DocBauer

I haven't forgotten him at all. I've also been patiently hoping for a healthy return. One inning at a time, and no back to back days. He doesn't MAKE the bullpen, but he sure adds to it. Honestly, I'd pray for 50IP, but would settle for 40. PURE STUFF, I don't know that the Twins have ever had a pen this deep with guys who can really bring it; Duran, Jax, Stewart, Alcala, and Sands. And it's looking more and more like Varland is going to grab a spot as well. That's 6 guys who all comfortably sit at 95mph and all touch 97+. I know some aren't big fans of Varland. He didn't have a very good 2024. And he's been inconsistent as a starter. But even as a starter, he was often very good for a couple of innings, even on his not so good days. And we saw some real flash from him late in 2023. Somewhat similar to Sands last year, he now gets to concentrate on being a reliever. And he doesn't begin with the pressure of being an 8th or 9th inning guy. Alcala has shown what he can do when turned loose for 1 IP at a time. But he was over used early in 2024 with the excuse of "someone has to throw innings". And I've read various comments that he wasn't over used as his 58 IP over 50 appearances seems right line with a normal reliver. But that's not accurate. He was throwing 30-40 pitches early in 2024 over 2 and 2+ innings at times. Later in the season, he was throwing 1 inning, or less than that. Therefore, his TOTAL IP for the season seem in line, but for a guy who had barely seen the field the previous 2 seasons, the actual story is mis-use that helped lead to an arm that got tired at the end. Stewart may or may not be in excellent health with the cleanup he got at the end of 2024. Of course, he's stated his arm feels terrific! Let's hope that's the case, because even 40 innings spaced over an entire season in tight or crucial games DOES make a difference. The Twins AREN'T going to use 8 RP in 2025. They're going to use at least 12 barring amazing luck. That doesn't mean Stewart can't be a difference maker with as few as 40 IP.

We all make mistakes, but the journalism/English/writer major in me just has to do a brief reprimand as to Headrick being listed as a depth piece when he's been gone for a couple weeks already. I despise being "that guy", but that's a major fopaux. The OF 4 is set with Larnach, Buxton, Wallner, and Bader. Catcher is set, but Camargo is still #3, deservedly so at this point, despite some hopeful love of Cartaya being able to hit again. Lewis, Correa, Miranda, France, and Castro...who's also part of the OF equation...are all set. That's 2 spots open. Lee is the best option at 2B, and he's looked good so far. A hard hit fly ball single that might have been a double in a lot of parks, and a HR against the Yankees a couple days ago would seem to indicate he's getting locked in. Still a few weeks to go, but he's the best 2B option, and the one the Twins want and need to take control of the position. That leaves 1 spot TBD. IF Lee does lock up 2B, the choices left are Julien, Martin, and Gasper. Ideally, Julien's bat is BACK, and he wins the final spot. The Twins are short of LH bats at the moment, and Julien fixes that issue as a 2B/1B/DH with strong offensive production. Gasper is a weird roster addition as he's a "maybe" 2B, the THIRD 1B, and only an emergency catcher. But he's also a unique hitter who switch hits, makes contact, and seems to have a good eye leading to a solid OB%. Martin still has to prove he can hit ML pitching and play adequate defense anywhere, and provide real value other than base running. Look, I'm a fan of Keirsey as well. I like his defense, speed, and pop, but I just don't see him being the 13th man and 5th OF to start the season. The rotation is set. Paddack maintaining 93-95 mph velocity is key. If he gets his change back, he's better than most #4 starters in MLB. Festa and Matthews are the top depth options, and both will be part of the 2025 season and beyond. It would be nice to have Topa and Tonkin as middle relief options. Their opening day status is now in doubt. That opens up a spot for Varland, who is better than both. It also opens up a roster spot to keep rule 5 Castellano as the possible 8th man unless a trade with the Phillies can happen to give the Twins options. His pure stuff is very good. Despite never throwing above AA, MAYBE he can be a viable #8 man in the pen in limited innings. I predict Julien gets his bat figured out and Gasper and Martin go to AAA. But Gasper might surprise. But Martin and Keirsey go to St Paul to begin the season.

