DocBauer

Yes please! 100% everything written. He is versatile, productive, valuable, relatively young, and may have begun hitting his prime in 2017. The guy has flat out produced when called on and given opportunity.

Financially, the Twins are in the midst of a perfect storm for Darvish. They can not only afford him, but money comes off the books each of the next two years, even if Santana was brought back for 2019, though that is by no means a given. And if Mauer and Dozier were each extended, say a 2 and 4 year deal, there would still be an overall savings there as well. The time is right for the Twins to make this bold move, without compromising the immediate future financially. And I agree the Twins have real depth and potential at the 4 and 5 spots in the rotation. My question is what to do if they don't get Darvish. No remaining target matches his stature as a #1. However, at the end of the day, isn't the goal to be the best and deepest team you can be? Isn't the goal to have a real chance to win daily? Even if the team has to "settle" for the likes of Lynn or Cobb, wouldn't they still be better and deeper in the rotation? And wouldn't that make them a better team, overall, with a better chance to win daily? I'm hoping and rooting for Darvish. But if we swing and miss, here's hoping there is still a quality addition to be made.

I think the offers here are realistic, but I would do everything in my power to keep it at prospects and not include Kepler. I believe in him and really don't like the idea of opening another hole. And while Kepler is young, I would think a rebuilding Tampa may like the idea of 5 prospects they can develop, promote and have total control over for as long as possible.

Love and hate these scenarios. Its obvious we dont knkw what going on behind closed doors, and also don't usually know the wants and needs of the other teams involved enough, much less what they think of the Twins prospects, to make such a deal happen. But I will attempt to play "Doctor" obvious. 1] If the Twins are serious about Darvish and actually sign him, everything changes. From the ML level on down. 2] I'd rather look at Duffy from KC, but inter divisional trades are rare. 3] Are we better off, at this time and place to add to Cole for 2 years, barring an extension, because that is what we may be talking about. With Darvish, the cost, and without Darvish, the ultimate outcome changes. WITH Darvish, we are adding a huge piece to deepen the rotation for the next couple of years, at least, and may have Gibson as part of a trade for whatever. WITHOUT Darvish, the cost/reward factor changes quite a bit. In other words, is it worth giving up 3-4 quality prospects for what might be only 2 years? 4] We heard Granite, Jay and someone else, forgive my memory at the moment. Thought it was Gonsalves or Romero. Was it Gordon??? Any combination I'm all in. Its fair to both teams and makes sense. Without Darvish signing, I'm more skeptical of the trade. And I'm just not 100% sold on more for Archer. Does he really jump to #1 status with a change of scenery? Or are we better off with someone like Lynn and keeping Gibson as our #4?

As Linus stated previously, Johan's best pitch was his change, and he did awfully well with that. Now, Johan threw harder than Gonsalves, but I am actually encouraged that Gonsalves's best pitch is his change as that may be the single hardest pitch to master successfully, as well as the ability to change speeds overall. It has long been said that the #1 ingredient to being a quality SP in MLB is the ability to upset a batters timing. That can be accomplished two ways: 1] by changing planes of contact (location) and 2] changing speeds. I have often compared Berrios and Gonsalves, even though they are quite different pitchers. (Not just handedness). What I have noticed...and I am by no means a scout or expert...is that they both seem to have the "it" factor when it comes to pitching. At each level they have been at, each of them has shown the ability to learn and adapt. They both seem to have the image ability to "pitch" and not just throw. Berrios does throw harder, and IMHO, has the makings of a quality #2 who may graduate to #1 status. Gonsalves, again IMHO, has the ability to be a quality #3 with the potential for a #2 starter. His being consistently in the high 80's and low 90's...ocassionally a little harder/higher...is fine with location and a high quality change. The key for both to achieve full potential is their breaking ball. There are quite a few nice arms in the Twins milb system. But the one guy I'm really loathe about trading away is Gonsalves.

Exhausted the Yoda references, I believe we have, mmmhmm.

There is somethibg to be said for high quality, proven, consistent relievers and large contracts. Despite the volatility of the "world of a relief pitcher", some guys are proven year in and year out. But it can be very dangerous, and we see it every year, when big contracts are handed out to RP via FA that aren't those guys. Remember a couple years ago when everyone was on board for signing Sipp? Got the last laugh on that one. And every year it seems there are a few guys that either slip through the cracks and get picked up on the cheap, or coming back from off/injured seasons and then out to be huge bargains. With Rodney on board, what we have, what's coming, what us still availbe, I'm not in serious worry mode. Though I believe it would be highly prudent to find one more good guy. There are always trade possibilities down the road if you suddenly end up with bullpen wealth.

