DocBauer

Granted I have no idea what Beckham would cost, but despite his non-tender status, couldn't he be viewed more as a so-so starter with other options out there and Adrianza as more of the true "utility" player? I'm completely on board with the best, deepest, most versatile roster I can put together. But not everyone is an every day player. I'm of the opinion you find the best SS/2B you can for this team. And then I'd look really hard for depth and competition. For example, our old friend Solarte, if affordable, could be a great addition. But I wouldn't sign him to be a starter. Could Beckham be a similar player depending on how the market plays out?

Yep. We are all frustrated because we want to know NOW what's going to happen, and there just isn't anything really relevant that's happened at this point other than Grossman gone and the Cron signing. I tell you what does excite me...POSSIBILITIES. Between FA available for the infield and bullpen, and now additional options that appear at least interesting, especially in a slow moving market, I am more encouraged about ootions/additions for both areas to be addressed. I still feel the Twins will make one major pen signing. But I think it is becoming more and more likely they will also look at a second pair of signings on 1 or 1+1 deals to create additional depth and competition. All the numbers are in their favor. There are also legitimate options for the infield. No rumors, of course, but I really hope they identify the right guy for team need and make their move and get it done! Still torn, IMO, who that guy is, but were it up to me, I'd sure be looking at Gonzalez and Lowrie for both the same and different reasons. Lowrie would probably provide more OB potential, as per the original post, but I'm really torn. Maybe I'm whistling in the wind, or doing something else, but I'd sure love to see them bite the bullet, keep the payroll about the same, and bring in McCutchen, or possibly Brantley, and continue to build strength. Side note: Concerning the OB issue, I think we've seen enough from Kepler and Polanco to believe that a full season from both, without suddenly, necessarily turning in to All Star caliber players, that either or both could raise the team OB.

My drum is going to wear out from banging it so hard! Lol Yes to McCutchen! The guy hits, gets OB, provides power, and can still play a quality corner OF spot. He could be very dangerous in the #1 spot, leading off games, or driving in the bottom of the order, which I see as potentially pretty solid/interesting. He could also hit 3-5, just depending how the lineup gets constructed. You and I differ somewhat on Kepler, and that's OK. You ask why everyone likes him so much over Cave. I don't think its a preference. We've seen Kepler longer, seen his defense, seen his potential. If Kepler and Cave both touched their ceiling, IMO, Kepler is the better player. And I like Cave! I think we got a steal there! While retrospect might dictate Bour as being a perfect addition/compliment, Cron was available days earlier. Unless the FO had some insider information ahead of time, they couldn't know Bour would be available. So there is a hole at 1B. A 28yo 1B with OK numbers but never more than 409 AB has a breakout season in 2018 with a change in his swing/approach and over 500AB for the first time. Oh, your new manager is also familiar with him. And while Austin appears to be a potential late bloomer with real power, and a quality milb track record, he is still an unknown. Kepler can play all 3 OF spots and has played 1B some in the minors. He is more than athletic enough to put a 1B glove back on, whether his offense final explodes in 2019, or 2020, or he remains what he is...a nice role player. But I'd give Cave a 1B mitt as well and take a look-see. Kepler is mostly mentioned because he's done it in the minors. For that matter, I still say Austin should be given a look-see in the OF again. (Neck, considering he played 2B for a while in the minors, is very athletic, and made a tremendous play at 3B last season, I'd look at Rosario as possible infield option, even for emergencies). Guys slump and get hurt. Guys can be demoted or traded. If Rocco and the FO honestly can't find a way to play Rosario, Buxton, Kepler, McCutchen, Cave, Cron and Austin between 3 OF spots, 1B and DH, I think they lack imagination.

Honestly, I was unaware of his success in his last 6 appearances. Now, could those numbers be impacted somewhat from low leverage or some AAA guys he was facing? Yes, possibly. But success is success. Those last 6 appearances raise my "hope" he is going to be OK to more of a he "should" be OK.

I vacillate between Gonzalez on a 4yr deal and Lowrie on a 2yr deal to man 2B. Both offer offense and flexibility. Obviously, Gonzalez is younger, even more flexible position wise, but Lowrie would probably provide the higher OB. Really torn. I've been banging the drum for McCutchen for weeks now. He provides hitting, OB, power and decent defense for the next 2-3yrs. Too many Of? Especially with 2 1B/DH types, a couple utility guys, and maybe even another guy brought to camp like Solarte? I dont see it that way. Someone can start in the minors. Someone could be hurt. Someone could be traded. Can you really have too much talent and too much depth? Get the guys on the roster and let Rocco and his staff figure out how to use them.