I had thought Festa was working on a curveball. Not sure where I got that idea. But based on the OP and what's been presented, it makes a lot of sense that a 2 seamer is his new pitch. It could really mess with RH batters, as well as make his 4 seamer that more effective. Once again, like Ober in 2023, it almost seems unfair for him to begin the season in AAA with how good he was in 2024 post his first couple of outings. But just like Ober that season, these things tend to work themselves out organically. He's going to be an important part of the 2025 season. And maybe a little time at AAA to refine the 2 seamer is a blessing in disguise.

That Paddack wasn't actually injured is the most important thing. But the fact that he was maintaining velocity at 93-95 is important. He keeps doing that, he deserves his spot in the rotation. If he gets his change working again the way it used to...he's potentially a really solid part of the rotation. Keaschall not having a fixed defensive position isn't an issue at this point, IMO. He's a good enough athlete, with a really good all around offensive profile, that he can be plugged in to a few different spots. But it's not a crazy idea that his bat carries him to the Twins early in 2025 as a primary DH. I made a comment weeks ago regarding rumors of the Twins adding a veteran bat, and stated that I'd rather have France at 30yo and a potential rebound candidate, vs some of the other names being bandied about. I absolutely agree that ST numbers/performance means very little. Guys work on things and stink, but are great when the season starts. Some guys grab attention with a tremendous ST and are barely heard from again. Still, to see a veteran who was actually pretty good until a bad couple of years...albeit with some injuries...looking good does offer up some hope. If he's even close to his 2022 and previous self, his $1M deal and addition could be a real help. Call me optimistic?

Just terrible news on Canterino. I think a lot of thought/hoped his TJ surgery would get his career back on track. Maybe his arm/shoukder is just never going to be right. Maybe he's one of those guys like Stewart that suddenly gets right when he gets closer to 30yo. Just a shame. But the Twins just can't afford to carry him on the 40 man any longer. He got to be placed on the 60 day IL and free up the roster spot if they intend to hold on to him. At this point, what does starting his service timeclock matter? I'm still not crazy about stashing Castellano as the 8th man in the pen. I'd still rather see a trade...if the cost isn't too large...with the Phillies so we at least have the flexibility to option him out. But having watched him twice now, his STUFF is GOOD. His curve is NASTY and the velocity and movement on his fastball play very well. Maybe coming out of the pen for 1-2 innings mitigated his lack of experience? While i can't wait to see Rodriguez, I've always thought the Twins...right or wrong...intended for him to begin the year at AAA. Being almost ready to hit the field should have him ready to open the season.

I can see that happening if he can't maintain his velocity over multiple innings. Not saying he can't, it's just that he's not the biggest guy in the world. I think Adams is the next starter to move to a pen role. (I believe Nowlin has already been moved to a relief role).

But let's talk for a moment about Payton Eels directly since he's a lightening rod of Twins prospects. He played at a lower level school for 4 years and RAKED. But he was given a 5th corona season and transfered to a respected D1 school in Coastal Carolina and continued to rake. He's 5' 5" or maybe 5' 6" and a solidly built 180+ lbs. When he was draf eligible, despite raking at a lower level, and at CC, he was 23yo and still short. MOST college draftees are 20-21 yo and some are 22. The Twins haven't shied away from lower level draftees previously. But let's just say the Twins decided to draft him as a late round pick at 23yo because they questioned his age and height but saw potential. Let's just say they selected him as the 17th to 20th pick instead of a couple non signing hopefulls that didn't sign in the end. BECAUSE he was a drafted player, even late round, would he be treated differently? In 2023 he MIGHT have appeared in a handful of games at S ball since that's the normal procedure for draft picks these days. And as a late round pick, he would have begun 2024 at A ball as a 24yo who destroyed pitching. So he would have been moved to A+ where he continued to destroy pitching. So much so he leaped AA entirely and jumped to AAA where he produced a .919 OPS with speed, and good bat, a tremendous OB%, and some pop as well. IF he was a drafted player, would the Twins be looking at him differently? The Twins have scouts looking at the Independent Leagues for help in the system, and the hopes of finding a diamond in the rough. Well, it looks like the might have found one. McCusker is a similar prospect, though older, who's actually seen a few AB this spring. Where is Eeles? Why wasn't he invited to ST? Is it possible he's injured? Maybe so. But if he's healthy...tell us if he's not...he should be in camp for a look. You ask scouts to find help and potential steals. Well, you found one. MAYBE it's just a good 1yr story. But that seems pretty implausible considering what he has done so far. And maybe he doesn't make it considering how many don't. But to NOT having him at ST seems to be a very short sighted approach to talent on hand.

