DocBauer

Big Mauer fan, never felt he got his due after his concussions and his move out from behind the plate. The contract became an albatross to some that simply, he was not responsible for. I also think he probably should have been a #1 or #2 hitter sooner after injury. But when I reflect back on the decade, despite some inconsistencies and weird streaks, Dozier was just so fun and so productive. At times he was one of the most dangerous hitters in baseball. So I have to give him my vote.

Where did you hear about Atlanta offering a 4th year? I can't find it on their site, MLB or MLB Trade Rumors.

I agree with the list and the order, though in actuality, it will fluctuate some daily. Very excited about the depth all the way down to Rochester. Have this nice kind of nagging feeling that Romero could end up changing this list. Just throw the ball over the plate, kid, and trust your stuff.

To be frank, Donaldson was never in MY plans for this team. My hopes were tied to just one really good SP FA option. No more debating or whining, it simply was not to be. So, while trading for an arm is a viable and import move to make, you can STILL add to your team. It is never a bad thing to add to your offense or your defense even if another area of your team still needs work. You are still adding to the WHOLE that is the team. I'd guess he's worth the money for the first 2 years, decent but probably not worth full value the 3rd yr, and not worth the 4th season. But overall, he will be a quality contributor for the duration as a 3B/DH. I'm still waiting for the Braves to give in and offer up the 4th year though and sign him.

FWIW, from my understanding, the Diamondbacks weren't recruiting Bumgarner. Rather, he pitched himself to them and went with a very team friendly deal to fit in. (Small 1st yr $ and deferred $, etc). That has lead to some speculation Ray may indeed be on the table for additional help now. Makes me wonder.

This is a topic that tantalizes me and also drives me crazy! If you take a long, hard look at the core of tne Twins roster, you forget how young it is. After a handful of just disappointing and hard seasons, you want HOPE. And you read about all this talent coming up and you just want them to be special NOW. And some point to this guy, or that guy, who are 21-23yo and seem to be studs already. But those guys at that age not only don't grow on trees, they are spread out throughout 30 teams! EVERYONE wants to have the next Trout! It doesn't happen that often. Berrios is a FINE SP. I doubt there is a team that wouldn't love to have him. He is already good, and a 2 time All Star...for what that is worth...who has looked like a bona fide ACE in the making before some late season regression. He won't be 26 until May of 2020! Sano and Polanco are still only 26yo. Buxton and Kepler the same. Maybe it's some kind of Minnesota curse, but injuries have indeed played a part for some reaching their full potential. Now whether it is maturity, health, or a new way of doing and approaching things, we saw a maturation taking place in 2019 with all of these guys stepping in to what should be their prime years. He'll, Rosario at 28yo is the "old man" of this group. I don't think we have seen the best yet of any of these guys. Period. But give me 140 games played with health, or 30 GS, I'd pick Sano, Buxton and Berrios. And that doesn't even include improvement from Polanco, Kepler and Garver, possibly one of the best all around catchers in the game.

Sorry, and with due respect for your opinion, I just can't agree here. Thus FO has eaten payroll at times over the last couple of years to make trades, something never done before to my recollection. While they have yet to trade top prospects, they have traded some prospects recently. Polacios (did I remember that right?) Was still a "decent" and young prospect traded for Odorizzi. How did that turn out? They traded a couple of decent prospects, though not top granted, to acquire Dyson and Romo last year. Turned out to be half right. Just because they haven't as of yet traded some of their top 10-20 prospects doesn't mean they won't. I mean, 3 years in, but going back to mid season last year, when has there really been a time that was right to do so? And even last year, they were in on Stroman before he went to the Mets and it was widely published they were rather P.O. because they felt they were in and would have offered a counter but weren't allowed to. Now, if they rest on laurels and do nothing but plan B or C, then they bad better be as smart as we all hope they are or some torches and pitchforks may come out. Signing someone like Wood or Walker is exactly what they SHOULD do, regardless! These are guys who have live arms, healthy, and have even shown what they can do when healthy. Remember when Pineda was signed for $2M to rehab and had a 2nd year? How did that turn out? Even with some young arms on hand, these kinds of fliers on 27-28yo arms should be a must for anyone, especially a mid-market team. And unless there is something financially going on I am not privy to, I don't see how the Twins spending $M's of dollars every year to update Target Field is in some way recouping any sort of debt. I don't mean to sound argumentative or mean, we just don't agree here.

Been banging the drum on Walker and Wood for some time now. Never thought about both of them as I still see a trade taking place. But honestly, why not both? What's the worst that could happen? Both turn out and you have surplus depth and value? Or one turns out and you look like geniuses? No on Hill as he's hurt and his recent public embarrassment is something I want no part of. If you want a 3rd option, think about Nelson.