I agree, even though the 1.00 ERA is hyperbole. But you are on mark. In any sport, you have a team game and compilation of production to win. Same in baseball, no matter how individual a performance. You can have the best SP or position player in the land, but you can't win with just that. You need a complete team. And this goes back to what a lot of us are on our soapboxes for; the best and most complete team you can put together. I have no problem with the Twins making a major move to add a stud #1 SP with current players or a 2-4 top 20 prospect inclusion. I guess it all depends what you have, and where you are at. But is that 1 SP going to get you over the top? Again, it depends what you have and where you are at. We need some lineup questions answered. But there are a lot of ways to build a quality team. And as pointed out building a quality bullpen is one of those ways. There are SO MANY arms floating out there right now that you don't exactly have to break the bank. You can sign a couple to "big" deals and still bring in fliers, to augment what you have available, to build a quality pen. Berrios, Gibson, Odorizzi, Pineda, and others available, openers or not, there is something to work with here. And more coming up...soon. Work on the lineup, and depth and flexibility. Hope for the best from Sano and Buxton but create depth and options. (And there ARE options!). But build the damn bullpen!

A great point. I'm a Kepler fan and hopeful believer. In my mind, all that talent and potential is just about to break out and we'll see even splits, with power, and discipline. I could see him hit anywhere from 1-6 depending on final roster construction. I get we're unsure yet, and he could be a nice piece in a trade. But I'm hopeful he is back and we see in 2019 what he can be.

I agree with your viewpoint. Depth and competition and fighting for a roster spot should always be paramount. I also like what I saw from Austin. I believe in opportunity sometimes bringing out the best in players, along with a change of scenery at times. But just like 2B, there is a hole at 1B. The Twins, probably with input from Rocco, found opportunity and jumped on it. Only time will tell if it was the right move instead of a trade. But Rocco has watched him. His production was solid as a part time player, never exceeding 409 AB until last season. He reportedly tweaked his swing in 2018 to have his best season, with 500+ AB. Is he going to be as good in 2019? Who knows?! And we still have holes to fill! And I want competition, and the best roster we can put together. And even if I like what I've seen from Austin, do we really know what we have in him? The answer is no. If both excel, we have 1B/DH covered, with Austin, hopefully, proving he can play a little OF here and there to increase our lineup flexibility. And neither one of them carries any big salary or long term commitment. Now, work on the BP and the rest of the roster. If you get stagnate or too old school there, then I have a problem!

Were I the Twins, I'd be all in on Gonzalez to play 2B full time, knowing I can move him around if needed. My second choice would be Lowrie, banking on a drop in power, but still providing a quality bat, defense, leadership, etc, and the versatility to play 3B if needed. But Schoop is a fallback guy I'd strongly consider. I wouldn't expect his 2017 season, but his combined OPS for 2015-16 was .770 with solid overall numbers. That can't be dismissed easily.

Absolutely will not disagree with this post at all! But if you will permit me, I'm going to offer a small ray, or two, of sunshine. 1] Thus far, we have seen TWO record payrolls in recent history. Each coming on the heels of a solid season and hope for the next. At THIS POINT, there is no pattern. Even if the payroll does drop in 2019, somewhat, but some quality and smart moves are made, there is an aberration, but not necessarily a pattern. 2] The Twins efforts in their first big payroll climb, filled with hope, much like 2018, was de-railed by injury and poor performance. But it was also built more on a set and veteran roster, if my memory can be trusted at all. And there were a few guys with short term contracts. 3] Terry Ryan always stated the FO never placed hard limits on his spending and were open to payroll increases if it made sense for the team to move forward. To be fair, there were a few signings and trades here and there to add to the roster to suggest he wasn't just paying lip service. 4] Time has moved on, and there is a new sheriff and chief deputy in charge. The team has shown a more aggressive approach to change. Everything from re-structure, to using international dollars differently, to a new manager and staff, and to eating portions of contracts for better returns. Does any of this mean anything? Absolutely not! But if you want a little sunshine, I offer up a couple days of hope.

Unto itself, there is nothing wrong with bringing in Cron. It still depends on how he performs and how the rest of the team is set up and performs. There is nothing wrong snapping up a bargain or two late in the process. And that includes some of the recent non-tenders that have just hit the market. But I 100% agree the market and Twins finances are set up perfectly to jump the forefront for a couple moves that you designate as priorities and real wants. After that, you can play the wait game and look for other options.