Me being me, I could easily ramble to a post as long as Seth's, but I'm going to TRY to abbreviate my thoughts as best I can. LOL! 1] I don't want to curse anything, and it's been over 30yr ago and an entirely different way of doing things, and a very different FO in charge now, but the Twins haven't had this many pitching prospects...quality arms...since the late 80's going in to the early 90's. Unfortunately, for whatever reasons, despite many good rankings, things didn't work out. But again, over 30yrs ago. So I'm not trying to put a voodoo curse by my comments, lol, just been THAT LONG since I can remember a collection of arms this talented. Morris just needs a little velocity tick. Same with Lewis after missing early time last season, the knuckleball is great, maybe throw it more? Culpepper, like Lewis, missed time, and just needs to keep his velocity up. Not a SINGLE great pitch, but a lot of solid pitches to keep everyone off balance. I hear his change is his worst pitch. That's fine with the rest of his arsenal. Soto might need to change the shape of his FB for more movement, but the velocity is there, along with a great build, good athletic ability, and a great attitude. He could be outstanding in a couple of years! The still very young Raya, with kid gloves off, needs more consistency with his stuff. He's on the 40 man because he has to be. And that's fine. But when it comes to ML promotion time, he's actually behind Festa, Matthews, Morris, and Lewis, and Adams not because of potential, but readiness. And that's OK. If Prielipp is healthy for all of 2025, regardless of innings management and overall usage, he's a top 100 arm in next years rankings. Unless he skyrockets to MLB as a bullpen option this season. (Betting not). As Seth pointed out, there's some arms from the 2023 draft barely threw, if at all, once drafted. Langenberg might be on a fast track. Dunn, Lee, and Bengard could all make moves in 2025 that MIGHT rival the advancement of the 2023 class, though that might be unfair expectations. The guy to watch is Dougherty, who was throwing bullets early in ST before an injury. I think we're all excited to see what young Hill can do in his debut. Like Festa...though a younger HS selection...he's got a tall and somewhat thin build. He will need more "good" muscle and bulk just to keep his velocity up. But he MIGHT be the most exciting LH arm the Twins have had in years. But Carpenter, I believe only 19yo at draft time, was headed to a quality D1 program out of JC and recieved a nice $ bump not to go there. He might be as good of a prospect as Hill. Similar to 2023, the Twins went harder in the 2024 draft early on position players. And in addition to Hill and Carpenter, an arm to watch is 9th round pick Doktorczyk who is part of the SPRING BREAKOUT roster. Build and STUFF, he's almost a clone of Matthews. Watch this kid in 2025. 2] Beyond the obvious TOP THREE on the list, a healthy season for DeAndrade could see him climb the prospect list. I watched him make a couple bad throws in the Yankees game, but that doesn't mean that much for a kid in the semi bright lights of a ST when he missed so much time last season. Mercedes is one of the best 5 tool players in the franchise, though the power may be more doubles accentuated. I can easily see Winokur as the Twins starting CF in a couple years if he doesn't lose speed as he gains normal muscle. He's a freak athlete. He's shown ability and adjustment ability. Will it continue? I sure hope so. He could be special. What impresses me about the system is not only pitching depth overall, but once you get beyond Jenkins, Rodriguez, and Keaschall...and there is a gap there...the recent drafts and IL signings provide some really good looking prospects position wise sitting at A and A+ ready to take a step forward over the next couple of seasons. A few are IL signings that have a lot to prove yet. Some are college draftees who have barely begun their journey. And I didn't even touch on a couple 2024 position players who I think are interesting, in order to bring my opinion to a close. But DAMN, I really liked a few of the 2024 position players drafted and think they might have gotten some steals!