Nice write up. And I'm in full agreement on Odorizzi. He doesn't pitch the number of innings you want, but he is borderline dominate for 5+ daily. While the Twins NEED another SP, and there is debate about the whole addition of adding "impact pitching", I don't see how bringing back Odorizzi and Pineda, 2 of the top 12-14 arms available on anyone's list, isn't adding impact pitching. Adding Clippard isn't adding a bum either. They need to add a similar pitcher to Berrios and Odorizzi. Also agree that a flier for depth and competition is an easy must.

Also intrigued by Kepler hitting 3rd and Cruz batting cleanup. Followed by Rosario and then Sano to keep the RH/LH mix going?

While Buxton still has the skill set to be dangerous at the top of the order, I still see him batting 9th because he did so well there last season. Less pressure and he knocked guys in a flipped the order so effectively. I think a "set" lineup won't really exist only because Rocco plays everyone and seems to put together a lineup that works daily. Good players help, lol. But day one, big game lineup, I'm thinking the following: Arraez Polanco Cruz Rosario/Kepler Sano Kepler/Rosario 1B TBD/Garver Garver/1B TBD Buxton If Atlanta doesn't offer a 4th year and Donaldson comes on board (keep those fingers crossed): Arraez Polanco Cruz Donaldson Rosario/Kepler Sano Kepler/Rosario Garver Buxton Great talent and great balance. Very dangerous either way.

Great question and one I've been thinking about. Even without a sudden addition of Donaldson, should he take the Twins 4yr offer, there are a lot of reasons for a potential shakeup here. Kepler was awesome in the #1 spot last year. Would you want to move him lower on the order for his power and production? Why would you even consider doing that? Because Arraez and Polanco could make even more sense setting the table on top. But then again, maybe the BA/OB contact skills of Arraez are better used down lower in the order? If Kepler were to move down, how far? Does he drop to #3 and Cruz becomes your cleanup batter? Or could he supplant Rosario and bump Rosario all the way down to #6 behind Sano, even with the fine year he had? To me it all comes down to who Rocco and his staff truly feel belongs in the top 2 spots.

FWIW, I am familiar with Asche from his time in college for the Huskers. Not a top prospect, he still had some helium rising through milb. He's had some ML experience and could prove to be a decent, "useful" type of player.

While I am not a fan of the Dirty Sox in the least, I appreciate their efforts from afar. And while I can appreciate some of the modern statistical measurements, I remain a huge skeptic. Point in fact, another article, written on another Twins website...though compares to TD...uses the same, or much the same, analytical measurements, using mostly the Pythagorean record...all Greek to me, lol...and WAR, and has them as a .500 team for 2020. As of now, the Twins sit at a minimum of 90 wins using the same analytics. I think there is a big difference between the "analytics" used by beat writers, fans and savants vs the analytics used by progressive FO personnel. Give me the best team you can put on the field. Short in an area? Shore up that area the best you can and build up your strengths to compensate. Then give me the best staff you can to utilize what you have. Then let's play ball and see what we have. Besides, it's not even January 1st yet!

Career production, last season production, regression and projection all indicate we should see pretty much the same Cruz, give or take a little, we saw in 2019. Just allowing for father time, I'd expect some regression and a few more games played to see him post very similar numbers next year. Now, Cruz could just decide enough is enough and retire after 2020. Be could also decide he wants to chase some numbers and feel like he's ready to play some more. That would put him in a year to year situation, IMO. Could put he and the Twins in an interesting position come the end of next year. But, that is a discussion for a very distant time and place. I get the Papi reference, and while comparison is natural, the re-tread of a Ryan mistake made 16yrs ago just needs to stop. Whole careers have been made since that time.

