DocBauer

Great thread! My opinions: Castro: Questionable. But I see him coming back to catch 30-40%. I just don't see a big offer for him comjng despite being a solid backstop overall. Despite a late slump, he had a nice season coming off knee surgery. But he is in the perfect place right now. He wasn't the #1 And I don't feel anyone will believe be can be that at this point. The young catchers in the system aren't ready yet. He's smart at a reduced salary about $4-5M. Cron: He plays solid defense, can hit, hit with power, and is coming off his best 2 career seasons. If not for the thumb injury, this might have been his best year yet. Prospects are not yet ready. Unless there is some move yet to take place that moves Sano to 1B, (I don't see it) he is back. Find me solid defense, and power and production to exceed him for $5M and I'm fine. Odorizzi and Pineda: Tell me how you can find 2 better options than these 2 for your 3rd and 4th SP for a combined salary of around $27-30M and I will tip my cap to you and suggest you send in a resume to the MLB team of your choice. And really, unless things just blow up in the 2020 FA market, why would either WANT to leave? Romo: Wheels are going to fall off one day. Rhetoric, but nothing wrong with a 1yr deal. Guy still gets it done most days. And he's fun and experienced and a good clubhouse guy. He made less than $3M this season. He will probably slide down behind Duffey and May, but why wouldn't you bring him back? Schoop: Great Guy! Productive and good defense. But be doesn't fit. We all know this, so does he. Gone. Perez: Big question mark! The FO knows him, believed in his potential, and we saw glimpses of it. Great start! Poor middle. Mediocre finish with decent glimpses. HUGE FA signing, he's gone. Lesser FA signing or trade, budget says maybe bring him back on a decent deal to compete for the 5th spot. Logic says he's gone unless he takes a small deal to come back to re-invent himself as a RP. Gibson: HUGE question mark. Super Guy! Quality SP, if you truly reflect on his career. But how on earth do the Twins, or anyone, look at his illness and decide to sign him with optimism at this point? In limited action his FB showed real life out of the pen. But even still, can he convert? Can he maintain velocity with day to day use? Could he possibly maintain himself every 5th day for a full season as a SP? Unfortunately, his question marks are larger than any future potential. I think he's gone, unless he is a late signing flier. I honestly think he will be signed as a milb invite. Dyson: Not mentioned, but I'm including him here. The Twins cou,d easily walk away. But they could also do a split deal, like they did with Pineda, and sign him to a "small" 2020 contract, hoping for the best, with a 2021 option with incentives in mind.

Fully appreciate many of your thoughts but can't completely agree. I don't want Perez back unless its on a cheap flier. I respect Gibson a lot and think he's been undersold because he wasn't a stud steal everyone wanted him to be. If he could prove diet and medication could do the trick, I could be convinced on a flier with incentives. My sticking point is Oddo, Pineda and especially Berrios. Odorizzi is no stud. Except, he generally is for about 5 IP, sometimes 6. I'd take him for my #3 SP. Healthy, Pineda is very nice. Those 2 for my 3rd and 4th slots? I have no problem. I don't know if Berrios will ever evolve in to a #1. I don't know that he won't. But the arm, ethic, attitude is all there. Kid won't be 26 until next season. I'm still betting on the kid to be a stud #2 at least.

And Seth would tell you, it's why you don't always look at numbers for top prospects. It's about experience, growth and maturity. There is a reason he's so highly regarded and the Twins want to hold on to him. SS/3B/C.F. we still don't know where he will ultimately end up. But man doesn't be get you wondering!

I have made similar comments. Truth is, age wise he's a little behind due to injury. Still not sure about his ability to have a 3rd pitch. But the arm talent is there. I LOL when thinking about the Lou Brown quote: "Somebody needs to teach this kid some control before he kills someone." He finished 2019 at Ft Myers with about 3 really nice games. J figure that is where be starts 2020. If he can find some kind of control, much less a 3rd pitch, he could spend a chunk of next season at AA. From there, who knows? He could wash out by 2021 or be a top 20 prospect by the end of next season. But acquiring him was a very, very savvy move by the FO.