Very disappointed that some of the Twins top arms as well as Jenkins and Rodriguez won't be participating. Why not Eeles though? Is it an age thing? Keep Doktorczyk on your watch list. He's 6' 6" and 230lbs with a lower 90's FB, a sweeper, and a curveball. He had a nice junior season and a good summer just before. Think Matthews a year or so now as he builds up velocity and gets some professional coaching. What caught my eye is an article on the Twins MLB site listing Jaime Ferrer as a CATCHER. While he was drafted as an OF, and played OF in college, word has it he was a really good catching prospect coming out of HS and Fla St converted him to the OF. I've been wondering if the Twins might move him back behind the plate. Unless this is a mis-print. It seems they have.

His fastball sits consistently around 95-97, and hits 97 consistently. It's got a lot of life but his control today was off. (Control was much better his first time out). His curve is pretty hard, and very nasty! I can see why the Twins like him. But unless you can count on him for something more than a once in a week innings eater, I don't see room for him as a stash when you're expecting to contend for a division title and the playoffs.

Canterino was a mid season longshot that we all hoped for. We don't even know the extent of Topa's injury at this point. From what was initially reported, it could be a mild strain or something similar. I'm not pushing the panic button until we hear and know more about Topa.

CASTRO! Why the auto correct did that I have no idea! Thanks for pointing it out!

How many teams to lose their All Star, GG SS and have a ready made replacement available that makes you feel OK? I've watched a lot of Castro at SS the last two years and I'm OK with him there. The range is fine, the glove and arm are fine, but he does lack the kind of day to day, play to play consistency you want there. So as a fill in I think the Twins are just fine. However, while Lee is probably a lesser athlete than Castro, I think he might simply be smoother and more natural at SS. So if Correa was out for any sort of extended time, I think Lee would be the guy they turn to. I'm intrigued by the MILB depth. It sounds like Ross might be able to play a decent SS at the ML level, but can't get his bat going. Culpepper and DeBarge may both stick at SS, though Culpepper has a better arm. DeAndrade should stick at SS from what I've read, and Doncon turned out to be a better glove than expected after he came over from the Dodgers. But if Correa is healthy and ready to go again, the Twins have a pair of solid fill in options for when he needs a day off.

To me it's pretty obvious Gasper is seeing time at 2B to see if he actually play there. He's only made a little over 30 appearances in his entire career. They already know he can play 1B. So this is more of a depth/versatility check than it is a competition for him to start at 2B. Julien seems to be playing a fair amount if 1B for the same kind of looksee. Can he be a viable offering at 1B? I think Lee winning the 2B is the best outcome. Julien getting his bat back and being a DH/2B/1B option would be awesome. SWR has only a single ML season to his credit. And until he ran out of gas at the end, he was solid to good, showing improvement as he went along. I'm not saying he can pitch lousy and keep his job, but a lot of what we see from pitchers in ST, regarding numbers, just don't mean anything. Sometimes a guy throws 5 straight pitches to just work on a feel or a new grip. Sometimes a pitcher throws something he normally wouldn't in certain situations previously because he's experimenting somewhat. I think SWR is still the favorite. I want the best bullpen I can get and fill in from the minors as needed. But I also understand keeping every available arm and as much depth as possible early in the season. I still think a workable trade with Philadelphia for Castellano makes the most sense. Win-win for both organizations. But if the Phillies are going to demand any kind of over pay, then I guess you just keep the kid and Philadelphia gets nothing. If it comes down to Alcala or Varland for the final spot...I'm guessing Tonkin makes the opening day roster at this point...I might send Varland down to let him be a closer at St Paul and keep Alcala. At least Varland getting time in that role feels justifiable. I don't see what Alcala has to prove to anyone any longer, as long as he's finally used as a powerful 1 inning arm.

