DocBauer

I don't know how they'd accomplish it without BOTH Paddack and Vazquez being moved, but at this point I'd hope/pray they move Paddack, but keep Vazquez at this point, add another $5M to payroll, and make a deal with Tampa for Diaz to play 1B. I believe his team option for 2026 is around $16M if the new owners want to pick it up. But since he's over 30, and TECHNICALLY only on a 1yr deal, I'd like to think Tampa would be interested in something like Raya/Morris/Lewis/Culpepper as a P, Mercedes as a talented OF, but maybe Gonzalez or Rosario interests more, and Dancon or DeAndrade as an INF as a 3 for 1 type of deal that covers all 3 spots and potential. A nice collection of top 20-25 prospects and Tampa gets out from Diaz's $12M deal. CATCHER: Jeffers and possibly still Vazquez. There's still a couple decent veteran options if Vazquez is moved, but the well is drying up. INF: Lewis, Correa, Lee, Diaz, Miranda. Miranda is also part of DH as well as 3B/1B. I think a healthy Lee proves he's ready, even if he won't perform as well as he will with time. OF: Larnach, Buxton, Wallner, Bader. This works best if Bader is a true 4th OF. SUPER UTILITY: Castro. Enough said. 13th MAN: TBD. I can see Julien suddenly getting his game back. But I can see Gasper as a switch hitting, contact bat for 1B/DH/PH, though he doesn't inspire me. Do they possibly keep a 5th OF? ROTATION: Lopez, Ober, Ryan, SWR, Festa. SWR has the potential to grow and be better. Festa might surpass him by mid season. BULLPEN: Duran, Jax, Stewart, Sands, Coulombe are 5 locks if Stewart is ready and not held back a couple of weeks. (He might be as a precaution). I DON'T like Castellano as a rule 5 AA pitcher being stashed as an occasional long reliever. If the Twins really like him that much, they trade to keep him and send him down. Otherwise, he shortens the pen and offers little. So I'm leaving him out of the equation. Alcala...FINALLY used 1 batter at a time, Tonkin as a rubber arm 2 IP veteran middle man, and then IDK for the 7th spot. Topa has an option, but might be that 8th man. Varland SHOULD be up, but based on options and depth, could begin the year at AAA just waiting to be the next man up. Do they keep Henriquez if he has a great ST? If so, that means Topa AND Varland begin in St Paul. It's not fair, but it creates some amazing depth with them, plus Funderburk, and Headrick...who is a RP now...plus the possible debut of Canterino, and the return of Duarte and a few other non roster arms that could surprise and help. 7 set, the 8th spot up for grabs, an almost inevitable injury or delay on SOMONE pushes everyone up a notch or opens up a spot. 13th man and 8th man in the pen are my open spots if everything went the way I want.

Since there's so much to unpack here, guess I'm going the bullet point route to address them: 1] I don't believe anyone here has ever stated that platooning is a bad tactic. It's OVERBUILDING a roster for platooning that shortens your roster as well as SHORTENING the potential of your LH bats. A young, talent LH hitter will never hit LHP if he's never allowed to even try. I have ZERO problem with having a good RH bat who platoons with a LH bat on occasion. It's just playing matchup ball. Say, a good RH bat...who doesn't completely suck against RHP...filling in for Larnach and Wallner once in a while. But to make it your MANTRA is short sighted. 2] Bader, by himself, with good defense, some power, and speed, is not a bad addition unto itself. Forgetting $ for a moment, there's value in what he can offer. IF he's used as a true 4th OF/PR/defensive replacement. But if he ends up with 400 PA, then your system and roster building is in error. And the risk/thought is, we're going to have another Margot situation of a poor hitter playing as a regular when he SHOULD be in that 4th OF role. 3] IF you have a limited budget and have some offensive concerns, then why not look for the best BAT you can find and and use the players IN YOUR SYSTEM that are available to fill in the backup spots on the cheap? We know Castro is OK once in a while in CF. We have NO CLUE if Keirsey or Helman can be viable bench players for the Twins and even help cover CF. But we DON'T KNOW because they've never been given a chance DESPITE being drafted and developed by the current FO. 2024 would have been a great opportunity to try and find out, instead of sticking with Margot and Farmer all season until a couple cups of coffee at the end of the season. Few, if anyone, are saying Bader has NO VALUE. He actually does, especially if he's ACTUALLY USED as a 4th OF, defensive replacement, PH, occasional batter against LHP. But history shows a viable concern he'll be used more than that. And with a limited budget, why not "risk" lesser defense in CF that might be OK with younger players ...especially your #2 prospect already on the 40 man...and use that $ to add a BAT that can actually make a difference? The arguements here make Bader a fall guy, and that's a bit unfair to him. But he's the most recent example where roster construction is being limited in imagination. Again, personally, as the roster sits NOW, I would have run with the various options on hand for CF and maybe signed Grichuk for a BAT that could help in the corners, AND at DH for slightly less $. 4] BETTER VALUE might be shedding Paddack's salary, and combine it with the Bader $, and make a move with Tampa Bay for Diaz to play 1B. You suddenly have a quality and fairly productive 1B to settle your INF, and Miranda can continue to play some 1B/3B and DH. CF? You probably lose some defense, but you have a collection of guys to see if they can ACTUALLY play the position...which you haven't tried yet...and have the potential to match what Bader provides offensively. And again, this includes your #2 prospect that may or may not be ready DAY ONE, but he's super talented and already on the 40 man. Not necessarily Bader's fault he's being used as a whipping boy here. And IF used properly and the Twins SOMEHOW could suddenly pull off a good deal for Diaz, we might not be having this huge debate. But the reality is...and my one major complaint with the FO...is spending $ on mediocre role players instead of someone who could MAKE A DIFFERENCE and ignoring guys they've actually drafted and developed to see if THEY could be inexpensive role players for the bench. Sorry you're being turned in to a punching bag Mr. Bader. You aren't a horrible ballplayer. But you are an example of short sighted thinking for a team on a limited budget. You'd be just fine as a veteran role player addition if our team had the payroll to just make you a depth addition.