Extra credit for using the word "fastidious"

Sorry, but I almost feel like a copy and paste since I've pretty much said these things in other threads, but my thoughts haven't changed, so here I go again. Couple quick points/thoughts: 1] The $60-$70M budget to work with is easy, and what I've been working with. That pretty much keeps the 2020 payroll static. That DOES NOT mean the payroll won't increase, it was larger in 2018. The FO is on record...with no set $ amount of course...as stating they would add when the window was open and it seemed right to do so. The mean for 2020, speculating, should be around $150M in MLB. I don't necessarily expect that as the FO undoubtedly is looking at additional extensions. 2] I absolutely believe the FO is willing to trade a handful of top 10-30 prospects in the right deal. And as deep as the system is, it would be able to handle a mkve like that easily. But they also want sustainability, and there is no way 2 major trades are made to gut the system. All that being said: A] Odorizzi will be targeted, initial QO or not. I see no reason why he wouldn't want to return. I also see no reason why a 3yr deal, possibly 4yr or an option year, at around $14-15M per wouldn't work. B] While his suspension hurt the end of this season and will impact the start of the next, I believe Pineda will be brought back. And I like that idea. It makes sense, I'm uncertain of length but $12M sounds about right all things considered. C] I think Castro is back, no big offer forthcoming from anyone else, for about $4-5M. Cron is also back for about $5Mm unless someone can show me a better alternative for the same $. And, I also bring back Romo on a 1yr for about $3-4M, small bump from this season and very fair. Anyway you slice it, gives you approximately $30M to find another rotation arm you really need. D] Does Cole really $30M or more? I'd like to see him in a Twins uniform, but 1/5th of total payroll for 1 SP and for 5-6yrs? I just don't know. Logic would tell me contact like that would only come from N.Y., L.A., Boston, etc. If offered something close, would he choose the Twins and Rocco and Johnson and Target Field and a strong team who's window just opened? I'm saying it won't happen, even if the Twins really put themselves out there, due to many factors from bright lights to being from California, etc. So I move down a peg. I like Wheeler. But Bumgarner is my next target. It's time for the Giants to rebuild, and time for MadBum to look elsewhere for $, a change of scenery, and a chance to win. I'm nervous about the number of IP and being 32yo in 2020. He is not what he once was. But everything I've read seems the velocity is still good, and peripherals are solid, despite a somewhat mediocre 2019. Is he nearing the end? Or was it just a down season and a new challenge, environment and pitching coach just what he needs? 2 or 3yrs or however options play in to it, he'd come in around $16-18M for career production mixed in with speculation. Personally, I think it's about 50/50 the Twins sign someone vs making a trade. E] Whether FA or smaller trade, I'd make a move for a 2nd LH for the pen. All said and done, Cole and my LHRP meets or slightly bumps the 2020 payroll. Extensions bump it a little more, and we still don't hit the MLB mean. That allows even more flexibility for additions, etc. If it's a Bumgarner, Wheeler, Trade addition, even with said LHRP, the payroll stays about the same, even with extensions. And that's not necessarily bad! **Notes: Not convinced Perez is back regardless, but could be in the Bumarner/Trade scenario. Unfortunately, Gibson is gone unless it's a small incentive laden deal. Dyson could be retained on a split 2yr deal for $750K-1M 1st year rehab and something like $4-5M 2nd year deal, but not figuring him in here for obvious reasons. 2020 STAFF, allowing for 26 man roster and POTENTIAL 13 man staff: Rotation; 1 & 2] Berrios, Bumgarner/Trade (leaving Cole out) 3] Odorizzi 4] Pineda (after time served) 5] Dobnak, Smeltzer, Thorpe, Graterol (Perez, Gibson, Fljer) Bullpen: 1] Rogers 2] Duffey 3] May 4] Romo 5] LH FA/Trade 6] Littell 7] Smeltzer 8] Romero, Poppen, Flier, and about anyone and everyone else

I've been very busy lately so haven't commented a lot over the final 3 games or since. That may change now, lol. I am as disappointed a d frustrated as any of us for things ended. Can't say for sure if I would feel better had we won a game, or two. Losing is still losing. Not winning the ultimate prize is still, again, losing. But in all my years watching my beloved Twins, Huskers and Vikings, (shudder on the Vikings), I have witnessed 5 championships. And each one was GLORIOUS! But I love and follow my teams each and every season for the entertainment and joy each one gives me. Even in the not so great years. We're I to base my entertainment and joy value strictly on winning it all, I'd be pretty damn disappointed and miserable. While the series with the Yankees was painful and frustrating, I had an absolute BLAST in 2019 from day one! I had a BLAST on my own, sharing the season with my father, and here on Twins Daily with everyone involved. And nothing, including the way it ended, will rob me of that joy.

I am torn between being depressed how the season ended vs how wonderful, fun and exciting the overall season was. Only one team, and one fan base ever ends a season truly happy I guess. I had a BLAST with this team! Maybe I'm just sad baseball is done until next spring. But...DAMN.,,2019 was FUN! GO TWINS!!