I don't think he can, or should, discount the dollars or impact on payroll, but you also have to put it in to context, as you mentioned, with expiring payroll. My concern is 4 years from now when you will want to sign some guys, which is why extensions now, or the near future, are so important. BUT, the Twins are absolutely in the perfect place right now to make a huge signing like Darvish. The payroll is manageable, and there IS money coming off the books over the next couple of years to balance his signing AND doll out extensions. Darvish moves the needle in a big way for the next few season's. He, Berrios and Santana make a really nice potential 1-2-3 punch for next season. Santana will be gone for 2019 or 2020 and there are talented kids just about ready to contribute. The stars are perfectly aligned for the Twins to make this kind of move now without blowing up payroll for the future.

I hadn't had a chance to go look up his pre draft profile yet, so this was great to read! I feel even better now about his acquisition instead of just reading he was a 3rd round pick who struggled in his debut. Especially looking at his HS numbers and second half of his season this year. Looks like an intriguing prospect.

And a very valid point. Does this mean the end for Gibson then? Do you think he's be part of a trade package for said SP or a BP addition?

Just wondering, if we get Darvish, or one of the good option B arms, that does it, right? I know there is talk about a second signing or a trade idea, but Dervish, Santana, Berrios, Gibson and Mejia/May/everyone else has to be the way we go. Would they really.make a second signing or trade prospects for a second SP at that point? Asking in general. I think they'd stay status quo and run with what they have, keep developing the guys in AAA and AA and know they have the depth to make a move later

IMO, the Rodney signing is a step up from the Belisle signing last off season. Despite some flaws, he moves the needle a bit for me, along with continued development from the guys already on roster. A reasonable expectation, but also hard to predict. Personally, I think there will still be another solid addition, though I doubt it's Davis. Still only mid December, I'm OK with the couple moves thus far.

Still a few top TO arms and a couple intriguing ones with a history of past success. I am hoping the Twins aren't done adding someone of quality yet. Very odd there hasn't been a big push for the top SP options as of yet.

Sooner or later...hopefully sooner...a couple young arms have to step forward due to nothing else other than the numbers of them. I am still intrigued by both Pressly and Duffey, wondering if Duffey might be best as the long/middle man. Hildenberger and Busentiz should take a step forward. Curtiss shows some great stuff. Can Chargois just be healthy this season! Please! I am somewhat underwhelmed by Rodney, but don't consider it a bad move. He seems to channel an inner Guardado/Wild Thing Mitch Williams at times, but has real stuff most of the time, some nice peripherals, some proven success, and is an upgrade to the Belisle signing last season. Probably an upgrade to Kintzler, overall. I would still feel a lot better with another proven arm, via FA or trade, though the FA market is drying up. But there are some good arms to work with here. It's up to them to step forward, of course, and up to the staff to help them do so. I'm not totally happy with the lack of aggression regarding the pen, but I'm not despondent either.

Have to admit, I don't understand the Kinley selection rather than keeping one of our own. I know it's a flier, and he can easily be removed to make room for someone else, but it's a head scratcher to me.

This! I also would have liked to keep Burdi and hope we get him back or don't end up regretting losing him. But he has barely pitched in two seasons. Further, whatever team he ends up on has to carry him on the active roster for 90 days service time or he is returned to the Twins. Even a rebuilding team with a poor record, IMHO, would be hard pressed to keep him and stash him in the pen for that long.

Very smart move. Adds to the 2019 rotation in a potentially big way, no pun intended, lol. Cost and terms are minimal, shouldn't affect 2018 negatively on the financial front, and helps cover Gibson and Santana possibly moving on after this season.

I actually feel pretty good about the guys listed here, though Nicasio is the most intriguing option to me. I'm even OK with Rodnet based on experience, a good year last season, he'd be on a 1 year deal, and just because he could start the season as the closer doesn't mean he'd end the season in that role. Could we sign a pair? But what about another lefty also? Doesn't it seem every year there is a run on relievers and then some good arms/bargains kind of get left out?

I wonder if Gordon has the arm for 3B, assuming a Dozier re-sign. Thinking more long term, not 2018, and before/until the kids in A ball are ready.

