DocBauer

Sorry, I should have made myself more clear. I meant not protect as in remove. Or Cave if they truly liked Wade more.

NOT counting 40 man numbers to the MARK, or allowing spots for FA, but simply looking at possible additions: Duran: Yes Chalmers: Maybe to no. I want to keep him, but would he really stick with another team at this point? Raley: Yes. If not for his injury, we are talking about NOT protecting Wade, IMO. Blankenhorn/Celestino: Would like to protect both. Scared another team would try to fit them in where they could. But could they realistically do so? Javier: Yes. Too much talent, too much potential. Some team would use the 26 man roster and find any small hurt/injury to justify keeping him around. Jax: Even with expanded rosters, just no room to keep him on board for a full season, and potential still unsure enough to do so. Rijo: You just don't keep someone this young and unproven on your roster unless you are really certain of future reward. Similar to Jax, but probably a higher ceiling. Amongst the rest, Wiel is the only one I'd hate to see go. He might have a future. But where does he fit in order to be protected over so many others?

My thoughts, line by line: 1] Perez is a no-brainer at this point. I don't know if he just lost what he had, or the league figured him out. If he is just willing to do what others have done before, and embrace the idea of converting to the pen to extend his career and make $, then I could see him back on a low level deal. But unless someone else thinks they can really make a change his days as a ML SP are done, and history should show this. 2] Odorizzi will now be back, barring some crazy surprise. There is talk about how the QO really is a win-win for the team. I'd argue that to some degree. Odorizzi has stated he'd like to come back. He either makes a TON of money, close to what he has made in his career to this point, and then becomes a FA next season, OR, negotiates an extended offer with the Twins. I think win-win for both sides and he's back. 3] Gonsalves and Stewart are only slightly surprising. It's time for Stewart to move on and see if a change of scenery could make him a decent RP somewhere. A healthy 2019, I don't think Gonsalves is gone. But there are only so many spots to fill, and 2019 IS a factor at this point. I ALWAYS thought he would take an extra year than most wanted but turn out to be a nice "pitcher" who would fill a 4-5 slot but could have the light turn on and maybe be a solid #3 after a couple of years. Best of luck! 4] Losing Swanson hurts equally as much as Rowson, IMO. He was brought in with the forward thinking FO not only for defensive work, but he brought in a whole different philosophy in regard to little things like catchers having batting practice before defensive drills while they were still fresh. He brought innovation. Sure hoping they have someone else in mj d already to take his place.

To me, and I could be wrong, the problem with looking at the college ranks on the hitting side for a hire is not simply a lack of analytics and sportstrac type of data. The college game, offensively, from a coaching standpoint, is a lot like being a scout trying to factor in future production due to the aluminum bat. At the heart of things, pitching is still pitching. When a college, or HS, pitcher is introduced to pro ball, they are suddenly facing lineups, generally speaking, that would equate to an all conference team. Except, no more aluminum bat. Now reverse that. Can a college level hitting coach make the adjustments to the wooden bat in regard to approach and adjustment? No answer on my end. Just throwing it out there.

The sophomore slump, in all sports, is very real. It's real because video, coaches, more experienced players all make it real due to adjustments. And I am not going to annoit Arraez as the next Gwynn or Carew at this point. That would be ridiculous. But I will say that there are players who simply have a gift, an "it" factor, that transcends. Arraez does not have pure power, or speed, or overt athleticism that entices. But he does have a special ability to see pitches, see the situation, and place a round bat on a round ball and make something happen. On top of that, we all saw examples last season where he showed natural instincts to just play ball and do what was right. The league will adjust. But he shows the natural ability to adjust himself. Comps should just stop. We will see how he develops. But I really am not worried about any sophomore slump, even if there is some regression involved. Hate to use hyperbole, but this kid is a ballplayer!

Personally, I don't think Rosario is bad defensively if his wheels are sound. He will make a bad play here and there, but, he will make 2 or 3 really good plays to counteract the bad one. I like Polanco at SS and feel be is still growing in to the position. I honestly expect growth from him and Sano just from experience. I've seen it too many times to dismiss the potential of another season before I begin to wonder about change.

Would MLB rules allow for a binary speaking coach in the dugout?

This speaks to me as a similar discussion in the Rondon OP. Strengthening what you already have is not a bad idea. But the Twins have something pretty nice in Garver. I would much rather pay for Castro to be back at half the price, at least, and worry about growth and depth elsewhere.