Bader, it seems to me, is the 2025 version of what Taylor was supposed to be a couple years ago; Buxton insurance (high quality defense) with some speed and pop and POTENTIALLY a solid hitter against LHP. And again, I'm not saying I hate the signing, or that he doesn't have a good season. But the Twins #2 prospect is a CF. Keirsey is reportedly a solid/good CF backup option. Castro can be OK there. Helman has played a fair amount of CF. And like Bader, Rodriguez, Keirsey and Helman have power/pop and speed to run the bases. I think Grichuk would have been MY move to shore up the offense. The real bite is, they SHOULD have been able to sign BOTH.

Ad I stated, more or less, in the other thread, I don't hate this move. Good defense, some pop/power, and some speed. And he'd BETTER have those things still because the bat just isn't very good. Were I in charge, I would let Castro, Keirsey, Helman, and eventually back up CF and spend the $5M it took for Grichuk. He's a FAR better hitter who covers both OF corners, and DH, but has solid/decent career numbers against RH pitching so he isn't just some platoon option. More power, better splits, better hitter. That's the way I would have gone.

I don't hate this. But I do question it. A career. 776 OPS against LHP sounds really nice until we remember yet again that 75% of all arms are RH and then his career. 669 OPS looks really, really bad. So the defense had better still be very good, and the speed and pop/power had better be there as well. As much as I like and want good defense, defense only and no hit doesn't do a lot for me. Honest question, with Castro probably still playing some CF, with the unproven but athletic Keirsey and Helman as other CF options...solid to good defense and really inexpensive...and Rodriguez on the roster and making his debut at some point, was this really the smart way to go? What about Grichuk...who hits RHP decently and is a better overall bat than Bader...for $5M to DH and play corner OF instead of $6M for Bader and roll with those mentioned above as backups. Wouldn't that have been better usage of the final $ they have to spend?

I was of the opinion that after the first major wave of FA hit, there was going to be a collection of bargains sitting out there looking for work come February 1st. Since the Twins didn't have $ to work with, they were going to need a bargain. I thought Poche...maybe a 2yr deal because he's younger...Chafin or Coulombe should be available for around $3M. That's proved true. Coulombe is a smart bargain, and a good choice with limited resources. What's so frustrating is I had hope Grichuk would be available for around $4M 1yr as a perfect RHOF bat that you could still play against RHP. Laureano was my 2nd choice. To see them gone for only a $1M than I had hoped for is not only disappointing, it ticks me off.

Which i would do if they really see potential in him. It's my understanding they still see him as a potential rotation arm down the road. To me it's a question of what would the Phillies want, as well as how much do the Twins like him in comparison to Lewis, Culpepper, and some guys below them. Being able to option him or keep him in MILB has to be worth what you'd give up.

He was my #3 choice, as I stated elsewhere today, but still a good addition. I wish we had kept him 2 years ago. But maybe we're getting a better pitcher back than he was then. Sure seems like it. Just hoping we can keep him healthy for the full year. The pen feels more complete now.

