometimes a change in scenery, that different coach and analytics dept will see just a small tweak or 2 that leads to greater success along with what I mentioned above. You know, 2" over on the rubber, little more this pitch, little less this one, etc. Optimistic on my part? Perhaps. But I think optimism is warranted all things considered. At worst, still a really solid arm.

After Grandal, there were a couple quick and even surprising moves made. So far, I haven't even heard a rumor regarding Castro. To me, that says nobody is breaking down doors to offer him multiple years, $8+ and a starting job. So until something breaks, I'm still saying $5-6M per for 2yrs. It's a perfect fit and win/win for both sides and eases "pressure" to rush Jeffers or Rortverdt.

I am all about re-signing Pineda. When you look at stuff, age, what he did last year, where do you find a better value or fit? His suspension only carries about 30 more days. As I understand it, he can fully participate in ST and gets a couple weeks to ramp up in the minors before he is activated. Not sure if he can remain at the Ft Myers complex during the suspension or is forced to work out on his own. I don't like to have to cover that first 30+ days, but over the course of the entire season, again, he's a perfect fit.

1] A solid argument could be made for Ryu and Bumgarner being equal to or better as a signing than Wheeler. But what you banking/projecting on Wheeler is 30yo come May with legit mods 90's velocity combined with normal experience and 2 yrs removed from surgery. A change of scenery with a new staff and you could easily be looking at the best 3yrs or so of his career. Yes $20-22M ish is too much. But that's probably what it is going to take. As of now, not only can you afford it without compromising the roster, but he would be the only large and long term deal on the books. 2] As to Castro, his coming back makes too much sense for both parties. You can say the Twins may not be overly anxious to bring him back, and that's fair. But he hasn't signed anywhere else yet, and we've seen a couple surprising signings at the catcher position so far. To this point, I don't think I've ever heard rumors of anyone else interested. 3] Not sure about Sano to 1B yet. But the FO would be foolish not to consider all avenues to improve the team. I don't feel they are pushing that move yet. But if you aren't sold on Cron being 100% at this time, you obviously look at all contingencies at your disposal. 4] Bullpen wise, they really need a LH without moving Smeltzer or Thorpe. They need to stay starting for now. But if you look at what's available, sure seems like low 1yr deal options and fliers. But then again, that has proven to work many times, while tossing money at FA RP in recent years hasn't usually worked very well. That being said, I think Romo comes back on a 1yr $3M deal.

And I keep preaching the same thing. Absolutely no reason to move Sano off of 3B at this time.

As a whole, there is nothing to argue with. They are fair projections overall. With health, I think all are a little low. Nut none of them show any extreme regression or disappointment. Interesting Gordon wasn't mentioned as getting an appearance. I'd think he's near the top of the list.

Not sure about staying in Ft Myers, but I'm quite sure he can participate fully in ST. Once the suspension is over, I believe he gets 2 weeks of milb time to ramp up.

Agreed. I'd still like to keep Jax if possible. Getting long in the tooth, but that's a result of circumstances and not on him. I really dont know how much upside he has left, and he could easily be passed by this year. But I just have a feeling there is more to come with him. I'd like to fund out.

To me, Pineda is about as close as you can get to a no-brainer. Obviously we need a big addition such as the oft-mentioned and speculated Wheeler. While not impossible, it would be very difficult to target and sign 2 of the top FA targets. Not that they are unaffordable, but because other teams are competing for signatures as well. I'd really like Pineda on a 2yr deal, but agreed he may only want 1. Regardless, if you have doubts about him as a 4th SP...not a 5th...look at his numbers last year and especially from June on as listed. Guy was getting better and better the farther away from his surgery. Not uncommon. He would be as good nor better than about anyone else you could bring in barring a large trade situation. And those are not always easy to make. This move costs $ only. I wish he wouldn't be missing the first month of the season, but being focused on the season as a whole entity, I'd love to have him back.

Javier makes so little sense on so many levels. Are you really going to stash him for an entire season just so you can send him back down to A ball in 2021 to continue much needed development for a guy suddenly down 1 option? Jax makes sense for someone to take. He's probably kept as well as I could see him easily stashed as a long/middle man if he shows you anything at all. Clay and Reed are in similar boats. There is enough velocity and SO numbers for a non contender to take a flier. Whether either shows enough to stick is a different story. I would think Wiel is a strong candidate to be picked. His career has not been stellar, but it's been solid and he's probably comjng off his very best year. I understand the argument about 1B/OF/DH types being a dime a dozen. And they probably are. But ones who can actually perform are not. Wiel is relatively young and controllable with power. I would think someone will like that combination. They won't all's be selected. Anywhere from 0-2 probably. But there are valued arguments for a few tombs targeted.