So happy to see so many fellow Trekkers out there in TD land. I am not alone!!

I really, really like our BP for next season. Especiaĺy if we sign Romo back as an inexpensive veteran option who still brings it. But whoever it may be, this pen needs another quality LH who is not some LOOGY. (Especially since 2020 rules will be in place). I know the rotation is the absolute #1 priority, but that 2nd LHRP should not be undersold. I'm just not sure who is the right choice. Sure hope the FO has a target.

Eddie is a very talented and productive ballplayer. Eddie will only be 28yr old in 2020 unless I am mistaken. Eddie could be a STAR for the next 3-5yrs if he just matures a little bit more and learns a little more discipline through experience. Eddie could be gone by 2021, maybe, by Kirilloff, Larnach, Rooker, if things play right. Unless he is part of a package to bring a front line SP, his value is staying with the Twins for 2020. We will see after next season what happens. We could see someone blow the doors off next season and make him expendable.

There is risk in ANY move you make, whether it be a FA signing, a trade, or even a draft selection. You try to mitigate said risk by simply being smarter...sometimes lucky...and attempting to balance risk/reward in all situations. Back to the original OP. I get it. But I don't get it. This a GOOD team. There are holes to be filled. There are ways to fill those holes. Rendon is a really good baseball player. But you are trying to say he would be a difference maker to push the Twins over the top with a big contract if they swing and miss on pitching? Sorry, I want the defense to improve as much as anyone. But I would put my chips all in on pitching, re-signs, FA, trades vs continued improvement/development from Sano, Polanco and Arraez before I'd sign a position player, no matter how good, who's offense might be replicated by the guy you want to replace him with. Isn't Moose also a FA, or am I mistaken? If the Twins really want to move Sano to 1B, which it doesn't appear they want to do at this time, does he suddenly become a more elite talent There? No to Rendon. Let's focus on what we have, make some smart moves in the pitching area and rock and roll! It almost feels, at times, that some feel we are coming off a 101 loss season vs a 101 win season.

I think I speak for an awful lot of us here, probably most of us, especially considering this topic has been discussed a great deal on TD, that the milb pay structure needs to change. Most affiliates, of course, are owned independently and not by the parent club. And I am a little unsure where and who milb player salaries are paid through, to be honest. But in the multi billion dollar business that is MLB, I would like to see ownership, and the players union, step forward to make salary changes in milb. Prospects are the lifeblood of the sport, PERIOD, even though a small percentage make it, much less make it big. But there is no reason...pennies on the dollar in the sport...salaries couldn't be raised to a more acceptable "cost of living" type level.

I also like this idea. Of course, Smith would be ideal. And even with expected/hoped for re-signs, FA signing or trade for the rotation, there is plenty of $ available to add another piece to the pen. (Even with a Romo signing that shouldn't be very large). Despite being proven, just how many $ and years could Smith actually expect? Especially after so many FA RP seemed to bottom put last season. Diekman could be an outstanding signing if Johnson and company can "see" alterations to improve his control.

Being as brief as I can. Odorizzi and Romo are back. I'd bet on Pineda as well. Would love Castro back, but at a slightly reduced salary TBD. Depends on if he gets any real offers to be a primary catcher for a good contract. I'm just not convinced he gets a 2-3yr deal to do so. I think Cron is also back. Schoop is gone. So is Gibson. Just no room at this point for many factors. Perez, gone. Hildenberger, Stewart and also Harper, gone. Gonsalves is an interesting name brought up. He has been a top prospect for a couple years now and teased some with his 2018 late season promotion. Not a polished prospect yet, his milb numbers and success screamed potential 4-5 SP...with growth potential to being a decent #3 with experience, IMHO...but mjssed virtually the entire 2019 season. If not protected, he will not slip through rule V. I believe he was still ranked anywhere from top 10-15 after 2018. Does the FO believe in him, healthy, enough to keep him?