I don't dislike the Cron signing. And clearly the FO likes him, and I'm sure Rocco had some advice/input as well. What I do now find frustrating is other options that may be presenting themselves. Of course, at the time of the claim, there was no way to know about any of these other options. But still, did they have to actually sign him? Couldn't they have just offered arbitration and kept their options open for now? Again, I dont dislike Cron. I just hope they got this one right.

The market for FA was depressed last season and has seemed slow to get cranked up this year. Also, seems like a few of these non tender moves were very much cost related. This all bodes well for our Twins. We need to make a couple serious moves. But taking on a couple of the guys here would not be "dumpster diving". They would just be wise moves.

Got to be honest, I'm intrigued by School a little bit. Not a bad career. If you really felt you'd get close to the 2016-2017 version you'd jump on him. Also really interested in Solarte as a versatility utility guy. Escobar-lite/like with the bat and tons of experience at 2B and 3B with time at SS and the OF. He could make a really nice bench player with starting experience.

Perfect! Absolutely agree 100%! Every sport is a team game. Whether basketball, football, etc, or baseball, it's a team game. In most sports, you can make substitutions. In baseball, when you are out of the game, you are out of the game. Your Trout example is a good one. He can absolutely make an impact and be a difference maker. But with no protection, nobody on base, and a pitching staff who can't limit the other team, how much impact can one man make? The Twins need the deepest, most balanced team they can field. I would love an ACE, but he's no good if the other 4 SP behind him are mediocre to poor. Or the pen blows games all the time. Or the offense, and 1 or 2 big bats aren't supported. Left, right, power, speed, etc, give me a balanced team that can do a bit of everything, with a pitching staff that gives me a chance every day, and I'll show you a winning team that can contend.

I liked your post and really can't disagree with you. And Grossman does offer value. I just don't feel he offers enough value to keep around, especially with the addition of Cron, which I happen to like. I'd be more in favor of keeping Grossman if Sano and Buxton were coming off solid seasons. The lineup would seem so much mkre complete we could afford to keep Grossman as a role player. I just feel he's too one dimensional to fit at this point. We need to find improvement to the roster in different ways. Note: were he to agree to a much smaller contract, or be released and re-signed on a small, or even milb deal, I wouldn't be entirely opposed to him being brought to camp.

Some great arguments back and forth regarding a trade for Thor. And I see merits on BITH sides of the argument. Nobody asked me for my opinion, but I'm going to throw mine out there anyway, lol. I believe the team needs to make moves to "move the needle forward" absolutely. And if the Mets are really motivated to sell, I'd be interested in buying. The reason is simple, a quality arm at the top of the rotation for 3 more years. Obviously, it also depends on the cost. While still prospects, I don't include Lewis or Khirilloff but anyone else in the system and MOST of the 40 man is open. (Trading Berrios or Gibson to net Thor doesn't really make sense). This includes, as I mentioned earlier today, maybe a package that looks something like Kepler, Romero, Gordon and 1 or Gonsalves, Thorpe or Graterol. Perhaps a 5th top 20 prospect. The counter, of course, is for the Twins and their new staff to work with the talent on hand, openers or not, and further look at and develop existing potential for at least half a season before making a big move. And if we're truly looking at building from the ground floor up and sustainable success, this makes a ton of sense to me. Especially with the new staff in place. At least for now. While we have a lot of truly frustrating unknowns, Buxton and Sano amongst them, this team is not good of talent and potential. And you can talk all you want about a late surge in 2017 to reach the playoffs, but they DID do so while winning 85 games. (Reminder, the Indians didn't look so great until a surge either). There is no reason to extrapolate the FA moves of last season blowing up even though they looked smart. Not again. But if we all knew before the 2018 season started that Santana would be a complete non factor, that Castro would be the same, and Buxton, and Sano almost as bad, that Polanco would miss half a season, that Dozier would be average to awful for the entire season, how many of us might have predicted a 100 loss team vs 84 to the bad? This team needs a couple smart additions still, and there is opportunity to do so. It also needs some guys to be healthy and take a step forward. But from the top down, all is nkt pure doom and gloom. Thor for 3 years with Berrios and Gibson looks pretty good to me. You add a couple nice BP arms and continue to work with what is on hand, you have the makings of a really nice staff. Decisions on Odorizzi and Pineda can be made later. You have to make the call to see if you have a match. But while still "prospects", you have to consider the talent and potential of both Lewis and Khirilloff and what they could mean to the franchise in the next year or two.