When FA began there were 3 LHRP that is liked for the Twins that generally perform well against RH bats and were affordable. Coulombe was #3 on my list. But I still like him and applaud this move. Wish they had kept him a couple years ago.

I could see Keaschall having a 2025 impact similar to what Julien did in 2023, but even if his elbow is 100%, he hasn't played above AA yet. So I'm betting he arrives too late to win any award, no matter how good of a season he has. Rodriguez is an enigma wrapped in a mystery. His talent is undeniable, and tantalizing! He's TOO patient at times and K's too much. But he also has AMAZING OB% ability and discipline, still hits, has really good power, can run, and has real defensive ability. My goodness, he had a 1.100 OPS at AA despite fighting injury time! And he's not quite 22yo yet! But even if he's 100% healthy and ready to go, is he ready to harness his patience and aggressiveness at the ML level to find a successful balance? @chpettit19has been a champion to "let it fly" in regard to Rodriguez, amongst others. And believe me, I see the opportunity and value in letting him do so, and let Larnach DH, and spend some time in both OF corners. He'd look good at times, and lost other times. But he just might be as special as we all hope and figure it out by the second half, spending the first half in the bottom portion of the lineup. Defensively, even as a rookie, he'd probably add value over Larnach. But what would/will the Twins think/do? This FO hasn't been conservative in promoting players, generally, throughout the system. But they haven't been prone to moving anyone from AA to the majors so far. And 7 games at AAA isn't really much more than a handshake, sandwich, and cup of coffee. But when you're looking for talent and fan interest on a limited budget, and you have a great talent, do they make the move opening day? Do they feel he's ready "enough" to make the move then, or sometime in April? Honestly, in hindsight, Lewis might have been in a similar situation a couple years ago. It'll be interesting to see what happens. But in regard to the OP, the best opportunity to win a bonus draft pick would be Jenkins in 2026. The power is still coming, but the talent is undeniable. Whether he debuts at the end of 2025 or not, there's a good chance he's ready to be handed a full time job to begin 2026.

Well, it's at least fun to see someone like the Twins in their projections at least. I dislike the premise of any team debate begining with "if healthy" because that describes EVERY team at the end of the day. And there's always the possibility of a rookie or two that changes the complexion of a team's final results as well. But in the Twins case, a healthy Lewis and Correa DOES change a lot of the offensive outlook. And I take issue with the proposed projection of Castro. His .750 OPS in 2023 was almost identical the 1st half of 2024 before he hurt his back and was possibly tired as well. I understand his Tiger numbers, but he matured as a 25yo as a Twin and was doing well last season initially, and is still only 27yo. His maturation timeline for getting better at 25yo is fairly standard, IMO. I also take slight issue with the backend of the rotation, even though it's not bad at all. SWR could regression as a sophomore, and Festa isn't exactly proven yet. But there's room for both to improve as easily as regress as well. While SWR tired late in the season, he's young and hitting a career high in IP is also part of the maturation process as a ML pitcher. And Festa's numbers were really solid after his first few outings. Again, no guarantees, but the upside is clear for both of them. My biggest concern is lineup depth. I can have a combination of hope and limited belief in Helman, Keirsey, and a bounceback from Julien, possible improvement from Martin as well, but that's very different than having a payroll that allows you to add a couple pieces to provide confidence in your bench. Were the Twins, for example, to offload Paddack's contract and spend his $ and the reported $5M extra available in payroll to make a trade with the Rays for Diaz at 1B, suddenly allowing Miranda to DH as well as play 1B and some DH, suddenly my only concern is a spare OF. But I do find this speculation to be interesting, if a bit flawed.

This was an AMAZING breakdown! It really made a TON of sense, while continuing to prove that it's almost impossible to accurately measure what is a good defensive catcher. Maybe it really comes down to what each team is looking to GET from their catchers. I've always said that the most important part of being a catcher is calling the game, and working with the staff, and providing CONFIDENCE for the staff. (BTW, Jeffers really showed just how intelligent he really is during his interview in the Meltdown. If you haven't listened to it, please do so). I often shake my head in the various debates here on TD concerning Jeffers vs Vazquez. So much division on opinions! A fairly recent OP on TD had someone post pitching numbers over the past 2 seasons between Jeffers and Vazquez and while the numbers weren't far off, it would seem Jeffers was the better receiver. But there's still so much randomness from those close statistics...who caught who the most, as well as the quality of the stuff thrown by each pitcher, etc...that no real conclusion could be reached. That Jeffers is the younger player, with a much better bat, and more potential is a fact. That Vazquez has been well below average as a hitter is also a fact. But if we look beyond offense and OPS and just focus on the results of the Twins pitching, I think it's fair to say both catchers are doing the job that's intended: lead the staff to perform well. Is Vazquez overpaid? Yes, probably. Has his offense been less than hoped for and generally pretty bad? Yes. But his salary put aside, he's a veteran catcher who has the confidence of the staff, and the team in general. Same with Jeffers. It's doubtful Vazquez is back in 2026, but not impossible. The Twins are probably going to look to find a different partner to pair with Jeffers for 2026 and beyond. But I do wish, for a moment, both sides of the "who's really better" behind the plate would just realize and accept that BOTH seemingly do their primary job pretty well, which is handle the staff.