In addition to the comments I made about Sano above, why can't Polanco continue to develop and grow defensively? Like Sano, I believe he will only be 26yo next season and now has a relatively consistent 2 1/2 seasons in as a full time ML SS. He is a fine athlete with a new throwing motion. I believe he graded out about average defensively last season. There is still room to grow for both of them.

I hate to beat a dead horse, but everyone who is so worried about Sano's defense needs to take a step backk for a moment. He has a rocket. His hands are at least decent. He charges the ball well. He is solid on pop ups and foul balls. The only thing he really isn't is "range-y" laterally. Depending on which article you read and which defensive metric, he was average or slightly below average last season. Despite it seeming as though he has been around forever, he will only be 26yo in 2020. He had a nightmare of a 2018 and a very good 2019, overall, after a rough start. Hopefully, no more setbacks for this slimmer, better conditioned and harder working Sano. For those old enough to remember, Gaetti came up with hands of stone. A few years later he won a Gold Glove. When Koskie came up, he was too tall and stiff to play 3B. A couple years later he was one of the better defensive 3B around. Why, oh why can't Sano continue to improve, at least a little? Shouldn't we at least give him 2020 to see?

So we should bring an average defensive 3B to move to Sano to 1B and replace Cron's offense with an aging and less powerful/productive veteran or a couple of guys with zero power and production who are best used as utility players? Holt...maybe...as a replacement for Marwin on the utility level so he can start full time at 3B. I just don't get this at all.

He was one of my top choices to replace Castro if he's not back.

I've always felt beyond your prospects at AAA, you should spend a little more to bring in a handful of AAAA guys that might be a cut above for insurance. You just never know what can happen. From what I have watched, I have no problem with Astudillo behind the plate. And I absolutely agree with previous post that if he can just lay off the crazy outside stuff, he has the ability to be a solid and productive hitter in a fill-in role. But I like him best as my 3rd guy with someone a little more experienced to play with Garver. Again, I'm hoping for Castro. But there are other guys of interest, though losing Vogt as an option is disappointing. But your AAA pitchers need and deserve someone quality to work with and provide the parent club with an extra, viable option.

Watching him his entire career, Vizquel is 2nd only to The Wizard when it comes to SS and SHOULD BE a lock for the HOF. He didn't have Ozzie's flair, but was just as dependable and maybe had the better arm. Like Smith, he was a defense first and foremost player who developed in to a very nice offensive player who did a bit of everything. I can be a typical Yankee hater, but I have never disliked Jeter or disparaged him in any way. I will say, however, that part of his reverence, IMO, comes from being a Yankee and his post season success. That success is important, relevant and can not be denied. But if I were building a dream team tomorrow and had my choice of a SS in his prime, Ozzie would be my #1 choice. I'm not so sure I wouldn't pick Vizquel over Jeter. I want to agree that Bonds and Clemens deserve it regardless due to their greatness before all the PED conversations and taints. I watched their entire careers. The problem is, NOBODY, except the players themselves and those closest to them, know exactly when the PED usage took place. Was it from day one? When they hit 30? 31? 32? Whether you agree or not, there is a stigma there. They will be included at some point. It may be further down the road, and with an asteric by their name, but they will be there one day. But it won't be now.

Considering all factors, to me the decision is easy. Moose. With all due respect to Donaldson, every projection has him at twice the $ as Moustakas. Living in Royals country here in Omaha, I'm pretty familiar with him and his career. While not elite defensively, he's turned himself in to a decent/quality 3B with a consistent stick. I have been honestly and shockingly surprised how he has bounced around considering how solid a player he is and his consistent production. IF the Twins were serious about making a change at this point, I would jump at a 2yr $12M per vs what Donaldson would seem to command. He's been healthier and is 2yrs younger as well. His cost would be about $5-6M more than keeping Cron. Again, much less than Donaldson, and that $ influences pitching moves/additions as well. If you really like Frazier's glove, and really believe he can at least duplicate his 2019 season, then be comes much cheaper on probably a 1yr deal. But unless you really feel good about those things, Sano/Cron sounds like a better alternative to me.