Paddack was on the market. The offers weren't bringing back enough for the FO to move him. What that actually means...teams offering low level prospects maybe seeing him as a salary dump...only the FO knows. But I actually understand their reluctance to move him based on their normal MO. I'm not saying the FO is necessarily wrong, but their opinion is DEPTH. Their belief in depth is almost paranoid. Witness reluctance to play AAA players over underperforming veterans. But since, and beyond and the BIG THREE in the rotation, what if someone suddenly has an injury? What if SWR suddenly regresses? (I don't expect that). Despite what Festa has shown, despite the RISE that Mathews and even Morris has shown, they are looking for depth "just in case". Personally, I would have moved him to clear $ as part of a bigger signing somewhere, and just trusted in the talent on hand, but that's a different discussion. I do object to the comment in the OP that he's a 2 pitch arm. His slider has been developed with the Twins. His issue last season was he "lost" his previously good change. And his FB velocity came and went. If his velocity can be maintained, and his feel for his change comes back, he's actually a pretty viable option. That's why there was trade interest in him. And why he's part of the rotation currently. It's hard to debate depth to start the season vs the best arms. I have little doubt that Festa and Matthews have better futures. And not so many years ago the Twins would have arms like them penciled in the rotation. And maybe it's wrong in the long run to trust Paddack having a really good, solid season a SP. He COULD surprise if his velocity stays constant, and he gets his "feel" back for his change to make him a viable ML SP. But maybe he's a trade candidate to let Festa and Matthews run wild and prove themselves. I'm hoping for the best from Paddack, and we all might be surprised. But I'm believing he's gone...one way or another...for Festa and Matthews by July at the latest.

I'm always willing to share my opinions, but even when I speak negatively about a player, I never pile on someone...especially a young kid...or get mean. But can we pump the brakes a bit on the excitement and praise of Cartaya? Let's do a little comparison here between the 23yo Cartaya and the 25yo Camargo, also a former Dodger farmand. Cartaya was a top prospect because he had unpolished tools and a powerful bat and could hit. When he hit AA, he suddenly couldn't hit. On the other hand, Camargo was a strong armed catcher with some unpolished tools who didn't hit much, but he BEGAN to hit when he reached AA. While they were 1yr different in age when they hit AA ball, let's look at the numbers. CARTAYA: .189/ .278/ .379/ .656 CAMARGO: .239/ .306/ .472/ .778 BOTH displayed double digit HR power and 50 RBI. Let's look at their first seasons of AAA ball: CARTAYA: .221/ .323/ .363/ .686 CAMARGO: .259/ .323/ .503/ .826 Camargo had 21 HR in AAA and 63 RBI. Cartaya had 11 HR and 52 RBI. Point of fact, Cartaya's numbers for AAA, as stated, are inflated as i presented them as a combined total as he spent almost half his 2024 season split between AA and AAA. His actual numbers at AAA were worse. A lot has been made about Camargo having a poor 2024 at AAA. But as poor as they might have been, a backslide from his 2023 production, let's compare both of their AAA numbers directly from last season: CARTAYA: .208/ .293/ .350/ .643 CAMARGO: .212/ .290/ .403/ .693 Neither had a good year at AAA in 2024, coming in close to even, but with an edge towards Camargo. Defensively, while CAUGHT STEALING is NOT the only way to compare defense for sure, Cartaya has a career CS% of 15% so far and Camargo is around 30%. Now, these 2 are 2yrs apart in age. But when each hit AA and AAA...and some of the previous numbers offered had some lower level splits included as I've pointed out...they were only ONE YEAR apart in age when they hit each level. So this isn't skewed to an older player. We're only talking ONE YEAR age separation. Cartaya failed to HIT when he reached the upper levels, and Camargo BEGAN to hit when he hit the upper levels. And I don't know about improvements made in framing and game calling and the such, but Camargo seems to have at least as good of an arm, proven thus far in MILB career CS numbers. I point out all of this NOT to say Camargo is the better prospect, or to say Cartaya can't find his bat again. (So could Camargo after a poor 2024). But the hype train on a former top prospect being a good, potential ML player should be tempered as there's a similar player who's been the Twins #3 catcher for a couple years now. So then why hasn't Camargo gotten a shot? That's a good question. For TWO YEARS the Twins haven't clocked a single game started behind the plate other than Jeffers and Vazquez. That's INCREDIBLE! I don't know that I've ever seen that before in all my years watching baseball. And when Vazquez was gone for a couple games in 2024...childbirth was the reason I believe, Jeffers started all games and Camargo got, I believe, ONE inning to say he got a chance to play. Good for him! But Rocco, despite being a former player himself, seems adverse to throwing guys in to the fire. When Helman and Keirsey finally got a shot late last season, they didn't play much. When Martin made his 2024 debut, he was a PR for about a week before he got a chance to play. But if the Twins simply don't like Camargo and don't trust him, then why is he still on the 40 man and the probable #3 option still? Again, I'm not bashing anyone, I'm just asking for some real, logical perspective here. And always looking to be fair, Cartaya has had some back issues recently. I THINK I remember Camargo fighting a minor injury that might have affected him somewhat last season as well. It would be a great story if a former top catching prospect suddenly got healthy, found his BAT again, improved his defense and game calling, and took "pop time" and arm strength and could suddenly throw runners out, and became a viable, quality backstop for the Twins. But MAYBE, a 25yo catcher with power and a good arm is already sitting around just waiting for a chance to prove that he could be a solid ML backstop? Perspective is all I'm asking for. The current FO hasn't ignored the CATCHER position, despite arguements to the contrary from others. It's why the Jason Castro signing was one of the first moves they made, along with drafting Jeffers early. It's also why Castro was added in a trade with the Dodgers a couple years ago. And why Vazquez was signed. They HAVE drafted catchers since then, but more as a "build a catcher" vs a top draft choice. They might like Winkel behind the plate, but any signs of BAT life seemed to die in 2024. Cardenas and Cosetti are different as prospects...one more polished but needing to show more as a hitter, the other a hitter who needs defensive polish...but both hit a wall at AA in 2024. Anyone signed or drafted after that is at least a couple years away. I have SOME HOPE for Cardenas and Cosetti, but they need BIG 2025 seasons or they might not make it. Even still, they'd be at least a year away. A FA signing or a trade for a young catcher next offseason will need to happen to replace Vazquez for 2026. But I grant the idea that a healthy Cartaya could be part of the mix IF his bat, his defense, and his throwing ALL improve over 2025. But then again, if the powerful and strong armed Camargo has a re-surgance with the bat he's shown before, options could change. All I'm saying, yet again, is some perspective.