A really great OP, Nick. And I can't argue with any points you made. But I feel compelled to comment on a few guys. BUXTON: Better health cover Lewis, Correa, and Miranda, of course. But with Buck's fixed...as close to 100% as it's been in years...might his bothersome hip be better with a "normal" offseason, as he puts it? While he'll be rested at times, I wonder if we can daydream about 120 games? CARTAYA and CAMARGO: I really hope Cartaya's defense and throwing improve. I hope his back is OK...been reports he had some issues of late...and he gets his BAT working again. But he really hit a wall at AA. Meanwhile, Camargo has a much better CS % for his MILB career, and unlike Cartaya, his BAT began to take off when he reached AA. There's been a lot of comments about his poor 2024, but his 2022 was pretty solid, and his 2023 was quite good with an .826 OPS for St Paul. The Twins won't play him, for whatever reason, but he's been the #3 catcher for 2yrs and I've never heard anything negative about him. So what's going on there? KIDS: A lot of hope and faith that Rodriguez and Keaschall will debut by midseason. But I really hope the Twins bring both McCusker and Eeles in to ST for more than a casual look. McCusker is long and has a K issue, but he's also made a lot of improvement. And while Eeles may be short, he's really built solid and can run. And you can't ignore the bat to ball ability and plate discipline he's shown thus far. LATE BLOOMERS: I don't know what to expect from either Helman or Keirsey. They've done enough the past couple of seasons to indicate the ability is there. If they were each 2yrs younger would we be more excited about them? Considering their roles...4th OF and 7 positional super utility player and both with some pop and speed...what kind of OPS do they need to show to be viable options? If they would both OPS around .680-ish, and the league average was about .700, does that make them viable ML bench players/contributors? JOURNEYMEN: I'm not excited about Ford at all. Maybe he surprises. Gasper has some intrigue, and NOT because he can be an emergency catcher. He doesn't have speed and doesn't have much power. But if his bat to ball and good eye ability could translate to the ML level, he MIGHT have a shot as a PH/DH and part time 1B. He'd certainly provide a different look as a contact hitter.