Wanted to make a quick comment about the last OP concerning OF as I wasn't able to. Pretty much no to anyone unless Rosario is moved. Again, unless Cave is moved, per some reports, the only things needed is a smart option to compete with said Cave, and Wadem and Raley who can provide a legitimate, possibly, option in CF so Kepler wouldn't have to slide over. And I don't think Hamilton is that guy. Now...on to the current topic at hand: Really surprised the OP is this short of a list. To bring up Colon, even for the sake of humor, is unforgivable in lieu of arms like Wood and Walker as viable options. Are they not mentioned because they have been brought up in previous articles? Or have I missed something over the last couple of days and they are suddenly gone? At this point they, and even Smyly, would be more viable options than Hernandez, IMO. Every year there is someone, be it an over 30 veteran, or a 27-29yo coming off injury and/or surgery that still offers upside if healthy and with the right fit. How about one of those guys for $5-6M with maybe an option to a potential 4th or 5th rotation slot? Now, Sanchez could be one of those guys at 27 and coming off injury. Everyone wants to talk about Houston and the Astro's approach to things. But the Twins analytics department and Wes Johnson might be new to the scene but we have already seen major changes from the top down. From this list, he could be interesting. Not sure he'd be my first choice, however. Already mentioned a few guys I like as much or more. For 1yr and $4M, I'd be all in on Will Harris. First, especially for $4M, he would do nothing to blow up payroll and trade options or additional signings. You can never have enough pitching, whether rotation or bullpen. But with Romo back, and Clippard, and the rest coming back, and a few other arms on the rise like Alcala, on the rebound like Romero, etc, is there truly room for him? Maybe there is. The rest of this list is a hard pass!

I liked your points very much, even though I'm not joining the ongoing debate. I ad to laugh at your typo of "joke grown roster" at the end. I've made a few crazy typos or had weird auto corrects at times but this one made me chuckle. Like you, and most of us I think, home grown is always best. Even the last Yankees dynasty...and I DESPISE giving them credit of any sort...was built on a core of home grown talent. I also believe FA is a tool to augment your roster, not build it. Marwin and Cruz are great examples of that, for us, last season. While this FO has absolutely not ignored the FA route, Castro, Marwin, Cruz and Now Clippard, etc, they've done it smartly. They've also made some signings that were basically waiver wire in Cron and Pineda that were smart. But you are 100% correct that the Twins, HERE AND NOW, are in a unique position. People can call my an apolgist if they choose to do so, but I honestly believe the FO made a real offer to Wheeler...maybe just a 1st offer...but were simply told "no thank you" early on. There have not only been various reports of such, which I find confounding for a 101 win team playing in one of the best ballparks in all of baseball but also a team that is mostly young and on the rise, but he also turned down a better offer to pitch for a far "worse" team in the White Sox. Bumgarner went out and orchestrated his own special deal with Arizona. So what are the Twins to do in those situations? Understand, none of this is pointed at you, just me pointing out the reality of the situation. There is so much clamoring about the Twins missing, or being stingy, but these two examples are real, and seem to be treated as sour grapes and looking for someone to point fingers at. Right now, the Twins continue to look to add. The are one of only two teams...ONE of ONLY TWO TEAMS...who have made a 4yr offer to Donaldson. Unfortunately, speculation is the Braves are his preferred destination and have a sort of "right of first refusal" at their disposal. Despite mass WANT to see something happen, I'm not overly disappointed in not topping offers for Ryu. He COULD surprise us all. And he is very good when available. But odds and past history would lend percentages WAY to the disappointment side of things. You are absolutely right to reference Morris as a big FA signing at the time in '91, though IIRC, he wasn't exactly speculated as being the ACE performer he turned out to be, (more life left in the arm than some gave him credit for). I would go back further to remind that Blyleven was brought back for the first WS team via trade. I really wish we could all concentrate on tomorrow, and not what didn't happen, for various reasons. Seems we're kicking rocks at this point. As you accurately state, the Twins are in a unique position right now. And i apologize after 17+ pages of so much debate and frustration being vented if I missed an opinion, but what would you do at this point?

I also prefer more than 1-2yrs. Everyone should. Which makes we wonder all the more about an "under the wire" acquisition like Odorizzi was. I fully confess the FO is a hell of a lot smarter than I am on this. Not crazy about a 1yr unless it comes "cheap" with at least some hope of an extension. 2yr doesn't bother me so much. IMO, Odorizzi is a strong extension possibility. Once we remove the humongous contracts of Cole and Strasburg, his 2020 QO deal of $17.8M is pretty much in line. Adding 2-3yrs for something close to that should be expected and warranted and affordable. And he has already stated he'd like to stay.

If you want to debate not signing Ryu for 4yrs and more than $20M considering age and lack of general availability for his career thus far, I can understand. I will disagree, but I understand. The comments about Wheeler and Bumgarner have to stop as they are irrelevant. Sorry, but it's true. Wheeler had a strong preference to stay on the coast and turned down more money from at least one team to stay there. There are various reports that the Twins were NEVER in his plans. If they offered $140M would he have listened? Maybe. None of us knows. But than again, a contract like that is a whole different debate. Bumgarner practically wrote his own deal with Arizona to fit in with their plans and finances. He's taking only $6M this year and deffering another $17M. He left $20-25M to sign where he did. What do we do NOW? The prospect capital is there to bring in a quality SP for the staff. Is that a #2-3 arm and who exactly I don't know. To say there are no possibilities is silly as we have and do see guys move. What if there is another Odorizzi type trade we aren't even thinking about that will pay off just as well? Personally, I'm hoping Donaldson is serious, not playing us, and comes on board. Sign a Wood or Walker for depth. Then go out and cash in a handful of prospect chips, or include Rosario if that is to be, and get that trade arm the FO and Johnson like.