Buxton is an unfortunate case of "what if". But when he's been healthy, or remotely so, he's been one of the most FUN Twins players I've ever had the privilege of watching perform. Doesn't matter if it was streaking across the OF grass for a catch, that whirlwind swing for a 425' HR shot, or racing around the bases for a triple, I've so enjoyed watching him play! And he's not dead, and he's not done. I'm hoping for some more big moments from him over the next upcoming seasons. Teams just don't stay together for long periods of time as a whole. Guys retire, or get traded, or simply get hurt. But it makes me all the more appreciative of players like Hrbek, Puckett, Gagne, Bush, Mauer, and Morneau and others...different times and different teams.. who were part of a team for many years. Since it's been broached....2023 was a great season, some frustration with the first half, big performances and a record streaking to a 90+ win pace, (before settling in at 87), and winning a playoff series for the first time in years. Very rewarding! But even though the team didn't show up in the 2019 playoffs, that team was one of the most FUN I've ever been able to watch and enjoy as a fan in all my many years. Over 100 wins, setting a HR record, knowing the team would probably win every night, the players wearing matching T-shirts, it was a BLAST! And regardless of the playoffs, it will always be one of my favorite Twins seasons EVER.

Denny Hocking?

It is a.little crazy how 2B finishes the roster. If it's Castro as the #1, then Martin might become more important, or Keirsey, as an extra OF since they probably don't want Castro in the OF. But then who is the backup INF? You want Lee playing daily, but he's your best utility option if Castro is starting. But if Julien is raking and earns a spot, in addition to DH and some 1B, he can play 2B and Castro can slide to SS to give Correa a day off. But if Lee takes over 2B, and Miranda and France control 1B, is there room for Julien? I mean, they could use another LH bat, and there has to be room for the 2023 Julien right? But is that where a Gasper has a chance to make the club as a 1B/DH/PH? Sounds like too many 1B, but if Julien's bat does need AAA work, who becomes that last man? So there's actually a lot of moving parts concerning how 2B gets settled.