I don't have a personal opinion about what statistic(s) are best used to measure a pen. One of the great things about baseball is how you can measure ANYTHING...and they do...but you can also disagree with which measurement really indicates what is the most true measurement. It can become a vicious circle. I guess I tend to look at WHIP a lot, and I do believe inherited runs scored has a firm place as well. But I also see where WAR and fWAR have their place. I think WPA is a nice tool as well. It would be great if someone had a formula where you could take about 5 of those tools and come out with an aggregate number. (Is there and I'm not recalling one?) I also like to look at a pitchers OPS against. But that can also be skewed. As to the pen AS CONSTRUCTED, and the focus of the pen as is, Duran's overall numbers and underlying numbers were still solid. He simply proved to be "human" in 2024. I've stated before, maybe his sequencing just needs a little adjustment. Maybe he just needs to take a little off his splinker if his FB is "only" 100mph instead of 102mph. I doubt there's a team in all of MLB that wouldn't take him in a heartbeat if they could. Same with Jax. I pushback somewhat on the idea of "defined roles". I don't entirely disagree, in theory. But a MLRP knows he has to be prepared almost every game to pitch when called upon. And I've had some issues with pen use by Rocco. But HIGH LEVERAGE positions are a real thing. And Duran and Jax are BOTH used in those spots. With little exception, either will be used in the 8th or 9th. There's no real mystery there. By the same token, a veteran middle man like Tonkin knows he's going in to the game in the middle innings, he's not being used in a late game HIGH LEVERAGE situation. Because a publication says the Twins have one of the best, or THE best pen on paper is THEIR opinion, and NOT TD, or the Twins saying they have the best. I think that's a distinction to remember as we discuss and prepare for 2025. But I see the logic. The depth of arms is pretty impressive, even if you don't like every option available. In point of fact, I think the "option game" might not even have the Twins open with what might be their best pen. EXAMPLE: Are the Twins really going to open the season with rule 5 pick Castellano eating up a roster spot as a seldom used innings eater in blowouts? Is that what a contending team does? Or do they send him back to the Phillies, or still work out a deal to keep him and farm him out? (I'd make a deal if they really like him that much if the cost is right). Does Henriquez show enough in ST to earn an initial roster spot because you wouldn't dare lose him, especially IF you're also stashing Castellano? So the pen is fluid right now, and that's not necessarily good or bad. Depth is GOOD, as long as you are keeping quality arms at the ML level and not keeping better arms stashed at AAA "just because" you want to build depth. Duran and Jax, stalwarts. The best arms we've got. Stewart is as good as both of those if healthy. Reportedly, he feels great after his cleanup procedure, but is slightly behind in his program. Plenty of time to be ready. Stewart for 50 IP is a game changer. I'd even settle for 40. I think by now we've ALL seen and generally agreed that Alcala has 1 IP dominance ability. IMO the excuse of "someone has to throw more than 1 inning" is poor, if not ridiculous, especially as the pen in constructed now. I understand injuries had an affect on his usage in 2024 to some degree, but I still blame his poor usage on Rocco to a degree. Allowed 1 IP, he's damn good as 6th-7th inning guy. Period. Sands showed progress in 2023. In 2024 he was EXCELLENT. He was so good, generally, especially in low BB totals, he could have some regression and still be trusted. Varland is a Wild Card who might not even make the opening day roster. And opinions on him are divisive I know. But I've watched this kid for 3 years now, as a SP and RP. And some want to point out a bad 2024 and seemingly refuse to look at everything else he's done. Even when he had poor rotation starts, he was usually good ONCE through the lineup, if not twice. Allowed to max out for 1-2 IP, he's got the stuff to be very affective. Topa and Tonkin are very much the same pitcher. Topa had ONE great season with Seattle after overcoming injuries. His SSSS late in 2024 he looked OK. Might he be a bridge arm in 2025 with his knee 100%? But with options, he MIGHT give way to Tonkin to begin next season. Why is everyone so down on Tonkin? After leaving MLB for Japan, he had a solid 2023 with the Braves. Despite bouncing around in 2024 to various teams...ALWAYS IMMEDIATELY picked up by someone else to fill a role, he was as good or better than he was in 2023. He's a rubber arm veteran for the middle innings who puts up solid numbers. He's a potentially perfect 8th man...as could be Topa...who's really only "disposable" because he's cheap and older and not a high leverage arm. I say again, if you have Tonkin and Topa available, and Varland might be as good or better as a 2 IP arm, why would the Twins keep Castellano on the roster? And BTW, you're also considering keeping Henriquez as a similar, younger pitcher with some upside. I'd rather have an all RH relief corp who has the ability to get LH batters out vs having another Okert LOOGY type option. Funderburk was my pick for most disappointing arm in 2024. The former starter had a solid 2023 where I thought he'd take a step forward. He didn't. And Thielbar seemed to hit a wall. I still think Funderburk has potential. Maybe he'll take a step forward in 2025. I sure hope so. I think Hendrick has a shot as a former starter to convert. And I think previous starter Nowlin has a chance to really surprise if the Twins convert him as a RP right away. But I sure wouldn't be opposed to adding a LHRP with the "extra" $5M they supposedly have available to spend. NOT going to talk about the possibilities of Canterino or Prielipp or Adams or other MILB arms, but Duran, Jax, Stewart, Alcala, Sands, Varland, Topa, Tonkin, Funderburk, Headrick, Henriquez and other possibles SHOULD make us feel really good about how the pen looks at the moment.