I count 26. Am I wrong about roster size for the 2019 Post season? Or was there an "or" left out somewhere in the pitcher selection? I believe Astudillo makes it, first round at least, due to Adrianza's injury and not being ready. I'd remove Thorpe off the pitching list to make it 12 instead of 13. Again, am I somehow wrong about roster size? I am torn about Perez vs Gibson. I just don't know what Gibby has in the tank vs Perez as a LOOGY or single IP option. STILL not convinced Graterol is on the roster but could be traveling along as a potential replacement player. Then again, perhaps lightening in a bottle that they will uncork and hope for the best.

Just want one!

So, buckle up, because HERE WE GO! Going to try bullet points so I don't ramble TOO much! 1] Any Yankee curse is just B.S., no matter what happens. The past is the past. Players, coaches, and even managers are different. The Yankees are a good team. But guess what, so are our Twins! Who did we expect to play, some also-ran club? 2] These teams are so evenly matched it's almost eerie. The ONE THING that worries me is NOT that these are the Yankees. Reflecting on this season, and all the Twins have done, and the character of this team, do you really think anyone is frightened or intimidated to play them? No. The ONE THING that worries me is just more experience on the big post season stage. I think that is an X factor to be considered. 3] While things have clearly changed for both teams since they played early in the season, the truth is virtually every game was close and swung on a few plays here and there. 4] Driving home tonight on the radio, I was listening to a major pundit...cant recall now who...was talking about all the playoff possibilities. He stated bluntly that people are ignoring the Twins, their offense and season, especially their pitching...in fact stating the Twins may be deeper and better in the pitching area right now...and handing the Yankees anything was a mistake. He stated outright he felt the Twins could win this opening series. FWIW, he also stated that he felt Tampa was a legitimate threat to Houston and shouldn't be taken lightly either. 5] Post season heroes always come in unexpected forms, it seems. But the thing that has me troubled is Kepler and Marwin, followed by Arreaz. Despite all the talent the Twins have, these 3 guys could all prove to be difference makers. How ready are they? 6] Screw the networks and their ratings...to be blunt...I wanted Twins and Brewers for the WS. I'd settle now for the Twins and whoever, lol.

Gut tells me Berrios starts game 1. I don't know what the Twins braintrust and analytics tell them. If my crystal ball was working, and it told me a "sharp" Berrios would be on the mound for game 1, I'd definitely go with him. One game this season in Yankee stadium, vs career numbers, tells my Odorizzi and that short RF porch aren't a great match. I think Brock is right about game 2. I HATE to do this, but let us assume the "sharp" Berrios, pen and hitters win game 1. It would seem natural to put your next best SP out there for game 2. But again, history, I think I agree on Dobnak, more of a groundball pitcher, for game 2 and a potential bullpen game. That puts Oddo in charge of game 3 at home, with a day of rest for guys used in the pen to be ready to go.

EXTREMELY surprised MLB is putting the game somewhere other than ESPN or one of the networks. But I happen to work in the industry, and the MLB is usually part of a cable "package" that would include other channels such as the NFL network, NBA, etc. The cost for adding said package is usually pretty cheap. And while I can't speak for other companies, you can usually add said packages and then remove them almost immediately. You would pay pennies for adding the channel for a day or a couple of days. At worst, you'd pay $10+ dollars for 1 month if the series continues on the MLB network.

Shout out to Kelly for such an intelligent response. (I chose not to copy it). My response would be to appreciate and generally agree with him that Sanchez has been the standard in recent years. BUT, that doesn't mean Garver isn't better NOW, at least for 2019.

Honestly, I think rotation and pen are no worse than a push either way, regardless of how you tilt the table in comparison. It does feel the Yankees have more of the "been there" and that can absolutely be a factor. While we can't be sure how Berrios is going to perform, we know what he can do, has done before, and he has absolutely looked much better as of late. I'm with Brock that my biggest concern is the offense limping in to this series. Even if close to 100%, how rusty are Kepler and Marwin? And is the ankle good enough for Arraez to be himself?

Great article, Seth. Thanks! Big fan of Garver and believer. Even when there were questions about his defense last season, I saw enough to like. Time and hard work have really paid off for him.

There is no such things as a curse. Sometimes a team is just better, or matches up better. Let's be honest, once in a while luck of a bounce makes a difference. Past history means nothing to this post season, as stated Personally, despite the Yanks winning the season, I thought both teams looked pretty evenly matched. But even still, both teams are different now than they were earlier in the season. Our bullpen alone, for example. Just be excited and see what happens!