Assuming the Mets want to shed payroll and get ML talent, or close to ML talent back, I'm just tossing this out there: Kepler, Gordon, Romero and 1 of Gonsalves, Thorpe or Graterol. (Graterol is RH and further away, but has an even higher ceiling). Kepler starts in CF/RF and still has a ton of upside. Gordon could be ready mid year. Romero is ready now for some role. And they get their choice of another good young arm.

I can absolutely see Romero ending up as a RP, and probably a very good one, whether in the traditional sense or in a new age, multiple IP way as discussed. And I want the best STAFF we can put together. But right now, still developing and with the potential he has...and let's be honest, since getting healthy has been promoted fairly aggressively...I'd still begin 2019 with him in the rotation. With or without an opener, I want a little more time to see if he can build on what he flashed last season.

Used correctly, DH much, much more than in the field, and hitting at the top of the order to replace Mauer there, as well as PH duties, he has some value. Especially if the next 3-4(5) hitters are quality and in place. But where the roster is now, absolutely no room for him. Not to mention the FO isnt done yet. At least, they sure better not be!

THIS 100%. And something I've been arguing for as well. What's wrong with 5 good OF? Play the guys that deserve to play. Move guys around to get your best players on the field and in the lineup. 5 man OF too much? Not if Austin doesn't cut it, or Astudillo begins 2019 in the minors, or someone is hurt, etc.

Sorry for the double and confusing post. Sometimes I get this big blob with no breaks and I edit and it comes out OK the second time. For some reason, I got this mess tonight.

Great article with sound thinking! Going to agree and disagree with the following: 1] Kepler, with his pure athleticism at 1B just makes so much sense we shouldn't even have to debate it. I remain a steadfast believer in his potential and truly feel 2019 will be the year his splits even out, and his rocket line drives will lead to the production we all hoped for. Not saying a career year, but we will start to see what he can really do. Regardless of any further acquisitions, (FA OF I pine for), this increases roster and lineup flexibility. 2] Romero. Nope. Nada. No way. His stuff and potential are just too good to place him in the pen at this point. You stated the argument yourself as to him missing 2 seasons. And yet, he has vaulted to a ML debut, practically passing AAA initially, and flashing his potential. My goodness, he's still ,learning how to pitch! 3] May was badly mishandled by Gardenhire. He was showing real promise, despite 1 Really bad start, when they/he made the misguided decision to move May to the pen instead of Pelfrey. Fast forward, the Twins were smart to put him back in the rotation for 2017. And he looked really good in ST before his elbow gave out. Back in 2018, he actually requested he go to the pen as he felt he could perform and contribute better there on his comeback. And then and there he was outstanding, and largely the same with the Twins. This reminds me of Aguillera. Traded for as a SP, he moved to the pen, was moved back again to the rotation, but was meant to be a RP. I think May has the stuff to start and be, at least, solid. But I think time, opportunity, and his own mindset now has him as a reliever. 2018 was still his recovery year! Imagine how good he could be fixated on a pen role in his first full year back. 4] Astudillo. Said it before and will say it again, his biggest problem has always been other teams didn't realize what they had simply because he didn't fit some idea of what they wanted him to be. He has averaged .300+ for his entire milb career with contact. He showed/shows some budding power. I watched at catcher and 3B for the Twins in 2018 and wondered what could possibly be wrong with this guy? (I never got to actually see him play 1B, 2B or OF). Unless he actually starts/plays every day somewhere, I doubt he gets 500AB. But his hit tool is legit. His defense seems solid, at least. I believe in depth, and competition for roster spots. But right now, I would be fine with him and Adrianza as my utility players.

Just not interested in Lemahieu. And not just because I'd have to learn how to spell his name daily, lol. As mentioned, I don't like his splits and the market is flooded. Glad I don't have to make the final decision, but please, make the right call here. I don't care if its Lowry at 2B, (but my preferred choice), or someone else, or Iglesius and move Polanco to 2B now. Just spend the $8-10M on the right guy! I'm just not excited about Gray, though maybe he could be a steal for someone away from NY. I want to see Berrios continue to develop, lock up Gibson with something fair, see what Pineda and Odorizzi do, and roll through/audition Romero, Gonsalves, Stewart, Littell and Thorpe. It's time to see what we have here, for 2019 and beyond. I actually like a healthy Pineda. Nothing spectacular, but solid career numbers when you look at them. No to Gray. Roll with what we have. Develop what we have. Re-evaluate mid-season to see if the right opportunity is there, or hold out until next offseason.