I'm going to hit on a couple points made here: 1] I fully embrace letting rookies play instead of a retread veteran that costs $M's of dollars and performs poorly. I am HOPEFULL that Martin turns a corner with the glove and bat in 2025. I'm HOPEFULL that either, or both, of Keirsey and Helman will finally get a chance to show if they can be solid, fairly productive bench players. I don't know that they CAN, but when your hands are tied financially, and you have "older" players who have performed at the AAA level that YOU drafted and developed to this point, you need to see what they can do. COUNTERPOINT: If you have a SPOT that appears empty, I don't think signing a veteran on a 1yr deal to fill that spot until your system can produce a ready replacement is a bad way to go. What COULD the Twins do with an extra $5M? There's still about 3 LHRP they could probably afford to sign to flesh out the pen: Coulombe, Chafin, and Poche. It's possible a veteran bat like Grichuk might take $5M-ish because nobody else is going to give him what he wants. He's a fairly split neutral RH bat who fills a SPOT on the roster, but isn't JUST a platoon bat. ONE YEAR potential fix for 2025. $5M extra to spend isn't going to have a huge impact on the 2025 Twins overall, but you might fill a spot. 2] What if Paddack was moved for all, or most all of his $7.5M to a team looking for depth, and the Twins are willing to roll with their young depth. Accurate or not, there have been rumors in the offseason that the Jay's want to move Yandy Diaz for prospects. He's owed about $12M in 2025 with a team option in 2026 for around $16M. A deal like this adds a solid bat to the team, helps "fix" anxiety over the 1B situation, and Miranda can STILL play 1B, as well as DH, and can still play some 3B here and there. I had heard previous rumors that maybe the Orioles wanted to move Mountcastle. If at all true, same situation as Diaz, but younger, still in arbitration, and not quite as good of a player, but the end result is similar. When the payroll is this tight, the extra $5M doesn't solve anything pertinent, but it might allow, or assist, in filling ONE SPOT on the roster that remains a question mark for 2025.

Willing to admit yet again I didn't understand the Keaschall pick. But boy was I wrong! He's athletic enough to play anywhere, and might be the perfect replacement for Castro in 2026 as the SUPER UTILITY player on the roster. Not directly as I'm not certain about SS/3B despite his college career at SS, but how well does his arm return after TJ? Athletic ability says he can play all over. The Twins put him at 1B and OF to protect his arm in 2024 knowing he needed surgery. So his defensive position(s) are a bit up in the air right now. If Lee takes over 2B full time it's a GOOD THING. If Miranda stays healthy and learns to play 1B well it's a GOOD THING. That DOESNT mean Keaschall isn't valuable. There's still enough IF's involved to see Keaschall as that SUPER UTILITY player. But he's also a potential full time 1B/2B depending on time and trades. I couldn't care less if his power didn't indicate he should be a 1B, if his defense and offense PLAYS, then I'd be OK if he replaced Miranda. JUST an example. His BAT and GAME looks like it plays. Festa's PURE STUFF outplays SWR on the surface. Supposedly, he's working hard on a curveball. If he can make that even a decent offering, or make it more of a sweeper, I think he jumps ahead of SWR, with all due respect, to take over the 4th spot in the rotation. Endurance and a 4th pitch makes him a top of the rotation SP, IMO. I expect Lee to take over 2B and not hit like he's GOING to. I'm expecting an AVG in the .250-.260 range with a solid OB and 14HR and 32 Dbls. The AVG and OB will get better. The doubles will jump. Not sure if the HR will ever be 20, but doubles will be there and the HR might jump to 18-ish. Is there a chance the pure ability to be super patient and under aggresive in AB that Rodriguez has shown can translate to the ML level with his power? He could be special if his contact and power ability and patience could work against a high K rate. I can't wait to see what he might do, but I expect a learning curve that might disappoint initially. But I can't wait to see him! Jenkins just needs to be healthy. PERIOD. He's the best pure talent since Buxton. And we shouldn't care if he debuts in 2025 or in 2026. He could be special.

Not YET. But he might be the most intriguing prospect in the system for 2025.

I appreciate the article. But simply, it's disjointed in the way it's presented. It's either players 25yo or younger for 2025, or those who don't turn 25yo until the season starts. Or players who are already "only" 25yo as the season starts. Not trying to pick on anyone or play fan editor, but if we're talking important players only 25yo or younger, Royce Lewis makes the list. He still won't turn 25yo until June. Love him or not, Julien doesn't "escape" 25yo status until the end of April. Sorry, but as a blogger, former English and journalism major/minor, and writer, CLARITY of intent should be made more obvious. Otherwise, this list becomes, potentially, a top 15-20. (Which might be even more interesting). As far as the players listed: Soto is someone i think could be special. The former SS has the build and length and pure potential stuff to be special. It's a long way to the top if you want to be a rock and roll singer...errr...MLB SP! But he's a quality, young kid with pure STUFF that has added pitches and K'd batters and had highs and lows as a 19yo at A ball. IMO, he's borderline untouchable for what he might be in a couple of years. Ignoring the rhetoric I and others have expoused here in the comments, where is 24yo Connor Prielipp? He's probably the most enigmatic prospect in the Twins system. But if his elbow is now RIGHT, he's lightening in a bottle that SHOULD have been included. Very impressed by what SWR did in 2024, increased velocity, much better slider. By his own admission, he lost his change a bit with his new delivery. He gets that under control, he takes a step forward. Matthews might be better, but we'll see how 2025 plays out. Same with Morris. Matthews followed a developmental path seldom seen. A rough ML debut earlier than it was supposed to happen shouldn't surprise or diminish what he did in 2024. And Moriss is just behind him. Culpepper reminds me of Keaschall. He wasn't necessarily what I wanted when draft time came. But what do I know? Culpepper...and i often dislike comparisons...seems to be Keaschall but a more PURE SS. Same potential with all the qualities of contact/AVG and some OB and pop/power and speed. Just maybe a better pure glove.