To be honest, I've been pretty disappointed in the arms from the 2023 draf. To be fair, I believe around 3 of them haven't even thrown an inning for the Twins yet, and I can only assume due to injury. And while a couple threw 2-7 innings after being drafted, 2024 really was the first work, or real work, that they've seen. And it's always felt to me as if all the attention and $ was spent on the first few rounds, and probably rightly so. I think Langenberg has looked very promising from that class though. I'm hoping for a big jump in 2025 from Hall and Dunn. Can Hall find more velocity? Can Dunn find any consistency? And yes, I had forgotten about Dougherty and the early reports on him out of ST last year. If Morris and Lewis can find just a little more velocity, I believe they are legitimate ML starters. Not saying they are fully polished yet, but with control and decent secondaries, a couple more emphasis sets them up nicely. (Lewis's knuckleball is killer). Can Culpepper keep his velocity up as well? He's got 7 pitches and mixes them all in. It's my understanding his change is his worst offering however. I'd like to think a little velocity keeps him in the rotation. If he can't maintain it, does he drop a couple pitches and move to the pen? I'm going to be watching Carpenter, Hill, and Soto as close or closer than almost any arm in the system this upcoming season. A pair of HS arms and a near HS arm, all 3 loaded with potential. And I keep wondering who steps up from the 2024 class now that we get a chance to see them in action?

Sure, why not take a flier on a 25yo former prospect? Castro is a really good recent example of a kid who was either rushed, or developed late, or both. Power plays. And Cerda has maintained a somewhat surprising .360 OB% for his MILB career. You can do that, even at a 30% or more K rate if you BB a fair amount. However, that OB% might be a bit of an illusion. Successful, powerful bats that K a lot and BB a lot can usually hit, at least a little bit, especially in MILB. But since he came stateside, he's hit above .250 just once. And he's been closer to .200 the past 3 years. I'll watch him, but there's guys like McCusker I'm watching a lot more closely.

Unless Correa suddenly fades...and there's no reason to expect that to happen despite the plantar issues the past 2yrs...the Twins win in any scenario. The deal looks even better if Henriquez had turned out. Donaldson did little with the Yankees. The Twins kept the best of 3 rostered catchers. No offense to Garver, but he only caught 42 games for Texas and had 2/3 of a good season with the bat. He was part of a WS team and certainly helped. But his 19 HR.and 50 RBI didn't exactly lead the Rangers to the promised land.

Not every pitching prospect, even top ones, turn out to be quality ML starters, or even reach MLB. I think we all know and realize that. But the more good arms you have, the better your chances for quality ML SP options as well as bullpen conversions. That being said, how many years over the past 10-15 would SWR, Festa, AND Matthews ALL be penciled in to the rotation based on stuff, potential, the previous season, as well as NEED. There's been years where they'd be auditioning Morris, Lewis, and some inexpensive Happ or Schoemaker type for the 5th spot. I was OK moving on from Paddack as part of a deal, or moving on from his $ as part of adding someone in a different deal, and just move on to one of the kids. But I'm also OK with him...and everyone else...being brought back for 2025. What if SWR regresses and has a sophomore slump? (Not saying he will or that I expect it). What if one of the biggest 3 develops a bad quad or lat strain during ST or early in the season? It's nice to have that immediate depth. For now at least. Festa, Matthews, Morris, Lewis, Raya, and Adams give St Paul 6 talented, young SP options. (I think keeping Adams ends up in a pen role eventually, but TBD). And that's WITH 24yo Jaylin Nowlin moving to the pen, or being sent back to AA after a late season promotion. And it doesn't include Dobnak, or any other the other MILB veterans they've brought in for depth who are probably pen and piggyback options. AA isn't as strong, but it's going to have MacLeod, Culpepper, Jones, probably Prielipp, and a couple more interesting options moving up from A+ this season. You CAN'T keep them all. Some turn out, some convert to be good relievers. But pretty soon they're actually going to run out of room and just cut guys, or more to the point, have the luxury and opportunity to trade some arms to fill specific needs. It's a wonderful problem to have! Yes, that could include a good young catcher to pair with Jeffers in 2026 or 2027. It could also be a really good slugging 1B. And as of today, and talent on hand or close, those are really the top "open" spots on the roster. But that's a different discussion for a different day. It's probably the smart thing to do to keep all that depth for.now. All the moreso with new owners coming in that might change the financial landscape for the better. But I can absolutely see a future move at the 2025 trade deadline and/or next offseason. And you don't have to squint hard to see it.