I love this projected lineup and find it plausible, exciting, and even very possible. But I also think 1 or 2 of the guys we are talking about are traded. Remember, this projection is in a vacuum for how things sit today. Could Rosario still be in LF on an extension and Larnach moved in a deal?

I can absolutely see this happening and wouldn't be surprised. But I can also see Javier continuing to mature physically and slide to 3B. Lewis could still wind up at SS, or, possibly CF IF Buxton is gone. Not saying he will be, but it's a possibility.

To me the debate isn't traditional SP or primary pitcher following the opener. I do, however, think this could be the perfect example of when and why and how to use an opener. No, to me the decision is ML or AAA to begin the year. He can make the jump and skip AAA. It's been done before. But the combination of losing out on just normal development time last season, including work on his change, might necessitate some time at Rochester to begin the year. If the change looks good in ST, keep him and use him on the rotation as they best see. If the change is lagging, I'd say Rochester initially.

Had me except for Price and Twitter. Lol WELL DONE! To all a happy Offseason, season, and dreams of playoff wins for our beloved Twins. As you nestle down to sweet dream for Christmas nap, M or TC on your favorite cap Remember all you are blessed with And carefully open those gifts. Merry Twinsmas and God Bless you all!

Going to repeat myself briefly here, though I don't want to and shouldn't have to. IMPACT PITCHING: Kind of hard to define what that means. I guess to some, it means spending $ because that will surely make it so, pick your FA option of choice. Depending on which/who's list you look at, Odorizzi was clearly one of the top 6-10 options available. He's back! He has stated he'd like to stay. Forgetting Cole and Strasburg, his 2020 salary is about right on with the other numbers we've seen. So the Twins wouldn't sign him to a similar extension why? The parameters and want are all there. Pineda was in the top 14 on every list. He's also back, for 2yrs. And they have no "impact" why? Just because they were here before? So because they have already pitched for the Twins before, and done well, they lose value? There is much lamenting and gnashing of teeth...WAY too much so...because the Twins "missed out" on guys ranked LOWER than them simply because they didn't make a signing, and didn't get, for various/whatever reasons for a couple of guys ranked higher. I call B.S. I get it. I'm a lifelong Twins fanatic. I want to be excited and pumped! This team needs a starter equal to Berrios and Odorizzi if not better. Better is pretty damn hard as there isn't a store where you can pick someone off the shelf and plug them in. But again, the powers that be can just throw out $ and terms and hope, or they can also be turned down or decide the numbers just don't make sense at some point. Back to the OP... WHAT TO DO NOW: I wasn't initially on this train but find myself buying a ticket now. I'm intrigued and regrettably hopeful Donaldson isn't just playing the Twins and Nats against Atlanta. (I think that might be his long game). He's not exactly a poor consolation prize. But this is about pitching, primarily. Regardless of the Donaldson situation, I'm looking at a trade for Thor, Ray, Gray and maybe Archer. There are others, of course. I'm not convinced the Mets are out on trading Thor. They have done a good job in building depth and may be looking to add via subtraction. Ray and Gray plug right in and offer up differing scenarios based on control. Archer would probably come cheaper, but could be very interesting for a bounce back in the AL again, and with Johnson working with him. I'm fairly certain the Twins braintrust knows a hell of a lot more than I do, so their favorite/preferred target might not be any of these options. But a trade target HAS to be made at this point. Next, I look hard at someone like Wood or Walker and sign them for a 1+1 type of deal for around $5-6M to compete and provide depth and a possible steal. The second year with an acceptable buyout is important as I want options and flexibility if I guess right. There is still ample opportunity for the kids to impress and develop during the season. I'm trading 2 of my top 10, another 1 or 2 in the next 10, possibly replaced by Cave or Rosario depending on the situation, to acquire a top 2-3 SP. I'm signing a flier with an option for depth. If Donaldson is just playing us, I look for the best 1B or 1B convert...think LeMahieu with the Yankees...to add to the lineup and keep the offense rolling.

This!! The FO has done so many good things...I'd give them a solid 90% grade so far, or better, from the ML level all the way down...that I think they have earned at least a little trust and patience for their plan/vision.