He was an OK but not great Sap in college. He was a decent/solid looking SP in AA in 2021. But he was never a top 10 Twins prospects, and I believe he was in the mid to latter tweens. He got unfairly blasted a bit, IMO, when he debuted for the Twins. The breaking ball looked good, but he was very inconsistent. He started to flash some in 2023. I never saw him doing what he did in 2024! The velocity is up...though it remains lower than others...and the control has REALLY come around. He's actually become a potential pen fixture that can be counted on. There's absolutely no reason to consider him as a SP any further, based on the arms available, and his pen transition. It's one thing, IMO, to have a former top arm fight control, or a 3rd pitch issue, and then possibly "find himself" and improve in a pen role and then MAYBE move back. It's a very different thing to have a mediocre SP go to the pen, find success, and then move them back with the expectation they'll be as good, or nearly as good, throwing 90 pitches and facing a lineup a third time, or even a second time. Jax is where he should be. Sands is where he should be. And Varland is probably going to be in the pen, which is where he should be. A top arm in the pen in today's game is worth as much, if not more, than a mediocre back of the rotation arm.

So Garver would start over Jeffers in this scenario? Larnach, Wallner, Helman, and Keirsey are in no man's land while Gordon is a prime 4th OF? I'm extremely puzzled by this, unless jt was designed to be ridiculous and invite debate? BTW, that pen doesn't look bad at all. That team, as listed, is put together very poorly.

What i saw in 2024 was an average 3B. Personal opinion and the number of games I watched. Regardless, if the work he put in to be an average 3B...or less in your opinion...could be put in to 1B, I'd like to think he could be a solid 1B. There's a lot of subtleties like knowing what to cover and when, but scooping the damn ball is #1. If he can do that and hit like he's shown he can, I'm OK with the rest of his game being a work in progress. Baseball gods help me, I'm still waiting for the next Morneau at 1B. Maybe the athletic and talented Keaschall? Maybe Keaschall moves Lee or someone else to 1B? Or does Miranda stay healthy, develop his glove and build on the offense we've already seen?

Power PLAYS! OB % PLAYS! And neither of these are new concepts! And the Twins aren't bad in either of these categories. The problem has been consistency and situational hitting. Nobody has ever "called out" anyone, but there have been allusions concerning hitting approaches game by game that the previous staff supposedly put in place and weren't always carried out. Is that blame on the strategies in place? The players not following the strategies in place? Maybe a lack of adjustments in game? We're on the outside looking in, so I don't think we really know for sure. TOTAL run production has the Twins very high the past few seasons. The problem has been too many games where they score 8, and then lose too many 1 run losses. FAR too many games with runners on 3rd and 2nd and 1 or 0 outs and a simple sacrifice fly could have scored a run. No idea who's at "fault" but it is interesting that they did change the hitting coaches. That they did so to "cover" Rocco as an excuse is ridiculous. The FO could easily "balme" him and ushered him out as they did Molitor. They're looking for a different voice to make changes in approach in regard to situational hitting, maybe different mid game strategies. In 2023, the offense was terribly inconsistent and lead the team to a .500 record mid season. Better production and production from some young prospects propelled the team to a playoff appearance. The offense in early 2024 was putrid, then really good for about 4+ months, then the whole team melted down the last 6 weeks. But can we just stop with blaming Rocco for every bad thing that happens? Look, I'm not his biggest fan! I have debated some pen moments and usage. I've disagreed with too heavy of a PH and too heavy of a platoon strategy, but he's not responsible for injuries or rookie pitchers hitting a wall or players suddenly forgetting how to hit. Rocco has been on record stating in 2019 and 2020 he almost had to do nothing but write out a lineup. After that, he had to start making decisions. All very tongue in cheek to be sure. Again, I'm not his biggest fan. I think he's a pretty good manager overall, but I have issues with some of his choices the past few seasons. But him RECOGNIZING and ACCEPTING changes need to be made tells me he's intelligent enough to recognize these things. The Twins aren't going to suddenly be a running, SB team. They aren't going to suddenly be a bunt/sacrificing team. (HINT, the whole BUNT thing is ONLY situational, and history has proven that). But a new staff might just either communicate better, or make better in game adjustments than the previous staff. They might, for example, figure out how Julien can still be a patient hitter, but also be more aggressive and hit or foul of breaking pitches until he finds something he likes. (Kinda like Larnach). If new owners want to move on from Rocco, I don't have a problem with that. But Rocco recognizing some changes have to be made, and a new set of coaching staff in place to find a different direction, even if it's subtle changes, are all positives heading in to 2025. Of course, a healthy Lewis and Correa makes a difference as well. But let's not quibble about having your best players available.