#1] For the record, I did...and have previosly...state Keirsey's presence on the roster was dependent on getting a legitimate shot to show what he's capable of. And I don't see Bader as a 1 for 2 roster option vs Grichuk and Keirsey since we're talking a different way of building the roster, not 2 for 1's. You have Vazquez as the 2nd catcher. Castro is the primary backup across the INF, though Lee can play elsewhere as well. Miranda plays 1B and 3B. None of that changes in my scenario. Keirsey replaces Bader, provides speed, some power, and defense across the OF. I have Bell replacing France. And then I have Grichuk replacing a projected Julien/Martin as the last man on the bench. Grichuk plays both OF corners as well as DH. Julien is an INF and Martin an OF. So I've replaced either an INF or OF with a 5th OF. Not a drastic change in roster construction, but a version that I think has better offensive potential. #2] I've seen highlights of Keirsey, as well as some ST and regular season games. I have yet to read a report from anywhere that doesn't list Keirsey as anything but at least a good defensive OF, if not very good. No disrespect to Bader, but I'll take what I've seen and read as a general consensus as to him being a good OF. Not suggesting GG quality, but good to very good. I'm taking that in my scenario. #3] In regard to the 12 HR hit by each of Bader and Grichuk, Grichuk hit those same 12 HR in roughly 150 less AB's, and had only about 5 less RBI. And his entire quad slash line was superior as well. Again, not saying I hate Bader, or that he doesn't have value. Not saying there isn't a chance that France far exceeds his $1M payday. But if Keirsey can hit at the ML level to any decent level, I think my roster is better offensively, and not a major downgrade anywhere defensively.

To be fair, the offseason might have gone differently if ownership had offered up the extra $10-15M they ended up spending...(the numbers vary somewhat depending on where you look)...earlier in the offseason for Falvey and company to take a different approach. Would they have signed a BIG NAME FA? No. They still would have been patient and looked at 2nd tier options. But if they could have started making moves in December, I believe things SHOULD/COULD have been done differently. But to be equally fair, I have been critical of the FO for a couple years now ignoring prospects on the farm in favor of poor performing vets. Do we know Helman or Keirsey can be good role players at the ML level? No, because they've only ever been given a couple weeks of intermittent play at the ML level. While Farmer and Margot were performing at a miserable level for most of 2024, it would have been the perfect time to actually play and evaluate these younger, but late blooming, prospects. Bader can't hit. Even against LHP, despite a good career mark, he's been up and down in his results. How about Keirsey as a backup CF/OF for the minimum, and a RH power bat like Grichuk for $5M that doesn't have to be a platoon option only as he doesn't just stink against RH arms. Josh Bell was a veteran, switch hitting 1B/DH I had my eye on. He signed for only $6M. The savings from Grichuk over Bader, and the $1M from not signing France, you already have over half of what it cost to sign Bell. The FO just has to find an extra $2.5M from ownership to make this happen. Or move Vazquez for whatever and grab a decent veteran option on the market to replace him. And there were 2 or 3 decent options for around $5M. I don't dislike Bader. I don't dislike France at $1M. I hope they both have great seasons! But if Keirsey is as good defensively as we've been lead to believe, and as I've seen in snippets, he's got speed to help along with his glove, some power and another LH bat, which the Twins don't have an abundance of. Grichuk is a powerful RH bat who you can play against RH bats. I like that combo better than Bader. Bell is no better of a glove man than France, but he's experienced. His bat, like France, is mostly neutral, but he's probably got more power. And another LH bat option doesn't hurt the lineup. And he's also been better more recently. I'd rather have Bell than France. Are these different moves guaranteed to be better than Bader and France? Nope. But they might be. And it's possible that they ARE better moves than Bader and France. So no, IMO, the FO may have done as well as it could have considering the situation that was thrown their way, but the bench they built is not as good as it could have been, whether we're talking exclusively RH options or not. An ownership group that could have offered up this payroll in December sure would have been nice! And I can't wait for a new owner to take over.