A lot of angst over a guy who was once a top draft choice and top prospect who just hasn't turned out yet. EVERYONE grabs fliers like this, not just the Twins. And some turn out to be really good fliers. This is just is just due diligence, that every single team does. MLB and milb are filled with guys with big FB who couldn't throw a consistent breaking pitch to save their life, much less their career. Here is a 27yo, former top prospect who seemingly has a good/great slider in plac. The FB, and consistent placement of it, is still #1 in any pitcher's arsenal. From just a single season of results, Johnson seems to have a good trip on making adjustments to help pitchers center themselves, find a consistent delivery, and improve their FB. He does that here, with a potential I man bullpen, and options available for other speculated arms making the pen for versatility sake, you could have a potential steal on your hands. You also have a guy you could dump and try to slide through waivers at some point.

I am a huge fan of Eddie, but I am not blind to his flaws. He sometimes takes bad routes, misplays a ball, or tests his arm when he shouldn't. He also is more of a free swinger than I'd like, to be certain. But he also makes great plays and great throws. He comes up with a lot of big hits in big moments, sometimes on pitches that you can't believe anyone else would have connected with. And you smile, laugh, and say to yourself, "That's Eddie being Eddie." One thing we know, and one thing we don't know: 1] With even a small bit of greater control/experience/maturity, he can be an even better defensive OF and a more dangerous hitter. 2] I don't think any of us can really know how much his ankle injury affected him for most of the last two months of the season. I think it's a little too easy to say his .800 OPS and production should have been expected while hitting #4. The fact is he still put up numbers and produced. I think it's unfair to say anyone COULD have done that. So I'm with Seth on that one. Rocco played his lineup the way he felt it worked best, including staggering opposite side and switch hitters. At the end of the day, it's pretty hard to argue with the results. That being said, 2020 offers a different opportunity. It would not surprise me in the least if there was already a consideration of a change at the top where Arraez and Polanco could be the top 2, allowing Kepler to slide down to #3 or #4, depending on whether you then slot Cruz at #3 or #4. However it makes sense, those guys constitute your top 4. Sano and Rosario are now a very dangerous 5-6, followed by some combination of Cron, potentially, and Garver with Buxton again dangerous and turning over the lineup from the 9 hole. I ramble and offer up various possibilities. But I think Rosario fits very well somewhere, however it shakes out. And I think his value, for at least another season, is greater on the Twins than gone. With the likes of Kirilloff, Larnach, Rooker and Raley on the way, that could change by 2021.

Berrios is a fine fielding pitcher. He's probably as deserving as anyone to win the award. And I'm sure he would be proud to put it in his trophy case. But I agree with previous comments that in the scheme of things, and various over-sights we have all seen in the past, I'm just "meh" about the award any longer.

I like your idea even better, lol, but to be fair, I really meant door #4 for Pineda and the kids filling the 5th spot.

I agree I will/would feel better with both already in the fold. But I think we are clearly in the driver's seat here, assuming offers are fair. Both have enjoyed their time here, vice versa from all that has been reported, and vague comments from both sides have already been spoken,. QO available to Odorizzi also can easily transition to an extended offer. IMO, Pineda is slightly less than Odorizzi as a "sure thing" for various reasons. But the money is absolutely there to get a fair deal done without compromising payroll at all for the "big get", whoever and how "big" that get turns out to be.

Thanks for all your hard work, Steve. Much appreciated and enjoyed. Great to see Lewis finish the season so strong and take a step forward. Very pleased to see Raley finish so strong. In my mind, re-established what he did in 2018 and what we saw him do last season before injury. Chalmers final numbers may not be quite what you'd like, but additional IP, the velocity and SO numbers have me very encouraged. The other arms have were rather "meh" overall, but got me to take a good look at Neff for the first time.

Don't know how good he is out there, but the Twins had him play a lot of CF last ST. While he is probably more of a corner guy, he is absolutely a fine athlete and it would seem he can play the spot at least a little. A hit start, I wouldn't be surprised if he just flat out passed Cave and Wade for a promotion. He was the better player of the 3 last year before his injury.

I'm with you on Rosario. I freely admit he makes a few really bad decisions once in a while, whether tracking-diving-overthrowing, but think he is a quality OF who more than makes up for a bad play with 2 or 3 really good ones. I know what statistics say, but I know what I watch and see over the course of a season with him. But for goodness sake, could he please stop snapping his glove on a catch?

Battle beat me to it, but yeah, Odorizzi and a "still be acquired" round out the rotation with Berrios, Pineda and "prospect".

Good points but I will pass and take door #5 and resign Pineda. For my 5th spot, I'm auditioning and rotating my young arms.