I don't disagree. But I think it's as simple as Lewis has the ability to be a very good 3B, who just needs to overcome the weird throwing action he developed last season. He seems to have a little better arm than Lee. Considering he played so much 3B in HS, and then transitioned to SS his senior year, and primarily played SS as a MILB, I'm still a little confused how he developed that "trouble" in his arm angle/throws. I think he'll be just fine. But I see no reason why he shouldn't keep working some at 2B for no other reason than late game moves that MIGHT require/allow him to play there. Miranda has improved enough at 3B to be ML average there, IMO. So you simply increase your flexibility in the INF. I think it also makes sense simply because there are more options to play 2B with Lee, Julien, Martin, Eeles, and Keaschall. IMO, 2B is reserved for Lee if he can put his rookie season behind him and just be the hitter we/everyone believes he can be. (Opinions vary, but even his floor is expected to be solid). I stubbornly refuse to believe that Eeles isn't a potential ML ballplayer, but he's still in a "prove it again" cycle that I understand. Keaschall could replace Castro as a SUPER UTILITY player, OR take over 2B if Lee falters...I don't think that will happen...OR potentially take over 1B. I won't dismiss Julien after one bad season. MAYBE he was a flash in the pan hopeful prospect. He hit in college, he hit in MILB, and he hit as a rookie in 2023. He also made great improvements as a defender in 2023. He suddenly lost the ability to hit or play defense in 2024, but I'm betting the long game with him. I'm betting he becomes a 1B/2B/DH rotational/regular lineup player. But he has to turn it around in 2025 or he might be pushed aside. I'm just not sure I see Martin as an answer at 2B, but it's probably his best position on the dirt. I see him as an OF who CAN play 2B. I think he's best as a utility player who primary covers the OF, but I'm just not sure the instincts are there. Just too many bad reads when I watched him last season. Unless he makes major improvements with his bat, and defense, I'd rather see him at St Paul to begin 2025. The kid has talent, and I know he was only a rookie in 2024, but he just looked lost to me at times. But I'm also not ready to dismiss him yet either.

All 3 interviews are fantastic!

Kwesi has done a good job managing the roster as whole, and did a tremendous job in FA last offseason. His drafts have been AWFUL to better each of his 3 seasons. His UDFA signings have been almost as successful as the drafts. (YES, I recognize is scouts and not JUST Kwesi). I'm not IN on keeping Ingram as a backup G. I'm still pi**ed that they didn't keep the young G in camp last year, Robinson I believe, that "almost" made the initial roster. He impressed the HELL out of me in preseason to the point I thought he should not only be kept, but maybe given an opportunity to push Ingram for the starting spot. Alas, someone signed him off the practice squad. As bad as Ingram has been, I'd wager a 5th round pick or smaller FA signing would be better. I've had arguements with one of my sons that IN NO WAY should the Vikings spend their 1st round pick on an IOL! But then I mention how incredible McDaniel was for us at G, and the CENTER position being so good for DECADES before recent poor performances. I'm IGNORING any draft options pending FA, and any sort of Donaldson sign and trade options. Just too many wheels turning to do so. My FIRST priorities are bringing Bynum and Murphy back. Next is another CB, then a DL and OL. There's a decent chance FA and re-signs MIGHT take care of that. But it's a mixed bag. IF they sign TWO OL, then maybe CB is the top draft priority. And I'd be happy to bring back Jones on a similar $7M 1 year deal and draft a young RB to work with him before the younger player takes over. Does a 30yo + RB really have a market? I'm really excited about the future of this team. But 2025 is SO DEPENDENT on FA and any possible Darnold sign and trade for extra picks that the only thing I'm looking at RIGHT NOW, is a few re-worked deals to add to the FA $, and who they sign. THEN I'll start to focus on the draft and how many picks they have. It's POSSIBLE they get everything they need and want in ONE offseason. I've just always thought they were on a 2 year cycle with a young QB and talent on hand and financial flexibility. The problem is other teams are also in place when it comes to FA.