Personally, I think catcher has often been undervalued except for those guys who have good to elite bats. Everything from defense to just working with the staff and making everyone comfortable are skills that can't be measured by any 100% statistic. Regardless if you are a fan of Castro or not, he is respected and carries a solid resume and is experienced. While not a great hitter, and prone to streaks, he is an "OK" hitter who takes professional AB and has double digit HR power. Those are all positives. The negatives are age creeping up, his injury in 2018, and the fact he wasn't a full time starter in 2019. Is there someone out there who really believes he's worth a 2-3yr deal for another $8M or so? I'd really like him back in a 2yr $12M deal. What he has done with the Twins when healthy, the arrangement he and Garver had last season and what it produced, his familiarity with the staff and team, I could be convinced to go an additional $1M per grudgingly. But I'd really like to think the 2 and $12 should/could get it done. I am very optimistic about Jeffers and how much the Twins seem to like him. But IMO, half a season at AA doesn't get it done for me. Offense and defense, there is still growth to be made and a learning curve. I feel so much better with Castro on board for 2 more seasons with Austudillo as that 3rd option. If the numbers just don't make sense, I'm interested in Stephen Vogt and Robinson Chirinos as experienced options on lower cost 1yr deal options.

Yes, Cron has a poor season his first season back from surgery on the other hand, yes, he has to come back successfully from this surgery. But I also think it's a bit unfair to say the results will be identical. Let us further remember, despite the fact he ended up non-tendered after, when Cron finally got 500AB for the first time in his career in 2018 he had a very good season. He was even better the first half of 2019 in most all categories before this latest injury. And if you watched him play he was FINE defensively. Despite rumors the Twins are looking at available 3B...and doing due diligence they should be...I'm not convinced they are ready to move Sano off of 3B this soon. Not until they see this slimmer, more dedicated version gets another full year at the position. But let's say they are seriously considering the idea. Considering we still need 2 more SP, is Donaldson really an option? I say no. That leaves Moustakis and who? Frazier? I like Moose, but he's going to cost about $12M per, which I'm OK with. But after adding a pair of SP, we still need a catcher and one more good RP, preferably a LH one. On top of that, I have to ask honestly, does this actually improve the defense enough, at this time, to make a difference? I think Sano has more than enough athleticism for a big man to develop in to at least a decent 1B. For various reasons, I'm not sure this is the right time to make the move permanent. I think a healthy Cron is a very solid piece to the puzzle. I am not convinced he "deserves" a bump of $3M for 2020. If the Twins have a plan in mind to switch things up and mkve on, I'm OK with that. But I also don't want a rookie being handed 1B for a team with post season expectations, or a complete revolving door at 1B either. The team can afford Cron at $7.7M. But non-tendered after 2018, coming off surgery, I'm guessing he is back on a $6-6.5M agreed upon deal.

Really don't understand Blankenhorn not playing more 3B. If he can't hack it defensively, the obvious move is to 1B or the OF. But while he has played a lot of LF, he's also played a lot of 2B. So good enough for 2B but not 3B simply does not compute unless his arm is weak or wild.

The thought of Raley possibly platooning in some manner with Cron at 1B never honestly occurred to me. Could be a smart move. Of course, works that much better if he's your 4th OF as the 26 man spot could easily be a RP or Austudillo, etc. I disagree on Chalmers moving to the pen so soon. His primary issue...other than injury...is gaining control of his stuff. With his limited IP, I'd have him start for now. More opportunity to throw, throw some more, and work on his control. Later in the season, then shift him to the pen due to IP if nothing else. His future can be determined in the offseason based on what everyone sees.

I absolutely believe a trade involving one of these guys is possible. And depth is nice, between these 4 as well as Cave and Wade. But I kind of chuckle when I hear we have too much depth and simply must move someone. While I love Buxton and completely believe in his potential and hope for the best, what if the injury bug bites him hard again in 2020? Now Kepler is in CF and one of these guys could be your RF. What if Cruz is done after next season? What if Cron is brought back and gone after next season? Rosario, while I love him, only has one more season of arbitration after this one, and could be traded and then replaced by one of these guys. Who is up first? Just taking a guess here...Raley or Rooker as they are the most ready but Raley is probably better defensively and Rooker sometimes the season a little cold. Raley is first up.

Might be a little high on Raley's HR potential. And I believe he can also play 1B.