While initially a bit skeptical about Gordon's high draft status, I have come around to being a fan and believer. Even still, were I another team looking at the Twins infield depth and open to a trade, I'm not so sure I wouldn't be looking more at Javier or Polacios as maybe a better "get" despite being further away. Whether Gordon is traded or not, I'm in favor of an extension for Dozier, along with a short extension for Mauer. Said extensions would still amount to a savings from what they will make, combined, in 2018. And, as I just posted in a new topic, do we maybe have concern over Sano playing 3B after his surgery? Even with Gordon, Dozier and Polanco, I think there's room for everyone.

Remember when the cupboard was barren of middle infield prospects? What a change a couple of seasons can make! I don't know enough about Severino to comment accurately, only know what I've read today. Lewis, Gordon, Javier, Palacios, Arraez, possibly Blenkenhorn, Miranda and Cabbage, (Though those last 3 could be better 3B options), is the 8th best prospect realistic? I'm asking. Sure seems, from what I've read, that he's pretty comparable to some of the guys on that list.

Let me state, right out, that I have long been a proponent of keeping Sano at 3B. I've always felt he could and would handle the position solidly, if not quite well, with more than enough overall athleticism, arm and solid hands for the position. He showed marked improvement last season, and should only get better. Is there room for improvement? Absolutely, though we already have seen some. Being a large human being, does he have to monitor his physique or possibly even work a bit harder on his conditioning? I think we can agree on that as well. My concern, at this point, is can he physically handle the position. With all the 40 man moves, trades, thoughts on trades, free agency, how to improve the team going forward, etc, I have not heard much of anything regarding Sano's recovery from surgery or any sort of timetable or progress. Maybe I've just missed it reported somewhere. But between rehab and the rod inserted in his leg, what if he simply can't play 3B in 2018, or going forward? Well, DH and backup 1B suddenly takes on a new complexion doesn't it. And, of course, I think we all hope for the best! But is there, potentially, concern and a possible hole at 3B pending? While it would shorten the bench some, utility wise, and possibly create need/opportunity to add another body, I don't think any/most of us would feel concerned/uncomfortable having Escobar man the hot corner. At least for a time. And right now, we have no idea if Gordon will be a part of the team in 2018, or beyond, due to possible trade implications. And even should Gordon remain, there is some question...at least in the short term until other young prospects rise through the system...where Gordon, and Polanco, best fit. And count me amongst those who believe Dozier should be extended, along with Mauer, for what will still amount to an overall savings dollar wise compared to what they will combine to earn in 2018. If Sano simply cant play 3B in 2018, Escobar, Polanco and Dozier have their spots. Gordon, if retained, could challenge for one of those spots in the near future. If Dozier is also retained, I still believe there is room, and roles, for all of these guys. What do you all see? Should we be concerned about Sano playing 3B? Is there some positive reports I'm missing? How do you all see this shaking out in both the short term and long term?

I also won't say "crushing it" until I see the moves made before next season. And to me, "crushing it" doesn't have to mean Darvish. Adding to the talent pool, something they have most definitely done, creates depth, competition, and more numbers/players to sort through to find the gems. (Pure percentage chance). It also creates more opportunity to trade prospects and ML players to build the roster without gutting the farm. They have been thoughtful and aggressive in various moves and decisions. I believe a couple smart moves, via FA or trade, that bring in a couple quality pen arms, and a quality SP just might make me agree with the "crushing" sentiment. But even if they don't acquire a true top of the rotation arm, isn't adding another really good one a needle mover for the overall, daily, competitive nature of the team? Don't get me wrong, I want that top arm as well. But you can't simply dial up a player or team and just make it happen. Overall improvement is the biggest takeaway for me.

I'm going to have to agree with Tom on this one, though I am not convinced the Twins will add two starters. I'm still banking on one, with Mejia up and challenged by May, possibly. Though I am certainly open to that second starter and won't complain. But I also see a pair of quality pen arms added to the mix. I see Hughes on the DL or EAT followed by rehab assignments to begin the year. (Possibly the same for May, though the 5th spot or AAA seems more likely). These "logjams" seem to work out due to injury or a possible trade as well. I'm thrilled to have so many options, and feel pretty confident a couple of these guys will be ready at some point in 2018, and gain experience for 2019 and beyond. Only need a couple to "hit" to keep building the staff. And the depth is there to make that happen.

The Gee reference is apt, I suspect. Forgetting contract, it would still make him useful. I don't understand all the particulars involved...finishing 2017 on the DL and could he go there again immediately, etc...but I foresee EST or a 60 day again with continued rehab and maybe some milb assignments.