This! Sano is OK at 3B with the potential to be better. As was mentioned, and as I have preached tirelessly before, think Gaetti and Koskie early in their careers. He will probably move, eventually, but there is no reason for said mkve any time soon if his dedication is real. I agree 4/50 might be a little low. I like the 4/60 for both sides. Really, everyone wins. If Sano wants to bank on higher potential earnings vs potential loss, then that is on him.

Stupid, unfortunate crap happens. As you say, and Carol stated, you have to put players on the field to play the game. Someone could have caught a spike somewhere and the same thing could have happened. It's just tragic and unfortunate, especially with all that has transpired the past 30-40 days. Let us all hope a few days of rest and therapy will make this a "no big deal" event. Attrition sucks, but is part of a season in any sport. Just stinks we've had a ton of it so late in the season. Still, you don't win over a 100 games by being a weak team without depth and resolve. And this is not the first time we've had to adapt to a wounded player this season. A healthy Marwin and Kepler will go a long way. And IF, Arraez is hurt worse than we hope, how great is it to have a guy like Schoop to step In? Never had that depth before.

I have watched Smeltzer pitch a few times thjs season and remain impressed. It's still early, but he attacks the zone, mixes pitches, speeds and location and just seems to knkw how to "pitch"! And that is something so often undersold in today's game or power. And when you see it in a young prospect, you wonder if he's just getting by, or if be bas that "it" factor and will get even better. Smeltzer hasn't just pitched against poor teams or in games with big leads either. I'm impressed and hopeful. Despite some runs and a not so great ERA, I've been very impressed by Thorpe as well. Truth is, be bas better pure stuff than Smeltzer. The way he's been used, there have been a few games where he looked dynamite, as a rookie, for an inning or two, then allowed a couple runs to inflate his ERA. I don't think he's quite there yet and hasn't yet reached the level of "pitchability" that Smeltzer has, but shows a higher ceiling, IMO. What chagrins me to no end is I read about Dobnak, including this OP, and I read nice comments like tbe one from jimbo here, and I see box scores, but I have only seen 1 or 2 IP TOTAL from Dobnak so far. I keep missing hjs appearances! I want to hear more reports about velocity and location and secondary stuff. I want to believe he just might be the Twins version of Kluber, as was opinionated/hoped. In every sport, there are those unjque and special stories about guys who come out of nowhere, overlooked, etc, who turn out to be good or even great. I just feel like I'm on the outside looking in until I get to actually see more myself. Someone, please, tell me what I'm reading about looks real. Tell me what you are all seeing from Dobnak. Because between him, Smeltzer, Thorpe and Graterol, I'm really wanting to believe in 2020 and depth as well as the 4th and 5th rotation spots moving forward.

Crazy how we had injuries during the season but nothing really bad and nothing we couldn't overcome with depth. And then suddenly suspension and bad injuries at the end! Who ticked off the baseball gods? Someone grab a bucket of KFC please!

I think I agree with dbminn on Celestino to give the team a true CF, bump Rooker to DH and bump Snyder to the bench. I also like Thrylos's choice for Raley as the CF, but I'd probably pick Celestino due to how much time Raley missed. Dobnak is the clear RHSP choice, but an awful lot of deserving choices behind him. These lists are a lot of fun, but one of the really neat things is how many top prospects aren't even included on this team. Makes you feel good as a fan.

Managed to sneak in a couple glimpses of the game here and there. What a fun day, with getaway lineup that was more like a never arrived one. And yet they played good ball and beat up Detroit. Liked the brief glimpse of Alcala. Wish that was more the norm for Romero. Need at least 1 on KC for magic 100!

I was a no until I saw increased velocity, weak contact (mostly) and a few K's his last time out. Like others, I am now on the fence. If the Twins are thinking a 4 man rotation, then I think he should be an opener and just go all out for 2-3 IP. Otherwise, I agree a middle guy who starts an inning clean.

WHAT A SEASON! I predicated 80+ wins with a shot at 92-93 if a few things broke right. I am happy as can be that I was both right and wrong! This has been one of the most fun and fantastic season's I have ever experienced as a lifelong fan of my beloved Twins! I want 100 wins! I want the Bomba record! Yes, OF COURSE I want the magic to continue and win at least one series if not "the whole damn thing". But in full honesty, right now, no matter what happens, I am pleased and happy and just GLOWING in the season OUR Twins have had. No matter what happens, never let us forget what a tremendous season and ride this team has taken us on!